Atlantic Roleplay Community Boards

[Talon Skyfire]

---

Protégé


“Black sails on the eastern horizon! Pirates!! To Arms!” yelled the watchman atop the walls of Cove as he gazed at the eastern horizon. Immediately, guardsmen in House Blackwind colors began closing the gates. Knights examined their weapons as their squires hastily helped them into their armor.

The young Lord Adin Blackwind rushed atop the parapets to examine the situation for himself. “Give me that looking glass, Oswald,” said the young Lord. Adin pressed the scope to his eye and gave the black dots on the horizon a scrutinizing gaze.

“OOF!,” grunted Oswald as Lord Blackwind lightly clapped him on the back of the head.

“Those aren’t pirates. Take a closer look. Black sails, aye, but look what is on them. A Golden Wyrm on a Black field….Sanctus. A dragon on black, gold, and orange, Zento. Our allies have arrived!”

***********

The gangplank of “Lightbringer,” the flagship of Sanctus, landed on the docks with a loud thud. Immediately, a group of white clad knights descended; a stark contrast to the black garbed figure behind them.

Talon descended to the docks with his men, ever present greatsword protruding from under his jet cloak. He was immediately greeted by the young Blackwind.

“Cove bids you welcome, Sire,” Adin said from a rigid bow.

“Rise my friend,” said the King.

“I like what you’ve done with the place. Much better than I last remember it,” said Talon. “I have a gift for you.”

One of the Kingsguard unfurled a large silken flag bearing the colors and emblem of Sanctus.

“This will look wonderful flying atop our walls,” grinned the young Blackwind.

**************

Much later that evening, the Lord of Cove and the King sat at a game of stones. The warm fire kept the ever present chill of the sea at bay.

“Your father would be proud of you, Adin,” said Talon as he moved a pawn forward.

“My thanks for the kind words, Sire. I miss him dearly”

“As does the realm. Perhaps he could have averted the current mess that Trammel is in with his voice in the government ,” said the King calmly, moving another piece.

“What is the plan now that the Moonglow situation has abated?” inquired Lord Blackwind.

“Your claim here provides the Free Nations with two sea ports in Trammel. It is an excellent start for broader operations,” said Talon. “We have left forces in Sanctus to contend with any aggression from Luna or Umbra, as well as a force in Moonglow to assist in any Ophidian attack.”

“The situation in Moonglow is laughable at best,” chuckled the young lord. “Barl is still pretending to be Mayor, but has no support base. And the Regency vainly put flyers up offering protection. Truly a paper tiger. Ive heard they’ve taken to holding their meetings in basements?”

“Hai, they have,” spoke Lord Tai over a book he was reading in a nearby chair. “Not something the perfectly lawful and proper government of Brittania should do. In Zento, we allow the public to know the goings on of our administration, not plot and scheme in basements.”

“Be that as it may,” said Talon. “They have turned away every envoy we have sent to them, and the Lady Regent still hasn’t signed an armistice. We even rescinded the declaration of war as a sign of good faith. Not that they would dare raise a sword against us to begin with.”

“What do you propose we do next, Sire?” asked Lord Adin.

“You could press your claims elsewhere if you so desire. Though I would hold that ace in my sleeve until it is needed. We will deploy troops in Vesper as well to help staunch the Ophidian invasion,” the King said matter of factly. “Already, the vanguards of our forces are on the ground in Vesper.”

“Surely the Regency will not welcome help from the Free Nations, your grace.”

“That is their loss,” spoke Lord Tai with a grin. “If they refuse to acknowledge us, we shall do the same. And then….”

“And then we find this Gracen fellow…” finished the King.

(Open story, responses welcome)
_________________
~Lord Talon Skyfire
King of Sanctus
Lord Protector of Malas