Running wildly without reason, a weary horse dug deep into the earth as its rider urges him on with a furious volley of kicks. Pulling on the reigns without mercy, the horse avoids a collision with a tree and continues its mad gallop. Behind them, a bronze helmet bearing the mark of a sea serpent remains floating down a stream. A broken sword washes up beside it before sinking down into the muddy dirt. A gem within its pommel catches the sun, emitting a red beam.
The Rider pays no heed. Wearing a vest of chainmail decorated with pieces of mossy green armor, sweat falls from their brow as the inside of their helmet grew hot. Clenching their teeth, they breath heavily.
Hours pass. The tired steed begins to shake violently. Ignoring the angry grunts of the Rider, the horse's eyes roll back and with a loud agonizing neigh collapses onto the grass. Having been thrown forward, the Rider places a hand before them and cartwheels. Coolily steadying themself upright, the Rider looks as the unfortunate animal and is suddenly overcome with sorrow.
As if awakened from a dream, the Rider takes notice of their surroundings. The land was unfamilar, but the sharp cry of irritated guard causes their neck to stiffen.
As they open their eyes, they can see they are being approached by several soldiers in red and black armor, weapons at the ready. One of the soldiers, a young man in battle worn armor, pushes forward. "As a Captain of the Dragon Knights, I command that you state your name and business immediately."
Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
The Nameless Knight breathes an eerie sigh, clicking their tongue twice before answering with a voice as hoarse as a rusty hinge. "Sithee, my steed is in need of a stable. His head is full of troubles, his throat in need of water."
Breathing heavily, the horse shudders and flicks its tail. The Knight strokes its mane. "I'd rather not squander any longer on pleasantries that prolong mine friend's pain. To answer your question, Kyte is my name."
As they open their eyes, they can see they are being approached by several soldiers in red and black armor, weapons at the ready. One of the soldiers, a young man in battle worn armor, pushes forward. "As a Captain of the Dragon Knights, I command that you state your name and business immediately."
Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
The Nameless Knight breathes an eerie sigh, clicking their tongue twice before answering with a voice as hoarse as a rusty hinge. "Sithee, my steed is in need of a stable. His head is full of troubles, his throat in need of water."
Breathing heavily, the horse shudders and flicks its tail. The Knight strokes its mane. "I'd rather not squander any longer on pleasantries that prolong mine friend's pain. To answer your question, Kyte is my name."
OOC: I've decided to place this in the Dragon Kingdom but not at the castle, so I can incorporate these characters.
IC: The soldiers do not lower their guard. "Water and rest can be provided, if you answer my questions quickly and truthfully. What loyalties do you hold? How did you arrive here? Have you seen anything unusual in this area recently, particularly anything in the sky?" Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
The Nameless Knight breathes an eerie sigh, clicking their tongue twice before answering with a voice as hoarse as a rusty hinge. "Sithee, my steed is in need of a stable. His head is full of troubles, his throat in need of water."
Breathing heavily, the horse shudders and flicks its tail. The Knight strokes its mane. "I'd rather not squander any longer on pleasantries that prolong mine friend's pain. To answer your question, Kyte is my name."
OOC: I've decided to place this in the Dragon Kingdom but not at the castle, so I can incorporate these characters.
IC: The soldiers do not lower their guard. "Water and rest can be provided, if you answer my questions quickly and truthfully. What loyalties do you hold? How did you arrive here? Have you seen anything unusual in this area recently, particularly anything in the sky?" Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
IC: Gently patting the horse's head, The Nameless Knight tilts their head. "A mere wandering led my path askew, 'fraid I paid attention to the ground more than the sky to spot anything. " Pointing to the pouch hanging from the side of one soldier's belt, the Knight inquires of it. "Good fellow, may mine steed borrow thine flask?"
A grunt from the annoyed Captain forces the Knight to rise, revealing the stranger was armed with a basket-hilted broadsword hidden in a cowhide sheath. "Can't a fellow go on without being loyal to none but themselves?" Pulling out a necklace laced with sea shells, the Knight throws it down before the Captain. "A piece of my homeland, beyond the endless sea." The Knight strikes a leg and performs a quick bow as a show of courtesy.
OOC: I've decided to place this in the Dragon Kingdom but not at the castle, so I can incorporate these characters.
IC: The soldiers do not lower their guard. "Water and rest can be provided, if you answer my questions quickly and truthfully. What loyalties do you hold? How did you arrive here? Have you seen anything unusual in this area recently, particularly anything in the sky?" Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
IC: Gently patting the horse's head, The Nameless Knight tilts their head. "A mere wandering led my path askew, 'fraid I paid attention to the ground more than the sky to spot anything. " Pointing to the pouch hanging from the side of one soldier's belt, the Knight inquires of it. "Good fellow, may mine steed borrow thine flask?"
A grunt from the annoyed Captain forces the Knight to rise, revealing the stranger was armed with a basket-hilted broadsword hidden in a cowhide sheath. "Can't a fellow go on without being loyal to none but themselves?" Pulling out a necklace laced with sea shells, the Knight throws it down before the Captain. "A piece of my homeland, beyond the endless sea." The Knight strikes a leg and performs a quick bow as a show of courtesy.
"From which direction did you travel to reach our land?" Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
IC: Gently patting the horse's head, The Nameless Knight tilts their head. "A mere wandering led my path askew, 'fraid I paid attention to the ground more than the sky to spot anything. " Pointing to the pouch hanging from the side of one soldier's belt, the Knight inquires of it. "Good fellow, may mine steed borrow thine flask?"
A grunt from the annoyed Captain forces the Knight to rise, revealing the stranger was armed with a basket-hilted broadsword hidden in a cowhide sheath. "Can't a fellow go on without being loyal to none but themselves?" Pulling out a necklace laced with sea shells, the Knight throws it down before the Captain. "A piece of my homeland, beyond the endless sea." The Knight strikes a leg and performs a quick bow as a show of courtesy.
"From which direction did you travel to reach our land?" Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
"I know naught for I've never been the most knowledgable with maps." The Knight leans beside a tree. "Now, I shall ask once more, treatment for mine horse or my hand will be forced. And though I might be painted a criminal, for the life of my steed I will be cleared in the eyes of others." The Knight rests their hand on the hilt of their blade, eyeing the anxious soldiers.
"From which direction did you travel to reach our land?" Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
"I know naught for I've never been the most knowledgable with maps." The Knight leans beside a tree. "Now, I shall ask once more, treatment for mine horse or my hand will be forced. And though I might be painted a criminal, for the life of my steed I will be cleared in the eyes of others." The Knight rests their hand on the hilt of their blade, eyeing the anxious soldiers.
The leader now has his blade drawn as the rest of the soldiers begin to do the same. "We will be happy to care for your horse. Are you Xain?" Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
"I know naught for I've never been the most knowledgable with maps." The Knight leans beside a tree. "Now, I shall ask once more, treatment for mine horse or my hand will be forced. And though I might be painted a criminal, for the life of my steed I will be cleared in the eyes of others." The Knight rests their hand on the hilt of their blade, eyeing the anxious soldiers.
The leader now has his blade drawn as the rest of the soldiers begin to do the same. "We will be happy to care for your horse. Are you Xain?" Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
The Knight shakes their head. "Will that be a prerequisite for yon extension of aid?" Walking up to a soldier closest to them, the Knight looks him over before performing as sleight of hand. A minuscule chestnut seemingly appears out of the soldier's left ear, but with the other hand the Knight takes the soldier's small pouch of water and coins.
Strolling back to their horse, the Knight rocks their head in mocking. "Yes, upon my first meeting with the Dragon Knights and they've proven themselves to be the most talkative bunch...almost to a fault." The Knight pours the pouch gently into the horse's parched throat. "One must wonder what the citizens are like?"
The leader now has his blade drawn as the rest of the soldiers begin to do the same. "We will be happy to care for your horse. Are you Xain?" Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
The Knight shakes their head. "Will that be a prerequisite for yon extension of aid?" Walking up to a soldier closest to them, the Knight looks him over before performing as sleight of hand. A minuscule chestnut seemingly appears out of the soldier's left ear, but with the other hand the Knight takes the soldier's small pouch of water and coins.
Strolling back to their horse, the Knight rocks their head in mocking. "Yes, upon my first meeting with the Dragon Knights and they've proven themselves to be the most talkative bunch...almost to a fault." The Knight pours the pouch gently into the horse's parched throat. "One must wonder what the citizens are like?"
"That's enough. Your disrespect is unacceptable. We will be bringing you to the castle to answer our questions properly." The soldiers surround the Knight and begin attempting to seize them.
The Knight shakes their head. "Will that be a prerequisite for yon extension of aid?" Walking up to a soldier closest to them, the Knight looks him over before performing as sleight of hand. A minuscule chestnut seemingly appears out of the soldier's left ear, but with the other hand the Knight takes the soldier's small pouch of water and coins.
Strolling back to their horse, the Knight rocks their head in mocking. "Yes, upon my first meeting with the Dragon Knights and they've proven themselves to be the most talkative bunch...almost to a fault." The Knight pours the pouch gently into the horse's parched throat. "One must wonder what the citizens are like?"
"That's enough. Your disrespect is unacceptable. We will be bringing you to the castle to answer our questions properly." The soldiers surround the Knight and begin attempting to seize them.
Raising their hands, the Knight playfully chuckles. "Surely, to make it easier for you and your masters, shall I not go out of mine own accord? I am no fool in that I cannot take correction. Lead me onward Captain that I may learn of your country."
Stroking the horse one last time, the Knight whispers into its ear. "Rest easy my friend. In time may fortune favor you find peaceful pastures to lay your head." Getting up slowly, the Knight rings out in a coarse and hollow voice, "Well? Stow your weapons and bite your tongue."
Turning aside to face one unfortunate soldier, the Knight taps their helmet once. "Do not question it friend. Hostilities between us both will only lead to needless destruction...and on such a fine day as this? I cannot bear to think of it."
"That's enough. Your disrespect is unacceptable. We will be bringing you to the castle to answer our questions properly." The soldiers surround the Knight and begin attempting to seize them.
Raising their hands, the Knight playfully chuckles. "Surely, to make it easier for you and your masters, shall I not go out of mine own accord? I am no fool in that I cannot take correction. Lead me onward Captain that I may learn of your country."
Stroking the horse one last time, the Knight whispers into its ear. "Rest easy my friend. In time may fortune favor you find peaceful pastures to lay your head." Getting up slowly, the Knight rings out in a coarse and hollow voice, "Well? Stow your weapons and bite your tongue."
Turning aside to face one unfortunate soldier, the Knight taps their helmet once. "Do not question it friend. Hostilities between us both will only lead to needless destruction...and on such a fine day as this? I cannot bear to think of it."
At a nod from the captain, the soldiers grab the Knight and begin leading them down the road. One of them starts leading the horse, albeit much more gently than those handling the Knight. "There can be no fine days while traitors and Xain invaders stand on our kingdom's ground." Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
Raising their hands, the Knight playfully chuckles. "Surely, to make it easier for you and your masters, shall I not go out of mine own accord? I am no fool in that I cannot take correction. Lead me onward Captain that I may learn of your country."
Stroking the horse one last time, the Knight whispers into its ear. "Rest easy my friend. In time may fortune favor you find peaceful pastures to lay your head." Getting up slowly, the Knight rings out in a coarse and hollow voice, "Well? Stow your weapons and bite your tongue."
Turning aside to face one unfortunate soldier, the Knight taps their helmet once. "Do not question it friend. Hostilities between us both will only lead to needless destruction...and on such a fine day as this? I cannot bear to think of it."
At a nod from the captain, the soldiers grab the Knight and begin leading them down the road. One of them starts leading the horse, albeit much more gently than those handling the Knight. "There can be no fine days while traitors and Xain invaders stand on our kingdom's ground." Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
Turning their head back slightly to monitor the horse, the Knight cheerfully responds. "Friend, if you could explain why I am a traitor, I shall be able to play the part a tad bit better."
At a nod from the captain, the soldiers grab the Knight and begin leading them down the road. One of them starts leading the horse, albeit much more gently than those handling the Knight. "There can be no fine days while traitors and Xain invaders stand on our kingdom's ground." Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
Turning their head back slightly to monitor the horse, the Knight cheerfully responds. "Friend, if you could explain why I am a traitor, I shall be able to play the part a tad bit better."
"You're the one who has refused to explain your presence." The soldiers continue escorting the Knight. Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
Turning their head back slightly to monitor the horse, the Knight cheerfully responds. "Friend, if you could explain why I am a traitor, I shall be able to play the part a tad bit better."
"You're the one who has refused to explain your presence." The soldiers continue escorting the Knight. Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
The Knight scoffs. "Oh, but I did good fellows...I did. I knew naught where I was until you fine band of soldiers extended an ever so warm welcome."
In caution of overplaying their hand, the Knight reminds their escorts of their sword's presence. "Good one aye. Saved me from a lot of trouble, whether that be chucking apples from trees or felling the devious machinations of the common cobweb."
"You're the one who has refused to explain your presence." The soldiers continue escorting the Knight. Dragon Knights HQ (Dragon Kingdom Location)
The Knight scoffs. "Oh, but I did good fellows...I did. I knew naught where I was until you fine band of soldiers extended an ever so warm welcome."
In caution of overplaying their hand, the Knight reminds their escorts of their sword's presence. "Good one aye. Saved me from a lot of trouble, whether that be chucking apples from trees or felling the devious machinations of the common cobweb."
The Knight draws back, letting out a sigh. "Should I tell you my tale, prove yourself a noble man and treat me with honor. If not, I shall be on my way. Whether you will stay to see the next dawn is for you and your men to decide. I mean no offense, but I cannot be dragged away like a criminal any longer."
The Knight scoffs. "Oh, but I did good fellows...I did. I knew naught where I was until you fine band of soldiers extended an ever so warm welcome."
In caution of overplaying their hand, the Knight reminds their escorts of their sword's presence. "Good one aye. Saved me from a lot of trouble, whether that be chucking apples from trees or felling the devious machinations of the common cobweb."
The Knight draws back, letting out a sigh. "Should I tell you my tale, prove yourself a noble man and treat me with honor. If not, I shall be on my way. Whether you will stay to see the next dawn is for you and your men to decide. I mean no offense, but I cannot be dragged away like a criminal any longer."
Taking their silent stares as approval, The Knight relaxes their muscles before suddenly wrenching from their grasp and unsheathing their sword at the neck of one of the Dragon Guards.
Frightening his comrades, The Knight smirks underneath their helmet. This was their intention. "Sithee, the climate of the land must be growing fearful if this is how yon guards treat a weary traveler and their poor steed. Though I am armed I do so out of caution as proven this day by your behavior."
Eyeing the circling guards, the Knight still holds the hostage. Pulling a piece of cake from their pouch, they slap it into the hand of the hostage and push him away. Wiping their hands, the Knight leans on their sword and laughs heartily. "I could have ended him there you know, but I am far too honorable for such a thing." The Knight picks up their trusted sword once more and slices a few branches off a nearby tree. Carrying them on their shoulder, the Knight lays their bundle on the ground and produces a spark. Poking the cooking fire with the end of the sword, the Knight motions to the Dragon Knights. "I have no ill will. Come and eat." The Knight impales a few apples from the nearby tree, playfully dancing their sword in the air before pointing it at the previously held hostage. "Surely, a fire is the best place to share some tales, though mine may not be so colorful."
