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Post by Imperator on Mar 5, 2014 13:12:34 GMT -6
I will be posting each chapter as they are finished. Thus I would appreciate it if no-one else posted in this thread until the entire thing is done.
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Post by Imperator on Mar 5, 2014 17:18:52 GMT -6
The Cat and The Rabbit. The tale of The Aegean and The Beveren. Chapter One: The Beveren
A brisk winter wind howled through the streets of Empyrean, the capital of the Kingdom of Aileanor. A lone knight walked through the mostly empty streets of the Upper Ring. He wore masterly crafted castle forged steel armour, with exquisite detailing of the royal crest on the breastplate. His own family crest adorned his slightly tattered cape that hung from his shoulders. The crest was that of a green kite shield, with dark purple edging. At the centre of this shield was the image of two black rabbits standing straight up on their hind legs facing each other. On his hip hung a castle forged steel longsword; the sheath inlaid with an intricate gold decoration. This was the equipment truly befitting the Captain of the Royal Guard, Ser Eoin Beveren.
It was mostly quiet inside Beveren Manor, Eilwen Beveren, Lady of the household, and wife to Ser Eoin Beveren was peacefully reading by an open fire. She had invited her two handmaidens, Gwyneth and Eleanor, to read with her. Being from common families, neither of the young girls could read very well despite being in their early teens. In-fact, all of their reading skill are thanks to Lady Eilwen, who would often invite them to read with her both for their company and to personally help them with their own reading. The only sound, other than the roaring fire and the odd chatter between Lady Eilwen and her handmaidens, was coming from the training room. Inside was Owain Beveren, son to Ser and Lady Beveren, he wasn't strictly allowed in there unattended, since he was only 10 years old, in-fact today was his 10th birthday, and there was nothing more he wanted than to become a knight just like his father, so he took any opportunity he could to sneak in and practice swinging sword, and there was clearly much for him to learn.
The door to Beveren Manor swung open and slammed shut in the wintry wind as Ser Eoin finally returned home. He walked to his wife and softly kissed her cheek. “Good evening, my love. I'm sorry I can't stop long, I'm just here to pick up Owain. Do you know where he is?” Lady Eilwen smiled up at her husband and gently placed her book on her lap, her handmaidens following suit, not wanting to read ahead. “ That's okay, Dear. He's probably in the training room, don't be too hard on him for being in there.” Ser Eoin kissed his wife once more. “Don't worry, I'm not going to spoil this big day for him. I'll leave you ladies in peace.” He gave the handmaidens a quick smile and a nod then went off to the training room. Owain was still taking swings at the training dummy with a wooden sword, he noticed the door swing open and his father enter the room. He quickly dropped the sword and stood away from the dummy. “F-Father. I... I was just...” Owain looked like he was almost about to burst into tears, then Ser Eoin laughed. “It's okay, son. It looks like you could use the practice anyway. Now come, you need to pack some things.” Owain looked back his father with a confused face. “P-Pack? What do you mean? Where are we going?” Ser Eoin smiled at his son. “Why to the castle of course. You're to be my squire.” Owain's face lit up as he rushed over to hug his father. “Really?! I'll go get my things right now!” He then ran off to get ready. Ser Eoin shouted after him “I'll wait for you outside. Be sure to say goodbye to your mother.” He then proceeded to leave the manor and wait on the steps outside the front door.
Moments later Owain emerged from the house, wrapped in warm clothing and bags almost bursting with clothing. “Ready!” Ser Eoin looked down at his son and laughed again. “You sure are. Did you kiss your mother goodbye?” “I did. I'm going to miss her...” Owain's expression saddened. “Don't worry, son. If we're not busy, I promise I'll bring you to see her whenever you want. And what about your mother's handmaidens, Gwyneth and Eleanor? Did you kiss them goodbye too? They both have a thing for you, and I know you like them too.” Ser Eoin playfully nudged his now blushing boy and laughed. “I... I do not! A-Anyway... They're older than I am,” Owain was almost struggling to carry his things as he walked along side his father. “They're only older by 3 years. But if you'd prefer someone your own age, that's okay too. Now come on, we should hurry to the castle.” Ser Eoin helped his son with his things and they both quickened their pace to the castle. Two guards were posted outside the main gate. “Hold! State your busin- Oh. Sorry, Knight-Captain. I wasn't expecting you back so soon.” Ser Eoin nodded to the guard. “It's okay. It was just a quick trip to pick up my boy this time. It's his 10th birthday and he's to become my squire.” The guard looked down at Owain. “Well met young Lord. If you take after your father, I'm sure you'll become the best knight in the Royal Guard one day.” Owain smiled enthusiastically at the guard. “Th-Thanks!” Ser Eoin ushered his son through the gate. “Your kind words are welcome, but we must be off to unload his things. He'll be sharing my chambers for now.” Ser Eoin then lead Owain through the courtyard and into the castle itself. The entrance hall was a grand sight, leaving young Owain in awe. The ceiling was 20 meters heigh, huge stone pillars were neatly arranged both to help hold it up and for decoration. Each pillar had a different story of a kind of old carved into them, with only a couple being black, awaiting a new story to tell. A royal banner hunger between each pillar, reaching down from the very top of the ceiling to centimetres off the floor. Each banner was adorned with the royal family's crest. The banners themselves were white, with the crest placed 8 feet from the bottom. The crest itself featured the profile of a sitting black cat, a crown adorned upon it's head to identify it as the current royal crest. The cat sat on a rose red field, boarded with a thick black outline. The whole shape was that of a heater shield. Owain and his father stepped further into the entrance hall and began walking up a grand staircase, with an opulent red carpet running down the centre and to the door. They walked past the throne room, many servants were busy arranging grand tables and decorations. Owain tugged at his father's arm to get his attention. “What are they doing?” Ser Eoin looked down at his son then into back at the throne room and the stream of servants going in and out. “They're preparing for tonight's feast. A very special one, that only those who live here in the castle will be invited to. And, since you're my new squire that means you're invited as well.” Owain's face formed an expression of excitement. He has always wanted to go to a royal feast in the castle. They continued walking and and came to another grand staircase, less decorated as it was obvious guests were not permitted this far into the castle. On their way up they passed a young girl, looking around the same age as Owain, she was accompanied by what appeared to be her own handmaiden. Owain once again got the attention of his father. “Who was she... ?” The girl had obviously left an impression on the boy. “The young Lady? She'll be at the feast tonight. So you'll find out then.” They finally reached Ser Eoin's chambers, it was a large room with a large double bed centred on the far wall. Wardrobes and dressers lined the walls and dark get curtains hung in-front of the windows that overlooked the courtyard. At one end of the room was another bed with another wardrobe and dresser. There was a curtain, that looked like it had just been put there, separating this area from the rest of the room for privacy. Ser Eoin helped his son bring his bag to his bed. “Go on, get unpacked and settled in. I need to go see to some final arrangements about security for tonight. If you must explore, please don't go far. We'll have to be at the feast earlier than everyone else so I'd like to be able to find you quickly.” Owain nodded and began to unpack. “Okay, father. I'll stay right here.” Ser Eoin rubbed his son's hair. “Good boy.” he then left the room, closing the door behind him.
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