Shadow War campaign In-Game: Chapter 42- The Temple Awaits

[Navarre]

The Shadow War

Chapter 42
The Temple Awaits

You approach the Church of West Wellington. Even before you get close, you see the carriage of Pontiff Baptiste sitting outside.

The Knights of Bragendol are preparing it for travel. Their own war horses are there as well, including a one-ton black warhorse that wears its barding as if it were light silk.

Other than Major Thrommel, you see all the Pontiff's Honor Guard checking their mounts. In their line of duty, the loss of one's mount may shortly proceed the loss of the rider's life.

Captain Wynterborne is overseeing Sergeant Braddock, who in turn is ensuring each Knight performs all necessary checks and duties. Major Storme is walking up to the largest warhorse, patting it on the nose and talking to it in a low reassuring voice.

His back is to you and he wears his armor though not yet his helm. You notice all the Knights are armored for combat.

The horse blinks once at your approach and Storme, catching your reflection in his steed's great dark eyes, turns to greet you.

"Fair Day, friends of the Empire."

[Web.Metz]

"Fair Day, Major Storme."
Faerun smiles at the turn of phrase.

[Navarre]

The unnamed Knight that present during the street fight involving Trevalcor comes up to Sir Storme. He salutes his superior.

"My mount is prepared for travel, sir. Do you need any assistance?"

Major Storme looks at the younger man and shakes his head.

"No. Never trust any man to see to the life of your steed, for it is your life he sees to as well."

The soldier flushes just a little and nods, taking in the lesson of the legendary Storme before returning to his own horse. You notice he begins double-checking every single buckle and strap that he and his comrade had shared in fastening.

Major Storme checks the champron and peytral one last time before lifting a flanchard that no two men could lift. He places the huge piece of shaped steel over the warhorse's hind quarters and begins to fasten it.

You see that the flanchard bears the brown rampaging boar on the hunter green metal, as you would expect of a war mount of House Bragendol. But the peytral bears a snow white war maul crossed behind with red lightning while a smaller version of this symbol is etched into the center of the horse's face guard, resting between the two long spiral spines that you are certain have gored more than one foe to death.

Major Storme is aware of you as he continues his work but attends to his task. You sense some urgency among the men.

He tightens on of the straps and the mighty horse snorts a bit, perhaps anticipating battle though all seems calm. Storme pats the horse, with whom he sees eye to eye, on the neck gently.

"Steady there, Blitzkrieg.  Steady."

The horse flutters its lips, reassured by his friend's calming influence, as the handsome hero of the Gallian Empire turns back to you.

"You proved your mettle more than once this week. Your names will reach the King's ears, I promise you."

"Are you departing West Wellington as well? Perhaps returning to your respective homes?"

[chrysalis]

"I would like to return to my home of Forest Falls soon. I have this strange feeling that it is in danger." I look to see any reaction from him after mentioning my hometown.

[Navarre]

He looks back to his horse, rechecking a buckle you just saw him check twice.

"I hope it is not, milady."

[chrysalis]

"Me too. I want to bid you farewell on your journey."

[Gaumer]

Bedlor regards Storme,

"Major, if'n I can be speakin' to ye. Out'a earhot o' yer men an' others, if'n yer able?"

[Navarre]

Victor nods agreeably and walks with you toward one side of the church. His horse, which has a most unusual name, watches you walk by with slight interest.

Storme looks over the moving clouds once, probably predicting the coming weather for whatever trip they are about to make. He stands a few feet back from you and it occurs to you that he is trying to be respectful by not making you stare upward at his towering height at such an extreme angle.

"Yes, Mister Enghart. What did you wish to discuss?"

[Gaumer]

"well, firstly I wanted to be thankin' ye personally fer 'elpin' out the girl in the arena. I be knowin' ye'd be just as selfless fer anyone. But this'n be closer to me than most, so...thank ye."

[Navarre]

The Knight nods thoughtfully.

"Yes. I seem to remember Sergeant Braddock mentioning you knew the young woman from the inn. I did not recognize her, as I had not been to the inn myself. You are welcome. I am glad she was unharmed."

"Those invaders capitalized on fear. Hopefully she has not been too shaken by the experience."

[Gaumer]

"She be as strong as granite an' more stubborn still. She'll be bein' fine.

But, there be somthin' else I be wantin' to be sayin' to ye. Yer trophies as a soldier o' the green be many, fer certain, an', as a soldier such as yerself, ye be goin' an' doin; what yer orders be tellin' ye. So I not be wantin' ye to be takin' me wrongly when I be sayin' ye showed a might bit o' disrespect in the arena wit' the wearin' o' the 'eadgear ye wore.

By Kallum, a warrior be standin' in that same line as ye who be o' the very same race o' the trophy o' 'orns ye wear so proudly. I be killin' a right few men but I not be carryin' 'round their ears like some prize or sign o' respect.

No one be more weary o' war than the soldier fightin' it. If'n ye can't be seein' by now that Drade be a friend to all than ye be blind. But if'n ye be seein' it as I'm sure'n ye do, be usin' 'im as an example as ye order yer own soldiers to the fight.

But again, I thank ye fer aide, an' I wish ye a safe journey."

[Navarre]

Storme seems a bit taken aback. It is doubtful he has anyone question him about much of anything. Still, he takes a minute to consider your words before replying.

"You have seen yourself what an effective weapon fear makes on the field of battle. The addition to my helm is designed to intimidate my foes, as they see I have bested far greater warriors than they. It is not my goal to rejoice in that victory or to undermine the courage of those I face but to perhaps quell the battle my some means other than my war maul."

"I have faced many foes and I have been impressed with the courage and honor with which they have engaged against me. I have never meant to take anything away from them other than the ability to threaten the citizens of the Empire."

"But...", he pauses.

"But the fallen are not respected when dissected and sported about as decoration. I had never considered it to be anything other than an aspect of the wearisome war I wage yet I cannot fault your point."

"I am humbled by the realization. I shall have a new helm crafted when feasible and the old one returned to Madrell's Rock."

"I am not afforded the time to speak to Mister Drade but, if you should see him, please let him know that I hold his honor and love for this city in high regard."

[Gaumer]

"No more than the folk who be livin' there be 'odin' yerself, major.

Thank ye."

[Navarre]

You turn to walk back to your party when you feel Major Storme's large hand on your shoulder. It halts you as surely as if a vise had been clamped onto your arm.

He leans down a little, looking past you toward the others as he speaks. When he does, it is in a low cautionary voice.

"I do not know where you and your friends travel next but I am aware of Miss Eia's concern. I give you a warning not to go to Forest Falls."

"His Grace has had to alter his plans of travel to both that small village as well as Eastland in the face of information to which I am not privy. We ride hard west from here to meet up as soon as possible with the Pontiff's own Guard. They shall continue on from there to Shrine Island while our squad leads point force for the Legion from Albemarle Green."

"Our destination is Forest Falls. Our foe has not been named to us yet but, if it requires the Legion's involvement, then Forest Falls is a place you should avoid for your own safety as well as your friends."

[Gaumer]

"Aye. Thank ye 'gain, major. Good luck to ye."

Bedlor walks away from the major and tells Liv and everyone else what he was told.