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Post by Benedict Liatris on Feb 1, 2011 22:49:19 GMT -5
The death of the queen had completely overshadowed the death of my father, and now I was losing my mother as well. Unable to bear the grey pall that had settled over the house, I went for a ride in the crown forest.
Stopping in a clearing, I saw a tree about the same thickness as a decant sized man. Drawing my sword, I began to fence with the tree. Thrust, parry, parry, thrust. My thrusting became rougher, my movements more enraged, until I was stripping the bark from the tree with my blade. Throwing aside the sword, I began to punch the tree, the bark bruising my knuckles through my thick gloves until they bled. I punched and punched until my throat was raw from grunting and I slid to my knees, crying racking sobs for my father and the country that had forgotten him.
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Post by Cygnus de Trevalion on Feb 1, 2011 23:54:10 GMT -5
I was told to ride and check the perimeter, I had stayed to the close proximity of the castle and had patrolled by foot, but I got on my gray dappled horse and did as I was instructed. The change in pace was nice, marching alone had gotten tiresome and though I did not think I would find any suspicious behavior, I did what was told of me regardless. Well, I did not expect to find someone practically attacking a tree, the sounds alerting me before I actually saw him. I rode in closer at a slow trot and reared my horse a few feet from him to give the man his space.
"That hardly seems healthy," I said, dismounting when I suddenly heard him burst into tears. I had thought him furious, but it seemed the man was trying to deal with his sorrow in a way he was not sure how. "Are you alright?" I asked, though clearly he was not, but I was not sure what to say. "Cygnus de Trevalion," I said, extending a hand out to him in friendship. "Is there anything I can do for you?" Even if it was just a stranger's ear, it could help.
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Post by Benedict Liatris on Feb 1, 2011 23:59:36 GMT -5
"Ngghh?" I looked up to see a soldier extending his hand down to me. I recognized the name and took his hand to shake it, though I didn't get up just yet. "Benedict Liatris," I said thickly, trying to wipe my tears away. "I'm sorry, I, um, I thought I was alone. I didn't mean to interrupt your ride or anything."
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Post by Cygnus de Trevalion on Feb 2, 2011 0:36:09 GMT -5
I had hoped he would use my hand to get up as well, but he shrunk back, looking absolutely exhausted and worn out. "No, no," I said with a shake of my head. "It was not ride of leisure, I can assure you. I am the captain of the army, I was merely patrolling the perimeter for any suspicious activity. Not... that you are that," I said, not wanting to upset him further, "but you were in distress so I'm here to offer any aid." Not that I was sure I could be of any assistance, considering the situation. I did not know why he mourned. "Are you going to be alright?"
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Post by Benedict Liatris on Feb 2, 2011 0:39:49 GMT -5
"Captain of the Army?" Hurriedly I stood up, though my legs felt weak and I was sure that I looked as haggard as I felt. "Then I am even more sorry from distracting from your patrol...though I guess you were doing your job...and well I might add." I dried my face on my sleeve. "My father is dead," I said roughly. "My father is dead and the queen is dead but no one remembers him save me and my family. It is as though the fire burned away all memory of him and how he served this country."
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Post by Cygnus de Trevalion on Feb 2, 2011 2:39:11 GMT -5
When he tried to hurriedly stand up, I shook my hand, waving my hand dismissively. "Please, there's no need for any formalities, I'm a citizen just like yourself." I might have been a prince as well, but that was only in ceremonies and formal situations. Right now as far as I was concerned, I was nothing more than a man who happened to be riding by a fellow brother of the d'Angeline blood. "It is fine, I assure you," I said when he apologized, listening quietly as he explained in haggard breaths. "His death comes at a rough time..." Easily overshadowed by the queen's, it was so easy to overlook the death of a man not well known. "Who is your father? Is there at least going to be a proper ceremony for his passing?"
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Post by Benedict Liatris on Feb 10, 2011 19:09:33 GMT -5
Even in my grief, I drew myself up proudly. "My father was the sovereign duc of Camlach, a good warrior and a fine man," I said, not without a touch of bitterness, "and the only ones who will mourn him properly are me, my mother, and my sister. My younger brother is but a babe in arms, he will never even know his father."
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Post by Cygnus de Trevalion on Mar 24, 2011 15:43:49 GMT -5
“It is terrible for a child to grow up without a father,” I remarked, sympathizing with him. I could sense the bitterness in his voice. Indeed, it was so easy for any other death to be overshadowed by the queen’s, especially when hers had been a murder. “He at least has another good man in his life to help raise him and show what it means to be a man,” I said, nodding my head. “Indeed, it is a difficult time that your father has died but if indeed he is the man that you say he is, I am sure you and your family are not the only ones mourning his loss.”
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Post by Benedict Liatris on Mar 24, 2011 20:30:54 GMT -5
"If that is so, their grief must be very private, for we have received no visits, no notes of consolation," I said. "I am confident that I can show my little brother how to be a man, but right now, I feel that my family is truly alone."
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