A knight's return home

[stupidhonor]

[Suddenly a portal opens up, and from within...]
"I am an envoy! By my honor, we come in peace!"

[A small group of Ankaian knights in their Knight's Arms step out, waving flags and banners, their weapons sheathed.]

"The Ankaian moot, most important of our gatherings, will begin in less than a week. By the given rights, Lord Anya the Champion of Ankaia, and his wife Lady Kimhone, request presence of people of Earth, those who belong to the order of 'Unity Group'. Yours will be the role of important guests. Bring arms as you wish, however rest assured as no harm will befall you. I swear, it is no trap nor deception."

[All prompts frontdated several days - way after Calvin's mission.]
[1]
[It was no trap nor deception. Passing through the portal brings you to a strange land. A world of rolling plains and huge rocky pillars, save for the howling winds its impression is... empty and quiet. Plants are present but infrequently, mostly familiar looking but scarce trees and grasses, and the buildings its people erected in the past are grandiose, huge halls and tall spires - but now, many of them lie abandoned, fallen into ruin and the artifacts stored within long since fallen into disrepair. These are just shadows of former glory, as current people of Ankaia prefer humbler housing in small villages. And yet...]


I... am home.

[At this sight, Sielje seems happy like she rarely is.]

[2]
[The Ankaian capital, where the moot will be held - possibly the only real city yet remaining on the planet, parts of its spires still occupied and surrounded by a serene lake. In this place you have a chance to visit a certain location...]

[Sielje's house - or rather, several chambers in a smaller, southern tower. They seem empty, not the ruined emptiness of most of Ankaia, but much more ordinary, impersonal emptiness of a dwelling of someone who is rarely home. Still, the large windows provide a beautiful view of the city's surroundings. Sielje herself isn't here, but...]

It has been so many years, and yet it fits. I must see!

[And there she is, entering the room - while wearing an elaborate, big fluffy dress. Sielje immediately takes to the mirror, twirling in front of it - her movement interrupted as she catches the glance of your reflection.]


Perhaps it will be not all... that bad...

... [Blush creeps up her face.]

I did not... expect you to be here.

[3]
[The moot itself will take several days - a gathering of Ankaia's finest knights and lords, in the capital's largest hall. Those gathered wear attire of differing levels of historical anachronism and practicality, and yet though they all seem to emanate strength and confidence, no one except for the common guards is armed. Also, Sielje doesn't seem to be around.

Some of the lords give you curious looks but say nothing, while others try to distance themselves or frown with outright disgust and hostility. You have a feeling you are not exactly welcome here. There is however a single exception.]


"Could it be? Yes, it must be! The guests from Earth, welcome! I am glad to to see you respond to the invitation!"

[A large man wearing golden armor notices you with his piercing gaze - the intense expression breaking into genuine smile as he approaches and offers a strong handshake.]


"Welcome. After your past experience with Ankaian people, I can hardly blame you for exercising caution and distrust. But the two of us ask you not to judge the whole by actions of few. In fact, Ankaia may need Earth's help yet. Here."

[And accompanying him is an unusual woman - one with horns and leathery wings, her stomach visibly rounded and bulging out somewhat.

Meet Ynya and Kimhone - Champion of Ankaia and his wife, both Sielje's friends. The latter holds a platter in her hands, and offers it up.]


"Would you have some? I hope it is to your taste - the ways of making it are not well known here but Ynya worked hard, and the ingredients are all genuine. He used no food table paste."


"Ha ha ha..." [The Champion scratches the back of his head in embarassment.]
"Being the leader of the Old Watch does have its advantages."

[The offered thing - is bread. Slightly misshaped and not cut, but it looks and smells like all-natural bread.]

[4]
[Whether you try to search for Sielje during the moot or just explore the area, straying from the main meeting hall has you encounter...]

"Are you lost? You would best not wonder. What gave you impression this is a friendly land? It is not."

[A young man who can't be even twenty years old yet. His long cloak obscures most of his body, and he stares in your direction with a disinterested look.]


"Not for the likes of you, anyway."

Comments

[srwu_npc4]

"Just 'Ynya' will do. Well spotted, I am the Champion and many other things, but first and foremost I am myself."


"Likewise, it will be just Kimhone then. The knight, you speak of Sielje? That does sound like her."

The two exchange slightly concerned looks, like parents talking about their rebellious teenage kid.

[keep_your_dignity]

AS YOU WISH. I WILL BE MUCH OBLIGED IF YOU REFER TO ME AS MAJOR KAGURA OR SIMPLY MAJOR NONETHELESS, HOWEVER, AT LEAST WHILE I AM ON DUTY. [The fact that far as she's concerned Kagura is always on duty need not be mentioned for now]

[To the next bit, the massive armor nods] SIELJE IS HER NAME, YES. SHE HAS SPENT SOME TIME AMONG UNITY GROUP, SO WE HAVE TALKED ON A COUPLE OCCASIONS. [She doesn't continue, though. Those looks of concern, Kagura has learnt that with this kind of honest people often you don't need to actually prompt them. Just give them a little silence to stretch in and they will volunteer an explanation or some other conversation topic that worries them on their own soon enough]

[srwu_npc4]

"As you say, Major Kagura. Sielje - how is she? We heard news of circumstances that surround her."

[keep_your_dignity]

PERMISSION TO SPEAK FREELY, MA'AM?

[srwu_npc4]

"Kimhone. By all means, speak your mind whatever it may be."

[keep_your_dignity]

HOW IS SHE? SWINGING BETWEEN FRUSTRATION AT WHAT SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND OR CONTROL, WHICH IS A LOT, AND BADLY CONCEALED GIDDYINESS AT NEW THINGS, ESPECIALLY FOOD, ON A PER MINUTE BASIS, GENERALLY.

[srwu_npc4]

"That sounds like Sielje, indeed. I am glad to hear she is fine."


"I doubt either of us would do much better in her place. Sielje was not even a member of the Old Watch, yet she ended on Earth. I hope we get a chance to speak to her yet."

[keep_your_dignity]

SHE SHOULD BE AROUND. IT WOULDN'T BE PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT. I CAN FIND HER FOR YOU.

[The robotic head turns slightly, the eyeless face turning towards some of the lords scowling at the Earth delegation]

THOUGH SEEING HOW HALF THESE PEOPLE WANT TO SEE THE PEOPLE I'M IN CHARGE OF HANGED BY THEIR OWN GUTS, I SHOULD PROBABLY NOT GO FIND HER MYSELF. AN ARTIFICIAL WEAPON WALKING AROUND WOULD BE EASY TO SPIN INTO AN INCIDENT.

FORGIVE THE CANDIDNESS, BUT YOU SAID TO SPEAK FREELY.

[srwu_npc4]

"No, you are true. Many are nervous by your arrival. To appear as you breach honor, to make it look as if you are ungrateful guests who strike against the hosts - would not be hard."


"But your presence here too serves a purpose. I wish for people of Ankaia to see Earth has a human face." Ynya coughs, realizing what he just said.
"No offenses intended. I spoke poorly."

[keep_your_dignity]

NONE TAKEN, CHAMPION YNYA. I'M NOT HERE TO BE THE FACE OF ANYTHING ANYWAY. FOR THAT YOU WANT DIPLOMATS, NOT OLD DRILL OFFICERS WITH MULTIPLE AXES TO GRIND.

I'LL TRY TO KEEP EVERYONE UNDER CONTROL, HOWEVER. DON'T WANT TO GIVE ANYONE AN EXCUSE TO START RABBLE ROUSING

[srwu_npc4]

"Good. Rabble rousing would start definitely in your absence. But even the greatest opponents of Earth find it harder to talk ill of you when you are present."

[keep_your_dignity]

I GET THAT A LOT.

[Wait, was that a joke? Even if it was in Kagura's deapan grim humour.

Well, joke or not, as an eight feet tall, armed to the teeth robotic frame, that seems pretty believable]

[srwu_npc4]

"Actually, Ynya spoke of you as in the guests from Earth in general."


"Ha ha, yes, but I definitely see what you mean too, Major Kagura."

[keep_your_dignity]

I KNOW, MA'AM. THAT WAS ME BEING FLIPPANT.

I WILL BE HONEST, I'M NOT AT ALL SURE THIS IS GOING TO WORK WITHOUT SOME SERIOUS PAINS. THERE IS ENOUGH HATE AND FEAR IN THE AIR TODAY THAT A MATCH COULD MAKE THE WHOLE THING EXPLODE. AND I'M MUCH MISTAKEN ABOUT HUMAN NATURE IF THERE AREN'T AT LEAST A COUPLE PEOPLE PREPARING GASOLINE AS WE SPEAK

[srwu_npc4]

"Yes..."

The two exchange gazes. Kimhone nods - and her husband nods back.

"Lord Moswar's coalition was broken with his death, but another one rises. Keep an eye out for Lord Ishin. Like Moswar, he has no love for Earth."

[keep_your_dignity]

THAT'LL BE THE KID IN THE LONG CLOAK THAT APPEARED TO BE TRYING TO SCORN US TO DEATH WHEN WE CAME IN, I PRESUME?

[srwu_npc4]

"The one. Do not let his age fool you, he is not a Lord for no reason."

[keep_your_dignity]

SO WE HAVE A LEADER POPULARLY CONSIDERED TO BE DESTINED FOR GREATNESS, WITH A RADICALIZED VIEWPOINT, AN EASY TO IGNITE SITUATION, AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF PERSONAL AND PROJECTABLE POWER.

WONDERFUL.

[What Kagura doesn't say is that given all that she expects they're probably going to end up having to kill him. That's kind of a faux pas to say outloud.]

KNIGHT SIELJE WAS NOT VERY SPECIFIC. WHAT DOES THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHAMPION INVOLVE? WOULD YOUR REBUKING HIM HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE AMOUNT OF PULL HE WOULD HAVE?

[srwu_npc4]

"Only if he acts dishonorably." Ynya frowns.

"Ankaia does have rules of honor, they describe both large breaches of it and smaller infractions. If Lord Ishin broke any of them, in letter or in spirit behind it, he was good at hiding the deed."

[keep_your_dignity]

I SHOULD LIKE A WRITTEN COPY OF THESE RULES, IF POSSIBLE. FOR MULTIPLE REASONS.

[srwu_npc4]

"A copy will be prepared and delivered to you soon, then. Take special care when reading about challenging honorably. Many matters on Ankaia are settled through challenging others, or staking a claim and daring them to challenge you on it."


"Of course frivolous challenges are a great way to make new enemies and lose your support... and possibly life."

[keep_your_dignity]

I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT BY THE TIME THIS ENDS I'M GOING TO HAVE GROUNDS TO CHALLENGE SOMEONE. WHO THAT ENDS UP BEING WE'LL SEE.

[srwu_npc4]

"A fair warning, many will reject a challenge if they see the challenger as without honor. This includes people from Earth."


"Ynya does not mean all people of Earth are without honor of course. Just that the type you may want to challenge is strongly inclined to believe so."

[keep_your_dignity]

IT WOULD RATHER SATISFY THE EARTH SENSE OF POETRY, THOUGH. YOU SEND AN HONORLESS ASSHOLE TO FIGHT AN HONORLESS ASSHOLE, BECAUSE HE DOESN'T DESERVE BETTER.

[Which means that would probably be a job for her.]

CAN'T SAY I'M SURPRISED, THOUGH.

[srwu_npc4]

"With luck you will find assholes to bring to poetic justice yet. But yes, as you noticed already - the laws of honor are not perfect, far from it. They were set up with best intentions, but the test of time..."


"This is why it is good to have a Champion who recognizes the flaws. To know better how others may abuse the law - and not to follow its letter blindly. Or to pretend things never change."