A knight's guidance

[stupidhonor]

[1]


"Kimhone, will she truly be able to hear me this way? For certain? ... Aha! A familiar face."

[Suddenly a private but low security transmission is received by Unity Group. On the other side you can see the Ankaian champion, pleasantly surprised that this works. And he's not alone.]


"Salutations. How fare you? We heard news of Earth and they were tumultous. It looks like you managed to prevail however, and I am glad for it."


"Is Sielje any place near? It is my turn to ask for her favor. Something she is best suited for, and may it bring our realms closer together in this difficult time."

[2]

"Is this how people of Earth live? Peculiar... I expected a place more austere. It certainly is lively though!"


Not quite... It is not a city, but Unity Group's Fort Alhambra...

[Sielje is playing tour guide for a small group of Ankaian delegates - knights young and old, men and women, they came here to experience themselves how Earth's like. But Ynya made a (probably wise) decision not to shock them with the big cities yet, so far a UG base should suffice.]

"Ignorant upstarts, you know nothing!"

[It looks like most of the tourists have better things to do than to take in the views however.]

"To hunt down a manticore with polearms? Ridiculous! A good two-handed sword will do the deed the quickest."

"Stubborn fool fails to grasp. Without a halberd to keep the swarm at bay you will be overrun."

"Ha! Overrun by mere beasts such as these? Are you afraid of wyverns as well?"

[The knights are busy yelling over each other in a heated weapon-related argument.]


Ah... I implore you, can this not wait for a more opportune time?

"Silence! Knights of little renown such as yourself have no say in this matter. Have you slain even the tiniest cetus by yourself, I think not!"


...

Comments

2)

[in_over_his_head]

You know... for the person who kept Ankaia from dying a slow, drawn out death and played a huge part in taking down the person who did massive amounts of damge to it twice I'm kind of surprised at the lack of respect.

[Calvin's raising an eyebrow at the treatment Sielje is recieving, though he keeps his words out of earshot from the Ankaian delegation.]

You'd figure that'd get you a reputation.

[stupidhonor]

It is true that I helped put an end to Lord Ishin's plot. Before your eyes you see supporters of cooperation with Earth. They all realize it.

But... I did it through deception. And I was far from alone...

[in_over_his_head]

Ah...

[Yeah, Calvin really should have figured it was something like that. Still, it felt pretty damn stupid of them.]

Well for what its worth, you're a knight of renown in the eyes of everyone in the Unity Group. And no. You weren't alone... but that's honestly far from a bad thing I think.

[stupidhonor]

Lord Castillo the Untouchable. Lady Xion the Bulwark.

[Sielje glances towards some of the arguing Ankaians.]

They wield power and influence, and most Knights present today are famous too. The fact they agreed to me guiding them on Earth is already a sign of trust... they give me at least this much respect.

But my achievements and fame are nothing compared to theirs and they know it.

[totallyhonest]

So, any of the Esteemed and Famous knights interested in souvenirs from earth?

[stupidhonor]

Grace, now really may not be the time...

"What is this?" Some of the less argumentative knights break off from the group and approach curiously.
"Gifts? Or perhaps, tribute?"

[totallyhonest]

*Grace whispers to Sielje.*

Don't worry, Sielje. I completely understand the need for diplomacy and to establish good relation to potential customers.

[totallyhonest]

I'm bringing you some example of earth's weaponries. They're only examples of course, so some of them might not be in combat quality, but if you're interested on more, you know who to contact!

(me)

*Grace shows them a collection of various... replica melee weaponries. And most of them are so obviously fictional or impractical. For example, Star Trek's Batleth, Triple-Bladed Sword, Krull's Glaive, replica of various JRPG protagonists/antagonists swords, and, obviously, sword-chucks.*

[stupidhonor]

"Flimsy... impractical. How would you even begin using this in a serious fight?"

"Ha, as expected of you to say that!"

...

[As the knights start swinging the fake weapons around, Sielje sees where this is going.]

[majestic_keiki]

She saved your world, you know?

And this is a lot more austere than most cities.

[stupidhonor]

"Not by herself. We talk hunts here. A group of Earth men surrounding one Ishin, mighty have he been, is not the same as honorably taking on a mighty beast all by yourself."
[A dignified looking mature woman states coldly, though she quickly adds...]
"Knight Sielje's involvement in the battle is not forgotten, but it is too different. No sense comparing."

[majestic_keiki]

I'm very happy you're so considerate about it.

[stupidhonor]

Kei, there is no need... I know what I have done.

"Young lady, tell me of Earth's cities if you please." An elderly knight steps forward. He stayed quiet during the argument, until now.
"This fort we are in occupies vast areas of land. How large is the city compared to that?"

1

[a_centered_mind]

Lady Kimhone, Champion Ynya. This is a pleasant surprise...

Sielje is not with me right now, but I could go and get her. What you have in mind sounds quite important.

[srwu_npc4]

"A pleasant surprise on both sides. If you would be so kind Elys - this is a good opportunity, one significantly less deadly than usual atop of that."

[a_centered_mind]

I'll need a minute. She shouldn't be too hard to find.

[Good thing the device she has this transmission on is portable. So she takes it along while looking for Sielje.]

[srwu_npc4]

"Ah, the surroundings move. But you can still hear me, can you?"

"What tidings happen on Earth during mine and Kimhone's absence?"

2

[a_monetized_mind]

[Jen-seeing Sielje in distress-tags in by clapping loudly twice.]

Alright, everyone. Please hold your side conversations until the end of the tour, you're making it difficult for the rest of the group to hear.

[stupidhonor]

Ah. Um. Jen, I appreciate you trying to help but...

[Jen's clap actually made everyone fall silent, but then one of the tourists steps forward.]

"This is an important argument which must be settled now! An affair between proud knights of Ankaia, I do not expect someone from Earth to understand."

[a_monetized_mind]

...

[Jen does her best not to make a facepalm.]

...Okay, fine. So, how far would you be willing to go to prove your point?

[srwu_npc4]

"Are you itching for a challenge? You may..."

"Enough."
A steely cold voice cuts through the noise. Its owner, a female knight of noble stature, was busy arguing like others, but now she looks down on everyone present.
"Have you forgotten the law of hospitability? You are guests, and your hosts, even on Earth, fulfilled their duties well. Have decency to stay quiet for a minute."

2)

[sang_av_helten]

PAH! What true hunter needs weapons to hunt beasts?

[Adding to the argument... was Skald.]

Simply use what nature has given you and then perhaps be worthy of respect!

[srwu_npc4]

Even for Ankaians, the reaction to Skald is... well.

"A beast most small with the speech of a human? Unbelievable! Is this what lives on Earth?"

[sang_av_helten]

A beast?! I am a warrior!! There is a distinction between the two that you obviously claim to know! Do you seek to impugn my honor?!

[Skald's just puffing up into a fluffy ball of anger here.]

I have defended this world alongside my partner and our comrades with all the valor we could muster! My lineage stretches back to the long distant past where my ancestors scaled mountains to hunt and accompanied the humans we lived alongside into battle!

[srwu_npc4]

"It speaks to us!"

"Ha ha, I like the sound of these words!"

"You - a warrior, you say? Then you must know a true Ankaian is armed with but means to channel his own inner strength. It is not the sword that makes him powerful, the knight himself is powerful!"