Post by Siegfried Maulesel on May 20, 2012 12:11:52 GMT -5
[ o u t o f t h e m i s t s o f h I s t o r y h e ‘ l l c o m e a g a I n]
Always A Hero Comes Home
[ a n d h e w I l l c o m e b a c k o n a c r i m s o n t i d e ]
I am the one who lost control, but in the end I'd be the last man standing… Sometimes being the brother of Amalric Maulesel was not as bad as some people thought. Although it was true that he was the heir and the one son everyone expected great tings form, it also gave Siegfried a challenge of some sort, to improve on his weaknesses and strengthen his skills. Sometimes he was slightly resentful of his family, for they seemed more inclined on granting Amalric his every desire, even when he was not exactly doing his best to do as expected from the firstborn of the family. The rest of his brothers were left behind, and though they all lived in the same castle, Siegfried could not truly feel part of it, for all the attention was on Amalric, and if that was not the case he was constantly challenging his siblings to show his… superiority and refinement on whichever contest was chosen. It had been a long time since Siegfried ever accepted another of those contests; he was not fond of becoming anyone’s jesters, not even for their own amusement. He wanted life to be far more than simply following the shadow of someone else.
He certainly loved his family, there could be no denying that, although at times it seemed unjust or rough what he had to put up with, he always sought to see things to his advantage and in many ways he now had not only physical strength but also one that could protect him form any dangers of the soul and heart. That was his greatest strength and his brother’s weakness. His deep eyes looked up at the lands of Etrias, he slowly pet the long mane of his black Friesian horse, the only word he used for such noble horse was ‘friend’ although he soon became known as “Noble Strength”. He always travels with his broadsword hanging by his belt, alongside his bow and quiver. However his main weapon of choice is a long and slightly thicker than normal polearm, it has a silver sharp blade and some round edges where he grips it easily. He usually carries it with a sheath to make his voyages easier.
His eyes slowly adjusted at the sight of such a celestial civilization where the beauty of nature lingered with the sunlight upon it. The waters of the river shone bellow all and in a way it took him to the days of old where the earth was green and balance lingered in the hearts of men. Certainly there was a certain darkness to fear which could easily corrupt all… but other than that, men were strong and the will to survive and reach freedom was greater than this resolution to living in resignation with whatever came with no passion for life and simply counting the days to fade away…
True, there seemed to be peace now, but what was peace when surely a tempest would splash against the world like the spicy waters of the ocean against a small and desolate island? Peace shouldn’t be taken for granted but lived at its best and also people should be prepared for whatever came and judging by how life developed in these lands, Siegfried feared that it would only make this realm vulnerable to attacks or well planned confrontations. One could never be too careful.
I walk alone with my head held high never felt that I belonged… He was riding his horse at full gallop through the plains that took the weary traveller through the forest of Etrias toward the castle; he only looked behind occasionally to see the twenty men still following his tracks. He turned to look at the path ahead and encouraged “Noble Strength” to gallop even faster trying to use the shapes and sizes of the trees as he entered the woods as a means to make the men lose his tracks and, as he did so he did not repair to think there might be someone in the woods looking for solitude. He was busier trying to find ways in which to get rid of this pest of burglars who normally intercepted the path he had followed and killed the people and stole all they could from the caravans. And so he made use of his knowledge of the land to get what he wanted:
Some would fall on the strong river paths and others would lose track of him but it was the leader and the remaining followers the ones to persist and ride along looking for shortcuts to get to Siegfried for they also knew, by the crest on his armour and on his horse, that he was a noble. Surely anyone would pay good money for ransom… All this because he dared to save two small children form being killed, apparently they were the children of one of the ladies in waiting in the castle. He rolled his eyes at the malice in the bandits’ eyes and then suddenly the men on horses surrounded him. “Noble Strength” neigh on two legs but the brave knight knew that if he rode on they would shoot his dear friend and he surely could not lose such noble horse and companion. He groaned in anger and as the leader jumped off his horse he did the same with his polearm swinging in the air as he landed, he stood in a defensive position for a moment. He had been trying to avoid unnecessary killing but now it seemed that his own life was being threatened so he would have to fight with the skills he learned years ago. And so the leader of the thieves attacked him and then followed the rest of them.
Out of the mist of history he’ll come again… Siegfried fought with great skill and was rather relieved when his horse rode away form the danger with the young child on its back holding on to the saddle as the noble instructed him to. The knight in the meantime fought for his life and skilfully avoided arrows and swords though receiving the occasional cut. By the time the battle ended most of the thieves left wounded and swearing to revenge. Siegfried leaned heavily against a tree and closed his eyes placing the base of his polearm ground and leaning his head on the trunk of the tree. He sighed in tiredness; it had been a long journey for him to come across these spiteful men. “Noble Strength” then approached him and seemed to be questioning why he had let them live when they would kill others. But it really wasn’t in his hands to decide who would die and who would live right?
He felt his horse’s nose against his cheek and smiled though he remained likewise with his eyes closed trying to recover from such event and then smiled at the little girl as she spread her arms in order for him to carry her, she could not be older than four springs. He picked her up for a moment and then placed her safely on the ground, he assured her she was safe now and he was glad he had made sure slightly earlier that the corpses would not pollute the woods or the water and were buried properly…
He was about to sheathe his polearm when suddenly the little girl embraced him in fear, as she seemed to hear something, or someone approaching. He frowned, if those bandits were back he would truly give them a hard time. He did not move and his eyes looked in the direction the little girl was gazing, his hand, which was placed on her shoulder covered her with his cloak for protection and he held his polearm with his other hand, reading his arm in a defensive stance yet still without moving his body as he whispered to the girl, “Fear not, I’m here.” Whatever or whoever was that approached them he would be ready. His horse’s ears twitched yet the horse did not seem that worried.
Siegfried then looked to the left as several men on armour approached, they seemed to have been looking for this little girl. For what the young noble could tell, they were guards from the castle of Etrias, they must have heard of the bandits and the lady in waiting must have sent a flank to look for her little girl. The guards surrounded Siegfried and pointed their swords at him, he could count ten men, and surely they were insane if they thought such small amount could defeat a fellowship of bandits. Still he spoke not, although he did smirk. The leader of the group frowned, not finding the smirk amusing and said, “Are you one of them? If so tell us where they can be found and maybe we will grant you your life.”
Siegfried sighed for a moment and replied, “I would never betray my brothers if I were a bandit, any bribery must end here soldier. Yet it offends me so your sight is so poor you fail to see any ally when he greets you in your lands.” He removed the right side of his cloak to reveal the girl, and the guild in his armour. The guards were slightly shocked for a moment but then soon bowed and their leader spoke in shame, “Forgive us, in our haste to spare the girl’s life, we failed to see you Syre.” The noble sheathed his polearm and placed the girl on his horse chair, he then said as he jumped on the saddle and moved his horse toward the men. He then said with a commandeering voice, “There were at least twenty fully armed bandits on the borders, I will not risk you escort the girl on your own, I shall come with you, and only when she is safe in the Castle, shall I leave you to your duties.” It was then the men heard a light squeak and a falcon blew above them landing on Siegfried’s right arm which was extended, he smiled and caressed the bird’s stomach as he seemed to read the bird’s message, the bandits were not close by, for the time being. He soon extended his arm and Beon flew high, ready to escort their safe trip to the castle.
The leader of the guards nodded and soon their horses moved forth, Siegfried was allowed to ride among the first guards, leaving others to cover the remaining flanks. They did not wish for a noble of the Maulesel to be killed in the lands of the main castle of Etrias, which would put both cities in a rather uncomfortable position at this moment. As they rode into the sun, Siegfried’s armour and scarlet cloak shone elegantly, despite the confrontation he had just had with the thieves, his finesse and noble air was somewhat admired as they rode into the city. People were already talking about a young knight’s arrival who had arrived form the confinements of Ascalon. Whenever a noble visited the castle, apparently everyone knew of it. The people gathered to watch the procession as they made their way to the castle. It was then Siegfried could finally set his eyes upon the Caer l’Aurore; some more guards and some maids received him. One he suspected to be the mother of the girl for the girl son extended her arms as one of the maids moved forth and embraced her. There was true joy in her eyes as she thanked Siegfried. He nodded at her and was about to go back to his own businesses when he was asked to stay in the castle for one night, in gratitude for what he did. Now he usually declined when he had urgent businesses elsewhere, but he only deemed it right for his horse to have some rest and for his mind to clear from the extensive trip.
His horse was taken to the stables and Siegfried was told to enjoy a stroll by the gardens while he was granted audience with the Lords of the castle. By then his cuts were tended to and his aspect did not reveal the battle he had just endured, Beon would fly just above him at times, keeping him company as he walked on. His polearm rested on his right hand, yet the blade was sheathed.
( word count ) 2266 ( status ) tagged rosa ( place ) caer l’aurore ( notes ) Beon
[/size][/center]Song: A Hero Comes Home by Idina Menzel/ Last Man Standing by Hammerfall
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