Ceragem photostory: New Order

[Wolf Knight]

The Obsidian Tower, on the north mountain line of the Kingdom of Ceragem…



The doors open wide and a carriage carrying a mysterious heavy load approaches the Red Falcon knights who arrived to accompany the carriage to the Jade capital.


‘’So this is the cargo, eh?’’ observed the Red Falcon champion ‘’Why do you need us to come along?’’
‘’This is a most precious cargo! The Duke needs to make sure it will arrive safely in Jade Castle’’ said the Captain of the Obsidian Tower Guard


‘’Yeah, well, as long as we take the gold we are fine with the assignments.’’ Said the Red Hawk champion… ‘’Let’s move on then!’’

[Wolf Knight]

Jade City, the west side city dungeon



The district guard held captive by the Red Hawk forces…


Lord Karnadas, head of the entire city guard has just arrived, along with his steward and the Red Hawk steward, to demand the release of the district guard.


‘’Lord Karnadas,’’ said the Red Hawk steward, ‘’I’ll let the captain in charge here to release your men, and you will immediately tell them to disperse. We don’t need a fight right now, and especially with all that is at stake here.’’
Lord Karnadas, just nod his head in a sad mood.


‘’Guard, call on your captain! Now!’’


‘’Sir Steward!’’ Said the captain with a boredom look in his eye… ‘’To what do I owe the pleasure?’’
‘’Orders from Lord Blackhawk, signed by the Duke! You are to release your prisoners! Now!’’
‘’Release them? But we just locked them up!’’
‘’Now captain! Unless you want me to ask Lord Blackhawk to came down here himself and ask you that?’’
‘’Eh… no, no need, Sir!’’ said the captain with a tone of fear in his voice


‘’Just remember what we agreed upon, Lord Karnabas’’


The dungeon gate opened and the prisoners slowly began their exit.
‘’Lord Korabas! What is happening?’’ asked the district captain


‘’You and your men are released, captain! You are now in service of the Duke! You are to disperse until further notice!’’
‘’But,… my Lord…’’


‘’Come, come now captain! Let’s not make this more difficult than already is… Are you ready to disperse? Or shall I have the Red Hawk elite here disperse you?’’ said the Red Hawk steward.
‘’No need for that…’’ replied Lord Karnabas


‘’Captain, please do as ordered. The fate of the city and our Queen depends on it.’’
‘’Very well, my Lord…’’ replied the captain with a sad look on his face.


Thus this district’s city guard was also released, as were others throughout Jade.


Have your Hawks prey upon them, captain, should they be of any trouble…

[Wolf Knight]

In the meantime, in the great throne room...
‘’Higher! Higher you buffoons!!’’
‘’Dhu…yes Lord Olaf, sir…’’
‘’Don’t dhu me you miserable peasant! Place the banner higher!!!’’


‘’Olaf!!! My dear half brother!!!’’ cried the Duke
‘’Korbal… Why do I need to prepare your throne room? I have more important business to attend to!’’


‘’And what would those be, dear half brother?  Pillage and murder?’’
‘’You know very well I left those instincts far behind me, Korbal…’’
‘’Ah yes! You fancy portraying yourself as a civilsed Viking now!! Thus, no horns on your helmet, yes?’’


‘’You two! Get out my sight! Out! Now!!!’’
‘’Dhu… Yes your majesty…’’
‘’I am not a king you idiots! Out! Now!’’


‘’Dhu… he is not the king?’’
‘’Dhu… I don’t know! What’s a king?’’
‘’Dhu … you’re stupid…’’
‘’Dhu… you’re silly…’’


‘’Your Grace! Your nephew has just arrived!!’’


‘’What? Who told you to leave the Obsidian Tower?’’
‘’Father has, your Grace!’’
‘’Is that so? And who is in charge of the guard there?’’
‘’…Come on give the kid a break Korbal! It’s good to see you son!’’
‘’So this is a blasted family reunion… are you two serious?’’
KHUBAM


‘’Ah… your throne, uncle!’’
‘’And you had to blast the throne room’s door to get it through? Are you serious?’’


‘’Sorry your Grace, it could not fit otherwise!’’


‘’Ah my poor throne room….’’
‘’Come, come now brother… We’ll get your pretty throne room fixed…’’


‘’Besides once that is in its place…’’


‘’..and you sit upon it…’’


‘’…you’ll feel much much better…’’

[Wolf Knight]

Jade Gate

‘’So, when are these new shields coming up?’’
‘’Any time now, I believe, Sir…’’


‘’Dhu… someone told us to bring these here…’’
‘’Dhu.. are we in the right place?’’


‘’Yes! Yes, you are Hurry now! First bring the old shields down off their place’’
 
‘’Dhu…these red ones are beautiful!!! And they look new too, dhu…’’
‘’Yes, yes! Hurry up now! Put these new blue ones in their place!’’


‘’Ah… Captain… you better see this….’’


‘’Yes, yes! In a minute! Hurry you two!! There’s an inspection in ten minutes!’’
‘’Dhu, so the blue goes up there?’’
‘’Yes, yes! Hurry up!!!’’


‘’Ah… Captain… this is important… you better take a look!!!’’


‘’Yes, yes! In a minute!!! Hurry you two!!!’’
‘’Dhu… this guy sounds like a parrot …’’
‘’Dhu… he sure sounds like one … he is funny…’’


‘’CAPTAIN!!! YOU NEED TO TURN YOUR HEAD!!! NOW!!!’’
‘’What in blue blazes do you want?’’
‘’Dhu… blue like the new shields hoho…’’


‘’Excuse me, Captain… we demand to see the Duke!!! Not in a moment! Now!!’’
‘’What the… the four Margraves!!! All of them!! Together!!!’’


‘’And … they brought some… friends, Sir…’’
‘’Dhu… we’re outta here!!!’’
‘’Stop the dhu and run, no time to play the fools now!!!’’


‘’so… ‘’


‘’..to what… do we owe… the pleasure dear Lords?’’


‘’Take us to the Duke… Now!’’
‘’Why, yes! ‘’
‘’He seems to say this word a lot, brother’’
‘’Sergeant, escort them to the Duke’’


‘’As for you lads… and lasses… anyone want a milk bone?.... No? … Won’t mind If I‘ll have one then…’’

[Wolf Knight]

Back in the Throne Room:

‘’See? Not so bad after all, brother’’ said Olaf with a crooked smile


‘’And here are your shields, this room is ready for you’’
Korbal was feeling uneasy for a reason…


‘’And now that your room is ready, brother, I take my leave! I have other business to attend to as I already told you…’’


‘’Come my son, we must get you back to the Obsidian Tower… we don’t want your uncle’s enemies take advantage of the lack of security there… we cannot afford to lose the Obsidian Tower…’’
…he is right… thought Korbal… The Dragonians better keep their end of the bargain, otherwise all is lost…


A sergeant burst into the throne room: ‘’Your Grace, your Grace! The Four Margraves are demanding an audience with you!!’’

‘’WHAT? All four of them? Together?’’
‘’Yes your Grace!  And their wolves are all gathered outside the city walls!‘’


‘’Well then, best  don’t let them be waiting… Show them in!’’
‘’Yes your Grace! ‘’
… what do they want now …


‘’Your… Grace…’’ said the Gold Margrave with an irony in his voice…
‘’My lords!’’  the Duke stood to greet them ‘’To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?’’


‘’Let’s cut to the chase…your Grace! You know why we are here!’’
‘’Why don’t you state your business again, my Lords?’’


‘’Very well! We are here to make sure the border army is not needed to bring your rule down!’’ said the Anthracite Margrave.


‘’You know, as long as the ruler of this Kingdom is not intending to go after its most valuable treasure, the cornerstones that hold this realm all together, the border army will still protect the land…’’ said the White Margrave


The Duke felt a little relieved… ‘’No, of course I don’t intend of exploiting this land’s real treasure! What? You think you are dealing with an ignorant fool?’’


‘’Good! For as long as the true treasure of Ceragem remains unharmed, so does everything else on this kingdom! The true treasure is our sentience. Everything lives thanks to it! Our duty is to protect the treasures from all kinds of enemies, foreign and domestic!’’ continued the White Margrave
‘’My good lords! Rest assured! The true treasure will come to no harm! But change in this land is of the outmost importance! Things are now in motion they cannot be undone!’’ replied the Duke


‘’As long as the true treasure is safe, our work is done here… but beware! We are watching!!!’’ said the Gold Margrave


…’’And just don’t forget our agreement’’… said the anthracite margrave to the Duke in a low tone as his brothers were moving away…
‘’How could I?’’ replied the Duke in the same manner
 
How could I, indeed….

[Wolf Knight]

‘’Olaf! You came back? I thought…’’
‘’Yes I had some business… cleaning up your mess… It’s time to address more serious issues brother!’’


‘’I thought I made clear to you Estos, and you Kallor, of your duties! Why have you brought them here, Olaf?’’
‘’Because it’s time for you to address the masses brother! And you will only do it through them!’’
‘’That’s right Korbal! The people are waiting for your declaration of New Order! They are in dark since the death of king Kellanved!’’ said Ay Estos, steward of the White Swan


‘’Moreover, the nobles are anxious to see what their interests are in your New Order!’’ said Kallor, the City Steward.


‘’Sigh…Very well… Here is the New Order! Call a city assembly and read it to them! Remember, everything and everyone is under my rule now! All of you will do well to comply, otherwise… I am still holding the Queen!!!’’


Kallor unrolled the scroll and read it… his look darkened and he threw the scroll to the floor…


‘’You are insane, Korbal!!!’’ he cried and drew his sword
Immediately the Duke’s bodyguards, ever faithful, handpicked from the ranks of the Dark Sentinels of the Obsidian Order, drew theirs to protect their master!
Estos run to prevent Kallor from doing anything foolish


‘’Not now Kallor, my friend! I feel your anger, but whatever it is, not now! We’ll fight this together!’’


‘’But Estos…’’
‘’Let’s go my friend! If anything, look at those two creeps!’’
Kallor replaced his sword in his scabbard and picked up the scroll…


‘’So, I trust all is in order?’’ asked the Duke with an evil smile
‘’Yes, yes of course your Grace’’… replied Estos, and turned to Kallor… ‘’Let’s go!’’

[Wolf Knight]

The Steward’s Mansion


Kallor and Estos have called all the local Lords prior to the people’s assembly…

‘’This is the situation, my Lords! We have to announce all of it to the people.’’


‘’None will be pleased…’’ began Lord Abernathy… ‘’Merchants, traders, the nobles… We are in trouble…’’


‘’Well, no matter what, the New Order must be followed for the time being… even if it seems to appear like that.’’ said Estos


‘’Lord Abernathy, you have to bring the news to the General! He must be ready to assist!’’
‘’I’ll begin my ride to his camp outside the forest.’’


‘’Magistrate Terenas, as the late king’s cousin and the eldest in the Lion Alliance you have to rally the support of the rest of the Lion Houses!’’


‘’I’ll be on my way, Sir Estos’’


‘’And you, my Lords, the rest of the Houses need to be rallied in our, quiet for the time being, cause.’’
‘’Don’t worry Sir Estos, the Great Houses owe their loyalty still to the Lion Alliance!’’


‘’Now all that remains is to spread the word for the people’s assembly!’’ said Karnadas.
‘’That, and making sure we have some crowd control.’’ Added Kallor


‘’You two! Go to the Master At Arms! Demand weapons for crowd control! We must not let people start a fight within this city’s walls.’’
‘’But, my Lord, the Master at Arms will refuse. His inventory is checked now by Lord Blackhawk!’’
‘’Just remind the Master at Arms he owes me a… favour…’’
‘’Very well, my Lord!’’


''Are you crazy? Lord Blackhawk will have my head! Giving you weapons! He'll see it as an act of agression against him!''
''Lord Karnadas says you owe him a favour, Sir!''


‘’Sigh… very well! Of all times, now he asks… I knew he was tough at bargaining…’’


‘’I’ll give you the weapons but just enough for the crowd control! Tell Lord Commander I’ll need them back before sunset!’’

[Wolf Knight]

Later that day…

…a lot of people had gathered round the Steward’s manor to hear the New Order. A small detachment of guards was placed around the manor in order to help keep the peace, in case anything went wrong… The three public Lords were about to read the Duke’s degree…


‘’Good people of Ceragem,
The Duke Korbal Broach is pleased to announce a New Order of prosperity for the Kingdom of Ceragem under his rule and protection! Late King Kellanved’s death has left a gap of leadership and inspiration, a gap that the Duke will now fill and continue to protect you and this Kingdom! Your lands and properties will be safe from foreign and domestic enemies and your prosperity will be the sole interest of the Duke himself!
By order of the Duke Korbal Broach, Ruler of the Mountain Plains, Holder of the Obsidian Throne, Leader of the Obsidian Order, High Ruler of Jade and Supreme Ruler of Ceragem, the following are henceforth decreed in accordance to your goodwill towards a peaceful and prosperous New Order!
All men, women and children of the Kingdom of Ceragem are now subjects to the Supreme Ruler and must abide by his laws and rules!
Every citizen must pay homage and tribute to the Supreme Ruler as a show of good will and faith to the New Order!
Thus, all male children from the age of 14 will be enlisted to the Supreme Ruler’s army! The army will provide and care for them until they reach the age of 21. The can remain in the army after that age, should they wish it!
Traders and merchants, in showing complete respect towards the market laws implemented by the High Treasurer, will give each day 10% of their earnings to the City’s Treasury!
Farmers according to law, must to pay tribute of two thirds of their annual harvest and crops in the City’s Granary! This way the nourishment of the army, the protectors of this kingdom, is ensured! A well fed army protects the land better than anything!
Nobles and Lords will pay a weekly tax for their houses, lands, livestocks and servants they own! Their Houses can keep the noble status this way; otherwise they can turn to trading or farming to better serve the New Order!
Every citizen must pay an annual tax to the Treasury; the continual improvement of this Kingdom requests a steady income and deposit for the expenses of development of the New Order!
Non-compliance to the above laws will result in severe punishments and at the highest price, exile from the Kingdom of Ceragem for those who do not abide by the laws of our Kingdom! Our future, security and development depend on those laws! Every citizen is obliged to follow and respect them, if this Kingdom is to prosper and thrive!
May the cornerstones that hold this land together be always as strong and powerfull to help the people thrive! The rest is in our hands!
Korbal Broach
Supreme Ruler of Ceragem!


…no response at first… everyone was shocked, frozen and stunned by the orders of the new decree…


…but slowly a few managed to get a few words out of their mouth..
‘’Are they serious? They expect us to respect all these tyrannical laws?’’


‘’Goodness gracious!!! We’ll be even poorer with all these new laws…’’ said a woman in a scared manner.


‘’Taxed in everything we own? What? They want us to pay taxes for our ancestral rights too?’’ said one of the nobles.
‘’Or perhaps they want us to pay taxes for just our titles!!! This is outrageous!!!’’ said another noble.


‘’Erhm… I think is begginig… better say something quickly….’’


‘’The public Lords will support the decisions of the people towards this decree, whatever that is!!’’


‘’Come, child! It’s best to leave here… I don’t think is going to be a suitable place for us to be in a while…’’


‘’You are correct, Father…’’


‘’And what about metal for my creations? Who is going to pay for if I give all my earnings to this blasted Duke?’’
‘’The servant girl’s guild will not be pleased with such laws…’’
‘’Nor will the musician’s guild! We hardly make a living from a marriage or two, and playing at city fairs has gone down dramatically!!’’


‘’Well boys, we are hunters… and good with our bows… I say let’s leave here and make it on our own… let them see what meat they can eat in this city with no hunters around!’’


‘’Excellent idea! And who knows… if they came after us, we can live in the woods and later help a real king take the throne back!’’


‘’Good people of Ceragem!!’’ cried Karnadas with a strong and loud voice, ‘’departing Jade is not an option! We must fight this together! And abide to the rules for the time being!’’


‘’Are you crazy?’’ shouted someone from the crowd, ‘’Our lives will be reduced to nothing if we remain here! Unless we stay and start bringing some people off their high places… starting with you!!!’’
And some people began advancing towards the manor.
The guards held their halberds in a defensive posture, but they did not want to use those weapons on the people they swore to protect. Their captain said to them earlier, if the Duke’s rule becomes strong and the only future in this land, a move like that will be considered very heroic! But if things got back the way they were, then attacking the good people will haunt them forever…


‘’Hold on, let me deal with this!’’ said Estos


‘’Good people! Good people, hear me out!!! You know I’ve always held the best interests for the future and well being of this city and this land! You always had my ear, even if I was not in the city all the time! Now please, let me have your ear! It’s important I do!!’’


‘’Yes, alright, I am willing to listen to Estos! Go ahead’’


‘’Good people, we already lost our king! A righteous man who always served your best interests! But who was the one that really loved you? Who was the one that always guided the king to his good will towards you? Who was the one that always accepted your audience for anything you need to bring on the council? And who needs you now more than ever?’’


‘’My word! He is talking about our Queen!!! It’s true! She was the one to always support and care for every people in this city… from the lowest beggar to the highest noble!’’
‘’Yes he is right! But what of her? Is she in trouble?’’


‘’My lords, my good people, our… your beloved Queen will suffer greatly if we don’t follow the New Order decree… at least until the time is right again for the things to get straight again! Please, think of your Queen and the pain she is in!’’


And just like that, the people understood… it was going to be a hard time… but if the Queen was in danger, they had to be strong for her… they knew she always was for them!


However, not all among the crowd was feeling the same way… someone hurried back at the Palace to give the news of this assembly…

[Wolf Knight]

The Old Watchtower clearing, the other side of the forest, camp of General Lionheart, leader of the Ceragem Army…



‘’General! Riders coming out of the forest!’’ cries a sentry
‘’Friendlies?’’
‘’Can’t make out, Sire!’’


‘’Hurry lads!! Let’s get ready!!’’


Sir Baldthar made his appearance, coming out of the woods…


‘’Sir Baldthar!!!’’ cried the General… ‘’It’s good to see you!!’’


And soon three more riders came out of the forest: Dassem Ultor, the king’s champion; Tanakalian, captain of the king’s bodyguard; and Arthas, Lord Terena’s son… his faces deeply grim … they had just lost their king, and they have wandered for a few days in the forest trying to reach the General’s camp…


 Tanakalian met with his brother, Varujan, captain of the army’s knights and cavalry…


‘’It is good to see you all!’’ Said the General
‘’As we are… Alas, our pleasure is overshadowed by the most tragic loss of all…’’ replied Sir Baldthar


‘’My General… he king is dead! The burden of leadership falls on you now, my Lord…’’
‘’Kellanved?... Dead?... No… It can’t be…’’
‘’The Malevolent Duke ambushed us on the other side of the forest… the Dragon army swarm overcame our elite few… the king fell fighting… The Duke is currently occupying Jade City…’’


‘’Then, in the name of our beloved king, we shall avenge his death and defeat every mean and twisted plot that blasted Duke has planned!!!’’ cried the General and drew his sword
‘’HEAR, HEAR!!!’’

‘’Sire, we have another visitor!!’’


‘’Lord Abernathy! I’ll …’’
‘’I’ll announce myself, thank you, guard!’’


‘’General, my Lords, It good to see you are alive!! Your father was deeply concerned about you, Arthas…’’ said Lord Abernathy..
‘’Just heard the grave news, Abernathy…’’ said the General… ‘’What news of the city?’’


‘’The Duke has proclaimed himself Supreme Ruler of the kingdom…and has decreed the following…’’ replied Abernathy by pulling the New Order decree from his sleeve, giving it to the General…


As he was reading it, the general got grimmer and grimmer…
‘’Lord Abernathy,’’ started Baldthar, ‘’What news on the Queen?’’
‘’She is held prisoner by the Duke… a bargaining card to exploit us and the people to follow his rule… I fear a direct assault of the assembled army in the city will result in an ill manner for her…’’


‘’No, Abernathy!’’ Cried the General, ‘’there is another way to save my sister, the Queen… our House has loyal people, her White bodyguard will protect her as soon as they see my Red bodyguard… Gather the Red Lionclaws!!!’’


Within minutes, the Red Lionclaws, the Genera’s best handpicked men and his House bodyguards gathered around him.
‘’Men! The Lady of our house is being held prisoner against her will! She just lost her husband and she is being treated in the worst possible manner! The whole city is under occupation and the realm is ruled by an evil figurehead, with the threat that she will suffer if the good people of Ceragem won’t follow his rule!!! Well! Not if we have something to say about that!!! Onward for truth, justice, freedom and loyalty!!!!’’
‘’Onward!!!’’ Cried the Red Lionclaw

‘’I leave the gathering of the army to you Tanakalian! Send word to every corner of the realm, to our men, our allies, all the Lion factions! The army is to assemble in two days! Give me three and then, bring the army outside Ceragem! My sister will be freed by then and we can rid the city of the plague that is bestowed upon it… Implement siege plan D… If anything goes wrong before that moment, I’ll let you know… ‘’
‘’As you command, Lord General!’’
‘’Sir Baldthar, I trust your Vanguard will join us from the southern flank of the city!’’
‘’The Double Axe is at your command!’’


‘’Excellent!!! Then move forward Red Lionclaw!! Let’s show this plague how a kitty can wipe it clean!!!

And thus, a New Hope emerged…

[Wolf Knight]

Many thanks to Arnaud cowabounga  for the design of the Duke’s banners and Shields, the Red Lionclaw emblem, and the General’s outfit transfers!!! 
Many thanks to my friend Gaston (tonguello) for helping me with the Old Watchtower camp picture! Much appreciated, Gaston!!! 
Stay tuned for a future chapter on the Kingdom of Ceragem… 
Till then…