Shadows and Kings.

[Rhalius]

Several weeks have passed since the grand tournament ended in disaster.
During the final match between the new champion Sir Christopher and the ruling champion Sir Cedric, the Dread Baron interrupted, wounded Christopher and was an even match for Cedric, who has been considered unbeatable for many years.


But this was all a diversion, to ensure all eyes would be focused on Ranulf the Dread Baron, and not on the assasin known as the Blue Shadow.


He was hired to kill King Phillip, but Cedric was just in time to jump in front of the king and as a result was hit by the poisoned arrow meant for King Phillip.


While the blue shadow and his protector where captured by Frederick and Roderick, the Dread Baron managed to escape.


With Cedric unable to leave his bed due to the poison in his body that keeps him very sick, Henry has been asked to step forward and take his brother's place as the castle's protector and millitairy leader for the time being. While he does not feel he is ready for it, his sister Elena, as well as Roderick and Frederick will do what they can to help their brother and friend with this burden.


After managing to reveal that Prince Edward the Lion had hired the Dread Baron, the Blue Shadow and his protector, it has become time to reveal the true nature of the scheming Prince to everyone, now that they know for certain he is up to no good, and Sir Christopher has an idea about how to go about this: A meeting of kings.

While recovering from his wounds, he has been a guest at King Phillip's castle and helped put the plan into motion, sending out invitations to all the rulers of the continent, arranging a neutral meeting place and ensuring all this is done with utmost secrecy so that Prince Edward won't learn about it.

Attempts to hunt down the Dread Baron have been in vain, The mysterious Krinflower is needed to cure Cedric from his poison according to the very man who fired the arrow, and more and more tales are heard about Prince Edward recruiting more soldiers to his cause.
While the enemies have revealed themselves, this does not make them any less dangerous or numerous. Will Henry, Frederick and Rocerick be able to put a stop to them? Will King Phillip and Queen Dominique be able to convince the other rulers that Prince Edward and the Dread Baron are a danger to all of them? These answers will come soon.

[Rhalius]

Today is the day, King Phillip and Queen Dominique will soon depart for their meeting.

King Phillip: "Thank you Sir Christopher, for helping us out in these times of need."

Christopher: "Merely doing what is right my lord. Prince Edward and the Dread Baron are a threat to us all."
Queen Dominique: "If it where not for you this meeting would not have happened, thank you for helping us to arrange it."

Sir Christopher smiles and bows politely in thanks of the praise, and steppes aside when King Phillip gestures to Roderick, Henry and Frederick to step forward.

Roderick: "Will we be escorting you to the meeting, your majesty?"
King Phillip shakes his head and smiles. "Not today Roderick. Sir Stephen and Sir Jory will escort us."
Frederick doesn't seem too pleased with this though. "Why not us?" He asked.
Queen Dominique smiles. "Henry needs to stay here to protect the castle and guard over his brother, and the three of you are a strong team. And Sir Jory and Sir Stephen are a strong team as well, they worked together quite often. It seemed wisest to not take apart such teams and make sure we are at our strongest in these dangerous times. We need you here to help your friend, Frederick. You too Roderick. The Krinflower must also still be found."
Frederick nodded in agreement, seemingly agreeing now that it was explained to him.
Henry: "We won't let you down, your majesty." All three of them bow politely to the King and Queen.

The three move down the stairs to the courtyard, where they are greeted by Sir Christopher.

Sir Christopher: "I will stay here for now to help out, with the Krinnflower needing to be found and Cedric not being in good condition, it looks like you may have use of an extra sword."
Henry: "We appreciate it, really. I mean you won the tournament so clearly you know your stuff."
Sir Christopher frowns. "I should have seen that attack of the Dread Baron comeing though.. he caught me completely by surprise."
Frederick nods in agreement. "He seems unbeatable, just like Cedric.. it's like they are so far ahead of everyone else on the battlefield."
Christopher: "We will put a stop to him though, if we all work together we can do this."

Roderick still is not too happy about not going along with the king though.. guarding the king and queen is his task after all, along with Sir Stephen. When the king and queen walk down the stairs to go to their horses, he decides to ask them about it again.

Roderick: "Are you sure you do not want me to come with you my lord? only two knights may be little protection for you.. perhaps more soldiers should be send?"
King Phillip: "This is a peacefull meeting Roderick, and many kingdoms are not on good terms.. we have all agreed to not take armies with us, only a few protectors.. we use utmost secrecy to get there."

While Stephen and Jory got on their horses, Queen Dominique turned to adress the knights staying behind.

Queen Dominique: "Don't worry about us, we will be well protected. And the castle must be kept safe. And most importantly, everyone in it. Sir Christopher will be here to help you with this, and Baron Blacktower can always be asked for advice as well. In our absence he is the lord of the castle."

While the King and Queen leave the castle with Sir Jory and Sir Stephen, Baron Blacktower walks down the steps with a smile towards the three knights.

Baron Blacktower: "No need to feel bad good knights! I have send a message to my younger brother, he will be arriving here soon and he will bring some experienced veterans with him! That way you three can feel safe and go find that Krinnflower, cure Cedric and then Cedric will defeat the Dread Baron. It's quite simple, really!"

Somehow Roderick, Henry and Frederick where not as optimistic as Baron Blacktower however.. while they wished things where that easy, they learned in the past months that their enemies have a knack for showing up at the worst times. They never met the younger Blacktower brother either, they only heard of him.
He supposedly is just as optimistic as the Baron, but more adventurous. Fancying himself a great hero while in truth his soldiers are doing all the work.

((will be continued soon.))

[PlaymoMan]

So happy to see a new installment has been posted! Exciting things are bound to happen...can't wait to see the story continue!

[Tiermann]

Wonderful addition to the story, as always looking forward to more as you have time.

[DrDalek6]

Great to see the story contiinued I hope they can find that Krinflower before it's too late 

[tahra]

Great to see it continue...

(wasn't expecting the King to be questioned like that....... )

[Rhalius]

((thanks everyone, Roderick tends to be a bit protective of the king and queen. Someone DID try to kill the king recently after all.  ))

And here he comes, Herbert Blacktower, younger brother of Baron Lambert Blacktower.

While he does not look like a great warrior himself, the battle hardened soldiers and knight with him look like they mean business.

Soldier: "Open the gate for Sir Herbert Blacktower!"


Through the opened gates, Herbert Blacktower rides in with an air of confidence, as if he had just saved the day with his mere presence.

Baron Blacktower smiled to the three friends and gestured to his little brother. "The reinforcements have arrived, you can always count on a Blacktower to save the day!"

Herbert stepped off his horse, and walked to his big brother with a smile. "Greetings Lambert, how has life been treating you?"

Baron Blacktower smiled: "Wonderfull as always! I caught three boars in my lastest hunting trip, I bought a new ring several days ago that I'm really fond of and I organised a grand tournament several weeks ago! others helped of course, but I did most of the planning.. sadly it was interrupted by that Dread Baron fellow.. because of him we couldn't have the feast afterwards. A shame really, since we where going to serve three types of stuffed geese."
Herbert laughed. "There are always some bumps in the road yes, it happens all the time during my many adventures! Don't worry though, I am here now and I brought some very experienced veterans with me!"

Herbert smiled and gestured to his men.

They did indeed look impressive.. like they had seen quite some battle.

As the two Blacktower Brothers continue their friendly conversation, talking as if there is nothing to worry about in these troubled times, Henry finds its time to start putting their plans into action.

Henry: "I am not sure how much help Sir Herbert will be if there is trouble, but his soldiers should be of good help.. I'd like you two to go find the Krinflower in pepperwood forest... speak with Lady Beatrice first, she knows what the Krinflower looks like."
Frederick: "You are not comeing with us?"
Henry shakes his head. "It's better if at least one of us stays here at the castle, and I feel its best if its me. That way I can look after my brother and get an idea of what these new troops can do."
Roderick nods in agreement. "Alright, don't worry. We will handle this. We will try to be back as soon as possible."

[PlaymoMan]

Excellent story! Looking forward to more!

[DrDalek6]

Nice I can see what they mean about Herbert, altohugh it's good to see his nice variety of troops I really like what you've done with the Fleur De Lis Knight I like that hair and beard and it looks really great on that figure. At least know that the Castle is well guarded Roderick and Frederick can go look for the Krinflower without worrying about the safety of the castle plus Henry's there to keep an eye on things, look forward to seeing more   

[conniefrere]

Nice story.... great to see all those medieval klickies.

Keep them coming.