Stories Thread

[OverKnight]

Reims, 1081

Hugues de Champagne stood in his armory surveying a rack of weapons. He was an amiable looking fellow, a product of a long line of French aristocracy and a scion of a Great House. Taking up a long sword, he held it before him. His eyes ran along the steel and he brought up a thumb to test the edge. Yes this would. . .

"Merde!" he swore as the blade cut his thumb. The sword dropped to the ground as he clasped his hands to his chest.

"Reeves! I say Reeves, I need you!"

A tall darked haired man suddenly appeared behind the Duc and proferred a handkerchief, "You have appeared to injure yourself Seigneur."

"Oui, oui," said Hugues a bit impatiently. He took the cloth and wrapped it around his wounded digit, "I was just trying to decide what weapon I was going to use in the Tourney."

Reeves coughed, trying to interject, but Hugues went on, "All of the great nobles of France will be there and I wish to make a striking impression."

Again Reeves tried to speak, "My lord. . ."

Hugues barrelled on, taking a battle axe from the rack. Hefting it, he continued, "Particularly with the King. One has to impress the King if anything is to get done."

Hugues swung the weapon over his head, testing the balance. Reeves ducked under the arc of the axe head without expression, "Sir. . ."

Hugues bore on, "And the Dauphin, he really seems to like weapons, very much into them. Got to have something to catch his eye!" He swung again.

Reeves ducked again, "My Duc, it would be unwise to use that axe in the Tourney."

Hugues lowered the weapon and turned to Reeves with a furrowed brow, "Why not? This is my Grandfather's axe, he killed a great deal of Vikings with it! Quite proud about it too, see there on the head, 'blood and iron', the family motto. . .well, it's a little obscured by that actual blood, but it's there!"

Reeves looked at the axe head that had been thrust an inch from his face without expression. "Yes, a proud tradition Seigneur, but only blunted weapons are to be allowed at the Tourney. It would be a shame if your lordship accidentally cut off the King's royal arm or leg."

Hugues paused, his face screwed up in concentration, "Yes, I see your point. Point. Ha! Well just have the thing blunted then." He shoved the axe at Reeves.

Reeves raised an eyebrow, "My lord wishes me to deface a priceless family artifact?"

Hugues's paused again, "When you say it like that, Reeves, no. . .just find me something blunted."

Reeves nodded, "Very good, my lord. I will make preparations for the trip to Paris."

[AussieGiant]

Rennes, 1081

At twenty he was tall, slim and handsome, however, even though he was fully practiced in the martial aspects of his station, his physique he had not filled out. He seemed more boyish than manly, his personality however was the difference. It was large.

Years of weapons training had produced a smooth languid gait which took the young man/boy into the great hall of Bretagne.

His voice was commanding and strong, something that was detracted by his almost effeminate accent.

"All right you 'ethens!!

Were going to Pariee!!

Blow the 'orns, pack ze w'ores and tell ze page boy's to bring plenty of axeel grease...because zeir going to neeed it!!"

Slapping a passing serving wench on the arse he grabs her skirt pulls her to him and plants a loud wet deep kiss on her. She stumbles away blushing and entirely overwhelmed by the act of passion she just received.

Refreshed by 'his moment', he scans the great hall.

"Medoc!! You stinking 'ound, your wiz me!!"

A massive poodle the size of which is stunning to most, springs to its feet and lopes after its master. The cut and colour today, short cropped with huge tufts at its feet, mid section and tail, hot pink would be the most accurate description of its hue.