Stories Thread

[Ignoramus]

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Coop with TheFlax

Paris, 1080

Gaspard de Neufville had just finished donning his coat of mail. The tournament wasn't due to start for another couple of hours, but he preferred to get used to the added wait before it started.

As he buckled his sword by his side, he decided to take a walk around. There was no need for practice - he'd spent enough time yesterday warming up.

Not far from there, wandering the tournament field lazily on her stallion, Constance was searching for a good vantage point to observe the fighting when it would begin. It was custom that women should not be present during contests of arms, but she never had been one to yield before rules and expectations. It seemed all so exciting, from what little she had gleaned it would be something song in ballads for years to come. No, she would make a point not to miss it, but she would have to be discreet.

The gaggle of armed men following her appeared nonplussed as Constance lead them on what seemed to be an aimless trip. Dressed in a strikingly white embroidered bliaud with jeweled leather and having one of the men carrying her colors, it was obvious she was making no attempt to hide her identity.

Suddenly, while he was walking, Gaspard spotted a body of men at the far end of the field. Wishing to inquire about the whereabouts of the Duc d' Bourgogne, he hurried as fast as he could to catch up with them.

As got closer he suddenly noticed Constance. Unable to conceal his surprise, he called out."Your highness!"

She halted and turned, more to notice who had called than to acknowledge him.

Walking up to her, Gaspard paid her a short bow before addressing her.

"I did not expect to see you here, princess. I have heard that it is custom for women not to attend the melees? Of course, you are a princess of the blood, and that would explain your presence."

Surprise and annoyance played on her face. Could he know that she would sneak off to watch the tournament? Constance decided it would be best if she tried to go along with the cover story she had hastily invented earlier.

"I simply wished to see where my father would fight, that is all... And you are?" Her expression was clumsy attempt at haughtiness.

"Forgive me for not introducing myself." began Gaspard, "My name is Gaspard de Neufville, a chevalier of Bourgogne and a vassal of Duc Raymond."

Suddenly his tone changed, into one more thoughtful, more caring.

"Your highness, I would consider it an honor and a privilege if you would permit me to wear your colors at the tournament today."

While she had returned to a more placid expression, seemingly almost bored, it was still possible to see a hint of relief on her features. She was thoughtful for an instant before giving her intentions away with a mischievous smile.

"Very well." She leaned closer to him and continued in a conspiratorial tone. "But, if by chance you do happen to find yourself on the opposite side of my brother, it would please me greatly for you capture him in my name."

Smiling, Gaspard nodded.

"Thank you, your highness, I shall wear them with pride. I pray to God that I do not disappoint you tomorrow. You have my word of honour that it shall be done as you say."

Gaspard glanced at the sun before continuing, "I must ask your leave, your highness, for the morning is wearing on, and I must finish preparing for the tournament. However, I am sure we shall meet again."

As Gaspard began to walk back to his tent he spoke softly to himself, "We shall meet again."

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Written by Rowan with couple of changes by me in the end.

Paris, 1080

Alphonse was walking back towards their lodgings but his mind was elsewhere.
It was still weeks before the start of tournament and even the cheap and dirty stable on the outskirts of one of the seedier parts of town was quickly eating into the modest amount of money they had.

Suddenly there was a commotion from the alley, a wild band of beggar children in rags rushing towards Alphonse, with two winded guards chasing them. "Stop'em, 'ey stole the ladies purse", one of them tried to yell, but out of breath.

Visions of gold offered by a beautiful noble lady handed as prize filled Alphonses mind as he spurted after the band almost by instinct. Unencumbered by heavy armor or arms he quickly outpaced the guards.

The children were even quicker, though, and knew this twisting maze of alleys and side streets better than their own hands. Soon Alphonse had lost the sight of them and was forced to stop at a narrow intersection of two deserted alleys. Luckily there came a shout from one direction and he headed that way. Across the turn the alley seemed to end in a cul-de-sac.

Alphonse saw three persons there. Two seedy looking adult men seemed to be threatening a boy of about 10 years. The boy might have been one of the band that had rushed past him just as the guard had yelled.

"Now, hand us the purse and we'll let you go home to mommy and daddy"
"But I told you already! The bigger boys had it and they didn't wait for me an..."
"Shut up!" As the man backhanded the child across the mouth Alphonse felt his blood boil and before he could even realize it he was rushing the two ruffians. There was something not quite right in the situation, something was nagging Alphonse but now he didn't have time to think about it. Two against one and grown men against a kid. That wasn't a fair fight!

The two heard his charge and were turning towards him as he collided with the nearer one and sent both of them flying against the stone wall. Luckily the ruffian softened his impact. From the corner of his eye Alphonse saw the other man drawing an evil looking dagger and tried to roll away from the lunge but succeeded only partially. He felt the blade slice across his bliaud and scrape across his ribs. The wound didn't hurt, or slow him down, at the moment but he needed to end this fight quickly. Getting up he scans the environs for anything that he can use to counter the assailants knife. The ruffian he had checked against the wall doesn't seem to be moving anytime soon, but doesn't have any obvious weapons on him either.

The assailant lunges again and Alphonse, again almost by instinct, uses his cloak to catch the other mans arm as he dances away and puts all of his strength on a hammer of a blow towards the mans temple. The blow connects. The ruffian seems to stop mid-motion, twitches a bit and drop to the ground. Alphonse untangles his cloak and approaches the kid who has retreated into the corner.

"I thank you, kind ser, for saving me from these two villains."

Now Alphonse realized what had been bothering him. The boys accent wasn't that of a common street urchin, but of a noble, and under the accumulating filth his clothes weren't raggy tatters, they were fine cotton and supple leather.

"I had... escaped from my home, I wanted some adventure but got in over my head... It seems those beggar boys weren't my friends after all..."

"But you are hurt, let me take you to my fathers place and his people will take care of you. He is an important man and I can assure you that you got yourself a powerful friend" said boy with a smile on his face.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

1080, Town of Burlats in the area of Tarns, Manor of Lacaze Family

Yvon looked down on His families villa. He sneered at the buildings decaying glory..... At the rot that had been growing there for the past 30 years...... Ever since his father had gained the Lacaze families land, and Fief.

He looked back at his friend Adam "He does it in spite of me you know......"

Adam's eyebrow arched "Does what?"

Yvon sighs, his eyes glinting wickedly "Undermines me, ruins every attempt I make to get out of here. My father knows that I will turn out better than him. He can tell it already. And so he does this, bars me from the tournament. Idiocy like that, He thinks that if I never accomplish anything then his own failures wont be his fault. Well, I would hate for him to think that.... He has failed at everything he has attempted, failed as a knight, and failed as a lord. Why the Dukes allow him anything is beyond me." Yvon sighed and Looked at the fields around their little piece of Tarn.

Adam smiled slightly, "You are overreacting Yvon.... Your father has at least kept the fief together. Your people have just fallen on hard times is all. Things will turn around."

"That may be, but I dont plan on being here to find out. A man from the duchy of Aquitaine sent me a letter and I am sure that I can find my fortune there. I will always remember Burlats, but I do not plan on returning home until I have more wealth then this entire fief combined. Thats partly why I called you from home Adam. I realize that it may be asking to much of you to come with me, you are your fathers only heir, but I thought it would be worth a shot."

Adam leaned against a tree, deep in thought. It was many moments before he got back up. "Yvon, you are right about one things, you are going to turn out better than your father. And if you do I might as well be along for the ride." He smiled and they both began walking towards the villa. "But what are you going to tell your father?"


Yvon laughed slightly at the thought "Nothing. We leave tomorrow to the house of Aquitaine. By the time he finds out we will already be gone. After that only Our Lord knows where the wind will take us"