Knights of Anathaeum The lake monster

[Arbok]

Journeying across seas and continents takes time. Two years in fact of walking, riding, boating and sometimes climbing.
It didn't bother Arbok much though. For her the journey was the destination most of the time. Not today however. Today her destination was a small town named Glibshire. Where reports of a monster spotted by a nearby lake had peaked the interest of the Knights of Anathaeum.
To this end a small force was sent to investigate.
Arbok had only recently joined and not yet earned the rank of Knight. Earning her wings as a Squire would have to come first.


The day was bright and clear. Hiking along the hillside that overlooked Glibshire and further on the lake some miles North East of Bhathairk. Arbok travelled at the back, as her station demanded. She kept watch for anything they missed and did some light foraging of blackberry, brown cap and wild onion.
The day grew late when the approached Glibshire. Trees cast their long shadows on the earth and to them came a man of stern countenance who could only be the Eldermen flanked by two others who seemed to be filling the post of militia guard.
"My name is Crannoc. I bid you welcome though you have come at a dark hour. The monster, which we thought content to merely prowl the outskirts of the lake has taken four of our people. We know not where.
You have come to seek the monster but please, bring our taken back to us if you can. "
His plea is sincere to all. Something in his eyes speaks to how personal his pain is and shame of his failure to protect his folk.

Arbok's heart went to him. To feel so responsible and be helpless must be a terrible fate she thought.
She looked to her companions and seniors. It was not her place to speak yet.

 

[Magdeline]

Magdeline felt a pang of guilt upon hearing the Eldermen's words.

Had they travelled quicker. Had they rested less hours in the night, and marched longer in the day.

Thoughts as useful as soot in the dark. Thoughts that changed nothing in the now of it.

The Tiefling, who dawned her strange red armor, bowed her head to the Elderman. "I volunteer for first patrol about the lake," she stated with her head high, her eyes sure to the cause. She turned her head and looked to her fellow Sworn, and those Squires who joined them alike.

"Who will be my second?"

Perhaps she was being too brash. Perhaps a knight of higher station, or more learned in the ways of diplomacy and situational awareness would speak next. But oft, a sense of urgency inspired others.

 

[Arcadia Valentine]

Arcadia stood quietly amongst her fellow Sworn, a concerned expression clearly written across her youthful face. The Elder's tale pulled at her heartstrings, and created a hollow feeing in her stomach.

The pit in her stomach only deepened as she glanced at the Squires who accompanied them. This would no doubt be a excellent learning experience for them, but Arcadia couldn't help wondering if it was really worth putting them in danger.

Despite the worry that gnawed away at her, a tiny spark of curiosity sprang to life in Arcadia. What was this mysterious creature? What were its strengths? Weaknesses? Was it a magical? Or maybe more mundane in nature?

While Arcadia would have loved to stay and stand as a guardian for the Squires, she knew that many others were also in danger. She stepped forward and lightly gripped Magdeline's arm between her hands. "I'll join you." Arcadia spoke with determination. She was certain there were others more suited to the task, but she was determined to help in any way she could.

 

[Arbok]

"I'm coming too."
Arbok half shoved her way to the front and stood a mountain of a woman in her mailed coat, shield, arming sword and axe.
"I mean, if it's alright that is." She had not yet learned the formalities of the order.
"Miladies." She added a hasty flushed curtsy.
More than anything she felt a need to prove herself so when the chance to go to the thick of danger presented itself she could not wait longer.
"Or do we do the hand thing?"

 

[Magdeline]

Arcadia, and Arbok.

Magdeline gave a wistful smile, and nod to Arcadia. "Very good," she turned to Arbok, and pound an upturned fist against the plane of her chestplate. "Salutes do fine," her smile turned grin. She had not expected a fresh recruit to volunteer.

"Elderman," Syr Lefelen called out. "Syrs Arcadia and Magdeline, accompanied by Squire Arbok will begin their patrol immediately, let us discuss so that we may better prepare the second party, once they are rested and rationed," the veteran knight nod to those other five in their band that had ventured out from the Monastery.

Magdeline, stood tall. "We make ready to leave," she anounced, turned on her heal, and moved to the band's pack mule.

While Lefelen gathered what information he could from the Elderman, Mag made ready her pack. Light rations for a long hike, with so little rest taken already, a full water skin, two, taken and passed to whoever was there to take it first.

Her hand pulled free her blade-wand, a stiletto style dagger with an ebon-wood handle. Runes carved along its edge caught the noon-light.

 

[Arcadia Valentine]

Arcadia stifled a giggle, as Arbok curtsied. There was just something so hilarious about a giant mountain of a woman doing something so dainty, that she couldn't help but belt out laughing. "Salutes do just fine!" she agreed, struggling to catch her breath.

Arcadia turned her attention away as Syr Lefelen spoke to the Elder. Out of the corner of her eye, Arcadia had caught sight of two squires chatting off to the side of the group, and her imagination kicked into overdrive. Squire Hollis, a friendly outgoing boy with a heart of gold, and Squire Konrad, who was a tad shy, but always sweet and kind to his peers. The two were inseparable, always eating, training, and doing their chores together. A small smile spread across the Knight's lips. She was sure that they were more than best friends. Why she wouldn't be at all surprised if they-

"We make ready to leave!" Magdeline's announcement cut through Cady's thoughts and she scowled. There'll be time for that later, she told herself with a sigh. Tightening her belt, Arcadia unsheathed her sword and inspected it, then returned it to the scabbard. "Could use a little sharpening..." she mused.

Taking the second water skin, Arcadia handed it to Arbok. "I'll share with Mag," she smiled and gave the giant woman a gentle slap on the back. "Do you have everything you need?"

 

[Arbok]

Arbok smiled at their generosity of spirit. She admitted she had little to offer but her strength or arms and her enthusiasm. The ways of court and crowns eluded her completely.
"Cheers." She said grateful of the water then corrected herself.
"I mean, thank you Syr!"
Another flush of embarassment bloomed in her round cheeks.
"I think I do have everything."
He hands and eyes made a check of her supplies. Water, weapons, rations... She rapped the side of her helmet as if you confirm she was still wearing it.
*Tonk, tonk."
"Yeah let's shoot the crow."

She was even more grateful that it was Magdeline and Arcadia going out with here. From her brief time with them as they had traveled to Glibshire she had found them brave and true. If the ran afoul of the monster she could not ask for better company. The lake lay Northwards generally and it would take some time, perhaps two hours, to get there. Arbok was eager to get going.

The Elder Crannoc spoke with Syr Lefelen candidly of their plight. The lake was vast and covered many miles. There had been rumour of a monster for years but that was all it was until sightings and reports became more frequent. The monster was said to have a great long neck like a dragon and was so big it knocked trees out of its path like men do tall blades of grass.
"Please be careful"

Magdeline Arcadia Valentine

 

[Margot Triss]

Upon reaching a report from Heleana herself, Margot hastened to join her fellow knights. They were yet a green bunch, extra hands were needed to assure safety, that was her responsibility.

The thundering of hooves, the swiftness of the steed beneath her, she would catch up with relative ease. The distance was not great, and there were no obstacles in her path.

---

Soon she caught site of the group, and she slid from the still moving horse with practiced ease. It turned sharply, heading back for home with a snort. The blue eyed, blond girl eyed the group before her, a grin splitting her lips. "Made it just in time!"

Magdeline Arbok Arcadia Valentine

 

[Valborast Valchek]

Upon a circle of black did the knight Valborast lurch behind Margot, the ink spot that was his arcane method of travel a necessity. Not a single horse could stand him in the stirrups, so insistent was his foot against their flank. No coaching could dissuade him from such a practice, and eventually Valborast decided he would rely on himself instead of something which could be served for dinner in a siege.

Clad in his typical crimson, his lithe frame carried with it the mark of the pale lizard upon the breastplate, and with grey streak of hair set perfectly in place, did his shoes meet the grass, free from the pool of black that was his vehicle. The pool of black slunk into his shadow, as if it were a hound that had been scalded for falling underfoot in a kitchen.

“Wonderful,” Valborast said dryly, “The whole gang is here. Well? What have you lot found out in our absence,” Valborast said, placing fingers within his belt which rapped impatiently against it. He bristled with knives and harboured his animosity to the good cheer found in those people around him silently.

Magdeline Arbok Arcadia Valentine Margot

 

[Magdeline]

Lefelen nod to the elder, and bowed in respect. "We will do our utmost to see this mystery solved, Elder Crannoc,"

A fidget from an small knife at his belt. A rumble and a gentle clattering. Lefelen blinked, a bit dumb struck by the sudden alarm from his piece of equipment. He cleared his throat and rose straight.

"Excuse me, if you will, Elder," he gave a salute, and a nod. Those other sworn around him followed suit, and formed around the Moon Elf, who checked the rune-marks of his weapon's pommel.

A glyph of communication. Blue, and lit by loch's light.

"Well then," he said small and to himself, found a small clearing in the village, away from the others, where some calm might find him. Pulled a small bowl from his pack, placed it upon the floor, and poured clean water from his skin into its round shape. The pool settled, and he pulled a perfectly smooth stone marked with a seal of Loch upon it. Dropped it into the water.

When the water settled, instead of his own reflection looking up to him, he saw one of the orders Deep Minds, looking back at him. A friendly bow. Words passed between them. Lefelen recoiled some. "Margot and Valborast?" He asked, stunned.

---

Magdaline smiled at the squires eagerness, and gave a nod to Syr Arcadia. "Most Syrs aren't so stiff as to require the syr every time, Arbok," she assured, and sheathed her wand. "But shooting crows," she smirked. "Quick way to catch a curse for the whole damn order, doing that,"

Hooves announced company. Introductions brief, but spirits rose higher. Even with Valcheck, Syr Triss was a welcome sight. "Just in time you two," Mag assured, and began to march into the woods, toward the lake. "Hear there is a monster round these parts," the flame armored knight called back in jest. Her steady footfalls crunched the earth softly as she went.

Squire Hollis ran up quick, and out of breath.

"Wait!" he called out. "News," he said breathless. Had trouble breathing through the weight of his armor and the effort. "Of the... of the monster," he said, and gave the intel to any who would hear.

A long neck like a dragon, large enough to knock trees down like grass.

Troubling. Mag thought. But she kept it to herself as she ventured onward.

Arbok Arcadia Valentine Margot Triss Valborast Valchek

 

[Arbok]

"It's not... I mean it's not literal but I mean it's like a rhyme. Shoot the crow, Hit the road. Like let's get moving?"
Her large cheecks flushed.
She was already feeling out of step.
Then news of the beast. Large and powerful.
"Wow, that sounds, well that sounds like a real monster. Syr, or not. Sorry! I mean Hello Syrs Valborast and Mergot. Glad. you're, here?"
Now she felt foolish so she held her tongue between her teeth as was her habit when she feared her running mouth.
Clearly there was much to heed here so Arbok stalled and waited for the more experienced of her comrades to think.

Magdeline Arcadia Valentine Valborast Valchek Margot Triss