The comforting caress of the morning hum of Fordkeep rose Rufus with soft stroke of the eardrums. Throughout the castle could be heard the distant muffled voices of the resident workers, and outside a horse grunted and children laughed and cried at each-other. For a brief moment two young boys drifted past the tall window of Rufus' bedroom; with a faint smile creasing his lips he watched the two children swinging swords at each-other, yelling mock insults while diving to the floor with childish enthusiasm. The warmth that the scene gave his heart lasted only for a few seconds before it was lost to the lesson his father had taught him:

[center][i]The children of today,
Are the soldiers of tomorrow:
And though they play with swords,
It is swords that cause them sorrow.[/i][/center]

His memory was cast aside when familiar footsteps proceeded towards Rufus' bedroom - a knock followed suit and Rufus acquired his usual morning attire before replying, "[color=00a651]Who is it?[/color]" Of course, he already knew, but in Fordkeep it is good manners to have good manners.

His wife turned the door handle and made her way through, into Rufus' room. Though her dress had changed, her humble smile had not faltered in the 24 hours that had passed. "[color=00a651]My Lord,[/color]" she bagan, "[color=00a651]there is a matter which requires your attention. Two men - injured and in need of shelter - arrived at our gates earlier this morning.[/color]"

Rufus, unable to recall anyone he knows directly who could be in danger, assumed that the two men were travellers of the land - merchants, pilgrims, or serfs of some some sort. "[color=00a651]In what condition are they?[/color]" asked he with concerned frown upon his lips.

"[color=00a651]I am unsure, My Lord. Guard Relman was at the gate at the time of their arrival and received them. He told me only that one had been injured by a bolt. Of the other he did not speak.[/color]" Rufus' wife, pastoral in all respects, had been attending to the mechanisms of the keep since the early hours of the morning. For this Rufus owed respect.

"[color=00a651]I trust they've been accommodated and seen to by a doctor?[/color]"

"[color=00a651]Yes, My Lord. A room has been given to them free of charge by The Fox's Feathers, and the medicinal treatment recommended for them by a surgeon is being gathered as we speak.[/color]"

Rufus nodded and left the matter at that. Guard Relman would likely have not recognised the two men and, in his panic as a new recruit, led them to a room without a word and left it at that. It would be some time until Rufus recognises who exactly his keep hosts - more specifically, who The Fox's Feathers hosts.

[center]~ ~ ~[/center]

"[color=00a651]Ah, brother Louis![/color]"

"[color=00a651]You requested my presence, brother?[/color]" said Louis, standing beside Rufus as he drifted through a bookshelf.

Rufus pulled a leather bound book from the shelf and skimmed through the pages as he spoke. "[color=00a651]Are we advancing with the search for a Knight?[/color]" asked he.

"[color=00a651]Yes, brother. We have had a number arrive at the gates in the last days. Some I have seen before - others, however, I am uncertain of their origins. I pray they come here with honest intentions.[/color]"

Rufus stopped on a particular page opens studied it quietly for a moment. "[color=00a651]Louis, dear brother,[/color]" he began, "[color=00a651]there is something that I must ask of you.[/color]"

"[color=00a651]It is the will of Acristies that I abide by our bond, brother,[/color]" came the reply. Acristies the Loyal, in Forklandish theology, is the brother of God who abided by his every command even in the face of death - it is a rule that all in the land live by, not least the nobles.

"[color=00a651]When I.. [/color]" for the first time in months that Rufus can remember, he faltered. "[color=00a651]When I am granted passage, I pray you continue to rule as I have done.[/color]"

Louis laughed - not a bellow or a giggle, but just a snicker as if expecting a punchline. "[color=00a651]Brother, what so presses you to speak of death? You and I are healthy, and by the will of God have many years left.[/color]" Although Louis feigned a smile throughout, his brother's sudden retort of death struck a delicate nerve, one that had been dormant since the death of his parents.

"[color=00a651]Yes, yes, of course. I just wanted to assure myself.[/color]" Rufus, too, appreciated the usefulness of a fake smile every so often. "[color=00a651]Now, tell me about our prospective Knights. Do any seem favourable?[/color]"

"[color=00a651]There is one - a woman,[/color]" began Louis. "[color=00a651]My men tell me she is of noble blood. I have heard nothing of her, but in passing I believe she has offered a wave. The servants provided a room in the ground-chambers - since then, she has rarely been seen.[/color]"

Rufus considered. "[color=00a651]A woman, you say? I should tell you that I have been searching for a suitable woman for you, Louis. Mind you, a knight is far from the best choice - they tend to have very broad shoulders![/color]" Rufus chuckled to himself. "[color=00a651]Can you request her presence to me? I should like to give her a formal welcome. I shall be here for the next hour or so if it pleases her to see me.[/color]"

Louis abided and left upon his brother's request.

[center]~ ~ ~[/center]

Five minutes had passed and Rufus found himself sitting at the desk in his library, holding the very same book he had collected during his conversation with Louis. His eyelids flickering, he quickly opened to the page he had been searching for:

[center][i]The Record of Known Mind Afflictions - Volume 2

The Split Mind

It is thought abroad that the mind is one, but It is not so. Your mind is many weaker ones, of whom you are composed. Often these minors work in harmony and thus functions remain normal; however, in rare sittuations the beings of which your mind is compromised can fall out of place into what is known as the 'sub ego'. In such cases it is common for voices to heard. It is the will of Sacretin that this be so, and only time will tell the path of healing.[/i][/center]

A sigh escaped Rufus' dry lips as he closed the book. His suspicions had been confirmed. It had happened once, and only once. At first, he believed it to be a message from God, but if that was so then God made no sense to him. No, it was that morning that, while he dined on his breakfast, faintly he heard a whisper - a gentle breeze in his ear....

[i]"[color=00a651]Peace will not last. Save your people.[/color]"[/i]