[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/gNM6ZQm.png[/img][/center] [center][sup]INTERACTING: Mentions King Arcel/Lady Eleanor @Force and Fury, Asier @Ti, Caelum @RezonanceV; Speaking with Arnaud [@YummyYummy][/sup] [sup]OPPORTUNITY: Parrench players who will be staying at Relouse[/sup][/center][center][sup]EVENT: Defense of Relouse|| LOCATION: Relouse Encampment, Parrence[/sup][/center][hr][hr] [i][b]Solenne - Some Weeks Before[/b][/i] There was no question of doubt that Ser Maerec de Solenne would answer the young King Arcel’s call to arms. Though his years lived were less than the knight’s, his wisdom was far beyond. And really, it was because of King Arcel that Maerec was permitted to gain station to where he was today. As much as Ser Dufort loved to parade about, putting claims to the lost son of Solenne–He would have never been where he was now had it not been for King Arcel’s vision. He was considered by the streets of Solenne as ‘A Man of Arcel’, to which some nobility would see it as a mocking title, but to those that truly knew Maerec and what he had gone through to get there, it was a praise worthy of his merit. He politely declined the final celebration before his departure that Lady Hélène Dufort suggested. It was a formality, and simply posturing from what the knight deduced. Something that Maerec had always disdained. Instead, he found his few days just before departure on the old streets of Solenne, where they had once been his stomping grounds as a child. He often went there to humble himself, and remind himself of what he truly was. He was a man of the people. He had worked just like them. He had struggled just as they do. He had dreams and aspirations that at that time felt impossible to obtain, just as they dreamed and aspired. He was a beacon to them, just as much as they were a reminder to him. They were the reason he accepted the king’s call. “Maerec, another one before the night ends?” one man asked, pushing a drink across the table to him. “From me and my wife. Don’t dare think about paying me for it.” His cheering voice turned gruff for a moment, as if to warn the knight of an insult to come if he tried to protest. It was enough to make a slanted smirk slide across his face. [color=554455]“Just this one, then no more.”[/color] He said, taking up the cup to take a sip. [color=554455]“I still need to make way to Maerec and Darie tonight.”[/color] He tipped his cup towards the man who in turn let out a bellowing laugh. The night so far has gone as such, and more than not Maerec received a pat on the back or his shoulders grasped in support of his endeavor. This was the world Maerec felt most comfortable in. Not in stuffy homes of nobility where he was shown off like a finely crafted piece of jewelry. — The home was small. Much smaller than Maerec remembered, though, everything else remained the same. The broom was placed in the same spot by the door as it had always been. Pots and rags neatly put away to the side of the main space. The table that had one leg shorter was stabilized by another piece of wood. Even his bed that had been made in the far corner was exactly as he left it. The nostalgia made his heart swell. “Maerec?” A voice of hesitation called out, warranting the knight to turn and look. It was an older woman, Darie. Upon seeing the smiling knight, the dull life in her eyes brightened exponentially. The reunion was bittersweet–her knowing exactly why Maerec came here today, though, she couldn’t bring herself to be sorrowful. Her son had gone beyond her wildest dreams, and he was doing his country a great honor by answering the king’s call. “My son,” Darie raised her hands, reaching for the sides of the knight’s face as she pulled it closer to her so she could kiss the crown of his head. “You will be missed. May Orphe-Sept be with you always.” She slipped her arms around his ribs, drawing him in for a strong embrace to which he returned in kind. Maerec had said his goodbyes to Darie, and soon to the father that had raised him, though the couple was able to convince him to stay just a little while longer. Night had taken over Maerec spent the night in his old bed, preparing himself for the morning to come. — He needed to make one more round about the premises of Dufort before he could set out, and so he made it as quickly as possible. He and a handful of soldiers readied their horses and secured their banners of House Dufort. They were to set off that morning. There, as he reached up to pat the side of his horse’s neck in reassurance, he felt eyes on him. Maerec turned to see Helène advancing towards him. It was clear to see the tears welled up in her eyes. She reached out for Maerec to pull him closer for a tight embrace. It was one that was reluctant to let go of something so precious. “Don’t go my son…” She cried into him, forcing a deep frown from Maerec. For as much as she longed to repair the time lost between them, he had very little interest in doing so. He was hers by blood, but not by heart. Even still, Maerec hugged her back and held her a little bit longer than he would have liked. [color=554455]“Have faith that Oraphe-Sept will guide me back to Solenne.”[/color] He placed a hand on the back of her head for a small caress before sliding his hands onto her shoulders to carefully pull her back. [color=554455]“Without faith is a destined farewell.”[/color] He gave her a small smile, reaching to wipe her tears away. “Take this.. For your protection.” Hélène was defeated. No matter how much she protested to her husband, how much she fought and tried to convince Maerec to stay, he was too much of a man of the people. He was truly a knight to a fault. Sniffling, she removed the green sash from her waist and delicately wrapped it around his wrist. “Wear it when you go onto the battlefield. It will protect you.” Maerec didn’t have the strength to fight her on this. Instead, he let her tie it onto his wrist and made sure it was secure. “I must leave, Lady Hélène.” He finally said, forcing her to reluctantly create space between them. [color=554455]“I will come back… I promise.”[/color] Maerec was always a man of his word. [hr][i][b]Parrence, Relouse Encampment - Current[/b][/i] Standing there in the sea of those that had gathered in support of Arcel and of Parrence, Maerec was humbled by the amount of faces he could see. Not only Parrench, but others as well. It gave him the slightest bit of hope. He could feel the presence of everyone around him and it just made his body buzz with energy. He could feel it at the tips of his fingers, as if trying to calm the internally brewed storm of emotions. This was a moment Maerec would never forget. A hand slipped past the collar of his shirt to tug on two cords, bringing them out to view. He slid his hand down to the two pendants and grasped them tightly as he listened to the archbishop begin the prayer. [color=554455][b]“Amen.”[/b][/color] He echoed with hundreds of others around him. When King Arcel took over, Maerec hung on every word. Arcel was eloquent, even in a time that could cripple even the most seasoned of kings. His resolve struck true with the knight of Solenne and it was in that moment that Maerec knew he was here for the right reasons. This was a monumental moment, where stories will be told and retold for generations to come, and Maerec was honored to be a witness. His only hope was that they captured this very moment with the same intensity. [i]“Vive la Parrence!!!”[/i] The cacophony that came next shook the ground underneath the knight, but held no notice as he joined the thousands in raising his sword up. He roared out, unable to contain the overwhelming emotion that Arcel had instilled in him. The cries and roars of those around him only fed him further, and it was an impactful moment that Maerec knew would stick with him until the day he died. It eventually died down, and just as instructed, Maerec took a knee to pray. The prayer resonated deeply within the knight. And hearing Queen Eleanor pray as well made his heart swell. The strength his King and Queen held was remarkable. [color=554455][b]“Amen!”[/b][/color] He followed at the end of the prayer, making the sign of the Pentad, yet still holding the pendants of the Aun-Oraphe and Oraphe-Sept– the deity that favored Maerec the most. The moment dissolved and everyone began to go to their designated places. Groups came together to discuss their future plan of action or to mentally prepare for what was to come. Maerec would have done the same, had it not been for the Lion Knight to give him a nod of recognition. The Tourrare’s reputation had echoed around the lower streets of Solenne as a wild fictitious tale with an underlying truth. Maerec had not had the honors of meeting the knight yet, but now, really, was the best of times to do so. He followed after Ser Arslan.. Once he was close enough, Maerec silently greeted so to not disrupt the conversation already being had. He looked closer at the map displayed, taking in what was already organized. [i]“Lord King, if we quickly lead a small expeditionary force to the Cape here,”[/i] Ser Arslan pointed out and Maerec narrowed his eyes as he tried to visualize the exact area. It was a good idea to take advantage of the terrain, but also risky. He could see a hint of contemplation on the idea from a few individuals. A Brother of Oraphe, as it seemed, had that pensive look in his eyes. Understandably so. [i]”The preparations on shores are mostly complete. It will be difficult for them to secure entry point should we keep control of the terrain.”[/i] This was good to hear, coming from the executioner himself– another man that Maerec had yet to formally meet. He was a large man whose strength seemed to radiate off of him. It was aweing yet very intimidating. [color=554455][b]“A moment of your time, executioner.”[/b][/color] Maerec called as the council began to separate. Ser Arslan seemed to be getting company for his expedition. The Brother seemed inclined to follow after the Lion Knight. Maerec knew his skills would be more useful here at Relouse. Maybe he could take advantage of the preparations made on the shores. [color=554455][b]“I seem to have arrived late for some of the preparations, though I do wish to contribute. That being said, I do have an idea that may be able to assist us and hinder the Eskandr if not be annoying at the least.”[/b][/color] He gave a small slanted smile. [color=554455][b]“If, of course, you are willing to hear me.”[/b][/color] [hider][sub]Talking Color: [color=#554455][b]#554455[/b][/color][/sub][/hider]