Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Legend Makers. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
The King's Last Parade
Topic Started: Jun 13 2008, 11:14 PM (1,380 Views)
Abnormal-Child
Member Avatar
Administrator
[ *  *  * ]
The parade grounds had been a place of mayhem for the last few days in build up to this very day. The loss of the king was a heavy blow on the hearts of the people, their spirits were down and grief was common but all would gather today to pay respect to their fallen king.

In the build up to this parade, the streets had been cleared of litter, the coble roads repaired, the buildings painted and so on. The preparations for this day were endless. Mostly every building had even been draped partly in fabrics of the king’s colours, resplendent yet it contained and embodies the mood of the whole kingdom.

The streets were now thick with crowds; people from all walks of life now prepare to pay their respect to the late king. Already the sad wails accompanied by the mournful music were starting. The sad laments of the choir reached out to every corner of the grounds. Then a resounding silence came upon the whole crowd gathered upon the area.

The funeral pomp started and with it marched the Royal Guards, followed by a host of ministers and officials dressed in black. The black sea of crowds fell to an ear splitting silence as the body of the late king, now passed the grounds. In the Kingdom of Istria, fallen kings are not laid to rest upon the stone vaults, instead they are sent away in the grand blaze of the funeral pyre and their ashes scattered by the Royal Family.

The slow cadence of the Guards, dressed in immaculate black, moved ever so slowly reflecting the emotions of everyone gathered at the square, until they reached the middle of the Parade grounds, where in a somber yet dignified moment, lay the body of the dead king, upon the brier....
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Winter
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]

Following the king, right behind the most important political figures, were the highest ranked soldiers. Usually they wore just black robes but now they also wore a royal purple scarves that covered their shoulders. The black whole body armor was mostly covered by the clothes but you could hear them well as they marched. Indigo was one of the fifty soldiers in the funeral fleet but she wasn't walking with most of the appreciated colleagues. She and few high level warriors were walking right next to the king's body with the Royal guards, helping to make sure no one had the chance to do anything stupid, like attack the corpse. How had she earned this position? Many high brow people knew her through her father. There was no question people seemed to connect her to her father.

They arrived at the parade grounds and Indigo backed away from the king with the rest of the colleagues. She wasn't particularly sad about the king's death. Why should she be? She didn't know him personally. She just looked at the officials preparing him to be burnt. If it had been her choice, she would have skipped the whole parade. Fine, she would have come to watch for a while but at least she had been free to leave when ever she wanted. Now she had to remain at her spot, under the burning sun. The black and purple sure absorbed heat. She was used to difficult conditions but sure she wanted to avoid them like any other person.

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Varetine den'Atoni
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
Varetine stood in the crowded streets. People from all over the city were bowing their heads in respect or weeping. What caught her eye were the children some people brought. Many of them were struggling to get out of the fierce grip of their parent's hands. IT amazed her how many of the wails were little children howling in agony as their parents dug their nails into their hands. But she was here for the ceremony. She managed to push through the crowds far enough to see something of the officials placing the kings body on the brier.What she managed to see was between the shifting peoples bodies, she wasn't of the height to pop he head through the crowd to see anything, but of the eight to be at people's torsos and so nothing more than backs and stomachs.

She herself wasn't crying, she'd been in the city a couple years and had never dealt much with the government and royalty in anyway, in truth his death meant nothing to her. Nonetheless it'd make her look like good citizen to be at this funeral parade.

She stopped a moment as she felt something moving past her and a hand worm its way into her back pocket. Spinning around she grabbed he perpetrator's arm. She Quickly landed a punch at his stomach, albeit a soft punch that at least stopped him for a moment. "Oi, don't you know how stupid that was just now?" she snatched the few things he'd taken from his hands and threw him off. "do a better job next time, and steal something better than a button..," she looked at her hands, " some 30 cents and a coupon to Jeremy's tavern, if you want to earn your livelihood."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ciri
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
Ciri was brought along with the Jester and the Prince. Ciri felt somewhat awkward so she stayed closer to the Jester. As the King was being put onto the pyre, she couldn't help but shed a few tears. The tears were not for the recently deceased however, in fact, they were for the son that he left behind. If anyone knew what it felt like, it would be the eight year old child who had lost her own parents a year earlier She still had her doll held tightly to her body.

Ciri was still not used to such grandness. When her parents passed, she and a few friends said good-bye and that was the end. Here, there were what seemed to her to be thousands of people. She felt a bit daunted by all of this and the nervousness added to her sadness and pity. It was a strange group of feelings. Ciri just hoped the boy would be alright in the end.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Abnormal-Child
Member Avatar
Administrator
[ *  *  * ]
Giggles stood among the crowd, his huge fists tightly clasping his great sword hilt as he rested his weight upon it. His small brow eyes moved over the people surrounding him, keeping eye out for thieves and such, though he was wearing little more than a leather thong, so he had little to steal.

With a grunt he rested his eyes on a small Terebori to his left. A toothy grin formed on his lips as he gazed down at her, his painting scull bone grinning down on her. “Pretty little thing aren’t you”, he said in a gruff voice while baring his toothy smile. He was now paying little attention to the events around him, the peoples weeping, the parade and all of that crap, it didn’t interest him one bit. This Terebori on the other hand, she was a point of interests to the massive Giggles.




Logan on the other hand stood tall at the front of the crowd, his chest puff out in pride as he watched his beloved majesty pass in the parade. His eyes spoke of true sadness and his body exhibited restraint. His fists were bunched, his bottom lip firm and his back straight.

His body was decked out in his best uniform. His armor polish to an almost mirror standard, his sword hung loose at his waist and his loose fitting clothing done out in a mixture of pure whites and rich reds, flapping lightly in the wind. He stood out from the crowd, he did not morn the lost of the king, he simply stood and remembered his kingships life and the efforts he made to make a better kingdom for his people.

A hand ran smoothly around his arm and a tight embrace brought him back to himself. At his side stood his darling white, done out in the same colours, her face and hair covered by a white vial, covering her features from the surrounding folk.

Tilting forward his wife, he pressed his forehead against her and gazed into her eyes for a moment and let a smile roll over his lips. All was well, new ruler ship perhaps would bring better times. Perhaps.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Varetine den'Atoni
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
Replacing the objects in her back pocket Varetine was startled by a gruff voice behind her. The Apprahead behind her had decided to comment on her it seemed. "Pretty I may be, but what is it you want?"

The people around her probably thought that they shouldn't be talking, but she could see others who had stopped and begun doing other things than watch the parade, it had already passed and gone. She didn't pay much attention to it now anyway, she couldn't see it. The Apprahead before her, was pretty intimidating, sword and all. His painted face and grin didn't ease her in the least.

As much as she didn't feels comfortable, small and frail as she was, big and bulky as he was, she didn't run off but got on the balls of her feet, waiting for his reply to her question. Why did her choose to have an interest in her all of a sudden.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Abnormal-Child
Member Avatar
Administrator
[ *  *  * ]
"Pretty I may be, but what is it you want?"

“Pleasant conversation, what else does a man want?”, he said sarcastically with a grin on his lips. He lowered himself down into a crouch and knelt for a moment, then rolled back into a sitting position, which caused a few rude comment from the people behind him as his back knocked into them. He muttered a few apologising but now at least he was about the same level as everyone else. He rested his sword hilt against his shoulder and let the tip dig into the cobbled path.


“To be honest I’m just interested in your people, travels and traders aren’t you? I don’t come by many Terebori”, He added with another grin. He rocked back lightly, letting the hilt of his sword itch his shoulder softly.

Since Giggles has become seated a few more people seemed happier, seeing as they had a better view but for the mean while, the preparations seemed to still be continuing. Soon enough the old king would go up in flames and the drinking could begin in his memory. This was why he came.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Varetine den'Atoni
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
Varetine shook a bit, his rolling caused a tremor that seemed to affect the little people like her and a couple of the smaller human children. She noted that the people behind him weren't fond of him.

"I could say the same for you. This city is full of Humans, but very few Appraheads. But - Indeed we travel about and trade. We regard ourselves as the merchant race it seems. Appraheads are the workers right, you can do better jobs than some of the people here, least that's what I hear." She didn't like to say much, not in front of someone she may be able to insult easily and not on this day.

To tell the truth she didn't understand this behavior of burning kings, it felt like a waste, The bodies were burned putting smoke and ashes in the air and nothing much else. Back home they'd place the bodies of the dead in the marsh. the marsh water dissipated the bodies and gave the nutrients to the ground. That part of the marsh they weren't allowed t swim in, so she never saw it, didn't want to either, she was sure it would be a sight worth grimacing at. But, she guess, that must be the way the humans went at it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Abnormal-Child
Member Avatar
Administrator
[ *  *  * ]
"I could say the same for you. This city is full of Humans, but very few Appraheads. But - Indeed we travel about and trade. We regard ourselves as the merchant race it seems. Appraheads are the workers right, you can do better jobs than some of the people here, least that's what I hear."

“We Appraheads have become a costume to serving others, our peaceful natural supposedly. Some of us are a bit different”, Giggles let out a little giggle as he turned his blade lightly, etherising his point.

“Life too short for my kind, I don’t see myself wasting myself serving others. Travelling my hobby, as well a number of other things”, he glanced the girl over for a moment, smiling at what he saw, she was a fine specimen. He decided at this point Terebori were rather attractive.

“Names Giggles by the way”, he grunted with a nod as he straightened his back and peered over the crowds heads to see if anything was going on yet.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Varetine den'Atoni
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
"Not all of the could be accustomed to working under others i suppose I see your point." She said. That sword of his was not an attractive site in the city for her.

"You travel? Hopefully I'll set on my own eventually," She'd found the bureau that Maximillian had talked about, and as far as she knew, they were still mulling over her application. Hopefully soon enough she'd get some word. "My name's Varetine, Giggles is an interesting name," she said this with a little confusion, It was probably a nickname, but other than the giggle he'd emitted a little bit ago, nothing could make her think of him as a 'Giggles'.

"Tell me, you're much taller than me, do you see anything going on, I can't see more than peoples torso's, and if you ask me half the people here can't see more than other people's heads." As much as this ceremony baffled her she would have liked t see it. It seemed to here that although most people couldn't see they were there so that they could say that they'd been, in a patriotic sort of way.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Abnormal-Child
Member Avatar
Administrator
[ *  *  * ]
"You travel? Hopefully I'll set on my own eventually,"

“Left my village at a early age, travel a bit, ended up here, looking to leave hopefully, to many buildings”, he nodded sagely at this comment, yet lied about the fact he left his village, he was kicked out in truth.

"My name's Varetine, Giggles is an interesting name,"

“honour to meet you and the name suits me well enough”, he replied with a smile as he readied himself to get to his feet and make for one of the local pubs, seeing as his arse was starting to fall to sleep.

"Tell me, you're much taller than me, do you see anything going on, I can't see more than peoples torso's, and if you ask me half the people here can't see more than other people's heads."

He was caught off guard by her request and as much as he hated to say it, he was quick to obey and serve. He rolled himself forwards onto his knees and took a drip of his sword, stopping it from toppling onto Varetine.

With eyes narrowed for a moment as he stared at the progression for the ceremony. “Their reading the flames from what I can see. Some ugly grey dwarfs speaking….going on about the greatness of Alfred the IV, our old king right? Well he seems almost finished I’d say”, with that a roar of clapping almost deafen Giggles as a great number of the crowd clapped Royal Secretary Hoff’s grand speak about the kings rich life and the greatness of his reign and how he would be remembered. Pity Giggles didn’t care.

“Huh, their setting his coffin ablaze. Want a lift to see?”, he often out a hand toward Varetine encase she needed a better look as the ceremony progressed onwards.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Varetine den'Atoni
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
She nodded to his replies. As the dwarf finished speaking, and the crowd started clapping she clapped her hands to her ears.

"No not really, this parade doesn't interest me as such. I haven't lived here long enough to see the good the king has done. 1 or 2 years was enough for him to die in and have preparations made for this thing if you ask me."

She noticed he had made movements to get up before she'd asked her question. "Are you going somewhere. If you want, I know a couple of good pubs around the middle level. I usually get a discount since I've become something of a regular at most of them."

The invite was made half so that she could get out of there, and away from the crowd in one piece, and half because he looked more bored than she did. He'd offered to help her out, she might as well buy him a drink. Either way she found herself starting to squeeze her way back in through the crowd. Most of the people let her through, but she had to elbow people here and there.

Passing by this one boy, who wouldn't move, she elbowed him to get by, he didn't particularly pay attention to her but swung his arm absent mindedly her way. He hit her nose. And that hurt. She went a little farther and then stood there, fingering her sore nose. It wasn't broken of bleeding, but it stung.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Abnormal-Child
Member Avatar
Administrator
[ *  *  * ]
"No not really, this parade doesn't interest me as such. I haven't lived here long enough to see the good the king has done. 1 or 2 years was enough for him to die in and have preparations made for this thing if you ask me."

“I know how you feel, only been here a few months myself”, he replied with a smile as he stirred slightly where he kneeled and watched as a number of red cloaked mages approached the coffin and began to chant in a low tone.

"Are you going somewhere. If you want, I know a couple of good pubs around the middle level. I usually get a discount since I've become something of a regular at most of them."

“Pub! I’m dying for a drink”, he said with a grin on his lips as he forced himself onto his feet and began to turn his back toward the coffin in order to make his way out of the crowd, while receiving a number of angry looks as he blocked peoples views.

A all mighty sheik of a sound ripped from the coffin suddenly. The crowds started to jolt and roar, twist and turn. Twisting his neck quickly, Giggles eyes fixed upon the coffin which was now a blaze. Hot flames licked the air and parts of the coffin were rolling though the air. Something seemed to have gone wrong, an explosion perhaps.




At the head of the crowd, Logan stood firm, his sword now tightly in his grip as he held his wife behind him. His eyes were narrow, his face dripping with beads of sweat as the flames roared before him. Something horrific had just happened.

A number of the mages were in quick retreated, making for cover as parts of the coffin burst and blister, tossing off projectiles in all directions. The sheik from the coffin was almost deafening. Logan stood firm, his wife stood behind, his arms tightly grasped around his free arm, a smile licking her lips under his vial. “I smell the Void at work here”, he whispered lightly to her husbands ear.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jester
Member Avatar
Member
[ *  * ]
The explosion was the last thing that crossed the Jester's mind and thankfully the royal wizards and warlocks cast a barrier immediately at the whole royal family, the Jester included and his young companion who still had her doll close to her. The nerve of some people. The Jester was a fool in court and in everyday life but his wits where honed precisely to accommodate whatever the situation arises. He quickly turned to his young companion and tried to shuffle along with the nobles who rose out of their positions, infuriated and afraid.

"Candles, fiddlesticks and fires! Quick we must get you out!" The Jester pushing Ciri in a comical way, "Quicky quick! Danger is in the air!"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Maximillian
Member Avatar
Grand Duke of Nautilla
[ *  *  * ]
The High Lord of Nautilla along with several foreign dignitaries and nobles were surprised to see such blatant disrespect at the funeral of the Istrian monarch. A few of his fellow nobles stood their dumbfounded, the others were cowering for their very lives, only Maximillian and a handful of adventurous noblemen where the ones who stood their ground. Seeing that the explosion would be exactly what the agitators would want, Maximillian gathered some noblemen who were his peers and moved quickly. Confusion, mayhem, and chaos would be the last thing the denizens of the empire would want.

Giving his instructions to a few of his peers, the Duke, knew that containing the crowd would be the very first priority. For a man like Maximillian, fired up and rushing, a few people knew it better stay clear of the lionesque brute running and pushing his way to the crowds.

"You there, Soldier of Istria," Maximillian pointed at Logan, "I need you and your men! Will you aid me? Get your wife to safety, and get some of your men and follow me."

The reports from the Royal Intrepid Gentlemen's Explorers Club's have been true after all.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Fully Featured & Customizable Free Forums
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Parade Grounds · Next Topic »
Add Reply

Theme designed by flak of TFN