RP:From Commander to Crusader

From HollowWiki

Part of the The Prophet of Vakmatharas Arc


Summary: Queen Josleen invites Army Commander Mythayus to sit with her and Prince Guillem during the championship fight of the Larketian Arena summer tournament. During the fight, she appraises him to see if he can stomach a new religion in Larket that worships Vakmatharas, and, more importantly, if he'll police those who would oppose it. Commander Mythayus proves to be a very loyal servant of the Larketian Crown.

Larket Arena

Josleen || The Larket Arena has been hosting a summer tournament. The championship fight is scheduled for this evening, well after the scorching midday sun but before the late sunset of summer. After a late afternoon rain, the temperature dropped to a more manageable warmth that is made pleasant by the occasional breeze. Queen Josleen and Prince Guillem sit in the Royal Box at the Prince’s behest. The championship today will be fought between two spellblades, and what’s cooler than that in the eyes of a 6 year old boy? The Queen dons a light sleeveless dress of embroidered silk that slinks down the length of her body. She lounges on a dais as a servant lazily fans her body. Her coterie of handmaidens has grown considerably, and her entourage excluding the royal guard totals nine. If Mythayus, or any other high ranking officer, attends the fight, Josleen has instructed the box office to usher them to the Royal Box.


Mythayus was in the mood to watch a fight verses actually fighting himself this evening. His mind wasn’t in it today. He figured watching some other fighters would help hone his mind. He was donned in a white lose fitting cotton shirt, black leather gloves and black leather pants. His long mid back hair pulled back in to a que, bangs hanging in his face. He was making his way to a seat when the ushers would usher him to the Royal Box. He smirked thinking it was the King getting him to join him. He was slightly shocked when it turned out to be the Queen with the Prince. “Your highnesses,” He’d bow to the queen then to the Prince. “What do I owe this pleasure.” His voice like liquid honey, a warm smile on his face.


Josleen hadn’t spent much time with Mythayus. He was more Macon’s friend and officer, and, without meaning to, the Queen and King had divided and conquered different staff with little overlap. But things were about to change in Larket, socio-politically, and the change would be soft and felt in the heart, born of ideas and emotion instead of steel and blood. In this domain, the Queen rules and she takes it upon herself to vet everyone, to test them against the tide to come. “Oh, these fights do go long and I could use the company. It’s a shame we’ve not had more opportunity to chat. Your service is so important to the city. Guillem,” she calls to her son, “say Hello to Commander Mythayus.” The boy half-heartedly waves at the man, tearing his eyes away from the jesters for only a second. The jesters smack each other with cartoonish mallets and over-sized wooden swords. The crowd laughs, properly warmed up for the fight to come. Josleen smiles at Mythayus and gestures at a section of the long, low couch for him to sit, albeit not to close so there is no talk of impropriety. “Would you like something to drink? I’m having the spiked iced tea.” Guillem laughs at the clowns in the ring.


Mythayus smiles at the Prince and his inability to take his attention off the jesters, but who could blame him really? They were far more entertaining than the knight. He nod and take a seat in the motioned to section. “The same, if you don’t mind. These fights can go for long periods of time especially with two skilled fighters.” He’d glance down to the arena, then to the Queen, “It is a shame, your highness, but we have time now. How can I help you?” He have an almost playful smile, his vivid blue hue focused solely on the queen.


Josleen smiles disarmingly at the question. “Oh I don’t need anything in particular. This is a social call. Sometimes being Queen, or King in my husband’s case, can be quite isolating. I am glad he has rugby. He tells me you’re the best player on the team, and of course you are.” She laughs as she pantomimes wings on either side of her body to indicate his race. “I thank the gods for your winning track record in rugby. Macon is fiercely competitive, as you well know. Are you a religious man, Mythayus?”


Mythayus would smile sheepishly at her compliments, “The King isn’t half bad himself. Thank you for the compliments. I enjoy winning myself, so I can understand his feelings.” He offer a laugh at the mimicking of his wings. He think for a moment or two on her last question, “I have knowledges of many religions but I would say I myself am not. I’d much prefer to rely on my own abilities. As most of my kind are.” He shake his head, “There was a time I was.” He’d tilt his head, “Not to say I’m not open to a good religious discussion. What’s on your mind, my Queen?”


Josleen || “Well…” Josleen dismisses her handmaidens so that only Mythayus and Roald, the Royal Guard Josleen trusts most, remains in the box. The crowd erupts in a roar to welcome the combatants. Prince Guillem spits out popcorn as he shouts “Wooo!” and “Yeaaaa!!!” Josleen claps loudly and holds up a finger to Mythayus as she gets up and crosses to the balcony railing. The crowd dies down to hear the emcee introduce each fighter’s feats and explain the rules, then he gestures towards Josleen who waves at the crowd. “Long live the Queen! Long live the King!” the crowd chants ritualistically. Having done her bit, Josleen returns to the dais and resumes the conversation as though there were never a pause. “Well, I’m sure you’ve heard some talk in the fort among the high ranking officers and mages about…. Well… an unusual deal that Macon had to make to save Larket’s children?” Indeed, Mythayus may have heard that Prince Guillem was cured on the back of a deal made with Vakmatharas, and that in order to save the rest of Larket’s afflicted children, their parents must also accept Vakmatharas into their hearts.


Mythayus would watch as the fighters entered the ring and the Queen would do her duty. He’d give a light laugh watching the Prince’s excitement. He wished he’d have one, one day. He’d nod confirming the Queen’s words. “I have. We do what we must to save the ones we love. I would do the same. No judgement here. If Macon thought it is best then it is. I trust him and his judgements. If that’s what you’re asking.” He hoped he gave a sufficient answer. “That is if the rumors are true, of course.”


Josleen sips her spiked tea as Mythayus replies carefully. She appraises him for sincerity while Guillem appraises the fighters for dexterity. He’s rooting for the one who looks most like Shishi, Titan of Winter, his idol. “I’m glad you feel that way. And yes, the rumors are true. We’re planning a play to introduce Larket to the idea. I worry there will be a few agitators who will resist this violently. I hope you are prepared for that, and that your heart is in the fight to defend this policy. It is unorthodox, but something I’ve come to realize, admittedly slowly…. Is that Vakmatharas Himself is not evil, but neutral. It is his worshippers who are evil, by and large. We do not say the sword killed the man, but that a man wielding a sword killed a man. Likewise, it is wrong to blame Vakmatharas for the wicked path some have taken in his name.” She waits to see if Mythayus is on board with this too, a willing convert, even if only intellectually and not religiously.


Mythayus would nod listening to the Queen. “With change there are always those who will oppose it. So yes I will be ready to defend any new policy you or the king put in place.” He’d take a small breath, “What is a sword without a wielder, or a Soldier without an order. There was a point were I was considered evil. It all depends on the point of view. Vakmartharas saved the prince. He in that right makes him not evil in my book.” He’d take another small breath, “Killing in the name of a God. Passion will twisting faith into violence. All in the name of a God.” He spoke the last line in an almost melodic tone. Like it was an old rhyme from his youth.


Josleen looks fondly at her son when Mythayus mentions that the Prince is saved. “I am glad you spine doesn’t run at the thought of seeing Vakmatharas in a different light. It was hard for me, but now I believe there is a way to worship him correctly, here in Larket, for the sake of our children. But come, tell me about these fighters!” She gestures towards the ring. “I know nothing about them.”


Mythayus would smile reassuringly. He’d finally look down to actually see who was fighting. He’d see the two spellblades going at it with all their might. He give a smile, “The one the Prince is favoring is Callaway Karrheese. He’s pretty powerful. Favors fire over the other elements, and relies on precise powerful blows to overwhelm his opponents. Out of the ring he likes to use his fighter status to pick up women. The other is Tayvis Lochardt. He has a similar fighting style to mine. He favors lightning and speed to overwhelm his opponents. Outside of the ring he fairly quiet and keeps to himself. Seem today we will get the answer of who will win might or speed.” He look to the queen. “What do you think, your highness?”


Josleen signals for Roald to let the hand maidens return. One of them sits close to Mythayus and sneaks looks at him. The Queen either doesn’t notice, or chooses not to notice, as she says, “I’ve never been very strong physically, so I suppose I would favor speed and Tayvis.” Prince Guillem, whom Josleen had assumed wasn’t listening, whips around quickly to whine, “Mamaaa! Callaway is so much betteeeer! He’s so strong, like a vampire, like Shishi.” “Shishi is also fast,” Josleen replies. “Maaaaa!!!” she whines again. “Don’t whine, you know what your father says.” The Prince turns back to the fight. In this way, torn between a bratty Prince and a pleasant commander, the Queen spends her evening. The hand maiden who is smitten with Mythayus, a young woman named Lyana, spends her evening trying to win the attention of an important and handsome knight.


Mythayus would give a nod and a playful wink towards Lyana. The fight would start to speed up and heat up. Callaway being the more experienced fighter waited for Tayvis to start his new set of attacks, then would make his move. Spinning around the faster fighter, and sending a blast of fire into Tayvis back. Causing to stumble forward, giving Callaway the Advantage, to which he did not let go by him. Struck the man sending him down to the ground. He then sends the his down into the ground next to the mans head. Tayvis yields, ending the fight and leaving Callaway the winner. “Looks like you where right young prince. Callaway won.” He’d look to the queen. “I must take my leave now Your highness. I must prepare. I’ll be in my room at the fort if you need me.” The last line was more for Lyana, than the queen but made since either way. He’d stand up give a bow, wait for the queen to dismiss him and make his way home.