RP:My First Step
Hildegarde , with the Winter Solstice at hand, found herself with little to do! Many warriors were spending time with their families, feasting extravagantly and exchanging new items for good luck at the edge of the new year. The Silver had been invited to many homes and she had visited them all for a quick bite to eat and a polite chat amongst the families she governed when her Queen wandered happily around the realm. Yet here she now was, mock growling and snarling as she playfully wrestled with the massive couatl who was her loyal and faithful companion. The teal coloured serpent wound his body around hers; constricting slightly as his iridescent feathers splayed out and waggled in playful warning. ~Kenway! Champion of Frostmaw!~ he declared with his powerfully psionic mind, much to the amusement of the almost breathless Silver.
Aoshi paces quietly along the path. His feet taking him forward with his mind not really following. A dangerous thing to do. The teens eyes very clearly not focused on where he was going meaning his head much further from the path. It was the playful shout that caught his attention snapping him back to reality. The simple fact that this was reality, added another stone to his step. He watches Hildegarde with Kenway. A nod is given as he watches the match for a moment. A smile crosses his face before he takes a step back, hoping he hadn't been spotted or interrupted the play.
Hildegarde writhed against Kenway’s constriction, laughing the entire time as her fists meekly battered against his scaly hide for she had no wish to truly hurt him, “Let go, you oaf!” she roared at him delightedly, inhaling greedily once the couatl uncoiled himself from her; bumping his great head against her own affectionately. The woman grinned and pressed a soft and affectionate kiss to his scaly head, hand briefly brushing over the iridescent feathers that crowned his great head. “Greetings, Aoshi,” she called politely, pulling herself up to her feet while catching her breath a little bit. “I trust you have enjoyed some Winter Solstice festivities?”
Aoshi smiles taking a bit of their fun for his own use. Keeping up the happy act, he speaks next out of pride then truth. “Yea they are great.” his smile and eyes speak opposites at the same time. “Glad to see you're catching a bit of fun yourself. Hope the solstice finds you well.”
Hildegarde could have flinched for having made such an error. While she has only one eye, she is still perceptive; perhaps even more so than she had once been. “Aoshi, I am sorry if my question was insensitive, I did not mean for it to be that way,” he hadn’t actually said what had happened to his parents, but implied they were no longer on the earthly plane. “I, er…” she cannot think of anything to say that would recover such an error. “Did you visit Master Gikal?”
Aoshi sighs “Please don't feel bad, it was a light question. It's my burden, not something I can just throw around onto other people. Besides, this is a joyful time. Sorrow and pain have their time and place, but the Solstice is not it.” he stands tall, holding his back straight. As his will hardens, so too does his face. “I did manage to find Master Gikal. After preforming a few duties for him, he has given me a blue iron set.” and it was true, though his hands, feet and shoulders were of lighter armor. “He didn't have the full set so, told me I had to wait until he could get pieces in that were my size.”
Hildegarde shook her head gently, “A knight is like any weapon, Aoshi, if left untended it will break when needed most. It is our duty to be honest to our Queen and our leaders, so they understand what position we are in and what strength we have left to us. If you have any expectation to become a knight in this realm, I anticipate your honesty in future,” her words were softly spoken, suggesting that while she would not hear of it now and impinge upon the festive feeling of the Solstice, she would hear about it at a later date; when the lad was ready. “And what do you think of the armour? Honestly now. No good being polite or lying about it.”
Aoshi he chuckles a bit. “Majority of the armor is fine. A bit more weighted then what I am used to. But that will pass as I get accustomed to it. Though, you asked for honesty, and I just can't get with the helmet. I know it's reasoning. And I understand the benefits of it” He lifts his shoulders a bit then drops them “But I think it gets in the way more then it helps. I can't hear as well when it's on, can't see around me with out having to turn my head, and it smells. The scent inside blocks the sent of the outside. I know it's part of the uniform, but if there is any way I can do with out it, I'd like to do that instead.”
Hildegarde raised a brow, “It’s not part of the uniform,” she informed him gently, “but it is a recommended part and it is absolutely essential that a warrior wears some sort of head protection,” she said, perhaps contradicting her earlier remark of it not being part of the uniform. That is, of course, until she further explains the matter, “It is not essential that you wear a specific kind of helmet, such as that one,” she informed him duly, “but essential you protect your head some way. Like a leather cap. It’ll soften some harder blows, but it’ll keep your ears exposed and it won’t cover your face. It’ll just protect your skull a little bit, which is better than the alternative.” The Silver paused for a long moment, “I do not enjoy wearing helmets, but if I am riding off to war, then it is what I will wear. Nothing says I need to continue wearing it in the battlefield.”
Aoshi nods affirmatively. “I will wear it until I am able to find something more fitting. I know they are beneficial, I know that even with access to your full view, you won't always sense everything that is around you. So I suppose I will wear it going to the battlefield then.” the teen cocks half a smile to try and show he is happy with this decision, the other half of the smile forms into an almost pout to show his real feelings. “As to our discussion before, I've taken my time to think about it. And I think I would prefer, if the option is still available, To be a Knight and serve Queen Satoshi. I feel I would act as a better defensive unit then on offensive. Just from how I know I work now.”
Hildegarde straightened her posture ever so slightly as Aoshi informed her that he would rather be a knight to serve in a more defensive capacity than offensive. “If you even become a knight,” she said. “A knighthood is no easy thing and it is not a thing one can claim, it is something that is granted to you by the Queen or by the regent,” in other words, herself. “You have to prove that you have what it takes to be a knight. In your deed, your words, your manner. All of that will show whether or not you have what it takes to wear the title of a knight. Until then, you will not be knighted. Like Calen, you must serve faithfully and earn it.”
Aoshi smiles and lowers his head. “Sorry, I didn't mean to be so forward. I know that the time now I wouldn't be able to use the title, just after the last conversation it seemed to me the training a soldier would receive would differ from that of a knight. I was just trying to say that the path of the knight is the one I would take over the one of the soldier as I see my self stronger in the aspect of defense over offense. I did not mean to assume that by training as a knight that I would be granted the title so easily. If it were easy everyone holding a butter knife would be knight of the dinner table.”
Hildegarde once again shook her head, “The training is no different. A knight and a solider complete the same tasks, only one will go further and do more; one is entrusted with more duties and has a knack for leadership. A knight is expected to be able to lead a battalion,” she warned him. Of course, the knight was entirely uncertain about training a boy as young as Aoshi was. “A knighthood is something… well… It’s not something lightly given nor is it something lightly earned. You serve as a soldier but you must go above and beyond that role,” she tried to explain. “Your service is unending; unlike a soldier who works a set amount of time and is called upon mostly for war.”
Aoshi nods “Then I shall become both. I will be the shield of Frostmaw and the sword of Queen Satoshi. I know it isn't easy. I know it isn't something to be treated lightly, it's another burden to bare. Rather it is THE (said as theee for emphasis) burden bare. I am not looking for a quick and easy route. I am doing this so that my life means something. I know I can do it, and I know you have your doubts. But test me. Push me, pull me, and I will show you, while I don't have the strength, I have the drive.”
Hildegarde listened to Aoshi in silence, obviously waiting for him to finish what he was saying before saying her piece. “Could you kill?” she asked him, “Could you kill if it was what your Queen asked of you?”
Aoshi thought for a moment. “If that is what required, then yes. I will.”
Hildegarde said to you, "And if you do not agree with what the Queen thinks?"
Aoshi said to Hildegarde, "A sword and shield aren't made to think. They are made to act."
Hildegarde said to you, "But you are a man also. If you kill indiscriminately, then you are no better than a murderer. It is good to question our actions."
Aoshi grips his staff. "killing indiscriminately would make one a murder. But if it is the will of the queen then it is my action. I would not kill another one my own accord by my own reasonings. If the Queen were to ask my opinion, I would give it. But I am a weapon to be used."
Hildegarde said to you, "No. You have a mind of your own. The Queen will bid you do something, yes, but there are always other options. It is about coming to an understanding. If a ruler will task you to do something with no other consideration, they are a poor ruler. Satoshi is a fair and just Queen."
Aoshi said to Hildegarde, "I believe she is. There are those who talk about love for her and respect. I wouldn't devote my life to her if I thought otherwise. If she had me take a life, It wouldn't be for a petty reason. We are not assassins after all. We are soldiers."
Hildegarde said to you, "A Queen, like any ruler, must wield her warriors wisely. A knight is privy to things a soldier often is not, for we become confidants; private sources of strength and all manner of things. It is right that our Queen treats us with a level of respect that would not impinge upon our sense of morality."
Aoshi nods “One could say all knights are soldier's but not all soldiers are knights.” he looks down “If a time comes where I question my morality over my queen then I will take a look at it at the time and make the decision now. I'm not giving blind loyalty. But I am placing my faith into not only our Queen but the land. If one moves against her, the land, or both then I will kill them to keep them both safe. If the queen requires me to strike to prevent, or in retaliation of an act that caused harm to the city. Then I shall do so. That is my job, it is my duty, and it is my honor.”
Hildegarde said to you, "You are a spirited young lad, who seems certain of what he wants from life. Some would call it foolish, some might call it admirable. But I suspect Satoshi would like that little fire in you, Aoshi. You are going to run laps every day. And you are going to be at the beck and call of Frostmaw's warriors for a while; to learn what they need and where it all is. Any complaints?"
Aoshi shakes his head. “No mam. Would you like me to do a lap now, or would you rather I do a task?” he waits not to show any disrespect, but rather to show the eagerness he had for the path ahead of him. “I Aoshi Frea swear under Aramoth, and Kanos that I will not fail you”
Hildegarde said to you, "You swear fealty to your Queen and Frostmaw, by association me. I am the Steward and speak with the Queen's voice, Aoshi. You must swear fealty unto us like you would to Aramoth and Kanos. But for now, go off and rest. You can begin tasks in two days time. I understand many will be celebrating the turn of the new year this eve and I am not so cold as to take away the festivities from you."
Aoshi nods “I swear unto all that one can swear upon that I will not only satisfy you in my tasks. But I strive to bring honor to you as well as our Queen. Through my actions and my words. Thank you for this opportunity. I will not let you down.”
Hildegarde offered Aoshi a kind smile and a small dip of her head, "And to you, lad."
Aoshi heads off on his way headed to the south. Shortly after, a scout walks up and bows “Ser Hildegarde. A report from the wildlands. A house was found with blood splattered through the house. We believe it to be a beast attack. The scout had accounted for the man and woman who lived there among the deceased though he reports that the child known to have been around the house was un-accounted for. He is starting a search through the area now.”
Hildegarde immediately turned her attention to the scout and listened intently to his offered report. "That is worrying to hear... but keep me informed. I shall have the Eyrie perform an aerial survey of the land, it'll help us identify any tracks that are harder to find on the ground."
The scout nods "Understood"