Evander, Alrid and King John stayed in the Grand Hall for the remainder of the evening, eating and drinking and of course, remembering Edmond as he was. Edmond still had many years left in service to the realm but life has a way of deciding when your time comes and when it does, no one is ever ready for it.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsczcjVZQP
"The other kings should be here by now," King John said with a grunt as he stood from the table. Evander and Alrid followed King John as they made their way out of the Grand Hall, casually striding to the main doors of the keep.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZVaExZkex
The three men waited outside of the grand doors in the chilled air as winter had arrived but had not yet begun to snow. Alrid sat atop one of the stone half walls that bordered either side of the steps to the keep's entrance with his back against the wall. Evander sat on the steps as King John leaned against the keep's wall beside the doors.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9JrJ9kBti
They didn't have to wait long as the kings began arriving. King Bradevere arrived first as his castle was the closest to them. He was a tall man, close to the height of King John. He had similar curly blonde hair and instead of blue eyes like King John, he had dark piercing brown eyes and within them held the burden of being a king. He wore thick leather armor instead of a heavy steel plate like King John. It was a light brown color and it went well with the dingy white heavy cloak he wore underneath it. He wore a long broadsword at his left hip and a round wooden shield on his back.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaPQiHX0Eb
"King Bradevere, it is reassuring to see you in good health again," King John said as he strode down the steps, a heavy clang of metal with each step until he was within reach of King Bradevere. He embraced him in a brotherly hug and they slapped each other's back before parting.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVwl5OikYq
"It is great to finally be back in action," King Bradevere's voice was a bit rough as it was he was on the mend from a sickness that made it hard for him to breathe. "Could we perhaps wait inside for the others? I've been out here for longer than I'd like."134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD2eZjlsfy
"Of course!," King John chuckled as he placed a hand on King Bradevere's back and guided him up the steps.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwFiulSb4o
They all entered the Grand Hall again and sat by the fire to wait for King Gullrock and King Viscount.
Not long after King Bradevere arrived, there was a loud knock from the entrance to the keep. Sir Derrick answered the knock by pulling open the left side door to reveal King Gullrock from Castle Erytho which sat nestled in the far west end of the island.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO3u5OnAIw
King Gullrock sauntered out of the crisp winter air and into the warmth of the keep. His jet black, shoulder length wavy hair was drawn back as Sir Derrick shut the door behind him, the wind being forced out.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tJ0lC2tGx
He wore similar steel armor as King John, the only difference being a bright blue sash from his left shoulder to his right hip. A long flowing cape fell down his back like a calm waterfall.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1mrq3kBLT
"Ah, Gullrock, Welcome my friend!" King John spoke loudly, his voice echoing in the entrance hall. "It has been far too long since we last shared a drink."134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXziO2pxBum
"No truer words have ever been spoken inside these halls," King Gullrock's voice was soft yet strong, young and yet rife with age and experience.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsfpuXOsxC
"Evander, Alrid and Bradevere await you in the Grand Hall. And if I were a betting man I'd say there is an ale in there for you as well," King John jested as he walked King Gullrock to the Grand Hall.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQA3g2zcK2
King Gullrock was greeted with firm handshakes and a hefty pint of ale, "So we are waiting on Viscount, yes?" he questioned no one in particular as he swept his gaze around the mostly empty Grand Hall.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx1hNZhgwT
"He should be arriving in the next hour or so, that is if he does indeed arrive," King John said with an air of pessimism. King Viscount perched his castle high up in the northern mountain range of the Collapsing Highlands. He enjoyed the cold environment over the warm air of ground level and it was an endeavor to travel anywhere.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5l1D5ss71
As if on queue, there was a knock at the door to the keep. The knock echoed through the entrance hall and Sir Derrick opened the door to reveal a very small man, not King Viscount.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7UsnfkGHv
The man that stood in the large doorway was made to look even smaller by the sheer size of Sir Derrick. The man was thin but stocky and had the frame of a runner.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75255ttSJA
"Good evening," the man said respectfully, "I am Prince Nathan, King Viscount's son. My father was unable to attend this meeting as he is tied up in other matters. He reached into his coat pocket and produced a letter, then handed it to Sir Derrick with a shivering hand.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYtwac22uY
"Of course, please won't you come in and out of this frigid cold, Your Highness," he stepped to the side, holding the door open for Prince Nathan. As Sir Derrick shut the door behind him, he spoke again, "Where are my manners, I am Sir Derrick. I am one of King John's personal Guards.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wyNHbn3Fq
"Thank you kindly, Sir Derrick. I am indeed very glad to be back in the warmth again," Prince Nathan rubbed his cold hands together, his stark white cloak flapping side to side with the motion of his elbows.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAT2Zq1R66
Sir Derrick and Prince Nathan entered the Grand Hall to find a not so surprised King John. King Gullrock and King Bradevere looked up from their feast at the sounds of the men entering the room, they had both been famished from their journey.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysjqAMgDzc
"Prince Nathan, so wonderful to see you again," King John shook his hand as he stood to meet the prince.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdiHSHQWFE
Everyone in the room except for Alrid and Sir Derrick ranked higher than the prince but the title was still respected highly. Prince Nathan was also a very kind man anyway and was well-liked by everyone he met.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeT8mkeKcS
"I do apologize for my father's absence but this letter should hopefully explain it," Prince Nathan said and at the same time Sir Derrick handed said letter to King John.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB67PTiY8fi
King John accepted it and carefully broke the seal, it read:134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pJIk6WOWf
King John,134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwMGpVUQij
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ6xf7smbp
I do sincerely apologize for my absence on this tragic day. I have been dealing with our water supply which has been contaminated with an unknown cause. My men and I have been working tirelessly for days now. I have sent my son in my stead to represent Caldack Reach in Evander's naming ceremony.
My regards,
King Viscount134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFqKvgygfe
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rmIOFHPmQ
King John refolded the parchment and spoke, "It seems we are all present and we are ready to begin."134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8LRju5nmn
Normally King John would wear a special suit of armor with a white fur lined silver chest plate and solid white cape lined in gold but in light of recent events, time was running out. And because time was running out the ceremony was quite informal and the air in the room felt more like old friends getting together than it did a formal ceremony. Nonetheless, it was still one to be respected.
From left to right, Prince Nathan, King Bradevere, King John and King Gullrock stood on the stage facing the Grand Hall. The hearth in the center threw light across their steel armor. In front of them stood Evander and to his left stood the next in line and his son, Alrid.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3pEiKyOPx
King Bradevere held in his hands a small wooden chest. As King of the largest and central seat of power, King John spoke, "Evander, it is with great pleasure that I personally grant you the title of King's Hunter." Evander said nothing, only smiled brightly with his lips and nodded respectfully.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrd67PYpLU
King Bradevere lifted the lid of the chest to reveal it was lined with purple fabric. A small purple pillow lay inside, covering the bottom entirely. Upon it lay a shiny silver badge. Engraved into the face was a dagger with its end facing downward and in each corner sat the crest of each kingdom. Engraved along the bottom were the words Propter Regna and translated from Latin it read For The Kingdoms.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CPClmQyxt
King John lifted the badge respectfully and turned to face Evander once again speaking, "With all here standing witness to the transfer of the King's Hunter, I present to Evander Drayton." King John lifted the part of Evander's cape that draped over his shoulder. On the back of the badge was a metal clip that slid easily over the fabric.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzMQmaRU8z
When Edmond fell ill he gave his badge back to King John with a heavy heart. The king had protested against Edmond's decision. He did not believe he needed to return it. He was not going to die from a bad cough. King John did not know it at the time but Edmond knew he had developed a fatal lung infection. He could feel it in his chest and in his heart he knew it was his time.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JuM9Y7Y3O
After the badge had been set in place, King John took a step back and crossed an arm over his chest, his hand balled in a fist. King Bradevere, King Gullrock and Prince Nathan all followed suit.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS3RgEMfR8
Evander and Alrid returned their salutes with one of their own. As the predecessor to the title, Alrid was equally respected by the kings as was Evander when Edmond held the title.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC4d7FGwRT
"Now with all the formalities out of the way," King John said as he lifted Evander in one of his famous bear hugs.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB83AK7x9w5
After a moment, Evander was set free and King John addressed the room, "Now then, we have pressing matters to discuss." He led everyone to a room down the hall to the east end of the keep.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjJ6KlagU9
They entered a medium circular room with a round table sat in the center. Chairs adorned the edge of the table all the way around it as bright torches threw their light in every direction.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u6Z9hiTKi
"Please, everyone take a seat," King John said as he walked into the room with a stride around the table to the far end chair sat in the center.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCllGPFAwD
Everyone took a seat in no particular order, seeing as they were all close friends here and there was no audience to uphold a formal image for, before King John spoke again, "As I am sure you are all aware from the mess outside and from my letter, Varamont had shown his first hand." He leaned forward and clasped his hands together on the table. With a sigh he continued, "We need a plan. Something we can put into action now, time is not on our side."134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaiDiFOe5w
"Perhaps," King Bradevere spoke quietly, "The only thing we can do is to fortify and prepare for the inevitable. There is no denying what is to come."134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuhuH2JOM9
The room seemed to collectively agree with King Bradevere, as much as it terrified them all. The reality was that Varamont was not happy about his failure the first time and he was not going to risk losing again.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGaIGtWnLZ
"Then we know what must be done," King John said as he stood with the others following his lead. "I wish that this was not our path. That this did not happen again during our times. But alas, this is where we have been put. These are the cards we have been dealt. I wish you all luck with the trials we will face. Stay safe, my friends."134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTtqtjrO6R
Everyone in the room then crossed an arm over their chests and in unison they said the words they all lived by, "For the Kingdoms.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgqroZWiPZ
