08: "...Now Cracks a Noble Heart..."

[armored_fruit]

[1]

The sword of Isaac Sinclair, a family blade that was carried into battle for many centuries, lies on a black sheet of cloth, shattered into several fragments.

Is there any who will attempt to reforge it?

[2]

The fortunes of the Sinclair family are secured, their future assured:

But who will seek to carry the one of them who made it possible home?

Comments

2)

[armored_mother]

[Who else but his commander? Stripped of her rank and cast out she may have been, she still had her duty to her fallen comrade. The skies were bleak and the wind blew with the promise of rain on its scent. Cora kept her head lowered.]

Re: 2)

[armored_fruit]

The vine-covered gate of the fence leading to the estate is pulled aside for Cora, and the various members of the Sinclair family household are gathered in twin rows as you come in.

All are dressed in grey and black. Most are gravely dignified, while a few bury their feelings in handkerchiefs.

Ahead, waiting to meet you, is the Duchess Sinclair, a wearing a lace veil that hides the expression on her face.

She reaches out and takes your two hands in her own.

"Welcome and be welcome to our house...Commander Anderson."

[armored_mother]

[Cora's heart is heavy and a chill sweeps through her body... but she forces it aside...]

Duchess Sinclair... I wish I could have met you under better circumstances...

[No... not an officer, not even a soldier anymore... but correcting a grieving noble would be particularly rude.]

[armored_fruit]

"As do I." The Duchess says quietly and slowly. "Yet at the same time, in this worst of circumstances...I am glad of the small balm of being able to meet one such as you."

She gazes at the casket borne behind Cora, then averts her gaze. "Please, come."

One hand still in yours, she guide you into one of the larger buildings, the estate members following along with Isaac. Gloriania, dressed in the dark garb of a footman, ushers you in with a few tear tracks streaking her grave face...

...and into a large, old style feasting hall, warmly lit by hundreds of candles, oaken tables stuffed with food and wine jars and a few honest to god drinking horns.

The Duchess turns to face you. "Is that Isaac's sword I see by your side?"

[armored_mother]

You are most gracious...

[Cora inclines her head and follows, glancing every few moments at the others present, Every grieving face brings a deeper feeling of ... detatchment? Sorrow? Cora wasn't too sure... she just felt cold inside when the Duchess spoke again, inquiring of the sword.]

It is Duchess Sinclair... Richard did his best to ensure that it was returned to its proper state before we brought it back home.

[Cora wished to speak once more, to make a request... but bit her cheek to avoid doing so.]

[armored_fruit]

Isaac's mother regards the sword, noting it's slightly shorter length due to the reforging process.

"I presume...it was shattered by the same person who took my son's life, no?" She asks, voice as sharp and brittle as steel.

[armored_mother]

[There was a sharp breath and Cora nodded.]

It was... I am still hunting the man responsible.

[The former major steeled herself.]

Duchess Sinclair... I may be overstepping myself... but I have a request.

[armored_fruit]

The Duchess reaches out a hand.

"Give me his sword for a moment. Then we shall hear your request." She says, in a highly ambigious tone of voice.

[armored_mother]

Of course milady.

[Cora inclines her head as she offers the sword to the Duchess as was expected of her. Within she hoped for a chance...]

[armored_fruit]

She draws the blade from it's sheath and regards it, turning it about slowly and gently in her hand

"What is the boon you seek, Commander Anderson?"

[armored_mother]

[Do or die...]

... I request to carry the blade of your family into battle when I next meet the one responsible for Isaac's death. I isn't... it wouldn't be right if he wasn't avenged by the sword that belongs to his lineage.

[armored_fruit]

The Duchess nods to herself, then pitches her voice so it resonates throughout the Sinclair family hall.

"Hearken and listen well, my people, for this soldier wishes to bear our family's sword into to avenge our loss!"

She turns to face Cora again, hefting the blade in question.

"Fall to you knees." She commands.

[armored_mother]

[Cora nods and does so, awaiting the 'verdict' of the family Sinclair.]

[armored_fruit]

Isaac's mother tightens her grip on the blade, then brings it down–!

–Flat first. She taps Cora with it gently on one shoulder, then another.

"Then I dub thee Dame Cora Anderson, a Knight of the Sinclair family of Britannia. Act with honor in all things, avenge injustice, and safeguard the innocent."

Suddenly, she smacks her with the back of her hand, on one cheek, then another: not harshly, but hard enough to sting.

"And this is so you shall remember these vows! Rise, Dame Anderson, and carry our family's blade till your task is done!"

[armored_mother]

[A knight of a family... that was a new one for her. But in the end it was all the same thing. Protect, serve, avenge. She doesn't even flinch as she was struck to remember the vows. She rises to her feet, determination in her eyes.]

I will carry it with honor and ensure that justice is done. I will not shirk from the duty this noble house has tasked me with.

[armored_fruit]

The Duchess hands Isaac's sword back to you, hilt first. Then, from the table, she takes an honest to god drinking horn and shoves it into your other hand.

"Then, as this noble house's first command..."

A bit of hoarseness slips into her voice, but the Duchess soon straightens it out. "...I ask you, Dame Anderson, to feast and drink with us, that we may usher my brave son into the next world!"

She raises a drinking horn of her own. "All glory to the victorious Sinclair, who fought with honor and loyalty, and strove for our family's future to his last breath! Waes-sail!!!!"

[armored_fruit]

Isaac's sister Glorianna, and the many others of the Sinclair estate, roar the same phrase in unison.

"Was-saillllll!!!"

[armored_mother]

Waes-sail!!

[To feast and drink... hah... inwardly Cora granted an apology to Sleuth and the others. She's getting on that wagon again just for a single day.]