Jeff Crook - The Rose and the Skull

With the introductions completed, Gunthar led the way across the courtyard, all the Knights of Takhisis in his train. Behind them, the dragons fanned their wings impatiently, eager to be off. As he walked, the old Grand Master talked animatedly to the leader of the Dark Knights.

As they neared, the Knights of Takhisis spread out and stopped to face their counterparts across a few yards of cobblestone. Because she stood beside Sir Liam, Jessica found herself in the center of things.

Gunthar and the leader of the Knights of Takhisis walked to the end of the line of Solamnic Knights, where Gunthar began to introduce everyone. He stopped at each Knight and drew him or her forward to shake hands with the leader of the Dark Knights and his two apparent lieutenants, the petite but strikingly handsome woman and the dark elf. The gray-robed Knight, obviously a mage of some sort, had slipped to the end of the line, where he stood aloofly, greeting no one and avoided by all. Slowly Gunthar made his way toward Liam and Jessica, and Lady Jessica noticed that Liam seemed as if he wished he were somewhere else. Constantly muttering under his breath, occasionally a curse or oath escaped his lips loudly enough to be heard by those nearest him. Some nodded in agreement, though no one said anything out loud.

Meanwhile, Gunthar had already introduced most of the Knights of the Sword and was nearing the first of the Knights of the Rose, those who'd shared his table at the banquet. Jessica leaned out from her line to watch and listen.

"Sir Ellinghad Beauseant, Knight of the Sword," Gunthar said, introducing the young Knight who'd supported him in the matter of the gully dwarf. Ellinghad stepped forward and eagerly shook the hand presented to him. "Lord Tohr Malen, Knight of the Skull," Gunthar said.

"Milord, it is an honor," Ellinghad responded.

"Lady Alya Starblade, Knight of the Lily."

Ellinghad bowed from the hips and took her hand.

"Sir Valian Escu of Silvanost, Knight of the Lily."

"Quenta solari nen heth y mori," Ellinghad said to the dark elf. "May the stars shine upon thy road." Gunthar's face beamed at the show of honor displayed by the young Knight, greeting the elf in his own language.

"And upon thine," the dark elf answered in some surprise, glancing at his leader. Lord Tohr nodded in approval.

The line moved. "Lady Meredith Turningdale, Lord High Clerist…"

"Sir Quintayne Fogorner, Lord High Warrior," Gunthar said, much nearer now to Jessica. She closed her eyes and tried to quiet her breathing. Nervously, she fingered the hilt of her sword, caressing the tiny golden crowns decorating its pommel.

"They are only people," Liam whispered, as though to assure her.

"Sir Liam Ehrling, Knight of the Rose and Lord High Justice," Gunthar said.

"Sir Liam, I have so looked forward to our finally meeting," Tohr said, extending his hand.

"While I have not," Liam answered shortly. Gunthar cleared his throat and shot a pleading glance at his Knight. Tohr shifted uncomfortably, his hand still raised in friendship.

"For Lord Gunthar did not give us the luxury of anticipating your arrival. Please forgive us. You were a bit of a surprise," Liam finished with a small smile. He accepted Lord Tohr's hand and shook it heartily. Gunthar sighed in relief and introduced the others.

"I hope, Lord Ehrling," Alya said after she'd been introduced, "that we might soon come to earn your trust. It is not easy for us to forget our old prejudices."

"Neither should they be forgotten," Liam said diplomatically, "but I am sure, in time we can come to understand one another." Alya smiled and removed her hand.

"Lady Jessica Vestianstone of Isherwood, Knight of the Crown," Lord Gunthar said at last. Automatically, she extended her hand. Lord Tohr took it and shook it strongly. Jessica felt her tiny hand swallowed up in the huge grip of the leader of the Dark Knights.

"Lady Jessica occupies Castle Isherwood, on our northern frontier," Gunthar said.

"Is that so?" Tohr asked with some interest. "Have you seen the dragon Pyrothraxus during your watches upon the border?"

"No, milord," Jessica answered, "though once I believe I heard him."

"Isherwood is one of the castles to be granted to your Knights," Gunthar said. Jessica started at these words, and looked around confusedly.

"I believe this is news to Lady Jessica," Alya said as she stepped forward and took her by the hand.

"Yes, milady," Jessica said.

"I'm sorry, but I've promised those lands to Lord Tohr. You'll be reassigned, of course," Gunthar explained.

"But milord…" she stuttered.

"You are fond of this castle?" Alya asked.

"Yes, milady. I… love the old place. It is like home to me.

"Then perhaps Lord Gunthar can be convinced to allow you to stay with us there, as a show of solidarity between our two orders," Alya said.

"I agree," said Lord Tohr. "It won't do much good to merge our Knighthoods, yet keep the Knights separate. They should begin to work together, to share quarters and meals and duties, so as to get to know one another more quickly. I believe that once we come to realize that we are all Knights of honor, our prejudices will begin to slip away."

"Perhaps," was all Gunthar said. "We'll discuss it later, Lady Jessica."

"Thank you, milord," Jessica sighed.

The leaders of the Knights of Takhisis moved on. The dark elf stood quite near, waiting to shake hands with one of the Knights of the Crown. Jessica studied him, trying to guess at his nature by his physical features, the way the writers of old books often did. He bore the fine, delicate features of his elven heritage, from his thin nose and sharp cheekbones to his high forehead and slightly slanted, almond-shaped eyes. His shoulder-length hair, which Jessica had first thought was solid white, proved to have a few strands of auburn around his pointed ears. He carried himself with nobility and looked people in the eye as he spoke to them, apparently unashamed of his elven features.

The armor he wore was dull and black, unpolished so as to not reflect light. Its most prominent ornamentation was of black lilies. Lilies were repeated on the breastplate, greaves, bracers, helm, and gauntlets, as well as his sword and its scabbard. Twined with the symbols of the lily were leering skulls and knotted thorny vines. Lily, skull, and thorn were the three symbols of the Knights of Takhisis, just as the crown, sword, and rose were the symbols of the Solamnics. After examining his spurs, which were also black and apparently made of iron, Jessica's eyes returned to his face, and she found him staring at her. She started with surprise and looked away. Realizing how guilty she must look, she forced herself to return his gaze.

But he had already turned away and was involved with more of the formal introductions. Jessica's faced burned as she silently cursed herself. Angrily, she slapped the hilt of her sword.

At last, Gunthar's introductions were complete, and he led his guests toward the main entrance into the castle. There he stopped and turned to face the Knights of Takhisis. Gunthar said in a loud voice, "Honored guests, future brothers and sisters in arms, the banquet to celebrate this momentous event has already begun. However, to further celebrate the union of our two great Knighthoods, seven days hence a great hunt will be held. Let Knight join Knight in pursuit of a common foe-the great boar Mannjaeger."

A great cheer went up, both from the Knights of Takhisis and the Solamnics. Mannjaeger was a semi-mythical creature rumored to haunt the great forest covering the southern half of the Isle of Sancrist. A bane to farmer and traveler alike, he'd often been hunted but more often was the hunter himself. Few had bloodied him; more were bloodied by him. Many folk had been killed over the years. Some bards claimed Mannjaeger was immortal, for certainly tales of a great and dangerous boar of the forest of Sancrist had been around since the days of Vinus Solamnus. Most of the gathered Knights were thrilled to have the chance to test their lances against such a foe.