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Year 2519 BC
Two knights on barded warhorse strolled into a small Imperial town. THe Peasants stopped and looked. On the first was a blue tunic, and a large great-sword slung onto his back. Across the horses rump was a large satchel kit, including a a small dresser. On his bard, was the golden dragon, clawing out at the world. He body was old a worn, but the Knight spirit remained strong has he strolled into the small town.
The other was far younger, dressed in a yellow tunic and a black over coating. His body, bold and strong, was made to look small next to the great bladed weapon he held against his shoulder. On his back was a sheild, blue with a gold dragon breathing fire from its toothed lips. His horse, larger the the elder's knight's, seemed proud with each step it took. He glance about and smiled at a young girl who ran up to them and walked next to them and giggled as she walked next the them.
It was peaceful here, and they they found they could stay here for the night. A Imperial priest stepped for the chapel to watch the progress by as a small crowd of children, and a few soldiers, followed them down the main road. Some young ladies walked up carrying a loaves of bread and handed some to the knight, whom smiled and took it, thanking them as continued down the path. A little child ran next to them and when they stopped, the young lad reached up and looked at an attached icon on the young knights sheild. It wasn't very old, a small sheild bearing a fleur de lys on it. His helm, hanging off the knight saddle, was a cold steel, grazed with a dragon with its wings extended out into the air. He looked at the small boy and ruffled his hair before dismounting, next to the older knight, who's age and wisdom seemed to be in contrast to the younger knights enthusiasm and pride. The walked to a doorway only to be stopped by a man with a large greatsword as well, waved like the blade it was. The young knight put his great weapon down with a soft thud against the cobble road, looking at the man sternly, hand on his handle prepared to draw. The other knight stood silent watching.
"What brings you here Bretonnians?" he asked, some pride of his own in his eyes. Two other soldier flanked the knights staring at them, hands on there swords hilts. THe young knight looked at the men before back at the greatswordsmen. He tightened his grip on his blade and started ot draw it, but the older one stopped him.
"You may be my son, boy, but you have know right to start a fight Louis. I am Richard Lyons, a knight questing for the grail of the holy lady," he said, "This is my young rash son Louis Lyons, the Endeavouring knight of the Castle Lyons. We are on our quest and are seeking shelter for the night. May we rest in this fine establishment tonight Swordsmen?" he asked, his voiced rasped with age and wisdom. He was preventing a fight now hoping to stop a battle from erupting there and now. He eyed the man, whom eyed him back. The broad man drew his blade slowly, then placed the tip gently against the ground looking at the knight strongly.
"Well I demand a chance to test your sons skills elderly knight of Lyons," the swordsman requested. Louis looked at the man sharply.
"Father, I must defend my honor to this lowli-" he was cut off by a hand being put up.
"You may, but in the evening. For now we must rest great swordsmen," he said, eyes staring boldly, "We have travelled all day, and do need some rest."
The Swordsman nodded and moved out of the way allowing them into the building. The young knight looked at the swordsmen and entered first, his eyes fixed on his target. He had accepted the challenge and would not fear his death if it came.
The hours passed slowly, and Louis' mind drifting to the thought of victory to come. As time came to the battle he strolled down the round, eyes burning with confidence. He reached the arena first and knelt, praying to his lady softly. He was a questing knight at a very young age for himself, in his 26th year of life. He had become a Knight of the Realm in his 23rd and began is Quest in almost a short year after. It was his duty, as a lord was needed for the castle of Lyons, and that must be a Grail Knight of Bretonnia. He stood and looked at the swordsman as he stood across from him, waed blade in one hand. He smiled, stepping forward.
"First one to fall to a knee loses understood?" the swordsmen called.
'Cocky little...'
"Understood.... but I guess you'll fall fast then," Louis said raising the blade up over his head and holding it in a fighting stance. The Swordsman used his blade like a true weapon, its curves like a deflective point. His body stepped to the right and they began their dance of honour. each slowly progressed in a circle, eyes locked on the other, not flinching for a moment. Louis waited for a mistake to be made and the swordsmen waited for him to make a mistake as well. Then Louis slipped slightly throwing him out of balance for a moment. That was all it took as the Swordsmen rushed forward, twisting the blade to his left and running at him, before bringing it up in a swing. Louis quickly moved, parring the block with the hilt of his weapon. He grunted and pushed the swordsmen back, and retook his pose. His body tensed, watching the man retake his, far closer this time. then came a few quick strike, all being parried by the Swordsmen and Louis. the stopped and looked at one another for a moment before bring their blades together in a fury of strikes, blocks adn clashs against the other blade. This went on for several minutes before Louis stepped back and made the swordsmen miss. He pushed his shoulder into the man cried out as he pushed him back, making him slide against the dirt around his feet. The swordsmen stumbled and looked at the knight, pleased.
"Well you have a future ahead of you boy, but your not there yet!" he called out chargin back, dragging the tip of the blade int he dirt. Louis thought he was going to throw dirt up and moved ot raise his arm up to block the potential dirt. He was fooled as the Swordsmen stepped past him and sung about, un bond in armour as Louis was, crashing his blade into Louis' back. Teh blade didn't cut be caused Louis to fall forward onto his knee. He eye's were wide open, incomplete disbelief of what had just happened. He stood up after second of letting it sink in and turned at the man, rage filling his eyes. His father sat on the side lines and clapped at the victory. How could HE!. HOW DARE HE! Louis' rage begin to build and fester, and he gripped his blade tight. THe Swordsmen turned and looked at the knight, and sheathed his blade.
"I am General Isador Tyan," he stated offering his hand for a shake. Louis' eye shot open again, realizing he had just fought a General of the Imperial army. He mind raced, incomplete disarray. He looked at the hand and took it, feeling the man's hand flex strongly. The general was stronger then what he had shown and far smarter too. Louis looked at the man and grizzly looked at him.
"You held back? Didn't you?" he asked. The General nodded.
"I always do unless i find a reason to kill the man I'm fighting. I found none for you young child," the general said proudly. Louis let go, feeling he had lost in fighting a man in such a level that he had never faced before. The General's face was scared and his eyes were as riddled with mystery as his fathers was. He looked at his father who was walking over to him, clapping still.
"Well done boy. You did well for fighting this man, standing at par with him," he said smiling. Something was up, his father too happy about the lose, then it occured to him. His father, though a Grail Knight, had given his title up to allow him to travel free of the bounds the tied him to the castle. And this General was a friend of his. The men shook hand and start walking away, discussing battle tactics they had learned since they last spoke to one another. Louis just stared as they walked away, completely distrought. A young girl stood next to him looking at what he stared at.
"No one has beaten General Tyan. So don't feel too bad," she said smiling up at him. Louis looked at the child ready to strike her but didn't. She continued, "He's always doing this with that other knight there.... they allways fight in this arena and they always come out with a draw after hours of fighting." Louis stared at the girl then the two older men walking away. They were near their fifties and they were still far beyond a match for him. He smiled and ruffle the girls hair and walked away.
"Well I'll beat him before I become a Grail knight little child."