War Breed

[DoS Archive]

From: dmkanex@aol.com (DMKane x)
Date: 08 Sep 1998 08:45:33 EDT



The ride had been a long and hard one. The roads to the north full of brigands and desperate peasants, all looking for easment of their woes. It was a sign of bad times, as one could always tell the prosperity of the lands by the density of the road brigands.
The wind was blowing hard outside the gates of RhyDin Towne, raising dust across the plain in front of the massive gates, the sun beating down through the clouds as the last echo of summer past from the world.
Lord Duncan Mowbray raised a hand to his eyes, shielding them from the glare as he looked across the great city. It had been many years since he had been here, many wars and battles and gold had been won since then in the wilds of the North. The rise of House Vain in the border houses had been meteoric between the financial and political manuevers performed by himself, and by the might of arm in the pits his taciturn companion seemed
to wield.
He turned in his saddle for a moment, regarding Kane. The warrior was quiet, his young eyes taking in the grandeur of a city at he had never seen but in the tales of bards, his hair shaved at the sides and his long topknot pulled back and tied, his heavily muscled shoulders and arms gripping the reins of his mount.
"Quite the place, eh Daniel?" Duncan said, the corner of his mouth turning up in a wry half smile.
Daniel Marcus Kane nodded, loosing his reins and crossing his arms across his massive chest, the gauntlet/bracers that had worn the blood of many an adversary shining in the sunlight.
"It is a large city m'lord Duncan." Daniel confirmed, his deep voice quietly resonant against the backdrop of the escarpment. "Seems we have done little but dally in the north for so long."
Duncan smiled the half smile again, pointing at a large complex in the southeastern portion of the city.
"There it is Daniel, the Duelers Arenas, in there...you will find victory and blood enough to glut even you."
"They pass title in this way here?" Daniel asked, a brow raised at a such a curious notion.
"Aye my friend....some do." Duncan said, memories of the Arena's flashing through his mind. "Some do....the less..skilled shall we say? The less skilled merely watch and make witty commentary."
Daniel squinted for a moment at the large complex, its earthed copper roof shining in the daylight as he did so.
"Useless people." Daniel muttered under his breath.
"Whats that my boy?" Duncan asked, not following the comment as he continued to survey the city of RhyDin Towne.
"Commentarists, bloody worthless they are." Daniel said, also surveying the town.
Duncan turned for a moment, again regarding the younger man, a small smile of pride on his face.
"I tell you my boy, had I have had a son....it would have been you." Duncan said, slapping the younger man on the back with a grin. "You're going to love this place, the Swords complex has got your name written all over it."
"Swords?" Daniel said quietly, again an eyebrow raised. "I don't use swords."
"I know boy....thats whats going to make this so much fun." A glinting smile from the Lord as he nudged his horse into motion, Daniel following close behind.
"We'll set up temporary holdings in the Inn Daniel, some rooms for our troupe per se." Duncan said, appraising Daniel of his plans as they rode towards the gates. "Once your settled I will return North and transfer the holdings of House Vain to RhyDin Towne...then, we shall see where House Vain goes."
"What do you wish me to do in your absence m'lord?" Daniel asked, riding up to Duncan's side on the road, eyes forward to the gates.
Duncan grinned again, clapping the younger man on the shoulder.
"Do what you do best my boy," Duncan said, slowing his horse and turning to him. "Hurt some people."
With that, they rode through the gates, the guards making little fuss over them as Lord Mowbray passed a small bag of gold to them.