Word has spread through the Kingdom of Rutileo of the Great tourney of Winterhaven.
His Grace, Aun Kerac, had proclaimed he himself would go and win victory in the tournament,
But before he could leave, a large band of rebels sprang up in the center of the Kingdom.
Aun Kerac left Ostadt Castle and hurried his army south to meet the rebel threat.
However, during the course of battle,
after Aun Kerac charged the enemies with his own guard, a mace met his leg
and he fell from his horse wounded and unable to walk, and ride only a little.
So he had to withdraw from the tournament when Lord Etir suggested
his Grace let him fight in his stead as champion of the realm, as his father had once been.
Aun Kerac had, before he left the kingdom years previous, been a good fried of Etir's father,
And thus decided that Etir would do their country honor in joining the Tourney.
Thus Etir met his King,
"My Grace," the Lord began, bowing, "Why hast thou called me before thy presence?"
"Lord Etir, faithful servant of thy King," the King boomed,
"Thou camest to be but a few days previous to ask if you may enter the tournament on my behalf.
Though I was at first wary, I mean not to offend you, but I myself had my heart set on entering the lists.
However, God seems to have deemed such action against me,
and I must enjoy watching in the stands instead, as it seems that is his will.
"Therefor, I have decided," the King finished, "to allow you to enter the tournament on my behalf.
take my shield, so all may know you fight not just for me, but for your country."
I thank you my King for considering me worthy," Lord Etir replied bowing.
"I shall accompany you to the tournament," Aun Kerac said.
"It has been many long years since I last visited Winterhaven...
Methinks it is time to join some old friends there.
"My son Richard shall continue to maintain the Kingdom in my stead," Aun Kerac announced, then said,
"We leave at dawn the day after next Etir, be prepared to go in haste."
"As you will my King," Richard, and Etir chorused.
The following day went by without incident,
and as it was scheduled the King and his subject Etir met at the docks during the sunrise.
"You Grace, where is your vanguard?" The Lord Etir asked as he walked the length of the docks towards his king.
"There will be no need for such formalities," Aun Kerac replied,
"I know the land well, and I am assured in your skills as well as my own,
that should some misfortune befall us, such as rebels or briggards, we though few will be enough to drive them off.
Besides Etir, we will be traveling through friendly territory. There will be no conflict."
So the King stated, and his vassal could not persuade him otherwise.
And so the King Aun Kerac, and his champion Etir struck out for Winterhaven
aboard their mighty vessel, manned only by a few men.
To be continued...
(Sorry this story may take so long to tell that I may still be telling it
while Gis relates the accounts of the tournament... So there will be a bit of time relapse.)
