Valken - Part III (Final) --- &RPaward

[Valken]

Ely edit 27 Jul 2021:

This had already been awarded. Now recorded properly for RP ranks.


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Previous chapters:
Valken - Part I
Valken - Part II

Valken - Part III:

Adriel knelt before his queen, for the first time, in shackles.

The Throne room of Caemlyn sprawled out around him. A small crowd had gathered to witness his sentencing, standing on the brilliant, white marble floor. The Lion Throne stood before him, two magnificent red tapestries bearing the White Lion of Andor flanking it.

Queen Morgase wore an extravagant, crimson colored dress with golden embroidery, her red-gold hair falling in ringlets past her shoulders. She leaned back on the throne, considering Adriel.

“Adriel Rhodes, you are charged with the murder of an Andoran Citizen. How do you plead?”

“Guilty, my Queen.”

The Queen raised an eyebrow, “and do you wish to make a statement before your sentencing?”

“No, my Queen.”

A murmur erupt from the crowd, whether in shock or disgust in his lack of defense, he was uncertain and uncaring.

A man stepped forward, “Queen Morgase, if I may make a statement on behalf of Sergeant Rhodes?”

Adriel looked up at the familiar voice, Edith’s father stood beside him.

The Queen nodded, “Granted.”

“I understand the severity of Sergeant Rhodes’ crime, and the sentence it carries with it. I ask, however, that you consider the circumstances around that horrible night…”

More whispers ran through the crowd, this time Adriel could see the approving nods as his late wife's father spoke for him.

He put a hand on Adriel's shoulder, “Adriel is a Queens man, through and through. My daughter, his wife, was a victim in the Whitecloak raid. Now, I've talked to several men who were there at the Black Fox, including the owner, and they will all vouch that the man Adriel attacked was speaking treason. He as much as admitted he was a spy-”

The Queen raised her hand, calling for silence. “We have conducted an investigation of the crime as well, sir, and my greatest condolences for your loss. I'm afraid, however, we find ourselves a nation at war, civil war. These are not the times for clemency in the breaking of our laws. Speaking ill of Andor, or myself, in a bar does not carry a sentence of murder without trial.”

Morgase stood, her posture carrying the full authority of the Rose Crown, “Adriel Rhodes, you are discharged from the Caemlyn Guard, and stripped of your rank. The sentence for murder is death.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Adriel picked at his food, moving cold chunks of a gelatinous substance around his plate. It looked grey in the faint torchlight that penetrated the edges of his cell door. He sighed and sat back against the bare stonework wall.

Outside, he could hear the muffled echo of conversation as someone approached his cell. A jingle of keys soon followed and the heavy iron door scraped loudly across the floor as it was pushed open.

Adriel blinked at the sudden light, standing as his vision adjusted. Two dark shapes filling the doorway came into focus. A dungeon guard in light chainmail and a Lion Warden Adriel recognized from his hearing.

The Lion Warden stepped into the cell and affixed a torch to a sconce, he held a red lacquered box beneath his arm. The dungeon guard left, pulling the door closed with him and sealing them in.

The Lion Warden turned and extended his free hand, “Hello Adriel, I am Gawaer Dyzar.”

Adriel accepted the handshake.

“Please, sit.” Gawaer gestured to the only furniture in the cell, a metal dungeon cot.

Adriel sat, mulling over what a Lion Warden wanted from a man sentenced to execution by his Queen.

“We've captured a man in the Bream wood, a close companion of the man you killed in the Black Fox. We broke him, slowly, three cells down from where you sit. He revealed a level of involvement we had not anticipated.”

“That's good, Gawaer, but truth be told I would have pinned that bastard had his involvement ended with words.”

“Which is precisely what some men need to be pinned for. When politics fail, a well placed dagger can be the difference between war and peace. Adriel, I recognize a man resigned to the noose. I've walked many to the rope myself, but I am here to offer you one last alternative.”

“The Queen herself sentenced me to death, what alternative is left?”

“Our Queen is Aes Sedai trained, you would do well to listen closer. She stated the sentence for murder is death, she did not sentence it to you.” He continued, “I know tragedy has struck your life and there is no gaining back what was lost. But I challenge you not to go quietly to the noose, letting the actions of your enemies claim another of Andor's soldiers. Make your tragedy theirs. Make them beg to give back what they took, whimpering in the dark.”

Adriel sat forward, “What exactly are you proposing, Lion Warden?”

“Not all Lion Warden serve in the public eye. Some do their work in quiet homes and on secluded roads, the Queen’s knives in the night. I have looked into your past, and understanding your current situation, a rare opportunity presents itself, should you be willing.”

Gawaer opened the box, revealing a folded crimson tabard within. Nestled neatly atop the cloth was Edith's wedding gift to Adriel, a crimson steel dirk with an ivory hilt. The last time he had seen it was at the black fox, buried in a mans neck.

Gawaer continued, “Those who were present at your hearing were meant to hear what you heard. Regardless of your decision, Adriel Rhodes will be executed at first light. If you accept my terms, the man three cells down will stand in for you, I have already drafted the papers. What say you?”

Adriel sat back and closed his eyes, considering everything Gawaer had said. Eventually, he nodded, “I accept.”

Gawaer grinned, “From now forward, you leave behind Adriel Rhodes and your life as him. How does the Pseudonym Valken fit?’

“Fits fine, Gawaer.”

“Then rise Valken, as a Lion Warden of Andor. You have work to do.”

Valken stood and took his dagger.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

20 years later...

Valken fingered through the papers on Lord Emrit’s desk, slipping an occasional page into his satchel.

The crescent moons of Tear flapped against the night sky through a heavily gilded, golden window frame.

Lord Emrit grunted, “You will pay for this... you common whore’s son...” He held a hand tightly to his neck, blood spilling through his fingers and running down his finely embroidered blouse.

Valken gave a small, amused grunt.

“When Lord Tinson finds you-”

“Lord Tinson is dead. As are Lord Himrick and Lady Drandil. You fools should have fled when your leader turned tail and ran to the whitecloaks.”

Lord Emrit tried to reply but only gurgling emerged. The blood had begun to fill his lungs.

Valken left the room, closing the door, leaving the Tairen Lord to drown.

He exited the manor through a side door and emerged onto a stone paved alleyway. He took to the main street several houses down and worked his way to the inner city wall which separated the nobility from the commoners. As he neared the gate he placed his hands casually behind his back and approached. the guards greeted him and he returned their pleasantries in a practiced Tairen accent.

Once through to the muddy streets beyond he slipped between two buildings. He removed the long black Defender’s coat he was wearing, revealing the dark drab of Tairen commoners beneath. He wiped the blood from his arms clean on the coat then folded it into a neat bundle, concealing the gold embroidered cuffs within.

Fifteen minutes later he arrived at his destination, a small Inn near the edge of the city. A wooden sign hung above the door, ‘The Lady’s Garden’ with a carved rose winding around it.

Valken entered and upon seeing only the Innkeeper present, tossed the coat into the burning hearth. He sat at the bar and the Innkeeper poured him a glass of fine red wine. A small metal cylinder was attached to the glasses stem with a thin chain.

Valken palmed the cylinder and drank his wine in silence. As he finished the glass, alarm bells rang out from the inner city. He stood and made his way to his room.

He sat at a simple desk and lit a candle. Withdrawing the cylinder, he uncapped the top and tapped out a rolled parchment.

~~~~~

V,

I hope you’ve found our friends in Tear and given them our thanks.

There are murmurs in the halls of late and unfriendly men move too boldly across and within our borders.

I know it has been long, but Mother has asked that you come home.

-G

~~~~~

Valken slowly rolled the script back into a tight stick, contemplating. It had been years since he'd operated in Andor, and much longer since he'd seen the Queen.

He touched the paper to the candle’s flame, watching it crawl across the strip, consuming it.

Standing, he collected his things and set out for the river port, and a boat to carry him home.

[iria]

Solid read, nice all around story for your character, enjoyed the whole trilogy

[Sarryn]

Good stuff once again. Thanks for sharing. RP Imms award this man!

[granit]

good stuff.

[Valken]

Thanks for taking the time to read and all the kind words.

Also shout out to Cerys for some QPs!

[iria]

LoTM

[Lyren]

LoTM