Post by Maelgwyn ap Cadwgan (TOG) on Nov 24, 2016 8:33:24 GMT
Wandering through the encampment the Archpriest of the Temple of the One God pondered the decisions before him. These last two years the events seemed to have overtaken his modest desires for improvement in the education of those under the guidance of the faith. Whereas at his appointment he considered the pen all that was needed to fend for the faith, here he was, striding through a military encampment.. A Temple military encampment.
"Good morning dawn watch. How may I call you?" After the answers of the suddenly extremely attentive picketwatch, Maelgwyn continued. "It is a cold morning here in Elmet, you have my apologies, Osgar and Winfrið." Smiling at their slightly rambling responses when confronted with an apologizing Archpriest, he merely replied, "No, good men, you are all my charges and the responsibility for you here in this moment is mine. I might not have selected you for picket duty, yet I did call forth the faithful. Guard us well, good men." Walking on Maelgwyn left them at their duty.
They were good men, these. Faithful followers of the One True God, some simpler souls than others. How did we end up at this moment, and why now did he find himself calling upon them in such a way? His ponderings continued. Wandering back from the picket line after some time he happened upon a small group clustered around a campfire. There were a half dozen of them, listening to one of theirs, a woman softly singing an old tale. He watched and listened for a while, until he was noticed and she stopped.
"Blessings of the Creator upon you, please, do not stop on my account. I have always enjoyed the sweet melancholy of the tale of Osric and Elswyth." When she was finished he thanked her and moved on, leaving them talking amongst themselves, throwing furtive and curious glances at his back.
A fitting tale indeed, he thought while walking. Osric, a man of no lineage in particular, who rises to the occasion when his neighbours are plagued by terrors of old. And thus we arrive at the reason why the Temple here. Why he was here, he finished the thought. Though the teachings of the One True God could be difficult indeed, they brought peace. They brought stability and thus a place to grow and nurture the mind and soul. When those first arrived, they found a land much as it was before Arthur. A land torn by petty warlords and sorcerers, by beliefs that led to chaos.
Arriving at a banner signifying a Caerleon house he peered up. Ah, Culdain. Always a friend of the Temple, and of the Penkawr's as well, they had suffered hard during that last campaign in the North. When Lord Culdain fell, during the stand of the Temple Militant knights his vassals could have left the field. As was their good right with their liege slain upon the field. Yet all of the surviving knights and their sergeants remained in the North until the peace was signed. Yes, these were good men, strong of will and honour. He greeted the sergeant preparing the fire and walked on.
Beliefs. The beliefs of the Temple of Blood had through the years led to more hardship and horror than any other conflict since great King Arthur. It was fated the Temple of the One True God would end up squared agains their murderous followers again. No, there was a reason all these men and women were here, and that reason was that no good man may stand aside as evil rears its ugly head. And he would see that head removed. For Albion. For all of them.
Eventually he ended his meandering walk at the tent s at the center of the encampment, the sun now illuminating those present. There, speaking to several people stood Ecclesiast Meinwen, his dear sister. What many horrors had she endured these last years. Yet, though her eyes still shone red, there was a difference to them. They were less tormented, no longer angry. A purpose and sense of belonging was clear in them, and in her posture even from this distance. Indeed, not all of those beliefs present here on this fair isle were as those of the blooded ones. And that was good for all as well. The cleansing and the previous ordeals had brought forth great strength in Meinwen, one had merely look to see how she inspired those around her. It took a strong and destined character to disagree with her when she set her mind to convincing you.
Yes, for Albion. For all of them. And for her.
"Good morning dawn watch. How may I call you?" After the answers of the suddenly extremely attentive picketwatch, Maelgwyn continued. "It is a cold morning here in Elmet, you have my apologies, Osgar and Winfrið." Smiling at their slightly rambling responses when confronted with an apologizing Archpriest, he merely replied, "No, good men, you are all my charges and the responsibility for you here in this moment is mine. I might not have selected you for picket duty, yet I did call forth the faithful. Guard us well, good men." Walking on Maelgwyn left them at their duty.
They were good men, these. Faithful followers of the One True God, some simpler souls than others. How did we end up at this moment, and why now did he find himself calling upon them in such a way? His ponderings continued. Wandering back from the picket line after some time he happened upon a small group clustered around a campfire. There were a half dozen of them, listening to one of theirs, a woman softly singing an old tale. He watched and listened for a while, until he was noticed and she stopped.
"Blessings of the Creator upon you, please, do not stop on my account. I have always enjoyed the sweet melancholy of the tale of Osric and Elswyth." When she was finished he thanked her and moved on, leaving them talking amongst themselves, throwing furtive and curious glances at his back.
A fitting tale indeed, he thought while walking. Osric, a man of no lineage in particular, who rises to the occasion when his neighbours are plagued by terrors of old. And thus we arrive at the reason why the Temple here. Why he was here, he finished the thought. Though the teachings of the One True God could be difficult indeed, they brought peace. They brought stability and thus a place to grow and nurture the mind and soul. When those first arrived, they found a land much as it was before Arthur. A land torn by petty warlords and sorcerers, by beliefs that led to chaos.
Arriving at a banner signifying a Caerleon house he peered up. Ah, Culdain. Always a friend of the Temple, and of the Penkawr's as well, they had suffered hard during that last campaign in the North. When Lord Culdain fell, during the stand of the Temple Militant knights his vassals could have left the field. As was their good right with their liege slain upon the field. Yet all of the surviving knights and their sergeants remained in the North until the peace was signed. Yes, these were good men, strong of will and honour. He greeted the sergeant preparing the fire and walked on.
Beliefs. The beliefs of the Temple of Blood had through the years led to more hardship and horror than any other conflict since great King Arthur. It was fated the Temple of the One True God would end up squared agains their murderous followers again. No, there was a reason all these men and women were here, and that reason was that no good man may stand aside as evil rears its ugly head. And he would see that head removed. For Albion. For all of them.
Eventually he ended his meandering walk at the tent s at the center of the encampment, the sun now illuminating those present. There, speaking to several people stood Ecclesiast Meinwen, his dear sister. What many horrors had she endured these last years. Yet, though her eyes still shone red, there was a difference to them. They were less tormented, no longer angry. A purpose and sense of belonging was clear in them, and in her posture even from this distance. Indeed, not all of those beliefs present here on this fair isle were as those of the blooded ones. And that was good for all as well. The cleansing and the previous ordeals had brought forth great strength in Meinwen, one had merely look to see how she inspired those around her. It took a strong and destined character to disagree with her when she set her mind to convincing you.
Yes, for Albion. For all of them. And for her.