(1875-04-27) Standing Vigil
Standing Vigil
Summary: Gauvain summons Brennart to his study to speak of dark things and issue orders
Date: 4/27/1875
Related: Quatunax Stories related, and Vigil related
NPCs: None
Players:
Brennart  Gauvain  

Gauvain's Study, Griffon Point
A desc, a few shelves, a hearth with two chairs, a weapon's rack, and a liquor cabinet.
4/27/1875

It's been a long while since Gauvain had received one of these missives. He however is not one to ignore them so he summoned one of his Knights. Despite his birth he's liekly the one Knight he can trust the most, and frankly, the most skilled. He'll never admit that to anybody else. But he sends for Brennart to meet him in his study and that the two fot hem are to NOT be disturbed for any reason on penalty of death. For once he's sober, and hates it, but he sits behind his desk going over reports and waiting for Brennart to arrive. There was a war in the north, and Thomas's fool and stupid fireship idea, and to make things worse he wanted to opena can of worms with the Sorcerers in the middle of all this. The man may be his friend, but the idiot loves to make Gauvain work.

Brennart arrives fairly promptly after being summoned by Gauvain the desire to possibly put on his full suit of armor left behind as he walks into the study and glances around slightly before offering Gauvain a slight bow of his head, "You'd summoned me your grace?" The knight might have had the fortune of being born a Sokar but he's at least still respectful of the less fortunate.

Setting the papers aside Gauvain stands and comes around the desk to regard Brennart. "How much can a Tarris trust a Sokar?" He asks to Brennart. "There are things that I never thought would happen." He shakes his head. Wishing not for the first time in his life. Or even today. To be stone dead drunk. He eyes Brennart and looks to the stand where Vendetta rests, a bottle of blessed oil beside the Sidhe Steel blade. He takes a deep breath and looks back to Brennart. "No joking. This is a serious question. Can I trust you Sir Brennart Tarris with secret information. I need to know if you will take a vow of silence on what I am about to share with you, and and if you can hold to that vow regardless if you accept what I am prepared to offer you."

Brennart frowns a bit at the question and then just simply nods, "I can make such a vow your grace. As long as you can swear that the information will not put me at odds with Galenthia." He shrugs a bit, "I've sworn to serve the Kingdom and the Queen. I'll not allow another vow to interfere with that. But I expect that you've as much desire to harm our country as I do."

"Youa re correct Brennart." Gauvain says with a nod. "For this call me Gauvain. Titles are well and good, but unneeded for this story." He moves behind the desk and sits down. "What I am about to tell you only maybe … Five people in the whole of Tirth knows." He takes a deep breath and takes a drink of water. He looks over Brennart for another long moment before he speaks again. When he does he speaks of the Galenthian Civil War, the first one. Detailing the events, events Brennart might be familiar with.

Except he adds something. He adds what occurred between him and Anton. The Chaos Gem. The Blood drinking. The mind control and how seeing the gem and the drinking broke it. The real reason for Gauvain's switch at the Battle of the Betrayer where he earned his By-Name.

Then he speaks of Sir Sirreh and the Vigil and the High Priest and the Queen. When he finishes he takes a sip off his water glass again. "You can see why I don't speak of it often." He nods once and gestures. "I'm here to offer you a second Knight Hood Bren. One veiled in secret to face the terrors of the night. To stand guard against the horrors of the Old Things when others run."

Brennart blinks a bit and then takes a seat, "I see… So things like that yellow eyed devil that was hunting my cousin and family are part of the Old Things we stand guard against?" He looks around for that brandy and frowns as it's not obviously in sight, "I think we need a drink or two for this though Gauvain."

Gauvain shakes his head. "At least you believe me." He gestures to the cabinet. "The Apple Brandy, the GOOD Apple Brandy is in there. The last bottle Wulfred gave me, I only drink it on special occasions and this is definitely counts as one." He waits for the Brandy to be poured before he continues. "Yes. The Golden Eyes. Briony told me about it. She is part of the Vigil and was tasked to help you all deal with him. There is a reason she has those quivers of Light Silver Arrows and Crossbow bolts. She's one of the most active Vigil Knight still around."

He gestures. "Keep in mind. You don't have to be a Knight of the West to be a Knight of the Vigil. At the same time there are not many of us left. Teleko, well we know now it was Teleko that bastard, killed most of the Vigil. There are perhaps ten of us on the West."

Brennart nods a moment and shakes his head, "This sounds like something we need more people involved in." Then a pause for a beat, "And wait why me?" He drums his fingers on his thigh as he thinks everything over for a bit, "And does the Vigil despise sorcerers the way the Inquisition does?"

"The Vigil doesn't give a fuck about Sorcerers." He states simply. "The only ones they have an interest in are the ones who are summoning the dark things. Or awakening them. Or…. Doing anything with them." He lifts the Apple Brandy and sips it gratefully. "We are rarely tasked, but with Magic awakening we're tasked with more. There is a secret armory. Under this Study. You will have access to this if you swear to the Vigil, but you must understand that not even Bethany can know. My children, both of them, know nothing. Not my sister, not my brother, only those of the Vigil know. Every major city has a Vigil Armory and helpers who will arm you if you need it. They are also safe havens."

Brennart nods a bit, "That's understandable. If I hadn't seen golden eyes myself I'd likely have thought you crazy you know. And the dark ones and beasts like that thing yes they're a threat." And yes he'd poured the brandy as he takes a sip himself as well, "I've got Reckoning what more would I need?"

"You never know." Gauvain says with a shrug. "At the same time you might never need it." He gestures to the man. "Your experience with this Golden Eyes is what is bringing you in. We can't just … share this info with anybody. One must experience it for themselves. You have. At the same time you are a wonderfully skilled swordsman, a skill that the Vigil needs. One knows I and Briony are getting old. We can't do this forever and we need younger members. To face the darkness you must be skilled AND brave AND smart."

Brennart nods some and chuckles, "Well two out of three aren't bad right?" He chuckles a bit and shakes his head, "I'll be honest I'm hopeful that I'll never be needed. But should there be a need know that you can trust me to be there when called upon."

Gauvain walks over to the stand that is holding Vendetta and draws the blade. "Well then. Get over here and kneel boy." He states simply.

Brennart nods a bit as he climbs to his feet and walks over to take a knee bowing his head in front of Gauvain, "Try not to slip old man that sword's sharp."

Gauvain snorts as he pours the blessed oil of the blade. "In the Name of the One." He touches Brennart's right shoulder. "In the name of the Kingdom of the Sun." He taps the left. "He holds the blade upright, the oil running down the length of the blade to run over his hands and then drip onto the floor. "I charge you to be a light that shines in the darkness. To stand firm draw your blade to protect this world from all of evil's tidings. I charge you to never wave against darkness. To know discretion from valor and to to never cease the pursuit of darkness when shown their path. To run them down and see they harm no innocent. I charge you Sir Brennart Tarris of House Tarris to hold Vigil, and to be a Knight of the Vigil."

Brennart grins a bit as the knighting comes to a close, "Discretion from valor? I'm not sure that's in the Sokar's vocabulary. But I will uphold the charges you've laid upon me."

"It means knowing when to run to save lives." Gauvain says as he begins to wipe the blade off with a cloth. He motions his head toward his desk. "The third drawer on the left. There is a switch on the lip. Pull it toward you and it opens the Armory." He nods to the desk, "Make sure nobody is standing in front of the desk. It swings that way toward the door and opens up a staircase."

Brennart chuckles a bit and nods, "I'll take a look if I ever need some more arms or armor. Is it mostly lightsilver?"

"It is." Gauvain says simply. "Though there is Rose Gold inscribed armor as well. Sometimes it helps against the dark things. Sometimes it might as well be decoration. Always best to be sure." He sheathes Vendetta and walks back to his chair to sit down. "You are heading north with the two thousand men I sent to assist that Craven Xavier Arkanin and his daughter. That area, if the reports can eb believed is held by Teleko. Do. Not. Fight him by yourself if you run into him. Instead, take stock, and send for help." He removes a packet from his desk and slides it toward Brennart. "Memorize these locations. They are where you can send Moongazers for help. Then destroy the packet. While you are in the North, see if you can thin out any of Teleko's liekly herd of Secondary Vampires. You should be able to handle one of them."

Brennart nods a bit, "Thin out vampires don't fight Teleko if I come across him and send moongazers to these locations for help." He takes the packet and starts looking through them and once committed to memory tosses each part of the packet into the fire there in the study.

Gauvain nods to the man. "Excellent. Viscount Varian Reine is under your command. He knows nothing of the Vigil and keep it that way. But the man is a holy terror with a blade. If you need him, use him. As for the troops. Xavier will try to use the Tarris as shock troops. Tell him to fuck himself. Only commit our forces where they will do the most good and with limited casaulties. He's going to think he is in charge of the Tarris forces because of his rank. He is not." He hands Brennart a piece of paper sealed with the seal of the Lord Marshal. "These are orders that state that you are there to support the Arkanin mission in the north but are to act autonomous and under your command and discretion. Kick the savages in the teeth, help your fellow Galenthian, but give nothing to House Arkanin. They're cowards and a pain in my ass."

Brennart nods some and smirks a bit, "They're going to love this for sure. I can't wait to see the look on their faces when they realize that the army marching north isn't theirs to command." He takes the orders from Gauvain and tucks them into his belt pouch.

"If there was a way to capture Xavier's look so I could frame it forever I would charge you with doing so." Gauvain says with a malicious grin. "I mean this sincerly though Bren. You are also a pain my ass, but you make my Daughter happy, which makes you family. More than the Wedding vows. So. Be safe up there. Use your head, and come home in one piece with as many of the men I send north as you can. These Svages are nothing like what we've fought down here, but I believe you can handle them."

Brennart nods some, "I'd gone up north to scout and learn a bit more about what we'd be facing up there already fought a small skirmish up there. They're… Different. And if there was a way to capture the look on his face for you I could."

Gauvain nods and leans back in his chair to sip the brandy. "Good. When you can send me reports. If you need more troops, let me know. I'd rather not, but I won't let you fail either. You are House Tarris now, and we fight for each other." He nods and gestures to the door. "Get out of here. You have your missions."

Brennart nods as he reaches over to finish off his brandy before he makes his way out the door, "Should be an interesting campaign up north for sure." Not to mention he's now to hunt vampires on top of killing crazy fire mages.

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