War. It brings about aspects to a person that one never would expect. This would be true for Yves d'Martine. The first son of Miranda and Scott d'Martine, the lordship is lead by his mother rather than father. Their house loyally follows that of al'Sylenthar, whom they have served without fail for many years. From a young age, he had been given the opportunity to become learned and skilled - first with a bow and as he got older, with blades.
He was not the only child born to Miranda and Scott, however. His younger brother, Clarance, was one that he was to be somewhat close to. Being close in age assured that, but it was not just the two of them. There would be at least one final sibling, younger than both of them.
Growing up during what would become known as the Thirty Year War, it would be natural that any young boy would want to imagine what life would be like as a Knight, brave and bold. One of the Wraiths. Secretive. Deadly. Doing work in service of the Duchess al'Sylenthar during the War. Because everyone Galenthian was bad and needed to be defeated. The thoughts of a young child at play should have faded as they became older.
In Yves case, he did grow up. However, he maintained such idealist thoughts and impressions of what men should be while learning what is required of any noble son. He learned how to use a bow from the time he was able to understand its use as a young child. Blades came later in the form of sword and dagger out of necessity.
It was never made clear that he would be heir apparent, but there were expectations. Of being intelligent. Of being able to defend himself. The possibility existed for his future prospects. His family was not like others among his peers who acknowledged their first born as the next Great Lord or Lady.
When the Thirty Year War ended in 1851, he was fourteen and of an age to gain a better idea of what he wanted. And that was to prove himself. He was also of an age to follow through on younger desires. The Wraiths.
What is known about this group? After the war, most have said that they were no more. Whether it was the movement of either parent of someone he had briefly come across, contact was made. And illusions were shattered. Partially. The motto of his house is to Be Steadfast. Be that in decision or duty, Yves still believed that this would be best. For him. Would it be easy? No. But he what he was on learning more? Fascinated.
Loyalty to House al'Sylenthar was simple. They were his lieges by right of nobility. Loyalty to the Wraiths would have to be built, but the foundation was there. But, acceptance to begin this training meant something else - that he had possibly what it took to become one of their few number.
It wasn't pretty, the years that followed but it might have been some of the most demanding that he had until that point in his life. His rank meant nothing among them, leaving only the desire to improve himself. Not for his family. Not for becoming heir. For himself.
He also learned exactly how dark the world can be. It may no longer be the Thirty Year War, but there were still dangers and threats to the House which needed to be dealt with accordingly. And being a noble may very well be a boon rather than disadvantage in the future ventures that he may undertake. Being able to enter such echelons of life that some would be barred from, could allow him to learn vital information.
While they are all capable of carrying out missions ranging from death to maiming to information gathering, Yves chose his path to be more unassuming. Yes, he would be a Wraith but let them think what they will of him.
Shortly before his final set of tests with the Wraiths, Yves went home to visit with his family. Perhaps it would clear his mind or do the reverse - to sharpen it for what's to come.
What happened instead was entirely unexpected - to him.
To others? Perhaps not.
The weather had began cooling earlier in the autumn of 1854, lending itself to rumors of strange occurrences of things seen and heard in the late evening. Disappearances. A herder, then a few days later a ranger failed to report back during his patrols. The most disturbing thing? Their bodies were never found, but there were reports of finding bits and pieces of their things or clothing. After the first two disappearances, strange sounds were reported in the woods just west of the village of Blois.
Who had not heard of the stories of the Hungry Dead? But then again, are the childhood stories really true? Maybe this was just someone relying on the old stories for their own gain?
The resultant murmurs were reaching such a point that it was for this reason why Yves - Lord d'Martine in this particular guise, traveled to the village, in the company of d'Martine men, loyal to the lordship and his mother. One of his friends, Pierre, also made the trip with him to assist in questioning with his curiosity not disguised.
The investigation began in earnest - as far as they could manage. Questioning the residents would only go so far. The only way for them to make any determination of truth would be to go to the location and patrol.
They did.
What they experienced on the second night is something Yves would never forget. The two people, if he could call them that, reeked of a stench that almost gave him pause as they approached him and his party. Were these of the Dark One? Turned, as it were?
There wasn't much time to think beyond those two questions as the unknown men (he thought they were still men in a loose term) approached with such a single-mindedness which made the stories true.
They did eat humans.
But it wasn't until one fortunate ranger was able to behead one that there was a success. They knew how to kill them or at least render them ineffective. But that knowledge was at a cost. The same man who discovered this was killed by the other .. man, being, thing. Again, what terminology Yves would normally use found itself not being right. When the fight was over, the small group of five was three.
The report to his Lady Mother was given as truthful as possible with no masking of the doubts he had over what they saw and experienced. But beyond her, the group decided to not divulge any more than necessary to the villagers. The bodies were burned and all traces had been disposed of in the oft change that maybe these creatures would return. At this point, unknown to him, he had been marked as a prospect of the Order of the Vigil. By his own mother, to be discovered years later that she was indeed Knight-Lieutenant of Alasce within the Order of the Vigil. And thereby responsible in knowing and dealing with the occurrences within.
He still had a life to return to with the Wraiths.
And on that return, it wasn't much longer afterwards that his final test occurred. Enforced focus, he would call it. And one that was greatly welcomed as it gave his mind something to focus on which made sense. Not what happened back home.
When it comes to evaluations of one's aptitude and loyalty, the task could be simple to their abilities but complicated in execution. In his case, it was to prove how well he could infiltrate, deceive and take something prized by his informed target. And valuable from one of those of House d'Myrin regarding his consort and daughter and their origins. Only later confirmed by Corvin Fremont which spurred other investigations.
He succeeded. By using the one thing that had not mattered in his training - his noble background. Returning with the item and therefore passing his final test, made him a Wraith. But that would only be the beginning. Combined with the loyalty that had been a part of him as a d'Martine and then honed even further by becoming one of the few Wraiths, it was not to be a dull life. For that, he would be thankful.
Now that he was a Wraith and serving faithfully in such a position, it was a short time later that his mother approached him with another offer. One, that he could not in good faith refuse, given his lady mother's position and responsibility once it had been explained to him. To join the Order of the Vigil. Perhaps in that, the motto of their house took on more signficance. To 'be steadfast' may not only mean in service to their lieges the al'Sylenthar but to the One and those who serve to protect the innocent against the traces of the old times which seemingly roam the lands even now.
With such acceptance, it meant coming into the possession of two weapons that hinted to his responsibilities. A sword and dagger both made of lightsilver, the latter being able to be consealed on his person when necessary. And more learning about the Vigil and their role in the north and in The West overall.
It also meant that his life took on another, third aspect. Consealing what he also does when not a Wraith. Being a lord and knight were one thing, but to keep this away from his brother and sisters was also important. Would they mind? Perhaps. Perhaps not, given that it was a greater cause. But he was not going to give any the chance to find out what else he did and in that, he began cultivating a role of study when not involved in matters of the Duchy. Or when visiting with his brother, now heir apparent.
It would be that the years would pass in such a fashion of duty, learning and honing his fighting ability. For the mere fact that such skills are needed among his brother and sister Wraiths, even though at times he would be traveling without them - one or two in his company at the most. In many ways, this was to keep his identity as a Wraith hidden from those outside of Alasce. How could one divulge information if they were initially afraid, after all?
As to the Order of the Vigil, he continues to further his knowledge and ability rising to the rank of Knight-Seregant. Something perhaps expected of him, given his mother's rank within the same order. Delving into what texts he can in order to be prepared for what may happen. Or will, as the case may be. Especially, if they are to be believed. And in fact, now? He has no reason to doubt otherwise.
