Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:05 pm
Aeryn stood before the polished mirror and gazed at the image of himself reflected back. To his left stood an master armoursmith from Heath, and on the right was a magus from Jaheuss. Both gazed at the image before him as well. Then the Marshal shifted and drew the heavy cavalry sabre at his side, turning slightly to catch an image of this positioning. The oil lamps in the room reflected the dull sheen of his newest piece of wargear.
"It is... It do be lighter than I did expect it to be. And quieter as well. I did expect to hear the rattle of chain and the slide of plate 'gainst plate. I also did no expect to be able to move so easily. You say the runes engraved into the pauldrons add to my strength while I do be wearing it?" At this question, both the magister and master smith nodded their heads. Aeryn shifted once again and turned a full circle before the mirror, as he did his gaze swept over the other three officers that were in the room as well. The Captains of the Brotherhood, who each awaited a similar suit of armour. "How many times stronger would you say? I will need to retrain myself to be used to it."
"Four times, Marshal Karolinger. That is inherent, yet it will drain you if you do wear it too long, for to utilise the power of the armour, you must be strong of will. As such, it may ebb and flow at times, depending on your purpose. Such is the nature of my Houses' magic." This from the magician, a man whos head shined from the oils used to polish his bald pate. A fring of hair hung from the rear of his head, bound by a rune-heavy ribbon. The smith stepped forward next, then placed a hand against Aeryn's armoured chest.
"This will provide three fold the protection granted by your old suit of plate, Marshal. But heed, at close range a crossbow bolt may still pierce, and a lance behind a charging mount can still wrack. The star metal we used was mixed with mithril, so it is strong in some places yet weak in others. It is the only way to give you such dexterity and protection all at once. True, you could do a spin in your old plate, but this? I deem that you could dance in it, and few would know you wore such gear. Well, if it weren't so massive, hrm?" Again the hand slapped 'gainst the chest of his armour, the old mans fingers touching a moment besides the Brotherhood's crest. It spread across Aeryn's entire chest-piece, the wings of the eagle of Janerio spread wide, whilst it's claws cluched a spear and sword. The head of the creature sat just below the chin, the eyes set with emeralds.
Karolinger smiled again slightly, then turned once more to gaze at the mirror. Eyes traced the lines of the armour, from the heavy bulk of the shoulder pauldrons and how they half obscured his face from either side. The helm that came with it was enchanted to allow him a better view, or so the magus said, he hoped it would be so because otherwise his peripheral vision would be sorely lacking. Still. The armour added to his bulk, something that was lacking in the slender warrior. He had favoured his mother in that, being slender of limb and stature. What strength he had had been inherited from his father, but none of the bulk had been shared. It made his shoulders seem massive, and his torso seemed to belong to a gladiator. It was balanced by smiliar plate that sheathed him from the waist down. It, too, was etched with gilt-laid runes of power. He smiled, and then whispered softly to himself. "I shall gird myself with the armour of contempt..."
Finally, after another moment had passed, he turned to look at the two master artisans. "Master Smith Escubar, Magus Artanis. I do require a similar suit for each of the Captains. With their Company number embossed on the left pauldron and their personal heraldry upon the right. Our Symbol shall be blatant upon our chests, for the whole of the world to see it. Also. I will be in need of half suits for the rest of the First, a hundred in all. Also, swords and hammers for the First, and swords for each of the sergeants. I do trust your judgment in the weapon work, your Houses have never failed the Brotherhood in the past."
There was a slight shuffle from the Captains, each looking to another as they considered the cost of such rainment. Jons seemed unsurprised by such finery and gifting, for he was well used to the way nobility (and those who played at it) could be. But the other two, a man and a woman, were both raised from more common stock. A glance from Jons kept the two silent, for he saw the questioning looks upon their faces. As the three shared their glances, Aeryn once more raised his voice over his shoulder, continuing to preen before the mirror.
"Captain Jons.. No. All of you should be doing the same. When you return to your Companies, do prepare yourselves for more training. These men, not all are used to their new battle-brothers or sisters, and will need to learn to trust the one besides them more than ever. Next week, Scout-Sergeant Rautha shall be testing your skills at defending your walls and gates. He will no tell you of when he comes, just that he shall. Be prepared, always be prepared.
I do need one of you to check into these... Shepherd Knights of the Silver Staff, and look into the one who commands them. Another military force here in Myrken will only add to the fires. We need to be kept better abreast of what goes on in the province. Jons, you will need to revitalize our network. Helstone is gone, so we no longer need to adhear to that ruling. Also. I do think it be time to truly open a dialog with the Constables. We may no see eye to eye, but they do be... important. That is all."
A wave of his gauntlet dismissed the officers, each of whome paused a moment to gaze at their Commander. Finally, as one they saluted with fist over the heart, turned, and departed. A glance at the smith and the magician caused the two to bow their heads and leave the room as well. Aeryn Karolinger laughed once more and set his hand down lightly upon the sabre at his hip.