Leaving us with a grin on his bearded features, Viconia and I were left to our own devices and we began settling in for a short stay within the Stallion Lodge. Our rooms had been left untouched barring some mild cleaning by the Order's servants and we were quickly able to change out of our armour and travelling clothes for something more comfortable for our surroundings. We did take the opportunity to deliver some of our equipment to the Order's smiths and leatherworkers for repairs and other maintenance we couldn't undertake on the road but otherwise there was little to do but wander the lodge and wait for the evening meal.
After we were Knighted and before we left, Sir Ramauld had made mention that he had sent recall notices to every member of the Order. I don't think that I really considered the numbers that were contained within the Order's ranks until they all began assembling for the evening meals. A dozen or more roasting spits and an entire kitchen of ovens were required to feed the sheer numbers of men and mer who served the Order. The number of fully fledged Knights alone equalled more than three full cohort's worth, and then there was the collection of Men-at-Arms, servants, craftsmen and specialists required to equip, supply and simply feed them all. Unlike a Legion Casta which was comparable in numbers, a Knightly Order was a specialist fighting force and required even more assistance and logistical skill to maintain. While the Legions did have cavalry in the form of Extraordinarii, they certainty didn't make up half the numbers of each Legion.
Almost all entered the dining hall, and to my surprise especially there was enough space for every member to sit at the dozens of tables arranged in an enormous double-U shape. Sir Ramauld and the other commanders sat at very head of the table with Viconia and myself taking our places to his right and the rest of the Order simply found places wherever they liked. There was a semi-formal arrangement in place but that only arose from the fact that the three Lances that acted like the Order's Cohorts had their own innate familiarity but it certainly wasn't set in stone. What did surprise me was that the overall feel of the Order at rest was much closer to the rough camaraderie of the Fighters Guild, rather than the rigid, indoctrinated style of the Legion.
As the food was served and the Order began the evening meal, there was an obvious stirring amongst the members, especially due to the fact that the Boots of the Crusader were sitting at the place of honour on the head table where they, and their unique nature were clearly visible. Heads would turn almost in waves of movement, each and every individual turning and looking and staring at the Relics as though trying to convince themselves that they truly did exist.
Sir Ramauld gave everyone time to finish their meals but the word had gone around that an announcement would be made and there was an obvious air of expectation through the enormous hall. He almost didn't even need to rise to his feet, grasp one of his gauntlets he had purposely left on the table for just this purpose, and rap it three times on the wooden surface for quiet to fall.
"My brothers and sisters. Tonight, for the first time since our founding we can truly say that the Order of the White Stallion have been gathered under one roof. Tonight not only do we acknowledge the return of the two newest members of the Order and raise toasts to their deeds, but we will also be looking forward to their futures that we will share in. You all know me well and that I am not one for grandiose speeches, so please welcome back our brother and sister, Sir Desin and Madame Devir."
There was not an overly boisterous applause or shouting, instead a rolling thunder and clapping as the members of the Order either brought their hands together or slapped their palms on the surface of the tables to acknowledge us. there were quite a few flagons, mugs and glasses raised in toast to us and the Boots and I found myself considerably ill at ease at such attention. If Viconia seemed nonplussed she certainly didn't show it as she simply grinned devilishly at the crowded hall.
Sir Ramauld nodded in our direction and I silently cursed to myself as I hoped that he would have spoken for longer and bought me more time before it was our turn to speak. Carefully, I raised myself from the bench where Viconia and I sat alongside the Nordic Knight Commander and looked over the hundreds of pairs of eyes making note of my every move. I certainly hoped at that very moment they all couldn't see the way that I kept my left arm down by my side, my fist so tight that it was going numb in an effort to crush all my nervousness into that one extremity
"My greetings to you all." I said simply, projecting my voice as I had when I still served the legion and had to train some of the Hastatii. As I tried my best not to look at any of the assembled men and women of the Order, I couldn't help but notice that not all present belonged to the Knights of the White Stallion. There was a collection of other individuals in differing heraldry and coloured tabards and tunics from other orders, all obviously travelling knights seeking out the Mace of the Crusader and enjoying the hospitality of the Stallion Lodge.
"Madame Devir and I have joined the Crusade to recover Pelinal's Relics and we have been incredibly successful in our quest thus far. The Boots are but our latest, public success as over the past two months we have also retrieved the Helm and the Cuirass."
The ripple of excitement and surprise washed through the room and it prickled at the back of my neck to hear that there were some who doubted our claims and voiced their displeasure openly. Some would have been speaking out of hurt pride having failed their own attempts in retrieving some of the Relics, but for the most part it was simply shock at hearing such an announcement.
"The Helm and Cuirass are safe for the moment and while we intend on re-establishing the Order of the Nine to safeguard the relics we currently seek the others. The Mace, Shield, Greaves, Gauntlets and Sword are yet to be recovered and we both know of the Shield's whereabouts."
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"You do not seek the Mace?" called out one of the knights seated closer to our table and I shook my head.
"The Mace has been within the Cathedral of Zenithar in the City for thousands of years. How many of you have attempted and failed these past days, even past years in some cases and have been unsuccessful?" Judging by the way that many of those present; Knights and servants alike lowered their gazes or looked otherwise downtrodden I doubted there was a single being in the entire hall who hadn't tried at least once. "The Mace, for the moment is safe and secured, protected by the city and the dozens of pilgrim warriors attempting to retrieve it. It will remain there, but every moment that passes is another moment that the Shield remains unsecured from the faithful."
While I had the appearance of looking each and every person present in the eye, I was using an old trick and looking just above everyone's heads, seemingly looking everywhere and at everyone at the same time. I would also turn and look at those seated at my own table, looking over Sir Ramauld and his senior commanders seated on the opposite side to Viconia and I. Although I struggled to hide my smirk as Sir Alexi managed to catch my eye and winked in my direction.
"We will instead seek out the Shield. We know roughly where it is but it is not a simple journey. So far we may have been successful in claiming three of the eight Relics but we will need help finding the others. In the coming days Viconia and I intend on journeying towards the East and seeking the Shield in the western bounds of Blackmarsh. Anyone who is willing to join us is welcome."
This particular statement had all the effect that I expected it to have. The room would have fallen into a crashing silence if not for the crackling of cooking fires arrayed the far end of the hall. Every being before me had long since lived in County Leyawiin and there was not a single one of them who didn't understand the dangers such a simple statement contained. Blackmarsh was notorious for being the death of whole armies and for most of the past four thousand years it had been an untouched wilderness. The Legion under Tiber Septim had conquered it through a combination of military might and diplomacy but it was still notorious for killing thousands of non-Argonians through a combination of disease and plagues. Many of which only the Argonians could resist and ensured that other than the cities the rest of the province was mostly devoid of civilisation.
Many of who sat before me knew this better than most. The Order of the White Stallion, in its geographical proximity to the boundless marshes, swamps and mangroves that consumed the land to the East was well versed in the region. It had been these men and mer sitting at their tables who had scoured the lands free of bandits and outlaws and knew all too well just how dangerous the undertaking I had announced was going to be.
As such it wasn't a surprise when no one moved at my announcement. There was the shuffling and the series of uncomfortable coughs as many turned and spoke to their companions or outright refused to look in my direction but neither Viconia and I were truly surprised. To anyone in the Empire, the mere mention of such an expedition into Blackmarsh would have garnered the exact same response as the life expectancy of anyone was going to be low. Between the monsters that dwelled within the darkness of the swamps and the numerous diseases that rotted the flesh and mind there was almost no better place for a Relic of the Gods to have been hidden for so long.
What Viconia and I didn't expect was the loud smack of a flagon on a polished wood surface as one of the hundreds present rose to his feet. Short but well built, one of the travelling Knights wiped his mouth on the back of his hand and turned to face me. "I'll go."
My grin was heartfelt and I nodded my thanks to the man as felt his scrutiny. "Your name Sir?"
"Detane Acqunax." He said simply, and I heard the way his words flowed with an obvious accent from far away Highrock as he pronounced his name as De-tan-ay. "I will journey with you on this quest."
The shuffling to my side opposite Sir Ramauld caught my attention and I felt my jaw drop as Sir Alexi rose to his feet. Ever since the Knight Commander had sat down to allow me to speak, the sword champion had been whispering in his commander's ear and the smile on the red head's face was enormous.
"I will also join you. The gods know that you will need someone of skill and grace to make up for your obvious shortcomings." There was no mistaking the ripple of amusement throughout the hall as Alexi did an elaborate and theatrical bow. "My sword is yours Sir Desin."
"As is mine."
The deep, baritone voice cut through the air as effective as a thunderclap and as one the hall stiffened and turned to the enormous armoured figure striding from the main hall. Everyone within the dining hall, barring the two senior Knights tasked with guarding the Boots were dressed in little more than pants and tunics but the black armoured figure striding through the midst cut an even more impressive sight than he normally did. Sir Falid Gaz'Kern had been the only one who had not partaken in the meal and had instead been outside of the dining hall whether meditating as he had done through the afternoon or on some other errand. At my proclamation he had appeared like an armoured reverent of destruction, striding up between the tables before stopping and bowing with his helmet with its giant winged horns tucked into an elbow.
"The Sacred Order of Talos' Black Knights will assist you in this quest Sir Desin." He said and I struggled not to feel as small as an ant even with more than ten metres separating me from the titanic Redguard warrior. "Together we will retrieve the Shield."
"I... Ah. I thank you Sir Gaz'Kern." I stuttered, hearing not only the series of muttered exclamations through the entire hall at his appearance and announcement but also the way that Viconia sucked in a breath through clenched teeth at the sheer intimidating quality of the Knight before us. "We welcome your aid."
Thudding a fist almost the size of my head to his chest with jarring force, he bowed again and turned and strode off as quickly and decisively as he had appeared. His presence and announcement had dulled all conversation and murmurings from the rest of the dining hall and despite asking if there were any more volunteers there were none. The mood was left sombre and yet there was still an air of expectation and celebration left in the wake of the Black Knight's departure but the dining hall emptied very quickly nonetheless.
It was difficult not to feel confident with the likes of Sir Gaz'Kern and Alexi choosing to join us on our trip to Blackmarsh. Viconia especially seemed amazed that not only had we gained the assistance of such a warrior as the towering Redguard, but also one of, if not the greatest swordsman in the Empire. Detane was unknown to us, but we were also yet to meet our two potential guides which ensured that when we retired for the evening we were still somewhat anxious about our coming endeavours.
