Requiem (Part 3)
writing·@tabislick·
0.000 HBDRequiem (Part 3)
<html> <p><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yw2RDjefkdQ/WSLlcrGRMJI/AAAAAAAAY_4/Stdf9PFB4lY0T6JHG1u6XcnqaRknwdX0ACLcB/s640/Requiem3.jpg" width="560" height="315"/></p> <p>Green leaves blew in the cool, spring breeze through the village of Nordingham, bringing the long anticipated Tournament that were accompanied by the season's best festivals. The town was not only famous for its Tourneys, but also for its main mascot of a jouster Lord Chroferus of Tristram. He was said to be the best jouster all throughout the Kingdom and the greatest competitor Nordingham had ever seen. Undoubtedly, this town saw many a great knight attempt the joust and fail due to Chroferus' superiority and so the competition for him was not so difficult.</p> <p>Chroferus's small, yet charming manor stood on the west side of town on the road Point. If one were to continue down that way they would come upon the magnificent Warham estate that belonged to Thadeaus, Duke of Warham, and his wife, Isabell. They had three children, the eldest was the beautiful sixteen year old Jocatta who was engaged to the Earl Melchior of Bevill, a highly esteemed man in the rural community. Her younger sister, Venetia, was a rather outspoken, yet respectable young lady of fifteen. It was no secret that Chroferus was rather fond of her and admired her greatly, some even said that he would marry her one day. The youngest was a son and Thadeaus' pride, a thirteen year old boy named Jerome. He would one day inherit his father's title and all of Warham, thus making him a very important child.</p> <p>The streets of Nordingham were filled with bustling workmen carving wood and the sounds of the blacksmiths in their shops. Women and children carried their purchases across the dirt road and the whole town was in preparation for the festivities. Men and children of all ages stood on the corners selling papers, foods, and other goods, vidding the customers who passed by.</p> <p>"The Games are upon us!" A boy called beside a booth, waving a parchment which marked the dates and times for the upcoming competitions, "Come see the battle between the magnificent Chroferus of Tristram and those who dare to challenge his power!"</p> <p>"You, sir," the boy hailed to a passing gentleman, "you would not object to the best seats at this season's jousting events."</p> <p>"Indeed, I should hope not," the man's voice replied.</p> <p>"The best seat at the Tourney 'tis but a Groat," the young man told the gentleman.</p> <p>"But, my dear lad," the stranger continued as he turned around, "how shall I manage watching the joust as I shall be in it?"</p> <p>The child's eyes widened with recognition as he realized to whom he had been speaking to.</p> <p>"You are the Lord of Tristram," he gasped.</p> <p>"Aye," Chroferus of Tristram confirmed with a sly smile, "Good day to you, dear lad."</p> <p>"And a very good day to you, sir Lord of Tristram," the boy called as he watched Chroferus make his way through the crowd, leading his hors down the soggy street. This would be an unforgettable day for that young ticket seller. It would be a day he would tell for years to come.</p> <p>***</p> <p>It would not be long until the games would begin and it was tradition for a ball to be held at the castle of Warham a fortnight before, in honor of the brave knights who would participate. These knights came from all sides of the country, near and far. Every inn in Nordingham would soon be filled and not one room would be left to spare.</p> <p>Warham was in preparation, meat was brought fresh from the kill to cook in the kitchens, rugs were washed, floors mopped, and every shelf dusted. Venetia was extremely excited for the festivities as this was the first year she was old enough to attend. She looked forward to the dances and the company. She was looking forward to seeing the gentlemen of Nordingham, as well as her main suitor, Chroferus. She didn't know if she would ever be able to be content with someone as her elder sister, Jocatta, was with Melchior, but she always felt that Chroferus might make her happy enough to persuade her.</p> <p>She remembered the first time she had ever laid eyes on him. He was a young Lord of eighteen who had just come to inherit Tristram. The Games quickly beckoned him and soon he became a legend. It was at those games that she new she favored him above all the others that had ever tried to gain her heart. He was not an extremely tall man, but definitely very powerful in his build. He had unusual features with his blond hair and dark skin with deep eyes that did him justice. He had entered the stadium and immediately gained the crowd's approval, which was shocking because Nordingham was known to be hard to please. Every minute he was out there, every second she was in awe and she loved it.</p> <p>Her sister liked him at first, but then their father arranged for her to marry Melchior, and Jocatta was not one to rebel. For Venetia it was not so. She had always grown up with the idea that she would marry someone of her own choosing, but she was hardly ready to choose just yet. She knew that she was still waiting for that one man to sweep her off her feet and she hoped that man was Chroferus.</p> <p>That afternoon Laureat, Venetia's childhood friend, called and they visited in the gardens together. Laureat's father was the widower Ambrose of Heneage, a Viscount who had seen better days. No one ever saw him out of doors since the death of his wife four years prior. Rumors had spread that he had killed himself, or had gone ill with sadness, but most believed he was very much alive because even though Heneage was but a small home, it had not moved into another's hand. Laureat spoke little of her father's condition, even to Venetia the information was scarce and she understood. If her own father was in such a state she would not have said a word at all.</p> <p>"Did you receive our invitation to the ball?" Venetia asked her dear friend who sat across from her.</p> <p>"Yes," Laureat replied with a thing smile, "yes, we did."</p> <p>"We have not heard your reply, are you coming?"</p> <p>"I'm not sure yet," she replied, "I have not asked father."</p> <p>"I see."</p> <p>"However, I did receive some news," Laureat began in a more cheerful tone, sitting forward in her seat.</p> <p>"Oh, do then tell me," Venetia's voice exposed her curiosity.</p> <p>"Do you remember the castle of Palidore?"</p> <p>"Of course," Venetia nodded, "it's but a short ride out of Nordingham, is it not?"</p> <p>"It is," Lauret confirmed, "and the Duke has returned!"</p> <p>"Are you sure of it? No one has ever met the man," she exclaimed.</p> <p>"I am," her friend replied, "and you must invite him to the ball and festivities. Tell your father about it, I'm sure he would not object."</p> <p>"Surely not," she agreed, "I shall speak with him immediately."</p> <p>The Palidore castle had always been a childhood mystery of theirs. On rare occassions they would sneak out of town and admire the view of passing the grand place of Palidore, which was both foreboding and intriguing in its architecture, size, and location. The entire Warham estate, which was Nordhingham's largest manor, could fit inside of this majestic building, which stood upon a cliff overlooking the countryside. As long as they could remember no one had ever inhabited the castle and they had imagined that inside there was a knight holding a princess captive waiting for a prince to come and save her. It was a young girl's fantasy, an epic tale filled with tragedy and romance. It was the epitome of a damsel in distress and it was a product of their wild imaginations. Now that the Duke had returned the pretending was over, the wondering finished, and the truth could finally be revealed.</p> <p>Once Lauret returned home, Venetia went to her father and told her of this news. Thadeaus was more than thrilled and amazed at this news.</p> <p>"We shall send word to him of our gathering at once," Thadeaus exclaimed.</p> <p>No sooner had he said this then a messenger was sent for, who left the invitation on the doorstep of the Duke of Palidore. Almost immediately, the messenger confirmed that the Duke would indeed be attending.</p> <p><strong>To be continued. A Steemit series written by Tabi Slick.</strong></p> <h1><a href="http://www.tabislick.com/"><em>THE SLICK WRITING CORNER</em></a></h1> <p><strong>Let's Connect!</strong></p> <p> <a href="https://steemit.com/@tabislick">SteemIt</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tabi-Slick/e/B01EKGTLTA">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/tabislick">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tabislick/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tabislick">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/tabislick">Twitter</a> </p> </html>