>>6262037

You blinked your eyes and looked at the scene, silent, the bodies, the man who was asking for more wine, it felt surreal. You had seen battles and skirmishes but this. Was this... What your men called... About surreal "adventurer abilities" these peasant's tales ? Or was it like witnessing Roland. You were snapped from your thoughts when you heard.

-Would you share a flacon... Hic.. with me good sir. It is elven vintage from Dontaskthepris.

-Hum... Yes your excellency... I am Lord Charles.. Charles de Villeroi, lord of Local.

The Guelph nodded and while he gestured to the owner of the place to evacuate the dead bodies he began to pour you and himself two cups and soon they clinked together. You downed the fine vintage, it was excellent you had to admit. But still, finding a count, someone on the level of Count Careless, alone in a tavern, apparently drinking until sleep. It was strange. You decided to first thank him.

-Thank you, your excellency, for your help. I fear that I would not have been able to kill these alone. I do not know why but they seem to have been hired to murder me by some rascal, and two were dressed like guards.

He shook his head with too much enthusiasm because of the alcohol.

-Treachery, plots... And do not thank me, I acted as any knight would.

-Not all of them with such success your excellency.

He then laughed, a generous laugh before telling.

-Aye. But not everyone has been on the path... Hic... On the path of the blademaster for several millennia. Well, at least, before...

You were impressed, several millennia ? This man practised the blade, where he was gifted for, for several millennia. It explained why even being drunk he was able to slaughter these knaves as easily as children. You dared to ask him.

-Millenia ? You... I am sorry, it is hard with Guelphs but how many times are you...

-I still train.. But since my birth... Hic... I had to be a blademaster like my father before me and his father. It is... Hic... The tradition of our house, the house of Macilii that we all master the blade. We are... hic... an old High Elven house, old as this world. And for the 4879 years of my life I have been practising. Aye. No magic trics, no strange adventurer abilities to enter in transe and help the world. Sheer dedication to mastering a craft. Well, at least it was before...

He showed his wine flagoon. And began to tell.

-Woe, hic... Woe unto me, and all those fated to decline, as the fallen stars fall and hide behind the world. Ô rage, ô infinite pit of darkness..