Three Gallant Knights of Meridies

[Vitus von Atzinger]

Here I will call attention to valiant men whose deeds would probably go unheralded throughout the world of arms.
The knights Aighlennan, Seth and Maximillian of Meridies, upon the bridge at Border Raids, did deeds of prowess that amazed and shocked the Army of the Midrealm. They were spoken of in every camp.
Let all who live in these current Middle Ages know of their deeds, for truly they shocked all who witnessed it.
-Vitus

[ThorvaldR Skegglauss]

Unto the good knight Sir Vitus Von Atzinger does Lord Thorald Skegglauss, Herald of Nebelwald in the glorious kingdom of Drachenwald send these greetings:

Good gentle Sir, an it please thee to set to written word the deeds of these noble knights, so that those whom were unable to attend such a glorious occasion would know, of what deeds we who strive for knighthood should emulate.

respectfully

Thorald Skegglauss

[D. Sebastian]

Vivat!

Would a request for details be innapropriate?

[Vitus von Atzinger]

Let me aquire first-hand accounts- I was at a wedding.

[Malcolm_Mor]

I will speak of it, then, for these fell warriors did slay many of the Dragon Host, striking like serpents among the oncoming rush of the Army of Midrealm.

Well did I mark His Grace Aighlennan, Knight and Duke of Meridies, for his people and mine are kin, and long have I desired to test my skill in battle against him, alas, this day it was not to be. While I kept my eye on him moving all day, the ebb and flow of battle ne'er carried me near enow to cross swords with him.

I did witness a great charge forward by the Midrealm units; sore pressing the attack against Meridies, until bodies were heaped about. It was at that point that I saw Aighlennan (And now the two whose names I know) step forward with their spears and begin to strike, eack thrust finding a mark and stopping the push dead in its tracks.

I heartily wish I could tell more, but at that moment we were shifted forward, to make up for the many Dragons which had fallen then, and lost further chance to witness more of them - the clash of battle surrounded me and I had to tend to the business in front of me, but it was a terrible thing to behold, what I did witness of it.

[Vitus von Atzinger]

Greetings to the Famous Knight, Sir Vitus of Atzinger

Great Lord, word has come to me of your request that I give report to you of the deeds of great men in the conflicts which have recently occurred. I beg your mercy in this matter as I am a man of few letters and little learning. Yet, wicked irish scribes I have at my service, and they know me to beat them well should they fail in rendering truth to my words. So I send to you, this report.
It was newly into summer when summons came to me to journey south and give my lawful service to the High-King Felix. I was hard at travel, collecting spring taxes from the karls for my Lord Syr Ullr. A Huskarls days are long and his duties heavy. So it was that I gathered my war gear, and on stout pony set to meet my lord at the rivers bank. I was joined by my Lady, the Baroness Finepopla, a young welsh maid, who brightens even the darkest day. She is no virgin to the war campaign and aided me in the journey well.
We arrived in the southern lands of the Midrealm in the Barony of the Flame and found the War Camp of our Kings Army. Within short time we rode into the encampment of the household you and I share, Stahlgeist. It was with joyfull greetings that we were met.
I will not bore you with the details of the camp, nor of the life we lead there amongst the host. You have asked of the deeds of great men, and I was blessed by the white christ to have been a witness to the same.
The next days battle was hard and full of the wrath of two vying kingdoms. My good friend Malcolm the Giant of the Ring Tribe has accounted the day with the words of a poet. So I speak to you now of the deeds of three men. As it were in the late part of the day the two sides of the confrontation had come to contest over a mighty bridge. In the first assualt we, the Midrealm had made the Merdians pay dearly for holding the bridge. So as I stood at the head of the next assualt along with my brethren of the Great House Stahlgeist I looked across at our enemy and saw in the rear familiar heraldry. I saw there discussing matters of strategy Duke Maximillian, Duke Aighlennan and Count Seth, three mighty Heroes of Meridies. I had a foreboding.
The time of battle had come. We moved forward to the edge of the bridge. Across its span I could see the Merdians set, grim toothed for the sword storm. We beat our shields mightily and they in turn responded with curses. I saw then the three worthies moving amongst the horde, setting themselves and I wondered what devilry they worked. The war horn sounded and we sprang forward. At a rush, but then suddenly both sides halted 5 paces apart and shield walls sprang to life. It would seem both sides had set the same trap, to fight defensively. Slowly we opened our ranks, our shield wall parted and cautious spearmen came forward. Then I saw what horror awaited us. All three worthies had taken the front line, each armed with nine foot pike, each supported by a hardy shield man.
Our spearmen set to work at first attempting to dislodge the worthy Lords from their foothold on the bridge, attempting to drive them back. I saw after a few minutes of battle several of our spearmen had fallen to injury. I then took my role as captain of the forces and called to the good man Thaddeus, my brother in arms to join me. We decided to rush the worthies and set blade to them. On a mark we charged slipping past their spear fangs and met them with shield. I rained down blow after blow attempting to drive Count Seth back, yet he was well defended both by his own prowess and a good shieldman. I saw Thaddeus had no more luck than I versus Duke Maximillian so I called a retreat and we rejoined our lines.
Then came the press of the worthies, the three noble Lords began to attack our line fervently and for the first time that I can recall in my life I saw my beloved household give ground, it is no shamefull thing to praise the mighty, and so I praise them. Those three men, with the aid of their gallant men, pressed back the house of Steel Spirits. Yet, our heels have spurs and those spurs were dug in. From our ranks came great men as well. Sir Ullr, Sir Bonar Sir Randolph and Sir Lutr, and the mighty voice of the General, Sir Omarad behind us. We fought back, and in time had pressed them to the place they began. Several more times I and my brother shieldmen sprang forward attempting to find home for our blades in the skin of these men, always to be denied. It was in one of these mad skirmish charges that I took a heavy blow to the helm and was knocked into the waters beneath. Wounded from the banks I watched as fair Meridies finally withered under the blistering attack of the dragon army. But there defeat was no shame to neither country or man, for at the very end of it still I saw these three worthy lords, landing blow in defense of their King.

I praise them, both as enemies and friends. They were an example of prowess and courage to me that day, and I pray Sir Vitus, this account may increase their fame and pay them the sweetest of currency, that of renown.

Humbly given
Gunnar Redboar
House Stahlgeist
(squire of Sir Ullr)

[Sieg]

I will drink a mighty toast to these worthies this night.

for tales like these make young squires dream of great things.





Sieg

[Jehan de Pelham]

I may go to my rest now knowing that this day is complete.

John
Jehan de Pelham, esquire and servant of Sir Vitus
www.mron.org

P.S.: Gunnar!

[Ratslayer]

WOW! What a story! I enjoyed reading of this great deed!

Kelwin

[Thaddeus]

Oh well said! Well said indeed.

[Gunnar Red Boar]

More than the story is the fact that these three gentles are awesome guys, genuinely excellent human beings.

[Oswyn_de_Wulferton]

Gunnar, your message has been posted on the Meridian Army Forum (just to let you know people around here have also gotten your message).

[Ailgheanan]

Greetings from Ailgheanan, The Hound of Meridies.

In this matter and without hesitation, I feel comfortable speaking for His Grace, Dux Maximillian and His Excellency, Count Seth of Newcastle. We are humbled that our names and deeds are on the minds of our esteemed friends abroad. Yet we would rather your attention be cast upon other, more deserving warriors.

Neither mighty Felix, the Dragon King nor Our liege, Godwine the Mace of Retribution, shined brighter than the true heroes of the day. No peer of royal line won so much as a minute of gallant battle. No single Knight stood victorious to raise banner in the summer wind. The generals of either side, though crafty and driven by purpose, were without defense against those who deserve praise the most.

The rank and file of the Meridian host and the crimson tide of Midrealm soldiers were those that amazed and inspired us most. After the first engagement when last blow was thrown within seconds of the first and Meridies held the field, priceless were the words I heard from the lips of dragon knights, “they held their lines! The Meridians stayed together and even ran as a unit.â€Â