Completed [Silkwater Lake] Visitations [Kreig Messer]

[Markus Andres]

Autumn 8th 513 AV. There was the subtle changes in wind and weather that often accompanied the fall of Summer. The gentle breeze against Markus' exposed face. Gently tugging at the short blonde hair. It was not so much the breeze that bothered Markus, as it was the falling leaves and treecrowns swaying with the wind. The road was long and non-existant, more like a earth-toned path between the swaying trees. The young knight was wearing full armour. Leaving the city in any less would be foolish this time a year. Bandits grew restless and more desperate before the coming of Morwen. The heater shield was strapped to his back. The Bastard hung by his left side. An old dagger he had acquired from the armoury just above the Bastard. He looked like he was off to war. The saddlebags behind him carried a quiver and his composite shortbow. Been ages since he had last used that thing, might be time that he put some training into that as well. Between his thighs, a saddle was located, under said saddle, Alluia trotted forward. Carrying the heavily armoured and by nature heavy knight to his destination. Markus reason for leaving the safety of Syliras was not because he wanted to go out here in the forest and spend time amongst Caiyha's creatures. Having a day off meant he should be able to relax and get something done about his lacking apartment. Not spend the day looking for a squire. But it was duty. Two squires had gone missing in Syliras and tensions were a bit high at the moment in the fortress. Markus was out there to make sure that number didn't become three. Kreig was out here camping and training. Markus barely knew the squire, knew little of where he came from or why he had become a squire. But he knew he could throw a mean punch. When Markus had been bleeding, beaten and sore after battling those vile scum in the Spinning Coin, Kreig had looked like it had been nothing at all. Markus came upon the Silkwater lake. The serene water rippling as the breeze went over the formerly smooth surface. A small smile appeared on his lips at the peaceful picture. A spent a chime or two sitting there. A hand absently patting Aluia on her powerful neck. It was time to move on, was a squire out there needing to be found. Markus was not much in terms of a tracker. So when he looked at the ground and saw very obvious tracks leading one way. He misread it and went the other direction. Only blind luck had saved him from taking the long way around the lake, for those tracks he had misread had not belonged to the squire, or did, at least, not lead to the squire's camp. ”Squire Kreig? You around?” Markus would yell loudly should the squire not be in viewrange. His horse was there, tied to a nearby tree. Grazing the autumn grass blissfully. Thus, logically, the squire could not be far off.

[Kreig Messer]

Kreig was busy at that moment, in his arms in his crossbow....string pulled back and bolt loaded as he looked down the sights in a prone position, the dead tree trunk was 80 yards away, there was a bit of wind... the weather seemed be getting worse these days. He had to raise the Crossbow slightly and moved it to the right as the wind came from that direction. WIth a press of the trigger, the bolt flew through the air and in a moment....it bloody missed.

He lowered his head in frustration and breathed a sigh as he closed his eyes, off all the bolts he carried only 2 managed to barely strike the bloody thing, again BARELY. He sighed as he stood up and moved towards the trunk and began the annoying process of gathering each and every bolt. This was to be his final day here.... it was both a relief and an annoyance because while came to enjoy this place, he also found himself missing civilization... also further frustrations as he did not want to pick up camp tomorrow.

Still, he had to go back sometime and the weather was getting steadliy worse ' Wouldn't be surprised if it rained' He thought, he definitely didn't want to get caught in it if that was the case... it was a 4 hour trek from here to there and Kreig wasn't a good enough rider to gallop in the rain.


”Squire Kreig? You around?”

Well, if that wasn't a familar voice he wasn't sure what was 'of all people I though Sera Natasha would be the one to visit' Kreig thought as he placed the last of his bolts back into the quiver and made a short way back to the camp and noted the young knight whom stood beside him as they took down the bastards in the spinning coin.

"Ah, Ser Markus" Kreig let a friendly grin creep on his face as he raised the crossbow to point in the air as he approached the man with an extended hand "What brings you here? Surely you know my return is tomorrow? why make such a long trip?"

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[Markus Andres]

There was a break between Markus yelled for the squire and the squire appeared in his presence. Markus let a sigh of relief escape his lips when he saw the squire emerge and Markus dismounted from his horse and his hand clasped against his friend and squire's extended hand and shook it firmly. One hand still holding the reigns making sure she did not run off. "Things have changed in the city. Two squires have gone missing in the citadel so we felt it was best if we took every precaution. I hope you don't mind getting a bit of knightly supervision out here in the wilderness, my friend." Markus quickly explained. It was good to see that Kreig was unharmed. Better to see that he was armed and ready to defend himself should trouble arise. Seeing the weapon reminded Markus of a bet he had once had between his shortbow vs a crossbow. Markus had won that encounter against that masked man. The memory brought a smile to the young knight's lips. "How goes the training? Ah, and everything is well, I assume?" Markus said as he lead his horse to a tree where he could tie her loosely so she had plenty of space to grace on. He clapped her gently on her powerful neck before unburdening her with the gear he had brought. Loosen the saddle and let her stand without anything weighing her down. Markus looked for any superficial scrapes or signs that she were hurt. Finding none he nodded satisfied and gave her another stroke. Turning to Kreig the knightly visage was there, a sterner look to the older man. "Show me how your training is going." As he picked the shortbow and quiver from his gear. Perhaps he could have a little competition with the fighter.

[Kreig Messer]

"Things have changed in the city. Two squires have gone missing in the citadel so we felt it was best if we took every precaution. I hope you don't mind getting a bit of knightly supervision out here in the wilderness, my friend." Kreig's brow raised at such a news, the disappearance of two squires was a saddening thought and part of him wondered what was the nature of such a disappearance, but chose not to ask for now. The man just took a long trip to take note of Kreig's safety after all, no point in burdening him with such questions.

"That is tragic news" Kreig responded as he let got of the man's hand and simply shook his head " I suppose you must what you must, if such danger is lurking, best to have someone watching my back" Kreig grinned lightly as he watched Markus lead his horse to tree.

"How goes the training? Ah, and everything is well, I assume?"

"Not as well as I'd like to think" Kreig sighed as he looked at his Crossbow " I don't know if its simply me being nearing the end of my prime, not enough determination or simply that I'm more attuned to my fists rather than a weapon, but...I could do better" He said as he gave his crossbow a gentle caress " But I'll do say that I've taken a liking to my crossbow, perfect for a man such as myself" He chuckled as he lowered the forefront of the weapon to set a leg into its stirrup, then lowered himself to pull back the string and locked it to the notch " And well enough, did have a spat with a mangy wolf a few days, thankfully it was just a lone exile or such. Did bring a bit of excitement otherwise to a repetitive day."

Ser Markus then turned to Kreig with a stern look, but perhaps a bit of a challenge behind his eyes "Hmm... see for yourself then" Kreig said as he pulled a bolt from his quiver and sat it in the crossbow's groove " He motioned his head to indicate the dead tree husk a short distance away from them "That there is the target, a good distance for a novice with a crossbow to challenge a knight such as yourself fairly, don't you think?" Kreig's gring grew wider as he now had a partner to train and remove some of the boredome he'd felt. Kneeling, he took aim using the bow's sights.... measuring the distance and adjusting the elevation of his crossbow to adjust in accordance, finally pulling the trigger as the bolt was launched through the air....only to miss completely as it landed a short distance past the tree husk ' Shyke' He thought to himself as he stood up and rubbed the back of his head, then calmly motioned for Ser Markus to take his shot "best take notes from someone better than I in this regard, show me how its done Ser"

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[Markus Andres]

The knight listened to the older squire as he spoke. Nodding his head when he spoke of the wolf attack. A lone desperate wolf entering a human camp. Sounded like it had been quite desperate. Markus pondered if Kreig had actually killed it with his hands or if he had been civilized about it and given it a quick clean death. Markus shrugged at his apologies for doing terrible with his training. "Hmm, perhaps that is true, old man." Markus shrugged as the grin tore through his otherwise calm face. He may just have found his nickname for Kreig, he would probably enjoy the name. Except the one who bore it before him, Rhuryc, had loathed the nickname. "But I did not see a man at the end of his prime in that cage this summer. I saw a man fighting like he had just entered his twenties. So don't give me that shyke, squire. Man up and get your head in the game." Markus said, mixing kindness with a raw honesty and discipline. It was a strange mixture. It was partly because Markus did not know what kind of person Kreig was and what method was the best for him to learn how to wield the weapons of war. He watched casually as Kreig aimed in on the distant stub. This was a whole other weapon than what Markus was used to, this was basically just aim and fire. Markus' shortbow required him to pull the string, nock the arrow, aim, and fire. Took muscles of steel to draw the bow. But it appeared that Kreig was less than stellar with the crossbow, even though it seemed so simple to use. "I am not better than you with the crossbow, never learnt how to use it really. I stuck with this shortbow and didn't look back since. But I have been thinking about learning to use the bow differently, thus my aim will probably be terrible as petch. But hey, you don't improve if you stick to the familiar." Markus held the shortbow in his left hand. Fingers drumming against the wood in a rapid succession. Getting the feel for the bow in his hand. Reached back for a trio of arrows. This was the hard part. Markus' scope had always been to learn to hit accurately. But his fight with the yukman army last summer had shown him that such slow precision shooting did little against a literal horde of dim-witted monsters. There it was rate of fire that mattered. He took a deep breath, gauged the distance to the trunk and nocked the first arrow. Without thinking, without spending much time aiming, he pulled the bow back. Released it almost instantly and the arrow, consequentially flew a little far to the left. But without bothering with that failed shot, the next arrow was already nocked on the string and pulled back and released half a second later. Giving him that moment of thinking to somewhat adjust his aim meant that the arrow flew over the trunk. Markus had no time to snort at his own failure as the moved the third arrow to the string, failed that spectacular and fumbled with getting the arrow on and finally after several seconds of failing, he got it on and flustered by the failure he botched the shot and it flew short of the target. Markus looked to Kreig. Shrugged. "Rate of fire over supreme accuracy. That is the idea, at least. Still need some practice in getting the movement into my arm. Everything has to be instinctive and muscles just react and adjust to the movements. Something I have yet to learn."

[Kreig Messer]

"Old man? Hah, If I am old then you're certainly not far behind my dear 'senior' in the order" Kreig chuckled good naturedly as he made way for Set Markus "Though you do have a point, I suppose simply must try harder" He looked down at the crossbow in his hand, then looked at the knight as he explained he wasn't much better, particularly with the new shooting style he was trying to adopt with his short bow . It was an interesting style to say the least, unfortunately as Set Markus warned; he was quite inept with it as each and every shot missed . The brawler winced at such a display but gave a light chuckle as the knight shrugged at him "At least you can let off multiple shots in quick succession dear Ser, with this I'd need to be part of a group to let loose a steady volley of shots. It is much easier to use than you short bow, though measuring a proper shot is still an issue"


"Its especially slow since...." He lowered the weapon and sat his foot into the stirrup "...I have to do this each time time" He grunted as he lowered himself and grabbed the bow string with both hands, pulling it back to connect it with the nut. He then lifted the weapon, removing a bolt from his quiver and placing it in the groove on top of the weapon "...Compared to yours, a lone crossbow man has to make each shot count, because frankly, the interval is squire murderous"

He rested the butt of the weapon against his shoulder and looked down the sights, trying to measure the distance and sidewind and then raised hisweapon accordingly "And like a bow, I still have the same foes, save for perhaps a need for a good bow hand" He then pressed the trigger, letting loose the bolt annnnd.... it struck the base of the trunk "...I still need to make this instinctual as well" He ten motiomed for the good knight to take his place..
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[Markus Andres]

Markus chuckled lightly when the squire responded to his, self-proclaimed, witty banter in kind. Out here in the wilderness on a two-man hand it might not be necessary to keep a distant relationship with a lower ranked person in the order. Especially not one he had gone vigilante with in the previous season. Markus shrugged when Kreig tried to console him after the many failed shots. If a single failure like this bothered him hugely, then he would never have made it through squirehood with an intact ego. He watched as Kreig explained the mechanics of loading the crossbow, not exactly news to Markus, but it did spur a thought in his mind when Kreig reloaded the crossbow. He nodded when Kreig spoke. This reminded him of a duel he had had once way way back in time with a stranger. Crossbow vs shortbow, Markus had won because he had been able to put more arrows in the target than the opponent. Although Markus had had a higher miss ratio than the other bloke. Markus let Kreig take his shot before he would speak. Did not want to distract the older man as he prepared to shoot. Although if he was distracted by mere words, then he would not fair well in actual combat. But a smile appeared at the corner of Markus' lips. He knew this man did not break during combat. He had seen him in action. "Out of curiosity, how do you plan on reloading when you're on horseback?" Markus asked casually. Because the squire would need to find a way to work around that problem, for Markus was fairly certain that regulations said that the weapon had to be usable on horseback. He moved forward and found the arrows he had fired earlier. Leaving them in the ground would be a waste. After finding the many, many missed arrows he assumed his position. He relaxed his shoulders. Held the many arrows in his left hand as well as the bow. Right hand's fingers sliding over the string, gently feeling the string tighten as he pulled it a little. He nocked an arrow and with a slow steady inhale of air, he started unleashing hell upon the trunk. The first arrow flew quickly from the bow. Majestically flying through the air and with an audible thud it burrowed its metal head into the ground somewhere behind trunk. Markus had not bothered to see the arrow and where it landed. His focus was entirely upon his hands as they moved in unison to get another arrow onto the string. Get it unloaded as quick as possible. Barely had the arrow touched the string. Before it was pulled back and released in the direction of the trunk. It clipped the trunk and was sent ricocheting off to the side where it managed to bounce harmlessly off of a another tree. The third arrow followed rapidly and either Sylir looked down upon him with favour, or Wysar had finally managed to kick som discipline into Markus' spine for the arms worked in unison and the arrow was shot from the bow in the correct angle. Hammering into the trunk and then ever so gently not sticking. As it fell to the ground before the wooden trunk. "Well... Improvement is slow and tedious and not done overnight, so let's not expect miracles today, Kreig." Markus said with a smile as he gave up the spot for Kreig. "So, tell me about yourself, old man. What made you choose the life of a knight? And why not earlier?" It had almost become a stable of Markus' questions for squires, asking their reasons for becoming a knight.

[Kreig Messer]

"Petch, I dunno....I suppose the only answer to that is get me arm strength up" Kreig said as he watched the lad prepared his bow. Three shots, the lads rapid firing technique..... Kreig wish he could do that, but he best stick with his chosen ranged weapon. No good to him for it to change " 'sides, there's more than a few knights in the order who use crossbows as well. I'll get the hang of it eventually" Kreig then stayed silent as he watched him fire the arrows, two missed.... and the third struck. Kreig chuckled, the third arrow struck barely so...if it were flesh it wouldn't go deep, though a center shot usually meant death ' Unless they were wearing armor' Still, a point for the lad it was.

Kreig took position once, lowering himself as he put his leg through the stirrup and began the tedious process once more "I'm afraid the decision, in a way, was forced upon me.... I had to leave Sunberth, you see?" He told him as he rested the string upon the nut then lifted it, its stock resting against his shoulder. He pulled out a bolt from his quiver and rest it atop of the grove of his crossbow and looked behind the piece of metal that served as a sight "Fate delt me a hand you see, I was actually invited to join... when I had to leave I took the invitation. Only later did the thought of 'why' occurred to me" He pressed the trigger , the string launched the bolt forward.... it flew in the air, it wasn't like an arrow, despite its size it was heavy, what looked like the feathers at the end were actually made of metal. This time they hit there, the upper portion of the trunk, a solid thunk could be heard as the head pierced throw the wood.

Kreig smiled softly at that and turned to look at Markus " And I discovered, that quite simply, I want to to do good and protect others my dear 'Senior'. Nothing more, nothing less"

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[Markus Andres]

Watching as the older squire took his position and fired at the target whilst explaining his reasons for joining the knights. Markus was a bit surprised, he had not thought that the knights would be actively promoting people from Sunberth, of all places, to join the knights. But Markus liked that Kreig was not bitter that the choice had been forced upon him. Liked it a lot. He nodded to Kreig, a small nod of respect for the connected bolt and his personal fortitude. Markus had been young enough that time alone could have indoctrinated him into believing in the knigthood, but Kreig was too old for such things to work. The man must have a rather noble spirit. Markus scratched his chin and the stubbles annoyed him again. ”But doesn't matter much, won't have the time to reload if you are charging at the enemy. Good to disrupt their ranks with a single bolt cutting into them. Break up their cohesion.” Markus said as he moved forward and gave the squire a clap on the shoulder. ”Nice shooting, what was that nonsense about you not improving. Tyveth may not appreciate such lies, Squire.” The grin fixed upon his lips was a cheerful one. Glad to be out of the castle city again. Into the open wilds for more than just a patrol duty or small ride. To be spending the night in the wilderness before returning home. ”Glad I didn't put money on me hitting the most marks. And no better place if you plan on doing good. Or rather, where you would make the greatest difference.” Markus continued, no less enthutiastic about the knights. Sometimes he amazed even himself with how much in love he was with the knighthood. ”And you just go again. Let you get in a couple of good shots while you got the aim down... Tell me about Sunberth, I've only been there once and that was on my way to Sahova. City looked like... It might need a helping hand, to put it mildly.”

[Kreig Messer]

"Sunberth...eh?" Kreig lifted himself, glad of the compliment he recieved from the young knight. He placed his leg through the stirrup and lowered himself to pull the string back with both hands "Sunberth....To say it needs help is an understatement, unfortunately nobody knows the right way to give it the help it needs" Kreig said as he lifted the butt of the weapon against his shoulder, reaching to the back of his quiver with his left, pulled out a bolt and set it on the groove. He aimed down the iron sight "Sunberth has been ruled many times before, you know? Each ruler was overthrown shortly thereafter, with only a mage being the longest.... that mage being the reason why the city all hate magic, why we all fear it" He took account for any side wind and distance, elevating the weapon accordingly, trying to get it just right.

"And before that... will, the city never liked rulers. Ever since the event that shaped our world, that freed our city from its cruel masters, we took the freedom we so desired and overthrew any who thought to rule us like cattle" With a pull of the trigger, the bolt flew.... a thud sounded throughout the area as it struck the base of the trunk. Kreig stood up and grinned at his handiwork, only to flip into a frown as he looked at Markus "The promise of order had been used upon us time and again, only to be disappointed it everytime, just like nation that ruled our city, they turned us into indentured slaves and forsaked our freedom. Any would be ruler would get the same treatment, I'm certain the same will happen to any of the leading factions in Sunberth sooner or later" He lowered himself once more, foot through the stirrup and repeated the same tired process as he finally lifted the readied weapon to his shoulder.

"The city needs help, but it has seen too much of the supposed 'order' to want it. The want of complete freedom is itched into our very being, you see? If the masses even get a hint of someone trying to boss them around, they quickly form into a mob that would make even an army of knights flinch. And I do not exaggerate, they will string you up by your nose and parade your body like an effigy" He looked down the sight, sidewind, distance and elevation all take again. He took a deep breath, stilling himself briefly before taking the shot. Pressing the trigger, he let the bolt fly through the air...and sadly it missed its mark completely as it flew pass the trunk.

"Its freedom is a miserable one though, but those who have it think it better than being slaves though. Disease is rampant, starvation is common and of course no end to the amount of crime" He sighed as he lifted the weapon against his shoulder as he turned to the Knight and stepped aside "But... there is a community amongst its people, believe it or nor. Else the city's survival would have been done long ago, we help each other we need be, we have an orphanage for the young if anyone has the conscious or at least the decency to take the there...and there is a limit to the crimes we can take before we personally put a stop to it" He motioned for the Knight to take his place " Best way to help it, is to not let it know your helping it at all. For a lot like them they need to think that its an unconscious group decision, let them have chaos but subtly insert order into it..." Then he turned into a dark and grave voice"...or kill everyone...those are the only two ways to truly pacify it I believe"

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