[RPG] [BT][Rio] The arrival of Darius's Gauntlet

[Alex Davies]

Gorch entered his city through the east gate, admiring the newly regenerated 
city. Already plans were being made for a great festival to celebrate the 
impending festival to celebrate the rebirth and replenishment of Grehk's 
full population of 24,000, not counting the men at arms that stood guard 
around the city. Nonetheless, his recent withdrawal had certain people 
wondering what the duke was doing lately, having not set foot outside his 
duchy in almost a month, though others less travelled and more had remarked 
cynically and with a certain sense of pride that might be called 
regionalism, that there was probably no reason he would want to.

His scribe approached Gorch as he entered the ducal palace, sighing 
contentedly.

"Milord! A message arrived for you this morning, but given that you wree in 
Glongin, I thought best to await your return."

Gorch's smile faded, and he looked at the scribe questioningly.

"It arrived by boat, sir. From far off, it seems. Supposedly from the east 
but," the scribe shrugged, "in this lake, what ship doesn't?"

Gorch nodded the scribes dismissal, then opened the letter, taking a seat by 
the window overlooking the bay.

"Greetings Duke," the letter read, "I have heard you are doing well. Power 
and wealth, at the head of a family, very nice. But I did not write for mere 
formalities.

You will be aware that with the death of your brethren, everything rides on 
you. Consider this the formal gauntlet, that if you do not depart the shores 
and retire once again, I will have my assassins seek you out - that is, if 
you do not perish the hellfire of the daimons I hear are assaulting the 
continent?

Now, doubtless, you will be running through your options. Your niece will be 
of no help, and if she interferes, I am sure we will deal with her too. Your 
half brother cannot stop us, for he is but a bastard, if an accomplished 
one.

Do not bother attempting to reply - I will just execute whichever messengers 
come to me with your insignia.

Regards,

Darius the First
Soon to be head of the Exiles."

Gorch placed the letter on the table silently and sighed. After a few 
moments deliberation, he called his scribe in and instructed him to bring 
out the documentation on the family for study.

"A game of control, and here I am the target..." Gorch muttered. "But who, I 
wonder, is this Darius?"

Gorch shuffled through various documents of the births and deaths of various 
ancestors, when he came to the most recent branch of the family tree, where 
something caught his eye.

"Darius I, small time landholder in Ejarr, brother..." Gorch read under his 
breath. "My uncle, apparently... records of vicious treatment of 
trespassers.... why did I never hear of him? 2 sons, harboured a well known 
scorn of women in general..."

Gorch scowled and gave up. Some matters required more refelection than he 
was willing to give right now.
----
The1exile (AKA SniperChief)

"The greatest work of fiction, since vows of fidelity were included in the 
French marriage service."

--Captain Edmund Blackadder

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