Organization makes the Black Lions go round and round…( Ral, Faust, Parreyon)

[Liselle Vampyler Sapientia]

OOC: Setting this up before season change so that Ral, Faust and Parr can discuss the organization of the Black Lions after Faust and Parreyon’s first meeting.

Brightening VII of the Fourth Cycle of Kalendryas, Winter, Era XIV pf
(The letter they received is dated the VI of the Fourth Cycle, but the meeting happens the brightening after, for clarification.)

They had all received the same letter, in the same familiar flowing script.

Liselle’s

Gentleman,

Today I had the chance to meet with a Sir Ralaric Ered’Gard, who offered his services to the Black Lions in an advisory capacity. He wishes to meet with those involved in the organizing of said group as soon as possible. I was hoping a meeting between the three of you could be arranged for tomorrow, say after the mid candlemark, at the Black Lions headquarters? I will unfortunately not be able to attend but trust that you will make me aware of any issues that come up.

Yours truly,

Liselle

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

Having been informed by the Governor Vampyler-Sepientia that he would be meeting the other two who would be assisting in getting the Black Lions up and running, the Dracon Knight known as Raliric Ered`Gard sat upon the steps leading into the Headquarters themselves. He waited for those other two members, one whom he knew already and another who he had heard a little about but was eager to meet; Parreyon Syndicus and Faust D’Rinishad. He had not seen or spoken to his friend, Parreyon, in sometime and if anything this would be a welcome meeting of friends, which would lead to catching up and reminiscing about old times. Though they were there for a reason and that reason was to discuss the Black Lions and their organization.

The establishment he was sitting up against was, for the main, unremarkable given that he had lived in such grand places as Primus Gaudeo with its complete construction founded in marble and opulence. Though he was aware that this particular location was not meant to be a defensive structure or hold out in a siege of some description. If an enemy managed to take enough of Prime to get to this compound then they would have little trouble regardless of how defensible the compound was. No, he could tell it was the barracks for the Black Lions and the training grounds, which is all that the Black Lions really needed given that everything could be supplied to them easily enough.

The real focus of these Black Lions would need to be discipline, respect, skill and judgement. They would need to be well trained and experienced; not necessarily in battlefield combat, but they would need to be experienced in the area that were to be working in; protection.

A scaled, taloned hand rose to stroke his jaw as he thought on that particular path. They would need to be taught ways of detecting the many different arts of subterfuge and deception, in detecting poisons, and in fighting against other skilled opponents. Not only would they need to know how to fight independently, but also with a squad or larger force. They would need to know the locations that their charges frequented most; they should know those locations intimately, enough so that they could detect if anything was different at a glance. Then there was protocol that would need to be taught to them; the various arts of a professional guardian and the rights of their charge that needed to be respected. A great deal to be taught.

[Faust D'Rinishad]

For most of his life, which was admittedly quite extensive, Faust D’Rinishad had managed to maintain a relatively low profile amongst the affairs of mortals. His heritage had naturally designed him to be a creature of the shadows and subsequently his natural tendencies imbued him with a propensity towards isolation –at least from the oftentimes prejudiced breeds that graced Telath’s soil. He had been taught at an early age that the world would forever be against him and consequentially he had developed a sense of timidity, which was, ironically, incapable of elucidating the many friendships that he had forged throughout his life. Despite the inherent diffidence that he had nurtured throughout his upbringing, nothing could negate the sheer reality of it all: he had learned to depend upon those who his society had once condemned.

These thoughts weighed heavily in the dark elf’s mind as he ventured towards the headquarters of the Black Lions of Prime, a developing cell of soldiers intended to serve as the city’s private elite guard. A sidelong glance to Parreyon, the honorable knight formerly of the Order of the Black Rose, reminded the young D’Rinishad that he was not alone on this challenging endeavor. Regardless of the short time that they had spent together, the disciplined pantheri had proven to be a fine companion, one that the normally skeptical dark elf would have trusted even amidst the treacherous road. Parreyon had taught him many things, amongst which was dispelling the myths surrounding his culture, and Faust had sincerely responded in kind.

“I wonder if he’s a noble.” the swordsman absentmindedly postulated to his furry friend. “I’ve heard that he commands an impressive force, or so Liselle says.” Heaving his slender shoulders in an unknowing shrug, the dark elf ran a mythril-bedecked hand through his mane of silver which bounced along his backside with every step down the street. “Regardless, I must admit that I’m grateful for his help. It’s not everyday that you have the chance to meet someone like this.” It was quite evident from the dark elf’s words and eager tone that he was unaccustomed to meeting praiseworthy figures –that, or he simply didn’t care to most of the time.

Laughing candidly to himself, Faust holstered his thumbs along his belt to rest his hands as he continued to walk beside Parreyon. He and the pantheri had been laboring extensively over the past few cycles with the evaluation and assessment of the prospective Black Lions, and it had not been an uncomplicated task. There was still the matter of training them in a multitude of categories, familiarizing them with their duties, and of course working in cohesion –and these were only some of the numerous things that Parreyon and Faust had been assigned to teach them!

Nevertheless, it was only a short while later until the dark elf and pantheri arrived before the reputable knight. Faust’s crimson orbs glimmered with flecks of excitement as he spotted the dracon. Having been to Archadoon before, the Vysstichi Lord was not astonished by the individual’s intimidating appearance, but more so curious as to why Liselle had failed to mention this particular detail to him. The thought quickly elicited a frown from the dark elf, though, as he subconsciously pinched at his own black skin. It was not everyday that one ran into a Vysstichi either.

“Serale. I am Faust D’Rinishad.” He introduced with a brightening expression, dipping into a low bow shortly afterwards. “Might you be Sir Ered’Gard?”

[Parreyon Syndicus]

Parreyon had heard the news on Ral's desire to help out and brought a prompt smile to his face. he still remembered kneeling in front of Audrey De'Lylles as she had knighted them all with his SunBlade. Raliric and he were side by side when that happened, and Parr followed the knights through rumors every chance he had for the knight faction would never leave his heart. Though not together physically, Parr always considered himself a part of Ral's knights and would come if ever called upon.

Thus walking next to Faust and listening to his talk, Parreyon filled him in on the details. "Actually, Faust, Raliric and I were knighted at the same time. He and I go way back though our paths did not lead in the same direction. He is a man of good heart with a great compassion for protecting and helping. Though our title of knight is semi noble, we have never thought of it as anything more than being honored for our dedication."

Parreyon had similar thought to Faust having hashed out mentally what they'd been going through for the past few cycles. Trying to ascertain the value of each potential as an individual as well as trying to make an assessment as to whether they could function as one was exhausting. He could see the progress but also see the long road in front of them. In time these men would be compentent to say the least. Parreyon had Promised Liselle that he would do everything in his grasp to keep her family protected and that was exactly what he was working so hard with Faust to accomplish.

Parreyon's smile grew large upon seeing his old friend realizing just how long it had been since last they were in each other's presence. He let Faust meet the knight friend first befor skipping formalities and offering a bear hug to his larger friend. [color]"By Kaimelea it is good to see you again old friend! While in town, if you've no place yet set up, please be an honored guest at my home for we have many glasses to drain while catching up once you've been filled in on the new order."[/color]

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

OOC: My apologies for taking so long and for the post being so short.

The dracon knight watched as the familiar form of his friend, and the form of a vysstichi, walked closer; his cavernous orbs taking in the form of the Vysstichi and taking an assessment as to the man’s skills and profession. It was clear that he was a swordfighter, there could be no denying that fact; the way he walked, the roll of his hips, the aura surrounding him, the confidence… not to mention any weaponry that may be upon his form. Then finally those cavernous orbs turned to regard the Pantheri and a smile appeared upon his dragonic features. It had been so long since he had seen Parreyon that he could not keep the joy from his face.

Pushing himself upward he rose to his full height to greet the two men. A hand was extended toward the Vysstichi for an arm shake, before he spoke. ”Serale Faust. I have heard a great deal about you from Liselle. And Aye, I am Raliric Ered`Gard.” Then he turned the hand and arm toward Parreyon and extended it again. Once it was clasped he would step forward and pull the Pantheri forward also, bringing his other arm around to surround Parreyon from the other shoulder and give the katta a friendly hug, clapping him upon the back a few times, though taking care not to do so very hard.

”Parreyon! It is good to see you also my friend. I accept your invitation; it would give me great pleasure to be your guest. There is much to catch up on.” Another clap on the back, this time a little harder because of his joy, before he released the katta and took a step back so that he could look upon them both and see to business. ”Where should we go to speak on what we need to?”

[Parreyon Syndicus]

"There is a room set up here in the Black Lions Headquarters where we can sit and discuss all that has taken place so far and what value you can give to us as well. We had refreshments set up, so follow me."

Parreyon led Raliric down the halls of the headquarters and remembered all they had gone through over the past few eras. He remembered meeting Ral for the first time and joining the knight order. It had been his first stint within such a great group and was knighted with Ral by Audrey herself. He had never forgotten that moment or that it was Ral that had made that possible. Parreyon had great vision in life and was always strong in the field of law, but Ral had gumption and initiative. Great qualities buried within a great man. No matter titles or positions that the two might have or held, Parr had always respected the dracon and looked up to him in some ways.

A fine assortment of meats, cheeses, and breads were displayed for the three of them along with a few finer bottles of alcohol and water. Parreyon kept things mellow and took up a glass and the bottle of Enamorian Red smiling at how Liselle had remembered the conversation some time back on wines. It was a pleasant wine that Parreyon really enjoyed and knew Liselle had ensured the bottle present just for him.

"Please Ral, Faust, grab a seat and tell me what I can get you both to drink."

[Faust D'Rinishad]

Staring upwards at the towering dracon, the dark elf was naturally taken aback by the sheer presence of the mighty knight. Like Parreyon, there was something about Raliric’s demeanor, perhaps it was embedded in his emanated strength, that riveted the Vysstichi Prince’s immediate attention. Although normally unimpressed by those he met, Faust would have been quick to concur that the stalwart dracon and his sheer frame was something to extol.

“And I, too, have heard much about you, Sir Ered’Gard. The pleasure is mine.” He cheerfully replied, extending a mythril-bedecked hand to clasp the dracon’s own. It was one of the few instances that the dark elf had encountered a dracon at a personal level –the only other time being when a drunken one had nearly collided into him during his trip to Archadoon.

That had been quite an amusing event.

Stepping back to allow the two friends some privacy, a thin smile spread across the dark elf’s features as he watched silently from nearby. The mirthful exchange reminded him of the many times that he had returned to Imperia or other places to visit any of his numerous uncles, the last of which had been when he, Trevlyn, Adinirach, and Ebony had nearly traded blows against a skilled elfin swordsman.

How the D’Rinishad family’s reunions always seemed to be merged with violence…

Nodding agreeably as one of them suggested proceeding to business, the dark elf entered into the prospective headquarters of the Black Lions of Prime and ensconced in one of the three seats. Thankful by Parreyon’s presence as always and eager to hear the seasoned dracon knight’s suggestions, Faust rested his hands comfortably upon the arm rests. “I’m fine, Sir Parreyon, thank you.”

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

The dracon knight shook the dark elf’s hand firmly, but not crushingly, he had long since learnt to be careful about his strength; such was a necessity when children were involved. He was also impressed by the dark skinned elf that stood before him; his interactions with dark elves had up to this point in time consisted of crushing them with a hammer. His brief foray into Herozzal coming immediately to mind. Though as he was a member of one of the races that was looked down upon he had developed a sense of equality for all races. He knew that whilst there were some who were of an evil inclination, there were others of good inclination. Thus not all dark elves were evil, not all orcs the same, not all dracons… It was a pleasure to finally meet a dark elf that was not his enemy.

”Excellent Parreyon, though I am at a loss as to what help I will be. You are an efficient commander and a person with morals and ethics to be admired. An example in and of yourself.” He then motioned with one hand toward Faust, ”And from what I have heard of you Master D’Rinishad, you are more than capable of teaching the recruits the martial side of their trade.” His hands then turned to face upward and he shrugged, ”And I am to do?” He left that hanging for a moment before continuing, ”Regardless I am here to help in whatever way I am able, merely name it and it shall be done.”

He took a seat once offered, ”Water for now, thank you Parreyon.” A smile of thanks as he accepted the drink and took a sip to wet his lips and throat. ”I suppose the best place to start would be with what is already provided, and once that has been determined we can see what still needs to be done, and therein will no doubt lie a use for myself.”