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Marcus took a moment to absorb all Gildenstern had said then heaved a great sigh of relief his author would not allow such a horrible fate to befall him. The big nobleman looked at the unexpectedly sophisticated and refined lich and replied, "'Rosun up your bow and play on, my reanimated friend. Violin music goes well with stories of Sir Manfred Gottenkrieger." Marcus paused to grin wryly at his own acerbic comment then he took a sip of brandy before he began, "It was quite a first meeting for two men such as Sir Manfred and I, and I mean that not in a good way. The threat of war was in the air over Laurelda, the tension between Ember and Lumloria could be cut with a dull short sword. I had been racing to the capital city, having been called there by King Roltal himself, but was stopping at my father's estate in Akhonne to seek rest and assistance. I was not aware my father had guests in the house, my squire and I went immediately to my rooms on the topmost floor of the house. I had just cleaned the dust of my travels off my body and had barely dressed when I heard a raucous commotion below. Naturally, being a Knight of the Realm, I took up my sword and immediately went to investigate.
Upon arriving at the second floor I saw a young woman hiding behind a tapestry, peeking out at two people near a bedchamber door. The man appeared to be a knight, but he was acting most peculiarly, yelling at the door and using obscenties. The woman was rather calm and even seemed bemused at whatever was going on. I decided to get to the bottom of whatever was going on with these strangers in my father's home. "Hold!" I yelled at them while brandishing my sword. They were strangers after all, "What do ye here, yelling at someone beyond a door? I hope ye have good reason to disturb the peace of my father's home!" Unbeknownst to me an assassin had gained entry into the room and Sir Manfred was trying to give chase. Why he didn't stop to ask a servant to get a key is beyond me, but I suppose a man in love will do reckless things from time to time. Why do our wits leave us whenever a beautiful woman enters our lives? Ah, that's neither here nor there. To continue, Sir Manfred appeared remorseful and immediately apologized. He explained the situation and I then ordered the servants to block off all exits. Almost at the same time my father arrived with the his steward, who had the keys. I took these and while motioning for the others to keep silent I made my way to the door. Silently, I motioned to Sir Manfred that he should run into the room as soon as the door was open. I then placed the key into the lock and withdrew my sword. It was my intention to follow Sir Manfred into the room and help him capture the rapscallion. When all was in readiness I unlocked the door and swung it open.
Screaming like a madman, Manfred charged in and I quickly found out he was a Paladin as he fired a blast of holy light from his hand. I found out later it was an attempt to blind the assassin. Unfortunately the man had jumped from the second story window in a desperate escape. My beloved Asha and her friend Leighla were below and while Asha immediately gave chase Leighla vowed to protect the young woman, I believe her name was Sathria. I have since found out that the young maid has passed away. When the assassin escaped Sir Manfred looked as if he could chew horseshoes and spit nails, however, he did quite a commendable job of holding his temper. He did mention he would kill the man if he ever found him. I could've reassured the Paladin that the man would never escape since Asha was on his trail. My Asha can track a fish in water, just tell her what the salmon looks like and she'll tell you where he was spawned. Mmmm, I digress. It appeared Manfred was angry with me for some reason, probably because he thought the delay in opening the door allowed the assassin to get away, but as I had told him, doors built of Golden Oak are not easily brought down and Asha was on the man's trail. He was going nowhere. Manfred then accused me of that very thing, thinking he was close to breaking that door down and I'd stopped him from capturing the assassin while threatening to chop off his head. Bah! Like I said, however, the man's love had been threatened so I shrugged off Sir Manfred's exaggerations and invited him to join me downstairs at dinner where we drank a goblet in friendship.
The only other contact I've had with the man has been here, in the Character Club. I find Sir Manfred to be stalwart, if stubborn and honorable, if a bit overzealous. I would be honored to count him as a friend and I hope he thinks of me as such, I don't thins he does though. He seems to bear an unreasonable resentment toward me, or my family, that I simply cannot fathom. I do not know of a single thing I have done to offend the man. I hope he counts me a friend after our last meeting. Although a friend stuck in the Character Club can do little for one who is able to live on in the game threads. Worry not, I do not enter into another fit of melancholy. I merely point out the grim fact. I suppose you are right in saying that it is better to live on here, in an enjoyable if boring atmosphere, than to be cursed to undeath. At the last Marcus drank another gulp of the fine brandy he'd been nursing as he told the story of his and Sir Manfred's first meeting.
We human beings are jealous, envious, petty creatures sometimes... just look at the reactions that strange fellow over there is getting." the Lich said wisely, pointing a bony, gauntlet-encased finger over to Ash.
"You certainly do not match the descriptions of what I've been told about liches and their ilk" Marcus said wryly. Then, as he realized the wording he used he backpedaled a bit, "That is to say, you make good company, sir." Marcus swallowed another gulp of brandy before he emabarrassed himself and his companion further. Could his speech be any more clumsy? Probably, thought the big man with mild ire.
Marcus raised an eyebrow as he saw the cat lay itself down by the fire. I don't think this sort of place serves milk, thought the large nobleman. Then he turned his attentions back to his new acquaintence, "If it is not too difficult for you, Gildenstern, I'd like to hear about your lovely Eurydice."
The grin that was stuck on Gildenstern's face shone happily as he continued on, and added, "The player was indeed Megachihuahua, who I have no experience with myself, but I am told that YOU are quite well versed with his dealings. ..." It was then Gildenstern remembered who had killed Marcus in the first place. His Mandible fell open slightly as he glanced to the sides, then nervously wrung his hands, his gauntlets clinking together as he did.
"And... that's my cue to change the subject and answer your question." Gildenstern said quickly. "Right then... Eurydice. I..." he paused for a moment, seeming a bit embarrassed as he hung his head. "It has been an awfully long time... I remember she was lovely... a fine wife to such an average man such as myself. I was not the scholar I am now, nigh a century later, and was thus even less impressive. She treated me like I was the greatest man in the land, though, and I still only wish I had known if I had come close to giving her the same feeling..." Gildenstern's eye sockets warped into a frown as the red pupils that floated autonomously in them glanced down at the table. "I was very blessed to know her, and I am sure our souls are quite content in our reunion with Christ. ... I only hope she was content with me in life. After all these years of being locked in a tomb and virtually without company, I would surely kill myself if I were to discover I had left her feeling detached and unsatisfied."
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