Island of Jeridia, Kingdom's Capital Square
"The Coeurls of our magnificent Jeridia rise up to challenge King Pandolfo's rule! These spawns of the void are menacing our culture our very own lives! Aiming to eradicate all that is good-" The crier in the capital's square shouted out towards a roaring crowd of the city's residents.
Among the crowd, stood two young men wearing a long black surcoat, with gold trimmings. One of them seemed to be at the end of his adolesence, while the other appeared to be in his early twenties. The youngest held an angular face, with dark brown hair that was properly brushed back, his face smooth, tanned due to exposure to the sun and the colors of his eyes a pale gold.
The older warrior that stood beside the young one, was far larger and bulky than the comrade he stood beside. His hair was a far lighter tone of brown, his skin as dark as his younger companion's, his eyes steel grey, a stubble covers the lower segments of his face and and his hair full of curls.
"Tsh, spawns of the void? It always amazes how the populace believes whatever people say." The older knight shook his head and lowered his gaze towards his younger comrade, "What say you, Bartolomeo?"
The young man swallowed as he was addressed, "Ildefonso, I...do not believe that- that's accurate. Grandmaster told us that they were...similar to us - simply, not educated properly..." He lowered his gaze and appeared full of anxiety.
"Bartolomeo, we're not here to -educate- or -reform- the vermin, we both know that our goals in the order is to fight them. We're knights, and from what I can understand out of all this - we're at the dawn of becoming crusaders." Ildefonso rested a hand against Bartolomeo's shoulder and grinned with plenty of pride.
One of the members in the crowd turned back to see both Bartolomeo and Ildefonso standing behind them. Their jaw dropped with pleasant surprise as his eyes fell upon their dark tabards, "By the Keeper! Tis the Coeurlslayers! They are here to strip save us from the menace from the Void!" The man's outburst attracted many that were listening to the crier's speech and barely two seconds after, the entire crowd's attention was focused on the duo.
People could be heard gossiping about the two knights, both men, women alike. The crowd proved to be overwhelming for the youngest, Bartolomeo as his cheeks flushed with embarassment at the sudden attention. "Bartolomeo - uhh - I think we should go." Ildefonso, says while grabbing Bartolomeo's hand and guiding him away from the intense crowd.
As the two traversed through the city's canal on a bridge made of stone, a man wearing the same black and gold surcoat marched by them. His hair was long and grey, his face rough yet shaven and the wrinkles on his face gave him the appearance of a middle aged combatant. The most distracting feature was the black eyepatch that covered the man's left eye.
The two young knights inclined their heads, "Grandmaster Manfredi." Their voices echoed together, and the Grandmaster before them smiled warmly, "I see you are both the last to be informed in regards to the recent earth shattering events, mm?"
"You mean...tis true is it not? We are going to war against the miqo'tes?" Ildefonso inquired, his expression filled with uncertainty.
"Mhm, I believe you've heard of the recent loss of castello Dolfino? Tis what influenced the King to bare swords and - from what I've understood, he wants us to lead the assault to reclaim it." The Grandmaster spoke, resting a hand against each of his two knight's shoulders, "We are to march tomorrow and assemble a siege, the King's forces will be there to join us." Manfredi was direct at the two, and brushed past against them to march through, "Now I have a final audience with the King. I suggest you both spend time with your loved ones before we leave Jeridia's hospitality."
