Stalfost is a small township on the southern border of Haverly and Queten. It has a population of around 104 people.
This story belongs to a larger telling of
The Road to Darkmoor, please read that story for context.
The lead-up
Camdoria had been engaged in an
Assault on the Hallow Fields for months. A raven arrived to Sir Felix in the dying hours of the campaign, requesting their help with the caravan. The purpose of such a caravan was to deliver a chest to Darkmoor for safe keeping and study. The army escorting it were set upon, multiple times by Imperial assassin cells, acting on good intelligence, with speed, agility, and precision. As part of the planning, only the leadership of Bloodmoon, and one of the Darkmoor lieutenants (who died in the first ambush) knew the path of the caravan, and the day it was leaving.
Camdoria marched quickly to the location mentioned in the raven's message. They arrived to see the caravan under attack and in a dire position. They worked to secure the area, healed the injured and erected mess tents to house the Bloodmoon. After the initial setup, Sir Felix held council with Thorvig outside the command tent. During the discussion, Viceroy Damion Eagleridge, an emissary from Camdoria arrived at the camp and called everyone to gather. the following is a transcript recorded by the Camdorian scribe assigned to the Viceroy.
The Viceroy stepped forward, with the crowd hushing as he spoke.
"I come from New Versano on urgent business."
Sir Felix looked surprised as the knight unfurled a scroll and read its contents.
"By authority of the Lord Elect Mattias Ambrius
It shall hereby be known, that information pertaining to the actual, and current whereabouts of the recovered relic, were knowingly and with malice of will and intent, delivered to known operatives of the Tarvalan Empire. The result of which was an attack, and attempt at the lives of those guarding the chest. The council of the Alliance convened and investigated the matter with all available information. the result of this investigation reveals that Bloodmoon Clansmen were found to be the deliverers of such information;
Immediately, Thorvig spoke out "This is Bullshit!". The Viceroy paused to stare at Thorvig, "Hold your tongue, lest you lose it!" After a moment of silence, the Eagleridge continued.
"Scout reports showed a turncoat- only identified as Bloodmoon leadership, leaving the strategy camp the night of the convoy being planned, venturing toward enemy controlled territory. This, coupled with the staggeringly low losses of the Bloodmoon in current conflicts lead the Alliance to the conclusion that there was a mole within Bloodmoon ranks. It is the view of the Alliance that each leader representing their clan be held to account for indiscretions arising from the actions of their trusted leadership circle."
The Viceroy then lowered the scroll and looked at the Camdorian ranks. "Sir Felix, Seize that man!". The Camdorian paladins sprang into action, as the Bloodmoon attempted to reach their leader, the Camdorians rushed forward, cutting off any hopes to prevent the arrest. Sir Felix frantically trying to talk sense to the Bloodmoon clansmen as they screamed and barked their threats and cries to stop the madness. The commotion was brought to total and complete silence with Reigar Illion Cor, of Camdoria, placing his axe at the neck of the kneeling Thorvig (who was still in shock) and screaming over the noise, "Bloodmoon! Yield! Or your chieftain dies!". The silence was followed with Camdorian orders for the Bloodmoon fighters to drop their weapons and kneel.
Once Thorvig was kneeling, with Reigar standing above him, Eagleridge continued.
"By authority granted to Lord Elect Mattius Ambrius, of Darkmoor, the Alliance declares that Thorvig, leader of the Bloodmoon Clan, has been convicted of treason. The penalty of which is death. Under the eyes of the Court, and as part of the role of Camdoria, Sir Felix has been elected to deliver the sentence."
Vee spoke from under the grip of Marius of New Versano, "He didn't do this!". Eagleridge simply reiterated that justice was to be done.
Sir Felix handed the Viceroy his blade, and was instructed to take the sword (named The Court's Justice) from the pillow held by the Camdorian high priest, and to deliver the sentence.
For a moment, Sir Felix hesitated. He asked the Viceroy for clarification on the finality of the order, to which the response was that this was not requiring his interpretation. Sir Felix took the blade, and walked toward Thorvig. As he did, Thorvig raised his hand and muttered. "Wait!"
"Take my father's sword, give it to him yourself, and tell him you killed me." Sir Felix knelt down and took hold of the sword. "I accept, you will be remembered.
He then stood, handing the sword off to Marius, and turned back to Thorvig.
"Chieftain Thorvig of the Bloodmoon. By the Court's Justice, I, Sir Felix Bach of Camdoria, sentence you to die. Do you have any last words?"
Thorvig looked up at Sir Felix, and quietly spoke "I've said my final words." Sir Felix then delivered the sentence whilst Vee screamed, Thorvig's blood spilling down his chest and onto the cold grass.
The Viceroy raised his gaze the the defeated Bloodmoon. "You are free to return to your lands, Bloodmoon, your services are no longer required."
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