Post by Xavier Cross on Oct 15, 2013 15:14:58 GMT
Milk of the poppy, it came in a small vial, just enough to numb the pain. His hands released their grip on the med, his bare back wounded, a small dagger bloodied laid on the table as Maester Doug tended to the wound.
Xavier’s grogginess brought on by the Poppy milk was cut through, his eyes alit with fire. This was a strike in the face, only the weak attack a man when his back is turned. Honor was a code that would not be broken by his house, the man who did this was long gone. Taken on horse, back to his true lord.
Ryan Blade had escaped with his life, for now.
“The wound is not fatal m’lady…”
Maester Doug turned, speaking to the Lady of the North, Zelda Cross. Who looked exhausted, worried, and a slight touch of anger across her face. She had never approved of the young Blade, she ended up being right, though she would never tell her husband.
The bandaged was applied, as Xavier rolled over, picking himself up, his feet hitting the cold stone floors.
“Maester Doug...send Ravens...I want every Lord under my banner to assemble every man capable of holding a sword. The North unites.”
Maester Doug hesistates for a moment, before Lord Cross sends him a look, the Maester quickly exits the room, as Xavier holds out his arms to his wife, taking his hands he pulls her close.
“I feared death had clasped your throat….”
Xavier smirks.
“Alas my lady. It will take more than a rat’s dagger to end my life….What news do you bring?”
“...How did you…”
“Your face tells all when you’re worried, yet you showed no sign of surprised when I immediately spoke of uniting the North…”
The door slowly creaked open, as to answer his own question. There stood Lord Rob Diamond, a little worse for wear, but still alive none the less. Lord Diamond was a friend, a great ally to Lord Spike Kane. It seemed much happened while Xavier rested. Behind him, a man in simple black leather armor, clutching a sword in his hand, Ja-Quan, a former slave warrior known as the unsullied, taken into Xavier’s commandment after being defeated in battle. As loyal as he was dangerous, he followed Diamond like a savage dog.
“Lord Cross…”
“Lord Diamond? What honor do I hold to have you as a guest?”
The sarcasm oozed from Xavier's voice, but Diamond remained calm.
“Lord Kane has ridden ruthlessly, I opposed his decisions, and he tried to kill half my forces in our sleep. I was able to retreat, but not at a loss.”
Xavier stood, the Poppy still in effect.
“Of blood or pride.”
“Both my lord, Kane took my oldest boy's life, the heir to my keep....and the way your Maester hurried out of the room, you know that Lord Kane had been using Young Blade as a spider?”
“I'm sorry for your loss Lord Diamond.... though A rat..no honor in that boy, after everything I taught him.”
Xavier spits on the floor.
“Alas, he did not succeed in his mission, the Flayed Man will not be pleased…”
Diamond smiles, as Cross extends his hand.
“I have united the North, Lord Diamond. I will ride against Verona and Kane. I will overwhelm them both, and take the realm…”
“Then you have an ally in myself. I want revenge against Lord Kane..”
“Would you like his head piked outside your tent? Or placed along the Wall when we breach King’s Gate?”
Diamond gives a slight laugh.
“I want him to die at the end of my own sword.”
“Good...then I need you to do something for me. Call it a test of worth, it will benefit us in the long run…”
Diamond’s brow raises, as Xavier moves to the window.
“You seek out Steve Awesome...Ask him to raise my banner, give him what gold and men he needs. I will gladly pay any price. He will travel across the sea, and bring Lord Adam Knite back to his proper home. Tell him to unite with Adam Knite, bring what forces they have, what ships they have, and what gold they have. Tell him the Iron Throne will be open once more…”
Cross turns to his lovely wife, his hand finding her cheek.
“I rode by your side once Diamond, as we rode next to Adam. I ask you to raise your banners alongside mine. This Realm has been without honor too long. They fight for Gold. They fight for power….”
“And what it is you fight for Lord Cross?”
“I fight for my people. My love. My children. I fight for a better tomorrow. For unity. I will unite the North to take the Realm. I will unite the Realm…If Verona defeats Kane's Rebellion, it will give him the confidence to move North. If Kane takes the Realm, he conquest will move North. I will clash with these two false kings, I will take from them...everything.”
Lord Diamond begins laughing, as Cross turns to him, a smile on his face.
“They put a knife in my back, hoping to be done with me. Alas, they have woken the Wolf...Wolves hunt in packs Lord Diamond. You can count yourself a Wolf now…”
Cross holds out his hand.
Diamond eyes it for a second.
“As long as Spike Kane is mine for the taking. I’ll ride with you South and further.”
The two men slap their hands together. An alliance forged.
“Nor do you have to worry about me killing you, in your sleep….”
The two men share a laughter, as a Crow is making it’s way back to the North. Carrying ominous news.
Xavier’s grogginess brought on by the Poppy milk was cut through, his eyes alit with fire. This was a strike in the face, only the weak attack a man when his back is turned. Honor was a code that would not be broken by his house, the man who did this was long gone. Taken on horse, back to his true lord.
Ryan Blade had escaped with his life, for now.
“The wound is not fatal m’lady…”
Maester Doug turned, speaking to the Lady of the North, Zelda Cross. Who looked exhausted, worried, and a slight touch of anger across her face. She had never approved of the young Blade, she ended up being right, though she would never tell her husband.
The bandaged was applied, as Xavier rolled over, picking himself up, his feet hitting the cold stone floors.
“Maester Doug...send Ravens...I want every Lord under my banner to assemble every man capable of holding a sword. The North unites.”
Maester Doug hesistates for a moment, before Lord Cross sends him a look, the Maester quickly exits the room, as Xavier holds out his arms to his wife, taking his hands he pulls her close.
“I feared death had clasped your throat….”
Xavier smirks.
“Alas my lady. It will take more than a rat’s dagger to end my life….What news do you bring?”
“...How did you…”
“Your face tells all when you’re worried, yet you showed no sign of surprised when I immediately spoke of uniting the North…”
The door slowly creaked open, as to answer his own question. There stood Lord Rob Diamond, a little worse for wear, but still alive none the less. Lord Diamond was a friend, a great ally to Lord Spike Kane. It seemed much happened while Xavier rested. Behind him, a man in simple black leather armor, clutching a sword in his hand, Ja-Quan, a former slave warrior known as the unsullied, taken into Xavier’s commandment after being defeated in battle. As loyal as he was dangerous, he followed Diamond like a savage dog.
“Lord Cross…”
“Lord Diamond? What honor do I hold to have you as a guest?”
The sarcasm oozed from Xavier's voice, but Diamond remained calm.
“Lord Kane has ridden ruthlessly, I opposed his decisions, and he tried to kill half my forces in our sleep. I was able to retreat, but not at a loss.”
Xavier stood, the Poppy still in effect.
“Of blood or pride.”
“Both my lord, Kane took my oldest boy's life, the heir to my keep....and the way your Maester hurried out of the room, you know that Lord Kane had been using Young Blade as a spider?”
“I'm sorry for your loss Lord Diamond.... though A rat..no honor in that boy, after everything I taught him.”
Xavier spits on the floor.
“Alas, he did not succeed in his mission, the Flayed Man will not be pleased…”
Diamond smiles, as Cross extends his hand.
“I have united the North, Lord Diamond. I will ride against Verona and Kane. I will overwhelm them both, and take the realm…”
“Then you have an ally in myself. I want revenge against Lord Kane..”
“Would you like his head piked outside your tent? Or placed along the Wall when we breach King’s Gate?”
Diamond gives a slight laugh.
“I want him to die at the end of my own sword.”
“Good...then I need you to do something for me. Call it a test of worth, it will benefit us in the long run…”
Diamond’s brow raises, as Xavier moves to the window.
“You seek out Steve Awesome...Ask him to raise my banner, give him what gold and men he needs. I will gladly pay any price. He will travel across the sea, and bring Lord Adam Knite back to his proper home. Tell him to unite with Adam Knite, bring what forces they have, what ships they have, and what gold they have. Tell him the Iron Throne will be open once more…”
Cross turns to his lovely wife, his hand finding her cheek.
“I rode by your side once Diamond, as we rode next to Adam. I ask you to raise your banners alongside mine. This Realm has been without honor too long. They fight for Gold. They fight for power….”
“And what it is you fight for Lord Cross?”
“I fight for my people. My love. My children. I fight for a better tomorrow. For unity. I will unite the North to take the Realm. I will unite the Realm…If Verona defeats Kane's Rebellion, it will give him the confidence to move North. If Kane takes the Realm, he conquest will move North. I will clash with these two false kings, I will take from them...everything.”
Lord Diamond begins laughing, as Cross turns to him, a smile on his face.
“They put a knife in my back, hoping to be done with me. Alas, they have woken the Wolf...Wolves hunt in packs Lord Diamond. You can count yourself a Wolf now…”
Cross holds out his hand.
Diamond eyes it for a second.
“As long as Spike Kane is mine for the taking. I’ll ride with you South and further.”
The two men slap their hands together. An alliance forged.
“Nor do you have to worry about me killing you, in your sleep….”
The two men share a laughter, as a Crow is making it’s way back to the North. Carrying ominous news.
*****
Y’know. How many times am I going to get betrayed before I realize that I shouldn’t really trust anyone? Though I have to admit, rewatching it all. It was nice to see though I lost Blade, Rob Diamond grew a pair, and stood up for himself. Does that make us friends? Or an alliance?
They say, the Enemy of my Enemy is my friend.
I stand here, having plenty of enemies, but do I have a friend?
Rob Diamond?
Steve Awesome?
Joe Everyman?
Or do I only have myself? It’s not weak to rely on yourself, but the fact that you stabbed me right in the back Ryan. It hurts. More than anything I’ve felt in a long time. I wanted to give you the world. I wanted to be there for you, for advice for your problems. I generally cared…
And then you crushed me. You broke my heart boy….
I was in your shoes, rising up through the ranks quickly. I got a world title shot, my very first. I was taken under the wing of Michael “Thunder” Knight. I found myself becoming stronger, faster, better than I was before. It was thanks to him. But then it all changed. He betrayed me, took my title shot.
There I was, in a void, nothing. I had worked so hard, and in an instance, trusting this man. He took everything. You were afraid of me taking everything from you Ryan? Or was my shadow casting too great…
Now I stand in a position, to take your Man of Steel champion. I am unlike every man you’ve faced…
I will not talk about how you're overrated, you've earned everything you've achieved at this point.
I will not talk how I am better than you...
Because at this point, I'm still unsure.
Though when the chips fall, I plan to go all in. A little cliche, but I think it fits so well.
I will not talk about how you're overrated, you've earned everything you've achieved at this point.
I will not talk how I am better than you...
Because at this point, I'm still unsure.
Though when the chips fall, I plan to go all in. A little cliche, but I think it fits so well.
We fought to a draw once. You’ve been my partner...You’ve been my mentee.
*A rare motion we see from Xavier as he falls to his knees*
ROBIN NEVER TURNED ON BATMAN!
*he falls back, his face red, full of anger*
Never…
Now I have to give you one last lesson Ryan….One last…lesson.
To Be Continued
Well howdy there pardner.