A Horseman's Last Ride

[DaveIronside]

The doctors had given Rhiannon permission to go out and about, it had been months and even the prospect of a lack of hair and a surgical mask she was excited. She'd enjoyed watching the parades of ceremonial troops at the Palace but today would be different, or at least her father King David had said so. It would see not just Morelanders taking part but also Bakkermayans and the descendants of the Koul family. The burial urns of the various members of the family had been transferred from Rokkenjima to Northfort and having spent several months in storage at the Royal Northfort University but today they would take what King David hoped would be their final journey from the Museum, through the Temple District and through the Palace of Northfort ground to the Ironside family mausoleum.


Fifty veterans of Red Legion stood ready to provide the escort to the urns and it was hoped that soon the Bakkermayan Horseman of Jekar, the descendants in military terms of the men in the urns. The streets of Northfort were lined with serving military members ready to provide an honour guard to the procession King David was even bedecked in his royal chains and crown meaning that today was effectively a royal funeral. Rhiannon was being kept in a car that would follow the procession as her father waited at the foot of the University plaza's steps patiently waiting for the visitors to arrive while he chatted with the Red Legionnaires.

[RobertAgira]

Grand Duke Hugo Lascelles was rather happy today. It wasn't his first trip to East Moreland but would be the first time he'd meet the King of East Moreland, a man he believed was the closest bloodline to the Gods it was possible to get. Even more exciting though was the chance to make a little history, the chance to lay to rest a son of King Paul the Explorer and a ancestor in terms of being brothers in arms. Hugo had considered wearing his old Horseman uniform but it wasn't as well fitting as it once had been in his youth so instead he opted for his Regimental blazer, and of course the long heavy cavalry sword that was given to every Horseman of Jekar when they passed basic training. He hadn't travelled alone, naturally the commander of the Horseman, Dominic Atkins was also in attendance. He was regaled in his dark blue uniform and just as Hugo had the long heavy straight sword. The pair had briefly served together in the Horseman and were close friends and had been looking forward to being in Northfort together for a few weeks now.

The last member of the party was the nations Minister of Defence, Ben Emmett he was older than the other two and had slept most of the flight over. He'd been working late into the night on the Water Nomad Policy and tried to make the most of his flight over.

The Grand Duke walked towards King David flanked by his two travel comrades, the Horseman putting themselves in order ready for the events of the day. The last journey of the Black Prince, a man who may be an illegitimate child of Paul the Explorer but a man who was a Horseman, the occasion therefore deserved respect and while the Morelanders may be taking the lead as this was a long lost great-great-etc uncle of the King the Horseman were still keen to leave their traditions on the day. "Good Morning Your Majesty" Hugo said with a bow. "I trust you and your family are well." Hugo spotted Rhiannon in the car and gave a short respectful bow to the Princess who he wasn't sure had even seen. "I have  a small request to make if Your Majesty will permit." Hugo said rather nervously. "Dominic" Hugo turned to the commander of the modern day Horseman of Jekar and took an object from his friend. It was a kind of funeral urn pedestal in the shape of a horse. "Back home in the Horseman's Regimental crypt each funeral urn is placed on a small pedestal such as this. It bears their name and rank, we're obviously a bit sketchy on some of the details of the Black Prince but we know he served the Horseman, would you permit the urn to rest on this?" He offered the pedestal made in carved dark wood towards the East Moreland monarch. It was delicate as this was a royal urn in many ways and linked to the Ironsides so they would obviously have the final say but the Horseman were just as much traditionalists and the Morelanders.

[DaveIronside]

King David was thrilled that the Bakkermayans had attended and especially more so that the Grand Duke had come in person. The pair had only ever meet briefly on a few occasions but this was the first real one on one face to face they'd ever had. David returned the bow with respect and shook the mans hand, "It's a pleasure to welcome you to East Moreland. I must say I've looked forward to having the chance to welcome you ever since your hospitality at the Temple of Swords." As he was introduced to each of the others in turn he shook their hand warmly. "Brigadier Atkins, our own Brigadier Kelly sends his compliments, and hopes perhaps you'll join him for a drink in the coming days if you have the chance." The King looked around, Kelly was going to be in attendance during the procession however wasn't around at the moment, probably off somewhere with his men. "And please pass on my best wishes to your men." It was then the turn of the Minister of Defence, "Mr.Emmett" the pair exchanged handshakes. "As for family Rhiannon is on the mend which I am thankful to our medical teams for so things are on the up. We just need to keep her away from germs and stuff, hence the car." David smiled as he gestured at the vehicle where she sat with a surgical mask on.

David looked at the pedestal that he had been presented. "You know our people are as stuck on traditions as much as your own. Especially military ones. If a Horseman has a pedestal than this soldier shall have one." David handed it to a Red Legion officer who saluted and disappeared off to put it in a position ready for the ceremony when they got there.

Behind the scenes final touches were being put to the day, squads of soldiers on horseback were checking saddles, bridles and various other bits and pieces of riding equipment. Behind them would come a group of Red Legionnaires on foot, their high leather boots, silver breast plates and red jackets making them a rather pretty sight in the summer day. With them were the Horseman forming the second half of the procession. Four urns, one to be carried by each detachment, the mounted and then foot Red Legionnaires, then the same lay out of the Horseman each sub section would proudly be carrying one of the urns. The streets of Northfort were busily filling, anything featuring the pomp and ceremony of the military always attracted big crowds in Northfort, even more so when it was like a royal funeral, a chance to show respect to their ancestors. The route would be pretty simple, march out of the museums courtyard, turn right for about half a mile and enter the southern end of the Temple District, a quick blessing from the High Priestess and the group would continue their march up into the Palace itself and there just the invited guests would watch the ceremony to intern the urns in the Ironside Mausoleum.

"Its tradition that the Ironside coat of arms on a standard will lead the parade and that I will follow behind its honour guard on foot, however I think today it would be appropriate for you to join me Grand Duke" David asked Hugo. "Plus I find it rather lonely out there on my own." The King smiled. He could hear the band beginning to tune up and within a minute they were on the road.

[RobertAgira]

Both the leading Bakkermayans were happy with how things had gone. Lascelles had his pedestal handed over fulfilling his obligation to a warrior long dead from his nation, he'd also got to share part of the parade with the King of East Moreland which was something he'd consider a great honour. Atkins on the other hand was now free to return to his men and was already looking forward to getting to catch up with his Red Legion counterpart in the coming hours. Despite the two units sharing a commonality of some traditions and even uniform it would still be interesting to see and hear how Red Legions inner workings functioned, they were an elite special forces while the modern day Horseman of Jekar were more a specialist infantry unit that occasionally rode horses.

Atkins returned to his men and cast his watchful eyes over them once more, a button undone here, a shoe lace untucked there. Things that to the untrained eye wouldn't have been spotted stuck out a mile away for Atkins and his Sergeants and while the men being picked up on felt disappointed the unit looked fantastic, their dark blue jackets under the mirror polished breastplates, swords reflected the brightness of the summers day as they were held vertically ready for the march. As the group set off Atkins smiled as behind him from his position on Walter, his chestnut coloured horse he could hear the clip clop of horses parading along while even further behind them was the rhythmic click clack of metal healed boots hitting the ground as the foot soldiers marched, their swords now resting on their right shoulder as they marched. In front of him were the foot soldiers of Red Legion, their helmets plumes flicking this way and that as they marched mimicking the tail of the horses who went ahead of them.

Lascelles nodded acknowledging the handful of Bakkermayan flags in the crowd. While it may be a parade in East Moreland it was clear that some Bakkermayans had made the trip over, likely veterans of the Horseman of Jekar keen to pay their last respects to a long fallen comrade in arms, although East Moreland was also home to quiet a few Bakkermayans who had returned to the Holy Land in their older years some from a sense of religious pride and others simply to fulfil childhood dreams. In many ways the Bakkermayans saw themselves as the little brothers of the Morelanders and while that bond wasn't as close as it had been at the nations foundation of the Dukedoms as the nation had lost its way a little as the various Dukes had sought to one up themselves. Now the Grand Duke was determined to make that ground up and what better way than a summers ride through Northfort next to the King of their bigger brother.

[DaveIronside]

A joint post


As the parade got underway the bands music echoed and bounced off the buildings of Northfort. At the head of the parade on their own horses were King David and Grand Duke Hugo Lascelles able to enjoy the padgentry of the day and chat casually as the music made it impossible for their conversation to be heard. Lascelles couldn't help but turn around occasionally to see the several hundred strong parade glinting in the sunlight behind them, he imagined what it would have been like hundreds of years earlier at the time of Paul the Explorer marching at the head of a group such as this heading off to battle. It was however when they made the sweeping right turn into the Temple District that the crowds grew larger. People stood on the steep steps of the various Temples to get a better view of the parade and at the top steps of them all stood their associated Priestess who raised their own swords at the parade offering it their own blessings, David and Hugo used their own swords to return the gesture as they headed for the Temple of Rolaf, the God of Death and the Afterlife. The soldiers halted outside and an aide held the reigns of the King and Grand Duke's horses as they slid off the saddles and along with those soldiers carrying the funeral urns made their way up the steps and headed inside. The Temple was full, various members of the King's family and important guests from embassies and overseas. The urns were placed on the alter and High Priestess Skye Maddix began the ceremony. There were prayers and songs just as there would be at a regular funeral. When it came to the part where an account of the deceaseds life was given to the God it was the aging historian Marcus Merriman who gave it. The truth was there was little to say about the figures, they had names, relations to the Ironside family and the fact that one was a Horseman of Jekar but Merriman managed to twist these into enough to fill what felt like an appropriate amount of time. Ideally it would have been a member of the direct bloodline of the individuals but that hadn't happened and therefore Dr.Merriman had done an outstanding job at filling in. As he retook his seat his proud grand-daughter the Youth Minister Amelia Merriman gave him a grandfatherly hug.

As the urns had now been blessed it was time for the next part of the journey and so everyone retraced their steps back down the steps and while Grand Duke Hugo swung himself almost effortlessly up into the saddle it took King David much more effort and a little sneaky help from a Red Legionnaire Corporal on standby for just such a situation. With everything neatly back in place the final march could begin and the band once more struck up a tune, this time less somber and more celebratory. It was more fitting as now Rolaf had accepted the four souls into his keeping whereas before hand there was always the chance he may reject them. The parade made its way up the hill and towards Northfort Palace, the Palace detachment of Red Legionnaires making an honour guard as the King and Grand Duke approached. Unlike those in the parade these soldiers were dressed ready for combat, rifles offered in salute they had determined it only proper to welcome the urns to the Palace despite being on standby. Brigadier Kelly approved of the impromptu gesture and noticed David had raised his sword to return their salute. The majority of the parade remained outside and no doubt when they'd been dismissed and sorted themselves out the bars around the neighbouring People's Park area would find themselves full as Red's and Horseman mingled and while there may be the odd small scuffle between them they'd all end up tipsy and swearing to be comrades in arms for life by midnight.

The handful of the paraders inside now consisted of ten Red Legionnaires, the same number of Horseman and the Bakkermayan guests alongside the Ironsides. Things became less formal now and Rhiannon was seemingly free from the car, her surgical mask still in place however. The Princess ran over and held her fathers hand as they headed around the edge of the lake on foot. "Sweetheart this is Grand Duke Hugo Lascelles, a friend from Bakkermaya." David introduced his daughter to their guests.

"Hello Grand Duke" Rhiannon said in a voice muffled by the mask.

"An honour to meet you Your Highness" Hugo said with a bow, "I hope your feeling better." He added unsure if it was safe to do so.

"I don't like my mask." Rhiannon responded, "I wanted a pink one" her addition making her father smile, if that was all she was complaining about then things weren't so bad he thought to himself. The family Masouleum came into view, the white stone dome that held the vast majority of the funeral urns of the Ironsides going back nearly 600 years, before that most of the family had their own tomb and it was that tradition that lead to the mystery of Paul the Explorer a tomb still undiscovered. As each tomb had been discovered through history the urns it contained had been brought here and it was a place Rhiannon didn't like and so David felt her grip tighten. David came here on certain occasions, the anniversary of the day Caspian, Rhiannon's twin brother had died. He came on his sister Joanna's birthdays and on his mother and father's wedding anniversary. As always two ceremonial guards stood either side of the solid oak door and now as the group approached one pushed it open allowing David to step inside the cold dark building. Rhiannon hesitated a second but then followed her father, it was strange the building was old and traditional in shape but its lighting system was ultra modern and kicked on with movement but even then it wasn't super bright inside.

Lascelles and Atkins felt like they were on hallowed ground and the Grand Duke spotted various urns, each labelled in with wooden name tags above their notch. "May I?" Hugo asked King David as he pointed to the far wall and bowed respectfully as David signalled he could proceed. Hugo made a beeline straight to the urn marked Robert Ironside, it was low to the floor but kneeling felt right. This was the urn of King Robert the Unifier, the man who had founded East Moreland and Hugo held out a hand towards it considering touching it but thought better. He stood after casting his eyes over it for a while and looked at the other notches as his eyes searched for something. He found it quickly, with the urns laid out in roughly chronological order it didn't take long to find Edwin Ironside. Hugo this time couldn't help but touch the urn and noticed that even though David watched him he didn't say anything. "Prince Edwin Ironside" he whispered quietly, "I am Hugo Lascelles and I am proud to be the Duke of the town bearing your name. You may have never ruled East Moreland but your legacy lives on." He stood scanning once more the urns, he had one more he desperatly wanted to see. It was there a little to the right, "Eloise Bakker" he said the name reverntly, his homeland was named for this woman as she had formulated the deal to unite the various Horsemans Dukedoms into a single nation, the final wife of Paul the Explorer. "My Lady" he touched it once more and found this time Brigadier Atkins knelt next to him. "We thank you for creating our homeland and hope we are worthy to follow where you lead"

"Bakkermaya will continue the search for the King until he sits beside you" Atkins said feeling rather proud to be among the first Bakkermayans to be able to see the final resting place of their patron. The pair stood and returned to King David, "Sorry Your Majesty" Atkins said to David, "As a boy you never expect to have chances to see this." he said gesturing to the building they stood in. The High Priestess had now arrived and on the small table that sat in the centre of the room she had the four urns arranged. Princess Freya stood with four wooden name tags each with a hole drilled in each upper corner to allow them to hang on nails above each urn notch. The tags could be moved easily as the timeline changed, everyone had been moved four places to the right to allow these new members of the Ironsides to be placed next to Eloise Bakker, they may have been illegitimate but they had been recognised by PPaul the Explorer and so deserved to rest here with their blood. More prayers were said and then the first urn, that belonging to son of Paul the Explorer called David. It was fitting that King David himself took the urn of his namesake and placed it on its notch offering a bow of respect to the dead before returning to the table. Next was that of Paul's daughter Edwina, it had been her who had gone on and had children beginning a new offshoot of the bloodline. David had hoped one of the Cole's her modern day descendents would have come to place the urn but with that not happening it was left to Princess Freya to place her ancestor in its position. As arranged the next urn was that of the woman named as Paul's Royal Mistress of East Moreland, a woman called Elise who died giving birth to David. The honour of placing that urn went to Grand Duke Lascelles, she was the first official link between the Bakkermayans and Morelanders and so it somehow seemed the right choice. The last urn was that of the yet to be named "Black Prince" a man known to be a member of this Ironside-Cole connection and a member of the Horseman of Jekar. Brigadier Atkins marched briskly forward and with one hand placed the pedestal before carefully positioning the urn on top. He stepped back saluted with his right hand and then said quietly, "Rest easy Horseman, your patrol is done." a traditional blessing of the Regiment, he saluted once more, about turned and joined the group. There was time for some exploring of the other urns for the guests while David found a spot on the floor where Caspians urn rested, he waved Rhiannon over and sat her on his knee.

"Caspian" David began, "Its me and Rhiannon, we've brought you some more friends" David almost whispered to the urn. "We just want to say we love you, we miss you and we'll see you again. Be a good boy." David somehow always felt a little bit better speaking with his son in this way.

"Caspy" Rhiannon whispered as she clung onto her father. "I nearly came to join you but didn't" David felt tears in his eyes. "I know you helped me. Thank you" she added and David kissed her cheek. "It'll be a long long time before me and Daddy come to visit you and I promise I'll take care of him for you." David couldn't help but laugh a little. "Daddy" she turned her attention to her father, "Can I bring Goldie to visit Caspy?" she asked meaning her pet Fennec Fox.

"I don't think so sweetheart" David stood Rhiannon up as he eased himself up slowly. "I don't think having a hyperactive fox around so many urns is a good idea." the pair shared a giggle before the King announced it was time to leave. David was the last out and took one final look around, he found the notch of Joanna his sister and the space to her right, a space that would one day be his own, or at least he hoped so and with that he closed the door and followed the rest to the Palace.

Inside the dining room a selection of foods was being served and a handful of invited guests mingled already, Rhiannon sulked as she wasn't allowed to attend because of the chance of picking up "yukky" germs and so was instead allowed to tell her security agent what food she'd like from the doorway while she headed upstairs to her room which unknown to her had once more been disinfected to within an inch of its life while she'd been out. Even Goldie wasn't allowed to stay in her room anymore and spent most of his days in the newly constructed play pen in the stables.

It didn't take long for little groups to form, the two Brigadiers found themselves a table, a bottle of wine and a conversation about matters of soldiering. Atkins hanging on Kelly's everyword keen to learn something new he could use with his own men. It was odd Atkins was in the prime of his career while Kelly was in the sunset of his own yet despite the age gap the two got along like a house on fire. Soon David and Lascelles retired to his office and a bottle of whiskey.

"Now I know I have been very lax in us not hashing out something between our nations earlier, but now is as good a time as ever. We've now four Bakkermayans who will ever be a part of this land in our keeping." David raised a glass of whiskey in a kind of salute to the four urns they'd interned today. "Now what I would like is to discuss a treaty of friendship between us and I think it needs to reflect the true special nature of our friendship." The pair sat for several hours, and a good amount of whiskey hashing out the agreement.

Recognising the unique bond shared by East Moreland and Bakkermaya

Understanding that both nations have developed as seperate entities

Acknowledging the desire of both nations to have closer ties

The Kingdom of East Moreland and the Six Dukedoms of Bakkermaya hereby agree to abide by the following.

1. Both nations shall maintain an active embassy in the capital of the other. This shall be staffed by an ambassador holding noble rank who shall when presented with a written request present themselves before the Head of State within 24 hours.

2. Both nations agree to gradually reduce tariffs on goods and services so that by May 2024 they are fully removed.

3. Both nations agree to share criminal intelligence and records so far as it does not impede national security.

4. Both nations agree to share military intelligence so far as it does not impede national security.

5. Both nations agree to visa free travel so long as the following conditions are meet.

i) A traveller possesses a return ticket.
ii) A traveller can prove they have sufficent funds to cover their stay.
iii) A traveller is not deemed a threat to national security.
iv) A traveller has no criminal record
v) A traveller is not staying longer than 60 days.

6. Both nations agree that each nations Record of Swords shall be accessible by the other. Should an individual be removed from one nations they may not apply to the other.

7. Both nations agree to extradition of suspected criminals so far as probable cause is shown and a fair trial is ensured.

8. The King Paul Tournament shall take place annually between Swordsman of each nation. It shall be held in each nation in turn.

9. Bakkermaya agrees to host a Royal East Moreland Naval Service pre-positioning ship so long as East Moreland pay all fees relating to maintenance and consumables.

10. East Moreland agree to permit 25 Horseman of Jekar to act as ceremonial guards on the Temple of Helus in Northfort and 10 to serve in the same role at the Temple of Jekar in Ostlake.

11. Princess Rhiannon shall, during her national service, spend 6 months on secondment to the Bakkermayan military in a role to be determined by East Moreland High Command.

12. Both nations agree to jointly fund the Grasa Foundation, an aid organisation aimed at combating poverty and hunger around the world. This organisation shall be chaired by the Lead Sword of Bakkermaya.

13. Both nations agree to jointly fund the Marissa Foundation, a Health Care Organisation aimed at providing medical training in LEDC and to prepare individuals to help in crisis situations. This organisation shall be chaired by an individual appointed by the monarch of East Moreland.

14. Both nations agree to joint Naval patrols of the Mhorish Ocean.

15. Both nations agree that an attack on the other shall be considered an attack on themselves.

16. The Heads of State of the two nations, or their appointed representative, shall meet annually to review and reaffirm this document.

17. Should any nation wish to withdraw from this Treaty that may do so given 30 days written notice.

Signed:- His Majesty King David III of East Moreland
Signed:- Grand Duke Hugo Lascelles of Bakkermaya.

"A good job" David said as he poured what was left of the whiskey for Hugo and clinked glasses. "In the morning we can announce this."

"Before or after the hangover?" Hugo asked as the pair laughed.

The door opened and Stasya walked in, "Ah, I was wondering where my alleged boyfriend had got to" she walked over kissed the King and sat down on the couch. "I think by the sounds of it your done?" she casually picked up the Treaty drafted on a piece of paper. "Grand Duke" she addressed Hugo turning the paper so he could see it, "You signed this?" she didn't wait for the mans answer, "You're mad, it could say anything. He may be a King but he's handwriting that would embarres and illiterate child." she teased David as Stasya and Hugo shared the joke. Stasya looked at the glasses, nearing empty, "I'll get another bottle" she stood to retrieve one from the cabinet David kept stocked in his office.

"No need Your Ladyship" Hugo said as he leaned forward. "It's 2am and I think I'm in for rather a rough morning" he stood as did David and the two men exchanged a handshake. "Good night Your Majesty." Hugo said, "Baronetess Stasya it was nice to meet you." he gave her a respectful head nod as Stasya returned it.

"It was my pleasure Grand Duke" Stasya said as she watched Hugo leave. "He seems nice." she said as she joined David on the sofa curling up next to him.

"He is." David said rather pleased with how a funeral had gone. "I think we've a new best friend." he felt a slight dig in the ribs.

"Lodja gave you a beautiful girlfriend to share your bed and love you" she reminded him.

"Yeah but you cost me a Drone Carrier." Stasya digged at him playfully once more before kissing him on the lips. "Worth every nut and bolt of it" David said as the pair embraced. David was content, Rhiannon was on the mend, his family were in their rightful resting place and he and Bakkermaya had finally ensured their two nations would become closer, something that should have happened decades if not centuries earlier. Today had been a good day.