*Conrad Sewell*
Conrad rode down the stretch of dirt road towards High King's Keep the seat of House Boru, the overlords of the West, the Earls of the Celan peninsula, or so they now were positioned as now, but they once ruled as High King's of the Celan peninsula, until 312 years ago during the reign of destruction when a great Lord of House Strongbow conquered most of the continent. And behind him was the horse drawn cart of his Lord Father Ormund Sewell and his mother Lady Alys Sewell, with the crest of a griffin, their houses symbol on the side of the carriage and their knights troding behind them further on their steads. Clad in the golden lion armor of their house.
"Halt" the guard shouted standing beside the great drawbridge which would lead into the castle. The castle High Kings Keep, had high white stone walls over a hundred meters high and were as thick as a fully grown man. He thought for a moment this is it, where Earl Bryn Boru has gathered all of us here to listen to his news. "I am Sir Conrad Sewell, son of Lord Ormund Sewell, you will grant us entry to the castle at our overlord's wishes". The guard looked over Conrad's shoulder at the carriage and nodded "lower the drawbridge". Conrad nodded back and beckoned the knights forth, they rode up to beside him, infront of the carriage, in preparation of the entry they would make, befitting of a Lord's entry to the High King's Keep.
As the drawbridge slowly lowered, he could see more and more of the castle beyond, the castle was bustling with people. All of the houses in the Celan peninsula, even the ones from the Samphire isles had made the treck across the sea, and now all was gathered here.
They slowly trod in, glancing around at the Lords in attendance, Lord Reumond Redmount, Lord of the Red Hills. Lord Fulton Breslin, Lord of the Pass. Lord Wyman Loane, Overlord of the Samphire Isles and even Sir Bran Boru 'The Bloody Boru' was in attendance. Formerly banished and stripped of his titles due to heinous acts but now it seems his father has forgiven him. But it was Davyn Ryle that caught Conrad's eye. Lord Davyn Ryle, Lord of Rynstone. Damn brat Conrad thought, 'The retainer of Rynstone' I hate that child, how come he's still a teenager and even has the resolve to be a Lord after what he saw happen his parents, he paused for moment, and he's a damn good swordsman too, I'd argue he's the best alive and could even beat Robert Lanyl in a one on one dual, why the hell is he so good and I'm. His anger was boiling and it was starting to show, he's cheeks were starting to get red and people were beginning to take notice.
"Conrad" an arm touched his shoulder, he spun around to come face to face, with Rox Mossen, an old friend and a member of house Mossen who were sworn to house Sewell. "Conrad" he smiled, "You can fight him later but first we must get a drink, after our long journey", he patted his back and started off for the nearest tavern.
Conrad followed keeping an eye on Davyn, as he walked, into the dimly lit tavern. He sat down at the nearest bar stool. "Conrad, what do ya think we're here for", Rox called over the barkeep and ordered some ale for them, then sat down opposite, with the two mugs full to the brim, "so what ya thinking" he asked slurping down some of his. "He's a damn bastard, how come he's such a cocky shit, being able to fight and all after his parents death". "That's not what I was asking" Rox cocked an eyebrow, "What's your fixation on him, Lord Ryle I mean", "It's nothing". His demeanor shifted and drank some of his drink, before answering the question, "Just, he's so successful for being a stupid Lord, and you'd think he wouldn't fight after his parents deaths," sigh "just a real asshole, I want to win all my melees, but he always gets one over me" he drank the last bit of his drink. "I mean like come on, give me one win, at least." "He is alone Conrad, no friends, no allies, just a man on his own path. Of course he has his vengeance, against the Lord of house Aldrich, But...." "But what! He would fair well against the puny Lord of the Marshes. Though, I guess I'll let it go for now", Conrad said ordering some more drinks.
*Later that Day, the sun was dim lit and shadows casted across the courtyard*
Rox called out "I thought you said you were, 'letting it go'" Conrad shrugged his shoulders, whilst he parried the attack of Davyn with his Warhammer. Rox mumbled under his breath "damn bastard, he's going to get us in trouble".
Conrad crashed down with a fierce blow, causing dirt to fly up in the air blocking his vision. Davyn rolled to the side out of the way, Conrad tilted his hammer and swung it, hurtling for Davyn. He jumped back out of his reach, then stepped forward, attempting to catch Conrad off guard with a premeditated attack. Slashing down with his blade, nearly catching him on off footing, as Conrad swung the hammer up to catch the attack.
When the dust settled, the onlookers could see the full extent of their dual, with equal determination set in their gazes and sweat pouring down their faces. Rox clapped his hands, he's holding his own, shit maybe Conrad could beat him for once. "Fuck, come on Conrad!, think of your reputation, if you lose infront of your own men".
Conrad pushed Davyn back creating some distance, "Bring it, Retainer", "You too, stubborn fool". They clashed again this time Davyn seeming to have the upper hand, as if he gained a new level of power. He pulled away, then swung fast for Conrads head. He struck his temple causing the helmet he wore, that was embroidered with his family crest to fall off his body and hit the ground with a loud thud. But that didn't halt his fury, it only amplified it.
Conrad charged forward with bloodshot eyes, swinging his hammer so fast an average man couldn't even see the movement. But Davyn was no ordinary man. He smiled and spun away, then on the follow up their weapons clashed and then again and again. Their was an unrelenting terror emanating from both men as their weapons clashed for minutes until, eventually the weapon of the mighty hammer, buckled. And gave way for the cold hard steel of Lord Ryle.
He stopped just shy of Conrad's neck and shoulder opening, and smiled, then stabbed his blade into the rough gap between the cobblestone of the courtyard. He offered his hand, "Better look next time, Sir Conrad".