Cup of Blood

Chapter 3: The Grand Duke

"Sire, we lack one of the chosen few. One of them has failed to be with us for their upcoming training to be soldiers, to serve our king."

"Yes. Light Talon. I noticed his absence. Now begone, messenger, and leave me be for the night."

"To be followed and understood, sire," the messenger left.

It was the Grand Duke, the nobleman, Neodymius Ascarlon, who, by experience and a little bit of cheat, is the greatest and deadliest sword of England, coming just second to the king himself. Known by the urban inhabitants, and some of the villagers in the outskirts of the kingdom, to be wise, just, and strong. He had won countless battles alongside the king, a loyal friend to the kingdom, and to Count Zetuhrikano Cuntradohugji. Indeed, this man is worthy of every description of nobility any one can give, regardless of their classification of nobility, and their statuses in life. The Grand Duke would be where he was where the messenger saw and left him be, outside the ship's cabin, near the steers and the ever so awake man of it, on the platforms of the vehicle where the starboard spear is located. A fine ship, yes, with the body, the hull, and all composure of it from hard oak wood, tried against the different seasons for durability. The sails would be of fine silk, but strengthened by layers of linen sandwiching the finery, tied on their own poles, also made of oak wood, with 2 pairs of poles horizontally placed to serve as the stabilizer for the winds and currents. There were 3 large oak poles, and the sheets were tied with leather ropes covering rods of flexible metal unto the poles. The body of the ship is strengthened by a thin layer of metal just inside it, taking the same shape as the ship itself, an alloy, which can, rumored, and tried to be true, deflect cannon and artillery attacks directed at it. The inside is fitted with oak wood, too, and shaped to be like that of normal large ships, but further strengthened, reinforced. Large quarters for the recruits, the chosen few to rest for the trip and the cold night, a cabin for the captain, which, in this sense, is the Grand Duke himself, and a large room occupying the rest of the ship's body, filled with goods and enough supplies, swords, and other arms.

The Grand Duke would stand there, going against the splashing air on his face, standing proud, seeming to challenge the moon's beauty and pride. The moving air caused his long, maroon cape to sway with it, exposing his clothing. A fine man, indeed, with red fitted clothing made from leather, beauty born in it with flattering ornaments of gold and silver designs embedded on it. The upper clothing would be long-sleeved, and respected the man's nobility with gold cuffs on the wrists. Inside the clothing is a thin chain mail, attached directly to the leather clothing itself, serving as a protection, and with the dual layers of protection, the man's upper clothing is virtually immune to piercing weapons. The clothing, although relatively heavy, did not hinder the Grand Duke's movement, as he seemed to be flexible as a naked man would be. He'd wear white leather gloves with padded palms for gripping, complementing his upper clothing. His pants would be made from strong silk and linen, dyed white, much like the ship's, but thinner, allowing more movement. The pair of pants sandwiches a very thin layer of leather for protection. He wore leather boots. Simple, black boots fit for military service. The entirety of the clothing is held in place with a black leather belt through the Grand Duke's hip. His longsword in its sheath on the left side of his hip. He has a rather built physical figure, which is contrary to his age of near-golden. He has black hair, cut like a military-man, but his beard is left respected. It could be seen that he had just shaved. Maybe a few weeks back? It could be since the beard is fresh.

All this through the night-long trip of the ship from the village where Light is, to the mainland. In the scenery, stars and the moon are more than visible, and the splendor of the night's beauty echoed through the ship, held hidden with the dark waters, as if no ship had been there.

Morning, and the ship had already met land. The mainland. Busy, beautiful, and majestic all at once. The Grand Duke, Neodymius Ascarlon had already woke from a good night's sleep right after admiring the air and view from last night. Several novices wearing sack-cloth would tend to the ship, tying it to the harbor with ropes, and left immediately to attend to other accounts. The Grand Duke set foot on ground first, followed by the chosen few, the recruits, to serve under the king's generosity. He'd land, the Grand Duke, and he'd be greeted by a man of the exact same clothing as he, but without the cape and the gold and silver ornaments.