"Echoes of Innocence: A Plague Tale" follows the story of Amicia de Rune and her loyal companion, Esmée, as they navigate the dangers of a plague-ridden France in the 14th century. Esmée, a young attendant and knight-in-training, has been by Amicia'...
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*CLIP-CLOP CLIP-CLOP* The sound of the horse's hooves thudded softly against the damp Earth as Amicia, Lord de Rune and Esmée traveled through the forest, accompanied by Amicia's furry companion, Lion. The sight before them was truly magical. Light filtered in through the leaves of the trees that caved in almost protectively. The scent in the air was calm and organically earthy. And the birds littered the air with chirps and songs. They'd risen early for the chance to make this journey into the forest together. Well mostly Amicia and her father. Esmée was simply along for the ride.
The young girl had been the younger de Rune's attendant since she was just 8 winters old. They were roughly the same age, so they basically grew up together. Esmée's father, Sir de Vaillant, had been a trusted knight under Lord de Rune, known for his exceptional skill and loyalty. He had married Esmée's mother, a diplomat from a distant land, in a political alliance that served to strengthen the ties between their two families. However, she had perished in travail, leaving Esmee in the sole care of her father.
Esmée had inherited her mother's darker complexion, which had already set her apart from most of the people in the French court. But she'd also grown up under her father's tutelage, learning the ways of the sword and the importance of loyalty and courage before she knew how to walk. Esmée's father had loved her fiercely, even if he had initially hoped for a son. Alongside his informal training, he ensured Esmée was educated in the etiquette befitting a young noble of her status and additional convent education to secure her a brighter future.
It was this unconventional upbringing that led Esmée to where she was now. When tragedy struck, Lord de Rune had taken the uncustomary step of bestowing her father's title upon Esmée, promising her a future as a knight in her own right.
Esmée and Amicia were roughly the same age, and they had grown up together within the domain. While Esmée trained in the ways of knighthood, honing her skills in swordsmanship and tactics, she also served as a companion and attendant to the young Lady Amicia. With Amicia's mother, Lady Béatrice, often absorbed in her alchemical studies, and Lord de Rune constantly occupied with the management of the land and people, Amicia found great comfort and friendship in Esmée's presence.
As the group made their way through the forest, they came across the small clearing they'd seen many times before. Lord de Rune was the first to dismount his horse, followed shortly by Esmée and finally Amicia. While the first two made quick work of tying their horses' reins to the hitching post that stood hidden under the shade of a particularly large tree, Amicia took her time to pet her horse's snout and run her fingers through its mane.
"You are dawdling Amicia!" Lord De Rune called out as he began to make his way further into the forest by foot. "How will you be able to follow the lords at hunt?"
Esmée stood her place, waiting for Amicia to begin walking before she could follow behind. She couldn't help the smile that graced her lips at the playful banter between the father and daughter duo. The lightheartedness of it all reminded her of her own father. She'd have to visit him soon.
