Prelude to Peace

Virtus - The Vow

Virtus

The Vow

William Virtus sat on a bench in the park of New Brower looking sadly at the ground beneath his feet.  At eleven years old in a society that went to war every few years he had attended funerals before.  As the son of one of the most respected members of the Noble House of Virtus, he was expected to attend these ceremonies to ingrain the importance of the crusade and the heroism of those who died in service to it.  One day, he would lead a crusade of his own against the vicious heathens from rival nobilities.  That was what Virtus had done for centuries, and that was what his family expected of him.  But he had never truly felt the need to declare war on his family’s enemies until now.  He sat, lonely and sad on a park bench after the beautiful funeral that had been held for his grandfather.  His heart ached, and his hands shook whenever he lifted them off of the bench.  He was furious at the senseless death of one of the people he had loved and admired the most.  And worst of all, he felt completely powerless to do anything about it.  He had already spoken to his father about this, and his father had told him that a new war with the Eruditio would bring the revenge all of the Virtus wanted.  But first, a new Grand Crusader would have to be named to take the position his grandfather had left vacant.

            “Do you mind if I sit with you?” a deep, gentle voice asked.

            William looked up and saw his uncle, Lord Serean Virtus the Second, dressed in the same style black military uniform and blue cloak as William.  The family seal was emblazoned on both of their cloaks, but it seemed to carry an unquestionable strength when worn by this man.  He was a knight who had distinguished himself in battle against monsters, demons, and the other noble houses.  Everyone loyal to the Virtus held him in the highest regard.  He had left on a journey alone four years ago and had only returned two months before the death of his father, Lord Serean Virtus the First.  His face was strong and kind, and he held an aura of power about him that commanded respect.  Even his younger brother and sister, William’s father and aunt, gave in to his wishes when he decided to make them known.

            William nodded his head, moving over on the bench slightly to give the large man room to sit.  He looked up at his uncle in awe and before he could stop himself, he asked the one question that had been burning in his mind more than any other.

            “Where did you go when you went on your journey?”

            William expected to be scolded or ignored.  Serean hadn’t told anyone where he had been, not even his siblings.  But instead, the knight laughed gently and smiled down at his nephew.  His eyes were bright blue, and he had several scars on his face that were partially covered by his bushy brown beard.

            “I see you’ve been dying to know for some time now,” he said.  William nodded his head sheepishly in response.  “I will tell you, then.  But you must promise to keep it a secret for the moment.  I plan on revealing this soon.  I just haven’t known how to go about it.  But with my father’s death… I have waited too long.”

            He sat in silence for a moment, his brow furrowed and a look of frustration and sadness on his face.  William waited patiently for him to continue, the slight breeze blowing through his light brown hair.

            “For four years I traveled through the lands of the other noble houses.  Not as a Virtus knight, but as a simple man seeking understanding.”

            “Father says that the only understanding we need is at the point of a sword,” William replied.  “He says that they have killed us in the past, despite Lord Halvard’s attempts at peace.  And the Eruditio… they killed grandfather…”