The final days of Sir Gregor as told by his former squire, Fredrick Alfenshpiel.

I, Sir Frederick Alfenshpiel, will now write about the final days of my lord, Sir Gregor. Savior and protector of Faunburg, Troll Slayer, Wolfbane, Giant friend, Chapter Master, and lord of Fort Prosper. Among other titles, but I can’t really remember all of them. There is a lot to write down so I guess I should start at the beginning of our problems.

Recollection 1

It started the day we received that first letter.

I was sitting in my tower. Well, it wasn’t actually mine, but it was where I kept my things and slept when I wasn’t serving my lord. It was one of the corner towers attached to the walls facing the village. I sat at my little table, going over that days notes and village reports as the last lights of the setting sun poured in through the window. My lord was hosting a feast that night for some of the other knights in his order so I had to get all of the affairs in order.

As I was looking through the letters received that day, I noticed one had a black wax seal I hadn’t seen before. It looked important so I quickly finished up my report and left for the great hall.

By the time I reached the courtyard it was already dark with light coming from several braziers. I saw a couple of knights already arriving with their retinue. Sir Brick and his squire were climbing off their horses as I passed. I never found out if that was his name or just what he chose when he was knighted. Either way, it suited him. He was a mountain of a man and had a thick accent, like my lord. I always wondered if they were from the same regen, or town for that matter, but I digress.

He smiled and waved at me before saying, “Hello, young Fredrick! How are you this evening?”

I responded with a smile and nod before saying, “I am well, lord Brick. It is an honor to have you at our keep for the feast.”

He gave me one of his deep hearty laughs while patting his belly, “I wouldn’t miss a feast even if a dragon were to threaten me!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at that as I honestly didn’t doubt it, which seemed to make him smile more. I told him I had duties to attend and he politely waved me away.

Lord Brick was my favorite of the other knights. He always treated me like a little brother rather than a subservient.

I ran in through one of the side passageways and made my way to the back of the great hall. My lord Gregor was sitting at the head of our long wooden table with the fireplace behind him. Servants were coming and going with various dishes, trying to make everything ready.

I approached him and bowed, “My lord. I have the daily report as well as a letter I think you should look at.”

He regarded me fondly and I could tell he had already been in the wine.

“Ah! My squire! Thank you, you may place it on my desk in my study. I’ll have a look when I get a chance. When you return, you absolutely must try this red wine. It must be a gift from the Lady herself!” he ended with a laugh.

I tried to match his enthusiasm, but I was more worried about the contents of the letter.

I insisted, “My lord, the letter bears a wax seal of the likes I haven’t seen. Please consider looking at it now.”

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He frowned slightly, “Oh, you are allowed to lighten up from time to time, young Fredrick.” He took the letter and looked at it for a moment, his brow furrowing.

After a few seconds, he took a knife from the table and opened it. His expression got more serious the more he read. He set the letter down and stared off at nothing in particular.

“Squire, take this to my chambers and do not read it. I will need to think about a reply.” He handed the note to me, “I don’t want it to interfere with tonight’s festivities, though, so mention it to no one.”

I bowed again, “Yes, my lord.”

I took the letter and left the great hall. By the time I reached my lord’s chambers, my curiosity was on fire. I couldn’t help myself. I walked in and slowly cracked the letter open, but before I could read any of it, the feast bell rang. I tossed the letter on his study and left.

When I got back to the great hall, my lord Gregor was in the middle of a speech. He glanced at me and gestured to my seat. I quickly took it and he finished.

He raised his goblet high, “To finish up, let us toast to our Lady! For whom our Order exists!”

We all cheered and drank, then the room was filled with the sounds of eating and talking. I sat next to my lord so I didn’t really talk to many but I did get a good look at everyone.

There was Sir Brick with his squire and other attendants.

Then Sir Vonspire with his attendants. He was thin for a Knight, and sounded nasally when he spoke. He reminded me of a witch hunter or an inquisitor or something. His squire fell in battle a month ago and he hadn’t replaced him yet.

They sat across from each other and at the end of the table sat Sir Riggins. He looked like any other knight except for the near constant slight smile and the one eye that twitched every now and then.

They were all odd in their own ways, but to my lord, they were family. They had fought many times together and completed more quests together than I can remember.

The feast was going great. Everyone was taking part in the meal including the hired hands. My lord loved to make sure the help got to eat too. It was one of the many reasons everyone loved him so much.

Then Sir Vonspire asked a question, “My lord Gregor. This has been a most enjoyable evening but there is something of importance I must address. Sir Brick and I have both received letters from a new ruler in the realm of politics. Letters with a black seal.”

He held up a letter identical to the one we received earlier that day. My lord Gregor lowered his goblet and stared at it.

“I am displeased you used my feast to bring it up,” Lord Gregor said, taking another sip, “but I understand considering it’s implication.”

Sir Riggins twitched slightly before speaking in a tone I could tell was being controlled, “Oh? A special letter? Interesting, yes, interesting. So… what does it say?”

A shadow came over my lords face and he explained, “This new ruler, this King Draxis, has outlawed every known religion. The letter explains that all religions are to be faded out until they are extinct, claiming that the gods never existed in the first place.”

The air got heavy very quickly, and I along with almost everyone else, instinctively looked up at the statue of our Lady, resting in a nook above the fireplace.

Sir Riggins got a hurt look on his face, “Well…. Why didn’t they send me a letter? That’s very rude of them. Am I not religiousy enough for them?”

Despite the current emotion dominating the room, the knights couldn’t help but smile or chuckle at Sir Riggins, who in turn chuckled back.

“Well I for one downright refuse!” Came Sir Bricks deep booming voice, “Why, we are an independent organization and have been so for over a hundred years. If this King Draxis wishes to impose his new rule over us, he will have every independent knighthood in Pelexia to contend with. Perhaps we can come to some sort of agreement with the new king.”

“Perhaps, brother.” Spoke my lord Gregor, “I will contact the grandmaster of our Order and see what his opinion is. Tomorrow.” He peered down at his goblet, then raised it for a refill.

“But tonight, we will feast and enjoy each other’s company!” he stood and downed his recently refilled drink.

The others did the same and the room got amusingly quiet while they all stood and chugged. The rest of the evening was relatively uneventful as everyone drank, ate, and made merry. Eventually things began to die down as the knights and their retinue left for their rooms. Soon it was only my lord and I in the great hall.

“Your room is ready, my lord.” I said standing next to his chair.

He had turned his chair around and was staring at the fire. He was very pensive.

After a few seconds of staring he answered, “Hmm? Oh, yes. Very good, squire, thank you. You’re done for the night. Sleep well.”

I bowed and wished him the same before leaving for my room. Despite the letter and what it may mean, I slept rather good that night.