A plan made (David)

[Gespard de Chalons]

The Grand Tourney in Nevarra was over and Emperor Gespard de Chalons headed home on his ship from Cumberland, sailing in fast speed toward the city known as Val Chevin, where Gespard had planned to meet a few old friends. The evening had arrived and the wind gave the ship the extra speed it needed, but a storm was rising in the horizon and if they did not arrive sometime soon it could turn out to be a horrible trip. The ship wavered from side to side as it pushed itself through the sea, and the things that were not tied properly moved around. Upon deck the crew worked their hardest to secure the ship, while those who did not work, either tried to stand guard or relax.

Within Captain`s cabin, which had been given to the Emperor of Orlais, Gespard sat by the table as he overlooked the map of Thedas, focusing his very attention on the neighboring lands that surrounded his Empire, waiting on David`s arrival, the Champion of this year’s tourney. Gespard had plans, big plans and he hoped to put them all into motion soon. He knew that David would now become an icon and Gespard feared that if this man was not properly taken care of, he could possible become a threat, which was why he had offered David in the first place to accompany him on the ship.

As he sat there waiting, the candle lit on the table gave Gespard the light he needed and carefully he planned out the future. Gespard was dressed after Orlesian fashion, in his black and red clothing that made him look as the royalty he was, which had silver and golden patterns. Next to where Gespard sat stood his faithful elven servant, who obviously was scared of his master and who currently had a bit difficulty standing still as the ship rocked. Outside the door two guards stood constantly watch, and whenever Gespard choose to walk out they would follow him around. Emperor Gespard hoped to speak with David concerning what would happen once they stepped on Orlaisan soil, and he thought it was best for them speak before they arrived, hoping he could count on his support in the coming months.

[David]

David leaned over the side the ship, looking straight into the water. He could feel his stomach lurch and his nausea build, and he struggled to keep in his lunch. Maker, how he hated ships. He always got sick on them, no matter what. He thought after the tourney, he'd be able to ride home on a horse he was planning to purchase with the prize money, but alas, Gespard had other plans. Gespard had absolutely insisted that David accompany him to Val Chevin on his personal craft. David, while not exactly happy with the emperor, was not stupid enough to flat out refuse. He was, after all, a soldier. He had to follow orders. However, he would personally have preferred to stay in Cumberland a few more days, maybe have gotten to know Maria the dragon huntress a little better. He sighed, as he heaved out his lunch. Fate had other plans evidently.

Cleaning himself up, David wiped his mouth and walked over to the captains cabin. Instead of wearing his armor, which was still a little dirty from the tourney, he wore a light, white long sleeve shirt with a v-neck, black pants, and leather boots. Drinking a swig of rum to take the taste of puke out of his mouth, then entered the cabin.

"Bonjour monsieur Emperor." David said, still looking a little sick. He stood at the door, respectfully standing with his hands behind his back, not moving forward. "You needed to see me monsiuer? I must admit, I was a little surprised when you invited me to your ship. To be honest, I don't know what I did to deserve it. All I did was what I was trained to do..." Despite being showered with gold and praise from the tourney, David remained humble. He didn't want the win to get to his head, and in truth he was a bit sheepish about it all. He was a commoner, after all. He was still trying to get used to the attention.

"Will we be staying long in Val Chevin monsiuer? If it's all the same to you, I'd really like to go home to Jader..."

[Gespard de Chalons]

“Bonjour, Champion…” Gespard spoke in a grumpy tone as he reached for his crystal glass, ignoring the man as he looked down at the map. Then as he realized the glass was empty, he reached out his arm again for his elven servant to fill it up, and as the servant knew what it meant he obediently did what he asked without question, shivering out of fear as he tried to pour the wine while not spilling it. Unfortunately the elven servant accidently did, and Gespard`s clothes got soaked through. Abruptly Gespard rose to his feet and cursed “Oh, merde! Look at what you did? I`ll have you pay for this!!!” The elf grew afraid and as he put down the mug on the table, he went to his knees begging the Emperor for mercy. Then as Gespard`s anger grew, he slapped the right cheek of the elf, forcing him to fall on the floor. “Guards, I want this elf executed, now!” The Emperor command, and as quickly he yelled for the guards they arrived and grabbed the elf who pleaded for his life.

As the elf was dragged away by two guards, Gespard tried to clean his clothes with another cloth as he sat down again. “Ah, it’s impossible to find good servants these days. That is the fourth elf I have had to execute in one week.” He spoke angry and continued to rub his clothes with the cloth, but to no use, the wine was stuck to the clothes and Gespard had no choice, but to change later.

“Anyway, where were we…ah yes, I remember, step forward, please take a seat.” Gespard spoke with his Orlesian accent as he showed him with the palm of his hand where to sit in front of him, wanting to confront the champion with the things he had planned. “You are a great fighter, David, a great champion…here, take some wine.” He continued and took the mug which had been placed back on the table, and poured another glass of wine to the champion. “We are not going home to Val Royeaux yet, and yes we will stay some time in Val Chevin, but there is something I would like to discuss with you. Now that you are a champion, much is expected from you…and because the people expect me to give you a reward, I would like to entitle you the title Captain of the fourth Legion and I want you to accompany me ashore in Val Chevin, where you most certainly will be greeted as a the person you have become, an icon.”

[David]

David watched the scene play out in complete and utter shock. Did that just happen? As David watched the poor elf get dragged by his feet out of the cabin, clawing at the ground and begging for mercy, he was moved with pity. He almost reached out to help the elf, then realized his own tentative position. This man just sentenced a man to death for spilling wine on his shirt.... Spilling Wine.... Maker knows what he'd to do a man who defied his orders. Quietly, David took a deep breath and stepped forward towards the tyrant, taking a seat in front of him. At Gespard's offer of wine, he accepted, though after looking at it decided it looked too much like blood, which suddenly made him not want the drink so much... He took a sip in front of Gespard, then quietly, quickly, poured it into the jar next to the desk, looking attentively at Gespard as he spoke, holding the empty wine glass below the table.

David stayed quiet through Gespard's little speech, until he mentioned that David was now commanding the Fourth Legion. His eyes widened, and his jaw nearly went slack, but he was able to compose himself at the last second. He blinked, then looked at Gespard with a look of complete and utter shock.

"C-Captain of the Fourth Legion?" He replied. This was incredible. The most he ever expected to command was a company, maybe 100 men. He was now being handed a command of several thousand. He continued. " Monsieur, I do not know what to say. I'm honored. Truly. This... This was quite unexpected." Gespard wasn't throwing him in jail for usurping what had been the officially sanctioned champion. In fact, he was rewarding him with his own legion. He could scarcely believe it. Still, there was a sour taste in his mouth. He'd be using it to serve Gespard, a man who killed servants on near whim. It was sickening. Perhaps the legion could be put to better use... But one day. Not yet. He'd have to speak to Nathaniel, Cecille, and Phillip first. He nodded, and realized now would be a good idea to seem grateful, despite what had just happened.

"Merci monsieur. I promise, I will not let you down." He said, giving a small smile which hid his intentions. He continued. "How else may I be of service?" Which was his polite way of asking if he may leave.

[Gespard de Chalons]

Seeing the expression on David`s face when Gespard gave him the rank as captain was amusing, he could see the man wanted to burst out of joy, but remained calm. With a slick smile, thinking ahead, the Emperor remained seated in his chair as he listened to the words of the new captain and once he was done a man above the deck shouted that Val Chevin was in sight. Gespard took notice, but replied to David; “Good, it pleases me to hear you won’t let me down. However…there is one thing.” He said and added as he stood up from the chair, with his clothes still a bit wet after the spilled wine. “It’s good you offer your service, because now more than ever will I need you. Come, follow me.” The Emperor commanded and begun to walk toward the door, hoping David would obediently follow him out on the open deck.

As Gespard stepped outside and walked toward the railing on starboard side, he could see the city of Val Chevin in all its glory. An Orlesian city that was situated close to the Nevarran border, a place of great significance as it over the years had stayed vigil and intact during the many wars with their closest neighbor. One could see the green forest surround it, and the people who had long looked forward to see the champion and the emperor was now gathering in full haste at the docks to greet them. With a glance back at David, Gespard spoke with a conniving smile. “We are going to war David, and the troops awaits us. You`ll be testing your skills in combat very soon.”

“Now if you excuse me, I`ll be changing to something more suitable…and I suggest you do the same, after all, you`re their hero now. “ With that said, Gespard turned and walked back inside his cabin, thinking his plan was genius. David was an icon, a champion and a possible threat. If Gespard could use the man to gain a better morale among the troops, or be able to get rid of the threat, he would do whatever necessary, even killing his own champion in the midst of battle. What the Emperor of Orlais had planned out was devious, ever since he took control he had wanted to expand the Empire and put Orlais back to its magnificence. During the tourney in Nevarra he had spied, in the Free Marches and Antiva he had made alliances and soon they would all be put to use. Along the entire line of the northern Orlesian border, Gespard had mustered the army and with it, he planned to conquer Nevarra.

[David]

David sat in his chair for a second as Gespard passed, still a bit astounded at what had just transpired.  Dutifully, however, he got up and followed Gespard out of the cabin, and listened to him as he looked out over the crowds.  They were there to see... Him?  He still found that crazy.  

When Gespard mentioned war David thought he heard him wrong.  War? But with whom?  Up north the only possible enemy was... Nevarra.  "Merde" he muttered softly, as the emperor walked away to change.  "Merde..."

Before they docked, David walked down below decks and into his small cabin.  There, he found a small elven maid doing the finishing touches cleaning his new set of armor.  It had served well in the tourney, and as the elven bowed nervously, David smiled softly.

"Merci mademoiselle, you don't have to bow to me.". 

She smiled at that, and quickly left the room, as David strapped the armor onto himself.  He'd be damned if he ever had a servant put his on for him.  Moving his arms and legs, checking if the joints worked, he placed his sword and shield onto hid back and walked back up on deck, with the sights of the adoring crowds directly in front of him.  Immediately, he thought of Cecille, and his desire to see her again, and of Maria, the dragon huntress he'd most likely have to face in combat.  He was not looking as forward to the last one as he was the first.