The Prelude: A Clash of Kin
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Hello all! I noticed some people were sharing some incredible stories here, and it gave me an idea. I'll be writing here semi-frequently about events which may (or may not) transpire in my Tale, as well as some events which took place long before the plot of my tale occurred. This will (hopefully) give the characters I mentioned, as well as the tale in general, a bit more depth. That aside, I hope you enjoy!
Bodger nearly strangled his lance. Sweat was beading down his brow. He looked askance. He was about to engage in two activities he had never touched before. One may think that he was primarily worried about the potential for injuries from the joust he was soon to engage in, and they'd be half right. In truth, he was scared to joust. It was an activity reserved for the nobles of the realm; an activity he was never allowed to participate in. It was not, however, his primary concern. His primary concern was simple, really.
He was jousting against his family.
He hadn't seen his family in ages. They kicked him out long ago. "Bodger can't cast magic," they said, grimacing at the embarrassment. "He must go." They removed him without another word. Born in the comfort of nobility, Bodger was made to live as an urchin, begging on street corners for money. In the most dire of circumstances, Bodger rose to a state of near-prominence. He had found himself here, in a tournament amongst individuals far more famous than he, ready to face combat like he had never seen before. Until this moment, he never thought he would see his family again. A part of him had always wanted to meet them again. A part of him wanted nothing more than to be accepted once again. It wasn't until now that he realized just how foolish that was.
He had little time to prepare. He wore simple chainmail and a basic, wooden lance. His opponent's armor glistened like moonlight, his shield adorned with crests Bodger had long stopped associating with. It was apparent to everyone present: Bodger was terribly outmatched. Even still, a flame burned in his heart. He was determined to showcase his worth, no matter who stood before him. With that decided, he trotted his horse forward and raised his lance.
The two faced each other, ready for the contest that was about to take place. A trumpet sounded. To one competitor, it was a sound of triumph, a call to action. To the other, though he did not know it yet, it was a symbol of fleeting hope.
The two charged at each other in a flash. Their lances remained steady, aiming at each other's breastplates. Then, without warning, a bright light began to shine. Bodger was momentarily taken off guard. He saw his opponent's lance flash a golden light, shining like the sun itself. His opponent channeled this energy, harnessing it to imbue his strike with divine might. The energy exploded on Bodger's chest, instantly dehorsing him. The audience began to boo vigorously while the judges declared him disqualified, as such magic was certainly forbidden. Bodger heard none of this, nor did he see it, for all he could see was the golden light of his downfall. His opponent soon made his way to Bodger, kneeling down towards him. For the next several hours, Bodger would hear nothing but his opponent's words, cutting into him like blades of war.
"Back to where you belong; writhing in the dirt. Don't try us again, maggot. You don't know what else we're capable of."