The Knights Exemplar and the Die of Destiny

Now, in those days it was told that a powerful object, that had come down the ages from the elder days, was kept hidden in a high castle by a cruel King. It was reported that this object was called the Die of Destiny, a fabled relic that held in its power the destiny of humanity. It was believed that if the Die should fall into the possession of a person of evil intent, then humanity would, likewise tend towards avarice, cruelty and darkness. Yet, on the other hand, should the Die be held in the protection of one who was committed to all things good, then humanity would strive for the light and live in grace and harmony.

The Knights Exemplar, Vivianne Desgur and her beloved Constance, also a knight, decided that it was their duty to bring the Die of Destiny out of the hands of the evil King who held it in his high castle and deliver it into the keeping of a pure soul in whose keeping the Die would be safe and the world would move into a time of justice and peace.

And so it came to pass that they resolved to ride out to the castle where the Die was being held. On the day of their departure Constance was struck down by an injury incurred whilst training with the sword and it was decided, with much anguish, that she must remain and recuperate, but that she would follow Vivainne as soon as her health should allow.

Vivainne, in full armour, on her fine horse, resplendent in the colours and sigils of the Knights Exemplar, with her faithful pack horse following, set out upon her quest to rescue the Die of Destiny.

After some days she stopped at an Inn next to a church where she intended to rest her horses and resupply her provisions. As she approached the Inn she was intrigued to see many stones, rocks and feathers on the ground all about. On entering the main room of the inn she was assailed by the darkness therein and saw that the floor was strewn with more feathers and rocks. The few people there whispered furtively to each other instead of enjoying spirited conversation as was the custom and their eyes constantly darted hither and thither as if they expected a spectre to rush at them at any moment.

Vivainne inquired of the of the people there why were they so afraid and she was told that the village holy man or priest held the village in thrall. He had, in his control, a ferocious spirit in the shape of a great demon bird which he held captive in his temple. Daily he sent this apparition out to persecute the people thereabouts if they resisted his efforts to convert them to his religion. They begged the brave knight to free them from this terror and destroy the terrible bird and bring peace back to their village.

The Knight Exemplar buckled on her armour and took up her sword and shield, preparing to confront and vanquish the ferocious bird that the priest controlled. Just then a great sound of wings was to be heard and feathers and rocks began to fall all about. She held her shield above her helmeted head to deflect the attack and, looking out, she saw a great dark bird clawing at the building, dislodging stones and tiles, hurling them through the windows and roof.

Quickly climbing to the roof she launched herself at the creature and dealt several great blows with her sword, cleaving it asunder. Its head and wings falling in pieces to the ground. Gathering herself she went, straight way, to the church and found there the holy man hiding amidst the paraphernalia of his creed. She told him that if his god was such that it needed threats to bring people into its fold then it was not a god that she could countenance. She ordered him henceforth to allow the people thereabouts to worship whomsoever and howsoever they chose. She decreed that if the priest interfered in their lives again that he would have the Knights Exemplar to answer to.