Quoted By:
>2 SUCCESS: Pleasant companionship. With a little coaxing, the humble knight comes out of his shell for the evening. The two of you get along well and pass a pleasurable evening exchanging stories and histories. Should you two meet on the road again in the future, he will greet you as a friend.
<span class="mu-i">"Sir Mattis van Brooksvale, I believe we stood our very first vigils together in Aubrey.”</span> You offer your hand in the traditional grip about the wrist, greeting him as a fellow knight. Despite his origin as a commoner, by his very presence here at the final vigil he has doubtless earned your recognition in your shared rank.
<span class="mu-i">“We did.”</span> The non-assuming man nods civilly as he returns the grip, though you can see he feels complimented that you had remembered him.
<span class="mu-i">“To think, with all that has happened in between we'll stand our first and last vigils together.”</span> You double down with a warm smile, determined to win the man over before the night is through. <span class="mu-i">“I'll be honoured the share the Long Walk with you in the coming days. Please, tell me of your journey here, pirates surely weren't the only trouble you found along the way?"</span>
<span class="mu-i">“Brother Jesaul is overkind in his telling of our encounter with the pirates. Two midshipman had already given their lives in the defence of the aft before I was able to reach them.”</span> While it takes some time and not a little good-natured patience on your part, eventually you manage to elicit something more eloquent than monosyllabic responses from the withdrawn and plainly adorned knight. <span class="mu-i">“In any case I’d suggest that most sailors, honest and corsair alike, rarely have the benefit of decent armour in a fight at sea as I did.”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“A worthy achievement all the same, given the odds. I only meant to express my admiration.”</span> Brushing past the man’s attempt to moderate your compliment, you think you identify the real issue behind his words. <span class="mu-i">“And the death of those two men at their hands is not your cross to bear.”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“No, of course…”</span> Sir van Brooksvale turns red with embarrassment, his hesitation. <span class="mu-i">“My apologies, sir. I’m just surprised a man of your status is even talking to me. I would be honoured to have you by my side on the Long Walk too.”</span>
You turn to call for another drink and then, recalling that you are not at some roadside tavern but on holy ground, you instead have Mikail fetch you a cup of water.
<span class="mu-i">“I recognised your arms upon your arrival, the bear on a field of blue.”</span> Sir van Brooksvale continues, his brows furrowed in thought. While a guarded individual, your ineffable good cheer wears down his walls and in due course the two of you speak with familiarity and openness. <span class="mu-i">“I’m not blessed with a great memory, but don’t recall the chain partition at the vigil. Is that a recent affectation?”</span>
[1/3]
