Stories with Amurru, Chapter Three: The Crimson Sword

Twenty-Seventh Day, Second Moon,
Twenty-Third Year of Recent Awakenings

In accordance with the will of Her Majesty and in upholding the duties charged to me as Senior Chronicler, I hereby submit the account of Stories with Amurru, Chapter Three: The Crimson Sword.

Shortly before at seventh late bell on the twenty-sixth day of this moon Amurru the Mountain and Princess Maveen returned for a third round of ‘story time’. Amurru was again proceeded by an earthy scent through the halls. He eventually materialized within the Observation Gallery.

His voice rumbled as he shared his greeting with those present, "Ahhh, good champions of Castle Marrach! Amurru greets you all, noble friends." A tufted ear twitched as deference and greeting were returned to him in kind. Amurru then turned his gaze on the denizens, seeking the first story of the evening.

Sera Euphelia lifted her hand, offering her own story from near fifteen years past. She told the tale of how she came to ride a rodent of the most unusual size.  Though the tale was speckled with humorous moments it was also touched with somber moments. She relayed the injuries and illnesses caused by the creatures. She also spoke of a visit from Dame Selune and how she eventually became healed. Amurru expressed pleasure with the tale as he relayed, "Excellent! Even the smallest mouse can have the heart of a lion."

Following the tale, streams of orange and white light were once again pulled into being. The wisps coiling and churning before Amurru the Wise released them. The sphere floated across the room before they had been absorbed by the pedestal. He turned again seeking the next tale to feed the castle.

This time it was sera Aleysia that offered to share her memories. She also spoke of memory from a time long ago. She touched on when the darkness of the Nightmare invaded the castle. She shared not only about the creatures and monsters crazed and attacking from the push but also of the feelings and lostness that it brought with it. She touched on how in such a time the keep came together. Despite the panic and fear, the castle banded together as it so often does.

She concluded the story of her memory with a touching moral, "I tell you this now, because... Marrach's strength is not always in our heroes and Champions, but in ordinary people coming together, to accomplish the extraordinary. We have never not risen to the occasion for our Queen and Castle, and the stones know this. And now, maybe more than ever, we need that boost to remind us what is possible when we come together."

The final story for the evening came from Mistress Taite. She spoke of how shortly after her awakening that many in the castle took ill due to a rest mist. She spoke also of how people came together to fight this burning sickness. She explained that there was a cure but it required a blossom.  The denizens of the castle were able to retrieve this blossom but it was also needed to restore His Highness for a different condition.  She spoke of how touched she was by the loyalty of the denizens as each of them refused the cure in preference of saving His Highness. She went on to explain how this had inspired her since her awakening.

The pedestal began to glow a soft amber color. Amurru explained that the next chapter was ready for those present to delve into. This time some of those present had not completed the second chapter. Those gathered were divided into three separate groups. Two groups went into the third chapter and one into the second chapter.

The third chapter began on the bridge, where the tension was palpable. The group interacted with the memory, hearing bits and pieces from the crowd. It became obvious that this memory was of Dame Keterin and her battle against ser Jeffery. The details of that Chronicle can be seen here.

Ser Jeffery tried to reason with the Dame and when that did not work he continued to fight until he could not anymore. The Dame's rune-covered obsidian longsword, Balemourn, adorned in a crimson aura that seemed to possess a life of its own. The crimson flashed each time it met ser Jeffery’s sword.  The memory, much like those before, was harsh to witness and drew a reaction from each of the denizens present.

Despite ser Jeffery’s valiance as he continued to fight and reason with the Black Dame, he fell.  Though he still pressed forward, sacrificing himself and causing injury to the Dame’s armor. As the Dame faded from view the dream began to shift and blur, transporting the group into another room.

The next area revealed by the dreamscape proved to be Dame Keretin’s room. Many of the objects appeared covered in a coating of dust, there were quite a few things that stood out. One is a painting of the Dame herself, hung on the wall behind her desk, a stark contrast to how we know the Dame now.  Warm doe brown eyes and a softer, blushing expression are only a few of the differences between the picture and present Dame.

Those present had to explore and rummage through the room. As they did so they learned not only about the Dame but the things she had been investigating before her death. As new scrolls were uncovered it felt as though small pieces of the puzzle were being put together.  After uncovering four separate scrolls, it felt as though the group had learned all it could from the memory as it began to shimmer.

Those waking were greeted by Amurru once more. He asked after what had the castle had shown. Questioning if the denizens of the castle had gained what they sought.  When it was explained that we instead found what was needed he shared a tidbit of wisdom, "Sometimes we seek what we need, not knowing if we want it."

He asked about the next chapter and its title, which proved to be ‘Seeking Shelter’. He spoke with those he lingered, explaining that there were only two chapters left, at least for this tale. He warned that the further we pressed into the story the more dangerous it could become. Amurru the Wise promised to return within a few days to help Castle with the next chapter. As he turned to dust, he left behind those still processing the night's events and what was to come.

Those present for this event included Amurru the Mountain, Princess Maeveen, Sejeant Kathris, Master Ammanas, Mistresses Rikka and Taite, sers Cordon and Jeffery, seras Aleysia, Arlenia, Euphelia, Trenna, Umichan and this chronicler.



This chronicle will be subject to changes and corrections. I humbly ask all readers to please indicate to me discreetly, any falsehoods I may have mistakenly communicated. It is by means of the conservation of the Past that we continue to serve Her Majesty and give substance to those that follow.

In service to Her Majesty Queen Vivienne, The Office of the Chronicler, and the Denizenry of Her Majesty's Realm.

Sera Kaira
Senior Chronicler