A story of a Crimsonheart

[Revan Noctis]

Revan had once more returned to the peaceful tranquility that seemed to make up the civilised lands of this nostalgia inducing verse. The grass was green and the red maple trees blossomed bright in the soft sun.
Massive spires were raised high into the sky, their tips coloured a bright red that matched the surrounding foliage. Revan had been travelling with a caravan of levies that had been raised from this county. The soldiers here were clad in red instead of the blue that had adorned the soldiers assisting the reclaiming of Midred. 
Crossing a stone bridge he approached a large gate guarded by spearmen who quickly stepped aside as the wooden defences opened wide revealingly the hustling busy activity inside. 

Soldiers stood guard at key points around the courtyard, others raced around in noble clothing dodging and weaving between marching troops. The soldiers Revan followed moved through the courtyard past armoured knights to the far back.

“Follow us.” said a Sergeant leading Revan forward toward more ornate painted glass doors.

Inside an empty throne at the far back of a hall awaited their arrival with the Sergeant and his men pushing past him to hurriedly make their way towards the chair. Revan walked in slowly, his cape swaying steadily behind him as he made his way behind the levies to their intended destination coming to a stop a few metres from the throne.

A man came out dressed in black silk and looked over the group before his eyes landed on Revan, he held his gaze causing Revan to feel a bit uncomfortable before the man broke the gaze and opened his mouth. “Lady Oviah Crimsonheart comes to speak with you.”

Revan waited a few extra patient moments before finally Oviah stepped out from the side entrance, a youthful child with a white flowing dress that brushed along the hard wooden floor made her way toward her red and black throne. The girl did her best to adjust herself in the overly large chair, her eyes were red and one could easily tell she had been in tears a moment earlier.

“Who are you?” she asked Revan immediately.

“I am Revan Noctis, I’m a Prime that fought with your forces at Midred.” Revan had a sinking feeling as he remembered the name Crimsonheart.

“I am told my father perished facing a large dragon, a dragon which I am also told you were the one to slay.” the girl spoke calmly and Revan had to admit the girl was quite skilled at keeping her composure.

“Your father saved my life, and the lives of many good people, I at the time must confess that I did not know what a dragon even was.”

“Why have you come here?” she asked next demanding an answer.

“The kingdom military forces were needed to make repairs, I was leaving anyway and chose to volunteer to deliver condolences.”

“Tell me what will you do now?” she inquired treating him as if he were suspicious.

“Well I’m not so sure, I had hoped to stay here awhile.” Revan answered truthfully not really knowing what his path was from here.

“Leave.” she said to the Sergeant.

With a bow the Sergeant and his men began walking back down the hall toward the exit. The lady Oviah looked at Revan with a hint of what he hoped was simple curiosity.

“Revan, I wish for you to become my personal bodyguard” she said calmly waiting and watching for a reaction.

Revan for a moment froze, he had memories of his time spent protecting the King that he once served, defending from the many threats that a feudal world offered. Since coming here he had thought the days of being bound to nobles were over but here was this girl asking him to once more take up his sword in her name.

“I’m unsure how to respond.” Revan said considering the offer.

“You misunderstand, I am commanding you to become my new bodyguard!”

“I’m sorry?” Revan asked noticing the girl raise her voice.

“To make up for my fathers passing you will serve me until I feel I have no further need of you.” the girl got up from her throne and stepped toward him.

“Or you can rot in the dungeon for the rest of your existence.”

This girl was truly threatening him, he had felt sorry for her a moment ago but that pity had been replaced with a feeling of a burning anger. He could have drawn his sword right there but looking back into her eyes he did not see one that would follow through on her threat. He bowed his head accepting this temporary fate.

“I will offer my services to you in repentance for your fathers untimely passing.” Revan figured the kingdom had to be fairly safe after all.


An old woman in a grey dress hunched forward gripping tightly a bright lamp as she climbed the winding stairs of one of the towers. Revan continued following her down one of the corridors that lead to a large wooden door.

“This will be your room, it hasn’t been cleaned in a long time but you should find it has everything you could possibly want for a man in a position such as yourself.” the old woman said turning around and slowly making her way back.

Revan grasped once more a large brass key and entered it into the keyhole giving it a turn. The door created open as a cloud of dust blew over him causing him to hackle a few times as he entered. Inside was a basic dark wooden room with a small table and a bed and a chest and drawers off to the side. The blanket and pillows were a deep crimson with black markings that made him wonder if they meant something.

Shutting the door he made his way toward the bed and turned around and sat himself upon it. The bed wasn’t the most comfortable but it was better than a roll in a tent or a cell for that matter. This was where he was going to be sleeping for as long as he was in servitude to this girl named Oviah who as he understood would soon be claiming her fathers title, just as soon as the necessary officials made their way to the county.

He wondered just what threats Maple Falls would even have and how hard his work would be. He began to prepare for sleep in the strange bed that was now adopted as his own, laying down his eyes began to collapse overencumbered with the weight of the journey he had undertaken to get here. A few mere moments longer he drifted off into the black.

[Revan Noctis]

Revan had very early in the morning awoken and though he still felt a bit tired exited his room and went on a trek to explore the castle. His stroll came to a quick end however as the old woman from the night before found him and motioned him over.

“The Lady wishes you to join her for a private meal.” she said slowly before turning and leading Revan to where the meal was taking place.

Revan followed examining the paintings on the walls that showed the history of this county, it seemed the noble family had it requisitioned soon after their arrival. Pictures of demons told him they had suffered great challenges in the past. Arriving at a small wooden door Revan followed the old woman inside, seated alone at the table was Oviah herself, she did not turn to greet him but stared down at the table cloth which was quite pretty and had a picturesque maple tree printed upon it.

The old woman turned and left as Revan slid out a wooden chair from the opposite side of the table. Her dark blonde hair flowed down to her shoulders and she wore a more standard red dress. There was only silence for awhile as they awaited their meals. A cook and an assistant came out with a trolley of various pastries and parked it next to the table handing a couple of the finest pies to Oviah before moving it closer to Revan for him to make his choice. He grabbed a couple pies himself, one that looked like apple and another he hoped was meat.

The two servants wheeled the trolley out leaving the two alone once more. “Pies are good.”

“Yes, they sure are.” Revan replied to the comment.

“Thank you for agreeing.” she said cutting up her apple pie further and pouring some sort of sauce over it.

“You’re welcome, I think.” Revan replied wondering why the one that had threatened him was now thanking him as if it had been entirely voluntary.

“I’m sure you’re confused, I want you to know the girl that you met yesterday wasn’t the real me.” she looked up at him as if she showed true regret in what she had done.

“It’s necessary that I avoid seeming weak or else those that would usurp my position grow in strength.”

“Times must be tough.” Revan replied understanding a bit of the politics and drama involved.

“It was my hope you would accept my offer based on what occurred but even so this county faces great turmoil and without my father’s influence my life is now in peril.” her eyes had now become pleading.

“I am willing to help you but threatening me with the dungeon was wrong.” Revan proclaimed as he began using cutlery to cut open the apple pie.

“Which is why I asked you here, to apologise and let you know that I want your wisdom as well as your skills as a warrior.”

“You mean you need me to help you with your political and moral decisions?” Revan asked feeling like more pressure was being put on him than agreed.

“This county is peaceful but there are many that would rather see that peace crumble for a greater chance at personal wealth and power.”

“You believe me able to handle all of this?” Revan asked wondering where he’d even begin.

“No, just protect me until I have the respect and authority of the troops and the stability my father once spoke of is restored.”

“I agree to these terms, but what exactly will you do today?” Revan asked figuring out that her duties were going to be his as well.

She waited as Revan took some large bites from his pie and quickly swallowed them, admittedly they were great.
Brushing an empty plate aside she looked at Revan for a few moments studying his weird clothing style.

“Why do you wear a hood?” she asked curiously.

“I’m quite efficient with a bow, it keeps me from being effected by environmental conditions and it is just what I prefer.” Revan had never been asked such a question before but then he rarely spoke to children.

“You seem very outfitted for being out in the wilds.” Oviah commented having looked Revan over much better now.

“I’m a ranger it’s what we do.” Revan replied adjusting his collar awkwardly.

“But there’s more to you than that, you must have had a former life?” she asked clearly wanting more answers.

“I served royalty once as a soldier, it wasn’t happy but I’ll confess there were no demons or hordes of undead to worry about.” Revan said slightly annoyed at having to be honest.

“I’m sorry, I just wanted to know, sounds like things were the best for you in your old world either.”

“We have to talk to representatives of different interests today as well as those that would represent the different races that make up our county, some of them will possibly be conspiring but I’m told by my advisors I should proceed slowly.” Oviah seemed to be in a world of political strife.

“If you have advisors why do you need my assistance.” Revan asked not understanding her reasons.

“Because I want someone with outside experience, somebody that would fight alongside my father voluntarily sounds like a good place to start.”

“Then I will offer you only my best when I am serving in your name” Revan replied believing he finally understood. 

“Thank you Revan, that truly means more to me than you know.” she said drinking down a glass of water.

“Tell me a bit about your advisors.” Revan said desiring more information.

“Well I know that they hide things from me, I know the people don’t believe in me as they did my father.”

“Do you have no other family?” Revan asked wondering why only her and her father had been mentioned.

“No, my mother died when I was little and my father raised me alone, the rest of my family died in the war with the demons.”

“My apologies.” Revan said understanding the hardships the girl must have gone through.

“I suppose you’re on a tight schedule?” Revan said feeling sort of excited.

“We have many visitors coming to meet with us today, finish your food and we’ll have time to go over some of them ahead of time.” Oviah said with a small grin.

[Revan Noctis]

The majestic throne room was overwrought with bustling activity from the many guards and nobles that filled the hall after preparations had been made for the other races to make their grand introductions. As had been explained to him prior this was a way for a new ruler to gather allies and influence from the non human population, Revan couldn’t help however to notice that only humans filled the ranks of both the military and the nobility. The young Lady Oviah had seated her small frame upon her ornate throne. Her long red and black dress touching the floor. Her blonde hair tied in a pony tail behind her head resting on her exposed neck. Her green eyes watched anxiously as her first meeting with the representatives began.

Revan remained at her side, his job was to make sure none of the representatives attempted any violence towards the child who was still extremely vulnerable having had just lost her father. The man had valiantly marched with his men to defend a city under siege by a white dragon that controlled many dark and corrupting energies.

The first to enter the brightly lit hall was a representative of the Dwarves. This was the first time Revan had layed eyes upon one but they were as had been described short and bearded. This dwarf entered with only one other at his side, another dwarf who was dressed in a grey robe and held a staff that extended just above his head with a red tip. The Dwarf to step forward was clad in blue chain mail and he stroked his brown beard perhaps a sign of being as nervous with this meeting as Oviah herself was.

“Lord Emlyn Whiteaxe of the Dwarves thank you for coming.” Oviah said calmly.

“Lady Oviah, my condolences for the loss of your father.” the Dwarf noble said in a deep gruff voice.

“Thank you Lord Whiteaxe.”

“If you wish our current trade deals will continue as they did with your father, it would be best that after what happened with Midred you expanded your military forces and we are prepared to assist in their arming and supply.”

“Thank you Lord Whiteaxe your offer will be considered.” Oviah replied as the Dwarf noble bowed and left the hall.

The next representative was an even smaller being that wore a green dress and cloak and looked incredibly frail yet strangely far more confident. The Gnome stopped and gave an incredibly short bow which Revan could not deny looked a bit silly considering how close to the ground she already was.

“Lilli Celwyn of the Gnomes, I am pleased you came.” Oviah said with a smile clearly trusting this race.

“Lady Oviah, a pleasure it is to see you again.”

“What happened to your father was a tragedy but Gnome ingenuity and innovation has never been greater, we will offer what we can in your defence.” Lilli and Oviah smiled at one another before the Gnome turned and made an exit as fast as her small legs could carry her.

Everything seemed to be going well so far and relations with these two human like races seemed extraordinary but Revan knew Oviah had told him things would only get more complicated as negotiations continued. Another short creature entered the hall in iron plate armour, the metal boots clanked along the floor before taking his position in front of Oviah.


“Welcome Zux of the Goblins, what brings you here?” Oviah asked clearly a bit unsure how to act with this creature.

“Us Goblins would like to say how sorry we are about the news, we will gladly take up arms to defend Maple Falls if need be.”

“You have my thanks Zux.” Oviah replied giving the Goblin a warm grin.

“We have many more mercenaries available for your use but would require some coin to make this happen.”

“If I have need of them Zux I will send for them.” she said giving the Goblin the signal to leave as well.

As the Goblin was about to leave he froze in place, three far larger green creatures entered. Revan recognised them as Orcs, skilled but usually overaggresive warriors.

“Chieftain Xagok, I wasn’t sure if you were coming.” Oviah said knowing that recent Orc losses had been hard.

Slamming lightly into the Goblin shoving him aside before motioning to his two bodyguards to stay in place blocking the Goblin from exiting without having to ask them to allow him to pass, Xagok made a small casual walk towards Oviah.

“We suffered great losses defending Midred, I do not intend to make such sacrifices in the defence of Maple Falls.” Xagok snarled clearly angry about something more.

“We grow tired of Human laws governing our military size limits, allow us more freedom and only then will you receive our support.”

“The military limits of the Orcs were under the advisement of Minis Tirith, however you have my word they will be reviewed.”

“They had better be, or I will be back.” Xagok moved to exit the hall with the Goblin moving to the side to avoid the larger greenskin before exiting as well.

“Xensag and Wrimag of the Giants...” Oviah said slowly realising what was coming.

“Giants?” Revan asked wondering what this would be like.

The hall shook as two lumbering tall brutes in only loin cloths crouched into hall, only once completely inside did the two giant brothers have room to stand and stomp their way to the front to be heard.

“Giants want more farm land.” Xensag said calmly.

“Giants want safe from Charr.” Wrimag said angrily.

The Charr from what Revan understood had been having some scuffles with the Orcs recently and while seeking food to supply their military had begun robbing the food, Revan supposed they had now resorted to stealing from the Giants as well.

“Revan?” Oviah asked innocently for advice.

“The Charr will have to be dealt with, but a bit of land might satisfy them for now. Revan said believing a matter was clearly on the rise here.

“Ten acres will be given, however thirty percent for three months will be given to our military forces and something will be done about the Charr.” Oviah said hoping she could keep her word.

The two Giants nodded their heads and began to exit together as another wolf like creature entered. Revan went for his sword but to his surprise Oviah raised her hand as a sign of no danger.

“Cretops of the Worgen, thank you for coming.” Oviah said sounding relieved.

“Your welcome Lady Crimsonheart, know that the Worgen packs have already agreed to support you but they do ask something in return.”

“Of course, hunting fields will be supplied in return for your services in defending our lands.”

“My Lady what about the Salamanders?” Revan whispered curious why that particular race had not come.

“They usually don’t perform diplomacy with Kingdom officials, they are far more secretive.” she whispered back.

A sound of doors slamming caught both their attention as they turned to see a feline like beast strode in. The Worgen turned toward Oviah and looked down at the ground and growled at the sight of the creature.

“Vatgar Scribecaller.” Oviah said trying to sound calm and confident despite the interruption. 

“General Shadowripper sends his regards but my time here is short, I already know the Orcs have asked for military expansion, I ask the same but with an offer, we Charr will defend your city for you.” The feline Charr awaited the Lady’s answer.

Revan knew this was mostly political but couldn’t help but feel that if Oviah agreed then the Charr would turn to more bloodshed, he shook his head when Oviah turned to look at him.

“I will consider an allowance of military expansion but it will not be great, I will ask that you cease your stealing of crops.” Oviah sounded extremely confident but the predatory gaze of the Charr gave both her and and Revan an uneasy feeling.

“I will report your decision to General Shadowripper.” the Charr turned to make his leave.

“I will have my scouts report on their movements to you soon, no doubt the Orcs will do so as well.” Cretops said giving his own bow before leaving.

“Well, that’s all for now.” Oviah said giving Revan a worried look.

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on the Charr.” Revan said curious by the mysterious warrior race.