Post by Akuma_Reiten on Jan 23, 2014 11:05:24 GMT
“Climb my child, Climb. Never look down. There is only darkness down there”
-Unknown
It was called Le château bleu, and while officially it was simply a private residence, for House Khagarn it was commonly known as the Academy. Every few years Duke Howlond Ashton would announce that he would be taking on new patronage’s and welcome them into his home to be trained and assist with work in the Eunros region. House Khagarn had a long tradition of tutoring fellow family members but the Academy was the pinnacle of the concept, not only trained by the finest minds of the House there was nowhere else a person could have a chance of making important connections so quickly.
Acceptance into the Academy was a great honour, though the exact criteria needed was usually up to the Duke’s whims. In a practically scandalous instance the Duke once accepted a man who had only been with the family for one day. Regardless of the Duke’s odd nature his influence could never be underestimated, forging his legacy in the revolts of 2792, and even ‘failed’ students of his usually walked out better than they had entered.
The year is 2843 and the Duke has once more opened the doors of his household for promising members of the family. However no one at the time could have predicted how important this new selection would be, or how dangerous life would become for everyone.
----
“Are you excited Drake?” Duke Ashton looked over the courtyard of his estate, busy with servants setting up an area to welcome the new influx of people headed for the Manor. His handsome features had long since passed him by, but he wore his wrinkles comfortably like an old coat.
“I’m ecstatic Sir” the words were stiff but polite, as if read by a practically talented piece of wood. Drake was a man who looked just over his prime but somehow deadlier for it, his dark eyes always beaming a threat to anything that looked his way. He pulled the Duke’s wheelchair away from the window and began taking him down the hallway.
“It’ll be good to have these halls filled with people again. She gets lonely you know”
“The… House Sir?” Drake was also endowed with the sentimentally of a piece of wood.
“Oh yes, she was never made to care for just a dithering old man and his caretakers. She wants music and laughter, the pitter patter of secret runnings”
“It’s against the rules to run in the hallways, Sir”
“That’s why it’s secret! Oh you really are no fun Master Hunter. You should try to smile more, you’ll probably scare them all off otherwise”
“In my line of work smiling all the time is for serial killers, Sir, so you’ll excuse me if I reframe”
“Hm, yes you’re probably right. Never trust a man that smiles during a handshake my mother used to say” The Duke looked down the hall in thought for a moment. He could feel himself growing tired now, slipping back into memories of laughter and sadness “I’ve got a good feeling about this year Drake. There’s some fine men and women coming here. It makes me almost believe the House won’t fall apart the moment I’m gone”
“I’m sure we’ll find a way to manage Sir”
“How did the old song go? I’m off to be the best, no time for any rest! Hahaha…”
“Let’s get you to your room Sir”
-Unknown
It was called Le château bleu, and while officially it was simply a private residence, for House Khagarn it was commonly known as the Academy. Every few years Duke Howlond Ashton would announce that he would be taking on new patronage’s and welcome them into his home to be trained and assist with work in the Eunros region. House Khagarn had a long tradition of tutoring fellow family members but the Academy was the pinnacle of the concept, not only trained by the finest minds of the House there was nowhere else a person could have a chance of making important connections so quickly.
Acceptance into the Academy was a great honour, though the exact criteria needed was usually up to the Duke’s whims. In a practically scandalous instance the Duke once accepted a man who had only been with the family for one day. Regardless of the Duke’s odd nature his influence could never be underestimated, forging his legacy in the revolts of 2792, and even ‘failed’ students of his usually walked out better than they had entered.
The year is 2843 and the Duke has once more opened the doors of his household for promising members of the family. However no one at the time could have predicted how important this new selection would be, or how dangerous life would become for everyone.
----
“Are you excited Drake?” Duke Ashton looked over the courtyard of his estate, busy with servants setting up an area to welcome the new influx of people headed for the Manor. His handsome features had long since passed him by, but he wore his wrinkles comfortably like an old coat.
“I’m ecstatic Sir” the words were stiff but polite, as if read by a practically talented piece of wood. Drake was a man who looked just over his prime but somehow deadlier for it, his dark eyes always beaming a threat to anything that looked his way. He pulled the Duke’s wheelchair away from the window and began taking him down the hallway.
“It’ll be good to have these halls filled with people again. She gets lonely you know”
“The… House Sir?” Drake was also endowed with the sentimentally of a piece of wood.
“Oh yes, she was never made to care for just a dithering old man and his caretakers. She wants music and laughter, the pitter patter of secret runnings”
“It’s against the rules to run in the hallways, Sir”
“That’s why it’s secret! Oh you really are no fun Master Hunter. You should try to smile more, you’ll probably scare them all off otherwise”
“In my line of work smiling all the time is for serial killers, Sir, so you’ll excuse me if I reframe”
“Hm, yes you’re probably right. Never trust a man that smiles during a handshake my mother used to say” The Duke looked down the hall in thought for a moment. He could feel himself growing tired now, slipping back into memories of laughter and sadness “I’ve got a good feeling about this year Drake. There’s some fine men and women coming here. It makes me almost believe the House won’t fall apart the moment I’m gone”
“I’m sure we’ll find a way to manage Sir”
“How did the old song go? I’m off to be the best, no time for any rest! Hahaha…”
“Let’s get you to your room Sir”
