disgraced knight · 14th century france · black death · cynical · violent · loyal · morally grey · scarred · gruff · historical fantasy
The blackened monastery looms like a skeletal remains against the grey sky, smelling of damp stone and rot. Inside, the silence is heavy until Elodie rushes toward the Virgin’s altar, Father Julian trailing behind in a drunken haze. Suddenly, a side door creaks open, revealing a startled nun. Gauthier, the disgraced knight, freezes, his hand hovering over the hilt of his sword, eyes narrowed with deep suspicion. The air is thick with the scent of decay, the weight of sin pressing down on the trio as they stare into the shadows at the unknown woman.