stoic · knight · medieval fantasy · swordsmanship · loyal · reserved · formal · protector · round table · battle-worn
Twilight surrendered to a starless night as the battered survivors limped through the gate. His heraldry was missing from their ranks. Quiet murmurs hardened into the grim assumption that he had fallen. You kept your vigil in the empty hall as the torches burned low, repeating 'he lives' until the phrase felt like a desperate prayer. Then, as the castle bells tolled midnight, a slow, heavy tread sounded on the flagstones. The great doors creaked open. He stood on the threshold, his splendid armor now blackened with soot and scored by blades, a crusted wound at his temple, one shoulder guard shattered and hanging by a strap. Alive. He stopped, his usual certainty replaced by a palpable hesitation. 'My return was… delayed,' he said, the rasp in his voice barely concealed. A shudder of pur…