Honor's Hope

Honor's Hope Writing Contest

The Knighthood is having a writing contest.

The theme is Honor's Hope. Submissions may take any form: a true story,

fable, prayer, song, poem, essay or sermon. They should endeavor to grant

the knightly reader and Lord Nadrik pride, joy and hope through honor.

The due date for submissions will be May 18th, by the old calendar.

Judging will take place during the next week, by our own Lord Knight and

lover of literature, Lord Gwaine d'Aggravaine.

The prize for our winning Knight will be a rare gem of leeching.

Please ensure all submissions are addressed to Dame Datai Amberillo.

All of our writings for this contest will be bound into a book for the

library.

- Dame Datai Amberillo, Lorekeeper of Knighthood

Rassilon: |Honor's Hope|

Fellow Knights of Gareth's Keep,

For the contest, I submit a short folk story from the Isle.

Two peasants, loving but childless, prayed to the Gods for a child, and the

Gods saw fit to grant their wish. A tiny boy was found the next day

floating down the river beside their home. And tiny was a term that would

describe him for many years to come, for even as he grew and matured, he

remained shorter than a kender and unable to do a great deal to help his

parents with their farm, try though he did. When he was still but a boy in

statue, though a young man in age, he asked to venture out into the world to

see. Reluctantly, they allowed him so, bidding him seek his fortune in the

city, where he met with the guards of the local lord and asked to work at

his castle. Though he was small, he was kind and hard-working and earned

the respect and love of all the people at the estate, most especially the

Princess, whom he in turn loved.

The Princess was subsequently kidnapped by a marauding giant ogre, who

fancied her. When none of the Lords otherwise brave samurai found the

courage to go after her, the young boy stole one of their knife and made the

trip to the ogres lair himself. Almost laughing at this pitiful threat, the

ogre scooped him up in its maw and swallowed him whole, thinking such a tiny

warrior would prove a welcome snack. He did not even bother to chew. This

proved to be a grand mistake, however, as the boy cut at his stomach from

within and sliced his way to freedom, killing the brute. Then the Princess

was freed, and they were together again.

Honor is not measured by the length of your sword or the strength in your

arms, but the courage in your heart.

Knight Rassilon Shiroken of Gareth's Keep

"Mercy in Victory, Grace in Defeat, Tranquility in Battle"

Faelinda: Honor's Hope

Hope

Is never

Gone

If only

One

Is left to

Stand

And carry

On.

Branzol: Honor's Hope - Submission by Branzol Snowdragon

This is a poem of my own personal experiences, and trials. There

have been many times that I have made mistakes, and we all will

for we are not perfect beings. The committment and dedication

to overcome all obstacles no matter how steep the hill may be,

that perseverance overcomes all. If there is ever a shroud of

doubt placed in your mind, think... Think of whom you are protecting.

Think of why you chose to join the Keep. Think about who you are.

We are Knights of Gareth. Our lives are not easy to live. Though

in the end of things. Our choices and actions are for the betterment

of the light. When in doubt, take time for simple prayer and

reflection, and you will see your true motivation to continue.

His travels long and adventured

Obviously needing to grow

Notoriety in his blood

Order's he could not follow

Redemption he sought

Searching his soul

Honor was needed

Obedience was a must

Perseverance was key

Ever vigilant he must remain

Kylore: Writing Submission

"Honor's Hope"

It is the blade. It is the edge. It is the point.

It is the strength. It is the drive. It is the heart.

It is Honor. It is Hope. It is us.

We stand among the many, yet we are the few.

We are the bastion in the face of evil.

We are the light at the edge of the abyss.

As it has been, and as it now is, and as it shall be.

Our efforts shall overcome. Our words shall strike forth.

We shall shine brightest when the Darkness strikes so close.

It is our unity. It is our faith. It is our determination.

The hope for the future. The hope for honor. The hope for Nadrik.

- Kylore Tygarst

Datai: Honor's Hope, a song of Dame Ayanami Rei

Listen well of one who lived Honor's way,

Rode with Honor's hope, never to sway,

To Algoron came a creature of hell,

A demon that usually only in songs dwell,

Over all evil would it lord,

Wing and claws as cruel sword,

Defiling any purity upon its gaze would lay,

It grew more powerful with each passing day.

Goratrix was his guttural demonic name,

Tortured and tempered by Necrucifer's flame,

The terror and horror it would spread,

Stinking of the rotten meat of the dead,

Children of Good wept and would pray,

But none dared stand in the demon's way.

Lo, one new paladin emerged,

Called by Nadrik to see evil purged,

Recently trained by Lord Rheidyr's hand,

She saw the need and met the demand,

Albino white and pure as sunlit day,

The bold Clerist, Ayanami Rei.

For weeks a new paladin might train,

In the keep Dame Ami would not remain,

Awash with the grace of Nadrik's gift,

Hope and Truth she would uplift,

"In Nadrik's name, the demon I will slay."

Thus she rode from Gareth with no delay.

Alone on shining, faithful steed,

Marduke, her warhorse, would earn his feed,

Over hill and vale she rode,

Her search for Goratrix never slowed,

Pushing aside the branches of a secret way,

She found where the demon did stay.

Evil's hidden temple, blight upon the land,

On blood soaked steps Goratrix did stand,

He laughed cruelly at the lone paladin,

"Fool, you cannot hope to win,

This forsaken hall your corpse will display."

Dame Ayanami readied her lance, did not sway.

"Come, I dare you to strike me within,

You are trapped here, foolish paladin."

With a cry of Nadrik's holy word,

Marduke charged as she spurred,

Noble's skill at lance she did display,

Warhorse danced to keep claws at bay.

Wheeled, and turned to charge again,

Furious demon lord leapt at the paladin,

Bring her to the ground he could not,

Each pass the lance scored as they fought,

Closed in on that black stairway,

The only light was Dame Ayanami Rei.

So perfect the demon's trap for her,

His own peril the thought did not occur,

Now panicked against the barred door,

From stair top the Dame charged once more,

Between knight and a hard place one could say,

Marduke reared and gave a triumphant neigh!

The demon lord everyone had feared,

By Nadrik's paladin was completely smeared,

Evil weakened by blows one knight dealt,

The dread that had gripped us did melt,

Honor's hope did ride that day,

Upon bright steed, Dame Ayanami Rei.

- Dame Datai Amberillo, Lorekeeper of Knighthood

Gwaine: Honor's Hope.

Clash of steel to plate, a strident ringing

Rising echo of hymns, in prayer healing

Bathed in Light's own virtue, goodness shielding.

Honor's hope nestled amongst all of these.

Muscled arm raising the weakened, supporting

Kindly smile uplifting the sorrowed, warming

In these, there is one, which is you

Honor's hope, is you.

- Lord Gwaine d'Aggravaine, Crown