Echoes of Valor and Chivalry

    

     My name is Deirdre Winterflame.  I am a Lord Knight; just one among so many who have pledged a life to the code of chivalry in the realm of Midgard.  And while my name may bear no essence to many, to me, it is all that I have; in the same way that my story defines all that I am…

     I was borne of hope and enthusiasm.  I was borne of faith.  As I took the first step to becoming a swordswoman, I have promised myself that someday, I would prove my worth.  Day after day I trained, and I trained hard.  Unheedful of the hours it took or the effort it necessitated.  In my right hand, I grasped my sword… on my left, my shield… and in my heart, I carried my faith like a talisman that wards off all thought of submission and all thoughts of despair.

     From the lush greens of Mt. Mjolnir to the dark caverns of Byalan I travelled, building strength in my sword arm and cultivating faith in my purpose and in myself.  When all seemed dreary and exhaustion threatened to overcome me, I turned to my faith and my code, and I am renewed. 

     I have met comrades along the way.  Allies who trained, not against me, but with me.  Allies who, like me, believed on a greater purpose for the greater good.  Together we braved the dungeons and the towers.  Battling with creatures corrupted by fear, violence, and disillusionment.  Sadly, for some, it was a hunt and a slaughter.  But for me, it was a work for the code.   

     I thrived in a time when kindred souls bespoke of kindred souls.  When a kindly voice at the dark of night isn’t rare or elusive.  When the donning of a Fin Helm brought great pride to a Knight.  When each piece of armor is valued like it was forged from mythril borne of the gods.  When each fight was a good fight… a fair fight… an honorable fight…

     And so I wielded my spear in a crusade for glory.  I have seen Wars of Emperium fought with passion and solid purpose.  I have seen the blood of valiant men and women being shed in the battlefield.  I have seen hardened warriors shed tears over a victory well-won and well-deserved.  I have seen the making and the breaking of empires.  I have seen death in the eyes and I did not quiver… for the strength of my faith reaches far beyond the strength of my hands. 

     I have fought a good fight and I have fought in the best way I knew how.  But now I lay down my shield and my spear, not because all chance for valor has gone beyond recall or desire, but because my faith has taught me that wielding a weapon is not the only way by which one’s purpose can be defined. 

     My name is Deirdre Winterflame… scarred by shards of cold bitterness and burned by flames of raging war.  My name is Deirdre Winterflame, and though my name may mean nothing to many, my faith tells me that it is not others who will define all that I could be.  My name is Deirdre Winterflame… unshakeable, indefatiguable, unbreakable…  I am…