Chapter One: Story

## The Beginning

#### Episode One: "The Emperor Calls"

We’re introduced to Elijah Swayne, Lord of Havers he and his wife, Lady Charlotte Satcher lord over Havers, his brother, Judas Swayne arrives with his son, Willem Swayne and hands him a letter from the Emperor, Gerald Barbesh. The Emperor Barbesh wants to see Elijah Swayne in person and orders that he must travel to the Centrelands. Elijah and Judas mount their horses, take some men and leave Havers in the hands of Lady Charlotte . Gerald Barbesh sits up coughing in his bed when his daughter, Selina Barbesh enters, and he and Selina have a conversation about how much easier it would be if she could inherit the throne. After arriving at the bed of lord Barbesh he tells Elijah simply, he’s dying. He insists that Elijah be the one to organise a ceremonial tournament in his name. He warns Elijah that the four kingdoms and their lords shall be arriving in a week’s time, and they shall expect a tournament. He specifies that the tournament must include 3 victors, all of whom will be able to name a candidate as successor to the throne and will also be allowed to ask 1 favour of the emperor.

Elijah Swayne gets straight to work, not before the Pontifex Maximus, Nelson Driscol, introduces himself to Elijah and informs him that its customary that a sacrifice be made in the lord's name, Elijah Swayne informs Driscol that he won’t be including this custom.  Judas Swayne is jeered on by two guards of the Centrelands, but he insults them greatly then calls upon Adam Hammer, the paladin and threatens them to him. Elijah Swayne organises several meetings, and holds a meeting with all the representatives from each nation, however the last thing he expects is to be greeted by all the king’s hands, Shahen Neeson (The Brasslands), Zacharias Kent (The Whitelands), Ezekial Sparose (Mordale) & Bernard Chopps (Serkis) and an advisor from each city, Paul Goodman (Salix) & Graham Barson (Fresch). Ezekial Sparose informs Elijah that typically there are 3 sport activities that are competed by the 8 cities, but considering one of them recently fell, and that Elijah already has the honour of hosting, it should be made into the 6 cities (choosing to avoid Havers being able to compete). Elijah agrees to this change. Zacharias Kent notes that Elijah elected to not include the sacrifice, he warns that their will some religious fanatics who will be upset, Elijah stands his ground and defends his position on the matter. Sparose tells Elijah the three sports which are common are archery, jousting and the general brawl. Shahen Neeson warns Elijah that King Enderby Brass has insisted that women be allowed to compete, Elijah agrees. Elijah goes and talks with a man whose lands they intend on using, Elijah and the man talk prices briefly, but after hearing that there won’t be a sacrifice he pulls out of the deal. Elijah once again attends a meeting and each advisor announces their challenger, Paul Goodman claims that he doesn’t yet have a challenger for archery and the meeting ends. Selina Barbesh comes up to Elijah and asks if it’s possible for her to compete, he dismisses it until he realises Harold Warner needs a challenger and asks Paul Goodman, he agrees to have Selina Barbesh as Silax's champion. Elijah is assaulted by a faithful church man, but is helped by a kinder man who after a conversation agrees to sell his land to Elijah for the day. The week is over and Elijah watches as 100 carriages arrive...

#### Episode Two: "Succession"

King of Mordale, Draigo Moretherial arrives with his two children, Philip & Stefan and his squire Robert Dunn. King of the Brasslands, Enderby Brass arrives with his daughter, Sherah Brass and his wife, Siobhan Latch. King of Serkis, Saul Serkis arrives with his two sons, Flynn & David. King and the Whitelands, Issac White arrives with his mother, Donna Prye, and his siblings Josiah White, Delilah White and her husband, Charles Calahan. Lord of Salix, Harold Warner arrives with all his children, his eldest daughters, Elizabeth, his twins Howard & Amelia and his youngest Fiona. Lord of Fresch, Liam Thewlis arrives with his wife Amy Moss, his son, Jared Thewlis and the Knight of Fresch, Henry Barson. Elijah Swayne’s brother Judas arrives with his son Willem by his side, Elijah is shocked, Willem is supposed to be in Havers, but here he is. As people walk past Elijah explains who each of them is and their significance.  Everyone gets seated, Gerald Barbesh sits upon his throne; claps and the tournament has begun.

The archery begins with an unsuccessful attempt by Ser Mamor Jazhans of the Whitelands, Philip Moretherial of Mordale gets close to a bullseye, Flynn Serkis of Serkis fails miserably, his father is clearly disappointed, Jared Thewlis of Fresch is also unsuccessful, and his father is disappointed too, Selina Barbesh of Salix hits the bullseye and Harold Warner looks surprised and relieved, Sherah Brass of the Brasslands splits Selina’ arrow with hers, her father, Enderby erupts into cheers. Sherah Brass is announced the winner by Gerald Barbesh and then a recess is held. During the recess Elijah hears talk that suggests that Sparrow Greenley will likely win the brawl, others believe Henry Barson will win. Meanwhile, Elijah’s brother, Judas walks into a tent and finds Harold Warner’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth being ‘intermit’ with another woman, he leaves quickly.

The jousting begins by drawing a name out of a hat, Howard Warner of Salix and Flynn Serkis of Serkis are first up, Flynn is knocked off his horse by Howard, and he throws a tantrum, but reluctantly shakes the victors' hand (Howard). Shahen Neeson of the Brasslands is picked next along with... Harrison Moss, of the Whitelands. Shahen Neeson knocks Harrison Moss of his horse in the first round and Enderby erupts into applaud again. Neeson is declared the victor. Robert Dunn, squire of Mordale is next up going against the much-celebrated Henry Barson. Henry Barson knocks Dunn into the mud right by Sherah Brass, Dunn plays it off and pretends to lordly to her which Enderby finds hilarious. Barson is declared victor. Barson apologises to Dunn and goes to speak with Harold Warner, he tells Harold that he never got to thank him for his help saving him from on-coming raiders many years ago.  Shahen Neeson goes up against Henry Barson, Barson knocks him down, Neeson is knocked off and gracefully shakes Barson’s hand. Barson is declared the victor. Lastly, Barson goes against Howard Warner. They charge past each other, missing the target and then Barson clearly throws and Howard knocks Barson off his horse, Howard is declared as the champion. Henry Barson approaches Harold Warner and tells him; he just thanked him (by throwing the jousting in his sons' favour).

The challengers for the brawl approach, Enderby Brass (Brasslands), Rodger Helter (Whitelands), Henry Barson (Fresch), Harold Warner (Salix), David Serkis (Serkis) and Sparrow Greenley (Mordale). The emperor claps his hand and the brawl begins, Enderby tackles David Serkis, Harold and Sparrow Greenley get into a swordfight and Rodger Helter starts taking slashes from Henry Barson. Enderby beats David to a pulp, he’s almost unconscious at this point, suddenly Rodger Helter gets his first hit on the sprightful, Barson, he punches his teeth right out of his mouth and pushes him to the ground. Greenley gets the best of the concerned Harold, and he starts taking serious beatings, he resigns out of pure tiredness.  Meanwhile, Rodger Helter digs his thumbs in the skull of the pinned down Barson, he begins screaming and finally blurts out the resignment words, the audience blows a sigh of relief, especially Lord of Fresch, Liam Thewlis who sees Barson like a son. However, Helter doesn’t stop and continues to dig his thumbs further into Barson’s skull, Draigo Moretherial is shouting for the fighting to halt, until Gerald Barbesh gets up and orders Helter himself, Helter ignores him. Enderby is distracted by Helter and doesn’t notice David Serkis with a wooden axe coming up behind him, he beats Enderby to unconsciousness quickly. Sparrow Greenley grabs Helter into a headlock attempting to save Barson, but Helter gets up and throws Greenley onto the ground in front of him. He starts pummelling Greenley. Until a real sword plunges through Helter’s leg and he wails in pain, only now does he look upon the emperor and stop his violence. The sword had come from Harold Warner and had been provided by Draigo Moretherial. Gerald Barbesh finally stands and scolds Helter and bans him from the brawl, he bans Warner too, for both the use of real weapons and fighting despite being resigned. Liam Thewlis screams out for Barson, whose screams have stopped, a doctor is rushed over, but just to confirm that he is indeed dead.  David Serkis is declared the champion, seeing as all the other brawlers are either, unconscious, banned or dead.

Gerald Barbesh calls Sherah Brass, Howard Warner and David Serkis to his chambers to ask their request and name their candidate as his heir. Sherah Brass names her father, Enderby Brass and asks as her favour for 4 axes of titanium be made custom for her family. Howard Warner names his father, Harold Warner and asks as his favour that none of his sisters be forced to marry. David Serkis names himself, David asks as his favour that he be given 200 men that will remain loyal to him

Gerald Barbesh is on his deathbed, and he calls Elijah Swayne and tells him that he is his successor, and his daughter, Selina is the witness.

#### Episode Three: "Race to Centrelands"

Bells ring to announce the emperor’s death and all everyone gathers in the cathedral. The Pontifex-Maximus, Nelson Driscol asks the audience who has been named successor, Elijah stands, however so does Enderby Brass, he claims that Gerald promised the throne to him when he saved him from mercenaries. Flynn Serkis stands and announces that as his bride to be is Selina Barbesh that makes him the son-in-law of the emperor, making him the closest thing to a successor. Draigo Moretherial stands and announces that he is related to Barbesh, his auntie married Gerald. Making him Barbesh’ nephew and closest living relative (besides his daughter). The pontifex announces that considering too many claims have been suggested he can’t crown anyone with confidence, and he instead requests that if a war for the crown be necessary, all fighting take place when all the candidates return home.  Elijah consults the Pontifex who effectively tells him that if he had been more respectful of the traditions of the church perhaps, the pontifex would of crowned him.

## Chronological Story

#### Episode Three: "Race to Centrelands"

Isaac White approaches Elijah and assures him that due to his historical allegiance to House White, House White will back his claim. Having gained the support of House White and House Moss, he returns home to inform his wife that they’re going to war, she tells him that she’s pregnant. Elijah chooses to keep this information very secret, not even telling his son. Flynn Serkis returns to Serkis with his future wife, Selina by his side. Draigo goes back home and we are introduced to his emotionally manipulative wife, Naomi who is distantly related to Enderby Brass, Draigo gets his men ready for the invasion of the Centrelands. Enderby arrives home with his wife and daughter to meet with his advisors, he calls an emergancy council meeting instantly. Enderby sits at the table with Shahen Neeson, John Bronson, Fredlin Palmore all sit around suggesting possibilities for battle strategies they all agree to fortify ‘Hunting Hill’ in case of an invasion from Elijah.

## Individual Stories

### House Swayne

Having gained the support of House White and House Moss, he returns home to inform his wife that they’re going to war, she tells him that she’s pregnant. Elijah chooses to keep this information very secret, not even telling his son. House White take the Centrelands with his assistant, and he sits on the throne. Elijah returns to Havers and is shocked to find that his men in the Centrelands have been swarmed and killed by Whiteland soldiers, this includes his brother, Judas who was attacked but luckily, he was saved by Elizabeth Warner who was undercover there to see her secret lover. Elijah re-enforces his castle in Havers with all of his men, and he rallies for support from Silax, his friend Harold Warner. Harold unfortunately ignores the reply due to his loyalty to Draigo. Elijah secures his men in ‘Graham’s Gate’ The pontifex enters to talk with Elijah and tells him that he has crowned the true emperor in the light of the lord, that emperor is Isaac. The pontifex also talks with Willem, he essentially scares Willem into thinking his family are all sinners, the pontifex asks Willem to simply kill his father and his mother and even his advisor Alfie Boncast will be spared and free to go, he also asks Willem to open the gates for a few men in the upcoming days. Willem, unsure whether to trust the Pontifex opens the gates for these men and decides that he must kill his father. Elijah is plotting a large-scale assault against Blancsdale (the capitol of the Whitelands) with his advisor, Alfie Boncast when Willem enters asking to speak to his father Alfie leaves. Willem has a nice moment with his father before stabbing him in the back, he cries as he does it and his father almost doesn’t look angry, his father is simply silent until Boncast enters claiming that huts are burning down and the gates have opened. Elijah orders him to order the men to arm themselves and fight for their lives, Boncast is distracted by the dagger in Elijah’s back, but eventually he does so. Elijah takes one last look at Willem before leaving the tent, killing a few men and eventually having a sword plunged into his chest and his head cut from his body. Elijah’s claim to the throne has ended but his son and his wife still have some story left to live

### House Serkis

Flynn leaves with Selina by his side, he plans to marry her in the foreseeable future. His brother, David is confronted by the Pontifex who tells him since there is no emperor to grant his wishes, it’s his duty to give him his promised men, he shall return with his men in a weeks' time. Flynn is visited by Liam Thewlis, Lord of Fresch, he pledges his allegiance to his cause in return for his son, Jared Thewlis to be member of the knights watch under his reign. Flynn marries Selina Barbesh in a cathedral in Shaw-City. Flynn invades a castle in the Brasslands called ‘Dunn Keep’, there he finds the Dunn family who surrender to him, Simon Dunn introduces his daughter, Sally Dunn to Flynn. Sally and Flynn begin to spend some time together and Flynn invites Sally to stay as a guest of Shaw-City, when they arrive, they become intimate. Meanwhile David and Selina have begun to become more friendly with one another. Tensions rise between the two brothers and Flynn suspecting that David and Selina are having an affair, challenges David to a duel. David beats Flynn in this duel and forces Flynn to yield, at which point their father Saul Serkis arrives and scorns them both, he is the true king of Serkis and these two princes have been bigging themselves up like they do anything. The Pontifex arrives with David’s 200 loyal men. Saul talks with Flynn and argues with him about Sally, he demands that she be taken home and that he be more loyal to his wife. However, the Brasslands have responded to the invasion of ‘Dunn Keep’ by taking it back, the Dunn family has switched its loyalty again to House Brass, and Simon has lost his ear for refusing to fight for Brass. Saul has a new plan, he imprisons Sally Dunn and holds her ransom for the Dunn family, this is until Flynn slits his throat.

### House Moretherial

Draigo goes back home and we are introduced to his emotionally manipulative wife, Naomi who is distantly related to Enderby Brass. Draigo invades the centrelands, his men battle it out with the Whitelands but after realising how rusty he is at fighting, and seeing Rodger Helter, the man who murdered his sister (and started a series of events that led to the death of both of his parents), he retreats to Teserdale. Harold Warner pledges his allegiance to his cause and suggests that his daughter Fiona be wed to his eldest son, Philip, he agrees. However, when Harold arrives home he is scorned by his son, Howard who claims that he promised his sisters none of them would have to marry. Draigo orders Howard to march on ‘Graham’s Gate’ and is conflicted when he finds troops of Elijah’s at the castle, he fails. Fiona and Philip meet, and Fiona is very passive towards Philip. Unfortunately, Philip and Stefan, Draigo’s children are abducted by white soldiers and transported into the possession. Draigo distressed instantly sends Sparrow Greenley to try and find them. Naomi mad at the abduction of her children, scorns Draigo and calls him less of a man and beats him like a disobedient dog, she also implies that he might be more of a mistake than his brother, a statement he doesn’t take kindly too.

### House Brass

Enderby Brass sits at the table with Shahen Neeson, John Bronson, Fredlin Palmore all sit around suggesting possibilities for battle strategies they all agree to fortify ‘Hunting Hill’ in case of an invasion from Elijah. When in Hunting Hill Enderby meets Gregor Freewell, he claims he’s an ex Whitelands soldier but changed sides after the war started, he claims he has great insight into the whitelands strategy, he believes King Isaac will turn on Elijah at the first chance he gets. Enderby is curious of Freewell and invites him to join his strategy discussion, he suggests a great plan where they risk 2000 men at joiners keep and while they’re distracted, they kidnap Charles Calahan (the husband of Delilah White). They attempt the plan, and it works, they manage to kidnap Charles and use him for ransom against House White, although ultimately Elijah doesn’t care. Gregor comes running to Enderby and announces that someone tried to kill him in his sleep, he then takes Enderby aside and tells him that he believes that Fredlin Palmore is a traitor and a spy and it was he who tried to kill him. Enderby is hesitant to believe Gregor until he points out that Palmore took a long trip to The Whitelands, only coming back a few weeks ago. Enderby holds off a trial for a while in favour of instead invading ‘Dunn Keep’ back from Serkis, when he arrives at Dunn Keep he cuts Simon’ ear off as punishment for not staying loyal to House Brass. Enderby then decides to hold a trial for Fredlin, in the trial Gregor speaks up and proposes that Fredlin is not only giving information to House White but also attempted to kill him in his sleep because he recognised him from the Whitelands, Fredlin defends himself by claiming that he has never seen Gregor before and he never went to ‘Blancsdale’ but instead went to ‘Havers’, he notes that Elijah Swayne can confirm that he was a guest. They argue back and forth until Enderby decides that he can’t decide on a verdict, he opens it up to a trial by combat, Fredlin declares how unfair it is since he is twice the age but agrees on the off chance, he gets to kill the real traitor. Gregor wins the combat and slices Fredlin’s head off and assures that the spy has been caught, it this point it’s revealed to the audience that Gregor is the spy.

### House White

King Isaac White instantly backs Elijah, however after the fact he is consulted by his elder sister and the Pontifex and they both declare the real chosen heir, by the lord, is him. The Pontifex confirms that if Isaac becomes an option for emperor, the church will back him. The Pontifex claims he knows how to get rid of Elijah and to leave that part to him. Isaac and Elijah instantly invade the Centrelands and fight of Moretherial troops but win the Centrelands. Delilah tells Isaac that she has a spy infiltrating the Brasslands and that he doesn’t have to worry about the Brasslands anymore. Isaac invades 'Crain’s Keep’ in Mordale and talks to a rich, dying house, House Crain, Peter Crain is willing to donate as many men as Isaac needs, and however much money he needs if his two daughters are wed. Isaac agrees considering Crain Keep is an extremely tactical strong point in a foreign country. Isaac talks with his bratty brother who is extremely arrogant and informs that he must marry one of the Crain daughters, Tiffany, whilst Isaac marries the other Bavicka. Meanwhile Delilah’s husband is stolen from her at the battle over ‘Joiners Keep’ which forces Isaac to re-enforce ‘Hobb Moore’. He weds Bavicka Crain, making her Bavicka White and soon after Josiah weds Tiffany, very reluctantly, he and Tiffany don’t get on, however Isaac and Bavicka do. The Pontifex returns to Isaac and informs him that Elijah Swayne is dead.

### House Warner

Harold Warner doesn’t instantly side with Draigo Moretherial’s claim, he feels that Elijah’s claim is stronger, however he’s never liked House White, but he and House Thewlis were very close, and House Serkis claim is strong. However, after Draigo loss to gain the Centrelands, Harold decides to ride to ‘Teserdale’ to back Mordale’s claim. He suggests to Draigo that his daughter Fiona be wed to his eldest son, Philip, he agrees. However, when Harold arrives home, he is scorned by his son, Howard who claims that he promised his sisters none of them would have to marry. Draigo also asks him to march on ‘Graham’s Gate’, however when he arrives he finds Elijah has already occupied it, saving himself a fight he decides to retreat and attempt to take Crain Keep by surprise. He does come home to find that ‘Crain’s Keep’ is under storm and by the time Harold had arrived they had already surrendered. Harold receives a disappointed letter from Draigo expressing how much disappointment he feels hearing that he didn’t storm Graham’s Gate. Harold feels the disappointment from his King and from his son as too heavy and considered changing sides and fighting for Elijah’s claim but his wife talks him out of it, she also is concerned that Elizabeth has gone missing. In reality, Elizabeth is visiting her foreign lover from the Centrelands, when suddenly she sees a struggling Judas Swayne having his tongue cut out by two men, the same Judas Swayne that witnessed her having a gay relation. She pushes one man over the edge and the other swipes at her, her lover slits his throat. They take Judas in and heal him up, she tells him that her doing it means he can no longer tell anyone about what he saw between her and her lover on the day of the tournament, Judas discovers that he can no longer speak. Elizabeth makes Judas promise to be loyal to her and her lover as he escorts her and her lover, Penny Dervil across the Centrelands and back to Silax.

## Casualties

* **Henry Barson** killed by Rodger Helter (Episode 2: "*Succession*")
* **Emperor Gerald Barbesh** died of natural causes (Episode 2: "*Succession*")
* **Fredlin Palmore** killed by Gregor Freewell (Episode 9: "*Justice of the Lord*")
* **King Saul Serkis** betrayed by his son, Flynn (Episode 9: "*Justice of the Lord*")
* **Elijah Swayne** betrayed by his son, Willem (Episode 9: "*Justice of the Lord*")