#69 Knight of the Living Dead

"Your Excellency, may I present -" the Missioner gestured enthusiastically with his wraithlike arm - "Jean de Majeure, Knight of the Living Dead."

The Pontifex Surrexit stared impassively at the kneeling form of the vampire warrior, surrounded by the most honoured blood knights of the crusade and, at a respectful distance, Voltaire the Mortified and his Errant Knights of the Blood-Drenched Rose. This sacred army had been faithfully prosecuting the Way of the Rose across the Mortal Realms, and had now introduced the Realm of Chamon to the grace of the False Apostle.

The Missioner waited eagerly for the Lord Crusader's response. Surely Jean de Majeure was worthy to join their crusade? Indeed, since leaving Barfunweltz they had scarcely encountered a more laudable knight. He had fought magnificently against the Fyreslayer infidels; he had professed his faith and devotion to the Way of the Rose; and today he had conducted his vigil unflinchingly, kneeling exposed all day to the searing sunlight while he meditated on the sacred teachings of the False Apostle.

The sun of molten gold had now set and a brilliant silver moon was rising over the sharp metallic mountains. Still the Pontifex stared down in silence. The Missioner glanced about nervously (though the bare skull of his face showed no expression). In passing, the necromancer observed that the Ophanim - the Pontifex's precious mount - was absent. This was unusual, and perhaps explained his Lord's apparent preoccupation. But suddenly the Pontifex Surrexit spoke:

"Arise Sir Jean de Majeure, Crusader of the Rose."

Sir Jean de Majeure, Knight of the Living Dead, Crusader of the Rose

Sir Jean hesitated for the briefest moment before raising his cold eyes to acknowledge his new liege lord. Kneeling, with his head bowed, no one had noticed the hidden smile that fleetingly passed across his blood-stained lips.

 #70 BATTLE XI - THE RADIANT HOST OF ELOHIIM