Eulogy

Willem Magistratus entered the spacious public hall of Mercy's Keep and looked around, drawing a deep sigh. Desolate, the halls stood empty, the whistling of the frigid wind the only sound. He walked behind the empty bar and poured himself a strong athra ale, then decided to make it a double.
Willem downed his tall glass of ale and gasped. Athra ale is not meant to be drunk like light beer. Willem shook off the drink and looked around, spotting a door to the keep that is usually guarded but for some reason was no longer.
Willem approached the chapel door and laid his hand upon it before pushing through to the chapel.
The hallowed feel of the chapel was amplified by its stark emptiness. The walls echoed his footsteps as he approached the Icon of the Empress and kneeled.
"O lady." He began, prayer like. "Lady."
He solemnly placed his hands together.
"This is our humble house for our fallen knights. Knights who have fallen in battle. Knights who have perished in your great cause."
He gasped loudly before tearfully yelling, "WHERE ARE THEY? Why have they abandoned you?"
Willem choked and wiped his tears away.
"This place of holiness,ABANDONED!" His anger swelled. "By the knights who swore to protect it."
Ryven Krennel entered the Keep, puzzled by the sounds within.
Willem collapsed, grief and ale taking their toll.
Ryven, now alarmed, quickly walked toward the sounds, spying the collapsed form of Willem. Ryven sighed, his expression soft, and kneeled to help Willem up. He felt sympathy for his comrade, a fellow man of the faith.
Ryven spoke softly. "You really shouldn't try to drown sorrow." Ryven frowned "You can't do so without drowning yourself."
"Ahh ryven," Willem spoke from the floor. "This is a challenge to my faith. A challenge i might now survive only if could forget it. This will live with me a long time."
Ryven gave Willem a look of sympathy. "I know this is hard for you."
Willem gasped and choked a silent thanks before trying to stand, but found Athra ale denied him the ability.
Ryven sat down on the floor next to Willem, letting his eyes soak in the majesty of the place.
"This place was pretty special."
Willem replied " I had always envisioned that THIS was the center of our keep. That HERE would be our heart and soul."
Ryven shook his head. "The center of the keep, of the knighthood, has always been its people."
Willem gazes at the icon of the Empress. "And her. How I love her."
Ryven continued. "And beyond that, the dream."
[ 2011.10.10 00:43:45 ] Willem drunkenly looked at the Empress Icon.
"Is she not beautiful? Is she not worth dying for?"
Ryven chuckled a little. "Well, of course she is." He laughed. "Which is why I do it regularly."
"Where are her protectors Ryven?"
"We're still here." He paused as Willem choked out another sob. "We've just changed our location somewhat."
Willem asked. "Who will deconsecrate this place when it is empty? Will we just let this place linger, without protection?"
"I doubt it. I can't really say. That is up to its owners."
Willem gasped, his eyes wide. "And if the minnies come here?"
He sobbed even more.
"Here? At the heart of the Throne Worlds? I imagine, if that happens, I'll have bigger concerns in mind than whether they mess up the artwork." Ryven frowned darkly.
Willem continued. "Without us...without the knights... we are a front line defense!" He crescendoed, "FRONT LINE! With us shattered who will take up our mantle?
"Willem, we are hardly the only ones. And, I'm sure you're aware, a fair number of us are still going to be on the front lines."
"Who, Ryven? Who? You dont mean those self serving capsuleers out there who only care about stats and isk do you? THEY dont care about HER!"
Willem pointed emphatically to the to the Icon.
Ryven responded calmly. "Am I one of those who care only for stats and ISK?"
"No, Ryven, else you wouldnt be here."
"And yet, I am no longer under the auspices of this Order."
Willem stared down at the polished and sighed.
"The truth is, Willem, that the Knighthood is more than this hall." Ryven gestured at the icon. "Just as the Empress is more than that icon. It's an ethos. It's an idea. And ideas don't die when you stop paying the rent."
Willem suddenly looked determined. "Get me out of here, Ryven. You're right."
Willem tried to stand but still could, so Ryven rose and helped him stand.
Ryven asked him, "You going to be okay?"
He replied. "I must take my love for her out there. Out there...to them."
Ryven smiled. "That's the spirit. Now, let's get out of here, and we can both deliver some tough love to the heathen, eh?"
"Agreed. Thanks, my friend."
Willem leaned on Ryven as they exited together, Ryven laughing.
"Don't mention it." He said, and entered the cold Athran night.