Sun in Splendour

[Gandalfus]

Having gathered those peers still loyal to him at Windsor Castle, King Edward prepares to embark for the nearby city of London to be restored to his throne. Lean and strong, Edward Plantagenet looked much healthier than he had in a long time, having lost the extra weight he gained in his confinement with rigorous training and sparring. Feeling as fresh and strong as he did before Towton, when he won his crown in blood and battle, the King of England gazes proudly up at the various heraldic banners fluttering above the royal party - Northumberland, Cambridge, Clarence, and of course the royal banner itself, the three lions rampant of England quartered with the fleur-de-lis of France, reflecting the age old claim to that realm.

On horseback sat Edward, surrounded by his closest confidantes, ready to once more set foot in the city of London, much to the delight of the masses. At his right rode his loyal brother George, at his left, his father-in-law Percy. Behind were the rest of the Lords - though Edward would await Cambridge and the others, who would lend great weight to his flaunting of Norfolk's authority and hopefully restoration.

[Jokern]

Among the lords that followed King Edward IV from Windsor to London rode John de Mowbray, Earl of Surrey. As the only son of Norfolk, many were of course surprised to find him among the ranks loyal to the king against the self-proclaimed Lord Protector. For Surrey, the choice had been obvious. Father and son had since Wallingford and Carlisle not spoken to each other, with Norfolk focusing more and more on his work, while Surrey had spent his time with his wife and sons. It was a certainty that the two would grow more distant from each other, but what had united them were their loyalty to the king.

With the recent events of his father seemingly arresting the king and making himself Lord Protector, Surrey had felt that the man he once knew and respected had changed for the worse. While Mowbray stood to gain from being the most powerful family in England, it was another to displace the king and openly putting yourself on the throne. Surrey had to stop this, for it would only spell the doom of their family.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Henry Percy could not be more thrilled to once more prove his loyalty. With no word from his daughter, Northumberland had more cause than anyone to aid the King, his son-in-law. Edward IV would surely reward those who aided him and these actions would break the power of the Duke of Norfolk and his grip over the realm. Percy knew that once the vacuum was opened, he would seek to fill the gap as the father-in-law to the King and see his daughter reunited with her King. From there, the realm could once more move forward with its progress, with Northumberland surely at the front with the King.

==============================

The Duke of Clarence, George Plantagenet, was among the first to support his older brother, in exchange for promises of land (if I am correct on that, Gandy). Yet, despite this desire, the young George has shown that he is loyal to his older brother and wants nothing but to see him restored. For given the circumstances, if Edward were to die, George would be King and surely Norfolk would deny that inheritance to claim the throne for himself. He wore a splendid set of plated armor, which was decorated with the white Yorkist rose and the sigil of the House Plantagenet.

[Gandalfus]

Edward was truly surprised to see Norfolk's heir arrive, accompanied by men flying the banners of Mowbray. As the Earl approached, the King remained silent whereas before he had been full of life - his laughter dying in the face of who he saw as the son of his betrayer. Those who knew Edward well saw that he ached with cold anger, the very fibre of his being straining against itself as the son of York restrained a torrent of righteous fury.

After what seemed like an age, the King spoke, his voice surprisingly calm, yet it was powerful enough in volume to carry as Mowbray approached.

"Mowbray. For your own sake I hope you come to bend your knees to your rightful king, and plead for forgiveness for yourself and your once loyal father, now turned betrayer." Edward deliberately avoided the word traitor, despite himself. Gods, if only Warwick were still breathing, or his father! Men such as those were used to the trappings of power, tempering furious violence with patience and wisdom. He emulated them as best he could, though God knew the king wished to wet his blade with blood.


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[Lucius Malfoy]

Northumberland approaches the King, gesturing to the Earl of Surrey who had just arrived.

Your Grace, you need not worry of his loyalties. He came to me, alerting me to the dangers that have sprung up within London. If not for his word, I would have been blind to what had happened. The Earl of Surrey is more loyal to you than his father and will gladly see Your Grace to be restored to the throne in the hopes of redeeming his good name and showing himself to be a true and loyal subject of your realm.

[Gandalfus]

As Northumberland approached, Edward heartened to his words, leaning forward in his saddle to listen to his wife's father. After a thin smile and nod, Edward visibly relaxed - the previously tended muscles releasing themselves just as the King's anger subsided. He had not heard better news for some time - that Mowbray's own son supported him against his own father. And yet, even though the King trusted Percy, the younger John de Mowbray did not have the king's trust, thanks to the sins of the father. thus the king still retained some wariness in his grimace-like expression.

"I thank thee, Northumberland, as does Surrey, I am sure." A wry grin broke onto Edward's face, defusing the apparent tension slightly. "I am glad you could join us, John. With you all here, word must surely be spreading that the King of England has come to reclaim his rightful seat, in God's name."

Turning to the assembled lords, he raised his voice ever louder, as if he were on the fields of Towton once more, commanding the defence against the onrushing men of Lancaster.

"My lords! We now wait only for loyal Kyriell and the lords who remember the House of York! Let the sun in splendour be held aloft our heads as we return to London, so that the people of that fair city know that their King has come to reclaim his throne!" Edward could only possibly feel more alive if he had an army at his back, rather than this small band of trusted men. But still, it would do, their king rallying them to make his triumphant return to his Kingdom. With a grin on his face, he raised his arm aloft, gesturing to the panoply of heraldry fluttering above them in the breeze. York had awoken, and was on its way to London.


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[Xion]

A small company of riders flying two banner, the first bearing three torteaux on gold, the second bearing the emblem of the first quartered with lion rampant azure, the arms of the Earl of Devon, arrive and approach the gathering of nobility.

[Gandalfus]

Courtenay is welcomed into the swelling encampment of Peers, and is invited to come forth and speak with the King if they wish to do so.


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[Xion]

Courtenay is welcomed into the swelling encampment of Peers, and are invited to come forth and speak with the King if they wished to do so.

John and Henry Courtenay make their way to where the king is, and the two bow to the king. "Your majesty, it is good to see the rumors about your health are false." John says.

[Gandalfus]

"And it is good to see there are those who remember their king." Edward replied with a genial smile, inclining his head to to the new arrivals, before raising his voice again.
"Those who have served loyally will be rewarded. Mark these words, and serve me well." The King recalled that a few houses had not been rewarded for their efforts at Wallingford, and he sought to rectify this.


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[Oznerol]

Essex arrived with his sons, Viscount Bourchier, Baron Scales and Baron Ferrers de Groby.

[Gandalfus]

The Bourchiers are also brought forward to see the King at Windsor, where he stands at the head of the assembled nobles.


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[Jokern]

Surrey was thankful for Northumberland speaking on his behalf, giving the king assurances of his true loyalties. Following this, John de Mowbray went and knelt before the king.

"Your Grace, it is a Earl Northumberland says. My loyalties and oaths will forever be to you and your kin, and not to my father. Though I am his son, to be true, even I can see beyond the veil of familial ties and distinguish right from wrong. You are the king, your Grace, with only the Lord above wielding a higher authority. I am yours to command, always. However, I humbly ask that my father be treated with respect and honor, for he served your Grace well at Towton and the following years to Wallingford, aiding the House of York against the House of Lancaster. I understand if you refuse me, your Grace, as is your right, but please consider the pleadings of a son who does love his father."

[Gandalfus]

"Rise, Mowbray." Edward commanded, leaning forward in his stirrups to gaze down upon the son of Norfolk.
"I will treat your father justly, though I cannot guarantee his utter innocence." The king continued, recalling how Norfolk had turned Towton for York by a mixture of fortune and good timing. How things had changed. At the very least, Norfolk would be reprimanded - though to be truthful the king was still considering a punishment.


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[Jokern]

Surrey rose and nodded his thanks.

"That is all I can ask for. Thank you, your Grace. Now, how may I be of assistance to you? My lands are not far from here, if necessary I can send for my men if your Grace requires their service, though I pray that it will not be so."

[Gandalfus]

"I pray for that too. Our words should be enough to restore my power." Edward confided in Surrey. With such overwhelming support, Norfolk would be forced to concede defeat and return power to the king in face of such overwhelming support for the monarch.


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[Oznerol]

The Bourchiers stepped forward:

"You summoned us, your Grace, and here we are"

The elderly man bows before the King.

"Our swords and our lives are yours"

[Blastoise Groudon]

Sir Michael Moody catches up with the King's entourage and wishes to meet with him on the behalf of Earl Hastings.

[Gandalfus]

Edward grinned at the Bourchiers, clapping his uncle on the back heartily. "Faithful Bourchier!" The King looked lean and strong, having sworn to abstain from drink until the throne was back under him. A herald caught his attention when news of Sir Moody's arrival was spread, whom he awaited patiently along with the other nobles.


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[Blastoise Groudon]

Sir Moody was led back to see the King. He was filled with excitement. He wanted to see his King alive and well. Once he was brought to him, he fell to his knees.

Your Majesty! Thank God! I have rushed here upon hearing the news of you on the march. I do not know the fate of my lord Hastings, but I know you are well. I am here to join you in your fight against Norfolk. I am sure Earl Hastings would to if he wasn't in the Tower. Please, Your Majesty, let me join you in this march!