Return of the Family Dejon

[Hot Mustard]

**Early afternoon, at the home of Duke Aidun, Zaragoza:

* Shouting outside, sounds of ringing weapons...the front door is throw open with a crash and a stranger walks in

Stranger: "WHO HAS CLAIMED THIS HOUSE?"

Various servants of the Duke (who is absent himself at the time) proclaim is it the Duke of Zaragoza's home and that the stranger should leave immediately, or face the city guards that are no doubt on their way.

Stranger: "Zara-what? Where are the Dejons? Oh, don't bother - I'll find them!"

* The Stranger leaves

[Hot Mustard]

Late afternoon, Zaragoza marketplace, Dejon Weapon shop

** Late afternoon, Zaragoza marketplace, Dejon Weapon shop:

* A stranger enters

Stranger: "Who's in charge here?"

Shop clerk: "My father, Garuf Dejon."

Stranger: "Aha, a Dejon! Is he the head of the family?"

Shop clerk: "Um, well, depends on who's asking."

Stranger: "Fetch him immediately."

* Shop clerk runs into the back of the shop. Hurried conversation can be heard, and after a couple of minutes, a large, but portly, man emerges while strapping a sword sheath to his belt.

Garuf Dejon: "Who's asking for me?"

Stranger: "Are you the Señor Dejon?"

Garuf Dejon: "Yes! And who might you be?

Stranger: "The next Señor Dejon, sir! I challenge you, by right of bloodline descended from the late Poupon Dejon."

Garuf Dejon: "Poupon? There hasn't been a Poupon for centuries! You have no such right!"

Stranger: "Just as I thought - the Dejon family has forgotten their code. No matter - you will swear fealty to me or die, sir."

* The Stranger unsheaths his sword.

Garuf Dejon: "Get out of my shop!"

* Garuf Dejon charges the stranger, sword drawn. The Stranger slashes his sword twice - the first knocking Garuf's sword from his grasp, and the second opening his neck to the air. The Stranger looks almost sad at the pitiful contest. He grabs behind the counter, hauling the young clerk into view.

Stranger: "Am I sorry for your loss, lad. But I will not spare any who have besmirched the Dejon name. What's your name?"

Clerk: "He's not really my father. He married my mom for our name, to help his business. I'm a real Dejon, Leis Dejon - named after one of the original sons of the first Señor."

Stranger: "Ah, you know some history, do you lad? Do I have to challenge you? Do you know the code?"

Leis: "Yes, yes, my great-grand-father taught me...The challenger states his challenge and lienage, but leaves out his own name, as it is not yet important. If the person challenged does not believe the lineage, they have the right to ask to see the family mark, otherwise they immediately state their weapon choice for the challenge. Are you really a Dejon? There are very few male Dejons left. Those that don't kill each other amongst family squabbles usually serve their entire life in the military, never marrying."

Stranger: "Very good, Leis. Ah, that is a shame. The military is important, but continuing the family traditions is more important. My name is Jaguar Dejon."

* Jaguar lifts his left shirt sleeve to reveal a mark on the inside of his arm - a rock spear.

Leis: "Wow!"

Jaguar: "I seek to reunite the family - who do I need to challenge, and where will I find them?"

Leis: "Um...there's a Dijon in Pamplona, and a widow named Heris, sister-in-law to my mother, in Madrid who lost her husband Fletch. Both claim to be the family head. My mother has kept quite for years on family business, letting Garuf pretend to be a Dejon so that we could keep a roof over our heads."

Jaguar: "Well, you're a fount of knowledge, boy! Why isn't there more Dejons in this city they settled? And who is this Duke of Zaragoza?"

Leis: "Everyone dispersed in a few generations after Fletcher Dejon's death. When the Señor Tamali was given governorship of Santiago, he gave up the interim governship here, and Lord Togas installed the governor Aidun, who King Togas recently made a Duke."

Jaguar: "Hmm, I'm not sure I like that. After settling the family disputes, I'll go see the new King. He also has to explain the sorry state of the Spanish military. Sure, there are soldiers all over the place, but they're all raw - no experienced soldiers to be found! Just today I pounded my way through two guards to get into the Duke's house - the old Dejon manor - completely inept, they were! Say lad - would you come with me to Pamplona and Madrid? You can show me the quickest way and point out the shameful Dejons."

Leis: "OK!"

[Hot Mustard]

A few days later, in the Pamplona marketplace

** A few days later, in the Pamplona marketplace


Jaguar: "Dijon Dejon - I challenge you, by right of bloodline descended from the late Poupon Dejon."

Dijon: "You MUST be joking. Nobody could trace their bloodline back that far! Show me a mark, fool, if you know what I'm talking about."

* Jaguar rolls up his sleeve

Dijon: "Oh my lord, you aren't joking!"

* Dijon walks into the back of his shop and emerges two minutes later, covered with armour and carrying two bronze spears.

Dijon: "I see your sword there, but let's see if you know how to handle the spear."

* Dijon tosses a spear to Jaguar

* The fight lasts no longer than a minute, with Jaguar triumphing by sweeping Dijon off his feet with a low swipe of the spear, and lunging up to his neck with the sharp point. Face to face, with the spear at Dijon's neck...

Jaguar: "I commend you for lasting that long, Dijon. And I can see from the tip of this spear that there is at least one Dejon left that knows how to make a proper weapon. Do you swear fealty to me, Jaguar Dejon, or must I kill a talented Dejon craftsman?"

Dijon: "I will honour the Dejon family - by swearing fealty to you, Señor Jaguar Dejon. I never thought I'd see this day - I am very happy. A part of me had hoped that young Leis there might one day grow strong enough to lead the family, but it was not likely with his illegitimate father. I only led the family because there was none other, and in fact, many did not recognize my lead anyway. But you will have to deal with Fletch's widow in Madrid before all will follow you."

Jaguar: "So I am told by young Leis here, and I will. Dijon, I am a Dejon by blood, but my upbringing was far from civilized, and I am no weaponsmith. The family will need you to strengthen and maintain that tradition more than ever. I have slain the boy's so-called father in Saragossa, and his mother will need help. Please choose the best of your apprentices to take charge here, and then go set things right in Saragossa. In a year's time, I want to hear that Dejon weapons are the best to be found, from Madrid to Vigo!"

Dijon: "It will be so, Señor."

[Hot Mustard]

A week later, in the Madrid cemetary

** A week later, in the Madrid cemetary

Heris: "You there - move! You're kneeling on my husband."

Jaguar: "Ah, Heris, I presume. Leis told me I would find you here."

Heris: "Leis? My sister-in-law's brat? Who are you?"

Jaguar: "Who I am is not important, but my forefathers are. I seek to restore the Dejon family, as a descandant of the late Poupon Dejon. I am unsure of how to proceed, madame, for the code did not explicitly exclude or include challenges to women. What say you?"

Heris: "Ah, the rumors are true! You can't just barge into a Duke's home and not expect people to talk, you know. I will accept your challenge, by the accuracy of the bow. That should preserve your manly honour."


* The challenge is conducted on the old Training Grounds, which have been all but abandoned. At sixty paces, Jaguar plants 8 of ten arrows into the target, while Heris manages 6.

Heris: "I never expected to win, but traditions are traditions. No other has even dared challenge me, fearing to injure me. You can have the family title, but you should heed my advice on dealing with the growing intrigue of Madrid."

Jaguar: "I may, madame, but first I need to hear your oath."

Heris: "Oh, you do know a thing or two! Very well...I will honour the Dejon family, by swearing fealty to you, Señor Jaguar Dejon. I suppose I should ask to see if you have the same mark my husband had..."

Jaguar: "And you know a thing or two, as well."

* Grinning, Jaguar rolls up this sleeve

Jaguar: "Spain has changed much from what I was taught. I would appreciate your assistance in many regards, Heris. I have asked Dijon to restore the quality to the Dejon arms. But I am sure that you possess knowledge equally important, like on how to run the many shops, how to restore our reputation, and how to get an audience with the King."

Heris: "Ah, yes, there are many facets to a family image, Señor, and I will help with those you are unfamiliar with."

Jaguar: "With the family elders working together, am I confident we can make the Dejon family name a noble one once again. I feel a great swell of pity for any who stand in our way."

[Hot Mustard]

OOC

I'm back.

p.s. Yes, I stole the last line from the upcoming Matrix movie - it's a great line!

[History Guy]

*wipes a tear from his eye*

Senor Jaguar Dejon! I was a friend of your great-great-great-grandfather. I was afraid your line had gone extinct!

Welcome, my new friend. Welcome to the new thane hall.

Sir, we at the Curia need a forth Cardinal to balance things out. What we'd like even more is a Cardinal who is a military man, you understand. We need someone who will go out in future with Togas King, and claim some land for the Papal States, eh, what?

Cardinal Fernand de History Guy Calamari

[OliverFA]

Señor Dejon! You are finally back!

We've been waiting for your return for a long time. This is no doubt a sign that the gods favour the new King.

Please, come to the tavern and take some ale and squid. You are invited

[GodKing]

Welcome back. Game 3 only played one turn.... I think it died sometime after I played...

[astrologix]

Welcome back Señor Dejon

[Aidun]

Hmpf. Jaguar Dejon are you? A little bit more respect to a duke would have been appropriate señor Dejon! Ruining the front door of my estate, entering without any permission. And you expect me to bid you welcome?! Señor Dejon, my hospitality has no limit, but in this case I should rather put you in the dungeon for a week or so!
It is but because our fathers have been such good friends that I won't do that. It is also because I still keep a remembering to the days of my youth when the founder of Zaragoza, the old Fletcher Dejon committed suicide when High King Decedro Togas died.
Have you not remarked his bronze statue before my estate? If you would have noticed it, señor Dejon, would you have done the same?
You would have lost your honour and perhaps even a friend.
Take this lesson from me señor Dejon: keep your eyes open and think before you handle.

Aidun Cian the older,

Duke of Zaragoza

[Hot Mustard]

Thank you all for your welcomes.

I will remember fondly those who befriend the Dejons once again, and also note those that do not make the effort to restore old families allegiences.

Señor Calamari - I appreciate your confidence in me. At this time however, I am concentrating on consolidating the family holdings. Heris and I have much work to do. She has counseled me that I should wait a brief time before speaking to the King. This will allow time for the news to reach him, and for the noble houses to decide how to react. I seek no status or office, but all the same, I would like to know friend from foe before entering the King's court.

Señor Cian - I humbly apologize for disrupting your household. I was quite disturbed upon reaching my goal of Saragossa only to find that: the Dejons were not to be found; their former house was now the residence of a Duke; and the city had changed name. By the way, you might look into upgrading your household guards - they were as effective as ceremonial statues. And speaking of statues, I would not have recognized a statue of Fletcher Dejon. I am afraid I cannot explain that right now. I must speak with King Togas before I can share my tale with others. Again, my apologies.

I will join you all at the Tavern Iberian Delight.

[Nuclear Winter]

Hola Señor Dejon,
I am sorry if I could not come earlier to greet you, but my family has been involved in lots of deals and my father, Nuclearis Winterius the II, who knew Fletcher Dejon in life, has just passed to the Greater Life. I am meeting a Dejon by the first time, but I´ve heard beutifull tales of your family´s bravery. Be welcome back, and please contact me for everything you need. Besides, If your family needs resources just ask and we can provide you as much Wine squid, bread, or money as you feel necessary to rebuild your household and such. Don´t feel ashamed or such, just drop by ElSqid & Vino and talk to Filipo.
Welcome back to Spain, and may your family restore it´s old glory!
Nuclearis Winterius the III

[History Guy]

I understand, Senor Dejon.

Know me then as a friend, and take this...it's a new thing which I discovered the other day quite by accident...

It's called cheese. You'll love it!

Cardinal Calamari
Saintly Squid Salesman