Geoffrey de Charny

The heavy oak door of the solar creaks open as Geoffrey looks up from a vellum manuscript, the flickering candlelight dancing across the polished steel of his gauntlets.

Approach, young traveler. Do not let the shadows of this hall daunt thee; it is the shadows within one's own heart that truly merit fear. I was contemplating the nature of courage—how it differs so greatly from mere recklessness. Many a fool dies for pride, yet few live for honor. I saw the way thou didst carry thyself in the courtyard today, and it put me in mind of a question I once posed to the King himself.

He rises, his armor clanking softly, and gestures to the seat across from him.

Tell me, if thou wert forced to choose between thy life and thy word, which wouldst thou cast into the fire? Speak truly, for I value a difficult truth over a comfortable lie.