jk i lowkey haven't decided yet, whether i should make him a man or a woman. i use he/him pronouns because that's what everyone in the akotsk universe would assume mystery KNIGHTS gender is. BUT with the plot i'm planning there is a reveal of identity and it doesn't really matter to me because the halo knight is a twin (one girl, one boy) so the plot would work with it being either man or woman.
i'm a woman so it might be difficult for me to write from a man's pov but i sometimes feel like a man... AND i think i've done well so far
been getting lots of questions abt this so thought i might answer since i'm still debating and currently in a slump from writing the joust between valarr and the halo knight.
ALSO i think valarr is so hot so it was difficult to not write moments of attraction from the halo knight's pov so i could keep him gender neutral since i haven't decided. lmk what y'all think 🙏
a mystery knight at the ashford tourney! (wc: 966)
Well, shit, I can’t see a thing. It's too dark for this helm.
The Halo Knight brought his shield closer to his chest. The white courser danced around despite his rider gripping at the reins so the horse would stand still. The gates of the field opened with a loud groan, three knights trotted in, one after another, as a blast of trumpets announced their arrival. Two waited at the south end of the field from which they had entered, while the first knight headed for the viewing stand.
The crowd murmured at the Halo Knight’s appearance at last, after rumors he'd entered the lists the evening previous.
The first knight stopped in front of the viewing stand and dipped his lance in salute to the hosts and heir to the Iron Throne. Then, on he went to the north end of the field to select the champion he would challenge.
The Knight of the day’s horse pawed at the ground. From the moment of entering the field, his head never angled to the viewing stand nor the crowd. He kept his gaze on the five champion pavilions.
The second day of the tourney began in the late morning and took over the entire afternoon. Challengers took the field, trumpets shouted, names were announced, champions were chosen, lances were broken, the crowd screamed, horses shook the earth, and steel rang against steel. A perfect day of jousting, most would say.
Although the Knight of the shadows made an observation while hiding in the shade of the standing view, where lords, ladies, and tired knights sat. The closest pavilion was of black and red silk with a shield of the Targaryen dragon gleaming in front. Prince Valarr sat leisurely on his chair, goblet refilled any time it ran low. His black helm was off, and his dark hair fluttered in the wind every so often.
Yet, no matter the sparkly attraction of the dragon shield, the most entertaining knights behaved as if the glint of the shield, or maybe of the white armor behind Valarr, would blind them and ruin their chance of defeating a champion.
Right. Of course. Don’t offend the dragon. Don’t bruise the prince. Blah, blah, I’m always more offended when treated as though I am glass.
The first time Prince Valarr was challenged for the day, it had already been high noon.
Finally.
And so, it continued, seven challengers in total would drag the Young Prince from his black pavilion to mount his horse. Each of the seven challengers would eventually melt from their saddles or yield soon after the black prince advanced their fight afoot.
Is this man some fearsome master of the sword?
Before becoming intrigued by Prince Valarr, the Halo Knight had thought he would challenge Ser Tybolt Lannister. He did not want to overdo it by challenging Ser Lyonel Baratheon because, although the Laughing Storm was the most intriguing, he was also scary, something the Halo Knight would never admit.
Eh, I have already defeated many like him….
In his time hidden in the shadows, he shifted often to lean against the wall or return to standing straight, then, as the sun melted into the horizon, he jumped on his horse to quickly gather some random squire before the next tilt. He rode around, craving an answer as to how skilled the Young Prince was with a sword.
Now, at the south end of the field, the Halo Knight was so focused on Valarr Targaryen that he reacted late to his turn of saluting the viewing stand.
I have the chance to do something really funny right now, to me at least.
It was the loud voice of his squire that snapped the knight into action.
“The Halo Knight! Knight of the day, Knight of the shadows,” a herald shouted out, to which the crowd cheered after. The golden halo on his arms, shining.
The Halo Knight approached the viewing stand to tip his twelve-foot lance at the queen of love and beauty. The lance barely dipped down as the knight quickly began toward the champions. He slowed at the first pavilion.
I mean, I might as well.
Prince Valarr tilted his head slightly as he watched the Halo Knight slowly tap the dragon shield so gently, it did not make a noise. Prince Valarr stood stiffly, holding the gaze of the challenger. The crowd cheered louder than before at the Knight of the shadows choice.
As opposed to heading for the third lane, as assumed by order, the Halo Knight chose the one nearest to the viewing stand. He waited back at the south end of the lists for Prince Valarr.
These stupid dangling gems. By God, I should rip them off right here.
The gems on the helm of the knight had been pitter-pattering against the metal with every deep breath the knight took. The length of the chain had been made too long this time.
Across the lists, Prince Valarr mounted his black horse with his dark armor, dark lance, dark everything. The air around the Young Prince seemed so rehearsed. Prince Valarr was the last to settle at the opposite end of the challengers. The eye-slits of the Knight of the shadows intentional design to keep his eyes hidden made it so Prince Valarr could not make out if his challenger was staring at him, or through him.
The stark red three-headed dragon atop his helm, which his squire had handed him, caught the attention of the Halo Knight. It had been a reminder all day of who the opponent was challenging.
It’s simple, just get him off the horse.
A slow breath out was the last thing the Halo Knight had done before a horn sounded, and Ashford meadow went silent.
I'm so obsessed about the halo knight, can't wait to read more!!!!
oh my goodness, thank you so much! i've ran into tech issues sadly so my next part of the halo knight has been postposed but i'll try to get it up within the next 5 hours 🙏
me after my draft didn't pop up when i reloaded my tab even though i most definitely pressed save as draft
entering the lists of ashford tourney as a mystery knight! (wc: 779)
Why does everything smell like piss?
The Halo Knight followed the captain through the corridors of the castle. The place was dim enough, even more so with a closed visor. "You're that 'Halo Knight,' aren't you?"
A deep breath was let out while the knight adjusted his grip on the obvious shield over his shoulder, "What gave it away?"
The captain looked back and examined the knight's attire, "You are as handsome a knight as they say."
The Halo Knight did not respond, looking down instead at the stairs they were climbing. The soft clinking of the gems on his helm took over the silence. "That door, right there, is where you'll find Plummer."
"Thank you, Ser."
A man with a head of grey and rat face looked up, an eyebrow already raised. "What might you want?"
The Halo Knight stood with his weight on one leg and his hands resting over the pommel of the sheathed sword on his belt. "I've come to enter the lists of the tourney."
Plummer squinted at the uncomfortably dead voice that came out of the knight before him. "Your name? Where are you from?"
Another deep breath was let out of the helm, yet the knight stood straight as always. "I am called the 'Halo Knight.' My home is here in the Reach."
Before the knight could finish, Plummer's gaze turned skeptical, and his head was already shaking. "The mystery knight that abandons the list before the tourneys end? This is the celebration of M'lord Ashford's daughter. I will not have you enter only to disappoint the fair maiden during her thirteenth name day celebration. How do I even know that you are not some imposter, pretending to be the Knight of the day?"
One blink. Two blinks.
Well, he isn't wrong...
"My last tourney was at Highgarden. Lord Leo Tyrell hosted in honor of his grandson's birth." The Halo Knight reached into the sack at his side, pulling out a golden arm-ring. He stepped forward to place it in the hands of Plummer. "I've handed this over to many a master of games. It is known. My name is etched on the inside there."
The master of lists was not impressed. The arm-ring was surely pure gold, a rarity, and the name was indeed etched on the inside, but that still did not solve the habit of the Knight of the day abandoning the lists.
"I have heard Lord Tyrell is in attendance. He has seen my gold before. You may confirm it with him."
Plummer gripped the arm-ring and tapped it on his other hand. His lips pursed as he began to organize his thoughts. He tossed the piece of gold on the table, above his parchment. The Halo Knight was quicker to continue.
"And you should keep it. I shall return for it at the end of the tourney."
Yeah, I'm definitely not coming back to this shithole after I am done.
A growl came out of Plummer before he spat in a cup, "The tourney has already begun. So, I do believe you will be the last to enter the lists."
Soon after that, the Halo Knight exited the room and headed for the yard where he could reclaim his horse.
That is the worst I've ever done. Could I have been more of a priss? My voice was pathetic.
A piece of cobble from the castle wall fell on the knight with a clank. The Halo Knight's shoulders jumped before he continued walking stoically.
A white courser was gathered by the stableboy, whose eyes gleamed while looking up at the Knight of the day. The boy shut his gaping mouth as he felt the knight's ominous gaze fire back at him. The Halo Knight took the reins and mounted his steed.
The boy did not move, nor change his stare.
The hell is wrong with this kid?
The Halo Knight had had enough of the frozen boy. He opened one hand wide to steer his horse and leave the gates of Ashford castle. The boy chased after the walking horse. The stable boy soon began firing off questions. The knight did not answer any of them, and thankfully, the stableboy was soon called away.
Staring off into the distance at the town of silk that made Ashford meadow glow in the night, the Halo Knight let out a loud sigh and went for the outskirts of Ashford town to travel around. Less some prideful idiot jump in front of him and request he remove his helm. Or worse, a stalker ruin his chances of making it to his hidden camp.
I can't believe I had to give that asshole my cuff, he can keep it for all I care.
this is not as entertaining as i'd wish it to be... no cameo's yet :( sorry 🫶 finals are killing me and i needed to get this out of my mind. good luck to everyone else with finals!!
p.s lmk what you think of my writing so far, this is my first time writing and i'd like feedback.
The Kingdom of Sojara (wc: 1.7k, if coming from link, go to the sectioned numbered that of the link you came from)
1. The Red Mountains are a mountain range extending over much of southern Westeros. The range divides Dorne in the south from the Stormlands and the Reach to the northwest. The Red Mountains are divided into two by the Prince’s Pass. The eastern range is a part of the Seven Kingdoms, while the western range is ruled by Sojara [so-ha-ra]. The peaks can appear scarlet and crimson at sunset, though it is said by some that the Red Mountains are named after the blood which has been spilled in the contested terrain.
The Maryash [mar-ya-sh] flows from the northern mountains, south into the Summer Sea. The hidden valleys and high meadows of the Red Mountains have greenery. The meadows north of Savjen [sav-hen], for instance, have crisp air at night. The fertile vicinity of Savjen is forested and contains iron, tin, and silver. The foothills near Zveł [zv-eł] have runoff from the heights and plentiful game in the valleys.
2. The most populous place is Savjen. The most exposed place would be Zveł, as it is the port city established for trade and travel. The Sojarin [so-ha-rin] seldom let foreigners past Zveł, even if they manage, they must pierce the defensive town of Kinyash [kin-ya-sh]. As a Sojarin, the kingdom is peaceful and beautiful. There are villages spread across the land, some over the desert and some carved into stone.
The town of Zveł is one of polished red limestone, with wide avenues and walk ways are lined with gorgeous buildings. Traveling north, up the Maryash river, the town of Kinyash is plain and quiet. A giant red tower, surrounded by a handful of buildings, is the home of house Kin. With many windows and lookout points, it can seem a plain place, but this town is largely battle-ready and more of a rest stop for Sojarin travelers.
If you continue north, up the Maryash river, you reach Savjen. In the heart of Sojara, there is a circular city, thriving with life and bustling with noise. This is the real Sojara, where people can be people and not on alert every moment, fearing invasion. The city is alive with vendors, shop owners, performers, and families. The house Maryaal [mar-ya-al] rule from the giant dome called Maja [ma-ha] in the center of the city. Made of white limestone and polished stone, the palace feels like a maze once entered. The Maryash river splits into a Y, and along the rest of the river, there are many villages. The most sacred of places would be the village Solkeya [sol-ke-ya], the place where the Sojarin claim they entered the world from. This village is directly north of Savjen and carved into the mountains.
Along the entirety of the northern Red Mountains, there are towns carved into the mountains. The Sojarin claim to come from a people trapped in a cave system under Westeros for generations. House Seyna [sey-na] was inspired by this story to carve into the red rock of the mountains. There is a wide system of towns that live inside the mountains, the most populous being Mirâso [mir-axo] and Boj’ee [boh-i].
3. House Maryaal of Savjen, usually simply called House Maryaal, is the ruling house of Sojara. Their words translates to "Soul of heat and depth." Their banner is a clean red handprint over a white background. The Sojarin are ones who do not deny inheritance based on gender. Usually inheritance is given based off order of birth. Although house Maryaal has a history of firstborn daughters. In fact, out of the past 14 rulers, only two of them have been kings, including the current King Dynes II. This family is the descendants of Cajačas [ka-ha-gas], the "first spoken."
Other prominent houses in Sojara are House Kin, House Seyna, and House Tsar [ts-ar]. House Kin live in a giant, defensive tower called the “Yashol” [ya-sh-ol], which is along the Maryash river that goes south, their words translates to "Family, Peace, & Defense." House Kin flies a banner of white with a black circle, with spears pointing outward and red dot in the center of the circle. House Seyna lives in interconnected mountains towns along the northern mountains, their words translates to "Deep within." House Seyna flies a banner of black with the silhouette in orange of a person holding a sword above their head. House Tsar lives in a humble palace in their port city of the Maryash river that enters the Summer Sea. Their words translates to "South is freedom." House Tsar flies a banner of white with a silver abstract symbol that can be interpreted as either the sun setting on the ocean, an "angel," a shut eye with tears, or the sun and it’s rays.
4. It is said in legend that Cajačas, the "first spoken," begged the god, Sol, to gift her people as the god had gifted her.
The "Mojarin" [mo-ha-rin] entered the caves to hide from another people who hunted them, most likely the first men, less likely the children of the forest. They stayed so long and traveled too far into the cave system that they could not figure their way out. The Mojarin grew shorter, and their skin turned pale. Their hair lost color just as their eyes had. Their vision grew weaker as their hearing improved. As food was scarce, their limbs lost thickness too.
A voice called them deeper into the darkness. The heat worsened, but darkness turned to light. In this, they encountered a pit of glowing gold that spoke to them, established itself as "Sol." Cajačas was the first to communicate with Sol, as it gifted her with the language Maryaa [mar-yaa]. Cajačas became the translator between the Mojarin and Sol. Upon the begging of Cajačas, Sol gifted the Mojarin with black hair, tan skin, golden eyes, and tall height, which turned them into the Sojarin. Further begging from Cajačas led Sol to create a trail of liquid gold to lead them out of the cave system. They popped out on the other side of the Red Mountains, where they established the town (later turned village), Solkeya. Outside of the caves, the Sojarin continued to cut their hair short and be a survival-based society.
5. Maryaa is the spoken language of the Sojarin. Maryaal is the written language of the Sojarin. Aptly named for the creator of the alphabet, Princess Zveya, who honored her family as she was a descendant of King Ačas I, the son of Cajačas.
Pronunciation guide:
A [pronounced: English a]
 [pronounced: the tongue cuts off full pronunciation of 'a' at the back of the throat]
B [pronounced: Spanish b]
C [pronounced: harsh ‘c’ like an English ‘k’ but soft enough to not be the same]
Č [pronounced: the tongue cuts off full pronunciation of 'c' at the back of the throat, sounds like ‘g’]
D [pronounced: English d]
E [pronounced: Spanish e]
J [pronounced: Spanish j]
I [pronounced: English i]
K [pronounced: English k]
L [pronounced: English l]
Ł [pronounced: YouTube short demonstration]
LL [pronounced: not like the Spanish 'll', where it is a ‘y’ sound, but as ‘ly’]
M [pronounced: English m]
N [pronounced: English n]
O [pronounced: Spanish o]
R [pronounced: Spanish r]
S [pronounced: English s]
T [pronounced: English t]
U [pronounced: English u]
V [pronounced: English v]
Y [pronounced: English y]
Z [pronounced: English z]
An apostrophe is used to create a harsh/crisp pronunciation of the previous syllable.
6. Kireys [kir-ey-s] means "away years." This is the tradition of sending one's child away from home for a year or so, in between the time of childhood and adulthood. This happens at the same time a child is educated in reading, writing, and history.
As a survival-based society, it is most likely that a youth receives training with a sword and archery, among other skills. This education and training is an organized system. In villages, families bring their children together to create one area of education. In towns, it varies from family to family. If the family is wealthy, they take care to educate the children on their own. If the family is not wealthy, they take the route of villagers and create one area of education with children from other non-wealthy families. Whereas in the city of Savjen, children are welcome into the Maja to be educated. The education system in the Maja is much more precise. Children are organized by age and have a strict schedule they follow, while those in towns or villages are educated when it is convenient.
Âsoys [ax-o-ys], the years of education can last up to marriage. When one passes their 20th year, they are cycled back to help educate the youngest age group. Or, they can choose a trade to specialize in and follow that path. To establish ones confident in choosing a trade to specialize in, one would enter the decennial âsam [ax-am] held for the interested specialization. The champion of the âsam are given the title "best of their age," because they compete against those of similar age. For example, the winner of the sword fighting âsam is called the "best sword of their age."
7. The Sojarin believe there are two categories one can be put under, mach'jarin [ma-ch'-ja-rin] or loch'jarin [lo-ch'-ha-rin]. Mach'jarin literally means "behind people," as in those who are behind another because they are too young to have learned, or too old to remember their training and are thus unable to defend themself. Loch'jarin translates to "front people," as in those who stand in front of another to protect and defend. Because of the education and training system set up in Sojara, most people are capable of defending themself.
Although Sojara has the renowned warriors called the Bjent [b-hent]. The Bjent are warriors who protect the land, infrastructure, and mountains of Sojara. They are not given the task of protecting civilians. This has created extreme solidarity and protectiveness between Sojarin. This means the Bjent can solely focus on defending the borders of Sojara. Called the "paranoid" Bjent, as they always assume invasion and threat, or the "sensitive" Bjent, because to even approach the Sojara borders means your head is a target.
It is agreed that the Bjent may be some of the finest warriors, but there is doubt that they, alone, could resist Nymeria the warrior queen, along with Aegon the Conqueror. Even the giant North knelt to the Conqueror, yet for thousands of years, the small Sojara has stood just as strong?
world building... i'm not so confident abt this🧍♀️lmk if this doesn't make sense or if things are clashing, this is all word vomit more than anything. ALSO made all the collages on picsart and found most of the photos on pinterest, i google image searched most of them to ensure they aren't ai. i tweaked the inspo pic of house kin to make it red, it was originally a black tower. 2/4 house sigils are just straight off pinterest, house kin's sigil is also straight off pinterest but i put a red dot in the center 😏 for house seyna i took a pin and colored over it in ms paint to make it primary silhouette like. anyway, i hope this helps understanding the halo knight character! there will probably be more world/character building posts like this...
The Halo Knight is a mystery knight who participated in the tourney at Ashford in 209 AC. Lord Ashford staged the tourney to celebrate his daughter's thirteenth name day. The fair maid was the queen of love and beauty and would have five champions to defend her honor. All other entrants were the challengers, and if anyone defeated a champion, they would take their place as the new champion. After three days of jousting, the champions would determine if Lord Ashford's daughter retained her title or if another would wear it.
The Halo Knight defeated Prince Valarr (5 tilts) and became a champion for the queen of love and beauty on the second day of the tourney. Although the knight fled soon after the day had ended.
The Halo Knight is so-called because of the plain, golden halo on his shield. This mystery knight has competed in many tourneys across the southern part of the Reach and has evaded being unmasked many times. Although the knight has two, more popular names. The "Knight of the day" as he only participates in one day of a tourney, no matter his standing in the lists, and therefore, is the most popular knight of the day when he makes an appearance. Another name is the "Knight of shadows," because he's always sitting in the shadows whilst awaiting a joust and slips in and out of hiding (aka the shadows). His true identity remains unknown. If the knight is not able to slip away peacefully at night fall, he is usually a part of some duel that ends with the knight jumping on his horse and galloping away. It is said that once, the Halo Knight was cornered by 3 other knights but he managed to fend them all off.
The mystery knight is not too short for a man but not tall either. He usually enters the lists at the last moment. His armor is plain silver with dark golden details, his shield is a silver one with gold plating the edges. The knight has a deep monotone voice, although he seldom speaks. His intricate helm does well to hide any features of his face, although it is obvious, with his slim stature, that he is no strong man.
Dear God, this breast plate is squeezing the heart out of my chest.
made the sigil myself on picsart (that is why its so bad lol) and the art is made by B_ASTORA1 on X! stick around for mythical/magical shit 🙏
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