Kirell enters the Warriors hall with a large rock in each hand. As the door closes behind him he surveys the room for innocent bystanders before flinging one at the practice dummy across the room. ?Take that & that? he howls as the next rock smashes into the dummy. ?I?ll be a master in no time?.
Luck often enough will save a man, if his courage holds.
Hearing the loud explosions coming from the warriors hall Corvax stops just before he enters the tavern, " Well Golly Gee what could that be." he says to himself. Turning around Corvax walks to the warriors hall and peeks his head in he door to see what is going on, He see Kirell throwing his large rocks "Hey Hey brothers in arms how be ye?" Corvax says.
Kirell pauses to greet his friend. "Just practicing for battle Corvax. I fear, however, that the next fight will be won in the words". He turns his attention back to the dummy. As he flings a large rock toward it, he muses "I shall have to learn to win the war of the wills".
Friends come and go, but enemies gather at my feet in a heap.
Corvax thinks about what Kirell said for a second then says " O you must be talking about all those rumors I keep hearing." "I think it is funny what bringing a little order can make people think and say." Taking a moment to reflect on what Crovax just said he looks up and asks " You guys are still on board and feeling good about this right?"
Thalenir walks in with a serious look on his face. "Kirell, Dreygor, Corvax. Good. I thought some of you might be here."
"I'm not sure if you've noticed the Town Post, but there is some serious discontent over your recent declarations. Nevara in particular seems very put off by them, and I suspect more than a few others feel the same way. These are not rumors; I heard it straight from Nevara's mouth no more than a few minutes ago."
"You have a hard task at hand, gentlemen. I'll be calling for a town meeting on the second's second of Yentrischt (OOP: November 7th). It would be prudent that as many of your group are there as possible. If your goal is to earn this town's trust, then you will need to make a public apology for not seeking their approval first. Once you do that, I would suggest that you withdraw your declarations and volunteer for the positions of authority you seek. I, for one, will cast my vote toward your appointments."
He frowns. "I believe you all to be men of honor, and I doubt any of you would deign to beg forgiveness for doing what you believe is right. I can't tell you what to do, and I certainly won't tell you to abandon your pride. All I can do is advise you on the surest way to achieve the justice you seek."
He looks hopefully to the three men. "Will you do this? If not, I fear there may be bloodshed, and Jastrey can ill afford such infighting in these dark times."
"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."
- Wizard of Oz
Dreygor looks up from his usual training, points to a scar that runs across his forearm from the recent battle with the undead.
"Are these not proof enough of our intentions? Kirell and I last I remembered had the idea of gathering the townsfolk so that we may better protect them from the oncoming threat. And what happened to those that chose not too? I know that Kevass' proclomations were brash, but after all when all you know is war and death you tend to think that way. We are men of war, not words Thalenir. I for one would give my life to protect these people. As long as I feel that is Kevass' intentions then I will help him. If your asking me to apologize for fighting on thier side and protecting this healers precious town with my life, then I will not apologize. Whether she likes to admit it or not there would of been no town left for her to return to if it had not been for two brothers of the Bladed Gavel."
With that Dreygor grabs his stuff and walks out of the warriors hall headed torward the tavern.
As Dreygor departs, Thalenir calls after him. "I require no apology, Dreygor. I stood beside you, remember. But right now, the people you are sworn to protect see you as the enemy. Is it not reasonable to ask their blessing rather than force yourselves upon them?"
Thalenir shakes his head and turns back toward the other two. "Please know, I mean no insult. As I have said, my goal is coexistence. It is unwise to ignore the sentiments that surround your names right now. What I am proposing may be difficult, but it is the surest way to clear your names and earn the positions of trust you seek."
"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."
- Wizard of Oz
Dreygor stops and turns around listening to the wizards words.
"Thalenir, I am sorry for my own hastiness, its just when all you have known is war, this is the way things are done. Perhaps we were brash in our tactics, remeber we are men that messure everything by the swords edge. You are right though the people of Jastrey do deserve an appology for the way it was done."
Dreygor looks over to Gecel.
"I thank you master Dwarf for the training you have given me, and whether you harbor ill feeling torwards my friends and I or not I can only speak for myself, but (stops a bit as if its the words were choking him) I am sorry if my ways were oppresive in any way. As I told Thalenir we are men of war and as I am sure you can attest to those ways are hard to put behind you after so long under their thumb."
with that Dreygor turns back to Thalenir.
"Perhaps an Ale to calm the soul? I'll buy friend"
Thalenir smiles, visibly relieved, and nods in approval. "That sounds like an excellent idea, my friend." He turns toward Kirell and Corvax. "If the two of you would like to discuss this further, I'll be in the tavern with Dreygor. He seems to have taken a constructive first step. I would urge you to consider my words and follow his example."
He turns toward Gecel. "Master dwarf. I trust that you overheard what I just said. I'll be putting a missive in the town post, but I would ask that you attend the meeting as well."
With that, Thalenir nods in parting and follows Dreygor to the tavern.
"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."
- Wizard of Oz
Corvax stands there deep in thought then looks at Thalenir and says " I don't know what to say, there is no leadership in this town, so for Kevass to stand up to defend this town you would think people would be grateful." Looking past Thalenir Corvax continues to mumble to himself soft words like - all these fights - cowards - not enough. Finally he stops looks at Gecel and says " You understand what we are trying to do don't you Gecel?" Corvax stops himself and proclaims " Whatever, If these people have a better idea I would like to hear it." " I'm not making any decisions until I can speak to Kevass."" I'm just going to go to the tavern and rest if anyone has any questions, if I know the answer fine if not Wait till Kevass gets back will be my answer."
His training finished and sweat rolling from his brow Kirell bursts into a rant. ?I left my people so that I might help the peoples of Orn understand our ways. For that I will not apologize. I left my home to put an end to the oppression suffered by so many. For that I will not apologize. I stopped at this place to prevent the usurpers from having their way with it. For that I will not apologize. I fight to protect those that can not defend themselves. For that I will not apologize. I was duped into becoming an oppressor by an over zealous friend. For that I will be eternally sorry. I will find Nevara, and Fire Lilly so that I might help them to understand my intentions.? With that Kirell leaves the hall and heads toward a nearby glade. As he exits town he can be heard repeating to himself ?self reflection, will lead me in a new direction?.
That which does not kill us makes us stronger.
That which does kill us makes us stronger still!
After Kirell makes his statement about Fire Lilly Corvax decides to go to the glade. Before leaving Corvaxs says "This I believe is just a misunderstanding, it is our fault because we did not explain it good enough. So I will speak to Fire Lilly and fix that." Corvax leaves and walks to the glade.
Gecel sits quietly in his cups. Enjoying the price paid for training with the dwarf. As the conversation seems to reach its conclusion, he mutters to himself. ?I really must get back to me own kind. By Imphalios? hammer, these humans sure bicker a lot for only living 60 years.?
The ancient dwarf drains another cup and attempting to fill it again, sees that his last keg is dry. Gecel frowns.
For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dreygor sits in his favorite chair downing an ale, still sweating from his hard practise session with gecel.
"Be careful there Kirell wouldn't want you accidently throwing one of those through the window."