Serpentis Family/Erik Eyolf/Holy Days - Part I
The new Duke of Avamar kept his promises. His people would forget the old Lords to bow to the Silver Dragon. And if Dolmbar and Trinbar had fallen in love for Erik Eyolf Serpentis, Avamar seemed even easier to conquer. The people identified themselves with the behavior of the new Duke. Although Sirionites, the city housed some Fontanese families and perhaps some descendants of the ancient rebel realm founded there. A city of contrasts. The festival had dominated every district of the old city. A cheerful chaos flooded the streets. On that day the religious ones celebrated Elune at the great temple. The children ran to the outer walls of the castle where Erik had ordered the construction of the Great Wall of Honor and Glory with the names of enemies he defeated in the battlefields. Three new names were being carved there. The ports were open and small ships and boats roamed the Sirion River with colorful flags. The squares were infested by artists: singers, dancers, bards and all kind of sorcerers.
Erik had left the Stormwalkers in Sirion and after distribute his gold, the Duke of Avamar left the troop’s command with Captain Andre and the supervision of bureaucratic subjects with his seneschal. With a fast horse he left the city, passing by Limbar until enter the city through the main gate. Beautiful girls ran to him, throwing flowers and embroidered handkerchiefs. The militia formed a corridor through the central street. The Duke of Avamar and Judge of Sirion dispensed a bodyguard. Instead, he entered his city like a warrior. With his shining armor and the Sacred Sword. The Ruron’s Shield protecting his back over the red cape. A circlet crowning his forehead. Erik was not young anymore. He had battle scars. But his elven beauty was still seductive and captivating. An image of power, justice and honor. Covered with his glory. Like a god among the mortals. A dragon in elven skin.
When he reached the central square, he jumped from his horse and watched the mass of people around. He never saw so much people waiting to see him. Shouting his name. Not just pushing the security ring provided by the militia, but in every window and balcony. In each tower. An old scribe announced the official start of the celebrations. Trumpets and twisted horns spread a vibrant sound through the city. Erik walked up to a pair of thrones. Since he was not married, one of them remained empty. Before take a seat he allowed the approach of a small retinue. The guild of goldsmiths had brought a gif: a necklace of large gold plates. The central plate had the coat of Avamar. The two plates at right and left had the coat of arms of the former colonies of Sirion. The other ones were decorated with images of beautiful naked girls running with deer. They were the favorite prey of the new Duke: deer and naked women. Erik accepted the gift, letting a beautiful young maiden put the necklace around his neck, resting on the breastplate of his armor. Then, he sat to enjoy the celebrations.
The new Duke wanted to enjoy all the splendor of Avamar. He had ordered new guilds were open. The libraries were refurbished and every district has received new paint and repairs. The main guild that had been instituted was to gather artists and bards. For the first time he ordered that exotic animals were brought from afar. Not only remote parts of the East Continent, but also from Atamara, Far East, Dwilight and even the dreaded Beluaterra. From each continent where his family had served. A plenty of wild beasts never seen before in Sirion. It was a great spectacle, ambitious and surprising. Just like the new Duke.
Erik sat to enjoy everything. His watchful eyes were beginning to hunt some beautiful maiden who could follow him to the temple where he intended to inaugurate a great new statue of Elune. More than he did in Dolmbar and Trinbar, Erik wanted to see Avamar with his face. And he discovered how fast he could get what he wanted. He had loved the peace of a chimeric Dolmbar. He defended Trinbar as a bastion of Sirion. But a city offers many new opportunities. Avamar was a place rich in history. And more than a simple city, he had there people from Elmbar, Limbar and Montijo. And other ones from other duchies passing by Avamar following the trade routes to Karbala.
Soon the moon would come with his black mantle. The party would invade the taverns. Erik smiled. After the first days, he enjoyed his new position with his people. The Avamarians. A mirror of the new Duke.
