Ni'Tessine Family/Karden/Roleplay/Free Men

Free Men

The Sacred Ring of Lightning

Although they were protected behind the walls of Avamar, Judge Erik Eyolf's soldiers were encamped. And the Judge, instead of requesting the house of a local merchant, was also in his military tent next to the small temple in a pleasant garden square.

The Stormwalkers were relaxed, preparing a meal. The bonfires were waiting the nightfall and the hunters brought some meat from Limbar and Elmbar while another small group was taking care of the steaming cauldrons of stew with the fish caught right there in Avamar, in the Sirion River.

A freemen approached the camp. Several guards immediately blocked his path.

"I request to speak with Judge Erik", says Karden the freeman, "I have an item for him".

One of the guards looks at him menacingly, "If you have something for the Judge, give it here!"

"I shan't do that! I need to be sure it reaches Judge Erik!" cries out the freemen.

The raised voices and threats eventually attract the attention of Captain Andre. "Look here man", he says, "the Judge is an important noble of the realm, and he's too busy for the likes of you. However, if you have something for him, you can be sure on my honor that I will give it to him."

Slowly, with misgivings, Karden hands over the Sacred Ring of Lightning to the captain of Judge Erik's men and watches him walk away and into the Judge's tent.

Soon afterward, Erik Eyolf himself left the tent. Was not a surprise that he was celebrating there with some Priestesses and he made no ceremonies to came out wearing only his pants. Probably that was not the Judge's most proud image. He seemed just an elf satisfied with the charms of some women. He carried an amphora of wine in one hand and a bag of gold on another.

"My good Karden. I received your reports. A good job, I have to say!"

The Captain received the bag of gold, checking the weight and then delivered the ring to Karden. The Judge of Sirion put the ring and felt the energy returning to his body as an electric wave renewing him with a new stamina.

"Good work...", he continued, "in the bag I have fifty gold pieces for you and I will take just a few moments to write a recommendation letter. You served me very well. If you want, in some time you can return to take care of my armour."

The scribes brought a seat, a small table and the Judge's writing materials. The swan quill that had signed Sirion agreements, was now writing the recommendation letter. When he finished, the dripped red wax on the paper was sealed with a special ring. The serpent's coat of arms. Before the agreement was over, the Judge raised and served two chalices of wine, offering one to Karden.

"Drink with me, Karden. Just as free men..."

Some concerns tormented the Judge's mind. But at that moment he drank the wine and thanked Karden.

Karden was visibly taken aback by all this. While he had hoped to deliver the ring in person to make sure it reached its rightful owner, he had never dreamed he might sit with the Judge and drink.

"I would gladly drink with you!", he said quickly recovering himself, and perhaps a bit over-eager. He was not used to such informality. It reminded him of another time, long ago, when he and his half-brother would play at games and chase girls. He wondered if he would one day be able to reunite with him, despite their differences.