Legendary Exploits of Three Not Viking Brothers

"Yet my uncle did not part with the secret. Now you are here, curious if I know a childhood tale or ominous rhyme crafted by the dead and forgotten that lead the way to a seed for paradise. No. I possess no knowledge of the sort shadow priest. How could the central church abide a noble house of Acren possessing such a mighty divine artifact? They would not. Perhaps the previous primarch of Griswald deceived your holy orders."

The priest utters a laugh and says "It would certainly be convenient if you were the one telling me the cryptic rhyme wouldn't it? We know not the nature of what it is we seek only that Themis demands it be found."

The priest suddenly stands up and says "I'm afraid, however, that our time together here is at an end. The crow has caught wind of my deception and I must be on my way." He gives a overexaggerated courtesy bow and says "Until next time, my dear Griswalds."

"Wait!" Robillard says, a little too loudly. He has been lost in thought, his mind in turmoil from Ermilo's speech. After all, he has been having similar hopes, for a church that allows more freedoms, although he has been quashing them deeply within him.

"This item you seek," he says haltingly. "Could it not be this very sword?"

Leewan turns furious at his brother.

"Offer him nothing. We are not allies of these orders."

Ermilo smiles to Robillard and says "I'm afraid that sword is nothing more than a gift the church used to keep the Griswalds in line. At least now it's able to kill those it should." As he finishes speaking both brothers notice a priest walking up to where you are sitting. Robillard has never seen this man before in his life but Leewan recognises some of the embroideries on his robes. This time, the man doesn't wear the cowl from before and a rather young face can be seen for once and an obvious fake eye is seen in one of the sockets.

Ermilo turns to the man and stays still with a big grin. Gala eventually comes to stand right in front of Ermilo and speaks quietly with a frown on his face underlying his anger "Greetings heathen. You may have eluded us for some time but today that ends."

Ermilo chuckles and says "Perhaps, but even you wouldn't be so brash as to act here crow. If it's alright with you I think I'll be on my way, or does the crow need to be taught a lesson in humility?"

Again, Leewan holds out his arm in front of Robillard to signify a request for patience.

Robillard would stay still even if Leewan's arm was not there. His mind is overcome, as all the previous doubts which plagued him before his fast with Guinevere have returned. How can this priest be a heathen if he supports what Robillard secretly dreams of? Does this mean that Robillard is a heretic?! And why did he steal his longsword?!?!

Gala sneers and says "Be on your way, my brothers will deal with you."

Ermilo begins to walk down the stairs towards the entrance of the arena but stops for a moment to turn back to the two brothers "Say hello to Gwain for me. Sorry to hear about his recent condition." With that, the shadow priest walks down the stairs and out of sight.

Gala glares at Robillard and Leewan. He appears about to say something but keeps himself from doing so and sits down next to Rob. He takes a deep breath and says with a small growl to his tone "What did he tell you?"

"That was your plan?!" Rob explodes. "I thought I was to be your point for an assassination attempt, not to let him talk to me. By Themis, how were you hoping to kill him in these crowded stands?!"

Rob is using his anger to disguise (perhaps even to himself) the great turmoil which has replaced his faith.

Leewan's concern drifts away with the immediate threat of agile priest warrior conflict being resolved without blows.

"He searches for an item we Griswald do not possess. If such a contested treasure fell into our hands we would be rid of it just as soon. You know better than I what dangers the very notion of our holding this shrouded object has visited on my kin."

Gala looks at Robillard and says in a hushed tone "Quiet you fool! The one he was supposed to meet went to the archery tournament so we thought he had changed the meeting location without our knowing. He'll still be captured, I didn't come alone."

He leans forward more to look at Leewan "What did he say about this item? If this is the cause of their actions then we clearly know less than we thought."

Leewan rises to meet Gala eye to eye. "Words tantamount to foolishness. He only said that the great goddess command it be found."

Leewan dusts off his overcoat and pants.

"Pardon me your eminence. Neither order will offer me true insight into this holy war. Acren gives me a war I can fight and arm my faculties with with information. I will be off to see my sibling compete and then house Griswald sets out to prepare for war."

Robillard rises to follow his brother, then pauses for a moment. "Once you capture him, would I be permitted to speak with him? I have questions for him."

"You'll be given no such opportunity. If you can still capture the other priest, do with him whatever you will. That was our deal." he says with a sour expression on his face.

"Then could I ask you to ascertain the location of my sword from him? You see, he stole my property, and I wish it returned."

Leewan leaves.

Robillard follows to go to the archery tournament.

The priest gives no answer to Rob and the two brothers take their leave of the joust and head for the archery tournament which will take some time.

[ya'll gotta wait on Gwain anyway]

Leewan opens up conversation with his brother.

"We will not endure their storm of mystery and zealous devotions divided brother. Do recent events sway your mind?"

"I confess, I find myself conflicted. Recent events have made me question the Church's strictures, and I must admit, Ermilo's view of open, free worship of Themis is something I have been wondering about. Yet how are we mortals supposed to be able to know Themis's will? Do you believe that any man can interpret the Holy Writ as he sees fit?"

"Every man does. The scripture is written by men and we have just been shown those men are not in agreement with one another."

Robillard is shocked. "Clearly your cynicism allowed you to see this earlier than I. We were not taught to question priests. I wonder what Cardinal Schiller would say, or even if he would say what is truly in his heart. What could this artifact be, locked away in Heretic's End for so many centuries?"

"It is correct for you to discuss Schiller. In light of recent truths we must reexamine the allegiance of him and his clergymen. This artifact is too important for our holymen to be entirely ignorant. 'Twas Schiller that gave mention of this shadow war no less."

"Indeed. And remember how the priests began wandering our castle before you sent them away? He surely knows more than he is telling us. If only I could trust him as I once did."

"We must acquire leverage Robillard. The kind that frees us from the mercy of insane congregations of clergy."

"But what could give us such leverage? If we find this relic at our home's heart, more of these priests will come to steal it, and murder us as well. We are already in danger - we almost certainly know too much. We have no allies who will stand with us against the Church. Our army is small and soon to be wiped out when the King leads us to certain death. How can we survive in these dark and trying times?"

"A faction of insurrectionists approached me with a request to find the old king's crown."

"Whaaaaaat?!" Robillard turns around to look at the King (maybe we haven't walked that far away yet?) "Does he not wear the crown at this moment? I fear that stealing the crown would cause more trouble than it would solve. Your mind must be quite troubled to suggest a plan like that. Come, let us have a drink while we wait for Gwain."

"The true crown rested on the old king's head when he charged into the battle for the final time. Our impotent crusader generals did not retrieve his corpse. Fill in the unspoken details for yourself."

"Then we shall venture into the Lichlands on a quest to recover our nation's honor. I accept. Quickly, let us find the man I was speaking to before. He professed knowledge of those blasted lands. Who better to act as our guide?"

"Our nation's honor is worthless to us. A true guide invaluable."

Leewan goes with Robillard to search for the tattooed fellow.

As Niels begins leaving, Gwain finishes his final preparations as well. "So you have heard of my deeds then? I'm honored to be recognized by the son of the 'Greatest Hero of Acren.' Unfortunately the legend of your father eludes me. What did he do to earn such a title, yet rear you with such a doctrine of cynicism?"

Niels stops his walk towards the tourney field to speak "The Liches Yakov and Yulian fought him two on one at the battle of Black Pass twenty-four years ago. He cut them down despite their dishonourable attempts to bring him down and won a losing battle for Acren. The part they never sing tales of is that he was the last man standing from his house."

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Leewan and Robillard go hunting for the foreign man and find him in the same spot that Robillard had approached him earlier. From a distance he looks to be dozing more than guarding and he doesn't wake when the two brothers approach him.

Leewan approaches.

"Eyes open. We will pay for your services and offer promotion to our own ranks or give recommendation for service to another lord if payment is not sufficient."

The man looks up from his seated position, utters a yawn, and then responds "Willing to speak with the heretic now huh? Here I was worried you were just speaking that way because you were hoping I'd get lynched. What changed?"

"Our objecting overseers are preoccupied with other matters. Do you accept or reject these terms of contract?"

"Am I allowed to know what I'm signing up for? Most people who suddenly try to hire me have something dangerous in mind." He responds skeptically.

"Your instinct is correct. But I swear upon my honor, if you follow us in our successful quest, your name will be remembered for centuries in ballads and song."

He turns his gaze to Robillard and says "Am I allowed to live and get paid in this story? If this is a song the large drunk will surely be the comedic relief. Who would be the hero then? No Farajian in Acren for sure."

"We desire your services as guide, not combatant. Whatever melodic stories are crafted should come second to an opportunity to rise from wanderer to retained warrior and guide."

The man stands up from his seat and squares up to Leewan. Standing fully upright the man is a smidge taller than Leewan and after a long pause he laughs and says "Sure, why not? I'm probably getting too old to be wandering anyway and I wouldn't mind spending winter next to a fire for a change."

He extends his hand to shake and says "The names Gisgo Hamilcar. Where do you need me to take you, m'lord?"

"Particular locales in the lich territories."

Seeing his hand isn't likely to be shaken, Gisgo retracts his hand and says "Do I have finances to work with or are we to starve? Going into the Blasted Lamds without a guide is neat suicide. It was smart if you to seek someone out. What are you looking for? Not the sights I assume."

"Promises of pay without contract are not promises at all. From your appearance you know little about the particulars of Acren contracting. Take it on faith then that we shall pay you handsomely in gold and station upon completion of the task. The specific location will not be spoken of until we are safely departed from the capital."

Gwain finishes his preparations and begins heading towards the archery range. "And now having fulfilled his duty at the cost of his people, he retires in despair to a life of complacency and malcontent? Surely the unsung epilogue of too many a hero. Then your legacy is more nuanced than might appear. I look forward to surpassing you on the range," Gwain finishes with a twinkle in his eye.

He shrugs and says "Then where will you have me stay or meet you again upon completion of my current contract this afternoon?"

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With that both Gwain and Niels report for the competition. Gwain is saddened and both thrilled to find out Niels isn't among the competitors in his grouping before the finals. With that, the proceedings of the archery competition go on much the same as they did the day before with an announcer remarking this is the final competition before the finals and that only two from each grouping will go on (6 individuals in the finals in total). The announcer then calls for shots and judges come by after each triplet to score and then all take paces back.

[gimme five sets of three archery shot rolls to save time]

"The Detlef estate. We welcome you to join us for the evening meal to confirm your claim to knowledge of the lich lands."

Gwain squares up to his station and focuses solely on the target ahead of him. He wets his finger and checks the wind before taking his first shot. The problems of the past few weeks vanish to a dark corner of Gwain's mind as he sinks into the comfort of practicing his art.

[Archery checks: {23, 30, 27}, {24, 30, 26}, {26, 26, 16}, {27, 24, 28}, {27, 27, 27}. Average of 26, min of 16, max of 30]

"Then I will meet you there tonight. My contract here lasts until the end of competitions today. Your test of my knowledge will have to wait until then." He responds

With that, Robillard and Leewan take their leave of the shops surrounding the main competition arenas and head for outside the city. On arrival at the tournament grounds, it can be seen that the first of Gwains showings of the day has just finished and the announcer is proclaiming those who move on. Not to Gwains surprise, he learns he has made it into the final competition. To his surprise, however (or maybe not), he also learns that he scored the best among all those competing in the second round. Niels having come in a close second.

After the announcer finishes his proclamation Gwain notices his brothers cresting the hill towards the city. Leewan and Robillard don't immediately spot any priests among the crowds but considering what the shadow priest said before it is possible one still remains.

With the scores tallied, Gwain takes his leave from the range until the next round of competition. Gwain starts in surprise upon spotting his brothers arrive so soon, with no signs of a conflict to be seen. He approaches the two and inquires to Leewan, "I thought there was business to take care of? Is it truly finished already?"