- Location
- ?
We should read that sometime. Seems relevant.
Itinerant: A Pilgrim Quest
Gargulec
impact!
- Location
- a garden
Well. Wouldn't that be scandalous?
- Location
- St. Petersburg
Well, we could have done something for her. Like, buy her freedom with the boatload of gold... that is now resting on the bottom of the river. What a shame, eh?
(I mean, there is a difference between 'I require no money' and 'Who would ever need gold?' Yes, butts were hurt in that vote, why?)
Anyway, her objection is that no one would remember her and her suffering rather than anything else. That one could be rectified if we ever find a minstrel, or even if we pledge to remember her ourselves. Therefore...
[X] Said: "It is not just."
4.10 The Great Feast I
Gargulec
impact!
- Location
- a garden
Neither hail nor sleet nor a day full of little disasters can stop me! Well, it almost did. But that is not interesting. The feast is interesting! On with the show. You chose to call the laws unjust. Punky!
How to speak of what followed, how to render it truthfully and rightfully? Heart trembles at such questions, and the mind proves feeble; the only answer comes from the soul. And therefore, as a sailor, who, when beset by a storm, takes refuge in the safety of a port, we should likewise seek protection in the harbour of gospels, the fountain of saintly wisdom, and in which the path to sainthood is contained. And was it not written in the gospel of Saint Nebridius that he whose preaching is contrary to his action is twice a liar? And was not the response that the First Saint gave, when asked why he does not observe the laws of White Wall, that one learns the name of God through justice? Can the law be broken then, for the sake of justice? A man could say: but the law is justice; yet, the words of the First Saint clearly disagree with this claim. Therefore, if law and justice are not the same, then the law can be broken, if such is the demand of justice. And is lying just? Most obviously not; it is a sin and the domain of the Malefactors, who are for that reason also called the Great Deceivers. Then, if one breaks the law, but maintains that the law is just, he is, as Saint Nebridius teaches, twice a liar and twice a sinner.
Such is the answer that the soul gives, and with it, it must be concluded that although you spoke against the law and custom of your people, which was considered saintly in origin, you did so out of piety and righteousness. Far be from it to say that they cannot be a source of sin; such is the might of the Malefactors and the devils that serve them, that even the well of saintly knowledge that is faith can be sometimes poisoned by them; a great number of heresies known to us speak that the good religion can too become a vessel for damnation, if not observed correctly. And perhaps this forces us to consider: by what measure could you judge the law unjust? One who speaks against many, and against the wisdom of generations, is often a sower of strife and unrest, therefore a sinner. But was not the First Saint such a man, who stood against the evils of idolatry and spoke to us the gospel of the saintly path? And were not the prophets that the Old Book speaks of sent to caution many, while they were but one, with merely justice and ardour at their side? Truth be told, the words that you spoke, I find impossible to judge, and I will pray to the Saints that they render their judgment on you in the full extent of their great justice. And let us all consider the cautions of Saint Nebridius: may only the Saints ever live without doubt.
And so, when asked by the red-headed maid, you replied:
"This is not fair, this is not right."
And as you spoke those rebellious words, you took on your back a different burden; for a seed of doubt, once sown, will not go away. An injustice once named cannot be forgotten; and you feared that now that you could no longer agree with the laws of your people, you would be renounced by them; and you feared even more that it would be preferable to be renounced, than to live in injustice.
The red-headed maid, although she had forced you to say those words, did not smile, nor did she express mirth. Rather, she delivered you such words:
"You are going to carry that weight."
In the hall of Ulla the Hammer, a mighty number of great guests had been gathered. There was Ulla and his sons, Ulbert, Ulrig and Ulla with their favoured retainers, and his wife Ethelberta with her maids. There were also many other kinsmen of his: his brother Gelbert and his sons Dagome (also called Golden-beard) and Gella, and their retainers, and also men who were beholden to Ulla: Rupert, Gunthram, Chliperic, Boso and Merovech. Then there was also the great guest, abbot Galen of Saint Deusdedit Monastery, who for his great kindness and generosity was called the Magnanimous and was known for that he had no lover for gold or silver, and took none, unless made to, and what received, he immediately gave away to the poor and the wanting. He was given the seat of honour to the right of Ulla the Hammer. There were also other notable guests: Ragnemodus of the Karlings, with his son Carolus, and brothers Otha and Offa from the line of Mumolus, who were very fine with bow and spear, and were companions to Ulla from the time of war.
There were also many others, but to name them all, there is not enough space; for although the mighty great-hall of Ulla had never seen such a feast before, and so many great guests who, and those who attended can attest that they had never before or after been treated as finely as by Ulla. For behind each of them, there stood a servant holding a candle, so that the hall was as bright as during the day, if not brighter, and in the other hand, the servant held a painted pitcher with finest wine, and in no other hall in the land could such a good wine be found as it was served during the feast.
There was also a great abundance of food, the likes of which you had never seen before; white bread and cheese and very many kinds of meat, fowl and fish, and spices from the East, and olive and oil. And if any bowl or dish was emptied, it was instantly refilled, so that none of them could be every empty. Also, Ulla made it so that in each bowl, a silver coin was hidden, and he who found could take it as his.
And Ulla himself filled the first goblet of the night, and drank from it to honour his new-born son, and it was passed between guests, including you (as you were a honoured guest of the house, you were given a fine place, to the right of Ulla's wife). It was filled with great wine, dark and strong like blood, and you never had stronger. And you consider whether to drink deep of it, like a man and a warrior, or rather lightly, like someone who is afraid to let the wine, which is the vessel of honesty, to speak through them; like an eremite or a woman.
[ ] Drink deeply.
[ ] Drink lightly.
4.10 The Great Feast I
How to speak of what followed, how to render it truthfully and rightfully? Heart trembles at such questions, and the mind proves feeble; the only answer comes from the soul. And therefore, as a sailor, who, when beset by a storm, takes refuge in the safety of a port, we should likewise seek protection in the harbour of gospels, the fountain of saintly wisdom, and in which the path to sainthood is contained. And was it not written in the gospel of Saint Nebridius that he whose preaching is contrary to his action is twice a liar? And was not the response that the First Saint gave, when asked why he does not observe the laws of White Wall, that one learns the name of God through justice? Can the law be broken then, for the sake of justice? A man could say: but the law is justice; yet, the words of the First Saint clearly disagree with this claim. Therefore, if law and justice are not the same, then the law can be broken, if such is the demand of justice. And is lying just? Most obviously not; it is a sin and the domain of the Malefactors, who are for that reason also called the Great Deceivers. Then, if one breaks the law, but maintains that the law is just, he is, as Saint Nebridius teaches, twice a liar and twice a sinner.
Such is the answer that the soul gives, and with it, it must be concluded that although you spoke against the law and custom of your people, which was considered saintly in origin, you did so out of piety and righteousness. Far be from it to say that they cannot be a source of sin; such is the might of the Malefactors and the devils that serve them, that even the well of saintly knowledge that is faith can be sometimes poisoned by them; a great number of heresies known to us speak that the good religion can too become a vessel for damnation, if not observed correctly. And perhaps this forces us to consider: by what measure could you judge the law unjust? One who speaks against many, and against the wisdom of generations, is often a sower of strife and unrest, therefore a sinner. But was not the First Saint such a man, who stood against the evils of idolatry and spoke to us the gospel of the saintly path? And were not the prophets that the Old Book speaks of sent to caution many, while they were but one, with merely justice and ardour at their side? Truth be told, the words that you spoke, I find impossible to judge, and I will pray to the Saints that they render their judgment on you in the full extent of their great justice. And let us all consider the cautions of Saint Nebridius: may only the Saints ever live without doubt.
And so, when asked by the red-headed maid, you replied:
"This is not fair, this is not right."
And as you spoke those rebellious words, you took on your back a different burden; for a seed of doubt, once sown, will not go away. An injustice once named cannot be forgotten; and you feared that now that you could no longer agree with the laws of your people, you would be renounced by them; and you feared even more that it would be preferable to be renounced, than to live in injustice.
The red-headed maid, although she had forced you to say those words, did not smile, nor did she express mirth. Rather, she delivered you such words:
"You are going to carry that weight."
***
You gained a new scar: Rebellious. Having once agreed that the laws of the world are unjust, you can longer submit to them and find it proper.
***
You gained a new scar: Rebellious. Having once agreed that the laws of the world are unjust, you can longer submit to them and find it proper.
***
In the hall of Ulla the Hammer, a mighty number of great guests had been gathered. There was Ulla and his sons, Ulbert, Ulrig and Ulla with their favoured retainers, and his wife Ethelberta with her maids. There were also many other kinsmen of his: his brother Gelbert and his sons Dagome (also called Golden-beard) and Gella, and their retainers, and also men who were beholden to Ulla: Rupert, Gunthram, Chliperic, Boso and Merovech. Then there was also the great guest, abbot Galen of Saint Deusdedit Monastery, who for his great kindness and generosity was called the Magnanimous and was known for that he had no lover for gold or silver, and took none, unless made to, and what received, he immediately gave away to the poor and the wanting. He was given the seat of honour to the right of Ulla the Hammer. There were also other notable guests: Ragnemodus of the Karlings, with his son Carolus, and brothers Otha and Offa from the line of Mumolus, who were very fine with bow and spear, and were companions to Ulla from the time of war.
There were also many others, but to name them all, there is not enough space; for although the mighty great-hall of Ulla had never seen such a feast before, and so many great guests who, and those who attended can attest that they had never before or after been treated as finely as by Ulla. For behind each of them, there stood a servant holding a candle, so that the hall was as bright as during the day, if not brighter, and in the other hand, the servant held a painted pitcher with finest wine, and in no other hall in the land could such a good wine be found as it was served during the feast.
There was also a great abundance of food, the likes of which you had never seen before; white bread and cheese and very many kinds of meat, fowl and fish, and spices from the East, and olive and oil. And if any bowl or dish was emptied, it was instantly refilled, so that none of them could be every empty. Also, Ulla made it so that in each bowl, a silver coin was hidden, and he who found could take it as his.
And Ulla himself filled the first goblet of the night, and drank from it to honour his new-born son, and it was passed between guests, including you (as you were a honoured guest of the house, you were given a fine place, to the right of Ulla's wife). It was filled with great wine, dark and strong like blood, and you never had stronger. And you consider whether to drink deep of it, like a man and a warrior, or rather lightly, like someone who is afraid to let the wine, which is the vessel of honesty, to speak through them; like an eremite or a woman.
[ ] Drink deeply.
[ ] Drink lightly.
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Gargulec
impact!
- Location
- a garden
AFAIK, wine was both weaker than modern (due to the less advanced technologies for the production process) and commonly watered down even further; this makes more sense if you consider that wine/beer was in many parts of Europe at that time pretty much the only commonly and universally used drink, and safer to drink than water, too.
- Location
- ?
Yeah, watered down wine or beer as a safe drink is something I knew about, so I figured their unwatered stuff ought to be reasonably strong. It's interesting that it's not, though it makes sense.
Still, better pace ourselves and not get into drinking contests. Or preach drunkenly. Or anything. Drunkenly.
Still, better pace ourselves and not get into drinking contests. Or preach drunkenly. Or anything. Drunkenly.
- Location
- scrabbling
[X] Drink deeply.
- Location
- Who Knows
[X] Drink lightly.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
Who's the one narrating this?
Ha. That was an interesting outcome. 'Having once agreed, we can no longer submit to unjust laws'... All of them? The ones that disadvantage us? The ones we personally disagree with?
A bandit and a ruffian does not submit to the law either, nor does he deem it worth following. Where's the border between rebelliousness and selfishness?
Methinks our pilgrim reads too much into the tale of a single woman. Ah, but perhaps that's what makes the story interesting.
[X] Drink lightly.
Hahaha, nope. Wine is also a vessel of stupidity. Is it getting to our head already? Or are we just riled up by the events of the day?
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Gargulec
impact!
- Location
- a garden
This is something I wanted to write more about in the rant, but I was kind of too drowsy to go in-depth in such things. In short, this quest has an extra intra-, hetero-diegetic narrator that will make him(?)self apparent at times. This kind of came naturally as an extension of my attempts to play with the style. Such commentaries and remarks sometimes happen in various chronicles I use for reference. In this particular example, the narrator had to step in to defend his own sensibilities from what he was narrating. Because being unable to condemn your actions, he had to make sense out of them. Which he did.
You don't know. This is why it is a scar, not a virtue.
EDIT: To extend the point, it is vital to remember that an exile, under the laws I am drawing on for this quest, was understood to be as someone who is outside the law; he cannot inherit land or value, his life has no worth - he can be killed for free, and no will have to pay for that. At the same time, it also meant that the entire network of laws and obligations did not apply to him. It is a figure that is easy to romanticize, and sometimes fun to do so, but from the perspective of the epoch, it was a pretty damn terrifying fate - being left without others, without the support of your kin and custom. You are not there. Yet.
Both. Plus, have not the ancients said: in wine, truth? It is merely submitting to their intellect!
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4.11 The Great Feast II
Gargulec
impact!
- Location
- a garden
Drink lightly. Keep your head clear! Well, you are not partying hard. Others are. You should envy them. Or maybe not! We will see.
After the first toast had been passed, a murmur of cheer was heard in the mighty hall, to honour new-born son of Ulla. Then, the wife of Ulla took into her hands a chalice of gold and ivory, and poured wine into it from a very beautiful jug, and offered it to Ulla. And she too covered in gold and silver, and jewels of all manners, and they were all very beautiful and bright. But before Ulla drank of it, and passed the chalice to his kinsmen and companions, the abbot Galen rose from his bench and asked to be heard; and was granted that by Ulla, so that he could bless his house and his child. And the very pious abbot (the acts of his blessedness are well-recorded and known to many) spoke with utmost zeal, in such words: that each man, when born, is already on his way towards death, and thus death should be considered in each moment of life, but never feared, for in it, there is the hope for eternal salvation. Thus, life should be seen as a very narrow bridge over a very deep chasm, with the city of the temporal behind, and Step everlasting ahead. And it is very easy to slip from it, and plummet into the abyss of damnation, and that the temptations are uncountable, and the designs and schemes of the Malefactors without number. But that in the end, the Saints are more powerful than the Malefactors, and common sainthood will come, as promised; but for it to be near, then the men of the world need to abandon their wicked ways, and turn away from injustice, which rules the kingdoms of men, and all the kings and nations are slaves to it. And he said that blessed are those who stand against it, for even if they die for it, they will die as martyrs, and be granted a seat at the table of the Saints. Then he blessed the son of Ulla in the name of many Saints, so that he would live a righteous and faithful life, and finally also cautioned that one can no more bow to the idols and the Saints both than he can be a free man and a slave at the same time.
Then, the feast was resumed, spirits of all lifted by hearing such fine words, which brought the souls of men away from the darkness of error and closer to the blessed light that is the saintly religion. With both the flesh and the spirit being sated in such a good manner, there was no end to high spirits and good cheer, and there was laughing and drinking and eating and singing aplenty in the great hall of Ulla. Only Merovech seemed to be in lower morale, and that is because his house had been raided by the Armalings, and he worried that they would continue their feud against the family of Ulla and men beholden to him; however upon hearing that, Ulrig boasted that ten Armalings would be no match for him, and Dagome, his cousin, that he had already slain many of them, and he would not be afraid of twenty. This seemed to make Ulrig rather wroth, and he said that wine must be speaking through the cousin of his that he could ever assume to be mightier in battle than him. Dagome, not liking the taunt, claimed that the feebleness of Ulrig is well known, and that he was known to exercise fighting with women, for he was afraid of facing men. And then they grappled against each another, in spite of abbot Galen's calls for peace, and Dagome dragged Ulrig out of the hall, and there made him apologize for his words and bark three times like a dog, so that his untrustworthy nature could be seen by all.
And all took in good cheer, though Ulla seemed displeased that his son had proven so weak; but he was much younger than Dagome, and yet unbloodied, so Gelbert claimed that it would be good for him to taste defeat, so that he would know to be wiser on the battlefield. Then, the red-headed maid was called upon to amuse the guests with song, although Ulbert seemed displeased by that, and abbot Galen protested again, calling it improper. Yet, the other guests listened to her gladly, and she played the harp and sung in the language of the Rosemary Island. But before she could finish her song, Ulbert stood up from the bench and smashed his jug on it, and faced his father, and said:
"Do you not see that she is a poison on this house? She is not of our blood, and dead inside, and what she speaks is poison and bile, and what she sings is certainly a charm to twist your mind! Had she not disobeyed you many times? Does she not treat us without the respect that is our due? Do you not treasure her above your own wife, who brought you children? Father, today we feast to my brother and the goodness of our fortunes, and I say it will utmost certainty, that as long as you lend your bed and your ear to her, they will not improve."
And there was a great tumult in the hall as he spoke that, and others called him right, and some called him insolent. But Ulla himself did not speak, at first, considering the words of his son.
For your part, you...
[ ] Kept quiet and waited for Ulla to handle it.
[ ] Asked Ulbert why he hates the red-headed concubine so.
[ ] Defended her from him...
4.11 The Great Feast II
After the first toast had been passed, a murmur of cheer was heard in the mighty hall, to honour new-born son of Ulla. Then, the wife of Ulla took into her hands a chalice of gold and ivory, and poured wine into it from a very beautiful jug, and offered it to Ulla. And she too covered in gold and silver, and jewels of all manners, and they were all very beautiful and bright. But before Ulla drank of it, and passed the chalice to his kinsmen and companions, the abbot Galen rose from his bench and asked to be heard; and was granted that by Ulla, so that he could bless his house and his child. And the very pious abbot (the acts of his blessedness are well-recorded and known to many) spoke with utmost zeal, in such words: that each man, when born, is already on his way towards death, and thus death should be considered in each moment of life, but never feared, for in it, there is the hope for eternal salvation. Thus, life should be seen as a very narrow bridge over a very deep chasm, with the city of the temporal behind, and Step everlasting ahead. And it is very easy to slip from it, and plummet into the abyss of damnation, and that the temptations are uncountable, and the designs and schemes of the Malefactors without number. But that in the end, the Saints are more powerful than the Malefactors, and common sainthood will come, as promised; but for it to be near, then the men of the world need to abandon their wicked ways, and turn away from injustice, which rules the kingdoms of men, and all the kings and nations are slaves to it. And he said that blessed are those who stand against it, for even if they die for it, they will die as martyrs, and be granted a seat at the table of the Saints. Then he blessed the son of Ulla in the name of many Saints, so that he would live a righteous and faithful life, and finally also cautioned that one can no more bow to the idols and the Saints both than he can be a free man and a slave at the same time.
Then, the feast was resumed, spirits of all lifted by hearing such fine words, which brought the souls of men away from the darkness of error and closer to the blessed light that is the saintly religion. With both the flesh and the spirit being sated in such a good manner, there was no end to high spirits and good cheer, and there was laughing and drinking and eating and singing aplenty in the great hall of Ulla. Only Merovech seemed to be in lower morale, and that is because his house had been raided by the Armalings, and he worried that they would continue their feud against the family of Ulla and men beholden to him; however upon hearing that, Ulrig boasted that ten Armalings would be no match for him, and Dagome, his cousin, that he had already slain many of them, and he would not be afraid of twenty. This seemed to make Ulrig rather wroth, and he said that wine must be speaking through the cousin of his that he could ever assume to be mightier in battle than him. Dagome, not liking the taunt, claimed that the feebleness of Ulrig is well known, and that he was known to exercise fighting with women, for he was afraid of facing men. And then they grappled against each another, in spite of abbot Galen's calls for peace, and Dagome dragged Ulrig out of the hall, and there made him apologize for his words and bark three times like a dog, so that his untrustworthy nature could be seen by all.
And all took in good cheer, though Ulla seemed displeased that his son had proven so weak; but he was much younger than Dagome, and yet unbloodied, so Gelbert claimed that it would be good for him to taste defeat, so that he would know to be wiser on the battlefield. Then, the red-headed maid was called upon to amuse the guests with song, although Ulbert seemed displeased by that, and abbot Galen protested again, calling it improper. Yet, the other guests listened to her gladly, and she played the harp and sung in the language of the Rosemary Island. But before she could finish her song, Ulbert stood up from the bench and smashed his jug on it, and faced his father, and said:
"Do you not see that she is a poison on this house? She is not of our blood, and dead inside, and what she speaks is poison and bile, and what she sings is certainly a charm to twist your mind! Had she not disobeyed you many times? Does she not treat us without the respect that is our due? Do you not treasure her above your own wife, who brought you children? Father, today we feast to my brother and the goodness of our fortunes, and I say it will utmost certainty, that as long as you lend your bed and your ear to her, they will not improve."
And there was a great tumult in the hall as he spoke that, and others called him right, and some called him insolent. But Ulla himself did not speak, at first, considering the words of his son.
For your part, you...
[ ] Kept quiet and waited for Ulla to handle it.
[ ] Asked Ulbert why he hates the red-headed concubine so.
[ ] Defended her from him...
[ ] …by accusing him of wickedness.
[ ] …by reminding him that he should obey his father.
[ ] …by calling upon the percepts of religion.
[ ] …by a martial challenge.
[ ] …by reminding him that he should obey his father.
[ ] …by calling upon the percepts of religion.
[ ] …by a martial challenge.
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- Location
- St. Petersburg
Well, if they dislike her, why not let her go? Sure, it may be a death sentence, but she is already dying in this household. She may prefer a chance of finding freedom to the certainty of slavery.
Of course, they may simply choose to remove her from Ulla while keeping her as a slave. Why waste a good pair of hands?
If they ever hesitate on what to do with her, we might be able to suggest something. Otherwise I am not sure I want to jump into it.
Of course, they may simply choose to remove her from Ulla while keeping her as a slave. Why waste a good pair of hands?
If they ever hesitate on what to do with her, we might be able to suggest something. Otherwise I am not sure I want to jump into it.