Itinerant: A Pilgrim Quest

[Gargulec]

Announcing your presence won! You opted not to be like a wraith, and scare those poor men out of their souls, which you would then devour, thus unlocking the soul-sucking ability and turning this quest into a soul-sucking quest. Yes. That is definitely what would have happened. Anyway, the update:

4.3 Meeting Gella and Ulla​

Seeing that you had been noticed, you announced your presence and declared that you are but a traveller, who means no harm and comes in saintly peace; upon hearing that, the men were apprehensive, but they bade you to come closer, and then they offered you a seat by the fire. For as it is said that those who turn away strangers on the road turn away the Saints, they clearly feared you, but virtue of hospitality prevailed in their hearts and they decided to greet you gracefully. And they introduced yourselves; one was called Ulla, and the other Gella, and they were cousins. They explained to you that they went hunting deep into the swamp, deeper than it was usually their custom, but that the bounty they had reaped was very abundant, for which they thanked the Saints. And they also shared with you some of the roast they were preparing for themselves, for which you were thankful; it had been some time since you ate so well.

Soon, they grew more at ease with your presence, and spoke more about themselves; first they jointly cursed those who turn away other men in the woods, for such people are cowardly at heart and value their own safety over kindness, and for that they will surely suffer great punishment when set against the judgement of the Saints. Then they also asked if you travelled alone, or with company, and upon hearing that you were alone, they were very surprised, for it was very uncommon to meet lonesome strangers such as you. However, next they ceased asking questions that related to you, and spoke more about themselves.

They came from the same home and clan, and their abodes were a day's march away; and they were hunting to provide for a great feast which was to be held by the father of Ulla, who was the family's head. And the cause for the feast was as such: his wife had delivered a son, and was in good health, and so was the child. Thus, there was much merriment in the clan, and celebrations were deemed in order, particularly since the feast day of Saint Marva was approaching, and it seemed proper to thank her for the good fortunes. Therefore, with others being busy at work preparing the feast, Gella and Ulla endeavoured to provide much fowl for it, and at that task, they found themselves very successful (while saying that, they indicated their sack, which was indeed rather large).

They also spoke of the father of Ulla, who was a very brave warrior, and had been on many wars and raids, and returned victorious from most of them. And he was also kind and pious, and had given much gold and silver to various shrines, and, when urged by a priest, freed many of his slaves. He also did not allow brigands to stay near his lands, and when they had made their hideout in them once, he led his kinsmen against them, and by his own hand slew many of them, and hanged more, and that their unburied bones are still to be found on a certain crossroads, as a warning to all who would prey on just men.

Next spoke Gella, about the swamp. And as the hour was late and the sun was down, he spoke of various strange and mysterious matters; that is of why it is only seldom that hunters venture that deep into the swamp. For, as he explained, there was great many unburied people there, from the time when war and the plague had together laid desolation upon the land, and being thus barred from entering the abode of the Saints (or, perhaps, as interjected Ulla, they were of wicked nature and therefore were sent out by the Malefactors to ravage the just people), they roamed the swamp at night, leading men to their doom and imposing on them terrifying visions. And there would not be a year without a man or a woman or a child being lost to them; however Gella and Ulla had learned how to ward away such evil; although in what precise fashion they did so, they would not explain.

Another matter of which they spoke, although in hushed voices, and perhaps not without fear, was that the swamp was inhabited by great many other creatures and spirits; and appeasing them was never an easy task, but it was vital that if one is met, it should be treated with utmost courtesy, no matter how terrifying is its mien, because if wronged, it could certainly curse a man, if not kill him outright. On the other hand, they also cautioned against the witches, who, although very cunning and skilled in many arts, were in general hostile to men and women, unless they were virgins; because there was a ban imposed on them by Saint Marva that they could not touch a virginal body – neither with their claw nor with their enchantment. Therefore, they often cloaked themselves in forms of very beautiful, dark women, who would seduce young boys, and then devour them. At that, Ulla mentioned that they can be also warded off with a certain kind of wild berries, which are known as Marva's berries, and the witches find them very poisonous to them. At that, he related following story: there was once a young boy who went away from his home to gather such berries, at he ate many of them. And as he was returning home, he saw a woman of great beauty, and she enticed his lust, and took him to her hut, where she intended to lay with him. However, as she embraced him, she immediately shed her beautiful form and appeared to him as a horrifying hag, and he ran away from her grasp, and alerted others to her whereabouts, so that she could be slain and trouble the just men no more. Gella added that it was no wild tale, but a story that was related to them by a wandering monk of great piety, and therefore it was as good as true.

Then, they asked about you and your purpose, which you explained to them. And they were greatly amazed by it, and could scarcely believe in the promises you had made; and they were also so impressed by your piety and dedication, that they offered that you should come with them on the next day, to the home of the father of Ulla, where there would certainly be a spot for you at the festive table; and they insisted that you do, because to host such a holy pilgrim, it appeared to them a very great honour, and also a blessing on the entire house.

You…

[ ] Agreed to come with them.

[ ] Apologized, and claimed that you could not.

 

[Gargulec]

Unanimous vote! Oh man, I am making the choices too easy. I think? Maybe not. Sleepy today. Anyway, you accepted the offer. Now what follows is a FEAST EPISODE. I hope you like feasts. But there are some preparations that have to be made first. Also, a PSA: I will be making another update tomorrow morning (around 11-12 CEST), so the voting on this one will be shorter than usual.

4.4 Under Moss, Old Faces​

Without much hesitation, you agreed to take the offer of hospitality given to you by Gella and Ulla, and that seemed to make them very glad; they both declared it auspicious and a mark of good fortune, while you rejoiced at a chance to sleep on a bed, under a roof. The toils of the road were hardly unbearable for you, but it is alas a sad truth that we are all moulded from weak clay, and therefore find joy in comforts of life. There are some who shun it, for greater glory of the Saints, but it had been said by many pious men that the path of the eremite is only for those who can suffer it; for to embark on it and then turn from it is often a swift path into the grasp of the Malefactors. Then, you slept, and by morning, having smothered the fire, you were led by them through swamp paths unknown to you, which took you towards the home of which they spoke.

All along the way, they talked almost unceasingly, being very happy to share with you all that there was to learn about their family, and particularly the great qualities exhibited by the father of Ulla (and in that, they repeated many stories that they had told you on the previous night) and equally great wisdom of his wife, who, although of short of years, was very much learned in the ways of the world. Upon mentioning her, Gella also explained to you the story of how the marriage came to be; and it was a daring tale in which the father of Ulla raided the holdings of the family of Armalings, and captured a daughter of theirs, who in that time was a virgin, and was to be dedicated to a coven. Thus taking her, he laid with her, and then in the way of indemnity, he offered her father the price for her mundium, so that a quarrel could be avoided. However, Armalings, being known in equal parts for their stubbornness and vileness of character, refused to accept and demanded the woman to be brought back, or else the price of her wergeld to be paid in full, to which the father of Ulla replied that she agreed to be wed with him and therefore she was his by law, as he did not take her by force. A rachinburga was called upon to provide an equitable resolution of the conflict, but while on his way, he was bushwhacked by brigands and slain (this was related to the father of Ulla by a man named Penda, who was the rachinburga's servant, and who managed to survive by pretending to be slain). Then, Armalings attempted to avenge themselves, and raided against the holdings of the father of Ulla, but were repelled, and some of them were killed. At that, Gella voiced his worry, for wroth at their boldness, the father of Ulla did not offer wergeld for them, saying that to die while raiding is like to die on the field of battle, and for those slain in a war, there will be no recompense in gold. However Ulla assuaged him, saying that the Armalings were very cowardly, and upon being once defeated, they would not continue the feud; and even if they did, they would surely be killed to the last, and their holdings would be abandoned to the wolves.

Next, they spoke about the father of Gella, who, although dead for two years now, was also a man of virtue and worthy of remembrance, particularly for his prowess with a bow; he had a bow made for him from an exotic wood which could only be drawn by him, or by three men, and an arrow launched from it could pierce through a horse or split a stone. Some of such rocks, which were sundered using only a single arrow, were still held by Gella, who swore by the name of Saint Martius that he had himself witnessed it, and that to claim otherwise would be to sully the name of his father.

Also while walking (following Gella and Ulla made braving the swamp significantly easier, for they knew trails that you could never find yourself, and you avoided most of the thorns and bogs, and did not damage your possession further) you stopped by a very strange place, which could be described as follows: it was a hill that rose from the swamp, and the ground on it was firm and dry. On top of it, there was also a small grove of trees which could not be found anywhere else in the swamp, that is oaks and ashes.

There, Gella and Ulla climbed the hill, and entered the grove. Saying nothing, they approached a stone which stood among the trees. It was as tall as a man, and covered by moss, and as you took a closer look at it, it struck you that the features of a large woman could be made out of it, although you could not decide if it was by a fluke of nature, or the work of a hand of man. By it, they left a few of the birds which they had shot while on the hunt, and also spilled some wine on the ground around it. And you noticed that there were some bones scattered around the rock, as well as carapaces from broken pitchers and jugs. However, before you could look more, Gella and Ulla beckoned you to be on your way, and you left the grove and descended the hill, being again on your way to their home.

Likely curious about the nature of the offering you had witnessed, you decided to…

[ ] Ask Gella and Ulla about the standing stone.

[ ] Keep quiet about it.

 

[Gargulec]

Ask about it. And what if this turns out to be a Lovecraftian horror quest? And what if the bog people actually worship Dagon? Wouldn't that be terrible? Or amazing? I don't know! Because they don't worship Dagon. Anyway. Update! Written while very sleepy, so likely very poor! Next one will likely happen tomorrow evening, so take it slow.

4.5 Different Faces of Faith​

After some deliberation, you chose to pursue knowledge over safety; and although some say that act in such a way is an example of vanity, it had been said by many pious men that it is pleasing for the Saints to see the pursuit of wisdom. And you also remembered the teachings of the priest Ethal, who once related to you the story of a man who was so zealous and pious in his studies, for he recognized that the knowledge that is good is also saintly, and he became known as Saint Ethal, who is often called upon by those who see study as the subject of their lives.

With that reasoning reassuring you in the correctness of your action, you asked Gella and Ulla about the nature of the quaint grove, and the standing stone within it; and that question perturbed them greatly, to such an extent that at first, they seemed incapable of answering at any lengths, and what they said seemed to you contradictory. Gella claimed, that the stone gave good fortunes to those left gifts by it, and it made the spirits of the swamps more partial to them, and Ulla recounted how his grandmother (who was very long of years) called it Sia (that is, the name given to the stone was Sia, from which the name of the hill and the grove also came, for they called the first Sia's Hill, and the latter Sia's Grove). Then Gella again claimed that it must be also the name of the Saint who lives in the stone. This was very strange to you, because you did not remember the name of Saint Sia in any of the prayers you had learned.

Then Ulla again spoke, because what Gella said reminded him of a story once told to him by the mother-in-law of his brother Sulla. She was a woman of considerable wisdom, too, which as Ulla added, was a common trait among the women of the swamps, who grew very knowledgeable, and yet free of the vices of vanity and stubbornness of character. And the story was as follows: there was once a virgin of pious character, who lived in the bogs, and she was very much fair, and loved by all. Such was her beauty and the goodness of her character, that even the beasts of the wild refused to harm her, and no matter what path she took through the swamp, it led her true, and she could walk through it as easily as one walks through an empty meadow; such were the gifts she received from the hand of the God.

You were appalled at the mention; it was obvious to you that the story was not a very saintly one, to mention God in such a fashion that he would grant His grace to those who do not know His name and are therefore unfit to think or speak of him.

Ulla continued his story, seemingly unaware of what he had just said, and it continued thus: there was also in the swamp a lord who was very cruel, and of the most wicked complexion of spirit, and he once saw the saintly woman, and lusted after her greatly. And so one day, upon spotting her in the wild, while he was hunting, he took on his hunting horn, and along with his men, who were all as vile as he was, went after her, and chased her through the swamp and the wild; and as she fled from him to the top of a high a hill, where she pleaded to be delivered from his grasp. And such miracle happened, that when he was almost upon her, she turned into a standing stone, which was beyond his grasp, and he struck at it furiously with his sword, and when he did, he as instantly killed by a saintly force.

At that, Gella added that when they were young, they were often cautioned not to play in the Sia's Grove, and that they should not touch the stone unless a libation was given to it, for a Saint lived within it. And from that, he concluded that the Saint in the stone had to be that woman from Ulla's story. Ulla agreed with the conclusion, and also mentioned that it must be a sign of the swamp's great blessedness that there were so many Saints in it, because if the stone called Sia was a Saint, then likely other such stones were Saints as well.

It occurred you that such words were hardly in line with the correct saintly faith; of course, you could not be sure, for you were a woman and not a priest, but to say that a stone is a Saint, and then make offerings to it as if to an idol was rather improper. Being a bit learned and a bit read, you concluded that the people of the swamps might had succumbed to the errors of idolatry, perhaps without even knowing, for even though the light of the saintly faith shines brightly and brings salvation to many, it was not carried everywhere in equal measure. Perhaps it meant that you were sent to the swamp to deliver those men from their false ways, and display to them the true nature of the saintly faith. Yet, perhaps it was thinking too highly of yourself, to assume that the Saints would send you to do such a work, which belonged rather to a learned priest, not a pilgrim such as you. And finally, you also had to consider that perhaps it was some form of faith which, however strange, was still saintly and correct; after all, they did not seem to worship demons and false gods.

In the end, you chose to react in the following fashion:

[ ] Asking outright if they believe in the saintly creed.

[ ] Showing your zeal by decrying their views as idolatrous and calling them false in their faith.

[ ] Peacefully attempting to explain to them the error of their path, to correct them on it.

[ ] Exercising restraint and saying nothing.

 

[Gargulec]

Okay, so the update is even more late than I expected it to be. For which I apologize, but it was a real bitch to write, and again, I am not at all pleased with it. However, an update a day keeps your writing improving every day, or something. Also, getting dialogue right in this style is a pain in the butt. Bad kind of it, too! Anyway, without further ado...

4.6 The Name I Take​

Deeming yourself not fit to be the voice of the Saints, you decided that if Gella and Ulla were of saintly creed, then to ask them about it was unnecessary, and if they were not of it, then the Saints themselves would bring them down in appropriate time. Therefore, you did not question their doctrine nor did you indulge more in curiosity, simply nodding to their stories and marching after them; soon enough, the subject of religion was dropped, and they started to speak of different matters.

Also, in the swamps, you saw a sign of the change in seasons; that on the branches of trees, you could see the buds of leaves, while they had been bare when you departed from your home. Also, as you marched, a rain fell on you, but it was not cold; and although Gella and Ulla cursed it, in a way you welcomed, for it to some degree washed the dust and muck of the road away from you, and since your garments were already ruined, you cared little if they were to get more damp. In truth, the discomfort of it seemed lighter to you than it was previously, and the thought that the next night, you would spend in warmth and shelter heartened you greatly, and therefore you walked without a word of complaint.

Around the ninth hour of the day, you emerged from the swamp and found a marked path, and you followed it for some more time, until shortly before the closing of the day, you reached the home of the father of Ulla. And it was very much dissimilar from the home of your father, for it was both larger and storied, and its roof was thatch, not shingles (there was obviously a great abundance of reeds in the swamps, but that much good lumber). There were also no fields surrounding it, and when you asked about it, Gella explained that they had their land farther away, in a place where the ground was dry and therefore good for raising crops. That is not to say there was no industry in its vicinity; within the fence that surrounded the home, you noticed that there were workshops, including that of a blacksmith, store-houses, and also smaller huts which would be the lodgings of the slaves of the house. It all made on you an impression of wealth and prosperity, particularly for the number of men and women who could be seen; no less than twelve of them came out to greet Gella and Ulla and ask about how their hunt went. However, it was you who drew the brunt of their curiosity, and they looked at you and asked you who you were, to which you replied that you are but a simple pilgrim in the search of the city of Step. That surprised them greatly, similar to how it did surprise Gella and Ulla, but they nonetheless proved most hospitable and gracious, and they introduced yourselves to you and asked that you presently see the father of Ulla, the head of the house, for he had always been very curious and kind to strangers, welcoming them under his roof with utmost courtesy.

And so you were led to the main hall of the house, which was very high and spacious; and its walls were well furbished with furs of beasts (and among them were also the pelts of the lion and the panther, war-won), and on them there were also round shields of the kind that the Seafarers carry with them, bright-painted, against whom the father of Ulla had many times warred, and each time returned victorious, having smitten them as if with a hammer; and from that he received his name, for among the king's men he was called Ulla the Hammer, and his mighty deeds were known to many.

He was also present in his great hall, huge and hoary; his hair was silver and very long, which gave him the appearance of an elder, but such was the strength of his muscle and his courage that none would dare to call him feeble. He was also a giant among men, that is if he stood up, he measured six Lief feet, and the sight of him was often enough to launch lesser foes into terror. His voice was mighty as well, and you were told that he had once blown a horn so mightily that blood came from the ears of all who were present, and they lauded him for that.

At the time when you were presented to him, he amused himself, as was his custom, by having one of his many concubines play to him on a harp; and on that day, his favoured did so, who was red-headed and taken from a chief of the Seafarers.

With that, you were presented to him, and he stood from his chair and looked at you, and upon hearing from Ulla how you met them, he said to you:

"My table is open to you and my home is yours. Damned is the man who refuses hospitality to a stranger!"

And all cheered his generosity and hospitality, but he silenced them with his raised, and spoke again:

"But I see that there is blood on your cloak, and that the staff you carry is too stout to be a simple rod, and a fabric conceals it from my eyes. Thus, I will ask of you: will you reveal your name to me, pilgrim?

And as he asked you that, a great sense of unease came over you, for you knew that the name you carried through your life was not important, nor was it relevant to your pilgrimage. Is not a man considered dead to the world when he embarks on the saintly journey? Is not a pilgrimage an abandonment of all that holds you in the temporal for the sake of grace and sacredness? You knew that the answer to those questions was yes. Thus, you realized: that if you were to respond with a name, then it would be like a mantle that you take up, and which you would carry all the way to the city of Step at the end of the road.

Thus, you were silent; and after silence, you said...

[ ] …nothing.

[ ] "I am the Little Lynx."

[ ] "I am the Little Hind."

[ ] "I am Cu."

[ ] [Write in]

 

[Gargulec]

The Little Lynx, with below-average voter turnout. Am I noting it because I am getting devoured by insecurity inherent in each writer being convinced that the material he is writing is crud, and then attempting to rectify it by dynamite-fishing for praise? Sure as hell I am! Also, I am sleepy and university and stuff, so maybe I should blame that, and stop worrying so much about the quality of updated as long as I keep the pace. Good stuff will come in time. Speaking of stuff coming in time: an update!

4.7 The Feast-Day I​

Straight and proud, you spoke your name before Ulla the Hammer, so that he would see that it was more than just an idle boast. And your voice was ferocious, and made an impression on him, and before all of his kinsmen, he said to you:

"Be then welcome at my table, you who call yourself the Little Lynx."

With that, you were offered a supper which, while modest compared to the feast which was to follow, was still to you a very grand thing. There was food and drink aplenty, bread and meat, wine and honey, and Ulla bade his favoured concubine to deliver you a song, which she did; but she did not speak the language of Liefs well, and so she sung in another tongue, which you recognized to be the one that Cu used in his prayers. All the time, you were treated with great courtesy and respect, although you also noticed that some among the gathered averted their eyes when looking towards you.

Later, you were given a good place to rest, and a heavy cover of furs to keep you warm, and you slept; but not soundly. For the same state of restlessness that had plagued you before came over you again, this time bringing with itself a vision more full than previously. And that is what you saw in your sleep: a gate behind you, barred shut, and a field of yellow grass ahead of you. Then you woke up and chased the rest of the mare away with a prayer.

After waking up, you attended along with others a service in a shrine that was nearby; for it was not only a day on which a feast was held, but also a day of a feast of a Saint, that is Saint Mavo. And while most who pray to him do so because they embark on a journey, he is also venerated when it comes for a man to embark on the most arduous of all voyages, which is his temporal life. Therefore, it is considered a good fortune to dedicate a child to him, so that he may ever watch over his progress in life. It did not surprise that Ulla chose to hold a celebration for his son on such a day; it seemed to you a very auspicious decision, and a pious one, too.

Next, you finally had a chance to wash yourself, and as a token of his generosity, to show that he will spare nothing for his guests, Ulla made the red-headed concubine your maid for the day, and she brought you a bath and hot water, and helped you clean yourself. Also, you were given new garments to wear; the red-headed concubine explained that what you had previously was rather damaged, and thus Ulla decided to offer you a gift of new clothing, which you may wear on your holy way. You were also given your cloak, with most of the stains washed from it; however, some marks of blood remained on it and would not come off, which the maid thought to be an ill omen, because in the land of her birth, a bloodied cloak was considered a mark of a man well acquainted with death.

Also from the very morning, the women and servants of the home were all put to preparations for the coming feast; to tending to the kitchen-fires, baking bread, and seeing to all the other necessities. For as you were told, you were not the only guest that would be hosted at Ulla's table; the abbot of a nearby monastery was also invited, as were other noble men who were friends to the house.

Meanwhile, some men of the house went hunting, while others, mostly the youth, amused themselves by exercising; there was a patch of beaten ground before the main hall, where they would take in their hands wooden spears and shields, and train with them, in mock fights, so that they could learn the skills at arms as befitting free Liefs. There was six of them, among them Gella, and from what you could tell, they were not yet that proficient. A thought occurred to you that maybe you should challenge one of them, and train with them, for now that you carried with you a spear, then learning to use it properly would not be unwise. However, it would be perhaps seen as improper for you to tangle with the youth in such a fashion; and there was no telling if they would agree to your challenge.

In the end, you decided to…

[ ] Ask the youth to train with them.

[ ] Do not risk it.

 

[Gargulec]

So, so, so! Training along! Fighting! Warriorring up! Smashing your head against the glass ceiling that is made out of steel. Good, good. Let's punk rock this quest up. Also, praised be for your scars and virtues, for they sometimes save your hides. Anyway, the update!

4.8 The Feast Day II​

Having made your decision, you approached the exercising men, and gave your spear to the maid so that she would hold to it as you exercised along with them. And you asked to be given a wooden spear and a shield, so that you may too grow your mettle, and they all laughed at you harshly, as if they could not believe what you say to be honest; but you persisted in your desire and demanded to be given the training they were having, and once again, they made an attempt to laugh you off, although Gella, perhaps out of respect, kept his silence. And they said to you that it is considered against good mores to be savage to women, and that to hit them is a grave offense, and therefore, you could not fight with them, for they would be afraid of touching you. Yet, in spite of that, you persisted, so they asked if you had no shame, and that standing against them, you would surely bring humiliation upon yourself. And although you knew this to be true, and you knew to be weaker than they were, you had also learned much about shame in the days before, and so, ferocious in your voice, you delivered them such a challenge:

[Scar: Humiliated] "I am unafraid of losing to a man; but are you perhaps afraid of losing to a woman?"

They scoffed at it, and called your words ridiculous. However, you were given a shield and a spear, and allowed to exercise along with them, for you shamed them, and Gella also declared that the laws of hospitality dictate that the wishes of the guest are sacred, and therefore should not be denied.

The shield, you found very heavy, and difficult to lift, and they had to first show you how to hold it properly, so that you may guard your body against the blows of enemies. The spear, however, was easier for you to raise, particularly for it was lighter than the Rye-Stalk, and similar in size to the javelin that Cu had used.

[Virtue: Ferocity] Thus armed, you were set to exercise, particularly with the youngest of them, who were more skilled at you, but weak still; they were not yet grown. However, you managed to stand against them fairly, for while you were not trained, and stranger to fighting, it was not desirous to you to be all too easily beaten, and therefore what you were lacking in strength and speed, you made up by will and ferocity. The others, seeing that you were not entirely incapable, found it very strange, and then demanded that you stand against them, which you did, and you lost. Many times, you were sent into the mud, and some bruises had been put on you, particularly one on the face. Also, the exertion and dirt rendered the fresh clothing you had been given stained. Yet, you did not regret your choice, and in fact found those hours rather enjoyable, especially in those rare circumstances when taking advantage of the pride of youth you fought against, or noticing a gap in their defenses, you managed to land a blow on them as well.

Finally, around the sixth hour, you had to be helped to raise from the mud by the red-headed maid, and also could not lift the shield anymore. The youth ridiculed your weakness, and called you a very meek lynx, that is so easily cowed. However, their laughs were not harsh and free of contempt, even when they said they made the struggle easy for your sake. Or perhaps it was that when compared to the king's man's men, may their wickedness be forgiven, they were neither cruel nor wanton, and thus by such lesser insults and mockeries, you could no longer be hurt.

The maid lamented your ruined garments, and the bruises you had, and she hurried to bring you some mead to refresh yourself, and also a strong poultice which was to assuage your pain, and she put it over your bruises. And as she was doing that, she asked you about your choice to challenge those men, and how come you could allow yourself to act in such a fashion. For, as she recounted, was it not the law of the Liefs that women were not to carry arms and act like men, and that they were always to submit to the will of men; be them their fathers, or their husbands, or otherwise their lords. Her words, she spoke in a tone and manner which you found rather unpleasant, for she spoke without respect, and perhaps with much bile about the customs of the Liefs, and you thought that for such speech, her master would be justified in giving her the stripes. Yet, you also could not deny her a degree of rightness, for she was correct in saying that your actions were against the mores of your people, and could be perhaps viewed as improper, or maybe even impious, for as you could recall, it was said by some priests that the Saints made the man and the woman distinct from each another, and it was against their design for those purposes to be altered.

Thus, you did not answer, and instead ordered the maid to bring you your book, so that you could read about the strange idol that you had seen; but you had only found some explanation of the nature of idols which read thusly:

An idol is a likeness made in the form of a human and consecrated, according to the meaning of the word, for the Eastern term idol means "form", and the diminutive idolum derived from it gives us the equivalent diminutive formula ("replica," i.e. an image made in a mold). Therefore every form or replica ought to be called idol. Therefore idolatry is any instance of servility and subservience to any idol. Certain White Wall speakers, however, not knowing the Eastern language, ignorantly say that 'idol' takes its name from 'deception', because the malefactor introduced to creation worship of a divine name.​

You read those words, and found that later the Book of Roots also included a long list of various pagan deities, including among them the goddess Svama, which you recalled to be associated with swamps. Therefore, you read about her:

They maintain that Svama, that is, the earth, is so called from the creating of crops, and they call her by many names. They also say she is Ops (i.e 'plenty'), because the earth is made better by her operations. Proserpina, because from her the fruits 'spread forth' and prospered. Vesta, because she is vested with plants and various things, or from 'enduring by her own power'. They imagine this same one as both Earth and the Great Mother, turret-crowned with drum and cock and clash of cymbals. She is called 'Mother' because she bears many offspring; 'Great' because she produces food; 'the Bountiful' because she nourishes all animals with her produce – for earth is the nursery of food.​

You noticed that as you read it, others who listened were very surprised that you dared to make note of such matters, and moved farther away from you. What you did seemed to them strange, and perhaps they also harboured some worry that you may put a charm on them, with your book and word. However, the red-headed maid remained unmoved; she listened to your words closely, but when you shut the book and placed it again in your sack, she once again questioned if you thought that the order of things was correct, and that what you do should be shunned and thought to be against the law.

Not sure what to answer, you considered how to respond, before…

[ ] Having her punished for impropriate speech…

[ ] ...lightly, by chastising her and reminding her of her place.
[ ] …heavily, for she seemed to you a viper.​

[ ] Not responding at all, being deaf to such questions.

[ ] Saying that the world is good as is ordained, and you do not question that.

[ ] Asking her why she is so insistent in her questions.

[ ] Saying that the laws are good, but some may sometimes act against them.

[ ] Doubting in the laws as well.

[ ] Speaking out against the laws.

[ ] …quietly, so that only she can hear.
[ ] …loudly, so that all may hear.​

 

[Gargulec]

So, The Laurent's post broke the tie, and voting closed on it. Question time! Also, sorry Hannz, you posted your re-tie-creating vote the very moment was I actually posting my update, too late. Anyway, the update. Bad writing, self-depreciation, all that shit; don't mind me, read and vote!

4.9 The Feast Day III​

Never free of curiosity, which urged you to always learn before judging, you did not rebuke the maid instantly, in spite of her insolence, but rather asked for the reason behind such spite in her voice, and in her doggedness in questioning the laws and customs which were hers as well. Upon hearing that, she asked if it was truly your desire to listen to her, and then, she led you to a part of the house where you would not be overhead, so that you could discuss the matter in peace. Usually, such thing would be hard to accomplish, but with the feast being prepared, some portions of the great mansion of Ulla had been left empty, and thus you found a place which was secluded. Also, as you searched for such a place, you were noticed by some, and particularly by Ulbert, mighty warrior, Ulla's first-born, who seemed displeased seeing you together.
Then, the red-headed maid gave you, in the manner of a long lament of complaint, the story of her life, and how she was made the concubine of Ulla. And her words were heavy with resentment and hatred, and she seemed to you to speak from a depth of sorts; dark was the tale.

She was born the daughter of a priest on the Rosemary Island, and lived by the eastern coast. At young age, she was found to have a beautiful voice, and was therefore taught to sing, and for that she had much fondness, and learned many songs and poems for the pleasure of others. She was also instructed in the harp; and in that as well she was found capable. And it as decided she would marry a king's man, which gladdened her, for she thought she could then live in his court. But her husband was also brutish, and she was not fond of him; however, she was never married, for when travelling to the place where the wedding was to take place, she fell victim to brigands, who slew others, but captured her and harmed her, and then they brought her to a port and, for a bit of gold, gave her to the Seafarer tradesmen, who harmed her as well, and then carried her away from home. And as they found her rather beautiful, they sold her off well to a chieftain of theirs, who was very mighty and warlike, and he took possession of her. For some years, she served as his concubine, warmed his bed, pleased him with songs, and served him in other manners. And three, she tried to run from him, but not knowing the language of the land, and being easily recognized, she was returned to him every time, and savagely punished. And she admitted to you that she also prayed to the Saints that she would be reprieved from her woes, and when she thought they did not listen, she turned to pray to idols, and in her heart abandoned the saintly religion. She also became pregnant with his child, and she took some herbs which were used by Seafarers in such situations, and thus did not carry the child; afterwards she fell very ill and nearly died, but her master, not wanting to lose such a prized possession, took her to a crone which managed to stop the fever; she was also declared barren.

Prizing her no less for that, the Seafarer chieftain took her along with him on a war; and during the war, he was killed, and what he had with him was captured by the Liefs. And when the booty was divided between them, she was given to Ulla the Hammer, in recognition for it being his blow that broke the Seaferer's skull. And although she explained to him that she could not be a mother to his children, he did not care for it. He already had many sons, and did not want more; and he also found the way she looked and spoke very appealing, and thus made her his favourite concubine, and often spending his nights with her.

Such was her story; although she told to you in a different fashion, which does not warrant relaying. Her words were rough and full of hatred, and she cursed the names of those around her many times, in very profane ways. Often, while speaking to you, she would also blaspheme in the most wicked way.

Next, she explained to you the true cause of her grief, and her words I will repeat here, so that her arguments may be known:

"And I sing to others the lay of heroes, and lament their passing, and I see them cry and grieve for them. But who will grieve for me? Who will sing the song of my grief? Who will record it? My suffering is not worthy of note; I will not be remembered, and I will not be written down. I am a woman and I am a slave; and for that those who made my life a torture will be written down as kings and chiefs, and by their name, they will be no mention of the injustice done to me."

And then she said:

"By the law and custom it is right and proper that I will be forgotten. And that is why I ask of you: is the law and custom right?"

And you knew that if you were to answer this question, you could never deny to yourself what you had said and thought. And you knew that you could not chose silence, for she would demand of you to answer; there was fire in her eyes. But you also knew that you did not have to answer; that the maid was insolent and hateful in her speech, and that you could rightly make her quiet, or punish her for that, and thus, be free of the burden of making a stand.

Therefore, you…

[ ] Punished her.

[ ] Said: "It is not just."

[ ] Said: "It is just."

 

[Gargulec]

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!

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.

***​

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.

 

[Gargulec]

Drink lightly. Keep your head clear! Well, you are not partying hard. Others are. You should envy them. Or maybe not! We will see.

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.​

 

[Gargulec]

So, let Ulla handle the mess! And handle it he will. Also, an update. With speeches! Also I have taken some liberties with how things operated, but there is some precedent for what I described, so I do not feel all that bad.

4.12 The Great Feast III​

And it happened that emboldened by the silence of his father, which he perceived as a weakness, Ulbert spoke again, addressing all who were gathered, and to drive them recklessness, delivered unto them such words:

"Injustice now rules our home, for my father, whom I dearly love, is under sway of evil-doers! Look no farther than to who sits on our table! Did we not accept among us a woman that demands to fight like a man? Did we not accept her out of fear that she might be a swamp god, cunningly disguised? Is such belief not audacious idolatry, and does not it surely lead to decline of our kin? It is surely the working of a spell put on him, that we still bow to idols and make sacrifices to them, as if dumb stone could assist us!"
At those words, abbot Galen rose and spoke once again, in voice like thunder – for whenever he was faced with sin, he was granted by the Saints gave him great strength of spirit to combat it – and he warned all that those who bow to idols of stone and leave sacrifices for the swamp-spirits are in the clutches of the Malefactors, and if they do not avert their ways and embrace fully the light of saintly religion, they will be submitted to tortures everlasting to which even the most savage temporal cruelty is like a grain of sand to the desert.

A great commotion arose among the guests, and they called for Ulla to heed his son, and spare them all from damnation, to renounce the idols and wickedness whispered into his ear by women. Others meanwhile cursed Ulbert for being false to his father, and accusing him so, and soon enough, swords and axes were drawn and readied; for as it was a custom in the house of Ulla, who was a great warrior, each man carried his weapon with him to the feasting-hall, so that should enemies attack, they would not be caught unprepared.

Seeing that, Ulla rose from his chair and spoke, so that the slaughter could be averted; he turned to his son and admonished him harshly, saying:

"Oh, traitorous son, may you be thrice-cursed for speaking against your father! Do you not know that he who raises his arm against the one who gave him to the world is forlorn in the eyes of men and Saints alike? Are you so avaricious that you would betray your own father for the sake of land and wealth? And by what token do you dare to speak against the laws of hospitality, which say: none shall be turned away from your table? Is that not the Saintly word, that none of the wanting, neither man, nor woman, nor heathen, nor enemy, should be denied hospitality?"

Abbot Galen, who was well-read in gospels and scriptures agreed with that, and reminded all that as Saint Nebridius once hosted seven murderers, and to each of them he offered wine and bread, as if to closest companions, so are we bound to turn away no man.

Once again, there was much arguing among the guests, who were all upright; and as was the manner among the Liefs from the times of Otha, their first king, they said to each another: now that we are assembled in this hall, kin to each another, it is as if we are on a thing. And as it was always their custom, they demanded from abbot Galen to bless their gathering, and declare whomever dared to break peace of it cursed to the seventh generation, and he did so, and they called on Ulbert, so that he could defend himself.

Once more spoke Ulbert, of piety and righteousness, and not fearing reprisal, he explained how Ulla remained idolatrous at heart, and while he worshipped the Saints, he worshipped idols and taught his sons to worship them too. And then he also accused him of having the first of his wives, and mother of Ulbert, slain, for she tried to turn him away from his unsaintly ways, and then of also all manners of carnal sins which are too atrocious to repeat. And many gathered to his side as he spoke.

But then Ulla the Hammer spoke again, and declared:

"Oh, traitorous son, cursed be your wickedness, cursed be your serpent's tongue! For you preach justice and saintliness, but in your heart, you are more vile than any, and plot against your own father! And I reveal this to the thing: that he sent a slave carrying a missive to the home of the Armalings, that tonight a great feast would be held in my fine hall, and that drunk on wine and gorged on meat, we would be easy for them to defeat, for they hold a grudge against us! But the slave was caught as he returned, and confessed all of it to me: that my own son betrayed me, and set our enemies against our clan! And I say it now: before the thing, I declare him no longer the son of mine. May I never hear the name of Ulbert again."

And as he said that, a great furor came over the gathered, and it seemed that if not for the sanctity of the gathering, they would had slain Ulbert where he stood; but some claimed that the saintless father lied and slandered against his son, and they stood around Ulbert, his companions. They had also grabbed the red-headed maid and kept her, almost as if a hostage. Others still called for peace, and vigilance, for the Armalings could be coming, if Ulla had been truthful.

You considered that it could be that soon, the peace of the thing could be broken, or something else could happen, bringing disaster to the home of Ulla, and his guests. And you thought you could leave or sneak away, and that later, you could no longer have the opportunity to. But you also considered that the eyes of some were on you, and your leaving would not go unnoticed; and particularly the supporters of Ulbert seemed to watch you carefully.

Therefore, you decided to…

[ ] Stay.

[ ] Attempt to leave.