Hall of Thanes

Right next to Thelnir, Izumi gazed at the plafond with amazement. She was dressed in an elegant and light colored kimono that draped flattering around her body. Her hair was decorated with beautiful ornaments and her face was the depiction of beauty. Her delicate picture looked out of place in the somewhat rugged environment and nothing was less true.

Izumi had come here from an island far in the seas where her home land was overcome by civil war and destruction. Katashima had fallen and she no longer could act as the Daimyo of the east. She had chosen to flee her country and ended up in Dolburimm where they had been so kind to take her in their care.

"What a beautiful sight this is Thelnir-san. The history of your city sure is full of surprises and beautiful stories." She smiled kindly to him, meaning every word of what she said. "I would like to thank you again for accepting me as your guest in such a beautiful place."

"Ah the very thing I wanted to discuss" Thelnir said plainly, his thick accent struggling to pierce through his equally thick white beard.

The aged dwarf did his best to shrug off his cousin's playful remark. He had never been too fond of Nalric's boyish attitude and frankly, rather childish demeanor; An opinion that was well known by a large amount of the populace. "I asked miss Izumi here to share her knowledge about her homeland and the lands beyond it." He turned to the far taller human female stood in front of him and offered a slight nod.

"If you're set on exploring the world I would have you go prepared with both knowledge of the unknown and the favor of the gods." He paused for a moment to glance back at his kin and place one hand firmly on his shoulder. "Once we have discussed what lies beyond the gaze and protect of both Bunrigg and Malnir, we shall discuss preparations of a feast in honor of the Gods." Age had been kind to Thelnir allowing him to shake his younger Thane with much the same strength as in his youth as his voice called out in rejoice at his mention of a feast.

    Nalric smiled and let out a kind chuckle as the older of the two gives him a strong pat on his shoulder. " Aye, nothing would prepare me more than information. Of course you two could always join me! The seas are mighty and filled with adventure, treasure and the touch of the Gods!" Nalric follows the two as they walk toward the main hallway. He could not imagine bringing the older Thelnir on his journey but extended the offer out of respect to his elder. The house TempestDawn was the youngest of the elder houses that governed over Dolburimm, forming from the families of explorers, merchants and shipbuilders. They were looked down upon for being rowdy, loud and still attached to the old ways; but they were also known as the most respectful and dutiful.

    Nalric started to notice more noise coming from the main hall wondered what the commotion was about, the days never started out this busy; even with the gathering of the houses. Nalric wondered if it had anything to do with the tall human woman and her lands. "Miss Izumi? What brings you to our land? I am sure simple information could be sent to us without having to risk the voyage. Is everything alright?" Nalric extends a voice of concern as his mind races with thoughts.

"Katashima's government system consisted of The Empress and then the Four Daimyo's who were responsible for their own districts. I was the Daimyo of the East. Our Empress was young and inexperienced in the eyes of many people and not everyone did agree to that. One of the Daimyo's started to question her authority, which made our people question the Empress even more."
She paused, making sure they were able to understand her.

"This Daimyo made it clear to us that he was in it for power. He wanted his Family to become the new bloodline. The rest of us tried to oppose him and change the situation, but his following in all districts started to become more and more. We were powerless, riots started to break out. I too am very young and got my title from my father, so my entire district started to turn against me. I was banned from my own home. The other Daimyo's had no more luck then me. I don't know where the other are. All I can do is hope they are safe."

She sighed, clearly emotional about the situation but keeping her tears back before she looked at Thelnir with a stern look. "I can assure you nobody will come for me. He got what he wanted, he got the power. At the moment I fled, I wasn't his enemy anymore."

Thelnir nodded lightly as he took in all that Izumi had to say. Her story was heartfelt and gripping, a tale of betrayal and of lust for power. "So it would be safe to assume your lands are now ruled by this Diamyo? If that is the case then they hold considerable power which seems to have corrupted them completely"

"What's to say that when they learn of Dolburimm, of our beloved city, their eyes wont fill with greed causing them to sail to our shores? Cousin, I know we need timber and I know that we can hardly offer new houses to shelter our people, But is it worth fighting someone else's battles? Throwing away the lives of our kin?"

"I am too old for war Nalric, I have but a few battles still left in me. I hope for both our sakes your expedition doesn't bring the likes of this Diamyo upon us" His voice had clearly risen to fever pitch but he somehow still remained to appear calm and composed. To Thelnir, sheltering the foreigner was the right thing, the honorable thing to do and exploration was clearly the key to his people's growth and continued survival, but he couldn't help but worry greatly about what wrath the unknown could bring down upon his kin.

Nalric crossed his arms and stroked his beard, this situation was not without negativity but there had to be a silver lining.

"Ancestors or by the will of the Gods you have landed here. Our charity and ability to provide you with what you need is an honor to us." Nalric sounded wise and old but only for a moment as he let out a low growl that turned into a laugh.

"Besides, if they choose to cross the seas to come for you or us, they will have one fight on their hands even before their legs could touch the shores!" Nalric once again laughed and his youth crashed through his touch of wisdom.

"Lady Izumi, if your land is an island but your knowledge of the seas and your force of boats is minimal; what do your people have knowledge of? Perhaps there could be a benefit to all parties in this situation?"

Nalric turned to his cousin and gave a hearty nod," the knowledge of her and her people may be able to help us. Then they could become more then just our guests, they could join us!" Nalric's eyes lit up as he looked from one to the other, his stare stopped for a moment on lady Izumi and her beauty.

"Even if I wanted to I wouldn't be able to return Thelnir. My people have turned against me out of their own choice. Even before everything happened a lot of my people questioned my authority because of my age. They wouldn't be able to respect me again now. The only way I could return is when the Daimyo that has taken over makes mistakes. If he proves he is not worthy of the people I could try and come back, but this seemed not the case." She understood the view that Thelnir was coming from. From the short bit she had gotten to know him she knew he was a mighty leader, someone who understood his people, someone who was loved by his people. But things were not that easy.

"As for what I have to offer. Because my people lived on an island we have became experts in growing everything we could possibly need. I can teach you how to grow the best quality crops, herbs and plants. I can teach you how to turn those herbs into medication for you people. Or how to make clothes from cotton. We can even grow bamboo to replace a part of your need for wood. There are many ways you can live off the land." She looked at him with a smile.

"I also brought a few samurai, they were my guards and are very loyal to me. They could teach your men how to use close combat weapons, if they would wish so. One of the other ladies I brought is the one that knows the herbs. She can help cure your people if they would need her so and she will teach you about the medicines. For the rest I brought I am sure they will work their part wherever you would require them. We are honorable people, we don't expect to enjoy your hospitality for free."

"If we had the land and the fertile soil to sow then that would be grand. But I'm afraid the earth in the cove is mostly dust and rock. The soil inland is rich and tillable 'aye but the forests are Tormand's domain and he blocks us from moving any further in land." Thelnir once again rubbed his thick beard, a movement he could often be seen doing when in deep though. "Besides Einwyn provides all we need from beyond the shore"

He let out a long, deep sigh before glancing back over to his fellow thane. "Our people are growing each day Nalric and we both know that Dolburimm, as it stands, will not be able to shelter us all much longer. We must either find new shores to settle or somehow do what Balren could not and defeat Tormand in his own realm." He walks over to his kin and pulls his head firmly into his so that their two foreheads are touching. "Be safe and may Balren guide you"

For a moment, the two remained interlocked, long enough for Nalric to reply but no longer then that. After Thelnir broke away he clapped his hands loudly which echoed around the high ceiling. His hands rubbing together as his thick tongue danced across his lips. "We have talked enough. It is time to feast before we all wear away to bone! Come Izumi I'm sure my cousin here would be more then ready to show you some of our delicacies" Thelnir began to make his towards the building's exit and towards where the feast would be soon starting.

 

As Dalden climbed the last set of stairs leading up to the cloud top district he turned back to Elizabeth. "Almost there. The Hall of Thanes is the grandest building in the city. It is home to the Thanes of Dolburimm, our leaders. They are the wisest dwarfs from the greatest families chosen by their peers to serve as Thane until death. It is a great honor to be received by most revered of leaders" The dwarf captain stopped in his tracks meters from the building, his hands moving to his hips and a smirk appearing under his thick beard.

Stood in the overly large archway leading into the hall of thanes was a dwarf, clad in a set of ornate metal armor, his beard white, braided and adorned with various runes. He walked up to Dalden, arms open to embrace him in a hug. "It is good to see you Dalden. I see you have brought with you some guests. Stumble across them during your hunt did you?" He let out a low laugh, his voice thick with his accent and filled with the sound of experience.

"Ah Thelnir, I moved to surprise you. It seems you are as prepared as ever." Dalden paused for a second as the two dwarfs parted after lingering together for a moment. "Lieutenant Elizabeth Finch, this is Thane Thelnir Wavebrand." Thelnir, the dwarf dressed in his ornate plate armor, bowed slightly towards the visitors before resting his hands behind his back.