Hall of The Tain

How he despised sitting on this throne. Not that it was uncomfortable or the grandiose hall was not to his liking. No he was bored of all the petty disagreements he had to settle betweeen the town's merchants and nobles that came to him when their ability to 'adult' failed. It was only a couple of hours a day - the rest would be taken care of by his steward - but this was already enough to make him yawn.

But today he had extended his throne time a little because he needed to see to a more 'private' matter with which he had invited Isgerd who he knew he could trust in these matters. The ranger was at most inconsequential in battle, but she was an expert scout and had in the past brought him crucial information no one else could. However this time the danger might exceed what Isgerd could handle with only wit and stealth and thus he had invited a noted Taingaard warrior too, Rutgerd Isenhall. Between them he believed them to possess the abilities he needed for this to succeed.

Luckily he didn't have to wait very long and as the last pesky merchant left in a surly mood because of a ruling that went against his interests Isgerd and Rutgerd were called inside by the guards.

"Welcome both of you. Do you know each other?" Erik asked them curious if they had some kind of existing relationship.

Serving his Tain was apart of his very being, every man of his lands owed him his allegiance and therefore when he was called he would answer. Coming to the hall he would leave his weapon upon him. A sign of respect to his Tain to show he was always ready to defend his honor and would keep his weapon sharp and ready. Arriving behind the maiden that was also assigned to this task he knew not much else than rarely were these sorts of things assigned to the muscle alone. He expected more upon an expedition but not always a woman per-say. Not to say that their shield maidens were not capable, many had shown him what was what before and he enjoyed the nights where they showed him other things.

Entering the hall Rutgard carried himself with a sense of pride. Long strides and heavy booted steps his deer skin clothing covering but his chest and legs leaving muscled arms as wide as a large branch and as strong as an ox arms free at his sides. He carried an axe upon his back, a wide two handed monstrosity with a double edge, honed until it glinted in the fire around them. The lady who would examine him shortly would find his hair had been pulled back. Multiple braids kept tight and high as another preparation for his Tain. He would present himself in a way that showed respect even threading through silver clasps throughout that looked tenderly placed by another.

"My Tain," when he approached beside the woman he bowed his head slightly while crossing his arm across his chest, the fist over his heart patting it once before lowering it to his side.

A question asked of him the woman spoke first, her compliments not unnoticed and he was not ungrateful for her icey gaze. His own was of a similar blue but more benign in nature his curiosity only making him meet her own and a slow grin crossing his features, "The lady speaks true but of the latter I have not heard from one so fair."

Isgerd gave a smirk as she noticed the grin spreading across the face of the warrior next to her, but battled it down as Tain Erik appeared to have something important to say. She listened to his story, noting how bothered he was by this particular problem. “I don’t see why lineage matters so much to you fort-builders. You’re the Tain and you can prove it with an axe as well as with a list of names.” Isgerd seemed completely unconcerned, as she shrugged slightly. It wasn’t often Erik was worried by rumours like that. The reason behind the adventure didn’t matter too much to her, the opportunity to talk to the Griffins and retrieve the ring was exciting. This wasn't a mere everyday adventure, and it was obvious to see Isgerd's enthusiasm from the look on her face. 

She had seen a Griffin once or twice from hiding, but given the penalties for disturbing them, she had kept her distance. None of them had dropped any magical feathers for her to pick up, much to her disappointment. “I can find the Griffins, and the ring too. If there’s a drawing or description of it somewhere that should make it easier. If the Griffins will give up the ring, or testify that’s another matter - As far as I know they haven't spoken to a human at all for generations. They may not want to start now. Would the word of a Griffin really convince those that speak against the Haldar? Perhaps Rutgard’s axe might do the job!” Isgerd didn't want to talk her way out of the mission, but it seemed a large endeavour just to stop a few tongues wagging. 

"Isgerd!" the tain said and raised his voice, the authority ringing quite clear. "Now how come you are so gifted and yet you ask all the wrong questions?" the tain asked rhetorically and with a half smile. He liked Isgerd, but she was definitely not one to just follow orders blindly. Slightly frustrating, but perhaps why she was a brilliant scout too. "The only reason we have peace is because I show them peace - or else everyone would go about settling arguments with axes. And while I would sit less on my throne settling grudges, I would sit a lot more on my horse settling grudges all the while no one cared for the beasts that still lurks out there." he explained and smiled. "I'm sure the griffins will know exactly what rings you speak of, they do not own material things normally." Erik explained and gave her a wry smile. "You are a wayfinder right? So you should be able to find a way." he concluded and turned to Rutgard.

"You are quite right Rutgard, I would crown you Champion of The Land on the spot if you managed to defeat a griffin all by yourself among their brethren - and live to tell about it. However do remember that they are not our enemies, don't raise your axe towards them even in jest. It is a great honor to be able to visit them as the first humans in centuries - we partly owe them our land." he said and smirked. He almost wished he could go himself, but younger people were far better qualified for such a journey.

"Since you know little about each other I suggest you sit down and plan the route out and get some trust built." Erik said and nodded to the two. He they no more questions, they would be dismissed. The journey was perilous, and among plenty other things they had to figure out if they wanted to go the short route through Thornwood and along the mountains or the safer but longer route that led to Leifheim and Skulhøy.

Rut had been partially joking when he spoke of the griffon. Nasty foes and generally not taken down by one man unless he wished to come away only half alive. He laughed when his Tain spoke of making him a champion but nodded solemnly a moment later when he spoke of him using his words instead. Rut wasn’t much for words unless it came to asking for another glass or to be included on a raid out in the badlands. He’d been gone for a small while wandering throughout the world but now his return had come and to be so quickly called upon made him almost leap with excitement. So long had he been from home and now he was given a chance to so readily explore sections not so often trod, he felt like a boy on his first day on the battlefield again.

“As you wish Tain I shall make it so,” Bowing slightly with the same arm crossed in a sign of respect he would follow out Isgerd, “I would not be a man of Taaingard should I refuse such a fine offer.”

Roxanne gazed around the hall, marveling at its splendor and wondering how they'd done it. Had no other team actually caught anything as impressive as this little tree sprite? Maybe the tales of Taingaardian hunting prowess had been greatly exaggerated, or perhaps they'd just gotten lucky. Whatever it was, Roxanne wasn't going to look a gift walrus in the mouth. They'd won the competition, and now she wanted her prize.

Hefting the birdcage, she approached the Tain. She'd taken the precaution of covering the cage in a damp towel to avoid the sprite's sleeping dust, leaving only a small gap for the little fairy to breathe. Placing the cage before the Tain, she pulled the towel off, stepping back in case the sprite within lashed out at her.

"Thank you, sir," she said. "Here it is. I've had...dealings with their kind in the past, so I knew what to look out for. I sure hope I haven't been cursed, but one never knows with fae, huh?"

She glanced over her shoulder at her companions, eyeing Khepri. That bird was still sticking around, and seemed intent on following Roxanne everywhere, as though they were friends...perhaps she really was cursed.

Khepri was equally as miserable as Rudiger. She had been unceremoniously stuffed into a dress that felt more constricting than a snake trying to suffocate her to death. It had all been Roxanne's idea, who had just been able to pin Khepri down long enough to pull it over her head. She wasn't going to be allowed to show up in front of the elder in her natural state, though as she was learning now, they had been watching them during the Hunt the entire time!

Thus, they were left with a wingless, very grumpy, human Khepri wearing a red dress more flattering than she wanted to admit. It started off the shoulder, lined with yellow thread ending at a V below her neck. The sleeves started thin and bellowed outward toward her hands, mirroring the rest of the dress in a loose skirt. A simple shawl had been added only after she complained about the cold, something she didn't need to be worried about had she been able to absorb the sun with her skin. Her hair was out and about, as Roxanne didn't have the energy left after to even give it a glance.

As they approached Eric Haldar, she stood behind her keeper, beside Deidra, with Rudiger on the opposite side.

With a smirk, she stepped forward, beside Roxanne.

"I would not allow such maladies to befall my companions. My name is Khepri and I am their healer and mage. It would be no easy task for a curse to slip by me."

As Roxanne drew the curtain away from the fairy it suddenly started jutting around the cage like a small feisty thunderbolt caught in a glass bowl, but after a short but vicious fit of anger it seemed to calm down learning exhausted up against the bars. Erik squinted looking at the small pixie before waving his hand to get someone to remove it again.

"Alright that's plenty proof! Tain Sigrid Torinnsdottir assures me it's quite a monster so who am I to argue?" Erik shrugged. "You deserved your praise and your prize - but first Sigrid wanted to tell me, that she would want to pay good money for the fairy you've caught. Something about fairy dust and such..." Erik said largely uninterested in the specifics.

"But..! On to the matter at hand!" he said determined and got up from his throne and nodded once at each of them. "Thank you for the kind words!" Erik nodding at Deidra and smiling to the rest before waving in a servant who presented four rings on a velvet pillow. "Each of you have deserved these rings that have been forged from Skulhøy's rich mines. They each uniquely crafted from Black Silver, which is mithril and obsidian forged together to create this very special metal that is black yet shines as silver. Needless to say it's very expensive and not found anywhere else!" the Tain said with some pride in his voice as the players were presented with the finely ornamented rings where runes passed all the way around and the dusty black texture gleamed in the torchlight in ways that seemed to defy logic.

"However..." The Tain said and waved another four servants in each carrying a sack in their hands. "... winning The Hunt is a matter of attaining honor in the minds of men and gods, not riches. But knowing that travel expenses are high and with the hope that you will keep your rings and not sell them to afford the trip back, I will bestow upon you an extra prize. Three hundred gold coins each to cover these expenses and hopefully to buy your trip here next year also." The Tain said and bowed with a smile. "Still we're not quite done!" he said and cleared his throat.

"Roxanne Fletcher please step forwards!" Erik commanded. "Word has reached my ear that you have helped several people along the way here including the son of Tain Larnon Skulfir of Skulhøy. Very impressive, and since you've won The Hunt as the one to grasp the beast first, I have a special honor for you. If you choose to accept it, I will bestow on you the title of 'Blood Brother', which is a title that binds you to a caste of some of the best warriors in Taingaard and carries great prestige and acknowledgement from your peers." The tain explained and added with a wry smile. "Plus other perks..."

Rudiger bowed slightly as the ring was offered, taking it with gingerly from the pillow. To be quite frank, he had never seen anything like it. Not that he had had too many interactions with the high upper crust of society who could begin to dream of such niceties, but even in the Isran court these past few months he had seen no baubles even comparing to how this gleamed.

Though his face grew a bit surprised at the offer of gold, not quite expecting it or needing it, seeing as he was using Imperial funds to travel. He doubted it would reflect well to accept or deny the gold, either appearing to be a pauper or coming off as arrogant. There truly was no winning some things in politics it seemed.

As Roxanne finished he acceptance 'speech', he took a single step forward and bowed toward the Tain, "I appreciate all the hospitality of the court and the honor to partake in such a noble hunt. I shall treasure the ring until my dying days... but for the gold I must insist it be used for charitable purposes, perhaps for the survivors of such foul creatures."