When I got back to the tent, Ramram was nowhere to be found. I laid on my bed and fell asleep for about an hour. When I awoke, Ramram was still not there. I decided to look for him. I first went to the temporary horse stable, but he wasn’t there. I asked around but no one would say anything. Finally, an adventurer pointed me towards the Adventurer’s healing tent. I ran all the way.
When I got there, Aldra met me. She told me Ramram was alright and sleeping, but suggested I should do a Diagnose to ensure there are no internal injuries. As soon as I got by his side, I cast Diagnose. He had some internal bleeding and massive bruises on his kidneys and liver. I also noticed that he was missing a finger. I cast Heavenly Heal on his injuries, ensuring his finger was regrown also. After I was done, I turned back to Aldra.
“What happened?” I asked coldly.
“I don’t know. He was brought to me by a couple of adventurers that found him by the horses. I will send someone to get them.” Aldra replied shakily.
I could only imagine what I must look like. I was beyond angry. I was livid. Someone had attacked my House, my family. I would pay that back tenfold. My face must have been murderous, because Aldra took a few steps back before she started speaking again.
“If the adventurers hadn’t found him when they did and brought him here, Ramram would have died. He had been beaten badly. I managed to repair most if it before I ran out of mana. That was about two hours ago. I was going to begin casting Minor Heal again, but then you arrived. That’s pretty much all I know.”
Two adventurers came into the tent, Mikala and Favrie. Both were acquaintances of Ramram because of their love of horses. They told me how they went to the stables to look for Ramram because they were going to go to dinner together. Ramram knew a lot about horses and they wanted to learn more. When they couldn’t find Ramram, they decided to look around. They found him covered by loose hay. As soon as they saw his condition, they brought him here. They suspected foul play, but didn’t have a clue as to who would do such a thing to Ramram.
“Thank you for helping Ramram. If there is anything I can do for you, you just have to ask. I am in your debt.” I solemnly told them. I then pulled up a chair and waited for Ramram to wake up. Nobody bothered me while I waited. I assume the murderous aura I was giving off kept them away.
While I waited, I kept thinking of revenge fantasies and the horrible things I would do to the person or persons that did this to Ramram. I settled on a fitting punishment. I would just cut off their hands. One finger from Ramram and ten fingers from the culprit. Attacking House Tierra would have consequences and they would be terrible.
It was well past sunset when Ramram finally woke up. He woke up with a jolt and sat bolt upright. He looked around as if expecting to be attacked, then he saw me. He grabbed hold of me and started to cry. I just held onto him until he was done. There is no shame in crying after what this twelve-year-old boy had been through. When he had composed himself, I gently asked how he felt now. He was feeling fine, but I could see the memory of the beatdown haunted him. Then I asked him to tell me who attacked him and why.
By the time I left, the camp had gotten quiet. Maybe it’s my imagination, but it was like the quiet before the storm. You know the storm is coming, but hope it will pass you by. For three unlucky guards, that was not going to happen. I went to the officer tent area. I found Captain Willop and Captain Tyus amongst those sitting by the fire.
“Captains of the guard. I am here to declare that Lieutenant Indrisk and two guards attacked and stole from House Tierra without provocation. They attacked Ramram. Beat him until almost dead, stole his storage ring by cutting off his finger, and left him for dead. I demand them brought before me for immediate punishment,” my voice barely controlled, the rage barely contained. The guards were a tight knit community and I expected a lot of push back.
“Those are some serious charges, sir. I hope you have proof,” some no name young officer spat at me.
“Lieutenant Indrisk, what do you say to these charges?” someone else asked.
As Lieutenant Indrisk began to speak, I turned to and stared at him, daggers flying from my eyes. Indrisk was a big man. Well over 6 feet and 200 pounds of solid muscle. He gave off an aura of a bully and menace.
“I deny all charges. Even if I did hit the urchin, it was in the course of my duties.” He grinned as he spoke.
“There you have it. The word of the Lieutenant versus some urchin. You have no proof sir therefore the Lieutenant will not be punished,” said a senior captain.
I was reminded that this was not like home. This was a medieval world, where might makes right. The strong lead and the weak follow. I looked around the area. The guards had decided to protect their own. I would find no justice here. Therefore, I would have to make my own.
“Ramram is a member of House Tierra, not some urchin. Since the Guards will protect the COWARD Indrisk, I pronounce that no magical healing will be given to the guards. No healing from me or those I teach. All of you can bleed to death in the gutters for all I care. Because YOU choose to protect the vile pig of a man, Indrisk. A coward who beats us 12 year old boys.”
Yes, my words were calculated to infuriate Indrisk. He responded as I hoped, immediately challenging me to a duel because I insulted his honor.
Before anyone could try to put a stop to it, I called out “I accept. Here, now, swords, magic, daggers. Fight until one duelist concedes, is unable to continue, or death. You win, I forgo the other two guards’ punishment. I win, they will accept my punishment.” With that said, I pulled out my sword.
Captain Willop still tried to stop the fight, but was overrode by the senior captain. The senior captain, now Captain JackAss in my mind, agreed to the terms, slightly smirking. Apparently, he did not know who I was beyond being a magical healer and wouldn’t listen to Captain Willop.
The officers cleared an area for the duel. Senior Captain JackAss placed us at opposite ends, twenty feet apart. Stood in the middle announced the rules of the duel and walked off to the side before signaling to begin.
As soon as he signaled to begin, I activated Slow Time and rushed toward Indrisk using every iota of speed I had. I was so quick that he hadn’t finished drawing his sword by the time I reached him. I swung my sword and cut off his right hand, then swung around and cut off his left. My anger unabated, I dropped my sword into my inventory and grabbed the now handless man. I punched him in the face with my right hand, while holding him up with my left. His nose broke immediately, spewing blood all over me, but I didn’t care. I hit him again.
Indrisk was in shock from the sudden assault. He was unable to speak and I continued to punch him, destroying his face and breaking ribs. Finally, Senior Captain JackAss came up and tried to stop the duel. “Indrisk concedes. He is unable to continue. This duel is over.”
One final punch and I let Indrisk fall to the ground. He will bleed out if nothing is done. My anger is almost assuaged, almost. “I expect the two other miscreant guards to be ready to accept my punishment at dawn tomorrow.” I said cruelly, and made to leave.
“Aren’t you going to heal him,” asked someone from the crowd.
“As I said earlier, the Guards, and that means ALL Guard, will no longer be Healed. I will not Heal any Guard because of the actions of Indrisk and your Senior Captain. I suggest you bandage him up or he will bleed to death.” Again, I made to leave, but was stopped by Captain Willop.
“I ask a favor of you, Trevor of House Tierra. Do not let Indrisk die. I will owe you a favor.”
I looked at Willop in the eyes. “I will stop him from bleeding to death, but that cancels all debts and karma between us.”
I cast Heaven’s Heal focusing on his bleeding stumps. The wounds closed over. I turned to leave once again. “Remember. Dawn tomorrow.” I said as I left.
*---------------*
I was awake and dressed before dawn. Ramram was still sleeping as I slipped out of our tent. Predawn light was enough to see what was going on. There was a messenger waiting on me. He handed me the message and waited for my reply.
The message read:
Trevor of House Tierra,
I have received word of last night’s events. It is with dismay that I demand your attendance at one hour after dawn in front of my temporary residence. All parties involved are required.
Earl Mikael Donnert of Renovolt County
Very formal, this can’t be good.
“I will be there,” I said to the messenger. He nodded and left, never saying a word. Another not good sign.
I went back into my tent and woke Ramram. I told him we were going to see the Earl this morning and to get ready. A little while later, the sun was up and we were on our way.
We arrived at the Earl’s tent half an hour after sun up. I expected to be made to wait due to the tone of the message. Ramram was very quiet, I suspected he understood the seriousness of the situation.
Senior Captain JackAss, Captain Willop, Captain Tyus, Indrisk and two guards showed up and were immediately sent into the tent. Ramram and I just stood there waiting.
Finally, we were shown into the tent. The Earl, Ruberm, Viscount Justinian, Countess Majora were present. The Guards were on one side, Ramram and I on the other. It was very much a formal court like atmosphere.
It was obvious the Earl was agitated. He kept staring harshly at Senior Captain JackAss and then myself. Maybe he’s not a morning person. Ruberm moved in front of the Earl and read aloud from a document.
“Today we are gathered to adjudicate a serious disagreement between the Forest Glen Guards and House Tierra. Trevor of House Tierra claims, as proven by in trial by combat, that Indrisk of the Guards, beat and stole from a member of House Tierra without reason. He further claims Indrisk and two other guards left, knowingly leaving Ramram of House Tierra to die. Senior Captain Hounti ruled against him when it came down to Ramram of House Tierra’s word against that of Indrisk. Trevor of House Tierra then pronounced that the Guards would no longer receive magical healing from him or any of those he taught. Afterwards, he engaged Indrisk in a duel after being challenged by Indrisk and was triumphant. However, Trevor of House Tierra refused to heal Indrisk after the duel. Only the intervention of Captain Willop convinced Trevor to heal Indrisk so that he would not bleed to death.
“It is noted that Trevor of House Tierra did not retract his pronouncement and it still stands. The Guards no longer contest Trevor of House Tierra’s version of events, having been proven by combat. Senior Captain Hounti did not have the two Guards in front of Trevor of House Tierra’s tent because he and they were summoned to the Earl’s residence, otherwise he and they would have shown up for the punishment as agreed to. That is the state of affairs.”
Earl Donnert stood up. “Trevor of House Tierra what do you consider adequate punishment for the two guards that helped in the assault and theft from Ramram of House Tierra?”
“My Lord Earl, I would ask that Ramram be allowed input on the punishment.”
“Ramram of House Tierra, what do you consider adequate punishment?”
Ramram looked like he didn’t know what to say, so I whispered to him “Look at the Earl and start with My Lord Earl.”
Ramram drew in a deep breath and said “My Lord Earl, both guards were there, but they did not beat me. It was only the big one that did it. I don’t know how they should be punished.”
The Earl nodded. However, he also said “Very wise Ramram. But even if they didn’t attack you, they didn’t stop Indrisk. My people must not be afraid of the Guards. If Guards don’t stop people from being unfairly beaten, then they must be punished for their inaction. That however, is an internal matter. But understand that I will not accept that behavior. I thank you for you input Ramram of House Tierra. Trevor of House Tierra do you have any more you wish to say in the matter of the guards?”
“My Lord Earl, as you say it is an internal Guard matter, and I confidently leave it in the Earl’s hands,” I replied.
“Thank you for your input, Trevor of House Tierra. The last item I wish to resolve is the pronouncement by Trevor of House Tierra that Guards are to no longer receive magical healing by Trevor or those he has taught. Senior Guard Captain Hounti what have to say on this matter.”
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“My Lord Earl. I would ask Trevor, now given time to cool down, to reconsider his pronouncement on this issue. The Guard have come to rely on his healing as much as any in the city. Knowing he is to help them recover from even the most grievous wounds, give the Guards more confidence in performing their dangerous duties. Trevor is a valuable asset to Forest Glen and the Guards that protect it.”
Wow. He didn’t even recognize my house. He simply referred to me as Trevor. That is an insult in the Kingdom, and everyone in the room knew it. First, he insults me, then he goes on to say I am a valuable asset. I noticed that Justinian looked aghast at Hounti’s words. The Earl and Majora were unresponsive, not giving a clue as to how they felt about his insults.
Now, in this world, the Earl is in charge of the county. However, it is not just him. He is supported by the other nobles and by the Guard. The Guard carries out his wishes and orders. He is quite dependent upon the Guard to keep his cities orderly, catch criminals, and to make sure he is not assassinated. The Guard depend on the Earl for their authority, their pay, and to adjudicate in their favor. Senior Captain JackAss knows this and that is why he felt free to insult me.
“Thank you for your words Senior Captain Hounti. Trevor of House Tierra how would you respond to his request?”
“My Lord Earl. Since the request is from Senior Captain Hounti, I would deny it. I have no familiarity or relationship with him, nor do I want one after the transpired events. While I have had a convivial relationship with the Guard as a whole, I no longer hold that feeling toward the organization. Also, to the Senior Captain’s point. I am no ones’ asset. I am a free man.”
A long pause before the Earl spoke again. I could tell, this was not going the way he had hoped. My reluctance to revoke the pronouncement was a blow to the Guard, and he needed some way around it, but I wasn’t one to let insults slide off my back. Senior Captain JackAss did look shocked at my response. I am guessing that he thought I would cave after I let the two guards off. None of it mattered, they had assaulted my house member and there was a price to be paid.
“Thank you for your response, Trevor of House Tierra. Do you have any response Senior Captain Hounti?”
“My Lord Earl. Trevor’s healing is miraculous and the Guard cannot be restricted from it. You must order him to heal the Guard when commanded. His pronouncement is an insult to you and the kingdom and cannot be allowed to stand. I would also request you order him to restore Indrisk‘s hands.”
This was getting more contentious than I thought it would. I knew it would be tense, but now Captain JackAss is demanding the Earl order me to heal the Guard. Something is going on that is not obvious, and I am clueless. The only way I see is to keep true to myself. I readied myself to fight my way out. With Justinian there, it was pretty pointless, but I wasn’t giving up without a fight.
“Thank you for your words Senior Captain Hounti. Trevor of House Tierra, if I were to request you to withdraw your pronouncement, would you do it?”
Everybody looked at me. Captain JackAss had a huge crap eating grin on his face as if he had won. This was the critical moment. If I agreed Captain JackAss would not only win, but be able to make ridiculous demands on me. It would also condone the attack on Ramram. If I said no, then I was betraying the Earl and insulting everything he has done for me. I took a moment to consider my reply.
“My Lord Earl. If you asked me to revoke my pronouncement, then I would, or course, agree. I owe and respect you too much to do otherwise. I would immediately tell all my students that you had asked me to withdraw my restriction on healing the Guard and I did so. I will adhere to your wishes for as long as I live in Forest Glen and Renovolt county. But that, unfortunately, wouldn’t be long. In order to be true to myself, after I withdrew the pronouncement, I would immediately return to Forest Glen, where I would pack up my household and move to another county. Forgive my impertinence but I cannot and will not condone the attack on my House by the Guard and the insults of Hounti. So, if you ask, I will revoke my pronouncement and then leave.”
Everyone, and I do mean everyone was stunned at my words. I would do what the Earl asked, but it would have consequences. Major consequences for both the Dungeon clear and Forest Glen. I would leave them to it and damn the consequences.
Captain JackAss had made his power play, and I made my own move. I was already thinking about where to go next. Maybe the capital, or even another kingdom. I expected that I would lose Covern House. Maybe I would move to Rose Flower Manor, which was in another county. Though I can’t imagine pissing off one noble would help me my reputation in another county. It was still an option.
After a brief bit of silence, the Earl spoke. “Thank you for your words, Trevor of House Tierra. It looks to be an impasse between House Tierra and the Guards. This was caused by a flagrant attack by a Guard officer upon a member of the House Tierra. Indrisk also stole from the same person. Indrisk will return the stolen item immediately.”
Ruberm moved to Indrisk and held out his hand. Indrisk gave the storage ring to Ruberm. Ruberm, then went over to Ramram and returned his ring.
The Earl continued, “Indrisk is removed from the Guard immediately. Captain Willop will escort him to the camp’s edge. He will be given a weapon and a week’s rations. When he reaches Forest Glen, he will have one week to conclude any business there and then he must leave Forest Glen for a period of not less than 5 years.”
There are no prisons in Forest Glen. Criminals are either killed or banished. Unless you are a fighter, banishment is pretty much a death sentence anyway.
I suspected that if Indrisk survived the journey back to Forest Glen, he would go to Toverville. I was sure Captain JackAss would look after him. Indrisk surprised me by just nodding his head in acceptance. Captain JackAss was hot, but kept his mouth shut.
Justinian spoke up. “My Lord Earl, if I may make a suggestion.”
Earl Donnert looked a little relieved, hoping Justinian could help him out of the conundrum. “Yes Viscount Justinian, please do.”
“Lord Earl, I would ask Trevor of House Tierra to alter his pronouncement slightly. Allow him to refuse to heal the guards, but also allow his students to heal if they choose. I understand his reluctance to aide an organization that attacked his House. I would do the same, if not worse.” Justinian looked directly at Captain JackAss daring him to interrupt or object, then continued. “But, to refuse any of his students their choice in the matter, I believe goes too far, in my opinion. The Guard does need of magical healing, and the vast majority shouldn’t be made to pay for the act of one bad Murken fruit. I believe this compromise upholds Trevor of House Tierra’s need for retribution, while not punishing those not involved.”
“That does sound like a reasonable compromise. What say you, Trevor of House Tierra?”
That does sound reasonable, and I probably did overreact a bit. My anger had cooled down some, so I could see that this was fair. Hell, more than fair. “My Lord Earl, I thank you and Lord Justinian for the wise council and agree to remove the prohibition on my students. They may heal the Guard as they wish.”
I could see the relief in everyone’s eyes but Captain JackAss. He was livid. I was beginning to think he was either behind the attack or had ulterior motives. But no matter, it was over as far as I was concerned.
“Indrisk is removed from the Guard and banished for 5 years from Forest Glen. Trevor of House Tierra is under no obligation to heal or otherwise treat Guards of Forest Glen. Trevor has withdrawn his prohibition for his students to refrain from healing Guards. They may choose to heal as they will. There will be no animosity between the Guards and House Tierra. Consider this matter closed.”
“But what about Indrisk’s hands? Are you just going to leave him like that? He won’t be able to survive without them.” Captain JackAss shouted.
The Earl looked at him and said “Thieves lose their hands when caught.” And then turned away, signaling this audience was over.
*---------------*
As I walked back to my tent, I thought about the meeting. It seems that Forest Glen isn’t the simple little city I thought it might be. There is a lot more politics involved and I am apparently in the middle of it. This morning’s demonstration showed that there are at many power players. The Earl, the Nobles, and the Guards. I assume there are other power players back in Forest Glen, like wealthy merchants and guilds.
Both the Nobles and the Adventurer Guild are critical to defeating the monster waves, but the Guard, not so much. They are the police of the city, not a monster fighting force. They are here to enforce the Crown and the Earl’s edicts. The Guard keep the criminals in check, except for the poor part of Forest Glen. The Guard has almost no presence there, and gangs control different areas. However, if a gang become too powerful or kills too many people, the Guards come in and purge the gang leadership, sometimes the whole gang. The Guards are powerful in the city, but not compared to the Nobles. The Guards generally either leave the Nobles alone, or protect them from scandal. Their power resides in their connection to the Earl. Their leadership is loyal to the Earl, because they know they are serving at his discretion.
The Nobles besides being an integral part of the monster wave defense, are also the administrators of the city and county. They are responsible for all civic functions, including waste removal, water, and roads. They also run the court system. This means they have an outsized influence with not just the Earl, but with the merchants, the Guilds, and the Guards. Lastly, they write the checks, albeit with the Earl’s funds, but nevertheless they are the paymasters. Without them, the whole county would fall into ruin. The Nobles have different alliances. Each alliance tries to outdo each other in the eyes of the Earl. While all Nobles are responsible to the King or Crown Prince, in Forest Glen they work for the Earl. He controls who has what position and in turn their prestige and possible promotion.
The Adventurer Guild fights in the monster waves. They are the frontline fighters and have proven themselves capable. They are also a large guild with many members, all of whom have martial skills. The Guild members clear monsters from the nearby area, guards the caravans, and retrieves valuable herbs, rare plants and animal parts from the forest. The members come from both low and high society. Many a third or fourth born noble, who has no chance to inherit, has taken the path of adventurer and joined the guild. The relationship between the Nobles and the Adventurer Guild is solid, and their support of the Earl is steady. There is some tension between it and the Guards though. Mostly because some adventurers tend to be rowdy drunks.
The merchants have an association. It does not control its members, but rather acts as a defense against the power players. The association only power is its ability to blackball customers from using any merchant services. The merchants deal in both products and, just as important, information. The Nobles pay for information about politics, fashion, and trends in the King’s court. Merchants bring in everything that cannot be produced in Forest Glen. Special orders are half the business of the merchants. The Merchants Association has good relations with all other groups. They maintain a strict neutrality, but individual merchants do form alliances to try and improve their business opportunities.
The Earl was not a figurehead. He was a standalone power. He was a powerful fighter, always involved in defending the city against the monster wave’s most powerful creature. He wasn’t part of the Nobles or the Guards. Nominally the head of both organizations, he stood apart. He allowed the Nobles to run his city with periodic oversight from Ruberm and a few other trusted government officials. That being said, he could demote a Noble, if they proved to be a problem. This could be by changing their jobs or sending them to another city. Each of those actions were detrimental to the status of the Noble. Nobles would do almost anything to maintain their status. Of course, there was at least one Noble that didn’t really care because he was here at the King’s request. That would be Justinian, who worked directly for the King. All other Nobles were under Earl Donnert.
As long as the Guards maintained order, crime was low, and they treated the populace with respect, he let them govern themselves. The Guard officers were directly under him. He appointed each and every one of them. They all owed their success to him. He could, and had, removed Guard officers for corruption, disrespect, and failure to perform. If the city was quiet, he left them to their own devices.
The Earl also has one powerful authority that he can use to punish anyone. Taxes. He can levy taxes in any manner he wants. He had raised the taxes on the Merchants, when he felt they were charging too much for food and basic necessities. He had charged a one-time tax on a single nobleman, who lifestyle was so outrageous that the commoners were angry about it. He also taxed the Adventurer Guild when their members were getting a little too rambunctious, like destroying a tavern. Not only did he tax the Guild and the Guild members, he made the members rebuild the tavern. He used his ability to tax the way a surgeon used a scalpel, with skill and commitment. The Earl was focused on keeping his city calm and stable, because he had enough to worry about with the monster waves. He had an amical relationship with both the Merchant Association and the Adventurer Guild.
Now, I am wondering how much of today’s meeting was an act designed to calm down the tensions between me (the only person with the ability to cast Heaven’s Heal and Cure All) and the Guard. I am sure Justinian was there to offer the compromise, if things went sideways, which it did. I wondered what was Majora’s role. I believe I needed to rethink my relationship with the nobility of Forest Glen, because I don’t think it is what I thought it was. Today just proved how much I don’t really know about the world.
During the walk back Ramram was quiet. I decided rather than go directly to our tent, we would pay Gorver a visit. I found him in line for breakfast. Ramram and I joined him in line. After we got breakfast, we made our way to a table to eat.
After sitting down, I asked “Gorver, can the Adventurer Guild provide basic defense training to Ramram? I don’t want him to become an adventurer, but I do want him to be able to defend himself.”
“Of course we can do that for Ramram. I know just the perfect person, but that will have to wait until we get back to Forest Glen.”
“I don’t want him to receive the same training, I did. He is House Tierra’s Horse Steward, not an adventurer.”
Gorver laughed. “Of course. If we started everyone like you, nobody would join. You were a “special” case.” More laughter followed.
“Okay, in the meantime, I would like to hire a couple of adventurers to guard him while we are in the dungeon. I am sure you have some that would like to earn some silver while waiting for the dungeon to open for everyone. I want people that can calm down the situation if the Guards take offense to what happened yesterday and this morning.”
“Everyone knows what happened yesterday, but what happened this morning?”
“The Earl summoned me to a meeting to discuss my pronouncement about not healing the Guards. It was very intense, but the end result was that I released my students from the prohibition of healing the Guards. They are free to do as they please. However, I don’t think the Guard leadership is pleased with the result, since I still won’t heal them. I am afraid of them taking it out on Ramram while I am in the dungeon.”
“Okay, hold on a second.” Gorver waved two adventurers over. “This is Sequina and Otto. Both are excellent adventurers and have the skills needed to deescalate situations with the Guard, but are strong enough to prevent any harm if needed. Would you two be willing to shadow/guard Ramram during the time Trevor and I are in the dungeon? The pay is 5 silver a day.” Gorver is generous with my money.
Both agreed to shadow Ramram. Ramram would go about his business tending the tent and the horses as he would any other day. They would remain close by, but inconspicuous, only intervening if Ramram was hassled or attacked.
After a hearty breakfast, Ramram and I went back to our tent. I prepared for the dungeon, and Ramram got ready for day. He checked his storage ring several times making sure it was still there. After his ordeal, I understood his doing that.
When I left to go to the dungeon, Ramram followed since the horses were close to the dungeon trapdoor. We parted ways at trap door, I went down the stairs to the landing and he went to check on the horses. I hoped that he could move past the beating. I knew from personal experience that something like that can change you, and I didn’t want that for him.
