Beyond the Ragnarök

Quote from PlotArmored >>

History: 17

 Leif pretends to not recognize Master Gaelran. His father had pointed him out years prior during a market visit. He had complained that he had been swindled by the man and warned young Leif to steer clear, if he could.

He greets king Alaric and Merros formally but merely nods to Valdir and the merchant.

Kora stays with her group, having no idea who the stranger is, but barely gives him a second glance.  She quickly and nonverbally greets the King and Merros, and then glares at Valdir, while she waits to hear what is next for them.

"Welcome friends." Alaric greets you all, "Master Gaelran here is working to establish commerce here in our new settlement."

"I am working for our survival my king." Gaelran corrects with an oily smile and open palms.

"His majesty well understands your aims." Merros comments sternly, earning a fierce scowl from the merchant.

"As I was saying," Alaric continues, giving Merros a stern look of his own, "Master Gaelran has a favour to ask of the crown such as it is and it seems to me that you all would be well suited to the task."

You hear a snort from Valdir, and now it is his turn to receive a sharp look from both the king and Gaelran. You could cut the tension in the air with a knife until at last the merchant gives a heavy sigh and speaks to you all,

"This land holds little in the way of livestock and the raw materials necessary to establish a stable community. What scouting we have managed thus far has revealed a barren land void of flora and fauna. The timber of the nearby forest is poor, we have fish of course but little else. We need to explore further inland to see what natural resources the lands hold for us."

Alaric speaks then, "I would have you take one of the remaining ships and journey west along the river. Four days should suffice for this initial expedition and then three to return. Seek out signs of life and resources that might aid our efforts here. Merros will help you select your ship and crew..."

"...And Valdir here will accompany you to represents the interests of the guild." Gaelran adds.

Both the king and Merros look surprised at this, and it is Merros who speaks, "This is a new world Gaelran, the old guilds are dead and gone."

"They are no more dead and gone than the crown." he snaps, then seeing he has gone too far, "Forgive me. What I mean to say is that..."

Alaric silences his with a glare, "Enough, your favour has been granted and if you and the others wish to play at guilds and committees while our people still sleep under rags and twigs then no words of mine can help you."

The king turns his back on the merchant then and speaks to you all, "Do you have any boons or questions to ask of me before you depart?"

“My lord, if Valdir is allowed to join, let it be heard from your lips and in front of witnesses that he is added as a favor on top of favor and is granted no authority over us OR the rest of the expedition members yet to be chosen. That he is expected to perform all actions, in word and deed, for the benefit of the entirety of the Midgard survivors, and not solely ‘in the interest of the guild’. That by his acceptance to join, he agrees to exceed our expectations in pulling his weight in all manners for the benefit of the party and success of our mission and safe return. And finally, that the king grants us, the original invitees, the rod of discipline and leadership for the duration of this undertaking.”

Leif realizes he is probably the youngest voice in this meeting and that he is coming across rather precociously. But darn it, Peder and Edda didn’t raise no fool. He has witnessed Valdir’s disrespect for the king in person and is sure that increased distance from that authority will only exacerbate his predilections.