A Matter of Faith

The small fishing village starts settling into the evening as the sun begins to sink toward the horizon. Fishermen haul in the last of their nets, women return from the river with clay jugs balanced on their hips, carrying fresh water for the night’s meal. Others crouch near open fires, gutting fish or stirring pots suspended from iron hooks. Chickens and pigs wander freely along the river bank, scattering before your steps, and before the shaggy dog that happily trots behind you.

Plenty of heads turn as you walk through the village, and a few of the bolder children fall next to you and pester you with questions; where you're from, where you're headed, and whether you've actually slain any goblins. They all turn back toward the village as the road you follow begins to rise in a gentle incline, leading all the way up the hill to the castle. It is a modern fortification, built less than a decade ago to watch over the Duke’s Road and the Windrush. Guards patrol the ramparts, but the main gate remains open for now.

The guards pause as you approach, but once you give your names and purpose one of them disappears into the courtyard. He returns a short moment later, accompanied by a woman of noble bearing.



"Will Winters!" the woman smiles as she steps closer, her lips breaking into a smile "By the Light, I’d hardly recognized you. You barely reached my shoulder, last time we saw you. You’ve grown into your father’s height. Taller, even, I daresay" Lady Halia Bowell, Hans' wife, is a middle-aged woman with golden hair and blue eyes. She wears a pale gown, embroidered with golden thread, and carries herself like someone used to command. She extends her hands warmly to clasp Will's with genuine fondness, before turning to look at the rest of the party "And these must be your companions?"

"I'm delighted to meet you all" she nodded at each of you, before gesturing to one of the nearby servants, "Hans is eager to see you all, but he is still in council. In the meantime, you can refresh yourself. I'll have a room prepared and hot water for your bath. I will send for you before the evening meal. You'll join us, of course" she said as if the matter was already decided.

"Will!" Hans is a large man, his once golden hair is now streaked with silver. He used to be a warrior, but now there's a hint of belly protruding underneath his tunic. "I can't believe it. Will Winters!" he strides forward, and clasps Will on his shoulder "How long has it been?"

He speaks in Thyatian, but when he notices he is in the company of 'foreigners', he apologizes: "You must forgive me. My Traladaran is shite. I'll speak the mother tongue, if you don't mind" His eyes go back to Will "Tell me, how's your father?" He doesn’t wait long for an answer before grinning wide "You look lean, lad. Too much time spent on the road? Well, worry not, tonight, you’ll eat like royalty. I’ve had the cook working in the kitchen since I heard you arrived" he gestures toward the long table, inviting all of you to sit down

You all settle down next to the table, but when the door opens again, Lord Hans promptly rises to his feet. His wife, Lady Halia, enters the room in the company of two servants and dour, neatly dressed children. The eldest boy, around twelve, walks with a stiffness of someone told to behave himself. His younger brother, around nine, is mainly looking at the table, somewhat disappointed the food hasn’t already arrived. The two girls, age six and two, walk closely to her mother, with the youngest gripping the hem of their mother’s gown in her tiny hand.

"I’m so pleased you’ve joined us for dinner. I hope the rooms are to your liking?" she smiles at them "These are our children; Edric, Alric, Sabina, and Ursula"

The children all give you a small bow, or curtsey, like they’ve been taught

"And this is Will Winters. His father served alongside your father in the Duke’s army, many years ago. In fact, he saved his life once. It’s an Honor to welcome his son under our roof"
The children awkwardly fidget at the introduction. They clearly don’t know what to make of Will, or why they should find him important. "He is an adventurer. As are his friends"

"Really? You’re real adventurers? Like the ones in the Epics?" the oldest of the boys take a sudden interest in you.

"Did you fight any goblins? Or Dragons?"

"Look like you’ve found yourself an audience" Hans says as he sits back down, but makes no attempt to discourage his children from gathering around all of you. At least not until the food arrives.