As Endal walked through the village and Buaros following behind him, he saw the villagers. Some of them had the faces of gladness, some sat on the corners of the road with gloom on their faces. Endal understood the feelings of the villagers, They had just won a great victory it is a cause for celebration but also sadness for the price of was costly.
Many wives, husbands, brothers and sisters still weep for their recently dead love ones. Endal became depressed as some of those loved ones were killed by him albeit accidentally. Some of their cherished ones may still be alive if not for him.
But nevertheless he must steel his heart, for if he simply succumb to guilt and regret further horrors may be inflicted to them in the future. Perhaps he will answer his crimes one day but for now he must secure his people's safety.
He saw Kenask warriors roam freely in the village, although he is thankful for saving his people he is still cautious about them, for Endal he knows these warriors for their ruthlessness in the east. As he observes the warriors further he noticed that they were somewhat tamed than when he saw them last.
Endal continued to walk head to the village hall, where the elders would usually meet to discuss matters related to the village, as he drew close to the building he could hear shouting and disagreements, although he could not make out as to what it was.
As he entered the building he saw groups of people circled together facing each other, in the center a bonfire is lit, closest to the bonfire were the elders, positioned in a circle sitting on stools. The crowd further debated about the recent situation.
"The attack is surely the last! They would be fools if they attack again, especially when winter is only weeks away!" Shouted by someone in the crowd. "And if they do? We cannot be certain that they would not come back with more! their first failed attempt only escalated on the second! We must accept their offer!" Another argued. "How can we be sure if we can even trust them? Simply because they helped us? Perhaps they had only helped us at the very end to carry favor from us? if they knew we were going to be attacked why did they not arrive sooner?!" One in front of the crowd shouted. "Would you prefer that they had never aided us? We should be thankful to them! Even if they had done so to have us carry favor for them, they nevertheless saved our village." One argued.
"Kinsmen! Enough!" A individual among the crowd shouted. "This proposal has been given to us three days ago! If we delay our answer any further they will leave and we gain nothing. A decision must be made now!" One of the elders shouted with a weary voice.
"If Endal is here perhaps he can enlighten the matter." One said only for his opinion to be drowned out by the debates of many. The townsmen continued arguing with one another and much of the elders sat silently. Endal can tell that this has gone on for the three days since the time he was unconscious, he wondered what the proposal they were arguing about.
He glanced at Buaros who was behind him only for Buaros to ignore him and stared at the arguing crowd with a frowning face, it was obvious that the delays of their answer for whatever proposal the saber horn riders gave them made him irritated.
Endal took a sigh of disbelief and walked towards the crowd, as he drew close the people at the very back looked behind them and saw Endal. As he walked they made way for Endal, the warriors saluted him by pounding their chest with their fist, he recognized some of them as the people who fought alongside him at the defense. The many voices began to decrease in volume as they saw Endal walk toward the center.
"Ah, Endal. Finally you are here." One of the elders said with a face of relief. "Have you finally recovered? Your mother and sister had grim faces when you were rushed back inside the wall. So wounded you were that we thought your condition as fatal." Said by one of the female elders.
"Yes, much of me has indeed recovered." "Ah, that is good to know... we did the best we could to heal you, but we could not wake you, we feared for the worst. It is good that our fears are unfounded" The female elder replied. "I thank you for you and everyone else who helped me recover. I also give my thanks to those who fought alongside me at the defense, the horror and the sudden shock must have terrified you to your bones..." Endal said to the crowd with an honest expression. "But despite such unexpected horror, you stood your ground, despite facing against insurmountable odds...and the fear inducing monstrosities, you made your stand. The bravery and courage you have shown is nothing short of extraordinary. Would it not be for you, my family would have suffered a terrible fate. For that, I am indebted to you all." Endal said to them as he bowed with sincere gratitude. The crowd was struck with awe and pride as he said those words.
"As that said... i also request for your forgiveness. Despite my all, i could not save enough of my people and although i remember and see the faces of those who fought alongside me in this hall, I still humbly request for forgiveness to the parents, the sons, the daughters, the wives and husbands and brother and sisters, for not being able to save their beloveds." Endal said to them with sorrow and regret upon his voice. As he said those words the crowd turned into somber expressions. "There is nothing to forgive. We understand you had given the best of your abilities, If not for you, who first stood up against the invaders, who slayed the twisted serpent and culled their leader. We would have curled in our fear and had let them slaughter our people. As i say again... There is nothing to forgive." One of the elders said to him, humbly requesting him to stop his bowing.
Endal felt a slight relief by their answer to his plea. "Come now young one, we have so much to discuss, and we would like your advice on the matter." One of the elder requested. Endal nodded and stood beside an elder.
"You see young one, we have trouble deciding the next course of action. The strangers who aided us have offered us something that is... quite troubling to us." The old man said. "What offer exactly did they present?" Endal questioned as he thought about Buaros. "They had offered if... we become a...vassal.... they would offer us protection as well as a seat in their council." The old man said. "A vassal and a seat in a council?" Endal puzzled over the offer the Kenaskin riders had given.
Offering them to become a vassal is of little surprise to Endal than being offered a seat in said council. He had never heard of the Kenaskin people having a council, ever since his...Visit upon their territory.
Becoming a vassal only meant being squeezed dry of whatever resources they had, in which Lynsk did not have much. This prospect puzzled Endal. if they wish to subject his people under them they would usually do so by force. This diplomatic stance coming from them deeply befuddled him.
"Hmm, should we accept, what exactly are they expecting in return?" Endal asked. "They had said only what we can give them." An elder replied. This further bewildered Endal. This was far too passive, especially coming from the fearsome Kenaskin warriors who's reputation in the central region is known for their brutality and ruthlessness.
"And what of this council? What exactly is it and why are we offered such?" Endal asked. Before an elder could speak the voice Buaros had cut them off. He emerged from the crowd and walk toward near the center where everyone could see him. "You will be offered better trade options, protection by all the other vassal states that are part of the council, including our own warriors." Buaros told him. "You'll be provided special privileges if you become part of the council such as a voice regarding policies and land reforms." Buaros said.
All this surprised Endal. The Kenaskin Diplomacy before was far more forceful than what they are being offered now. "All that we ask in return is for you to provide whatever food, resources and men you can spare to the Kenaskan kingdom." "Kenaskan Kingdom?" Endal asked with a surprised expression.
"Yes, Queen Norda of Kenask has united the tribes of the Novrek region under her banner to oppose the growing threat from the north." Buaros said. QueenNorda, the name felt familiar to Endal although he can not remember clearly as to when and where. What is more important however is the growing threat from the north Buaros mentioned.
"Speaking of threats, who are these invaders from the north?" One of the elders asked. "According to the oldest reports of their presence. They had come from the Everwinter lands, north west of Ugor's reach." Buaros said. "They attacked our borders without warning, razing entire settlements and capturing any survivors from their attacks, no report has come of what has been done to their captives. Only that no one has returned." Buaros said. "They have offered no negotiations, not even once. Those who have managed to repel the invaders only found themselves attacked again with a much greater force."
Overlapping conversations echoed throughout the hall, shocked by the unbelievable news. Worry and panic began to settle the hall, if the revelation of such event are to be believed then this second attack upon their village is only the beginning. More fearsome threats would arrive at their walls, unsure of the horrors they would inflict upon them should they eventually lose. The offer of the Kenaskan kingdom has become even more tempting.
In moments the voices of the crowd grew louder, many saying to accept the offer while some were still skeptical, one of them was Endal. The offer was simply too good to the point that he wondered what other untold strings were attached to the deal.
"Surely that there is more to this offer than simply giving you whatever resources you need in exchange for your protection." Endal said. Buaros nodded slowly. "There is. Once your village is properly established as part of the Kenaskan kingdom, you are honor bound to send a portion of your warriors should Queen Norda orders you to." Buaros said to them.
Much of the crowd slowly became silent. "I see... lord Buaros, can we discuss this further in private? We promise that you will get your answer today." Endal requested. Buaros agreed to his request and exited the hall.
"We should accept their offer." Endal said to the elders. Much to their surprise, they thought Endal would further discuss the matter. "Hmm... I know that the offer is very tempting, but i am quite sure you have another reason for accepting?" One of the elders said while caressing his beard. "...We need their protection." Endal replied. "As of right now, we are in no condition to fight another siege. Many of ours warriors are wounded...and dead." Endal said. "And i assume that our walls are yet fully repaired?" Endal inquired. The elders simply nodded. "Despite our victory it does not guarantee our safety. As Buaros stated, their next attack may be worse than the last." Endal said to them.
"Should we even decline their offer however, we might risk offending them instead. The warriors of Kenask do not take offense lightly." Endal inquires to the elders. "They might change their mind from diplomacy to forceful solution." "Why do you seem to have some familiarity with them, do you perhaps know them?" Someone among the crowd asked.
" ...Yes...Because i was once their captive." Endal answered. "Captive?" The mass became puzzled as to what Endal meant by that. "Please. Do explain what you mean young one." The female elder inquired.
"I was ambushed by them on my way to the central region a few summers ago. They had captured me in the surprise, and took me to Kenask. They sold me to one of the clans as a slave." Endal said.
Slave? The masses in the hall murmured in quiet shock. "By Fraeyr's fortune i was not a slave for long. Mere days later a slave rebellion erupted in Kenask." Endal said. "However it was a failed attempt. In mere hours the rebellion was quenched, the man that led the rebellion was flayed alive and crucified in the middle of the village for all to see." As Endal told them, the masses had horrified expressions. "Then how did you manage to escape?" Someone amongst the crowd inquired. "I did not... One of the clan chief's daughters was wounded during the rebellion. All of their shamans could not heal her... I offered my services." Endal said. "I told them if i succeed on healing her they would grant my freedom. The clan chief threatened me if i could not, then they will do worse than flay me alive." Endal said to them, further shocking the mass. "It took days to heal her but finally i managed to succeed. In truth i was not entirely sure if they would keep their word, yet they granted me my freedom." Endal said. "I headed back home once they had set me free, i never traveled to the central region again." Endal told them.
The masses had difficulty believing it. Ever since their timely arrival, they had mostly behaved without making any commotion, it was a far cry to what Endal proclaims them to be. Yet there is no reason for Endal to lie to them, he has always done good for them. The masses began to lower their voices, many believed Endal. He has seen much of the world outside their walls than them, perhaps the Kenaskin warriors should not be believed so easily.
"If such story is true...then they are not to be trusted lightly..." One of the elder said. "Yet you advice us to accept their offer?" "Yes." Endal gave a stern reply. "We have nothing to gain and perhaps more to lose should we decline." Endal said. "Despite their....Ruthlessness, they have some sense of honor at least." "...Very well... my fellow elders, have you made up your mind?" All of the elders nodded in agreement. "Tell lord Buaros to come back inside, we have decided to answer." The elder told to the man guarding the entrance door.
A few moments passed and Buaros entered the hall where he saw the crowd standing at the sides. The elders now stood facing him, behind them is the lit bonfire. Endal was at the sides along with the crowd.
"We have made a decision." One of the elders said. "We will accept your offer." Another said. "I will assure you that Queen Norda will be pleased. However for your acceptance to finally be part of the Kenaskan kingdom to become official, a representative of your village must attend to the queen's court and swear fealty to her in person."Buaros stated to the elders. The elders look upon one another and nodded. "Very well. Then we choose Endal to be our village's representative." Upon hearing those words Endal was caught by surprise. "He has served our village well and his deeds great. I believe you will find that he his worthy to be our representative." "Very well, you may bring other warriors along with him in our travel back to Kenask." Buaros replied. The elders nodded.
"...Lord Buaros, forgive us, for we make another request of you. Before you depart back to your home and bring Endal with you. Can you give us three days? It is to give our dead a proper farewell, for it will be the last time our warriors will be able to see their lost love ones." "Very well, We will depart at fourth sunrise, do whatever business you must until then." Buaros said to them as he bowed and made his leave.
As Buaros left the hall, Endal immediately approached the elders. "I do not mean to show disrespect, but great elders i can not leave the village. There is so much to be done, i am needed to aid the wounded, repair the walls. I also have to care for my family." Endal said to the elders with a slight distress on his face.
As much as he feels honored to be chosen as their representative, he feels there is still so much to do for the village. He is especially worried about his mother and his sister.
"We understand your concern Endal. But amongst us here, you are the greatest and wisest individual in this village, to send you is our saying to them that we give them our greatest respect." "Even still-" "The village will rebuild itself, and your family will be the guarded and cared for the most until you return." The female elder said to him. "And perhaps in the Kenaskan kingdom you may find a cure for your mother." Endal froze in place. They are right, even should he stay he has not found a cure for his mother. Perhaps at the newly found kingdom he would find something or someone that can cure his mother of her illness.
Endal paused for a few moments. He let out a sigh of hesitant acceptance. "We promise your family will be cared for." " Your mother holds great respect from us, you are not the only one she had raised for. We owe her a great debt for contributing to the prosperity of our village... and for raising such a fine young man." The elders said showing great respect and gratitude to him and his family.
"...Very well... i shall heed your orders." Endal somberly accepted. It is the best possible course of action after all.
As the meeting ended, all of the inhabitants inside left the hall. Endal walked out the door and took a few steps. Gentle snowfall fell upon the village, as the crowd walked around him like a rock in the middle of a streaming river. Endal looked onto the sky, he stared quietly in gentle silence.
"...The heaven seems to weep..." Endal said in a sorrowful tone.
Endal's real journey has begun.