Brunvoldt reached Lady Sibila's office and was shown directly in. Once more, Lady Sibila was staring out of her window, and again she bade Brunvoldt sit, while continued to ask the view a question only she knew.
She stared for a moment longer and then came to her desk and sat on her chair.
"Sentinel, I summoned you as the Council-of-Masters has decided to enlarge Halfway-House and found a village on the site, and I want you to escort the surveying party."
Brunvoldt decided to do what his heart told him and so spoke as he believed. "No my Lady, you didn't."
"What in Vanth's name are you talking about?!" she replied, anger building, unused as she was to being contradicted.
"Such an engineering project doesn't need an urgent summons," Brunvoldt stated as fact. "Something is nettling you, fracturing your calm, you want to talk it out, but have not found a way to bring it up. Please just tell me my Lady, I would like to help if I can."
Trying to get Lady Sibila to confide in Brunvoldt is a
Compel: +Heart; 3 +3 vs. 4 & 3 => strong hit => success, +1 momentum now +3
Lady Sibila visibly deflated. "You are quite right Brunvoldt. You have changed, haven't you? I remember a young man named Radulf who could never have been so perceptive." She held up her hand to stop the reply that Brunvoldt had started to make.
"It is this question of the Varou near Firstmeet. I allowed Priestess Gunnhildr to persuade me to not send out patrols. It is against my nature to be so ... passive. I want to do something, not wait for these creatures to do it to us first."
"I agree my Lady," Brunvoldt said. "Waiting for the Varou is inviting them to assault the village - we should send at least one patrol out to try and locate them, if not harry them. Attacking their hunters would show them that they are encroaching upon owned terriory."
Another attempt to
Compel: +Heart; 3 +3 vs. 8 & 5 => weak hit => success w. demand/complication, +1 momentum now +4
"Very well, Brunvoldt. We shall send a patrol and you will go with it. But first you do need to go to Halfway-House with the surveyors. Get them situated and started on their task and then go and find the Varou."
"Yes of course my Lady. If I might make a request?" he asked respectfully, glad the Lady had dismissed her anger.
"Ask," commanded Lady Sibila.
"I would like Dag, a tracker from Highfall on the patrol - he is highly competent and would be a great asset," Brunvoldt explained.
"I will send a rook and instruct him to meet you at Halfway," agreed the Lady. "I do not think that you need me to watch over you as swear to your tasks anymore Brunvoldt," she finished with a half-smile. "You have become satisfyingly ... independent. Prepare to leave tomorrow; you may go."
Brunvoldt stood, bowed and left her office.
This revealing exchange allows Brunvoldt to
Develop Your Relationship: with Lady Sibila, mark progress per rank => formidable, prog. 3/10
Brunvoldt felt a sense of quiet satisfaction that the Lady now allowed him to swear his tasks unspervised. He agreed with her - he had changed immeasurably and felt all the better for it. Lost in his self-congratulation, Brunvoldt was surprised to find that he had already reached his quarters. He entered, drew his sword and knelt in front of his personal shrine.
"I swear upon the Iron of my Faith and the Iron of this Holy Sword, that I will escort the stonemasons to Halfway-House and ensure their safety."
Swear an Iron Vow: "I will escort the stonemasons to Halfway-House and ensure their safety", troublesome; Devotant 2nd ability +Wits, +1 connection with Lady Sibila; 4 +3 +1 vs. 2 & 1 => strong hit => +2 momentum from strong hit +2 momentum from Devotant 2nd ability, now +8
His vow sworn, Brunvoldt went to meet the Master-Stonemason.
Name for Master-Stonemason: 4.28 Herta, <=50 female, roll 13; descriptors: Reliable, Humble, Cooperative; goal: 'Build a better life'
He eventually found her - Herta was her name - in the stables ensuring that the wagon needed for the journey was fully stocked and ready.
"Master-Stonemason, I'll be escorting you to Halfway tomorrow. Are you prepared? and how long will we need to be there?"
"Well met Sentinel," she replied. "We are ready, and as for how long, I think maybe two days? I won't be able to tell properly until we arrive and can make an assessment. I'd hate to give an inaccurate estimate."
"Who else is coming?" asked Brunvoldt.
"Two of my apprentices, a pair of Wardens and a couple of servants, so we'll be a small group. To be honest with you, Sentinel, I'm surprised that you're coming, I imagine that there are things more worthy of your notice."
"Other things, perhaps," Brunvoldt replied, "But all are worthy if in the service of Holy Vanth. Our task is just as worthy as any other - do not demean your work so, Master-Stonemason. I have preparations of my own to make so I will see you on the morrow."
He left Herta to her finalising and spent the rest of the day getting himself and Magnus ready. Luckily, Maghilde would ensure that she was finished with their armour by morning.