A day of glory, Argrath Liberator arrives

Greeted by Thom Bradisson, liar and foe, a foul fit for Umath

as the sacred ritual from the Godtime repeated

 

"Halt, Stranger! Who comes this way, 

to a place which is not allowed to everyone? 

Do you come in friendship, or as a foe?"

 

"Greetings, guardian. I come as a friend."

 

"Greetings then, Stranger. You speak to the Lord of this place. 

I am Thom Bradisson, mayor of Boldhome, companion to Kallyr 

slayer of many foul Lunars, keeper of Justice. 

Tell me your name if you are a friend."

 

"I am Argrath, son of Yanioth Twosight, 

the Liberator and the White Bull 

Destroyer, Avenger, the Red Moon's Other.

King of Battles, Turner, the Twisting Wind. 

I am the one the White Bear could not keep dead.

who freed Orlanth, raised Jaldon, was proclaimed King of Pavis.

I am Arkat, and I have returned to Liberate the world from Gbaji."

 

"You are welcome here, Argrath Liberator, son of Yanioth

I offer you hospitality here, in my city, 

and promise my protection to you and yours while inside. 

I offer you water, to quench your thirst."

 

"I accept this, with gratitude. I will not rob you, 

or bare arms, and I will speak ever of your generosity."

 

"Then you are welcome, guest. And I offer you more: 

a blanket to sleep under while you are my guest. 

This is a thing we offer only to friends, or those we would have as friends."

 

"I accept this, with gratitude, and I will speak ever of your generosity."

 

"Then you are welcome, guest. And I offer you more: 

meat, to fill your belly. This is a thing we offer only to kinsmen, 

and those as good as them."

 

"I accept this, with gratitude, and I will speak ever of your generosity."

 

"Then you are welcome, guest. And I offer you more: 

salt, as token of your honor. 

This is a thing which we give only to those who are great, 

or who show promise of it."

 

"I accept this, with gratitude, and I will speak ever of your generosity."

 

"Then you are welcome, guest. And I offer you more: 

duty, which is offered only to those who would sit close to me, in my family."

 

Argrath did not respond, and simply entered the city to the cheers of throngs.

Banners waved in the breeze, brass horns blew,

to a hill he brought the blessings of the Breath-Giver

posing a path towards peace and prosperity

Flavius Cerialis forced to surrender sword and shield

his panoply a promise of peace to come

Freyar called forward, with friends of the wind and Summer,

soon the Markings of Vingkot glowing gold like the gods

Hailed by the crowds with a hearty "huzzah!"

 

"This is not a time for Death, it is a time for Life and Growth. 

The Earth-queens will bless us with children, strong and wise, 

offspring of our Fertility-Bringer, Annstad!"

 

Lagertha glowered at the lout, her face Red-With-Fury

her sword sister whispered words of support and succor

then, great surprise, summoned to the dais, 

presented with the iron sword of Cerialis,

a great boon, huge honor, high praise, Bronwyn speaking:

"My Prince, if you need a helping hand, 

All you got to do is call, and I'll be there"

 

Next a Feast, Trickster arrives with a flourish

Cloak flashing a fanfare and flock of doves

Argrath arranging for Andrinik and Broalbes to meet

Four Corner and fair daughter brought together by the winds.

while two Sword Dwellers slipped aside for shy sweet kisses

 

Two days hence, holy to Sartar, true son of Heort

heroes travel to the Colymar Wilds, site of Salinarg's Mound,

oaths ancient and recent to be fulfilled by the Heart of the Heir

Sisters of Fire and Ice, who slew hounds of hell, step forth in ritual

"We have partaken in Truth that oath, we say and so swear,

therefore you must provide Sartar's Ring to his heir"

But the ghost of the Sealbearer, true servant of Sartar

requires one more task, a recent trouble to task

"A foul abridgement of the Middle Air cuts like a sword, 

at the Giniiji the Middle Air must be restored."

Oath Guardian Bronwyn frowned, as did Guide Andrinik

Breath-Giver Baugi felt bound to obey, 

Argrath Avenger departed with wise words

Aldryami ignorant of Alaryn troll foe provide no aid

North towards the Snakepipe heroes fly unafraid

 

A vast island of rock and grass there floats in the air

strange beasts roam rich fields, sky-bulls sail the sky

a rocky hill with a door in the middle, there Bronwyn bravely lands

she barely survives the judgement of Humakt and escapes

beset by berserk bulls, bereft of their lives

no Divine Wind these, no Scouring Blast, what compels them to such?

 

Lagertha, Laughing Daughter, a plan full of leaps

Dancing, dodging, daring, flaming red hair like a cape

great protections from storm friend Robbi defending

some damage, as dozens of dread bulls crash to their death

soon healed, still bewildered, brave party catches their breath.