Fire Season, 1345

Towards the end of Fire Season, on Lawstaff Day, Blunt calls a clan moot, for this is the day that it was decided that the clan ring would be reorganised.

It's another clear hot day, with no sign yet of Great Rain Day's arrival though who's to say how the weather works in this strange land anyway. The clan gathers in the great clearing in front of, what will one day be, Blunt's stead.

After the initial eating and drinking is taken care of, and the most recent news and gossip passed about, Blunt stands atop a table and addresses the clan.

So I guess the first matter of business is to see if anyone wants to challenge me as chief.

There's much muttering, some for and some against but no one seems too keen on taking Blunt up on his offer (especially with Branbrig Slayer standing conspiciously in the background). After a moment ...

Right.  It would appear as if Amber accepts me as its chief. Is it so?

It is so the crowd rumbles in response.

Right, then I guess this belongs here.

Places the Amber Crown (a torq really) on his brow).

Which leaves the next matter of business. Who feels that their voice needs to be heard on the ring.

Now the crowd leans forward to see who speaks up and murmurs of speculation begin to circulate.

Well who else but me?!  Somebody has to keep this guy (whacks Blunt on the shoulder and almost knocks him off the table) in the know. We live by our cattle and if we want to live well my voice must heard.

Crowd responds favourably, especially those standing anywhere near one of the Unas-brood.

You know who I am. I speak for those who follow Barntar and Orlanthcarl.  Those cattle have to eat and so do we. My voice must be heard.

Very favourable response from the crowd. 

Respectful and favourable response from the crowd.

Audience response ranges from respectful to extremely enthusiastic from the ex-Lonisi.

As I witnessed the oath, I must say that the seat is given to you or someone you appoint and not to your line.

A somewhat sheepish nod of agreement from Iskalli.

Narrators Note: Many of Gunnar's line follow Odalya.

A slight show of support from the crowd, largely centred on Gunnar's bloodline.

Excuse me, but I feel I must point out that Gunnar's Oath was sworn to the Urlanging. According to Heort's law, Amber is not bound to follow this agreement. Nor, I add, is Gunnar's line bound to serve.

There is much astonished muttering from the crowd and the crowd strains to hear what's to happen next.

Is it so Skeli?

Skeli nods in affirmation.

Is it so Orlev?

Orlev refers to his Book of the Law and also nods.

It is so. The new ring will have to decide if they wish to renew Gunnar's Oath.

Crowd response is difficult to determine as they seem to be busy discussing the recent turn of events.

Orlev and Skeli might be correct according to the letter of the law but that oath was sworn by and to our ancestors and they might have a different opinion on its validity.  Those ancestors might then have been called Urlanging but they are still the same ancestors.

This is a new and dangerous land. It may be useful to hear a voice that can speak for the sick and injured.

Respectful response from the crowd. 

Respectful response from the crowd. 

Respectful response from the crowd. 

Respectful response from the crowd. 

And I should be on the inner ring as well.  If I'm there I promise to bathe and besides, and besides, just think how much better the rest of them will look when compared to me?! I need to be heard and seen too!

Much angry mutterings from the crowd, voices saying things like 'as if tricksters haven't caused enough problems lately.'

Crowd settles some.

Now then, does anyone else want to stand for the inner ring? Or does anyone want to speak for another?

Dead silence from the crowd while everyone stares to see what Branbrig's reaction to this statement is. He appears distinctly uncomfortable and the audience reaction can be then summed up as 'An Uroxi on the council??' 'Well, what about all that pre-dark out there?'

I no longer wish to serve the clan in the ring.  There are other areas where my abilities  can serve you better.

Steps back.

My chief, I come forward in support of Thane Ice-eyes' membership in the ring. While both Thane Redbeard and Thane Ice-eyes would, without question, ensure the strength of Heort's Law in our new home, we must be sure that the ring's council is based on the truth. We need only look to the Balmyri so see a fine example of the havoc that results when lies reach the ring's ears. Thane Ice-eyes' ability to find the truth would do much to ensure that falsehoods presented to the ring are detected before they can influence the ring's decisions.

Sits down with a disapproving look on his face.  The crowd is definitely approving of this sentiment and there are lots of "He's right.", "Young people these days, I mean really!" and so on.

The possible candidates are Rasmus, Erelin, Angorri, Orlev, Skeli, Enfrew and Branbrig. Does anyone want to speak in favour of any of these candidates?

[Don't forget to vote at the Amberclan website.]

You all know me.  I am Skerri Brightspear, also known as Skorrisdaughter, of the Vandarl Bloodline.

The crowd is respectfully attentive to Skorri's wayward daughter.

We all know that we need a lawspeaker on the ring.  No clan can function without one.

Lot's of agreement from the crowd.

My word is just my word and you can make of it what you will.

Laughter.

If you want my opinion the people to vote for are Skeli Redbeard and Enerin the Kind.  We especially need experience Nods in Skeli's direction and the special powers the White Lady can bring us.  That's all I have to say.

Jumps off the rock to polite agreement and applause from much of the crowd.

Skerri (and others) jump back up on the rock.  She squints to see what's causing all the fuss.  She starts and lets out a war whoop of joy.  Suddenly the crowd parts and the cause of the joy is seen.  It's a short, stocky bald man with a long white beard.  He has obviously been sick for quite a while because his clothes hang on his frame and his skin is loose.  He supports himself partially with a cane and hangs on to the arm of a tall, stern looking matron.   Could it be?  It is!  it's Skagi Thjalfison, clan godi.   He's been at Death's door ever since the clan left Heortland.  And now he's cured?  

The women whose arm he hangs on is Jord Syndaughter, his daughter, who had given up her position as dishthane of the Urlanging to look after her father.  As he gets closer you can see the little bolts of lightning that shoot from his hair and see Jord wince as they strike her.  Enerin the Kind looks smug so obviously she knew that Skagi was doing better.  

Blunt lets out a mighty bellow and he leads the clan in praise to Ernalda the Healer and the White Lady.  Someone brings a stool for Skagi to sit on so that he can observe the action. No one stands too close to him and someone quickly brings a leather bucket of water just in case.

Of course, we would have none other as chief priest of Orlanth.

A mighty roar of approval goes up.  Once it quietens down.

Well does anyone else have candidates they would speak for?  Let's get this done with so I can decide.

The last seat is a trickier issue though. Gunnar's Line is solidly behind Rasmus Borngoldson, while most of the rest of the clan seems to favour Enerin, especially in light of the recent recovery of Skagi Thjalfison.

The two sides remain deadlocked for some time until at last Blunt goes off in a huddle with the rest of the ring and after some discussion ...

It speaks well for Amber that we have so many qualified candidates for the clan ring, but in this instance I have decided that the clan would be best be served by Odalya's voice on the ring.

Now let the feasting begin!

The feasting goes on well into the night and everyone drinks to the future of their new homeland.

Iskalli Endalson and Salinar Mannison used powerful Elmali healing magics to help Snorri's badly wounded Goldeneye Mount.  The Goldeneye is still too crippled to be ridden but it can now serve as a stud to the clan's mares. Iskalli made a deal with Snorri that Iskalli would keep the Goldeneye for breeding and would give Snorri the pick of each years foals. Snorri agreed to this and in gratitude for Iskalli's efforts gifted him with a fine golden torq.

Cedric has managed to communicate (somewhat) with the strange local people.  He says that they go by the name of the water people and that there are other groups of them scattered about the valley.  They are sworn pacifists and refuse to fight, preferring to hide in their strongholds whenever danger threatens. The water people have told Cedric that bad things live in the valley but that there are various peoples to both the east and west.  Cedric hopes to learn more.

The farmers of the clan are impressed by the rich crops the water people are able to raise on their land.  Some grumble that the water people are using the best land so of course they have the best crops.

Good news from the hunters. The say that the valley abounds with pigs, even near the river. Everyone expresses great joy at this news as it means that the danger of starvation is put off somewhat. Very quickly, the clan takes to calling the valley, Sounders Vale (Sounder being a name for a group of pigs).

Earth Season, 1345

Blunt calls a meeting of the inner and outer rings

Keep working on the stead here of course but we also need to look at starting more pretty darn soon. Orlaront tells me that if we don't have at least two more steads going by next harvest we'll be in big trouble, having to slaughter the livestock just to survive.

So, the first job at hand it to send out some scout parties to see the lay of the land and find out just what's near us and where we can build these steads.

Anyone got something they'd like to say about this?

Waves Ulf Broken Spear and Erik Sure Shot closer.

who else will be joining us scouting? Need some followers of Barntar and Uralda to help judge the value of the land. Although I am a fair judge of pasture myself.

I would like to join the scouting parties to learn this information. I will, of course, start by bringing along an assortment of small but valuable items for trading. When we better understand the situation, we can look at moving bulky commodities.

There are two other things we must do as well.

First, we have to start preparing for Sacred Time. We must install the clan wyter into its new home and make the clan sacrificed for the coming year. We cannot afford to make any mistakes in these.

Second, maybe you men haven't thought all of this through, but we are dealing with the pre-dark here and while we can kill it and hold it back, this does little good if we cannot make use of the land afterward.

I have spoken to some of Ernalda's daughters here of learning the rites of Belveren but what we really need is a skilled follower of Belveren [the Chaos Cleanser] to lead us. As it happens, Age Swiftshanks dropped me a tale about such a one among the Torkani named Thorgunna Brynhildsdaughter. Apparently she caused a bit of a scandal by making a play for their Chief who turned her down.

Now it's obvious that she's ambitious and I say we make use of this ambition to get her to come down here by offering to marry her to Blunt. [Blunt suddenly gets a rather sickly expression on his face.] This way you can be married ... properly [sidelong glance to Skerri] and to some advantage to the clan.

Now, Randella, we've been over this before.  I know the Women's Circle wants me to be wed to one of their own but...

Properly married?  And just what do you mean by that crack?

You know very well what I mean.  A chieftain needs a proper wife so that they can reflect Orlanth and Ernalda's holy marriage here on earth.  Not some trouser wearing strumpet.

The large group of women gathered around Randella nod in agreement and mutter approvingly, "Yes, that's right.", "Certainly."

Strumpet?   Did you just call me a strumpet!

You don't actually think that I would attack a woman do you?

Straightens her shawl.  (Damn that Robert Jordan anyway).

It is critically important to the safety and well-being of our clan that we adhere as closely as possible to the divine precedents set by Orlanth and Ernalda. 

Skerri snorts.

Plus we need guidance in the ways of cleansing the land of predark taint if we are going to make out home here.  This Thorgunna will meet both needs.

Glances sideways at Skerri.

And of course you will have to go along to affirm to her that the year marriage won't be renewed.  Just like we discussed, right Blunt?

The gathered crowd falls dead silent.

Err, yes, that's right.

Has the decency to look embarrassed.  All eyes turn to Skerri.

Oh, I see. 

Stands quietly again with no emotions showing on her face.

Fine, I will go and see this prodigy and swear any oath you wish to her.  Is that all?

Blunt and Randella nod.  Blunt looks very embarrassed and Randella looks serene and stern.  Skerri turns to leave.  As she passes Ashart she snatches his greatsword off his back.  Everyone flinches fearing what she will do next.  Ignoring everyone she walks past the stone obelisk.  As she passes it with a mighty thrust and a wordless scream she drives the sword right through the stone.  The sword seems to shriek in protest and wobbles back and forth as she walks away from the moot.

Arene jumps up and runs after her crying, "Wait for me, wait for me."   The pair disappear in the distance.

Better...right... 

Collecting his wits.

All right, this is who will go to the Torkani.  Ashart Bolison will be in charge of the expedition.  Dagbjartr Haukson will go to negotiate on my behalf. I will also send Salinar Mannison and his followers for protection.  We'll need some extra fyrdmen as well. 

Thinks for a moment. 

Say six in all.

Looks off into the distance where Skerri disappeared.

And Skerri of course.

Shakes his head and gets back to business.

Right.  So we want another group to explore our new home. Snorri has volunteered and I'll send Per, Cat-boy ... by the way, where is that guy anyway? ... let's see Cat-boy and Cedric and Orlev and Branbrig.  Branbrig will be in charge and ...

Oh no I'm not.  I kill things. If I had wanted to go around telling people what to do I would have worshiped a bossy god like Orlanth. I'll follow whoever you choose, unless they turn out to be an idiot which would be a bad thing for them.

Gives a whack to Per.

Give you a chance to show what you've got. Take a ride west and then come back and go out east.

I'm honoured, Chief.

Yeah, Urox!

Great shouts of consternation rise.

Well, I just found out so stop shouting. We might want to find out who these visitors are before we start telling people what to do.

OK, the water people will be harvesting and seeding the land so we may as well let them do that.  Otherwise we wait and see what happens ... say... until the end of Storm Season.

OK?

Two questions, my Chief. When do you want us back and how do you want us to deal with pre-dark?

There is only one possible response to the predark.  Death.  Either they die or we do.

Svart Kettleson, Inghram Afison, Gnup Borgson, and Grim Borgson quickly hide their looks of terror.  Branbrig smiles again.

Of course that's for us Uroxi.  You lesser sorts can always ride away to fight another day if what we meet is too tough.  Better hope that it's not too tough for me or we're all in trouble.

Pre-dark all has to die but it doesn't have to all die today. We got the clan to think of as well.

Branbrig shrugs non-commitaly as Blunt turns to Per

I expect it'll take you a week or so to go up to the headwaters and maybe as much to come back, depending on what you find.

Looks around and sees no further questions.

Right. Then let's get going.

Ashart manages, with the help of a team of oxen,  to extract his sword from the obelisk.  Strangely enough the edge isn't damaged in the slightest.  Even stranger, Skagi Thjalfison examines the sacred stone and proclaims that it's better somehow.  Though he's not quite sure how.  Two days later Skerri and Arene show up and act as if everything is normal.

The day after that Per and his group head out west while Ashart and his group head north. The clan gathers to wish them success and then heads back to the many tasks of building a stead.