Alick of Vanthes sat at ease at the large table that graced his dining hall. He had finished

his evening meal, an excellent combination of venison and fresh vegetables with plenty of

fresh bread and a large slice of apple pie. He was feeling quite relaxed and was content to

hear the report of his steward on the days events within the village of Kicer.

“The next item I would like to discuss my Lord, is the matter of one of the young lads of

the village, a sturdy fellow by the name of Grunth” murmured the Steward.

Lord Vanthes raised one quizzical eyebrow, indicating his interest at the unexpected

topic of conversation. Alick prided himself on keeping well informed of all events within

his domain, but only knew of the lad Grunth as the son of one of the villagers on his

estate.

Frey of Harst had held the position of Steward of Kicer village for many years, and knew

his ruling lord well enough to allow Alick a brief moment to recall the young lad to mind.

He continued on…”My lord, the young lad’s foster father, his uncle in fact, asks your

consideration of a proposal for the future of the boy”.

“Has the boy’s uncle given any indication of his wishes?” asked Lord Vanthes.

“No my Lord, he has not” replied Frey, “though I expect he will propose that the lad be

allowed to seek employment in one of the guilds”.

Alick took a moment to digest this turn of events. It was not uncommon for clients of the

clan to seek attainment of a higher station within Thardic society, but the realities of that

dream were frequently dashed in the face of the high costs, mainly financial, that those

dreams demanded.

“May I enquire what your thoughts are on the future of the boy’s request my Lord?” Frey

asked. Lord Vanthes often sought advice from his Steward on matters pertaining to the

smooth management of “his village”. As Frey expected, Alick responded after a few

moments of quiet consideration.

“I believe we may be able to offer the young man something Frey, I shall have to give this

a little more thought” said Vanthes.

With the issue still to be resolved, Frey moved the topic of conversation on to other

matters…

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lord Vanthes was seated with Frey, his Steward, beside him when the door to the hall

opened and the two men entered. Olean was the boys foster father, his uncle by blood,

and Alick knew him to be a simple hard working man. The ideal client in fact.

The young lad beside him was Grunth, his ‘son’ a stocky fellow with broad shoulders and

a swagger to him that spoke volumes about his self determination. Alick watched that

bravado disolve as the lad approached the table at which he was seated.

“My lord, these two men have a request for your consideration” declared Frey in a tone

that was carefully practised to leave the two petitioners in no doubt as to who held the

authority in the room. Alick saw Grunth pale slightly and noted a bead of perspiration

form on the lad’s brow.

“If it be pleasing your lordship” murmured Olean, “my lad Grunth here has a question he

would like to ask”.

Grunth apparently hadn’t considered that he would be required to present his own case.

He stood rooted to the spot for the moment, the pupils of his eyes widening noticeably as

he fought to gain his composure. Finally, with a slight stammer, he began to speak.

“My Lord, I was wondering…well I was hoping if…” his nervousness was obvious to

everyone in the room as he tried to find the right words to express himself. Finally it all

came out of his mouth in a disjointed rush.

“When I was a lad I used to see the Charcoaler coming into Kicer an’ talkin to the

Smithy and he would tell me stories about his travels an’ where he lived an’ things and I

would really like to be a Charcoaler or a Smithy or…something…errm…not just a

farmer” Grunth’s voice trailed off into silence as he found himself unable to continue.

Alick sat and looked at Grunth for a while. He wasn’t sure what he saw in the boy’s face,

determination? uncertainty, a touch of fear? or something more?

He indicated that the two could leave and they quickly shuffled out of the hall leaving

himself and Frey to discuss the matter.

“Well my Lord, an interesting question, but not unexpected” Frey as usual had a knack of

summing up the situation with a single sentence.

Alick contemplated the requirements of the village, as well as the needs of his clan. A

skilled tradesman was always an asset to any village, but he had learned never to grant a

client’s request in it’s entirety. He thought for a while and decided to dangle a carrot in

front of the boy…

“Well Frey, I think we shall grant young Grunth’s request, but only after a fashion. I

think the clan could use a qualified Ostler, and I believe that master Staven at the Apple

Tankard in Geshtei owes me a favour or two?”.

Frey nodded his agreement of Alick’s decision. “And the price my Lord?” he enquired.

“I should think two hundred pennies and a bonded ten year contract to my clan should be

sufficient compensation for our benevolent influence in his future, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Of course my Lord, I will see to the arrangements immediately” murmured Frey as he

took his leave of his Lord and retreated from the hall.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Written By: Ray Te Paiho