Guest from afar

With the new devices introduced, farm work had gotten way easier. Allowing for more power to be directed to other areas, with everything moving along in a calm pace, and his family full of smiles. Arthor was more than content with what he had.

But of course in this world nothing is ever so easy, It began when Ronell came up to Arthor to tell him of what one of his ravens had seen, four men were apparently heading for them riding for them atop of horses.

They wore the crest of house Crowl boldly upon their person telling all that they were sent from the lord Crowl. From Ronell's observations he noticed that they did not stroll straight ahead with the pride and 'better than thou' attitude they were famous for, but rather maintained their distance simply observing.

They did so, to multiple of his tribes settlement, leaving Arthor as to no clue what exactly it was they were after. Arthor had a few of is people's move in to find out what was going on, but the men were quick to avoid his people.

Their observation lasted for another week before they ran of back to whence they came. Arthor was not fooled however and increased the patrols around his territory, in a few weeks he was proven right. Seven men had arrived, with six clearly being guards and one being a higher rank than the others.

With Ronell's words alongside his own curiosity, his people were instructed to lead them through the settlements and to him.

As Ondrew and his guards made their way through the territories, he took in the sights. Their fields were being ploughed by their Unicorns and ploughs, the tribes surrounding them didn't have ploughs, Ondrew remembered that very clearly.

It was not just the plough that caught his attention, the arrangement of their homes as well as the change in structure was all laid bare before his eyes. The tribes which were clearly below them had grown to the level of the Crowl lands in but a winter. At this point Ondrew knew why his lord had sent him to this Arthor.

The busy folk of all ages in the surrounding kept their eyes trained on the intruders as they made their way in. As Ondrews eyes took in the surrounding people he soon stopped when he saw one man waiting with curious eyes observing them, with his dirty blonde hair shaved at the sides with the rest of his hair pulled into a single braid that reached down to his shoulders, the right side of his head now spotted a tribal tattoo.

The man's presence seemed to command everything as the chatter seized, and the world was plunged into an eerie silence. Ondrews commanded for his guards to stop as they all dismounted their horses, he took a few steps forward before stopping a few steps away from the man who was clearly Arthor.

His eyes wandered taking in the people who stood behind him, his eyes stopping on the large man who had a shield at hand and the younger who gripped his axes and had an all to eager look. 'Benjen the undying and Lothor the red. Brothers of Arthor' Ondrews could not help but think to himself.

"I heard you were looking for me", Arthor broke the silence that had began to form between them with an amicable smile on his face. "Arthor son of Harwood, I am Ondrew and I have come with news from Lord Crowl." Arthor gave a nod at those words, one of his hands resting atop of the throwing axe Ondrew just noticed at his waist side and another hand raised out before him to stop.

"Before you continue Ondrew, I must tell you something. In this tribe everyone is held accountable for their words. I would advise you choose your words carefully".

Ondrew bristled at Arthor's words but swallowed down his feelings before speaking the words he was tasked to bring, "Lord Crowl had heard of what they call the bloody spring. He has heard of the vile acts you have committed as well as the various crimes levied against you."

Ravens surrounded the rooftops as Ondrew spoke those words with Freya and Lagertha gaining deep frowns as well as most of the populous. "Lord Crowl however is a merciful and generous lord, he has therefore decided to forgive your transgressions and grant you part of his lands, to raise you as a lord under Lord Crowl."

Arthor's amicable smile was still visible, but his eyes had hardened as they focused on this messenger. "All he asks, is that you offer tribute of your harvest, as well as a dozen unicorns, two dozen chickens and two dozen men to serve under him as well as a dozen girls who have had their first moonblood this year."

The blood of Arthor's people boiled as they heard the messengers words, "Is that all?" Arthor questioned with his tone leveled. "A lord you say" Arthor spoke as he walked to the messenger who stood with a condescending look on his face.

Arthor simply nodded at that before grabbing the messengers hair and slamming him into the earth face first in one swift motion.

The guards rushed to aid Ondrew but were stopped but the Skagossi around them. Face in the earth Ondrew struggled to speak, "I am... mmph... a messenger. You can't... mmph... hurt a messenger."

"I told you before you began Ondrew, 'In this tribe everyone is held accountable for their words'." The words the same as before but the tone behind them was not as Ondrew felt a chill that went deep to the root of his bone.