[RPG] [FEI] Olwe and Adrahil... Uncle's arrival

[Jeff Guillot]

(META: Some days ago...)

Warm sunlight drifted in through the open castle window, lighting the
large study where Olwe attended to his work. Quill and ink in hand,
the Duke of Anacan poured over documents, laws, and requests regarding
one of the largest and most important cities in the south.

The mid day air was fragrant, carrying the sounds of market and the
smells of the sea. Olwe breathed deeply, relaxed and untense. Today
was a pleasant day. Suddenly, footsteps raced down the stone corridor
outside his study, jarring the duke from his peace. Someone rapped on
the door, hastily.

Olwe sighed. Something else to attend to... His hand dropped to the
handle of his sword instinctively as he spoke.

"Enter."

The door swung open, and in stepped the messenger, red faced and
puffing. He bowed, approached, and handed Olwe a parchment note. Olwe
smiled, thanked the messenger, and waved him off. Curiousity quickly
swelled up inside him... an urgent note from the dockmaster? Olwe
opened the note and scanned it's contents. Seconds later he jumped up,
a broad smile on his normally stoic face. He was here, finally! Olwe
threw on his cape and hurried out of his study.

---------------------

Olwe arrived at the docks on horseback minutes later, flanked by an
honor guard of Anacan Blueguards. The scene before him brought another
smile to his prematurely weathered face. A large crowd had gathered at
the docks, eyeing the latest arrival to the port of Anacan with rapt
curiousity.

There was a massive boat moored at the docks - its sails richly
colored and decorated, its sides painted in a myriad of graceful
designs and colors. Music radiated from the vessel, providing an
energetic background theme to the frolic of its passengers. Men and
women alike, all dressed in brightly colored garments, went happily
about on the upper deck of the ship, some carrying wine, some carrying
flowers, others carrying eachother. There was dancing and singing,
and, from what Olwe could see from the dock, apparantly a great deal
of lovemaking occuring as well.

At the prow of the ship, in a great wooden chair, sat a man of great
and regal stature. Easily six and a half feet tall, the lordly man was
graced with long brown hair, dark sea-blue eyes, and a very muscular
build. His features were handsome and hard, yet his eyes glowed with a
gentleness and mirth that was uncommonly pronounced. He was clothed in
flowing purple, green, and gold garments - the only exception being
the snow-white wolf pelt he wore about his shoulders.

Olwe spurred his horse forward, through the crowd, and raised a hand
in greeting. The man on the ship saw him, and their eyes met... the
same eyes...

The boatlord sprung out of his chair, with a joyous shout, and ran
down the gangplank onto the docks. Olwe dismounted, and rushed forward
in kind. So it was that at the farthest dock of the Antoza
Commonwealth, on the very edge of their lands, Adrahil Cuthalion and
his Nephew Olwe met face to face for the first time. The two men
embraced eachother mightily, their bodies pressed close for what
seemed like an eternity. When they drew apart, the eyes of both men
were wet with tears of joy.

-----------------------

That night, in Anacan castle, there was a great feast. Olwe's Anacan
Guardsmen feasted alongside Adrahil's Hedonists and pleasure lovers
from far off Beluaterra. There was great mirth, great joy all around.
Two groups of people from distant and strange lands were brought
together at table, and found that they had something in common - love
for life, and love for good living.

Olwe and Adrahil talked for hours, long into the evening dark. The two
men found that they were more like brothers than uncle and nephew.
They, who had until now only spoken in letters, eagerly told eachother
the mighty tales of their lives. Stories of the wars and loves within
their own lands were woven through the night. They laughed, telling
eachother of the many humorous things they had seen... and they cried
- Olwe telling of the death of his father, And Adrahil, face suddenly
pale and taut, telling of the horrors of the undead invasion.

As the sun rose, still they talked, showing no signs of tiring even
though the rest of their entourage was fast asleep. As he felt the
first rays of sunlight on his face, Olwe stood and motioned Adrahil
over to the balcony of the study where they had been talking in
comfort. Sipping wine, the two men watched the sun rise.

"Today is a good day, Adrahil."

"Aye, so it is, Olwe."

Olwe pondered his next words for a few moments before speaking.

"...So, where will you go? Will you find your home here, or strike on
elsewhere?"

Adrahil smiled - a warm smile, so warm that one might not think he had
ever stood on the brink of seeing humanity go extinct.

"I will strike on. I want to find a home... a new project, really.
Some place I can craft, some people I can help, something I can guide.
I did as much as could be done on Beluaterra." A pause. "I fought for
my people, and when they were safe I forged a refuge for happiness
against all odds. Now I have seen to it that they are safe... and it
is time for me to be on the move once more. I feel it in my soul."

Olwe nodded. He could relate.

"Do you know where you will go, then? And," Olwe chuckled, "Do you
know what you shall do once you get there?"

Adrahil flashed a grin... yet paused, and then spoke with a more serious tone.

"...Nay, I do not yet know. You have told me much of these lands, over
the years... yet it does not help my decision. It may sound barbaric,
so pardon me, but... I yearn for war. Not the desperate fight against
mindless evil creatures, but a real war - man against man. I want to
fight for a good cause again. To help people, and defend a goal... it
has been too long." Adrahil laughed. "And besides - I am a hedonist,
aren't I? What gives me pleasure, I pursue! And right now, what gives
me pleasure is to exercise my sword arm. I am afraid it is a little
weak from under-use!"

The two men laughed, and Olwe was the first to speak after they quieted down.

"There is, I think, an opportunity I should tell you about. You know,
no doubt, of our tensions with Svunnetland."

Adrahil nodded, and Olwe continued.

"Well, they recently came to the point of action. Svunnetland invaded
my old estates in Zarimel, pillaging and marauding without a
declaration of war. Our brothers in Nighthelm counter attacked from
the south, and took the city of Palnasos after a short siege. We march
now to join them."

Adrahil nodded again, and spoke with a somewhat devious and knowing
look in his eye.

"...And how does this concern me?"

Olwe grinned. His uncle was certainly not slow witted.

"There is talk of forming a new realm there. A joint colony venture
between Nighthelm and ourselves. A realm dedicated to warrior
ideals... reshaping the people of the mountains into valiant and noble
warriors, instead of the lax and privaleged souls they have been under
the shell of the old empire. Bringing the warrior spirit back to a
people who have too long been ruled by squabbling politicians and
crybaby kings..."

Olwe looked off into the distance, watching ships float lazily
downriver. Adrahil spoke, now with an intrigued tone to his voice.

"...And you want me to join this colony? To help it grow, to fight for it?"

Olwe nodded, and looked Adrahil in the eyes. He spoke sincerely.

"You are the best leader, the most skilled builder, and one of the
finest warriors I know. If you are looking for a task, a goal, a new
venture..." Olwe motioned off to the south. "...that would be it."

Adrahil smiled broadly, and clasped hands with his nephew.

"Sounds like fun."