April 10, 1257 – Times of Change
I can’t believe it’s been almost three weeks already. I’ve been so busy I’ve had no time to write, but I must keep writing. I want to be able to look back, years from now, and know that I did the right thing.
I’m back in Praven after quite a bit of traveling. I’m sitting here in my tiny room enjoying some of the local treats. This is not the comfort level I’m used to and my body aches from the poor mattress. Mixed feelings are overwhelming me at the moment. Feelings of immense frustration after realizing how it will take me to find Kamih, but also feelings of relief at how well things have been going lately. There is no trace of Kamih, but adjusting and settling in has gone well.
After a surprise welcome by a local hoodlum, who clubbed me unconscious in a dark alley, I was saved by a local merchant who happened to see the incident. He tended to my wound and asked me about my weapons, which he had found but which I had not had the time to draw in the alley. He told me of some troubles with his missing brother, and with the kindness he had shown me I could not refuse him my help. Not exactly what I had in mind, but my honor bound me to this merchantman for a while. The merchant’s problems forced me to interact with the local villages, an experience which will serve me well in the future. I had to recruit some fighting men in order to deal with some bandits holding the merchant’s brother ransom. I kept those men under my command and paid them with the denars the merchant rewarded me with after freeing his brother.
I spent the first week in and around Praven, mostly here at my now permanent room and home at The Keg, as my tavern is appropriately named. Praven is famed for their beer, and I must admit it’s quite good. On my second night here I met a nice gentleman named Marnid. Turned out he was down on his luck after some unfortunate business adventures, and was looking to get back on his feet. I started talking to Marnid, and after a couple of days we had become quite friendly with each other and Marnid proposed a partnership. I had demonstrated some of my weapon skills at the local arena, and Marnid was impressed and thinks I will do well as a caravan leader. I suppose that’s one way to make money. At the arena we met a tribesman of the Khergit tribe, I think they were called. His name is Baheshtur and claims to be of noble origins. He had run into some trouble with the tribes of the steppe and is spending some time traveling until things cool down at home. I immediately noticed that he’s an intelligent man and I do believe he is of noble heritage. I persuaded him to join our growing business adventure and I think his knowledge of the Calradian nobility could come in handy in my search.
I think this is the right thing for me to do right now. I spoke to a traveler and also to a bard at The Keg, and they both told me of the turmoil in which this country finds itself. It seems to be an eternal struggle for power, and war is constantly raging in one region or the other. The strongest survive, and even commoners with the right ambitions can become kings. I have no doubt Kamih would do well for himself in a place like this, and he has got almost a year head start. I keep up with the news of the land through rumors and the daily announcements at the city square. Alliances formed and broken, trade agreements established and demolished, wars breaking out and peace treaties signed. There appear to be six dominant factions fighting for complete control of Calradia, but they are balanced so evenly that no one faction can gain the ground needed for superiority. All this warring will make my travels harder, and I need to raise some denars in order to hire more men to join me. I am well trained, but I cannot do this on my own.
Oh! I was fortunate enough to run into King Harlaus and his hunting party on our way out of Praven when we left with the first caravan of our little business! I announced myself leader of our party and he granted me permission to speak to him. After some pleasantries he asked me if I would deliver a letter for one of his vassals for him, since I was leaving in the direction of Thilbaut castle anyway. Needless to say I was speechless. The man is King and yet he doesn’t have a proper postal system? As to not cause insult, I accepted and he seemed happy and wished me well and said he hoped we would meet again. The twinkle in his eye, though, made me believe the assignment was not only for practical reasons. I find myself performing many such little tasks in the immediate area now. I have encountered more of the Counts of Swadia and they all seem happy enough to take advantage of my services.
We have also helped some villagers fight off bandits. That was my first real battle and it was exhilarating! I was so scared and nervous at first, but as the battle progressed I followed Baheshtur’s lead and we emerged victories, although I suffered a serious wound to my right side. It shall serve me as a reminder of what the future holds, and also as a reminder to keep my cursed elbow low when blocking! We helped train some peasants in another village so they could defend themselves against the constant raiding parties and later I hunted down a hot headed villain by the name Calradan for one of the other local Counts I had met hunting in the forest. Perhaps building a reputation for myself through battle will get me in with the nobles here, which should ease my search considerately. They seem very traditional and honorable and being victorious in battle is looked upon as one of the greatest achievements.
Well, back to my journeys. We traveled towards the city of Curaw, with local Swadian peasants with a desire for adventure joining our caravan along the way. Marnid said there would be good business there in iron. I have learned to trust Marnid’s nose for business by now. I have almost 5,000 denars in my chest after only three weeks of traveling and trading! On our way we traveled through the lands of the Vaegirs and the Nords. They are an impressively sturdy people, the Nords. Fighters by nature they are, as we were soon to feel on our own bodies. Near Curaw we had to combat a group of villains of the Nord breed, sea raiders the locals call them, which regretfully claimed the lives of three of the local Swadians who had taken up arms in my name. We were victorious, but it doesn’t make me happy to be a killer and a looter, but this is the turn my life has taken. I must abide by it until justice can be done and I can return home to reclaim my father’s palace and live life in peace again. We managed to capture one of the Nordsmen alive, although he did fight until we had him pinned to the ground. I didn't understand everything he said, with his odd accent, but I gathered as much as he liked my head and wanted to drink from my skull! I was furious after the loss of my recruits, but still couldn't bring myself to take his life. I decided to tie him behind one of the pack horses and hold him captive until I decided what to do. In Curaw I met a very distasteful fellow. He called himself a 'ransom broker'. Slave trader is more like it. Still being furious with the Nordsman I decided to give him a bit of his own medicine and sold him to the man-trader. Maybe he'll think twice before raiding and drinking out of people's skulls again. It appears a very common part of the circle of life here in Calradia. Taking prisoners of war and ransoming them off. I need the money, and I must live by these new rules as I'm sure the same would have happened to me had we lost the battle to those raiders. On the positive side we salvaged some very sturdy weapons and armory, which Baheshtur and Marnid now carries.
A real tragedy occurred, which haunts my soul still, when we were once again attacked by bandits in the mountains near the Nord city of Tihr. During the battle one of the untrained recruits ran right through my line of fire as I released my arrow, and it took him straight in the head. I tried desperately to save his life, but it was too late. If this group of mine is to have any chance of success I cannot suffer to see the lives of boys younger than myself die every week. I need to locate a good surgeon and healer to join the party. I checked amongst my men, which now counts over 20, but none of them were skilled in healing.
I did become friendly with two of the older men, who otherwise mostly kept to themselves. Firentis and Borcha are their names. Firentis is a true warrior in body and mind. I have asked him to look after some of the younger men and see to it that they get some training so we can avoid further accidents. Borcha is by no means a fighter. He is a nature lover and well versed in finding his way around the lands. I’ve made him my personal guide and his tracking skills are impressive. He had to run for his life due to a misunderstanding between him and a merchant in Uxkhal. I trust Borcha now, and believe he did nothing wrong. He seems a good hearted man. Firentis’ story is tragic. He accidently slayed his brother in a drunken stupor and now tries to make amends. He seems happy to be in my service as it gives him some purpose in life at last.
In Tihr we rested for a day after our battle. While I was taking a stroll around the city (which by the way looks like something I wouldn’t ask my horse to live in) I was approached by a dark skinned man who introduced himself as Nizar. He claimed he had noticed that I was a warrior by the way I moved, and was interested in knowing more about my trade. After knowing Nizar for about a week I suspect he noticed my walk for other things than my fighting skills. He seems a real ladies man and I must admit he can be quite charming…but I can’t allow myself to think like that. I did agree to let him travel with us until he reached his destination. Which by the way he never told me where was? He bought me some wine and somehow got me to talking about how I keep in such good shape. Ha ha, I suppose I’ll have to watch my step with this one, but he is a good warrior and I need his sword arm. He does have a strange habit of always appearing next to me without his shirt on when we camp, though.
On our way back to Praven we stopped in Suno, where I encountered two very interesting gentlemen. They were both a little misplaced in the common room of the small tavern, but as soon as Alayen yelled at me to fetch him some beer I knew I was dealing with nobility. They’re the same everywhere it appears. His friend is called Rolf, and they are both in a somewhat similar situation: Nobles of heritage, but no one to recognize it yet. They both firmly believe that their time will come and has joined with us for the time being. They need the money as much as I do I gather. As it happens, Rolf knows a little about healing and wound treatment, so it seems my prayers may have been heard.
In the time to come I shall try to interact more with the local Counts to gain some knowledge of what’s going on in the courts of Calradia. I shall also have to find a way to make this group come together. I have noticed some quarrels between some of the guys. My father always said I had the potential to be a great leader and I guess I shall find out if he was right soon enough.
I must return downstairs now. I have promised to treat the men to dinner and drinks on my coin after a successful journey. We shall rest here for some days while I consider our next move.
Calradan Hot-Head brought to justice
Nizar showing off the goods
I've learned so much lately
Nizar, I would have never seen him like that until you brought it up. XD Although he did drop hints like, "...my prowess in the bed chamber, which I must admit, is quite good." Nice chapter once again! I look forward to more in the near future! 
