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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Neurotic" data-source="post: 7102367" data-attributes="member: 24380">Arvid in calm, his diplomacy training too strong to be ruffled by minor items of indiscretion such as young bride having a child. With some lawless man, no less. But his demeanor changes as he is called to talk without actually hearing everything. But still, this is his chance to get the help, either from Thorir or Alec.He stands up, his fine clothes blowing with the wind."You might want to send others of your crew away, Thorir. This is your brother we're talking about. Maybe you would prefer to hear the story alone before including Jarl MacTier and his daughter?"After waiting for a shake and motion to continue, he nods at the assembled nobles."Very well. For those of you who only saw me on the meetings, I am Arvid Gunnar Ingvarson and I serve Jarl Volundson. Real Jarl, father of Einar and Thorir. For the last several years, old Jarls health is failing and his son, Einar, is Jarl in all but the name. Ever was he interested in ruling and power. What he doesn't realize is that he only knows games of power, politics, intrigue. He was born into Jarl household and had the best education. He had combat training and he raided, he's an experienced warrior, of course. No one could lead who wasn't. But in all that, he is Jarls son. And here we come to an unpleasant truth. Einar thinks Jarl Volund should have accepted the crown when it was offered. And he yearns for more power than single Jarldom. But instead of advancing his interest through marriage or diplomacy or even strenght of arms, he chose indirect, insidious, nefarious way, the dark way of Gataberg."Here he shakes his head slightly."I know you all heard about my country and its ways where The Game is more important than honor. But not all of us are like that. But the reality is, if you're not playing, you get ignored. Or destroyed. In an effort to garner ever more power the houses look in various places, some look to hard at the options offered by the hidden cults and dark allies. Which in turn bring them ever deeper into the darkness."I will not bother you with more tales, this was important for just single detail."Einar had contacts in Gataberg. As Jarl Volund grew weaker, Einar looked at the ways to gather more power to himself. Thus, he is now target for the alluring powers of the hidden army. The problem is, the influence of the dark makes him wary of the light. He didn't leave Gandrael, indeed he rarely leaves his home anymore, convinced everyone is a threat and that he's too important to die just now. Which leaves him dependant on outside information. Which in turn provides a strange man from somewhere else. He no longer listens to his father, his warriors or even me."He looks down and sips mead, thinking how to proceed."You, young Astrid, may think him good catch, son of the powerful Jarl is bound to bring good times to both clans. By your stay here, willingly, I'm assuming you know something is not quite right. But you don't really know bad it is. I urge you strongly, Jarl Alec, take your daughter home and cancel the wedding. Call out Einars inability to protect her or his sending of a humble teacher instead coming for her himself. Do what you must, but keep Astrid out of his hands.I know this seems melodramatic - but I've seen this once before. It starts with advisors, pulling to ever more extreme measures. Where old ways of honor are abandoned for expeditiousness. I'm afraid Einar is at the brink of going fully into the darkness of some cult. If he's not already fallen. As you can see, I still have some sway. And he's not fallen yet, his first reaction was anger, orders to equip the ships and bring the gold. Much as, I suspect, Jarl Alec reacted. But the other adviser stopped him with rationalisations, with explanations. With the words of cowards. And the worst part is, he listened. Thus, I took the chance to come out here - rare chance to talk to Thorir, but here, bringing the news to you to save one young soul from dreary halls.As gods are my witness, if I do nothing else good in my life, saving the lass would be worthy."Thorir knows, Arvid is prone to speeches and occasionally had to be silenced by a toast when Jarls became impatient. But this time, he stops just before eye-rolling starts. "Now, I'm wounded and the happenings of that hunt are story for itself, but right now, I'd ask help to save Volund and Einar. Or at least, leave the country in clean hands and cleanse it before the rot takes root. What say you, Thorir?"</blockquote>

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