Chapter 21

The Great Hall of the Jarl's Fortress of Jannathstaad was full of warriors. Over two hundred warriors, not including Jarl Ullr Finehair and Prince Magnus Ullrsson, or my own group packed the numerous trestle tables that had been set up to fill the hall for the Victory Feast. The noise of this many warriors feasting was added to by the clinking of glasses and horns of mead and the strumming on a Lyre of a Skald from the Hamlet of Ullborg in the interior of Tearheim that had been hired for the feast. A Skald like that wouldn't be a good comparison to my own talents, unfortunately, but I hadn't been consulted.

Mind you, the Skald, a Youth named Halfdan Whiteshirt who performed at the Shepherd's Flail Inn of Ullborg, wasn't bad, per se, he just wasn't on my level. In my professional opinion, he needed to spend less time in backwater inns playing for Shepherds and Farmhands and more time honing his craft in more populated areas where the crowds were more discerning. If he didn't do that, he'd never get the seasoning he needed to be better. Still, he was supposed to be the best in Ullborg, and Ullborg's Thane, Rurik Hairy-Helm, had lobbied hard for him to be the Skald of the Feast, or so I'd been told by Torstein the Bear.

Still, for the amount of cash this feast must have cost, you'd think that the Jarl could have shelled out for a better Skald, even if he didn't want me to do it, owing to our place of honor at the table closest to the raised dais where Jarl Finehair and Prince Magnus Ullrsson were sat, along with Torstein, Rurik Hairy-Helm, and the Thanes of the Hamlets of Tømmerlandsby and Strykeby, Arnolf the Grim and Olaf Mighty-Hammer. I had to admit, with all his Thanes in town for the feast, it was probably a good thing that Jarl Finehair had shelled out so much Gold on food and drink. Not that he was hurting for it, at the moment. Not after ransacking the Treasury of the Umberlants.

Still, it was a hell of a spread. Giant wheels of Waterdhavian Bowshot Cheese, Bereghost Blue, Tethyrian Pepper Cheese, Calishite Green Cheese, Elturian Grey Cheese, and Vilksmarg Cheese were piled on every table, alongside Whole Roasted Suckling Pigs, Neverwinter Roast Beef Slices, Korrinn Salmon with Calishite Lemon Zest, Norrland Herring and Eggs, Whole Roasted Moonshae Game Hens, and Mutton Chops from Ullborg. At the same time, there were Platters of Baldurian Mash, Tureens of Tearheim Pea Soup, Tureens of Neverwinter Beef and Local Barley Soup. Tearheim Steamed Lobsters, Tearheim Baked Clams, and Tearheim Fried Kippers sat alongside Smoked Knucklebone Trout from Icewind Dale, Luskanite Jellied Eels, and Waterdhavian Prawns. Bread of Rye, Wheat, Barley, Spelt, and Oats with Butter, Honey, and various jams ranging from Moonshae Currant to Ruathym Lingonberry, Baldurian Grape, and even exotic, Tethyrian, Strawberry were present too.

For drinks, there was the everpresent Tearheim Mead and Ale, of course, but also Luskan Stout, Calmishan Golden Sands, Belbuck from Seahearth, Port Llast Red Ale, Luskanite Pale Ale, Moonshae Hard Cider, Candlekeep Bitterroot Beer, Calimshan Spiced Wine and Neverwinter Sherry, Ruathym Cloudberry Melomel, Conyberry Mead, Moonshae Whiskey, Waterdhavian Wyvern Whiskey, Whalebone Spiced Whiskey from the Whalebones, Neverwinter Black Icewine, Liamhold Elderflower Wine, Moonshae Zinfindel, Dualdon's Wake Mead from Targos, Eigerstorr Noblerot from Neverwinter, Amnian Dessert Wine, Tethyrian Tanagluth, Athkatlan Clarry, and Ruathym Akavit.

In short, the spread was the sort of thing you would normally put out for a Major Victory, not a small one like this. If I had to guess, the reasoning behind such a thing was because the Umberlants had been the dominant Church in Jannathstaad for so long that switching to full-on Tempus Worship would make the average warrior take a morale hit unless something big was done to upkeep morale. This feast was that something, apparently. I just hoped that Jarl Finehair had concrete plans for how to proceed from here now that the Umberlants were off Tearheim.

As I hollowed out a round loaf of wheat bread to make a bread bowl and filled it with Neverwinter Beef and Local Barley Soup, I couldn't help but look over at the raised dais. Jarl Finehair seemed to be talking in hushed tones with Prince Magnus about something. Hopefully, it was our next steps and not something less important.

"Why so glum?" Questioned Shavariel from across the table.

She was busily dissecting a whole Korinn Salmon with Calimshite Lemon Zest as she spoke. Salmon was known to her, but being an aboveground fruit, Lemons weren't. Clearly, she wanted to try things, but not depart too radically from what she knew. Her third horn of Tearheim Mead had barely been touched, as well, clearly slow-playing the drink.

"Yeah, we won. Shouldn't you be celebrating?" Queried Janessa from her seat next to me.

She'd already been hitting the Belbuck hard, not that it stopped her from balancing precariously on the bench we were sitting on as she assembled a sandwich of rye bread slices mixed with slices of Waterdhavian Bowshot Cheese and Neverwinter Roast Beef along with what looked to be some sort of Baldurian Horseradish.

"Perhaps he is wondering what to do next?" Asked Selima from my other side.

Selima had been the most adventurous of us, at least in terms of food. She'd taken a little bit of everything, even the disgusting Luskan Jellied Eels which I wouldn't touch if they were the only thing here. In terms of drink, though, she had been drinking Candlekeep Bitterroot Beer, which was only mildly alcoholic and thus eminently suitable for the scholars and librarians that called Candlekeep Home. I didn't imagine most of them had the constitution of a Warrior, after all.

"Selima is correct. This was a victory, yes, but only the first in a campaign. The Umberlants still have control of Caer Jannath and Cadfael Island. They're still receiving shipments of Alchemical Drugs from the Zhentarim. Until we manage to push them out of the Archipelago, this victory is temporary." I nodded, tucking into my soup.

"I'm sure the Jarl has a plan. You should put it out of your mind for now and just enjoy the feast while you can. That's what I'm doing." Chirped Janessa, taking a bite of her sandwich before washing it down with a gulp of Belbuck.

"I noticed." I smirked, drinking from the Horn of Ruathym Cloudberry Melomel I had before going back to my soup.

"More seriously, I doubt the Jarl would have his position if he were incompetent." Added Shavariel, eating the last bit of Salmon on her wooden plate and leaving the bones.

"He doesn't have to be incompetent. Northlander Jarls have been known to change simply based on power-hungry subordinates." Opined Selima, popping a piece of Ullborg Mutton into her mouth.

"Selima is right again. Not that I think anyone here is going to challenge Jarl Finehair anytime soon. This isn't Tuern, after all, where the only thing that matters is skill at arms and if you can take the seat. Still, I'd be a lot more at ease knowing that there was a plan in place." I frowned, going back to my soup.

"And that is why we follow you." Nodded Shavariel, taking a sip of her Mead.

"Pardon? Why we follow him? I didn't vote for him to be leader." Questioned Janessa.

"Then why do you still follow?" Queried Selima.

"He's doing an all-right job so far." Shrugged Janessa.

"Janessa aside, what do you mean?" I asked.

"You are looking ahead to the next challenge and thinking of how to overcome it. That is what a leader does. It is what I should have done when leading my patrols against the Sahuagin." Explained Shavariel.

"It's true. The responsibilities of a leader are many and to be taken seriously, however, that does not mean that you should not relax when the time is right for it. Look at King Palaghard the Second of Cormyr. He allowed his grief at the death of his queen and eldest son, as well as his responsibilities as King to weigh him down right into his grave. Stress can kill just as surely as a blade, after all, even if it takes longer to do it." Remarked Selima.

"Fair enough. I guess I can ease up on the worrying. Just for tonight." I agreed.

And with that, I started to actually have a better time now that I wasn't worrying over potential political moves from Jarl Finehair or what our next steps would be. I finished my soup and moved on to eating a Whole Moonshae Roasted Game Hen with a side of Baldurian Mash, drinking more of the Ruathym Cloudberry Melomel and even having a small bit of Whalebone Spiced Whiskey.

It wasn't until several hours had passed of feasting that Jarl Finehair stood up from his seat and called for attention. I turned to regard him, as did everyone else in the hall who hadn't been too foolish and already gotten blackout drunk on the copious amount of booze. Jarl Finehair nodded at the Skald, Halfdan Whiteshirt as he began to speak.

"Halfdan Whiteshirt, no doubt you are an accomplished Skald, as Thane Hairy-Helm has continually claimed. You are quite skilled with that harp as all can see, however, I wish to hear just a single song from Robar the Red, leader of the band of Adventurers that my Son has insisted this victory could not have been won without." Intoned Jarl Finehair.

"Of course, My Jarl. I would gladly allow one of the Heroes to have a turn. No doubt Robar the Red is as canny a Skald as he is a Leader." Bowed Halfdan Whiteshirt, a gleam of challenge in his speech.

"Robar! What say you? Favor us with a song?" Questioned Jarl Finehair.

"Of course, My Jarl. I have just the one to put steel back in these fine Warriors' Spines after two dozen of their Shield Brothers joined the Victorious Dead." I grinned, standing up and unslinging my Bandore.

As I did so, I glanced over at Halfdan Whiteshirt. He was smirking at me as if he didn't believe I could play after drinking for a few hours. Oh, it's on you little shit, you shouldn't have challenged me like that. I made my way over to Halfdan Whiteshirt's side who gave me a bit of side-eye as I tuned my Bandore a bit. I side-eyed him right back.

"Ready to eat your challenge?" I queried softly, as I tuned my Bandore.

"Please, you smell as if you've been swimming in mead." Scoffed Halfdan Whiteshirt.

"All right, you asked for it, Lad." I smirked, finishing tuning my Bandore.

I immediately began to play a stirring melody, inspiring courage in anyone who listened. Chords of A Minor, C, G, D, and E began to filter through the smoky air of the brazier-lit Great Hall. As they did so, I used Spellsong to cast a cantrip that caused the braziers to flare a bit, casting shadows against the wall that another Spellsung cantrip twisted into scenes of two lines of battle as I began to sing.

"Watch that old fire as it flickers and dies. That once blessed the household and lit up our lives. It shone for the friends and the clinking of glasses. I'll tend to the flame, you can worship the ashes." I sang out.

As I did so, the Scene on the wall changed with another Cantrip as the two armies clashed in a battle of shield walls. On one side a monstrous shadow of a drowned woman stood behind her warriors while on the other, a shadow of a Powerful Warrior stood. Representing Umberlee and Tempus.

"Capture the wild things and bring them in line. And own what was never your right to confine. The lives and the loves and the songs are what matters. I'll tend to the flame, you can worship the ashes." I sang.

As I did another cantrip saw the shadows twist again as warriors fell on both sides. Everyone was paying attention to my song and the shadows on the wall, whereas Halfdan had largely been background noise.

"Do you feel heavy? Your eyes drop with grief. Your spirit is wild and your suffering is brief. So never you buckle and bend to the masses. I'll tend to the flame, you can worship the ashes." I continued.

Another Cantrip, more shadows changing. This time a party of warriors crashed into the flank of the Umberlant Line as the Stand-in for Umberlee put her hands to her head in frustration. I noticed people starting to stomp their feet on the beat, something they hadn't done for Halfdan.

"Get round the fire with a glass of strong ale. And tell us a story from beyond the pale. Bury some seeds and expect some strong branches. I'll tend to the flame, you can worship the ashes." I carried on.

Another cantrip, more changing shadows. This time the the enemy flank dissolved against the onslaught from in front and behind as the stand-in for Tempus raised his Axe as the stand-in for Umberlee backpedaled.

"Now show me a man that can meet all his needs. For what we need most now is unity's seed. A common old song for all creeds and all classes. I'll tend to the flame, you can worship the ashes. I'll tend to the flame." I belted out.

Another Cantrip, the shadows changed, and suddenly reinforcements arrived for the Umberlants from the sea, cutting down one of the Heroes of the Flank Battle even as a Ship from the Tempus side moved to attack. Halfdan was grinding his teeth now on seeing how everyone was into it.

"What will we do when the world it is ending? And time it is halted for friend and for foe? Try to hold on to the time as it passes. I'll tend to the flame, you can worship the ashes." I continued, heading for the end of the song.

Another cantrip another shift in the shadows, this time the Heroes had the leader of the Umberlant Reinforcements on the backfoot, till the Leader of the Heroes struck down the Leader of the Reinforcements. Everyone was engrossed in the performance, even Jarl Finehair.

"I'll tend to the flame, you can worship the ashes. I'll tend to the flame, you can worship the ashes." I finished the song, winding down the chords, ending with A Minor.

One last cantrip, the shadows changed one last time, showing the Umberlants fleeing to their ship as the Stand-in for Umberlee was driven back into the sea by the Stand-in for Tempus. As the last note faded, the last scene reflected on the wall was of the Tempusite Warriors standing victorious, Tempus above them holding his axe high. As the magic ended with the last note faded to nothing, the entire Hall broke out into applause. I figured that one would have gotten a good reception. The Longest Johns from back on Old Earth were good for that, especially with a Bardic Instrument. I chanced a glance over at Halfdan Whiteshirt who glared back at me, face red with embarrassment.

"Keep practicing, Lad." I smirked.

He just turned away and headed back to his Harp. I didn't have long to revel in my victory, however, because Jarl Finehair was speaking up once again, banging his flagon of mead on the table to get everyone to stop cheering.

"I think we can safely say that Robar the Red has earned his Skaldic Title. However, I have need of him and his band to meet with me in private. In the meantime, my Son, Magnus will oversee the feast." Announced Jarl Finehair.

I immediately made my way over to him as he strode out of the Great Hall, beckoning the others to follow as I did. Janessa was somewhat unsteady on her feet, but Selima managed to steady her in the absence of a Neutralize Poison Spell. Shavariel wasn't even buzzed, though. Must be something about being a Sea Elf for that.

Regardless of any drunkenness on any of our parts, Jarl Finehair led us into the same Armory where we had met with Magnus Ullrsson. As soon as we had followed him inside, Jarl Finehair turned about and nodded at me.

"I suppose you're wondering why I've asked for you and your Companions?" He asked.

"The thought had occurred." I nodded.

"I have a task for you. It also comes with a promotion to Thane." Informed Jarl Finehair.

"I figured the first, but I'm not sure about the second." I admitted.

"Why not? Thane's a noble title, right?" Blinked Janessa.

"Indeed, roughly equivalent to a Baron of Amn." Answered Selima.

"The question is pertinent, however drunkenly posed." Added Shavariel.

"Indeed, I would like to know why as well. Thane is a great honor." Frowned Jarl Finehair.

"I have things that need doing on the Mainland. I only ever intended to stay here for this year. In fact, if we drove the Umberlants into the sea and off Cadfael Island by then, I intended to sail for the Mainland in the Autumn." I informed.

"I see. That is a shame, though the task I have set for you requires a formal appointment. I need to send an Envoy to the Halflings of Seahearth, you see. I want them to ally with us to push back the Umberlants. That Envoy would be more official with a Thane in charge." Frowned Jarl Finehair.

"I see. Perhaps I wouldn't be opposed to taking the position, provided it doesn't require me to put down roots here permanently." I offered.

"I would have to revoke the title when you sought to leave. If you are all right with that, then I can allow it." Mused Jarl Finehair.

"That is fine by me." I nodded.

"Very well. In that case, I present you with this Oath Ring." Intoned Jarl Finehair. As he did so, he handed me a Brass and Silver Arm Ring set with tiny bloodstones. I slipped it on my bicep and Jarl Finehair nodded at me.

"With that Oath Ring, I name you Thane. You speak with my voice in matters of state and are therefore entitled to an income of three-hundred-fifty pieces of gold per week until such time as you no longer hold this title, at which point, I shall demand the return of your Oath Ring. If you do not return it, then you will be declared a rebel and an outlaw, with all Northmen bound to do you harm if they are able." Pronounced Jarl Finehair.

"I swear to uphold the title to the best of my capabilities." I vowed.

"Good. Now, you and your companions may wish to make an early night of it. I want you rested and recovered in time to sail for Seahearth on the evening tide." Insisted Jarl Finehair.

"Of course." I affirmed.

And with that, my group and I were escorted out of the Jarl's Castle of Jannathstaad for our berths on the Hammerdown. We would indeed wind up setting sail with the evening tide the next day. It wouldn't be easy, but Janessa had brewed up some hangover cures that made it doable. It seemed that we were taking our next steps after all.

I just hadn't thought it would be quite so soon. . .

XXXX

AN: All right, so here we have the next chapter. It's mostly a cooldown chapter with various celebrations, though there is an indication of where to go next wrapped up in here as well. Expect Halfdan Whiteshirt to come up again in the future, however. Robar really made him look like a bitch here, after all. The song Robar sings at the Feast is called Ashes by the Longest Johns. It's pretty catchy and exactly the sort of thing for the occasion. Check it out if you like, they're on YouTube.

At any rate, the next chapter will be the trip to Seahearth. I'll also have a few images out before then of some of the people, like the various Jarls and Halfdan Whiteshirt.

Stay tuned. . .