A Brotherly Chat

By Mark Kung and Weston Mcgarrigle, 4/30/19

Fiego watched as Skorg's new "guests" settled in to their new quarters in the Staghelm Manor that his large friend was currently occupying. They looked out of place and wary as they took in the strangeness of Waterdhavian finery. The half elf frowned, the words of the Guardsman echoing through his head. "Do you know how many innocent people that monster is going to kill!?" he had growled at the retreating form of the orc they had released.
"I must speak to you alone for a moment, Skorg." he said, pulling the incipient prince of Many Arrows into an adjacent parlor, closing the door behind them.
"I want you to know that you are a brother to me and that I am proud to stand beside you whether it be on the battlefield or the in ballroom," the young noble began, clasping the tall warrior on the arm and gazing earnestly into his face.
"I am with you in your quest to free your people from the shackles of barbarism and I see that they have the potential to be a strong and honorable people but .." the bard stopped and ran a hand through his hair, seeming to be uncharacteristically be at a loss for words.
"I ... am not sure they are yet prepared for that. They .. they were EATING those men!"
Fiego's eyes were distressed at the cruelty he had witnessed.
"That Guardsman had a point. The orc you released is all but certain to kill again and slake his bloodlust on the innocent farm folk of Waterdeep. We had a hand in that ... I had a hand in that. I know you are doing what you think is best for the future of your people, but I am a child of Waterdeep. Every drop of blood shed from a farm child or a Guardsman is as a drop of blood from my own veins."
Fiego's hand tightened on Skorg's arm.
"I stand with you my brother, in your quest, but I beg .."
He shook his head and steeled his gaze.
"No, I demand that you not take the lives of my people lightly while walking the Path of Kings. I demand that you treat their lives as precious as you would treat mine."
The noble released his blood brother and stood tall, his fist held to his breast.
"I will go to war with you, starting with the war of words that will have to be fought here when the people come to demand the deaths of your prisoners, but only if you swear to me that you will not stand on ground soaked in the blood of innocents when you wear your crown."
"I have many burdens, my brother. Indeed, the very likelihood of such tragedy weighs heavily upon my heart. Know then, that your concerns are not met with deaf ears and open yours to me, for I have a tale to tell." Skorg offered Fiego a place upon a divan and glass of wine. "Long ago, when the world was young, the gods drew lots for the domains of the mortal races. Humans won the right to dwell upon all lands, Moradin won the mountains for his dwarves and Corellon won the forests for the elves. The gnomes would dwell upon the hills, and the halflings upon the fields. But no such lot was made for the orcs and the other gods mocked Gruumsh. In his rage, Gruumsh took up his spear and bore holes in the earth for orcs to dwell, and bade all mortals to be enemies of the orcs. I know not what the truth of it is, but the point remains, the orcs have nothing in this world, nothing but Gruumsh. You haven't seen them the way I have. They could be a great people, Fiego, they need only to be show the way. If that be folly, then a fool I may be. But I have to try, Fiego. By all the gods in heaven and hell, I must try!"
"And I will be by your side as you defy Gruumsh himself. Aye, a noble Cause it is, brother. Fitting for one with as noble a heart as yours. None can doubt your courage ... but it is not courage I ask of you now. What I ask of you is forbearance and compassion, and I would hear you say it." Fiego offered his arm to clasp. "I would have your word that you will not pay for your dream with the coin of innocent lives."
“Why, it is compassion that moves me as we speak. Is not mercy what separates Good and Evil? I could not bear to see the good people of Waterdeep suffer from my actions. Nor can I let my people suffer in bondage to a tyrant god. I wish I held your clarity of conviction, my friend, for I am at a crossroad. Where am I to house an orcish horde, such as it is?”
Fiego looked down at his offered hand and a gamut of emotions ran across his face, too quickly to register. It seemed Skorg had been studying the Dance of Nobility on his own for Fiego had never taught him the Courtier's Sidestep and, while he admired how deftly his friend had avoided his request, it seemed he was going to have to remove the gloves of tact. "Yes, that is a matter to which we will soon have to attend, but Skorg, please do not change the subject." The bard sighed. "My friend, you know me. We have fought together, bled together. I am no fey spirit to trap you into some sort of contract. I also do not expect perfection, I know mistakes can be made .. you are mighty, but you are not all powerful." He grinned ruefully. "I do not ask that you give up any part of your dream for your people, all I ask is that you try with all the strength in your valiant heart .." He thrust out his arm again. ".. not to sacrifice innocents to achieve it. Just try. Tell me you will do that and I will ride with you to whatever infernal pit Gruumsh calls home and together you and I will spit in his damned eye!"
Skorg clasped Fiego’s outstretched hand with his own. “Forgive me, Feigo. These are trying times, but know well, the lives of the innocent will never be paid to further my ambitions!”
Fiego grinned at his friend and gripped his arm tight. "Ha! Good! Now as to your horde, I had thought perhaps they might find a home in Fhaor," The bard tilted his head to one side as he brought up the home village of their friend Lyra, the druid. "but then I remembered the ancient enmity between elves and orcs and thought better of it."
“I, too have given this problem some thought and believe I have something approaching a solution, though I will have need of your silver tongue. I wish to purchase a plot of land outside the city to settle mine kinsmen upon. Gods willing, my folly may bear fruit, or it may be proven to be a bitter harvest.”
"Yes, I think getting them out of the city is a good idea, but it will be something of a delicate matter to prevent this new community from being viewed as an invasion force."
"Skorg, I know you you have mentioned some small things before about where you grew up, but if you have some time, would you please tell me about the Kingdom of Many Arrows and its relations with surrounding kingdoms?"

Plot type

Off Table Scene