2 - The Lesser Outlawry of Tulgrum Hellstorm

Games at the Festival of Lights
When Tulgrum Hellstorm was 14 years old he attended the annual Festival of Lights in Raven's Ford. At the festival there were many good and strong youth's who grew up in the south near Jordsvik. There were two brothers amoung them that were the strongest named Kormak and Thorgils. They were good-natured youths and the strongest of the region in the north. Kormak was quickly growing to the size of a full man and was gracious in manners and universally liked.
During the festival the youth often play a ball game together. Those from the north and those from the south lands near Raven's Ford. During the ball game both sides were equally matched. As it happens Kormak was positioned against Tulgrum Hellstorm during the game, and after being out matched during one of the plays Hormak grew angry and kicked the ball at a distance and commanded to Tulgrum Hellstorm to fetch the ball.
Tulgrum Hellstorm did so but drove the ball straight into Kormak's face breaking his nose. Thorgils swung at Tulgrum Hellstorm from behind with the bat he was holiding but Tulgrum Hellstorm managed to duck the blow. In a flash both brother's seized each of his arms and they began to wrestle. It became clearly apart that Tulgrum Hellstorm was the strongest however the struggle was was two vs one. The three struggled long together until Tulgrum Hellstorm was thrown to the ground with their knees unmericfully pressed into his stomach. In a rage Tulgrum Hellstorm managed to throw the two boys off him down into the ground, Looming over them he said that they need not hold him down like a mad dog, and added, "A man will always take instant revenge, but the coward never will. Stand before me now and show all here what you are." The brothers ran from Tulgrum Hellstorm in shame.
The rest of the youths payed no mind to the whole affair and the games continued with no further disturbances.
The Pride of Skeggi
Sometime in the following year, the Great Chieftian Thorkell Krafla was now growing very old, and was a close friend of Asmound Longhair, Tulgrum Hellstorm's father. As a result they had a habit of riding together each year to the Festival of Lights.
Earlier that year during a regular visit, Chieftan Krafla ask Asmound, "You are useful and of no small reknown, but what can you tell me about Tulgrum Hellstorm your son?"
"I can only say that he will be a strong man; but headstrong and quarrelsome. This has set a heavy trial upon me." Asmound replied.
"That does not look very promising, kinsman! But how are we to arrange our journey to the Festival of Lights this year?" Krafla asked.
"I am growing old and it's difficult to move. I will stay home this year." Asmound replied. "Perhaps Tulgrum Hellstorm will travel with you. He will not do anything, but I think he has quite wit enough carry out the duties at the Festival of Lights under your guidence of course."
"It shall be as you please," said Thorkell.
When the journey begun Asmound sent Tulgrum Hellstorm with provisions and presents for Thorkell and his retinue. Thorkell's band consisted of sixty men, and they began to travel south to the Festival of Lights. During the journey Tulgrum Hellstorm's sack and provisions went missing.
Amoung Thorkell's band there was a man named Skeggi who was a runner for the army and was very fast. Tulgrum Hellstorm spake thus to Skeggi,
"I am travelling with Thorkell. I have been careless and lost my provision-bag. I am alone in my misfortune, so can we go back to the campsite and look for the bag together?"
Skeggi was well please with this proposal and the two left group returning to the camp of the previous night to find the missing bag. The pair searched for a time. When Tulgrum Hellstorm least expected it, Skeggi started running with all his might along the moor with a sack in hand.
"My sack," Tulgrum Hellstorm exclaimed and gave chase.
Tulgrum Hellstorm proved to be faster and overtook Skeggi grabbing the sack.
"This is my sack," Skeggi declared. "Who says so besides yourself?" Tulgrum Hellstorm replied.
Skeggi spat on the ground in disgust and said, "You northerners have strange notions. You think that because man is not as wealthy as you are that he cannot declare what his own." Tulgrum Hellstorm replied that it has nothing to do with a man's degree, but that each man must take claim to what is his own.
Skeggi replied, "You know Tulgrum Hellstorm, Kormak couldn't strangle you in the snow on the day of your ball game because there were too many witnesses, but we are alone."
Skeggi reached for his axe and struck at Tulgrum Hellstorm who reached seizing the handle of the axe with his left hand pulled fiercely. The axe came free striking Skeggi in the brain, and he fell to the earth dead.
Thorkell rode on, knowing nothing had happened, but soon Skeggi was missed from their company. When questions were asked Tulgrum Hellstorm declared that Risi killed Skeggi and drug him away in the snow. No one believed Tulgrum Hellstorm and he was siezed and put in chains.
Eventually Tulgrum Hellstorm told the truth of the story to Thorkell who remained silent for along time and eventually said, "It is a most unfortunate occurance, because Skeggi was entrusted to my service, and comes from a good family. I will take the matter upon myself and pay whatever compensation is adjudged, but the question of banishment does not lie with me. The Law Giver must decide your fate."
Tulgrum Hellstorm's case was heard before a great company at The Law Rock, and it was decided that due to the circumstances Tulgrum Hellstorm was a lesser outlaw rather than a full murderer. Thorkell paid compensation for the killing but Tulgrum Hellstorm was to be banished for no less three years. With no other options Tulgrum Hellstorm joined the Dogs of War at the age of 15.