31st May 1329.

Douglas Keep.

Town of Douglas, Scotland.

Upon their return to the keep, they were met by the Seneschal and a small delegation of craftsmen, waiting outside the barred gate.

Sir Keith bowed as his lord approached, and Lord James returned it in kind.

"How went the hunt, Milord?" The Seneschal asked.

"Perfectly!" The Lord replied. "Even Lady Tatania gained, she led the men to us from the boar. It is her we must thank for our successes! The damn thing was taller than a shire-horse, and twice as wide." He pulled out one of the arm-length tusks to show the seneschal.

"By God!" The Seneschal exclaimed, staring at what had to be the largest boars tusk in the known world. It was as long as his arm, and razor sharp. "This is worthy of poetry!" He said. "Congratulations on your kill, Milady!" He said, bowing low.

She smiled, still elated at her success. "My Husband is too kind. It were the men who killed it." She said.

"Not at all," Lord James insisted. "The men know it was you who slew it. You led them back to ambush the beast, and certainly saved our hides!"

"In truth?" Sir Keith asked, looking at the Lord's wife with even greater respect.

"Aye. My wife would rival even the Roman Goddess Diana for skill in the hunt!" Lord Douglas replied, glancing in admiration at his wife.

"As to the experience, all the men are now at least Level 4, and I have made Level 5! Yet, little good that does us until we discover how to place Available Attributes." He said, with disappointment.

He dismounted, handing the reins to a guard, and walked over to Tatania, helping her down from her mount. The pages and Squire Iain dismounting also and taking the reins of the Lord and Lady's steeds.

The Lord signalled with a wave at the guards to unbar the gates.

With his Lady on his arm, Lord James Douglas entered the keep. The garrison cheered as they saw him, the men left behind staring proudly at their fellows, who marched two abreast, following the Lord. The Lord's rentinue walked ahead, including Sir Keith, Iain and the pages, and the small group of craftsmen following.

"Something has also happened here, Milord." The Seneschal said, a pace behind and to the right of Lord James. "It seems that one of the craftsmen has also discovered a way to Level."

Lord James turned at that. "Oh?" He asked.

Colm stepped forward proudly, his expression earnest. "I swear it by Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Lord." A glow descended upon him, as even the system confirmed his words were truth. "I was carving away on the new table for the Lady. When I finished it, I'd chamfered around the edge. That's so as to take off sharp corners, you see."

The Lord nodded, following.

"I had cut too far into a section where the wood was softer, so rather than attempt a new cut, I decided to try something else." He said. "I rounded the chamfer!"

He said this as though it were a profound revelation. Shocked at the craftsman breaking guild standards, Liam could not help but gasp.

That was... unheard of.

In carpentry, everything required an edge, with the best work being chamfered. In this way it was easier to grip and carry. To round the edge was to make the furnishings slippery, increasing the risk of damage to the finished product when it was moved.

Furniture was moved a lot, especially in nobles homes, and craftsmen designed and built to need, not want. Because of this, furniture was rare, and cared for in every way possible. Carpenters of fine skill, even more so.

Lord Douglas looked confused. "And you gained a level by doing this?"

"Aye, lord!" The carpenter said proudly. "Well, not immediately. I gained experience." He corrected, his soft Connachta accent sliding smoothly over the words. "It was when I began to round all the edges of the peice. Something not common to the way things are in the art of carpentry, did I gain a level." He paused, wondering if he was boring his lord.

Lord James nodded his permission to continue.

"Well, then I started experimenting with different objects, cutting new designs, chiselling out sections and filling them with resin to make coloured patterns upon surfaces." He looked a bit embarassed. "Were my old master to see me do this, I'd have been beaten. It's almost a blashemy to most carpenters." He explained.

Liam found he agreed. There was a way things were done, because it worked. Trying new ideas was to waste material, and thus money. He knew Colm didn't lack for good wood to work, but even so... the waste if something went wrong! He thought.

Lord Douglas however was far from angry. "What happened?"

"Well lord, with each experiment I gained a small amount of experience. Not enough to gain a new level, however. So I started on something else. When I was done I'd gained three levels." He said. "That was not the most remarkable thing, Milord. The work... well... you'll have to see it for yourself!"

Lord Douglas' eyes bulged. "You mean you gained the same number of levels from experimenting with your craft, as my men did from slaying a herd of deer AND the biggest Boar seen in Scotland to date?"

"Well, no Lord," The big man replied. "I gained the levels because I made a bow." He said, guiltily.

"HA! So, you're returning archery!" Lord James said, grinning at the carpenter. "It's about time Colm. I need a man to teach the people more than ever now. Well, let's see it!"

"The bow isn't for me, Lord." Colm protested. "Those days are past. Now I am a mere craftsman. The bow is a gift for you!"

Liam overheard, and wondered what Lord Douglas was talking about. For as long as he'd known the Master, he'd been a carpenter. Had he been an archer as well? And how had he made a bow? The Carpenter had never shown any interest in making weapons before.

The seneschal nodded to a servant and the man ran inside the keep to fetch the gift. "Colm had hoped to present it to you in the hall tonight, Lord."

Lord Douglas turned to the dejected craftsman. "Apologies Colm. Your accomplishment is great, however I must see this work as soon as possible! So I ask your indulgence!"

The Irishman nodded, his face still glum. "As your lordship wishes." he said.

The servant returned, carrying a Longbow wrapped in a white linen wrap tied with bowstring. Unlike what Liam had expected, a strung bow that gently curved, this bow was unstrung, and as straight as a good arrow.

The wood showed gentle carvings, lines wrapping up and around the bow, small tracings of animals, fields and scenes of war. It was polished to a high degree with a beeswax finish. There is no way Colm could have completed the bow in a day. The finish alone would take at least two, and that was with Liam helping.

LIam's face must have betrayed his confusion, as Colm spotted him, he said. "God's truth, Liam. It took only a day! Although I did have the stave already set aside. Didn't want to waste good heart-wood like that on a table."

Lord Douglas finished examining the bow and, taking the string, looped one end to a nock on the bottom of the shaft. Placing the shaft between his legs, with the nocked end on the ground behind him, he then twisted so the heavy bow bent around his leg. Struggling slightly, he fit the other end of the bowstring into its nock.

"Gods, this is heavy!" He said, scowling at Colm.

The man looked ashamed.

"It is Lord, over three hundred pounds at full draw." He said.

Carefully removing his leg from the bow, he hefted it and drew it back. It drew to his chest. With a heave, the lord tried again, this time managing to pull it to his mouth. His face was turning red. Not from embarassment, but from effort.

"God, Jesus!" He blasphemed, as he let the bow's tension release. "That must be at least a three hundred and fifty pound draw! While I'm grateful for the gift Colm, you overestimate your Lord's strength!" The lord gave out a laugh.

Colm bowed. "I had meant it to draw to two hundred pounds, milord." He apologised. "I believe the System added more when it finished the bow with oil and finished it. I had but to carve!"

"How does the wood hold together?" Liam asked, surprising both men from their contemplation of the bow. "There is no way any wood from this area could support three hundred and fifty pounds without shattering!" Liam said. "Not while being that thin!"

"I hadn't thought of that," Colm said, looking once more at the finely crafted bow. "Perhaps the system strengthened the wood too!" he pondered.

"Truly!" Lord James said. "Either way, this is a bow worthy of a prince! I thank you most sincerely for the Gift Colm. And congratulate you on your work and your levels. See if you can replicate the deed, and let me know tonight at feast!" He commanded.

Colm bowed, departing to set to work. The other tradesmen had overheard the discussion and with hasty bows, began walking, then jogging back to their workshops.

Lord James grinned. "Well, this is going to make things more interesting!" He said to his wife, as they re-entered the hall.

As the Pages moved to follow, Sir Keith stopped them. "You heard the Lord. There is to be another feast tonight. After all, it still the week of Pentecost. See to your clothes and attend to the Hall with haste." He commanded.

*****************

Liam and the other page boys all rushed to their positions within the great hall and awaited the guests and his Lord and lady. Their uniforms were perfect and faces clean, all four boys having had time to bathe and clean their garments from the hunt.

Andrew and Llewelyn helped Liam and Aidan with theirs, as they had the good fortune to have recently leveled, and were perhaps the cleanest they’d ever been.

Colm had approached the Lord before the meal began, holding a much less refined bowstave. "Milord, I attempted the same approach, but only recieved a single level. The bow is much lighter in draw however!"

The Lord smiled at the Master Carpenter, and onetime archer. "You've done well Colm. I was not expecting you to recieve much more experience for the same task, but was hoping the quality would remain." He said. "It seems that the more unique works you create, the more you will be rewarded, but by repeating the process the quality improvements from the Tribulation system reduces."

Colm nodded at that assessment. "Aye, Lord." He said. "The carvings and design of the bow are much the same. I shall try again in a few days with new designs if I discover wood worthy of being worked."

Nodding at the craftsman's bow, Lord James addressed the rest of the room. "Let no tradesman treat his craft as routine. The system rewards you for effort, and for your creativity not comfort. If you wish to gain levels and whatever rewards come from them, you must try new things!"

The craftsmen all nodded, and a few more including the Baker came forward to announce they too had improved their experience. Some had even gained a level.

With that the meal began.

The meal was laid on as lavishly as ever. The servants and pages served the venison and boar to all. Liam and the other pages could not wait to get their hands on the roasted skin of the boar's flesh. With a seasoning of salt from the fishing port of Glasgow, the dried skin crackled deliciously with flavor and fat. But they would have to wait until the Feast ended to partake in the leftovers.

The baker had brought some pastries he'd trialed after overhearing Colm's accomplishments. They were well received with eyes widening with surprise at the myriad of pleasant tastes and textures he had incorporated.

Even Lady Tatania was awed by the flavours, and thanked him publicly, causing him to blush furiously with pride.

In a quiet moment at the Lord’s dinner table, Lord Douglas stood and made an announcement to the small gathering of guests.

“My friends, I have some news regarding the Statistics system, which may make things somewhat easier to understand. We can somehow make our Statistics appear in front of us for others to see. I ask you not to be afraid as you see this. I am not sure how this works, but objects can pass through this apparition as though it wasn’t there.”

Explaining what he meant, he concentrated for a moment and before him, a wide crimson box flashed into existence.

Lord James Douglas of Douglas had allowed others to see his “Statistics”. He waved his hand through the vision in front of him and his fingers, hand and arm all passed through the vision as though it did not exist.

“As you can see, it is nothing harmful.” He said. Lady Tatania looked up at her husband with smiling eyes, eminently proud of what he alone had so far been able to achieve.

“Now I’d like to take a moment for all present to learn what these words mean. You may not have much skill in reading, but this may let you gain a kenning of where you stand.”

Titulus (Title): Lord, “The Black”, "Good".

Nomen (Name): James Douglas

Planum (Level): 6

Genus (Race): Homo

Ordo (Class): None

Aetas (Age): 38

Tribulatio Experincia (Tribulation Experience): 83/476

Sanitas (Health): 160

Magia (Magic): 200

Vigor (Stamina): 100

Praesto Attributa (Available Attributes): 18

Attributo:

Viribus (Strength): 15+

Agilitatum (Agility): 13+

Vitale (Vitality): 16+

Intelligenti (Intelligence): 13+

Wisdom: 10+

Lepos (Charisma): 14+

Fortuna (Luck): 18+

Fidem (Faith): 16+

Firmus (Will): 20+

Artium (Skills):

Ars Militaris (Tactics): 27

Scutum (Shields): 23

Athletica (Athletics): 53

Strategy (Strategy): 19

Lectio (Reading): 170

Natatio (Swimming): 18

Logisticus (Logistics): 21

Scriptio (Writing): 78

Mores (Manners): 40

Gladio (Swordsmanship): 28

Mathematics (Mathematics): 103

Magnanimitas (Chivalry): 29

Sagittariorum (Archery): 18

Gravis Armatura (Heavy Armor): 39

Sutura (Sewing): 7

Hastam (Spear-weilding): 31

Levis Armatura (Light Amor): 45

Pecus Agricultura: (Animal Husbandry): 52

Equitatio (Riding): 78

Gymnas (Unarmed combat): 30

Cura Rei Familiaris (Housekeeping): 3

Opus Metallum (Metal Working): 5

Ducis (Leadership):77

Sanitatum (Healing): 9

Fabrilius (Carpentry): 3

Restituo (Maintainence): 49

Venatione (Hunting): 45

Tribulatio Denarii (Tribulation Credits): 800

He had translated them for everyone and all present had opened their Statistics to check their own.

As Liam heard each word translated, he went through his own Statistics. It surprised him to see how comparatively low the numbers were.

Lady Tatania eyed the list of skills in annoyance. “I suppose this is what one gets from a lifetime of war and little time at home.” She folded her arms and glared at her husband, a small smile turning up a corner of her rosebud lip for a single moment.

That was enough of an opening for Lord James, and he leant in for a chaste kiss. Tatania, her eyes closed leaned forward, and her husband turned his head to land his mouth upon her lips. This kiss was less chaste, her surprise melting as she let it the moment linger.

Sir Keith coughed into his hand as chuckles sounded around the hall.

Lord James broke the kiss with a grin to his wife. His voice rose so all could hear.

“Then forgive my crass manner and uncontrollable desire when I look at you, my beloved wife. I have been in the company of rough men too long!” He bellowed a laugh, and she turned her head, feigning disgust. Her delicate nose pointing up as she folded her arms, falling back in the chair to sulk, before turning back to him to see him wink.

Her pretence at outrage brought gales of laughter from the gathering. Liam noticed that not all found joy in the scene. The priest and a few of the more pious townsfolk scowled in disapproval at the scandalous scene.

Grinning at his Lord and Lady’s obvious unshakeable love for each other, Liam sighed. He hoped one day to have a love just as deep reflected by another.

To distract his suddenly longing heart, he looked back to his Statistics. They sat there in his vision, mocking him with the Latin script he still could not understand. There was no way he could remember all of what Lord Douglas had said, and he wished they were in English. That way he could at least try to read them.

The vision blurred momentarily.

When he looked again, he could see that the shapes of many of the words had changed entirely. They looked much like the English words. He could make out Name and Writing immediately as he tried to read them. They were in English!

Well, most of them anyway. Liam saw that a few skills were not changing to English. Likely because the Lord did not have them.

Titles: *****, Page.

Name: Liam Lamberton

Level: 5

Race: Human

Class: None

Age: 13

Tribulation Experience: 127/381

Health: 50

Magic: 80

Stamina: 100

Available Attributes: 15

Attributes:

Strength: 8+

Agility: 9+

Vitality: 5+

Intelligence: 9+

Wisdom: 4+

Charisma: 12+

Luck: 22+

Faith: 13+

Will: 8+

Skills:

Sword: 3

Swimming: 1

Manners: 12

Tactics:2

Animal Husbandry: 7

Light Armor: 4

Riding: 1

Carpentry: 19

Chivalry: 4

Reading:1

Furtim: 4

Arboribus: 19

Writing: 0

Housekeeping: 10

Sewing: 12

Maintenance: 13

Athletics: 14

Mathematics: 1

Hunting: 4

Tribulation Credits: 0

After a moment of contemplation, he focussed on the statistics. He wished he could display them, so as to show off his success.

Before he knew it, they had appeared in front of him, displayed for all to see. The conversation at the table ceased as the noble's attention turned towards the glowing display.

“Husband, he somehow made them English!” She exclaimed. “How did you do that Liam?”

“I suppose I just wanted you to see them, Milady. It annoyed me I couldn’t read the Latin and wished that it would be English instead.” He said quietly, uncomfortable with the sudden attention.

Most of his statistics were now in English, and while he couldn’t read most of the words, at least he could make the attempt.

Lord James looked over his Statistics. “It seems some are still in the Latin.” he said.

“Ah, these do not appear in my Statistics. Perhaps that is the problem.” He read out the Latin, translating each of the words to English.

As he read, they changed to English as Liam understood their meanings. He still couldn’t understand the text fully, but he was learning to sound out the letters.

“It would be more simple if we could all manage that.” The lord mused.

Tatania read his name, and her hand gripped her husband's arm. “James,” she whispered. “Liam’s Sire-name!” she stopped for a moment, remembering herself.

Lord James nodded and stood, addressing all in the hall. “I suppose secrets have a way of becoming public knowledge, eventually.” He said to his wife. “Although I had hoped that this secret would remain so for a while longer.”

Lord Douglas turned to his page. “People will already know your last name and its significance. And soon, speculation will confirm in people's minds what is true, anyway. At least this way it shall be the truth, not merely a truth.”

He coughed as the other page boys began whispering to each other.

“Your Father was the man who gave me my spurs, trained me and was a brother to me since Englishmen murdered my father. I owe him, and now you a great deal.” He said.

He turned to Liam and bowed.

The page knew the bow was not to him, but to honor his mysterious sire.

“When your father came to me, he explained his failing and begged that I care for you.” The lord explained. “I knew I couldn’t keep you as your station requires without your father’s enemies in the Church and Clans coming for you.”

Liam stood holding the carafe, brow furrowed in confusion. “Lord, who is my father?” He asked.

Lord James smiled. “Your father was William de Lamberton,” he said sadly. “He was the Archbishop of St Andrews, Guardian of Scotland, and my Great Friend. Never fear, you are no natural son of a priest. Your father did indeed marry your mother, but sadly the poor lass died giving birth to you.”

Liam stood stunned as a multitude of questions bombarded his mind.

He was the son of a Guardian of Scotland? An Archbishop? How could he have married? He’d never known his parents! But why would someone send him away, what had he done wrong? Was it to hide the shame of a Bishop who couldn’t maintain his vows?

Liam's hands gripped the handle of the Carafe until his knuckles turned white. “You said he was your friend, Lord?” He said, his heart beating furiously.

“I am sorry to tell you Liam, your father passed away last year. At the time he married your mother, he was not a priest. It was a political situation, complex, and dangerous to speak of publicly, so I shall not go into it now.” He said. “Accept my apology. I should have brought you to the keep then, as the dangers of politics would no longer have mattered. Were I here, I would have, but my duties to King Robert took precedence.”

Liam nodded. “I give whatever forgiveness you feel owed, Lord, but you needn't ask it. You have already given me so much!" He said.

"If I may, Milord, I do have questions!”

“As would I lad.” Lord James said. “For the time being, know that you are now in your rightful place, under my protection, and shall receive all the honors of a trueborn son of a Lord of Scotland in time. You may not know, but your father owned a significant number of estates in Lanarkshire, as well as on the coast around Dundee and the Firth of Forth. The king manages them for you in gratitude to your father. You are quite the wealthy young man!”

Liam felt tears coming and bowed low to Lord Douglas.

That they would treat him so well. He thought.

Lord James looked at Liam’s still visible Statistics and frowned. He paused, displaying his own Statistics once more. This time they too were in English.

As he did so, Statistics were displayed around the room as Tradesfolk and Nobles alike attempted to change the language of the System. All were displayed in English. Colm was looking satisfied at his 19 attributes in Faith compared to the Priest, who quickly closed his own. Before he did, Liam glimpsed that the man only had 6 points there.

Fortunately for the Priest, few others had noticed.

“It appears we can alter this God given gift to our will.” He said, smiling at his page. “Well done, Liam. I believe I owe you another ten shillings!” A chuckle echoed through the hall from several townsmen.

The town priest scowled at the revelation of Liam’s sire. “As to the matter of the ‘boy’, my Lord,” he said, “it is up to the current Bishop to decide his legitimacy, and whatever inheritance he may be entitled to upon his majority. The excommunication of his father revokes all legitimacy from his marriage!” He smiled at Liam condescendingly, expecting Lord Douglas to remain out of what he considered a ecumenical matter.

Lord Douglas spun on the man. “SILENCE!” he reached out a hand, wishing to grab the fat priest by the throat. He restrained himself, however. “If you say one more word on this, I shall ensure you whipped. Not even your family shall save you, nor your position as a cleric. This is a temporal matter, as the lands were granted by the King, not the Church. Further, Bishop Lamberton inherited his own lands legitimately and willed them to his son. The King rules on these matters, not a priest, nor even the Vicar of Christ, Himself!”

The priest gulped. “As you wish it Lord, but I shall have to write to the Bishop about your lack of love towards servants of the Holy Mother Church.” He smirked, backing out of reach of the tall and well muscled lord.

“I must say, Lord, that the Church has also yet to determine whether God or some nefarious being pretending to His powers granted these ‘gifts’. Given that we mere mortal beings can now alter these gifts to our will, it would seem to me that these are, in fact, gifts given by the Devil!”

The townsmen muttered angrily, many crossing themselves.

Lord Douglas frowned angrily. “Do you suggest that because it is your personal belief? Or because you cease to be as useful to the townspeople now they can display their own attributes in their own tongue? I know for a fact you have had no messages from the Bishopric!”

The priest went silent. And a deep shade of crimson. “Apologies my lord, but until the Pope can be certain and guide his flock in these end times…” He trailed off.

Lord Douglas gave a snort. “We cannot even be sure if the Pope still sits on his throne as Vicar of Christ. We have had no word from Avignon. I surely hope he does and is kept safe by the Lords of France.” He crossed himself. “Mayhaps then we can receive some answers.”

The table was silent now, the mood utterly changed by the potential of direct guidance from the Vicar of Christ. The Papacy had moved to Avignon over a decade ago. The move occured after the French King swore to provide the Papacy sanctuary from the ongoing wars in Italy. The schism between the Guelphs who supported the Pope, and the Ghibbelines who supported the Holy Roman Emperor had been hard fought for over two hundred years.

Many nations were still divided in who to support.

The current Pope, John XXII was likely to favor whoever found it with the French King. But fortunately, King Robert was seen well by France due to the new Alliance. This was also why Scotland now had peace with the English.

The Lord of Douglas read the mood quickly and changed tack. “Now then, until we hear from the Bishops, or the Pope himself, we shall act as though these were gifts from our God and Savior." There were nods of agreement from the townsfolk and Men at Arms.

"Now if no one else has anything to say, onto the spoils of our hunt!” he said, and a low cheer sounded. A few of the more pious townsmen looked nervously at the priest to see if he would protest.

The Lord of Douglas continued. “I gathered all the Tribulation credits we collected from the hunt. We have 800 available to us! I have decided after consulting my wife and Sir Keith, that we shall use these for the betterment of all in Douglas.”

A murmur went up as the Men at Arms realized they would not have Tribulation credits as recompense for the hunt. The Lord smiled, understanding their disappointment. “To make it up to those courageous vassals who risked life and limb in gaining this boon, your rewards shall be in silver shillings to the same amount as the credits. I hope they are of more use to you than these."

He held up a Tribulation credit. The men all cheered as four servants carried two small chests of silver shilings into the room. The men forming a queue while Squire Iain doled them out.

"At least you know how to spend these!" he joked, causing the men to laugh.

Liam had no idea how much wealth the Lord of Douglas had at his disposal, but to spend 800 silver on his men would surely bankrupt most lords. Clearly Lord Douglas was either vastly wealthy or deeply generous.

“Now, to see what these Credits do!” Lord Douglas said, “Please! Come with me!” he beckoned his Men at Arms and the other guests outside.

Once they reached the bailey, the Lord opened his display for all to see. It was a price list of all the keep upgrades. While Liam couldn’t read them, he heard muttered comments from those around him.

“That says a gatehouse for 500!”

"There's a general store. I beg pardon, but do not take that Milord, it shall ruin my trade!" Someone said, pleading.

“This one says it will sanctify the grounds inside the Keep for 200!”

The priest muttered something about blasphemy at that.

The voices continued a moment before Lord Douglas held up his hands. “I have already decided on the first upgrade to our Keep.” He said, and a moment later the entire bailey glowed with a soft light. The light spread beyond the walls of the keep so that the clouds in the evening sky shone with reflected light from the land.

Moments later, a warm breeze swept through the bailey and the light dusting of frost from the once cool night disappeared.

“My wife and I discovered one upgrade that will benefit all the people of Douglas in the coming Tribulations. We do not know how far the effect extends, but the blight of weather or beast will influence our lands no longer.”

The Lady nodded, displaying a red vision so all could verify her words. Taking her Lord's offered arm, she tucked into him, clearly proud of his discovery and decision.

“Go tell the people that the Lord our God and the Lord of Douglas now protected the lands!” she said. “They shall see that crops no longer suffer plague, from the heat or cold, or from insect swarms. Our water will remain clean, and our skies will remain free of unnatural weather, and our homes free from wickedness and strife!”

A great cheer went up from those present. As the party returned to the dining hall of the keep, the jubilant atmosphere became subdued as the priest began regaling one townsman of the coming apocalypse in a loud voice. He spoke of dragons, and demons, of witchcraft and sorcery. As the jubilance of the mood died, Lord James leaned into the Priest’s ear and said something too low for anyone else to hear. The Priest’s face turned pale white, and he fell silent, staring at his plate.

As the Priest fell silent, conversation once more turned to discussions of the Tribulation system but the mood remained greatly subdued. It barely improved even when a runner burst into the hall to announce the lands surrounding the keep were already thawing.

The news was merely acknowledged as of interest by the townsmen, who turned once more to discuss of the tale of woe the Priest had spun. While the Lord had silenced the priest, little could stop rumors which told of the coming of the Dragon Satan, and the wicked words and powers it used to beguile innocents from the path of God. As they spoke, some small few dared to glare at Lady Tatiana and the Lord between sips of their cups and bites of food.

On a sullen note, the meal ended. Following the dire foretelling, many guests and even a few servants asked the priest to anoint them with holy oil.

Smugly satisfied that his importance to the townfolk was undiminished, the priest gladly took what little coin they could offer in exchange. His purse clinked full for this simple act.

Liam did not bother with the oil. He noted that Lord James also ignored the priest, as did Lady Tatania and the other nobles.

Much later in bed, Liam lay with eyes half-lidded at the door of sleep, when he realized that Lord James asked nothing of his subjects. In contrast to the priest, Lord James gave freely to his subjects.

Father Doreen always demanded recompense, even for a simple blessing.

Perhaps that is what it means to truly be noble. With that thought, he put all the Priests’ dire predictions and ire aside and slept the sleep of the content.