[center][h2]Sir Garrett[/h2][/center]
[center][i]Themerlinhawk[/i][/center]


Sir Garrett listened intently purposefully refusing to touch his food until she had finished her story. At the mention of growing up behind walls and eating soft food he smiled sheepishly. The comments about walls and food had not be meant as demeaning it had simply been a story to give perspective on why he was the way he was. Now it seemed as though he’d put her on something akin to the defensive with his comments on living and how he’d personally grown up. While he’d enjoyed his youth it had been rough, dangerous, and uncomfortable. Not something he’d personally have wished on anyone else. 

As Marianne switched over to talking about her training and her siblings Sir Garrett folded both his arms over themselves on the tabletop and leaned forward ever so slightly in interest at the mention of her training. [i]So they lean magic as Knights? Fascinating.[/i] At the mention that both her brothers had not been able to complete the training he raised an eyebrow and took another look at the woman in front of him. [i]Clearly I have underestimated you again.[/i] It wasn’t as though he’d thought she was incompetent, but knowing she was the only of her three siblings to actually complete their training was impressive. 

At her explanation of Paul, Sir Garrett frowned fully. [i]Your family denies the honor of Knight to someone who would refuse to learn magic? That seems rather absurd. Perhaps the trails were designed specifically to be only overcome with magic.[/i] Sir Garrett kept his face carefully schooled away from the look of disgust he was sure he’d have flashed at the thought if he hadn’t been paying attention to the thought. 

 Continuing to listen he nodded along with her explanation of her other brother. [i]Sounds like he was a Keeper, and a true Keeper at that.[/i] Carefully holding his tongue until she was finished he made note to mention to her his suspicions of what John might be. [i]Amazing how the world isn’t so different from home. Guess I’m not in such a foreign land.[/i] At the question about if he wanted a drink it shook him from his thoughts. “Yes, please. Thank you.” Pushing his goblet into range of the maid he sat back a bit from the table before bending back to his food. With a few quick cuts he sectioned the pork before taking a bite and finishing it. 

“You know. This meat is a bit strange to me. It always comes off a much sweeter than the other things that are eaten here. Of course now that I know what sort of animal it comes from it makes a whole lot more sense.” Sir Garrett chuckled at the memory of the first time he’d seen a pig. It had been a rather interesting experience seeing an animal that was so damn fat. He’d come into contact with boars prior to his arrival in Thaln; however the domestic pigs had been a surprise. 

“Your brother John. My people call him a Keeper; they are some of the most honored and valued members of our culture.” Taking another bite he washed it down with the water before he continued with the rest of his explanation. “Some of the most powerful magic users born to us are most often frail children. Children you would next expect to be born to the parents they are born to. We are taught by our elders and Shamans, if a clan requires one, that Keepers are born frail because their strength was used to contain and control the magic they are born with. 

Adjusting Sir Garrett paused as it dawned on him that he was treading on dangerous ground as far as part of his own history was concerned. “When a Keeper is born it is celebrated and the others who are within fours years of age of the Keeper are introduced to them and they are told that it is their responsibility to make sure that the chores the Keeper would normally be given are taken care of. This usually isn’t that big of an issue as a Keeper usually has siblings but the practice exists because occasionally a Keeper is an only child which can be difficult on the parents. While the rest of a Keeper’s peers are taught to hunt, fight, and ride; Keepers are taught to control and use their magic in a limited fashion. They are also taught to read and write as well as the history of our people so they may teach future Keepers. Most often when outsiders meet a Clan they will deal directly with our Keepers, Elders and Chieftains. It is for this reason, many of us lack skill in reading, writing and diplomacy. Let alone the fact that we speak our own language.”

Taking another bite before he continued he let what he’d said sink in. Hoping she didn’t ask the obvious question. “Occasionally Keepers are called on to use their magic in service of a Clan; we call these Keepers a Shaman. Someone who can freely use their magic to assist the Clan’s leaders. More often than not is because we need some sort of divination, however sometimes it is because a clan needs to go to war, or if a Barrow becomes too deadly for the clans warriors to deal with. Sir Garrett trailed off at the last reason. “We are taught that magic is occasionally required but that it is not a gift but a burden. It is a way to cheat the way things are meant to be done. Keepers are not gifted but are given a truly titanic test which they must live their life in a particular way in order to prevent bad things from happening. This is why the clan honors them because they are the strongest of all of us.” With that Sir Garrett fell silent as he continued to eat. Until now his gaze had wandered but it had always returned to Marianne. Now it was carefully trained on his plate. 


[@harinezumikouken]