[center][h2][color=aba000]The Aedelfarri - Turn 3[/color][/h2][/center]

[Hider=Order Summary]
[b]Event[/b]: Eric heads further into the forest, accepting the invitation of whoever is commanding the trees.
[b]Town order[/b]: D/X - Improve culture and assist in the event diplomacy of the event. The town choir of Waebury is formed in an attempt to display musical power to the musician of the forest. The aim is to back up Eric when he meets whoever leads the forest creatures, showing him in a position of power when he arrives and in a way that the forest creatures might understand. It will also hopefully improve morale as the Aedel people can feel that they are assisting Eric in his adventure and not just waiting for their leader to return. This is also the first official religious gathering for them in the new lands, the church of Dow is announcing its arrival.[/hider]  

A tense silence descended on the clearing in the forest as Eric and his companions watched in rapt attention as the bear that had lead them in here worked an art of carving that would have made many of the young craftsmen among the Aedels envious. Much like the carvings they had seen before the antlered Deermen were the most prominent. Then the rest began to become clear. Deer, wolf, bear, tree, man. Their message was clear enough in Eric's eyes. The Aedels would be welcome enough to exist in these woods but they were considered the lowest of the low, beneath even the trees! 

Emotions fought each other in Eric's chest. As a king and a man of the Aedelfarri he was conflicted... should he be insulted by being considered so low by these damnable fey or to relish the challenge of proving them wrong and placing his carving at the top of this totem. 

"They're letting us go. The light grows dim, we should return to Waebury, Sire." Came the voice of one of his warriors, breaking Eric from his thoughts. 

That would have been the safe thing to do but as had already been established, Eric did not consider the safe path to be the one that lead to glory. He would not return to Waebury with no prize to speak of but a carving that proved his existence! He would find this hidden musician and at the very least speak with them as one ruler to another and make this creature's intentions clear. At the very best he might be able to gain an ally or trade partner to help bolster the fledgling state of Waebury. If they would not allow him to leave... then he would make his ancestors and the angels proud. 

"I am going forward. Those without the courage to follow their king may return, but the expect no share of the glory in what may follow. Those who stay I would proudly call brothers in my house and may call themselves Huscarls of the king." That was when an idea came to him and he took one of the youngest among them by the shoulders. "Except you lad, you shall be my messenger. Return to our people and tell them this from me,"

[center][b]Back in Waebury[/b][/center]

The earthen settlement of Waebury was abuzz with the return of Eric's messenger. The king had been gone for some time and he had sent word that he would still not be returning. Instead he had sent word back asking that the Aedel's of Waebury stand with him as he descended into the lair of the forest master. That was something that took a lot of the Aedels by surprise and put a fright into many of them who were too old or too young to pick up a spear and run into a strange forest of magics. 

But that was not what Eric had asked for... he sent word asking that his people pray for him. It sounded so strange to them, as if Eric had accepted defeat and asked that they beseech the angels to guard his soul. Joyous indeed were they when they were told that it was quite the opposite. Their king asked them to assemble on the site of his future hall at the top of the small hill and sing to the heavens. To sing their joy at finding their new home, to sing their pride in being children of Aedelfarr and most importantly, to sing the praises of the angels so that they might take heed and rain their blessings down on Waebury and her king. 

The words that would survive history were said to be something like: "Let your voices rise to the heavens my people! Let the angels themselves hear your praise and let them be so enamored of our choir that they are no less than compelled to descend from their clouds and join us. And as to these spirits of the woods that would see us bow in their shadows... let us answer them in kind. As they greet us with musics then let us do the same! Let the music of the Aedelfarri soar over their tree tops and answer their own. As I walk through the glades to be your voice, let your voice be my strength! You are with me, my people! With each note you shall walk by my side and these lands shall know that they are not dealing with some mere scavengers washed up by the sea. So says Eric, so say the Aedelfarri!"

So went his message and so did the people answer. Old master Ecgberht, the last remaining philosopher and priest of Dow's church that was left to the diminished clan of the Grass Dogs took up his beloved tome of the divine and lead the people in prayer. Song had been a long used way of the Aedels to preserve their history in sagas and festivals, it was only natural that when the priests of Dow came from the East they would adapt their oral tradition into their own worship. The entire town of Waebury walked up the hill that afternoon in the orange glow of coming dusk. Young and old, man and woman would join in this act of support and display of spiritual power. 

Eric and his small band continued to walk into the forest heart and it fell to the winds to carry the sounds of worship with them as each clutched their talismans to their hearts as each asked his angel to watch over him. 

Whatever came of this, the people of Waebury at least would remember the first time their choir formed and would tell stories of the day they came together to form 'The shield wall of faith' was formed.