[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/6kJtbD3.png[/img]
[h3][color=EB5406]~Part 1~[/color][/h3][/center][hr][hr]
Two weeks… Two weeks had gone by since his tribe found sanctuary amongst the home of those they once called ‘enemy’. Aleksi absentmindedly swirled the frothy ale in his cup, idly chewing on a feast of hard bread roll and a bit of dried goat. His eyes mirrored the flicker of the tavern flames as the barbarian leader warmed himself by the hearth. He looked around the bar, taking in the few faces that were there, before briefly settling on the two conversing at a nearby table, namely the purple man. The sight of a Blightborn sitting at the same table as a human was something he wasn't sure he could get used to, but could he be blamed? For so long fighting and survival were all his people knew, to finally know some comfort and peace felt surreal. This was not a fairy tale though, and the transition to this new life presented its own challenges.

For the most part, people got straight to work, assisting wherever they were needed as laborers and hands. Food had been rationed as promised and housing had been offered to them within a few days. While there was some initial skepticism, his people accepted that it would be far safer to migrate within the town walls. The difficulty itself lay in the social and cultural norms between his people and Dawnhaven’s denizens. Words and actions that might be meaningless to one group could just as easily offend another. For now Aleksi and his more trusted members have been able to keep the tribe in line, making it very clear that any aggressive actions would be met with punishment. Only one had attempted to cross the line Aleksi had drawn and he cut their finger for it.

Aleksi knew he could not subvert decades of hatred within a few short weeks, but he had to try, and for the sake of the tribe he had to succeed. The barbarian closed his eyes, feeling the weight of leadership upon his breast, the worry of banishment for even one slip-up on his shoulders. He couldn't afford to be soft with them, not right now, not when so much was at stake and yet lately he found himself asking, what would Ivor do?[hr][center][h3][color=EB5406]~~~ 2 Weeks Earlier ~~~[/color][/h3][/center]
Aleksi’s eyes opened, the cacophony had grown to raucous conditions as everyone arrived at the town center. The masses had been segregated between a wall of guardsmen for safety; on one side the denizens of Dawnhaven, on the other his people. It was a wise decision as tension weighed heavily in the air and the only things standing between the two groups were steel and a promise.

Aleksi stood before them all, Orion at his side along with several other key figures from both groups. The prince and his wife had so graciously made an appearance along with their guards and commanders.  As promised Orion had both priestesses attend to act as divine witnesses to his oaths. From his entourage, his most trusted warriors, Fífill and Björn along with the village shaman would bear witness to his words. Finally the translator stood nearby, though her posture seemed off and he couldn’t quite tell where her legs ended.

The advisor beckoned him forward and the two approached a hastily erected platform. As Orion addressed the citizens and his tribe, Aleksi took a moment to observe the people around him, his eyes quickly scanning the crowds. Looking at the general public, it wasn't hard to determine that people were scared and confused.

The priestesses mirrored their goddesses, where one appeared frail and feeble, the other appeared powerful and ever present. 

The translator he determined to be a Blightborn as there were no visible footprints in the smooth trail she left in her wake.

Aleksi caught the Prince’s gaze only once; steely, determined and very much like his own.

Finally his eyes wandered over something he hadn’t expected to see, someone who he had already seen die once before. A  tall and unmistakable figure stood off in the distance, watching from afar. In this moment, Aleksi was one ghost bearing witness to another, his gaze narrowing as he locked onto the giant form of Ivor, The Wild. A flood of emotions welled within him, relief, anger, joy and grief, but they were quashed the moment Orion grabbed his attention.

The moment was brief, but it was enough and as soon as Aleksi turned his head back the giant had vanished. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and turned his attention back to the matter at hand, finding Ivor could come later. Answers to long awaited questions could come later; right now, the tribe needed Aleksi, not Ivor. The barbarian stepped forwards and addressed the crowd, [color=EB5406]“My name is Aleksi,"[/color] he enunciated clearly [color=EB5406]"My tribe and I, we come in peace…”[/color]. He then recited the same oaths he’d given to the blightborn advisor behind closed doors.[hr][hr]
[sub]Mentions: Orion [@Qia], Flynn, Eris [@The Muse], Sya [@PrinceAlexus], Amaya, Tia [@c3p-0h], Kat [@SpicyMeatball][/sub]