After spending a few hours watching and listening to the room and Dramix telling Peter what’s happened since he was gone, he was caught up well enough to figure out two and two. Dramix then suddenly stopped because he noticed that a brawl had started near the end of the table. He then lifted his spear and tapped it on the hard stone floor one time before the noise echoed through the hall.
“There will be peace in my house! If you want to fight, fight outside!” (Dramix)
The people that were fighting stopped brawling as soon as they heard the noise. They then looked at each other to decide if their reason to fight was worth continuing outside.
After that moment passed, they broke off and went their separate ways to get more food and drink. After seeing the conclusion, Dramix leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.
“I’m starting to get too old for this.” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix then suddenly opened his eyes as the large doors on the other end of the hall flew open, causing snow to pour in. Three Drakans had entered, two men and a woman. The people that were brawling earlier walked over to them with several pieces of food and pitchers of drinks in their hands.
“What’s this?” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix looked at them without moving as he spoke to Peter once again.
“The story’s different, but the tale is the same. They have nowhere to go and aren’t too proud to ask for help. Most of the people here know about them as well, so watch and see.” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
As he was speaking, one of the males grabbed a piece of bread from the female’s bowl. He was then forced to get up from his seat with the other Drakans because the people that were feeding them led them towards Dramix. As soon as they were just a foot away from him, the escort stopped and the three Drakans dropped to their knees.
“Tell me your names.” (Dramix)
The one in front lowered his head even further and the other two followed his lead.
“I’m Jokon, revered housemaster. This is my brother Guinee and my sister Ronilda. We came from the eastern gulch where we worked as potato farmers until we lost everything because of taxes. I and my brother have strong bodies, while I know numbers. We can work for you in your fields and my sister can wash your things.” (Jokon)
Dramix leaned forward.
“I don’t need to know what you can do. If I decide to let you in, I will see for myself if you’re worth it. I also didn’t ask you to speak for all three. I asked for each of you to say your own names.” (Dramix)
The one in front lowered his head even further and the other two followed his lead once again.
“Now, say your names!” (Dramix)
Jokon then repeated his and the other two did the same. Dramix leaned back before speaking.
“Now, tell me why you’re here Ronilda” (Dramix)
She became hesitant and was about to rise before Jokon interrupted.
“Housemaster, surely you don’t want a…” (Jokon)
Jokon paused finding the bottom of the spear Dramix held on the top of his head slowly put there.
“I didn’t say you could speak.” (Dramix)
Jokon lowered his head once again as Ronilda stood up.
“I came with my brothers because I thought that I might be able to stay away from the clutch dens.” (Ronilda)
Dramix then lifted his spear from her brother’s head.
“So, instead of a small village’s den, you’re risking it for a big city one?” (Dramix)
Dramix then set his spear down right next to Jokon on the ground to make a point.
“Yes.” (Ronilda)
Dramix chuckled.
“For a woman to have that kind of courage… I commend you. There just might be a place here for you after all.” (Dramix)
“Thank you.” (Jokon)
Dramix was expecting him to say that, so he brought his spear under Jokon’s chin and made him rise.
“Don’t assume that if I let her in you’ll be let in as well. ” (Dramix)
Dramix then saw Jokon nervously swallow before Ronilda swatted the spear away.
“Don’t hurt my brothers. They’re all I have.” (Ronilda)
Dramix lowered his spear.
“Then what will you do for me to accept them?” (Dramix)
Ronilda noticed that she was back on her feet as she grabbed her thin arm and looked away.
“Anything.” (Ronilda)
Dramix shoved his spear toward her before giving her an ultimatum.
“Kill one of them. I’ll accept you and the one you spare.” (Dramix)
She then took a step back before shaking her head.
“I can’t. I won’t kill any of my brothers.” (Ronilda)
Peter noticed that Dramix’s grin returned. Dramix then shoved his spear toward the other brother before giving him the same ultimatum.
“Kill one of them and I’ll accept you and the one you spare” (Dramix)
He looked away angrily before speaking.
“I would rather kill you and be killed in retaliation.” (Guinee)
Dramix almost laughed because of his spirit. Before he did though, he spun the spear to have the tip of it on Jokon’s neck once again.
“I can see it in your eyes that you would kill one of them to save yourself and the other. I’m not sure about the exact reason, but I can see that you would.” (Dramix)
Dramix withdrew his spear once again and leaned it against his chair.
“I’ve decided to take in each of you. Ronilda, you have a fearless and caring spirit. If your mind is as sharp as you taking action, then I will see to it that you join my caravans that go to the kingdoms on other lands. My trade master will also find you a place if you so choose. Guinee, you’re an angry spirit, but you’re controlled. You let your actions speak for you even if you don’t want them to. I’ll see to it that you’re trained by the warriors of my house if you so choose. Jokon, you’re intelligent and cunning, but you don’t know how to be humble or not be the center of attention. You’re also clearly the oldest of the three. I thought about a few perfect places to put you, but I think that the most appropriate place for you to work would be my potato farm since you seem fond of it. Of course, that’s if you choose to stay and consider it.” (Dramix)
Dramix then looked up at everyone around them.
“Let us accept our newest bodies and become friends. Stand up one and all and raise your glass.” (Dramix)
Suddenly, every Drakan that was sitting down, including Dramix, stood up with a drink in their hand. There were a few without, but that was soon fixed. After they drank their drinks, they all sat down again and the three siblings turned towards Dramix.
“The person sitting over there with the funny hat is Master Handa. She will see you Ronilda.” (Dramix)
Ronilda looked at her siblings worriedly.
“You’ll be back together again later. For now, learn about your new colleagues.” (Dramix)
Ronilda nodded before walking over to Master Handa.
“Guinee, my two masters at arms are at the end tables. Get to know them both because they’ll be seeing if you’re worthy of being a warrior or not.” (Dramix)
Guinee then embraced his brother before walking down the length of the fire again.
Dramix paused before looking at Jokon, not entirely sure about him.
“Draama, take him to the kitchen and see if they need another person to wash dishes.” (Dramix)
