The Council's Request

Morning of the next day.

Max was woken up to the sound of roosters and bird songs. From outside the window he could begin to hear some of villagers preparing for their daily works. He sat up in bed, looked at his armor and spoke in mind to himself:

"Hmm... It's probably still too early to visit the council. I'll go train a little. There's a wooden post by the road - I asked the owner about it yesterday, turns out no one uses it. It should be a good training dummy."

And so he did as he said. Gearing up into his armor, Max stepped outside into the village's road. He began with a slow jog around the village, warming up his muscles and joints, exchanging greetings with local people. Than he arrived back and stood close to the wooden post, where he performed a short series of calisthenics.

Little by little, more villagers stopped by to watch him with curiosity in their eyes. Max stood up and began performing hand-to-hand sequences against the post. First a series of punches, than elbow strikes followed by kicks. The watching villagers seemed to be surprised seeing that. Then, after few sets, he drew his axe and shield. He practiced combinations using his axe, as he forgot about shield bashes, but each attack he stopped just before the wooden post, as he didn't want to break it. Aswell as he didn't want to damage his only weapon.

After few more rounds, he nodded with quiet satisfaction.

"That's a good wake up training" as he thougth and followed "I should take a few breathes and head to the council."

Just then, a familiar voice called out to him.

"Hey! What was that? That didn't look like a fight of a knight."

Max raised his hand greeting Thomas, lifted his visor and with slight surprise on his face.

"What do you mean? That was just a basic training. After waking up I thought it's a bit too early for the council, so I decide to train a little bit"

"Yeah, but those strikes... they were fast and deadly! No knight fights like that. Will you teach me someday?"

"Well, that's what strikes should be like, at least that's how I was taught. I won't show you anything now as I am going to visit the council, but I'll find you later and give a few tips. Actually... could you remind me where the council hall is?"

Thomas shown on his face some happiness and pointed to one of the larger buildings, explaining its location. Then, without hesitation, walked off in that very direction. As Max turned to follow, Saban passed by, with some impressed expression on his face.

"Don't mind him. He used to dream of becoming a knight as a kid. That was before he learnt the truth about them. It's been a while since I've seen him with such motivation and passion to learn something. You've got good moves... but you should straigthen your elbow, when you strike."

Then Saban too, headed toward the council hall.

"Thanks" Max replied, then paused as suddenly he thought

"How did he know my technique wasn't perfect?"

Outside the Council Hall.

Max stood in front of the most distinguished building in the village and the only one bearing heraldry. Just from the iconography, it was clear this is the place where the most important decisions were made.

"Knights often ruled villages like this... but I wonder how things work here?"

At the entrance, he noticed a small poster, it was an advertisement of upcoming tournament to be held during the summer solstice.

"A summer solstice... So finally there's at least one similarity here. But I don't even know what day it is now. Better to pretend I didn't see that and find a way to get information when it happens, as I have no idea what day it is now."

He stepped inside.

The Council Hall.

A modest hall stretched out in front of him. Several people from village stood gathered, while at the front there were nine wooden stands with chairs, though only seven were occupied. Each had a nameplate describing the role of the seated person:

At the middle - Village Head - Mira, the Herbalist.

An older woman. Her plate indicated that she handled relations with other villages and town.

Roland, to her right:

By looks about forty, the captain of the militia and former mercenary. Responsible for security.

Lysa, seated to Roland's right:

About the similar age of Roland, the owner of village's inn. Oversaw trade and transactions with other villages.

Thomas, furthest right:

Youngest member, representative of the village youth.

Saban, to Mira's left:

Around 50 years old, muscular and big man with a short beard. Village blacksmith. He oversee the resource needs for local economy.

Jan, to Saban's left:

Around 30. Farmer. Oversaw the farms and food supplies.

Nadia, furthest left:

Around 20, similar age to Thomas. A hunter's apprentice, also reprensting youth of village and additionialy the hunters.

Mira stood, formally opening the session.

Max raised his eyebrow in surprise.

"So it's just starting now... Were they waiting for me? It is also nice to see familiar faces among the members."

Mira welcomed the community, then greeted Max directly as he was the only guest of the village. She called for a report on security. Roland stood:

"Ahem. It's better than last month, although far from good. The festival celebrating summer solstice will happen in the coming days. I'm concerned bandit activity will increase and as you all know, I'll be escorting Sir Correnie to the tournament."

He sat, then Mira asked for the economic representatives. 

Lysa reported that additional council fund would be needed for beer and food, cause of the incoming festival. After her Saban added that nothing has changed regarding the materials. Jan stood up next, predicting that this year's harvest could surpass the last. Then Nadia stood, informing that animal movements in the forest has changed, probably disturbed by bandit presence.

In the end Thomas stood, looking at Max and said:

"Max, our guest, wishes to participate in the tournament. Normally, two council members approval would be enough and he has already 3 approvals: he has mine, Saban's and Lysa's. However, with current circumstances, the council wishes to request his aid. Roland is our only guard here and he would need some help against the mentioned bandits. In return, the council offers as reward some coins and a tournament participation letter. The request is made, as we have seen your training this morning. Max, do you accept this task?"

Max, slightly surprised, gave a polite bow and answered:

"Honorable council and good people of Stone's Edge. It would be my pleasure to help you against the bandits. You've given me a room to sleep in without payment and a warm meal. I'd be glad to repay your kindness and hospitality."

Since there were no subjects requiring a vote, Mira closed the session and she went to greet some of the people whom stood nearby Max. As the other council members left their seats to hold an idle chatter with others, Roland gave Max a nod and approached him at a slow speed.

"Good moves... for a 'guest' " he said with arrogant tone and unreadable emotion on his face . "But such moves are good against a not moving object, it's not same against a living being."

Max smiled and answered:

"Do not worry, they were just simple basics. Sometimes, one clean hit is enough."

Roland narrowed his eyes, looking at Max.

"Tomorrow at dawn. The field between the village and the ruins. You and me. Nothing formal just a sparring. The other members might trust you, but if I'm about to put my life in danger alongside you, I need to see what you can do. So I can trust you in a real mission."

He turned, then added over his shoulder:

"And don't forget to move your shield. Not just that axe of yours."

Max nodded, a slight excitement appeared on his face and his eyes.

"Finally! A real sparring match. Let's see what techniques they use in this world."