Shantania/Supports/ArgurBrenick

Level 1

Brenick's day so far has consisted primarily of counting small change, and registering the caravan's income. The work is tedious and mind-numbing, yet only Brenick - the self-proclaimed Wagonmaster - dares subject himself to it. Brenick shifts his gaze from the coins in front of him to the ledger to his right, and is suddenly greeted with the hulking shape of Argur in his peripheral vision. Brenick nearly falls out of his seat at the bench, but maintains composure well enough to avoid knocking over his work. "You could clear your throat or something!"

"I am deeply sorry." Argur's husky voice is a confusing contrast to his oddly well-mannered speech. "Another passenger told me that you are the Wagonmaster. Am I correct?"

"Yes, that's right." While Brenick speaks calmly, his heart rate continues at its breakneck pace.

"I must ask of you a favor. I am in search of knowledge, specifically things that I might read to pass the time." Argur reaches a massive fist into one of the comparatively small pockets of his trousers. "I am willing to pay."

"Keep your money. We have books in the caravan, but they're not the sort you need to pay for. Uh...ask the girl five carts back, I think. She's in charge of our library, such as it is."

"Understood, Wagonmaster."

"And hey, maybe next time, don't sneak up on me like that? I almost thought you were gonna kill me."

"I hope you will forgive my mistake, Wagonmaster."

"Call me Bren, will you?"

"Perhaps on a later occasion, Wagonmaster." Argur slips out the door with surprising ease.

Level 2

As Brenick inscribes the day's take into his ledger, there is a soft tap at the door. "Come on in, Lynia," he calls, but the person at the door is as far from Lynia as it is possible to be; he stands taller than the doorframe by at least a head, and his face is only visible because he is crouching in front of the door. "A-Argur. Did you need something?"

"I would like to ask your opinion of a particular volume that I found in the library cart," Argur begins, as he ducks the doorframe to enter the cart.

"Which one?"

"The lineage of the Caynean noble families. I am fascinated by their history."

"The lineage of...hmm, I'm not sure I know that one, what's it about?"

"I think you'll find, Wagonmaster, that you may already be well familiar with this subject." Argur extracts the tome in question from a leather pouch and hands it over. As Brenick looks it over, Argur notes his face turning bright red.

"Uhh...Argur, are you sure you got this from the library?" Bren carefully tucks the book into the drawer of his desk and locks it.

"It was in one of the boxes. You had referred me to a girl who was in charge of the books, and she handed that one to me."

If it were possible for Bren's face to turn any more red, it would. "Blood and ashes, this goes further than I thought." He looks Argur in the eye, which requires that he tilt his head back almost further than he can manage. "Argur, the contents of that book...you must promise me to speak of them to NOBODY."

"I am not sure why. I would expect a man of your background to be proud of his lineage--"

"You MUST promise. Not a word, or I forbid you from touching our books in the future." Argur does not understand why Brenick is so insistent about keeping his parentage a secret, but he has no choice but to agree with a nod. "Good then, Argur. I'd encourage you to go read something else, but I need to speak with my librarian...in case there are more of those in our collection."

Level 3

Another day on the road has passed, and Brenick prepares to retire to his cart for the evening, but as he opens the cart door, he finds Argur already sitting in his chair and nearly stumbles off of the steps. "Gods, Argur! What is it now?"

"Come in, Wagonmaster, I've been expecting you." Argur crosses his legs. "Or should I call you Lord Brenick of House--"

Brenick rushes to Argur and places a hand over his mouth. "Argur. Do not speak that name." He finds his arm being forced away by one of Argur's considerable fists.

"Wagonmaster, I have spent most of my life reading about the old heroes, nobles, royalty and leaders. I see no reason to be ashamed of such a status."

"Then clearly, Argur, you haven't heard the whole story. My heritage is not one to be proud of. It would bring only hatred and distrust."

"I would hear more, if you feel you have the time."

Brenick takes a quick peek out his door. Satisfied that nobody is listening, he closes the door quietly and sits on his cot. "Caynea's House Fauleen is not a house to hold in high regard. Most of our allies on this wagon train hail from the northern nations, especially the Rigan nomads. Caynea...does not think much of them."

"Our leader also hails from Caynea, does she not?"

"She is an exception. Lynia objects to Caynea's annexations, and that is why she sides with us. But House Fauleen has supported the invasion since the beginning. There is a certain oasis north of Caynea that is constantly attacked and claimed for one side or another. Since Caynea is the only major nation that needs the water from the oasis, other countries - and groups of bandits - always look to claim the oasis, so they may profit from the desert nation's needs."

"Which is why the kingdom must permanently annex the oasis for the good of its people, correct?"

"That's what Lord Fauleen said, and by extension, what King Bermand believed. But the oasis is at least some hundred miles from Caynea itself. It's too expensive and difficult to expand the kingdom that far north."

"I am beginning to see why such an annexation is difficult to make permanent, Wagonmaster, but I do not quite understand the objection."