Role

Chapter 11

Duty
Added Fri Jan 20 22:11:46 2023 at level 51:

After a time Athald rose from his chair, slung the lute's strap over his
shoulder and retrieved his gray rain coat from the peg where he had hung
it earlier. He paused when he passed Hanigan, who was still seated, on
his way to the door, and placed a hand on the old Sea Captain's shoulder.
Hanigan said nothing, but lifted his arm to place his hand over Athald's.
He left it there for a brief moment, before removing it and releasing
him to go, which he did.

Outside the weather had grown cold and frost had begun to form on the
cobblestones of the street. A beggar was huddled nearby in a doorway,
shivering under his ragged blanket in a futile attempt to escape the cold.
Athald lay the gray cloak across the man and pressed a few silver into his
palm before turning south toward the city center. At first he walked
unsteadily, as one might who'd had too much to drink, but with each step
his back straightened and his stride grew more confident.

The wistful smile which had made its way onto his face lasted a little
while longer, but only a little while. He closed his eyes when it began
to fade, as if to commit the moment to memory, before opening them again
with a look of grim determination. Wings of white flame blossomed behind
him as he set down the lute and hefted a shining mace in its place.

He was once again Athald: Marshall. And he had a job to do.