Thordic’s Recounting of Pirates Plunder

A large man sits on a small hill that overlooks the peaceful ocean, but he isn’t lost in the beauty that it offers, and instead his eyes are fixated on the massive army that stands across a field. A summons was sent to his wife, Lucia, and she was honor bound to accept it. Sergeant Brannith Marius had requested her assistance with protecting the town of Aquitania from ruffians, and pirates. She brought the request to her husband, Thordic, and he accepted without hesitation, but many think he accepted it for the challenge of battle. The truth of it all is that Thordic would give his very life for his wife, and he has never been able to deny her anything.

He mobilized the small Black Root Clan, and when they arrived at the town of Aquitania, they found first hand why they were struggling so much. It was plagued with pirates, and so-called freedom fighters. They opposed the taxation the Remans were asking, and paying taxes isn’t something that Thordic really cared for, but he couldn’t deny what the Remans had brought to the town. Hot showers, fresh water, and comfy beds, but he also couldn’t hold grudges against those who didn’t like the taxes they were having to pay.

It’s a slippery slope when dealing with politics, but he didn’t have time to sort through the nonsense of it all, and was quickly thrusted into service under the Remans. Sargent Brannith greeted them at the entrance of the town, and showed them around. He put them under the command of General Marcus Aemilius Severus, and the general appointed Lucia as first spear. She was given command of a very small group that would escort the tax collections to the barracks, and also provide protection to the town.

Thordic, and a few others were sent to gather the taxes that had been collected, but rumors spread that someone was planning to kidnap the general’s wife, Valeria Domitia Aemiliana, and with that the burly barbarian was left to keep her safe while the others reported back to the general of the planned abduction of his wife.

While on watch the pirates came, but the barbarian wasn’t going down without a fight, and with axe in hand he stood against the small group of four. Moving the shield from one he cut deep into the shoulder of one enemy, but while his focus was set on ending one, another stabbed him in the back, and they left him for dead. They acquired what they were after.

He was wounded, but still made his way back to the general to report his shame of losing focus, and being taken advantage of. His bloodlust takes control when in battle, and it’s not something he is proud of, but it’s also something he can’t control.

He found the general on the road, and he explained what had happened to his wife. The general was on the march to save her, and Thordic was all too eager to join him in the fight, but the general refused to take him. The general told him that he would be a great asset in the battle, but he was wounded, and needed to seek healing. It was the first Reman that wasn’t his wife to make Thordic feel wanted, and with that Thordic did as the general commanded.

He retreated to the barracks where his wife tended to his wounds, and he told her what happened against the pirates. It wasn’t long before the general returned to the barracks with news of defeating the pirates, but he had to be healed from the battle. Lucia was sent on patrol with her small group of men, and as she left Thordic was alone with the general.

The two of them spoke about times of old, and the battles they had endured, but their rest was short lived as an elf came seeking entrance to the barracks. He talked with pretty words that would’ve worked on others, but Thordic didn’t care for pretty words. The elf said that his small band of adventures slayed all the shades, and was given a key, but he couldn’t provide proof when asked for it.

While the elf, and the general spoke, Thordic realized that some dwarves came, and marveled at the banner of the Remans. They were too close to the flag, and that’s when the wounded barbarian came to speak to them, but they weren’t interested in conversation, and quickly retreated away from the barracks. It wasn’t long before they came back with sellswords.

The wounded general, and barbarian stood against the small force, but were overcome by their numbers, and the banner was stolen. The anger was swelling inside Thordic as he lay on the ground for a second time in defeat, and his bloodlust was about to get the better of him. He could feel his muscles tightening, his teeth were clenched, and he was full of rage, but Lucia came. She touched the side of his face, and whispered how proud she was of him.

Thordic thought himself a failure. He was commanded to protect the general’s wife, but she was taken. Then he was asked to defend the barracks, and then it was attacked. He couldn’t even die right, but to hear the praise of his wife was enough to soothe his savage spirit, and bring him back to peace. Sargent Brannith came upon hearing the banner was stolen, but Thordic was sent to check on the taxes, and that’s when the big battle happened. The Remans wanted to build a bridge, but the freedom fighters weren’t going to allow that to happen. Thordic missed the battle, but found out that the freedom fighters managed to stop the bridge, and negotiations happened over the taxation. Knowing that he missed a big battle was infuriating, but there was nothing that could be done for it now, and he returned to the barracks to find that the Sargent was now going to attack to reclaim the lost banner. The battle was fierce, but the Remans just didn’t have the numbers to drive the enemy back, and they were forced to retreat. Thordic stood as a defense while the others retreated, but he didn’t do it for anyone other than his wife. Once Lucia was safe the barbarian then made his escape, and now he waits for the Remans to decide when he can get his revenge for all the disgrace he brought to his clan. He will wash the tarnish of his defeats clean with his enemies’ blood, and his clan will become all the stronger for it.