Richard rubbed his hands along his clean-shaven head and sighed. Men who should be dead were coming back out of nowhere. Vadin was up in the Tower looking like a man who should be dead. Master Arigan had shown up after being presumed dead, but had made no note about the fact Ricahard sat behind his desk. Word from his scouts said that Andor and the newly reborn Manetheren were at high tension and a single spark could ignite a war.

And the knock at the door was almost the breaking straw to Richard's alloted patience for the day. The news the Tower Guard had brought with him was. Richard stood up so fast that his chair smashed into the wall behind him and the Tower Guard cringed.

"HE SAID WHAT!?" Richard bellowed.

"Sir," the young man stammered, "He said to let yourself and the Amrlyn seat know he was here sir."

"Has anyone been sent to Mother?"

"No sir, I was going after this."

"Good. You take one step closer to her office from here and you'll be floating up river to help the Border Lands before you knwo what day it is. You understand me?"

"Yes sir," the guard got out, his face the portrait of fear.

"Good," Richard said, his face looking like anger sculpted in stone. "Now, lets go see this young noble who thinks his presence is worth note to Mother."

Richard stormed down the path, more of a road really, to the main gate of the Tower. There stood the young lark, looking more rugged then Richard had expected. He didn't seem to be a lad proned to vice or frivelousness. Still, he was definitly a noble as was apparent by his clothes and shined armor.

"You boy," Richard said harshly, "You're coming with me. Yes, I know who you are. Doesn't hold much sway here. You don't like it, I'm sure your life back in Andor will gladly have a strong sword arm back. Now come on, I don't have time for dwadlers. And what's your name boy? Titles don't do much for me."

Richard started back to his office without looking back to make sure the young lark was following. If he wanted to be trained as a warder, he'd do it like everyone else, on his own merit.

Edited by: Rodgin Kemph at: 2/3/06 2:34 pm