Congratulations to Baron Torben

[Ivarenna]

Ivarenna extends her congratulations to Baron Torben on his promotion to Warlord of the Snake Pipe Dancers!

[Quatlu]

I take pen in hand to write my sincere congratulations to you, Baron Torben, for your successful rise in rank to the position of Warlord of the Snake Pipe Dancers Regiment. Baron, you are a military solid leader with a strong magic ability which will serve your regiment well. May Orlanth guide your steps and bring you and your regiment the sweet taste of victory in the future.

[Torben]

Tilting his chair against the backwall of the Commander's Office, within the barracks of the Snakepipe Dancers, young Baron Torben gave a pleasurable sigh as he kicked off both boots and sprawled his legs across the desk in front of him.

On that very same desk sat two most unexpected but thoroughly welcome letters from Baroness Ivarenna, a very important lady who held both the position of Rune Lord & Assistant Rune Lord in mighty cults, and Bvt Warchief / Commanding Officer of the Royal Footguards Quatlu Carasilson! These two fine folk had written to him extolling their praise for his recent success / efforts in securing command of the Snakepipe Dancers, along with recognition of his martial exploits at the Front. High merit indeed to attract the attention and plaudits of such Boldhome dignitaries!

There was just one small, wee, tiny nagging doubt though at the back of young Torben's mind.....as much as he admired the great Quatlu, a renown warrior and strategist in his own right.....this Qualtu had just cut in half his previous Free Philosophers regimental commander, brave Baron Fionn, clean in half.....dropped him on the spot during a duel at....THE ORLANTH TEMPLE....a place where Torben was a frequent attendee in his capacity as a Orlanthi God Talker. The reason for the duel, against one of his own tribe, one of his own cult colleagues, a fellow warrior in arms of King Argrath, was over some ridiculous issue of perceived social snobbery, that poor Baron Fionn took offence because great Quatlu was held in higher regard, despite not being titled.....cost poor Fionn his life....end of.....all over that!! What good will perceived snobbery do him now eh?! However, that was where that small, wee, tiny, nagging doubt crept in because the great Quatlu was miles ahead of him socially, thoroughly deserved to be, he's a top chap BUT - apparently - he (Torben) could find himself in the same situation this very coming season if, while making his devout way to worship one day, along toodles Quatlu and society demands it's swords out (or, in Quatlu's case a bloody great axe!).

Preposterous, lunacy....madness...I mean, who was he (Torben) to be seeking to claim he was of better stock than the Commander of the Royal Foot Guards, godsooks it was barely a year ago that he (Torben) was up to his thighs in countless latrine pits, shovelling s**t! Now he's supposed to tell a man like Quatlu he's below him.....arrrrgghhh....the world's gone mad!! No, utter nonsense there must be a way out of this as why should he (Torben) risk being Fionn mark 2, or, even, what with his grievous wounds unhealed become the slayer of Quatlu?!

"I shall write to my dear friend Quatlu", mused Torben, "Yes, I'll let him know my thoughts and let common sense prevail", with that he reached for a blank scroll, lifted his quill and began to write....