Father

I hardly remember what happened once I stepped into that ring. But the faces, the corpses that littered the streets I ran through as a child, the struggles of my companions, of Fella and his kin, of Arjak's kin and of Gudrun, I felt those upon me. I tried to focus on my teachings, the teachings of Tanra, Raymund, Gudrun, Mother and even yours father. It was your famous crescent slash that took down the man that felled you. It was not your fighting that failed you, was it?
 
Was it the crushing weight of holding the fate of your subjects in your hands?
 
Was it the loneliness after mother and Hannah left the keep?
 
For a long time I believed that avenging your death would bring answers, that it would lighten the burdens on my shoulders, but it did no such thing. The burden only became heavier, as I heard those behind me cheering and slamming their shields and as I looked at the man who sent you to Valhalla, I could not help but feel sorry as I caught a glimmer of the kind man he used to be to me. The Jarldom lost a strong man, a man who could have helped us with these threats, but he was as stubborn against reason, as I am against dishonor.
 
The land is in disarray, I learned that the hired arms came at the expense of the orc's blood and those who can't hold a sword seem like they were just left to fend for themselves as the rest of the inhabitants were pillaged and exploited. What can I do to set things straight? All of the inhabitants of the northwest have suffered under Tanra's rule, though it was only when we pulled our strength together that we managed to overthrow him, I have to wonder if the Jarldom will splinter and falter even further, or if I can convince the Firbolgs, the Orcs and Gudrun to work together with us, to bring stability to the north, and protect our subjects.
 
One thing is certain, if no one deals with the Joturn storm or that dragon, we will be the Jarls of ashes, or become them ourselves.
 
It's heavy father, this burden. Now that I feel it I understand you were a far greater man than I ever thought. Even with the fate of the land on your shoulders, you fought to rid it of threats and faced those that stood before you. Perhaps alone no one can save this land, but with your sword and the teachings of those that raised me, perhaps we can protect it together, father.