There was great excitement and expectationabout the festival this year. Baron Attalus from the Bossonian marches was to be in attendance personally. It was rumoured that he was providing the escort to the merchants and bringing nearly two dozen women destined for bonded servitude on the frontier.
It has been explained to the menfolk that these women are criminals. Any man may offer to purchase their services for a period of time by paying money to the magistrate who accompanies them.This means cooking,cleaning and other duties of a similar nature.
It does not include rights to duties of a more "physical" nature. Brant Drago's son is adamant that many of these women are in this situation through no fault of their own except for poor choices and opportunities.
Any of these other "services" must be negotiated individually with the woman in question.
"Here in Thandara they are to be afforded the same rights as free folk as far as rape, violence or threat of such is concerned."
The fair which accompanies the festival is a fine opportunity for the young men to test their skills against their peers and to show off in front of the young women.
There are competitions of strength,speed and endurance as well as those of skill and agility. Canny folk are appreciated on the frontier and so there are also tests of wit and wisdom.
By now it has become clear that Lennart is the bowman of the group without equal among his peers. His skill with the Bossonian longbow is unsurpassed,even by the Bossonian archers in the retinue of Baron Attalus.
Lett, his brother, is the best tracker of the group though his skill is pale by comparison to that of Jon Galter's son. Lett appears none too worried as he has caught the eye of Jon's sister Mari.
The most anticipated event of the afternoon is the hand to hand combat.
Drada, the axeman of the group has an easy time of it until it comes to the final where he is to face Diomedes of Koth, the Baron's personal bodyguard.
Both Lennart and Lett have been watching him all day and thay realize that without substantial amounts of luck that the Kothian will carry the day.
Both face off against each other surrounded by a ring of cheering onlookers. Each has three targes with which to defend themselves. The object is that all three targes must be sundered before an attempt may be made to strike your opponent. The winner will be the first man to draw blood from his opponent.
The Kothian smiles at Drada, a knowing smile,the sort of smile that will goad our hero into doing someting rash(Which from Drada's track record is very likely).
The bout never takes place though as a dusty rider thunders into the settlement. He dismounts and asks to speak with Brant Drago's son. as the characters close around him they realize that it is their old comrade Rufio. As he pats the dust from his surcoat it becomes obvious that it bears the golden lion charge of General Conan's border regiment.