(Untitled)

[hippodamio]

For all that the wound he took yesterday means he has no wish to try the Door, Hektor has never been a man for lying about and simply waiting for things to happen. He rested as best he could today, for as long as he could, and that was the end of that. Wincing and limping a little, he makes his way from the stairs to one of the couches by the fire

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[will_scarlett]

Will sees the injury first and stops, "Pokin' it willna make it 'eal faster."

[hippodamio]

"Better this than trying to look under the bandage," says Hektor. "The boar was vicious, and tried to have my life from me with his last breath. I had it cleaned, and there was a healer who sped it along a little."

[will_scarlett]

"Oh aye, boars are fearsome beasts, least only got ye in the leg."

Now Will looks up from the injury to the man and blinks,

"Lord 'ektor, ye seem to age e'ery time we meet."

[hippodamio]

It takes Hektor some moments, now, to remember; he lifts a hand in recognition of the face, but the words are yet elusive. "You I recall," he says, "though- it was six years gone, or more. I have not been here since Aisakos was alive... I know your face."

[will_scarlett]

"Will Scarlett, my lord, when ye were a lad, I taught ye to use a bow."

[hippodamio]

Once more Hektor blinks, and then breaks out into a smile. "I knew I remembered! Well met, Will Scarlett; it's been longer in Troy than it has for you, I daresay. How fare your Nottingham folk?"

[will_scarlett]

Will just grins back,

"Tis Winter now an 'as been a fair share o'quiet, my lord. Will ye join me for a drink, mulled wine is a wonderful thing when its cold?"

[hippodamio]

"I would be glad to," says Hektor. "Though- here, if it doesn't make too much trouble. I'd as soon not get up and walk around again just yet."

[will_scarlett]

"Oh aye, course, my lord."

Will spots a rat and orders some wine and bread and cheese for them both,

"'ow go things in yer 'ome, my lord?"

[hippodamio]

"Oh, well enough for the moment,' says Hektor. "We went to war with the Hellespont pirate lords this past autumn, and wiped out several major holds. It will be some time before the whole of the straits is swept clean of them and honest sailors can take ship again without fear, though. We're waiting out the winter storms in the greatest hold we've yet taken."

[will_scarlett]

"Aye, my lord, glad to 'ear that. 'ave ye lost many men?"

[hippodamio]

"Not so many as we had feared," says Hektor. "And nowhere near so many as the bandits have- the men who line the straits are the sort who take up the pirate life because they've murdered their own fathers or forced sacred virgins or some other unforgivable crime, and not proper warriors at all. They fight like rats in traps and snivel like naughty children when caught."

[will_scarlett]

"Then seems to be a good thing to be cleanin' 'em out, my lord. 'ow fares yer family?"

[hippodamio]

"My brother Aisakos was lost at sea some years ago, I'm afraid," says Hektor, "and I stand now as my father's oldest for certain. But I have more brothers and sisters now than I did when last we spoke, and my sister Kassandra, though still unable to speak and be understood by any save Hellenus, fares much better than she had. So that is well, too."

[will_scarlett]

"Glad to 'ear she 'as 'mproved at least, my lord. An if ye 'ave yer father's trust then Troy will be glad to 'ave ye."

[hippodamio]

"I hope so," says Hektor. "To be a warleader is one thing; but to be King over a city of the size of Troy is something else again, and I'll need the help of all the Gods for that."