The Warden | A For Honor Fanfiction

Great Hall Negotiations

If I had been expecting anything high class from the central building, I would have been sorely disappointed. The place was nothing to write home about, much less any great song. The walls were made out of sturdy looking wood that proved resilient enough to keep the worst of the cold out, but was otherwise featureless and rather bland. The insides didn't fare any better, the only furnishings were several long tables split into two columns, leaving one central row and two side ones for people to come and go. Honestly, if it hadn't been for the slightly elevated platform at the far back and the crudely drawn heron plastered on the front doors, I would be certain we were in a random mess hall, rather than the most important building in the hamlet.

Still, it did manage to keep the cold out, like I mentioned. Anything that was able to do that was far better than nothing at all. Of course, the hot cider and freshly cooked food in front of me certainly helped things feel more cozy. Nothing fancy, just some bread, eggs, and a few roasted onions with some sort of seasoning, but after a day of only nuts and hardtack, this was gourmet by comparison. The only thing keeping me from ripping into it and stuffing my face was the Warden's presence. Had to maintain a dignified persona in front of someone like him.

So instead, I gently placed the onions into the bread before folding it together and taking a bite out of it. A small trickle of juices oozed out of the onions as I ate, which I was quick to wipe away. I could see the Warden taking off his helmet out of the corner of my eyes, his blonde hair ever so slightly moist from sweat. I took another look around us as I chewed, noting the lack of many other people aside from ourselves. Only two other residents were in the hall, and they both seemed to be sweeping and wiping the empty tables. Every so often, I'd catch them sneaking a glimpse at us, but they'd look away quick enough once they realized I was watching.

"They're hungry." The Warden's words were so sudden, I wasn't even sure I'd heard them at first. Turning towards him, I could see he was observing the others too. He had something of a ponderous look on his face though.

"How do you figure?" I asked. His gaze shifted onto me as I took another bite of my food.

"They focus on us for only a moment, then their gaze seems to fixate on the plates before us. Two strangers, one of whom bested their champion, and yet their attention is almost wholly dominated by the food." He responded. I furrowed my brow as I turned back again to the residents. They were staring at us again, but this time I focused on exactly where. Just like the Warden said, their gaze seemed just low enough that it made more sense for them to be staring at the food rather than us. As if on cue, one of them noticed my attention, and turned his head away.

"Running low, maybe? Most legions demand a tribute of some kind to the places they protect. Maybe for this place it's food." I suggested. Honestly, there was slim pickings for anything else based on what I'd seen so far. Moreover, most legions were a bit greedy when it came to their "taxes", so to speak. Villages and towns trying to ration out their food was nothing unheard of, I suppose it only got worse for hamlets. Especially one as backwoods as Herongale seemed to be.

"I suppose. In times past, we would have secured food for people like this. Now those like me subjugate them." My heart sank as the Warden spoke those words. The poor man had a bleeding heart. I wanted to convince him that the failures of the legions were not his failures, but how was I supposed to do that? It wasn't like his observations were unfounded, he was right about the legions being bullies. He just wasn't right about himself being one. I set down my food and looked back at him. I was so tired of looking into those big, sad brown eyes.

"Warden, what happens to places like this, that isn't on you. The legions aren't your people anymore." I said. He gave me a sad smile before he turned away, picking up some of his eggs and placing them on the bread.