Ad aspera

-- This year's tournament promises to be even more interesting than usual. For the first time, there will be a delegation from Ardor, and what's more, their emperor intends to compete personally. He has already challenged King Divef, although at the latter's age, this is somewhat... risky. And what does this mean, and why did their church approve of it? Is it an attempt by the empire to establish contact, or, on the contrary, to intimidate us? It is not yet known what this will lead to, -- the count paused, lost in thought. Now, when he is not standing at the arena, stern and formidable, but sitting, furrowing his brow in contemplation, the count seems much older to Ruven than he did at their first meeting. -- And we should certainly not disappoint. For now, I am not at all pleased with what I see among the knights or the squires. In three weeks, I intend to hold a small competition with the participation of, hmm, outsiders. After that, there will be only a couple of days left before the departure for Divef.

A duel between the emperor and the king? I would love to see that!
Ruven was somewhat inspired. He couldn't understand the motives behind it, but the thought of such a duel definitely piqued his interest in the tournament. What would they look like? He tried to picture the rulers in his mind, but somehow they appeared as majestic old men, seated on luxurious thrones behind thick stone walls, and fighting each other through countless armies. Probably a fanciful image.
It seemed that the count was talking more to himself at that moment, lost in thought, so Ruven simply remained silent, noting in his mind his words about the insufficient level of training of the warriors in the citadel and the competition before the departure in three weeks, which would apparently be their final test. Excellent, that means there will be time to train.

-- However, Ruven, this is not the only reason why I summoned foreigners here. There are some things I cannot ask my own people to do, and there are some tasks where I will need... capable individuals. Are you ready for such work?

Ruven remembered what he had heard earlier that day in the square. Job opportunities in the forge, as a porter in the port, in the guard... Capable individuals would certainly be useful there too. However, the count's words sounded completely different from the town crier's, and this could not help but intrigue him.
— I was just thinking today about finding a job while I am in Tirren. If this is a suitable job for a warrior, then I am the one you need.