Day 213: Respect

phyloxena wanted a companion piece to The King's Justice showing what folks in Gondor's taverns thought and said about Denethor before the war. Gondor is emphatically free under the Stewards, but Denethor commands certain... healthy respect :)

Day 213

Respect

Cullas flopped down on the bench and silently accepted a tankard of ale. Draining half of it in one greedy swallow, he wiped a hand across his mouth. "Ah, needed that!"

"Bad day?" The man to his left raised an enquiring eyebrow.

"Aye. The Lord Steward was in a rare foul mood, even by his standards. Chewed the Captains out in council."

"They say he wrestles in thought with the Enemy."

"Nah." Cullas drained the rest of his ale and called for more. He added with pride, "Even his black bastardness couldn't stand up to our Denethor in a temper."