"You are right Bjørn. I did not call you all here to exchange pleasantries. I called a Thing today because you all need to leave my father in peace. I know you have been giving him a hard time and it is not fair. My actions are not his and he should not have to suffer as a result." Eirik said, his voice calm and clear, yet, it carried an underlying tone of danger.

"We all know you and your family Eirik, hel, we watched you as you grew from a boy to a fine young man that your parents could be proud of. But you have gone too far this time. Your actions might cause the rest of us to be targeted by association!! I will not let you put my family in danger Eirik." Bjørn the smith sounded angry, like these thoughts had been bothering him for a long time and all the gathered people made murmurs of agreement.

"So because you do not agree with MY choice, you decide to give my father a hard time?? Is that right Bjørn? Because i did not expect such cowardly behavior from a man such as you!" Eirik's voice was laced with venom as he all but spat the words at the burly man.

"ARE YOU CALLING ME A COWARD?!!?" The voice of Bjørn echoed in all directions as he took a step towards Eirik.

"I said you are acting like one!! Learn to listen Bjørn!! Giving my father a rough time because of me is the same as me bullying one of your children because i dont like you. If you have a problem with me or with the things i do with MY life, then im standing right here asshole. So either do something about it or sit your happy ass down so i can tell you just what the fuck is going to happen!" Eirik spread out his arms as he spoke, presenting himself full body to Bjørn.

Shaking all over, Bjørn finally went back to his spot and didn't speak.

"Good" Eirik took a breath as to prepare himself. "Me calling the Thing today is not about me asking your permission to continue doing what i do, nor is it to seek your forgiveness. This is merely me informing you that you will stop the harassment of my father or i swear by my own blood i will make you rue the day you decided to cross me."

At these words Eirik drew his knife and made a small cut in the palm of his left hand, letting the blood drip from his clenched fist as he made his vow.

"Furthermore, Nothing will happen to any of you as a consequence of my private little war. If any of you had bothered watching the broadcast to the end, you would know that i declared myself a rouge element from the Terran government along with my actions, seeing as they were neither sanctioned or supported by the government. In short, attacking you would be an attack on the Terran people as a whole, just like it has always been. This war is my own and i plan to keep it that way."

As Eirik explained things, he also took out 4 long branches at 3 meters each, placing them in a square on the ground.

'"Anyone that still believe they have a right to interfere with my life and plans are more than welcome to enter the square of branches with me and the survivor will be declared the winner of the argument."

No one moved, no one even made a sound. They looked at the man they had known as a boy and they saw him in a completely new light. He was dangerous, slightly unhinged and completely at peace with the fact that he could die tomorrow.

He frightened them.

After a minute of silence, Eirik spoke up again. "It warms my heart that i do not have to fight any of the people i consider my own. But you all have to understand that you have no right in telling me what to do out of fear of what might happen to you. That would interfere with the only true freedom in this life. The freedom of choice. But in any case, you might be happy to know that the Mother of Las'Tai" Eirik gestured to Las'Tai "Have agreed to meet me in single combat for a speedy solution to this debacle. I hope this news brings you all some peace of mind."

As he told about the duel, people visibly relaxed in the knowledge that it would be solved by the involved parties themselves. An older woman stepped forward and spoke with a raspy voice. "We're sorry Eirik. We are also sorry about your father. Will yo-"

"I dont want to hear it" Eirik cut her off, "Im not the one you should be apologising to. My father is still in the house, but he leaves in about an hour. Take care" With these words Eirik started walking away from the stunned townspeople, Las'Tai quickly running after him.

When they were out of hearing range She asked him "Captain, you have told me about the freedom of choice. Today, you mentioned it again.. Why do you consider it so important?"

Eirik stopped walking and bent in his knees until he was eye height with the remarkably curious Kloxna he had taken on board his crew. "Because, when you boil it down to the very basics, all we have in this life is the freedom to choose. We choose right, we choose wrong, every moment of our lives are about choice. You chose to ask me this question. Why? Because you wanted answers and logic dictates the best way to get said answers is be asking. so you chose to ask.

In every aspect of life, there is choice. And the only way to loose at life, is to not choose at all. Right, wrong, does not matter. all that matters is that the choice is made. THAT, is tue freedom in my eyes. It is also what got you out of that cell. Not just my choice to make the offer, but your choice to accept. I did not force you.

The condequence of said choice is you getting to live out a secret dream that would never be accepted in your society. A dream that might come to a very sudden end soon, should the thread of my life be at its end. Which again leaves you with a choice. Accept your place back in your society, or become what i am now. An outlaw.

Choice and consequence, Las'Tai. Choice and consequence. Promise me you will always choose. That you will not become an observer, letting the choices drift by. Life is lived in the choices."

Las'Tai was mesmerised at the intensity in Eirik's eyes as he spoke about, what must surely be, his core beliefs. The very essence of his being. Were all Terran's this intense when they got to truly live the life they wanted?? She had to know. She had to experience whatever could make you feel so strongly about life.

Not being able to look away, but feeling unable to maintain eye contact, her reply came out more as a whisper, "i promise to Captain. I promise to live!"

With a smile, Eirik stood back up and put his hand on her shoulder. "Good. Now let's go back inside and get some breakfeast. Afterwards, im gonna message your mother with a time and place for the duel. A number of honor guards will also be allowed. By the way, have you ever had eggs?"

"Once, as a young adult, during my ascension to adulthood. Even amongst the High cast, eggs are a rare delicacy." She replied automatically, surprised by the question.

"Well then, i think you are gonna love Terran breakfeast. Eggs are a common food source here" Eirik replied with a small smile.

"A. Common. Food source." was all Las'Tai said before the smell hit her nose. Fat greasy meat, cooking eggs, something sugary and fruits. Eirik was laughing behind her as he started running to catch up.