"How dreadful!" Father Thomas declared upon hearing the news.  A peaceful man, like as not to turn the other cheek whether insulted or assaulted, and yet he felt at that moment a deep stirring in his bosom - a powerful call to action from the Lord God.  With the destruction of their defensive forces by the heinous Crabmen, and the Holy Citadel itself under siege, Thomas Knopf knew that it was his duty to help take back the Citadel from the demonic horde assaulting it, in whatever way he could.  As a man of meager repute it was not easily seen just<span style="font-style: italic">how</span>the young priest would endeavor to save the Holy Citadel, but his first step was clearly before him: deliver this Charger south to the Freedom Tower to tell the tale to King Barlow.<br/><br/>"My lady you must rest now - but never fear, nothing will hinder me on my path until the Citadel stands free once more!  Gaddiel, please see to it that she receives your full attention during her convalescence."  With that, Thomas turned and left them in the Guardhouse while he made his way for Lady Corrinne Ellsworth's holdfast.  The holdfast was a single building covering a full city block, ten uniform stories of vibrant red brick and lustrous blue glass - looking like a bejewelled headdress of ruby and sapphire when the morning sun struck its northeastern face.  Each time he visited Thomas couldn't imagine a finer structure in the five kingdoms, despite the rooftop views gleaned of the Lower Manhattan cityscape with its buildings like needles threading into the sky.<br/><br/>Now at the front gateway to the holdfast there was unfolding a peculiar scene that made Father Thomas stop short just below the first step.  Before him stood a rather large man of no more than twenty-odd years of age, bawling at the top of his lungs at two guards who appeared to detain him.  The huge lad's powerful voice, slurring, betrayed his inebriation as he bellowed - "Let loose of me confounded wretches!  Do you know who I am!?"  When one of the guardsmen sought to strike at him with a billy club, the young man caught his wrist in one massive enveloping hand, and then grasping the guard by the belt with his other, hoisted the man into the air before throwing him toward the second guard.  Thomas marveled at the drunken lout's prodigious strength even as he hurried past, making room as more guards sought to join the brawl.<br/><br/>Within the holdfast lobby Thomas approached the herald standing behind a countertop nestled in the far corner.  The man was short and squat with bulbous uncouth features, and pale blue eyes that seemed to perpetually weep. "Welcome to Lady Corrinne Ellsworth's court; how may I be of service to you today?"  Thomas greeted the man and declared that he had dire news regarding the Holy Citadel, and that he must have an immediate audience with the Lady Ellsworth.<br/><br/>"Very good sir, please have a seat."  The herald wrote on a slip of paper as he spoke before handing the note to a runner who made to hurry up the ten flights of stairs to deliver the request.  Upset at the delay but knowing that there was nothing to be done but to wait for a reply, Thomas moved across the lobby to take one of the many empty seats.  Outside a thunderous crash announced that the one-man assault on the holdfast still ensued, and Thomas found himself wondering just who this young bruiser was and why he fought with such conviction.  He returned to the front steps in time to see the lad finally subdued as a man held fast to each of his arms as two others drubbed him to his knees despite his deep ox-like lowing.<br/><br/>"What is the meaning of all of this?" Thomas asked after removing his duffel coat and revealing his clerical uniform.  The guards paused in administering their beatings, but stayed firmly fast to the heaving man beneath them.  The lad looked up at Thomas, revealing a proud, rugged face crimson with exertion, sweat darkening his blond matted hair.  "This drunk fool swaggered up to the gate declaring himself to be a knight errant," one of the guards explained between deep breaths.  "Said he'd come to find a lord worthy of serving," continued another.  "He wanted to duel Lady Ellsworth herself to see if she 'could prove worthy enough to lead him!' "<br/><br/>It seemed that the young lad was full of more beer than brains but Thomas found himself admiring the lad's boldness all the same.  With a smile, he said "Let him up, please I insist.  Come, tell me your name, sir."<br/><br/>"They call me Young Garr," the man answered as he climbed to his feet, brushing himself off as he straightened his clothing.  The guards stayed close as though ready to pounce should he seek to fight or flee, but the towering youth maintained his position.  "If you are looking for someone to serve, you have come to the right place, Young Garr.  I have a dangerous journey ahead of me that would put even your doggedness to the test, and will entail the protection of the very realm.  What say you; will you serve me?"<br/><br/>"I will indeed," Young Garr laughed as he answered.  "If you can best me that is!" he bellowed before charging straight up the steps toward the priest.  What happens next between Thomas Knopf and Young Garr will be revealed in the next chapter.