In the 10th Month of 318 AC

Derek had spent his last week’s practicing in the courtyard with a sword. Occasionally he found time to sit alone amongst his diplomatic and administrative duties. He preferred to sit somewhere in the bailey but today he had decided to sit in his room, at his desk. Amongst the scattered papers and various drafts of scribbled writing and ideas, a stack of books lay in a pile. The majority of them related to histories or philosophy, economics, and law. Derek had read them almost religiously over the past months and today he would lay out the fruition of his reading and studying. His concentration and penmanship only broke once a knock came to his door.

“Come in.”

“Lord Derek,” A guard game through the door, Derek recognized him. Jon, a man who he had known for a short while before the overthrowing of the Blacksmokes. A man, who had met multiple times with his father to discuss things late at night, plans for an eventual overthrowing of a cruel and tyrannical Lord. “Your brother and cousin have arrived and wish to speak with you.”

“Aye, send them in Jon.” Derek looked back towards his desk, pondering whether or not to tidy things up, but decided against it. He had some things to discuss with them after the chitchat about their journey. A few moments later the two entered his room, looking weary and dirty from their travel. Mud still lay splattered across their riding boots and trousers. “Derek, reading away as usual, it’s been a while old friend.” Cadder embraced Derek with a light hug before continuing on. “It was a long journey, and I’m damned starving, shall we eat?” Lucas took a step forward, also hugging his brother before agreeing. “We spent too much of our coin in the first month, Cadder is to blame for it really.”

Before Cadder could respond, Derek laughed, “Aye let’s get some food in ya. But until then I’ve an idea to run over with you.” A servant was called and food alongside drink had been served to the three men as Derek spoke. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately. About the current situation in the North. And to be quite frank it gave me pain in the head. I’ve done a lot of thinking and reading. Since Lord Stark burned the Magnar, my concern in the world has been to stop such a thing. The Blacksmokes put people on spikes, and now the rest of the north refuses to flinch at a live burning. This has to be stopped or everything father gave to the smallfolk here is in vain.”

Cadder and Lucas had listened intently so far, both weary from the trip but newly wide awake because of the excitement and frustrated anger in Derek’s voice. Cadder spoke first. “Derek I understand what you’re saying but… you’re not suggesting…”

Derek cut him off, “No of course not. I would never rebel against the Starks. I only wish to help unify the North. Think of how many houses would stay against each other’s throats for hundreds, thousands of years because a Lord or heir was killed from being burned at the stake. We can do something to stop it Cadder. I need ya both for this to work. Please.”

There was a moment of silence in the room. Cadder and Lucas looked towards each other.

“I’ll stand by you as always my brother. Tell me what you need.”

“Aye, what is it you wish of us Derek?”

Derek smiled, rubbing his hand through the rough beard he had grown in the last few months. “First I need a damn shave. Cadder, tomorrow morning we’ll begin writing the first draft. Finalizing it by next month. Lucas, you’ll need to be with me when I travel to gather signatures for the agreement, so prepare yourself for moths of travel.

In the 11th month of 318 AC,

Cadder and Derek had spent hours slaving over the drafts of the new agreement. They sat late at night, the first final draft lay before them as such,

The Enderly Act

In accordance with this agreement, the men who have placed their signatures upon this Act shall, in the case they break the terms of this agreement, face the judgement of the gods, old and new. The Judgement of the Lord Paramount, the gods bless his name, and the people of the north.

The Enderly Act, written by Derek Enderly and Cadder Enderly, written under the purpose of the protection and sanctioning of life, shall retain and encourage the idea of peace, and the proclamation that all men, women, and children deserve a peaceful death, with execution methods only allowed under the public opinion that they are swift and just. As time permits, and the nature of Northern relations continue, all signers of this agreement will be allowed to call meetings in the idea that they may add or remove a codified law included with this Act. These additional laws may be added or removed with any majority vote amongst those who signed this paper.

Laws

1 –* The Lord’s and Ladies who sign this paper, agreeing to these words under the gods, old and new, shall punish heavily the act of torture for the purpose of information and revenge. No torture shall be permitted or else the perpetrator of the crime shall receive punishment from those others who have signed the agreement.*

2 – The Lords and Ladies who sign this paper, agreeing to these words under the gods, old and new, shall punish heavily the act of execution by methods that are deemed unjustified and cruel, these methods include, burning, flaying, and placing individuals on spikes, which all fall under Law 1 of this agreement as torturous acts.

All signatures that follow are that which will exist permanently, that of which will look forward to a safer north under the protection of the other signatures on this paper. Those of who that sign their name have done so with willingness and pledge themselves to follow this agreement or else be punished by the gods, old and new.

Signed, Derek Enderly