It is this single-minded determination to make House
Fyra succeed that has caused the recent friction between
Fyra and Xaynon. Xaynon sees the salt merchant stratagem
only as a minor cover to their fortress. Fyra sees the
success of a salt trade as central to Salt View's (and his
own) very survival. Fyra chafes at the lack of support and
resources Xaynon offers, while Xaynon cannot understand
why his old friend has invested so much in a whim.
Xaynon is happy with the way things are in the village.
In spite of his claim that leadership has been thrust
upon him and should be democratic, he cannot help but
feel pride in what he has accomplished. In a village of
merchants strength and fighting prowess might not count
for as much.
None (except other dwarves) recognize what has
happened to Fyra. Most believe that Fyra's continual
efforts to expand House Fyra is a result of his spending
too much time with the master trader of Outpost 19. The
raiders of Salt View feel Xaynon is excessively lenient
toward his old friend. They do not like the idea of the
village artisans usurping their control over village affairs.
Even Xaynon does not realize that the fate of Fyra's soul
hangs in the balance. As is typical of dwarves, Fyra has
not bothered to inform anyone, so the impasse continues.
Fyra is a dwarf, born into slavery and trained as a gladiator. He spent over 75 years in the gladiatorial
arena, and never lost a fight. Like Xaynon, he did not
enjoy the many deaths he caused and because of his
race and his dour manner, he had never become a crowd
favorite. When Xaynon urged the other gladiators in his
pen to break free, Fyra was the first by his side. It was
the combined strength of the mul and the dwarf which
pulled the door to their pen off of its hinges, beginning
the rebellion which would find them both alive and free.
Fyra traveled with Xaynon's band for all the years of
wandering. He was Xaynon's constant companion, and
the two ex-slaves saved one another's lives many times.
This bond of friendship caused Xaynon to put Fyra in
charge of the fortress now known as Fort Fyra. Now at
132, he is just beginning to feel his age. While Fyra
first took this on as just another assignment, the growth
of House Fyra and his vision of a prosperous and free
community has become his focus.