The mornings here are different than that of my homeland.
Not as cold as I remember them being when I was a child.
Here it is warmer. The birds sing praise to the newborn
day, the ground I sleep on is not hard and cold, but soft
and moist with the morning's dew.
I enjoy sleeping in the wilderness. I wish I could enjoy
more nights like this past one. Dreams of memories from
a childhood long gone. I relish nights like that. They are
a stark contrast from the nights of torment I have come
to accept as the norm. The pain and suffering…I've
yet to figure out who is worse off, the poor unfortunate
soul whose pain I feel or myself.
Valdor of Bergeness clears his head as he rises from his
slumber. He knows this is a moot point, as he awaits the
inevitable vision that will come to him. That is what keeps
this once ruthless assassin awake at night.
Berg Darak Za Noth. Honus vi Bate, Fadim vi Duth. Val Redete,
sarak mi.
This is the oath of the Bergeness Clan and are the words
tattooed to Valdor's face. Inscribed upon him at an early
age and meant to guide him on his journey through life.
It has been quite some time since he has heard a voice speak
the language of his people.
Bergeness Clan of the North. Honor in Battle, Freedom in
Death. Valley of the Dead, welcome me.
He hears the gentle snoring of his companion and wonders
what thoughts the little bard keeps that allow him to sleep
so soundly. He shrugs away the thoughts and kicks his tiny
friend in the leg, drawing a stir in the Halfling's slumber,
but nothing more.
Valdor turns away to pack his gear and grabs the blade
that has saved his hide more times than he can remember,
the Scimitar called Night's End. He remembers the dwarf,
Olin Hammerstrike, who had forged the sword for him from
pure Lithirim and silver. The Lithirim, oddly enough, had
been metallurgical concoction of Olin Hammerstrike, stumbling
upon its unbreakable strength by accidentally mixing two
types of metal. He had been one of the first to appear to
Valdor in his visions. Olin had fallen out of favor with
a local baron and had been accused of selling the baron
defective weapons. Well, no self-respecting dwarf takes
kindly to insults, especially to his products, and so, Olin
challenged the baron.
The forge of the dwarf runs cold
And soon his life shall pass
The Hammer's quest has been told
Ride East, ride hard, ride fast
In response to Olin's challenge, the baron simply turned
to his men and ordered that the dwarf be arrested. Olin's
hammer did its share of damage that day, and in the end,
Olin had killed six men, including the baron's brother.
Enraged, the baron had ordered Olin to death by hanging
only to be saved by Valdor some days later.
"I wonder what became of that foolish old dwarf?"
Valdor wonders to himself. "We would have made a pretty
formidable team." Valdor makes a mental note to seek
out old Olin sometime in the future, if for nothing more,
to see what wares the blacksmith has to offer. "He
did have some interesting equipment."
As he looks back to the halfling, he feels his temper rising,
as he notices that Hadrian has not yet awoken, but remains
sound asleep. "Get up halfling, or you shall have an
eternal sleep once I am through with you" he scowls.
"Ruthless assassin indeed" he thinks to himself.
It seems almost a lifetime ago and it might as well be.
"I am not that person anymore." No, he is not,
he agrees with himself, more to convince himself of what
he is not, than to realize what he was. No longer does he
kill for money or fame. What he has become is even harder
for him to comprehend. He is still as fierce of a warrior
as he was back then, only now he is different. He does not
shed blood for money, but rather, for those who cannot defend
themselves. "What then does that make me? A champion
for the weak? Liberator of the damned?" This is not
the first time he has struggled with this concept, and certainly
will not be the last.
Hadrian the Wanderer, the clever bard, whose song is sometimes
sharper than his sword, stirs from his sleep at the sound
of Valdor's yelling. He welcomes the new day filled with
the possibility of new adventures to sing. "Many thanks
for your gracious awaking. I can only hope to return the
favor someday," he says to Valdor with a slight tone
of sarcasm and a rigid stare. Valdor, who knows better than
to trade wits with the sharped-tounge bard, ignores the
comments, and continues to pack the tiny makeshift camp.
***
Such a strange union in a stranger land
A tattooed giant and a tiny man
He helps the needy and saves the weak
Whilst I sing his song and down my drink
He seeks a cure for his damnable curse
I seek an audience to fill my purse
With the mighty Faruq, his trusty steed
We travel together, what a sight indeed.
Our travels have led us on a southern trail
A new place for us, and maybe new tales.
But first some drink and then some food
Maybe some women, but I won't be crude.
Valdor leads the fiery Faruq, by the reins, as the group
reach the entrance to the town. The last line of Hadrian's
song brings a slight smirk to his face. As Faruq grunts,
he is reminded of the first time he saw this magnificent
creature, for it was through a vision filled with despair
that the name Faruq first came to be heard. The vision had
been brief and had shown him only a red horse, tied to a
carriage being led by animal traders. The men who held this
steed captive knew not what a beautiful treasure they had
in tow. For them, the horse had been nothing more than coin
in their purses, or perhaps their next meal.
Follow his travels, or where they may take him
The Golden footprints cannot be mistaken.
And whence you find what you truly seek,
It is the carrier of the sickle that should be freed.
His focus shifts back to the town. It is a bit larger than
some of the smaller towns they have passed through. There
are people all about, which have caught the interest of
Hadrian. Hadrian turns to Valdor, and with the wink of his
eye, Valdor knows that he will meet up with his companion
later. "Try to stay out of trouble this time, Bard.
Time spent outside of the local jail is time well spent."
"Bah, its my coin that will be well spent!" he
shouts back as he weaves into the crowds.
Valdor continues to walk with Faruq, when he is approached
by what appears to be a member of the local militia.
"Well met stranger, don't believe I've seen you before.
What brings you to our fair city?" He is a burly man,
wearing a gray tunic and carrying a shield with a falcon
crest in the center. Valdor observes the man guide his hand
toward the hilt of his sheathed sword; a crude blade, but
a blade nonetheless. "Well met sire, simply passing
through the city in search of food and drink. It's been
a long ten-day trek for my horse and me. Looking forward
to some rest." Valdor had hoped that the man had not
seen him and Hadrian walking together.
Seeing the soldier massage the hilt of his sword made Valdor's
mind start working. "I look forward to enjoying the
hospitality that the city has to offer, my kind sir"
he said to the captain, while loosening the strap around
the Scimitar secured underneath his cloak.
"I am the Captain of the guard and second-in-command
of the Red Falcon." Valdor had heard of this Red Falcon
brigade before. Some sort of mercenary-force-for-hire that
had made its name by protecting a city to the south from
a band of marauders. They had grown significantly throughout
the region, but were mostly confined to areas surrounding
some of the larger towns.
While the captain continued speaking, Valdor contemplated
the various ways in which he could slay the guard and break
for the gates with Faruq and escape with his life. He didn't
worry about Hadrian. He knew the cunning halfling could
take care of himself, if not with his steel, then definitely
with his song. He would meet up with his companion elsewhere,
which didn't really matter to him right now.
The captain continued, "You are more than welcome
within the city gates, so long as you remain peaceful during
your visit." Upon completing the sentence, he gave
Valdor an awkward glance as if to say, "and based on
your appearance, your stay here will be short lived."
This almost made Valdor smile. He had already decided that
if the guard, or any locals for that matter, had recognized
him from his dubious past, he would easily sever the man's
head from the rest of this world with one flash of the mighty
scimitar, Night's End.
"You may find food and shelter in town, as well as
room for your steed at the stables across town."
He would then go for the throwing knives concealed in his
cloak to take out any other would be heroes that would soon
join their decapitated leader.
"Be sure to keep your nose clean, and you shall enjoy
your stay." With that, the Captain bid Valdor farewell
and was off to greet another group of visitors that had
just walked through the city gates. Valdor felt relieved
that the Captain had not proven to be your run-of the-mill
mercenary looking for an ego boost. He was sure that this
city would not have been too keen on him removing one of
their top defenders from his post, permanently.
***
Hadrian the Wanderer, or the Tune, as he is known in some
parts, finds himself at the Red Gryphon Inn, which he instantly
concludes is in need of some laugh and cheer. Who better
to provide the favor, than the best bard in the region,
or at least in his opinion.
He hops onto a stool at the bar and calls the attention
of the bartender.
Jus' fill me with ale or drown me in meade
And a nice soft bed so I can sleep
But the open road is the place for me
Riding hard and fast and living free
To seek out glory and live like a King
Or pick out a tune for all to sing
I'll tell you a tale, be it true of false
Decide for yourself while I get sauced
And if the drink is on the house
Then I promise not to sing of your spouse!!
The short tune brings some jeers from the patrons who are
enjoying their drink. In practically no time at all, Hadrian
has managed to gain the favor of the crowd, but more importantly,
the bar owner.
He drinks his ale, gulping down full loads of the cold
brew. Slamming his mug into the table before him, he breaks
into song.
A tale like this has yet to be heard
So listen closely my dear friends
For what I say is true to the word
Please hold your applause 'til the end!
I sing of bravery and valor and life
And all of the wonders they bring.
Of battle and death, and sorrow and pain
These are the things of which I sing
In a land far off, not much different than this
Where Great Dragons rule the skies,
Of enchanted rivers that cast mysterious mist
And where crystals dazzle the eyes.
A particular crystal of life was borne
To one who would be called The Prophet
And to him a great warrior was sworn,
Though it is argued that he did not want it.
For, you see, The Prophet had quite a gift
The ability to see ahead,
And believe you me this is no myth,
As his companion left many men dead.
And those that died had one thing in mind
To covet his precious life stone
But their greed must have made them go half blind
Because they always came alone!
For many moons he lived his life
A Seer of many wondrous things
He helped a great king choose his wife
Knowing full well she would have a fling
He even made a deal with a dragon
For he saw many jewels and gold
But in the end, the dragon ate him
Or so the story was told
And so the lesson learned is well
And remember it in times of need,
Even this great legend was felled
So don't believe all that you see.
For what he saw before his untimely death
Were crystals and jewels abound
But he didn't realize until his final rest
That inside the dragons belly
Were the shining jewel mounds.
As Valdor approaches the entrance to the Red Gryphon Inn,
he can hear the finale lines of Hadrian's song and the loud
cheer that follows. He enters to find the Halfling surrounded
by men and women alike, drinking and laughing. "Different
town, same routine" Valdor says to himself.
As he sits down at a table, suddenly the room seems to
come to a pause and the voices around him begin to fade
in and out. He can see the room around him spin, yet he
does not feel dizzy. Then in a flash, a man appears to him.
He recognizes the man as one of his marks some years ago.
The image is replaced by a woman, weeping as she is lead
into a dark chamber. He hears nothing but the man's voice:
Not far from you, the maiden awaits
Doing the bidding of others
Seek her out by placing the bait
Beware of shallow waters
Now in your hands lies her fate
Be steady along your path
Find her foes and make no mistake
Free her debt with your wrath…
Valdor awakens some time later, with Hadrian looking curiously
at him. "Had another vision, Eh? You've been at it
for hours. Who are we off to rescue this time?"
To which Valdor replies, "Come my friend, we have
much work to do".
"Hold on Valdor, there's someone I want you to meet"
says the Halfling.
Read Chapter
Two here
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