You’ve just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As you look around, your gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. You duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? she begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.”
((How do you respond?))
Pallius gets close as he enters the hut, sitting on the cushion before him. His eyes jet about the room observing all that he can see before getting a close and better look at the crone, “expecting me? I am a simple commoner of no renown. Are you one gifted with foresight? To see what destiny has to offer?”
The hag cackles and reels about her seat before falling silent. She shook her head and motioned for the man to keep speaking.
“I suppose you want to know my story hm?” He said with hesitation but acquiesced to her request, “I was born in a small hamlet within the lowlands, a commune of mostly farmers and stable workers. Each season bringing in the harvest. My mother and father, pious and kind folks, but they’re gone now. Amidst the ruinous and tumultuous era we live in, my home was ransacked and razed by brigands and marauders.” A sigh escaped him from his short ramble before continuing on, “I was no older than sixteen summers when this happened, knew no other way all to be ripped from me in an instant. I could not even fight back, I ran to the woods and been wandering ever since.”
His eyes looked downwards, clearly the topic still saddened the young man, “though it is my hope, my goal, to one day find a new home with likeminded men and women who will aid in the growth of a true community that will defend the meek and downtrodden. People of honor.” His lungs filled with pride, a grin etched across his visage, “will I be a hero of great renown? A knight? Who is to say, only time and GOD, will show me the way to my fate.”
With his story now told the crone who sat idly and silent to allow him the floor spoke some, “go now, perhaps we may meet again traveler. Mayhaps you will be a changed soul in that time.”
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