Your character has just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As they look around, their gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. They 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?))
"Hhmm.. why thank you.." Aeronard spoke, as he took a seat right across from the old hag, as he looked at her warily. "My story.. it started when I was merely a soldier, no older than twenty, but that did not last long.. I was tasked by my superior to protect a manor and its residence along with other soldier also tasked with guarding the estate, there I found and served under a family, not royal.. but.. they have status and that was enough for me.. they were kind, so full of life.. they were never cruel, like the rumors I've heard.." Aeronard spoke, as he kept looking at the old hag, before taking quick glances around the tattered tent. "And that's where I stayed, under the families care, for many years I served them to the best of my ability, protecting them, assisting in anyway I could, in return they cared for everyone that was working for them.. they treated us all like family.."
"About eight or so years later.. something happened.. on a blood soaked moon.. I don't even know what it was.. but something attacked the manor, It attacked on every side.. I tried protecting everyone.. but when I got to the families sleeping chambers.. they were.. just gone.." Aeronard hands were shaking, re-counting that night, all the blood spilled, all the screaming, it haunted his mind like a plague infecting his mind. "I tried looking for them.. one by one or maybe they were together.. killed every creature I encountered, tried saving my fellow soldiers who were trying to keep the others safe.. the maids.. servants.. everyone.. but i was only able to save a few of my brethren and servants.."
"Once day light broke through the bloody night.. I went back into the manor.. had some of my fellow brethren help me in searching for any remaining people who hid.. maybe.. but when we returned, everything was clean.. like nothing happened from the night before.." Aeronard rubbed his forehead trying not to get a head ache "We checked everywhere, no blood, no bodies, everything was back where it should be.. the chandelier that fell onto the ground was back and fixed, like it had never fallen in thee first place.."
Aeronard closed his eyes for a short while convincing himself that he wasn't crazy "Some of the soldiers went back to reports to the superiors about what has happened, only leaving a few including me, to check around the manor more.. while checking the families sleeping area, I noticed a map on the sir's desk, it was a travelers map.. the family was suppose to re-locate a month or so.. bringing everyone with them.. but I guess that will never happen.." Aeronard opened his eyes again, looking at the old hag
"I took the map and went back to my superiors with the rest of my brethren to report the rest of what has happened, after a long talk.. and maybe some yelling from my part.." Aeronard let out a low chuckle to himself "They were planning to relocate the soldiers to another family to protect, the other soliders were fine with it.. some had some thoughts.. mostly me, so I left.. heh.. still remember the yelling up to now, but I wanted to serve under a family that I know will be good to me.. and some soldiers took my advice as well.. left to go find their own families that they can protect.." He spoke quietly, laughing a bit as he grabbed a map that was strapped to his side, placing it onto his lap. "this is actually the same map, from sir's desk.. I don't know why I took it.. or even kept it.. sentimental value I guess? but it's been handy for traveling.." Aeronard spoke, his voice Shakey and a bit broken, as he looked at the map with so much emotion
"Been traveling alone for some time now.. the other soldiers that joined me in leaving found their own family.. while others took another direction.. heh miss them all.. I just got to keep searching.. maybe.. just maybe.. I can serve under a family just like them again.. a kind family.. one that maybe.. i can protect until my dying breath, that's what the superiors told us, 'To protect the ones you are serving, like they are your own family' it kind of stuck to me" Aeronard smiled, strapping the map back to his side, as he let out a laugh "I've heard there are families around the cities and maybe town.. who knows.. maybe I can serve under one, there's no harm in trying.. even if I might get rejected or turned down.." he paused, thinking about what he said
"Well.. thank you.. for listening to this soldier talk.. hehe here" Aeronard places down two silver coins in front of the old hag "For compensation.. if my life story was bad heh.. sorry.." He quickly spoke, before standing up and leaving the old worn down tent. Aeronard stood, grabbing the map he strapped on to his side, as he opened it up "Hhmm.. where to go.." He muttered to himself, as he walked in a random direction while still looking at the map.
Recommended Comments