Malishan
05-20-2006, 11:05 AM
This is the beginnings of a story I started tonight for the heck of it... I don't get inspired very often so I'm not sure if I'll continue, but lemme know what you think. It's not too action packed yet. It's also not set in Agon, but I guess it could be adapted to it, if I knew more about the lore.
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"Can I tell you a story?"
Fel glanced around at the man that had sat down moments before at the table behind his own. He was somewhat annoyed. "Are you some kind of bard? You don't look the part."
"Don't I?" the man smiled back at him, seeming to eye the platter on Fel's table.
"Much too sensible looking, and a bit old to be entrancing the ladies I think." Fel snatched a venison rib from his platter and began to gnaw it, hoping to discourage more idle banter. No one had ever accused him of being sociable, but he was no hard man, not among those he called friends.
The man laughed kindly. "No, I suppose I don't look it, and indeed I am not, though when I was younger I did have a bit of luck with the ladies. Sadly I have to say that was probably more about my position than my charm. But I do have a story to tell, and I'd like to tell it to you, if you have a moment.
Fel was starting to warm up to the stranger, despite himself. He seemed like more than most of the younger businessmen and merchants that passed through this waystop town in the wild. All they had to talk about was their latest aquisitions, or new plans to strike it rich, how the prices were so high for this or that, or which famous whore they had slept with in the big city. Fel reached across the table and slid his pack and blades off to the floor.
"If you must tell it, sit over here, my neck grows weary."
"My name is Rend, and I thank you, I think you will find my story interesting, but it will not weary your ears long, unless you want to hear more." Rend sat smiling for a moment then helped himself to a glass of wine from fel's jug. He grinned as Fel chuckled and shook his head. "Yes thats me, a bard and a beggar, and a bold one at that! But I will buy your supper for your patience."
"I suppose you know some of this land's history, so I will spare some details. You surely know that some 100 years ago a king in the royal line of Agen fell in love with an elven woman and was exiled by his council, who said that such love was treason. This was the opportunity they had sought, for our people than had much less trust for the elven kind than they do now. Some people today say that the council even arranged for this elven girl to come and enchant our king, so they could replace him with one that would rule more unto their liking. My friends know this to be true, for our families are decended from councilmen who remained in heart toward King Gerard, but feared for their lives."
Fel was sitting silently now, a half chewed rib in his hands and a quizzical look on his face. This was not the humurous anecdote he had expected at all, and he said so.
"How does this relate to you? Quite directly actually." Rend paused to enjoy fel's puzzled frown. "You see, after the elven temptress deserted him a month into their journey into the eastern wilds, Gerard's life did not end. The enchantment faded, and eventually he came to a mountain village, where he met and married a human woman who bore him a son. That son was your father."
"I'm quite sure I don't beleive you, and why would you even tell me now?"
Rend's face sagged with sudden weariness, and then he went on. "I know that he is dead now, but I knew your father, and I met your grandfather when I was very young. Those who remained loyal to your father's father found him, and kept in quiet contact these past generations. Your elders were good men, and strong. Would you mind stepping outside? It would be better to talk of this elsewhere, but bring the wine of course!"
Fel somehow trusted this man, and he wasn't quite sure why. It felt as if he somehow knew him, but the face he could not place. He buckled on his blades, shouldered his pack, and watched as Rend payed the Innkeeper. The Innkeeper waved a friendly goodbye and watched them walk outside into the night. A cool autumn wind blew through the evergreens as they walked away. Fel lead them off the two track road down a small path towards the river and his small camp not far away. He wasn't taking this seriously, but he was curious to hear more of what the man had to say. After walking a short while, they arrived, struck up a fire, and rend continued his seemingly well rehearsed speech.
"As it goes with corrupt plans, the treacherous councilmen's devices did not last. Their token king became entrenched in his position, and his power grew to become real. Those councilmen died as the pawns they sought to make, and the king's son was stronger yet when he took the throne where he still sits. You know that he is a cruel king, but he was a strong general. He brought this land we are in now into the kingdom, and much more, but he is old now, and he will die without an heir. There will be bloodshed when..."
"You want me to be a king, is that what this is?" Fel laughed aloud, echoing through the trees. He had finished a goodly portion of the wine since leaving the tavern, and was beginning to find this all rather funny.
"Yes, we do. The councilmen have been somewhat humbled these past years, though they are still far from honest men. They have not fallen far from their fathers tree, but those of us that remained true have convinced them that a return of the line of Agen would be to everyone's advantage. A throne up for grabs without an honest claim would likely split this kingdom into many parts, after much blood. But you are a legitimate heir. You look the part, in fact you are the part, and we have evidence to prove it. We revealed to the other councilmen that the house of Agen is still alive, and they know this is their only choice." Rend snatched the jug, took a swig of what was left, then set it behind him.
Fel glared at it somewhat angrily, but afterall, the man had payed for it. He drew his dagger and proceeded to fiddle with it. This wasn't quite so funny anymore. What was he to make of it? He didn't beleive that Rend was a common highwayman out to con him of gold he didn't have. Could this really be true? His father was a quiet man, but surely he would have said something about this!
"I'm no king, I'm just a woodsman and a hunter, sometimes a hunter of men, but I cannot lead men into battle, much less deal with the frippery of royal society and the pompous asses that run it. What could you possibly expect?"
"We know this, and indeed neither the council nor the people would accept you as you are. The king has some few years left, and we likely have time before we must present you. We have time to prepare, and we have a plan. First you will serve with our southern legion, and you will make a name for yourself there. You will be placed with and surrounded by men hand picked from our best, and some hired but trustworthy, all men from families loyal to the Agen line. You must do this! This ring is yours, as is this chain."
Rend reached into his coat and produced am engraved golden ring, and an amulet on a fine silver chain. The amulet was silver also, embedded with a riderless rearing horse of black diamonds. "That is the symbol of your house. You must wear it always, but wear it hidden for now. The ring had best be put away somewhere safe, perhaps on the chain, it is stronger than steel and will not break. I have said enough for tonight. I must go now, but I will send word within the month."
"This chain will be my noose" said Fel sourly, but he did not refuse it. Perhaps he was afterall bored with this life and was meant for something more. Mostly he trusted Rend, beyond all reasoning. He stared at the moonlit river and up through the tall firs at the stars, as the strange man walked away into the night.
***
A week later Rend sat at council in the city of Enwir with nine men, smiling his calm smile around the table as they questioned him. He answered quickly, summing up everything they wanted to hear.
"Yes, this man will do, above all the subjects I searched out. He fits the descriptions most strikingly, and he is young and foolish enough to mold to our taste without questions. He does not desire to lead, but finds no objection to living in luxury. After his training the people will love him." He affected a sly grin and continued. "And so will we!"
The council went on until the lamps burned low, and when it was done, Rend walked out and breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
-------------------------
"Can I tell you a story?"
Fel glanced around at the man that had sat down moments before at the table behind his own. He was somewhat annoyed. "Are you some kind of bard? You don't look the part."
"Don't I?" the man smiled back at him, seeming to eye the platter on Fel's table.
"Much too sensible looking, and a bit old to be entrancing the ladies I think." Fel snatched a venison rib from his platter and began to gnaw it, hoping to discourage more idle banter. No one had ever accused him of being sociable, but he was no hard man, not among those he called friends.
The man laughed kindly. "No, I suppose I don't look it, and indeed I am not, though when I was younger I did have a bit of luck with the ladies. Sadly I have to say that was probably more about my position than my charm. But I do have a story to tell, and I'd like to tell it to you, if you have a moment.
Fel was starting to warm up to the stranger, despite himself. He seemed like more than most of the younger businessmen and merchants that passed through this waystop town in the wild. All they had to talk about was their latest aquisitions, or new plans to strike it rich, how the prices were so high for this or that, or which famous whore they had slept with in the big city. Fel reached across the table and slid his pack and blades off to the floor.
"If you must tell it, sit over here, my neck grows weary."
"My name is Rend, and I thank you, I think you will find my story interesting, but it will not weary your ears long, unless you want to hear more." Rend sat smiling for a moment then helped himself to a glass of wine from fel's jug. He grinned as Fel chuckled and shook his head. "Yes thats me, a bard and a beggar, and a bold one at that! But I will buy your supper for your patience."
"I suppose you know some of this land's history, so I will spare some details. You surely know that some 100 years ago a king in the royal line of Agen fell in love with an elven woman and was exiled by his council, who said that such love was treason. This was the opportunity they had sought, for our people than had much less trust for the elven kind than they do now. Some people today say that the council even arranged for this elven girl to come and enchant our king, so they could replace him with one that would rule more unto their liking. My friends know this to be true, for our families are decended from councilmen who remained in heart toward King Gerard, but feared for their lives."
Fel was sitting silently now, a half chewed rib in his hands and a quizzical look on his face. This was not the humurous anecdote he had expected at all, and he said so.
"How does this relate to you? Quite directly actually." Rend paused to enjoy fel's puzzled frown. "You see, after the elven temptress deserted him a month into their journey into the eastern wilds, Gerard's life did not end. The enchantment faded, and eventually he came to a mountain village, where he met and married a human woman who bore him a son. That son was your father."
"I'm quite sure I don't beleive you, and why would you even tell me now?"
Rend's face sagged with sudden weariness, and then he went on. "I know that he is dead now, but I knew your father, and I met your grandfather when I was very young. Those who remained loyal to your father's father found him, and kept in quiet contact these past generations. Your elders were good men, and strong. Would you mind stepping outside? It would be better to talk of this elsewhere, but bring the wine of course!"
Fel somehow trusted this man, and he wasn't quite sure why. It felt as if he somehow knew him, but the face he could not place. He buckled on his blades, shouldered his pack, and watched as Rend payed the Innkeeper. The Innkeeper waved a friendly goodbye and watched them walk outside into the night. A cool autumn wind blew through the evergreens as they walked away. Fel lead them off the two track road down a small path towards the river and his small camp not far away. He wasn't taking this seriously, but he was curious to hear more of what the man had to say. After walking a short while, they arrived, struck up a fire, and rend continued his seemingly well rehearsed speech.
"As it goes with corrupt plans, the treacherous councilmen's devices did not last. Their token king became entrenched in his position, and his power grew to become real. Those councilmen died as the pawns they sought to make, and the king's son was stronger yet when he took the throne where he still sits. You know that he is a cruel king, but he was a strong general. He brought this land we are in now into the kingdom, and much more, but he is old now, and he will die without an heir. There will be bloodshed when..."
"You want me to be a king, is that what this is?" Fel laughed aloud, echoing through the trees. He had finished a goodly portion of the wine since leaving the tavern, and was beginning to find this all rather funny.
"Yes, we do. The councilmen have been somewhat humbled these past years, though they are still far from honest men. They have not fallen far from their fathers tree, but those of us that remained true have convinced them that a return of the line of Agen would be to everyone's advantage. A throne up for grabs without an honest claim would likely split this kingdom into many parts, after much blood. But you are a legitimate heir. You look the part, in fact you are the part, and we have evidence to prove it. We revealed to the other councilmen that the house of Agen is still alive, and they know this is their only choice." Rend snatched the jug, took a swig of what was left, then set it behind him.
Fel glared at it somewhat angrily, but afterall, the man had payed for it. He drew his dagger and proceeded to fiddle with it. This wasn't quite so funny anymore. What was he to make of it? He didn't beleive that Rend was a common highwayman out to con him of gold he didn't have. Could this really be true? His father was a quiet man, but surely he would have said something about this!
"I'm no king, I'm just a woodsman and a hunter, sometimes a hunter of men, but I cannot lead men into battle, much less deal with the frippery of royal society and the pompous asses that run it. What could you possibly expect?"
"We know this, and indeed neither the council nor the people would accept you as you are. The king has some few years left, and we likely have time before we must present you. We have time to prepare, and we have a plan. First you will serve with our southern legion, and you will make a name for yourself there. You will be placed with and surrounded by men hand picked from our best, and some hired but trustworthy, all men from families loyal to the Agen line. You must do this! This ring is yours, as is this chain."
Rend reached into his coat and produced am engraved golden ring, and an amulet on a fine silver chain. The amulet was silver also, embedded with a riderless rearing horse of black diamonds. "That is the symbol of your house. You must wear it always, but wear it hidden for now. The ring had best be put away somewhere safe, perhaps on the chain, it is stronger than steel and will not break. I have said enough for tonight. I must go now, but I will send word within the month."
"This chain will be my noose" said Fel sourly, but he did not refuse it. Perhaps he was afterall bored with this life and was meant for something more. Mostly he trusted Rend, beyond all reasoning. He stared at the moonlit river and up through the tall firs at the stars, as the strange man walked away into the night.
***
A week later Rend sat at council in the city of Enwir with nine men, smiling his calm smile around the table as they questioned him. He answered quickly, summing up everything they wanted to hear.
"Yes, this man will do, above all the subjects I searched out. He fits the descriptions most strikingly, and he is young and foolish enough to mold to our taste without questions. He does not desire to lead, but finds no objection to living in luxury. After his training the people will love him." He affected a sly grin and continued. "And so will we!"
The council went on until the lamps burned low, and when it was done, Rend walked out and breathed a quiet sigh of relief.