Chryseis Freeborn
Chryseis Freeborn, born on the 15th day of the 7th month of
Moliko the Balance in the year of the Golden Panther, 289, or so I been told. Seems me
past be a bit sort'd. Me mum was a quiet shy elf working in her Pops herb shop. I remember
da smell of earth on dem freshly forage'd roots n grasses. Mayhaps dat why taday I still
likes ta make me potions and healin' da wound'd. (Me second jandel ::bows her head:: usta
shake hims head at da extra burden I would carry but oh was hims glad when I could stop
hims bleedin' chest!)
There was a tenative peace in da village wif soldiers wanderin' 'bout lookin' bore'd,
itchin' for a lil trouble. One found it in da arms of me mum. I was tol' hims was a brave
n handsome soldier, but turns out dat was a lie. Hims snuck away likes a teef in da night,
leavin' b'hind a trail of tears n broken promises and me mom, expectin' a shosuger. A
kind, tho somewhat homely human accept'd n bond'd with me mum some years later, took us in
hims did. I hear'd da snickers b'hind cover'd mouths but did nae know the truth till me
sister Pondi was tol' by unkind friends flauntin the truth in hers face. By dat time I had
left our sweet village, after makin' an offerin' ta Eluned,
I wander'd off rather likes me father with hardly a g'bye ta anyone. Me sister came in
search of me and found me in Elanthia. I had left home, as it were, in part, 'cause of
Pondi. Hers is a pretty thing and I, well, I be plain. Oh how as a youngun I hated her
beauty. I have come ta realize dat beauty comes from da soul but in da mean time I hurt me
mum jus as me father did and was ne'er able ta make it right. Pondi came in search of me
not ta tell me of the truth b'hind dem whispers, but ta tell me our mum had past in da
night. Hers stay'd in Elanthia wif me and we have since made our peace. When Urremtier
takes me I hopes me mum will greet me and forgive me my past neglectful woes.
When I gots ta Elanthia I was 'bout broke, tire'd n hungry. I was able ta forage up some
eatible flowers n berries. I saw other folk on me way through da gates. Some givin' me aid
on how ta live b'hind the gates of a city, others tryin' ta steal me last coppers! I
wander'd west, keepin da sun on me face and Kalika found me. She tol' me of this band of
hunters, a guild if ya will, dat share lessons for survival in dese here lands. I listen'd
well, den hers sent me schadaddlin' up a rope ta a tree house. Had the best nights rest
I'd had in many moons! We spoke 'genn in da mornin' light. Hers took me close ta her,
whisperin' secret ranger ways, made me swear ta stand n battle for da safety of our fellow
guild memebers, ta learn the way of da wood. I swore den I would. And me likes ta think I
ha'e. I was accept'd, finally, and had found a new family.
I'v lost two janden. Both good n fine men. They taught me well as we walkd da lands. I
fear not huntin' alone. I'v learn'd well how ta read a map, how ta make me arrow's n bow's
so I am ne'er wifout a means ta protect myself. There is honor in aidin' a fella hunter
wif healin' potions or a drag ta safety, whether I knows dem or nae. We fight for da glory
of freedom from the slavery of our enemies, for the gates protecting our communities. And
ta drink grog when we are tellin' our tales taller den da greatest tog! I'v an adpot'd
family here in da lands. Me poppa is a ranger tog who wanders wif hims ranger jandel. I
adopt'd a son who has grown and gone on ta other lands and made me proud, him has! I ha'e
a daughter who has surpass'd her ol mum in learning and now marks ta start a family of her
own. I will ne'er jantrar 'genn, me children 're grown n gone. I look forward ta learnin'
yet more of the way of our lands n ta share me simple knowledge wif dose who care ta
listen. I no likes da idea of havin' all dem Mansion walls 'round me, but for a lil bit of
time I could stay in town and see iffn I be need'd.
I be but a thought 'way.... |