Leandrae
Moments after knocking, the door opens to reveal a young
human woman smiling warmly at you. She appears to be well rested and content.
"How wonderful of you to stop by! And such good timing too. I've just stoked up the
fire so as to make it more comfortable in here for you. Please, have a seat and make
yourself comfortable."
She guides you to a soft chair near the fireplace. Handing you a cup of hot tea, she then
settles down in the chair opposite yours.
"So you wish to know a little about me? Well, I've had a pleasant life so far;
difficult at times, but then again, who hasn't experienced some difficulty in life before?
I've always felt life to be a learning experience, and the times of hardship have taught
me much.
"I grew up in a home not far from here. It was a log cabin built by my father. My
father was a woodsman and my mother a merchant dealing in herbal remedies and spell
components. As the second of three daughters, I grew up in a world of love and
outdoorsmanship. My parents worked hard and instilled in their children the same work
values. We all worked hard in many ways ranging from helping to gather the mushrooms and
roots needed, to helping customers and keeping the shop clean and tidy.
"One evening, a powerful sorcerer came by the shop. My parents apparently knew this
sort of character of this person, and ushered my sisters and I to a bedroom. Being
curious, we couldn't help but listen at the door. After several quiet minutes, sounds of
anger erupted from the front room. The sorcerer needed a particular dried flower that my
parents didn't have, nor would they obtain. My father said the item the man needed was
extremely dangerous in both the locating of and the handling of and refused to send any
member of his family to get it. We heard much shouting as the argument continued.
Suddenly, we heard chanting in a quiet and muffled voice, followed by the sound of someone
hitting the floor and then my father's anguished cry. We burst from the room to find our
mother in a crumpled heap, our father cradling her head in his arms. As we rushed to our
parent's side, the sorcerer raised his hand towards us and said, 'Three almost grown
daughters you have I see, they enjoy their time outside all three, the component I see I
do not have but this battle I have won, for your daughters three shall now only venture
outside by one.' With that, he ran from the house, leaving my family in tears and
confusion.
"My mother was left in a near death state, we all stayed awake the night trying to do
what we could for her. By morning, she was a bit better, but unable to move or speak. My
father wanted to stay by her side, so he sent my sisters and I to fetch the bark the rare
Yaid'e tree. We all rushed to the door, my eldest sister leading, as she passed through
the door, my sister and I seemed to hit an invisible wall. It was then that we understood
the meaning of the sorcerer's chant..he had cursed our family..only one child was able to
leave the home at a time. We all gathered together and discussed how we should handle
this, and it was decided that my eldest sister would journey to Crossing to learn what she
could from the empaths to aid our mother and calm our father. "
Leandrae pauses, staring deeply into the dwindling flames of the fire, momentarily lost in
the emotion of remember such times. Wiping a tear from her eye, she glances up at you,
"I'm sorry, it's still painful to remember that dark hour in our family's life. But
it does the heart good to remember such things, as long as we don't let them consume us.
"While my sister was away, my other sister and I tended to our parent's needs. Our
father was a changed man after mother's magical illness struck. He still loved us all, but
blamed himself for what happened, and thus never left our mother's side. As a result, the
shop was closed down, with mother too ill to work, and father unwilling to leave her side
as well as the problem of only one child being able to leave the cabin. We lived off the
stores of food we had, and the kindness of other families living in the forest until my
sister's return.
"It was then that I decided to strike out to earn a living, to provide for my family.
My two sisters were more than happy to stay at the cabin to care for our parents. So with
meager supplies, I myself headed to Crossing.
"After wandering rather aimlessly in such a big city, I found myself sitting at the
doorway to the Paladin's Guild. As I sat in despair at my inability to provide for my
family, a kind knight stepped out of the doorway. He laid a warm hand upon my shoulder,
and asked me to come inside to warm up a bit. He sat me down by a warm fire, and passed me
a cup of tea, much as I have for you today. His eyes seemed to show so much empathy and
understanding that I couldn't help but pour out my life's story and its woes. It was so
warm and comfortable, and after having cried so many tears, I fell asleep right there near
the hearth. When I woke up that morning, the knight was still sitting near me. He seemed
tired, and a bit distraught, having stayed up all night to watch over my sleep. I stood up
and immediately apologized for keeping him awake and taking so much of his kindness.
Gathering up my few things, I started towards the door. The knight stood up, and
introduced himself as the leader of the Paladin Guild of Crossing. I fell to my knees to
beg his forgiveness for my selfish ways, for laying my problems on him, for taking
advantage of his generosity. Darius helped me up, and told me not to worry, that
generosity is a part of that Paladin's are all about. Then he honored me in a way I never
thought possible, he offered me the chance to train with the Guild, and possibly someday,
become a Paladin. The only provision he asked for in return was for me not to let my need
for revenge eat at my soul. 'One day you may have your chance to avenge what has happened
to your family,' he said. 'With the training you will receive as a Paladin, I hope that if
the day comes that you meet this evil man, the decision you make in the method of
vengeance will be the right one.'"
She pauses again, as she glances out the window. "Oh my, have I been talking for that
long? I apologize for taking so much time. I have only begun my story, but it will have to
do for now. Perhaps we could meet again sometime if you should wish to hear the rest.
Thank you for coming by to hear my tale of the shaping of a young girl on the road to
becoming a Paladin. Safe journeys to you, and may your chosen god bless you and your
family always." |