Submitted: 1 June 2000

What is the problem with some of us?

by Zyrimir d'Quethe

The warrior replied, "Aye friend, today is actually my 24th birthday."

Baresh studied the young man for a moment and then stated, "Hell son, ya hardly look old enough ta be wearin that armor, much less orderin a drink at my bar."

The man chuckled and said, "Perhaps friend, but I assure ya that I'm good for it." Baresh poured the paladin a drink and placed it in front of him.

"Why so glum?" Baresh asked, "It is not your birthday?"

The young paladin paused, "Aye, it is."

Baresh seemed confused by this exchange and pried further into the man's day. "So what could make ya so down this fine eve?" Baresh wondered.

The man slowly looked up from his glass and said, "I was called a coward tonight friend..."

Baresh looked away and said, "Well I don't know ya friend, however judging by your armor and that bandage around your hand, ya seem brave enough ta me."

The young warrior, a sparkle in his eye, said, "I thank'ee good bartender, please call my Zyrimir."

Baresh said, "Pleasure ta meet ya Zyrimir, mind tellin me what happened tonight?"

Zyrimir, with a sad look on his face, claimed, "I was in Baltiziel's group this eve, defending the Stone Clan and the fallen on the North Road path while trying to either defend against or invade Lord Sura."

Baresh paced for a bit and Zyrimir asked for another whiskey. As Baresh was pouring the drink, he asked, "So why then were you called a coward?"

Zyrimir sighed as he took a sip from his glass. "A group was forming to invade the reach and try to push back the S'lai. Many of us were asked to join up to help in the cause. Both Baltiziel and I tried to convince those foolish enough to invade to fall back and that the most important thing we could do was to protect the clerics, the empaths, and the fallen. However, the group claimed to be able to drive the S'lai back and cursed us for cowards as they ventured into the reach."

Baresh seemed intrigued by the story and asked Zyrimir to continue. The warrior, wanted to tell his tale, agreed. "Well," Zyrimir continued, "the group lasted no longer than perhaps five minutes inside the reach before they had all been slain."

Baresh grinned slightly and asked what happened next. Wondering if Baresh was honestly interested or wanting Zyrimir to stay long enough to order another drink, the warrior agreed to continue.

"After I had felt the destruction of the group that invaded the reach, the S'lai advanced and fell upon no more than 15 of us." As Baresh handed Zyrimir another drink, Zyrimir continued. "After being filled full of arrows and bolts, eventually the group drove the S'lai back, but at a relatively heavy cost...we lost many warriors." Zyrimir recalled.

Zyrimir thanked Baresh for the drink and claimed, "If only those fools hadn't charged in blind bloodlust into the reach our losses defending the helpless would have been minimized." Zyrimir continued angrily, "If the brave warriors of the realms would simply work together and follow those who know, such as Baltiziel, then we could finally defeat Sura and perhaps set the S'lai free."

Baresh patted the paladin on the back and told him, "Ya know laddie...ya seem to be a noble man so I'll let ya in on a little secret."

Zyrimir, wondering what the old man had to say, asked what the bartender had to say.

The man said, "I've been around for a long time my young friend, and I've learned that ya can't save all the fools in the realms. Tis brave and noble to try, but some are just so blinded by hate that they can't see the greater good."

Zyrimir sat quietly, reflecting upon what the bartender had said. As the bartender poured Zyrimir yet another drink, Zyrimir quietly said, "But is that any reason to stop trying to save them all?"

Looking startled by this comment, Baresh studdered, "No, no, friend....I suppose not."

Zyrimir gulped the whiskey down and thanked the bartender for his company. Baresh returned the compliment as Zyrimir rose from his seat. Zyrimir laid a gold coin down on the table and commented on the quality of the whiskey. Baresh chuckled and quickly snatched up the coin. Zyrimir saluted the old bartender and as he turned to walk out the door, Baresh stopped him.

"Hey kid!" the barkeep yelled.

Zyrimir stopped in his tracks and spun around to find that Baresh was wearing a grin and holding another cup of whiskey. As Baresh offered it to him, Zyrimir asked, "What's this for friend?"

Baresh laughed and replied, "Ya didn't think I'd let ya leave so glum on yer birthday did ya? How about ya stay a bit and talk a bit eh?" Chuckling, Zyrimir shut the door to the bar and joined Baresh in another round.