Submitted: 30 September 2000

The Poor Children

by Clearfist Swiftwalk

"Hello friend what will it be?" Baresh asks.

"I'd like an Elothian Windhaze it seems a few of the patrons have been trying it out. By the way my name is Clearfist."

Chuckling softly Baresh pours the mage the drink and sets it before him. "Nice to meet you Clearfist." He replies.

"I hear you're the bartender to tell your tales to." Clearfist says as he takes a sip of the windhaze. Baresh nods waiting for the mage to continue.

"Well You know the empath Timothy who has been wondering around the crossing area correct."

"I know of him." The bartender replies.

"I know where he's from." Clearfist states with a smirk.

Baresh cocked his head slightly peering at the warrior mage. "And how did you get that out of him?"

"Well I didn't really." Clearfist confesses. "The only thing I every heard him say were about the poor children before he broke down in tears." Clearfist upon seeing that he has sparked the bartenders curiosity carefully continues.

"I decided to head up to the fire sprite hunting grounds to test my skill against them. As you know the fire sprite hunting grounds is not far from the twin volcanes called the Fist of Heavens.

Everyone who has been there knows that the place is harsh with heated air choking your lungs at the most inopportune times. Well I managed to tire myself out really bad and needed a break from hunting but they wouldn't let up. That's when I spied a beam leading into a hole. Seeing an avenue for escape I made for cover. What I found startled me."

Clearfist pauses to drink a little more of the Windhaze and continues. "I was in some sort of shelter long since torn asunder by the wrath of the volcanoes. Upon exploring I found a supply nook that used to house healing herbs as well as a waiting room and a sort of infirmary. The whole place was a shambles believe me! There was only one brightly colored quilt left hanging to one of the wings. I walked into the wing and that's when I found them..." Clearfist paused becoming very somber.

"Found who?" Baresh asked.

"The wall had caved in but deep inside the rubble I could make out a child's pale hand still clutching at a stuffed animal... Those are the children Timothy was talking about. From what I gather when the Fists of Heaven first erupted the people there had no time to react and save themselves. I think Timothy hid in the supply nook until it was all over then climbed out using the beam. There are still pieces of robe hanging from it that I think belongs to him. I think he feels that he couldn't save them and is tearing himself apart over whether or not he could save them." Clearfist smiles bleakly as he finishes the rest of his Windhaze.

"Are you going to be alright yourself Clearfist?" Baresh asked.

"I think so." was his reply.

Baresh lowered his voice, "The awful tragedy that happened at Sicle Grove is something that happened a few years back now. If you search in the old parchments, you'll find accounts of it. I only learned, last year from my favorite paladin, that the ruins of the Shelter could still be found." He shakes his head slowly.

"It was a devastating blow to everyone, but especially to Timothy..."

The barkeep's silence was solemn.

The Young rakash stood and, after paying for his drink, made a beeline for some scholarly searching through the old parchments before he quietly exited the bar.