One of the countless tragedies of loss from Lord Sorrow's War.

by Chaplan De'Midrian

Baresh, with a concerned look, steps over to the young Mage and places a friendly hand on his shoulder. "A drink, traveler? You look like you could use it."

The young mage raises his head and nods sadly, obviously on the verge of tears. "I'm sorry innkeeper..I seem to be getting your bar wet.."

Baresh chuckles as he places a mug of ale in front of the mage. "Nothing new friend..Something is obviously wrong with you. I've an ear for a story if'n you don't mind sharing."

The mage smiles and takes the mug gratefully. "Aye Baresh..Nights like these make me remember..I was born and raised in Arthe Dale..I lived there until recently, when Sorrow captured the village. The night it happened, my love and I were together outside. We hid from the S'lai and Elpalzi and tried to return home safely before we were discovered, since it seemed that they were leaving people in homes alone..We were two houses from her door when they found us."

The mage takes a deep breath, and then a short sip of his ale as Baresh looks on, eyes widening a bit. "The commander told his men to kill us both, but they killed her first..when they saw the pain it caused me, they simply laughed and let me live..I stumbled home as best I could..grief-stricken and sick..My younger brother was there, and he told me that mother and father had been killed defending the village, and my loss was complete. I fell asleep and did not wake for two days. When I finally did wake, my brother told me he was going to draw some water for us."

The mage pauses for a moment and lets his head fall to the bar for a second, raising it back up with renewed tears. "His body..was returned with an arrow in his heart. That night, I vowed to escape. I was almost caught by the troops, but I managed to outrun them, and then I made my way to the Crossing. Right there..at the Northeast Gate..I vowed that I, Chaplan De'Midrian, would never be powerless again. I found my way to the Observatory, and am now a member of the Guild of Moon Mages." Chaplan smiles slightly and places a few coins on the bar.

Baresh's face softens after the horror of the story and he smiles gently. "If I may ask, lad..what was her name?"

Chaplan gazes down at the floor for a moment, speaking almost inaudibly. "Baresh, if I said her name, I would never be able to get out of this tavern sober..Thank you for listening to my story, good innkeeper. I am sure there will be many more to follow."

Baresh's smile turns to a frown as the young mage makes his way out of the tavern. "Lad, may the Gods watch over you and protect you..No, you will never be powerless again." Sighing sadly, he returns to serving his other patrons.