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I walked through town thinking of a way to tell the people of Yliakum my life story. A Dwarf, with strange colored hair runs by in a huff. He grunts and glares at me as he passes.
"Tis a great day and good hunting to you" I say, shaking my head and chuckling to myself. Got to love those stonebreakers and admire their culture. They may be high tempered but they are great warriors trained in warfare skills and magic. Though their magical abilities are not strong, they make up for it in their skills as blacksmiths. I have seen some fine weapons from those Dwarves. I think about my good friend Necro, who after many heated arguments and fun times had given me a Fire Claymore. That was my first solid sword. It was beautifully crafted, the claymore was thought to be slow ......but if it hit you, you felt it and sometimes didn't get up.
I was almost to the sewers in Hydlaa city. I was looking for a trainer, I knew Percival Hawthorn would be standing near the sewers because that is how he makes a living. He picks up newcomers and shows them around town telling them of his training skills, in hopes they will hire him to train them. I smiled to myself thinking of all the times I had paid him to train me. It was money worth spending I truly believe he was one of the finest trainers Hydlaa had. I was about to tell this great role model in my life that I must go my separate way for he had taught me all he knew.
"Stop right there, Lady Zorbels. I know that look in your eyes!" He let out a sigh and plopped down to the stone ground below with a soft thud. I said "M'Lord I don't know what you are talking about!" I tried to meet his eyes without looking away. I gave in, "Okay fine tell me if you know Lord Percival," I sat down beside him watching people hurry in and out of the sewers. "You are just as pushy as ever Zorbels" he smiled at me the way a dad would to his daughter. I suddenly felt sorrow. It is true I will probably see him from time to time, but would be training in Akkaio. I would not be spending afternoons in the fields with aggressive Trepors enjoying Lord Percival’s teachings of melee, agility, and swords.
"Zorbels, you must move on. You and I both know you are ready but I want you to know you are one of my best students.", he said. He gave me a huge grin and said "Now my goal is to find another who was once like yourself, always so full of questions, and rushing into things!" He added, "Lord Ogu is right you are hot headed." I laughed at the comment knowing if Lord Ogu was here he would be laughing with me. "Tis true M'Lord Percival but you and my guild have taught me patience and discipline. I know now I have lots to learn, but thanks to you I am able to be a little wiser in my dealings. I sighed and wonder where my life in Hydlaa will lead me next. After getting the name of a new trainer to enhance my growing skills I waved goodbye to my old friend and bounded off to the Plaza.
Then it hit me why not just write this story as I travel and remember things from my past. I could make notes of events I feel the people of Yliakium would want to know. I checked to see how much parchment I had, I didn’t want to run out while walking from one city to the other. I looked up at the sky and frowned. “Tis getting dark”, I thought and admired the movement of the clouds, and how graceful it all seemed.
I decided to go to the tavern in Hydlaa called Kada-el. There I could stay for the night and rest my weary head. It was like a second home to me there, for all of my companions stayed there if they did not live in Hydlaa. I wondered into the tavern and purchased a room. I threw my bag of supplies down by my bed, then I stripped down to nothing and crawled into the mass of blankets and pillows. I let the memories of my life in Yliakum wash over me as I laid there staring at the ceiling. I thought about my guild and how I came to meet them, a smile crossing my face as I pictured Lord Eolius beating the rogue I so desperately wanted a good sword from. “I was so lost then,” I thought to myself. I was apart of a guild at that time. I did not understand what we stood for or why I had even joined it. It seemed like there wasn’t enough support for the members and I was looking desperately to get out of it. “I was so foolish back then,” I grumbled to myself. I was shy but my need to belong some where was much more overwhelming. I approached Lord Eolius and begin to ask him of his Guild. He was very kind I noticed right away and offered to give me a good sword if he came across one. This surprised me because he seemed to truly want to help me. My walls crumbled and I told him about how I was apart of a guild who did not help its own members and how I felt foolish to give myself over to them so easily. “I think you should be apart of a guild because you believe in what it stands for Lord Eolius, something I didn’t think about before I accepted this name,” I said unhappily. He smiled at me and replied “Same thing happened to me with my first guild, so I quit and created one...” He seemed to go into a deep thought, then looked at me with interest. “Would you like to go for an adventure with me?” he asked. “Yes please” I replied to him excited at the chance to learn a thing or two from a guild master. We spent the day traveling the Yliakum country side hunting and talking about his guild and what their purpose was. After a long day we returned to Hydlaa to rest in the tavern. “I learned so much from you today M’Lord Eolius, and had so much fun!” I grinned still excited from the days hunt. Lord Eolius took a sip of his ale and said “ You are a wonderful student and if you decide my guild is for you I would be honored to have you join.” “I will think upon this tonight and contact you when I am ready with an answer M’Lord,” I smiled and waved goodbye as I headed for bed.
As I opened my eyes the next morning there was not doubt in my mind that I wanted to be part of the Protectors guild. I rushed to put my clothes on and hurried downstairs to see if Lord Eolius had gone hunting for the day. He was sitting at a table with a two of his guild members discussing guild business. I later found out the two guild members were Lord Ogu and Lord Heroro. “I am sorry to interrupt but I was wondering Lord Eolius if I may join your guild?” I said in a hurry trying to catch my breath. “I put a lot of thought into my leaving the other guild and I realize it is my destiny to be in yours,” I felt strongly my words were true and this was my path. Lord Eolius, Ogu and Heroro exchanged glances and all started to grin at the same time. “We were just talking about you Lady Zorbels, to be honest and we are happy to hear that you would like to join,” said Lord Ogu extending his hand to meet with mine in a handshake. “Lord Ogu and Lord Heroro are my right and left hand men in the guild M’lady Zorbels,” said Lord Eolius with pride. I bowed and told them I was happy to make there acquaintance.
I sat down at the table with a little hint of distress in my eyes. “What is wrong M’Lady Zorbels?” Lord Eolius asked concerned. “Well M’Lord I am spoken for by a Kran named Stronith, and I am concerned now because he is still apart of this other guild I am to part with,” I frown not pleased with the task ahead of me. “We are like a package deal and I am not sure how he will take to me leaving this guild and joining another without talking with him first,” I looked up with worry in my eyes and then looked back down at the ground. “I truly would like him to join with us,” I said with a sorrow filled voice. “Talk with him Lady Zorbels and meet with us back here tonight” Lord Eolius said. “Yes let us see what Lord Stornith thinks of all of this and then we can make a decision,” Lord Ogu said to me gently. I promised I would do this and headed out the tavern door to speak with Stronith and face the task of telling my old guild that I was leaving.
I found Stronith slashing away at a rogue who had insulted him greatly. I grinned as I watched those rock arms move with blinding speed. I quietly crept up and whispered “I love you” in his ear while dodging his movements as he attacked the rogue. Stronith swung one last swing of his sword and took down the rogue. He turned around and picked me up into his arms. “I missed you my love, and am glad you are at my side,” Stronith said with warmth in his deep voice. “Were have you been?” he asked. I motioned for him to put me down and waited patiently. “What is wrong my love,” Stronith asked concerned slowly sliding me to the ground. I looked down at the ground and then up into his white eyes and frowned. You see Krans do not have pupils or irises like other creatures do. They have white only that covers every inch of there eyes. I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a gentle yet passionate kiss.
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“You make me melt Zorbels,” he sighed and looked down at me with a look of love that would melt any Ladies heart. This made me feel even worse about my decision making and I could only hope that he would not be angry with me. “I have met a guild master that has showed me what a true guild should be Stronith,” I smiled sadly at him. “I have left our guild to join with the Protectors for I feel it is the right path for me,” I looked into his eyes again expecting to see anger but only to find there was none. “My love you do not have to clear everything you do with me, though I am honored you take may word to heart,” he smiled. “As for switching the guilds I’m not angry with you for I to do not feel at home with them,” he frowned and put his arm around my shoulder pulling me in close. “My only concern is that I may not join with you as much for you will be with your new guild learning and hunting,” he sighed. “That is just the thing Stronith I was hoping you would consider joining with the protectors as well,” I smiled at him letting him see the hope in my eyes. “They have requested that we meet with them tonight in the tavern at Hydlaa city,” I said. “Lord Eolius will tell you of the guild and if you like what they stand for he is willing to have you join as well!” Stronith thought for a moment and then said “I will meet this guild master Eolius and listen to his information, but understand this Zorbels I may not want to join. After the last guild I am starting to wonder if there is any point to it,” Stronith looked at me and smiled. “Oh trust me Stronith I feel this guild has a good heart and they help others,” I paused and then continued “and they really take care of there own” I showed the excitement in my eyes. “Shall we go meet with them then my love?” Sronith asked. “Yes lets” as I grabbed his hand and pulled him forward.
That night Stonith and Lord Eolius sat in the corner talking about the guild, while I sat with Lord Ogu and Lord Heroro playing a game of cards. As we played Lord Ogu told me the story of the Armageddon that had taken place long before I came to Yliakum. Lord Ogu had me so involved in the story that I lost my card game. Stronith strolled over to me and announced that he was to join with the Protectors. I was pleased and let it show all over my face. I hopped up from my chair and threw my arms around his neck and hugged him with all my might. “Lord Ogu and Lord Heroro stood up to extend their hands for handshakes and to welcome him into the guild. A noise caught my attention and I looked over to see Lord Sasek from my old guild enter the tavern. I glanced over at Stronith with a worried look and then went to approach Lord Sasek to let him know I was no longer a member of his master’s guild. “Why M’Lady Zorbels did you leave?” asked Sasek curious with no hint of anger. I told him my reasons. “Well I completely understand for I am starting to feel the same way,” Sasek said with a frown. I asked Lord Sasek if he would like to join me for a hunt because I felt his need to talk about his problem with his guild. He agreed to this and off we went.
To Be Continued…
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