Smoke curling from an ancient ivory pipe yellowed with age, the figure sat before the warm fire in an overstuffed leather chair enjoying the warmth the dancing flames imparted to his old bones. He pulled the pipe from under his great grey mustachio and playfully puffed some smoke rings, one after another until he had a small chain of rings wafting along on the eddying currents in the room. Listening intently for a moment to the sound of the smoke rings wafting through the air he nodded in satisfaction and, determining they were well formed, returned the pipe to his mouth to ready another salvo.

At that moment the door opened quietly allowing a young man to enter who instantly detected the smell of the pipe tobacco and frowned disdainfully. As he saw the rings flitting along one within the other he approached the chair softly and spoke softly to the man seated within. "My Lord, you know what the physician said about smoking that dreadfull tobacco. If you keep it up it will surely be the death of you." he said.

The man in the chair found this immensely ammusing and laughter, deep and loud, errupted from him. Grabbing the pipe so as not to loose it he laughed on for a minute and when he had recoverd enough to speak said " By Paladine Jeffron ! Trolls, giants, legions of goblins, dragons and Knights of Takhisis are dangerous to one's health. Though this may not be Krynn's healthiest passtime I consider it to be far less harmfull than the forces I have battled for 92 years. I know everyone is trying to help an old man but I will smoke this pipe quietly here in the ancient halls of my forefathers and be content with my life. If it kills me so be it. I go to Paladine's Halls from here and fear not what comes next."

Sighing his defeat the young man cleared his throat and said "That is of course your perogative my Lord. All we wish is for your final trip to Paladine's side to be a long way off. Krynn still needs her heroes, even if they may be beyond their fighting prime. You are admired by all and this world will be more grey when your time to cross over comes. I know how much you love to argue but that is not the reason I have come. A man is here who wishes to speak with you. He says he's a writer of biographies and wishes an audience with the pre-emminent Knight of our age."

The old man snorted. "About time," he said. "I've had an interesting life to say the least, well worthy of a good read. Only Paladine knows how many songs there are concerning my exploits out there, but none are written down for future generations. A book is an excellent idea ! Show him in my good Jeffron and make it quick lest this pipe kills me while I wait." He chuckled at the look on his servant's face at this and settled into his chair, going over his life in his mind, wondering what would be the best event to begin a memoir with.

After a few minutes Jeffron returned and ushered in a young man who couldn't be more than 19 years old. He carried a trail beaten leather bookbag under his arm and had the look of one who is more interested in his studies than fashion. He paused at the threshold, taking in the scene of the study with it's multitude of laden bookshelves, antiquities and war trophies.

As he entered Jeffron announced him. " Master Windrell of Palanthas to see Sir Quillyn Draconius, Lord of House Draconius, Keeper of the Dragon's Aerie, Lord of the Rose of the Knights of Solamnia, Defender of the Faith and Champion of Krynn.". This said he bowed respectfully to his Lord and gracefully exited the room, leaving the two alone for their discussion.

"Please do sit yourself and be made welcome in my house Master Windrell.", spoke the aged Lord, motioning toward a chair similar to his own in front of the hearth. The young man did so and when he appeared comfortable Quillyn spoke again. "Jeffron tells me you wish to write the story of my life. An excellent idea and I think I know just where to begin. I think the day I met Sir Mandis is really where it all began and would make an excellent starting point."

The young man looked confused for a moment then said with some hesitation "With all due respect Lord, I did not come here to write your story. I don't know what your servant told you but that is certainly not what I told him. I am writing the story of Brim Happytrailsss and have been informed that you were a friend and comrade of his."

Maximus blinked. "What ?" For a moment he was uncertain he had heard rightly. "Brim ? You want to interview me about that Kender ?" The young scholar nodded with some misgiving, fearing that even in old age the Knight would grab one of the many glowing weapons from the wall and bash him for all he was worth.

After a moment the old Knight errupted with laughter, so loud that it seemed the windows would fall out of their frames. His hysteria eventually subsided into a lingering chuckle and after wiping away tears of mirth Quillyn turned his blind countenace towards the man and said "Oh my. I am truly sorry young man. Jeffron said you were a biographer and I in my arrogance assumed you were here to write my story. Ah, even after all my years as a simple warrior searching for enlightenment and humility it seems I yet have a ways to go. Please forgive the arrogance of an old man."

"Not at all my Lord. A simple misunderstanding. I would have thought your story had already been written. When I am finished with my current project I would be greatly honoured to sit with you and write it, but for now the story of Brim occupies me."

Still chuckling softly Quillyn sighed and nodded to Windrell, "Very well then. What do you wish to know. I have not seen the good Lord Sir Brim for many years unfortunately but there was a time when that wondrous wagon of his was a common sight in the Knight's Fortress in Palanthas."

"I was thinking we could start with the first time you met him," Windrell said, reaching into his bag and pulling out a softly glowing ball of amber. Releasing it, the ball moved to hover between the two of them and hung there, humming softly.

Quillyn cocked his head to one side and listened intentl, the humming sound of it unfamilliar to his ears. He turned to Windrell with a questioning look. "Oh, I'm sorry. I should have said something first I guess. It's a recorder ball. It just records our voices so I don't have to write anything down right now. Later when I return to my study it will play back our conversation. This way you don't have to pause so I can catch up and I won't miss anything.", Windrell explained as the expreesion on the old Knight's face changed to wonder.

"Remarkable," said the old Rose Knight, "and just the sort of thing I would have expected to see in one of Brim's bags." He chuckled at the memories that were beginning to wash over him. To Windrell it seemed as though years were melting away from him just with the memory of Brim.

"Let's see then, where to begin ?". Quillyn paused for a moment. Then he began to relate his first encounter with Lord Sir Brim Happytrailsss, Highlord of the Vanguard, Master of Colour, Keeper of the Rose of Paladine and Knight of the Crown of the Knights of Solamnia.

"I guess it would be 75 years ago now, before I lost my Paladinhood, became Quillyn and was yet a Squire. I was upon a quest in the Khalkist Mountains south of Nordmaar when I was waylaid by a group of bandits led by a particularly offensive Hill Giant. There were a dozen of them in all, plus the Giant. They demanded I dismount and yield up all my goods or die, so I couched my lance under my arm and charged like any Knight would. The Giant took my lance in his heart right off and after I had dispatched or driven off the remaining flotsom I heard a sound behind me. Turning quickly about I thought maybe more were coming up behind me. And there I beheld what is, next to the presence of Paladine himself, undoubtadly the single most wondrous sight I have beheld in all my years.

"A small wagon driven by a diminutive Kender, painted all the colours of the rainbow and then some. Just the appearance alone of this wagon was enough to lift spirits, satiate hunger and heal wounds. It was simple and yet at the same time absolutely magnificant. In all the years I knew him, I never asked if it was magical, but it surely must have been. Quite possibly a gift of divine origins. Anyway, the wagon pulled to a halt some few feet away from me, the ponies drawing it looking not even remotely tired for pulling it through the mountains.

" 'Salutations Sir Knight', said the driver. 'I thank you for dispatching these ruffians ahead of me for they would most certainly have wanted from me the same I am sure they wanted from you.'

" I nodded to confirm the truth of his statement and introduced myself. 'Fellicitations Master Kender. I am flattered by the appellation you bestow upon me but as you can see by my lack of spurs I am a Squire and not yet a Knight, although I hope to remedy that soon. I am Maximus, last of House Draconius and Squire to Lord Sir Rek Loreblade. I am pleased to make your aquaintance and am at your service if you be in need.', said I.

" ' And I am Brim Happytrailsss, Knight of the Vanguard of the Knights of Solamnia. As you are at mine, as am I at your service if you be in need also.' he said, grinning at the situation of two Knights offering each other their services. 'Are you injured at all good Squire or in need of refreshments ?' he continued. 'My wagon here is loaded with all sorts of good things and I have plenty to share if you like.'

" Jokingly I said 'Well, I sure could use a nicely done leg of lamb with mint sauce, with a side of sweet potatoes and a nice bottle of Vingaard '23 wine to wash it down.' As I chuckled Brim nodded and began to rummage around in his wagon. Thinking he was trifling with me I began to get annoyed but after a moment he emerged from the wagon again with a chest and passed it to me. I looked at him questioningly and he indicated that I should open it. I sat it down and when I lifted the lid was stunned by what I saw. A leg of lamb, seasoned and cooked to perfection, a small jar of mint sauce, some sweet potatoes and a bottle of Vingaardian wine. I was absolutely stunned.

" ' I'm sorry about the wine,' said Brim. 'I don't carry the '23, I find it a bit too musty. I hope a bottle of '19 will suffice ?' " I couldn't believe it. I looked at him, wondering if he really was a Kender or some strange magical entity of some sort. Brim giggled at the look on my face and began to laugh, so hard he fell off his seat and back into his wagon where his laughs echoed as if he were in some enormous cavern. Maybe he was. I never saw anyone but Brim enter the wagon but judging by the amount of stuff he could keep in there it had to have been an extradimmensional space.

"Eventually he clambered out and climbed from the wagon and there we sat, a Kender Knight and a Human Squire enjoying a meal truly fit for a King, in the middle of the road at the top of the Khalkist Mountains. I rode with him from there to Gerighelm where we were guests of the Duke and Duchess of that city. We supped with them, but the fare paled to that which Brim carried in his wondrous wagon of many colours.

"Over the years we became good friends Brim and I. We faught together, revelled together and on more than one occasion had the misfortune of mourning the loss of valliant Knights together. We were truly comrades and though it has been many years since we last saw one another I know that we will meet again before my time on Krynn is done. We have more stories to tell each other, more jests to share, more wine to drink. And I wish to show him my hard won mastery of the pipe. He gave this one to me you know. Said he found it in the ruined Palace in Xak Tsaroth. I have no idea how it got there but it has the Draconius Coat of Arms upon it. At some point it belonged to my family, ages ago. He recognized it and returned it to me, even though he carried it for years before he saw me again and had the opportunity to return it. That was Brim. Thoughtfull, considerate and caring. The true qualities of a Knight. It's why he was eventually made a Knight of the Crown, a full member of the Knights of Solamnia. He's the first and only non-Human to ever be admitted to the Knighthood, though he retained his rank in the Vanguard as well. Paladine himself eventually chose Brim to be Keeper of the Rose of Paladine, and the Knights, myself included, could not think of a better choice.

"Somewhere out there he drives his wagon still, full of joy and wonder, wandering as Kender will, bringing good deeds, mirth and succor to those in need.

" That's about all I can say really about our first encounter. There were many more over the years, such as the time we defended Palanthas against the Maelstrom of Zeboim when the Knighthood was overrun with battles everywhere and only a handfull were available to defend the city against the wrath of a god. It was Brim and I who quested for the shield called the Bullwark of Paladine and sacrificed it to protect the city from the storm's blast after fighting off the Merrow Horde.

"Ah the memories. Such a one as Brim shall not come again into this world I fear. When his time comes and he and his wagon depart forever the world will become grey and dull. I have been merely usefull to Krynn, where Brim has been indispensable. I am just a Knight and there are many more like me. But Brim is unique in all the history of Krynn. I look forward to meeting him one final time. Maybe he'll take me for one final ride upon that glorious, wondrous wagon again.

The old Knight finished his tale and reached for the small glass sitting at his side on a small table. Noticing it was empty he called out "Jeffron!"

Immediately the door opened and the everpressent servant entered. "Yes my Lord ?"

"Would you be so kind as to fetch a bottle of the '19 Vingaard ? I seem to be out of wine."

The servant raised his eyebrow. "The '19 M'Lord ? Are you sure. There are only two bottles left, and those are the last in all of Krynn. Even a Knight of note such as yourself cannot replace those." said Jeffron, thinking his Master had erred.

"I know Jeffron. But bring one anyway. I'll keep the last for when Brim comes."

"As you wish my Lord." Turning to exit and fetch the wine from the immense cellars Jeffron was about to close the door when Maximus called after him.

"And bring another glass when you return Jeffron. This young man has been good enough to listen to the ramblings of an old man for long time. He deserves to taste the best wine ever produced by mortals. After this night he will never have the chance again." Jeffron nodded and exited, closing the door softly as he went.

Signed,

Quillyn Draconius, Defender of the Faith, Last Lord of House Draconius.

Hope you like it :)
Quillyn aka Stew :)