Cedric's Story
"Cedric – five years is a long time," Skorri Manysons
cocked a bristly eyebrow at the young man seated on the bench before him.
"So it is, my chief. You wanted have a full report, did you
not?" Cedric – the man they call the Fox, leaned back and grinned at the bearded
old warrior on the high seat.
"Hmf," Skorri grunted. "So tell." The longhouse
echoed in unaccustomed silence. Skorri was receiving his long-away clansman in quiet.
"The news is not good," Cedric lost his grin.
"Belintar styles himself ‘Pharaoh’ and conquers all before him. He rules
fairly and well – but he tolerates no independence. You will kneel and bow your head
– or die."
For some moments there was only the sound of Skorri cracking his
knuckles, then he spoke again.
"Tell me of you travels that I may understand better."
"Yes, my chief," Cedric nodded, then continued. "Five
years ago, three of us departed as you had asked – quietly slipping away at night.
Several days later, we came without incident to the estate of Wendis the Larnsti. Upon
showing our tokens we were admitted quickly. To this day, I know not what you did to earn
those tokens, but we were given gifts of substantial power.
"Archon, of course, chose combat. He was equipped head to toe
in armour of iron. He was even given an iron greatsword named ‘Determination’.
Fenoal chose knowledge. I don’t understand exactly what he received but he made some
very spooky – very accurate predictions before we parted company."
"And you – what did the Fox chose?" asked Skorri.
Cedric grinned, "I choose the Gift of Tongues. Despite all that
is happened since, I think some of the strangest has been that which happened on the
Otherside in pursuit of that boon."
"Bah," Skorri snorted "You should have followed
Issaries."
"I can’t. Mules don’t like me." Cedric dismissed
the idea with a wave. "And I don’t much like mules."
"In any case," continued Cedric, "we had this plan.
Three men together are suspicious and learn no more, perhaps less than one man. And we
were not strong enough, even together, to guarantee our safety and the success of our
mission. So we split up.
"Archon set out to join Belintar’s forces. From there he
could determine what sort of commander he was. Fenoal went to join Belintar’s
councils. From there he could see what sort of ruler Belintar was. And I was to move among
Belintar’s people that I could see what Belintar made with what he had conquered.
"For five years I wandered through Kethaela. I traveled the
many cities of Esrolia and saw how Belintar curbed the worst excesses of the Queens but
still left its men in chattel. Many a time I ran afoul of the grim maidens and, being
permitted no weapons, I learned to use fists and furniture in my defense.
"I moved on to Caladraland where there are no cities and
Belintar permits the locals to sacrifice people to the great volcano. There I learned how
to forge swords in a volcano and use the twin short swords.
"I voyaged the Isles that God Forgot. I was in the city of
Casino when Belintar broke the bank and claimed the land for his prize. There I learned
how to see, for things are not always as they seem.
I journeyed to the Rightarm Islands and talked with fishers and
mermen where Belintar spoke of one day re-opening the seas to travel. There I learned to
swim and climb.
I even ventured the Shadow Plateau and saw for myself the great
tarpit that is all that remains of the City of Black Glass where Belintar destroyed the
Only Old One. There I learned despair for nothing I learned could foresee the halt of that
which is Belintar.
Finally, on hearing of the fall of King Andrin I returned as quickly
as possible to the Heortland and avoiding the armies of the various pretenders returned to
you.
"What I saw is that Belintar leaves those in each land mostly
to their own nature – be that for good or evil. But Belintar does rule, kings and
queens, priest and sorcerer must bend knee or be destroyed. Where Belintar brings changes
by and large those changes encourage peace and enrich the lands.
"In short, he is a good chief – but he is not our chief
and he will not ask our permission to be our chief."
Cedric paused and took a pull of ale.
"I do not know the fate of the others. Archon was making quite
a stir among the Pharaoh’s forces but his unit was sent against some new enemy called
the Grazers and I haven’t heard of them since. Fenoal found a position among
Belintar’s administration and ultimately became something of a spy from what I could
tell. He was called to court and I haven’t heard from him since – I don’t
know if he was undone or simply could not take the chance to contact me." Cedric
paused again and frowned into his ale. "Worse, before we separated on of
Fenoal’s ‘predictions’ was that at some point in the future he would be
‘pass beyond loyalty to the clan’. I am not sure that I would trust him if he
were to appear now."
With that Cedric fell silent. Skorri stepped down from the high seat
and paced silently for a time. Then he turned to Cedric.
"Tomorrow, I will summon the clan. I am too old to bend knee
and have no heart to leave. I will stay and die here. But the clan will go on. I will
release those who would to seek new lands in the territory discovered by Colymar.
"Earlier this week a wildman who calls himself Bjarni arrived
looking for some clan his visions have shown him. He claims the spirits sent him to guide
this clan to new lands. I believe that Orlanth moves through him.
"Though I will allow others to choose to stay or leave, I once
again burden you with the task of seeking the way. Protect my people. Say nothing to
anyone until tomorrow. After tomorrow, those who leave will pick a new leader – guide
him as you guided me."
Cedric slid from the bench. On bended knee he answered a simple,
‘yes my chief’ then rose and left the hall.
Narrative Character Description
Cedric, the Fox, is a sharp-sighted warrior-scout
known for his charm and fast talk. In the many scraps brought on by
his sharp toungue he learned to fight with fist and improvised weapons
and otherwise "swashbuckle". If necessary, Cedric will fast-draw
the twin fine short swords he forged in a volcano. A follower of Orlanth
Adverterous, he also prays to Wishbone, subcult of Bevara, for healing.
Cedric was given the Gift of Tongues and sent to scout Kethaela. He made many
friends, learned diverse customs and learned the traveller’s skills of climbing,
swimming and walking long distances.
Character Sheet
Last modified August 22, 2001
|
Table of Contents
