Episodes 9

The various characters contained in these writings are copyright 1999 by Mychael Roy. Any resemblance to any persons or characters either real or fictional is utterly coincidental. Copying and/or distribution of these tales is permissible only under the sole condition that no part of them will be used or sold for profit. In that case, I hope you enjoy them...

Mychael Roy [email protected]

The Travelers

IX : Gunthor In The City And Wilias`s Destiny

Gunthor now left The Raven`s Eye magic shop he now had a buckler a silver ring, both magical and newly aquired. He headed towards his favorite tavern, the Roasted Boar. Even though it was still early he was hungry and so he ate a whole boar by himself and drank his share of ale. He then decided to go and get his new stuff checked out be some old geezer and then head for the gym to train for the rest of the six days.

So the stocky hammer wielder whent to the market knowing there was always some sage there to help travelers such as himself with thier magical items of unkown origins. As he thought in the dead center of the market was an old man by a booth waiting. Gunthor approached him and inquired if the man could help him out in devising the powers of his items, for an amount of money of course. The old one axcepted and they left to go to his house so the man could ponder through his books, notes and what not. Anyway the two of them figured out what both items could do, the buckler was of good quality and slightly magical. His ring was a ring of protection wich was very enchanted. Gunthor then paid the heavy price the sage asked for and was on his way.

A little while later he arrived at the fighters guild. He entered and was greeted by mostly everyone present. He was widly known amoung the guild members for he was the third strongest registered there. The strongest was, of course the master of the guild Fernand The Broad, and second was Warner, the typical all braun and no brains, yet some say he has enough braun to make up for his lack of intelligence.

Gunthor then went to the training room. This was a huge room including boxing rings, wrestling mats, punching bags, a running track, sparing dummies, sparing holds, archery ranges, smashing boulders, a hut tub, and even simulated battle terrain that was constantly being changed. Most people considered this the most extensive training grounds in all of the Realms. Gunthor trotted off to one of the archery ranges and rolled of a boulder to practice his hammer throwing. A small crowd was gathering and speculate around him. They were impressed by the fact that his hamer actually returned to him. He just smiled to himself and kept practicing.

So he pushed himself to the very limits of his body for the whole six days. He was trying to perfectionate his aim and increase his strengh, he had in mind to beat Warner at a match of arm wrestling. Warner had arrived at the guild on the third day and was boasting about how he had aquired his new monster of an axe that could actually become a pole axe or mace thrice a day each. He had eclipsed Gunthor and his hammer, which the dwarf did not appreciate. So he had gone to see Fernand which Gunthor thought impressive, an 7`2" human weighing a good 300 pounds of pure muscle and the best swordsman on the Sword Coast, he asked him to organize a regulated, approved match between hima nd Warner to see if he still bested him. Fernad and Warner both acepted and the match was schedualed for the night before Gunthor was to leave.

The night was now and the two competiters were seated at the special arm wrestling table, with elbow padding and the like for better performances. Both of them shook hands in the customary arm wrestling way wich ended with them in position. Fernand then gave the signal. Both man and dwarf heaved, pushed and pulled at the others forearm with thier own. It was fairly even for the first 30 to 40 seconds and then Gunthor gave an inch to Warner who saw his apponent weakening so he double his efforts and within half a minute it was all over. Warner tired lifted his arms in victory and cheered. Gunthor for his part sculked away to his inn and fell asleep ashamed of his loss.

Still the next morning he was over it all and though to himself, I did better than the last time I had went againt Warner. And the next match will end in my favour.

* * * * * *

In his dark room Wilias finally peered through his eyes. He was in darkness and his head pounded like it was under siege by thoudands of hammer wielding dwarfs. He sat up and suddenly he felt dirty and unclean, as if he had not washed in weeks. Though the feeling was not from his skin but from hid heart. He then keeled over and spewd all over the floor.

Then, from no where apeared a tall man, in chain mail of silver and a helm. The man had no eyes beneath the helm and his right hand was no more, all that was left was a stump. The man seamed to glow or radiate slightly. Wilias had never see him before yet he knew very well who it was. He had devoted his whole life to this man and what he stood for. It was his god, Tyr the just. The god of justice. Wilias just kneeled there by his bed to astonished to bow or even move. Then Tyr spoke to him "Wilias Thent, you are one of my followers are you not?".

"I am and have been since my fifth birthday, when I was innitiated to your teachings." Wilias did not know where his courage to speak came from but it had.

"That is why I am here. You Wilias have been hust all your life and have tought others to by just. That is good, it is what my followers ought to do. Though Wilias you did not choose to be my follower, you were tought to be my follower by your parents church. You were not given the choice of your own faith. That is an injustice to you made by my chuch."

"But my lord it matters not I enjoy my life as one of The Just. Even if the oppertunity would have shown itself I would of went for your church and none other� Wilias dared to interrupt.

"Are you sure you would have come to my faith and not Torm`s or Mask`s, for example. You have never experienced these and therefor cannot judge. Sir Thent, I want you to leave this city and strike out on your own, and renounce my name for the least one year and see other faith`s, then when the time is up, I shall find you and you will let me know what your decision is." With those final words the avater of Tyr vanished. Wilias was left in his spew filled, dark silent room to himself. He stayed kneeled unmoving for several hours. Then the pian in his knees awoke him from his thought`s of his youth and training he gathered his belongings and left the inn.

He was determined to make it on his own in the world of the Realms and to see other churches and faiths. He marked this day in his memory and he vowed that in one year hence this day that he would make the right and just choice in his life. When he was safely away from the city he tried to use his paladin powers, and he saw that, as he thought, they were no more. He was now a common fighter, like Gunthor he thought to himself, that thought triggered another. His compagnions, he had left them without notifying them, that was unjust on his part. Ohh well, hustice, how would his life now be without justice to uphold?

Next: The troup regroups, find Wilias missing and then are stuck in a whole lot of trouble.

Notes: Gunthor`s part was fairly good for introducing new NPC`s to the story. Put the star of this episode was Wilias. I had first thought of having him die to save the party in a real heroic way. But that is to typical of paladins. So I did some thing I have never heard of being done before. Pretty neat. Plus he can now come back later�

Pick Up Volume 10"


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