The Ballad of the Fateful Trial
While on Kunark, Pallidmortis
Pondered erst equality,
And his doctrine he abandoned
Ere returning ‘cross the sea.
He was called before the Senate
To answer for his crime
Of proclaiming races equal-
No Erudian paradigm!
But the Consul could not hold his own
Against the General’s skill
Who, in a battle of rhetoric,
Bent enchanters to his will.
The Consul then conceded
To the General’s demands:
All races kin, the Legion free,
‘Til Gallius raised his hands.
“First Consul, this is madness,
And still worse, ‘tis heresy!
For a Troll to be my equal?
Such a notion cannot be!”
But his cries were come too late.
Pallidmortis did not stay,
But he gathered up his Troops,
And they simply walked away.
The Lady Eliyena
Left her guild to join her man,
And the ever-fast Doctrina
Far away from Odus ran.
From his Senate-seat did step down
Ishtarrak the Warrens’ Bane,
While the Consul left in anger
And was never seen again.
And thus was left old Gallius,
Alone without a plan,
On the ancient Bridge of Battle,
Where this journey erst began.
There, the ghosts of Cunart
And of Atos stood by him,
And they gazed into the waters
Deep and murky, dark and dim.
On the Battle Bridge in silence
By the river stood the three.
When a fourth there was among them
As they gazed into the sea.
And the fourth then spoke to Gallius,
“I am Erud, thou my Brother,
Of all the Men of Odus
Thou hast served me like no other.”
“Leave behind this world called Norrath
For thy time is at its end,
And come with me beyond this world,
My most deserving friend.”
Thus, his guild rent full asunder,
Thus, with no ties left to sever,
Gallius walked away with Erud
And from Norrath left forever.
Return to Chapter VI: The Heretic's Gaze.
Return to the Story of Odus.