3. Robyn's Whispers

Robyn's Whispers


  • The Morning After

    I ran into a young woman looking for Anelundil. He had offered to train her in the use of the long sword. I didn’t know what to say at first other than the blunt truth. Anelundil had given his life for me and two others.

    It’s something I still feel guilty about. I put my life at risk for the sake of adventure when I had already been prepared for the duel. I just needed to wait and bide my time until it happened. I had no idea how to make up for that until my conversation with this young woman.

    I would teach her.

    I will carry on his legacy the best I can. It’s the least I can do to honor his dedication and memory.

    I took this woman Eilonna to the Peltarch parade and tournament grounds, and began to teach her that very morning. Though I am no master with a long sword, I am still better than most. I taught her basic grips, stances and strikes. Nothing fancy, but you have to start somewhere.

    That afternoon found me in the Peltarch commons. Livia was sitting beside me … not really, but I could see her. This was going to take some getting used to, having a constant companion inside my head.

    “There’s your mountain man”, she quipped

    “Hmm? What?”

    Livia pointed under the tree, a small smile on her face. “Oh, go over and talk to him”, she said.

    I looked over. A man was lounging under the tree. I had seen him off and on during my stay here in Peltarch, and I never took much notice of him until now. He wore a relaxed, care-free expression. His arms were bare to the shoulder, and worn leathers covered the rest. A tooth was on a cord around his neck.

    “Oh go on!”, she repeated. “Besides, it’s about time you got laid again. It would do you a world of good”

    My eyes widened at the comment. “Shush you!”, I whispered loudly. I can’t believe Livia was ever a Paladin.

    The man looked up at the comment with an odd smile. “First words outta your mouth to me an’ ya tell me t’be quiet”, he smirked. “…an I haven’t even ‘ad a chance to say anything”

    Livia giggled. I felt embarrassed. Sighing, I wandered over to chat
    I introduced myself, and I recalled someone calling him “Ras” once. We chatted about very little for a long time. I asked him what his idea of home was. I suspect he never really considered it, living out in the woods they way he did. I could tell, because that was the kind of person I was in another life.

    I excused myself when it got dark, and wandered back to the Mermaid for supper. I should have invited him I suppose, but I certainly wasn’t ready to open up to anyone so soon, not after all that’s happened.

    I ate dinner alone that night, with Livia giving me a sympathetic stare. Then quietly she vanished, leaving me alone to my thoughts. I ate my dinner in peace and daydreamed of another life filled with children, a dog, a good home, and a man to share it with.


  • The Duel

    It began as a day like any other. I had become complacent to Livia’s whisperings, and they had faded into the background noise of the day. I had a leisurely breakfast, followed by sword practice in the bard college, prayer in the temple, and a walk along one of the piers. I was looking forward to the ceremony on the rant stand in the merchant grounds. They were to honor the people that risked their lives to right the weather, and I looked forward to the gathering of people. I had hopes of making new friends, meeting old acquaintances, and envisioned a night of telling stories in the Mermaid until we were all drunk and sleepy.

    Yes, it promised to be a good day.

    The ceremony started, and people gathered until the crowd pressed against the stands. I found a place in the back to stand, and greeted those I recognized and traveled with. I had even brought a bottle of wine to share afterwards. I said “Hi”, to Tally and a few others, and watched them take the stand one by one. General Neverith gave a great speech, what I could hear of it anyway over the crowd. Shallyah stepped up and said thank you and…

    General Ash, captain of the city guards shouted, stepped forward, and ran Neverith through.

    For what seemed an eternity, nobody did anything. Then there were screams. People ran from the merchant grounds. I saw children getting picked up and hustled away. General Ash stood there, soul blade in hand. It cast a reddish glow on the stage. It all seemed surreal until he shouted.

    “Where’s Livia!”

    My knees almost buckled at that point. The time had come, so soon it seemed. I wasn’t ready. I had so many things left to do. I still wanted that home in the mountains.

    The guards rushed forward to subdue him, but were blocked at the stage. General Ash shouted again, but I couldn’t hear what he said over the screaming. I drew the blade of Tyr, and pressing through the crowd, stepped forward onto the stage. My way wasn’t blocked.

    All became quiet

    The sounds of the crowds diminished. I noticed several of the guards beating furiously at walls they couldn’t see. I noticed the flapping of the flags on Peltarch’s walls. I watched he snow that mysteriously fell around me collect on the podium. I noticed hundreds of little details of the world around me and drank them in, because they might be the last things I’ll ever see.

    I looked over at General Ash. I started to say something, but I was interrupted by two words.

    “Die Bitch!”

    He rushed forward. I was caught completely off guard and his blade clipped my side. I felt the wave of the swords energy as it drilled through me, but in complete reflex I noticed his guard was far too low, and the tip of my rapier slashed just above his gorget. A great cascade of blood ran down his tunic, and his eyes grew wide at the hit. Then he backed off taking his guard.

    General Ash was much taller and stronger than I so I stayed defensive, relying on Anelundil’s training. I deflected the next several blows, and parried his off-hand dagger with my cloak. But he was keeping his guard too high…overcompensating for the throat wound I had just given him. So when he swung again I crouch and extended. His sword whined over my head, but the point of my rapier buried itself in his gut.

    I knew at that point, I had already won.

    I felt giddy. Confidence filled me as I went on the offensive. His attacks came weaker now, and were easily blocked. My dagger cut his arm. My sword point found his shoulder. When he twisted right, I cross blocked and ran him through.

    “No…”, he whispered hoarsely, and the light in eyes just vanished as Livia in the sword sundered his very being.

    Much of the rest of the day was a maelstrom of emotions and events. People carried Neverith’s body off, though I knew he could never be raised. Though I imagine I could, I would never use Livia in that fashion to kill anyone except in these duels. The thought horrified me.

    I learned that an Elvish man named Elessar had tried to interfere in the duel and had been struck dead. I feel terrible about it, but there’s little I can do.

    I spoke with the Divine Shield and told them my story. Tyr spoke and told of the coming war, and that not all is lost for Neverith if I can win the next duel.

    If…

    After that, I wandered the streets alone. Everyone had departed for prayer, rest, or grieving. I meandered back to the temple in hopes the knights and priests would still be there. Perhaps I hoped, they would like to share that bottle of wine with me. The only person I ran into was one named Allister, who apologized that he was readying for evening prayers. Everyone else was gone.

    That evening I found myself alone on the docks, and sat on the one of the piers. I could see Livia sitting beside me, even though I knew she wasn’t really there. I grabbed the wine bottle from the pouch, and yanked the cork with my teeth. I spit it into the water and watched it bob away.

    “Are you going to drink that all by yourself”, she said?

    I looked over. She was blond and pretty in ways I’ll never be. I could see why she charmed people in her short life time. Her eyes held mirth and laughter. I thought I would feel jealous, but I didn’t.

    I took a swig. “Prob’ly”, I said.

    “You’ll regret it in the morning”, she replied with a knowing, wistful smile.

    “I’ve earned it”, I snorted and took another swig.

    The wine never tasted so good.


  • Death

    I died

    It all started out as a grand adventure on a quest for treasure. There were clues and hints, and while we all had our doubts, the glimmer of hope and the adventure itself kept us going. It wasn’t until we climbed the rope out of the cold caves that everything fell apart. We were all made invisible by a scroll used by Sabre, and the plan was to climb the rope and sneak away from the Gnolls. But one Gnoll started on our scent. He growled. Romulus panicked, and the next thing I know there’s mayhem, too many Gnolls, pain, and darkness.

    I awoke in the temple of Tyr. Though it’s called the Temple of the Triad now I will always think of it as Daisy’s temple. Some things shouldn’t change.

    People were milling about. Anelundil was standing over me. He had a sad smile on his face, and the wings on his celestial form quivered and drooped. He asked me to bring justice to the world, and still wearing that sad smile faded into oblivion. I knew in my heart that I would never…ever…see him again.

    People handed me my things. They stood around for a while talking quietly, and one by one left the temple. I stood there for the longest time, trying to make sense of it all. The guilt of what Anelundil did for me was a stone in my heart. There was no possibility of ever repaying that sacrifice. I had risked the greater good for adventure and treasure.

    It was greedy. It was stupid. It was selfish.

    Galin had been standing off to the side. He cleared his throat and approached.

    “Lady Robyn, I don't rightly know everything that's going on here. I do know what you've shared with the Order though, and if that young man was what I think he was, then there's bigger things at play here than you or I.”

    “Are you going to be okay?”, he continued. “Is there anything I can do for you, to help you through this? It seems Tyr has a direct interest in seeing you complete some task…”

    I could feel the tears hot in my eyes. I wanted to be stoic. I wanted to be the model of heroism. Instead, I broke down and told him everything. I babbled amidst tears of frustration and guilt over Anelundil’s passing, the pressure of waiting for a duel that if I lose, will likely be the end of me in ways I can’t even fathom. The sentences rambled on almost non-stop.

    I told him the history of the sword, how it came into my hands. I told him of the story of Vortelli, Domar, and Lady Winters. I spoke of Lady Winters’ untimely death, of lost loves, of the soul in the sword. I told him of the duels I’ve faced and the price that is paid. In the end, I just stood there shaking and tear streaked.

    Galen wrapped his arms around me as I wept. This was the second time my tears have stained his robes. He whispered something about prayers, but I was crying too hard to pay attention.

    After I recovered my dignity and excused myself, I exited the temple and began wandering the streets alone. I felt hollow … empty. After an evening of wandering in the cool night air, I found myself standing in front of the Bardic College. After months of daily training, my feet had automatically guided me to the location I have walked countless times before. Before I knew it, I was standing on the empty stage where Anelundil had taught me.

    If there was any place I would ever feel his presence again, it would be here. With great deliberation I took out the Blade of Tyr. Its steel flickered eerily in the torchlight, the runes of my name rippling on the blade. I brought the sword to my face ceremoniously and with a salute to the memory of Anelundil…

    …I fenced.


  • The Storm

    I can feel it coming. I would like to say that “The dark clouds of destiny are on the horizon”, but that’s so fucking melodramatic that I couldn’t respect myself for saying it.

    But it’s coming.

    The sword keeps whispering “Soon”, as if I didn’t already know. I dream of long hallways and doors. Sometimes I open the door with an intense feeling of dread. In others I am being chased, and flee into dark rooms while something unseen pounds on the door.

    I have more or less resigned myself to the inevitable. I try not to think about it much, and live each day individually and not dwell on tomorrow. It’s the only way I maintain any semblance of sanity.

    I participated recently in a terrifying ordeal filled with bugbears, undead and far too many demons. I owe my life to a man named Luke, who rescued me when a demons magic wrapped around my mind and I could no longer respond to the swords and weapons around me. I feel obligated to repay him in some manner, but short of the obvious I suppose the only thing to do is be there the next time he’s on the ground instead.

    For now it’s quiet. I have enough coin in my purse to not have to waitress any more, and move from day to day in relative relaxation. There’s a ceremony coming up to honor the people who ventured to stop the rains. I think I’ll go and enjoy the moment, and try not to look at the horizon.


  • The Great Adventure

    I participated in a great adventure last night.

    No, it was not the terrifying ordeal into a Lich’s realm. I don’t consider that as much of as adventure as a fight for survival. My skills don’t work well on undead. For that you need a large blade, hammer, magic and blessings. My quest for quiet prayer in the temple of the Triad turned into a tag-a-long on some quest to recover the vessel of a Lich named “Baron Locke”. Well, it was actually to recover a book that someone else would use to recover and destroy the vessel, but I digress. We went into this realm. We had 24 hours to recover the book. We fought so many undead I entirely lost count.

    Nor was it the Lich itself showing up with his minions, raiding the city, and whisking us away to parts unknown. I didn’t help much there either. My arrows did nothing. I couldn’t get close enough to hit anything with my blade. The best I could do is make myself an inviting target and stick my tongue out in his general direction once in a while for good measure.

    In the end the book was recovered, the vessel was destroyed, and the Lich was defeated.

    That’s the short of it.

    When it came time to divide the proceeds, I took one small item and left the remainder. Let the wizards, priests and warriors who actually slew the undead get the spoils. Besides, I am in high debt to several for potions purchased prior to the trip or used during it. Hopefully my share of the potions recovered will pay them back with interest. I cannot abide being in debt.

    No, my great adventure was baring my soul and playing storyteller to a wizard named Maria.

    I told her the legend of Domar, Vortelli, and Liv. I told her about the making of the sword, its prophecy, and my fate. I told her everything, because I need someone to know. Someone has to carry on the story because despite my training, there’s a very real possibility I could lose.

    And by the gods if I’m going to die, I don’t want it to be alone and forgotten. Let the story live, even if I don't


  • The Sword and I

    It’s been more than six months since I hung up my bow. I have lived, slept, and trained with this blade until the callouses of my hands match the lines in its grip. The once oppressive hold on my mind has been turned into a comforting coexistence. Its weight and lines are as familiar to me as a part of my own body.

    I have learned do things with this blade I never thought possible. I have danced and sparred until my body ached and my mind became numb with repetition. I have bested my instructor, and he told me I was ready. We celebrated with quiet ceremony, yet inside I was terrified.

    Now I walk the streets of Peltarch, awaiting a tragedy foretold in prophecy. I have no idea what to expect, so even the rumblings of the senate have me on edge.

    This tragedy will be orchestrated. Someone evil will be behind it. We will find each other, and only one of us will walk these streets again.


  • Fear

    I rarely take the time to pray. I mean really, really pray. Fear does that to one I suppose.

    Anelundil has given me the day off, and I found myself in the temple of the Triad, which I knew in my time as the Temple of Tyr due to Daisy’s influence. I sought solace, and while I considered making a pig of myself at a local bakery, I didn’t want to undo anything I have accomplished in the past several weeks. At times I’ve sought solace in drink, but I avoided that for the same reasons.

    I thought I knew how to fence. I truly did. But it’s been made quite clear to me that I only pretended. True knowledge of the blade is as much a dance of the mind as the body. I’m a quick study but I’m not twenty any more, and my body is sore enough that sitting on the pew is difficult.

    I have asked Tyr for guidance, but the only answer I have is silence and the majesty of this building with its ornaments and stained glass. The blade and I have made peace with each other. Perhaps it knows the gravity of what lies ahead, and leaves me awash in my own fears, with visions of parries, ripostes, and inevitable ends.

    “Miss, are you ill? May I be of some service?”

    A hand on my shoulder startled me, and I looked up into a kind, almost fatherly face. There was compassion in those eyes, the kind that breaks down the walls we often put around ourselves.

    I wanted to say something. I wanted to be clever and witty. I wanted to tell him I was OK.

    Instead I buried my face in his robe and wept.


  • Train or Die

    I’ve given over my bow to Anelundil.

    My bow. The one my father designed. Its horn and dark wood laminate construction make it unique. I practice with it every day for at least an hour, and have since the times of Kanen Hightower. It is as much a part of me as my green eyes and ponytail.

    But it can’t be, at least for now.

    In wars, it is often the little unsung battles that shape the course of events. The soldier who defends the stairway to a tower just long enough for reinforcements to arrive. The scout who pick up a trail and informs the general of a troop’s location. The archer who wounds a leader, causing an attack to falter.

    Their names, like mine, will be forgotten. History will write the names of the leaders, the cities they represent, and the troops they command. The names of the individuals are lost in time.

    A tragedy will happen. I will know when it does. There will be a person that must be faced in single combat. I cannot fathom how it will shape the course of events, but I know it will. I must be there to face him.

    In order to win this battle, I must give up all that I am. I cannot be Robyn any more. Robyn the hunter, Robyn the archer, Robyn the woods women…She cannot be a part of me any longer. That woman cannot face him. To face him, I must live and breathe this sword of Tyr. It must become a part of me, as much as my bow ever did.

    …And I have so precious little time to do it.


  • Winning Means I Lose

    There was a tournament recently in Peltarch consisting of archery, fencing, and jousting. It all started innocently enough with an impromptu archery contest with a dwarf named “Gnarl” just prior to the tournament. I won some ale money from him, and though I felt guilty for doing it, I certainly could use the coin. He grumbled good-naturedly, and I think I may have made a friend.

    I won the archery tournament. Considering the class of adventurers I’ve seen in this time, I shouldn’t have expected to. Nonetheless I did, even before the tournament started. I rarely lose, and while I’m glad my overconfidence was justified, there will come a time when I cannot afford to be so full of myself.

    That time is now.

    Even before the fencing tournament started, I could feel the tightening around my thoughts. The sword wanted something from me, and I was powerless to resist. I could feel the invasive whispers in the back of my head. I fought them. I tried to think of something else. I told the damn thing to shut up, but before I knew it I had to challenge everyone. It became completely necessary to prove myself to someone else, though I knew not who at the time.

    And challenge everyone I did. I fought everyone I had a right to. I beat the priestess of Larue, the big half-orc that hangs around the commons, and even beat Raryldor. Vortelli’s instruction proved itself time and time again with each attack, parry, and riposte. Before I knew it, I was standing victorious at the fencing tournament too.

    “You fence well”, the tournament host said.

    He introduced himself as Anelundil. The name didn’t sound familiar, but the half-elf before me looked like someone I should know. We spoke in private, and soon the subject turned to Vortelli, Gwendolyn and the sword. He knew far more about this history of this blessed and cursed thing than anyone had a right to. Even me, and I own the damn thing. He even knew about the duels.

    He claimed to be the son of Vortelli and Gwendolyn…the one “they never had”. Considering what I know of Vortelli I first doubted his words, but he knew so much that I the doubts began to melt. Vortelli was very secretive about his relationship with Gwendolyn, even with me. Could they have had a son?

    “I’m here to teach you”, he said, “For the coming duel”

    The Duels. Not much scares me enough these days to turn my legs to jelly. I faced orcs big enough to move houses, demons, and all manner of critters big and small. Each one brings with them their own brand of fear. But the duels bring a different form a fear; one that has a righteous finality that only the gods provide.

    I talked to Talindra about the sword. With Daisy gone, she’s the only priestess of Tyr I trust. When the time comes, I’ll have to face my opponent alone. However, it will be nice to have someone standing behind me to pray for my soul.


  • The Aimless Archer

    I’ve been on several minor adventures. I’ve followed people in the wilderness while remaining out of sight, just to keep my skills up. I’ve met several good people, some of whom I might call friends some day.

    But by and large I am an aimless archer, with few duties and goals to call my own.

    I’ve traveled back and forth along the road between Peltarch and Norwick countless times, and encountered little more than the occasional traveler. With the exception of the Gnolls, the land here has been pacified. The Eastlanders that once occupied the pass are nowhere to be seen, and even the larger fauna have taken to the deep woods. In my explorations I even found the old Wolf Den, but no one was home. Perhaps they no longer have a purpose here.

    The chaos and crime in the city of Peltarch has reached proportions of which I have never seen. It’s as if the wild has gone out of the lands and been moved into the city. It’s become so distressing, and I lack the authority to do anything about it, that I’ve moved out of the Mermaid and setup camp in the woods outside of the city. I mentioned to one of the local magistrates my former position as inquisitor, but I did not press the issue. I have no desire to wear that mantle again.

    Even the sword has remained silent. There are no dreams of Lady Winters or Vortelli. I have not woken in strange places, nor has it whispered to me since I received it. Perhaps it’s waiting for me to gather my purpose and strength again, or perhaps it needs to waken from its slumber in the Temple.

    While I wait for purpose, several people seem to keep cropping up in my meanderings.

    Lady Talindra is a priestess of Tyr, and with Daisy’s absence I believe she will one day hold the key to the sword. I have traveled with her a few times. She’s mostly quiet until she has something important to say, and I appreciate that. I have not told her of the sword, and am hesitant to. I sometimes wonder why I even told Raryldor. I could easily see myself calling her friend, given time.

    Corwin is a member of Spellweaver, and while I never trust wizards, for the most part he seems bookish and harmless. He also strikes me as being rather innocent in a way I find hard to describe, perhaps due to his focus on his studies.

    And finally, the lady Val was able to enchant a belt for me, for which I happily traded the Norwick Crest ring. She called it the “Belt of the Gambit”, or something similar, and it offers some protection enchantments I’m sure I’ll find useful.

    I’m sure that all these people and others who I’ve met will make me feel welcome into this land again, but I can’t shake the feeling I really don’t belong here. I’m from a different, chaotic and more violent time in this land’s history, and my presence here has me confused and baffled.


  • The Girl, the Sword, and Everything

    The idealistic sixteen year old girl who received the blessed sword of Tyr is not the same one who wields it now. She is buried beneath layers of cynicism, pain, and regret. The sword doesn’t seem to care however. It wraps around my thoughts with a firmer grip, perhaps hoping that idealistic young teenager will be squeezed out into the world again.

    I told Raryldor about the sword. The sword didn’t seem to mind. It would have let me know with most painful repercussions if it did. The sword was crafted by an elf. I was taught the art of Elvish fencing. I speak Elven fluently. Even the cloak that shelters me from the rain is full of magical Elvish camouflage. Though I am quite human, my life has a healthy dose of Elvish influence.

    Of course the sword didn’t mind.

    During our conversation, Raryldor told me about a place called Oscura. I have healthy memories of Narfell from … well long ago, but I would certainly remember it from then, and I don’t. Raryldor described it as city with a corrupt government, churches of evil deities, slavery and corruption. I found it hard to fathom a place like this would exist underground for so long without being discovered during my time, but he pointed to a barge in the docks of Peltarch and said I could pay the ferryman when I was ready.

    I wasn’t ready, but I went regardless. Acting first and deciding later that it was a bad idea is the story of my life.

    Yes, Oscura exists. I was there. It’s a dark, foreboding fortress of a place set underground. I wandered through it getting a feel for the place, didn’t like what I saw and left. Not much to tell really.

    Raryldor told me he had a lot on his plate, and that he was looking for allies to help him with everything.
    “There is simply too much to do, and I can’t do it all alone”, he said. After asking, “Why me?”, he said it was because I looked trustworthy.

    Perhaps I should work on that. I don’t want to get involved in everything.


  • Lost in Familiar Places

    Like my belongings, Peltarch is the same … but not. The guard barracks and section are no longer there. There is another temple. Hemrod moved shop. Even the walls have been rebuilt.

    There are no familiar faces. People walk around going about their business. I feel I should know them, but I don’t. This is not the same Peltarch I left so very long ago.

    I asked an errant elf if there had been a war. The condition of the walls seemed to indicate cataclysm and ravages. I had expected a simple “Yes”, but what I received instead was an invitation to tea and a long recounting of recent events. I wonder if this elf who goes by the name of Raryldor does this to all the people who ask him questions.

    I took a boat south to Norwick. Like many of the places I’ve seen, it’s the same … but not. Norwick has expanded considerably in the passing years, and buildings have moved or added. While I was there, a speech was given by one of the guards, and he and the new leader of the militia argued with other visitors about preparation for war, and lack of recognition for their contributions in recent conflicts.

    I tuned it out after a time. The bluster, arrogance, and lack of respect on both sides was astounding. Eventually, I headed back to the city I served so long ago.

    I ran into Raryldor again. He invited me to go on a trip to the Underdark with him. Perhaps he’s truly insane, or perhaps the Underdark too is not as I remember it.

    I did meet a nice woman named Val. I had been trying to sell the ring given to me by the old leaders of Norwick. I don’t have a use for it, and the magic is rather powerful. She offered to enchant me a replacement in trade of the ring, and I accepted gladly. Val is a member of the lore masters and bards in the city, and much of my good fortune has always centered on such good natured people. Zyphlin was Adam’s protégé, and Adam was one of Kanen’s best friends. All good people in their own way.

    As the city grows more familiar with each passing day, the question remains of my purpose here. Without it I am truly lost, even in familiar places.