3. Stories of Kanen Hightower

Stories of Kanen Hightower


  • FANGED JUSTICE (Part III)

    Sam and Kanen left the blood-soaked inn and made their way to the blacksmith. There, Kanen asked the smith about Set, and what he had sold to him. The smith replied that Set had sold him several suits of very fine armor, and a sword that few would want, though finely wrought. When questioned, the smith revealed that an elf had purchased one particular suit of armor, and the unusual sword. When asked further, he revealed the buyer was a tall elf mage, wearing dark clothing named Master Dori’h. The blacksmith did not know where to find the mage, but mentioned that the wizard’s apprentice, Mel’hrus Jan’h, could often be found in the Peltarch library. Thanking the smith, who scowled when he realized he wasn’t going to make a sale from them, the armored pair left the smithy and made their way to the library.

    The library was dark and musty, filled with ancient books and scrolls, some on matters mundane, others arcane. As Kanen entered the chamber, he scanned about for any woman who might look like a mage’s apprentice, an elf most likely from her name. Spotting a woman wearing a red and black robe, Kanen approached her somewhat cautiously, his distrust of mages strong, while Sam stood by the door. As he walked up to her, she looked up, seeming to almost look through him, with a slight smirk.

    Kanen introduced himself and said that he was looking for her master. He bluntly explained that her master had a sword that he needed to return to its rightful owner. She knew more, however. She spoke of the evil talisman that he had found purposefully hidden in the suit of armor that he had bought along with the sword. She spoke of how the thing had started to control him, consume him, and wanted Kanen to free her master from its control. When asked where he currently was, she revealed he was in the town of Jiyyd, in the swamps to the south, apparently searching for something. Thanking the woman, Kanen and Sam left the library and Peltarch.

    Following an uneventful back to Jiyyd, Kanen and Sam entered the swamp. Though it was midday, the swamp was dark and forbidding. The normal buzz of insect life was strangely silent, though neither Kanen or Sam noticed at first. Then they heard it. They heard a strange low-pitched rumbling sound. Kanen realized it was the growl of some beast just as it attacked. A fierce gigantic tiger was charging, at blurring speed. Kanen yelled to Sam and they met the beast, fighting back and forth across the swamp. The cat’s claw’s dug deep furrows in both of their shields, as they attempted to keep the beast off balance, striking when an opening presented itself. Just as Sam was able to thrust his sword into the beast, giving it a fatal wound, they heard more growls from the swamp, and the next fearsome tiger attacked.

    The next minutes were a blur to Kanen; they slowly fought their way to the cave deep in the swamp. They left a trail of blood, some their own, though mostly of the giant cats, the bodies of the great feline beasts strung along the way. They both looked wildly about, trying to see an all directions, as the beasts would come running at them with blurring speed and quickness. Both men were weary and quite worn by the time they reached the cave, drinking magical potions of healing like water to close the terrible wounds the great cats were able to inflict with a flick of their massive paws.

    Once inside the cave, a few more tigers attacked them, then there was silence. Exploring the cave, listening carefully, Kanen heard someone speaking an in incantation of some kind nearby. Following the sound, he and Sam saw a tall elf in dark clothing casting various destructive spells at an object against the far wall. Looking closely, Kanen realized it was a sword. Shouting for the man to stop, Kanen approached the elf warily. The Paladin noticed that the elf, apparently Master Dori’h, had some sort of medallion or object, tucked into his shirt.

    Walking up to the elf, Kanen stated that they would be taking the sword back to its rightful master, but wanted no trouble with the elf. Laughing darkly, the elf sneered and replied that he no longer cared about the sword, gripping the object he wore about his neck. Before Kanen could attempt to move closer, or remove the object from around the elf’s neck…he suddenly vanished and was gone. Running up to the sword, lifting it, Kanen was astounded by the fineness of the blade, the perfect balancing and sharp edge. Then the rumbling began as rocks began to fall from the ceiling of the cave. With a shout to Sam to quickly follow, Kanen ran from the cave quickly, dodging most of the rocks that fell from the ceiling, returning outside to the fetid swamp.

    As they made their way out of the swamp, walking slowly and painfully, both bloody and weary, having used all of their healing that they had on them, Kanen turned at Sam’s sudden shout and saw a tiger larger even than the ones before standing on Sam’s back, pinning him there. With a cry to Helm, he drew his sword again and attacked, drawing the beast away from Sam, who slowly stood and then attacked the beast as well.

    Both men knew they had little choice but to find a way to kill this beast, bloody and weary or not, as they could not outrun it. Blood poured from deep bloody furrows on both men and beast, armor rent and torn, locked into a death struggle where there could only be one end result. Either both men dead or the beast slain. The monstrous cat was covered in sword slashes and deep punctures where it had been stabbed and slashed over and over by their bright sharp blades, but the beast refused to die, it’s remaining eye glowing with bloodlust and hatred.

    It seemed to happen very slowly to the Paladin. He was charging forward, trying to knock the beast from it’s feet, distracting it from Sam, whose terrible wounds and shredded armor matched his own, when the beast reached out with a great paw and pulled Kanen’s shield from his grasp. With a roar, the beast lunged forward and bit deeply into his thigh, causing him to drop to the ground from the sudden blood loss, the world growing dim. Sam shouted at the beast and stabbed deeply into it, causing the great cat to turn and strike him across the head, leaving a bloody furrow across his face, knocking him to the ground, bleeding his life’s blood out as well.

    The cat roared in victory and moved to bite into Sam, but then suddenly froze, its eye glazed over in death. The great beast finally fell to the ground heavily, pinning Sam’s near lifeless body beneath it. Sir Mirit withdrew his axe, looking at the horrific, tattered mess the two warriors had become in their death struggle with the giant feline. He began muttering prayers over each, trying to keep them alive, and begin the healing. The strain on the Paladin was obviously very great, as he seemed to weaken as both men slowly regained life in their bodies and their terrible wounds began to slowly close and heal.

    Looking about, Kanen and Sam saw that the other still lived and were glad. However, Sir Mirit seemed very pale and haggard from the effort required to bring them back from the edge of death. Once both had rested some, life returning to limbs with wounds nearly healed, Kanen reached into his pack and withdrew the sword he been sent to find to Sir Mirit. The dwarven Paladin was obviously very happy to have the sword returned indeed, though saddened and worried that the talisman had not been recovered as well.

    Kanen returned to Sir Mirit the wondrous armor that the Fallen Paladin Set had worn, along with the shards of the sword Set must have used while he was a Paladin. Looking from the shards to Kanen, Sir Mirit asked him to meet him the next dawn at the forges in Jiyyd, as he would need his help with something. Kanen agreed and all three made their way back into Jiiyd, to their homes and much needed rest and time for recovery. Kanen was asleep as soon as his head touched his pillow, next to Seven who had apparently turned in early, though it was already night outside. Kanen’s last thought was that they had been fighting in the swamp most of the entire day, before darkness took him.

    The next morning, though, he rose early, the sky still dark though tinged with light from the coming dawn and made his way to the town smithy. He found a pale and haggard looking Sir Mirit inside, who had stoked the fires of a forge very high, and added some strange gems to the fire, making it even higher and hotter than it was before. Sir Mirt told Kanen that he would be helping him forge a sword. He gave him explicit instructions on what items to add and when, and told the man to have a hammer ready as he would be assisting in the beating of the metal to forge a new weapon.

    The process continued for hours. Sir Mirit used the adamantine ore, more strange glowing gems, and the shards of Set’s former sword and smelted them together in the fiery forge. Again and again, he would withdraw the glowing metal and he and Kanen would take turns pounding the metal, over and over until Kanen’s freshly healed back and arms ached from the effort, blinking sweat from his eyes from the intense heat of the forge.

    Finally, the dwarf told the Paladin that the main work was done, and that he would come meet him at his house sometime later. Kanen left the smithy and stopped by the stream, dousing his head into the cool water, overheated from the effort required at the forge, then made his way back home to wait, praying to Helm in thanks that they had been victorious.

    Sometime later, Sir Mirit came again to his house, saying he had a gift for Kanen for his work in returning the sword. Without a further word, he drew a blade from his pack. The sword was bright and Kanen had never seen a sharper edge. It also had several wicked serrations and barbs along the hilt and blade, which would obviously rip into any wound the blade had caused. The blade had a name engraved on it, “Fanged Justice”. Though Kanen at first protested that he could not keep such a wondrous gift, Sir Mirit said he insisted, as it may be his final work, that he would no longer be forging weapons and that his time was soon to be at an end, he felt.

    With some sadness, Kanen accepted the sword, thanking the dwarven Paladin once more, saying he would use the blade in his honor. After saying their final farewells, Sir Mirit left and Kanen spent some hours practicing with the sword with it’s wicked edge, as it would take some practice and skill to use properly without injuring himself. Looking up at the sky, he realized it was dark again, he had been training with the sword all day. Shaking his head, he walked back to his house and inside where Seven had just finished preparing a meal and found he was suddenly ravenous. The remainder of the evening was spent with his wife and children peacefully, allowing him time for some much needed rest.


  • FANGED JUSTICE (Part II)

    Sam and Kanen left Norwick and first traveled back to Jiyyd to see Sir Mirit. There, Kanen told the dwarven Paladin about the encounter with Vorta and of Set’s apparent treachery. Kanen also turned over the adamantine ore rock to Sir Mirit. Before they left however, the dwarf had further news for them, news most grave. It seems the sword was not the only thing in the caravan that needed to be recovered, if at all possible. Sir Mirit spoke alone to Kanen about an object of great evil, a talisman imbued with evil power. It apparently was hidden in one of the suits of magical armor in the caravan. They had been taking it to a place where the object could be destroyed, and must now not be allowed to fall into evil hands. Kanen told Sir Mirit he would do his best to recover both items.

    With that, Kanen and Sam left Jiiyd and headed to Peltarch, having an uneventful trip to the port city. When they arrived at the southwest gate, Kanen asked the guard if he had seen a man matching Set’s description enter the gate recently, but the guard was unsure and also new to the position. At the common’s they had slightly better luck. The dour and taciturn Konstantin, who was oft found sitting in the commons, mentioned that a man matching a similar description, though wearing very finely crafted dark armor, came to the commons from time to time.

    Just then, a man came from the east into the commons and sat, bleeding slightly from a wound. The man matched the description of Set that Kanen had, and was wearing extremely fine crafted armor that was darkened. Kanen confronted the man, asking if he had a special blade recovered from a caravan for sale or trade. The man looked at the Paladin evenly, and said he did not have it with him, but that they could meet in a warehouse by the docks later, and then they could discuss it. The man then gathered his things and walked off, however Kanen noticed something metallic glinting from something in the man’s backpack.

    Sam and Kanen walked about for a while, slowly making their way to the docks, the smell of fresh fish in the air, to the warehouse. Deciding enough time had passed, Kanen and Sam entered the dilapidated, time-worn building, and stepped into darkness. Peering about, it seemed dusty and empty as the two searched about, then the sound of the door opening then quickly closing was heard. The light was dim, but Kanen’s armor shone with a magical light allowing them to see the dozen or so men dressed in Blood Spider colors, who were standing with weapons drawn, blocking any attempt at exit.

    Looking about, Kanen attempted to speak to the men, asking where Set was, the only reply he received was their sudden rush at him and Sam. The fight was short though vicious. Obviously, these Blood Spiders had little skill against two trained warriors. A few minutes later, Sam was wiping his blades on the cloaks of the dead and Kanen murmured a quick prayer that they might know peace in death.

    As Kanen was about to exit the warehouse, he noticed a small form hiding in the shadows. Drawing his sword again, Kanen called for the person to come out. A young girl emerged, cautiously but with a smile saying that she was no friend of the Blood Spiders and started going through the pockets of the dead at the same time as she introduced herself as Leti. Taking a gamble, Kanen asked the street-wise girl if she had seen a man named Set, and described him for her.

    With a sly grin she replied she had, and knew where he stayed, but that the information would cost. Scowling slightly, but realizing he had little choice, they agreed on a price of five hundred gold now, five hundred more later, if the information proved worthwhile. Handing her the gold, the three left the warehouse and made their way to the Pissing Goat, where Leti said that the man with the description of Set was staying…along with the Blood Spiders who apparently had made the Goat a base of theirs.

    Kanen and Sam entered cautiously, hands near sword hilts, and walked about the great room of the Goat, which was strangely nearly empty of customers. Looking about, they noticed men dressed in Blood Spider colors slowly surround them with drawn swords and readied throwing knives. The Paladin attempted to diffuse the situation, saying they only wished to speak with Set and that there was no need for further bloodshed.

    With a shout, the Blood Spiders attacked. Kanen drew his sword quickly and knocked down the first to rush him, stabbing into the man behind. With a roar Sam drew his twin blades and cut into them, causing blood and limbs to go flying. Dodging a thrown dagger, Kanen took a boot to the chin; Sam felt the bite of a dagger as it stuck into his thigh. For some time the battle raged, Kanen and Sam slowly dropping opponent after opponent, however becoming more bruised and bloody, their footing becoming unsure on the blood soaked wooden floor. Growing weary, they fought back to back. Parrying and blocking attack after attack, counter attacking when an opening presented itself, until finally…the room was silent, with the two standing alone amidst the bodies.

    Shaking a bit, Kanen reached for and drank healing potion after healing potion, dropping the empty bottles on the floor; Sam did the same. Finally, somewhat rejuvenated, the two looked about the room, just as a man approached, stepping over the bodies as if they didn’t exist. It was the man from the commons wearing the dark finely crafted armor, it was Set. The man smiled a humorless smile and approached, telling them they would die now. Wearily, Kanen drew his sword again, and Sam drew his twin blades. Set drew two axes and feinted a swing at Sam and then drove at Kanen.

    Kanen wasn’t sure if he could have defeated the man alone or not, but with Sam there, the man was soon overmatched, lying in a pool of his own blood, having never said another word. Kanen searched the man’s belongings, stripping the finely crafted armor from the warrior, which Sam eyed enviously, and looked into his backpack. There he found two things. A broken sword, now in shards, yet an inscription could still be read: “Sir Mandorian Set – High Paladin of the Fourth Order”. Sighing sadly at another Fallen brother, he continued to search the pack and found a note listing the blacksmith of Peltarch as having bought some things. The next step would be to find this blacksmith and question him about what he may have bought, and to convince him to return the sword, and hopefully the armor the evil talisman was hidden in. Reaching down, he closed the eyes of the former Paladin, saying a quick prayer over the Fallen one, then he and Sam left the Goat, in search of the blacksmith.

  • ?

    Two words for you Kanen: Pulitzer Prize. It's really good.


  • FANGED JUSTICE (Part I)

    Kanen and Sam were walking from Jiyyd, the sky bright and the day calm, discussing the value of protecting Sam's hill. A dwarf in very fine plate armor approached them from the west, obviously headed to Jiyyd or parts beyond. As the dwarf came near the pair he stopped them with a look and asked if he could have their aid. He introduced himself as Sir Mirit Terrus and that he was looking for someone. He had been told by others in the area that Kanen Hightower was a Paladin who lived in Jiyyd, and he had need of this Paladin’s aid.

    With a smile Kanen introduced himself and Sam to Sir Mirit, who seemed both surprised and relieved at finding Kanen. Sir Mirit said he had a great favor to ask of Kanen, but that they should speak where they would have some privacy. The three traveled together back to Jiyyd and to the house Kanen shared with Seven. After exchanging pleasantries, Sir Mirit began his tale, sitting at the fireplace.

    Sir Mirit belonged to a company of weapon and armor smiths who made weapons and armor of adamantine and other rare metals and gave them as gifts to champions that they found all across the land. They had encountered a dark haired man who had apparently been wandering for some time, his armor rusted, and wielded two axes. He said his name was Set. The caravan of dwarves and the man Set were traveling through the woods south Norwick for some time, when they were suddenly accosted by a fierce bugbear wielding a large two handed axe. The bugbear said his name was Vorta, and he demanded all the weapons and armor that the caravan had…apparently somehow knowing what it contained.

    Sir Mirit, moved to attack the large bugbear, but was suddenly hit from behind and knocked unconscious. When he came to, he was lying amid the bodies of his companions, his caravan destroyed and everything of value gone. When asked, he said he did not find the body of Set, however. He wandered north, and found Norwick. There he asked about for any fellow Paladins who could aid him and was told to seek Kanen Hightower in Jiyyd.

    Kanen and Sam together agreed to help Sir Mirit, much to his apparent relief. Sir Mirit spoke a sword crafted for a priest, a Holy blade, that must be recovered at all costs. The two headed south to Norwick to learn more of this bugbear named Vorta, while Sir Mirit rented a room at the Regal Whore to get some much needed rest. After asking around the town of Norwick, Kanen learned that Vorta, an overly large bugbear with a gigantic axe, was the name of a bugbear leader who had been demanding weapons of the town from time to time, threatening to attack with an army if the townspeople refused. Yet, no one seemed to know exactly where Vorta laired. Some said to the woods to the far east with Skara, others said south near the elven encampment. The guards at the south gate offered Kanen 3,000 gold pieces for the head of Vorta if he could return it to him.

    So Kanen and Sam gathered others, including Janu the priest of Tempus, among others and began searching for Vorta. As the traveled south, they entered the woods controlled by the bugbear forces from the Warrens. Searching cautiously about, they found an overly large bugbear wielding a very large axe observing their movements. When confronted the bugbear began to move away until Kanen stepped forward and said that he only wished to speak to a bugbear named Vorta, not to kill him, if Vorta would be willing to give or sell the information that Kanen needed to locate the sword.

    The bugbear said he was indeed Vorta, and was a businessman, and he would only deal with Kanen…alone. The Paladin looked to his companions, wordlessly telling them to stay and followed Vorta off into the woods. The bugbear seemed to toy with the Paladin at first, saying he would only give the information for the knight’s sword and shield, and when that offer was refused, demanded his armor as well. Just when Kanen thought no deal would be able to be reached, Vorta stopped his jokes and spoke at last seriously, saying that he would give Kanen the information about the man Set if Kanen could beat him in an honorable duel. However, if the Paladin lost, he would forfeit his sword, shield and armor, though his life would be spared.

    Seeing little choice, as this seemed the only way to recover Sir Mirit’s sword, Kanen agreed to the terms. The duel began with Vorta rushing toward Kanen, swinging his huge axe in great, ponderous arcs. Kanen ducked below the swing and slammed his shield into the chest of the onrushing bugbear and was able to knock him backwards and down, while stabbing into the flank of the beast. With a howl, the furry creature jumped back to his feet and swung a mighty blow at the knight, who was able to barely block it with his shield, yet ruining the shield in the process, as he threw it to the ground. Grinning a toothy grin, the bugbear charged again. This time, Kanen wasn’t able to block the blow and took the axe cut into his side, causing it bleed freely, perhaps breaking or cracking some ribs as well, yet the bugbear had paid a price for his successful attack as the Paladin’s sword sank deeply into his belly, causing him to drop the axe in pain and he crumpled to the ground.

    Spitting blood, Kanen rushed to the side of Vorta, preparing to heal the creature that had challenged him to an honorable duel, yet the giant bugbear waved him away saying he did not wish the Paladin’s healing. Motioning Kanen closer, his voice a raspy whisper, Vorta revealed that Set had gone far north, to Peltarch to try to sell the suits of armor, and the ‘worthless’ hunks of rock that they had found in the dwarven caravan. Vorta said there was also a fine sword that Set took with him as well, that might or might not have been the blade Kanen was looking for. When Kanen told Vorta those rocks were mostly likely extremely valuable adamantine ore, the bugbears eyes narrowed, cursing Set. Vorta told Kanen that he still had a large ‘rock’ of the ore in his pack, that Kanen was welcome to, shuddered, and died. Kanen could not bring himself to remove the head of the bugbear, as he had fought with honor and left him whole, only taking the heavy rock of ore.

    After Kanen stumbled back to his companions and Janu healed him, Sam and Kanen rested the night in Norwick, then began the journey to Peltarch, to find and confront Set with his treachery and theft.


  • ::A letter left on Seven’s bedside table along with a bouquet of spring daisies::

    _Seven,

    I know that your thoughts and prayers have been filled with concerns and self-doubt on if you would be able to achieve your goal as a priestess in your Order. I have overheard your pleas and prayers to your Lord Torm, I have watched you study for hours on end, working as hard as any one person could to achieve this. I have heard your breathing, lying still awake at my side deep into the night, your worries not allowing you sleep. Indeed, the only other thing that has your complete attention is, of course, our children.

    Your devotion to them and their care has been truly amazing and wondrous to watch. The way you are always there at their side, even if deep in study, to tend to their every need, has been a joy to observe. I have tried to help where I could, and of course, Mera has been a great aid, but you have refused to rely on her, where another might have. You have taken on the role and responsibilities of mother as completely and as fully as you do everything; indeed Durai and Revanna are blessed to have a mother such as you.

    I’m sure you’ve noticed I’ve been gone the last few days, I had told you that I was going to aid a fellow Paladin, Sir Mirit Terrus, which is what I have been doing these past days, leaving little time for you, or the children, for which I apologize. I’ll go into more detail of the adventures I’ve had when I see you next, but through the madness and darkness I have traveled these last few days, I have been given a gift hard won, one that I will be giving to you. This gift I consider a sign, perhaps the very sign you have been praying for.

    Know, Seven, that my heart is always filled with love for you, no matter how far away we may be from one another, and I know that together, we will defeat Jubei’s dark plans. Together as a team, with our combined faith and love, there is little we cannot accomplish.

    May Lords Helm and Torm always watch over and bless our house and family.

    With deepest love,

    Kanen_


  • Kanen has been playing Tribes it would seem… AWAY WITH YOU FOUL DIAMOND SWORD! STARWOLF SHALL SMITE THEE!.... meh... worth a try.


  • @0bbbd8c1bb:

    Hehe, you know i dont mean it Kaney-poo

    Kaney-poo? Oooh! Robyn's going to remember that one!


  • @7511f72f11:

    Hopefully I get a chance to hang out with the legendary Kanen Hightower IC.

    Jeez man, don't feed his ego.

    Hehe, you know i dont mean it Kaney-poo.

  • ?

    Thanks for the great tales Kanen it took me awhile to get through them all but it was well worth it. Hopefully I get a chance to hang out with the legendary Kanen Hightower IC.

    Thanks,
    Ulfgar
    AKA Nail StrongHammer


  • THE LIE

    Kanen sat on the cool cement ground, slowly relaxing from the trip into the sewers beneath the city of Peltarch. He had gone there with dwarven cleric Covah, the sorceress Skyla, the young cleric Nefiri, and the bard Meril . Others had joined them along the way. They found pale men that without word or warning had attacked them in the sewage-strewn tunnels. Then they had uncovered what was apparently some sort of village or outpost of slavers. The combat had been brief but vicious. After the last slaver fell, they had entered the hidden place and found many cages and implements of torture and death, yet not a single slave.

    Shortly later, the group left the fetid labyrinth, cleaned themselves and their equipment, and went their separate ways. Kanen had come to the benches at the center of the city and set down to rest a bit before his journey south to home, Skyla made her way there as well. Already at the benches were Amissa, Equinox and Marcus. Skyla was relating their adventures down in the sewers. Kanen frowned as he barely heard her words until she mentioned Covah’s apparent fear of the rodents they found below, seeming to mock the great cleric. Her next words disturbed him further.

    “…but Covah ever so bravely tried to protect me from Kanen’s mischievous intentions.”

    Kanen opened his eyes and looked to Skyla, who was looking at him with a slight smirk. The others asked Skyla to explain what she meant. Skyla elaborated “You know you shouldn’t pull on chains like that Kanen…especially when you do not know what they do…”

    Rising to his feet, Kanen replied, “I did no such thing. You were the one who stood next to Covah, looking up, when he pulled on that chain and the sewage fell onto you both.”

    Skyla replied with a mischievous smile, “It’s unbecoming of a Paladin to lie so…”

    Kanen answered in a low, serious tone, “I do not lie.”

    Skyla, apparently not noticing his tone continued, “Oh, but as I remember it you said ‘Skyla…Covah…come look at this! Think I should pull on this chain?”

    Kanen listened to the laughter of the others, then said, “Very well. Good day to you all. May Helm guard you.” He turned and strode toward the gates of Peltarch that led south.

    Just as the Paladin reached the gates he heard a woman’s voice behind him.

    “Kanen, wait!” Skyla came running up to him, adding, “I’m sorry! I was just teasing!”

    Stiffly, Kanen replied, “My honor is not something I take lightly. I do not lie.”

    Skyla seemed a bit shocked by his reaction. “It was just friendly teasing…and I’ve said I’m sorry. And your honor is intact.”

    Nodding to her, Kanen answered, “I need to head south now anyway. Take care.” With that the Paladin turned on his heel and exiting the gates of Peltarch, moving south. Yet he heard her footsteps behind him again, and turned with a heavy sigh.

    “Hey! That’s not very gentlemanly of you! When someone apologizes you are supposed to accept it!”, Skyla stated with apparent indignation.

    Kanen simply stared at her a moment, then replied with some difficulty, “Very well…I accept.”

    Her eyes flashing heatedly, she shot back “And stop being so stiff! It’s a wonder you don’t scare small children and animals with that frown of yours! Do you even know how to have fun and joke? You should learn to relax, not everything is so serious. Part of doing work for your god is to not be so removed from those that you are helping.”

    Kanen looked at her and replied in a controlled voice, “I see. Well now you are telling me how to be a Paladin. How interesting.”

    Biting on her lower lip Skyla replied in a rush, “Oh dear! I’m doing it again…my apologies.”

    Looking her directly in the eye Kanen answered, “…I accept. Now please, I’ll be back later, perhaps.” Kanen then turned and started to walk south again.

    “But truly…how do you know if you are really helping if you do not know anything of the situation?” Seeing that he had turned and was moving away, she continued to follow at a slight distance.

    Turning once more, Kanen looked once more at the red headed sorceress. “Something else?” he asked.

    Looking up at him, she replied, “You do not sound sincere.”

    Briefly closing his eyes, Kanen answered in a level tone, “…so now you say I am lying again.”

    Skyla looked at him, for a moment speechless, but then quickly added, “…No…I didn’t say that. It’s just that you still sound upset.”

    Taking a deep breath, Kanen forced out, “What do you want from me? I have accepted your apology…twice now…”

    The sorceress interrupted with a smile, “but that’s alright, I’m very persistent. I’ll just keep following you until I do believe you.” With that, she started humming a happy tune. “Lovely day isn’t it?” she asked with a smile.

    “A fine day.”, Kanen answered and turned once again continuing south, attempting to concentrate on the road ahead and the potential dangers it contained, but hearing Skyla walking directly behind him.

    “Were you ever a child, Kanen?” Skyla asked with apparent innocence.

    Refusing to be baited again, Kanen responded over his shoulder, “I was mostly raised in Helm’s Hold. We had little time for…frivolities.”

    Skyla queried, “Are you calling me frivolous?”

    Feeling his pulse in his temple, Kanen turned once again and nearly shouted, “Ye gods woman!” Taking a deep breath, he added in a more normal tone of voice “No.”

    Skyla, sniffing, returned, “You are rather mean. Well…if you are determined not to like me…”

    Kanen answered, “I…I never said I did not like you…”

    With another apparent mercurial change in mood and topic she added, “You know it’s going to take you all day to get anywhere if you keep stopping like this.”

    “Indeed. Well--“, Kanen began. That was when the bandits struck. It was a small force, not really a match for either the Paladin or the sorceress, but their true tactic became apparent as they started to fall back from the flashing blade of the Paladin. Kanen followed, thinking to clear the roads of their danger, and stepped directly into the trap they had carefully laid on the ground. A jolt of intense electricity played up and down Kanen’s body, Kanen stumbled, unfortunately forward, and received an even more intense shock than the previous, causing him to nearly fall over from the pain, nearly dropping his sword as his muscles spasmed and jerked about. Steeling his concentration, Kanen was careful to remain in one spot and dispatched the remaining bandits, with Skyla’s aid, who had apparently been able to avoid the deadly trap. Once the last bandit fell, Kanen concentrated and healed himself with the healing power granted him by Helm. Stepping carefully backwards, beyond the edge of the trap, Kanen now saw it and pointed it out to Skyla.

    In a hoarse voice, pointing at the trap, Kanen forced out, “That thing is deadly. One more false step and I would have been killed.”

    Chewing on her lip, Skyla replied, “I don’t see anything…oh! Now I do. Well they have been laying traps all over the Nars…”

    “Well I guess that means I had better stay on the road", Kanen responded, slowly standing.

    “You?!? What about me?” Skyla shot back, apparently resuming her previous mood and tone as though the near deadly encounter had never occurred.

    “Well yes, then you too, if you plan on continuing to follow me about…”, Kanen answered.

    “See? You must not really like me. You stomp about as though I’m a burden. I can really be rather useful to have around, you know!”

    Thinking on her words, there was something he wished to ask her about. Kanen had seen Skyla and his friend Wilhelm being…affectionate. Yet Wil was with Jade. Always had been. And for that matter where the devil was Jade? It was none of his business, yet Kanen wished to ask the sorceress what was going on between herself and his old friend.

    “I--never mind.”, Kanen stopped himself before he began, then tried again, “When you next see Wil, tell him I’d like to speak to him about…something. I haven’t seen him in a number of days, but it seems you and he see each other fairly often so…if you would relay that information, I’d very much appreciate it.”

    Perhaps sensing the direction of his thoughts, Skyla simply nodded quietly. They made their way further south in near silence, Kanen leaving her when they came to the road that branched off to Jiyyd, heading home to Seven and his family, Skyla continuing south on to Norwick, their apparent feud ended, at least for now.


  • PRIDE

    The two men finished tapping the dirt on the grave of the unknown man. Sam had been exiting the north gate of Norwick just as Kanen had been entering. Sam had a body slung over his wide shoulder, and was wanting to give the man a proper burial. The gentle half-orc asked the Paladin if he would say a few words for the man that neither knew. Kanen agreed and they had gone into the graveyard, found an empty grave and lay the man to rest. Kanen had said a few words to his Lord Helm, asking that the man be allowed eternal peace, as Sam had found the unknown man in the Nars Pass, bandits standing over his body, fighting over the meager possessions he had owned.

    They slowly left the graveyard, a somber silence between them. Kanen decided that he would go into town and purchase a few supplies then enter and clear the crypts, a task that should be fairly simple for one of his faith and skills, yet the Paladin felt one that required doing from time to time to weaken the grip of the undead in the crypt. Just as they were leaving, however, two entered the cemetery. Kanen had seen both around Norwick briefly, but did not know them well. Apparently, they had been looking for the Paladin. There was Saul, the taciturn and dour dwarven cleric of Hoar, and Nefiri, the quietly confident elven cleric of Illmater. Both green and fairly new to the area. The two asked Kanen if he had any task that needed assistance, as Sam quietly left to head back into the Nars on his constant patrols.

    Smiling quietly to himself, Kanen asked if they would like to accompany him into the crypt. The Paladin thought he could watch over the two while they cleared the crypt, only assisting if the two inexperienced clerics got into more trouble than they could handle, as he could easily defeat anything the crypt contained with the power of his faith and the skill he possessed.

    So after brief prayers, the three entered down into the crypts. At first, things went as expected. Nefiri and Saul were able to destroy the undead they encountered mostly on their own with the power of their weapons and their faith. They removed all presence of the undead on the first level of the crypt quickly and easily.

    The three then made their way to the darkened steps that led down to the lower level of the crypt. Just as they did, two men came running up the stairs, with a story about a strange skeletal form that they could not damage at all with their weapons. Kanen brandished his greatsword, a blade of magical power that was designed to destroy undead, he stated. The two newcomers introduced themselves as Jofri and Mhevyledus, cleric of Milil.

    Kanen lead the group down into the lower level and met the skeletal creature, shouting a cry to Helm. However not even his magical weapon could not damage the creature. Kanen also tried to destroy the thing with the power of his faith in Helm to no avail. The Paladin shouted to Nefiri to call upon Illmater to bless their endeavors, which she did. They were then able to cause damage to the strange creature, and after a short, fierce battle, destroyed it. This was no routine trip to the crypts; there was a real danger here, a threat to any who dared enter. This only made the Paladin decide more firmly to clear the crypts of these foul creatures.

    Panting slightly, Kanen was surprised by its strength and the strange magical protection that surrounded it. However the group decided to continue, and fought more of the things, one at a time, along with the more mundane undead until they reached the final gate that lead to the main crypt room. Kanen wanted to clear the crypts completely, but asked the others what they wished. All decided to continue, Kanen noted with a private smile inside his helmet.

    So the group entered the crypt chamber, where the gate locked behind them. Then, as they moved forward, a foul gas filled the room, making all feel weak as they were wracked by coughing. Then they struck. The mass of undead were lead by two more of the strange skeletal creatures, however dead, faithless clerics, undead mages and deathless barbarian warriors were a mass behind them.

    As Kanen swung at the first skeletal creature, it moved faster and struck him against the helmet hard with a bony fist, dazing the knight into senselessness. Then the undead were upon him. As he stood blinking, slowly trying to regain his bearings, the creatures took advantage and struck at him again and again with weapons and with magic. Kanen’s armor soon become bloody from their strikes. He was near covered in his own blood from the myriad cuts and burns from their attacks when he finally regained himself and stumbled away from them. The others faired about as well, or worse. All were bloody, all were growing weary of the combat against so many foes, the two strange skeletal creatures able to break through their defenses again and again.

    Kanen quickly gulped every healing potion he possessed and again attacked the nearest skeletal monster, knocking it from it’s feet, slashing at it on the ground. One was destroyed just as he heard the death cry of the dwarf Saul. Rushing over, he saw the remaining skeletal monster thrust its arm through Saul’s chest, as the dwarf shuddered and died.

    The small group fought silently, destroying the remaining skeletal creature and all the other undead in chamber until they stood panting, surrounded by the unmoving bodies of the undead and silence of the tomb. Kanen carefully gathered the dwarf’s belongings and gently laid his body over his shoulder as they made their way out of the crypt. Kanen felt responsible, as it was his idea to come here and had made no attempt to persuade them to leave when the threat was seen to be greater than normal.

    They were able to exit without further event, went and raised the dwarf. Kanen vowed to himself to remember that he needed to think of those under his protection first, and whatever personal goals he might have, such as clearing the cursed tomb, second. He realized now, he should have ordered a withdrawal once it was determined what types of foes they faced. He had led them into what could have become a slaughter of everyone, avoided only by the will of Helm, and Saul had paid the price of the Paladin’s error with his life. Once Saul was raised, Kanen left the group quietly and made his way back to his home, thinking deeply on the lessons he should learn from this day.

  • E

    ::applauds::

  • ?

    Still enjoying the heck out of this. 🙂

    …by the way...if you need someone killed... you know where to go...


  • Excellent entry Kanen, one of your best!

  • F

    Hey Kanen, you have all this in .doc or .txt form somewhere? It's a little long to read in front of the dummy box, I'd like to sit on the back porch with a mug of joe and watch the clouds when I read it.


  • COMING STORM

    Kanen’s eyes snapped open, and he came alert quickly from his sleep. He listened to the sounds around him as he lay next to the still sleeping form of Seven, together in their bed in the pitch-black darkness. A large storm was apparently playing havoc over the town of Jiyyd, as he could clearly hear the rain striking the roof of the house, and could hear the moaning of the wind, even through the thick walls of their home, yet he had slept through many storms, this wasn’t what woke him, but then…what had?

    There. He heard the sound that had woke him again. A banging noise coming from somewhere else in the house. Fumbling through a drawer in a small table next to his bed, Kanen drew out a candle and lit it. He cupped it in his hands to not wake his wife who he knew was very tired and worn from caring for their two children, because though she had Mera’s helpful aid, the twins were much more work than Kanen would have believed possible. He assisted where he could, but the two women seemed intent on taking most of the burden on themselves. Seven had even gone so far as to decide to stay in the house with the children for a time, hardly leaving the house at all, apparently making up for the time lost during her separation from them.

    The noise repeated itself again, bringing Kanen out of his thoughts. Glancing about the room, he drew his sword from it’s sheath that he kept next to the bed, threw on a robe, and slowly padded barefoot out of their room, now shining the light about, looking into the darkened corners for any intruders, sword held ready. He found nothing and no one in the main room.

    Once again, he heard the noise. Turning his head, he realized it was coming from Seven’s study. Moving cautiously, blade held ready, he slowly approached the door that was closed. He quietly put his ear to the door, listening. He again heard the loud banging sound from inside. Taking a deep breath, sword held high, Kanen slowly turned the knob on the door, then threw it open, looking quickly about the room. As he opened the door, a strong gust of wind blew from inside the room, extinguishing his light, leaving him in darkness, as he stood blocking the doorway.

    He stood there for a few minutes, awaiting an attack that did not come. His eyes slowly adjusted to the near dark conditions, but he noticed the window in Seven’s study was open, admitted a faint light from the storm raging outside. Then he heard the noise yet again and realized it was the banging of a loose shutter on the window. Smiling slightly, Kanen walked over to the window to secure the shutter and shut the window. The wooden floor was wet. He felt a board give slightly under his bare foot, as he shut and secured the window.

    Looking down, he realized one of the boards seemed loose and was slightly ajar. There seemed to be a space below the boards. Squatting down, Kanen lifted the loose board and tried to look into the darkness. He relit his candle and looked again. Inside the space there was a book. The book looked very familiar, he realized because it was Seven’s diary. The diary she had said she had lost. The one that Jubei had supposedly stolen. Frowning, Kanen lifted the book out and set it on the table by the window. The diary fell open to a page, apparently the last page that Seven had been writing in.

    He found himself reading, and becoming filled with rage as he read the words there. The last entry was about Seven’s last trip to Peltarch, the day their children had come home at last. It spoke of how she met someone secretly there. Jubei. Her words were full of a guilty happiness she felt, and spoke of the joy she felt when in his arms when they lay together. Kanen could barely see now, his fury hot and near blinding.

    He stormed out of the study, down the hall and stomped back into the bedroom he and Seven shared. He stood over her, looking down as she still rested peacefully, a faint smile on her lips. Looking up, Kanen realized his sword was again in his hand and with a shout of fury he brought the blade down, aiming at her traitorous neck…
    __

    Kanen’s eyes opened, and he realized he was covered in a cold sweat. The details of his dream were still fresh in his mind, as he turned to see the sleeping form of Seven lying next to him, deep in slumber. Slowing his breathing, he could hear a storm raging outside their house. Just as he was starting to close his eyes to return to sleep, he heard the noise. A banging noise. Blinking, Kanen realized it was just like the sound from his dream. Frowning, he rose quietly. He gathered his sword and a ring that gave off a magical light, threw on a robe and padded barefoot out of the room.

    Holding the ring high, sword held ready, he looked about the room but found nothing but empty shadows. Again the banging noise from Seven’s study, he knew. Slowly he moved to the door, and put his ear on it to listen, and heard nothing. Turning the knob, Kanen threw open the door and was struck by a gust of wind. Peering about the room, Kanen saw the window was indeed open, letting in the wind and rain from the storm outside. Also the shutter was loose and banged again while he stood watching it.

    Feeling strange as things played out almost exactly as in his dream, he moved to the window to close and secure it…and felt a board move loosely under his bare foot. He first closed and secured the window, then looked down. There was an empty space below the board. Moving the loose board out of the way, Kanen got down on his hands and knees and almost apprehensively looked into the space. He found a single sheet of strange parchment, though, not a book.

    The writing on the parchment was written with a delicate hand, the letters spidery and flowing. The parchment read:

    The assassin may want your children, but I want you. You will pay. By the gods, I swear you will pay.

    Kanen read and reread the note trying to determine its meaning or author, yet could learn nothing more from it. Just as he was about to fold it up to put it away, it caught fire and burned away in a flash of light, leaving only ashes. Kanen sat heavily on the chair in Seven’s study, realizing he had no proof that any of this had occurred.

    Kanen knelt in prayer for some time before quietly returning to his bedroom and climbing back into bed next to Seven. The letter had existed. He had seen and read it. It was proof that he wasn’t going crazy, that someone was trying to cause him harm. The Paladin realized however, he still had no clue on who was doing this or even why. He slowly returned to a troubled sleep, his dreams of forms masked by shadows, surrounding and laughing at him.

  • ?

    Salina puts in a bid to be his squire, too.


  • @397941703d=Marcus_Endur:

    coughs
    no sleeping with the maid now, Kanen 😉

    Pfeh.. Kanen wouldn't sleep with the maid. It's too cliche.

    Everything else is fair game however.

  • ?

    coughs
    no sleeping with the maid now, Kanen 😉


  • NEW ADDITIONS

    Kanen was sitting on the bench near the gates of Jiyyd, quietly reading, when he heard a woman's voice ask if his name was Kanen Hightower. Looking up, he saw a red haired woman who looked weary and worn, as though tired from some journey or struggle.

    After confirming to her that he was Kanen, she introduced herself. It was Mera. Mera, Seven's childhood friend. Mera, the nurse who was bringing his children home to Jiyyd at last. With a smile Kanen greeted her, but he also looked nervously about as she seemed alone.

    Apparently seeing his unanswered question, Mera explained the children were right outside the gate with the two bodyguards she had hired to help protect them during their journey. Moving quickly, both Kanen and Mera went back outside, gathered the babes and the packs that contained the clothing and possessions of the children and Mera herself, thanked the guards, and reentered Jiyyd.

    Kanen held his daughter, Revanna, most carefully as he showed Mera the way back to the house he shared with Seven. It would also be Mera's home, Kanen realized. Mera carried his son Durai with more practiced ease than the Paladin was able to mimic.

    Carrying the children inside their home, Kanen and Mera took the children and put them in their cribs that Seven had purchased recently. Both babes seemed to fall asleep almost immediately apparently worn out from their long, tiring journey.

    Mera looked worn as well, but stayed alert and awake long enough for Kanen to show the house to her, and he apologized that Seven was unable to be there to meet her, as Seven had gone to the temple of Tyr in Peltarch for the day, but would be returning later that evening.

    Mera smiled and mentioned that was like Seven, always deep in her studies. Kanen and Mera sat in front of the fireplace, getting acquainted as they would be sharing the same house, and already shared the love of the children and of Seven to base their new relationship upon.

    Mera explained to Kanen that Seven had been something of a big sister to her, while they were growing up, and that Mera had looked up to Seven, as Seven was somewhat older than Mera. When he asked what profession Mera followed, Kanen expected her to say she was a priestess like Seven, and was somewhat surprised to learn that Mera was actually a mage instead.

    Mera noticed the Paladin's slight frown at her words and smiled saying she was used to such a reaction to her chosen profession. Kanen apologized saying that while he might have trouble trusting mages in general, he would trust her since Seven did already, and because she had cared for his children apparently as if they were her own.

    Her eyes drooping, Mera admitted she was more tired than she thought and Kanen showed her to where she would be staying, with the children, and allowed her to get some much needed sleep after their long journey.

    Later that evening Seven returned home, and was overjoyed to see both her children home at last, and her friend from her childhood that would be staying with them.

    Kanen realized he had a family of his own at last. His beautiful wife Seven, his son Durai, his daughter Revanna, and now Seven's childhood friend Mera. The Paladin had become well blessed in his years in Narfell. But one thought shadowed his evening of happiness. Those who had great riches had more to lose than those with none. He only hoped and prayed he could protect them all from the dangers in Narfell, and of course, from Jubei in particular. He knew though, Helm willing, all would be fine.

    Except for this one thought of darkness, it was a fine evening indeed. Kanen sat back and watched Seven and Mera laughing and speaking of times past, and watching in near amazement at the beauty of his children. They all stayed up late into the night, and when he finally retired for the evening, Kanen's dreams that night were only remembered as vague shadows when he awoke, which was probably for the best.