Tyr's Directive
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The battle was intense. Bugbears were everywhere, coming at him from all directions. Large axes swinging and missing, swinging and hitting. Defenders had been split apart. His eyes flashed around seeking a healer, pain searing through him like a hot acidic flame. He strained to keep his wits about him and continued fighting as his eyes searched for Celestria. He definitely knew now that this was not a good idea, but it was far too late and none had called a retreat.
It was as if it all happened in slow motion. He heard blood curdling screams, the cries of a deadly battle. He heard grunts and commands, steel on steel, the twang of the archer’s bows and the chants of the casters hurling deadly spells. He felt the cold hard jolts of his shield protecting him and the friction against his sword caused by the powerful tearing of flesh and bone.
Then suddenly he saw them, two furious bugbears coming at him, axes pointing in his direction. He turned to run but ran into the path of another in his retreat. It was as if someone grabbed his legs and kept him from moving. Then the axe hit, and hit deep. The axe penetrated his armor and caused a large gash through his midsection hitting vital organs. Blood spewed as if poured from a pitcher. He looked down at the gaping hole in his midsection and he realized it was his blood and his body. Then the pain registered. He cried out in agony and the sound reverberated through the trees and echoed in his mind. His muscles seemed to no longer listen to his commands. With his body no longer able to function, he collapsed to the ground with an armored thud. His last thought was of the woman he loved. He fell silent thinking of her. His breathing had ceased and the muddled sounds of the continuing battle filled his ears. “Celestria” consumed his thoughts but was unable to be spoken. Silence then filled his mind. The one minute battle had ended his life. His world went dark, but only for a moment.
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The Fugue
Andrew stood adorned in a robe fitting for one who had died. He looked around and suddenly realized where he was. His brow furrowed deeply and he spoke softly in a defeated manner. “I am here again my Lord Tyr.” He was disappointed. In himself and the decision he made to go on the trip which ended his life. As he walked toward the edge of nothingness, he came upon the large stone head which he had seen before. Although this time the one directly across from it had disappeared. The stone head was alone.“Are you still here?” Andrew asked as he stood before the large stone head looking up to it. “Nay succubus for you I see.” Andrew knew they were stone heads with nothing but rock between the ears, but in the fugue, even a stone head becomes a friend…or enemy.
“Nay for me either.” quietly followed his thoughts. “I must go pray and perhaps we shall speak again soon.” Andrew slowly walked away from the head, to the edge of nothingness and knelt before the reddish fog.
” Lord Tyr, as I look out over the shadows of the valley of death…I fear no evil Lord. I know you stand by me and I pray you will guide me to your will. My work flourishes in Norwick Tyr, my work for your will and justice. Written laws come soon and I pray you will allow me to continue your work there. Evil abounds and tis the law that will see to it Tyr. I shall continue to strive for your justice. Please guide me back to do your will in Norwick Tyr. I shall do my best to serve you. Tis your glory I work towards. Amen”
Andrew then stood and returned to the stone head. He began a time filling conversation about love and how he did not like placing his true love in the position he had. “It pains me to know my true love is hurting at this very moment because of my death. I should not have allowed her to feel this way.” With the end of his sentence, Andrew saw a brilliant light shimmering on the face of the stone head. He turned to see where the light emanated from and in that instant, his hand came up to shield his eyes. The light was a bright and intense white. He could barely see, but what he did note was the figure standing within the light.
“Greetings?” he stated in a questioning manner.
“You got cocky.” the figure replied.
Andrew’s head lowered, humiliation drifting though him. He tried to look at the figure again, but the intense light prevented it.
“THAT is how you worship me? Falling to one Bugbear?” The words echoed loudly through the fugue.
It was at this moment Andrew realized who this was. He fell to his knees without thought. The booming of the words and the meaning behind them made Andrew feel most unworthy. What he did not know was what words would follow. Tyr’s booming voice continued to fill his ears.
“How many of your 'party' worship me?”
Andrew hurriedly ran through the list of party members in his mind. Celestria, Jerrick, Kara, Ronan, Hedia, none followers of Tyr.
“Me my God. Tis me alone.”
“How many of them do you even know WHO they worship?
“All of them my Lord.”
“And THIS is how you represent me? Dying. Evil abounds, indeed.”
The words hurt. They hurt worse than the hot acidic flame that killed him. He had never felt such pain. These words touched his heart, the very core of his inner being.
“I have no excuse. I should have done better my God.” Andrew spoke the words as pure humiliation flooded into him.
“But the man who polishes arrows and lets his blade rust is no follower of mine. Evil is far far closer than you know. You walked WITH it and fought lowly beasts.
“I am uncertain of whom you speak, but if I am returned Lord, I shall find out.” Suddenly Andrew remembered two more party members. The more he thought about it, the more determined he was becoming at identifying who the evil one was.
“That you will. But know that those powers that I give unto you, those skills that you have are not perfect, are not absolute”
Andrew was at first confused as to how a God could give imperfect powers to a servant, but then Tyr continued.
“A person well trained, skilled or equipped can and will deceive you.”
Andrew then understood that twas not Tyr’s inability to be perfect, but another’s ability to deceive the servant. Indeed, it would be Andrew who failed, not Tyr.
“I shall bear that in my mind, my Lord.” Still Andrew’s mind persisted to give thought of which was evil. He knew it was not Celestria. That was certain. As for Ronan, his ruling was determined by Celestria’s word. Knowing Jerrick and Kara as he did, Andrew ruled them out as well. Hedia was ruled out solely on her association with Kara. That left the other two.
“They are calling you back”
“Justice shall prevail, my God.” Andrew’s words were sincere and from his heart.
“I am sure it shall, but you better make sure that it does THROUGH YOU!
Andrew’s entire being shook visibly at the sound of Tyr’s voice and the meaning in His words. This provoked thoughts of his own weaknesses and that he could very well fail at bringing justice to Norwick.
“Aye, my Lord.” was all he could state. For the first time ever, he was worried about his ability to uphold his faith.
“There is one thing you should know before you return.”
“Aye my Lord?” Andrew looked into the blinding light curiously, shading his eyes as best as he could.
“And that is the wisdom of choosing battles and battle grounds. For that you must do a penance to help you in your learning. You are to map the battle lands of the south of the town called Norwick. Note which beasts are where, including the type that killed you. Bind that map and notes and have it made into a book. Take that book...bound and written by you, take it carefully and…”
Andrew’s entire being was focused on Tyr’s every word. He waited patiently to hear what to do with the book when suddenly his world went dark, but only for a moment.