3. The Stories of Revanna Hightower

The Stories of Revanna Hightower

  • ?

    The Beginning of a Journey

    As she walks down the path towards Norwick, her mind began to wander through memories.

    _The day after I won my sheild as a Paladin of Helm, was the day I left my mother and the memories of childhood behind. Of course mother cried and begged me not to leave, but I had to go. I had to find Durai and Father.

    Durai's letters were anything but reassuring, and knowing his ability to attract trouble, I had to follow him. If not for my piece of mind, but for our Mother's._

    She sighs as she walks along, oblivious to her surroundings.

    Mother. Her strength and her faith seems to be waining with the continued absence of Father. She spends all day in the Temple, and hardly eats. I hate to see her waste away in such despair. I had to leave, just like Durai did, but is this the path that Helm wants me to take.

    She stops and looks up at the sky in a silent prayer to Helm.

    As the months pass by, my hope of Father returning fades. I fear the worst, but I pray that Helm is watching out for him.

    She stumbles on rock and falls flat on her face. She gets up silently and dusts herself off, and when she looks up, she sees the North Gate of Norwick looming over her. She takes a deep breath, opens the gate, and walks into town…

  • R

    Of Death and Dying

    Lost in a world of pain
    I do not cry
    The pain surges and boils like lava inside
    I still do not cry
    I am shattered like a glass
    Torn up inside
    I still do not cry
    My dreams haunt me when I am awake
    They tell me I will die
    I still do not cry
    I hold onto hope
    I hold onto my faith
    I will die young they say
    I will live on in a legacy telling my story
    They say the story is at an end
    I say the story is just beginning.

  • R

    Journal Entry #1

    Before I left Waterdeep, mother suggested that I should keep journal of my doings, but one thing led to another and never got around to starting it until now. I guess in a way I am hesitant to keep a journal for fear that it might end up in the wrong hands. Silly of me I know, but with the strange things that have been happening since I arrived here in Narfell, it only strengthens my resolve not write. However, just in case something happens to me, I am hoping this journal will bring solace to mother and my family. Depressing I know, but my mood of late has been one of sadness, and of fear. Fear of what might happen to father. Fear of who is doing it, and fear that it might happen to me. It is strange that I should fear this, for as a Paladin, courage is a must, and yet I fear being trapped. I am hoping that I will be able to overcome that fear, and save our father.

    It is strange that even though Durai and I live under the same roof, we hardly see each other. I usually arise early in the morning for my morning prayers and exercises, and leave for Norwick while the rest of the occupants of the house still sleep. Why I keep going back to Norwick, I am not sure. I feel compelled to go there. Perhaps it is part of my calling.

    Ah, here comes Lector now for our weekly pruning excursions…

  • ?

    A Letter and a Charge

    Coming home from another day of pruning trees with Lector, Revanna opens the door to find a letter laying on the floor baring the seal of her grandfather’s academy. She rips it open quickly and reads a note attached to another envelope with the emblem of the Helm’s Hold emblazed on the back. She quickly reads the note.

    _Revanna,

    This letter arrived at the academy shortly after you had left for Narfell. It seems to be a very important letter. I expect you will be honored by this letter from Helm’s Hold, and will respond to them with respect. I am proud of you, and I do hope you and Durai are faring well. Keep in touch.

    Love,
    High Paladin Daturi Ecksetter~Dai_

    She walks into the living room, and sits down on one of the chairs in front of the fireplace as she reads. Finishing the note, she stares at the letter from Helm’s Hold, not sure what to think. Slowly, she opens the letter and begins to read.

    _Dear Miss Hightower,

    It has come to our attnetion, that your father, Kanen Hightower, is missing. We became concerned when he stopped sending his donations from the Temple in Jiyyd, but we had assumed that due to the nature of Narfell, he was killed in the line of duty. Apparently, that assumption was incorrect, and we should have investigated his disappearance further. As such, your duty to your father and to our Lord Helm, is for you to find your father. We expect monthly reports from you on this investigation, and we will lend every aid that we possibly can to assist you in your search. Please respond swiftly.

    May Helm watch over you.

    Sincerely,

    Governor and High Priest of Helm’s Hold
    Lucius Montgomery Bueller_

    With a shaking hand, Revanna gets up and walks into the study, and sits down at the desk. With a deep breath, she picks up a quill and some parchment and begins to write.

    _Dear Mr Bueller,

    I am greatly honored to receive your letter and holy charge to find my father. As I am already in Narfell, it seems our Lord Helm, has already put into motion what you have decreed. I am honored to accept your charge, and whatever aid you so choose to send. I will report to you every month of my findings, and will hopefully have the answer to this riddle of my missing father soon.

    Forever Faithful and Vigilant,

    Revanna Hightower_

  • ?

    Homecoming

    Her eyes slowly wandered her small room at the Boarshead, making sure that there will be left behind. A small chest sits near the door, it’s lid open showing the meager contents of everything Revanna owns. She turns to Durai and smiles.

    I think that’s everything brother.

    Durai nods his head quietly, and closes and locks the chest, and picks it up.

    You ready to go then?

    She nods her head in response to his question, and buckles the last strap of her armor, as she walks out the door behind Durai, and locks the door one last time. They travel downstairs, where she pays her final bill and hands over the key to her room. With a sad sigh at leaving her most recent home, her and Durai venture north to Jiyyd. The trip to Jiyyd was uneventful save for a few cutpurses, and a chance meeting with Sam on his hill. They talked briefly, and Sam being the protective surrogate father to the twins, decides to escort them to their home. With a patient smile at Durai for Sam’s overbearing manner towards the twins, they take the road east.

    Well Vanna, we are home.

    Revanna looks at the gate towering above her, and a flood of memories nearly overwhelm her. She closes her eyes briefly and wipes away a single tear trickling down her face.

    Vanna? You okay?

    She nods her head, unable to speak, and opens the gate and walks quietly into town. She looks over to the well, where her and Durai used to play tag and hide and seek with the other children in the village, and also where all the adults used to meet to exchange war stories, or to discuss current problems in the region. It was also where Liam used to play. Father didn’t like to talk about Liam, and Revanna didn’t blame him. Mother had told her what had happened, and she knew the guilt he must feel about that..

    Feeling a nudge from her brother, Revanna snaps out of her musings and heads toward their home, a deep sorrow clouding her blue eyes.

    Here we are sis. Home.

    Durai proceeds to unlock the door, and walks in still carrying her chest of belongings. She just stands there gaping at the door, as the word home echoes through her mind. Sam watches her silently, and places his big hand on her shoulder, and squeezes it reassuringly. She looks up at Sam greatfully, and then enters the house. As she passes the threshold, a flash of an image and sounds assault her mind.

    Seven, take the children and leave quickly. I will catch up with you in Waterdeep….

    Revanna blinks and looks towards the fireplace where she sees the fading image of her Mother and Father talking heatedly to one another. She shakes her head to clear her mind of the image, and walks into her room, where Durai is waiting…

  • ?

    The Letter

    Revanna looked out the window from her room at the Boarshead, a small frown of worry marring her beautiful face. She sighs slightly, and bends her head to the letter she must write to her Mother. She tentatively begins to write in an elegent sweeping hand. The sound of the quill making small scratching sounds in the silence of her room.

    _My Dearest Mother,

    I was not sure what to expect when I finally found Durai, but I hardly expected the suprise that was waiting for me. He is engaged to a woman named Shalia. She seems very pretty and nice, but my heart is troubled. There seems to be an internal struggle within this woman that has me fear she will break Durai's heart. I told Shay (as she is called), that perhaps she should write you a letter, as I am positive that you would like to get to know her.

    Uncle Sam has made sure that I am well equiped to deal with anything that crosses my path here. He gave me the most beautiful set of full plate armor, and is helping me hone my skills as a warrior of the faith. He is very zealouse in protecting both Durai and myself.

    Mother, I will write more later this week. Helm willing, I will have some news on Father by then. Tell grandfather I miss him.

    Love,

    Revanna_

    She folds the letter neatly, and places it in an envelope, and then seals it with wax. She leaves it on the desk, and stands up turning to look at her small room. A small sigh escapes her lips as she looks at the mess of all her affects being strewn across the room, and her small bed being overturned. No one in the tavern below noticed anyone entering or leaving her room when she questioned them earlier, so the mystery remains of who did it, and why. With a slight shakes of her head, she beings to clean up the mess.