Tale of Raith O'Conner

Running through the forest of an unknown land, fleeing from an unknown adversary.

Where am I? What am I doing here? Who am I running from? Who am I?

The same thought running through his head as fast as he was running through the dark forest. From time to time he glances skywards at the tree tops. A full moon breaks through the thick foliage, giving him a small amount of light to see the seemingly endless amounts of tress.

What in the name of the gods am I running from? I’ve neither seen nor heard anything behind me.

Indeed he hasn’t heard a thing other than his fast beating heart in his chest and the sounds of weapons at his side. His weapons. Weapons he knows how to use (or so he hopes).

What’s that ahead? Ah, good, a clearing. That’s where I’ll make my stand. If there IS something behind me, then I’ll face it head on. What ever it is, I hope I can eat it. I’m starved.

Bursting into the clearing, he draws his weapons. His sword glistens in the moonlight. Harbinger. The name of the sword is Harbinger. Thoughts flood his mind.

The swords name is Harbinger, and the axe. The axe is…. is… Thenus! My weapons are Harbinger and Thenus! Now if only I could remember my name I could die happy.

He readies himself for the oncoming assault. He waits, and waits, and waits, but nothing comes. All that is with him is the darkness.

Well, he thinks, I guess I can rest for a moment. But what was I running from? A man, or a beast, or… something else?

Sitting under a long dead tree, he rests. Always on guard, until a warrior’s worst enemy catches him, fatigue. The ground is soft, the air is cool, the forest is still, and his eyelids grow heavy. A short rest, then I must move. It’s almost dawn. I’ll follow the rising sun and hopefully find my way out of here. Then I’ll… I’ll…

Feeling the sun on his face, he awakens and stairs into the yellow eye’s of a goblin.

“BAH!!” he yells, “Away with you, you horrid creature!”

“Rock-a-nee-sho!!!” the creature responds as it leaps back, removing a ring from the humans finger.

“You there, give that back!”

“Make me human, if you can.” The goblin replies, with a smile.

“You’re asking for it.”

“I think not human. Have you looked around, you are surrounded!”

“Wha…?” Indeed he was. At least 15 or more of the rancid beasts were wandering around the clearing. Two or three maybe, but this many will make me into a bowl of pudding!

“Maybe it’s you that are surrounded Bumpyrtle!” a voice cried from the trees.

“Who dares!” the green beast demands.

“Warriors of Thunder-Guard, CHARGE!” Leaping from the trees, the warriors cut down the goblins. Almost instinctively, he picks up his weapons and cuts down the goblin holding his ring. The creatures are dispersed easily enough.

“I thank you my lord. I don’t know what I would have done without your aid. Other than die of course.”

“Of course my friend. And I am no lord. Just a soldier doing what I swore I’d do. Do you need anymore assistance?”

“Indeed I do. I seem to have lost my memories. I don’t know where I’m from, or how I got here. Any aid that you offer will be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, I don’t have any currency on my person the reward you.”

“Rewards will not be necessary. Although, you handled your blades well. Perhaps you could volunteer your serves to the realm, and in return, we shall assist you in gathering all the information we can about you.”

“Then I offer you my sword and axe. We are at your services.” He responds with a smile.

“Excellent! Then we shall return to the town and get you washed up and your belly filled! Tell me, do you recall your name?”

He looks down at his ring and the symbol engraved on it. “Raith,” he responds, “my name is Raith O’Conner.”