Each story continues from the previous, stands alone yet is part of a series of interconnected vignettes. This is an unedited Work In Progress.
In, My Quest Begins we meet a young man who set out to earn his manhood during a solitary two-week hunting trip. Unknown to his clan, he is an artist and considers all creatures his brothers, with no intention in killing anything. He wants to only observe and record his findings.
He unwittingly wanders into a bears den where his reality takes a sharp turn and reshapes his destiny.
We know find him the morning after finishing his first quest and first over indulgence in the free flowing ale of the night at the conquest party.
“Ooh.” Alaisdair moans as he dashes for the waste pit. Hastily pulling his hair away from his face, he retches until his stomach is empty. “Oh, oh, oh … what did I promise?” He groans as he retraces his steps and flops back on his sleeping pallet. He drifts off to sleep, not awaking until long after dawn breaks.
*******
Fallon enters the dining area, hooks his leg over the bench, adjacent to Lord Brasher who is tucking into his food with gusto, a trait the Lord carries into all he does. Fallon, clearing his throat, says, “Young Alaisdair was lost in his cups last night, and I heard him start to lose the excess ale, just a bit ago. I think he’ll be along in an hour or two.” Laughing Fallon continues, “The young cannot do it like us. He was sleeping deeply when I left the sleeping quarters.”
"Then, you have not yet told him who you are,” Lord Brasher says. “How and when are you planning the unveiling? I would think it clear either to scare him or rather to boost his ego.”
“I’ve no immediate plans to talk to him about this matter. I believe he needs to score multiple victories. He is still too unproven, and he could go either way, and neither will give him the growth needed for his role of being the monster hunter you need. It will be a while before we talk about personal matters. He appears to have somewhat of an ego so deflation may not be as much as inflation. He needs development, humility, and humor before we talk.
"What is the next occasion you have in mind for the young scamp,” asks Fallon, rising to take a platter for his breaking of the fast.
*******
Alaisdair slowly awakens from the dream that had cocooned him from the daily noises of the Keep. His Lady came to him in the night, soothing his uneasiness of the task hinted upon by Lord Brasher. Kissing his lips, and awakening to that caress, he sees only a small glowing object winging away down the sleeping quarters hallway.
He jumps up to follow falling over the sleeping cloth entangled in his legs, crashing clumsily to his knees. “Drack! Drack! Drack!” Alaisdair utters in exasperation as he throws himself onto his butt and tugs at the covers winding about his legs. The harder he tugs to pull it off, the more entangled it becomes.
As his anger starts, he feels the feathery breeze of that husky, seductive voice in his ear, “It is not yet time for us to meet. Calm yourself for your meeting. Lord Brasher waits for you.”
His anger quickly melts as he muses about the ability of that soft voice to calm his tempests. Jumping to his feet, quickly locating his outerwear, and then deftly pulling his long hair back into his daily plait, he runs towards the Warrior’s Hall.
*******
Skidding to a stop before sedately entering the Hall, he tells himself to prepare for Lord Brasher’s forthcoming venture. One he is confident he will fulfill, but hopefully one done soon.
Wanting to explore the countryside to utilize his Rina is a top priority in accomplishing, before returning to his clan. His goal of reaching the Bens, gathering the stone reputed to be lighter than a feather for use as an arrowhead, is also a desire to surprise his clan. But first a pledge to follow and implement, moving him closer to his lady.
Only yet a voice but now, he hopes, soon to be a reality. This too is a promise he intends to keep.
Chuckling in amusement, he watches the stairway into the main building of the Fortress materialize as he lifts his foot in ascension, he concedes this must be Magic at work here even if he does not believe it exists in his ken.
The aroma of food reminds Alaisdair that breaking the fast is needed especially as Supper seems to have gone out with the purging of his over indulgence in Ale.
As he seeks out the source of the tantalizing smell, he spies the room with the moving portals, the Warriors Hall, and looking and seeing no one about, he decides a quick look in would not be amiss. One portal appears more powerful than the others, enticing him closer.
*******
“Why are you in this room?” Bellows Fallon. “Lord Brasher waits for you in the dining hall. Come with me.”
“I ... I … was planning a quick look and then seeking the Lord. I think this is a different way, isn’t it?”
“No, Alaisdair, it is not,” Fallon says, “You and I entered this same hallway … only yesterday. Come son, Lord Brasher has a busy schedule. The room you entered is not yet for your inspection. You have ventures to complete before you are allowed access.” As Fallon continues to berate, Alaisdair wonders how like his father Fallon appears both in speech and conduct. In his daydreaming, he stumbles into Fallon and they careen into the dining room, tumbling at Lord Brasher’s feet.
Lord Brasher throws his armor-plated head back, and guffaws of laughter echo throughout the high-ceilinged dining hall. “I now see how easily this young fellow causes disruption,” he says as he reaches down to grasp Fallon’s hand, hauling him to his feet.
Alaisdair scrambles to his feet, hurriedly dusting the lavender scented rushes from his tunic, bowing down to Lord Brasher, and murmuring, “I totally ask your forgiveness, My Lord.”
“Your face aflame with embarrassment testifies to your sorrow at this mishap. Take a tray and get some food. I will meet you at my table,” with that said, Lord Brasher asks Fallon to join them as Fallon, and his men have need of Alaisdair’s directives, as well.
Finished eating, Alaisdair is directed to bring his dishes to the scullery and, then return to get the orders for the day. As they wait, Lord Brasher and Fallon speedily exchange information needed to serve but also to protect the safety of Alaisdair as he sets off to catch the next monster.
*******
Alaisdair after several wrong turns finds the scullery and a budding maiden, a year or so younger than he. She shyly nods to the sudsy water, but when he attempts to clean the plates, she pushes him away and indicates she will tend to the chore. She points to the door silently telling him to go. Bemused at her beauty, he walks backwards into the wall, near the door, knocking but adroitly catching the tankard he has dislodged. Face, again flaming in embarrassment, he just smiles and all but bolts out the doorway and once more into the maze of hallways leading him back to the dining hall.
Fallon, walking towards the doorway, intending to retrieve the young monster hunter, stops as Alaisdair enters. “About time you returned. The time is getting away from us, and there is much to do. Come, Lord Brasher is giving our orders now.” Alaisdair hears the directives the Lord is giving to a handful of men, apparently Fallon’s body, and the need to stay within shouting reach to him. Hearing this, Alaisdair is upset as he had thought his mission would be a solitary one.
Sputtering, Alaisdair inquiries of Lord Brasher, why must he have a guard, “I thought I proved myself to you yesterday with the retrieval of the Gryphon. I promised last night I would take your duty of the hunting of monsters. Do you not trust my worthiness?”
Before Lord Brasher censures Alaisdair, Fallon interrupts saying, “When you accepted service to Lord Brasher, you accepted his directives, as well. The reason we are to accompany you on your journey is to serve not hinder. We will take orders from you to capture the monster.”
Lord Brasher further admonishes, “Young hunter, you have only one mission secured. While you superbly completed your task, one win does not prepare you for the difficulties each monster will put in your path. This band of men commanded by your … led by Fallon is the most seasoned of my warriors. Their knowledge will help you in a swift capture of our most elusive monster – the leader of The Pegasi, our Pegasus that has flown off time after time as our nets were avoided or trashed.
Mortified at the admonishment given in public, Alaisdair rebukes himself for his speaking without thinking out the consequences. Face again blazing hot, Fallon takes notice and stops their advance from the building. Pulling Alaisdair away, he gruffly asks, “Why are you upset? You have been given a group of men with me to help them. This honor, I did not receive until I had been on many solo quests. You did an excellent job yesterday but, as Lord Brasher said, you have yet to learn the wiles of these monsters and their want to stay in our area.”
Alaisdair looking to and fro, avoiding eye contact says, “I do not want the men thinking less of me. I will not hunt with bow, or spear, I will not kill.”
“Do you see a bow or a spear in any of our hands?”
“No… But I thought that was our next visit. The armory to pick up weapons,” Alaisdair dares to look at Fallon.
“Were you given any weapons on your last trip? I don’t remember kitting you out with any weapons,” Fallon quietly says.
“The picks, they were injurious to the mountain cliff. When I put them into the mountain face, it appeared to be harmed. I left the net behind because I wanted speed, and that was too much of a burden to slow me down,” Alaisdair responds.
“That was an error on my part. A portion of that height is scalable without help but in areas, the tools are needed. I should have realized you would stay on the valley side. I was surprised when you did not return with the Gryphon within the net. We have no need for weapons. We need guile and expertise to control these creatures that wish to stay. But they must be returned to their lands, and some tools are needed for that. Where did you leave the net?” Fallon asks, as he takes Alaisdair arm, guiding him into the courtyard where the soldiers wait for them.
*******
Outside the confines of the keep, Alaisdair is unable to find the area he lay the net. “I was sure I had laid it here, at the foot of this tree. I picked the largest tree in the area.” Alaisdair looking around says “Yes, this is the tree. I am sure of it.”
“Perhaps it was a bit further into the wood. You’re not familiar with the surroundings, Alaisdair. Let’s walk a bit,” Fallon said, but excused himself, as his first in command nodded, indicating he wished to speak to him. “What is it Chad?” as they walk away for privacy.
“Tredan and Acwel told me they had found a net left by the tree, where the young hunter said he left one. They brought it into the keep last night, and I placed it back into the armory.”
“You did not think to tell me this last evening, Chad?” Fallon asks.
“The gathering had already begun, and merrymaking was already ensuing. I was rushed into the festivities by my wife and did not recall until the young hunter said he had left it” Chad explained.
“Are you able to secure the net by yourself? Fallon asks.
“Yes Sir.”
“See to it then. We will take the north road over to the west side. See that you catch up within the half hour, Chad. I don’t know how quickly we’ll encounter the Pegasus.”
In, My Quest Begins we meet a young man who set out to earn his manhood during a solitary two-week hunting trip. Unknown to his clan, he is an artist and considers all creatures his brothers, with no intention in killing anything. He wants to only observe and record his findings.
He unwittingly wanders into a bears den where his reality takes a sharp turn and reshapes his destiny.
We know find him the morning after finishing his first quest and first over indulgence in the free flowing ale of the night at the conquest party.
“Ooh.” Alaisdair moans as he dashes for the waste pit. Hastily pulling his hair away from his face, he retches until his stomach is empty. “Oh, oh, oh … what did I promise?” He groans as he retraces his steps and flops back on his sleeping pallet. He drifts off to sleep, not awaking until long after dawn breaks.
*******
Fallon enters the dining area, hooks his leg over the bench, adjacent to Lord Brasher who is tucking into his food with gusto, a trait the Lord carries into all he does. Fallon, clearing his throat, says, “Young Alaisdair was lost in his cups last night, and I heard him start to lose the excess ale, just a bit ago. I think he’ll be along in an hour or two.” Laughing Fallon continues, “The young cannot do it like us. He was sleeping deeply when I left the sleeping quarters.”
"Then, you have not yet told him who you are,” Lord Brasher says. “How and when are you planning the unveiling? I would think it clear either to scare him or rather to boost his ego.”
“I’ve no immediate plans to talk to him about this matter. I believe he needs to score multiple victories. He is still too unproven, and he could go either way, and neither will give him the growth needed for his role of being the monster hunter you need. It will be a while before we talk about personal matters. He appears to have somewhat of an ego so deflation may not be as much as inflation. He needs development, humility, and humor before we talk.
"What is the next occasion you have in mind for the young scamp,” asks Fallon, rising to take a platter for his breaking of the fast.
*******
Alaisdair slowly awakens from the dream that had cocooned him from the daily noises of the Keep. His Lady came to him in the night, soothing his uneasiness of the task hinted upon by Lord Brasher. Kissing his lips, and awakening to that caress, he sees only a small glowing object winging away down the sleeping quarters hallway.
He jumps up to follow falling over the sleeping cloth entangled in his legs, crashing clumsily to his knees. “Drack! Drack! Drack!” Alaisdair utters in exasperation as he throws himself onto his butt and tugs at the covers winding about his legs. The harder he tugs to pull it off, the more entangled it becomes.
As his anger starts, he feels the feathery breeze of that husky, seductive voice in his ear, “It is not yet time for us to meet. Calm yourself for your meeting. Lord Brasher waits for you.”
His anger quickly melts as he muses about the ability of that soft voice to calm his tempests. Jumping to his feet, quickly locating his outerwear, and then deftly pulling his long hair back into his daily plait, he runs towards the Warrior’s Hall.
*******
Skidding to a stop before sedately entering the Hall, he tells himself to prepare for Lord Brasher’s forthcoming venture. One he is confident he will fulfill, but hopefully one done soon.
Wanting to explore the countryside to utilize his Rina is a top priority in accomplishing, before returning to his clan. His goal of reaching the Bens, gathering the stone reputed to be lighter than a feather for use as an arrowhead, is also a desire to surprise his clan. But first a pledge to follow and implement, moving him closer to his lady.
Only yet a voice but now, he hopes, soon to be a reality. This too is a promise he intends to keep.
Chuckling in amusement, he watches the stairway into the main building of the Fortress materialize as he lifts his foot in ascension, he concedes this must be Magic at work here even if he does not believe it exists in his ken.
The aroma of food reminds Alaisdair that breaking the fast is needed especially as Supper seems to have gone out with the purging of his over indulgence in Ale.
As he seeks out the source of the tantalizing smell, he spies the room with the moving portals, the Warriors Hall, and looking and seeing no one about, he decides a quick look in would not be amiss. One portal appears more powerful than the others, enticing him closer.
*******
“Why are you in this room?” Bellows Fallon. “Lord Brasher waits for you in the dining hall. Come with me.”
“I ... I … was planning a quick look and then seeking the Lord. I think this is a different way, isn’t it?”
“No, Alaisdair, it is not,” Fallon says, “You and I entered this same hallway … only yesterday. Come son, Lord Brasher has a busy schedule. The room you entered is not yet for your inspection. You have ventures to complete before you are allowed access.” As Fallon continues to berate, Alaisdair wonders how like his father Fallon appears both in speech and conduct. In his daydreaming, he stumbles into Fallon and they careen into the dining room, tumbling at Lord Brasher’s feet.
Lord Brasher throws his armor-plated head back, and guffaws of laughter echo throughout the high-ceilinged dining hall. “I now see how easily this young fellow causes disruption,” he says as he reaches down to grasp Fallon’s hand, hauling him to his feet.
Alaisdair scrambles to his feet, hurriedly dusting the lavender scented rushes from his tunic, bowing down to Lord Brasher, and murmuring, “I totally ask your forgiveness, My Lord.”
“Your face aflame with embarrassment testifies to your sorrow at this mishap. Take a tray and get some food. I will meet you at my table,” with that said, Lord Brasher asks Fallon to join them as Fallon, and his men have need of Alaisdair’s directives, as well.
Finished eating, Alaisdair is directed to bring his dishes to the scullery and, then return to get the orders for the day. As they wait, Lord Brasher and Fallon speedily exchange information needed to serve but also to protect the safety of Alaisdair as he sets off to catch the next monster.
*******
Alaisdair after several wrong turns finds the scullery and a budding maiden, a year or so younger than he. She shyly nods to the sudsy water, but when he attempts to clean the plates, she pushes him away and indicates she will tend to the chore. She points to the door silently telling him to go. Bemused at her beauty, he walks backwards into the wall, near the door, knocking but adroitly catching the tankard he has dislodged. Face, again flaming in embarrassment, he just smiles and all but bolts out the doorway and once more into the maze of hallways leading him back to the dining hall.
Fallon, walking towards the doorway, intending to retrieve the young monster hunter, stops as Alaisdair enters. “About time you returned. The time is getting away from us, and there is much to do. Come, Lord Brasher is giving our orders now.” Alaisdair hears the directives the Lord is giving to a handful of men, apparently Fallon’s body, and the need to stay within shouting reach to him. Hearing this, Alaisdair is upset as he had thought his mission would be a solitary one.
Sputtering, Alaisdair inquiries of Lord Brasher, why must he have a guard, “I thought I proved myself to you yesterday with the retrieval of the Gryphon. I promised last night I would take your duty of the hunting of monsters. Do you not trust my worthiness?”
Before Lord Brasher censures Alaisdair, Fallon interrupts saying, “When you accepted service to Lord Brasher, you accepted his directives, as well. The reason we are to accompany you on your journey is to serve not hinder. We will take orders from you to capture the monster.”
Lord Brasher further admonishes, “Young hunter, you have only one mission secured. While you superbly completed your task, one win does not prepare you for the difficulties each monster will put in your path. This band of men commanded by your … led by Fallon is the most seasoned of my warriors. Their knowledge will help you in a swift capture of our most elusive monster – the leader of The Pegasi, our Pegasus that has flown off time after time as our nets were avoided or trashed.
Mortified at the admonishment given in public, Alaisdair rebukes himself for his speaking without thinking out the consequences. Face again blazing hot, Fallon takes notice and stops their advance from the building. Pulling Alaisdair away, he gruffly asks, “Why are you upset? You have been given a group of men with me to help them. This honor, I did not receive until I had been on many solo quests. You did an excellent job yesterday but, as Lord Brasher said, you have yet to learn the wiles of these monsters and their want to stay in our area.”
Alaisdair looking to and fro, avoiding eye contact says, “I do not want the men thinking less of me. I will not hunt with bow, or spear, I will not kill.”
“Do you see a bow or a spear in any of our hands?”
“No… But I thought that was our next visit. The armory to pick up weapons,” Alaisdair dares to look at Fallon.
“Were you given any weapons on your last trip? I don’t remember kitting you out with any weapons,” Fallon quietly says.
“The picks, they were injurious to the mountain cliff. When I put them into the mountain face, it appeared to be harmed. I left the net behind because I wanted speed, and that was too much of a burden to slow me down,” Alaisdair responds.
“That was an error on my part. A portion of that height is scalable without help but in areas, the tools are needed. I should have realized you would stay on the valley side. I was surprised when you did not return with the Gryphon within the net. We have no need for weapons. We need guile and expertise to control these creatures that wish to stay. But they must be returned to their lands, and some tools are needed for that. Where did you leave the net?” Fallon asks, as he takes Alaisdair arm, guiding him into the courtyard where the soldiers wait for them.
*******
Outside the confines of the keep, Alaisdair is unable to find the area he lay the net. “I was sure I had laid it here, at the foot of this tree. I picked the largest tree in the area.” Alaisdair looking around says “Yes, this is the tree. I am sure of it.”
“Perhaps it was a bit further into the wood. You’re not familiar with the surroundings, Alaisdair. Let’s walk a bit,” Fallon said, but excused himself, as his first in command nodded, indicating he wished to speak to him. “What is it Chad?” as they walk away for privacy.
“Tredan and Acwel told me they had found a net left by the tree, where the young hunter said he left one. They brought it into the keep last night, and I placed it back into the armory.”
“You did not think to tell me this last evening, Chad?” Fallon asks.
“The gathering had already begun, and merrymaking was already ensuing. I was rushed into the festivities by my wife and did not recall until the young hunter said he had left it” Chad explained.
“Are you able to secure the net by yourself? Fallon asks.
“Yes Sir.”
“See to it then. We will take the north road over to the west side. See that you catch up within the half hour, Chad. I don’t know how quickly we’ll encounter the Pegasus.”