A Light in the Darkness

[GeldrinHor]

After searching, and having others do a bit of searching as well, I managed to recover a few writings that survived the "Crash of '03" (Kendricke's server crash) from the Legions' old boards. I have also been able to find others which I will go over more, and clean up a bit and post as well.

 

A Light in the Darkness (A Norrathian Verse)

 

Part I

 

The fondest of memories from my youth,

I hide and watch my Pa,

as he stood toe to toe with fear,

another orc trying to raid the farm.

 

My big brother Tyrius, lying on the ground,

his chest wide open to the sky,

my Pa straddles over, dropping cloak and pulling sword,

the enemy calling others from on nigh.

 

When suddenly, watching as the skies lit bright,

a hand I saw, then a face,

then the night cut loose with a great deep howl,

and my Pa, face contorted, shook with Rage.

 

On his second scream, blades whirling instant death,

did four more orcs hit the ground,

and a ghoul come a runnin from the far off woods,

I had finally figured out what my Pa said

 

As the ghoul drew closer, I saw a glorious glow,

My Pa had taken color from otherwhere,

and his head glowed white, and his heart goldenhued,

and the blue of his hands overwhelmed.

 

As the undead servant drew up to strike away,

what I saw was a more fightening than the grave,

my Pa stood tall, and with one fell sweep,

spread that ghoul, bones to dust, complete away.

 

And now I approach my fourteenth year,

Tyrius is serving duty in the hills,

and my Pa left the farm, bout a season back or so,

to follow in the path of his god's will.

 

Now I take up the sword that my Pa taught me well,

and the bow and arrow that I learnt,

and I make my way in the world ever strange,

hope my first adventure, I don't get burnt.

 

now I'm twenty-nine seasons, and my own gods call,

and my heart, pure as new fallen snow,

I search out the wretched and the wicked soul,

and my sword now delivers judgement blows.

 

I serve my gods and my brother Norrathian,

my sword arm is stronger than most,

and I fight with the rage of the Gods own will,

turn to evil, and you may become a ghost.

 

I have learned, as well, of my fathers skills,

and improved, where I could, on his choice,

see, the life of a Paladin isn't all rose and wine,

for the gods vengeance, I become the Voice.

 

So watch out, check your windows, keep your eyes wide open and

don't forget to say a little prayer,

for if wickedness should visit upon your family and your friends,

be assured, your own gods will send me there.

 

So, if everything that I told ya, and everything I showed,

gets you thinking that you need to find a path,

I'm a Light in the darkness, follow me off this way,

and become a servant to your own gods wrath.

[GeldrinHor]

Part II

 

As the sun began rising over the edge of the world, the first rays touching his cheek, the old dwarf sits at the entrance to another of the mines surrounding his home. It had been a great, long time since he had the leisure to simply sit and think over his life's work. Seems, adventuring had, in fact, been a very large part of his life, afterall, even tho he had not truly chosen it willingly. His leaders had asked him, and he had accepted, that first time, oh so long ago, deep in the Depths of the Great Dwarven city of Kaladim.

 

Lords Brenelian and Datur had approached him about a month into his Martial Disciplines training, asking if he would serve Brell, for the good of the Dwarves, and for his own family. Being still young, and somewhat impressionable, not to mention starstruck by being noticed by the leadership of the Underfoot Temple, GeldrinHor accepted their offer.

First, he was sent off to see Gunlocke, a warrior priest and one of the finer Paladins of the Temple, tho it was said he had a compunction for sending young Neophyte Paladins in search of undead bones.

 

When GeldrinHor entered the Temple main and arrived in the offices of Lord Jure, he was told that he would be going down to the Temple grounds to learn a few of the Lesser holy spells. This had actually excited GeldrinHor a lot, as he could feel his god's will in his heart, and only truly wished to serve Brell with the powers He gave. Already, his own small healing skills had proven out to be of great use to the Temple, recalling a few seasons back about the cave-in, where he felt the first callings of Brell to service. Now he felt he was ready, and with the tutelage of the greater Paladins, as well as several priests in the Temple, he began to learn more of the powers of his God.

 

Once the Clerics and Paladin leaders felt that GeldrinHor was ready, they called him once again to the offices of the leadership, tho this time, Datur and Brenelian were there, along with the high Priest of the Temple, Gunlocke and an odd fellow, dressed in the colors of the Kings Guard. Suddenly, Gelds mind began to spin, wondering desperately why the King's man, a warrior of some repute, was asked to be here. But soon, it was all made clear. After several moments of conferring, the Guard Captain stepped forward and cleared his throat.

"Young dwarf, we have called you forth to undertake a very important, and perhaps somewhat dangerous mission for your King and God. We have need of one, such as yourself, to go out into the world and to gather intelligence from some of our outer camps. Not only will you be collecting this information from the Dwarves tho...we ask you to approach the Paladin camps of Men and Elves as well, that we may all understand the danger that approaches. One final task, we also ask, is for you to find your way, however you may, into the dreadful Innothule, to the newly reestablished stronghold of the Frogloks, as their holy warriors have much information we need, as well as having a need of the information we have to share.

We have failed, thusfar, in our attempts to make these rounds, using groups for warriors who have mysteriously disappeared somewhere along the trail between one camp and the next, having only word of them from their last visitations. None, so far, have succeeded in getting more than two camps out before leaving this plane with no trace. So yes, young Master, there is peril. But, as I have been told on several occasions, you show great fortitude and courage, as well as a good hand with your weapons. And so, much to the chagrin of the Warrior Guild, we must ask the aid of the Temple and it's host, to aid us in our quest. Young Master GeldrinHor, Paladin of Underfoot and brother of the Dwarves, do you accept our challenge?"

 

With mind swirling, the young Master looks first, to his teachers, and then to his spiritual leaders for guidance. After looking deeply into the eyes of his Guildmaster, and those of the High Priest, his hearts is set and he speaks up, "My Lord Captain, as you say, I understand that the dangers are there, as they have been for much more than my own lifetime, but I will accept your words and consider them as I venture out. I accept your challenge and will, to my best skills and training, begin this trek. As is the Will of Brell, so do I follow His footsteps into the outer world of Norrath, and should I have to venture to Odus, or even to Luclin herself, shall I do my best to continue to it's end, the completion of what you ask."

 

Several moments pass, as GeldrinHor swallows, his throat suddenly dry and his heart racing furiously in his chest. This was truly not what he had been expecting, but as he gave his word, he knew he would do these things he was asked.

 

With that, the Guard Captain smiled, turning to bow slightly to the gathered Holy men of the Great City of Kaladim. They in turn, each turned to acknowledge the young Paladin as he was sent from their presence, to prepare for his holy quest. As the youth was escorted out, Brenelian turned to Datur, "Lord, are you certain this is what you wish for him. I understand he has been a good student, but this would be taxing even to a seasoned veteran, and he is but still young and idealistic in his ways." Datur turned to his second in command, smiling as he whispered "I have been watching that youngling since he arrived here, and he has shown great promise. I think, yes, he is ready for this. As we are ready to bring along another true Paladin, and he has shown great qualities in his actions. He is forthright and true to Brell...I think he will do well."

 

With that, the congress breaks up, each leader going to his own duties, the gods wondering what this elder race is up to.

 

-----------------------------------

 

This is the story of GeldrinHor in his beginning on the World of Norrath (EverQuest). I wrote these poems and stories about 3-4 yrs ago while still in the Legion but after they had left Terra to being life on Norrath.

 

They are appropriate, however, to my personal evolution in writing, and so I post them here.