Sit back, put your feet up, and let me tell you about a small man with the courage of a giant.
Some years back when Misty Wells was still young, there was much danger and confusion. A tribe of goblins had moved into the swamp, and the Lady Yathanae Brymoria, widow of the great forgotten king, was concerned about their arrival. Strolling as smooth and graceful as a great mother deer out to the Elven pavilion, she was at the front of a gathering of villagers. Her son, who was growing to be a handsome young man, walked beside her.
But this story is about another young man who was no taller than a tree stump. This young man made his way along the forest path with many warriors, wizards, and other villagers to hear what the lady had to say.
Once they were all gathered, she turned to the people with a look of concern. The people in the crowd whispered among themselves about why their Queen wanted to speak to them and about how she had not smiled since that dreadful day when the great golden dragon Asog, Protector of the Sky, got his revenge.
She gave time for the crowd to settle, then her son blew a simple tune using a horn at his belt, the sound announcing that his mother wished to speak. The whispered words of speculation and rumor began to quiet.
“My people,” she began, “we have unexpected guests at the border of the swamp. While we were told that there would be those who would find their way here, I am in need of volunteers to speak with these new arrivals and learn of their intentions. As a reward, I offer coin in the sum of 100 gold, enough to set anyone up for years to come. However, I wish to avoid any war, so this situation must be handled carefully.”
A murmur rose from those gathered there, excitedly discussing the coin and what they could do with that much wealth. Several talked about what they have heard about goblins and the terrible things goblins were rumored to have done or would do, though none of the people actually had contact with goblins themselves. The dwarven faction grumbled and was heard saying things like, “We should just kill the lot,” and “Nothing good can come from friending them.”
Finally a tall man stepped forward and everyone hushed. Everyone knew Jaylin the Ranger, his skill at hunting and his bravery when dealing with monsters were well known across the island. He bowed before the lady, “My Lady Brymoria, I will take this quest, though the coin means little to me. I would ask instead that you prepare a meal as my reward.”
The lady nodded her head and waited to see if others might also volunteer. Then Que stepped forward. He was very thin, yet handsome, with golden hair flowing down over his shoulders, his pointed ears parting his hair at the sides, his hands appearing pale as they were exposed from under the long sleeves of his robe. All knew Que the Sorcerer and he said, “My Queen, this task you ask I'll happily do, and join the Ranger in said meal.”
A glint in her eyes was the closest thing to a smile anyone had seen when she nodded to the Sorcerer. She again waited for any additional volunteers.
At this point, Fendor stepped forward. A stocky dwarf, dirty and partially drunk with a red nose and his beard stained by whatever soup he recently had, he rubbed his hands on his pant legs in an attempt to clean whatever he could off his palms as he stepped forward. “Yathanae, dearie,” he began, “I'll go along to keep these young fools out of trouble. And if it be trouble they want, I’ll make sure it stays far from your door. As to the coin, I would not be a good dwarf to not take your money, but I’ll put it to good use in the ale house.”
Initially, people were taken aback by Fendor's blunt manner of speaking to the lady. However, they soon found humor in his suggestion of using the money. As the lady nodded her head and began to turn away, a faint voice spoke up, almost going unnoticed. "Your Ladyship," the voice said timidly, "I would like to join these others if you would permit me. Although my skills may not be as impressive as those of the others, my pa always said that I was incredibly fortunate. And, given the circumstances, it seems that a bit of luck would be quite useful on this adventure."
The crowd fell silent, all gazes fixated on the source of the voice. A hushed gasp rippled through the crowd as they beheld the man who stood before them - not even as tall as Fendor and nearly more lean than Que. His hair was neatly combed, his bright blue eyes sparkling with pride and purpose, a broad smile illuminating his face.
He watched intently as the lady turned toward him. “What is your name, young Sir?” she inquired with a curious tone. "While I am familiar with the names and deeds of the others, I am not yet acquainted with yours." Her words were devoid of any judgment or condemnation, only genuine interest in getting to know the newcomer.
He stood taller, pulling back his shoulders, then remembered to bow and quickly bent at the waist, “Then my Ladyship, let me introduce myself.” He lifted up slightly to look at her, giving her a charming smile, and continued, “I am the one that is often unseen or overlooked; one that never runs away and always perseveres in times of trouble or fear. My name is Messier, Son of Gunther, who traveled with he whose name is forgotten. I am skilled in cooking and can make the finest of meals, which I grant you doesn’t sound like a skill for such an adventure, but I tell you true, those of my family have always been blessed with uncanny luck. I promise you if you would let me travel with these great men, I’ll be sure they get hearty meals and find luck upon their travels.” He rose again to his full stature and waited for her answer.
Whispers circulated through the crowd that there was but one individual whose name had been lost to memory. The great lady stood before them, her countenance stoic and unyielding, as the crowd searched for any sign of emotion. A solitary tear escaped her eye, tracing a path down her cheek before she hastily wiped it away. The onlookers were taken aback by this display of vulnerability, and murmurs of anger began to spread amongst them. However, their discontent was quickly silenced as the lady raised a hand in a gesture of authority.
“Young man, I remember your father. He was dear to me though I have not heard from him in some time. If you are as skilled as your father, then I would be a fool to deny you the opportunity of traveling with these men. If it is your wish, then you have my blessing young Messier, Son of Gunther.” She nodded her head to him as she had the others.
Messier bowed his head in gratitude and respect, then lifted it again to look at the lovely Queen. “Thank you, your Ladyship. As to the coin, I ask a favor instead. I would ask that I be given a chance to open an inn and tavern that would cater to all, but especially to adventurers.” He beamed with a twinkle in his eyes.
The crowd laughed because a 100 gold would be more than enough to open any such inn with profit to spare. Yathanae nodded her head, “As you wish. I only ask that you save a table for me, for if you cook as dearly as your father, then I would very much enjoy a meal at your inn.”
And so, the adventures of Jaylin the Ranger, Que the Sorcerer, Fendor the Dwarf, and Messier the Chef began. Their first quest… brave the treacherous swamps and unravel the mysterious motives of the goblin clan that had recently infiltrated their island.
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