Aleria

ALERIA SYREAN

Aleria's Tale Part I

“What!” Droth, Lord of the Uath Taes, screamed, smashing his fist into the desk to emphasise his anger. “Are you sure?”

“Yes my Lord, three of the Vanguard escaped from the Charr” replied Norat “They are in the city even as we speak”

“Damn those bungling creatures, we assured them victory and they failed to keep their part of the bargain.” Droth spat out in disgust “Those three didn’t by any chance besmirch our honour did they?”

“No my Lord”

“Pity, we could have been justified in calling them out and finishing them off. So what are they up to then?” Droth asked.

“They are busy trying to recruit, unsuccessfully I might add since our people are already spreading the word that the Vanguard has lost favour with Llian” Norat grinned.

“Good work! You have done well. We must however finish the Vanguard, as long as they are around we cannot proceed with our plans” Droth, Lord of the Uath Taes said.

Norat stood patiently waiting as his Lord paced the study, deep in thought.

“You say they are having trouble recruiting.”

“Yes, my Lord, with our small help people believe the Vanguard is a spent force and are reluctant to join their ranks.”

“If that is the case mayhap they wont be looking to closely at any prospective recruits. We might be able to slip one of our own people into their numbers, then we can be advised of their plans and strike them when they are least prepared.” Droth stated gleefully.

“But my Lord they surely would identify one of our members.” Norat responded.

“Our veterans yes, but they would not recognize one of our new recruits” Droth replied, turning to the window and looking below to the stone courtyard filled with people. “Go select one you think that is suitable. We shall make him understand what is expected and what failure or betrayal brings.”

Norat saluted and left the office, his concerns carefully hidden, unhappy that such a delicate task would be handed over to a raw recruit. Droth, he was sure was creating a double edged weapon, one that could possibly harm The Uath Taes

•••••••

Aleria sat in a quiet corner of the inn, her fingers playing with the object that hung around her neck from a silver chain. Realising what she was unconsciously doing she looked at the trinket, shaped with three horns overlaid onto a star. Memories of her not too distant past came flooding back. She had lived with her mother and father in a distant village, her father had been a blacksmith of exceptional skill and many were the men who had sought him out to buy the armour and weapons he created.

The family prospered until ill fortune settled on their home. Her mother had fallen ill and soon passed away, her father distraught at the loss of his much loved wife lost his own will to live and neglected his craft. Before long customers stopped coming, and with the war, the taxes continued to increase and eat into the family’s savings.

Desperate, Aleria had started selling their possessions to buy food and pay creditors. Finally, her father passed away from a broken heart and Aleria found herself destitute and alone. The only item she had saved was the trinket that now hung around her neck. She remembered her father’s words as she contemplated the silver ornament “If ever you have need then put your trust in this and let it be your guide.” Guide her to what she wondered. Shouts of greeting disturbed her thoughts as another group of men entered the busy inn; the town was full of guilds trying to recruit anyone and everyone into their ranks. Many had approached Aleria, but she had always graciously declined.

She groaned inwardly as she saw a slender built man peel away from the group that had just entered and head in her direction. He was young, in his mid twenties Aleria guessed, with short cropped brown hair while a moustache and goatee adorned his sun bronzed face. His intentions were obvious; he like the others was interested in recruiting her.

“Greetings dear lady” he exclaimed, “My name is Zaftat. I’ve noticed you wear no guild insignia, would you perhaps consider signing up with us, The Charter Vanguard.”

Aleria recognized both the name of the Guild and the man, names given to her, and was about to respond when her gaze travelled from the man’s eyes to the emblem emblazoned on his tunic. To her astonishment, the three intertwined horns of her father’s medallion gleamed back at her. Somehow, with her thoughts in turmoil she managed to decline his offer. As Zaftat moved away, she sat stunned wondering if this was what her father had intended, was this what she had been meant to do. Yet, even as she tried to dissuade herself, her father’s words kept echoing in her mind. “If ever you have need then put your trust in this and let it be your guide”. Unsure, confused, wondering if she had made the gravest of errors, Aleria hesitantly approached Zaftat. She got his attention by lightly brushing his shoulder with her hand.

“If that invitation is still open, I would like to accept.” She uttered.

“Why of course, you are truly welcome, come let me introduce you to the others” Zaftat beamed as he took her hand and ushered her to the other members of his guild.

Part II

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