*Shiff enters the Leringard Arms, carrying a large number of bags on his back. He sighs as he enters, not having been to the Arms in quite a while. He talks to Lily for a while, pleased to hear the Arms is prospering. He visits the Norseman's statue, a smile on his face as he gazes upon the carven image of his hero. He turns to go to his old room, and runs into Kali. He greets her as she runs by, busy with some amount of business. As he enters his the room, he sighs. The Arms had been his home for quite some time, as well as being the place Shiff and Valmara spent their first night together after their wedding. It was a special place for Shiff, and he was fond of it. He smiles then sets the bags down, and begins to pack his things. It was however, time for Shiff to move on...*
Later that day...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Shiff reaches Llast just before night fall. Pushing his way inside the gates, he nods to the guards and walks to number 118. He pauses in front of the door, smiling. He then pushes the door open, stepping inside his new home, the home Elohanna and Krysthalien gave him and Valmara as a wedding gift. Carrying a small number of bags, Shiff hobbles into his room. Setting the bags beside his desk, he digs through the things in his bags for a black leather-bound book, and takes it to his desk to write. He looks around quickly looking for Valmara, but she is not around."[INDENT]So much has happened recently...
Elohanna and Krys have given Val and I a wonderful gift, a place to call home. I mean Leringard was home... but it wasalso so small... Seperate beds... Not fit for a wedded couple. The new room is perfect, me and Val decorated it wonderfully. We love it.
Elohanna and I have begun my lessons... I don't know how much I will be able to learn... But hopefully I learn something. I want to be able to teach my children something beyond how to fight... All my life all I've ever counted on was my own strength and skill to succeed, to survive, to get ANYTHING done... But I never put much thought into any other way of doing things... In fact I've never put thought into anything really, except me and Val's relationship...... I always just went with the way things were going... I don't think I can do that anymore... I want to be able to do more... Even if I never learn how to use the weave, I could at least teach some things to my children some day, maybe help them learn how to do what I cannot...
I have to see what happens though...
I've been helping out at the Beryl Temple lately. Been collecting things for donations, hopefully to be put towards rebuilding Stone... I've been even attending some of the services at the temple... I've been wondering though, what more I could do for the Church...
Starr said only the Clerics of the Temple held any real standing with Beryl, the Fire Opals and Feldspar and Emeralds and such... And that the Emeralds occasionally grant Titles to those that have done great things for the Church... I don't know if there is anything great I could do, but I'll keep my eyes open and ears poised... Just in case something comes up...
As far as Val... Things are great. We spend our day hours apart, doing our own separate Business... but at night its just her an me... We love the time we get to be together, even if its just sitting in front of the fire, not saying a word to each other. Beryl Truly blessed me with Valmara's love... I hope I can keep her happy... She means the world to me... Every night, as long as we are together, I can go to sleep without fearing the Nightmares... I love her all the more for that. We've been married close to seven months, and we seem to only grow closer. I hope we never grow apart.
[/INDENT]*He closes the book, and smiles. He leaves it on his desk and walks over to the fireplace, sliding in a few more logs to keep the fire going. He then takes out a book, titled "Fundamental Magery: The Basics" and begins to read, waiting for Valmara to come home.*
*Shiff sits on the benches in Port Hempstead, trying to relax after a round of patrolling the fields around the city. The recent troubles with the Man in Orange have been on his mind for weeks, but he has heard nothing from his family since he sent his letter. Then, as if from know where The Emerald of Beryl, Quillwem Laylluanilm, comes up behind him, dropping a letter in his lap*
"From someone that misses you dearly."
*Shiff tore the letter open so fast, anyone around would have thought he was tearing it up. He reads it quickly, a mix of emotions on his face. A single tear rolls down his cheek as he finishes it, and he folds it up and tucks it in his pack*
"Thank you Quill... Thank you so much..."
~~~~~~~~~~ Later that Day ~~~~~~~~~~*Shiff is sitting in a tent in the fields outside Port Hempstead, sitting on a drop clothe. He has on lay his shield, and on it is two parchments, the first from his wife, hidden safely away. The second blank, about to be written on. Shiff dips in his quill, smiling, and begins to write*
Jenra 15, 1422
My Dearest Wife,
You have no idea how much happiness it brings me to know you are all alive and well. I miss you both so much it hurts at times....
I have plans ready to finishing this mess I got into... Friends are around to help me, and I plan to strike soon against this man... He has sent many creatures against me, all have died by either my hand, or my allies... Even the Toranites have helped me some, and for once I am happy to know of them... Please don't fear for me... I am not one to turn and run anymore, but I cannot let this man live knowing he has threatened those I love dearly.
How is Tyra? Is she well? Is she behaving... I miss her so much, almost as much as I miss you, my love. I'm going to get her a whole crate of raspberries for her... Oh I miss her...
I'm so sorry I haven't told you anything, but I do not have time to truly explain... Know that I interfered with a powerful sorcerer trying to ensnare an old man into some scheme, and also fought to stop that same man from being kidnapped by the sorcerers minions. The sorcerer is called Fuegarster... Val, I will come to find you myself when this is all over... But I can not see you until this man is dead and all he has been doing is stopped and undone... I love you dearly....
Tell Dad and same tthat I am thankful to have them there, and that I do this for them, too.
I love you dearly Valmara... I will be with you again soon. And Tell Tyra that Daddy has a surprise for her when he sees her.
Your Fool of a husband,
Shiff
*he smiles and folds up the letter, then readies himself to rest, whispering a prayer to the Deep Mother for a safe night for him and his family*
~~~~~The Next Day~~~~~
*Shiff leaves for the Weary Traveller to meet his friend and mentor Quill, so that he may send the letter to Valmara, as well help Quill with something important.*
Shiff had just got home moments before Tyra came in the house all dirty.
"What were you doing that got you all dirty? You said you were just going for a walk!"
Valmara calmed him down though, and took Tyra up for a bath. He sighed and put his things away, happy for a little while to not have to stress. As much as he loved his Daughter, ever since she started being friends with Trouble, Tegan and Sallaron's son, he's been stressed out every time she's come home with a bruise, scrap, bump, or even just dirty.
After putting his things away he sat down on the couch, where his son was playing with some of his toys. "Hey Daddy... Look what Trouble gave me!" He bit his lip and sighed as he noticed Drakus holding out a small bow and a set of tipless wooden arrows. Drakus was very excited as he showed his Dad how he could shoot the arrow a few feet before he ran after the arrow and brought it back. Shiff smiled. For whatever reason he wasn't worried about his son's safety like he was Tyra's, mainly because it was his son, and much like himself at that age Drakus was a tough little guy. But Shiff also knew that Tyra would beat up Trouble if he hurt Drakus.
With a grin Shiff pulled his little son into his lap and ruffled his hair. "Ohh! Daddy! I'm gonna get you!" Drakus mumbled. He hated it when Tyra ruffled his hair and the two started wrestling, much to the amusement of them both.
After a while they stopped, Drakus laying on his Dad's chest worn out as Shiff held him with an arm. "Yer tough Daddy, but I'll get you one day," he said with a loving smile. "I hope so Drakie, but yer not big enough yet."
Hours later, after Shiff helped his kids to bed and read them a story, he sat with Valmara for a while, chatting about things and cuddling. After a while Valmara got ready for bed, and Shiff went to his desk. He sighed in frustation at first, seeing a bit of a mess of ink on some of his papers, but he then smiled, because it meant Tyra was writing in her journal that he gave her.
Getting some hot water he cleaned up his desk as best he could and sat down to write in his own.
[INDENT]Decilar 20, 1427
Some strange things have happen lately. Well, not that strange.
I was sitting in Port Hempstead, chatting with an elf, and this
really annoying couple, when this little girl yells out, "I'm gonna
be an adventurer and go kill kobolds and get rich!" or something
to that effect... My heart nearly stopped. I dropped what I
was doing and ran after the girl and caught up to her outside the
gates.
Seems the girl, who's name I found out was Mary, is from a poor
family of just her and her mother. She wanted to be an adventurer
and become rich because thats what she had heard you could do
as an adventurer. She seemed so determined too... I'm afraid to
think of what could have happen if I wasn't there, and that couple
didn't help by trying to encourage the little girl. Thankfully her
mother came by and brought her home.
Thats when I saw a chance to try making a difference. The first
thing that ran through my mind was "teach her how to fight" but....
I couldn't. And I knew I shouldn't. But then it hit me... Jewelry!
She was young enough, only seven, and she seemed like she had a
lot of energy. So I offered. I told her mother Laura, that I
wanted to offer Mary an apprenticeship to learn how to make gems.
Mary seemed excited, but her mother was nervous for obvious
reasons. She didn't really know who I was and has no reason to
trust me.
Well, has a reason to trust me now...
I was fishing by the Pond outside Port Hempstead when Laura kinda
crept up on me. It was nice to see her and she asked me if I was
still offering to teach little Mary to be a jeweler. I said yes and
we went back to the Scamp's Mug.
That's when I saw something I wasn't going to let stand. Roderick,
the Innkeep at the Scamp's, was... Making Laura "serve" some guy
more then just a drink... I couldn't do much, but I had a plan. I took
Roderick into the other room after some deceiving and knocked him
around, telling him not to screw with Laura anymore, before I got the
guy off her. He listened, and for his sake he better not try anything
with Laura ever again.
I told Laura I'd be back in a week or so to check on her and Mary
and talk about Mary's apprenticeship. I hope when I go back,
everything is alright.
[/INDENT]
Shiff comes home one day, looking inspired. Its an odd sort of inspiration, not in the artistic way, but a way in which he seems to think he has an idea. For over seventeen years Shiff has been a warrior, a Striker, and for all that time he has learned and grown better as a warrior, better understanding his place on the field of battle and the various ways one can achieve victory over an opponent. He has seen the various ways the Weave can be used in battle, the many ways it can be used to set traps and scatter hordes. He has watched as Dwarven Heroes stood firm in the face of danger, and the way they seemed as if they were themselves walls beyond which no foe would pass. He has watched the trickery and dexterity of Master Fencers and cunning Rogues as they danced and spun around their enemies, cutting them to ribbons with precise strikes. He has watched the barbaric rage of simple minded brutes, charging into the fray as they bellows brought only fear to those unfortunate enough to get in their way. He has seen great servants of the Gods; Paladins, Knights, Priests and Priestess, bring forth wonderous powers and blessing of their Gods, holding back the darkness and saving those who succumb to it with the power of their faith. And he has seen those who know nothing of battle, only the will and tenacity to fight and win for the single purpose of survival, live and die over nothing more then apples and coins. The only thing he has not yet seen is true war, and the horrors it brings.
He sits at his desk, and from withing takes out not his journal but a blank sheet of parchment and writes across the top...
~ ~ The Art of War ~ ~
~ A Strikers Guide to Battlefield Tactics ~