Raven's Story
Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2003 1:31 pmI had hunted for several hours and amassed a goodly amount of loot to sell. First I stopped at my shop near the Britain moongate and dropped off my armor for my younger brother Shao to repair as best he could and then I felt a whim to visit Moonglow. My shoulders ached from the long strain of wielding mace and shield as I rode through the Moonglow gates. The twilight was slipping rapidly to full dusk and Manco was closing up shop as I rode by. I needed to replace my boots so I headed up to visit Raven at the far end of town.
I dismounted outside the shop and gave Darlin a couple apples to crunch while I was away. Ronan had already left for the day and Raven was just finishing up her last chores. "Hail and well met, o' Raven my favorite cobbler", I called out with a grin.
"Oh, and you'll be needing footwear at this hour of the night I suppose?", she retorted with a smile. "Thank you for leaving your horse outside, I get so tired of cleaning up after discourteous adventurers who track in the most disgusting things." She rolled her eyes at the broom and shovel in the corner. "You haven't been around for quite some time. I had gotten used to having you come by with packages for me. I was afraid you didn't like me anymore." Raven grinned as I strode up to the table she was leaning on.
I hefted my heavy pack onto the table with a thump. "Ah well, I have found it more profitable to go out and take tribute from the evil creatures of the land.", I replied. "More profitable in ways but I miss seeing everybody and, of course, I especially miss seeing you!", I teased.
She laughed with disbelief and examined my worn boots. "Yes indeed, your toes are about to poke out of those old things." she said as she rummaged in a crate. Pulling out pairs of thick leather boots, she muttered about sizes under her breath. "Ah here we go! I believe these will do the trick." she said, brandishing some expensive ostard hide boots.
I didn't really go for the lizard look but her expression was so proud that I couldn't say no. "Thank you, these fit perfect!", I said after pulling them on and stomping my feet in firmly. "You remembered my size?", I inquired.
"Well, a cobbler needs to remember her favorite customers", she joked while looking at me intently with her deep brown eyes for a moment before looking away again.
It had been a long time since I had been in here. I had always enjoyed talking to Raven. She was easy to talk to and definitely a balm to the eyes. I wasn't sure of why I didn't feel the same way with most of the other shopkeepers, but Raven was just comfortable feeling to me. As she tossed back the other boots into the crate and slammed the lid, her long auburn hair swung about her shoulders and the dark blue dress swirled about her ankles.
"A lot of you do come in but most of you don't bother to really talk to me, or Ronan for that matter." she said. "It's always impersonal things like "Vendor buy" or even just "BUY". I don't mind that word especially since it is good for business but it is almost as if we are robots or something. Then, everyone expects us to just get out of the way or they run right over us with their big, stinky horses.", she continued. "Oh, some of them I don't mind and they don't treat us that way but most do. Ronan tells me to just keep my mouth shut and buy or sell as the case may be."
I considered what she was saying. I had witnessed this myself innumerable times and to be honest, I was guilty of it myself although not with Raven. So many of us just come in to buy or sell things brusquely with not even a good morning, or "how are you?". No wonder this Prophet character was able to arouse such a frenzy among the populace. This World had no active Queen or leader of any type, not even a Council. With the lack of leadership and the desultory way most adventurers treated the storekeepers, it should be no surprise that there was resentment and anger.
As Raven pushed a box up on a high shelf, I couldn't help admiring the way her body stretched lithely beneath her dress. She turned around abruptly and caught me looking. "Oho! What sort of merchandise are you looking for?" she quipped with a mischievous smile.
"I..I am sorry, I just...well,..", I tried to make my mouth say something but her dancing eyes and quirky smile captivated me. Those deep brown eyes softened and she moved forward. "Oh I am sorry, I embarrassed you.", she said softly.
"No, it is ok, I shouldn't have been so obvious." I replied, trying to regain my composure. "That dress just looks really good on you, you know." I said gallantly, cocking one eyebrow up.
"Oh, this old thing?", she laughed. "Well thank you, but this is what I always wear and it is rather dull. The best dresser I've seen yet is Chelsea Duklain. The other day she was in here and I was admiring her ensemble so much that I didn't move out of her way as I normally do and the poor woman had to walk around me! I was going to apologize and hoped Ronan didn't see me being so discourteous but he was busy watching her, ummm, berth.", she giggled. To ears such as mine that had heard nothing but bellows, shrieks and angered hisses all day, her laugh chimed like bells.
I nudged my pack and said, "This can wait until later. What I would like to do, if you have the time and are finished here for now, is just rest awhile and, perhaps watch the stars awhile.", I said. "Surely you deserve a bit of time off while we talked out on the docks?" I held up a cloth bag as encouragement. "I even brought some bread and cheese as well as a bottle of wine."
Raven tilted her head to one side and considered and then smiled at me, her eyes sparkling. "I would love that, Bayn. Wine, bread and thou, is it?" she murmured.
We walked out the door, patted Darlin and strolled up the path to the ancient wooden docks of Moonglow. Our footsteps echoed hollowly on the dock and we greeted Captain Kendall as we passed by him, his pipe steadily puffing as he made his rounds. The scent of the sea washed over us as we sat on the edge of the pier, our legs dangling over the rough hewn timbers. High above us, the stars blazed with power and promise. Raven pointed out the Grail, tilted high above us in heavens. "That has always been my favorite constellation.", she said softly. "When I was a child, my mother told me the story of the Grail and how it holds the elixir of hope. I used to lie outside at night and pray to the gods to grant me some hope. I would have done anything to bring hope or happiness to my mother and I." she finished sadly.
Her profile was dappled with moving luminescent light from the waves that carried the pure light of the moon. Her brow was high, her nose proud but her full lips carried the memory of an old pain. "Why did you need such hope as a child, Raven?" I asked tentatively. She sighed and glanced at me for a moment before replying. "My father was a hunter. He would spend all day in the forests and fields searching for prey and all evening at the local tavern boasting of his accomplishments. He actually wasn't a very brave man and not a good hunter but he had a way with words and made it all sound as if he were the most valiant of the ones protecting this World of ours. But, because he generally ran from anything more powerful than a mongbat, we had little. My mother had to work as a seamstress all day long to make end meet and my father resented that utterly."
I winced internally as I thought of the men I had met in the past who reacted the same way to their own failures. Curious it was that some men considered themselves to be so strong and valiant when it oft times it was the woman who persevered and carried the day. Perhaps that is because so many men thought that physical strength was all there was? Not all men were like this but so many just relied on physical strengths or successes and when those failed, they felt lost. That was probably why I'd seen mighty warriors who would face the most horrific monster and yet whine about sniffles from a cold. Failure is just another way to learn but too many people just give up or think less of themselves because of it.
I reached over and brushed a lock of hair back that had fallen over one of Raven's smooth cheeks. She smiled at me and continued. "Now I can see they why of what he did but then I was confused and hated him. He would come home reeling with drink and find fault with everything. Many times I would cower outside in the and cover my ears so I wouldn't hear the things he yelled at my mother, or hear the sound of him striking her."
Raven took a deep breath, which even in the dark I was able to appreciate, and then seemed to relax. "So, when I was old enough, I just left. I became a hunter myself and was one of the best. No beast, however powerful, was able to quail me. I waded through gore as if I was in a clean mountain stream. As I look back, I can see that I was determined to be everything that my father wasn't. I took risks that were stupid to prove myself and finally reached the point where I realized I didn't have to prove anything, I could just be myself. So I hung up my spear and shield and just do simple things now."
I gazed at her, my body turning towards her and whispered, "There is nothing simple about you, dear lady." She smiled at me and then impulsively leaned forward to press her lips upon mine. We both trembled at the first soft touch and were lost in a timeless place of caring and desire. Her long hair was as silk to my fingertips and her warm breath sweet. We finally drew back and looked deeply into one another's eyes, and liked what we saw.
How strange it seems that people apparently so different can find an emotional resonance with each other. It is as if we all have a secret heart made of precious crystal, attuned to our own personal tone and when we meet another who's heart is tuned to the same pitch, both hearts resonate together and emit a pure tone more complex and encompassing then either single one.
The scent of tobacco smoke drifted past us and the clomp of the Captain's boots sounded and stopped. "Ye two had better be careful or you'll fall inta the bay! Now I'll allow that I haven't seen a serpent in these waters for quite a spell but if ye are going to swim, do it in the daylight when ye can at least see what is around.", he admonished us. "Besides, ye are way too old to be a-spoonin' on the docks." he muttered.
We both laughed and got to our feet, looking out over the calm bay that reflected the multitude of stars above. There are a multitude of people in the World and every one has a story just as vital as another. It doesn't matter if we have big, flashy successes in life or not. What is important is trying, doing the best we can and never giving up. The cool night breeze caressed us gently and Raven's hand was warm in mine. I handed the untouched bag of bread and wine to the good Captain and we walked slowly back to the sleeping town.
I dismounted outside the shop and gave Darlin a couple apples to crunch while I was away. Ronan had already left for the day and Raven was just finishing up her last chores. "Hail and well met, o' Raven my favorite cobbler", I called out with a grin.
"Oh, and you'll be needing footwear at this hour of the night I suppose?", she retorted with a smile. "Thank you for leaving your horse outside, I get so tired of cleaning up after discourteous adventurers who track in the most disgusting things." She rolled her eyes at the broom and shovel in the corner. "You haven't been around for quite some time. I had gotten used to having you come by with packages for me. I was afraid you didn't like me anymore." Raven grinned as I strode up to the table she was leaning on.
I hefted my heavy pack onto the table with a thump. "Ah well, I have found it more profitable to go out and take tribute from the evil creatures of the land.", I replied. "More profitable in ways but I miss seeing everybody and, of course, I especially miss seeing you!", I teased.
She laughed with disbelief and examined my worn boots. "Yes indeed, your toes are about to poke out of those old things." she said as she rummaged in a crate. Pulling out pairs of thick leather boots, she muttered about sizes under her breath. "Ah here we go! I believe these will do the trick." she said, brandishing some expensive ostard hide boots.
I didn't really go for the lizard look but her expression was so proud that I couldn't say no. "Thank you, these fit perfect!", I said after pulling them on and stomping my feet in firmly. "You remembered my size?", I inquired.
"Well, a cobbler needs to remember her favorite customers", she joked while looking at me intently with her deep brown eyes for a moment before looking away again.
It had been a long time since I had been in here. I had always enjoyed talking to Raven. She was easy to talk to and definitely a balm to the eyes. I wasn't sure of why I didn't feel the same way with most of the other shopkeepers, but Raven was just comfortable feeling to me. As she tossed back the other boots into the crate and slammed the lid, her long auburn hair swung about her shoulders and the dark blue dress swirled about her ankles.
"A lot of you do come in but most of you don't bother to really talk to me, or Ronan for that matter." she said. "It's always impersonal things like "Vendor buy" or even just "BUY". I don't mind that word especially since it is good for business but it is almost as if we are robots or something. Then, everyone expects us to just get out of the way or they run right over us with their big, stinky horses.", she continued. "Oh, some of them I don't mind and they don't treat us that way but most do. Ronan tells me to just keep my mouth shut and buy or sell as the case may be."
I considered what she was saying. I had witnessed this myself innumerable times and to be honest, I was guilty of it myself although not with Raven. So many of us just come in to buy or sell things brusquely with not even a good morning, or "how are you?". No wonder this Prophet character was able to arouse such a frenzy among the populace. This World had no active Queen or leader of any type, not even a Council. With the lack of leadership and the desultory way most adventurers treated the storekeepers, it should be no surprise that there was resentment and anger.
As Raven pushed a box up on a high shelf, I couldn't help admiring the way her body stretched lithely beneath her dress. She turned around abruptly and caught me looking. "Oho! What sort of merchandise are you looking for?" she quipped with a mischievous smile.
"I..I am sorry, I just...well,..", I tried to make my mouth say something but her dancing eyes and quirky smile captivated me. Those deep brown eyes softened and she moved forward. "Oh I am sorry, I embarrassed you.", she said softly.
"No, it is ok, I shouldn't have been so obvious." I replied, trying to regain my composure. "That dress just looks really good on you, you know." I said gallantly, cocking one eyebrow up.
"Oh, this old thing?", she laughed. "Well thank you, but this is what I always wear and it is rather dull. The best dresser I've seen yet is Chelsea Duklain. The other day she was in here and I was admiring her ensemble so much that I didn't move out of her way as I normally do and the poor woman had to walk around me! I was going to apologize and hoped Ronan didn't see me being so discourteous but he was busy watching her, ummm, berth.", she giggled. To ears such as mine that had heard nothing but bellows, shrieks and angered hisses all day, her laugh chimed like bells.
I nudged my pack and said, "This can wait until later. What I would like to do, if you have the time and are finished here for now, is just rest awhile and, perhaps watch the stars awhile.", I said. "Surely you deserve a bit of time off while we talked out on the docks?" I held up a cloth bag as encouragement. "I even brought some bread and cheese as well as a bottle of wine."
Raven tilted her head to one side and considered and then smiled at me, her eyes sparkling. "I would love that, Bayn. Wine, bread and thou, is it?" she murmured.
We walked out the door, patted Darlin and strolled up the path to the ancient wooden docks of Moonglow. Our footsteps echoed hollowly on the dock and we greeted Captain Kendall as we passed by him, his pipe steadily puffing as he made his rounds. The scent of the sea washed over us as we sat on the edge of the pier, our legs dangling over the rough hewn timbers. High above us, the stars blazed with power and promise. Raven pointed out the Grail, tilted high above us in heavens. "That has always been my favorite constellation.", she said softly. "When I was a child, my mother told me the story of the Grail and how it holds the elixir of hope. I used to lie outside at night and pray to the gods to grant me some hope. I would have done anything to bring hope or happiness to my mother and I." she finished sadly.
Her profile was dappled with moving luminescent light from the waves that carried the pure light of the moon. Her brow was high, her nose proud but her full lips carried the memory of an old pain. "Why did you need such hope as a child, Raven?" I asked tentatively. She sighed and glanced at me for a moment before replying. "My father was a hunter. He would spend all day in the forests and fields searching for prey and all evening at the local tavern boasting of his accomplishments. He actually wasn't a very brave man and not a good hunter but he had a way with words and made it all sound as if he were the most valiant of the ones protecting this World of ours. But, because he generally ran from anything more powerful than a mongbat, we had little. My mother had to work as a seamstress all day long to make end meet and my father resented that utterly."
I winced internally as I thought of the men I had met in the past who reacted the same way to their own failures. Curious it was that some men considered themselves to be so strong and valiant when it oft times it was the woman who persevered and carried the day. Perhaps that is because so many men thought that physical strength was all there was? Not all men were like this but so many just relied on physical strengths or successes and when those failed, they felt lost. That was probably why I'd seen mighty warriors who would face the most horrific monster and yet whine about sniffles from a cold. Failure is just another way to learn but too many people just give up or think less of themselves because of it.
I reached over and brushed a lock of hair back that had fallen over one of Raven's smooth cheeks. She smiled at me and continued. "Now I can see they why of what he did but then I was confused and hated him. He would come home reeling with drink and find fault with everything. Many times I would cower outside in the and cover my ears so I wouldn't hear the things he yelled at my mother, or hear the sound of him striking her."
Raven took a deep breath, which even in the dark I was able to appreciate, and then seemed to relax. "So, when I was old enough, I just left. I became a hunter myself and was one of the best. No beast, however powerful, was able to quail me. I waded through gore as if I was in a clean mountain stream. As I look back, I can see that I was determined to be everything that my father wasn't. I took risks that were stupid to prove myself and finally reached the point where I realized I didn't have to prove anything, I could just be myself. So I hung up my spear and shield and just do simple things now."
I gazed at her, my body turning towards her and whispered, "There is nothing simple about you, dear lady." She smiled at me and then impulsively leaned forward to press her lips upon mine. We both trembled at the first soft touch and were lost in a timeless place of caring and desire. Her long hair was as silk to my fingertips and her warm breath sweet. We finally drew back and looked deeply into one another's eyes, and liked what we saw.
How strange it seems that people apparently so different can find an emotional resonance with each other. It is as if we all have a secret heart made of precious crystal, attuned to our own personal tone and when we meet another who's heart is tuned to the same pitch, both hearts resonate together and emit a pure tone more complex and encompassing then either single one.
The scent of tobacco smoke drifted past us and the clomp of the Captain's boots sounded and stopped. "Ye two had better be careful or you'll fall inta the bay! Now I'll allow that I haven't seen a serpent in these waters for quite a spell but if ye are going to swim, do it in the daylight when ye can at least see what is around.", he admonished us. "Besides, ye are way too old to be a-spoonin' on the docks." he muttered.
We both laughed and got to our feet, looking out over the calm bay that reflected the multitude of stars above. There are a multitude of people in the World and every one has a story just as vital as another. It doesn't matter if we have big, flashy successes in life or not. What is important is trying, doing the best we can and never giving up. The cool night breeze caressed us gently and Raven's hand was warm in mine. I handed the untouched bag of bread and wine to the good Captain and we walked slowly back to the sleeping town.
I was jealous that you had such a wonderful gift. Your stories seem to flow so evenly and the words just meld together to make the reader's experience a very easy and enjoyable. No one has to struggle to get the point.
