Post by Faraday on May 27, 2008 12:12:19 GMT -5
The Story of Faraday
All great stories have a beginning. Many begin with great tales of great men in great times. Mine begins much simpler, before the beginning, with a water nymph chasing crimson colored fish and a warrior weary to death.
My mother was a carefree and immortal water nymph. Her world was the pristine sapphire waters of her lake lined by moss covered trees. Her days were spent playing with animals, which she called friends. During one of her adventures, she constructed a cup from clay at the bottom of the lake. She dipped the up into the source of the lake and spring, which cast a powerful spell upon it. The cup was forever connected to her lake and would fill with water anytime she was thirsty.
My father was a proud man known more for his unwavering loyalty then his sword craft. Born in a time of instability and war, the only constant in his chaotic life was death and it seemed the only comfort. When he was twenty five, he fought to keep the capital city and more importantly save the lives within the walls. Out on the field my father received what should have a mortal blow in his right shoulder. Not wanting to die on the field he crawled into the woods and into my mother's realm.
They never knew why he was able to cross from a mortal world into an immortal one. It could have been since he was so close to death, for within death mortals become immortal.
My mother healed his wounds, both physically and emotional. My father soon was able to smile at her antics. He was so concentrated on his own hurting, though; he did not realize that she no longer had a child-like unburden expression. Since he had wandered into her world, she learned of the horrors and a few wonders of the mortal world. She came to realize that she could never live by her lake, like she had for eons past. She would go with him when he left.
After a time, he became unsettled. Though this world was paradise, he had family, friends, and a realm that needed him. One day after watching her chase squirrels, he took her by the hand and told her he must leave, though felt torn to do so. "I come with you," she informed him, her eyes filling with tears. He embraced her, both with tears falling sown their cheeks. For him, it was what he was gaining. For her, it what she was losing.
My father soon realized, traveling through the mortal world, that when time does not exist it passes quite fast. The world they traveled through my father did not know. There were villages that did not exist when he left, and where the capital city should have been, fat sheep grazed.
They wandered, unsure what to do, until my mother took my father by the hand and placed on her stomach. "We need a home."
They built a home and a living. My father worked as a blacksmith, his family trade, and my mother was known for beautiful almost wild clayware. By the time I was born, they had a comfortable life.
My birth was easy on both my mother and I. My father, however, did not fare so easily. After insisting on being in the room and underfoot, as soon as I started to come and greet them, he passed out. As my mother held me, she realized I was a true blend of their beings. On my right shoulder, the same my father received his blow, was a trident - the symbol of one of the water gods. She named me Faraday because I reminded her of days past.
My childhood was normal, at least in my eyes. My parents had the funds to raise me in comfort and even educate me. My mother however became quite ill when I was fifteen. I often spent long days by her sickbed, listening to her recounting her life. One day she pulled me close and told me she felt her end was near. She would not listen to my affirmations of her getting better. She had me bring the cup she alone used.
"This cup is from my world and since you are of my blood, Faraday, it can take you there. Hold onto it. You can feel a pull, follow that and it will lead you to peace. I never regretted having you; you have always given me a glimpse of the world I left. But this mortal realm is not for our kind. We are supposed to be unburden by the worries of me, Faraday. It is my dying wish that you go back to my lake, and not let your little world be troubled. Faraday, dearest child of the waters, this is my wish."
Later that night when the moon brought in the high tides, surrounded by the people she loved and in my father's arms, she smiled at us and then her eyes closed forever. It is a very sad thing when an immortal spirit dies, for Earth cries as well. The night lasted hours longer, when sunlight did come it was somber, and a gentle rain fell for a week. My father was devastated. He blame himself for the death his beloved wife. Within six months, my father grief stricken died by her gravesite.
I felt abandon and unloved. Though I knew deep down that both my parents loved me, it felt as though they did not care for me. After my father's funeral, people started to question what was to become of me. Since neither of parents had family, it was assumed one of their friends would take me in.
However though my inheritance was large enough to sustain me and their shops would continue to bring money their friends had problems of their own and could not finish raising a fifteen year old girl.
During this time it further reaffirmed my mother's last words to me. I did not belong here. No one, not even my parents, wanted me.
It was decided that though none of the friends wanted me, they wanted what was best for me. I was given my inheritance and the profits form the shops would pay for my education at a boarding school run by religious women. After I became of age I could take care of myself and do what I wished with the shops.
With that I was sent to school. I never fit into well. I was raised on the old religion of my parents and not the one of the school. Still I grew and learned vast subjects. More importantly I gained friends with the other misfits of the school. I found myself enjoying my time with them, though I had made up my mind long ago to go to my mother's lake.
Time past and I was coming of age and graduation. My classmates made grand plans, from universities to marrying well. I went back to my hometown. Though I was eager to be at my mother's lake, I wanted to have one last adventure. I sold my parent's shops to the employees and bought the supplies I needed. I traveled for a year in my realm.
I crossed the border on my nineteenth birthday between my realm and our neighbor realm, Dominion of the Unconquered Sun. I was getting low on supplies and money, when I stopped at a tavern.
"Faraday?! Is that you?" I heard a familiar voice say. I looked up, it was my friend, Lain, from school with a couple of mugs in her hand. We sat and caught up and I told her about my situation. She stood up, "Yo Lela we have another wench," she looked at me, "You can work here. It's easy enough. We serve the ale and beer and get paid. Everyone is nice enough, but when the Myrkiridians in full come we roll out a barrel for them."
Just as I was about to ask who these Myrkiridians were and how they could drink a barrel, three men walked. One dressed in all black, one in red, and the other in blue. They sat down arguing amongst themselves about the quality of something. "Here is your chance. Put this on," she shoved a black apron at me, "and go take their order."
Cautiously I walked up to these armored men. Before I could say a word, the one in red looked at me. "Hey you are new aren't ya? Well I am Lucifer, this here is Slayer," he pointed to the one in black, "and the one in blue is Kaos. Couple of woodchuck ciders for us."
I walked to the back where Lain was already getting the cider. "See that wasn't so bad. Those guys are pretty harmless unless you are threatening the realm. They are the royal guard of Dominion. Here take these to them."
I became adjusted to life at the tavern and the people that came into it. A couple of months past and everyone seemed unusually excited and busy. "Dominion is part of the Dagorhir League, and every year all the realms of the league get together and have mock battles, at night its one big party. Which reminds me can you sew? The women gather and help the queen sew for the event."
The busy preparations began and before any of us could thing what next, we were climbing in a very large and yellow coach. Though it was a little cramped we all managed to fit in and were on our way to Ragnrock.
I had not been so carefree since my parents died. Everyone got up late because we were up late drinking around the fires.
Though during the days the sun was unforgiving, and the Dominion warriors could not quench their thirst between battles. Frustrated though that the cups were draining so fast, I stroked my mother's cup at my side. Though I had been using it, I was of my mother's blood. I did not know what would happen if full mortal lips touched it. Even my father never touched it.
Suddenly I realized I could be giving up my chance to my carefree life if I allowed these mortals to use my cup. These mortals that were the cause of all that plagued this world, the world I wanted to escape but I realized I cared about these mortals. I took my mother's cup said the spell over and it filled with cool water and I handed it to the nearest person.
Later on that day I wondered off to the lake at on the grounds with the cup in my hand. I opened myself to the cup and felt a slight tug coming from the east. I smiled all was still well.
It was at Rag, I began to feel attached in a kinship way to the people of Dominion. In particular the Myrkiridans, I felt as though they were like the brothers I had wished for as a child. It was also at Rag that I began to notice the purple Myrkiridan, a curious dwarf named Kaine.
Rag ended and the summer passed lazily on. One of our allies, Gilead, invited us to tournaments they were hosting. I realized at this event my feelings for Kaine, as we rode in the supply coach I could not force myself to talk; afraid that I would say something to make him believe I was foolish.
Then that September, the day before a woods battle, the Myrkiridans invited me to one of their tactics parties. I had not had so much fun since Rag. After the party had wound down and most people had gone home, Kaine took me by the hand informed me that he had feelings for me. I had never felt as giddy as I did that moment. We started going out that night, though I kept my mother's wish with me.
As Altair approached, I found myself at Dominion Fortress when I was not working at the inn. Leala and Padrig held the intention of getting married at Altair, and they needed wedding attire. Dutifully Lady Mystic and I sewed, with Mystic's careful instruction; taking yards of beautiful fabric and construction beautiful wedding garments, while the bride put cord into her skirt.
I thought I was just helping out but my actions did no go unnoticed. During one council meeting, I was summoned to the underground floor. There the high council sat in a U formation staring at me. I was quite frightened. Any misdeeds I could have done raced through my head. Had I allowed one of the Myrkiridans become too drunk to so he could not perform his duties? Did I inadvertently anger the King and Queen?
Then Lady Mystic spoke. She told me that the council had noticed my hard work and they were creating a non-fighting position equal to squires. "Would you like to be my lady-in-waiting, Faraday?" I was silent for a few moments with numerous thoughts racing through my head. Firstly, thank all the gods I wasn't in trouble. Secondly, being in service to Lady Mystic meant I would be delayed further in my journey to the lake. I had immortal life I was looking forward to; a few years would not make a difference.
Altair came and I became quite ill. By all accounts I should have stayed in my room and nurse my health back. Instead I journeyed with Dominion to the realm of Crimson Dawn and the battle of Altair. I have not regretted my decision to go to this day. Though I was drinking more then the alchemist recommend of his flu medicine he called, Nite Quill, and sleeping more then half of the day; I saw the wedding and was put in service to Lady Mystic and Kaine into Sir Aster's.
After the wedding I wandered to Kaine's tent feeling drugged by the medicine. Kaine came in a short time later and put his arms around me soothing me the coughs racked my body. When the medicine finally worked and I was able to breathe without coughing my innards out, Kaine pulled me in tight and whispered something in my ear, so softly I almost did not hear. I rolled over and looked into his hazel eyes and whispered, I love you too.
Shortly after Altair, the Crimson Dawn held a feast in a beautiful hall. While running around helping Lady Mystic help the hosts of the feast. I came to a cliff overlooking the sea.
I stood the edge listening to the waves crash into the cliff and felt the tug of the cup to my immortal home echoing the waves. I took my cup from my belt and sat down. My mother's words repeated themselves over in my head. I had set out to leave this world, why was I still here. In my short life span I already had seen a few of the horrors my mother had described. And I knew it only would get worse as time went on. Why though was I lingering here?
In the world I knew would cause me more pain then I had already experienced. I stroked my mother's cup. I had the way out. No more hurt, no more illness, nothing.
Then it came to me. Compared to what I had, it would be nothing. In this troubled mortal world I met people I counted as family. These people with all their imperfections though they caused pain made life worth it.
And then there was Kaine. The dwarf that I love so dear. Even at that early time he had become the thing I loved most in this or any world. His gentle affectionate embrace connects us making me feel like I finally belonged. He makes me laugh, he reassures me when I am feeling insecure and loves me through my oddities and insecurities. How could I leave him when he was so dear to me? I could not.
So with my kiss still wet on the cup, I threw it off the side of the cliff and into the sea. I walked into the hall and Kaine came behind me and wrapped his arms around me. I smiled somewhat saddened but infinitely more happy.
The winter came and went and the Dominion woke up during the spring in a fever for our first event. I dutifully did my duties and helped my lady sew. Finally the weekend came. Captain Gabriel gathered all of Myrkiridans together and their significant others, and told us of the Myrkiridan decision to allow their significant others as full unit members, known as the Shield Maidens.
After the flood subsided at Gates and the weather warmed it was again time for Rag. I sewed and sewed and sewed. I began to regret my decision to help with the sewing after a week straight up to six hours a day. At Rag most of the shield maidens were inducted into the Myrkiridans.
Then on Tuesday camp tensions reached a breaking point, so Kaine and I went on a walk. We stopped at the lake and sat down at one of the benches. I leaned against Kaine and unromantically started to complain about my foot hurting when I had scraped on the stairs I fell down while delivering some clothing.
Kaine whispered that sometimes you have to hurt before you can heal. I thought this peculiar thing to say so I turned to face him. He held my hands and looked me in my eyes and told me loved me. I tired move my hands but he held onto them and looked down. I became frightened, expecting the next words out of his mouth were going to be "It's not working out." Instead he took a deep breath and asked "Will you marry me?"
It is almost a year since then. Everyday I fall more in love with Kaine. I have come to hold dear many people within the Dominion. I am looking forward to becoming a Lady of the Court.
I have a few regrets in my life. But as I look around at the people I know and love, I know none of my regrets are throwing that cup into the sea. Though my life is going to be short, it is going to be sweet, hardships and all.
All great stories have a beginning. Many begin with great tales of great men in great times. Mine begins much simpler, before the beginning, with a water nymph chasing crimson colored fish and a warrior weary to death.
My mother was a carefree and immortal water nymph. Her world was the pristine sapphire waters of her lake lined by moss covered trees. Her days were spent playing with animals, which she called friends. During one of her adventures, she constructed a cup from clay at the bottom of the lake. She dipped the up into the source of the lake and spring, which cast a powerful spell upon it. The cup was forever connected to her lake and would fill with water anytime she was thirsty.
My father was a proud man known more for his unwavering loyalty then his sword craft. Born in a time of instability and war, the only constant in his chaotic life was death and it seemed the only comfort. When he was twenty five, he fought to keep the capital city and more importantly save the lives within the walls. Out on the field my father received what should have a mortal blow in his right shoulder. Not wanting to die on the field he crawled into the woods and into my mother's realm.
They never knew why he was able to cross from a mortal world into an immortal one. It could have been since he was so close to death, for within death mortals become immortal.
My mother healed his wounds, both physically and emotional. My father soon was able to smile at her antics. He was so concentrated on his own hurting, though; he did not realize that she no longer had a child-like unburden expression. Since he had wandered into her world, she learned of the horrors and a few wonders of the mortal world. She came to realize that she could never live by her lake, like she had for eons past. She would go with him when he left.
After a time, he became unsettled. Though this world was paradise, he had family, friends, and a realm that needed him. One day after watching her chase squirrels, he took her by the hand and told her he must leave, though felt torn to do so. "I come with you," she informed him, her eyes filling with tears. He embraced her, both with tears falling sown their cheeks. For him, it was what he was gaining. For her, it what she was losing.
My father soon realized, traveling through the mortal world, that when time does not exist it passes quite fast. The world they traveled through my father did not know. There were villages that did not exist when he left, and where the capital city should have been, fat sheep grazed.
They wandered, unsure what to do, until my mother took my father by the hand and placed on her stomach. "We need a home."
They built a home and a living. My father worked as a blacksmith, his family trade, and my mother was known for beautiful almost wild clayware. By the time I was born, they had a comfortable life.
My birth was easy on both my mother and I. My father, however, did not fare so easily. After insisting on being in the room and underfoot, as soon as I started to come and greet them, he passed out. As my mother held me, she realized I was a true blend of their beings. On my right shoulder, the same my father received his blow, was a trident - the symbol of one of the water gods. She named me Faraday because I reminded her of days past.
My childhood was normal, at least in my eyes. My parents had the funds to raise me in comfort and even educate me. My mother however became quite ill when I was fifteen. I often spent long days by her sickbed, listening to her recounting her life. One day she pulled me close and told me she felt her end was near. She would not listen to my affirmations of her getting better. She had me bring the cup she alone used.
"This cup is from my world and since you are of my blood, Faraday, it can take you there. Hold onto it. You can feel a pull, follow that and it will lead you to peace. I never regretted having you; you have always given me a glimpse of the world I left. But this mortal realm is not for our kind. We are supposed to be unburden by the worries of me, Faraday. It is my dying wish that you go back to my lake, and not let your little world be troubled. Faraday, dearest child of the waters, this is my wish."
Later that night when the moon brought in the high tides, surrounded by the people she loved and in my father's arms, she smiled at us and then her eyes closed forever. It is a very sad thing when an immortal spirit dies, for Earth cries as well. The night lasted hours longer, when sunlight did come it was somber, and a gentle rain fell for a week. My father was devastated. He blame himself for the death his beloved wife. Within six months, my father grief stricken died by her gravesite.
I felt abandon and unloved. Though I knew deep down that both my parents loved me, it felt as though they did not care for me. After my father's funeral, people started to question what was to become of me. Since neither of parents had family, it was assumed one of their friends would take me in.
However though my inheritance was large enough to sustain me and their shops would continue to bring money their friends had problems of their own and could not finish raising a fifteen year old girl.
During this time it further reaffirmed my mother's last words to me. I did not belong here. No one, not even my parents, wanted me.
It was decided that though none of the friends wanted me, they wanted what was best for me. I was given my inheritance and the profits form the shops would pay for my education at a boarding school run by religious women. After I became of age I could take care of myself and do what I wished with the shops.
With that I was sent to school. I never fit into well. I was raised on the old religion of my parents and not the one of the school. Still I grew and learned vast subjects. More importantly I gained friends with the other misfits of the school. I found myself enjoying my time with them, though I had made up my mind long ago to go to my mother's lake.
Time past and I was coming of age and graduation. My classmates made grand plans, from universities to marrying well. I went back to my hometown. Though I was eager to be at my mother's lake, I wanted to have one last adventure. I sold my parent's shops to the employees and bought the supplies I needed. I traveled for a year in my realm.
I crossed the border on my nineteenth birthday between my realm and our neighbor realm, Dominion of the Unconquered Sun. I was getting low on supplies and money, when I stopped at a tavern.
"Faraday?! Is that you?" I heard a familiar voice say. I looked up, it was my friend, Lain, from school with a couple of mugs in her hand. We sat and caught up and I told her about my situation. She stood up, "Yo Lela we have another wench," she looked at me, "You can work here. It's easy enough. We serve the ale and beer and get paid. Everyone is nice enough, but when the Myrkiridians in full come we roll out a barrel for them."
Just as I was about to ask who these Myrkiridians were and how they could drink a barrel, three men walked. One dressed in all black, one in red, and the other in blue. They sat down arguing amongst themselves about the quality of something. "Here is your chance. Put this on," she shoved a black apron at me, "and go take their order."
Cautiously I walked up to these armored men. Before I could say a word, the one in red looked at me. "Hey you are new aren't ya? Well I am Lucifer, this here is Slayer," he pointed to the one in black, "and the one in blue is Kaos. Couple of woodchuck ciders for us."
I walked to the back where Lain was already getting the cider. "See that wasn't so bad. Those guys are pretty harmless unless you are threatening the realm. They are the royal guard of Dominion. Here take these to them."
I became adjusted to life at the tavern and the people that came into it. A couple of months past and everyone seemed unusually excited and busy. "Dominion is part of the Dagorhir League, and every year all the realms of the league get together and have mock battles, at night its one big party. Which reminds me can you sew? The women gather and help the queen sew for the event."
The busy preparations began and before any of us could thing what next, we were climbing in a very large and yellow coach. Though it was a little cramped we all managed to fit in and were on our way to Ragnrock.
I had not been so carefree since my parents died. Everyone got up late because we were up late drinking around the fires.
Though during the days the sun was unforgiving, and the Dominion warriors could not quench their thirst between battles. Frustrated though that the cups were draining so fast, I stroked my mother's cup at my side. Though I had been using it, I was of my mother's blood. I did not know what would happen if full mortal lips touched it. Even my father never touched it.
Suddenly I realized I could be giving up my chance to my carefree life if I allowed these mortals to use my cup. These mortals that were the cause of all that plagued this world, the world I wanted to escape but I realized I cared about these mortals. I took my mother's cup said the spell over and it filled with cool water and I handed it to the nearest person.
Later on that day I wondered off to the lake at on the grounds with the cup in my hand. I opened myself to the cup and felt a slight tug coming from the east. I smiled all was still well.
It was at Rag, I began to feel attached in a kinship way to the people of Dominion. In particular the Myrkiridans, I felt as though they were like the brothers I had wished for as a child. It was also at Rag that I began to notice the purple Myrkiridan, a curious dwarf named Kaine.
Rag ended and the summer passed lazily on. One of our allies, Gilead, invited us to tournaments they were hosting. I realized at this event my feelings for Kaine, as we rode in the supply coach I could not force myself to talk; afraid that I would say something to make him believe I was foolish.
Then that September, the day before a woods battle, the Myrkiridans invited me to one of their tactics parties. I had not had so much fun since Rag. After the party had wound down and most people had gone home, Kaine took me by the hand informed me that he had feelings for me. I had never felt as giddy as I did that moment. We started going out that night, though I kept my mother's wish with me.
As Altair approached, I found myself at Dominion Fortress when I was not working at the inn. Leala and Padrig held the intention of getting married at Altair, and they needed wedding attire. Dutifully Lady Mystic and I sewed, with Mystic's careful instruction; taking yards of beautiful fabric and construction beautiful wedding garments, while the bride put cord into her skirt.
I thought I was just helping out but my actions did no go unnoticed. During one council meeting, I was summoned to the underground floor. There the high council sat in a U formation staring at me. I was quite frightened. Any misdeeds I could have done raced through my head. Had I allowed one of the Myrkiridans become too drunk to so he could not perform his duties? Did I inadvertently anger the King and Queen?
Then Lady Mystic spoke. She told me that the council had noticed my hard work and they were creating a non-fighting position equal to squires. "Would you like to be my lady-in-waiting, Faraday?" I was silent for a few moments with numerous thoughts racing through my head. Firstly, thank all the gods I wasn't in trouble. Secondly, being in service to Lady Mystic meant I would be delayed further in my journey to the lake. I had immortal life I was looking forward to; a few years would not make a difference.
Altair came and I became quite ill. By all accounts I should have stayed in my room and nurse my health back. Instead I journeyed with Dominion to the realm of Crimson Dawn and the battle of Altair. I have not regretted my decision to go to this day. Though I was drinking more then the alchemist recommend of his flu medicine he called, Nite Quill, and sleeping more then half of the day; I saw the wedding and was put in service to Lady Mystic and Kaine into Sir Aster's.
After the wedding I wandered to Kaine's tent feeling drugged by the medicine. Kaine came in a short time later and put his arms around me soothing me the coughs racked my body. When the medicine finally worked and I was able to breathe without coughing my innards out, Kaine pulled me in tight and whispered something in my ear, so softly I almost did not hear. I rolled over and looked into his hazel eyes and whispered, I love you too.
Shortly after Altair, the Crimson Dawn held a feast in a beautiful hall. While running around helping Lady Mystic help the hosts of the feast. I came to a cliff overlooking the sea.
I stood the edge listening to the waves crash into the cliff and felt the tug of the cup to my immortal home echoing the waves. I took my cup from my belt and sat down. My mother's words repeated themselves over in my head. I had set out to leave this world, why was I still here. In my short life span I already had seen a few of the horrors my mother had described. And I knew it only would get worse as time went on. Why though was I lingering here?
In the world I knew would cause me more pain then I had already experienced. I stroked my mother's cup. I had the way out. No more hurt, no more illness, nothing.
Then it came to me. Compared to what I had, it would be nothing. In this troubled mortal world I met people I counted as family. These people with all their imperfections though they caused pain made life worth it.
And then there was Kaine. The dwarf that I love so dear. Even at that early time he had become the thing I loved most in this or any world. His gentle affectionate embrace connects us making me feel like I finally belonged. He makes me laugh, he reassures me when I am feeling insecure and loves me through my oddities and insecurities. How could I leave him when he was so dear to me? I could not.
So with my kiss still wet on the cup, I threw it off the side of the cliff and into the sea. I walked into the hall and Kaine came behind me and wrapped his arms around me. I smiled somewhat saddened but infinitely more happy.
The winter came and went and the Dominion woke up during the spring in a fever for our first event. I dutifully did my duties and helped my lady sew. Finally the weekend came. Captain Gabriel gathered all of Myrkiridans together and their significant others, and told us of the Myrkiridan decision to allow their significant others as full unit members, known as the Shield Maidens.
After the flood subsided at Gates and the weather warmed it was again time for Rag. I sewed and sewed and sewed. I began to regret my decision to help with the sewing after a week straight up to six hours a day. At Rag most of the shield maidens were inducted into the Myrkiridans.
Then on Tuesday camp tensions reached a breaking point, so Kaine and I went on a walk. We stopped at the lake and sat down at one of the benches. I leaned against Kaine and unromantically started to complain about my foot hurting when I had scraped on the stairs I fell down while delivering some clothing.
Kaine whispered that sometimes you have to hurt before you can heal. I thought this peculiar thing to say so I turned to face him. He held my hands and looked me in my eyes and told me loved me. I tired move my hands but he held onto them and looked down. I became frightened, expecting the next words out of his mouth were going to be "It's not working out." Instead he took a deep breath and asked "Will you marry me?"
It is almost a year since then. Everyday I fall more in love with Kaine. I have come to hold dear many people within the Dominion. I am looking forward to becoming a Lady of the Court.
I have a few regrets in my life. But as I look around at the people I know and love, I know none of my regrets are throwing that cup into the sea. Though my life is going to be short, it is going to be sweet, hardships and all.