Journey to find a friend (Bane)

[DoF Archive]

Date: 5/28/1998 5:02 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Bane0fEvil

((*Author's Note: Please excuse any spelling errors I made in this, because it isn't unusual. I didn't check over it so you can expect plenty of errors. ))Bane walked slowly around his house, hidden in the Enchanted Forest getting ready for the trip he planned on taking within the next week. He packed up the clothes and supplies he would need on the road and when he got there. He had planned a mission to find Mruykiel, the lead druid in the caravan that brought him to Rhydin. He hadn't seen Mruykiel for over two years and Mruykiel had been like a second father to Bane after he had to leave hishomeland, Scoliam.Bane was born in Scoliam and when he was three years old his mother was killed by a dragon, right in front of his eyes. He doesn't remember much of this but memories of it flash through his head at times. Scoliam was infested by many wars. Bane was taught by his father, Chaney Evilbane, the basics of hand to hand combat and swordplay. As Bane grew older the wars got worse and his father started teaching him the ways of the warrior. This trainingbegan on his twelfth birthday. His hand-to-hand training and sword wielding training became more strenuous as the days went by. Late one night, Chaney woke Bane from his slumber, a tear in his eye he said, "I am well pleased in how you have grown and matured at such an early age." Bane was confused as to what his father was leading to and didn't get to sleep for a while that night.When he woke he was riding on the back of a horse, surrounded by many druids, one dwarf, and one elf. Mruykiel was the leader of this caravan and Bane and he grew very close. Bane knew not of the druids in Scoliam, but they were secret friends of Chaney (secret even to Bane). They traveled frequently at night and rarely stopped by small villages to get some rest. They traveled across much of the land as Bane grew older, and closer to the othersin the caravan. The caravan grew while they traveled as a few gnomes and elves and a great deal more dwarves and druids joined in the travels. They all seemed to know Chaney, and Bane had never seen them before in his life. When Bane was the age of 19, they arrived in the lands of Rhydin. After many years and many miles of travel, they had finally found their destination. Chaney had once heard of Rhydin and always dreamed of living there. Knowing that he would never have the chance, Chaney sent Bane to stay there. The caravan stayed with Bane and kept Bane from venturing out amongst the people until Mruykiel had observed the lands and approved them for Bane. Bane didn't grow restless over the years it took for observation because of the large number of friends he had made in the caravan. When Bane was the age of 24, Mruykiel finally approved Rhydin to Bane and allowed him to roamout and do whatever he pleased. Mruykiel started a venture back a ways and, before he left, told Bane he would be staying about 100 miles away in a hidden village that they had stayed in when they passed. Mruykiel left a small group of volunteers of the caravan to stay with Bane in the Enchanted Forest to watch over him and stay under cover away from everyone except Bane. Mruykiel chose ten of the volunteers, skilled in their own ways, to staywith Bane and help him out whenever he needed it.Bane remembered the village in which Mruykiel would be staying and now planned on going and finding him. Bane had planned every detail of the journey to Haltirek, the village in which Mruykiel said he would be. Bane still had to get a few more things ready to go so he planned to leave on Tuesday or Wednesday. He didn't plan on the trip taking very long, so he didn't have to pack very heavily to prepare to go. He planned on giving short goodbyesto all his friends, but didn't want to overreact because he would be back quickly. He finished the packing that he would need as he lay down in his bed for the rest he would need in his upcoming travels.

[DoF Archive]

Date: 6/22/1998 10:58 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Bane0fEvil

The sun was soon to set in Haltirek when Bane, ready for the journey back to Rhydin, walked back to check on a few other things and recheck to ensure that all his belongings were packed. He walked away from the horse he had grown so close to during his stay in Haltirek. Titan whinnied, content that he was about to embark on some action. (Action is the right word, as you will soon see) Bane walked around the small house in which he had slept while in town and inside his rented quarters. After a quick checkup of the area he went back out and said his goodbyes to the ones he had befriended in Haltirek. Here, it was not unusual for dwarves and elves to band together; a group of them stood, watching Bane as he prepared to take his leave from the hidden village. The warrior chose the night-time because he didn't want to fry in the sun on the return to Rhydin. His journey to Haltirek was uneventful in the ways of battle, so he thought it would be the same way on the return trip. Bane had daggers, hidden from view, sheathed and strapped under the long sleeves of his shirt and his steel sword sheathed at his side, so he was ready for almost anything. He had seen Mruykiel but once during his stay in Haltirek. The wise old druid was very happy to see his former pupil, as was Bane to see him. He had spent the entire day with Mruykiel that day, reminiscing on their past days together. Bane, accomplishing what he had come to Haltirek to do, was now ready for his trip back to Rhydin. He told Mruykiel of his experiences in Rhydin, and also of the raven haired beauty that he believed he was fallingin love with, feelings maybe a little premature but not to the stubborn warrior. Mruykiel was happy that Bane had his eyes on a woman, finally. Mruykiel and Bane had a great time just being in each other's company. Mruykiel was in front of the company wishing Bane farewell. Grinning, Mruykiel said "I guess it's about time for you to get back to Rhydin and this beauty you were telling me of." Bane smiled back to him, smiling. "I guess so" he replied. Mruykiel nodded, "Be careful on your return, you never know what could be out there." Bane thought about this for a long moment and the two friends hugged goodbye. The fighter mounted the large horse and they were off, Titan starting off in a fast trot, (The horse was so large, it may be better explained as a slow gallop) the gigantic horse's legs moving toward the direction of Rhydin. Later in the night and about halfway to Rhydin, the horse slowed, sensing something wrong. "What is it?" Bane asked the horse, unsheathing his steel sword from his side at the blink of an eye. Bane's eyes darted from side toside as he dismounted the huge horse. It was not long before Bane knew what Titan was sensing as a large band of goblins rushed upon them. Titan charged into the oncoming goblins, trampling several. The surprised goblins didn't have time to react to the horse, but after a moment closed onto the waiting Bane. The warriorat stepped into the ambush of goblins with reckless abandon, his battle-driven rage telling him that this would be his lastfight. The horde of goblins, more than forty, surged upon him. He took out many of the stinking goblins (no offense to any goblins who may read this ) as they surrounded him, his arm working furiously to keep the goblins at bay. After a while, and the falling of many more goblins, fatigue started wearing away at Bane. Bane didn't slow much though as he took out a few more goblins, their heads falling to the ground. The goblins seemed torealize that Bane was slowing as they came closer to Bane, the circle closing. Bane kept his composure though, battling back a few goblins as more seemed to come from nowhere. Two of the goblins at Bane's back got a good shot with their clubs and hit Bane on the head, one after the other, sending him to the ground.

[DoF Archive]

Date: 6/25/1998 6:45 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Bane0fEvil

Bane awakened to find himself bound to a pole; hands behind his back and restricted by some kind of chain. Chains were also around his stomach and chest, so he was forced to spend the time he was out sitting upright. The warrior surveyed the area and saw that he was only guarded by two goblins, seemingly drunk. "Guess they took the barrel of ale I had for a friend," muttered Bane under his breath, not loud enough to hear. Furtherscanning proved that the goblins had taken his sword, but it, among the rest of his belongings (not packed in the saddlebags that is) lay on the ground near the goblins. The goblins' ignorance never ceases to amaze me, thought Bane. He chose to sit for a while, not trying to break free of the chains. Where could Titan be? wondered the confined warrior. Bane knew that Titan had to be close by because the horse wouldn't leave himalone with the enemy. He guessed that Titan was waiting for the warrior's lead before making a move. After a few moments with his back aching, along with many other parts of his body, Bane decided that now was the time to make the move. He arched his back, so he could get into an adequate position to move his arms. He could only move them a little, but this little proved enough to do the job as Bane snapped his right arm in a downward motion and the dagger fell in place. The magical daggers, gifts from Mruykiel, cut through the chains with ease. It took a little work to cut the chains around his wrists, but after that it was fairly easy for the warrior to break free. A soft whisper of the horse's name brought Titan within Bane's sight, but the drunken goblins didn't see him. Both daggers in hand now, the warrior nodded, understanding that Titan was awaiting further action. Sneaking up on the goblins was an easy task as Bane exploded into a flurry of motion, taking out the first goblin with one of the twin daggers. The other goblin was slow to move as Titan trampled him easily. Taking a quick look around,Bane saw no more goblins around the area, but expected them to appear at any time. He quickly gathered his belongings and packed them in the saddlebags. The warrior mounted his animal companion and the horse starts into a gallop, making Bane hold tightly to the reigns. The horse wasn't making a whisper of sound accredited to the magical horseshoes given to him by elven friends in Haltirek. The warrior also learned a new trade, working alongsidethe dwarves of Haltirek with the forging hammer. This work brought about a great difference in the warrior in more than one way. His respect for the dwarven forgers had grown greater and it also boosted Bane's willpower. His muscle capacity had grown tremendously due to the hard work with the forging hammer. Their trip out of the area and away from the goblin troupe was eventless. The horse had slowed a while ago and was trotting along at a steady pace now. Why did the goblins only have two guards standing guard of the warrior? Why didn't they kill him when they had the chance? Maybe it was just their ignorance, thought Bane, calming a little. Titan continued on, unbothered by Bane's thoughts. The worries proved senseless as theycame closer to Rhydin. It looked good for the warrior and his trusted companion. It seemed they should enter Rhydin in a matter of days. Bane had desired to return to Rhydin the entire time he was in Haltirek, even though he made great friends and saw his long lost friend. The desires were fueled on by many things, but mostly by his longing to meet back up with the woman he had grown so fond of. Everything seemed insignificant compared to hisfeelings for this beautiful woman. The ways she chose were her own, not affected by anyone's thoughts or actions. A discussion with Mruykiel helped Bane see his real feelings for her. "She contradicts everything I stand for," Bane remarked. Mruykiel's advice was short, but very wise, "Listen to your heart and nothing can go wrong." Thoughts of her rang through his head as they proceeded closer to Rhydin. Will she turn me aside since I've been gone so long? Will she hate me? Does she even care for me? These thoughts bothered Bane more than the worries of the goblins and other dangers of the journey. Barely outside Rhydin, Bane decided that he needed a rest and Titan was growing weary also. Dismounting the horse, he easily found a place to stay, and just down theroad was a stable in which Titan could stay until they traveled the short distance remaining to Rhydin. "No more worries." The contradictory thought crossed Bane's mind as he lay down to sleep.