Inspired by Auggies wonderful suggestion of giving our characters bios I decided to write this up - a very short story of Aldrous returning to KoRT. I'll segue into a short bio later on, but here ya'll go...

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“Here, I found the trail again; he’s heading south.”

“South? That’s gnoll territory, why would he have wandered that far.”

In the hills of Antonica, a short ride from the gates of the city of Qeynos, two knights crested the top of another mound. One of them, broad shouldered and straight backed, rode atop a gelding holding the horse in check with a well muscled arm. The other, war hammer hanging opposite a sword on his belt, ran on foot. Every so often he would kneel to the ground to search for footprints that only a well-trained eye could see.

“I can’t say Murt, perhaps he’s still looking to play the hero,” the running knight said, grinning broadly.

Murtano, Lord Chancellor of The Knights of the Round Table frowned, “Paddy, if he just arrived here then we have no idea what sort of state he’s in or how much he knows about this area. Hopefully, with Sir Vinman searching near Windstalker Village-“

“You sent Vin up there by himself?” Paddy asked. He knew all too well how rowdy the people around the village could be.
“Aye. Don’t worry about him, Sir Vinman is an army unto himself,” Murtano said,” I swear; there are times that I feel he could almost make up half the guild himself. The others, however, are spread out around the area and, with luck, we’ll find him before he can bite off more than he can chew.”

Paddy stopped running as the trail led him to the path of a cliff, “Bite off more than he can chew, huh? You mean like a salmon?” he asked, pointing towards a figure fishing on the shore below the cliff face.

Murtano removed his helmet and leaned forward on his steed, straining his eyes. While still a few dozen strides away the two knights knew that they had found whom they had been searching for. It wasn’t easy to tell, however, since the man had changed so much. Once the man had a mane of flowing, golden hair but now it was tangled, unkempt hair that framed his unshaven face. Where there had once been a taught, muscled, well trained body there was no a soft, overgrown stomach. The twin long swords that had been so masterfully crafted ages ago were no longer at his side. In their stead was a simple tackle box. The only positive difference that Murtano and Paddy could see as they approached the man were his eyes. Once sorrowful and filled with pain his eyes now held warmth and happiness as if the line he cast into the sea pulled back not fish, but warmth for his heart.

“Wow Aldie, you eat too many more of those things and Murt will be able to use you as a horse,” Paddy said, smiling broadly as he walked up to his long lost friend.

Aldrous spun around quickly and clumsily, showing the same grace as a dwarf ballerina. As he did he pulled a herring out of his tackle box and held it before him as a weapon. The fright of surprise quickly fell from his eyes as they encouraged a broad, face-splitting smile to grow as he recognized his old friends.

“Murtano! Paddy! What-wonderful! How did you manage to find me out here? How did you even know I was here?” the long lost warrior asked the knights with a laugh.

“Well, I’ve always been a good hand at tracking,” Paddy said, “And since you’ve given up stealthy movements for lumbering ones following your trail was no problem at all. As for knowing that you had arrived in these lands, well…”

“That would have been my wife, Ald,” Murtano explained, “Abrianna overheard a guard in Qeynos mention your name. She recognized it from the lists of people missing since the destruction of Neverwinter and told me.”

“I see…” Aldrous said, rubbing his chin, “You have a wife?”

“Aye,” Murtano said with a broad smile.

“You must introduce me to her one day, my friend, as surely she must be the most courageous woman in the world!”

The three friends laughed together, not from Aldrous’ joke, but from the simple joy that reunions bring. For a brief moment they put the world aside and took happiness in each others company.

“Yes, well, as you’re still alone, Ald, it would seem that the woman brave enough to stand your presence has yet to be found,” Murtano countered. As he did he slipped a small sword that he kept in his saddle for emergencies out and tossed it to Aldrous, “Take this. It should serve you until we get you back home and better equipped.”

Aldrous put out his hands and attempted to catch the sword, but managed only to juggle it in the air until dropping it on the ground.

“I’m afraid,” Aldrous said, “That I’ve forgotten how to handle swords.”

“You can’t use a sword?” asked Paddy incredulously.

“I can’t use any weapons any more. I can’t even remember how to put on armor,” said Aldrous, an odd smile appearing on his face, “And the magic? The magic I used to control, it’s gone, completely gone! All I can do now, with any skill, is catch fish.”

“Well, I’m sure once we get you back-“ Murtano began.

“That’s just it Murt,” Aldrous said, the smile disappearing from his face, “I’m not going back.”

“What?” exclaimed Paddy.

“Aldrous, you can’t really mean that,” Murtano said, frowning.

“I do,” Aldrous picked up the short sword and returned it to Murtano, “Murt, Paddy, I don’t need to tell you all the horror that I dealt with. The Necromancer, An’Dorcha… it’s almost as if my entire life has been cursed. When An’Dorcha ran me through with his sword I thought it was finally over. Something, however, caused me to appear here without any skill or knowledge of arms and I am thankful for that. I now spend my days with this, “Aldrous gestured to the ocean, “Simply catching and selling fish and I have never been happier. That’s what I want, a simple life – maybe even a real family this time. No more attempts at heroism, fame, glory, or what have you for me. I only end up causing more pain than good when I try.”

“I don’t think you’re giving yourself a fair view Ald,” Paddy said.

“Nor do I. You’ve done more good than you think Aldrous, but you are entitled to your decision. If this is what you choose, then this is what you shall do. Just, know that we are here if you change your mind. Come Paddy, let us tell the others that the search is off.” Murtano said as he placed his helm back atop his head. Paddy opened his mouth to protest, but could only choose to follow Murtano as he rode off.

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Aldrous watched his friends leave until they were over the hill and out of view. With a heavy sigh he picked up his pole and began to tie on a new hook. He was sad to have hurt his friends by rejecting their offer; the part of the hero was never truly his to play. He had a chance before him to be a normal citizen and he would take it no matter the cost.

“Help! By the gods, someone please!” a woman shouted from behind. The barks and yips of a gnoll accompanied her cries.

“No matter the cost…” Aldrous looked up at the sky, “You exist to mock me, don’t you?”

He took in a breath and held it for a moment. Then, without further delay, he ran off in the direction he had heard the cry come from. Scrambling up to the top of the cliff Aldrous saw the woman, a young lass who had wandered a bit too far, being chased by a mottle furred gnoll. It was true that Aldrous had no fighting prowess left, but there was one thing that he could still do well.

Drawing his arm back, Aldrous cast his line with all his might. The wind was at his back and the hook struck true, catching the slavering gnoll’s vest. With a cry of victory Aldrous pulled the line taught and the gnoll fell backwards to the ground. His elation fled, however, as the gnoll rose to its feat and charged the would-be land fisherman. Unable to make himself move or react in any way Aldrous stood, paralyzed with fear, as the gnoll tackled him.

The two rolled down the dirt cliffs, tumbling over one another, until they hit the beach below. Aldrous attempted to rise and run but the gnoll quickly dealt him a savage blow to the stomach. One punch after another landed on Aldrous who could only put up the feeblest of defenses until he reached the waters edge. Grinning, the gnoll quickly pushed Aldrous backwards into the water and then leapt atop him, forcing Aldrous’ head below the waves.

Aldrous punched and scratched at the canine beast as best he could, but to no avail. The saltwater stung his eyes, which teared up more out of his lost chance of happiness than the water. As darkness began to fill his vision Aldrous gave one last attempt to push the gnoll off of himself. Screaming, he pushed with all of his might, forcing the gnoll off a few inches and, suddenly, the monster was gone.

As he sat up Aldrous realized the gnoll had not vanished but, instead, was lying dead on the beach, blood pouring from a wound in its neck.

“I was aiming for the head,” said Murtano, grinning down at his waterlogged friend, “But then you pushed its neck onto my sword and who am I to argue?”

“Heh, we heard the commotion,” said Paddy, “and figured we should make sure that the local fisherman wasn’t in too much trouble. I’ve told you before, Ald, gnolls aren’t trout. I don’t know when you’re going to learn that.”

“Thank you,” Aldrous said as he coughed up the last bits of seawater still in his lungs, “I don’t know how I can show it, but thank you, both of you.”

“You can thank us by coming back,” said Murtano, “Ald, we ran into the girl you saved. That’s how we knew you were in trouble. She said that some scruffy vagabond protected her by attacking a gnoll with a fishing pole,” Paddy let out another laugh as Murtano spoke, “Face it Ald, whether you want to or not, you’ll keep trying to protect people. Come on home and let us get you into better shape for it.”

“Aye, nice, strong, and less overstuffed pillow-like,” said Paddy as he helped Aldrous to his feet. Aldrous smiled at his friends and nodded his agreement.

“Welcome back Ald,” Murtano said with a smile.

“Aye,” said Paddy as he leaned close and whispered to Murtano, “Wait until Aldie hears that Vin told the guild that Aldrous was buying drinks at the tavern tonight.”

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Aldrous,

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: SA Augustus,

This was great reading thankyou very much.

Wow, a very good story Aldie

I am thinking you should portray Murt more often as you give more broad smiles and all I ever get is:

"Woman, get in the kitchen and make me some pie!"

If double spacing is what Auggie wishes, double spacing Auggie shall recieve.

It's odd that standard formatting doesn't quite translate to html, I should've remembered that Tabs don't work here - sorry 'bout that

Oh, and Abri - mmmm pie.... http://www.weebl.jolt.co.uk/pie.htm

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Aldrous,

Aldie:

Thanks for the re-formatting. My old eyes don't work like they used to.

Great story! I really appreciate the addition. I imagine that Airon will be adding it to his archives...

~Auggie~

Thanks for the great story Aldrous! I have a feeling that Auggie is correct that it will find itself in the Archives with your other tale! Please keep the stories coming :-)

ROFL... That clip is extremely funny and cute. Murt's going to have to see that one, especially after I lost our bet this morning...

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback. This is what I liked most, from AOL, through the time when we had no game, till now. It seems that in these new games we spend a lot of time running around gaining levels and finding shiney new trinkets - it makes me happy that we're still taking time to write and appreciate each others imaginations. Hmmm... getting all sentimental here... (((group))). Darn tootin'! Praise the Guild and pass the beernuts!

That's just hilarious Aldie I'm so glad ya popped yer disheveled head back in a game where we could snag ya again. As always, keep up the good work!