In light of the recent interest in old history, I just had to repost this classic from Exegete in found in the library: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "For Whom The Bell Tolls"
Sir Corwin Americus' defense of the northern frontier was a complete victory if not an inexpensive one. The routed troops broke their ranks and fled for the hovels and dank caves they called home in the cold far reaches beyond Luskan. What was unexpected, and particularly brutal was the toll they exacted from the citizenry and humble farm-folk along the way. The hastily assembled Militia gleefully chased the retreating Ice People as far as the southern border of Luskan before their sergeants and lieutenants could reign them in sufficiently to restore order and make the area north of Windyclyffs secure. Corwin met with his officers to assess the victory and to be sure that all that needed doing had been done.
"Augustus, old friend, it is good, tho surprising to see thee here" Corwin said in surprise as he entered the tent where the meeting was to be held.
"Aye Milord Corwin" Augustus replied. "I dinna expect to be here meself, tho it certainly seemed to be the right place to be."
"Aye, and he was needed, so I hear" Windgrey piped up. "He solidified our flank when we needed it badly." he went on. "His magicks made the difference and turned back two charges so my Company Commanders report."
Corwin only smiled. He remember many a time when the might of Lord Augustus 5, one of the senior Knights at the Table had a made just that kind of difference in the past.
"Well, I was here..." was Auggie's humble comment; given to the general amusement of all present.
Corwin looked around at those who had helped him train and lead the force that had just won such a stunning victory. Windgrey, the fighter whose sword and fighting rage was feared throughout the realms. Ganzelle, who soft-spokeness and quiet demeanor belied his prowess as one of the foremost Mages in the Realms. The page Aldrous, the Dark Paladin who demonstrated such fierce skill with the blade as to take one's breath away. He looked for Exegete, the quiet scholar who had done such a good job with the Cavalry, and did not find him. "Where is brother Exegete?" Corwin asked, looking inquiringly at the others.
The others all started, as if this was the first they had noticed him missing. They looked at each other in amused confusion, as Exe was known for disappearing at odd times.
Only Corwin was not amused. "I wanted all commander here for this briefing" he pouted. He scratched his chin a bit and looked around. "Augustus, would you be so kind as to seek to find our wayward friend?" he asked.
"But of course" Auggie replied. "Be glad to Bro" he said and headed out the door of the tent.
"I swear, if this has anything to do with rabbits..." was Corwin parting comment as Augustus stepped out into the late afternoon sun.
Augustus' search took the best part of an hour. Various parts of the Militia pointed him this way and that way as he went about the broken countryside in search of the wayward Scribe. As he rode, he looked about and his old heart broke to see the ruins of huts and buildings that the retreating evils had left in their wake. Past increasingly devastated country he rode. Burned huts and farm buildings. Dead animals, obviously slaughter for the sheer wickedness of the deed. Burnt fields and weeping wives and mothers were sadly the norm as her rode slowly along. The children saddened him most of all. Desperate mothers clutching mutilated children to their breast, weeping hysterically; or frightened children kneeling over the bodies of what must have been loving parents, now taken from them by senseless evil. As he rode, he wept openly and unashamedly for the loss of the people, and of the land. That this was the nature of evil and of chaos was once again brought home, with bitter emotion.
His life had been lived as best he was able, being a scourge to those who perpetrated such things. And he had seen no little success over the years. But seeing all of this, he was nearly overwhelmed with the sense of immenseness of the task that confronted KORT, and the other Good guild of Neverwinter. One could argue the need for tolerance and balance in the warmth of a philosophical discussion in a comfortable Inn. One could make a solid logical case for the inherent goodness of all people, from a dry classroom or in the endless intellectual discussions that sometimes flew around the table on cold nights as Camelot. Somehow, those argument seemed patently false in the context through which he now rode. Not only false, but ridiculous!
His thoughts turned inward as he rode along. How grateful he was that Tyr had spared him such heartache over his life. He had surely had his hurts and his difficulties, that was certain. But he had been blessed with abilities far beyond those of other men. He always been able to hold his own and fight his own way. He had never been the victim of such ruthlessness. While saddened for those whose misery he was witnessing, his heart was also tinged with a bit of gladness and great gratitude that he had been spared such heartache. As he rode, he grew certain that Exegete, as sensitive or more to these same ideas as he was, was doing as he; riding and weeping over the loss he was unable to prevent.
Thus, he was not surprised to find Exe's horse, Jester, standing at a gate leading to a house with no roof, it having been burned away, leaving only smouldering embers and walls looking as if they should fall any moment. He found Exegete in the back of the house, standing motionless in the wind, cloak billowing about his body in the heavy breeze, his noble personage framed in setting sun. As Augustus neared, he saw that there was a long handled shovel in Exe's hand, which he leaned on heavily, as if he had suddenly grown very old. Before him were 5 graves, newly filled and carefully arranged, a tidy row of stones surrounding each. Three of the graves were obviously children's graves, the other two for adults, probably the parents of the children Augsutus thought as he took in the scene. It had a solemness and an intense sadness about it and Augustus was loathe to break it, and so approached silently, respectfully.
He was startled to hear Exegete sobbing softly, but with strong emotion. He saw the slight shaking to his shoulders and ragged intakes of breath that punctuated his crying. Augustus was taken aback by what he heard, more than he could describe. He stood and watched for a moment, unable to decide what his actions should be. He wanted to rush and be of some comfort to his dear friend, but he knew that Exe was an intensely private man and this wa most definitely a private moment, so he hung back, and watched.
Moments passed as Exe struggled to regain control of himself and finally, winning the battle, drew a deep sigh, as if his very soul had been torn in pieces. He stooped beside the closest grave, one of the adults and laid his hand on it gently. Sobs racked his body again, silent this time and he bowed his head and gave vent to them for long moments. Dark had nearly descended when he finally stood and turned, and was startled to see Augustus standing near the corner of the house, awkwardly waiting for him.
Exe snuffled a bit and wiped both eyes. He gave Augustus a small, sad smile and grasped his forearm as he walked by and into the house. Augustus followed him in, where he found Exe taking a drink from a mug of water, and cleared his throat. "Bro...I..." he started uncertainly.
Exe turned and raised a hand as if to stop Auggie in his attempt to comfort him. Another small smile creased his face, this one not quite as ghastly as the first. "I didn't expect to see you here my friend" he said with a sigh. "I'm glad you're here tho. It's gonna be a long ride back to Neverwinter and I wasn't looking forward to taking it alone." He moved around the small hut gathering a few things into a small pack. He paused over several of the items and looked at them. Augustus saw real love and sorrow cloud his face once again each time. It took but a few moments to finish the gathering and soon, he and Exe were mounted and standing in front of the house once again. Augustus knew something terribly wrong had happened, but was at a loss as to how to be of comfort and use to his friend.
"All my life, I have been blessed and spared from the hardness that many have suffered around me" Exe said after a few moments, as they turned an began to move toward home. I stuck at evil, and it had little power to strike back at me." he went on, echoing Auggie's own earlier thoughts. He lapsed into silence and they rode on together for a bit longer.
"They moved up here to be in the country." He said finally, emotion choking his voice. "I told them it was safe here, and they believed me..." he went on. Silence reigned for more long minutes. A final ragged and deep sigh escaped Exegete's lips.
"One cannot know the future Bro" Augustus offered in a tender voice. "Evil is everywhere and wickedness abounds. It is the way of things." he said quietly.
Exe nodded sadly. "I thought I knew the ways of evil Aug," he said brokenly. I've fought evil most of my life and done well!" he said. He began to sob quietly once again. "To have my own powerlessness and foolishness thrown in my face is a bitter, bitter thing Bro." He finally went on. "I always thought there would be another day, another time" he continued, as if he expected Augustus to know of what he spoke.
Augustus, with a flash of insight and a sharp dart of dread suddenly realized what scene he had stumbled on. "Oh Bro..." He said tenderly. "Oh my dear Brother..." he said, realizing that the graves he had seen must have been from Exe's family. He thought for a moment and realized that It could not have been his immediate family, as they lived close by to Camelot. That only left ...
"Thanks Bro" Exe said, as he looked at the night sky. "I appreciate Tyr's leading bringing you to me. I wouldn't have wanted to take this ride alone." They crested a hill and looked back at the ravaged countryside, now all but hidden by encroaching darkness. "Good-bye my dear, dear sister" Exe murmured as he looked to where the destroyed cottage must be. "Good-bye my flesh and blood. I wish we had had more time to make right the wrongs of the past." he went on, as if making a confession. "Rest peacefully and know that I shall make this wrong right. Forgive me dear Lynda and know that thy brother loved thee and that thee will always have a place in my heart and mind."
The silence that followed was long and profound by any standard. Exegete and Augustus, Knights of KORT and fast friends rode quickly onward as if trying to leave this new sadness and hurt behind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As Written by Exegete in the Kort libraries
