The Knight Reborn - Chapter 2
As Huma walked out of the tomb, he realized that he was standing in a large
valley. Above his tomb was a massive stone dragon. As he looked at its features, it was clear that it was meant to be in the likeness of his lost love and mount the silver dragon Silvara.
Across from the stone dragon was the remains of another massive statue. Although this stone icon was mostly decayed and in a state of ruin, it was easy to see that it was carved by the same people that erected the first monument.
Adjusting his brown robes about his shoulders and grasping the carved and polished walking stick, he began the long climb out of the valley.
As he reached the top of the valley bowl, he gazed down once again and beheld the splendor of the place. It was strange to know that the people of Kynn had dedicated so much time and energy to his memory and legacy. Never did he feel himself worthy of hero worship.
The trek away from the valley was slow going. The further away he traveled, the rougher the landscape became. Also it was easy to see that the ideal climate around the valley was giving way to a dry and oppressive heat. Huma touched his holy symbol and prayed for the guidance needed to embark upon his task.
Nightfall came after many hard hours of walking.
When Huma's feet finally came to rest, he was tired and hungry. His trek had brought him to a small out of the way village. Unable to force his weary feet further, he decided to stop and find an inn or available room.
The village contained several small shops. A livery, blacksmith, general store, tailor and a small tavern. As a result of the lateness of the hour, the shops windows were shuttered or boarded.
The only building with any light what so ever was the tavern.
Upon opening the door, Huma was assaulted with the never changing odor of pipe tobacco, lamp oil and burning logs from the fire place. All these things contributed to a haze in the room that floated about and obscured his vision.
As with many taverns, this one was of common design. The bar was situated at the far end of the wall, across from the entrance. Behind the bar was a doorway that appeared to lead into a small kitchen or store room. The common room was laid out in an "L" shape pattern, with the fireplace at the far end.
Most of the patrons sat away from the heat of the fireplace and within easy reach of the bar. Several barmaids moved about the room filling tankards and taking orders. One or two patrons sat over a plate of food or a bowl of stew, but most were drinking after a hard days labor.
As Huma moved towards the bar, the proprietor greeted him with a slight scowl. "Whatever you're preaching or selling, we don't want any of it."
"I assure you, I'm not selling anything." Replied Huma in a quiet voice.
"You look like a man of the cloth." Accused the tavern-owner. "The last thing we need in here is another fanatic trying to push his gods, idols or icons on us."
Huma made no move to conceal his platinum medallion to Paladine.
"I assure you good sir, my faith is my own. I would gladly share any and all knowledge of my god is asked, but I'm not here to recruit for the church."
Again the proprietor eyed him with suspicion. "If I get one complaint about you, you're gone. Understand?"
Huma nodded "Agreed."
As Huma walked out of the tomb, he realized that he was standing in a large
valley. Above his tomb was a massive stone dragon. As he looked at its features, it was clear that it was meant to be in the likeness of his lost love and mount the silver dragon Silvara.
Across from the stone dragon was the remains of another massive statue. Although this stone icon was mostly decayed and in a state of ruin, it was easy to see that it was carved by the same people that erected the first monument.
Adjusting his brown robes about his shoulders and grasping the carved and polished walking stick, he began the long climb out of the valley.
As he reached the top of the valley bowl, he gazed down once again and beheld the splendor of the place. It was strange to know that the people of Kynn had dedicated so much time and energy to his memory and legacy. Never did he feel himself worthy of hero worship.
The trek away from the valley was slow going. The further away he traveled, the rougher the landscape became. Also it was easy to see that the ideal climate around the valley was giving way to a dry and oppressive heat. Huma touched his holy symbol and prayed for the guidance needed to embark upon his task.
Nightfall came after many hard hours of walking.
When Huma's feet finally came to rest, he was tired and hungry. His trek had brought him to a small out of the way village. Unable to force his weary feet further, he decided to stop and find an inn or available room.
The village contained several small shops. A livery, blacksmith, general store, tailor and a small tavern. As a result of the lateness of the hour, the shops windows were shuttered or boarded.
The only building with any light what so ever was the tavern.
Upon opening the door, Huma was assaulted with the never changing odor of pipe tobacco, lamp oil and burning logs from the fire place. All these things contributed to a haze in the room that floated about and obscured his vision.
As with many taverns, this one was of common design. The bar was situated at the far end of the wall, across from the entrance. Behind the bar was a doorway that appeared to lead into a small kitchen or store room. The common room was laid out in an "L" shape pattern, with the fireplace at the far end.
Most of the patrons sat away from the heat of the fireplace and within easy reach of the bar. Several barmaids moved about the room filling tankards and taking orders. One or two patrons sat over a plate of food or a bowl of stew, but most were drinking after a hard days labor.
As Huma moved towards the bar, the proprietor greeted him with a slight scowl. "Whatever you're preaching or selling, we don't want any of it."
"I assure you, I'm not selling anything." Replied Huma in a quiet voice.
"You look like a man of the cloth." Accused the tavern-owner. "The last thing we need in here is another fanatic trying to push his gods, idols or icons on us."
Huma made no move to conceal his platinum medallion to Paladine.
"I assure you good sir, my faith is my own. I would gladly share any and all knowledge of my god is asked, but I'm not here to recruit for the church."
Again the proprietor eyed him with suspicion. "If I get one complaint about you, you're gone. Understand?"
Huma nodded "Agreed."