This chapter concludes the basic background on the KC. As always, reviews are welcome. The basic story and NPC's belong to Obsidian. Liberties taken with character development and time line. Dialogue from game taken from memory. There are a few grammatical mistakes; they were left for syntax and rhythm.
MEMOIRES OF AN OUTSIDER
CHAPTER 2: REVELATIONS
Khy's world came crashing down around her a few weeks ago. A troop of traveling bards, dirty and exhausted, came walking into the village. Evidently,
their wagon had been stuck in the Mere and would not budge. "Why were you going through the Mere?" Georg asked the stragglers. The leader
explained that bandit attacks were on the increase on the roads and Greycloak patrols had stopped. A few men of the village ventured out to help the
bards dislodge the vehicle. One of the bards stayed behind to entertain the children. Khy wanted to hear the music and walked over to stand beside
Brother Merring, who was clapping away along to the music.
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Suddenly, the music stopped, and a booming voice called out "By the gods", "You're anAasimar!" Khy looked up and found herself staring into beautiful
golden eyes, mirror images of her own. Blonde wavy hair fell to just above his broad, muscular shoulders. As he walked briskly toward her, she
unexpectedly felt a wave of uneasiness. "What did you call me"? She said. "An aasimar, lass", he said looking intensely into her eyes. "I knew it"! "I
knew she had been touched by the divine"! Brother Merring shouted. "I'm Faegan", the man said. "What's yours"? Khy could not take her eyes away
from his, she felt as if she were enthralled in a dream. "Snap out of it girl"! He said. "What's your name"? "Oh", she said shyly. "Khy". "Khy"…. "Khy
what"? He said. "Just, Khy". She said. "You're kind of short, aren't you"? "So, how old will you be now"? He asked, smiling. "Eighteen summers".
She said. "Ah, now, Lady Khy, who is eighteen summers, and blessedly beautiful", "Go and fetch your parents"! She stood there, frozen, unable to
move. "Hurry girl", "Maybe I know them"! He said anxiously. "As you know, our kind are few and far between". He said, laughing. "I don't have
parents", she said sadly. "I have a foster-father". "Did you ever know a woman named Esmerelle"? She asked, hopefully. He gently took her hands,
and smiled tenderly, feeling her pain and bewilderment. "No child", He said, "I'm not your father". "My line is very old and yours, from what I see,
is quite young". "I don't understand"? She said as tears clouded her golden eyes. "I mean", he said,"That my bloodline has existed many, many
generations, and yours has just begun". "Maybe, fourth or fifth generation". "Your immediate line", he said,"Has recently been sired by a
celestial". "So you see, I couldn't possible be your father". He said regretfully."I'm truly sorry lass". Tears overflowed from her eyes and streamed
down her face. She took one last look at the incredibly handsome man, nodded, and ran quickly from the scene.
-----
She had traveled for quite a distance before stopping somewhere in the Mere. She was breathing heavily, and her legs felt wobbly, and would not move
another step. She sat down,buried her head in her hands, and cried deep, soul wrenching sobs. A short time later, she heard Daeghun's voice calling her.
"Lass"! "Lass, there you are". He said as he sat down beside her. He spoke of nothing, just letting her cry. Finally, she dried her eyes and looked over
at Daeghun. "Atar, (Father) is that why I don't fit in"? She asked."Because I'm a …. A…, what did he say"? "Aasimar", Daeghun said flatly."Just
one more thing for people to fear". She said."Come now", he said, "It's in the past, do not to dwell on things you can't change". "You coming"?
He said rising to his feet."I'll be along". She said. She watched Daeghun walk back in the direction of the village, and she was left alone with her
thoughts. "Am I always to be alone, an outcast"? "Aasimar". "What in the nine hells is an aasimar"? She wondered. She stood and walked over to
the little stream to splash water on her face. "Get a grip"! She said to herself. "Stop, with all this self pity"! "There are people who care for you"!
She thought."Daeghun, of course, then there's Bevil and Amie". "Chandry and Tarmas were always kind to her, and Georg had told her that she
was his best student, and an asset to the Militia". "Brother Merring said she was a delight to teach, and had great potential". "She was luckier
than most". She thought. She turned, took a deep breath, and started back to the village.
-----
Brother Merring was waiting for her when she emerged from the swamp."Child", he said,"Come with me, we need to talk". Khy followed him down the
hill to the small cottage that served as his chapel. "Sit down Khy", he said very seriously. She sat down on one of the rickety benches. "I know", he
began,"That you are frightened and confused, but, with Lathander's help, we can sort through this together". She had been staring at her feet as
he spoke, and then slowly raised her head to reveal tears rolling down her pink cheeks, leaving little trails as they joined and dripped from her chin. She
wept more for his kindness and compassion, than for her odd predicament. "No one knew of your heritage", "not even Daeghun". He said. "The
people of this village tend to keep to themselves". He said."I guess it's because of the harshness in surviving so close to the Merdalain". "You
need to forgive them my child". He said quietly."Forgive them"? She said."Forgive them for what"? "For being what they are". He said sincerely.
Khy could sense what he was striving to say. "You think I hate them"! She said loudly. "I don't hate them"! "This is my village, and they are my
people"! "No matter what"!! She shouted. Brother Merring slowly sat next to her, looking powerfully into her red puffy eyes and tear stained face. It
seemed like an eternity when he finally said "By the gods"! "You really don't hate them". "That in itself is a true blessing"! "Thank Lathander"! He
sighed. "Why would you even think something like that"? Khy asked."I've only lived here a short while, my dear", He said, "But I've seen how
shabbily this town treats you". "Even your so called foster-father, Daeghun, is abrupt and uncaring". "With all you have endured from your
fellow citizens, I have only been aware of one episode in which your anger was exposed". Khy remembered that event vividly.
-----
The Mossfield boys had cornered Amie in their barn and were pelting her with eggs, while calling her nasty names. Bevil had tried to help, but Wyl pinned
him to the ground. She had heard Amie's screams and ran to investigate. The scene had enraged her to a frenzy! Before she realized, she had tackled
Webb, as she kicked Ward in the stomach. The distraction gave Bevil the time he needed to break free, and then punch Wyl square in the face. Bevil ran
over to Amie, which left her standing amid a heap of Mossfields. She turned to see several of the village elders staring at her in amazement. The next day,
Georg asked her to join the Militia.
-----
"Well", Brother Merring said,"Since we've cleared up that matter, we should getdown to business". A puzzled look crossed Khy's face. "My child", He
said, "We must concentrate on your education now that your heritage has been revealed, we must increase your divine training". "I'm NOT
cleric material"! She said, trying to be polite. "It doesn't matter what you think Khy, your soul is already part of the divine". "We just need to
sharpen your skills". "Don't youunderstand", He said eagerly,"You are one of the favored, and the Divine will always be a part of you"! "IT IS
YOUR DESTINY"! Her head was reeling, her heart pounding, and her palms were sweaty."NO"! She shouted, as she jumped to her feet."This can't be"!
"I am not devout; you and I both know this to be true". "I WILL NOT SPEND MY LIFE ON MY KNEES, PRAYING TO GODS THAT DON'T SEEM TO
CARE"! She screamed."Calm down Khy", Brother Merring said soothingly."The ways of the cleric are not necessary for you". "That's what I've been
trying to clarify, you don't have to pray to control the Gods' power, it's within you, and you were born with the power". "It will flow from you
naturally, and will give you great strength and wisdom". "You are a Favored Soul Khy, one of the sanctified, a gift from the Gods". He said
respectfully. "Take this tome", He said handing her a large, heavy book. "This will help you to select or bond with a god that doesn't offend your
sensibilities". "Whether you follow the tenants, or decide to worship and pray, make no difference". "But", he said,"By paying accolades, or
tribute, will increase your strength and will bring you new attributes". "Okay", she said, "But I'm not promising anything". "Good", he
said,"Come by tomorrow and we'll discuss your decision".
-----
It was late when Khy left the little chapel. She hurried home, and finding that Daeghun was not there, went up to her room. It had been a very emotional
day, and she felt completely drained. She placed the massive tome on the small table in the corner of her room. She undressed, slipped into her sleeping
tunic, and stretched out on her bed. Her mind was a cluttered mess, trying to sort through the revelations of her origin and future. Finally, exhaustion
overtook her and she fell asleep.
-----
She was standing in a lovely glen, surrounded by tall majestic trees and immense stands of flowers. The sun was low in the pristine sky and glistened on the
serene lake. "This is truly a paradise". I have been here before she thought. From a distance, she could make out the form of a woman slowly walking toward
her. As the woman approached, her immense beauty awed Khy. She was the most striking person that Khy had ever seen. Her hair was long and a rich red color,
that seemed to billow about her as she moved. Her eyes were an intense green, which could pierce your soul. Khy was speechless. "You must give me what is
mine". She said seductively. "What is it you want"? Khy asked. Again, the woman said, "You must give me what is mine". Khy said mystified, "Please,
tell me what you want". The woman moved closer, and softly caressed her face, while gazing deeply into her eyes. "You must give me what is mine", she
said tenderly. The woman turned, and began to walk away. "Who are you"? Khy pleaded. The woman stopped, looked over her shoulder with a breathtaking
smile and said; "Sune". "You must give me what is mine".
-----
Khy awoke anxiously. She could feel her heart leaping in her chest, and she was wet with perspiration. The dream rattled her. She had often dreamt of
the beautiful glade, but the woman was a first. She quickly dressed, grabbed the book, and ran downstairs. Daegun was still away. She drank a cup of
water and brewed some tea. In a little while, she felt better, and took off to see Brother Merring. She entered the quaint chapel to see Brother Merring
waiting for her. Khy looked sheepishly, and said, "I'm sorry Brother Merring; I fell asleep and was unable to go through the tome". "Oh, well". He
said, "I guess I can wait another day". "Keep the tome, and return tomorrow". She started to leave, but really wanted to talk with someone about
the bizarre dream. "Brother Merring", she said distressed, "May I speak to you about something"? He could tell she was obviously worried. Khy
recounted the very curious dream in as much detail she could recall. "Sune"! He said shocked."You're sure she said Sune"? "Yes", Khy replied,"Sune".
Brother Merring nearly fell off his chair. "What's wrong"? Khy asked."Oh, my"! "Oh, my"! He said as he paced hastily across the floor. He started
ranting. "I knew that you". . . "But to be this strong". . . "Oh my word"! "What is it"? Khy yelled. Brother Merring placed his hand upon her shoulder,
and said calmly,"The choice has been made". "What choice"? She asked frantically."Sune". He said."Who in the hells is Sune"? She shouted. He
flipped through the tome, finding what he was looking for, he handed the book to Khy. "This is Sune". He stated. Khy looked at the drawing in the book,
and finally understood why Brother Merring had been so disturbed. The artist's rendering did not do her justice, but it was definitely the woman from her
dream. "What does this mean"? She asked trembling."It means", he said, "That you have been chosen by the goddess Sune"." Sune visited you in
your dream to make her wishes known". "That's what she meant", he said,"When she told you to give her what's hers". Brother Merring
continued, "She wants you to follow her". "She wants your devotion". Khy sat down heavily."I had pulled scrolls for you on Helm, Lathander, Tyr,
and Torm" he said,"But it never crossed my mind to even consider Sune". He walked over to the tome and scroll laden shelves, and started digging
through the piles. "Here", he said, as he handed her several scrolls."Study these, and then come to see me when you're finished". Khy slowly stood,
feeling dazed. She steadied herself with Brother Merring's arm. "Don't worry" he said softly,"Just read the scrolls".
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Khy did not remember the hazy walk back to Daeghun's house. She sat at the table, near the fire and tentatively began to peruse the vast information
found in the scrolls. She was up late into the night, trying to digest the large body of data. When she finished, she suddenly yelled, "What the hells is
going on"! "Why would she want me"? Sune's disciples were all very beautiful and extremely self-absorbed in their beauty. "This isn't me at all". She
thought Sune's tenants were easy enough to understand. To recognize and experience beauty, love, and passion in everything and everyone around you.
She could distinguish beauty, but love and passion had her stumped. How could she possibly discern something she knew nothing about? The rituals were
somewhat uncomfortable for her to think about performing. "This has got to be a mistake". Khy thought."Sune, I hope you know what you're doing".
She said discouraged.
-----
The next day, she sought out Brother Merring for his advice. "Well", he said, waiting for her to speak. She took a deep breath, and began."Some of this,
I can deal with". "But, some of the rituals are quite hard to take'. "Come now", He said smiling;"They're just ceremonies for worship and
dedication". "It's not like you have to dance naked in the moonlight or anything". He said laughing."Actually", Khy said,"That's part of it". "What"!
He exclaimed. Khy showed him the scroll with the rituals and thought he seemed to be blushing. "Well", He said swallowing hard,"Do whatever makes
you at ease". He then made excuses, and hurried out the door."Okay", she thought, "If this is what Sune wants, then I will do my best to comply".
She knew that Sune's teachings were not conducive to her way of life, but she would try.