The Gorgostone

by jediknigh5

6000 years ago, two armies fought for control of an area. One side tried to enlist Gorgos to help them destroy their enemies. But Gorgos could not be controlled, he ravaged the land. The two armies had to join forces to defeat him. They were able to contain Gorgos in a stone, and spit the stone into five pieces. What happened to those stones, therein lies our tale.

12. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

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Safe on this island of Glantri, Share and Jihlem were finally able to breathe, and focus on raising their daughter Tifre. The Harpers wouldn't dare to come this far out, and risk war with Glantri. Tifre would never be forced to serve in their order, she was free to live in peace with her parents. They had grown up hearing horror stories about the Trogolodites and Orks, they had been somewhat surprised that both groups were human, just of different ethnicities. At first they hesitated to let their daughter play with ork children, but later felt shame over this attitude. They were actually glad that she would grow up without the prejudices that they'd been subjected to as children. The few trogolodites who lived here were often forced to become thieves and prostitutes, thus reinforcing Ork prejudices. Tifre's parents taught her not to judge others. To be gratefu to the Orks for allowing them to stay, but also not to take their prejudice against Trogolodites. Jihlem did occasionally have to train with the local militia, they wanted to be prepared in case pirates, or trogolodites, invaded. But for the most part they were allowed to simply fish and sell what they caught in the local marketplace. Tifre proved to be a precocious and curious child. Her father taught her to fish, wanted her to be able to earn an honest living one day. Share was usually the one who sold the fish in the marketplace, and quickly learned that many merchants told exxagerated stories to sell their respective wares. Tifre saw little of the cities, other than seeing the sacred temple on special occasions. This was where one piece of the Gorgostone was held, before the great war that turned the once prosperous Mystera into a wasteland. It was on these days that the wealthy woud do their "Food walks." They would go to the poor villages, including the fishing village where this family lived, and bring food, particularly little candies for the children. It was their way of showing off their wealth and generosity, and to keep the poor placated enough to not want to rebel. It was also at this time that the bards and minstrels told stories to all who would listen. They usually sang for their supper to the wealthy, but on holidays they told the stories in the public square. Share tried to explain to her daughter that she shoud not imitate certain characters, that such tales made better stories than memories. But little Tifre loved these stories of adventure, a part of her wanted to join one of their voyages, was dissapointed when her mother always said "No." But Share wanted her child to learn about the market at an early age, the day would come when she would have to earn a living for the family. When Tifre had children of her own, when her parents were too old to support themselves. Tifre also helped Doc as a child, wanted to learn medicine as well. This doctor, whose real name was Thengrak, also told Tifre about his brief time as a pirate, and how he mourned his beloved Mal, and their child. And ofcourse Tifre's parents told her of the heroic pirate Selkath, how he defied his own crew to bring them to the safety of the island. Although Tifre was grateful for what her parents had done, she still wanted a life of adventure. By the time she was 9 Tifre was certain she would one day leave Glantri and have this life of adventure. Share and Jihlem hoped this was just a phase, and she would outgrow it soon. Shortly before Tifre's 10th birthday there was renewed tension between Orks and Trogolodites. King Throduk was inviting princes from several Trogolodite tribes. His daughter Mag was now of marrying age, and rumor was he was willing to marry her off to one of these princes to prevent war. Jihlem was asked to train more with the local militia in these days. He feared he would be forced to fight very soon. The Trogolodite tribes were not exactly united. Other militia members had the same fear, that even if Mag married one of these princes, the other tribes might attack out of jealousy. There was likely no prince that king Throduk could marry her off to, where tribes wouldn't retaliate. War might now be inevitable.