Chapter 16
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Although initially surprised by the high king's offer, Liam accepted and married the fair princess Margaret, thus becoming next in line to be high king of Darokin. It soon reached the island of Glantri, and it was well known that Akorros tended to side with the Orks over the Trogolodites. King Throduk hoped to use this to his advantage, to frighten the Trogolodites away from trying to take Glantri back. Although the story of the tragic love between Mag and Skrad was well known, it did not immediately end hostilities between these peoples. Some Orks blamed Trogolodites for the death of princess Mag, and some Trogolodites blamed the Orks for Skrad's death. By the time Tifre was 15, tensions between the two peoples only seemed to get worse. A few Trogolodites like Doc were accepted, or at least tolerated, but they were the exception. Tifre's parents tried to convince her to stay out of such politics. Their family was safe here, more than others, they had fled Faerun so that their child would be safe. But a part of Tifre wondered, perhaps she could have served the Harpers well, had a noble purpose in keeping the Gorgostone safe. But that was no longer possible. Even if she returned to Faerun the Harpers wouldn't accept her. They trained from infancy, they'd view her as too corrupt now. For most of Glantri, it was enough just to survive, but Tifre wanted her life to have more purpose. But then one day, as Tifre was fishing, she saw a strange sight. An old man, unconsciouss if not dead, had washed unto the shore. Tifre could see he had a stone with him, even while sleeping he still held on tightly, refusing to let go. Tifre soon found the Doc who treated this old man. The old man was not dead yet. He was named Malark, and very grateful to Doc and Tifre for saving him.
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Malark: Thank you both, for saving my life.
Doc: I try to save those I can save. But if you were hurt because of the Ork-Trogolodite feud, I'd just as soon stay out of it.
Malark: I have no part of that feud. I was from Faerun, once.
Tifre: No kidding. I was too, but the Harpers tried to take me and my parents fled.
Malark: As did mine. I know it's hard to look at me and think I too was once a baby, but it's true.
Tifre: Have you ever been back to Faerun?
Malark: I have, as well as to Darokin. I've seen every one of their principalities.
Tifre: Wow, you must have had some adventures.
Malark: I have, but they are not all pleasant memories.
Tifre: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry.
Doc: How were you hurt?
Malark: Some pirates promised me safe passage, but once we were on the high seas, they tried to steal my treasure. I had to jump overboard to protect it.
Doc: Was it really worth it, to protect a small stone?
Malark: Yes. Have you never heard of the Gorgostone?
Tirfe: Ofcourse, that's it?
Malark: One of them. As you've probably heard, the stone was divided into five pieces, each of the five survivors took one stone. Three of these men each took a small band of followers. It was from these followers that the three kingdoms of Faerun, Mystera, and Darokin emerged from the ruins of the old world. Do you know what happened to the other two stones?
Tifre: No.
Malark: One of them feared that taking too many followers would eventually lead to infighting and corruption. Based on what happened to Mystera, it seemed he was partially correct at least. So, he took on a single apprentice. Together they spent the rest of his life wandering the ruins of the old world, never staying in one place for very long. When the master died, the apprentice became the new master, and took his own apprentice. So it has been for 6,000 years. Always two, never more, and seldom less. Now, I fear my time is near. My apprentice was killed by those treacherous pirates. I need to find a new apprentice, before it is too late.
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Tifre wondered, was this the chance she had been waiting for? Could she be this man's apprentice, dedicating the remainder of her life to keeping the stone safe, preventing Gorgos from returning? She was 15, young enough and reckless enough to take on this responsibility. But the thought of leaving her parents, her home, possibly never seeing them again, was a frightening thought indeed. By the next night, much of Glantri was taking about the arrival of this mysterious stranger, who might very well possess a piece of the Gorgostone. He needed an apprentice, but few seemed willing to leave everything behind. Like most of Mystera, they were more concerned with survival, eeking out a living for themselves and their loved ones, than in adventure or foolish idealistic crusades. Jihlem and Share could see that these things appealed to their daughter, and tried to dissuade her at dinner.
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Jihlem: You remember the story of how your mother and I brought you here to protect you?
Tifre: Yes, and I am forever grateful that you gave me the freedom to make my own decisions. But it is a noble calling, protecting the Gorgostone.
Share: Is it. I've always wondered if the Harpers merely pretend to have a piece of the Gorgostone. They have more power than anyone else in Faerun, maybe it's just how they maintain their power. The same might be true for the high king of Darokin.
Jihlem: That's true, and who's really to say that this great war happened 6000 years ago. I can't say for certain.
Share: Which brings up an interesting question. What does this old man have to gain by keeping up the deception? Convincing a 15 year old girl to run away with him. I can think of several possibilities, none of them good.
Tifre: You make valid points. Forget it, it was just a stupid fantasy.
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Tifre's parents were relieved that their child would not be running away with the old man. But in truth, Tifre was still debating this with herself. Her parents did make valid points, if nothing else it would be a gamble to trust Malark. But she still wanted this adventure, still wanted her life to have purpose. Tifre made her decision. In the middle of the night she snuck out. She found the Doc, and asked her to tell her parents the truth, after they had left. Then Tifre found Malark.
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Malark: You are certain about this?
Tifre: I am.
Malark: You and I were given a choice, to decide how our lives would be. The Harpers, not one of them ever had this choice. How many like us, were content to simply live their lives and win what happiness they could along the way?
Tifre: I don't know. But if I have the freedom to choose, I choose duty and honor. I choose to protect the Gorgostone.
Malark: This is not a commitment that can be made lightly. You will have to protect the stone safe until the day you die. And if you outlive me, you must find a new apprentice to take your place. It is entirely possible you will never see your parents or your home again. Once you take the oath, there is no going back.
Tifre: I know, and I accept.
Malark: Then repeat after me. I swear to keep the stone safe until my own death.
Tifre: I swear to keep the stone safe until my own death.
Malark: I shall take no spouse, hold no land, bear no children.
Tifre: I shall take no spouse, hold no land, bear no children.
Malark: No amount of money, no amount of pain, not even family, shall keep me from my duty.
Tifre: No amount of money, no amount of pain, not even family, shall keep me from my duty.
Malark: I shall wander all the days of my life, and take only a single apprentice.
Tifre: I shall wander all the days of my life, and take only a single apprentice.
Malark: My old life ends tonight, and my new life begins.
Tifre: My old life end tonight, and my new life begins.
Malark: It is done, you are now my apprentice. Let us leave now.