In The Line Of Duty

The golden light of the sun rose above the horizon, bathing the land in a soft yellow glow. A morning breeze awoke from the mountains to the north, sweeping downwards to roll across harsh plains and through thick lush forests of pine. Animals and humans alike emerged from the dark of their homes into the light of the sun to begin a new day, not unlike any other. Captain Raeflyn E’doras scrambled out of his bed, dragging most of his sheets along with him. A soft gold light illuminated the room, unlike the dark of last night, alerting him to a new day, and that he was due on duty within the hour. After untangling himself, he quickly went about preparations for the day and to begin his shift as Captain of the Forest Wind Company, Daris Division. The large heavy doors to the Redboot Barracks in Daris creaked open, filling the room with the morning sun as Raeflyn hastily exited the building, checking his weapons belt, and finishing a last button on his collar. Lieutenant Ratherner greeted him with a smile, “Greetings Captain! What’s on the agenda for today?” “Standard patrol, Lieutenant. I think we’re short for today. I’ll handle Seaside for today. You can take care of the Village proper,” the Captain replied, adjusting the rapier at his hip. “Yes sir, be careful.” “You too.” With that, Raeflyn headed off to the South, towards the Seaside Trades-hall. He was in no particular hurry, greeting the odd villager as he went about his rounds. Things had been quiet as of late, and he found himself distant from the rest of the village. He felt as though the Brigade was losing influence, and more often he was feeling more of an

outcast, rather then a protector of the village he called home. He paused as he hit a fork in the road, one leading south to Morell, and another heading off towards the docks. He turned to walk back to the Barracks, and thought maybe he would swing around the Temple to check on Lindy and the others. As he turned a corner heading to the Salted Rim, he found himself searching for his weapons. The sight before him turned his stomach, a Soldier of Daris was slumped against the brick siding of one of the Seaside houses, blood covered the walls, and several crude daggers pierced the Soldier in many different areas. The Captain reached for the Rapier at his hip, and drew it fluently. His parrying dagger soon appeared in his hand from up his sleeve, balanced lightly in his offhand. A black cloaked figure was hunched over the Solider, searching the many pouches at the dead man’s belt. He did not hear the Captain approach. “Hold it!” shouted Raeflyn, holding out his blade in a challenge, or more of a demand to surrender, “Drop your weapons and come with me.” The cloaked figure grinned under the shadow of a cowl; he reached forward to one of the many daggers protruding out of the Soldier’s chest and plucked it out, spinning it between his fingers as he stood to full height. He was no more taller then Raeflyn, yet more leaner and not as strong looking. “Why would I do that, good Officer?” he responded dryly, studying the blood stained blade of the dagger in his hand. The tone of his voice sounded belittling, and he certainly didn’t acknowledge any authority that Raeflyn might have had. “You are under arrest for the murder of a Soldier of Daris. You are to come with me immediately.” Raeflyn responded, his own tone of voice powerful and demanding.

“Arrest? I think not!” the figure shouted, grinning and taking off from the scene, disappearing behind the house and towards the Road to Morell. “Hold it!” shouted the Captain, yet his efforts were in vain. He took after the cloaked figure, darting around the house in chase. He called for one of the Soldiers to get help as he sheathed his rapier and dagger. While still in chase, he pulled out the sleek bow that was strapped to his back, drawing an arrow carefully. He slowed to fire off a shot, yet the cloaked figure was too fast, and dodged the arrow with ease. Raeflyn cursed, speeding up again to keep up with the criminal, who suddenly ducked behind a house. Raeflyn headed around from the opposite direction, hoping to cut him off, but instead was greeted by silence and no cloaked figure. He drew another arrow, looking about the area in search for any movement or activity. He could hear off in the distance several Soldiers and other Redboot Guards moving towards him to help him in the chase. He couldn’t get out of Daris unless he killed all the guards at the front post, or somehow sneaked by. He wouldn’t get out of this one. “Foolish Captain!” hissed the cloaked figure, Raeflyn whirled around to see him at least 20 feet away, and it looked like he was throwing something. A metallic object flew from his hand towards him. Captain Raeflyn had no time to dodge the dagger that was propelled towards him, it moved faster then any arrow or dart he had seen before. He only managed a muttered prayer before he found himself on the ground, shocking pain in his throat and finding himself unable to breathe. He blacked out moments later.

*

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*

His next conscious moments were blurry, and he was disorientated. He didn’t know where he was, what his name was or who he was. He could make out a room, wooden interior… tapestries hung from several walls, and the light of a lamp in the corner lit the room. He groaned as he moved his head, that was the next thing he noticed…pain, shooting through his body at every movement. A thick bandage covered his throat, and he felt weak. A figure approached from his right, it was a Priest of Ramman, from what he could tell. The priest applied a cool cloth to his forehead, said something Raeflyn didn’t understand, and then walked off. He found himself losing consciousness once more.

*

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*

He could tell it was night, the next time he awoke. The bandage around his throat was gone, and he didn’t feel as much pain anymore. Someone was in the room with him, and soon light spilled into the room, illuminating the figure. Brigadier Gandreck offered a friendly smile to Raeflyn as he took a seat, setting the newly lit lamp on the bedside table. “How’re you feeling, my friend?” he asked, searching Raeflyn’s face for answers. “Awkward… and disorientated…” came the Captain’s reply. He knew his name; he knew he was a Captain in the Redboot Brigade, those memories returned to him. He remembered his experiences in Daris, but everything before that was shrouded in a heavy fog. Where he came from, who his mother and father were, his home. All of it was gone from him.

“The Priests tell me you’re luck to be alive. You took a dagger to the throat; we thought you’d be dead for sure. They managed to stabilize you, but it was difficult resurrecting you. It took a few days, so you may forget a few things.” Gandreck said, leaning forward in the old chair he was seated upon. “I remember you, and I remember everything from my stay here, in Daris. But everything before that is a blur.” “You may remember as time passes. Smells, sights and sounds may trigger a memory. It was the one set back of the delay in raising you.” Something was out of place, though. He remembered his part in the Brigade; he was the first Bard to enter the ranks of the Redboots, and had sung on many an occasion. Except… he couldn’t remember any sonnets, ballads or songs of any shape or form. Had he forgotten how to sing? No, singing was something earned at birth, or so he thought. He remembered his Rapiers, and he still felt he could handle them, as the bow or dagger. But his bardic abilities were lost to him. “So what happens now?” he asked the Brigadier, thinking about these new developments. “Well, we make sure your memory loss does not affect your duties. Otherwise when you are feeling better, you are to return to duty as Captain of the Forest Wind Company.” A Guard entered the room, and spoke softly to Gandreck, “Sir, someone needs you outside.” Gandreck stood, and nodded to Raeflyn, “Rest up, Captain. The Priests will look in on you from time to time. Take care.” With that he was alone again. He clenched his fist, testing his strength. He studies his hands carefully for a moment… something was different. He was paler, ghastly pale. A

mirror was on the table beside him. His hair was white, white as snow. A side effect of the delayed raising? He could only guess. It was weeks, close to a month before Raeflyn returned to duty. Many were surprised. Apparently he was reported dead, as the delayed raising gave him a slim chance of survival. A scar still remains, lining his throat in a jagged, chaotic fashion, although hidden behind the red collar of his uniform. The Captain of the Forest Wind Company had returned.