Lightstar Family/Xarnelf/Roleplay 43

Second Awakening (Part 3: Answers)

The visitor opened and closed his mouth several times as he tried to gather his thoughts concerning the young noble's demeanor. Finally, he took a deep breath with his eyes shut and began speaking.

"I shall answer your questions in the order in which you asked them, to the best of my ability."

The knight returned his gaze back to the speaker.

"First of all, I am Urjintah Feralgem, your friend since childhood. We grew up together, learning the sword and the bow alongside the histories and arts; your father had taken my mother and me into his care immediately after my own father fell ill and passed away.

"They had been close friends who philosophized and researched together often. I was but a toddler then and remember little; I only know this is so from the stories my mother used to tell me.

"Now, as for your purpose here, you have always wanted to lead men into battle to fight for justice and honor, to defend truth and all that is good. You have once told me that your grandfather had played no small part in influencing your beliefs and ideals with his many stories of heroism and valor concerning his career as a soldier of our realm.

"At the moment, we are located within the region of Idapur at your family estate. Our hired healer Arvutiel Ubercloud and I brought you back here from Larmebsi, the region in which we were stationed when you became suddenly stricken with your ailment, after it was apparent that you might not soon recover. We also hoped that your family's trusted healers might know more about the problem or could offer additional insight.

"Unfortunately, they could do nothing to bring you back to consciousness, greatly worrying your mother and sister with each passing day. It has been almost three weeks since we arrived here, and all of us had almost given up hope, but now you are awake at last. They will be overjoyed to learn the news, though your present condition may dampen their cries of delight.

"In any event, moving on to your final question, your name is Xarnelf Lightstar, firstborn of Vehc and Reila. You are an active noble of Taith Aenil, the Mark of the Angels. You are a knight of Idapur, the capital city. You are a troop leader who commanded the Farsighters, a fine unit of archers who grew and hardened under our combined guidance after each battle and each struggle that we faced. I was your trusted captain then, your second-in-command.

"Since you fell into your deathly slumber, our men have dispersed; some have returned home to their families, while others have joined up with units commanded by other nobles to defend our realm from the recent menaces of Ethiala and Antoza Commonwealth. A few of them remain as militia in Larmebsi."

Urjintah paused, allowing his friend to absorb all of the information. The noble looked away once more to stare at the pitcher of water standing on the low bedside table, biting his lower lip in deep thought. Captain Feralgem figured that he needed some time alone to process his words, so he excused himself.

"Xarne, I must inform your family of your awakening and gather the healers to try to ascertain your current condition. I shall return shortly, my friend."

Xarnelf nodded absently as he continued to study the water and tried to remember anything at all about his past.