The Militant Family/Goergyboy/Resolution

Resolution

Goergyboy's resolve to dealing with his brother.

Act 1- The Ghostly Daughter

While walking on the road towards Giblot with his 4 remaining students a sudden thought sunk into his head. Gander might be there. He didn't know where Gander was himself, not many did, so he never knew. With the possibility of confrontation his mind went back to those days and sleepless nights spent high in the mountains of Steepglades.

It was there that he sat alone, never moving, never eating, never sleeping. His mind riddled with thought and question, how could such a thing happen? It was saddening and the fact that Gander even tried to kill him was more painful then any scar. By the third day his mind had not come up with an answer. Sure they couldn't be more separate in their opinions, but they had a good childhood together and were still brothers.

Then his mind shifted to Cheveyo. Despite being family, he was cast out simply because of his name and now he was oceans away. Cheveyo was their brother and not even a god could change that, but he was cast out as a stranger by the two. Perhaps this was some sort of karma that he read about once, although the return seemed a bit harsh.

Then a small girlish figure appeared before him. He did not notice right away since his eyes were closed at all times while he tried to concentrate. It was only when the little girl called out.

"Daddy?"

He opened his eyes and saw the tiny delinquent. Her big green eyes, long brown hair, and rosy cheeks. By the looks of her she couldn't of been older then 5. She held a teddy bear in her arms as she walked up to him repeating that one word as if to get his attention.

"Daddy?"

"Now now little one it's alright. What seems to be the matter?"

"What's wrong daddy?"

"Daddy? I'm sorry but I'm not your father."

"Why would you say such a thing daddy?"

"I don't say it to be mean, it's just impossible to be your father. I do not have a wife, or ever had a woman to bare my child. Now little one are you lost?"

"Of course your my daddy. Don't you remember Mommy? You and her take walks around the city all the time, and sometimes you two go away together to grandma and grandpa, but you don't ever take me."

"Child your making no sense. It is illogical, impossible, and by no means could I be your father."

"Are you mad at Uncle Gander?"

Goergyboy froze after hearing that. Not even being called Daddy was as shocking as hearing someone call THAT man by any name with care. How sincerely she asked the question and how she looked up at him with her worried expression quickly threw him off guard and he began to cry.

She put her little hand on his knee as he wept into his hands.

"Do you want to go to your study, your always happy there? I can read to you."

The little girl produced a book as if out of thin air. "Big cats and kitty cats". Again he was taken by surprise, that book took ages to find, and meant a lot to him. It was read to him as a child and he read it to his brothers while they were still little. It was the most well guarded book in his library, and no one could possibly know it's location. The only other copy he knew of was the one his parents had which was lost after they left while the boys were still young.

The girl had no trouble reading the book, and showed great interest in it. She paid close attention to how she said each word, and spoke soothingly. He took his face out of his hands, and began to read the book along with her by memory. He then put his hand down in the middle of the book which stopped the girl from reading. She looked up and met his eyes. "How did you get this book?"

"You read it to me every night. I watched you put it away once and found out where you hid it."

"Why do I not remember this?"

"It hasn't happened yet."

"What? How can you be in front of me and claim to be my child if you haven't been born yet?"

"There's more to life then just books and research daddy. You'll learn that soon enough."

"You called my brother Uncle Gander."

"Well he is my uncle isn't he?"

"Yes, but he doesn't seem mean or anything to you?"

"No he told me he'd protect me. How can that be mean?"

He silently muttered to himself, although she still heard him.

"So he's fine with attacking me, but not my daughter?"

"He told me he'd never allow me to be without my father no matter how much he disagrees with you."

"Interesting, but how can I be sure all this is true?"

"In due time you'll know. For now daddy farewell."

The girl faded away. Perhaps his sleepless mind was playing tricks, but he now had an answer.

Act 2- Goergyboy Takes A Wife

The flyers had certainly done their job. A day had passed since they had been posted and potential brides had gathered from all over. He had a large lot to pick from, ranging from wealthy class to the peasantry. Of course they each tried to dress nice despite the rush. Being crowded by the women like hawks left him a bit uncomfortable, so he told them to stay there as he walked out of the impending circle of walking commitment and spread some space between himself and the crowd.

A wife to be chosen from this large lot of people. Getting married is no small feet, and he couldn't marry just anybody. He didn't want to be committed to spending the rest of his life with a person who would eventually drive him insane (Raul). So he decided to get to know each of them a little better.

The contestants lined up and told a little about themselves. Where they were from, a bit of family history, their likes and dislikes. The first one to catch his eye was a young girl who came from Helsera. He felt guilty over the past history of Helsera and all the troubles it had to endure and so asked her to return home. It seemed wrong that he should be allowed to marry anyone from there after all that has happened.

So out of the large crowd, the numbers slowly began to shrink. Questions were asked such as "What would you do with 100 gold?" Those who said they would save puppies and help end world hunger were sent home. That took out a large chunk of the participants, but unimaginative women had no interest to him. The ones who said they would buy a nice dress or something along those lines were disqualified as well. Points for honesty, but that wouldn't get them far. The ones who made it past this round came up with some pretty clever ideas such as hold a welcoming party for the returning soldiers or finance trade deals between other islands.

The next competition was how the women handled children. They were each given an orphan infant to take care of for an hour, the massive scribe killings helped supply the orphans. He didn't want a wife that would be like his mother who smothered his brother Cheveyo. As he watched he noticed the girl from Helsera had snuck back in. Rather then draw attention to the fact he watched how she took care of the child.

Although picking participants out of the last competition was challenging the numbers were quite smaller now. Seemed there would be only one more task. He took each one with him separately and they went for a walk away from the crowd where the two could just talk. He would talk about his studies, and they would talk about their hobbies. He would tell them how his work would often keep him away from home, some said that was alright others offered to follow alongside him. He wouldn't let them follow him in his travels however since it would be too dangerous, it was dangerous enough to his own life as is.

When him and the girl from Helsera went for a walk their talk was completely different. When they were a good distance away from anyone being able to hear them, he asked her once again to return home. He admitted that it seemed wrong for him to be allowed to marry someone from that region to her. She stopped walking, looking down at the dirt. Her response was quite different then he expected.

"You want me to go back there? TO THOSE ASSASSINS! Going back there is worse then death, they lord over the people as if they own them. I came here after hearing the news of you seeking a wife in hopes of finding a better life and being treated as an equal."

She began to cry, but he grabbed her shoulders and gave her a warm smile. They returned to the city square and the contest was declared over. All the contestants, even those who were rejected and a majority of the populous gathered around to find out who Goergyboy's wife would be.

"And the winner is...Miranda, the girl from Helsera."

A lot of the other women protested, probably still sore about being rejected. The crowd was in mixed feelings too, but him finally taking a wife outweighed the bad feelings so there was more of a cheer. He took a step forward and spoke to the crowd to give them a bit of insight about his decision.

“People listen to what I have to say. I have set an example here today, and put actions to my words. There are many here who are more ‘noble’ and far wealthier then this peasant girl from a region no longer even part of our realm. But I have chosen her for who she is. All people are equal, no one is above anyone else. That is why this was an open contest, and even the common folk were given the chance to become my wife. Set aside your prejudice of a lord marrying a civilian and no longer think of it as beneath them.

It is because of this equality that I invite you all to the wedding ceremony and after party.”

For the rest of the day the people were jolly. His wife to be was taken out shopping for a wedding dress. No expense was spared, despite his ever shrinking wallet. For now the ceremony consisted of mainly civilians as the nobles were out aiding the realm the best they could. Perhaps another time they could be included, but most likely not. OT kept the people busy. After the ceremony the couple headed towards Drenga for their honeymoon.