Birthright

[Axxon]

<p>(Every once in a while I like to share a story here - I hope you enjoy this one.  This is a story I created for one of my characters, Vilnius.  He is a re-roll of another character by that name.  Brannock is also my alt.  The exchange with Euryale at the Soul Fire Club is paraphrased from in-game events and Role Play.  Originally posted <a href="http://www.guildportal.com/Guild.aspx?GuildID=209853&ForumID=1023974&TabID=1770902&TopicID=6239205" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>, and <a href="http://gunthakpirates.guildportal.com/Guild.aspx?GuildID=169842&ForumID=801277&TabID=1437833&TopicID=6239266" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>.)</p><p><i>The bucket rose slowly from the well, sloshing its contents over the sides as a young half elf pulled steadily on the rope bringing it closer to the top.  His dark skin was a marked contrast to the shock of white hair that now fell into his sea blue eyes as he bent over the edge of the well to retrieve the bucket.  After hauling it over the side, he walked a short distance through the small hamlet of this forgotten isle where elves and humans, long ago stranded, had eeked out a life of sorts for themselves.  One or two would board the ships full of refugees from time to time and start life over again in Freeport or Qeynos, but most chose to simply remain and live out their lives in relative seclusion and peace.  There was no government and no law save the rule of the mob if any dared to transgress the sensibilities of the general populace.There was also no medical treatment to speak of.The boy approached the small home he had shared with his mother, Valeria, for the past 17 years.  He had never met his father and knew almost nothing about him, save that he was a dark elf and a sailor.  He paused for a moment to steel himself against what he would find inside once he crossed the threshhold of his home.   Sighing almost inaudibly, he walked inside and entered his mother's room.  There, Valeria lay in the same fevered state she had been in for the past two weeks, her breath becoming increasingly shallow and labored.  Vilnius dipped a linen cloth into the cool water, wrang it out and pressed it to his mother's forehead.  She forced a smile and looked up at her pride and joy.  She did not speak above a whisper.</i>"Thank you, son."  She stared at the ceiling above her, regretting her  decision to tell him so little of his father, despite the boy's persistant questioning in this regard.  She knew she had little time to rectify this situation, and she knew that soon the boy would be alone.  "Vil, I don't have long, honey.  I want to tell you about your father."Vilnius froze at the mention.  His mind was a confused tangle of hopefulness at finally hearing something about his parentage, and despair for the likely reason Valeria was choosing this moment to tell him.  "Mom...you don't have to..its all right.  Just rest."  Valeria shook her head weakly against the pillow.  "No, son.  It is time I told you, and I don't have much time to do it."As Vilnius listened, Valeria told him of his father, a dark elf sailor and mate aboard a merchant ship.  Wistfully, she recalled their short time together and spoke of promises exchanged:  expressions of love and vows to return after his ship's <a href="http://gunthakpirates.guildportal.com/Guild.aspx?GuildID=169842&ForumID=801278&TabID=1437833&TopicID=4711062" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">voyage to Mara</a>.   Of course, he had never returned but Vilnius knew she had never stopped loving him:  a fact that had stoked his anger and confusion about his father for as long as he could remember.  "I named you for him....Vilnius..."  As she trailed off, the faint hint of a smile on her face, she reached under the damp sheet and placed her hand on the iron key that hung around a chain she always wore.  "Yours..." she breathed.  "Birthright."    Vilnius gently removed the chain and bent forward to kiss his mother's forehead.  When he sat up again, her eyes were fixed on the ceiling above; her faint smile still playing on her lips.He stared a long moment at her as the grief rose from a  place in his chest, past the hard lump in his throat, and issued forth finally in streams of tears and uncontrollable sobs.  Burying his head in the curve of his mother's neck, the boy wept bitterly, his body convulsing with the grief of each breath.</p>

[Axxon]

<p><i>Vilnius knelt on the mound of earth and carved the last letter of his mother's name into the large stone he had chosen to serve as a marker.  The salty breeze of the ocean had dried his dirt-smeared tears as he worked solemnly to lay her to rest on a hill overlooking the ocean - a place of solitude where he had often come to gaze out at the waves and sky.  It was a place where he had always felt the call of the sea and adventure the strongest...a call he had never answered, instead choosing to remain on the island by his kindly mother's side.  He was acutely aware now, however, that there was nothing left on this island to keep him here.  In fact, he wanted nothing more than to leave this place, where every tree, every stone, every building reminded him of a childhood spent by his mother's side.  Walking back into his empty home, Vilnius retrieved the key Valeria had given him and stared at the locked chest in the corner of the room.  He had always suspected the two were mated, but he had never been allowed to look into the chest.  As far as he knew, his mother had not opened it in years either, preferring it to stand untouched as a shrine to someone she longed to see but never did.  The only thing he knew about the chest is that it had belonged to his father, and it had three letters stamped on its front:  "G.T.S."   He had always assumed they were his father's initials, and had spent countless hours creating names for him in his mind:Geoffrey Tiberius SmithGillarm Thomas SandstoneGunther Timothy SordinsonHe now knew that his father's name was the same as his own,  Vilnius, and he absently wondered what the initials stood for.  He knelt in front of the chest and slipped the iron key into its lock.  Turning it, the spring clicked loudly in the quiet room and the lid popped open.  As he peered inside, Vilnius retrieved the contents and took a mental inventory of all that he had to tell him about his father:A set of well-worn black leathersA slightly dull sabre and matched parrying daggerA half-full bottle of amber liquor A small leather pouch containing 4 gold pieces and 8 silver piecesA bronze medallion bearing a carved death's head and two crossed sabresAn empty packA bandolier and roughly two-dozen small throwing daggersThere was nothing else.  Vilnius lay the leathers on the bed and considered them.  His own clothes were made of rough linen and wool, made by his mother.  They were adequate for the island, but perhaps not for whatever lie beyond the ocean.  Pulling them off, he began to try on his father's clothes.  The leggings were somewhat long, but not enough to matter, particularly if he tucked them inside the boots.  The boots, he found, were a perfect fit, as was the tunic.  Next, he tied on the bracers which were also made of black reinforced leather.  There was nothing to speak of to cover his arms and shoulders.   Finally, he fastened a somewhat garish looking belt around his hips that had sheathes for the two blades.  Picking up the blades, he held one in each hand awkwardly and made tentative cuts and thrusts in the air.  He had never used one against another living person in his life, but found he liked the feel of them in his hands.  As he turned, he caught a glimpse of himself in his mother's dressing mirror and froze, his eyes widening at the sight of himself."</i>I look like....like....a pirate?"<i>He sheathed the blades and managed a weak smile at the ridiculous thought of his sweet-faced mother being in love with a pirate.  Then he looked back in the mirror, his smile fading as he considered the medallion.   </i></p><p>* * * *</p><p><i>Vilnius stode out of the house and down the lane of the small village to the town square.  As he approached the well, he frowned when he saw Miss Malva fetching water.  She had always been a hard woman, but in the five years since her son, Brody, had drowned, she had become bitter and nasty.  She and Valeria had only ever exchanged strained pleasantries when they saw each other, even though Brody and Vilnius had been the best of friends.  They were born only days apart and had been daily in each other's company playing the games boys play and swimming in the shoals.   They were an almost comical pair, since Brody was a huge child compared to Vilnius.  Vilnius often teased him that his father must have been a Barbarian, since neither boy had ever actually met thier fathers.Their favorite game was to play at pirates on one of the old wrecks on the far side of the island.  It was a game Valeria indulged, but Malva had strictly forbidden Brody to play on the wreck when she had found out.  Thier mothers exchanged cross words about it and Vilnius remembered them arguing right at this very well.  Brody hid their trips to the wreck from his mother after that, and the boys continued their "adventures" there until the day Brody died.  It was the saddest day of Vilnius' young life, overshadowed only recently by the death of his mother.  As he approached, Vinius thought they shared a strange kindship since both had experienced such profound loss.  But as he drew nearer, dressed in his father's leathers, the woman scowled - one hand on her hip, the other beginning to wag at him the way it used to at Brody.</i>"Gods beneath us!  Where did you get those clothes?  What do you think you're at dressed like that?  Tryin' to be like your no-account father, I'd wager!  Well forget it!  Go back to your plough and put them pig stickers away before you lose an eye!  Your mother'd roll over in her grave, she would!"<i>Vilnius stared at the ground and walked past her as she continued her half-coherent tirade about "pirates" and being "too old for games and silliness."  Vilnius didn't feel particularly silly.  </i></p>

[Axxon]

The men at the local tavern estimated that another ship would be by in the next month or so. As eager as he was to leave, Vilnius also knew he was ill-prepared to venture forth from the relative safety of his island home to whatever fate awaited him on the other side of the ocean. The tavern was full of locals, but from time to time it also housed a handful of sailors, privateers, and other characters who had, for whatever reason, not sailed on. Vilnius had been nagging one in particular, an old sea dog named Raeln, to show him how to use the blades that hung at his sides."Ye know, ye walk inna someplace like Freeport wearin' that get up and them blades and yer gonna find trouble, lad. B'lieve me...I know.""I know, Mister Raeln. That's why I need your help. Teach me! Teach me how to fight." Raeln shook his head into his mug. "Nope. Nuh unh. Yer better off here, lad. Find a nice wench an' settle down. Fergit about leavin'."It had gone on like this for weeks, with Vilnius begging his would-be tutor to show him how to fight, and Raeln always delcining and trying to talk him out of it. Eventually, Vilnius' charm and wit began to wear down the old sailor and he began to take a liking to the eager half elf. Finally, Raeln consented."How much gold ye got?""Um...I have four pieces.""Four?! That's all? Tunare's [Removed for Content], that ain't much. A'right. Fine. Grab yer kit and let's go."That is how it began, finally, this "training" that Vilnius procured from Raeln for four pieces of gold. Neither of them had much else to do on the isle and they wiled their days away alternately sparring while Raeln imparted all he knew of sailing and fighting. During their breaks, Raeln would drink and tell tall tales of the sea and its ports as Vilnius sat wide-eyed and soaked it in. It was not a wealth of information, but it was more than Vilnius had begun with. Over the course of the next six weeks, Raeln found he sincerely liked the boy, and Vilnius felt the same of his teacher. When a ship finally arrived at the island, Vilnius was the first to greet it at the docks, with Raeln standing quietly nearby."Where does this ship make port?" Vilnius asked the nearest deckhand. "Freeport," came the gruff reply. "We're only loading a few crates and then we sail out. Ye best be ready t'go if ye want passage."Vilnius walked quickly back to Raeln. "Freeport, he says." "I heard. I 'spose ye thing yer ready then?" Vilnius nodded. Raeln considered the lad and what he knew of the city and frowned. "Will you be coming with me, Raeln?" The old man chucked. "Nay, lad. Nothin' there fer me but a hangman's noose. Here - take this. Yer gonna need it."Raeln pressed a small leather pouch into Vilnius' open hand. When he opened it, Vil saw at least 10 gold pieces inside. He blinked back at Raeln, smiling. The older man made a sour face and waved him off."Go on, get outta here b'fore I change me mind. Keep that stashed now, an' don't never leave them blades b'hind, even on board." He looked at the crew. "Especially on board." Vilnius nodded and shook Raeln's wrinkled hand. "I will Raeln. Thank you!"Raeln nodded. "Off ye go then. Prex grant ye smooth seas and fair winds."After the two parted ways on the dock, Vilnius boarded the vessel, paid his passage, and took up a spot near the bow of the ship as the hands made ready to get under way. Raeln looked on from the dock and smiled at the youthful exhuberance that had so long ago left him. He gave a final wave to Vilnius. Turning back toward the tavern he shook his head and muttered.""Poor [Removed for Content] won't last a week..."

[Axxon]

<p>(From in game events - paraphrased)</p><p><i>Vilnius was tired.  The ship had not, in fact, brought him to Freeport, but rather to Gorowyn.  His trek from Gorowyn and its outlying areas and dealings with the Sarnaks had provided him with some much needed training and equiptment, but it did not bring him any closer to finding his father.  Someone had suggested that a Teir'Dal might now be living in Neriak, so he had searched there as well and had some adventures throughout the Darklight Wood.  Without even intending it, he had become an adept scout and traveled most areas now without fear.When he finally did arrive in Freeport, his first stop was the docks.  When that proved unproductive, he visited the various inns, all without success until he reached the Blood Haze Inn in West Freeport.  The inkeep there had a record of a "Vilnius" living within the inn, but the room had been emptied and closed down.</i>"Who emptied it, and where were the contents taken?" he asked."Says here the forwarding address is 7 Integrity, North Freeport."<i>Vilnius nodded resignedly and made his way toward North Freeport - a slip of parchment with the address in his hand.  Upon arriving, a door man admitted him to what he later learned was the <a href="http://www.guildportal.com/Guild.aspx?GuildID=164113&TabID=1390345" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Soulfire Club</a>.  He made several inquiries about his father, all to no avail.  He did, however, find unlikely and unwanted employment as a server for the evening at the "request" of a rather demanding and austere Teir'Dal female named Euryale.  Toward the end of a night spent alternately spilling drinks and interrogating patrons about the whereabouts of Teir'Dal sailors, he slumped at the bar.  As fate would have it - that was exactly where he needed to be."</i>I knew a Teir'Dal sailor.  He -was- a pirate.  He became a privateer as a result of a favor owed and a debt paid by me, actually.   The last I saw him, he was waving and swaggering from the deck of the <i>Wavecrasher</i>, off to gods know where.""Do you know what these letters mean?  G.T.S.?  They were written on his trunk."Euryale nodded.  "G.T.S. stands for Gunthak Trading & Shipping.  Their bar, the <a href="http://gunthakpirates.guildportal.com/Guild.aspx?GuildID=169842&ForumID=801280&TabID=1437833&TopicID=4773239" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wharf Rat</a>, is just next door." "Oh thank you!  Thank you, Miss Euryale!"  Vilnius leapt from his seat and flew out the door. </p>

[Axxon]

<p align="left">Brannock looked up from slicing lemons for his latest attempt at a summer ale lager when the door to the Wharf Rat swung open quickly.  He brandished the fillet knife in the direction of the door as a young Ayr'Dal with a shock of white hair and sea blue eyes entered."Bar's closed, lad.  Come back later."  Vilnius walked in despite the warning.  "Beg pardon, sir, but I'm not here for the bar.  I'm looking for my father."Brannock grinned.  "Heh.  Got inna his cups did he?  Well yer welcome t'check under the tables or in the cots upstairs, but there ain't no patrons here I know 'bout.  Place is empty."Vilnius shook his head and continued quickly.  "No - you don't understand. I think my father is part of your crew.  Is this the office of the Gunthak Trading & Shipping Company."Brannock chuckled a bit at the name...he was still not used to the legitimate name the Gunthak Pirates sometimes called themselves.  "Aye, it is lad.  Who ye lookin for?"Vilnius hurriedly related the tale as he knew it.  He spoke of his mother and his island home...about her dying words...the chest...the clothes.  As he spoke, Brannock slowly put the knife down and stared intently at the boy.  For the first time, he noticed his eyes:  they were a dead match for his Captain's.  Brannock's mouth began to form a broad smile, and he spoke softly."Aye, lad.  I remember that place."  He sighed.  "Some days I wish we stayed, t'tell ye true.  I never known peace like livin' there.  All except that Malva.  Ho!  She was a right shrew when she wanted t'be, but a demon in the...."   he cleared his throat.  "Eh, nevermind 'bout that.  Gods, boy!  Yer a sight.  How is ole, Malva anyways?"When Brannock smiled and spoke of Malva, Vilnius felt the lump rise in his throat.   How had he not seen it?  Perhaps it was the woad...or the beard.  But only now did the youth finally make the connection that he was looking at Brody's father.  He stared down at the bar top and told Brannock of his childhood friend, born only days apart from himself.  He told him about their adventures...about their friendship...and about the boy's untimely death.   As he finished, Brannock's grin disappeared and his face took on a profound sadness.  He spoke softly."I dinna know.  Neither of us knew - me an' Vil.  We meant t'go back - we did.  But...gah!"  He turned from the boy and wiped his eyes.  "Lemon juice in me eye."  He sniffed.Vilnius nodded.  "I understand."Steadying himself on the bar, Brannock laid a mighty paw on the boy's forearm.  "Lad, I wish I had better news meself.  We ain't seen th'Captn in a good long while.  Truth be told, we don't think he's 'mongst the livin'.   He may be -  we jus' don't know.  But it ain't like him t'be gone fer this long.  I'm sorry, boy.  I dinna think ye'll find yer father 'ere."Vilnius looked up at the massive Barbarian and defiantly wiped his eyes with the backs of his hands.  "I...I'll keep looking then.  What else can I do?  I have nowhere else to go."  He stood and turned toward the door as Brannock looked on him - the son of his most trusted friend and comrade.  The large man's mind raced to absorb all that he had just been told, particularly the information about Brody that Vilnius had imparted.   The seemingly mismatched pair had been thrust together by luck, or fate or whatever designation people were using these days:  a son without a father, and a father without a son."Lad...seems t'me th'best place t'wait fer ole Vil is right 'ere.  This is his home an'his crew.  If he be livin, he'll be back 'round.   An' if not...well...why not jus' stay on an' see how this diddy plays out.  Either way, ye got a stake in this place.  It's yer <i>birthright</i>."  The word struck a chord in Vilnius.  He turned back to Brannock and tightened his quivering lip.  "All right.  I'll stay."  He forced a small smile.  "So you're merchants?  That sounds wonderful!  Do you have a shop?  Can I see the ship?"Brannock hopped over the bar and laid a hand on Vilnius' shoulder as the two walked out of the Wharf Rat and onto the streets of Freeport.  Brannock chuckled a bit.  "Merchants?  hehe   About tha' lad, there's a few things I need t'explain to ye..."  And so began Vilnius' life among the Gunthak Pirates.<i>~ Fin ~</i></p>

[niko_teen]

Woots more stories, I'll have to set aside some time to finish reading this one soon.