The Hero’s Tale
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The following excerpt gives an interesting insight into the life of the famed Benalish hero. Usually, one glimpses these renowned warriors only when they are fully trained, as if they had risen full-formed from some god’s imagination, the perfect warriors. But, of course, such perfection requires much work and sacrifice. The author of this note, Noira, is but at the beginning of her life’s work. –Taysir
Dearest Mother,
We’re allowed to send one letter this month, but by this time next year I should be able to write whenever I choose. So, you see, it is not my fault this is the first I’ve written you. There’s so much to tell, and I’ve so little time. Let’s see . . . .
The city of Benalia is huge! Before I arrived here six moons ago I could never imagine such a place existed. Even from the highest of the council’s towers at its center, it’s impossible to see the city’s edges. The census-takers claim there are more than two hundred thousand people here. Can you imagine?
It’s funny. We’ve been learning history until my mind feels as if it’s been danced on by the ghost of Tobias Andrion himself! We haven’t truly begun arms training yet. In fact, I haven’t touched a weapon more fierce than my eating dagger since I arrived. But every morning we practice a strange battle-dance that our instructor, Hero Tavin, promises will make us into the most graceful and deadly of warriors. Hero Tavin says it is the basis for the Fei’ th Drange (that’s “Soul Dance” in Sheoltun — See? I have been learning.) The Fei’ th Drange is a particularly deadly battle-form only taught to heroes of Benalia. I am honored to learn such a form, but I wish we’d get on to using weapons again!
We’ve also begun studying philosophy with Hero Wynne. I think the most important thing I’ve learned so far is that we are the chosen of the gods. Hero Wynne says that the gods’ breath graced our brows even before our mothers’. This is why the gods call upon us so often to battle for them wheresoever they need. We must be ready for the call every moment of our lives. Sometimes I’m frightened to think about that . . . but, it’s exciting and important too, don’t you think?
Hmmm . . . . What else can I tell you? Well, the “blackguards” are a bit odd, but they’re not so bad once you get to know them. They’re all children of commoners (well, at least one commoner) but they’re allowed into the ranks of the heroes anyway. They start younger than us–some aren’t even ten when they begin training–and they always wear black leather and go about with shaved heads. They can’t grow their hair until they graduate, and even then most of them keep their heads shorn. Some of my friends here think the blackguards are arrogant, but I bet they think the same of us.
I haven’t gotten my hero’s tattoo yet; I know you were wondering about that. We won’t receive them until after our second year of training. So, I wear my clan tattoo, but nothing else yet.
Hug Derryn and give Kitten a treat for me!
Love,
Noira
P.S. I’ve still got the boar’s-hair charm you gave me. So far, its luck is strong!