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<blockquote data-quote="JollyDoc" data-source="post: 5201888" data-attributes="member: 9546">Stevhan liked the rasp of the whetstone against his long, steel blade.&nbsp; When he wasn’t out tracking down bandits with his father, the sheriff, he could usually be found sharpening his sword outside their small home.&nbsp; That was where Victor found him.&nbsp; &nbsp; “Well, no bandit will ever complain that you almost cut off his head, boy,” said the gruff, middle-aged sheriff.&nbsp; &nbsp; Stevhan chuckled softly, “No, I suppose they won’t.&nbsp; Any news from town?”&nbsp; &nbsp; “Actually, there is something,” said Victor.&nbsp; “Looks like the swordlords are issuing charters for adventurers to enter the Stolen Lands.&nbsp; They want to pursue the bandits beyond the borders – maybe even chase down the Stag Lord himself.”&nbsp; &nbsp; “It’s about time,” said Stevhan.&nbsp; “We could’ve chased them back time and again, but we didn’t.”&nbsp; &nbsp; “True…true,” the older man mused.&nbsp; He closed his eyes, and chose his next words carefully.&nbsp; “Boy, I think you should go.”&nbsp; The rasp of the whetstone stopped, but Stevhan said nothing.&nbsp; Victor looked up at the boy he had raised and said, “There is something you should know.&nbsp; Your real parents,” he began, “I had always told you that your father was a friend of mine, and that I took care of you when he went missing.&nbsp; Well, that’s true.&nbsp; What I didn’t tell you was this:&nbsp; Before I took up working for the Andori, I was the huntmaster for another family…House Rogarvia.&nbsp; One of the younger sons loved to hunt, and he was my best friend…but he had a problem.&nbsp; He had got one of the ladies-in-waiting with child.&nbsp; Then, all of a sudden, the Rogarvias disappeared.&nbsp; I married the girl, and she gave birth to a son.&nbsp; She didn’t make it through the birth, but you did.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Stevhan realized that he had stopped breathing.&nbsp; His whole world had been turned upside down.&nbsp; The Rogarvias were the rightful rulers of Brevoy.&nbsp; All of the living members of the family had disappeared almost twenty years ago…all, it seemed, save an unborn babe with royal blood flowing in his veins.&nbsp; &nbsp; Stevhan exhaled sharply, then looked up at Victor, and said, “I didn’t see that coming.”&nbsp; &nbsp; “No, I suppose not.&nbsp; No one knows about you.&nbsp; I kept the secret well all these years, but now it’s time for you to chart your own course.&nbsp; You’re a skilled tracker, a competent archer, and a deadly swordsman, if I do say so myself.&nbsp; Hells, I taught you everything I know, so you should be pretty good,” Victor laughed.&nbsp; “You can carve out your own legacy in the Stolen Lands, and who knows, one day you might just reclaim your birthright.”&nbsp; &nbsp; “I don’t even know where to start” said Stevhan.&nbsp; &nbsp; “Well, it’s getting late,” said Victor, “let’s talk about it over breakfast in the morning.”&nbsp; The sheriff reached out a scarred hand and pulled Stevhan to his feet.&nbsp; Victor looked at his son with pride, and they went into the house together.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="JollyDoc, post: 5201888, member: 9546"] Stevhan liked the rasp of the whetstone against his long, steel blade. When he wasn’t out tracking down bandits with his father, the sheriff, he could usually be found sharpening his sword outside their small home. That was where Victor found him. “Well, no bandit will ever complain that you almost cut off his head, boy,” said the gruff, middle-aged sheriff. Stevhan chuckled softly, “No, I suppose they won’t. Any news from town?” “Actually, there is something,” said Victor. “Looks like the swordlords are issuing charters for adventurers to enter the Stolen Lands. They want to pursue the bandits beyond the borders – maybe even chase down the Stag Lord himself.” “It’s about time,” said Stevhan. “We could’ve chased them back time and again, but we didn’t.” “True…true,” the older man mused. He closed his eyes, and chose his next words carefully. “Boy, I think you should go.” The rasp of the whetstone stopped, but Stevhan said nothing. Victor looked up at the boy he had raised and said, “There is something you should know. Your real parents,” he began, “I had always told you that your father was a friend of mine, and that I took care of you when he went missing. Well, that’s true. What I didn’t tell you was this: Before I took up working for the Andori, I was the huntmaster for another family…House Rogarvia. One of the younger sons loved to hunt, and he was my best friend…but he had a problem. He had got one of the ladies-in-waiting with child. Then, all of a sudden, the Rogarvias disappeared. I married the girl, and she gave birth to a son. She didn’t make it through the birth, but you did.” Stevhan realized that he had stopped breathing. His whole world had been turned upside down. The Rogarvias were the rightful rulers of Brevoy. All of the living members of the family had disappeared almost twenty years ago…all, it seemed, save an unborn babe with royal blood flowing in his veins. Stevhan exhaled sharply, then looked up at Victor, and said, “I didn’t see that coming.” “No, I suppose not. No one knows about you. I kept the secret well all these years, but now it’s time for you to chart your own course. You’re a skilled tracker, a competent archer, and a deadly swordsman, if I do say so myself. Hells, I taught you everything I know, so you should be pretty good,” Victor laughed. “You can carve out your own legacy in the Stolen Lands, and who knows, one day you might just reclaim your birthright.” “I don’t even know where to start” said Stevhan. “Well, it’s getting late,” said Victor, “let’s talk about it over breakfast in the morning.” The sheriff reached out a scarred hand and pulled Stevhan to his feet. Victor looked at his son with pride, and they went into the house together. [/QUOTE]

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