Bashag, the Sentinel's page

The knight, Darrell Quinn, was known as The Cutting Wind. A cyber-knight who felt a calling to come and serve the less fortunate in the savage West. He hadn't set out to find a squire, but somehow he and Bashag found each other.

Bashag felt immediately that he was looking at his own future. The power the knight wielded would impress his friends and family. He swore to himself he would do whatever it took to earn it. At the time he had no idea what this descion would mean for his life ahead.

Now years later, Bashag was returning to the West, a cyber-knight himself, and he has found his original mentor severely wounded and being tended at the Curragh clinic. "Quinn, my old friend, what has happened to leave you in this state?" he asked taking the wounded knights hand.

"There will be time for that tale." Quinn said softly as he tried to mask his pain. "First though, tell me the tale of your journey and now your return. How is my old master and were you able to learn much from him?"

Bashag told the story of how after Quinn had trained his in the basics of combat but could not break him of his brash ways and his hunger for power, they travelled to the home of Quinn's order for further training and eventually augmentation. Quinn then left Bashag there to return to the West and his own mission.

Badhag's training took years and was unlike the training he had undergone before. He quickly learned to temper his arrogant attitude and to channel those feelings inwards, then to focus them once more into a blade of energy. Bashag though found he grew disappointed in the form of his blade for he wanted the power of Quinn's blade but could not call forth the shimmering wind.

The Master explained. "The psi-blade's form is a reflection of a Knight's inner self. It takes a form matching the deepest desire of your true heart. Your red and savage blade is one that reflects your brash desire for power but look inward to see what it is you truly want and your blade will take a form to match."

Bashag then told Quinn of how he was sent first sent to a small village with a senior knight. There was a call to put down a monster that had been terrorizing the area. He and the knight waited into the night and when the beast came the knights engaged. As the battle continued it became clear that there would be collateral loss among the village but the senior knight ordered Bashag to press the attack.

Then Bashag heard the screams of children and he knew he couldn't accept the loss if he could act. He shouted for the senior knight to hold the beast as best he could and he went to take the children away. The senior knight protested but Bashag did not wait. Eventually they defeated the beast and returned home, the village and the children safe. The ride back was uncomfortable to say the least.

The Master came to see Bashag after he had rested. "I hear the village was saved but you had some trouble." Bashag tried to justify himself but The Master cut him off. "I think you may find this was a learning experience but not about following orders. You heard a cry and your heart drove you."

The Master knelt in front of Bashag and motioned for him to do the same. "Look inward now and bring forth your blade." Bashag turned his thoughts to his heart and focused his will. "My student, open your eyes and see how you have changed."

Bashag's blade was no longer red and jagged and raw, but now was deep blue and clean. It appeared to have a longer shaft, almost polearm like. A weapon of defense, a reflection of his heart demanding he protect those who cannot protect themselves.

"A sentinel for the powerless. Bashag, the Sentinel you are now to be called. When you are ready, you should return to you mentor and protect the people of your home."

With his story told, Bashag looks into Quinn's eyes and sees a peace come over his soul. "I am glad you found out who you really are." Quinn says, his voice little more than a whisper. "My quest has proven more than I can handle. I fear my own aggressive style was great for hunting monsters but I find there is some trouble coming that needs a protector instead. Your own quest begins in New Salt Lake. I do not know what is coming but it is there you must go. I will not see the end of your quest but know that I will always watch over you in the next life."

Quinn closed his eyes but was unable to open them again. His last breath came before the night ended. Bashag saw to the farewell, drawing forth Quinn's blood and releasing the nanites. Most would fail in moments but a few Bashag drew to himself and joined them with his own. The next day he began the journey to New Salt Lake, keeping an eye out for those who may need a guardian.

The Varisian woman adjusted the scarf around her head and looked sweetly at her companion. ”Young Bright,” she spoke softly. ”Your heart has lived in two worlds and two times. The one, here but in the past, and on the road in the present. Here or there, your heart will guide you to your future.”

Bright turned away from the rail and stared at the old woman. ”Did your cards tell you that, Aunt Alinae?”, he said with a tone full of sarcasm. ”Or did Tomas read it to you from one of his Lung Wa ‘Books of Wisdom’” His smile hints at the loving bond between the two.

[b]”I don’t know young one,” Alinae said with a chuckle. ”But it sounded wise, didn’t it?

Bright adjusted his hood to better hide his silver hair, a somber expression taking over him. ”I heard talk by the crew of the new decrees this Lord Thrune has been making. They say he has demanded that all public buildings, private businesses and government buildings alike, must display a portrait of him as a sign of loyalty to his rule. This lord seems even more corrupt than that horrible Queen Ileosa that rose and fell in Korvosa.”

Alinae remained silent, lost in her own thoughts, but Bright continued. ”And I hear he has banned tea and mint. This is the type of corruption that Selinot taught me the Lantern Bearer’s must fight against. I know he meant my ancestors and their demonic patrons, but isn’t corruption of all kinds worth fighting. That fight is why I feel I had to return.”

Bright looked over at Alinae and smiled. ”You are so easy to talk to, you know that?” He sat down against the rail. ”I will miss traveling with you and the clans. After those years at the orphanage here, it was a kindness that the clans took me in, but for a time I feared Selinot had put faith in the wrong friend when he left me here. The orphans here had little hope though, and I guess it kind of infected me for a time.”

”You dwell in the past too much.” Alinae interrupted. [b[“Maybe the rumors we heard of these new rebels may be the hope the city needs again. Perhaps they will bring back those bird heroes you revered so much.”[/b]

”The Silver Ravens, Alinae.” Bright said with a hint of annoyance.

”An odd name. Ravens are black, not silver. But, yes, them. Perhaps these new rebels can be the new Silver Ravens, and maybe with your help they can rid the city of the corruption. Much like the paths the caravans follow, everything in life comes in a circle. You held onto the legends of the Silver Ravens, and those legends partly inspired you to follow Desna’s light, a silver light no less, and that light led you back to Selinot and the Lantern Bearers. And last, the Lantern Bearers inspired you to return to fight the corruption in the memory of those legendary birds. Fill circle.”

”Now listen to this wise woman,” Alinae said with the same loving sarcasm that Bright used earlier. ”and make sure your kapenia is stashed out of sight. This new Lord Thrune has also declared that bright and flashy clothes are only fit for the privileged and Song of the Sphere knows what the punishment may be for such transgression.”

”Yes, Aunt Alinae.” Bright said as he stood up at the rail again. ”Your words are wise. This time.”