Loyalty to the bitter end.
That was the mantra of the Vestok family, and it was often repeated to Tok, whispered to him as he grew up in the darkness of the Vestok family warren, deep below the area near the Wormwood Mountain. Loyalty to the family, and to the masters of the mountain. Ratfolk are born in large numbers, and live less long than humans. It was therefor expected that Tok would make the most of his short life to bring honor to his family through service to the Master, and there was no greater honor than being chosen to receive the gift of a pact. The Vostok family had yet to provide a candidate selected to become a warlock for over a century. Tok pledged to himself that he would be the one to restore his family to greatness, and earn the favor of the master. He plunged himself into stengthening himself then, to better his soul, to offer himself and gain power and glory in return. Many rituals were performed in the dark of that place, and in the language of the pit promises were made. The mark of some of the scars can still be seen, even through his thick fur.
It wasn't until he was 14 that he saw a living soul not related to him in some way. He had heard that the servents of the Master of Sable mountain were terrible to behold, but words did not do them justice. He stood naked then, as he bared his soul, and hoped beyond hope that he would be chosen to become a vessel for the Master's power.
This was not to be. He was rejected immediately.
They say he went mad for a time then. Certainly his memories were hazy. He had sacrificed so much, and for what? The mantra of loyalty that he had chanted to himself for comfort during the long nights of subjecting himself to torment turned to ashes in his mouth. His family was not loyal to him, after all, when he failed, they left him to fend for himself in a pit until he could make himself useful. It was then that he realized that his entire life, his dreams of becoming a warlock of the Master, of bringing honor to his family, were false, instilled in him by a lifetime of brainwashing by those around him. There was no loyalty here.
He left that place then, stealing a horse and some basic equipment from the Master's stables, hoping to make a new life for himself. Perhaps he could find loyalty elsewhere? A new family, a new master to serve? His once disciplined mind was fractured; he was unable to focus on anything in particular.
Things had been said, back in the old labyrinthian halls of the Vostok family warren. Things sworn in preperation, and spoken in a tongue that gave them power. He became aware of the Master's presence at times, or perhaps the presense of one of his servants? He grew fearful then, thinking he would be tracked down and punished for leaving. But instead the presence only watched events of interest. As the rat moved further and further away from the mountain, his paranoia only grows, leading him to flee further south. Sometimes he thinks he can hear something following him, a Hunter in the Dark, but despite his kind's ability to see in darkness, he never saw a thing. Perhaps it is only his imagination?
Two years have passed, and there are two things that sooth the rat's fevered mind. The first is the practise of archery, something he never could do back in the tunnels. The second is the thought that he might find a new family out here, one that won't abandon him. But his fear of putting others in greater danger cause him to distance himself from others. In his heart of hearts he knows, that the Master still has a claim to his very soul. After all, all those years ago he pledged Loyalty to the bitter end.
Tok'al Torkin[rat name]
Dur Roundrat[Human name]
