The Pre-Guild Tale of Willihard Redwood, Sheriff-Hero

My name is Willihard Redwood. I was a simple Halfling sheriff, for I had proven myself the most capable fighter in my small farming village of Stormvalley. However, that did not prepare me for what would happen that day.

Farmers from the eastern fields would come running in to village, screaming that monsters approached from the mountains. I gathered my small militia, men with pitchforks and that threw stones, and rode atop my pony in my sheriff's uniform to the edge of the village were we hastily prepared makeshift walls of tavern tables and the townsfolk's furniture. I was afraid, with a sling at my hip and a short sword that had been passed down the line of sheriff's for generations. My pony was already threatening to bolt from the tension in the air. She was no warhorse, and was mostly just a sign of the office and to help me look official. I'd eventually tie her to a nearby fence and stand amongst my fellows.

Our walls were no match. They crashed through them, slaughtered the townsfolk as they turned to flee, the lines broken instantly, and began to set the village to torch. I'd been pinned under a rather large table that had the creature I stabbed with my sword dead upon it. I could do nothing.

That was when they appeared. In acts of heroism and feats of mysticism they vanquished the beings who threatened to destroy our way of life with the very same ease they destroyed us.

I remember the delicate slipper, and looking up to behold the tall, powerful; beautiful elven woman in gorgeous robes that stood there. I remember, as one of those fowl creatures charged her, he suddenly stopped. He was bewitched by her beauty (Pink: or she was a School of Enchantment Wizard... ), and remained there until he was slain by one of her fellows. She carried herself with no softness, no kindness; with a regal air that demanded all about her submit to her superiority.

I was mesmerized by her.

I was eventually freed from where I lay, and the heroes of the day, save her, assisted us in repairing what we could of the village, and in honoring the fallen. She always looked to the horizon, looking distant as if hearing things that weren't there. She insisted the guild required their immediate return, and that they were wasting time.

I thought about what might have happened if they'd delayed elsewhere before coming here. We'd have been slaughtered, and our village razed. The rest of the town, and even her fellows, resented her callous nature, but I understood. One night, I came to her in the evening, when we all partook in their farewell feast, and with it a tray of food. She regarded me with a cold stare, and thanked me cordially for the meal. I overcame my fear, and thanked for what she'd done for us, explaining I understood why she acted the way she did, and how it was surely because of her that she made it on time to save our village.

It was the first time I'd seen her smile. It was a slight thing, like a cunning creature smirking in amusement at the feeble machinations of inferior prey, but it was there. She told me that it was refreshing to finally find someone who understood, and handed me a badge of cold, black iron. She said that, if I ever sought to aid others as she had aided us, to present this badge at the gate of the guild, and they would know to allow me entrance.

I thought about it for three months afterwards. I thought that I'd done so secretly, as I spoke to no one about my brooding. However, when I finally spoke to someone about the thing that haunted my thoughts, they simply went, "About time!" They encouraged me, and assured me the town felt the same. I verified this to be true. They helped me pack, gave me stories of the area to keep me safe, and bestowed upon me the sword of the sheriff. They told me that, so long as I protected the world they lived in, that I was worthy of the blade of office; that I was the pride of the village.

I didn't know why. I was the only one to kill one of those creatures, but I'd failed to protect the town. I'd served as sheriff, but that had more to do with dreams of being like the legends I was told of as a child than any sort of skill, though I was certainly the most skilled in my small village.

I departed after a great celebration. I was Willihard Redwood of Stormvalley, Sheriff-Hero. I felt like a fraud, and swore to myself that day I'd bring truth to their claim.

Little did I know I'd get lost with a wrong turn in the Dragonback Mountains. I'd wander those mountains, trying to find any sign of life or path as I tried to find my way towards the guild the elven wizard had spoken of.

That's when the earth began to tremble. In my fear I hid beneath a bush, sword out, ready to for everything and nothing. The crash like thunder nearly deafened my ears as a foot as large as several homes in my village appeared before me. I'd look up and see a being who pierced the sky with her figure. I was instantly smitten, the fool I am.

I followed her. At first, I remained as hidden as I could. However her steps were many of my own, and soon I was having to run just to keep up. At times she would slow, and I would stand panting at her side.

Then a voice, which echoed across the mountains and caused the grass to shake in the wake of it's bellow thundered in my ears, "It will not be my fault if I accidentally crush you if you stand underfoot little man."

I attempted to compliment her. I nearly died. However, after her rage subsided, rather than flee, I apologized, but insisted in the sincerity of my claims. She then told me her name was Skye.

I lost track of the time as we traveled. She spoke very little, as her words were thunderous and I'd have to cover my ears, so I filled the silence, and she showed she appreciated my company in other ways. She'd lift me towards the heavens, where the air was a bitter cold and so thin you didn't feel you'd taken a breath no matter how deeply you breathed. Your mind begins to fade as you stand too close to the stars. I'd ride upon her shoulder, and see the world far below me. I'd hold tightly against her, pretending it was out of fear.

I loved her.

Then one day she gave a distant look to the horizon, as if seeing something I did not see, or hearing something I did not time. She'd put me down on the ground, and tell me where she went I could not follow, and that she would return. She touched my chest, and I felt a great force, like a storm cloud, forced inside me. My eyes would grow wide as I doubled over. She'd touch me as gently as she was able with a single finger, and told me that I would feel her storm when she returned.

Then she left.

I had not noticed, so high up upon her shoulder, but on the ground I saw a town on the horizon. I'd travel there, and they would show me on my map where I was, and where I was to go.

Thus I departed: sword at my side, badge hidden beneath my shirt, destiny upon my shoulders, and with a storm in my heart.