Bakslash
06-30-2004, 05:13 PM
His earliest memory was that of sitting next to his grandfather on a wagon traveling as part of a band of entertainers going from town to town. Bakslash knew that his grandfather wasn't his grandfather by blood but a kindly old gentleman with a tan complexion who took an unknown boy under his wings. Bakslash never asked about where he came from and frankly he didn't care all that much. Orphaned children were not uncommon on the frontier towns and he considered himself lucky to be alive.
As they traveled, his grandfather would tell him stories of the far-away land that was the grandfather's homeland. It was a mysterious place filled with legends of heroes and monsters. Grandfather was a gifted storyteller who brought those legends to life, so Bakslash grew up with the images of great warriors able to defeat skeleton monsters with their bare hands and swordsmen able to blind their opponents with one swing of their blades.
One day, a girl appeared next to Bakslash as he rode with his grandfather. Bakslash only remembers as they were about to set off on the day's ride that Kethry climbed on board their wagon and sat herself next to him. Bakslash have never seen this girl before, but grandfather didn't say a word and all Bakslash could do was stare. Kethry simply ignored Bak as they rode. She would occasionally speak with grandfather, and even though Bak sat between the two, she appeared to look right through him as if he didn't exists.
Eventually, Kethry did acknowledge Bak's existence and although she was of a younger age she had a habit of telling Bak what to do, which he found very annoying. Yet, for some reason, he ended up doing what she said and it wasn't long before it felt to Bak that Kethry has been with him all his life.
When their travels brought them to Bastok, grandfather declared that they would spend some time there. The entertainers set up their tents not far from the city walls, but instead of preparing for their show as they normally would, grandfather pulled Kethry and Bak aside and told them the devastating news. Grandfather told them that he and the rest of the entertainers must return to their homeland, but that they can't take Ket and Bak with them.
"You two have grown and are ready to see the world with your own eyes," grandfather told them. "This old man has very little now that he can offer you. Bakslash, Kethry is young but wise so at least try to listen to her once-in-a-while."
Grandfather then took the two to one of the tents but it wasn't filled with the usual props for their shows. "I will teach Bakslash some of what I know of martial arts so he may protect you, Kethry. And I will teach you some skills with the sword and the art of healing for when he can't and gets into trouble."
Their training was not easy and was filled with sadness knowing that its conclusion means saying goodbye to their grandfather. When the day finally arrived, grandfather gave each a hug and walked them to the gates of Bastok. "I will know of your adventures and one day we will meet again. We will dance and put on a show for our audience again. Until that time, be strong, be good, and do not forget the lessons I have taught you," said grandfather.
Grandfather then turned Ket and Bak so that they faced the mighty gates of Bastok and gently nudge them forward. Afraid to look back, the two marched into the Bastok and a new unknown world. As they passed through the gates, they heard a mighty roar and looked up. A strange ship bearing the marking of grandfather's traveling troupe soared into the air above Bastok and disappeared into the sky.
As they traveled, his grandfather would tell him stories of the far-away land that was the grandfather's homeland. It was a mysterious place filled with legends of heroes and monsters. Grandfather was a gifted storyteller who brought those legends to life, so Bakslash grew up with the images of great warriors able to defeat skeleton monsters with their bare hands and swordsmen able to blind their opponents with one swing of their blades.
One day, a girl appeared next to Bakslash as he rode with his grandfather. Bakslash only remembers as they were about to set off on the day's ride that Kethry climbed on board their wagon and sat herself next to him. Bakslash have never seen this girl before, but grandfather didn't say a word and all Bakslash could do was stare. Kethry simply ignored Bak as they rode. She would occasionally speak with grandfather, and even though Bak sat between the two, she appeared to look right through him as if he didn't exists.
Eventually, Kethry did acknowledge Bak's existence and although she was of a younger age she had a habit of telling Bak what to do, which he found very annoying. Yet, for some reason, he ended up doing what she said and it wasn't long before it felt to Bak that Kethry has been with him all his life.
When their travels brought them to Bastok, grandfather declared that they would spend some time there. The entertainers set up their tents not far from the city walls, but instead of preparing for their show as they normally would, grandfather pulled Kethry and Bak aside and told them the devastating news. Grandfather told them that he and the rest of the entertainers must return to their homeland, but that they can't take Ket and Bak with them.
"You two have grown and are ready to see the world with your own eyes," grandfather told them. "This old man has very little now that he can offer you. Bakslash, Kethry is young but wise so at least try to listen to her once-in-a-while."
Grandfather then took the two to one of the tents but it wasn't filled with the usual props for their shows. "I will teach Bakslash some of what I know of martial arts so he may protect you, Kethry. And I will teach you some skills with the sword and the art of healing for when he can't and gets into trouble."
Their training was not easy and was filled with sadness knowing that its conclusion means saying goodbye to their grandfather. When the day finally arrived, grandfather gave each a hug and walked them to the gates of Bastok. "I will know of your adventures and one day we will meet again. We will dance and put on a show for our audience again. Until that time, be strong, be good, and do not forget the lessons I have taught you," said grandfather.
Grandfather then turned Ket and Bak so that they faced the mighty gates of Bastok and gently nudge them forward. Afraid to look back, the two marched into the Bastok and a new unknown world. As they passed through the gates, they heard a mighty roar and looked up. A strange ship bearing the marking of grandfather's traveling troupe soared into the air above Bastok and disappeared into the sky.