Sitting astride his mighty warhorse, Tuergar Trueheart, an Elvish mercenary, rode back towards the city. He had been riding for days, four days to get to Roriskstead, and now four days back. And that wasn't counting the days he spent in and around that little village, learning all he could about the Hegna the Witch, and then tracking her, and setting in motion his cunning plans that lead to her defeat.
Trueheart was an excellent horseman, as are all Elves. But, his tall, slender frame was gently slumped in the saddle. His braided hair fell in caresses around his shoulders, all a deep dark rich brown, except for the single silver lock robbed of all pigment by the splash of blood from a basilisk. Trueheart wore a studded leather jerkin, and dun-coloured woollen hose. He was no longer an Elf on a mission, but a warrior returning from battle. This quest had taken time, energy, and the life of his companion, Simon the Simple. It was with a very heavy heart Tuergar turned his face to the citadel.
It was time to return to the city and claim his payment from the Dynast, Arik the Delegator. Arik had been a mercenary herself, but on the death of her mother, she had inherited her enormous fortune, the result of quest to capture a dragon's hoard. From the sea to the far mountains, Arik was the ruler of all. Although no longer a mercenary, but she put her training to good used, and put out quests to competitive tendering. Trueheart's tender had been 999 pieces of gold, a single coin under his rival's bid.
The travel, the quest, the mighty battle, and the death of his friend had left a deep weariness in Trueheart's bones. He wanted to drink mead in a snug little tavern. He wanted to watch the serving women dance their intricate waltz around the tables, delivering food, collecting empty tankards, and keeping out of reach of roving hands. He wanted to sleep in a bed once more, rather than curled in a blanket on the ground beside his horse. He wanted this journey done.
Along the valley, Trueheart rode, and circled around a hill. Rising up before him, he saw the shining city, gleaming white marble. A few more miles, and a tankard of mead would be his.
Ahead lay a high stone bridge, spanning a narrow, but deep river. A furtive movement near the bridge caused Trueheart to be instantly on the alert. An Orc! A creature with a fearsome reputation.
Trueheart grabbed his sword and charged at the Orc. Borgog turned to face the horse and rider, ducking at the last moment. Trueheart’s sword hit the stonework of the bridge and flew out of his hand. The Orc reached up and dragged Trueheart from the saddle. Together they fought until Trueheart reached out his hand to push the Orc off the bridge.
(pause)
The dungeon master clears his throat. "Hold on a minute. Roll the dice to see if your character is strong enough to push the Orc over the parapet." The D20 rattles in the dice box, and it is flung out onto the table. A one!
The corners of the dungeon master's mouth twitch almost imperceptibly. "One!", he says, with a smidge of glee. "Instead of pushing the Orc off the bridge, you lightly caress his back. He is uncomfortable. The Orc reflexively reaches out to crush your larynx in response." The DM scoops up the dice and rolls again. "One!, this time with more than a hint of glee. A tiny cackle escapes his lips. "The Orc gently strokes your hair."
(pause)
Years and several critical failures later, Tuergar Trueheart, thinks back to how he met his husband, Borgog, Scourge of the Thundercaves, and chuckles. A different time, to be sure. He goes back to weeding their vegetable garden.
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I came across a wee story on the interwebs about Trueheart and Borgog. It was just the bit from 'reached out his hand to push the Orc off the bridge'. It felt like the conclusion of a story, not a story in itself, and the names seemed the wrong way round.
Never having being part of the Dungeons and Dragons crowd I didn't know what might have happened to Trueheart and Borgog before their chance meeting on the bridge. Over lunch today, I probed The Beloved and The Younger Offspring and built a scenario based on their responses.
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