T'Moria Hawkwing
The days rushed by, as T'Moria learned her skills. Gold was scarce, and when she arrive in the Realm, she had only 100 pieces. It came as a shock to find that the shopkeepers of Skara had inflated the prices of their goods to the point she was unable to purchase even a loaf of bread AND a wedge of cheese. She had no scissors, nor knife or dagger. She quickly learned to check out every pack or item dropped on the ground around the banks. She learned to ask politely, if the item belonged to anyone, and if no one claim the item she quickly tossed it in to the bank.
She struggled to feed herself, and found that the shopkeepers would not even buy the few things she was able to gather. It wasn't until her third week that one of the crafters who frequented the Bank of Skara told her that if she wanted to make a little gold, he would buy what cloth T'Moria made. With that knowledge she gathered as much wool and cotton that she could and started making the cloth in the Skara tailor shop.
It soon became evident that she needed more than just the companionship of the citizens of Skara and the other towns of the Realm. One evening, as she was returning from her chores at the tailor shop, one of the Knights of the Round Table told her that they were recruiting. If she was willing to work hard, the knight said she would take her to meet with Lord Py Lythius...(My Lord, if ye read these lines, please excuse this old mind if I have spell yer name wrong. Tis been a long while since these memories have visited there.)
T'Moria was overjoyed..to be a KNIGHT!!!...to be part of one of the strongest forces of the time...her answer was of course a resounding AYE!
(Here, I am ashamed to say, that the Lady Knight's name is beyond my remembering...but she was a brave soul and became T'Moria's mentor and confidant.)
T'Moria told me of riding out with the Lady Knight, of traveling south and a little east of Skara toward the cliff's. The Land of the Knights was called Avalon, and the keep that housed the guild stone was below the Minax Faction stronghold. She told of the feelings she had that day, of the self doubts, of her excitement. When they rode to the steps of the keep, the lady knight called out for Lord Py.
T'Moria's heart was in her throat, she had heard of this knight. He was the Champion of Justice; he and the Knights of the Round Table made right the wrongs done to the innocents of the Realm, bringing the brigands and murderers to the only justice understood in that wild land. DEATH!
He stood on the steps of Avalon Keep, dress in a snow white robe, with hair the color of silver with a beard to match, and a face that had seen much, and not all seen was pleasant. And when he spoke, the cliffs trembled and echoed his voice. "T'Moria Hawkwing, Do I understand correctly that ye wish to join our ranks? Lord Py stood at parade rest, his hand hidden behind his back, his look stern. T'Moria barely squeaked out her answer.."aye me Lord...tis my wish to become a knight." So intimidated she was, her legs would not support her, she nearly fell several times. Lord Py grilled her as to her intentions, what her dreams and goals were, were did she see herself in 4 months.
(I pause here, to shed a tear or so, for Avalon has fallen, the keep stands no more. It was lost two winters pass, when the original owner Lord Rigrovan left Avalon forever. It was Rigrovan and friends who actually founded Avalon and the Knights, but the Spirit World snatched them away, sending them to a far away land called Iraq...some returned changed, some never returned.)
T'Moria Hawkwing learned that she would not join the knights until she had proven her loyalty to the group. She would become a Serf of the Round Table. It was the duties of the serfs to keep the supplies stocked to over flowing, and each Serf was encourage to help others through out the realm as well as travel the roads collecting the items need for the guild itself. An each week, a report was to be sent to Lord Py, or the Sargent-at- Arms of the guild.
After explaining her duties as a Serf, Lord Py Introduced her to the Mayor of the Serfs. (Again I have reach a point that T'Moria cannot remember the name of this fine gentleman. She does remember him saying goodbye several years ago. He closed his houses and retired his honorable self, retiring to the Spirit World. He Has taken a trip in the name of the true GOD, He who has made all. The last word I have heard of him he was in Africa, teaching and preaching to the needy there. I have had no word since his last post...I pray he is well.
T'Moria loved the work of working for the guild. She herded the cattle and hunted the bear and harts, collecting hides and meats. And since she was a tailor, it was one of her duties to keep armor chests full. The meat was handed over to one who cooked.....Although, on Feast Days, T'Moria made special dishes that some of the knights requested...like Mongbat stew. When cooked right and slowly, this was a dish fit for royalty. Rich with onions and garlic, and a pinch of this and a dash of that...t'was her secret recipe.
It was when she finally had proven herself worthy of knighthood, that she met the Mages of Avalon. Wildfire was chief among them. and he was another that T'Moria was in awe of. She loved watching the training of the knights and mages. On One occasion, it was decided to ride to New Jhelom to train...on the CHESS BOARD!! There was to be a game of BATTLE CHESS.
Lord Py and Wildfire were the 'kings' and were to choose their pawns and such. T'Moria ended up on Lord Py's side of the board. And her training had including both fencing and magery...The last thing she remember of that night was seeing Wildfire fall just as she had released a corp por...and she was given the 'kill.'
It was not long after that that T'Moria finally had enough gold to purchase her first house. A sandstone workshop....Perfect for a tailor in training. There had been a small house plot 2 doors down from the keep. Her home became known as the Tailor of Avalon's shop.
