Role

Chapter 3

Xalic spoke to the captain and told his story. After long discussions Xalic found himself to be a
squire. What a joyous day for Xalic. He immediately went to his family home where he
discovered a social gathering of his extended family. He had not been invited, which was not
usual for the times. He spoke of the pledge he made to join the Fortress and his mother and
father immediately began munching on some pie on the table, but it may as well been
humble pie. Some of the extended family were not even aware there were squire and maran
assassins before. The day turned in to celebration as finally Xalic was no longer seen as the
black sheep of the family but now a becan, soldier and protector of the light.

Xalic now at home in the great fortress, took to study the ways of the squires, scribes,
acolytes and marans. He was interested in the relationship with fire as fire always remained
on his mind. He learnt that the source came from the god Shokai and his phoenix banner and
now marans are the spirit of fire and wrath. Indeed the guardian Maran Tara'Bal, where
Maran means wrath, Tara means spirit and Bal means fire. For all time, marans can heal from
fire itself. One day when the fortress was raided by enemies, Xalic noticed the
absorb some energy from fire. This perplexed him for he continued to live with the trauma
that fire hurt him and so badly. Yet he remained attracted to the light, the heat and the color.

Xalic was exploring with another one of the light, known as Fauques. They were below
the depths in a place of great evil. They fought creatures called aboleths. They were
fighting one, an elder in fact and had almost killed it, but also Fauques was very hurt.
To Xalic's surprise the Elder Aboleth placed his charm on his mind and attempted to
control it and take his virtue. He was unable to flee from the creature. The Aboleth
forced Xalic to attack Fauques and he hit him once. Unfortunately this gave the
opportunity for the Elder Aboleth to finish off and kill Xalic's friend. Xalic did not
swing the final blow, but upon Fauques' death he felt that he had contributed. While
Xalic takes time to reflect upon this action and he plans to make amends in a way
personal, Xalic reported this to the Fortreess by scroll as to serve as a warning to all
about the lengths that the wicked will go to in their attempts to destroy us.