Role

Chapter 5

Gahtho took a slow walk through the Village today as the rain fell softly
from the sky. Not simply passing through or sitting around drinking ale and
listening to the drums but a slow and observant walk. He passed by many types
of huts. Some had trophies of skulls outside of their entrance, others had
piles of bones outside. Some polished, others still had decaying flesh
clinging to them. He remembered the first time he entered this Village and
smelled the scent of death and decay, now it simply smells like home. A few
huts had so many skulls they had begun to line the outside of their huts
almost like walls. Some were square, some round. A few were raised off the
ground. One thing they all did have in common is that Gahtho watched each of
them be built. He realized then that he was the eldest of the Village, aside
from Grime and the others that act in a more supportive role in their old
age.

Gahtho thought back at his path, of all the great warriors who have come and
gone. Djabree, the silent killer. He was a deadly one but was never much for
words. His best friend Charunycain, his life was fast and hard. Gahtho still
misses him. Gahtho spent a good deal of his younger life, just like
Charunycain did, without a place in the Village. For awhile the Commander was
unseen, perhaps on some pilgrimage or something. After the passing of
Djabree, Charunycain, and the rise of the former Commander to the heavens,
Gahtho has again found himself alone for some time. Now there are new
warriors rising through their guilds, some finally reaching a stage similar
to Gahtho and being able to aide in the wars better. Things are looking good
but now the Village is without a Commander. Soon the drums of war will sound
and the horns will echo through the ruins, the rites will be called and a new
Commander found. He considered the teachings of his goddess as he walked and
noted how much he has learned and changed. Perhaps one day he will have the
honor of wearing her mark upon his flesh.

Alone has seemed to be a common theme through Gahthos life since the time he
lost his loves. The only one that seems to have been there the whole time is
his patroness, Lady Ysaloerye. He still mourns his family and at times he
can even still find tears when he sits alone on a dark night but for the most
part they have run dry. His patience for others runs short and he finds
himself becoming annoyed with the young more often. Perhaps it is age or
perhaps the war has simply taken its toll on him, hardening him from getting
to close to others.

Perhaps he has simply become a bloodied veteran in this war.