Post by bloodalchemist on Feb 28, 2015 18:32:38 GMT -5
Mara has been seen often of late, sitting in the pews before the shrine. Often looking over maps and other documents, she seems far more at ease in the temple than anywhere else. One morning though she arrives early, devoid of her usual armor and arms, wearing only a simple tunic bearing the symbol of the Ironsworn. Her hair still wet from a wash, she looks younger than usual. She nods to the priestess, moving to the shrine and taking a knee. Memories rush to her mind, years spent fighting, a few wars and many battles with the local monsters spread across cormyr. Nearly always, she had been at the front, even those few times she had found herself in command Mara had lead by example and fought where ever the battle was thickest. Now, she would send others to fight, able to only hope that their training and natural skill would see them through. Strange, she thought to herself, the places life could lead a simple soldier. Raising her gaze to the shrine itself, she speaks quietly.
"Lady, I hope you will listen to this soldier's prayer. I was born to be a soldier, from a young age my father prepared me for life in a violent and hostile world. I was taught honor, duty and discipline as soon as I could be made to understand the words themselves. I have known little else until recent years and even as a sellsword, not much has changed for me. Never did the responsibilities feel too much to bear. Always though, I have felt the need for something more."
She pulls the chain around her neck from under her tunic, several charms and holy symbols of various make hanging from it in an odd collection. She turns over and old symbol of Torm, the silver tarnished with age and neglect. A symbol of Hoar, made by her own hand from cold iron, its surface worn smooth over recent years. Of scrimshaw, a beautifully carved symbol of Tempus. Other jewelry, rings of bone and wood, gold and other precious metals, each a reminder of some oath or time in her life. Finally she caresses a newly carved ruby, shaped into a knight's piece.
"I find myself at another crossroads in my life, and this one stranger to me than any other. I never imagined myself more than a soldier with a bit more than her share of good luck. Even after all the events of the last few years, still in my heart I felt myself nothing more, nothing less than a good soldier. Now I must be a leader. I must teach and train other soldiers, as I myself learn what it is to lead. Not only from the front but also send some of them into battles that I cannot take part in directly. For the first time since I was a girl and felt the sting of my fathers wooden practice sword, I feel weak and powerless. Especially now with my own past deeds earning the ire of the crowns' servants, I am not sure I am capable of bearing such a heavy responsibility."
Mara pauses, wiping her eyes as she takes a breath.
"I beg of you, accept this soldier's plee for aid. Allow me the chance to lead and serve these men and women as they deserve. Aid me in preparing them to stand together against the world, for our enemies are many. Guide me to be a wiser more patient leader than I was as just another sellsword."
"I have felt a calling in the recent weeks, one that has urged me to take a step back, to take the time to critique my own flaws and weaknesses. They are many my Lady, as I am sure you know. I think I have changed in recent months though. Though I have worshiped many gods, never have I felt tied to them. I feel I have found in your ways a clear path forward, one close to my own heart. I swear to follow your examples and serve the men and women under my command to the best of my ability. Just give me this chance and I swear to give them and you, everything that I have."
Mara falls silent, closing her eyes as she holds the knight's piece. She remains kneeling in front of the altar for a long time.
"Lady, I hope you will listen to this soldier's prayer. I was born to be a soldier, from a young age my father prepared me for life in a violent and hostile world. I was taught honor, duty and discipline as soon as I could be made to understand the words themselves. I have known little else until recent years and even as a sellsword, not much has changed for me. Never did the responsibilities feel too much to bear. Always though, I have felt the need for something more."
She pulls the chain around her neck from under her tunic, several charms and holy symbols of various make hanging from it in an odd collection. She turns over and old symbol of Torm, the silver tarnished with age and neglect. A symbol of Hoar, made by her own hand from cold iron, its surface worn smooth over recent years. Of scrimshaw, a beautifully carved symbol of Tempus. Other jewelry, rings of bone and wood, gold and other precious metals, each a reminder of some oath or time in her life. Finally she caresses a newly carved ruby, shaped into a knight's piece.
"I find myself at another crossroads in my life, and this one stranger to me than any other. I never imagined myself more than a soldier with a bit more than her share of good luck. Even after all the events of the last few years, still in my heart I felt myself nothing more, nothing less than a good soldier. Now I must be a leader. I must teach and train other soldiers, as I myself learn what it is to lead. Not only from the front but also send some of them into battles that I cannot take part in directly. For the first time since I was a girl and felt the sting of my fathers wooden practice sword, I feel weak and powerless. Especially now with my own past deeds earning the ire of the crowns' servants, I am not sure I am capable of bearing such a heavy responsibility."
Mara pauses, wiping her eyes as she takes a breath.
"I beg of you, accept this soldier's plee for aid. Allow me the chance to lead and serve these men and women as they deserve. Aid me in preparing them to stand together against the world, for our enemies are many. Guide me to be a wiser more patient leader than I was as just another sellsword."
"I have felt a calling in the recent weeks, one that has urged me to take a step back, to take the time to critique my own flaws and weaknesses. They are many my Lady, as I am sure you know. I think I have changed in recent months though. Though I have worshiped many gods, never have I felt tied to them. I feel I have found in your ways a clear path forward, one close to my own heart. I swear to follow your examples and serve the men and women under my command to the best of my ability. Just give me this chance and I swear to give them and you, everything that I have."
Mara falls silent, closing her eyes as she holds the knight's piece. She remains kneeling in front of the altar for a long time.
