Colliding Destinies

Lysander Swiftwind

Born on 593 PS in a small village located in the foothills of Corson Mountain, Lysander Swiftwind is a human who, from a young age, was taught that the world is a beautiful place. He was taught that all life is precious and deserves protection.

At the age of 15, he was taught a much different lesson. a gang of raiders had begun riding through the town demanding "protection money." his family endured this for a month before a village council meeting was held to talk about the weekly tribute.

"There will not be enough for tribute this week. Search your homes, under your beds, your drawers, anything that is worth anything. There will be consequences if we are short."

Lysander stands up to face his elders. "Why are you paying them tribute at all? we should muster our might and fight them, Better yet, one of us ride to Milmond and bring the Crownsguard to help us fight."

An elder by the name of Dimitri stands and speaks. "Do not speak of what you know nothing of boy. It would take our best horse three weeks to ride to Milmond, and that is assuming that there is no trouble on the trip there, not to mention the trip back."

Lysander gets angry. "And what of the mountain villages? surely they can provide aid."

Dimitri speaks again. "Our best course of action is to gather this week's tribute and go from there."

Lysander huffs his frustration. "And what of next week!? We will never be able to pacify our subjugators indefinitely! If you all are too cowardly to do something about this plague, then let me go and get help."

He doesn't wait for an answer before storming out.

he finds himself in his backyard wailing on a punching bag. Not paying attention, he strikes the bag with his thumb on the inside of his hand. "FUCK!"

A gentle hand lays on his shoulder. He looks over to see his mother. "let me see."
He looks down and lifts his hand to her. She inspects his hand telling him to try and stretch his fingers out straight.

After he does this, she speaks. "It isn't broken but you'll want to lay off the bag for a while."

He sighs. "How can they just lay down and take this? Those bastards are going to kill us anyway and these old graybeards are going to make sure it happens by not looking for help or letting us help ourselves by fighting."

The sound of horses rings out through the village and Lysander gets up and runs, followed by his mother, to the front of town where he finds the elders and a group of villagers standing facing the raider group.

The robust man in the front dismounts his horse and walks towards the Elder. He inspects the box of valuables and food. "This is less than half of what you gave last time. we offer you our protection, and this is how you thank us?"

The Elder stumbles over his words. "T-this is a-all t-that could be spared. w-we still n-need to eat f-for ourselves."

The Raider captain reaches out suddenly and grabs Lysander's mother by the hair. "Provocation demands consequence".

He goes for his dagger but is interrupted when Lysander yells out. "NO!" He throws himself at the man who loses his grip on Lysander's mother.

Lysander is pulled back by his arms and is held still by two raiders.

The raider captain gets up and punches him several times in the gut as his mother weeps for her son.

He stands and speaks. "This is what happens?! You dare to offer me meager tribute as this and then am openly attacked when am about to justly deliver the consequence of this transgression against me!"