Hail to Thee, Traveller!

n my travel to the Despise region I walked through the large desert to visit the Shrine of Compassion and speak a prayer. The growing sun burned down on my head and made me sweat under my green cloak. A passing giant scorpion - it was the first I had ever seen - died quickly by the blows of my heavy axe. Finally I reached the oasis with the shrine, a peaceful spot in the middle of the desert.
What I saw there made me wonder: A simple dressed man named Angwyn stood beside the ankhs. In front of him lay a brown bag and a book in the dust. What did that mean? I asked him a few questions, but he didn't react. His eyes were closed tightly and he seemed to be in some state of trance.
I bowed down and took a closer look at the book. When I read what was written down with a trembling hand on the yellowed pages I felt pity with the poor man. This is what the book said:

'Hail to thee, traveller!

Thou hast found me standing here with all mine belongings crammed into this one bag. Feel free to take all thou dost want!
My life has been destroyed, my house has been looted, my friends have betrayed me and my only loyal companion has been killed.
There is nothing left in this once so challenging world that would make my life worth living anymore.
I decided to be standing here for some period of time, meditating and retreating into a deep inner slumber. When I be back again and find that thou, traveller, hast not taken anything of mine belongings, I maybe will decide to live on. Because this be a sign that there still art some noble amongst us who art worth living and dying for.
If anything of mine belongings wert taken away, I will thrust a dagger into my heart and never return upon the beautiful green meadows of Britannia again.

It be thou who dost decide upon my destiny.
Forgive me for mine compassion, but tis the only way for me to live and die.'

As I opened the bag, I saw what his belongings were. It was not much what destiny had left him in his unlucky life.
But what could I do? Then Lizarda, a loyal friend, passed by. She was very touched by the story as well, so we decided to guard his bag until he would wake up again.
I really could imagine how this guy must be feeling, for I had experienced similar things during my yet so young life in Britannia. This world was ruled mainly by the selfish, the greedy and the evil.

After a while some other persons joined us.

Angela, the Lady of Honesty of the Virtue Lords appeared. Also Rainer Zufall and Caligula Minus entered the scene. Together we discussed the situation and came to the conclusion that we could do nothing but wait and watch the bag.
Later Sir Parzival arrived and told us some stories about hunting, then he left again.
I was astonished that all those present felt pity with this desperate soul and wanted to help him. This world Britannia was not as evil as it was said to be, you just have too look for the good and just with your open eyes.

A long time was passing and nothing happened. I wondered how we all would react, if someone came by and stole the bag...
Then Angela had a really good idea. She summoned elementals and ordered them to guard the bag. So anyone trying to take it away would be smashed to pieces. Angwyn still meditated and spoke the mantra of the shrine.
I wrapped myself tightly into my coat, for the nights in the desert can be very chilly. The night passed by slowly, and as the sunbeams fell on the white sand of the desert again, Angwyn suddenly seemed to wake up.

He seemed very surprised seeing all the people standing around him, and as he looked pessimistically in his bag, he was more than astounded. Not a single piece was missing! I think he even cried a tear for he had expected not to see the sun of Britannia again. He thanked us overwhelmingly for he had now experienced the true friendship.

The others finally had to leave again, and Angela invited Angwyn and me to visit her house and be her guest for a while.
The property of the Lords of Virtue was beautiful. It was quiet and peaceful, and the house was modestly equipped but mystical despite.
I still can taste the flavor of the wine that had been offered to me.

Again this was a day I never would forget in my humble life.

03/98

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