Sun's Blessings to every Corner of Khorvaire.
With the recent holiday on my mind, it was with a heavy heart that I stepped into the memorial square in Starilaskur. As I read name after name carved into the stone of those lost on that fateful day in 916 YK, I came across an elderly man in a wheelchair.
"Earnest", as I will call him due to his request for anonymity, is one of the rarest creatures in all of Khorvaire: A retired veteran of the Last War. He joined the Brelish army at the age of 17 and is now enjoying his retirement at the age of 73.
Having nothing much else to do this layover, I sat with "Earnest" for the better part of the day. He was more than happy to tell me of the exploits of his colleagues. To talk up those who were lost during the War. But, towards the end, I finally worked up the courage to ask him the most relevant question every soldier must face. "Why did you join up to fight?"
The question hung in the air for what seemed like forever. Until, tearfully, "Earnest" finally said the two words that jolted me enough to write this story.
"I'm Thranian." He said.
Shocked, I asked for clarification.
In a hushed voice, "Earnest" swore me to secrecy. Telling me his story of being a young man in Thrane as he reached the age of 17. Old enough to join the army. His father and uncle sat him down to convince him he should join. They told him the story about how they were part of the attacking force on that Sun's Blessing oh so long ago. Disgusted by this confession, that his own blood had darkened the light of Dol Arrah, "Earnest" left home that very night. He crossed the border under cover of darkness to Starilaskur and joined the City Watch the very next day, hoping to rectify the pain of his family's past.
Thank you for your service "Earnest". Even old wounds can be healed by those seeking to bring the light to the Corners of Khorvaire.
Genbo Santor d'Sivis
(Author's note: This author has already used House-Sivis-Approved mnemonic techniques to remove "Earnest"'s real name from their mind.)
