Faith Morningstar
I crested a hill and, in the distance, lay a small settlement. It rested at the foot of what looked like some kind of castle, meaning this place likely retained some remnant of civilization. Reaching down, I grabbed and took a deep draw from my water-skin, after wiping my mouth, I weighed what little water remained in the skin and took a mental inventory of my other supplies.
Winter was already creeping along the horizon, a pale wolf hungry to reclaim the world once more. Thunder rumbled dully in the distance, and as much as I needed to keep moving, I wasn't going to get far without supplies. "One night." I promised myself, "Just one."
I made the hike down into the depths of this little valley, my boots worn, the soles cracked and thin. My cloak, a thing made from the hide of something large and hoofed, was matted and torn, offering little to shield me from the howling winds. My road, ever winding, had kept me from settlements like this for far too long.
As I reached the outskirts of this settlement, it was clear the people here were preparing for some kind of celebration. Colorful displays of flowers, banners, and dozens of flags adorned many of the wooden and thatched buildings. Children ran through the street, holding rainbow colored pinwheels that spun rapidly as they ran. It had been a long time since I had seen such a spectacle and couldn't help but smile.
I followed the familiar scent of a nearby tannery, and as I entered the shop, the older man behind the counter smiled. "Ah! Welcome and merry Summers Eve to you traveler."
"Is that what all the pageantry I've seen is about?"
"Of course! We celebrate in the name of the still Echo. May he be ever watchful."
I nodded. This was not the first time I'd encountered those who worshiped Quietus.
"Bastions like these are rare. The last few settlements I've seen were long since consumed by shadow. You must feel blessed to be so well protected."
"You must have seen the cloister on the hill on your way in. The Paladins within have defended our village for countless generations. So we couldn't be happier to aid our protectors."
"So this festival involves some kind tribute to your protectors?"
"For our protection, the Paladins ask for a modest tithe, both in Echo dust and in the bodies and bones of our fallen kin."
I nodded again, "On that note, I am in need of a new cloak and a decent pair of boots."
"If you have the dust, I'd be happy to prepare these items for you."
I pulled out a pouch heavy with dust and dropped it on the counter. "Remnants of Theia. A being of sight."
He cocked an eyebrow and slowly opened the pouch. "So much…" How did you acquire this?"
"My methods are my own, but you can be sure it's pure."
He licked his pinky and dabbed his finger into the ashen powder before returning his finger to his mouth. He held still, eyes closed, and when his eyes opened again, his irises brightened with a golden hue. "I can not remember the last time I've encountered such potent dust."
"Three ounces should be enough, yes?"
"Three? Well, yes, of course. I'd be a fool to turn you down!"
"I hope my generosity can afford me a level of discretion on your part."
"Discretion?"
"I value my privacy, sir."
"Oh! Of course, of course. In the name of the silent echo, I shall strive to be his equal."
"How long till my order can be filled?"
"I have many other orders to contend with, but I will strive to fulfill your order by the end of the festival in two nights' time."
I sighed, "If that's the best you can offer, I'll accept."
After measuring out his cut, I retrieved my pouch and stepped outside. The sun was slowly caressing the valleys upper most level, casting long shadows across the landscape. It was time for me to seek out some form of shelter, and then by tomorrow night, I could be back on the road. If I were forced to stay anywhere, at least here, I could enjoy whatever festival awaited me.
The local inn was easy enough to spot, being one of the largest buildings in the small village. I needed to dip into my pouch once again, but I secured lodging and food with little effort.
I soon found myself sitting in one corner of the inn, a hot mug of spiced ale in one hand as I sat before a large crackling fire. The buzz of conversation, while louder than I was comfortable with, was strangely comforting after so many long nights in isolation. Slowly, I allowed the sweet ale and warmth to soothe my frayed senses. I took a pinch of echo dust from my pouch and slowly added it to my ale before drinking deep. The golden power of the dust filled my worthless eyes with the power of vision once more. As my cup was empty yet again, I felt it was long past time to stumble back to my bed.
The room was simple to the point of being medieval, but I'd slept in worse conditions, and soon, my heavy eyelids fell shut.
It wasn't long before my dreaming mind led me back to another village I'd encountered. It was a place I associate with dreams and nightmares.
This was the world I came to know. I can not say if I belonged here or if this place was ever truly my home. What I do know is that I was given the name Faith Morningstar by those who took me in.
My mind guided me back to that first memory, that first terrible awakening when I witnessed something so terrible that it blinded me and robbed me of any memories I had before that moment.
When I awoke after this moment of terrible darkness, I found myself in a ruined village filled with cold still bodies. I wandered for days without any knowledge of who or where I was before I was taken in by an old merchant who saw me stumbling along the road.
He was the first one to introduce to me the gifts of Theia, who could grant me sight for a few blessed moments. The man who found me, Julien, was a kind soul, but he was too old to take care of a scrawny, near feral, blind girl, so he brought me to a monastery at the bottom of a narrow valley. The monks there taught me to embrace my flaws, and soon enough, I could navigate my world despite my blindness. They saw within me something that they mistook as potential and continued to develop my skills. As time went by, I learned much about the world I found myself in and that there was something… sour within me. Some impurity or corruption had touched me. I still do not fully understand it myself, but ever since I awoke in this place, a cold wind has followed me. I have learned that this, this ill wind is an omen, a herald of that same dark force that claimed my sight, though I learned this too late to save my adopted family. The shadow eventually came for me as a howling wind, a roaring tempest and crushing dark, but as death came for me, I lost consciousness once again. When I awoke, the monastery was in ruins, but not everyone had been taken by the dark. Those that remained were broken and torn but not yet dead. When I rushed to them, glad that they were still alive, they at once took up arms and claimed that I had brought this evil upon them. They chased me away, shouting that I was cursed.
I have since found others who gave me shelter, but time and time again, the darkness has returned and killed those whom I would call family. I live alone now, working as a mercenary for anyone who can afford my services, but I am always careful to keep my back to the wind and stay ahead of the ever approaching storm.