The Mysteries of Darkshadow

Darkshadow, his name may have reached your ears before. Yet try as I might, I fail to recall anything else other than a name, and a vague figure standing in the corner of a bar, shrouded in darkness. This person seems to exude an aura of sorrow, regret, and hidden pain beneath that dented armor and notched sword. Yet there is something about his that makes it hard to recall him, let alone help him. Heck, I would have completely missed him if it weren?€™t for that bizarre rain cloud that seems to follow him around everywhere.

I sit there looking at him, trying to find out what woes might have befallen a person to turn him into such a shape. Several possible scenarios come to mind. First, there is a chance that he is in league with the demons from the astral plane, helping them with their hidden agendas to bring chaos to this universe. Not very likely, but from the looking of him, I wouldn't have counted it out. Maybe it's some person, sick of the just accepting the torments of his meager existence, slowly building his strength to exact his revenge on the unknown multitude of people who have wronged him. That sounds more likely, but he seems too solitary. Hmm, possibly it's a son of a rich noble who got tired of how to do everything and left to see where he could find his place in the world. That would explain the equipment, but I haven't heard of any nobleman searching for their missing kid. So where exactly did this guy come from? The more I got to thinking about it, the more of a desire that had to be fulfilled. I came up with a plan, and decided to follow him after he left the bar.

After he left the bar, I followed him down the streets of Rune. He ducked down an alley, and I followed in kind. I turned the corner, but he was nowhere to be seen. I walked a bit forward, only to be caught from behind by Darkshadow himself! "What in the name of powers do you doing think you were doing following me,?€? he sneers, "what, you were trying to pick my pocket? Here, go get yourself another drink and begone with you." He reached into his coin pouch beneath his cloak and nonchantaly threw a few pieces of gold at my feet. He turned around and started to walk away just at the moment I said, "That's not what I want." Darkshadow turns around, glares at me, and says in an annoyed tone, "Then what in Gath's butthole DO you want?"

I stared blankly, searching for the right thing to say. I wasn't sure how to put it in the right words, but I knew if I didn't say anything, I wouldn't get this chance again. Finally I replied, "I... I want to know about you."

"WHAT?" replied Darkshadow.

"You were just standing there in the corner, anyone hardly noticed you," I nervously said. "You looked like you were troubled with something, frustrated, I dunno, I guess I got curious. I wanted to know what took a normal person and turned them into you." Darkshadow stood there, thinking about what I had said. He was still glaring at me, but this time, he seemed shaken. It was like he was trying to keep his cool and try to go back to what he was doing. "You wouldn't understand what kind of horrors I have witnessed, the kind of sorrow I had to live through, the dreadful weight I carry with me each day." He replied a calm, but slightly shaken voice. He once again turned around and started to walk off when I grabbed his shoulder and said, "Try me."

Again, it seemed his inner struggle was showing itself. He slowly turned around, and finally I got a good look at him. He was actually smaller than I realized. He was a bit less than 5 feet tall. He wears a dark gray robe that hides his face and most of his body from view. The easiest thing to see on him was his sword. The handle of it seemed to hint that it was of great craftsmanship. The scabbard that lay on his left side was adorned with several shimmering gemstones. His armor looked dented, but it still seemed to be just fine to continue serving its purpose. He finally lifted his head and said, "Fine, what do you want to know?"

I was stumped again. So many questions to ask, but where to start? I don't want to start with something too troubling; I just want to break the ice, so to speak. Then I noticed that cloud again, and it came to me. I pointed to the flickering gray puffball and asked, "Where did that come from?"

Darkshadow chuckled. He patted his rain cloud affectionately and started to speak. "I guess he would be a bit strange to you, but this little guy is all that I have for a friend. Well, one night here in town, I was looking for a place to rest for the night. All of the inns were booked, and the damned guards weren't letting sleep in the streets. I was getting sick of nights of constant vigil in the wilderness just to keep myself from getting eaten. So, my only course of action to go to the church and hope that they would let me stay there for the night."

"I was in luck. They let me stay up in the attic where Balthazar resided. Balthazar didn't mind one bit, and he seemed to enjoy the company. I after a cup of warm tea, I went to the guest bed and went to sleep. What I didn't know at the time was that Balthazar had an uncanny ability to transform one object into another. I woke up next morning to a stream of water hitting me in the face! I jumped up out of the bed and dashed to my sword, as almost by instinct."

"Then I finally noticed what served as me wake-up call, I was stunned. It was a small, gray cloud was hovering over my bed. Not only that, but it didn't just stay in one place, it started to move about the room. It finally stopped in front of my face. I backpedaled, drew my sword, and assumed a defensive stance. I stood there a second watching it, and I finally realized that it didn't seem be a threat, and a let my guard down. I cautiously touched the cloud, and it started to bounce around happily. It was so cute, that even Mordred himself would smile. This cloud was probably one of Balthazar's pets."

"Seeing no threat in the cloud, I started to gather my things, get dressed, and get ready to go on my way. Then I noticed that something was missing! My trunk had disappeared! Those things were supposed to be unstealable! I was madder than a fire astronach. Not only was the trunk gone, but so was my decanter of endless water! That was my only source of water while I traveled. It took quite a while to get too. I searched the church for any sign of Balthazar, but there was no trace. I even combed the streets of this fair city looking for him, but no avail. But during all the time, that cloud was following me, keeping close behind me. However, I was too furious and busy to notice it. After searching for hours, I gave up and returned back to the church, and collect the rest of my things before I lost them too. Right before I went down the stairs, I noticed a note on the table. It read:?€?

?€?Dear Darkshadow,

Sorry I had to leave this morning, it was a matter of great urgency. Just to let you know; your trunk and decanter are not missing. After our little chat last night, I felt that you need something to help that loneliness of yours. Yes, that cloud was your trunk. Don?€™t worry though, it still serves its original purpose. Your decanter should be inside him, but it might not be as you remember it. I wish you luck on your travels, and hopefully I will see you again.

Balthazar?€™

?€?I looked at the cloud, and grinned. That old man did something for me that no one else could top. That day and each day after, the weight on my shoulders was lighter than before that faithful day, because I now have a companion.?€?

After he finished answering my question, I was amazed. Both him and I seemed loosened up from the story, as we both sat on old crate that we found in the alley. Then my mind popped in with another question, ?€?What about your decanter??€?

Darkshadow grinned again. He reached into the cloud, and pulled out a small object. It was like a small jewel, but the colors and light that surround it make it almost impossible to tell exactly what it is. I stare at it, trying to make sense of it. ?€?What is it,?€? I ask.

?€?The materialization of hope,?€? Darkshadow stated. ?€?Balthazar transformed my decanter into this, to remind me that there is always hope, no matter how difficult my travels might be. This, and my cloud here, are my most cherished items. Nothing can be done to remove these items from me, I shall not allow it to be so. If I were to lose these, I would see no reason for me to go on. I would just break down, and give in to the world, as I have contemplated on doing many times in the past.?€?

Darkshadow held the shimmering trinket to his lips, tilted his head back, and drank from it. Then he placed it back into the cloud. He then started to turn around again and walk off. ?€?Wait!?€? I said. ?€?I still have more questions.?€?

Darkshadow stopped, turned toward me one last time and said, ?€?Well, I guess those will have to be answered some other time, my friend.?€? He turned back around, and left into the night.