Laesin

A younger brother's view...

From the beginning, Laesin has been following Mylaela.   He was the second to be born, the surprise that no one expected, and struggled to keep up with his sibling.  Doting on his older sister, Laz always wanted to be included with what she was doing.   The family joke was always that no matter where Mylaela was, Laz was sure to follow.  Mylaela's rather tempestuous nature made for some interesting challenges growing up but she could always rely on Laz backing her up.  

Though far from affluent, Laesin and Mylaela's parents were successful traders in Nybor and did their best to instill a sense of worth and self-reliance in their children.  Some would argue they did too well of a job with Mylaela.  When a few poorly thought-out antics landed the siblings in trouble, their father enrolled them in the monastery at Windsong Abbey to instill a sense of discipline.  He was partially successful.  

For the first time in his young life, Laesin was enraptured in the lifestyle and teachings of the monks of Irori and followed them more than his sister.  The challenge of being the best he could be, of only being compared to his own accomplishments rather than his sister's, pushed Laz to dive headlong into the philosophy and discipline of the monastic order.

Mylaela enjoyed the physical challenges and learning to fight, but soon was bored with the mental aspect of the doctrine of Irori.  The two often fought and bickered over that point, but Laz would not budge in his views this time and stuck with the monastic teachings well after his sister had her fill and moved on.

When Mylaela announced she was leaving the monastery and striking out as a guard on a caravan, their mother sent word to Laz.  Knowing he could never forgive himself if he did not do his best to watch over his sister and try to curb her more flighty actions, he left the monks behind and came back home to Nybor.  On the day Laela left to start her employment, Laesin's father gave the younger brother the old spear that he had carried himself in his adventuring days.  Telling Laz to keep his sister safe with it, he sent the young man off.  Mylaela was not thrilled to see the sight of her brother standing before her, leaning on her father's spear, but once again came to rely on him as in previous days.  The siblings may disagree on many things, but remain loyal to each other, recognizing each other's strengths that the other can build on.

My Father's Spear

"Laesin, you're home!" cried Rybella Olken as she saw her son enter the kitchen door.

"Mother, it's been too long!  I came as soon as your note found me at the abby.  What's wrong?" asked Laesin as he caught up and hugged his mother.

"Mylaela is what's wrong!  That stubborn girl has it in her head that she's going to go off adventuring and has hired out with a caravan heading to Sandpoint.  She's refusing to listen to reason from both myself or your father!" Rybella huffed.

Laesin held his mother at arm's length, studying her face, then broke into laughter.   "Any you thought that I would have any better chance in talking sense into her?!?  You KNOW that's a lost cause.  She listens to me even less.  Besides, she's old enough and well trained enough to be on her own.  She'll be fine."

"I hope you're right, Laz" boomed a bass voice from the doorway.  "Dad!" Laesin grinned at his father over his mother's head.  "So you're worried about her too?"

Kellium Olken approached and greeted his son fondly.  "You could say so.  Your sister dropped this on us last week and we've been trying to get her to reconsider.  We sent for you after she declared she was doing this and didn't need our approval and moved out.  She's been staying at the Inn where the  caravan is gathering as a guard.  Hasn't been home since."

"So she's being more pig headed than usual" Laz mussed.  "Something else must have happened to set her off".

"I know it's a lot to ask, but would you mind going with her?" Rybella looked at her son imploringly.  "She tends to be a bit more cautious when you are with her, and from what your father has found out about the Tatermalian Caravan Company, they can be a bit...sketchy...at times."

Laesin sighed and hugged both parents. "Of course I will.  My master has been saying that I need to get a more worldly outlook to progress my studies.  This comes at a good time.  When does she leave?"

Kellium smiled his thanks at his son. "They're due to leave tomorrow."  Laesin nodded.  "I'll head out tomorrow morning and catch up with her as she's leaving town.  She's not going to be thrilled to see me.  I'll catch all the animosity she has at you calling for me to go with her".  His expression turned resigned. "Still, it won't be the first time and certainly not the last that Mylaela will be angry with me."

"Come with me a moment" Kellium said while walking further into the house.  "You'll stay with us tonight, won't you?" he asked. Seeing Laesin's nod, he grinned. "Good, that will give your mother a chance to feed you to bursting.  I also want you to have something."  Kellium reached up and pulled down a long spear hanging over the fireplace in the great room.  "Take this along.  It kept me safe when the adventuring bug struck me.  I know you and your sister have always been fascinated by it.  Lord knows how many times I found you trying to take it off the wall when you were kids."

Laesin's mouth gaped open. "You want me to have Brightthorn?  But that should go to Mylaela!" he exclaimed.  "She's the older and it should rightfully go to her."  Kellium put his hand on his son's shoulder.  "If I were dead and you were inheriting it, maybe.  But I want you to take Brightthorn to keep her safe with it.  YOU are the one I trust to do that."  Kellium shook his head ruefully. "Brightthorn...I have no idea what ever possessed me to be so arrogant as to name a spear that.  It's just a spear, but it's the spear my father gave me and I used it and used it well.  You use it now to keep your sister safe.  I'd say to keep her from doing anything stupid, but we both know that's not the case.  Use it to get her out of her lack of forethought."

'I will Dad".  Laesin replied.  "So lets go see what Mom has cooking for a farewell meal.  And it may help me if she packs me some of the treats Mylaela loves so much.  I may be able to bribe her into not pinning my tail to the ground."

It's never dull around my sister.   

After joining her on her excursion as a caravan guard, we finally arrived in Sandpoint.  We didn't make much on the trip, having been charged for the food we ate on the trip there. Still, it saved us from spending more money. We took quarters at the Rusty Dragon and decided to explore the town and stay for the festival.  While staying there, I noticed a rather unusual bird person who looks like a crow.  I remember Master Kwan telling stories of Tengu from his home country.  I'll need to speak to him to hear his tale and learn more of the world. Mylaela noticed the rather attractive proprietress.

I got the chance to speak to the tengu. His name is Corrath and he works as some kind of investigator for the community.  How unique!

I also met many other interesting individuals we kept running into at the festival.  Mark Axis, a rather pale skinned man with strange silvery blue tattoos. Very forthright and friendly.  

As we were listening to the festival speeches, goblins attacked the festival! Mylaela and I sprang into action and started defending the crowd.  I noticed one extremely pretty human woman in the crowd and told her to stay behind me so I could protect her.  I hear her chant something and touch my shoulder as a field of force enveloped me! I later found out her name is Mirabell and she is a sorceress.  How useful and fascinating!  I will need to speak more with her...

As the fight progressed, we are helped by an elven archer, Alaysha.  She is so skilled she cannot miss.  Mylaela gets cut down by a goblin with a large chopper, but Mark steps up and heals her with a spell. 

After that we mop up the rest of the goblin attackers, capturing some to interrogate.  The 6 of us have decided to stay together for now as the town is looking to us for help in figuring out what has happened.  I don't mind saying that this feels like something bigger is going on.  Time to keep watching out for my sister and my new friends now as well....