Dondi's Tale

[Noa]

Dondi Thunderbelly
Drunken Druid
Posts: 6
(2/27/02 12:07 am)
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Dondi looks up into the pouring rain with his mouth open and his eyes closed. He hopes Karana's promise of cleansing will be fulfilled tonight, one way or the other. He knocks again on the door and his father's butler answers...

"Hrumph. So it's you, boy. What is it ye want?"

"Please, papa, we need to talk."

"Well, talk then boy. Me patience is not great, so make it quick."

"I know we haven't exactly been on speaking terms lately..."

"...Of course not, ye refuse to take yer birthright! How am I supposed to react to that?"

"Please, papa, just listen. All I ever wanted to do was make you proud of me, but I have known for many years that I could not take over the brewery. I would be stifled and hate my life and probably end up like Uncle Floyd. I have tried to follow my heart and do what I think is best for me, but I have also done everything I can to make you proud of me, papa. Why do you think it is I have taken up brewing? To make you proud of me."

"And that's the only reason I'm talkin' to ye now, boy."

"I know that papa. I hope to make it one of many. I have news for you. I have been doing some work in Qeynos, and I am now an Investigator in the Qeynos Watch."

"What? How's that?"

"There were some bad people, papa, who tried to release a plague in Qeynos. It would have been killing good people all the way into the Karanas if they were succesful. Fortunately they were not, and I have been helping the Qeynos Watch to round up some of the suspected conspirators. I only hope that it brings honor to our family."

"Well, hrumph..."

"Papa, what's wrong?"

"Somethin in me eye. You have done well, me boy. It's not Freeport, but yer helpin the good people who can't help themselves. I'm proud of ye boy. Come here..."

"Oh papa <sniff>!"

"There now, enough o that. But what am I going to do with the brewery lad? I'm too old to be runnin it forever!"

"Papa, the twins have been following you around for years. You and I both know they will run the brewery well for years to come. They could even start now! They certainly know more about the business side than I..."

"Ye're probably right at that, lad. I am deeply sorry fer shuttin ye out these past few months. An old man's foolish mistake..."

"Hush, papa, I have always understood why you felt that way. But I have one other piece of news."

"Well, what is it, boy? Out with it!"

"Papa, I have joined a new guild. I feel much closer to this one that my last. But I have noticed something odd... Do you remember soon after mam and Lucy were taken by the zombies, how you went a little crazy sowing your oats?"

"Aye, no need to remind me o that, boy."

"Well, we've always known that there may have been some unexpected and un-looked for, er, results."

"Out with it, lad, quit pussyfootin around!"

"I think I have found a half-brother in my guild."

"WHAT?!?"

"His name is Tuppen, papa, and he looks remarkably like me. Please papa, keep it quiet? His mam is still very much married to his pa, and I would hate to do something to break apart his family."

"Hmm, I'll have to think on this, son. Of course I will be discreet. Yer pa's been around far too long to make THAT mistake. Now, fill up yer pipe and tell me of this Tuppen..."

Hours later, Dondi closes the door behind him and looks up into a clear, moonlit sky. He sings praises to Karana in his heart. There is still much to be done to make the world a better place, but at least now he has his family back. And maybe even another member to welcome to the clan! But for now, the trees call to him and he wanders back out into the forest, touching each trunk as he passes by...