Thirteen windows

The howl of the wild winds on this stormy night could be heard from even the most secure residence. Rain battered on the street, drowning out Seringale with the pitter patter of millions of rain drops landing in random patterns. The streets were all but empty, with the rare light being visible through the occasional shop window. Thirteen windows lit in the entire city. A lone figure slowly walked up and down the shops, looking in and out the windows. She was dressed in heavy armor, the chainmail bearing the symbol of the city of Seringale, she turned her head tediously, as she patrolled the dark streets. There was no rest for the Justice, she knew not the meaning of the word. The smell of blood was in the air, and the hunt was on. She knew her nemesis was out there somewhere, looking to cause havoc on her watch. She turned the corner in the market and marched out onto the main trading road of the city. Something caught the corner of here eye just for a moment, and then it was gone. Intent on keeping the watch, she moved towards the weaponsmith to investigate. Finding nobody in the shop, she was about to leave when she noticed wet boot-prints leading directly to, and up, the stairs. A robbery in progress? She would make sure to deal with them accordingly. Making her way up into the attic, she looked around the rather spacious yet cluttered room. Nothing that she could discern from the naked eye, perhaps in the other corner. As she turned she was met with a thundering shout, "Justice! Now you perish!" The words cut through the silence like a knife through butter as the Legionnaire lunged out at her from the shadows. Striking out in defense, the two broke out into a massive brawl, both fighting tooth and nail but neither gaining or losing much ground. This was a fight that had happened many times, thirteen times this week to be exact, and they knew each others strengths well. Violently they tumbled and fought, wrestling and struggling. As they continued to battle, the fighting slowed, the distance between them slowly decreasing as they both became more and more lethargic in their movements... In an instantaneous flash, the fighting ceased and was replaced by a fiery embrace and passionate kissing. Overcome with passion and emotion, the two collapsed to the floor, making love violently in ways that cannot be spoken in most languages in public. As quickly as it all began it was over, the Legionnaire grinned a sly smile and retreated into the shadows. He had always wondered how she would be off of her back. As the sound of his laughter in the night faded, the Justice was left still laying down on the cold floor of the weaponsmiths attic. As she slowly came to her senses and realized what had happened, she rubbed a hand gently over her stomach, tears rolling down her face as she whispered to herself, "What have I done?" The thirteen lit windows in the city all went out.

A hard decision

The night was cold as she walked north along the lonely merchant path of Solace. Looking down at the baby boy in the basket she carried, she stopped a moment and made sure he was tucked snug and warm in his bundle. The walk had been long, each step feeling like she was carrying a bull on her back weighing her down. It broke her heart to do this, but she knew that it was necessary. She had a duty to the city of Seringale she could not turn her back on, and it was the only way the she would be able to protect him from his father, and from the truth. She had not told a soul about that night, taking a leave from duty and not saying why. She went to the far north with the elves in The Valley for the pregnancy and birth. He was born on the thirteenth day of the thirteenth month, the month of Dark Shades. She spent thirteen months with them, including the time recovering spent there after birth. They took good care of her and kept her secrets, knowing the risk the child would be in if his father was able to manipulate and distort his vulnerable young mind. She knew what his name would be the moment he was born, almost as if someone whispered it into her ear... Raukh. She loved him very much, but it was important that Raukh was never found by his father. She feared the Legion's influence would corrupt Raukh's soul, shattering his innocence. The orphanage was the best place to hide him, knowing that she had an old friend there. She rounded the corner to the orphanage and knocked on the door a few times, and waited. The door opened and standing there was a charismatic looking man in golden plate armor. "It is good to see you again Taron," the woman spoke. "Thank you so much for taking on this burden." The man smiled and nodded to her and said softly "We have been friends for many years, you are like my sister. I will treat him as my own, and he will have a good home here. He can learn in the temple as he grows, it will be safe. When he is old enough I will make sure has everything he needs to start a life for himself." She handed the basket to him, wiping tears from her face after she released it. Within moments she had her composure again, and leaning in, kissed Raukh on the forehead before turning and walking away, never looking back.

A scale weighing 13 black and 13 white stones.

Raukh's life in Solace at the orphanage was a simple one, but very quickly Taron could tell that Raukh was not like the other orphans. Raukh was gifted with a wisdom and cunning intelligent well beyond his years from early childhood. When the other orphans were out playing and being children, Raukh spent his time obsessively reading about combat and hunting while imitating the illustrations from the book. Everything he could get his hands on, though the orphanage was not known for its library. Rather then take to the knightly teachings and morals that Taron passed down from his days, Raukh found himself more drawn to the ways of reason, and knowledge. Taron could see that while Raukh was capable of great deeds in his life, he also could see that Raukh's fathers poisonous blood also flowed in his veins. If he lost himself, Raukh could be capable of terrible darkness as well. The rare mix of his parents blood created a unique child, indifferent and resistant to the struggles of good and evil. He felt compassion inside of him, but he also felt a streak of cruelty and anger. His life was a delicate balance. Raukh was the finest student in his guild in the city, and he was well aware of it from the praise he would receive. Daily he would practice his talents in the guild, sparring with the warriors of Justice at their training yard. He knew of his potential, that he was capable of greatness. Taron continued to notice the battle going on within Raukh as he watched him grow over the years. Holding a balance with the blood that runs in his veins has never failed to be a struggle every day of his young life. But Taron also noticed something else. Something rare, that he had heard of but never witnessed. Raukh seemed to have the sickness. The number sickness. Though subtle and small for now, it was small things that tipped Taron off. After a couple years there was no doubt the number thirteen seemed to be on Raukhs mind, weather comforting or vexing him. Raukh just seemed to see it, and it seemed to see him. He did not understand the number, or its meaning, but it seemed to be everywhere.

The ranger's path

As he grew to a teen, Raukh could not help but feel as if there was not enough for him in Solace. He was given great talents, great gifts. He felt a responsible duty to make a difference in the world around him, because those with the power would truly be the only ones responsible for tending and shaping Serin. There were also answers out there in the world, answers he would never find in Solace. The number haunted him in the back of his mind, revealing itself to him in random places and times. Raukh decided it was time for him to leave Solace and find the answers he seeked, and open his heart to the wisdom he found. Even though born in Seringale, he had never left the safety of Solace, and he did not know where he would go. He readied what he would need and went to see Taron before making off. Taron knew he could not reveal the secret of Raukh's origins to him, but knew in his heart Raukh was too wise and determined to not eventually uncover the truth. It would be wise to send him on the ranger's path before exposing him to his own secrets. He knew little of the number sickness, but he did know that those that meditated deep in the wilds and made their divine ties there tended to be more centered. Taron suggested to Raukh that if he truly wished to make a difference, to go deep into the wilds and seek the answers in the calm of nature and in comfort of animals. To meditate, and open himself up to the voice of nature in the wilds. Drawn to the idea, the deepest wilds would be his dwelling while he sought answers in some of the most ancient and untouched parts of the sanctuary of Serins wilds. He would adapt or he would die.