Victims of Circumstance - Prologue SPOILER

8/9/2019 Victims of Circumstance - Prologue *SPOILER*

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Victims of Circumstance

Prologue


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Snyder gazed across Talbots Tavern at a strangely familiar face. In the twenty

years since their last encounter, Snyder had aged noticeably, while his old acquaintance

had hardly changed. Snyders golden blond curls were greying, and the crows feetaround his eyes had become much more well-defined.

The particular visage grinned at Snyder from the far end of the room, and the half-

satyr bard remembered the wisdom he had once deciphered from those silvery elfin eyes.Snyder wondered if the dark elf would remember him, and then again, he wondered if

there was any chance that he would likely forget.

UrwickSnyder approached Urwicks table, unsure if he should be pleased to see the

University mage, or suspect of his very presence. While Urwick had never dismissed

Snyder for being a Renegade mage, as most University-trained wizards would have, he

had still proven himself capable of deception. That, and Snyder had his own reasons forbeing wary about trusting anyone, even those he did not consider a veritable threat..

What brings you here? Snyder asked jovially, purposefully hiding his

anxiousness. He had become very good at covering what he truly felt through the years,

at pretending all was well even when it was not.Snyder! I had no idea you were making your home in these parts. Ashwood is

such a small space in the middle of nowhere. Fancy bumping into you here, after all ofthese years. How long has it been? Urwick said, chuckling.

Snyder pulled up a chair, unable to hold back a smile. Urwick had a wry sense of

humour that could be contagious when he chose to share it.

Two decades, give or take a few months. Although looking at you, Id wager ithad only been two days, the half-satyr grinned.

Urwick shrugged and laughed, his silvery locks catching the light. I cant help

the fact that your type are so quick to wither and age, although for me, it feels more liketwo centuries. Ive lived a lifetime in the last twenty years. Snyder had noticed

something different in Urwicks expression that he could not identify, like the dark elf

had lost something that he would never be able to replace. Despite this look, Urwickseemed genuinely happy.

Im not surprised, Snyder joked. Youll live several of my lifetimes in one of

yours.The dark elf paused, pulling his chair in closer to the table.

All kidding aside, I had no idea I would run into you here, Urwick commented.

I was just passing through on business and stopped in because I needed a rest. Do you

live nearby?Snyder hesitated. He wasnt sure if he wanted to play catch up with the dark elf

who had once served as judge during the Admission Trials for Magic University the

same Admission Trials where Snyder had met the woman who now meant more to himthan anything else in the world. He glanced down at the ring on his hand, the one that

had been rewarded to the Trial competitor who had revealed to Urwick the most

interesting secret - not an official part of the Trials, but Urwicks own personal littlegame. Snyder was all about keeping secrets.

Nia! Urwick said with astonishment, sitting up in his chair and staring past

Snyder. The bard turned to see the scaly woman moving towards their table. His heart

warmed as it always did when he looked at her. She had aged just as Snyder had. She


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did not look quite as youthful and athletic as she had when they had first met, her limbs

and waist somewhat thicker, and the sheen of her scales faded in places, but she still was

in good shape, sleek, smooth and powerful-looking, and the sight of her still took hisbreath away.

Urwick! What a surprise! Nia gasped happily. The dark elf stood and

embraced her. Nias smoothly chiselled silver face lit up. Are you here in Ashwood forbusiness or for pleasure?

Urwick laughed lightly. The lady was as blunt as ever, and there was always

something attractive in a woman this direct.Business, he answered. I travel much more often on University business these

days, and I was just passing through Ashwood on my way back from Karima. But now it

would seem there is also an element of pleasure. I only wish I was staying for more than

a few hours. I have a feeling a lot has happened with you since I last saw you at theTrials, and Id be interested in learning about all of your adventures. I wouldnt mind

sharing some of my tales with you either. The University is a very different place now. I

dont think that you would recognize it, either.

Ashwood is not completely isolated from the rest of the world. We have heardrumours about some great upheaval involving the Renegades, but the stories we heard

lacked specifics. Of course, our lives havent been completely without excitement hereeither. More has happened to us than you could possibly imagine, Nia assured him.

You at least have to stay until I can introduce you to Emrys.

Snyder tensed, looking anxiously from Nia to Urwick. Urwick was regarding Nia

with curiosity. The dark elf cocked an eyebrow.Emrys? he repeated with a slight smile.

Yes, Emrys, Nia affirmed. She glanced at Snyder with a playful glimmer in her

amber eyes. Our son.This time it was Urwicks turn to glance from one of his companions to the other.

His mouth hung open, and his eyes were wide. How is that possible?

Snyder cringed in his seat, shifting from side to side. He was unable to keep hisdiscomfort from showing.

We are aware that my race cannot interbreed with humans, Nia began, glancing

at Snyder for reassurance. The dark elf detected a sense of denial, as if Nia was aware ofsomething that she was loathe to admit, to herself or others. So we have to assume that

Snyders satyr blood compensates for that.

Urwick eyed Snyder suspiciously. The bard had paled as Nia spoke, and was now

slouching in his chair, fidgeting continuously. Nia seemed nonplussed by the wholesituation.

I know, she suggested with a smile. Why dont I go find Emrys and bring him

back here to meet you. He has grown into a very impressive young man. She said thiswith great pride, a pride that seemed to override any other reservations that the scaled

woman might have. Before Urwick could answer, Nia was on her feet and gone. Urwick

turned and glared at Snyder.What is she talking about? Satyrs are no more compatible with reptilians than

humans. Whats really going on here? I have this nagging feeling that you know, but are

trying to avoid telling me, the dark elf pried.


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Urwick knew that the reptilians did have many traits in common with both

humans and satyrs. They nursed their young, and they were warm blooded, but they did

not bear live young, laying eggs instead, and they were covered in scales rather than hair.In most respects they were anthropomorphic, but in some ways, the reptilians were

drastically different - different enough to make hybrids an impossibility.

Snyder stared at his feet, unwilling to face the dark elfs penetrating gaze. Iknow its impossible, Urwick, but it happened. Snyder closed his eyes as he spoke,

gathering his courage. Finally, he opened them again, looking the dark elf squarely in the

eye.I only told her that, about the compatibility with satyrs, so she would think he

was mine. Theres nothing that I wanted to believe more than that. But hes not mine,

not in the biological sense. That much is evident. Youll know what I mean when you

see him, Snyder said.He paused. Urwick was staring past him again, looking even more stunned than

he had when they had informed him of Emryss existence.

TomUrwick breathed quietly.

Snyder seemed to deflate like a balloon. He was all too aware that his andNias son was a slightly scaly, more muscular version of the prince Snyder had once

tutored in magic, a prince with whom Nia had had a brief fling with before she hadbecome Snyders apprentice. Soon after accepting the half-satyrs offer of

apprenticeship, she had become Snyders lover. That, and other complicating factors

surrounding Emryss birth left some question regarding Emryss lineage.

Urwicks expression soured. Shes in complete denial, he murmured to Snyder,as Nia and her son approached the table. And youve gone out of your way to

encourage it. Shame on you, Snyder.

Snyder answered with only a plaintive look, begging Urwicks silence.Begrudgingly, Urwick complied.

Nia grinned broadly as she presented her strong and healthy pride and joy to her

old friend. Emrys, this is Urwick. He was one of the judges at the University Trialswhere your father and I met.

Urwick stood, nodding, and shook the young mans hand. Urwick had never been

very good at lying, but ironically, Nia spoke the truth, even though the father in questionwas not actually the one Emrys knew.

They sat through supper together, talking, laughing and reminiscing about shared

experiences. Urwick related to them the tales surrounding the Renegade Academy that a

mutual acquaintance, Reid Blake, had established in Anthis, the town closest to MagicUniversity, where they had all met. He sadly reported to them that a mutual friend, a

gnome named Reeree had met her demise while helping the Academy to retrieve the cure

to the Magic Plague from its source.The dark elf also told them about the faculty shake-up at the University that had

occurred because of a series of incidents also tied to the Academy and about a mishap

that had resulted from magical experiments attempted by Urwicks previous apprentice,Ebon. The experiments had proven to be both disastrous, and successful, leading to a

restorative transformation of both Ebon, and a dwarven associate, named Shetland, but

also causing a near apocalyptical event..


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All of this had brought Urwick to the place he was in life now, advisor to Gavin

Sparrow, the newest dean of the University, and liaison with the Renegade community.

As a result of these changes, Urwicks life was never boring, and he often had to travelon University business. He usually journeyed with his wife, Jadira, but this time he

happened to be travelling alone.

Urwick learned that Snyder, Nia and Emrys lived in a nearby home, a cozy placebuilt within the hollowed out trunk of a giant tree. The home had once belonged to

Snyders bardic mentor, which was one of the reasons why Snyder had returned to

Ashwood with Nia in the first place.Urwick restrained a thought as Snyder described the various rooms in their tree

house. Their home was very much like one of the Trial Way Stations, the same Way

Station where the then promiscuous Nia had actually made advances on Urwick. While

he had found Nia intriguing, the dark elf was then and currently a happily married man.Nia had seemed quite offended by Urwicks rejection, at the time, but apparently she

hadnt held a grudge.

As the day faded to dusk, and they exhausted their most relevant tales, Urwick

said his goodbyes, preparing to depart. He preferred to travel in the evening, findingsunlight to be both glaring and taxing on his system, as most dark elves did. His

sensitivity, however, had been worsened by his exposure to a very powerful artefact ofCantrella, the sun goddess. He had been temporarily blinded by the magical gemstone

when it had been activated by his dwarven friend, Shetland, without warning, after

Urwick had failed an attempt to activate the enchantment himself.

Urwick parted ways with his three dinner companions at the door of the tavern,disappearing into the night. Snyder watched him walk away, feeling both sad to see him

go, and relieved at the same time. The half-satyr had chosen to settle in Ashwood for a

reason. The village was off the beaten path and rarely exposed to outside influences.Snyder believed that most of his secrets would remain safe as long as they continued to

live in Ashwood.

A few seconds en route to home, Snyder noticed he had forgotten his bardic pipesback at the tavern. He had taken out his latest treasure to show Urwick, but he had been

sure he had returned them to the case that he kept them in on his belt. Despite this

recollection, the pipes were not there, and Snyder needed the instrument for hislivelihood. He stopped in his tracks, glancing back towards the direction from which

they had come.

I dont have my pipes. I must have forgotten them back at the tavern. Ill meet

you at the house, he assured Nia and Emrys. I wont be long, but dont wait around forme.

Snyder jogged back into the night. The air was cool and refreshing and the stars

shone brightly overhead, without a cloud in the sky. Urwick was sitting on the stoop ofTalbots Tavern when he arrived, Snyders pipes in hand.

I knew you would come back for these, the dark elf murmured. I think you

have a little explaining to do, and I want some answers from you before you get theseback.

The bard regarded Urwick with a pained expression. Snyders shoulders sagged

and Urwick sensed, from this response, that he had been bearing a difficult burden for


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quite some time. Always hiding things, the dark elf thought. Snyder had rarely been

willing to share his true thoughts with others.

Its not right, keeping this from Tom. He has a right to know. It is his son,Urwick insisted. This was not a point that the dark elf was going to let slide. His half-

satyr friend had been messing with things that extended far beyond the limited reaches of

rustic Ashwood.Snyder nodded, plopping himself down on the stoop next to Urwick and staring

off into the night sky. He had worried about this day for many years, knowing it was

possible that the lies would one day catch up to him.What sort of life would Emrys lead? Snyder asked, glancing at Urwick with

genuine concern. He had gone over the situation in his own head many times before

now. A half-breed, bastard child to the crown prince of Seaforest. Seaforest is not

known for its tolerance of things outside of the norm.King, Urwick corrected. Toms father died three years ago. I guess word

doesnt carry quickly to Ashwood. Im sure his life would have been better than you

would have imagined. Tom and his queen, Mathilde, are childless. Emrys would be

welcomed with open arms. He would be heir to the throne himself.Really, Snyder responded, puzzled. Hows that possible? With their wealth,

and the type of magic available to them, there shouldnt be any problem that theycouldnt solve.

It would appear that the impossible makes its presence known in Toms life on a

regular basis, Urwick sighed. Rumour has it that he was cursed, and not just with a

minor curse. To cause the kind of damage this curse has done, it did not come from someordinary gypsy witch or medicine man. Tom has access to very prominent men within the

church. If was unable to buy a cure from them it would seem that your former student

has managed to incur the wrath of the gods themselves.Snyder groaned, burying his head in his hands. How did he sleep his way into

that one?

Tom had been a notorious womanizer in his youth, before marrying Mathilde andtaking on any official responsibilities. Urwick shook his head, leaning back against the

door, and staring up at the stars. He breathed deeply, enjoying the cool, moist air that

smelled of pine. He had no more idea than Snyder did as to how the nobleman hadmanaged to bring this hardship upon himself.

Look, Snyder, the dark elf began, when he finally spoke again. He faced the

half-satyr with an expression of heart-felt sympathy. I think I may know how Emrys

came to be, as impossible as he is.Snyder lifted his head, glancing sideways at the dark elf. Seriously?

Urwick nodded. Ebon, you remember him? The big, shadowy, other planar guy

from the Trials?Your apprentice? How could I forget him? Snyder sneered. Meeting him was

a rather unpleasant experience, literally and figuratively.

He has mellowed over time, I can assure you. I dont think you would recognizehim anymore. He looks mostly human now, and hes much happier than he used to be.

He has lost much of the arrogance and all of the bitterness, thanks to a lovely little thing

named Anna. But thats beside the point, Urwick said. He and I spent several years

studying Shetland


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That weird dwarf that had a bizarre effect on magical spells and devices?

Snyder asked, trying to recall the grouchy little man. I remember him, I think. He had a

lot of scarring, and he loved to drink. Wasnt he responsible for summoning that demonthat almost killed Nia? I had to expose myself as a Renegade because of him. He was a

bundle of trouble. Nia still blames him for the fact that she failed at the Trials. He was

the cause of multiple complications.Urwick nodded. You probably wouldnt recognize him now either, if you saw

him, and I wouldnt knock him if I were you, he insisted. If it werent for him, neither

Nia nor Emrys would likely be with you today. Urwick shivered as he thought back tothe evening where Nia, out of desperation to finish the Trials, had almost launched

herself into a dangerously deep ravine, without any proper means of slowing or stopping

her descent. Snyder had been the only thing standing between her and sure death.

Hunh? Snyder stood up, facing the dark elf.Tell me something how do you suppose you managed to overcome a binding

spell cast by some of the most powerful mages in the land? I mean, I know that you are

very strong as far as Renegades go, but are you that strong of a Renegade mage that you

can find the king of strength needed to banish a demon and to also penetrate that kind of aspell, all within a few hours? Urwick was tired of the lies people were telling

themselves for the sake of convenience. It was time to make people face up to the truth,no matter what the consequences.

O-of course Im not that strong, but there was a weak point in the spell,

stammered Snyder. Thats where I broke through. I thought that since you were there,

that somehow you were involved in causing that weakness.Urwick grimaced. I wasnt allowed to interfere. It was all riding on you. What

do you think would have caused that kind of a deviation in such a powerful spell? Let me

put it another way who caused several magical devices and enchantments at the Trialsto malfunction? And they didnt just stop working, Snyder. It wasnt as simple as that,

in fact, it was much more unpredictable. In some cases, the magic had the opposite effect

of what was intended.Oh. Shetland. Snyder was breathing heavily. He sat down again, heavily, this

time on the ground instead of the stoop. The half-satyr seemed disoriented. For a brief

moment, an unusual expression flashed across his face, and then his features shifted backto a look of grim despair.

What sort of spells did Tom have on him, Snyder? Urwick inquired quietly,

knowing where this line of questioning would lead him.

A series of protective spells, for the most part, Snyder whispered hoarsely.Including a contraceptive spell. His parents were aware of his penchant for the ladies

and they did not want Tom to spawn multiple bastards across various provinces and

kingdoms.Exactly my point, the dark elf sighed. Reverse the effects of that spell and

suddenly he can beget offspring on a woman with whom he could not normally breed.

Shetlands unusual condition has caused a great deal of upheaval in the world, and thisone was only a minor incident.

Snyder nodded and shuddered. So that would explain it all. Emrys really is his.

Apparently, Urwick thought, Nia had not been the only one in denial.


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The half-satyr sat in sullen silence for several minutes. When he finally spoke

again, he could not bear to look Urwick in the eye.

Are you going to tell him? Snyder asked. Are you going to tell Tom aboutEmrys?

I dont think that its my place to do so, Urwick assured him. But it is yours.

He needs to know, and if you let it go too long, hell find out some other way. If thathappens, there will be a harsh price to pay for delaying. You may find yourself at Toms

mercy, and that wouldnt be something I would advise risking. He wouldnt take kindly

to having this information withheld from him. I can guarantee you that much. AndEmrys may end up being resentful as well. Right now, you are denying him his

birthright.

Snyder remained silent. He felt numb, chilled to the core. He ran his fingers

through the grass beside him, his body tense. He had never wanted to face theconsequences of this decision. All he had ever wanted was to live his life with his

family, in peace. Snyder had welcomed the chance to talk about old times, but he now

regretted having laid eyes upon Urwick that day.

I have to go, Urwick insisted, anxious to return to his home, his wife and hisfriends. I wish I could somehow make this different for you, but you have to face

reality. Good luck, no matter how you decide to handle this.With a sad glance, Urwick turned and headed up the path towards the main road.

He did not look back.

Snyder hugged his knees to him, distraught and conflicted. His world seemed to

spin, all of his fears coming to a head. He was very concerned as to what this revelationmeant for him and his family. Would it steal away everything he cared about? Not that

he hadnt been aware of the truth about Emrys, but he had allowed himself to dismiss it

on the basis that it just couldnt have happened. Now that there was an explanation outthere to account for the how, and the why, Snyder could no longer deny the truth. As

Urwick had told him, he would have to admit the facts about Emryss proper bloodline,

or his failure to do so would eventually come back to haunt him.The half-satyr sat struggling with these ideas. He thought about how likely it was

that Nia would insist on taking Emrys off to Seaforest if he stopped pretending. If she

did this, Snyder would not be able to follow. There was a price on his head in Seaforest,and not just because he had illegally trained the crown prince in Renegade magic, nor

because he had helped Tom steal away to the Magic University Admission Trials so

many years ago. The thing that haunted Snyder the most in his life, the one thing that Nia

and Emrys knew nothing about, the half-satyr was aware would prove to be the biggestobstacle to his accompanying them to Seaforest. If he couldnt go with them, they would

surely be lost to him. Tom would see to that.

Snyder wanted to do what was right. He wanted to tell them as Urwick hadsuggested, but his heart just wouldnt allow it.

Im sorry, he breathed into the wind, knowing that Urwick was far out of

earshot. I just cant do it, Urwick. Im going to hold onto them as long as I can, nomatter what the risk. Why worry about losing them later, when telling them would make

me lose them now. I need them and I plan to keep them happy and oblivious as long as

fate allows me to.

Sadly for Snyder, the day fate would deny him this wish was very soon to come.


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Victims of Circumstance - Prologue SPOILER

Documents

Transcript of Victims of Circumstance - Prologue SPOILER

Victims of Circumstance - Prologue *SPOILER*

Documents

Transcript of Victims of Circumstance - Prologue *SPOILER*

Victims of Circumstance - Prologue SPOILER

Transcript of Victims of Circumstance - Prologue SPOILER