Mordecai’s Story
I was born during the Medieval period as a lowly serf. My family fell into the favor of one of the local knights and he agreed to take me under his wing as his vassal. I trained and studied hard. I was very succesful in jousts and the such.
One day, while the knight was off on a quest, he fell gravely ill. It was all we could do to make his last days comfortable. When he died, his estate was divided among the other knights in the area because he had no surviving sons, and no one would dare give the estate to a common born.
A local noble woman took pity on me and brought me into her home. She was very youthful and beautiful. No one knew why she always looked to young, and I found her secret out the hard way. For several nights she came and visited me in my room. Always the next morning I awoke with an ugly cut on my neck. I didn’t understand what was happening. I was growing more and more tired and pale by the day.
Eventually, I became ill and died; I think I was 25. To my surprise, after what felt like a long sleep, I awoke strong and rejuvinated. Mylady couldn’t keep me around or someone would notice what had happened. She sent me off to unknown lands in what is now the ground we’re sitting on now. It was here that I met Erich. Like all the others who had taken me under their kind hand, he trained and tutored me. I learned how to go about unnoticed, and all the dark secrets of The Arts. Unlike all the rest, he hardened my heart and filled me with hate. I had no idea that mylady could have been connected to Erich. To this day, I don’t know what happened to her.
Since then, I have spent my life traveling the world, running ‘erands’ for Erich. His one goal has always been to find the Blood Emerald and rumors of other Blood Stones have now reached his ear. He’s tortured and tormented all of the Chosen Ones before you, and – I’m ashamed to say it – I was his right-hand man for most of my life."
He sighed and looked sadly at Aurelia. "So there… you know my horrible history, you’re free to hate me now."
"I couldn’t possibly hate you… but I have to ask… Did… did you…" the words were freezing in her throat. "were you ordered to kill my family… were you there that night?"
Mordecai looked at Aurelia sadly. "Lia… I’ve killed so many people under Erich’s orders… I don’t know. I could have been… I’m sorry."
Aurelia looked at him and wiped away tears. "Ok… fair is fair… you gave me a story… now I should tell you about me….