The Gryfon Inn, town of Westhaven, Barony of Gessel
Today, my good friend Demetrius and I have
decided to become heroes.
Since my father has foolishly sold the circus that was our home (he and I had a
long fight about that, but happily I am much too drunk to recall the details), we
have decided to leave that life behind and become famous adventurers. One day I
will return with enough money to buy three circuses, a host of women clamoring
for my attention, and my songs sung in every land. Demetrius intends to be the
greatest swordsman in the world. (Oh, and he says he wouldn't mind a few women,
too.)
And so I begin this journal, being a true and
accurate account of our
soon-to-be-legendary exploits. Some someday the bards will want to write ballads
about us (after all, I won't be able to write them all), and we want them to get
the facts straight.
But first, let me tell you a little bit about
us. Since Demetrius just
sprang for another round of drinks, I'll start with him.
In addition to being a great gambling and
drinking buddy, Demetrius is my
best friend. He is tall and strong (he wants me to add handsome, but he's really
only average-looking and since Demetrius can't read I can be honest here).
Demetrius is a good hand with a sword. In fact, he taught me to use one. He
used to work as a guard (he's a lot older than me, at twenty-seven), but he quit
and came to work as an animal handler at my father's circus about two and a half
years ago. That's when we met and became friends.
Me, I'm only eighteen and, as the ladies here
will agree, I am extremely
charming and handsome. I'm not as tall as my buddy Demetrius, but I'm blond and
beautiful like the rest of my family, and I have blue eyes.
I grew up in the Longfellow Family Circus,
which was in my father's
family for four generations before he sold out our heritage for a quick profit.
My parents, Terry and Varda Longfellow had five sets of twins -- Varden and
Jayne, Terril and Tyr, Me and Teela, Marc and Milton, and Emily and Charlotte.
My siblings and I were the main act of the circus -- we did a tumbling routine on
the high wire (without a net!) that was absolutely the best act in any circus in
Hurva.
Though my father and I disagree a lot, our
family is very close-knit and
we generally get along well. I'm especially close with my oldest brother Varden
-- he and I are the only two boys who aren't identical twins. My twin sister
Teela is the dearest creature the gods ever created -- she's much wiser than I
am, and she's the only person I know with a better voice than mine. Teela was
the only person in my family I told before I left home, and I've promised to send
letters.
Perhaps the most difficult part of becoming a
hero will be missing my
family while I'm doing it. But Demetrius tells me he's seen lesser men than us
make their fortunes adventuring, and it should only take us a few months.
For now, it is time to bed, since the bar is
closing up around us and my
good friend Demetrius is falling asleep over his cups again. Tomorrow, we begin
our journey westward -- to adventure!