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Story |
Leong The story of Leong N'Gok Kar is a tragic one, the tale of one man betrayed by the gods in mockery of his noble actions. Leong was born to poor peasant stock, but the young boy did not bemoan his lot in life. He was accepting of his place in life, but he was less satisfied with that given to others, always seeking ways to try to change their lives for the better. While the young Leong's efforts were not always appreciated - such as his misguided attempt to arrange a marriage between the mayor's son and a peasant girl who obviously doted on him - his morals were never in doubt. Following harsh winters, harvests could be pitiful, but Leong never complained about his meagre share. In fact, he would often go without rather than see another go hungry in his place. Perhaps his most significant childhood act occurred during a violent storm one summer. The storm raged with more violence than had been seen in many a year and Leong was at a neighbour's farm trying to help calm the frightened animals. He watched in horror as a lightning bolt struck the roof of the barn, knowing that the neighbour's son was still inside. Without a thought for his own safety, Leong rushed inside to rescue the boy. While in the barn, however, Leong was struck by a falling beam, which left a scar across his right eye. The scar was a small price to pay, however, for the life of the boy Leong was able to carry out in his arms to safety. As Leong grew older, he began to realise that farm life was not for him. His father had already noticed the boy's keen intellect and had for some time been bartering his produce for books to nurture his son's talent. Wanting to put his desire to help people to more practical use, Leong decided to study medicine. He was a diligent pupil and within six months he was acting as assistant to the town's apothecary. Six months after that, the apothecary was allowing him to treat patients unsupervised and, when the apothecary decided to retire a few years later, Leong was the natural choice to succeed him. Leong's popularity within the community, never small, continued to swell and it was no surprise that he caught the eye of Adrianna, the most beautiful and sought after girl in town. The wedding of this golden couple had to take place outside of the temple doors because the temple itself could not accommodate all those who wished to attend and pay their respects. While the passion may fade a little for many couples after they are married, Leong and Adrianna's devotion for each other only increased. Before long, they were the proud parents of two beautiful daughters. It seemed that the couple's star would never dim. Boys would promise their fathers that they would grow up to be just like Leong. Girls would beg their mothers to buy them the same dresses they could see Adrianna wearing. Following Leong's exaltation, he found that he could help the community in ways he had never before dreamed and there was much talk as Leong succeeding the current incumbent as the next mayor, though Leong himself insisted that he was not worthy of such an honour. Then the gods decided to take it all away. Little is known of these dark times. Those concerned will not speak of them and persistent questioners are not welcome. What is known is that Leong discovered something that turned his whole world upside down. He fell into a deep depression and raged against the cruel trick fate had played upon him. He neglected his duties, not just as a doctor, but also as a husband and a father. Eventually, it became too much for Adrianna to bear and she left him, taking their daughters with her. Leong no longer cared about anything enough to even try putting up a fight. He sank further into darkness, seeking to drown his sorrows with alcohol and, when that failed, he would pick fights in the hope that physical pain might replace that which writhed within his heart. The townsfolk could stand it no more and, despite all the good he had done for them in the past, Leong found himself driven from the only home he had ever known.
But the actions of the townspeople were not without benefit, however,
for now Leong was forced to start taking charge of his life. Desperate
to find away to change what now seemed to be his destiny, Leong
began his search for answers, desperation giving haste to his quest.
He journeyed far and wide, endured many trials and hardships, studied
at the side of some of the greatest masters of the age, all with
but one goal in mind. He became talented in the ways of magic, but
no matter how much he learned, how far he ranged, it was never enough.
Leong still has far to go in his quest and there are many answers still to be learned. Without a doubt there will be pain and hardship before the end, but for now, at least, he does not have to travel alone, having fallen in with a band of adventurers who seem to be travelling the same roads he himself wishes to walk. Leong is not the man he once was, but he has been pushed to the brink of madness and survived so perhaps now there is some light at the end of his very dark tunnel… (story by Duncan Johnson, a.k.a. Leong) |
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