TALE OF THE ROGUE
Now I’m no story teller mind you, but I’ll do me best to tell you what I know. There be tales and then there be Tales that set this land apart from all the rest. The Rogue, he be one of those Tales.
From the sea came a shimmering of morning coming along the coastline. The packs were ready to go and further down the coast lay the provincial town of Tiebay, the old village of the Rogue. It’s said that the Rogue roamed these parts thousands of years ago with no one standing in his way. He was mighty, fair, quite a communer of people, well liked and respected by all. He’d help you if he pleased and liked you, but if he didn’t, he’d turn and leave you to dust.
This is the tale I’m here to find the truth of. I’m a legend hunter by trade, paid by the Oracle Masters to straighten things out. Most scholars and priests don’t like to see me coming as I screw up their history and religious books with charms and facts of real mixed with fantasy. I separate the two you know. Fact from fantasy and throw it at the them all to laugh at me. But it’s truth I tell you in all things. Believe me, truth lies in there at the bottom of every fantasy.
McDoogle Gregor is my name and I’m 42 today as I sail to dock at Tiebay. Been at it 14 years and loving every minute of it. Whether it’s screaming banshees or high racing wind Gods, petite little fairies or the Giants of the North, I’ve walked to find the lot as best I can and plan on more to come. Now I’m on to the Rogue, a tough man with a fairies heart for the Godly ones and blood of stone for the evil ones.
A giant of a man for those days, seven feet tall head to ground and the size of a horse. But gentle as any mother with children and animals. Not so much adults though. Long greasy gray hair some say and others say white and clean as pure snow. Depended on who was telling the tale and if he had befriended them or not. He was a stable man, sure of himself and rallied no fences around him to let go of himself when angry or joyful. Not much of a middle there he was. Either up or down.
He came from the sea on a ghost ship bigger than the moon some exaggerated. But really it’s figured it was a Scander ship of some kind from Scandia in those days that saw him here. He was carried away in a storm and no other crew were there with him, so it’s said. He scared half the village close to their graves on first sight on him, especially the women. Many in the outer reaches wouldn’t let their children be anywhere near him for years they say in the moorlands. But he drew wee ones like bees to honey.
He was rough looking off of the boat and stunk to hell and back. Scared even the animals away from him then. Back on his boat he dove feet first just as he was in rags into the ocean off the side of his ship and part sank her with a splash. Fresh he came up and salty, but cleaner so folks could see he was human, not monster. Though some still wondered about his being a ghost till the day he died, or disappeared. Again depending on whose story your listening to.
The Danann people of the village knew no name for such a breed as he having never seen anything like him before. None close in height they were to him, size and shape not at all. A mammoth of a man carrying weight on his body of at least 28 stones. Big beefy belly with arms and back strong as an ox. Some say he could haul his own boat out of the water with no help.
Streaming wet he rose from the water to come ashore before them once more. Stroke of luck had it a young whipper snapper about 5 years old, Jamie, wriggled through legs and feet to run right up to him with arms held out strong. The Rogue moved quick for his size swinging Jamie up over his head onto his shoulders amid women’s screams and faints while men brandished anything they could get their hands on to threaten the giant man.
Rogue roared with laughter the sounds of pure bells ringing in his voice as he strode towards them. Parting the crowd still with cries of alarm and men shouting threats he started singing so loud it echoed off the distant mountains. Silence fell on all as they followed him, as if he were a magnet, towards their tiny village.
Passing others along the way cries arose of alarm to go warn the king of such as this on their shores, though none would turn to leave and miss a thing. As he walked the child directed him to where he lived. Arriving, Mother and Father scurried up from the crowd to stand guard and demand their child be put down at once. Gesturing their desire got no response until the child flung out his arms to his Mam.
Putting the child safely into it’s Mam’s arms Jamie immediately wriggled his way to the ground insisting that the giant be allowed to eat with him now. The boy’s speechless parents watched as he took the giants hand and put it into his Mam’s hand as if to insist they become friends. This brave little boy spoke more in his actions than all the peoples words that day. So it was that the Rogue became one of the Danann that day.
As time went on he built himself a house and farm with the help of his new neighbors. The language barrier stayed between them for a bit as the young lad, Jamie, was the only one who could really understand him. Once the languages were shared the Rogue became a favorite supper guest.
He told stories like they had never heard before. Adventures of far off lands with creatures on land and sea that turned your blood cold. Strange people and savage weapons he drew pictures of in the earth for all to see. They hailed his exploits and booed his failures bringing heart to all.
Of course, one never really knew if these were true, but no one really cared either. He was such a good communer, giving comfort with his words and deeds and they grew to love him like family. He gave them security with his size and might. Afraid of no one, he stood for them and caused no harm to anyone in the village.
He was a secret man though they say. He’d slip away for days on end with no pack or mule to secure his way. Only to return full of presents and eats for all carried on small horses for the children. No one knew where he went or how he came by these wondrous gifts. He never was without money to help someone out though he didn’t work for pay. He was a mystery to all.
Then one morning early about 10 years on there came a strange little man into the shadows of town. Of course, Jamie was the first to spot him as a dark earth green sort of form seemed to slither under the bushes behind his house. It was a weird sight to see according to Jamie. He tried to run from the lad but Jamie was right quick on his feet and caught him straight away with his magic lasso round the little mans waist and tackled him to the ground.
The little thing blurted out in perfect Danann that Lumpfut was his name, though he said his name wasn’t to be said around gentry and all as he was just 13 then and couldn’t be seen by elders. Such a statement confounded Jamie for sure, along with the little fellows looks. Leathery earth green with leaves all twisted in his hair, nose and ears, strange green leaf like short pants just past his knees, feathery shirt and a fur hat.
Jamie looked him over eyeing his earth green skin and black wood pointed shoes. No clue what this thing was, but it had the face of a man for sure. Quick glance showed a long earth toned beard hanging to mid chest. He spoke clear Danann for sure, though the accent had a wee bit of a twinge and a tang in it that hit off key. It didn’t sound like any human voice or animal sound Jamie had ever heard. But the more the man spoke various tones and pitches floated into Jamie’s ears and his mind began to whirl freezing him in place. The bewitching sounds left him unable to move while the little man took leave simply slipping out of Jamie’s arms and breaking the lasso. With only empty arms to support him, Jamie flopped to the ground in a paralyzed trance.
Well Jamie reckoned it was about 15 minutes he lay there hearing things around him, but couldn’t move a muscle or raise a voice at all. Twas his toes that first started tingling that woke him full to begin trying to move his foot and all. Took a while though he said as things came back in pieces. First the foot, then another, up the legs and on to top of his head. Shook himself all over when he could finally stand trying to remember what happened to him.
A scattering of leaves and feathers he didn’t recognize lay round him and fuzzy swam in his head to bring his memory back to this spot last. The strange green man, of course. What had he done to Jamie anyway to drop him so quick leaving him paralyzed and dreaming of sounds all around him?
Feathers and leaves left a trail where the little green man pulled loose getting out of Jamie’s grip. Strange concoctions of feathers too as he got a closer look picking several up. Deep royal purple and blue with forest green moving through them with the breeze and they sang a soft whistle. They were mysterious indeed. The leaves were torn shreds and pieces of dark and light green. He almost got lost again in the look of them, but caught himself in time to keep his steps going. The hues and the colors were amazing in the sunlight.
Following the scatterings right to the edge of the Rogue’s property Jamie was right concerned for him as this little fellow had powers he was quite sure that could daft even the Rogue. Nobody had ever matched the Rogue before, but his fear sent him running to Rogues door to warn his friend of this stranger.
He hit the front porch in 2 jumps up the steps and never got to the door before there was the little man perched right there on the porch railing with Rogue talking and laughing like they’d known each other forever. Stunned Jamie halted in mid step with arm raised to the door.
Turning, Rogue bellowed to Jamie he was just in time to meet his old chum, leaving Jamie even more speechless than he was. Rogue was by his side in 2 strides pushing him to come forward to meet his old friend and traveling companion, Lumpfut, from Terabow in Greeneyers. Never having heard of either of those names, Jamie put out a limp hand to shake the little man’s hand, which was already extending in his direction.
Panic struck Jamie as he remembered what had happened that brought him here in the first place. Memory struck him of touching this Lumpfut bringing his hand flying back before the little fellow got a hold of it. Rogue went red faced laughing so loud they heard the church bell clapper strike the tower bell. He was a powerful man and all you know.
The Rogue lowered his arms in Jamie’s direction and raised him up to his face the full height of seven feet and all. Cautiously Jamie looked down from this tower to realize the dizzying height he now stood and went right away limp as a rag in Rogue’s hand.
When he woke, Rogue was standing over him much concerned for his well being explaining over and over again that he would never cause Jamie any harm and had not meant to scare him so fiercely. He thought Jamie had powers that meant he was less fragile.
Jamie’s ire rose with those last words and he oh too quickly tried to jump up to defend his honor from such an accusation as being fragile. Strength, endurance and stealth were his pride. He rose to claim those in that moment of anger and pride only to have his body fail him as it puddled in a lump back onto the cushions Rogue had laid him on.
His head swam and felt like a pinwheel in the wind going round and round as his throat spasmed. Air barely passed through his nose and throat so he had no voice at all. Pain racked in his chest as he tried to sit up again but his body wouldn’t do what he wanted it to. It was the delayed effect of the shock of Lumpfut’s touch, but neither he nor Rogue knew that yet.
Something touched Jamie’s chest like a feather drawing the breath and clear headedness back into him immediately so as he could see before him Lumpfut’s eyes staring right into his not a hairs breath away. Jamie was mesmerized for the second time that day into a paralyzed statue. This time though he felt no fear as he knew who he was this time, along with the other faces around him.
In fact, calm and cozy with no desire to move a muscle, all thoughts were clear as he heard those tones and pitches he’d heard somewhere before today. Then birds sang in his head and clouds appeared as well, right inside his head.
A sudden clicking noise brought him round again as he came right in the head once more staring up at Rogue’s ceiling. He heard soft whispers to his right and wondered who said what. They said his name for sure. Struck with a cough he bolted upright and off the bed standing unsteadily, but sure, on the floor in front of Rogue and Lumpfut.
“What a pair they made”, was the only thought he had. Rogue at seven feet tall and Lumpfut all of maybe three feet. Traveling companions? Where? Rogue only disappeared once in a while for no more than a week at a time. He’d shared something with Jamie once in secret that his mind couldn’t catch right now. What was that town Rogue said? Green something? Well Lumpfut was a very green sort. His thoughts cut short.
“There ya be. Now that’s my Jamie lad I know.” Rogue strode forward to grasp Jamie round the shoulders to steady him while shuffling him towards Lumpfut. Jamie, as reluctant as before, drew back the best he could from Rogue’s bear grasp.
Jamie was a short bit over five feet tall now and quite a strapping lad for fifteen. His long red hair pulled back into a hook at the nap of his neck so as not to be a bother in his face, he stood proud in his breaches and shirt of Danann color. No match though for the Rogue as his heels scraped along the floor trying to slow the distance to Lumpfut when the world all but fell apart for all.
His lasso sizzled and sparked on his side not liking a bit the shambles of it all. It’s frayed thread from Lumpfut breaking free of it not long before snaked smoking flames as it neared that green little man again. Jamie’s energy and it were the same intertwined for all time and what went through Jamie went through that lasso too. It had a near mind of it’s own as well to keep a color on it. It blew a fuse now and bit at Lumpfut with an audible hiss as it struck his leafy trousers and sizzling sounds filled the air with smoke.
The air filled with sparkles of diamonds turned to sand that came pouring straight down over Jamie’s head while damping out the lasso’s speed to strike again as Rogue threw Jamie to the side in quick action. Both men jumped instantly into action throwing themselves on top of Jamie to stop the knee jerk reaction that was sure to come. They held him where he fell and Lumpfut grabbed the lasso to control it just before Jamie could get hold of it.
The tremor that went through the earth was deep and stood well in time as the rock bed beneath the house broke free shoving straight up pulling house and frame up with it. The anger, surprise and confusion of the four were that mighty as one force. The sound was a blast so loud it broke the waters surface 3 miles away.
It’s still there you know, that raised stand of rock bed. Take yourself out about two miles to the North on the Lap Road and you’ll see for yourself the truth. There’s no house, of course, but the rock bed stands six feet up from the ground on it’s own with deep trench paces all around it where it broke it’s core. It’s not an even piece mind you after all these millennium gone. They say that it’s warn to a thread now compared to it’s original height of thirty feet. Depends, you know, on who’s telling the tale. Can you imagine such might as that to do such a thing? It had to be a fright to all around for sure.
The magic of that man and his mighty strides to get it done made things much worse and all after the fact. They rose all in one from the floor. Rogue lifting Jamie round his stomach, Lumpfut fighting hold the lasso and Jamie screaming and lashing out at both to grab his lasso back. Had to be a sight for sure the four of them in such a furl. That lasso was pretty powerful matter all on it’s own, but in Jamie’s hands it became a force of good and evil, depending on a mind he be in at the time.
You see, Jamie had a fearsome temper and no more father for six years then to teach him how to contain it. Twas a terrible attack took his Da during a journey at sea. Jamie still held a grudge against every man that returned from that trip accusing they had not held tight to look for his Da as they should. He was the Captain you know of that ship and bold men knew his name for sure and gave him wide berth. Stories say he took a monster away with him when it grabbed to take the ship and his Da leapt into the sea to save his crew. Jamie is sure he knew him better though as there be no monster that could have taken on his Da and lived. You know kids minds and all. His anger still raged at anything and all.
Rogue had been a great balancing influence on Jamie during these six years, but in that moment Jamie had no level head there with Rogue, Lumpfut and that lasso of his. He was a raging bull to be seen for sure. Rogue’s sheer bulk is what brought him down to size and Lumpfut stilled his mind again to a lesser degree.
Can you picture it in your mind now? All that heat and bluster with magic sparks and curls flying around clouds of dust while bursting forth in flames and smoke billowing out the doors and windows to the sky. Had to be a fearsome sight for sure. Especially with Rogue having been such a quiet man and never any trouble all these years. Shook the core out of the town for sure.
Well it’s said Rogue slammed Jamie back to the ground and sent the ground asunder landing his foot upon the lads back to hold him fast. Then as if to add extra measure to the state of affairs Lumpfut lassoed Jamie foot to head with the lad’s own lasso. All this commotion took the air out of Jamie like a deflated baffle. Stunned with them on his back, Lumpfut soothed him in his tones once more for a more lasting time, about 6 hours to be exact they say.
Most stories agree that on waking the first thing Jamie saw was his Mam sittin’ aside him as he lay in his own bed. She’d soothed him with her special herbs & ale as he slept and it helped to lengthen the sleep a might. She was glad to be of help to Rogue and Lumpfut as she knew Jamie’s temper all too well and couldn’t cause for no alarm of it.
On waking the lad was slow to remember the reason for his head throbbing and sore ribs. First lucid moment he had he jerked up looking for his lasso. Looped and calm it lay over his legs. He grabbed for it, but his Mam was a might quicker knowing his exact movements to come. She brought him down with her hand on his chest to rest him back in bed as she spoke strict words to him to hush.
His anger rose, but he held his place as he knew her anger as his own and consequences as well. She stared him down so as he shrunk back down in his bed. Whirling about she fumed of anger through and through slamming the door behind her. Quiet in his room then so as to hear himself breath he feared the next.
Door hinges stressed to shearing as she banged the door open reappearing with each arm outstretched at her sides, one up and one down. Amid ouches and yelps she clung to Lumpfut’s left ear pushing him forward into the room. Ear in hand, she side shuffled into the room dragging Rogue on a rope secured round his muscular right arm, causing him to duck to fit through the door. Clearing the door but off balance, Rogue bumped her tumbling her forward into Lumpfut who landed sprawled on the ground with Rogue still on rope almost knocking her over again as well.
Lumpfut, his ear still curtailed by Mam, howled like a wounded dog bringing only her severest terror warnings of punishment for him if he didn’t shut it up and that he and the lot of them deserved every last thing they were getting for what they’d done. Jamie in turn was laughing to tears at the sight of the three of them not comprehending his inclusion in her terrible threat until his Mam grabbed his ear to drag him out of bed. Holding Rogue and Lumpfut roped together and Jamie by the ear her voice commanded “SIT!”.
Sit it was, right there on Jamie’s bedroom floor. From hearsay, we know Jamie peeked for his lasso, but it being so akin to his emotions and all, it was under the bed hiding all curled in a ball. So there they sat, all four, Mam madder than a rampaging bull. Oh dear lordy, they were in for it now. They say, she laid them down the laws and ruled their days and nights for a fortnight of chores and dirty hard labor. She threatened them with living hell if they rose one breath to her now and the whole of them would be put to sit front row of the ritual circles with the babes and young if they did. Not a peep came from them with such a threat as that. Their dignity and pride were her weapons.
So it was that the four of them, Lasso being put to manual labor too, dug, hauled, pitched, gardened, planted, fished, repaired and worked for the entire town till Mam’s time limit came due to be free. No clue if they learned their lesson though, between hot tempers and magic and all, as Lumpfut disappeared within a week and Rogue soon after that.
What’s known is they became thicker than thieves the four of them during their penance. Rogue and Lumpfut only stood Mam’s wrath so as Jamie wouldn’t take the whole load of it. The story gets sketchy here a bit according to the lore. Some say Lumpfut and Rogue went together, others say separate. No clear picture left behind except Jamie’s kin still swear it was Lumpfut left first.
Jamie’s Mam fed them during their working time as she felt duty bound to do. She did a bit of gardening for Rogue on his place to make sure no food spoiled or vermin ate it. No one made effort to his house being it was that far in the air and all. How could anyone know he would up and disappear so quick?
Jamie surprised everyone after both men disappeared in his non concern for their missing. The whole affair left a mystery to all seeing how Rogue arrived and vanished. He left his ship and all of his belongings with a note that Jamie should have them all. Nothing else was said to anyone.
Ah, there’s me horn that my ship is ready to sail to Tiebay. I’ll be off now and thank you for your listening ear. Hope you gained the information you be looking for. Now if you ever come my way in Greckery through Towsberry, stop by the Oracle Master’s Academy to look me up. I may have a tale or two to add for you as I know a bit. Always good to leave a story in mystery you know. No time now though so I’ll be off. Take care and travel well.
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