While on my many travels I came across many cultures and people. In the richness of all they had to share I was greeted by many tales to which was had many meanings for them in their lives. Of this tale that was told to me was about a man called Falek.
Falek was a man of high station. Son of a merchant and a gypsy, he traveled the distance with his family learning the trades and the people. He was of a stern build strong in mind and hand. Many labors would not be completed had it not been for his will alone. of the detail of appearance they could not fully say just that he was scarred from his left brow to his cheek.
Falek had lived among his family many years. One day as the caravan passed along a river bed Falek had looked out the wagon to behold the beauty of the water. However it was not water he saw but an old man. He bid the man steering to halt the wagon. Falek stepped out and greeted the old man.
The Old Man was dressed in robes and rags. Carrying only a small sack on his left hip anda larger one over his right shoulder. His face was dirty and marked with age. His hands withered from many winters of hard work. Hiseyes however showed a kind of child like clarity. This was also showed in the smile he gave to Falek on that day.
The two men sat around the banks of the river, for what seemed to be hours. They laughed into the night. In that time the old man presented Falek a trinket. Nothing too fancy but just a small silver trinket. "Said to bring luck to whoever controls it,".Said the Old Man As the old man nodded off dawn approached.
The caravan slowly drew away from the river. In the happiness of his new toy Falek starred and admired it. he looked for any inscription, to his dismay was none. It was as the old man had stated a simple ordinary trinket. Still seeing somthing good from it put it deep in his possessions and fell fast asleep.
The caravan was still along way home when Falek was suddenly startled. It was evening now and the cold in the air was felt. Falek grabbed a blanket and quickly slipped back into the land of dreams. As he slipped away a smile unlike any other greeted his lips.
The next few days were uneventful even boring. The Caravan saw no business. They simply waited then moved on. it was a saturday when at last some business had finally drummed up. Falek was pleased. Clutching tightly to the trinket he watched and smiled as many buyers came and went. Eagerly he counted his gold. Nothing special here, he thought. Hmm this trinket would be better melted down. Passing the notion from his mind he threw the trinket on a pile of clothes and went to bed.
The Night came to morning and covered in a deep fog. Falek called for his servants but noone ever came. He cried louder but still noone came. He raised ou his bed and went ouside. The fog was still thick but the suns rays still pierced through. The cold air around him he walked searching for answers. He came to the head of the convoy, to see noone there.
The wagon had been completely cleaned out. of any life that was in it. Nothing was touched as far as objects. Neither was anything out of place. Strange he thought as he went from wagon to wagon. Same thing in every part of the Group. No women, no children no men. Seeing as this could be a joke he started to laugh. Come out you guy!, He Yelled. Still nothing.
Seeing that it could be far worse he grabbed his knives. Still calling to the wind for anyone he made his way back to his bed. He looked to the ground seeign for any tracks. In the corner of his eye he could see a flicker of orange. Looking up he saw his wagon becoming engulfed in flames. In a mad rush he made his way toward the gold. The flames so intense he could not pass. There Falek stood in awe of such things.
As he ran to run back to the first wagon he was stopped cold by a big hand. The hand had pulled him backwards with so much force that he fell to the ground breaking his wrist. Getting up to see what happened he only saw the eyes of a beast. "Your sins are to be cleansed from you Falek," it called. "Who or what are you?" Falek yelled in fear!" I am Luck Redeemer for the Just," said the beast in haste. At the No more was ever seen or heard from Falek again.
The morning in question everyone had awoken from their wagons from the sudden screams of women. The men and children hurried from their beds to see what was to matter. It was then they saw the groutesque figure of Falek. hung by a pole his body torn as if by a wild beast. In his hands was a scroll. The men of the Caravan decided to open the scroll as if fate compelled them to.
In the reading of the scroll it was revealed that Falek was indeed a murderer, a cheat, a coward and a liar. it was also to be known that he killed his family with a poison to gain the fortune in which they held. lastly it was in depth of all murders and cross deals ever made by Falek. As they turned to mourn for their fallen comrads and the ill will of Falek let him be and decided to press on to the nearest town.
As the last wagon passed into the heat of the day, the old man appeared once again. He walked to the spiked body of Falek and smiled. "Greed comes in many forms my fine friend. I told you that what you held would bring Luck. I never said it was good or evil. I knew all along your heart. Even as you stabbed me and left me by the river bed I knew your due was at hand. I will name clease you and the world of your filth!" Said the old man. With that he reached in the mangled guts of Falek and held within his hand a glowing white light. As the old man peered down into it clenched his fist depleting the light from the world. The light molded into another silver trinket and became still. Once all was said and done the old man vanished never to be seen again by the eyes of the world.
At the end of this story I asked the Tribes man about how could such things be known if Falek was dead. They snickered and turned to me. Children my lord they see everything. They are innocent and see only truth. They saw all the deceptions of that night and any night. This tale was handed down from them to their children to thier children and finally to us. All I can say my lord is all our deeds are accountable and it matters not when just that they are indeed accounted for.
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