View source for Twist of the Heart

A long time ago, in distant Cormyr, were a pair of knights, Radon and Zachariah. The two knights were best of friends, although as different as could be. Radon served his Liege faithfully, but when he was not on duty he enjoyed his drink, women and revelry. Zachariah was quite the opposite, as devout as could be, pure and often working extra hours to watch over the church and shrines of the land.

The two would have many adventures together, and would always make up for the failings of the other. Radon's love for women often dragged them into trouble, where Zachariah would steer them to the clear. Their Liege lord found such funny and would both laugh and lament at the tales the two would tell upon their return.

Years passed until one day the Liege was set to inherit a great deal of land. During the celebratory night, Radon found a woman who stopped his heart. She was equally willful and bold, beautiful and confident. She was not so easily charmed, but this only made her all the more alluring to the Knight. Radon had fallen for her like he had never loved a woman before. The years began to pass as he tried to woo this lady, with Radon and Zachariah continuing to live a life of trouble and challenge. Finally after many years Radon wooed his lady. They were in love, and his heart was hers.

Unfortunately for the Liege and his knights, the revelry and warmth in the lands changed one day. During another celebration, a sultry temptresses weaved her way into the Liege's court. She had the ear of many a man, her spell weaved over them with ease. Yet, of all the men there, it was Radon who was unaffected, he had found his lady love and had put the days of temptation behind him. Unfortunately, poor pure Zachariah had no such hold on his heart. Years of being devout while his friend found the warm sheets of women had left the man lonely, even if he would never admit it. He was tempted by the Temptress, lead astray by the sweet dark words in his ear. The Temptress promised that if he did her bidding, then he would be hers, he would never be alone again. If he could but slay his Liege.

Zachariah set out to do her bidding in the deep dark of the night, when most of the castle were asleep.

The only one to hear and awaken when the Liege called for aid was Radon, as Zachariah burst into his Liege's chambers. Zachariah's longtime friend and ally, no foe. Zachariah spat hateful curses and would call upon his Temptress's dark powers. It was then that Radon and his Liege realized that Zachariah had become a blackguard - a dark champion to a fiend. The succubus was frustrated that Radon had stopped Zachariah from slaying the lord and bring the castle to heel, and even more so when they forced Zachariah to flee with her to safety.

How had Radon resisted her charms? The succubus had never had such happen before. It was simple, he had found love. A love which Zachariah had always sought for himself but ignored in order to be pure and devout. A devotion which had created a longing he did not truly know, a loneliness he did not acknowledge, until it was too late.

Radon shouted out in pain, bitter tears falling as he watched his friend flee with his new lady riding behind him. Radon would miss his friend, but he would remain grateful that his love had granted him the strength to resist, so that he could save the day.

Originally told by Aloysious Valoheim during the third Day of Stories. Recorded, written and embellished by Minto T Fuzzypaw.

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