Frederic, second son of a farmer near Watch Hill, left home at the age of 16 in search of adventure. Being a little bit slow in understanding, he compensated with sheer physical strength. He is 180 cm tall, with shortcut red-blonde hair that reveals a 2 inch scar on his left temple (a reminder to him about the danger a single Trolloc still poses). His green eyes still shine with the eager glance of idealism. His clothing is near to immaculate and above average. His muscular appearance is somewhat spoiled by his tendency to put on weight due to his excessive love for wine and food. He joined the Children of the Light after being attacked by a band of former farmers that had turned to robbing travelers on Almoth Plain. He was barely saved by the Children of the Light and joined to re-establish Law and Order and because serving the Light was something he was taught to be right. Therefore he takes great pride in being a Children of the Light (and following their rules) and will not tolerate misconduct.
Characters at Watch Hill:
Fafric, Da
Lalaith, Mother
Gerhald, older brother of Frederic
Kaatheen, Wisdom in Watch Hill
Jerana, Nice of Kaatheen
Frederic was standing at the small clearing in the small forest near Watch Hill. The birds were singing, the wind rustling leaves on ancient trees. He loved this grove. How many times had he played here as a child, imagining battles of old, when men from Watch Hill had ruled all land for here to the mountains in the west, as grandfather had told him. Mother didn't like grandpa telling him stories like that, or making him a wooden sword ! He had hidden it in a hollow tree close by. Countless battles had he won with it, but now he owned something even better. Just before Grandfather had died last winter, he had given Frederic his long hidden treasure, a real sword. Mother had nearly wept, shouting at the same time that such things were not meant for Two River folk, let alone for small boys like him. Small boy indeed ! Even now he stood as tall as most men from Watch Hill, although he would still be called a boy till being proclaimed a man this summer, when he had finished his 15th summer. Mom had tried to take away the sword, but father had said that it now belonged to him and she should not bother too much. But only a promise not to walk around town with the sword but to keep it hidden in a box under his bed had ended her protests. But whenever he got the chance, he sneaked away to his grove to 'practice', hacking away at imagined enemies. Mother wanted him to go to her cousin down in Emond's Field and learn being a smith. Gerhald, his older brother, would take over the farm soon, as their Da was suffering from some sickness the Wisdom could not cure. He once overheard Mother having an argument with the Wisdom, where she said that old Kaatheen couldn't hear the wind. Kaatheen made his mother do penance for a week, saying that Lalaith deserved it. But Da's illness didn't get better. ...
Winter came and turned into spring. Da's illness has gotten worse, Gerhald married after the harvest and soon his child will be born. Kaatheen has 'counseled' Mom to let Gerhald have the farm now and move into town, so that she can look after Da more often. So I'm to walk down to Emond's Field and start working as an apprentice to that cousin of her. I remember Grandfather talking about big cities and real soldiers fighting mighty battles. Even Kings and princesses lived there ! Why shouldn't I go and have a look at them before ending my life as a dull smith down in boring Emond's Field ? nothing happened down there. Da once said that nothing ever changed in Emond's Field. And when I return, that stupid Jerana wouldn't stick out her tongue at me anymore. But then I wouldn't ask her to dance with me, no I wouldn't. With everybody that would be around, but not with her ! The day I had to go down to Emond's Field, Mother cried a lot, saying I had to do as ordered, not start any trouble and wash myself regularly. As if I wouldn't ! I even knew how to work with a needle or wash my clothes. Mom had said then that someday my wife would appreciate that. But instead of walking straight down to Emond's Field, I walked to the grove, where I had hidden grandfather's swords the day before. I wouldn't leave without it. Mother would probably have sold it to the next peddler coming to town. Standing there, I made a decision :
The blade should show me the way ! If it pointed south, I'd go to Emond's Field, but if it pointed north, I'd go to Tarren Ferry and see the world first!
Drawing a big circle on the ground, marking north and south, I drew the sword from it's scabbard. As I raised the blade above my head, it caught a ray of light and started to shine. Gazing at the sight for a few seconds, I hoped for north. With a quick move I sent the sword up in the sky, spinning round and round. Stepping out of the circle , I watched the sword coming down again. I closed my eyes, prying to the light it would lead me north, at the same time fearing just that. Then a sound, a simple "thuddd", could be heard. Slowly I opened my eyes, looking at the circle. The sword lay there, showing directly north, it's tip actually touching the N! I picked it up, cleaning it of the dirt before putting it back in it's scabbard. Slowly I started to walk, step after step, forcing me on. Standing on a small hill, I looked back, seeing our farm as a small dot in the distance. I felt a tear in my eye as I thought : 'Forgive me, mother.' "