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through
the room.
Caliph
Sardul el Akim: A thousand greetings be upon
you... I am Caliph Sardul el Akim... Paymaster
of the Mercenary
Alliance.
After
saluting each other, I take a seat to write more
comfortably, and Sardul decides to remain
standing up, something that makes me feel grateful,
because of the view he offers.
Maud
Doe: First, excuse my ignorance... How should
I address to you?
SEA: Sardul will be fine...
MD: Oh, thank you very much, Sardul then.
MD:
May I ask what does your title imply, and how
did you get it?
SEA: My title Caliph.... it is a term used
in my homeland, to denote one of noble blood...
akin to a lord of these lands. But I am far from
my lands now, and never enforce its use... though
some do so freely.
MD:
I've heard you come from Tanaris, am I right?
SEA: Yes that is true... my tribe is from
the deep sands... a harsh place of great beauty
and ancient strength. No matter how far I stray
from the sands, Tanaris is always close.
MD:
And how did a noble like you become a mercenary?
SEA: When I first came to these lands,
it was with a clear and true purpose in mind.
I took regard of the world around, and measured
it as dark and woeful in places... many lived
in fear... many lived in poverty. I wanted to
make a difference, but I was but one man...
Sardul's
voice, soft and warm like the wind through the
dunes, cradles me, and I almost forget to write
down his story.
SEA:
My tribe trades in Tanarian Silks, the finest
in all lands of the Azeroth. As such, I have access
to funds far beyond the reach of many. With this
coin, I slowly and carefully began to recruit
hireswords and mercenaries from these lands...
MD:
You mean, from the kingdom of Stormwind?
SEA: Yes... and Ironforge at first. Many
came to me because of my wealth, but only a handful
have I chosen to serve. The first of whom I gathered
to me, now stand as Captains of my Guild. My wealth
is no measure against their experience: I still
seek their council upon many matters, such is
their combined skill and knowledge.
MD:
What do you seek in the people who want to
join your cause?
SEA: The Mercenary Alliance is guided by
two Credo's: Strength and Honor. Strength, in
skill at arms, and bonds of Loyalty between us.
Honor, in deed and intent. It is the seed of these
two credos that I look for, in any new recruit
of the Guild.
MD:
Do you still accept more members?
SEA: We measure nigh upon fifty at this
time... but all those whom bear the rank of Mercenary,
are on a constant vigil for those who may be able
to face the challenges of the Guild.
SEA:
The life of a Mercenary of my guild is not an
easy one. I ask much of them, and rarely are they
idle. Many have tried to meet the standards I
ask, and faltered... Some of these have since
become leaders of notable Guilds. Such is a reflection
of the quality I seek within my own.
MD:
I guess it's not easy to find purity of the heart
these days... Those who choose to follow you,
must leave selfishness behind. That's too much
to ask for some.
SEA: Tis no wrong to try in any endeavor...
but to remain true to the ideals I sought, when
first I drew the Guild charter. I must maintain
certain levels and standards. I firmly believe
that all men have fates... or paths... I hope
the path of those I seek at my side, will lead
them to me. Which is why you will never see a
poster or herald proclaiming that we are recruiting.
MD:
Oh... now I understand.
SEA: Within the Mercenary Alliance, we
accept those of all paths. Within the Guild, I
encourage temperance and understanding...
MD:
That honors you, indeed.
SEA: ...taking the best from all, and forging
them into the strength of the Guild. Tis many
a closed mind, that has ended the service of those
who sought to become a Mercenary.
SEA:
A wise man of the sands once told me, that there
are places that can only be reached upon paths
of light and paths of shadow. If you are blind
to either, you will never find them.
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MD:
Paths... of Light and Shadow... that's very interesting.
I
turn my eyes to my notebook, and find that I've
been listening to Sardul so intently, that
I've forgotten to write his answers down, again.
But no worries, each one of his words is held
in a special place in my memory, so I just scratch
a few notes, and continue to the next question.
MD:
And what are your duties, as the Paymaster?
SEA: In my role as paymaster, I seek and
negotiate contracts for the Guild entire.
MD:
And which criteria do you use, if I may ask?
SEA: For the selection of Guild contracts?
MD: Yes, right.
SEA: As a guild, we have served out many
contracts in both these, and far flung lands...
from clearing the merchant ways of Defias bandits,
to reinforcing the troops at Morgan's Vigil after
recent losses. The nature of this contracts is
guided by the greater good of the common folk
of the Alliance.
MD:
I see... a honorable policy, Sardul.
SEA: One of our early contracts was with
the Lords of Ironforge... the now Captains of
the Guild settled a dispute between they and the
Thorium Brotherhood. In return, we were gifted
a lease upon a Guildhouse in this city: an old
dwarven trading hall, in the far reach of the
Dwarven Quarter. It meets our needs well, when
I summon the guild to hear of new contracts, or
news of note.
MD:
I heard your organization owned some kind of establishment
in the Park of Stormwind, is that true?
SEA: One of my Mercenaries ran a Tavern
there for a time... but I believe he abandoned
the endeavor. That was many moons ago.
MD:
Do you know that some groups are complaining about
mercenaries in Stormwind... like the Scarlet Missionaries?
(Sardul smiles, probably he knows what I'm talking
about) What would you tell them?
SEA: I think it would be fair to say My
Mercenaries feel the same way about the Scarlet
Missionaries... I would not deter any man from
a path he saw true as his own, but I would offer
that the Scarlet Missionaries are blinded by the
Light... (I can't help but laugh at the ingenious
joke of this charming man) and as such, there
are places I and my Guild will walk, that they
will never come to know.
MD:
I guess I know what you mean, Sardul.
SEA: (smiles) This world is broad... and
wide beyond the measure of most men to see. But
when the tale of my days is done, I hope I will
be able to end my tale with the words: "I
have lived in balance, and brought balance to
those around me".
Sardul's
smile makes my heart beat like a gnomish clockwork,
and I can't help but answer:
MD:
I'm sure you will, but I hope that day is far
away!
SEA: A thousand thanks be upon you milady...
My life is rich, in many aspects... each day that
passes offers opportunity to live... some squander
this most precious gift.
MD:
And, do you have any contracts now?
SEA: We have three contracts at this time...
served by Mercenaries of all seasons within the
Guild.
MD:
Three! You do keep yourself busy...
SEA: Indeed... two are in the service of
our most favorable employers: the Council of Stormwind.
The third is under the employ of the Steamwheedle
Cartel, securing their properties and merchant
ways.
SEA:
The Council of Stormwind has employed us to reinforce
the outpost of Morgans Vigil: they have lost many
men in recent conflicts, and forces were straying
into Redridge on increasing occasion. A farmstead
was destroyed by a rampaging Fore Giant... we
have hunted and slain the behemoth.
MD:
Oh my! (I shiver at the thought of Sardul fighting
bravely against the savage beast) A really dangerous
task!
SEA: We now patrol the vales and valleys
between Redridge and the Steppes... our vigil
brings security to folk, whom have lived in fear
for to long. As I mentioned... the life of a Mercenary
of my guild is no easy one... but with success
comes the spoils of service (Sardul pats his coin
purse, and a happy tinkle comes out of it, indicating
that its content is heavy).
SEA:
My Guild serves me well... far beyond all I could
ask of them; one of the many ways in which my
life is rich.
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MD:
You're a rich man then, if you can count with
the loyalty of your friends.
SEA: (smiles) Indeed.
MD:
Well... before we finish... just one more question...
SEA: Of course.
I
blush, as the moment I had feared and craved for
arrives... and taking a deep breath, I shoot the
question without a second thought.
MD:
Are you married?
Sardul
smiles, and after a pause that seems to last forever,
he speaks.
SEA:
I have nine wives... all of whom I love deeply
for many different wondrous reasons.
I
drop my pencil and my mandible at the same time...
speechless. What can you say, when you see your
dreams shatter in a thousand pieces, in a so unexpected
way? I even forgot to breath, for a moment...
SEA:
This is uncommon in these lands... but within
my own, this collection of women is known as a
Harem. My third wife is soon to bare child....
Some
part of my brain that works mechanically, makes
my lips smile and congratulate Sardul.
SEA:
My thanks... a desert prophet from my tribe has
told me she will bare a son... My first, though
not my first child, I have three beautiful daughters.
I call them the Jewels of Tanaris.
My
proficiency as a reporter finally takes over the
situation, and I grab my pencil and shattered
dreams from the floor.
MD:
You must be really happy with your weir- I mean,
great, family.
SEA: I love them all very deeply... they
enrich my life and make me want a better world
for them all to live in.
MD:
Well... I guess that's all, unless there's anything
you'd like to add... (I pray in silence to the
Light for mercy, wishing the answer will be "no",
so I can go to a quiet place and try to compose
myself).
SEA: My tale is long... there are many
stories I could offer you this day... many thoughts
I would share... (I shiver and bite my lip, praying
with more devotion)
SEA:
...but I think the insight you have gleaned so
far will suffice for now. If your readers wish
to learn more, I would gladly speak with you again.
MD:
(I finally let my breath out, and thank the Light)
One last request, would you let me take a picture
of yours - for the newspaper, of course...
Sardul
gently agrees, and I take his picture, wondering
if I still want to hang a copy of it in my room...
alright, he has nine wives, but he's still so
handsome!
SEA:
My thanks for this opportunity. May good fortune
fall upon you like rains from the heavens.
MD: Thanks... and may the Light always
bless you and your family.
We
bow to each other, and bid farewell. I gather
my notebook and pencil, and walk away from the
Mage Tower, wondering if I'll ever find
the love of my life... but now knowing where NOT
to seek: Tanaris!
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first met Caliph Sardul el Akim some weeks
ago, in the Stormwind Bank. As usually,
there was a crowd gathering around the boxes,
yelling and pushing each other. I sighed and waited
for my turn, but then, a gentleman noticed me.
