Aye, some stories are told, some are not and some NEED to be told.
This is one such story.
I have mentioned the Great Beasts in the pages of the Red book many times, about how they guard the great Castle Catalano, and ward off intruders and sometimes even eat them. (ha)
How they forage for scraps and how they protect the Bard when the Great Gumba is away, fighting evil or the lesser hoards.
But I rarely mention the love and companionship they give every day, all the time, to any one the Gumba and Bard call friend.

We are not alone in this, and this is one such tribute to another great beast,
A beast called: BRAXTON.

I have mention Catherine of Khatadin over the years for she is kin to Kerry the Bard, sisters they be.
Catherine has a new champion in her life and the Gumba approves of him. I have written about him in passing several times and shall do so again.

To recap:
Katherine of Khatadin has a new suitor, a warrior from the Highlands of the great lands of Scotts. A warrior from the Clan, CAMP BELL. A proud clan, warriors one and all.Aye, and they be drinkers as well. Never has the Gumba met someone who can best the Gumba at drinking, until now.

To this end, this is what we write about today:

Stepan from the Clan, Camp bell and his mighty beast: BRAXTON.

Braxton was of the same ilk as Maya, Broad shouldered and square headed except he was 100 times bigger and stronger. A fitting beast for Stepan.
Side by side, for many a year, they worked, fought and played.
As ferocious as a beast could be, at times, and as kind and gentle as a lamb the next.
Braxton loved children, (not like that, no, he didnt eat them), he loved to play with them and lick them and let them pet him and sometimes, on those rare occasions, he even let one ride him like a pony.

Braxton loved the water; he could play in it for hours, especially with the children.
They would throw water and he would try to catch it. He loved that game.

In the winter he would curl up by the woodstove in the Great Scotsmans castle and just lie there, very content, knowing he was loved and giving that love back 100 times and more.

Black as the night, with steely eyes, ever watchful, for he was the guardian off the keep.
Guardian of that which he loved, which he would fight and die for; Stepan.

No man, shall ever know the love of a great beast, like that of which, Braxton did show to Stepan.

For, he was, a one of a kind beast, betroved to Stepan by the great Scot King, for deeds done well in battle and victories of his enemys.
A mighty bloodline, and a proud ancestry of devotion and kindness.

Alas, Braxton, this time fought a battle he could not win.
Stepan could not even help his mighty friend, for the dark clouds are magical and bring forth the Valkyerie, the riders of the night.
For when they sing their song, even the Immortals must head the call.
For the halls of Valhalla need champions also.
Braxton heard the song of the sirens and knowing what he must do, he trotted over to Stepan, leaned into him, looked up and licked his face.
Then he went to the wood stove, curled up, sighed, and went to fight in the halls of Valhalla.

A great roar was heard across the land, for grief has no boundaries.

As is Scots tradition and Norse tradition, he was afforded a warriors farewell.
For he was a great and true warrior, and a warm and caring friend.

A great gathering was had; the Medieval monk brought much mead and ale.
A funeral fire was lit.
Braxton was swaddled in gauze and resin and placed in a longboat, which Stepan had constructed.
The boat was set adrift into the wind, as it drifted out to sea; the archers readied and fired flaming arrows into the night sky.
Like fireworks they lit up the sky as they streaked their way towards the longboat.

A brilliant light could be seen on the horizon as the boat sank into the night.

The Valkyries rode their mighty steeds across the skies that night, an honor bestowed only upon the mightiest and most loved.

The light of Braxton shall be ever felt and remembered, for none such as he shall ever roam the lands again.

All hail the mighty Braxton, Warrior, Companion, animal brethren.

Ye shall be greatly missed.

HUZZAH: long live Stepan.

Long live the Great Gumba.

So sayeth the Great white Sage of the Northron Regions