Szander

He is the older brother of Lena.

The Beginning

They hailed from Eden, this family of 4. But now only two remain. Their parents were killed 3 years ago, and since then he has taken care of his little sister.

Exile

The family left Eden 4 years ago, cast out for transgressions of the mother or father. Neither Szander or his sister know what happened, but both are interested in restoring their honor in their homeland.

At first, the family traveled together across the wastelands, doing what was necessary to survive. They scrounged, hunted, traded and eventually began to progress beyond just maintaining themselves. Szander was only 12 when they first began, but by the time he was 13 the family thought they had found their place.

Perdition

Then one night everything changed. Bitter loss was to become a pattern in his life, yet tonight he lost something which he can never regain: his innocence.

They came quickly, and the destruction which accompanied them could not be tamed. In its wake, mother and father lay dead, Szander himself inches from it, and Lena hiding away as if she were invisible. Somehow they had missed her, and this fortune saved them both.

She followed the bandits through the night, and when they least expected it she snuck into their camp and retrieved not only the family goods one by one, but also vital medicines to save Szander's life. As he clung to consciousness through the delirium of fever, Szander saw a specter of his father, and he promised him that as soon as he was healthy enough to walk again he would devote himself to protecting his sister.

Recovery

Eventually his strength returned. And as they moved around the desert together it grew wildly, along with his stature. The boy of 13 quickly grew into a giant of a man with massive wrists and ankles and a misplaced baby face.

The Righteous Path

The desert is a lonely, serene wasteland for two youths fighting each day for survival. And when the day came that they saw a familiar face, it didnt take a genius to surmise that they might begin to travel together. The preacher was also an outcast from Eden, and Szander remembered him, as did he the children. After he learned of the demise of their parents he was insistent that they pool their resources and continue their journey as one.

Each day he spoke of his gods, and Szander listened. He didnt always understand what it all meant, but he listened and tried to incorporate these words and lessons into his life. This man was spending his energy to help them, the least he could do was spend his energy to learn.

El Circo Asombroso del Desierto

Before his rescue by Father Preacher, Szander was imprisoned by the notorious Hispanic desert circus. They immediately noticed his potential and apprenticed him to their strongman, El Gigante. They began an intense regimen of exercise and diet, and began exhibiting him as oso del bebé. Despite his generous diet, he was still a slave and was denied basic rights and anything which was unnecessary to keeping him in performance shape. He and El Gigante soon became the prime draw for the circus crowds. Their feats of strength and performance awed women and men alike, on all corners of the desert waste. Circo's leader, Visionario, and El Gigante, were confident that this performance would seal their fame for years to come.

Escape!

One summer day everything changed. It was time to perform probably the biggest show in the history of El Circo, the Amphitheater Music Festival. All of the greatest musicians and performers from across the waste came slinging their wares, and the gathering was truly epic.

But this gathering would not provide the fame they hoped. Instead, Father Preacher, who was attending to spread his good word, recognized Szander and orchestrated a plan to free him from his bonds.

Even the best laid plans often go awry. During the breakout a horse inadvertently knocked a torch into the base of a tent, setting it ablaze. The fire spread quickly, and Szander, caged, was trapped inside.

Destiny had a plan, and all was not lost. Wandering nearby after completing a grueling performance, Frankee saw the tragedy, and something came over him. Forsaking his intense fear of fire, he plunged headlong into the tent pole inferno. Frantically he made his way to Szanders cage and, using his trusty katana, breaks the lock. Somehow he finds the strength to drag the hulking boy from certain death, and then, he vanishes into the night.

Reunited

When he finally awoke it was not just Father Preacher who stood above him, but also his long lost little sister. It had been so long since he had seen her that he almost did not recognize her. She had grown so much, but the affection was still strong. Immediately they embraced and confirmed that the family was now restored.

Payback

The next day, though not nearly recovered, Szander was determined to find his savior. Without a shred of irony Father Preacher led the way. It seems simple, but the amphitheater is extremely large, and with the incredible attendance, their angel could not be located.

Then again spoke destiny. Hearing a commotion, Father Preacher led them to a scuffle in a camp far from the common path. A man was trying to steal a horse, and the current owner: Frankee. With everything they had they enter the foray and ensure that Leanne, Frankee's horse, would not be wrested from his possession.

At long last the four were one.

Diary

My thoughts, as they occur to me.

The Road to Redemption

Its been a long road. Together we have traveled many miles through the desert, and after how they helped us with the Rattlers, Father Preacher says we owe something to Law. I guess I can understand that, but why now? Trail rumor is that there is some kind of celebration, so they will have a lot of people there. This seems like a time least likely to require us. He always says father knows best, and I guess we will find out.

Around midday the big trucks from Eden go by, and strangely there is no pang for home. It can never be my home again, and it seems I have finally accepted it. There must be some absolution some day, some way to make right whatever it is our parents did, but the Father says that Jesus Buddha Zoroaster has a way of bringing what you need to you, so I am not trying to go out and find it.

I was deep in thought when I saw the buzzards circling in the distance. The reality of what must be over there slapped me from my daze and I must have reacted noticeably because Frankee asked what was wrong. I pointed rather meekly, and everyone looked.

Father told us to stay and dispatched Frankee to check it out. While he rode over there I tried to regain my previous thoughts, but they had escaped. I dont know why I do that kind of thing. Lena told me a story about something that happened while I was with the circus, it was an easy distraction and certainly welcome. It was fulfilling to get to know her again after all that had happened.

Frankee returned with grisly news. There were headless bodies baking in the sun, and they had been dispatched with what he called a damn sharp blade. Gruesome, yes, but thats life in the desert I suppose. I wondered what they had done to someone to spur on this turn of events. Father Preacher and Frankee seemed a lot more moved by this, they must have some idea, but they arent sharing.

Law

All roads lead to law, or so I heard somewhere. It was supposed to have some kind of deep meaning, but when I looked at a map it just seemed to be pretty true in its own right so I never really contemplated it much. Father Preacher is fond of telling me to think about things, but often I just wander. Especially when its something as obtuse as this.

When we arrived I was struck by the sheer volume of people milling about outside. Leeches of all types tried to get our stuff from us for whatever borderline worthless service they chose to advertise. The inside wall was full of traders, even more than at the amphitheater, and I was excited to see what they had. I knew that it was finally time to let go of my dads helmet, and this would be as good a place as any.