Archer using a bow.
Time to recruit another Heroic Spirit. Hopefully this one will be an actual hero, not a pretender like Sindbad. Honestly, that guy just sits around telling ridiculously elaborate stories. So, I’m hoping this time will be better.
I perform the summoning ritual I’ve become accustom to and what appears is-
“I am Archer class Raja Rasalum, son of Salbahan, ruler of Sialkot. May my mighty bow break you victory in battle.”
Raja Rasalu, if I recall correctly, is the great hero of the Punjab. He is a hero who accomplished many astonishing feats using his amazing strength and quick wit. Some of these include: how he slayed man-eating giants, how he deceived a beautiful queen by pretending to be a holy man, how he overcame the deceitfulness of a gambling king, and how a great hunter fell because he could not follow Rasalu’s words. Truly, Raja Rasalu is great example of what a hero should be.
There’s just one problem……
“…….?”
The great hero standing before me is a prepubescent boy! He can’t be more than 12 years, wearing shimmering armor and carrying a magnificent bow. Is this really Raja Rasalu?
I ask:
“Are you really the great hero Raja Rasalu?”
The boy responds with:
“Yes, I am he.”
He states proudly. So, I ask him:
“Then why are you just a boy? I thought for sure Raja Rasalu lived far beyond adolescents? So, shouldn’t you be much older?”
Unexpectedly, it’s my instructor who answers my question with:
“The appearance of Heroic Spirits is not limited to the appearance they had at the end of their lives. In general, they take the appearance they had at the prime of their heroic stature.”
I see, so Raja Rasalu looks like a boy because this is when he was at his peak condition.
Raja Rasalu confirms this by say:
“That is correct. When I’m summoned as an Archer, I take this form. However, if you summoned me as a Rider, I would have had my adult form and my great mare Bhaunr' Iraqi at my side. Nevertheless, do not let my size dissuade you for all my memories and experience remain from my adult live.”
So, Raja Rasalu could have also been a Rider. Interesting. Well, I guess there’s no pointing in complaining about this unusual summoning. As a matter of fact, I should be used to it by now……sadly.
Author notes:
I didn't like the part B reading of Raja Rasalu's tale as much as part A. So, I decided to focus more on that. As I was thinking, I found that the younger version of him was more interesting then his older version. So, I made him be summoned as his younger self. Furthermore, the stories mention that he has a couple of weapons he carries, but his bow was the most prominent. So I made him be summoned as an Archer.
Bibliography. "Raja Rasalu" from Tales of the Punjab by Flora Annie Steel and Adventures of the Punjab Hero Raja Rasalu by Charles Swynnerton.
Web Source.
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