The Fall and Rise of Samson Hale
As the legends passed through Ashwick the town had encountered Samson Hale who towered over all previous legends in both stature and renown. At approximately seven feet in height Samson Hale carried such an imposing presence that people found it impossible to overlook him. The man possessed incredible strength which his years working in physical labor had turned his hands rough while his back extended like an old oak tree trunk. A single utterance from his deep and strong voice had the power to silence everything in the room. The giant stature of Samson Hale did not define his greatness as a man because he possessed an impervious spirit and absolute loyalty together with hidden kindness within his rough demeanor.
During numerous years as a blacksmith Samson made his workplace the center of Ashwick life through his persistent hammering. Samson spent his days creating weapons to defend warriors and tools to support both travelers with horseshoes and farmers in their work. The town's development depended completely on his workshop which he used along with his limitless charitable acts. The people who lacked funds to pay for his work did not get refused service by him. He inherited the wisdom that strength creates value only through helping others from his father.
In spite of his powerful stature Samson maintained a tender nature as a person. Samson met his match in life with Eliza as she brought him romantic love while sharing his ferocious spirit with her exquisite beauty. Eliza brought to the world a fiery temperament that completely differed from Samson's peaceful nature. People throughout the town envied their partnership because they found perfect equilibrium together as partners. Samson shed tears for the very first time during the birth of his son Peter. In his enormous embrace he took the little boy while making a vow to shield him throughout all dangerous situations.
Fate intervened when it usually does in such moments.
Ashwick experienced a widespread plague outbreak during that particular winter season. Sickness bypassed every restraint of human differences because it attacked both child and adult members of every social class. Samson had to stand by helplessly as all his friends alongside other neighbors passed away from the plague. A dark night revealed that sickness had arrived to destroy everything in his house. Peter's small body suffered through burning fever as his cheerful light eyes dimmed with great physical agony. Emergent illness had compelled Eliza to stay in bed since she was no longer the lively woman she used to be.
Samson attempted all recognized healing methods and ordered the help of every healer and then he prayed to every religious figure he knew. The sickness refused to grant any compassion. During that week he watched helplessly as each tragedy stole away first his wife followed by the death of his son. His heavy grief proved too much for any person to carry especially someone with his powerful strength. The grief-stricken man used his own hands to perform the burial as his watery tears turned to icicles that hung from his face during the snow-filled ground-shoveling process. After finishing his task he stayed motionless by the graveside for numerous days without expression.
Although the entire town shared his sorrow several months were required to break him down as grief operates as an invisible force to separate even powerful men from others. The lively forge Samson operated before fell into inactivity as he pulled away from life. All warmth and laughter vanished from his house because emptiness took over after their passing. His body adopted a hunched position as he carried the heavy shadow of his grief because of his deep mourning. People muttered behind his back throughout the town while staring at him with sympathy yet no one could find words to approached him.
The town of Ashwick experienced a storm one evening which brought destructive winds and frigid rainfall throughout the settlement. Samson spent his evening in darkness gazing at his fireplace embers. He heard a distressing cry that came through the storm's intensity. Without thinking he dashed outside once he heard the desperate sound. A young girl who was not past five years old remained hidden below a toppled cart as he followed her desperate calls. The storm had killed both of her parents who remained unconscious beside her.
The cart lifted effortlessly when Samson took it while he brought the little girl safely to his embrace. The little girl held onto him with shivering hands that wrapped tightly around his cloak. He protected the young girl from the strong winter storm and brought her back to his house where he gave her his warmest available coverings. She survived without any close relatives because all her loved ones had passed away. Samson proceeded to do the only thing he had before him because hesitation did not exist.
He became her protector.
The girl who became his light in the darkness received his name Mari after passing many years together. The small fragile frame of hers only hid her powerful spirit. The girl possessed all the spirited defiance of Eliza that brought Samson joy. Samson dedicated his knowledge and abilities to show Mari how to forge steel and develop her strength and attain both physical and mental resilience in this world that wished to destroy weakness. Through Mari he learned to bring back his smile and laughter as well as the ability to live with purpose.
Tragedy continued its unending quest by working against Samson Hale.
That evening while walking with Mari they encountered a group of unfamiliar horse-riding men displaying the Blackwood Company symbol. The men displayed the emblem of the Blackwood Company whose ruthless reputation extended across their ranks. The townswomen rejected the band of men seeking food supply and shelter until the foreigners used force for their purposes.
As the protector Samson approached the men first. Samson made a desperate request to the men to take required supplies but swear protection for the residents. The mercenaries laughed at him. A man with a scar on his cheek showed his cruel smirk and asked "How can a blacksmith work if he lacks his hands?"
A quick reaction from Samson was thwarted when the man produced his sword to swing at him. The pain was unimaginable. The forger lost his right hand—with strength to forge—at the wrist when an enemy attacked him. The impact of the sword delivered by his assailants forced him to fall on his knees as blood formed beneath his body and he lost his sight. The mercenaries created merry sounds while they escaped from the thrown town into disorder.
As soon as the incident occurred Mari rushed to his side where she held him tight while using her hands to press against the wound while crying tears that ran down her face. After facing off with the mercenaries the entire town successfully repelled them however the harm already existed. Samson Hale who previously defended Ashwick lost his strength as the man of iron after mercenaries injured him with their weapons.
His life passed within total darkness as he suffered both intense pain and complete hopelessness for weeks. His missing hand made the forge beyond his reach so he lost his ability to work. He turned into a worthless existence because he no longer resembled his former self. The deep care she had for him prevented him from diminishing. She stayed at his bedside while caring for him and continuously pushed him to survive through each day.
“She informed him plainly that his worth extended beyond his hand capabilities.” The power of your strength does not define your entire being.
The realization took him a gradual and torturous period of time before gaining belief in her words.
Samson learned to adapt. His left hand received training as he restudied all the skills he used to excel in. The slow and difficult labor continued while he refused to give up. From day one Mari supported him constantly until she mastered the same skills he used to have in blacksmithing. The partnership between them led to the restoration of what they had previously lost. His life took a new direction when he became a father to the girl who both preserved him and gained respite from his disability besides mastering the craft and blacksmithing trade again.
The mighty titan Ashwick used to be had vanished from Samson Hale. His greatness came from experiencing almost unimaginable pain then struggling back to his feet despite every blow he had received. This blacksmith learned the power of human strength derives from the inner strengths of his heart instead of physical capabilities.
The legend remained intact despite any storm possible sickness and any blade that attempted to remove it.