The Keeper

"The Keeper" by H. Beam Piper is a science fiction story taking place far in the future, where mankind has traveled to the stars and seen societies come and go. It explores ideas about what we leave behind, being responsible, and the fight against wanting too much. The story centers on Raud, an old man called the Keeper, who is in charge of protecting an important old object called the Crown. Raud lives alone in the Northland, kept company only by his dogs, watching over the Crown and his home. When robbers, including the son of Vahr Farg and some soldiers who deserted from the South, break in and steal the Crown, Raud sets out on a risky adventure to get it back. He struggles with the cold weather, avoiding the Ice-Father, realizing his responsibilities as the Keeper, and understanding that he is getting old. His journey ends in a fight to take back the Crown, where he understands how important the artifact is, but also sees his own shortcomings as the guardian.