Angelic Solitude I
The Fate of Innocence
By J. M. Tustison
Come little Elm, and dance with me…
Under the starlit moon tonight…
Come little Elm and fly with me…
Where the angels sing and play…
Come little Elm and lay with me…
Before the glory of dawn…
Chapter One
Elm
Present day: 11 Hammer, 1479 DR (Year of the Ageless One)
Those that survive call her Winter. Her pure white and porcelain smooth skin matched the falling snow. Her cold blue eyes gazed out from a protective hood that she did not need. She did not feel the cold and her body seemed perfectly at ease in the frozen grip of the season. A single cord of silver hair tied with an azure ribbon framed the side of her face ending in a sapphire crystal that seemed to glow in the icy tempest.
The snow was becoming a nuisance. Already it was deep enough to reach her knees, slowing her trek out of the mountains. She was far stronger than her petite form implied, but even she had her limits. Seven days now she had been trudging through the fresh powder. Any sane person would have turned back after nearly falling off the mountain path not once, but twice. Winter had carried on, uncaring of the danger that lay before her.
Whether by luck or divine providence, Winter was finally coming down out of the mountains. As the lights of Sundabar drifted through the mist of the snow Winter began to question her decision to travel through the mountains. It had taken her nearly four times as long to walk the passes of the Nether Mountains than it would have to take the overland route from Everlund. Why had she been so foolish?
"Because there would have been people…" She thought to herself. Most encounters with others never ended well. She didn't mind killing, but she just wanted to be left alone and the land would have been filled with curious people. So she had taken the passes within the Nether Mountains.
It had been slow going. There were almost no travelers or merchants along the road this time of year, but that didn't stop the native tribes of orcs from harassing the few fools who did. A few had even thought her to be easy prey but they had been easily dealt with. For over a week she wandered the labyrinth of rocky trails and cliffs until she met a group of dwarves. Thankfully they had been no more of a mood to talk than she, and in exchange for the little food she carried they quickly gave her directions out of the pass to Sundabar. It was then she happened upon the Falcons Roost.
Everything had gone fine until then, but she couldn't resist the temptation to see other people. They enamored her, those silly, curious creatures with their delightful songs and obsession with ale. She remembered the excited tremor she felt as she stood in the doorway to the wide room full of people. A delightful man with long raven black hair stood on the stage and recited a tale she swore she should remember, but couldn't seem to pluck it from her memory. She took a table in the farthest corner of the room so no one would notice her.
Someone had noticed her however. A drunken, brutish man sat across from her as she tried to watch the crowd and soak in the tale. She knew that if she heard a little more of it she would remember, and that was what her journey was all about. But she could no longer hear. The fool was talking so loud that the bard's words escaped her. She remembered feeling… despair... and then nothing. Blackness filled her mind and all she could hear was a voice… singing to her.
She awoke, sword drawn and standing among the debris of what was once the Falcons Roost. She tried to take a step forward and assess the situation but was surprised to find single splinter of wood the size of her wrist piercing her thigh. People from the Inn and the town nestled in the cliffs below had gathered around. Several were brandishing swords and glared at her with a mixture of hatred and fear… mostly fear. This was not the first time it had happened. Nor was it likely to be the last if she continued her quest.
Winter stopped for a moment along the path to gaze at the lights of Sundabar in the blurry distance. She absently rubbed the exposed spot on her thigh where the splinter had been. Not more than a few seconds after pulling it out the wound healed without so much as a scar. She hadn't even felt pain… She should have felt pain. She knew there had been a time that she did. And she had scars… oh yes, she had many scars hidden beneath the folds of her armor and cloak.
The villagers and their militia hadn't even tried to stop her from leaving. She simply walked out of the village before they slammed their gates shut and hid behind their precious wall. That was a little less than a tenday ago. Seven days and nights trekking through the snowy and treacherous passes of the Nether Mountains, neither sleeping nor eating. She believed there had been a time that she had needed to do such things, just as there had been a time when she felt pain, but those were days long gone if they had ever existed. Now she only slept and ate when the fancy struck her.
Winter plowed through the snow with renewed determination. She would reach the city just after dawn. With any luck that would be when the gates would open, and she could see to her business here.
Her instincts served her well and she did indeed reach the gates not long after the sun crested the horizon. The snow had ceased its assault upon the terrain but that didn't stop the wind from streaking past and blowing up clouds of white powder into the air. A pair of guards stood in front of the gates draped head to toe in fur lined armor and heavy woolen cloaks to protect them from the icy wind. They allowed her through with barely a glance, their expressions lax and wistful, giving away their dreams of a hot fire and a barmaid to share it with.
Winter heeded them even less as she walked past them and into the city. The city itself was covered in a blanket of snow and ice, yet Winter could easily hear the din of the crowded streets ahead. As she headed into the heart of the city she gazed in wonderment at the people going about their daily lives, oblivious that the people staring back at her saw nothing more than a stoic expression on her face.
She wondered the city streets for hours searching for what she had come to find. She was on a busy street filled with merchants selling various odds and ends when she saw it. Abruptly she began pushing through the crowd, knocking over several people as she did. Only a few gave more than a single protest after noticing the large sword strapped upon her back.
Winter came to the aged wooden gates of a large estate. Upon the gates a faded etching was engraved in what appeared to be dwarven, circling an emblem of a golden ox resting on a large warhammer. It was all diminished and old, the hinges themselves rusted beyond salvage.
Firmly she pressed her hand upon the gates and they slowly opened with a loud creak. Beyond them lay an open courtyard surrounded by several large stone buildings. Although age had long since taken its toll, the craftsmanship of the buildings was not lost on Winter. She admired the myriad carvings and cracked dwarven statues decorating the buildings. Few dwarves lived above the ground, but one had lived here. He had even had the foresight to put windows into his home, a feature she was sure had not been lost on whatever visitors he may have had.
"What makes you think it was a he?" Winter asked herself. She shook her head in confusion. She had no reason to believe it was a male dwarf that lived here… she just knew…
Slowly she stepped into the courtyard and approached its interior. There she found a large stone fountain built into a faded bronze statue of an ox resting upon a giant warhammer. Etched upon the ox's hide were dwarven runes depicting every possible meaning of strength, power and justice. Around the empty fountain were a myriad of worn cobblestones circling it and branching off to the eastern edge of the complex. There stood a large building decorated by stone carvings of elves and men standing side by side in battle, a curious find in the home of a dwarf. Also decorating the structure were countless ripped tapestries. Although not one was intact enough to know what they depicted on their own, Winter surmised that they were the battle standard of the Knights of Silver.
Pain erupted inside Winter's skull. Yes… this was it. This is what she had trekked so long and hard to find. Immediately she fell to her knees and gripped her forehead. The pain slowly subsided and she let out a despairing whimper. No! It didn't happen. It wasn't enough.
Desperately she got to her feat and rushed into the building. The door had long since rotted and lay half unhinged from the doorway. Winter hurtled over it and ran down the web infested hallway and into a large chamber. The only light that graced the room came from the hallway and gave the room a forlorn appearance. Yet despite the darkness she could see. In her mind's eye she saw on the far wall stood a fireplace, while the walls themselves were once home to countless weapons of different size and shape. The eastern door lead to the dormitories and kitchen, the west gave way to the masters quarters.
Upon the floor lay a mosaic of circles and lines. "The knight's wheel" as her master had called it. A shiver ran along Winters body as her still and stoic expression gave birth to a single tear. This was the place she first held a sword…
"Yer not gonna charge blindly inta battle, squint! Focus, and yer blade will follow!"
"Whether I be a thief or no, it don't change the facts… You need me!"
"I've never been more proud of you, my daughter… Knight of Silver…"
Winter grasped her skull in her hands and fell to her knees as the voices randomly assailed her mind. This was it. This was what she had come so very far to find. Herself…
"Whether it be in this world or the next, I'll always love you… See you in hell…"
Winter screamed in agony as her eyes flared to life in a radiant explosion of bluish light. Her hood came down releasing her hair to flow in the subtle breeze that managed to outwit the buildings walls. Her battered mind surrendered as the memory was forced from her shattered soul…
14 Mirtul, 1469 DR (The Year of Splendors Burning)
The gilded carriage strode silently across the plains east of the Rauvin River. The beautiful spring weather had given birth to a bountiful array of flowers and sparse trees across the countryside. The Rauvin seemed but a thin bluish ribbon in the horizon. Elm couldn't help but stare back at it in wonder as they made their way across the plains to the city of Sundabar.
She sat in the stirrups of her grandfather's most prized companion, Apnia, flanking the carriage and talking with its passenger sitting next to the driver. Apnia was far grander a sight than any mere warhorse. Her silvery coat felt like it was made of silk while her body was sleeker and more powerful than the Everlund stallions that drove the carriage. Although Elm would never have admitted it aloud, she was pretty sure the celestial charger was leading itself and not her.
"Look at it Galen!" She exclaimed excitedly. "It almost seems alive, doesn't it!?" Galen barely gave the fading river behind them a second look. For three days they had been on this journey together, and his nose had been in the same book the entire time.
Elm looked over at him, annoyed not for the first time with Galen's lack of excitement about this adventure. Here they were, nearly a hundred miles from home and all he wanted to do was read. Galen had been her best friend since they had first attended the academy in Silverymoon a few years ago. Dozens of times they had dreamed and played, pretending to be adventurers delving into some long forgotten tomb, or slaying evil dragons.
Elm gave a disheartened sigh and stared at the flowery landscape before them as they traveled. "So… Has the dragon eaten them yet?" She questioned, her voice dripping with sarcasm that went unnoticed by Galen.
"Not yet… It seems the drow has a plan to sneak past…"
"Galen you idiot! You could at least pretend to be interested in this adventure!" Elm proclaimed enticing an annoyed grunt from Apnia.
Galen looked up from his pages to regard his friend. She was a child like he, only one year older and not an inch taller. Her raven black hair wrapped in an azure ribbon to flow down her back and keep stray hairs from her face. Wild blue eyes that regarded him with such frustration they seemed they might pop out of their sockets. She was dressed in a finely tailored shirt and matching breeches. She almost never wore dresses when she could get away with it. Galen could count on one hand how many times he'd ever seen her in one, and those had only been formal occasions.
"And what adventure is there to be had?" Galen asked, returning his attention to his book.
"Plenty!" Elm protested. "Think about it! Here we are, in the middle of the untamed wilderness. Mountains on either side of us, who knows what dark and evil creatures could be lurking in them? We could be ransacked by orcs any second!" Elm teased hopefully. "Maybe even a troll!"
"This is hardly the untamed wilderness. Merchants and travelers use this road daily. We've passed several already and not one has the look of having seen anything. Besides, if this trip was at all dangerous your grandfather would have brought at least a guard or two."
Elm looked down, defeated by the truth of her friend's words. Her melancholy lasted but a moment, till she looked up with a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "Ok… two trolls… and a meadow sprite!"
Galen looked up giving her a disbelieving smirk. She stared back at him, daring him to contradict her obvious logic. Finally they broke into a fit of laughter, nearly falling from their perches.
"Careful what you wish for, daughter of Silvermane… Lest you not be prepared when you get it." Came a stern yet loving voice from inside the carriage. Elm looked down at her reigns humbly and replied "Yes grandfather."
Galen shook his head in wonderment. He had seen Elm argue with professors, talk down classroom bullies by the dozens, and even talk back to her parents when she could get away with it. Yet the voice of the man in the carriage could bring her to heel every time. Now that was power.
"We're within sight of Sundabar, Lord Silvermane." The driver proclaimed. Elm looked up and stared in awe of the city as it came into sight as they crested a large hill. Although it was by far smaller than Silverymoon and Everlund, Sundabar was a place she had never seen. She saw anything new to her as a wonder to cherish and experience.
The city itself was not much to speak of when compared to the magically erected giant trees, buildings and foliage of Silverymoon. But it was a prosperous city. She had read tales of the Sundabarian instinct for survival and independence. It thrived on its trade and reputation for the best in magical weapons. Mercenaries from all over Luruar could be sure to find work here, either private or as part of the regular army. Being so close to the Netheril border meant Sundabar had to stay strong, and it was in the best interests of the rest of Luruar to keep it so.
Elm stared with wide eyed innocence as they passed through the gated walls protecting the city. They passed through several busy streets and avenues, trough throngs of merchants selling untold curiosities and trinkets. Elm stared for minutes at a small goblin playing a bronze flute while a group of kobolds danced around him.
Finally they arrived at their destination. The carriage stopped before a large gate to what appeared to be an enormous set of stone buildings. The driver quickly jumped down from the carriage and gave his leave to Elm's grandfather before stepping up to the large gates. Elm couldn't help but attempt to decipher the dwarven writing etched around the emblem carved into the door.
"Where... there is… goats milk?" Elm asked Galen, who was also studying the writing from atop the carriage. Galen suppressed a chuckle. "Where there is strength, there is the hammer." Galen corrected. "You really need to work on your dwarven. You ever call a dwarf goats milk and it might just be the end of Lady Silvermane." He continued. Elm stared at him flatly for a few seconds before sticking her tongue out at him.
Seconds after the driver pulled the enormous doorknocker on the side of the entryway, Elm heard a muffled voice from the other end.
"Lord Marius Silvermane, General of the Knights of Silver, requests an audience with the master of the house." The driver replied to the voice. A second later he received a muffled reply.
The driver quickly returned to his seat atop the carriage just as the doors began to swing open. Elm braced herself for the loud roar such large doors would make in opening, but she heard not a sound. Whoever the master of the house was, he made sure that things in his house were always in top condition.
Slowly the carriage moved into the complex and into a large courtyard. Elm studied the immaculate architecture of the buildings but stopped short when she caught sight of the fountain. Water sprang from several spouts, enveloping the Ox and hammer statue inside in such a way that left Elm speechless.
"Elm, you plan to join us?" Galen asked, snapping Elm out of her daze. Both he and the driver had dismounted from the carriage and moved to assist its occupant. Quickly she jumped down as her grandfather stepped out of the carriage.
Despite his age, he stood strong and prominent. He always seemed a giant to Elm. His chiseled features and sharp eyes showed him to be a man of great intelligence and power. He wore an ornate jacket and breeches both baring the symbols of the Knights of Silver, showing him to be a general among their ranks. Only the mithril cane he kept at his side to preserve his balance gave any real hint of frailty, but Elm believed that anyone who thought her grandfather frail might not live to regret their mistake.
"Buwahahahaa! And to wat do I owe the honor of dis? Our Lord Marius, come down ta play wit us lower ranks?" Elm quickly turned to regard he who would speak to her grandfather so dishonorably. Several paces from her stood a red bearded dwarf that seemed to be made of nothing but corded muscle. Although he was only four and a half feet tall, just a hand taller than Elm, he seemed a mountain.
She turned back to her grandfather to find a rare amused smirk on his face. "Someone has to keep you dregs in shape. How else are we going to feed the horses when next we face the tide of battle?" He replied with as jovial a tone as Elm had ever heard escape his lips. She stared in bewilderment as the dwarf let out another burst of boisterous laughter.
"Aye, how will ye indeed?" The dwarf grinned as he closed the distance and put out his hand. Marius accepted and grinned as they shook. Afterward the dwarf looked down upon the two children flanking Marius from either side. "And who be they, ye got some awfully small guards there…" the dwarf teased.
Marius smiled down at his granddaughter and nodded, giving her queue. Elm immediately stood up strait and placed her right forearm over her chest and looked the dwarf in the eye. "Acheylà, màlla quèn. I am Lady Elminderelle Anya Silvermane, daughter of Lord Captain Marcus Silvermane. You honor me with your stars…" Elm said in as respectful a tone as she could muster, ending in a slight bow of her head.
"Whoa ho!" Exclaimed the dwarf. "The formal greeting of the Silver Court! An yer kin to boot…" He laughed before putting his own arm to his chest. "Acheylà, Lady Silvermane. I am Megrim Oxhammer, Master of the Silver Blades. The stars above me home be yours for as long as me hearth has fire" He replied, his words becoming more serious with every syllable.
"And this pup?" He asked gesturing to Galen. Galens face reddened. He didn't know any special greetings or honorary titles… He let out a sigh of relief as Elm came to his rescue. "This is Galen, my best friend from the academy." Elm proclaimed proudly, as though it were the highest honor in all of Faerûn.
The dwarf bellowed once again and slapped Galen on the shoulder. "Don't ye fret none, pup. I ain't heard the greetin of the Silver Court in over a tenyear. It brings a bit o' nostalgia te one such as I is all… Me thinkin tha was de point…" Megrim gave a knowing grin at Marius before turning to introduce the small gathering that had sprung around them. He introduced several of the stable hands who took Apnia's reigns and lead her and the stallions to the stables.
Finally he came to two others who had exited the same building Megrim had come from. A dwarven woman, stout and with near as much muscle as Megrim, and a human boy, nearly in his teens. "Dis be me wife, Magdah and me sole apprentice." Megrim motioned the boy to step forward. Without hesitation the boy approached and gave the same greeting as Elm and Megrim. "Acheylà, màlla mallèn. I am Kael'nor Al'mon, son of Ra'nor Al'mon. May the stars over our head shelter you for as long as our hearth is aflame."
"Bah! Ye showoff!" Megrim chided and gave Kael a soft thump on the head as Magdah also stepped forward.
"Greetin's honored guests… No doubt ye two have catching up ta do. Perhaps the wee ones would like a fresh meal after so long a journey?"
"That would be fine my lady." Marius replied. "But I'm afraid it will have to be no more than a slight snack. Elm will need her strength and a full stomach will hinder her."
Elm stared at her grandfather for a confused second before she realized she was being rushed into one of the other buildings. As she and Galen rounded the entrance she heard Megrim ask "So, wats wit the stick? Ye planning on goin fishin? Da rivers thataway! Buahaha!"
The interior of the building was no less ornate than the exterior. Every wall had a carving of some dwarf or another. Some in various battle stances, others sitting on thrones in silent contemplation. Magdah led them through a labyrinth of halls and into a small section of the building. She opened one of several doors and gestured Elm to enter. "No doubt your things have already been brought in by the stablehands." Inside Elm was delighted to find it to be a small bedroom. At last after days sleeping on a cramped boat and what would probably be the firmest cot she will ever lay on, she would be sleeping on a real bed.
With a childish glee she leapt through the air to land on the pillow covered mattress. "These will be yer apartments for da duration of yer stay here." Magdah said smiling. "Young Galen and yer father will be put in rooms on either side of ye. When yer done in here come to de kitchen and I'll rustle up something nice to take away yer travel pains." Magdah left the room, Galen following right behind her.
Elm studied the room for a few moments. Her luggage was already sitting near the wardrobe, piled higher than her head. Her mother had insisted she bring nearly every piece of clothing and jewelry she had. Elm hesitated before opening the small trunks. She knew that most of what her mother had packed would have likely been dresses of every color imaginable. Her mother had been trying for years to get her to stop wearing boys breeches and jackets. With only slight trepidation she opened the first trunk and was unsurprised to find it filled with exactly what she expected. No matter. There surely must be a tailor in the city that could make her a few extra pairs of pants to wear during her stay.
She shook her head in puzzlement. Her grandfather had said that he would only be here a week. What was her mother thinking packing over two dozen dresses? There was no way she would have time to wear them… if she ever wore any at all.
After finishing putting away her things she went to the next apartment to find Galen. She found him sitting on a soft cushion, reading in front of the fireplace. Although spring had already been month going, it was still rather chilly within the stone building.
"Sorry it took so long. Mother decided I needed a few extra socks for the trip." Elm said smiling as she sat in front of the fire facing Galen.
Galen took a second to finish the paragraph he was reading before he took notice of her. "Oh.. sorry.. what was that?" He asked.
"Nevermind…" Elm gave out an exasperated sigh as she stood and offered to help him to his feet. "Let's go explore the building... and I'll bet Magdah is waiting for us."
The stone halls proved themselves to be as confusing as any other dwarven home. In just a few short moments and several turns Elm had to admit that they were lost. Elm was just about to call out for someone before she heard what seemed like chanting from one of the rooms down the hall.
"You hear that?" Elm asked. Galen shook his head as he strained to listen. With Galen in tow she followed the chanting until she came to a small room sheltering what appeared to be a small shrine. On top of it hung a small mithril star with a single emerald in the center. Several candles sitting on a small altar beneath the symbol provided the only illumination for the room.
Slowly Elm ambled into the room and approached the altar, reaching out to touch the star. She couldn't help it. She felt drawn to it somehow. As thought she had been waiting all her life for this moment, and now this star was calling for her.
"Are you sure you should be doing that?" Galen asked
"It's a shrine to Corellon." A voice said from the hallway scaring Galen so much he jumped a foot into the air. Kael stood in the doorway with a stoic expression on his face.
"Is it yours?" Elm asked.
"Naw… This room once belonged to an elf who fancied himself to be a priest. Or at least that was what he wanted us to believe."
"What happened to him? Is he no longer living here?"
"Nope. He got into some kind of trouble in town and we never heard from him again. Last we heard he was heading west to Baldur's Gate. That was about a year ago." Kael replied as he strolled into the room and flicked the star.
A soft metallic ring reverberated through the room that sent a shiver down Elm's spine. She quickly plucked the symbol from the altar and held it in her hand. It was nearly as light as a feather and just a bit bigger than her palm. Immediately she closed her eyes as she felt warmth emanating from the symbol. It grew and wrapped around her giving her the greatest sense of peace and safety.
At last she opened her eyes to see Kael and Galen looking at her strangely. "You all right?" They both asked in unison. Kael gave her another funny look and reached up to push the hair away from her right ear. "I see… You're an elf?" He asked in a bewildered tone. Her ears were longer than a humans ear and came to a soft point at the ends. Elm gently swatted his hand way and looked up at him annoyed. "Half… as if it's any of your business."
"I'm sorry. I just didn't know… forgive my rudeness." He said as he bowed his head.
Elm nodded her head and smiled down at the palm sized star in her hand. "If you want that, keep it." Kael said, grateful for the opportunity to change the subject. "Master Megrim has been meaning to get all this junk out of here, but since this place is so empty he hasn't needed to. He probably hasn't thought about it once in the past few months."
"Aye, I haven't. And aye, ye can have that little bauble squint. I've no need of it and de foolish elf it belonged to probably won't be after it any time soon." Megrim said from the doorway. This time Galen caught himself before jumping. Behind Megrim stood Marius with a curious expression as he watched Elm smile happily and hang the holy symbol around her neck.
"Is it time for lunch yet?" Galen asked as he rubbed his midsection.
"Ye go find Magdah two halls down in the kitchens. She'll feed tha belly of yours ta burstin." The dwarf laughed. "But fer now, me, Kael and Squint has got some things ta take care of…"
Elm cocked her head in surprise. What business could she possibly have with the dwarf? And why was he calling her squint? Megrim laughed again and grinned. "Don't ye fret none squint. Yer kin here thinks ye need a bit o' blade trainin. We're just gonna see if it'd worth me time." He said as he pointed Galen towards the kitchens and led her through the halls and back outside and into another building.
This building seemed different from the others. Instead of dwarves it had carvings of elves and humans. Not a single dwarf adorned the walls. "This here be de Halls o' de Silver Blade." Megrim explained once they reached the center room of the building after walking down a long corridor. Across the other side of the room stood a large fireplace, cackling and roasting several logs of wood. The walls held countless racks of spears, swords, axes and every other type of weapon Elm could imagine. The floor was home to innumerable circles, lines and footsteps.
Marius leaned up against the eastern wall and stayed silent as he watched his granddaughter take in her latest wonder. Kael took a position within one of the smaller circles near the center of the room.
"This be the Knights Wheel." Megrim said as he folded his arms and looked down upon her while he pointed at a circle close to Kael's. She nervously moved to the circle, fearing what would come next. "There ain't nuttin outside this circle unless I say there is. Not me, not yer grandfather and not the fireplace." He said as he walked over to a section of the wall that housed a myriad of wooden weapons. He grabbed two swords made of bound wooden lathes and tossed one to each of them. "Your task in this test is simple. Hit Kael."
Elm nearly dropped the sword in shock. She had never held a sword, much less knew how to use one. Kael had been learning swordsmanship for the gods knew how long. How could she possibly stand a chance against him?
Elm began to shake in fear as she glanced at Kael. He had already assumed some kind of stance that Elm was sure meant her utter defeat. "I can't…" She whispered.
"Wat was that?" The dwarf asked knowingly.
"I've never even held a sword… I… I wouldn't know the first thing to do with it."
"Oh really… wats to understand? You either whack Kael upside his head with it or he'll do the same to you…" Elm felt her fear reach new heights. Not only would she have to get past his blade, but also watch to make sure he didn't hit her with it?!
"Elm!" Her grandfather yelled from the other side of the room. He stood there stoically, as she humbly looked his direction and felt his unsaid words. He expected her to at least try. Whether she succeeded or not wasn't the point. She had to give it her best shot.
Elm turned back to Kael with a sliver of renewed courage. How hard could these things hurt anyway? They were just wooden sticks after all. Megrim clapped his hands and grinned "Alright then. On the count of three, beat the snot outta one another…! Three!" Megrim exclaimed with glee and moved out of the circle.
Elm wasn't as ready as she would have liked. Kael moved through the air too fast for her to react and landed a blow to her right shoulder. She cried out as the lathes sting made its presence known. Kael stepped back a few paces and assumed a defensive stance as Elm fell to the floor, dropping her sword and cradling her shoulder. She glared at him with a mixture of anger and determination.
Slowly she returned to her feet, sword in hand. Willing the stining pain in her shoulder away she launched herself as quickly as she could muster and swung her sword with all the strength she had. He easily dodged to the left and landed a blow on her midsection just below the arm. Once again she dropped the sword and fell to her knees. A soft sob escaped her lips as she looked down on the floor, afraid to look up at her grandfather and see his disappointment.
This is why he had brought her along. Her mother and father had insisted she go to the academy to learn the basics so she might one day learn the wizardly arts. He had adamantly argued that she was destined to be a warrior, not some over pampered bookworm. He had brought her here hoping to prove to her parents once and for all that her destiny lay in the sword and not the wand. She felt so ashamed of herself.
"Come on now. Nobody becomes a master after the first try, but I know you can do better than that." Kael said encouragingly. "You just put too much power behind your attack is all. Get up and try it again." Elm looked up to find his hand outstretched to help her to her feet. She forced a smile and took his hand. Once she had her sword back in hand he once again stood back and waited.
"Don't think so much as feel it." Elm nodded her head and readied herself. After several seconds she closed her eyes and once again launched an attack. Kael easily blocked it and shoved her backwards onto her rear.
Megrim let out an exasperated sigh. "Yer not gonna charge blindly inta battle, squint! Focus, and yer blade will follow! This is yer last chance. Either hit him or go home."
Elm grimaced with embarrassment as she got herself to her feet. Kael once again stood several paces from her changing his stance. As she studied his form looking for openings she unconsciously fingered the mithril star around her neck. Suddenly she felt the warmth again. Only stronger and more focused. From it she found a new form of strength.
Without reservation she released the star and brought her sword up with both hands. She kept the star in her thoughts, and as she moved she surrendered herself to its power. As she lifted her wooden sword in the air she felt the power of Corellon rush through her and into the wooden sword. Her blade became a radiant beacon of golden light as it flowed through the air.
A surprised Kael brought he sword up to block instinctively. After five years of Master Megrim's teachings he was far from a novice, but he'd never seen any technique that matched whatever it was that Elm was doing. His face widened further in shock as her wooden sword shattered through his and collided with his nose, sending a small gush of blood sail through the air.
Kael fell backward to the ground covering his nose as Elm dropped her sword and clutched the star. She felt Corellon in every part of her now. His strength was now her strength. From this day on, she knew she would be is instrument.
Megrim and Marius looked on in surprise. Finally Megrim bellowed out a gleeful laugh as he approached her. "Sorry Marius… But I'm afraid she just doesn't have what it takes to be a warrior… What you got here… is a Paladin!"
Present day: 11 Nightal, 1479 DR (Year of the Ageless One)
Winter sluggishly raised her head. She sat in the middle of the room. Night had long since covered the world in shadow shrouding the room in pitch black darkness. She could see none the less and raised her hand to her neck searching for a symbol that was no longer there. Again a tear left her cheek as she felt a profound sense of loss. She had journeyed here to find answers and found only more questions. For the first time in the two years she could remember, she cried.
Endless moments later a light came from behind her in the hallway. It came from a stout figure carrying a single torch in one hand and brandishing a greataxe in the other. "I don't know who ye are, but yer tresspassin." The figure said a husky yet feminine voice as she slowly circled Winter.
Winters tear soaked face remained stoic and uncaring as the woman came closer. She suddenly dropped her axe and gasped in shock. "Elm…?"
She never even saw Winter draw her sword…