Chapter Two
Balingar was still dumbstruck at what Mazzerran had just told him. Surely he could not be talking about the lanky kid that he played with as a child who always had some hair brained scheme that would land them both in hot water. And yet, no matter what trouble Kieran caused, Balingar remembered that Kieran always seemed to be able to talk them out of it. It was as Balingar was pondering this that he felt Mazzerran place a hand on his shoulder and lead him into the castle proper.
When Balingar walked through the portcullis, his senses were assaulted by all manner of sensations. The smell of delicious foods made his mouth water, the sounds of laughter and merriment filled his ears, and the sight of peoples of all races laughing and enjoying each others company brought even a smile to his face. Balingar just let himself be led my Cullen until he was stopped in front of a massive wooden table that sat on a raised platform. There sat one of the most beautiful women Balingar had ever seen. She had red hair colored like the sky at sunset, piercing green eyes, and a body that was was made to seem even more voluptuous due to the fact that she wore only, what appeared to be, a chain mail bikini. It him a moment to realize that this was no ordinary woman. Balingar had read of these creatures, dryads. A powerful as they were beautiful this race of tree folk were rarely seen outside of their forests.
A light joyous laugh brought Balingar's attention to a woman who sat across from the dryad. There sat a elven woman. He head was thrown back and the laughter that Balingar had heard rang out from her mouth like bells. When she lowered her head, her platinum blonde hair fell like waves across the sides of her face. A dainty hand brushed a loose strand behind her ear. There were tattoos that seemed to run down the very length of her arm. She turned and looked at duo who had approached this table. It was then that her eyes met Balingar's. The most beautiful set of pale blue eyes that Balingar had even seen. It was like looking into two crystal pools. There were tattoos on her face as well, that only served to accent her elven features. She smiled at Balingar, who simply smiled and nodded.
"Cullen! I'm glad you could make it. Who is this you have brought before me?" The voice brought Balingar out of his trance. It belonged to the young man seated between these two beauties. He stood and made his way to Cullen. He was about 6'1 with a compact muscular build. Raven black hair fell around his shoulders. He wore a simple light chain mail suit, leather boots and gloves, and on his waist was sword with an elegant pommel. Balingar could feel the power radiating from the weapon. Cullen extended his hand and the man shook it. "Kieran," Cullen began, "May I present, Balingar Westhill...your cousin."
Balingar and Kieran looked each other over for a moment before Kieran said, "Balingar, I remember you. Damn, you got ugly." Balingar chuckled having nearly forgotten his cousin's wit. "You haven't changed at all have you?" "Nope. How's your mother by the way?" Kieran said not missing a beat. "She's dead," Balingar replied.
"Good, I'm glad. Never liked her."
"Me neither, the bitch tried to kill me."
"How?"
"Poison in my food."
"Makes sense, looks like you didn't go hungry very often."
Cullen simply looked back and forth between the two Westhills. "You two really have a messed up family." Kieran looked over and, with a face of dead seriousness, said "You have no idea. Now please Cullen." Kieran placed an arm on Mazzerran's shoulder and motioned out to the party. "Enjoy yourself. I'll see that no harm befalls this walking bookshelf that is my cousin. I'm just gonna introduce him to the rest of the group." Kieran motioned to the two women sitting at the table watching the meeting unfold and talking among themselves. "I know, that's what worries me," Cullen said as he left Balingar's side and made his way into the party.
Kieran reached out his hand and Balingar shook it. Kieran's face turned serious. "We were told you were dead." Balingar nodded, "I was told the same about you." "Well looks like there information was off." Kieran said and motioned to the table. "Join us." He walked back to his chair and motioned for Balingar to sit on the left side of the young elven woman. Balingar sat as a servant walked up and placed a empty goblet before him. "To drink?" The servant asked. "Mead, please." Balingar replied. Soon the servant returned with a bottle of the most fragrant mead that Balingar had ever smelled. As soon as the servant had filled the goblet, Balingar picked it up and took a sip. The taste was nothing like he had tried. It was delicious.
"Who is this Kieran?" the dryad asked as she drank from a silver goblet of her own. "Ah, forgive me ladies. This is Balingar Westhill, my long lost dead cousin." Kieran said as he sat back in his chair beside the dryad. "This is Daedra, my fiancee." Kieran said and placed his hand on that of the dryad's. "He looks good for a dead man," Daedra said as she smiled and nodded at Balingar. "It is both an honor and a privilege, Queen Daedra" Balingar said and gave a small bow. Kieran dismissively waved his hand. "There is no need for titles, Balingar. A king does not rule by his title, but by the example he sets for his people. I did not seek this throne," Kieran said and tapped the chair he sat in, "But while I am in it, I will do my best to lead a kingdom that is just, fair, equal," he grabbed his goblet and jumped up into the seat of his chair. There he stood raising the goblet high into the air, "AND FREE!" The entire party roared in approval. Cries of "Hail Kieran, King of Erastel" were heard through out.
"Ahem"
"Oh forgive me." Kieran said as he sat back down and motioned to the elven woman beside Balingar. "This, example of elven resolve sitting beside you, is none other than Seoni Olorinsdaughter, Princess of the Elves of the Mordant Spire! Don't be fooled though," Kieran leaned toward Balingar and raised a hand to his mouth as if about to tell a secret. Then, in a obvious loud whisper so that Seoni could hear, said, "she's older than she looks...a lot older." Seoni just smiled and drank from a goblet of water in front of her. Daedra reached over and smacked Kieran on the arm. "Kieran, be nice!" she said as she tried to hold back her laughter. "It is alright," Seoni said. While her voice was light, like that of a breeze, Balingar had no trouble hearing every word, even over the sounds of the party goers around them. "I know Kieran means no harm. This form of insult is how Kieran shows his affection for those he holds most dear. I know he means no harm." Seoni said matter-of-factually as she drank from her goblet.
Kieran smiled and leaned back in his chair. "Seoni, Seoni, Seoni. One of these days we are going to find a way to make you break that Elven resolve of yours." Seoni gently placed her goblet back down in front of her. She leaned back in her chair placing her arms on the rests. She brought her hands together so her fingertips touched in front of her mouth. She let her fingers rests against her lips for a few seconds as she appeared to be in deep thought about something. Then moving her hands away from her mouth ever so slightly she took a breath.
"Boobs."
Balingar choked on the mouthful of mead that he had unfortunately decided to take at that moment. Thankfully he didn't spew any of it out of his mouth, but some of it did dribble down his chin. Daedra leaned back in her chair roaring with laughter, her arms wrapped around her sides. Kieran was laughing so hard he nearly fell out of his chair. Seoni just simply gave a sly smile and reached for her water goblet again. "Well this is a joyous occasion." Kieran managed to say as soon as laughed. "The great Seoni told a joke, and a pretty good one too. This calls for a celebration." Kieran clapped his hands and called "Brie, bring on the bacon!" An older elven female walked out of a tent that were the food was being prepared. Behind her walked three servants, each staggering under the weight of massive silver trays covered in heaping piles of bacon. Two of the trays went out into the party for the guests to enjoy, but one tray made its way over to the royal table. Brie stood by Kieran as the tray was set on the table.
"As always Brie, you have put on quiet the spread." Kieran said as he began to help himself to the steaming bacon. Brie looked over at Balingar. "Who's that," Brie ask. "Oh, that's just my cousin Balingar." Kieran said his mouth now full of bacon. "Hmm," Brie mused as she looked Balingar over. "I'm gonna need a bigger kitchen." She turned and headed back to the cooks tent, leaving Kieran snickering in her wake.
The day gave way to the evening as the guests began to make their way past the royal table. Many had well wishes for the king and, because apparently Cullen Mazzerran's tongue becomes quite loose after a few glasses of ale, word had spread throughout the entire party as to the identity of Kieran's new guest, and all were eager to meet the king's cousin. Balingar soon lost track of all the names of the citizens of Falcrest and the visiting dignitaries. As the guests seated themselves at the long tables for supper, Kieran began to tell Balingar of his life. He learned of Kieran's tobacco farm in Andoran. How Kieran had become a lord, before events had forced him to leave. He told of how the Elcrest, an ancient tree sacred to Elboreth goddess of nature and beauty, had died. And how that it had given an acorn containing the souls of all the dryads, and how they eventually replanted it. This, it turns out, is where Daedra had come from. She was a gift to Kieran for restoring the dryads and promising to help restore the Elcrest.
Next came the tale of their journey into an underground dungeon. Balingar kind of got confused at the part where one of the party threw a knife and ended up stabbing a a companion in the back with it. Plus there was the bridge they needed a password to cross. Apparently the password was set up by a cult of goblins that worship one of the party members who happened to be an Archmage named Talia. Balingar nearly choked again when Kieran told him the password. "Talia has a sweet ass." It was at the end of this dungeon that they met a psionic named Micheal Mirrizzian. He was a being with tentacles on his face, stood about 6 feet tall, and was blue. Right before his companions decided to attack Mirrizzian, Kieran stepped up and began to speak with him. It turned out that others who had tried to fight him ended up dead. Mirrizzian tried to make a deal with Kieran. However, Kieran made him a counter offer. Mirrizzian took the offer and became Kieran's information broker. "And me and Squidface have been best friends ever since." Kieran finished. Balingar sat in amazement at the adventures that his cousin and his companions had together. "So tell me cousin," Kieran said in between mouthfuls of bacon, "what have you been up to? What grand adventures have you had?" Balingar looked down and his plate of food for a moment before beginning with his story.
It was when Balingar got to the part of working for Lord Cassavyr, that Kieran sat up quick and stared straight at him. "You worked for Cassavyr?" Balingar paused in his story. "Yes, I worked for him for a few years. Made good gold, about 1000 a month. Why? Do you know him?" Kieran leaned back in his chair and stared at Balingar. There was about 3 seconds of uncomfortable silence. Balingar thought he had said something wrong, and was about to question when he felt a soft touch on his hand. He turned to see Seoni staring at him. "Have I said something wrong?" Balingar asked as he looked around. "No," Seoni replied, "it's just Cassavyr is the lord in control of the land of Southmoor. He has openly stated his opposition to your cousins rule. He has even gone as far as to challenge him to trial by combat in the city of Kalsgard, in the realm of the Linnorm Kings." Balingar again turned to apologize when Kieran raised his hand."Balingar forgive me for this, but my enemies are many and powerful. Seoni if you please."
Seoni stood and faced Balingar. She placed her hands on either side of his head. "I'm simply going to read your mind to see if anyone is using you as a scrying window or if any dark magic was cast on you. It is painless, I promise," Seoni gave Balingar a smile as she explained. Balingar closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Do it." Seoni nodded and pressed on his temples. Blue sparks arced through Seoni's eyes as she recited an incantation. A warm sensation washed over Balingar's head and in a few seconds it was over. Balingar leaned back as Seoni removed her hands, surprised that none of the guest had noticed what had transpired. "Well?" Kieran asked. Daedra eyed Balingar as one would an unfamiliar dog. Seoni shook her head. "There is no one watching." "What about dark magic?" Daedra ask.
"Balingar, what is in your bag?" Seoni asked. Balingar thought for a moment. "There is this," he said and pulled out the coat he had pulled of the vampire. He told them of how he had come to obtain it. "I have no use for it. It is a fine coat. You may have it cousin," Balingar said and laid it on the table. "I think not.," said Seoni, "You see that's a Coat of Constriction. It has an enchantment on it. Should any except the owner wear it, they are slowly and painfully squeezed to death. Should I dispose of it?" Seoni picked up the coat with her left hand, she held it aloft as smoke began to accumulate in her right. "No," Kieran said, "I'm sure I can find a use for this. Thank you for this gift Balingar. Now I have one for you." Kieran called for a servant and whispered something in their ear. The servant left, but soon returned with what looked like a strip of leather.
"This is a headband that we all wear. When worn it turn invisible, but it will allow you to keep in contact with any wearing one within a certain distance. It will also make it a lot harder to read your thoughts," Kieran explained as he handed Balingar the headband. Balingar put it on. He felt the presence of Kieran, Daedra, and Seoni. As well as a few other individuals that he had met that night. "Thank you Kieran," Balingar said, "I am sorry if I have caused you any trouble." "It's alright Balingar. You have done nothing wrong. It's just that one of my enemies was your employer and didn't try to use you to get to me. Not only that, he paid you about three times what you should have normally made. It's just...odd." Balingar was about to question more when Baratheus, a half-orc who was over Kieran's guards, walked up beside him. "Forgive me Kieran, but it appears there is a situation in the royal tent you need to attend to." Kieran nodded and rose from his seat followed by Daedra and Seoni. When Balingar did not stand Kieran looked at him. "Well? You coming or not?" Kieran asked as he and the women began walking toward the tent. Balingar rose and followed Kieran on what would become the first of many great adventures.