CHAPTER SEVEN - Lady Hope
The Palace was truly a sight to behold. Even Gunthar, who had long served the Lords of Waterdeep, had never been in a place so grand. The floors were made of marble tiles, white, veined with blue. There were gold flecks in the grout, and rich tapestries hung from the walls, in silk and other fine fabrics.
Each niche along the walls held beautiful vases or figurines in fine porcelain or pitchers of gold or silver. A page in a dark blue tabard with the symbol of the city upon the breast led them through a number of hallways. All the companions, with the exception of Toranes, Tharkunn, and Kyera stared about wide eyed. The page eyed Blizzard nervously as she trotted along next to Toranes, no longer confined by leash and collar.
Eventually, he turned down a hallway, with several fine Calishite rugs lining the floor. The doors to several rooms stood open, with a page beside each of them. An immaculate dwarf, with a pristine white beard and a tiny silver warhammer at his belt stood in the center of the hall. Toranes stepped forward and bowed deeply.
The dwarf had a deep voice, but cultured, with none of the rumble and anger found in so many others of his race. He was eloquent, and precise in his language. "Sir Doriego, Lady Trajan, you and your party are welcome here."
"Thank you, Master Fret," Toranes said.
"These rooms have been prepared for you. The pages will fetch whatever you need." He turned and faced the others. "My name is Fret Mithrilhammer. I am the steward for High Lady Alustriel, and in her name I welcome you all. She wishes to dine with you all this evening, an hour past sundown in the Lady's Private Dining Hall. Sir Doriego, Lady Trajan or Master Doressin can guide you."
He stopped a moment to let them speak if they wished. Gunthar spoke up, "We are most grateful for the hospitality of both yourself, and of the High Lady, Master Fret."
"It is a small thing, and we are pleased to have you here," Fret said. "I have ordered baths drawn for each of you. I am sure you'd like to clean up after a week or more on the road." Most of the companions nodded as they thought how good a hot, luxurious bath would feel. "The pages will show you the way," Fret said. "The Lady has ordered new clothes made for each of you as well. The seamstresses and tailors will take your measurements before you bathe, and will have your clothes ready by this evening for supper."
"That is most kind, but not really necessary," Kaylin said.
"The Lady wishes for you to be comfortable," Fret said. "The clothes are a gift, and not a large one. Please, enjoy them," he said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have several matters I must attend to. I leave you in the capable hands of Sir Toranes." He turned and strode off, but not before noticing a tiny bit of lint on his sleeve, and brushing it off.
The rooms were spacious and finely appointed, with two large beds in each, with a clothes chest at the foot of each bed, a large table with a basin and a bowl with warm water for freshening up, a large stand-mirror, a cushioned chair and a desk. A single, large armoire stood in one corner.
The companions paired off, Kaylin and a'Launiira, Myrian and Kyera, Gunthar and Tolmen, Reldrin and Halion, Galarid and Tharkunn. Toranes had a room for himself and Blizzard.
Moments after they settled in, the tailors and seamstresses arrived, fussing over each of them, taking measurements and fiddling with colored swatches of cloth. Next was a long, hot bath, washing away the grime of a week on the road, longer for Gunthar and his friends.
Kyera led the newcomers on a tour of the Palace, showing them everything from the gardens to the main dining hall. They goggled at everything. The servants, though some did seem a bit surprised to see a drow, were all polite and helpful. The guardsmen in their shining armor were all courteous. They returned to their rooms shortly before dinner.
It wasn't long after they returned to their rooms that their new clothes arrived. A small army of seamstresses and tailors must have gone to work immediately. There were fine dresses, in silk for the women, and silk shirts with fine wool coats, plain but well cut, for the men, and new breeches of fine quality linen. Halion found that his kilt had been laundered, and mended, and was laid out on his bed.
They were soon on their way to the Lady's Private Dining Hall, following a page sent to escort them. Toranes and Kyera led the way, followed by Gunthar and Tharkunn. Most of the companions fidgeted, worried that their clothes, or hair, or some other aspect of their appearance would fail to be appropriate for dining with a woman who was in almost all ways the equal of a queen, and with more power and authority than many who currently held a throne.
Toranes and his friends were the exception. They knew quite well that Alustriel would as soon have met them in a tavern, each still weary and grimy from the road, and she would have cared not a whit. The new clothes and the Private Dining Hall were merely an attempt on her part to show them, in some way, how welcome they were, and after all, they were already in the Palace. She may have held the power at least equal to a queen, but she rarely put on such airs, at least not in a private setting.
He and his friends had been gone from the city for near enough two months, and he found his pulse quickening just a bit as they rounded the corner into the hallway that led to the Lady's Private Dining Hall. Like fully half the men who lived in the city, he was more than a little bit in love with the High Lady. Her great beauty and incredible grace were only a small part of it. She was intelligent and thoughtful, caring for all those in her city, great or small, high or low. He'd never known another woman quite like her.
The page opened the doors to the dining hall, and announced them to the room, "Sir Doriego and his party, including Lady Trajan and Sir Silvershield of Waterdeep."
They filed in until they had formed a long line before the table, with Toranes on the far left and Tharkunn to the far right. Gunthar was the first to bow, with all the others not far behind, even Reldrin, who never seemed interested in authority figures of any kind.
Seated at the far end of the large, long table, was a stunningly beautiful woman in a regal blue dress. Tiny motes of light in silver and gold, purple and white, and blue, seemed to dance around her wrists and her temples. She had long silvery hair which seemed to shine in the torchlight, and a slender, supple figure. Her face was a breathtaking mixture of the creamy-skinned beauty of youth, mixed with the wisdom of age, with a touch of mirth and an expression which seemed designed to set one at ease.
To her right, an aged man, with white hair, and a long white beard was seated. He wore thick white robes, and around his neck was a silver unicorn's head medallion on a thick silver chain. A long, wooden staff, capped with a similar unicorn's head in gleaming silver was propped up next to his chair. He smiled as the party entered, and rose when Alustriel did. His sure and easy movements belied his apparent age.
"Welcome friends," Alustriel said, her voice soft, like silk. "I am pleased to have you here." She gestured to the chairs around the table. "Please be seated. As you are all aware, I am Alustriel Silverhand, High Lady of the League of Silver Marches." Placing a slim hand on the shoulder of the old man, she said, "And, this is Taern 'Thunderspells' Hornblade, High Mage of Silverymoon." The man inclined his head, slightly to the companions by way of greeting.
The table was fully laden with silver platters and fine porcelain dishes, piled high with fruits and vegetables, meats and cheeses, breads and pastries. At each place, a pair of crystal goblets had been set. Around the table there were numerous pitchers made of glass, porcelain, or silver, many gleaming with condensation. They held wine of several different vintages, water, milk, mead, even Silveranean blackberry brandy. There were no servants in sight.
As they began to move toward seats of their choosing, Toranes spoke, "Thank you Lady Alustriel. It is our pleasure to have come home, and to such an honor as this. We are undeserving."
"Oh pish-posh," she cut him off. "Are you already trying to get under my skin Sir Doriego?" she asked. There was definite emphasis on Toranes' title. They all froze in their tracks. Some of the companions looked about as though a bit worried. Was she angry about something? Was it wise to upset a queen? Had they been less worried, they might have noticed the amused twinkle in her eyes.
"Of course not," Toranes said, suppressing a laugh. "Allow me to introduce our new friends." As each one stepped up next to him, he gave their name, city of birth, and any titles he knew them to hold. "Lady Alustriel, may I present Sir Gunthar Silvershield, knight of Torm, from the Silvershield family of Waterdeep."
Gunthar bowed again, deeply and said, "An honor, my lady."
Alustriel smiled and thanked him, but said, "Thank you Sir Silvershield. I will call you Gunthar if I may, and as Toranes knows full well, unless matters of state require otherwise, I prefer to be called simply Alustriel."
Surprise was evident on the faces of several of the companions. Gunthar was only put off for a second, recovering smoothly, "Very well, Alustriel. It is an honor." He took a seat next to Taern, offering a hand, which the old man took and shook with a firm grip.
Toranes went on, introducing each of the companions until only Kyera and Tharkunn remained. "Halion MacTavish, warrior of Caer Callidyrr in the Moonshaes, and his sister, Myrain MacTavish of Caer Callidyrr, Apprentice of the magical arts. Reldrin Warhammer, good dwarf of Citadel Adbar. Tolmen Hobnobbin, halfling Scout from Leilon. Morninglady Kaylin Valinde of Elturel. Galarid Olduren, warrior of Baldur's Gate. a'Launiira t'Orgh of Ched Nesad, priestess of Isis. These other two rascals you already know," he gestured to Kyera and Tharkunn.
As he introduced each of them, Alustriel and Taern each smiled and bade them welcome. Her smile was not a whit smaller or less warm for a'Launiira than any of the others. At his jest about Kyera and Tharkunn, Alustriel just laughed, a light and merry sound like the tinkling of tiny bells, and said, "I believe it is you who are the rascal, and they merely your keepers."
"Of course," he replied solemnly. "I'd be lost without them," and that sounded heartfelt and sincere. What followed over the next hour was akin to a family meal, with conversation and open discussion, and a fair bit of good-natured teasing. Both Alustriel and Taern were very interested in the companions and their histories, individual and group. Upon hearing of the deaths of Addam and Melandra in the battle with the orcs, they shared the sorrow of the companions. Alustriel went so far as to wrap Kaylin in her arms when tears began to fall.
As the meal wound down, the servants did appear, clearing away the plates and platters, pitchers and trays. In their place, they left several large bowls of mixed or salted nuts, and a number of fresh pitchers with cold, clear water, or watered-down wine. Alustriel engaged a'Launiira in a conversation on the nature of Isis, and did quite a bit of explaining herself about the nature of Mystra. She also spoke to Myrian, at length, about the Lady's College, a consortium of schools within the city where young mages learned the Art. She suggested that the young woman might consider enrolling. Classes were half over for the year, but perhaps the next semester. She even offered to put in a good word with the head of the school.
"I took the liberty of arranging a meeting in the morning for you, with Morninglord Holdoris," Alustriel told them shortly after Taern had excused himself to see to important duties he'd set aside for the meal. "I've already discussed your situation with him," she touched a'Launiira lightly on her good shoulder, "and he has agreed to meet with you. And, if he is satisfied with the meeting, and with Kaylin's word on your behalf, I believe he will Heal your shoulder." The capital was plain in her voice.
Gunthar couldn't help but to be somewhat disappointed when the High Lady announced her need to return her attention to the business of the city, and he was not alone in his feeling. "I have truly enjoyed this," Alustriel said. "I hope that you will all enjoy your stay here." Her gaze seemed to take in each one of them and silently impart that her wish was meant for them especially.
Her eyes lingered a moment on Toranes and she said, "I would like to meet with you all again, in a day or two." Not a soul in the room was upset with that prospect. "I may have a task that you could help me with, but I will know more then." With one more round of goodbyes and bows, she swept from the room, seeming to simply glide across the floor.
"Now tha's a queen," Halion said as soon as the doors had closed behind her, "ne'er mind wha' her tytel claims."
Gunthar nodded in agreement, and muttered under his breath, "A man could be damned well proud to serve a woman like that." Tharkunn just chuckled under his breath, and Myrian and Kaylin shared a giggle.
"What is this task she spoke of?" Galarid asked, settling into his chair, and lighting a pipe with a fig he held for a moment in the fire.
"Whatever it is, I'd be inclined to say yes, just in thanks for the fine meal and the taste of thick Adbarran mead," Reldrin said in his baritone rumble.
"I don't know," Toranes answered. "But for her to bring it up, yet not share more than she did, it must be important." Kyera nodded in agreement, a worried look on her face which, surprisingly, did nothing to mar her delicate features. Toranes went on, "And, it is most likely something not yet well known or she would have spoken more openly. I believe it best for now if we keep it amongst ourselves."
They all agreed to heed his advice and another hour of socializing and drinking transpired before they headed off to their beds. Toranes shared a brief look with Kyera and Tharkunn, and an observant Gunthar before closing his door and settling in for a fitful night's sleep.
