Author's notes: Nothing new to say really. Again I want to thank my betas
(thank you, Brandi and Claire!) for their wonderful work and help with
this.
Disclaimer: The characters are mine - aside from the mentioning of names known in the Forgotten Realms - the story is mine but everything else belongs to other people, namely WotC and such. They could try to sue me for using this world of theirs but they wouldn't get much out of it - I am but a student and as that chronically broke anyway. ;)
Now on with the story once again. Still hoping you'll enjoy it. ;)
---------------------------------------------
Chapter 2 - Potential
After El'uriel had taken a room in one of Leuthilspar's inns, she and Aquiel made their way through the city. They walked by Leuthilspar's harbour, although El'uriel had already seen this when she had arrived. It was a beautiful sight with the many elven ships in the water, their crews already starting to decorate them for the midsummer festival. Aquiel showed El'uriel the temples in the city, the grandest of them being the one devoted to Corellon Larethian; a huge building of yellow marble and gold. Sehanine Moonbow's temple was much smaller, but to El'uriel much more beautiful with its pearled white walls and silver doors. "It mirrors the goddess that lives here" she said and bowed. They passed many of the city's other 'attractions', among them the palace in which Queen Amlaruil ruled, with its huge gardens filled with bellflowers and blue roses - the symbol of the Moonflower clan. But neither of the two really paid much attention to the city around them. They talked all the while, Aquiel asking and El'uriel happily answering all her questions.
El'uriel and Lerian had been part of an adventuring company called The Four Winds before Lerian came to Evermeet. He had been the company's cleric, healing his companions and - according to El'uriel - annoying them with his praisings of Hanali Celanil whenever he saw something of great beauty which might just be the next sunrise.
"And what about you?" Aquiel asked.
"Me?" El'uriel grinned slyly. "Well, I was the one they sent forth whenever there was a door they didn't have a key for, whenever there was a building someone had to sneak into."
Aquiel stopped in her tracks and looked incredulously at El'uriel. "You mean, you are a thief?!"
El'uriel laughed. "I do have the skills a thief would possess, yes. If you think that alone makes one out of me then so be it. I have my own code of morals however. I do not steal to gain wealth. In fact, I would say that I do not steal at all. I do however help people finding things that have gotten lost or were unjustifiedly taken from them." El'uriel looked Aquiel straight in her eyes, the warmth and friendlieness not the least bit diminished. "Do you think I am wrong?"
Aquiel thought about this for a moment. A puzzled expression came over her face. "I really don't know." she answered hesitantly after a while.
El'uriel continued to smile. *A bit naive, the young one. But the world will teach her whatever she must know.* she thought to herself. In truth she envied Aquiel; she seemed to have lived a peaceful and protected life so far without experiencing the terrible things life could sometimes force upon its subjects. Not yet...
"You don't have to know now, Aquiel. You have all the time in the world to find out what you believe in. Don't let anyone ever make up your mind for you."
They let it be at this and walked on much as before, El'uriel continuing to answer Aquiel's questions. The sun finally dipped low over the horizon and El'uriel realized how hungry she was.
"It is getting late, I suppose I should meet with Lerian for the evening meal." El'uriel said. "I will gladly accompany you home first, however."
Aquiel gasped in shock. "Evening meal?! Oh damn, it's already that late? I have to hurry home!" With that she started to run through the streets, trying not to topple anyone. Many people had to leap out of her way and El'uriel did her very best to keep up with her.
"Why? What is the matter?" she managed to call out.
"I have to get home before anyone notices I am gone! I did not realize it was already this late, damn my absent mind!"
They reached Aquiel's home soon after and made their way to the side of building Aquiel had climbed down those many hours before. Aquiel started to climb up but then changed her mind, jumped back down and quickly hugged El'uriel. "I had a wonderful afternoon, thank you! I hope, I will be able to spend more time with you soon."
"You surely will, I plan to stay for a while." El'uriel answered as Aquiel started to climb up again. El'uriel watched her climb and marveled at the ease with which Aquiel mastered a climb that would've proved more difficult to many. *So, she sneaked out of her own home?* El'uriel smirked at this thought. *There is potential in that one...*
**************************************************************************
Aquiel quickly climbed through the window into her room - and immediately noticed that she was too late. Meranio sat on her bed, surrounded by her discarded spellbooks with a disapproving scowl on his face.
"I am glad you made it back in time for the evening meal - this time." He leveled his stern gaze upon her. Aquiel only offered a weak smile. Obviously, locking her door had not helped to keep him out and from realizing she was gone. She made a mental note that she would have to find a more effective way for the future.
"I believe I asked you to study, Aquiel." Aquiel almost laughed out loud at this. *Yes, the same way a General 'asks' his troops to strike...* She knew though, that her sarcasm wouldn't get her very far with her father. She had tried before. Meranio seemed to be a bit lacking in humor.
"I did study, father." *For about 10 minutes* she added in her mind. "But it was such a beautiful day and I needed to feel the sun on my face for a while. I just couldn't stay inside."
"Aquiel, how will you ever become a mage if you do not study?" Aquiel let out a sigh of frustration and turned her back to her father. She didn't want to be a thrice-be-damned spellcaster! Why couldn't he just accept that? "The Towers of the Sun and the Moon will never take you in to train you, if you do not show some potential and devotion! The first half century of your life is almost past and look at what have you accomplished? Nothing! Your sister and brother were already well into their training at the Towers at your age!"
Meranio took Aquiel by the shoulders and turned her around so she would have to look at him. "You need to develop some discipline, you cannot just live out your life like this, without a purpose. No elf of any of the noble families will ever wish to take you as his bride, if you do not-" Aquiel gasped and tore herself free from her fathers hold. "Bride?!" she screamed out. "I have not yet reached the end of my first century and already you are thinking of marrying me off to some arrogant, stuck-up brat?! Magic and politics, that's all you can think about, isn't it?!"
Meranio sighed and turned around to leave. "We will continue this talk when you are in a more sensible mood. Stay in your room for now. You have much learning and thinking to do. I will have your meal brought to you." He walked to the door but then hesitated a moment and turned around again. He looked to the open window and started speaking the words and forming the gestures of a simple spell. The window closed and Aquiel knew, without having to test it, that she would not be able to open it.
"For your own good." was all Meranio said and he left the room closing the door behind him. Aquiel heard a key turning in the lock.
"Wonderful." she said and threw herself on her bed.
**************************************************************************
In the hall outside of Aquiel's room Meranio came upon Ineya, his wife. As he looked at her, he again saw how much Aquiel looked like her - she was a bit taller. Ineya reaching only 5 feet and Aquiel just over 5 and a half. They both had the same long, fiery hair, mischievous smile and the same bright green eyes. And they had much the same spirit, Meranio had to admit. Though Ineya possessed a high talent in the Art, she was ever curious and hardly sat still. She was a sorceress and had a strong innate connection to the weave, much stronger than a mage would ever achieve, and didn't need to be as disciplined as others.
At the moment Ineya simply watched him, her eyes looking deeply into him. Of course, she had heard Aquiel's outburst - there was no one in this house who had not - and knew that it had come to another conflict between her and Meranio. He knew she did not approve of what he had said and done, that she thought he was trying too hard to make Aquiel become a mage. He knew she thought he should let Aquiel's spirit roam freely and find her own place in this world. But she did not say a word for she also knew that she did not have to.
He looked down, as he could not bear to look into her eyes now. *Maybe she is right afterall.* he pondered, but it was only a fleeting thought. He only wanted Aquiel's best, only wished her to become all that she could become and he worried for her because of her leisurely lifestyle. He could not stop trying, could not let go.
After a few moments Ineya walked over to her beloved husband and reached out to touch his face. "I know." was all she said, as if she had read his thoughts, and led him away.
Disclaimer: The characters are mine - aside from the mentioning of names known in the Forgotten Realms - the story is mine but everything else belongs to other people, namely WotC and such. They could try to sue me for using this world of theirs but they wouldn't get much out of it - I am but a student and as that chronically broke anyway. ;)
Now on with the story once again. Still hoping you'll enjoy it. ;)
---------------------------------------------
Chapter 2 - Potential
After El'uriel had taken a room in one of Leuthilspar's inns, she and Aquiel made their way through the city. They walked by Leuthilspar's harbour, although El'uriel had already seen this when she had arrived. It was a beautiful sight with the many elven ships in the water, their crews already starting to decorate them for the midsummer festival. Aquiel showed El'uriel the temples in the city, the grandest of them being the one devoted to Corellon Larethian; a huge building of yellow marble and gold. Sehanine Moonbow's temple was much smaller, but to El'uriel much more beautiful with its pearled white walls and silver doors. "It mirrors the goddess that lives here" she said and bowed. They passed many of the city's other 'attractions', among them the palace in which Queen Amlaruil ruled, with its huge gardens filled with bellflowers and blue roses - the symbol of the Moonflower clan. But neither of the two really paid much attention to the city around them. They talked all the while, Aquiel asking and El'uriel happily answering all her questions.
El'uriel and Lerian had been part of an adventuring company called The Four Winds before Lerian came to Evermeet. He had been the company's cleric, healing his companions and - according to El'uriel - annoying them with his praisings of Hanali Celanil whenever he saw something of great beauty which might just be the next sunrise.
"And what about you?" Aquiel asked.
"Me?" El'uriel grinned slyly. "Well, I was the one they sent forth whenever there was a door they didn't have a key for, whenever there was a building someone had to sneak into."
Aquiel stopped in her tracks and looked incredulously at El'uriel. "You mean, you are a thief?!"
El'uriel laughed. "I do have the skills a thief would possess, yes. If you think that alone makes one out of me then so be it. I have my own code of morals however. I do not steal to gain wealth. In fact, I would say that I do not steal at all. I do however help people finding things that have gotten lost or were unjustifiedly taken from them." El'uriel looked Aquiel straight in her eyes, the warmth and friendlieness not the least bit diminished. "Do you think I am wrong?"
Aquiel thought about this for a moment. A puzzled expression came over her face. "I really don't know." she answered hesitantly after a while.
El'uriel continued to smile. *A bit naive, the young one. But the world will teach her whatever she must know.* she thought to herself. In truth she envied Aquiel; she seemed to have lived a peaceful and protected life so far without experiencing the terrible things life could sometimes force upon its subjects. Not yet...
"You don't have to know now, Aquiel. You have all the time in the world to find out what you believe in. Don't let anyone ever make up your mind for you."
They let it be at this and walked on much as before, El'uriel continuing to answer Aquiel's questions. The sun finally dipped low over the horizon and El'uriel realized how hungry she was.
"It is getting late, I suppose I should meet with Lerian for the evening meal." El'uriel said. "I will gladly accompany you home first, however."
Aquiel gasped in shock. "Evening meal?! Oh damn, it's already that late? I have to hurry home!" With that she started to run through the streets, trying not to topple anyone. Many people had to leap out of her way and El'uriel did her very best to keep up with her.
"Why? What is the matter?" she managed to call out.
"I have to get home before anyone notices I am gone! I did not realize it was already this late, damn my absent mind!"
They reached Aquiel's home soon after and made their way to the side of building Aquiel had climbed down those many hours before. Aquiel started to climb up but then changed her mind, jumped back down and quickly hugged El'uriel. "I had a wonderful afternoon, thank you! I hope, I will be able to spend more time with you soon."
"You surely will, I plan to stay for a while." El'uriel answered as Aquiel started to climb up again. El'uriel watched her climb and marveled at the ease with which Aquiel mastered a climb that would've proved more difficult to many. *So, she sneaked out of her own home?* El'uriel smirked at this thought. *There is potential in that one...*
**************************************************************************
Aquiel quickly climbed through the window into her room - and immediately noticed that she was too late. Meranio sat on her bed, surrounded by her discarded spellbooks with a disapproving scowl on his face.
"I am glad you made it back in time for the evening meal - this time." He leveled his stern gaze upon her. Aquiel only offered a weak smile. Obviously, locking her door had not helped to keep him out and from realizing she was gone. She made a mental note that she would have to find a more effective way for the future.
"I believe I asked you to study, Aquiel." Aquiel almost laughed out loud at this. *Yes, the same way a General 'asks' his troops to strike...* She knew though, that her sarcasm wouldn't get her very far with her father. She had tried before. Meranio seemed to be a bit lacking in humor.
"I did study, father." *For about 10 minutes* she added in her mind. "But it was such a beautiful day and I needed to feel the sun on my face for a while. I just couldn't stay inside."
"Aquiel, how will you ever become a mage if you do not study?" Aquiel let out a sigh of frustration and turned her back to her father. She didn't want to be a thrice-be-damned spellcaster! Why couldn't he just accept that? "The Towers of the Sun and the Moon will never take you in to train you, if you do not show some potential and devotion! The first half century of your life is almost past and look at what have you accomplished? Nothing! Your sister and brother were already well into their training at the Towers at your age!"
Meranio took Aquiel by the shoulders and turned her around so she would have to look at him. "You need to develop some discipline, you cannot just live out your life like this, without a purpose. No elf of any of the noble families will ever wish to take you as his bride, if you do not-" Aquiel gasped and tore herself free from her fathers hold. "Bride?!" she screamed out. "I have not yet reached the end of my first century and already you are thinking of marrying me off to some arrogant, stuck-up brat?! Magic and politics, that's all you can think about, isn't it?!"
Meranio sighed and turned around to leave. "We will continue this talk when you are in a more sensible mood. Stay in your room for now. You have much learning and thinking to do. I will have your meal brought to you." He walked to the door but then hesitated a moment and turned around again. He looked to the open window and started speaking the words and forming the gestures of a simple spell. The window closed and Aquiel knew, without having to test it, that she would not be able to open it.
"For your own good." was all Meranio said and he left the room closing the door behind him. Aquiel heard a key turning in the lock.
"Wonderful." she said and threw herself on her bed.
**************************************************************************
In the hall outside of Aquiel's room Meranio came upon Ineya, his wife. As he looked at her, he again saw how much Aquiel looked like her - she was a bit taller. Ineya reaching only 5 feet and Aquiel just over 5 and a half. They both had the same long, fiery hair, mischievous smile and the same bright green eyes. And they had much the same spirit, Meranio had to admit. Though Ineya possessed a high talent in the Art, she was ever curious and hardly sat still. She was a sorceress and had a strong innate connection to the weave, much stronger than a mage would ever achieve, and didn't need to be as disciplined as others.
At the moment Ineya simply watched him, her eyes looking deeply into him. Of course, she had heard Aquiel's outburst - there was no one in this house who had not - and knew that it had come to another conflict between her and Meranio. He knew she did not approve of what he had said and done, that she thought he was trying too hard to make Aquiel become a mage. He knew she thought he should let Aquiel's spirit roam freely and find her own place in this world. But she did not say a word for she also knew that she did not have to.
He looked down, as he could not bear to look into her eyes now. *Maybe she is right afterall.* he pondered, but it was only a fleeting thought. He only wanted Aquiel's best, only wished her to become all that she could become and he worried for her because of her leisurely lifestyle. He could not stop trying, could not let go.
After a few moments Ineya walked over to her beloved husband and reached out to touch his face. "I know." was all she said, as if she had read his thoughts, and led him away.