___To my few readers, here is the next installment of the tale. I apologize for the shortness of it, and can only plead writer's block and college for it having taken so long for me to post it. The block seems to be ending, and therefore I hope that the next portion of the story will be larger, and posted sooner. Once more, I thank you for your patience, and for continuing to read this dreary tale. It does get better for poor Keledrial…eventually. I hope you enjoy. Azurielle
"How?" I managed to ask, sounding, no doubt, like a moron. Rosaleen shrugged, with a somewhat helpless smile.
"The narraroot I used that week was too old, I guess."
"The what?" Rosaleen rolled her eyes.
"Oh, Keledrial…you're still so naïve sometimes. Narraoot is what a woman uses when she doesn't wish to become pregnant," she explained.
"Well obviously it doesn't work that well," I muttered snippily.
"Nothing is infallible Keledrial. Look, I know this must be a shock for you…"Rosaleen began.
"You have no idea," I replied. At that point the numbness of the reality of things was beginning to wear off just a bit. Still, I wasn't certain how I should feel about any of this. A daughter…an actual child sired by myself was enough of a shock. True, Sera is my daughter and always will be…but this was somehow more…troublesome. Worse, the girl was Cha Tel Quessir. I had always assumed that such were the result of rape…or at least I had assumed that there would be no way that I could ever be the parent of one. It appears that on both accounts, I am wrong.
And then, as I studied the people in the room, Rosaleen, her husband, Sera, and my…half-elf daughter, I wondered what they wanted of me. Yes, there is no denying that…Kelly, is mine. But still, I was barely managing with Sera alone…I don't know if I could handle being the father of a half-elf. Besides, the girl was obviously grown, and already had a father. And just as I was thinking this, Kelly spoke, addressing me for the first time.
"Hello, Mr. Nightstar." I nodded by way of response.
"Look, I can see by your face that your worried about this, and I'm not overly certain of what you're thinking, but I feel I should say something right now. I appreciate the nice things you did for my mother, and that you're my real father and all. However, I have a father…and I have a nice life…there's really not anything I need from you…but…well, I suppose I would like to know a bit more about you…and maybe about the elven part of me, that is, if you feel that's something you can do." I just stared at her, not certain what to say to such a speech. I turned to Rosaleen, looking for…something. Her smile was gentle as always, and she seemed much like the friend she had always been.
"Keledrial I would have told you, if I had known…but the truth is that I didn't even realize until months after you'd gone home. I didn't think that, even had I had a way to get a message to you, that you would want to know." At that point Gareth decided to add his two coppers.
"I've raised Kelly as my own, and never regretted a day of it. She's a wonderful daughter…if somewhat stubborn," Gareth shot a glance to Kelly, who merely grinned, as she sat down in a chair. "There's nothing that any of us are asking, or expecting of you…but it was your right to know…and Rosa and I would have told you, even had Kelly not come home." I thought on it for a moment…tried to think rationally and reasonably. This was, in truth, partially my fault, but not anything I could have done anything about. They were all being certain to make it clear that I was under no obligation to do anything more than just know the truth…and I appreciated that. I supposed, however, that the least I could do would be to speak with Kelly, as she'd asked. But I wanted to make it clear that there was no way I could stay in Waterdeep, even had I wanted to.
So we talked. She seemed to have dozens of questions, all of which I did my best to answer. Try as I might, I could not seem to relax in the girl's presence, not with her watching me, seeing my own eyes staring back at me. I thought of the times I'd sneered at the thought of half-elves…though of them as lesser, somehow. Now, I am not certain what to think, especially knowing that I had part in the creation of one, wittingly or not.
All in all, by the end of the evening, and part of the next morning, Kelly seemed to have learned as much as she wanted from me. She talked to me in a manner like that of a fellow guard, or perhaps a distant relation…not as Sera treats me…and certainly not like a father. I think that I am glad of that, though. Learning something like this is a great deal to handle in so short a time.
I took my leave later the next afternoon. I told them where they could reach me, should they need me for anything…and should Kelly wish to speak with me again. They thanked me, and replied that Sera and I were welcome back any time we wished. Before I left, Rosaleen pulled me aside, and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Then she thanked me for Kelly. I think I must have just stood there, looking like an idiot, for the next thing I knew, Rosa had gone back into the house, and I was standing on the front walk…staring blankly.
Now, during all this, Sera had been very quiet…too quiet. It all erupted a short time later, once we got back to our inn. Sera is notorious for her temper tantrums…and this one was one of her best. She screamed and yelled, and pounding the floor. She shifting into draconic form, and stomped about the room, crying that she didn't want a sister, and how could I do this to her…as though I'd deliberately sired and then kept Kelly a secret! She wept, seemingly inconsolable, despite my reasonable statements to calm her down. I tried to explain how I felt to her, but I just seemed to say the wrong thing…or somehow it wouldn't come out sounding the way I'd meant it to. Finally, I just gave up, and let her wear herself out. It was one of the few times I felt truly horrible, and was unable to make Sera stop her hysterics…and for once, it wasn't even really my fault.
Once she was calmed, I managed to explain things to her. I assured her that she was my first, and most important daughter, and that Kelly was already grown up…that she had another father…one who loved her…that Kelly didn't need me, but that Sera still did. After a suitable amount of time and attention devoted completely to Sera, not to mention a bit of bribery, in the form of a trip to a…shudder…clothing store, Sera seemed to cheer up, her sunny nature returned. I guess I just had to let her know that she was important to me, and that I loved her…I thought that both were things I always did, but apparently while I may think something is obvious, Sera doesn't always see it that way.
We had one more visit to make before I wanted to leave Waterdeep. So, later, the day after Sera's tantrum, we headed to the Hidden Blade tavern. There was a new bar keep running the tavern, but the décor was still the same. The large human was rather uncooperative when I asked to speak with his employer. But I was insistent, as only I can be, and he told me that Lord Elaith was out of town at the moment. The unhelpful man claimed he didn't know where Elaith was at the moment, but that he'd had business up in Silverymoon, and may or may not still be there.
Deciding that, in case I should miss him when Sera and I went to Silverymoon, I left a message for Elaith. In it, I basically stated that I was back on the mainland, and could reach by sending to word to the city of Hap, in Battledale. To make certain that my message would not be tampered with in any way, I sealed it with an arcane mark spell…my symbol that of a great sword, and wand crossed over the eight-pointed star of the Nightstar family crest.
I was a bit disappointed that I missed Elaith, but felt certain that I would see my fellow noble again. I recall having met his daughter, Azariah, while on Evermeet, on several occasions. The girl is very young, no older than my sisters, I should think. As a ward of the elven court, and more specifically, a responsibility that the Queen herself has personally taken on, I encountered Azariah on a number of occasions. She has Elaith's coloring, golden eyes, and curly, silver hair but her features are that of her dead mother's…or at least that is what I assumed. The few times I spoke to her, she seemed very quiet, and soft-spoken…a perfect elven maiden to all appearances. She seemed quiet surprised that I, an older noble, had deigned to talk to her. I imagined that her isolation was due to, in part, her father's reputation…but with the Queen's protection, and on the strength of her own character, she will probably be able to overcome any obstacles. Still, underneath her outer veneer I sensed that there will be more to her than the quiet, proper girl she is now. She had an energy about her…it reminded me a bit of Sera…and somehow, I think that despite my best efforts, and Elaith's efforts as well, my Sera and his Azariah will not remain docile little girls forever…not that my Sera is docile, mind you.
I had planned on leaving Waterdeep the next day, however, as Sera and I were getting our things together at the inn, we had a visitor. The door was slightly ajar at the time, and I had not noticed his entrance, as I was having an argument with Sera over the damned flittercat that Lady Laeral had had delivered earlier that morning. I wanted the kitten, a small, white and orange-striped thing with yellow eyes and a set of feathery wings, to go into the familiar pocket, where it would not cause trouble…or, may the gods forbid, escape…in which case I would hear no end to Sera's unhappiness. Sera, on the other hand, was determined to carry it with her...and judging by the kitten's mewing and struggling, I was positive that it would be a bad idea. Just I was winning the argument, patiently explaining that the "kitty" would be happier if it was asleep in the pocket, I hear a faint chuckle from behind me. I turned to see a familiar elf, standing at the doorway. He was wearing white robes adorned with gold trimming, the crescent moon symbol of Corellon his only accessory. His silver eyes were bright with amusement, as he regarded me.
"Well Keledrial, my friend, I see that neither time, nor Evermeet has in any form altered your daughter's ability to get her way," he laughed.
"Celedor," I stated patiently, "I am winning this argument…now Sera, don't you want your kitty to be safe and happy? She will be happy in the pocket…just like Sanhandrian." I asked. Sera, her arms wrapped around the cat in question, shook her head vehemently, her silvery-blue braids smacking against her cheeks as she did.
"No, Daddy. Pixie will be happy if she stays with me…and I can keep her safe all by myself!" Pixie doesn't want to sleep near Sandy." She assured me. On my shoulder, Sanhandrian chattered at Sera, shaking his tiny fist at her…he hated being called "Sandy." Then, almost as an afterthought, Sera glanced up at Celedor and greeted him.
"Hi, Celedor."
"Hello Kaithseraly."
"Sera," she corrected the priest, as she set the kitten down on her bed, and continued stuffing her things back into a bag, certain that our little argument was over and that she had won. Deciding that I would be better served to continue on with my point later, I turned completely to face my former confessor. Hr e answered my question before I could even ask it.
" I heard from an acolyte, who saw you down at the smithy that you were back in Waterdeep, and felt I should pay you a visit before you left," Celedor stated.
"How did you know I wasn't staying?" I asked him.
"Lucky guess," he shrugged. "Or perhaps I just know you too well to think that you will ever be satisfied staying in one place for too long."
"That is the truth," I agreed with him. "Even Evermeet could not hold me."
"I take it that things did not go as well as you'd hoped?" Celedor asked.
"They rarely do…or at least, that is the conclusion I have come to. Let us just say that things in Evermeet proved to be far different than my expectations."
"I am willing to listen, if you have the time," Celedor offered.
"Willing to listen, or curious?" I asked him. He grinned.
"Blunt as always…well, perhaps it is a bit of both. Besides, I haven't heard an interesting tale for the longest time." So I thought about it for all of half a moment.
"All right then. Sera and I are on our way to Silverymoon…but for you, the wayfarer's guild can wait." After all, Celedor had helped me a great deal in the past…helped me when I most needed it…I could spare a few hours to inform him of the some of the things that occurred in my life the past two decades.
We left the inn, and Celedor took me down to a place called the Elfstone Tavern, which is a strictly elven tavern. The people there evidently knew Celedor well, for he and I were waved in without question by the well-armed gold elven door guards. Inside, the place reminded me of an upper class tavern in Evermeet…all softly glowing magic lights, tables set up on several tiers, which overlooked a small platform stage, upon which a gold elven minstrel was plucking away at a lyre, playing some long, and somewhat gloomy ballad. The building itself soared to over five stories in height to accommodate the living trees that were growing in the place. There was a scent of rain and greenery in the air. I saw several other priests in the place whom I recognized from my last time in Waterdeep...one was Evindal Duirsar, the patriarch of the elven temple in Waterdeep, and Celedor's superior. And, naturally, we got no small amount of eyes turning in our direction as we headed to an open table and took our seats. Scant moments after sitting down, an older, moon elven woman, with silvery hair and a tiny faerie dragon perched on her shoulder, approached us. With her regal bearing, I assumed she was the owner of the tavern…or at least some one of importance. She greeted Celedor by name, and then turned to me.
"Greetings, Quessir. I do not believe we have ever had the pleasure or your presence in my establishment."
"No, you haven't, etriel," I replied politely.
"I am Yaereene Ilbaereth, owner and proprietor of the Elfstone, and your name?" she asked in a tone that all but demanded an answer.
"Keledrial Nightstar, heir to house Nightstar," I replied in my best court voice. She was suitably impressed, and after that went out of her way to make certain that our comfort was seen to. After we ordered lunch, Sera wandered about the restaurant. Being that he was the only child in the place, she received a great deal of attention from all of the other patrons, most of whom gave Sera their full attention, which is what she most likes. After watching the other elves for a while, and deciding that none of them were a threat to Sera, I turned my attention to Celedor, and answering his many questions.
He seemed genuinely glad when I told him that my family had not died as I'd always thought. He was interested in my what I felt I could tell him of my reasons for returning, and where I was going. And he was most intrigued when I informed him of my meeting with the strange elven man, my first day back on Evermeet, and the healing of my fractured personality.
"Keledrial…you do know who that very well may have been don't you? The only one whom I would not hesitate to say could have healed you so thoroughly, and quickly…" he mused. I nodded.
"I know…" I replied. "But I will not say it aloud. I feel that if He had wished to reveal himself, He would have." Celedor nodded, and we spoke no more on the subject.
Now, although I had told all of my darkest secrets to Celedor in the past, this time I did not reveal everything to him. I did not let him know anything of what had happened to me…the event that caused so much anger in me. I thought I would know his response to it, and frankly, I did not want to hear that I was overreacting, or that I was, once more, searching for a reason to justify an action. So I said nothing.
The afternoon continued on, and by the time we were done conversing, it was getting on towards nightfall...which meant that the wayfarer's guild was closed. Celedor offered to let us stay at the church. Since I had already checked out of the room at the Dancing Blade for the night, I agreed. On the way there, Celedor asked if I had visited any of my former party members while I was in town. Aside from having left Tobias on Evermeet, and my attempt to find Lita, I told him that hadn't bothered.
"Aren't you at least interested what happened to any of them?" he asked.
"Not really," I replied truthfully. Celedor merely shook his head. I am certain that he was somehow bothered by my lack of curiosity over their fates, but the truth is, that I can't find it in me to care. Ranon hadn't been so bad…bizarre, yes, but he had tried towards the end. As for Calvin and Hank…well, they'd let me know long ago what they thought, in Calvin's case, or how little they cared, in Hank's. I didn't care.
In the morning, we departed Waterdeep, and arrived moments later in the wayfarer's guild of the city of Silverymoon.
Although it was late summer, the weather was still a bit cool in the town, which is much farther north than Waterdeep.
I asked directions from the wizards of the wayfarer's guild. And moments later, Sera and stepped out of the guild house, and into the streets of Silverymoon.
How should I describe that city? It was nothing like any place I'd ever been to…and yet something like all of the cities I'd seen…and as we walked through the streets, I felt a small chill of apprehension. It was certainly not because I felt there was danger in Silverymoon…far from it. The knights of Silver guarded the streets, keeping order. The city itself was large and beautiful…filled with ancient trees and soaring towers, reminding me of Leuthilspar in a way. Yet there were also dozens of shops and smaller human homes as well, like Waterdeep. It was actually the way the houses were built and the people I saw walking the streets that had me nervous. I passed not one, but many multilevel homes…human homes built around the base of an elven tree house, with entrances to a dwarven home beneath the roots of the tree. Even more than Waterdeep, I saw many different races roaming the streets, gnomes and dwarves interacting with humans and elves and halflings. You might think that I would be surprised, and glad that so many of the races worked together peacefully in this place…but what I felt was fear…and the sense that history was repeating itself. For not so long ago, a similar city had existed, in the heart of the forest of Cormanthor…a place called Myth Drannor, where the races co-existed in relative harmony. But it had not lasted long…and when Myth Drannor fell, it fell hard, the people and the city pounded to such ruin by an army of darkness and foul evil, that to this day, the ruins of that city are well known for the treasure they are said to contain, and the terrible things that still roam the broken walls.
If it is one thing that I have noticed about the histories of the races, as I had read about more than just the elves finally, while I had been on Evermeet, it is that no matter whom it is, elves, dwarves, humans…we all seemed doomed to repeat our mistakes…never learning from them, never remembering them, until it is too late.
I have heard that the ruler of Silverymoon is a fair, and brilliant woman named Alustriel, who had, for a time, stepped down from her position as leader. During that time, troubles arose swiftly, and finally, the alliance of the Silver marches begged her to resume her position of power. So she did…and yet I wonder, this Alustriel…has she read her history? And more importantly, can she learn from the mistakes of Myth Drannor?
As I thought this, I took in the sights of Silverymoon. There is no denying it is a fair city, and I think that between the cities I have traveled to, Leuthilspar, Waterdeep, Neverwinter, and Ruathym city, this is the one I have felt most comfortable it, to date. It was large enough that I felt I would not be so crowded, or bored, and yet enough like Evermeet, that I did not think I would lose my elveness in this place. And I thought, that perhaps, when the time came that I was done with what I was required to do in the dalelands, that I might return here once more, and see if my initial impressions proved true.
Now, traveling through the streets of Silverymoon was a fairly easy task…and for once I did not feel so wholly out of place. I saw elves a plenty, some of them nearly my height…well, almost. And there were barbarians as well, people like the Ruathym, whom were called Uthgardt. Sera was beside herself with excitement, whipping her head this way and that, trying to take in everything at once. She pointed out stores and people, and flocks of Tressym…flittercats, flying overhead. We walked past the temple district, catching glimpses of castle-like churches rising in the distance. And as we entered a large open market place, I ran into, literally, the very person I was looking for…or at least I thought it was her at first.
Even as I was apologizing for running into the woman, I recognized her.
"Lita!" I exclaimed, thinking that she hadn't changed a bit. "We were just on our way to your house." She looked up at me, and it took less than a second for recognition to dawn in her green eyes.
"Kele!" she shrieked, as she threw her arms around me…and for a second, I was confused, for it was not like Lita to be so…affectionate. And as much as I tried not to be, I couldn't help feeling just a little bit aroused at having her arms around me…after all, I'd always half-liked Lita in a sexual manner…but since she'd never given me any hint that the feeling was mutual, and, of course, Rosaleen had been around…well…you get the idea.
So, needless to say, I was a bit surprised at her display… then I noticed that Sera was giggling.
"What are you laughing about, imp?" I asked her, as Lita released me. Unbidden, my eyes traced her body…Lita didn't just look good…she looked better than ever…and yet, something was nagging me, something wasn't right. And just as I realized that Lita had had hazel eyes, not green, a voice broke my train of thought.
"Keledrial, tear your gaze away from my daughter's chest, if you would, and stop acting the fool." I turned to see…Lita…the real Lita standing off to my side. Her arms were crossed, her expression amused. This Lita had hazel eyes; her brown hair had a few silver lines in it…her face older…and yet no less intriguing than it had once been. But more than anything, it was her stance, her body movement that told me I had been mistaken in thinking that the other woman had been Lita. And then it dawned on me, and I turned to regard the other woman once more.
"Allianna?" I queried. She laughed, and nodded.
"It's been a long time, Kele," she stated. Sera had now broken out into full-blown laughter at my mistake…and no glaring on my part was about to shush her. I shook my head amazed, and somewhat disturbed. 20 years ago, I had taken care of Allianna…fed, and bathed, and been victim to her and Sera's terrible mischief…and now she was a full-grown woman…and damned attractive as well. Somehow I felt a bit awkward, in that I'd felt something for a girl I'd known when she was a child… my own daughter's playmate. Once more, I was amazed at the mayfly lives of humans. Finally, I joined in the amusement of my own lack of alertness.
"Amazing," I shook my head, with a grin on my face. "I can remember the time you and Sera painted Lashrael white…and now, here you are, your mother's image."
"Keledrial," Lita once more drew my attention. "What ever are you doing here, in Silverymoon?" she asked.
"I've a question that I've long wanted to ask you…and Sera wanted to visit, of course," was my reply. Sera, who'd apparently known from the off that it had been Allianna, and not Lita I'd run into, threw herself at Lita so that Lita had no choice but to open her arms to the little dragon. Not that I think she minded, though.
After initial greetings were over, I offered to take everyone out to have lunch. Lita promptly lead us to a small restaurant just outside the main marketplace, called the Stuffed Traveler claiming that the halfling cook, Marisela, who worked there was one of the best cooks in Silverymoon. Her claim proved to be more than mere opinion, for I have to agree that lunch was one of the better cooked meals that I have ever had on the mainland.
As we sat back, and relaxed after the meal, I finally asked the one question that had been nagging me for years.
"Lita, remember back the day Sera and I left for Evermeet…you said something to me that day. You told me that things might not work out on Evermeet the way I'd thought. How could you know that?" Lita shrugged.
"You had everything built up in your mind how you thought it would all be, Keledrial. But the fact of the matter is, that things rarely go as planned. I just wanted you to be prepared for an upset, and know that you could always come back," she explained.
"You certainly proved to be wiser than I," I told her, quietly.
"I gather that things did not go well?" she asked, gently…a rarity for Lita, whom I'd always recalled being more blunt and straightforward.
"They went both better, and far worse than I'd hoped," I answered cryptically. Before I could go on, Allianna stood up.
"Hey, Sera, how 'bout if I show you some of my favorite places in town?" she asked my daughter. Sera jumped up, nodding enthusiastically. Almost as an afterthought, Sera turned to me.
"Can I go, Daddy?" She pleaded. I nodded.
"Just so you bring her back to your mother's house by dark," I told Allianna. The older girl…woman, nodded, and off they went. Very clever, that Allianna…she'd distracted Sera so that I would have time to speak with Lita, uninterrupted.
"No more "Kele"?" Lita asked, drawing my attention back.
"No…not often anyhow. She learned pretty quickly to mimic the elven children."
"And it bothers you?"
"No…and yes…sometimes I hardly know what to think about things, since it seems that a moment after I think a thing, something comes along to force me to alter the previous thought, if you catch my meaning," I tried to explain.
"What is it that you want to talk about, Keledrial? I can see it burning in you. I've been through some tough times…and you have too…talk to me. I'll listen."
And as I'd felt uncomfortable talking about the things that had happened on Evermeet, even to Celedor, from whom I'd not kept any secrets before, I did not feel so with Lita…somehow, I saw, in her eyes, and in her face, an understanding. Perhaps it came from her own past, and from the knowledge that she, as I, had done things in the past that she was not proud of. So I talked to her, poured out my thoughts…told her of the truly dark things I'd done…and of what I had become in my time on Evermeet…and of the things that had been done to me. To my knowledge, she is the only person who now knows all of my secrets.
"Keledrial," she told me, when I had fallen into silence. "You talk of these things and the words come hard for you to say…and yet you are missing the one thing that is most important here. You have made mistakes…so have we all…but the truly important thing is that you are learning from those mistakes."
"Why is it that I only recognize I've made a mistake, after I've made it?" I wondered aloud.
"Only the gods know that, I suppose. Listen Keledrial, you must learn one thing…and it is something I think you have yet to realize. You still judge people by what they are…and you must learn that who they are is the more important thing. Humans are all humans to you…all alike…dwarves are dwarves. Women are women, and therefore all alike. I once thought that way too. I understand your anger at what happened to you…what that elf woman did to you. But what you need to understand is that not all women are like that. What I had to learn is that not all men are violent," she confessed. I raised an eyebrow, curiously, wondering just what Lita was trying to say.
"Allianna…you asked once who her father was…and I wouldn't answer you…it is because I do not know his name. He was a pirate…a Nethlander pirate…a sea raider…and he raped me in a raid on my town." I couldn't help but wince, and feel a bit of shame. The Nethlander pirates are known to me…they are to the south of the sword coast, what the Ruathym raiders and Luskan pirates are to the north. Looking at Lita, with her hazel hair and eyes, I saw for a moment, Penelope…and thought what had happened to Lita was very like what I had done to Penelope…and then the thought came into my mind. Lita had not known the details then, but she did now…what now did she think of me, knowing that I was the same sort of person that had hurt her…that I had done to another what had been done to her? I almost couldn't meet her eyes, but forced myself to be stoic, and face possible rejection.
What I saw was not scorn, but the same understanding that had been there before.
"I know what you are thinking, Keledrial…and that is why I told you what I just did. You are thinking that I will judge you by what you were, and not who you are. If I thought that way, I would condemn you out of hand…for you were a pirate, as was the one who hurt me. But I know you…and I know that you changed…and accept that you learned from your mistakes. That is why I trusted you with my daughter, and trust you even now. And that is why I implore you to remember this one thing…all people are not the same. And not all women fall into your categories."
"There were so many of them who did, though," I stated, frustrated, and trying to see what she was trying to tell me. "It was all they cared about…themselves and what they could get from me."
" But not all," she pressed.
"No…not all of them…"
"Then remember that, and keep the thought close to you. Learn to know the person before you judge them…learn from your experiences and become better for that learning."
"I get set in my ways…I don't like things to change, sometimes," I explained.
" You will never fully get over your past until you learnt to let go of the anger that drives you to cling to it, Keledrial. And as for being set in your ways, you said it yourself…set or not, people will always come along with something to "unset" you. That is one thing you can count on."
"I don't know if I can change my way of thinking so drastically," I shook my head.
"Well, if you won't even try, then I fear you're in for a long, tough life, Keledrial." Lita told me.
After our talk, we walked the distance to her home. Night had fallen, and the street lanterns had been lit. Allianna and Sera were already there.
I did not rest much that night, but rather thought on all that Lita had told me. Hat she had said made sense, in a way, but as I told her, I did not know if I could change my way of thinking overnight…
We ended up spending a full ten-day in Silverymoon, Lita and Allianna taking the time to show Sera and I the sights. I heard rumors as we walked around town, something about the Zhentarim causing trouble, and orcs stirring in the north. If I had not already been bound by my vow to the queen, I might have thought to look into what was going on a bit more. But as the week came to a close, I knew that it was time for Sera and I to leave. We would already be considerably later arriving at the school that we were supposed to be…and I did not wish to push my unknown cousin's good will too far, before even meeting her.
We left early, by wayfarer guild. Our destination was Suzail, in the human kingdom of Cormyr. We arrived in the town, moments later…it was already noon in Suzail.
The city was much like Waterdeep, and Sera and I did not tarry long. After purchasing a map, I decided which route we would take.
Having decided our path, Sera and I took a northern route out of Cormyr. We ended up traveling with a caravan part of the way, more out of convenience rather than a need for protection. The road was fairly well traveled and in good condition. The traveling weather was quite fine as well, with little rain, and a temperate climate.
We traveled through Arabel, and then beyond Cormyr, through the Storm Horn mountains. Once the road cleared the mountains, it immediately split into two roads, one wending to the west, and the other going north and east. There were the remnants of an older road heading straight north, but it was blocked off by large boulders, and a small, bored looking garrison of purple dragons, guards of the country of Cormyr. When I asked about the road from someone in the caravan I was told that the road had led to a former human city called Tilverton. I asked why it did not lead there now, and was told that Tilverton had been destroyed. When he told me the year and time it had been destroyed, I realized the human city had fallen about a half a year before the city of Evereska had been so gravely wounded. The man I spoke with further added that a strange shadowy substance was said to cover the ruin of Tilverton, and that no living thing that entered the ruins ever came back. Something about his description of the "shadowy stuff" reminded me a bit of the corrupted magic items I had come across, back when I been adventuring in Waterdeep…the items made of shadow magic. The very idea that shadow magic might have destroyed an entire town of humans, and indeed, the shadows were still around, still stealing life made my skin crawl. I well remember the feel of the foul magic in the potions and weapons my enemies had had…and I never want to encounter anything like that again.
So we continued along the Moonsea Ride, the road which travels through Tilver's Gap, which is a break in the Thunderpeak mountains of the dalelands.
I caught my first sight of the forest of Cormanthor about a ten-day and a half later, as we entered Mistledale. The trees were tall, and very old…but not nearly as magnificent as the forests of Evermeet. Still, as we traveled through that section of the forest, I could understand why Cormanthor was where my people had chosen to life for so long. If one could not be on Evermeet, Cormanthor's forest were close enough.
We passed by plenty of small villages over the next two ten-days. But there was nothing of note. The caravan guards were on edge, claiming that this end of Mistledale was known for the beats that oft-times wandered out of the forest to attack travelers. It was, however, quite a bit of a let down, when there was not so much as a single stir of trouble from the forest...not even a few goblins for amusement. The fact of the matter is that having gone so long with out being in a real battle…I felt restless…anxious to once more test my skills, although goblins would have been little challenge.
Our first actual stop was a church, which was only a mile of so south of the River Ashaba's crossing point. The merchant's were anxious to trade with the priests of the abbey of the Golden Sheaf, priests of the human goddess of the earth and planting, Chauntea. I, however, did not feel so inclined to spend several hours in the company of priests, when I could continue on to the city Ashabenford, just across the river, and spend a night in a real bed for the first time in over a month. So Sera and I departed the caravan at last, and continued on to cross the river Ashaba.
Ashabenford was not overly large, as human cities go…and you could fit several Ashabenford's into one ward of Waterdeep…however, it is the largest city in Mistledale…and more importantly, it had not one, but two inns. Sera and I quickly made our way to the White Hart inn, which happened to be the closest one. Lodging's were only a gold piece a night, and the proprietor, and aging, white haired human man named Holfast was glad enough to send up some hot bath water for a few silvers more.
Fortunately, I managed to get Sera to take a nap after her bath, so I was actually able to relax and enjoy mine. I felt in considerably better form after having washed off weeks of traveling grime.
When Sera awoke, we, of course, had to wander around and see what the town of Ashabenford had to offer. Aside from a few stores, and a very wide open, farmer's market, I didn't see much of interest. Sera insisted that we go visit Lashrael 2, whom I stabled at a place called Kaulvaerus Stables. We arrived just in time to see Lashrael 2 sneaking out of the stall the half-elf who ran the place had him in. In my rush to get to the inn, I had forgotten that the demon-spawn horse knew quite well how to open most latches, and should have warned the owner of that fact. Fortunately, I managed to catch him before he got too far.
After what I thought was a rather boring day…which, as usual, was filled with stares from the locals…we went back to the White Hart Inn for dinner. There were already a number of people in the taproom of the place, some from the caravan that I recognized, while others were locals.
The food was plain, and but good for all that, and about the time I finished up, was when I happened to catch the glimpse of something familiar, that tugged at my memory. As I turned to look, I realized that the something was actually a some one. It was the long red braid that caught my memory, and I sat back for a few moments, studying a woman seated at a table next to mine and Sera's…trying to place her.
The woman was seated with several others…and two half-orcs…one with flaming red hair that was shot through with gray…dressed in the colors of the morning, and wearing a symbol of the human god Lathlander. The over all effect of his appearance was vaguely nauseating, especially considering that he had the look of a warrior about him. He had a female half-orc by his side with…violet, of all colors, hair. I assumed that a spell, or some form of dye had to be involved. There was also a human male, with shaggy brown hair, dressed in a dark green shirt, and plain brown robes. He also wore a holy symbol, but his was that of Chauntea…a farmer priest. Still, it was the woman herself that attracted me…and not in a physical sense, although she was striking. Her hair was a dark color of crimson, bound in a braid past her waist, with a shock of white for bangs. Her clothing was plain, a bright blue tunic over a white shirt, and dark breeches. She was half-elven, judging by her eyes and ears…and I was certain that I'd met her before.
Finally it came to me…the girl on the Moonshaes, in Caer Callidyr, so long ago. It had been my first day in that city, and I had been on my way to find a ship to the mainland…when a girl with a long red braid had "bumped" into me, and "relieved" me of all of my coins.
"The thief," I muttered out loud to myself, half-amused that I remembered after so long. Back then, she'd been a girl, skinny and ragged…that much I recall. She was a woman now, and judging by the three, identical red-haired infants being passed around by people in the bar that I assumed where locals, she was also a mother…or triplets, no less. I do not even want to imagine having to deal with three children at one time…one was hard enough.
I had spoken quietly, but either the woman had excellent hearing, or I had just not been quiet enough…for she heard me, looking over at me, studying me for a moment, as I had studied her.
"The northman," she replied, loud enough for me to hear as well…as she, too seemed to recognize me. "Or is it, north elf?" she asked, even as her companions turned in their seats to look at each other. I had not actually set out to gain her attention, or start a conversation…but it appeared I had done both. The human man spoke first.
"Rain, do you know him?" he asked. The woman shrugged.
"After a fashion…yes, I suppose you could say that we've met."
"If you call picking my pocket a meeting," I added, dryly. Still, I was not really annoyed. Even when it had happened, I felt I had deserved the theft, for the money itself had come from a lifetime of stealing. I was not about to get upset now, not when I had the amount that was stolen hundreds of times over.
"Ah, well. What can I say? Times were hard, and I was a thief…and you looked to have plenty." The woman did not sound overly contrite…merely explaining. I shrugged.
"It was money earned from a life of reiving, so for it to be stolen…it was only as I deserved." She grinned.
"If it's repayment you wish, I can oblige, although I hardly think that you came all the way from the Moonshaes to hunt down a street rat, some twenty odd years after the deed was done," she remarked.
"I need no repayment…nor, indeed, did I come looking for you. It is merely coincidence that we now meet. I am only passing through Ashabenford, on my way to Hap." I don't know why I was explaining any of it to the woman, but I was. The woman gave me an appraising look, and her gaze took in Sera, who was sleepily toying with the food on her plate, her braids, which had been neat and even earlier that morning, were sagging, with wisps of blue hair escaping their confines. My girl was having a hard time keeping her eyes opened. I followed the woman's gaze to Sera, but stayed relaxed, as I felt there was no harm in it.
"Ah…you're taking the little one to the Everall School, is it? I've got one going there this year as well."
"Actually, I'll be teaching there," I replied, even as I pulled the utensils out of Sera's hands before she could make a mess. She gave me a half-hearted pout, and climbed up on my lap, and curled up.
"Well, good for you. Maybe you'll see my son, Jaelen. He's ten…wants to build things." She stated, just as one of the infants began to whimper. The man, her husband, I suppose, beside her went to fetch it.
"I'll be certain to look for him," I told her as I rose from the seat. The man returned with the baby, and said,
"Rain, we should go…the boys need sleep…and so do you," he added. I took note of the tired smile she flashed him, the darkness beneath her eyes, and a weariness to her movements as she rose. I wondered if that was how I'd looked when Sera had first been hatched? And I wondered if it was her children, or something more that had tired out the woman so, as I noted the heavy cutlass that hung on her belt. I moved to leave, but as I did, the woman called out once more.
"Rain the Banshee," she stated…an odd phrase, I thought. I half turned to glance at her, curious over what she meant. I gather she realized my confusion, for she smiled once more, as she accepted another of her children into her arms, even as her companions gathered the belongings, preparing to depart as well.
"It's my name…Rain Hawklight, the Banshee of the Dales." She clarified. I wondered briefly, what was in the woman's past that she had earned such a name, but did not ask.
"Keledrial…Keledrial Nightstar," was my response. And with that, I departed, to put my little dragon down to sleep.
I don't know why I bothered to write of the meeting, save that the woman had reminded me of my past…and for the first time, in a long time, my past was no longer something I felt bitter about. Reverie came easy to me that night, and the next morning, I felt refreshed and eager to see the end of this part of my journey, and the start of the next part.
We passed on, continuing towards Essembra. Though it was a bit out of the way, Sera and I detoured north a bit, so that we might stop and see the famed Standing Stone of the Cormanthor forest. It had been raised centuries ago by human and elven wizards as a symbol of unity between the two races, and as a symbol of the Dales Compact, which allowed that the humans could the cleared land with no trouble from us, and that we, the elven people, would suffer no more attacks on the forests, or further destruction by the humans cutting into our lands. Though the compact that the stone symbolized fell when fell Myth Drannor, I am told that the sight of the stone inspires tradition among the dales folk, who keep to the terms of the compact for that reason. It was interesting to see a bit of elven history beyond Evermeet, and yet I felt sorrow, for the people had abandoned the forest, the compact, and the people of the dales during the retreat of the elves…and now, with the drow moving in, it seemed we would have to pay for our lack of foresight.
The journey to Hap was fairly short after that…perhaps another ten-day and a half, before we arrived at the small, sleepy-looking village. I say sleepy "looking," for despite its deceptive appearance, I quickly noted that there were many of the townsfolk who watched our approach from beneath half-lidded eyes…saw things that did not quite fit in…felt the magic emanating from the weapons and armor of several of the "villagers," saw sturdy traveling boots rather than peasants shoes on the feet of several people. I began to grow just a bit nervous. The truth is, as much as I like Lita, I don't really care much for sneakiness, or trickery…and these people smacked of both.
So I watched, even as I was watched, but waited as well. With Sera with me, I did not want to start any trouble unless someone else began it first.
I traveled to the appointed place, the only inn and tavern in the village, a place called the "Sun and Stars." I knew that I was to wait for my guide there…that they would find me…and that without a guide, there was little way for me to get through the part of the forest where the school was said to be located.
I did not wait overly long. Just after noon another person entered the nearly- empty tavern. He was wearing an elven-style cloak, with a bright blue tunic beneath. Pointed ears were far too short to be full-elven. His hair was shoulder length, and black, like ink spilled on the water. His skin was the pale gold hue of the gold elves, but his build, and his walk was definitely human. He sat down at the table where Sera and I were without invitation. When he looked up, I saw that his eyes were silver.
"We expected you several ten-days ago," the man stated without preamble, as he rolled a silver coin between his fingers, with an enviable dexterity.
"Well, I am here now," I replied, not feeling the need to go into great detail.
"So you are…well, you shall have precious little time to settle in before school resumes…most of the children were gone for the summer harvesting…but they will be back soon." When I did not respond, he stood, pushing his chair back beneath the table.
"Well, come on then, the head mistress is waiting for you."
"Who are you?" I asked, finally. He gave a wry, half-smile.
"I'm Mallorn Nightstar, ½ elven son of your cousin, Astianna Nightstar…and your cousin as well," he had a very low, soft tone of voice, that made me think he was whispering, even though he was not.
"Well, hasn't this just been my year for meeting previously unknown relatives," I stated, sarcastically. It was a bad enough shock to learn that I'd fathered a half elven child, let alone find out that I am not the only Nightstar of my knowledge to do so. I wondered what other "pleasant" surprises I had in store for me.
Mallorn shrugged at my statement…I do not doubt that he sensed my annoyance, but to his credit he did not comment on it.
"Come on, then, cousins. I'll lead you to our destination."
Mallorn lead us out of the village, and directly into the woods. About three miles in, I began to learn exactly how clever the safeguards around the Everall school were. My cousins, and the teachers of the school has stacked illusion upon illusions. They had literally used magic to seemingly change the position of trees, and landmarks, to add creatures, and hide the real ones. The path to the school branched dozens of times, and even though I have a fairly good sense of directions, and was able to realize that a great deal of what I was seeing was illusionary, I still was lost within a half an hour. There were times I caught of glimpse of something through the trees that may or may not have been draconic. There were times that the trees, and undergrowth seems to shift around us, and behind us. Mallorn lead the way, never missing a step.
We walked in silence, but for Sera's occasional exclamations, as she pointed out something for me to see. Finally, we came upon what appeared to be an impassable wall of tangled trees and vines, bushes. I felt the tingle of strong magic around it, could almost feel it in the air around my fingers. Mallorn whispered a series of words, and then gestured us forward, as he stepped through the wall, vines and greenery shifting to allow his passage. Sera ad I follow without question, though I wondered what kind of magic, arcane or divine, had created the wall…and if it was arcane, what spells had been used.
I figured there would be time enough to ask my questions later, however.
Beyond the wall, the forest seemed to open up. The trees were slightly sparser here, as though it were some form of natural clearing. There was little undergrowth, and a distinct rise to the land, as we head up a slight incline, walking on a very distinct slate-stone road.
The small road was well maintained, as we reached the top of the rise, I saw the Everall school for the first time.
A few very tall ancient trees shaded the flat, grass-covered area upon which the school had been built. Dozens of buildings were scattered over the plateau, the whole, comprising the school. A stonewall, some 8 feet in height mostly surrounded the school. Though the wall was fully functional, it did not detract any from the school's appearance.
A large gate was open, and I got the feeling that it was not often closed.
A pair of fairly young-looking human boys stood sentry at the gate. They smiled and waved at Mallorn, as we approached, asking my half-elven cousin if I was a new teacher. Mallorn merely nodded, and walked on, into the school.
Within the walls I could see the detail of the buildings much better. The school itself was not one main building, but many. And the oddest thing to see was that all of the buildings had been constructed of different architectural styles. Here was an elven styled tower, and there was a low, stone, dwarven-made building. Many of the structures were human in design, but of different appearance…for instance, one place had the distinctive scrollwork of a Moonshaen home, while another looked very much like some of the homes I'd seen in Waterdeep. There were some smaller buildings with round doors and windows, and one very odd place that seemed to have no rhyme or reason to the construction, with rooms and small towers jutting out everywhere. There were small gardens that I could see, as well. Once again, these were radically different in design…some containing the most delicate flowers and roses, while others seemed comprised of naught save rocks and mosses. Odd.
I gathered that the differences in design was another of the Everall's schools way of teaching the students there about different races, and the places they dwell in. The overall effect, however, was quite…bizarre.
Most of the school's students must not have been back yet, for the grounds of the school did not seem to have too many people walking about. Mallorn led us over to a building along the wall, very near to the main gate.
As we approached it, I quickly realized that it was a large stable. A human man came out of the stable to meet us. He was simply dressed, with a leather vest, and dark green clothing. Slightly older, he was probably in his thirties or forties. His hair was a near-white color of blond, and there was a long scar running from his lower right jaw, across his cheek, and up to his right ear, of which he only had half of left. Still, for all his scarred visage, he grinned when he saw us, held out his hand to me. I took it, albeit a bit of warily.
"You must be the new one, from the elf island, isn't it? My name's Grim. Grim Evenwood, ranger of Sylvanus. I take care of the animals around here…and I mean the four-legged ones, not the kids…although there are times I'd say the two are interchangeable, if you know what I mean," the man chattered on at me. I was silent, not knowing how to respond to such. I would have though a ranger needed to be quiet, what with sneaking around the woods and such…but apparently not this ranger. Grim…what an odd name, then proceeded to turn his attention to Lashrael 2. The beast was dancing about, nostrils flaring as he sniffed the air, smelling, no doubt, the other horses in the stables. I got a mental image from him, as he used the ability he'd gained from his moonhorse dam, letting me know what he was thinking and feeling…that image was of a female horse. I shook my head, and thumped him once on the shoulder.
"Don't even think out it Lashrael," I warned him. The horse snorted at me, as if to say, "Oh, I am thinking it." The human was looking at my horse with great interest.
"Large fellow, I'n't, he? Black as Cyric's shorts, too," the ranger commented, referring to the human god of evil and death, and such.
"His name is Lashrael 2, and he is part moonhorse, so he is very smart…smart enough to get most latches and doors open," I explained.
"So you're a smart one, ay?" Grim asked Lashrael 2. The great black, beast proceeded to nod, trying valiantly to pull his reins from my hands at the same time. Fortunately, I proved to be more stubborn than he was at that moment.
"Give Grim your steed…he can deal with him," Mallorn told me, in his low voice. I handed Lashrael over easily enough, even though I didn't really care for being told what to do by my…cousin. Lashrael pranced off with Grim, towards the stables. I've no doubt that by evening, he'll have broken out of his stall, and tried his best to impregnate as many of the mares in the area as possible…but for the moment, he was not my responsibility.
"Come…my sister is waiting," Mallorn reminded me once more.
He led us further onto the school's grounds, and towards the opposite side of them, to another gate.
We actually left the school grounds, and followed a narrow path back into the forest. Less than half a mile, through more illusion-saturated, magically entangled forest, we arrived at another building. This one was constructed almost entirely from several massive trees, magically grown and fused together to create a large home. At first glance, most people would have walked by it, for appeared must like the rest of the forest.
Mallorn led us up to the door, and rapped loudly on it with his knuckles. A few moments later, there was a muffled sound from within, and a young voice shrieked,
"I'll get it!" A moment later the door was flung open a very young, gold elven boy, with silver eyes and wheat-gold hair. His eyes roamed over Sera and myself for a moment, before settling on Mallorn.
"Oh, hello uncle," the boy stated in elven…and I wondered if this was the child that the queen had asked me to protect…her gold elven grandchild…but he seemed rather younger than what I had been told.
"Greetings, Leithanis. Where is Evaryana?" The boy laughed.
"Oh…looking for me. We were playing a game of hide-and-find, but I got bored of hiding and Evaryana is still trying to find me, I think." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that Mallorn was trying hard not to smile, trying hard to look stern. I knew the feeling well.
"And what have you been told about opening the door, Leithanis?" Mallorn questioned.
"Um…not s'posed to without a grownup," the boy looked down. Before more could be said, an older moon elven woman came hurrying towards the door, looking mildly disheveled, strands of dark hair coming loose from her braid.
"There you are! And at the door, no less! You wait until your mother hears of this!" the woman exclaimed. "Out of here! Up to your bedroom!" she ordered. The boy sighed, and slouched off, down another hallway. Then the woman turned her attention on us.
"Ah, Mallorn. So sorry. Your sister's busy with the school roster, and asked if I would watch the children…and you and I both know that they manage to trick me every time."
"That is all right, Evaryana. I am, however, here to see Liralyn…school roster notwithstanding. This is the new teacher, Keledrial Nightstar and his daughter Kaithseraly," he introduced me to the woman. She smiled at me pleasantly.
"Well, you're a bit late, aren't you, master Nightstar? But not too late. Well, you'd better go on up. She'll want to see you all right away." We were waved in, and the woman, Evaryana, closed and locked the door behind us.
Mallorn walked through the house, which was more of a mansion in size. It, like many houses on Evermeet, was made entirely of the magically grown trees and was very spacious and open, full of light, magical and natural. The furnishings were fine as well, some very expensive…and revealing a variety of different styles, much like the school. I assumed that they were things that my gold elven cousin had collected during her fairly short adventuring career. There were paintings, and tapestries scattered about…one or two were even such that I recognized them…having seen pictures of similar items in books I had read on the lost treasures of Myth Drannor. I guess my cousin and her friends had done more than merely fight off demons there.
There were also quite a lot of musical instruments displayed about the parts of the house we saw, as Mallorn led us up to the third floor of the mansion. Not surprising, however, considering that my cousin is a noted bard here on the mainland, and was rumored to have been possessed of great skill, even back before the strange sleep had struck her.
Finally, Mallorn led us to a door, and opened it without knocking. The door swung open silently, and Mallorn was quieter still as he stepped into the room. Looking through the doorway, I saw that it was a workroom of some type. There was a wooden desk in the center of the room, directly in front of a large, round, stained glass window, the design was of the city of Myth Drannor, at the height of its prosperity. It was a masterwork piece, and it focused all of one's attention upon it, staring at the tiny forms and buildings wrought in glass. It was also a not-so-subtle reminder that what my cousin was trying to do here, along with her friends, was to recreate the idea of Myth Drannor in the form of a school, and yet without recreating the terrible price that the city paid for its lofty ideals.
Seated at the desk before the window was an elven woman who could only be Liralyn Sunstar. She was looking over a stack of parchment, periodically marking something off with a quill, a thoughtful expression on her face.
Like most of the Ar Tel' Quessir, she had fair, golden hued skin. Her hair, like the boy's downstairs, was the purest gold. I thought her quite beautiful when I first saw her. She proved to be even moreso, a moment later, when there was a noise on the ground beside her…a vaguely familiar burble of laughter. My cousin smiled widely, the gesture making her face seem radiant, as she reached down to where the noise had come from. Shifting my position, ever so slightly, I was able to see that there was a coverlet spread out on the smooth wooden floor of the room, and seated upon it was an elven infant, with silvery hair, looking more moon elven than gold. The child was playing with some sort of wooden block toy, and was laughing over his success with it.
While this was occurring, mere moments of time, Mallorn had crept into the room, behind the woman's chair, and as she straightened back up, he tapped her lightly on the shoulder.
Liralyn Sunstar jumped, gasping in surprise. She spun around, and proceeded to smack Mallorn on the arm.
"Don't do that!" she told him, shrilly. "Are you trying to send me to Arvanydyr before my time?!" Mallorn gave her a half smile.
"Ah, but you should learn to be more alert, sister, and then I could not frighten you so easily. Now then, your new teacher and his daughter have arrived," he finished softly. Then he departed the room, whispering t o me,
"May Tymora's favor be with you."
I hardly know why he should think I needed luck. In any case, I entered the room, Sera following at my side. Once I was standing before the desk, I gave a semi-formal bow to my cousin, in deference to her position of respect at the school.
"My lady Sunstar," I said, as I straightened once more.
"So, you are the heir to the Nightstar family," she stated, raising one eyebrow curiously. Her eyes, I noted, were silver…a rare hue for a gold elf…but then again, her mother was a moon elf.
"Indeed I am. Here is my letter of introduction," I held the queen's letter out for her to take. Liralyn took it, and set it down upon her desk, hardly glancing at it.
"So tell me, Keledrial Nightstar, why did you decide to come to my school?" she asked.
"You know, as well as I, that I was sent here by the queen, with the command to protect your son, and to help reclaim the forest from the drow."
"Come now, pay attention to my words, Keledrial. You are what five and one century?"
"Six and one century," I corrected.
"Than you are hardly more than a few decades younger than I. I did not ask why were you sent here, I asked why did you choose to come here."
"It is the same thing," I protested.
"It is not. You could have been sent and never come…so I want to know why you chose to follow the queen's orders?"
"Disobey the queen? Why on Toril would I do that?" I asked her, incredulously. Liralyn sighed.
"Oh, I see you're going to be difficult, cousin…look, there has to be a reason you were sent…a reason that has to do with your own heart, or I know that the queen would not have sent you. I want to know it."
"Why?"
"Call me curious, I am a bard, after all." I thought about it a moment, before responding.
"Well…I guess the reason I agreed to all this, is because I was not happy on Evermeet."
"And what makes you think that you will be happy here?" she pressed.
"I don't know that I will be, but it will be different, at least. How can I know until I try?" I was beginning to grow annoyed at her persistent questions.
"How can you know, indeed? You do know exactly what kind of school this is?"
"A school for every race, and all peoples," I replied.
"And as a teacher here, do you think that you will be able to handle dealing with all sorts of children? Teaching human and dwarven children, along with elves?"
"I don't even know exactly what it is you want me to teach here, so how can I possibly answer your question?" I retorted.
"Fair enough, I guess. But there are certain rules that you, as with every other teacher here, will be expected to follow. You must treat all of the children the same, singling no one out for special or harsh treatment because of what they may be."
"Very well, I agree to it," I said quickly, wanting just to get this interview, or whatever it was over with.
"So quickly! Do you think you will be able to keep such a promise?" she asked.
"My lady cousin, I shall certainly endeavor to try to keep my promise," I replied through gritted teeth.
"Now, now, no need to get angry. And I shall remember your promise. Now, on to the matter of your teaching, and my son…now, have a seat," she told me, gesturing to a chair. I sat down, and gestured for Sera to be seated as well, but rather than doing so, she was looking over at the baby on the floor.
"Daddy, can I play with the baby instead?" she asked me.
"Sera, be polite. This is the headmistress of the school that you will be attending," I told her, feeling rather unnerved by the familiar gleam in Sera's eyes…the expression of wanting something…which is an expression that I usually have a difficult time resisting.
"That's all right," Liralyn Sunstar said. "We will have plenty of time to talk later, Sera, is it?" Sera nodded.
"If you promise to be careful, you may play with the baby. He is my youngest son, and his name is Rylanil." Sera promptly thanked Liralyn…thank the gods I have managed to instill some manners in her…and then turned her full attention on the infant. Liralyn finally opened the note from the queen and quickly read over it.
"According to this, my Nightstar cousin, you have a great skill in magic, and with the fires of the forge, in addition to some impressive battle skills, including having been trained in…Ruathym? I would love to hear the story behind that," she commented.
"Perhaps another time," I all but growled. Talking about my training in Ruathym was not a subject that overly appealed to me. My cousin continued on, saying that she would give me time slots to teach an elven brand of forging, which would work well, seeing as there were already two smithing classes, one taught by a human, and one by a dwarf. She also stated that there were some older students in the school who would be interested in learning ancient elven history, and since my knowledge on the subject is formidable, I could do a class on that as well. Finally, she decided that seeing as I had a great deal of combat and weapon experience, and more than a bit of knowledge on the "barbarian" fighting styles, that I could certainly help the melee instructors with some of the students that had come from similar backgrounds: the Uthgardt barbarian children, the north folk from near the spine of the world, and the lone boy who'd come from Rashemi, which I gather is another country and culture where berserkers are common, though I have never heard of it. She finished, telling me that she thought that three different types of classes were enough, seeing as this would be my first time teaching any one. I did not voice my doubts as to my ability to convey my knowledge to a bunch of children. The queen had given me this task, after all, and I meant to fulfill it to the fullest extent of my ability.
Liralyn then went on to discuss the subject of Sera. She told me that she would speak with Sera and come up with a schedule of courses to best fit my dragon daughter's interests. I asked whether or not there would be a problem, considering Sera's true race, but Liralyn waved the question away, saying that having an actual dragon at the school would be an excellent thing for the other students; that Sera's presence would expose the others to a dragon for the first time, and allow them to see that dragons are not all monsters out of bards' stories. As for my worries about Sera's well being, she assured me that she and the other teachers would make certain that Sera, as with the other children in the school, did not suffer anything for her differences. Liralyn went on to add that Sera, with her long life expectancy, would do well to learn early on how to deal with the others races…adding that for learning, there were few schools in the world with a finer set of teachers. I personally thought that the last was a bit of boasting on her part, but did not bother to disagree, as I happened to agree that this would be a good experience for my daughter.
Finally, my cousin grew a bit quieter as we addressed the subject of her son.
"As I am certain you have noticed, I have several children…seven to be exact. Zelairwyn is my oldest, and he is the one whom the queen is most worried about."
"And why is she worried about him? She said herself that he cannot possibly inherit, not with his being Ar'Tel Quessir." I asked. Liralyn sighed.
"I know, but for all that, the Queen worries that there are still those who would see my son as a threat. Until recently, this was not much of a problem. I have always been able to protect Zelairwyn myself, or at the very least keep him in a place where he was protected. The problem is that he is older now…and very upset. You see, I had him in a school in Evereska for a time, while I was adventuring…he was happy there. But then the disaster occurred, and though his school was not destroyed, I took him out of Evereska, and brought him here, where we were beginning the construction on Everall. Zelairwyn, I think, thought this would only be a temporary arrangement…but well, with what happened…his returning to Evereska is not an option. Neither will I consider his going to Evermeet. I cannot think that even Evermeet is safe, not with the attacks that happened there…especially after learning of the betrayal of Kymil Nimesin, and his murders of the royal family members. As I once told the queen, I will not risk my son's life. I feel safest with him near me, where I can find him, knowing that the people protecting him are my friends. The problem is that as he gets older, Zelairwyn wishes to do things his own way. More and more he has begun to defy me. He's even gone so far as to leave the school, and go to other cities in the dalelands. He believes that he has nothing left to learn from the teachers here. I don't know what to do with him. And I suppose that is why you were sent…to keep an eye out on my son…to keep him from getting into trouble. Although I hardly know why the queen thinks that you will be able to keep Zelairwyn from folly any better than I can on my own"
"I don't know exactly what the queen, or you, expect me to do." I confessed. "I can try to keep an eye on him, but it won't be possible for me to watch him every minute."
"I know," Liralyn sighed. "For the most part of the day, he is fine…kept in school, but it is when school is done that I have trouble with him. To that end, and to enable you to keep your vow to the queen, I have decided that you and Sera will reside here. My home is quite large, and there is more than enough room for you. And that way, you will be able to keep watch on Zelariwyn while he is here."
"If that is what you wish, than I guess that is what I must do," I replied, not overly happy about the situation. It finally began to occur to me that, like my naïveté about Sera when she was first hatched, that trying to protect an elven youth who did not wish that protection would be harder than I thought. Still, it was my task, and if I had to do what my father, Brander had done to me, and keep the boy busy every free moment he had, to keep him safe, then that is what I would have to do…although I admit, it will probably not win me his high regards.
After our little chat, Liralyn abandoned her paperwork and led Sera and myself to the westernmost portion of the house. She claimed that all of the rooms in the section were unused but for the occasional guest. She bade Sera and I choose several rooms which would comprise our" home" while we were at the school. She left us to settle in, adding that dinner would be served in the dining hall on the first floor, an hour after sunset. She also mentioned that we would tour the school on the morrow.
It took me far less time to unpack than Sera. My weapon went on racks on the wall, and my clothing into one of the several wardrobes in the rooms. Several servants came to assist, and ask
if there was anything we needed. I waved away their help…it will be a sad day when I cannot hang up my own clothing, after all. But I did request a bath, thinking that I may as well attempt to clean up before dinner.
One of the servants led me to a small bathroom connected to the suite of rooms. A large tub was set into the floor of the room, and there was a small crystal decanter and a stone box on a table next to it. The decanter was a magical item that was not unknown to me. Often referred to as a "decanter of endless water," all one had to do was remove the stopper and speak the command word, and a stream of pure water would issue forth, never stopping until the command word was once more issued. The water is rumored to come from the Elemental plane of water, the place where water elementals lived, which was entirely comprised of water.
The stone box contained a smooth, red crystal, which emanated heat. The servant explained the command words for both items, and then, at my insistence, departed to fins some other chore.
After washing up fairly quickly, and dressing in some clean clothing, I went over to Sera's room, to tell her to get ready for dinner.
At first I thought her door was locked, but after a moment, realized that it was been barred from within.
"Sera!" I called. "Open the door."
"Um...one minute," I heard her muffled voice reply. Several minutes later, after the sounds of things being moved, the door opened. I stepped in, looking around to see what she was up to.
In an hour's time, Sera had managed to cause a disaster in her room. Not of small size, mind you, she had nearly filled every available bit of space in the room. She had, apparently, pulled every item she owned out of her bags, and was trying to decide where to put it all. The door had not been barred, per se, but she'd stacked so much up against it that she hadn't been able to get the door open, easily.
"Sera, what have you done?!" I thundered at her. My daughter hardly batted an eyelash.
"I'm trying to put my things away," she explained, as she turned to dig through a pile of clothing. "And I can't find my blue dress."
"Put things away?! An explosion could not have caused as much of a disaster in here, as you have!" At that point, my ears picked up the sound of a faint "mewing" from somewhere in the room. It took me a moment to locate Sera's cat, Pixie, all but buried beneath a stack of dolls and toys.
"Oh there she is!' Sera exclaimed, reaching for Pixie as I pulled the cat out of her prison by the scruff of her orange neck.
"Sera, we are due to be downstairs in less than an hour," I explained to her.
"I can't go to dinner without my dress," she replied.
Then wear a different one!" I pointed at the rainbow of dresses she had thrown on her bed.
"I want to wear my blue one," she stated stubbornly crossing her arms.
"Which blue one?" I asked exasperatedly. "You have at least a dozen blue dresses!"
She could not seem to explain to me exactly which dress she wanted, saying only that she would know which one it was when she saw it. By the time we had finished searching for her dress, and putting all of her things in some semblance of order, the hour for dinner had long passed. Just as we were finally ready to go downstairs, there was a knock on the door.
It proved to be another servant, bearing a large tray of food, and a message from Liralyn. My cousin stated that she was sorry that we had missed dinner, but understood that after so much traveling we probably wished to rest, and that it had been insensitive of her to expect us downstairs. Hence the tray of food was brought so that we would at least have had something to eat.
Needless to say, Sera was upset that we had missed eating downstairs, for we had finally found her dress, and she had wanted to impress everyone. I resisted the urge to remind her that if she had waited for me to help her, we would not have had such trouble repairing the damage.
All things considered, however, it was probably a good thing that we missed dinner, for by the time the day was coming to a close, I was not in the best of moods and would have been poorer company than usual. So after eating I bit, I put Sera and her annoying cat to bed, and proceeded to drop straightaway into reverie.