To See Her

Ty'Aero put his handkerchief to his nose. The acrid smell from the billowing towers was especially bad that afternoon. Although he usually preferred to project himself onto one of his students, that day he was escorting Kirisatt. Kirisatt would have none but Ty'Aero himself escort him through the grand promenade. They were passing the time looking for slaves while the Ancient Captive was being escorted to the Arena to be prepared for his public beating.

Kirisatt's bright red breaches and surcoat with bright gold trim made him stand out more than Ty'Aero would have liked. At least his makeup was not as garish as usual.

The dozen or so guards had to keep on their toes as Kirisatt playfully pranced around tormenting the merchants. Every trite question asked by a merchant was answered with Kirisatt smiling, pointing to his dainty crown and having the merchant arrested.

"Your majesty, please stay within sight of your guards. Remember, you have no heir, yet."

"Why should I worry about an heir when I have one of the most powerful wizards in the realms to handle my menial affairs."

Ty'Aero sighed and ran his night-black hand through his black bangs. The people of Myth Fredaine were terrified of him. He knew it. His long, black, robe was made of the bones of dozens of demons. His staff was rumored to be hewn from the leg bone of Orcus. His knee length, black hair was braided with gold thread, to give it a bit of sheen. His long fingernails were darker than his skin. The whites of his eyes were not white, but a deep gray color. Ty'Aero was often mistaken for a Drow at first glance, but, he in fact had once been a Netherese Sun Elf. Most of his four hundred years had been spent on the plane of shadow. Because of so many years exposure in that plane, he was always shadowed, even in the noonday sun.

"Ty'Aero! Look at this beautiful boy! It would be a shame to see him go to some ill mannered Illithid. I bought him. Pay the man his money."

"I thought we were looking for masculine girls today." Ty'Aero grumbled, as he paid the slaver.

"How much time do we have left? I would like to sample my goods before the days festivities." He said as licked his lips and rubbed his cream colored, silk shirt.

"No time for that. Send him off to the Jagged Palace. You can play with your new toy later. We only have time for a little more shopping before we need to take our places."

Anga Norsa's never-rust gold and silver golems were parading around the streets. The overly obese wizard considered them his finest achievement. Emperor Kirisatt was thrilled with Anga Norsa's latest batch. He planned to unveil the latest models at the day's spectacle.

"Ty'Aero, what do you think of the golems? Aren't they magnificent?"

"Yes. They should bring much platinum to your coffers, as well as the coffers of the Academy and the Billowing Towers."

Kirisatt laughed and spread his arms out wide.

"But they are also lovely. My city has the most beautiful peacekeepers in all the realms."

"And the most expensive to create, Your Majesty. Where is Anga by the way?"

"He is already preparing his new golems for today's show."

"Perhaps we should go then?"

"Not yet , Ty'Aero. You forget your place. I am the Emperor. I want to look at the goldware that merchant is selling."

Kirisatt fingered through the various spoons, forks and knives. Once he decided he wanted all of it, he instructed one of his servants to bag it all up for him.

"Uh, sir, aren't you going to pay for those?"

"Sir? Sir! You dare to call me 'sir.' I am His Majesty the Emperor!" Kirisatt squeaked out in his falsetto voice, " I take what I want, and it is just too bad for you."

"But, but, Your Majesty? How am I to pay my protection tax and the docking tax for my spelljammer?"

The merchant was shaking. He had seen many other merchants drug off. The merchant knew that those arrested would be part of the circus planned for later that day. He did not favor himself being fed to lions in the middle of the arena.

"That is none of my concern. Leave. Goodbye, I have a fashion show to put on and an Ancient Captive to beat up."

The merchant quickly gathered up the profits he already made and ran towards the docks.

"Come, Your Majesty. The crowd is gathering at the booths."

"Alright, Ty'Aero."

**********

Kunne lead Thelvin, Tharros, Katla, and Lodo through the crowd on the grand promenade.

"This is the best time of the day to go see the old woman. Most everyone in the city is clamoring to get the best seats to see the Emperor and his cronies beat the Ancient Captive. Watch out for the golems. They will smash you to bits if they see you so much as spit on the street."

"Will we go watch?" Thelvin asked, " I would like te see who exactly it is I am gonna help te rescue."

"Perhaps, we may be able to see. We will have to settle for the cheap seats. It is fine with me. I have no interest in seeing an innocent man being beat nearly to death from close up."

"You are disgusting, Thelvin." Katla said while wrinkling her face and crossing her arms.

"No, Lady Katla, he is practical. It is best to get the unpleasant work out of the way first." Lodo replied.

"Uh oh, everybody, pull up your hoods and bow your heads." Kunne said while tugging on Lodo and Tharros' cloaks.

"What is the matter, Kunne?" Tharros asked.

"That fellow in red, that is the Emperor. The tall, floating, black figure behind him is the necromancer Ty'Aero, the Chief Advisor to the Emperor and the Headmaster of the Black Wizard Academy. That tapestry of scalps you have, he is the one who oversees the creation of those types of things."

All of them lowered their heads except for Thelvin and Katla."

"Are you two insane? Get your heads down! Ty'Aero will notice you."

Ty'Aero watched as Kirisatt pranced to his private door to the Arena. He took a quick look around to make sure none of the throng were trying to follow.

"Holy gods! What do we have here?" he said," Your Majesty, go on ahead. I will be with you shortly."

Kirisatt simply smirked and waved an arm to acknowledge he had heard.

Ty'Aero's heart was racing wildly at the sight of the blonde haired, violet eyed, beauty who stood there in defiance. Such strength of character to have refused to lower her eyes. Her hair was cropped short, like a boy's. Her features had a bit of a hardness to them. To him, it made her look all the more charming. On top of that, she was a Sun Elf. She was the personification of true beauty in his eyes. He pushed his way through to get a closer look.

"Now you've done it." Kunne sighed, "He's headed right for us."

"Girl, what is your name?" Ty'Aero said with a slight smile on his lips. He hoped the darkness of his skin hid the flush of his cheeks.

"I am no simple girl and I am Katla Isolderdaughter Wisteria of Straankeep."

"I see, come with me, Lady Katla." He said, holding out his hand.

"Keep yer hands off me woman!" Thelvin said sternly, "She ain't no slave fer sale."

"I can see that. I just wondered if she would like to share my box for today's spectacle. Such a lovely creature should not have to muck around with the likes of the rest of you."

Thelvin started to grab for his axe as he made a slight growl. Likewise, Lodo and Tharros fingered their weapons. Katla put her hand on Thelvin's shoulder, to pause him.

"I am sorry, but I fear today I must refuse, good Sir."

"Please, I am Naurailoki Ty'Aero. You may call me Naurailoki, if you wish, Milady." He said as he reached out and kissed her hand. "Perhaps another time."

Katla stared at Ty'Aero as he spun around and made his way back through the crowd. She pulled her hand to blush cheek. Ty'Aero was menacing from a distance, but close up, his finely boned face was not so bad to look at. His manners were refreshing compared to what she was forced to endure among her companions.

"She is much too beautiful and good for the Emperor. I will change her looks long enough for the emperor to impregnate her, then I shall take her for myself." Ty'Aero thought. " I can not believe I told her my first name. No woman has made me feel so stirred since I was very young."

Lodo turned to look Katla in the eyes. Her lingering stare at Ty'Aero angered him more than the way she freely gave out her personal information. His anger made his movements stiff. He wanted to pummel her, but he knew starting a fight there on the street would do no good.

"I told you not to do anything stupid. That, my dear, was probably the stupidest thing you could have done." He said with clenched teeth.

"Perhaps, perhaps not." Kunne interjected, "Ty'Aero has been looking quite some time for a female to force upon the Emperor. Perhaps we just created a spy."

"There is no way that Katla can do that. Not by herself." Tharros said, " With all of the lies that have caused her such misery, I doubt she could keep up a farce like that for long."

"Alright, we will discuss it later. Lets get moving to the inn where the old hag lives." Kunne said.



**********

The tavern, simply called Wine and Spirits, was dimly lit and immaculately kept. A half a dozen well dressed barmaids and waiters hustled around to serve their customers.

"May I find you a table?" A young Moon Elf behind a podium near the door asked.

"No, actually, we are here to see the old woman, if she is up to visitors," Lodo replied.

The young man wrinkled his face, "I see, more fools come to hear grandmother's riddle. It will cost you a platinum, each to go see her."

"I have some to spare." Lodo said as he placed ten platinum pieces in the young man's hands.

"Right this way then."

He led them down a hallway and opened the door for them. The room inside was lushly decorated. In center of the back wall of the room, a toothless, bald, blind Elven woman sat up in her bed. The skin on her bones was loose. She looked emaciated, but it was not from starvation, but extreme old age.

"Grandmother, these have come to hear your riddle. I need to go watch the front, but I will be back to escort them out."

"You're a good boy, Beme. Do not work so hard."

"Uh, it's Maara, grandmother, Beme's grandson."

"Oh, yes, my grandson died years ago. Go on, Maara, back to your work."

"Yes grandmother," he said as he left, closing the door behind him.

"So, another group of fools come to hear old Eris' riddle? Be warned, it has been foretold that only gods to be can complete it."

"It never hurts to try." Tharros commented. His eyes were sad with sympathy for the old feeble creature lying there.

"Very well, listen closely. The soul remains the captive, and the captive in the place. Cries out for a father that is prevented to hear it. To break the spell which binds the soul, he must have his things. Ancient, formed and powerful. They keep his memories. His armor, fine and soft as silk, lies with a girl who lost her faith. His swift boots, a killer keeps coveted. His gauntlets, befitting a champion, on a champion always are. His signet, the sign of his birth, made lowly while on the collar of an overstuffed pig. His helm, pieces among many crowns. His sword sheath, on a bier above quivering masses. His symbol of his faith, around the neck of the true ruler. His crown, given to Ghalegha the good. His cloak, viewed regularly among those who dine well. And lastly the sword which bears his mother's name, remains bound until thrust though the heart of the heir. These are my words spoken many times over the years. Remember the words of Eris, or death will be all you have sought."

The old woman fell silent and began to doze.

"That was interesting? Did you understand a word of it?" Katla asked.

"Something about a cloak among those that dine well. Hmm, that could be this inn. It seems a very fine dining establishment. It would not hurt to get a bite to eat, and look around." Lodo replied.

"I was thinkin that I was gettin a bit hungry." Thelvin added.

"Poor thing," Tharros said, " I wish there was something I could do to relive her obvious misery."

Maara knocked quietly on the door, opened it and inquired whether the group was done.

"Yes, we are. Thank you. Oh, and on second thought, could you find us a table."

"Yes sir, I just had one of the larger tables cleaned off." Maara said as he led them.

The meal of roast beef, potatoes, mixed fresh vegetables, with cherry pie for desert distracted Lodo and his friends. They nearly forgot why they stayed to eat, until Thelvin asked for a mug of ale, to help him digest his meal.

Behind the bar, was a medium sized tapestry in a frame. Thelvin had expected it to be a painting of a near naked woman, instead was a piece of fine embroidery.

"Eh, Lodo, look over there. Wha de ye think possessed em te put a bunch of elves prancin' around in tha moonlight on tha wall?"

Lodo stood up and put his hand on his money bag. He nervously walked up to the bar to look at the tapestry more closely.

"What can I get for you sir?"

"I was simply admiring the tapestry." Lodo replied.

"It is beautiful, isn't it? It has been in my family for generations."

"It doesn't seem like the sort of thing you should display in an inn. Aren't you afraid it will be stolen?"

"In here? Well, you are right. I put it in grandmother's room for a while, but she howled and had a fit. She told me that it was the family curse."

"Curse? I will pay you a plat for that story."

"My cousin, Raun, knows it better. I will send him to your table if you wish."

"Very well, as long as the story is not too long." Lodo said, rolling his eyes. He hated bards.

"Raun can make the story short. That is why he always tells it before the beating of the Ancient Captive."

Raun followed Lodo back to the table. He told the story of the of a palace guard, at the birth of his first child. The gift Emperor Narashal IV bestowed upon child, a beautiful tapestry, was to be hung in the inn belonging to the child's mother. The inn prospered, but the child was cursed, to never die, no matter how ravaged by age.

"Raun, is the old woman in back the child from your story?" Katla asked.

"No one is exactly sure, but she has been here for as long as any of us can remember."

"Come, everyone, it is almost time for the beating itself. I am sure Emperor Kirisatt is finished with his freak parade and fashion show by now." Kunne said.

"I may have a solution for you, Raun. Will you and your family, and grandmother discuss selling me the tapestry? I will come back after the beating for the answer."

**********



Notes:

Naurailoki Ty'Aero- Means Firedrake that is in flight.

Anga Norsa- meand iron giant in Elven (yes it is a joke)

** Yes, the old woman was named after the Lady of Dynamic Discord**

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