Chapter 3: Groves and Gods

Over the month Katla stayed in the palace, several more attempts were made on her life.

The attempts grated on her nerves and made Prince Xarlion more overprotective than he was before.

Xarlion started action less like a love interest and more like a jailer in Katla's mind. He may look like his father, but his personality was nothing like Zaor's.

Some days he was doting and loving and sensitive. Other days he was an unbearable as an ogre.

Xarlion began dictating Katla's schedule. He told her what he expected her to wear.

"Xarlion may have spent years adventuring and staying out of the royal court, but he still acts selfish and spoiled. Am I that bad around others? Am I that much of a burden on my father?" She mused.

Xarlion came to sit beside Katla on a bench as she stared at the moon shaped, blue rose hedge. the place where Zaor was murdered.

"Mother told me you would be here. That dress is simply beautiful on you. I am glad you have decided to wear gowns more often.

"Of course, you ordered me to." Katla thought to herself.

"Please, my love, do not be so melancholy." He sat next to her. "I know how much you miss my father and I know that you wish to know where your voice is held, but staring at the roses will not bring my father, or your voice back."

"I have thought long and hard. I know where my voice is." Katla gestured and mouthed.

"You do! Please tell me! I will go retrieve it for you." Xarlion replied as he read her lips.

"There is no way you can. To do so, would mean your death."

"Please, my dearest heart, where is it? I will go anywhere to retrieve your voice and prove my love for you!"

"Arvandor."

"Where?"

"Arvandor. Your father took my voice with him when he died. If I had made one sound, the assassin would have killed me too. He took my voice with him, to save my life."

Xarlion put his hand to his lips and thought for a few moments. "I suppose it is plausible. Perhaps if I prayed, if we both prayed, then Corellon will allow father to release your voice. "

"Perhaps."

"I suppose that makes what I have come to tell you a little easier. I have to leave, right away."

Katla stood and grabbed his hands. "Where? Why?"

"Do not panic, my love. I am needed to help settle a dispute in Sonoria. As soon as I find an adequate place to settle, you are coming with me, for your own safety. That silly elf-bane business is getting a larger toe hold since the destruction of your father's estate. I will not be gone for long. I have arranged for you to go stay with my sister, Ilyrana until then. If you are correct about your voice being in Arvandor, what better place to go pray for it to be returned? After all, my dear sister knows the workings of Arvandor more than any mortal being."

"Yes. it is the perfect place to ask."

"Now kiss me. I want to remember the taste of your lips while I finish my duties for the day."

Xarlion pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. He unfolded his arms from around her and strode away, as if kissing her had become a routine action.

Katla's heart sank. She knew she could be making the biggest mistake of her life by continuing the courtship. She did not want to doom her life because of a brief infatuation.

Who could deny a member of the royal family? Katla knew she could not bring herself to do so.

"You can't allow this, Lord Isolder!" Iasa screeched. He walked behind Isolder as Isolder inspected the company of Astral Knights.

"I can and I have. Katla will be much safer away from here. There have already been too many attempts on her life, as well as the lives of the rest of my family of late. You should go to Straankeep to see your father. As your mother is my older sister, their lives may be in just as much danger. Katla will be safe with the Princess in her forest sanctuary."

"I know, but, I can't. You are more father to me than my own father is. I barely remember his face. I was so young when he sent me to live with you."

"It was for your protection. Your two oldest brothers went mad, and died mysteriously. Iagron has shown signs of a similar madness creeping into him." Isolder stopped and turned to Iasa. "As of late, I wonder if the madness has not escaped you. You have been acting much out of character for the last year."

"I admit, I have, but it has nothing to do with the madness of my brothers. They, like my father were striving to be arch-mages. I never had such ambitions."

"Oh? And what is it that you do want to be?"

"I want to travel. I want to see the world and right wrongs."

"An adventurer? Now that would have been my last guess. Your clerical studies are going well?"

"Yes."

"I still think you are more suited to wizardly magic. You would make an excellent bladesinger. You have the voice for it and the gift for weaving tales."

"You do not think I would make a good Astral Knight?"

"No. Quite frankly, you are too distracted when it comes to religious studies. The Order is religious. Our devotion and our sword are sworn to the Seldarine. The devotion to the crown and the nobles comes second. You do not have the right frame of mind. I am sorry. I wish I could recommend you."

"I see. "

"That is why our headquarters need not be on Evermeet, although many of the Knights may choose to stay here and keep an outpost."

"I think I understand."

"I know you are infatuated with Katla, but I can not allow you two to court or to marry. You are just too closely related. There are serious ramifications for such a union. You must be aware of that."

"I do, but I can't stop my feelings."

"Go to your hut and think about what I have said."

Iasa turned from Isolder. He did not want his mentor to see his boyish tears. As soon as he was out of the line of sight, he ran.

Katla did not mind the forest sanctuary. She liked the solitude. It was nice to be away from the malicious and the overprotective.

Her hut was made of the hollow center of a living tree. It was not much on luxuries, but Katla did not mind. It was lit with magical lamps that gave a soft glow and a pleasing scent. She knew the flower that the lamps smelled like, but she could not place the name or where she had smelled the scent before.

In a recessed area of the wall, statues of the Seldarine stood, as keeping silent, but unobtrusive watch over her.

Her new home was well hidden away from those who would hurt her. For the first time in her life, Katla has a sense of peace.

Ilyrana understood Katla in ways no other elf could. Katla mused the reason to be because they were both considered freaks.

Katla was glad Ilyrana was not much of a talker. Yet, Ilyrana was willing to listen to Katla's sign language and offer advice whenever Katla felt the need.

Three months into her solitude, Katla began to feel restless. Sword practice seemed redundant. Her mastery of other weapons such as the bow, staff and spear were amazing, but she felt limited without a teacher to show her new techniques.

Ilyrana noticed Katla's agitation. One afternoon, she invited Katla to her hut for a talk.

"Come sit here." she motioned to a small chair as she sat on the edge of her cot." I know you miss my brother, but your agitation is upsetting the balance of the weave. You must find another way to vent your nerves other than pacing around the trees."

"Do you know how long Xarlion will be away?" She signed

"There is no way to tell. It could be years. Xarlion was always rash in his decisions. Courting you at such a young age was no exception. It will be ten years before you are old enough to declare a formal betrothal. He believes he can take his time and do as he pleases. Although you may not want to hear this, I must tell you. I believe Xarlion is adventuring, and, sowing his wild oats. He wants to tame his lustful nature before he marries."

"He accepts that I will feel fine with this? He thinks that ignoring me through the courtship will make me think on him fondly? Is he so convinced I am besotted with him?"

"He is convinced that you will marry him, besotted or not. He believes it is his right."

"He is wrong. I do not care if he were the son of Corellon. I will marry no male that simply thinks it is his right to wed me. My father made that mistake too many times. My father is miserable because of it. I will marry someone who will love me forever." Katla stood and started pacing back and forth in front of Ilyrana. Tears tried to well in Katla's eyes, but she held them back.

"Please, sit back down Katla. There is no need to get so upset."

"Xarlion is a prince. My house is a lesser one. If he orders me, I have no choice."

"He will not order you against your will. I will intercede if he tries."

Katla slowly made her way back to the chair.

Ilyrana stood and put a hand on Katla's shoulder. "If you do not love him, there is no point to marry him. Give yourself some time. As for your restlessness, I have a solution for that as well."

"Truly?"


"Yes." Ilyrana said as she sat on the cot again and looked into Katla's eyes. "It is time for you to take up the clerical arts. You can not join the Order without them."

Katla blinked in confusion before she moved her hands to answer. "Why should I want to join the Knights of the Astral Blade?"

"Because it is your destiny. "

"What do you mean?"

"The Gilded Leaf will call to you. You are the next bearer of the green blade."

Ilyrana's eyes glazed over as they always did when the gods gave her a premonition.

"Death will follow in your wake, but for a good cause in the end. Your beloved has found you after a long search. Be warned, his jealousy is boundless."

"My beloved? "

"He will appear to you when he chooses. Your heart will know the truth."

"When? When will he appear? It is someone I have not met?"

Katla gestured wildly, trying to get Ilyrana to answer. Her heart pounded wildly.

Ilyrana slowly left her trance state and stared at Katla with confusion.

"Katla, you must become a cleric of Corellon Larethian. Your destiny, and perhaps your life will depend on it."

"What about my admirer?"

Ilyrana smiled. Her pale skin shimmered in the magical light. "You will understand."

"You will not tell me?"

"I can not, because I do not know."

Outside Ilyrana's hut, a spy hid in the shade.

The spy had searched for the elf-bane since it left Moonflower Palace.

He knew his master would be pleased to know he had found the creature.

At first, the cleric of Corellon, Miska, was unwilling to teach Katla the clerical arts. He scoffed at teaching the elf-bane anything. Yet, after much consideration and persuasion from Ilyrana, he saw the wisdom of it.

"Who better to keep the elf-bane in check than the Father God himself?" He thought to himself as he studied Katla.

"When shall we start?" Katla gestured.

"What are you doing? Speak up."

"I failed to tell you that Lady Katla is mute. Jarren Moonwind, her teacher in hand language is on his way. He will teach you her finger speak, so she may communicate with you."

"Princess, this will not do. I am sorry you came for nothing, but how can a mute properly learn the chants?"

Katla gestured and nodded for Ilyrana to translate.

"She says that she has a very good ear. If you let her study the movements of your mouth, and how you breathe through each chant, she will be able to learn the chants without a voice, and pray to Corellon that her voice is returned to her soon."

"Returned to her? I am sorry Princess, I do not understand."

"He voice was taken from her, magically. There is a good possibility it can be returned to her."

"I have never taught a mute. I am not sure it is possible for a mute to be a cleric."

"Will you try, Miska?"

"Corellon must be testing my faithfulness. Yes. I will teach her. Katla, make sure you are here in the grove every day at sunrise. I know the sanctuary you and Ilyrana share is not far, but I will not jeopardize the princess' life by knowing it's location."

"Thank you Miska. I will do as you ask." Katla made a respectful bow before she turned to follow Ilyrana back to the sanctuary.

As soon as the word got out that Katla was in Corellon's Grove, curious onlookers came not only to pray to the gods, but to get a look at the creature called an elf-bane.

As Katla knelt before Corellon's statue in fervent prayer, those elves who had never seen her before began to feel sympathy for her.

"How can such a penitent child be deemed so evil?" Katla often heard them whisper.

Young males, who were entranced by her lovely hair, often came to kneel at her side, in hopes she would regard them. She never did.

More often, the young amorous males were moved away from her by the branches of the guardian trees in the grove.

One persistent sun elf was knocked halfway across the grove for insisting she cease her meditations and cure his longing.

Some of the elves who witnessed this attack from the holy trees saw it as a sign that Katla was a holy being, much like Princess Ilyrana. While others believed that she was using strange magic to corrupt the grove.

In between prayers, Katla went to study with Miska and Jarren in a small clearing of trees just outside the walls of the grove.

Miska was amazed how well Katla took to her training, despite her lack of speech.

"I am amazed. Corellon has sent you to me as a test as well as a blessing. You are a very quick and competent learner. Even without speech, the way you move your mouth in the chants and prayers have caused results. I had not expected that. Perhaps Corellon is leading me to teach the mute? What say you, Jarren?"

"It is possible. As for learning, you have learned the finger speech well. I will be able to return to my duties in the woods in no time."

"I will miss you, Master Jarren."

"I will miss you, Katla. But, I do promise to visit. I never forget my friends. I will leave you now. the sun is gone, and I need to take reverie."

"Yes. That is enough for our lessons today. Go say your nightly prayers. You do not need to come to the grove tomorrow, unless you want to."

"Why?"

"A large group of sun elves are coming to revel in the grove for Lateuquor. I need not remind you that many of the sun elves still regard you with distain. You would not be safe."

"When will they arrive?"

"Late afternoon. But, you have worked so hard on your studies the last two months, I thought you deserved a rest as well. If you do decide to come, remember, watch your back."

"I will."

Although Katla felt she should have heeded Miska's warning, she could not bring herself to stay away from the grove on Lateuquor.

Lateuquor was Corellon's holiest day of the month. Katla saw no reason why she would not be safe in Corellon's grove on Lateuquor. She believed she would be protected.

Katla kept the hood on her robes up as she slipped behind the rows of dancers and chanters. She slowly and quietly knelt at the foot of Corellon's statue and prayed. She hoped if she ignored the festivities, those there would ignore her.

"I knew it could not resist coming to the grove on this holy night." A male said hatefully behind her back.

Katla said nothing, and refused to move.

One of the revelers pulled back her hood to reveal the long tumble of silvery gold curls. "Look at me, cleric."

Katla did not move.

A pair of hands gripped her shoulders and forced her to turn. The male gold elf sneered. "So this is the elf-bane. It doesn't look like much to me."

"You are to come with us." Another male said.

Katla took a deep breath and silently prayed for forgiveness as she pushed the one holding her away, stood, and drew her sword.

A bell sounded in an eerily somber note as Katla fought her way out of the grove.

Several of the revelers screamed and ran for cover as Katla's pursuers chased her from the grove.

Katla ran in fear. There were too many of them chasing her.

"Please Corellon. Come to me in my hour of need. And forgive my foolishness. I did not suspect a trap."

Katla found her hut, ran inside, and rubbed the spot on the inside of the trunk that made the arch shaped door close.

She put her sword in the scabbard and propped it up next to the small table.

She took off her robes, and put them on the natural peg in the wall. She sat on the cot in her chemise and hung her head. The only option left was to wait them out. The tree hut she lived in was blessed. It would give her some protection.

The magic lamps made an odd noise and sputtered out, startling Katla. "Heathens are using a wizard. But that will do nothing to open the door."

Katla fumbled around near hertable to find the knot which allowed a small ventilation hole in the upper branches to open. The room was getting hot, and it was hard to breathe.

Air rushed in, but so did smoke.

"Those vile heretics! They are trying to burn the tree with me in it!"

She coughed a few times as she made her way to the chair next to her table.

There's nothing left to do but hope."

She slumped intothe chair and lay her head on her table as she slowly lost consciousness.

Katla blinked her eyes as she saw the magical lamps in her hut light themselves one by one.

"The spell to keep them out must have elapsed." She thought to herself.

She leaned back in the chair and stretched. She rarely slept, but when she did, she always woke with a headache. This time was no exception.

She ambled to the arch doorway.

Katla furrowed her brow when she saw a longsword propped crossways in the arch. It was not her sword, and that was not a proper place for a sword.

She reached out to remove it from the door.

"I would not do that if I were you. I am the only one allowed to touch that sword." A melodious voice said from behind her

Katla whirled around to see an extremely handsome male elf lounging on her cot.

He was wearing nothing but a loose gold tunic.

His golden hair with red highlights fell perfectly to his shoulders.

His light, coppery skin glistened with what looked like gold dust.

A simple circlet adorned his brow.

Katla cursed herself for not turning around to look at the cot before going to the door.

"Who are you? How did you get in here?"

"My precious amethyst, my jewel. I am the one who loves you the most. I am the one who has loved you longer than time. I am the one who loves you the best. As for how I came here, that is my secret."

Katla looked in to his dark eyes. She was fascinated by the way they seemed to dance with starlight.

He stood and held out his arms.

Fear gripped Katla, she tried to bolt for the door again, but the male was too fast for her.

"Now, now, don't be so skittish. Although, I always did like a good chase. You do not want to go out there. Those who want to hurt you are still out there. And, I have no wish to have my presence here known, not yet."

Katla backed away from him. She wanted to keep as much distance between herself and the stranger as possible.

He was dangerous.

No male would come into her hut mostly naked unless he wanted to take her, by force. Katla had no intention of allowing the stranger to lay a finger on her.

As if he could read her every thought, the stranger spoke in the melodic soothing voice as he inched closer to her. "Oh, my jewel. You have nothing to fear. I will do you no harm. I will not force you. Forgive my amorousness. It just that it has been so long since I have held you in my arms."

"I don't know you!" Katla ducked to the side and behind her table.

The male simply chuckled. "You do know me, or rather your wandering soul does. I would have never found you if something of yours had not been delivered to me."

"I don't, I don't know you!" Katla thought. Tears of uncertainty streamed down her face. She found her sword and pointedthe tipat the stranger's throat.

The stranger gave a half smirk. "You know me more than well, Kalyaluhta, or Katla as you prefer. Not that I do not like a good sword battle, but this is not the time for such things. Now, please put down that sword."

"How, how do you know the name my mother gave me? My father is the only one who knows my long name!" Katla dropped the sword at the shock. Not even her brothers and sisters knew that Kalyaluhta was her real name.

"I know everything about you, and more. Now come to me. Let me show you."

The male's hypnotic voice lulled her.

Katla slowly made her way around the table and into his arms.

"That is better. You are safe here with me. Safer with me than with any other."

He took her lips in a heated kiss.

Katla was not sure how she ended up naked on the cot with him, but she did not regret it.

He was gentle with his ministrations to her body. Each kiss on her sensitive skin made her body hum with desire.

Katla moaned, not realizing that sound was coming from her lips.

The perfect male took her virginity, and gave her good reason not to miss it.

He relished their coupling, giving as much enjoyment as he was taking for himself.

"Have you figured out who I am, my precious jewel? After all, you did call for me to come to you."

"Corellon" Katla whispered as she neared another peak of pleasure.

"Yes."

"My god! Corellon!" She shouted as she peaked again and he gained his release.

Corellon rolled to Katla's side and held her in his arms. "Rest now. Remember, I am always near you, forever."

Katla fell into a deep sleep.

Katla woke and rubbed her temples. She was seated at her table

"I hate these headaches." she mused. "Must have been a dream."

Just to make sure, she looked behind her at the cot. No one was there. The blankets were rumpled, but that was not unusual. Katla was not one to always make her bed.

She blinked and looked around the hut. There was no sword in the arch.

She stretched and yawned. As she raised her arms, she felt something on her arms.

Katla was wearing bangle bracelets made of gold and silver threads woven in an intricate pattern.

On her fingers were gold and silver rings set with amethysts and tiny moonstones.

She looked down to see she was wearing a fine gown and tunic made with the rarest of indigo silks.

Moon-shaped silver pins adorned her shoulders, holding the dress together.

A fine, whale-boned girdle cinched her waist. The silver cloth was embroidered with gold thread. small purple jade charms in the shape of moons hung from fine chins at the bottom of the girdle.

A shawl made of the same silver cloth as her girdle hung on the back of the chair.

A chest full of priceless gems sat on the table.

Katla grabbed the mirror sitting on the table.

Around her neck was a necklace of purple jade, gold and silver beads.

In Katla's hair was a circlet made up of white forget-me-nots entwined with silver and gold ribbons.

Katla could not stop her heart from beating wildly.

She jumped up and ran to the arch of the door.

Katla ran her fingers along the edge, expecting the tree to part the doorway. Instead the tree made a groaning sound.

"Oh you poor thing." She put her hands on the tree and hoped one of her healing spells would help it.

The tree gave a sigh. The wood in the door crumbled away. The door was held together with nothing but ash and charred bark.

Katla blinked as the afternoon light hit her eyes. She groaned loudly.

"Katla? Thank heavens!" Isolder jumped up from where he had been keeping vigil, waiting for the door to open.

"We all feared the worst. Xarlion is on his way here. He is going to take you with him. Evermeet has become too dangerous for you. Don't worry, I am sending Iasa along."

"Father, please let go, I can barely breathe."

"Katla, You spoke!"

"Yes, I did. My voice was given back to me."

"Princess! A miracle! Katla has her voice back! Come here and help me check my daughter! I want to make sure she is truly well!"

Ilyrana ran to Katla. "You look like a bride. Come lie down here on the grass and let me check you, so your father does not have a fit of madness."

Ilyrana spotted a small amount of blood on Katla's ankle. The princess flipped up Katla's skirts and gave a startled gasp.

"What is it? She is not badly hurt?"

"No, Isolder, not exactly. It seems while the rest of us were scaring off that angry mob, you daughter was in her hut trysting."

"What!" Isolder's face curled into a frown as he ran into Katla's hut. He pulled the blankets off her cot and pulled them outside to examine. He threw them on the ground as soon as he found the stain from Katla's maidenhead.

"Young lady, you have some explaining to do!" Isolder howled. "Who touched you! What bastard had the gall to lay a finger on you!"

"Calm down father. He is far from a bastard. He is wonderful."

Isolder reached down and slapped Katla hard against her cheek. "You think a gift of a fine dress and a cask of jewels make up for what was done to you! You are too young to be doing such things! Now tell me your lover's name! And, tell me how he slipped out of there without my notice!"

"Father, you would not believe me if I told you."

"Many things I did not believe could happen have happened over the last year, what is one more?"

"He used magic to leave. He was the only thing keeping the tree from burning down."

"Katla, I asked you who!"

A keening sound seemed to surround the grove. Both Katla and Ilyrana covered their ears.

"Lord Isolder, please do not let your temper get the best of you, not here. The trees react to such strong emotions."

Isolder took a few deep breaths to regain his composure. He sat next to Katla and lovingly took her hands in his.

"Katla. I need to know who took your virginity. If there is a child..."

"I do not think there will be, unless he willed it. I do not think he would be so careless as that."

"Who, Katla?"

"Corellon Larethian."

Isolder tossed Katla's hands aside and stood abruptly. "Enough of your foolishness, child. Who was your lover last night?"

"Corellon."

Isolder took a deep breath and looked at Ilyrana. "Perhaps you can talk some sense into her. This incident here and at the grove has made the animosity towards her spread. I do not doubt that even if your brother were not coming for her, she would be exiled from the island. The myth of the elf-bane is popular now. Lying about her lover will not help matters."

"I am not lying."

"Corellon huh? So be it. I hope this confession does not condemn you to death. As for me, I am through. Between the animosity and your constant pranks, my sanity is thin. I can handle it no more. You can visit me when you come to your senses. I am moving to Straankeep. I have much to do." Isolder turned his back on Katla and Ilyrana and stomped away.

"You believe me, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. The survival of the tree, and the return of your voice are evidence to that. I also believe all of the finery to be betrothal and bridal gifts. You are bride to the god himself. That, Katla is a very honored and very dangerous thing to be, for a mortal."

"I see."

"I will help you pack your things. I am certain you do not mind sleeping on the floor of my hut until Xarlion comes for you. Your tree-hut is badly damaged. It is not safe to stay there."

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