Chapter 3 – A Swift Shoot
Edwynn arrived at the gate to Crownguard manor without Myrista. He had considered the option of waiting for her, or sneaking into the woods near the trail and going back to watch over her. They said the road was not safe these days, with so many bandits in the woods. Edwynn's uncle had made no secret of how he would flail Edwynn's hide to the bone if anything were to happen to her. So far the old man had never made an empty threat.
He ultimately decided against going back. Edwynn was certain Myrista would soon regain her composure. He knew that she was a strong-willed girl. They had grown up together and Edwynn viewed her as a kind of half-sister or cousin. Edwynn's aunt had as much to do with raising the girl as she did with Edwynn himself. Myrista was not prone to the senseless weeping or daydreaming about boys that was common in other girls. These days, the greatest hero of the Alliance was Lady Jaina Proudmoore. Jaina was a powerful sorceress who ruled the city-state of Theramore in Kalimdor to the west. Myrista talked about ascending through the priesthood, and maybe one day joining Jaina's court.
The estate consisted of a waist high wall surrounding a waist high wall surrounding one large two-story building and several farms. A barn and servants quarters stood in the back. The servants' quarters were where Edwynn slept, along with his aunt Claudette and his uncle Corbin.
As the boy approached his home, he found it surprisingly deserted. Usually this early in the afternoon almost everyone would be out working the nearby vineyards or wheat fields. He took this as an opportunity to avoid the lecture he would undoubtedly receive if he was seen arriving without Myrista. As a child growing up, he had a knack for sneaking around and causing trouble without being noticed. Jorik had honed this skill to the point where Edwynn could use it almost at will, and with great effect. He hunched low and slipped around the gate and towards the manor. Moving silently across the yard, he heard voices from the main hall. A quick glance in one of the windows showed Edwynn that all of the servants and workers were inside discussing something. His uncle could be seen standing up near the back.
"Quiet, quiet please." Edwynn's uncle Corbin held up his hand and the chatter in the room died down. "This is a proper household and I won't have you lot embarrassing yourselves or the Crownguard name with your lollygagging. The lady Myrista will be home soon, and she will see to our new guest when she arrives. Until then I want the rest of you back outside and working. Now move!"
The crowd of men did not move. One near the front raised his hand.
"What is it Dennis?" Corbin asked.
"Will the guest be staying long?"
"I don't know." Edwynn's uncle responded.
"Where's she from" another voice from the crowd asked.
"She ain't from around here, that's for sure." Another voice answered the first.
"Do you think she's married?"
"That's enough you useless peons! Get your lazy rumps back to the fields before I start beating you all!"
Grumbling loudly, the farmers began slowly making their way out the door and back to the vineyards. Edwynn waited silently near the entrance until the last of the farmhands was gone. The his uncle stepped outside and watched the men to make sure they got back to work. The boy waited until he was certain Corbin was not about to go back inside before he himself slipped into the house. Hoping to steal a quick snack before starting his afternoon chores, he moved quickly thru the main hall, past the dining room, and pushed open the door to the kitchen.
He would remember that moment for the rest of his life.
In the kitchen, Edwynn's aunt Claudette sat talking to the most incredible creature Edwynn had ever seen. He knew at once it was a Night Elf. Her skin was flawless, a deep purple hue like the sky after sunset. Her hair reminded him of summer leaves, lush and green. It fell just past her shoulders. Large triangle shaped ears, at least 10 inches long, swept out and a little back from her head. Across her face was what appeared at first to be a shadow, but was actually a tattoo or birthmark, Edwynn was not certain. Shaped like a butterfly with its wings open, it covered her face from eyebrows to her cheeks. But most remarkable of all were her actual eyes. They glowed softly, but he could see it even with the mid afternoon sun streaming in the window. She turned her gaze towards him, and it seemed as though there were actual stars within her eyes. Tiny white pinpoints of light in her irises. It wasn't until she blinked that Edwynn gasped and realized that he had been holding his breath since he entered the room.
"..and this is my nephew, Edwynn" his aunt was pouring tea for the elf. "He attends classes at the abbey with the young Lady Crownguard. Be a dear Edwynn and go let the mistress know that she has a visitor. How many sugars would you like in your tea miss?"
"None, please. Thank you very much Mrs. DeTemms." The elf's voice snapped Edwynn out of his trance. The voice was surprising deep, and a little bit manly. As the stranger reached for the cup of tea, Edwynn saw that she was, in fact, gigantic. She was actually kneeling on the floor, not seated as Edwynn first thought. Her head was at the same level as Edwynn's aunt, and her one hand seemed to envelop the teacup entirely. She was dressed oddly as well. Her pants were apparently buckskin, and her sleeveless vest was leather. It was dyed black and lined with fleece. She had no weapons that Edwynn could see, but an overlarge backpack rested against one of the kitchen walls.
"Did you hear what I said young man? Go fetch the lady of the house. And be quick about it too, or my husband will hear of it. Now shoo!"
His aunt's insistence drove Edwynn from the kitchen. As the door closed, Edwynn could hear Claudette's apologies about her nephew who had nothing but flax between his ears.
The boy wandered back into the main area of the house in a dreamlike daze. A real Night Elf. Here. This was the stuff of legends. Night Elves were native to Kalimdor. The only people Edwynn knew who had ever even seen a Night Elf were Marshall McBride and Deputy Willem. Those two had served with the alliance armies at the Battle of Mount Hyjal. Willem had told Edwynn that the Elves were immortal, and that their powerful druidic magic was the only reason the Burning Legion had not crushed the Alliance and enslaved the world.
Still in a daze somewhat, Edwynn stepped out the front door of the manor. Across the yard, Myrista was standing at the gate. She seemed to have regained her composure, so he dashed across the yard to give her the news.
"You're never gonna believe this." He said once he was within earshot. "There's a Night Elf here. A real one."
"What?"
"Yeah, I know. She's in the kitchen right now with my aunt, having tea. She's TALL."
"Is she alone?" Myrista asked.
"Um.. I don't know. I think so."
"Do you think she's the one those strangers at the abbey were looking for?"
Myrista's question was like a slap on the face to Edwynn. 'By the Light I'm dense.' He thought. He had been so awestruck by seeing an elf that all thoughts of this morning's events had been pushed from his mind.
Myrista began walking towards the manor, and Edwynn followed as his mind raced. Should he sneak away, run back to the abbey, and tell Jorik? He decided against that. Word traveled fast in Northshire, and if all the farmhands knew the elf was here, the entire abbey would know by nightfall. Edwynn decided that it would be better to learn more about the visitor, and then get the more detailed information back to Jorik.
Once within the building, Myrista gave Edwynn her schoolbag and then moved towards the rear of the house. She knocked gently on the kitchen door before entering. Edwynn followed closely behind her.
"Goodness, and here's the Lady Crownguard herself." Edwynn's aunt stood and curtsied. Edwynn rolled his eyes. His aunt only did that around company. Peering over Myrista's shoulder, Edwynn could see that the elven woman had stood up. She had to bend at the waist a little to avoid hitting her head on the ceiling.
"How do you do Lady Crownguard. My name is Queren Karlalalus. But among humans I am called Mythril. I would like it very much if you would call me that as well."
"It's very nice to meet you Mythril. Please call me Myrista." The lady of the house curtsied to the elf. The elf simply stood there, blinking her star-filled eyes for a moment. After a moment she tried to imitate the action. It was a clumsy attempt at best, and she only got a half bow before it seemed as though Mythril was about to stumble and fall down.
"Please forgive me." The night elf stammered and seemed to blush a velvet shade. "This is my first journey into human lands, and yours is the first house I've stayed in. Please forgive my rudeness."
That statement stuck fast in Edwynn's mind. Northshire was deep in the heart of the kingdom, surrounded on all sides by human territories or impassable mountains. It was almost impossible to get here without passing half a dozen towns or hamlets. 'Yet the strangers this morning had said much the same thing.'
"I was just telling out visitor that we've never had a night elf grace our house before." Claudette poured a cup of tea for Myrista. "I'm sure you must've seen the most fascinating things on your journey from… eh… I'm sorry Lady Mythril, what was the name of that amazing place?"
"Tedresill. And please, it's just 'Mythril'". The visitor seemed uncomfortable, her ears twitching slightly. She was also blinking rapidly, like someone who had not slept in a long time. "Really it is very nice to meet you all, but it was not my intention to tarry long. I only happened upon your home by chance. I was wondering if there was an inn nearby where I might be able to procure food and lodging for the night. I really am quite tired."
Edwynn saw an opportunity and seized it. "The Golden Lion is in Goldshire, about a half day's travel by foot to the south." He said. "But it's so late in the day that you would not make it there by nightfall. Why not stay here tonight? We've plenty of room and food both.
All three women stared at Edwynn. His aunt was practically white with fury and embarrassment. Mythril seemed to be considering the offer. Myrista's face was flat, but her eyes seemed to smile. "You ARE bold today Edwynn. You know you've no right to extend my hospitality this way. Have you forgotten whose house this is?"
"No, my lady." Edwynn lowered his eyes to the floor. He hunched his shoulders a bit and stepped back slightly.
"I'm sorry." Mythril reached for her bag. "I did not mean to put any of you to any trouble."
"Nonsense." Myrista turned he gaze back to her guest. "Edwynn may have spoken out of turn, but his advice is sound. We have plenty of grace in our home, and we can offer it to anyone who calls upon us. Please stay. I'll have a room made up for you and we can dine together tonight."
"Only if it would be no trouble. I can pay of course." Mythril reached into her bag.
"No payment is required. You would be our guest and it would…" Myrista's voice caught in her throat as Mythril presented a blood red crystal gemstone the size of a small cat. It was rough and uncut, and looked as though it weighed several pounds.
"Among my people" the night elf began. "It is customary for a guest to present a host with a small gift. I came across this star ruby in my travels. It would honor me if you would accept it."
"I… we couldn't" Myrista stammered. Claudette shot her a look that would freeze water. The stone would probably pay the estate's taxes for a year. Mythril took Myrista's words to have a different meaning.
"Oh, my apologies. My people place little value in stones and metals. We prefer green and growing things. But I had heard that men and dwarves would barter for things of this nature. I am sorry if I insulted you."
"Oh, please, please, no." Claudette looked like she was about to faint. "We'll take it."
Myrista cleared her throat loudly to cut the older woman off. "What Mrs. DeTemms means to say is that you were not misinformed about how humans view rocks of this nature. The stone would be of great value among my people. Far more than room and board for a month would cost. It would be unethical of us to accept."
Claudette made a noise that reminded Edwynn of a hen about to lay an egg. Mythril bowed deeply from the waist and placed the stone on the table.
"Unethical in may be to accept, but the stone is mine to give as I choose. In all honesty, I would be glad to be rid of it. It is dreadfully heavy and I try not to travel with anything that has not immediate use in the wild. I was about to throw it by the roadside, but if you would not mind taking it off my hands, I would appreciate the favor.
"I would be honored. Claudette, could you make certain that Corbin places this fine gift in the cabinet in the study. The one with my father's books, which uses the silver key. Edwynn, please see that our visitor gets settled in the guest bedroom. Mythril, I'll hope to see you at sunset for supper?"
"Thank you for your kindness." Mythril bowed from the waste again. Myrista curtsied in return and Claudette performed the action as fast as possible before practically snatching the ruby and rushing out to find her husband. Myrista left, and Mythril hoisted her bag onto her shoulder and followed Edwynn as he led her back to the main hall, and then up the stairs.
"Did you travel all the way from Tedrasill alone?" the boy asked.
"No, I had companions. But we were separated during the journey, and I have not seen them in some time."
Mention of her friends brought a dark look to Mythril, and her ears seemed to droop somewhat. Edwynn wondered if they showed night elf emotions in a way similar to human eyebrows. He smiled as he imagined playing cards against an elf, and using it's ears as a 'tell'.
The guest room was the first one on the left at the top of the stairs. AS she entered, she casually tossed her bag on the bed and threw open the window. A gentle breeze swept in, and the elf inhaled deeply.
"Your name is Edwynn, right?"
"Yes m'lady."
The tall woman grimaced. "Please. Just call me Mythril." Edwynn saw her ears twitch at this, and assumed her earlier presumption to be true.
"Sorry Mythril. Yes, Edwynn is my name."
"Edwynn, you seem like a swift shoot. I was wondering..."
"A what?"
The elf paused and smiled ever so slightly. "A young plant that sprouts quickly. Someone of intelligence, with a bright future. Could you get me a needle and thread? I am afraid my cloths could do with some mending before supper.
"Sure I can…" Edwynn stopped as Mythril proceeded to unbutton and remove her vest.
Edwynn was 16 winters old. More than old enough to know what a grown woman's body looked like under her shirt. And while Mythril's simple linen bra was cut for comfort, it certainly left little to the imagination. Edwynn's gasp for breath came not from looking at the night elf, but from her vest. Mythril held it up in front of the window, and the afternoon sun streamed thru two long vertical cuts down the back. They extended from shoulder blade to waist. In the sunlight, Edwynn could see the black leather near the edges was stained with blood.
"What happened?" Edwynn asked in awe.
"The scratches? They're from a dragon. Well, just a drake really. Actually, there were two of them. Eleune saw a woman do something foolish and thankfully she blessed me with more luck than I had any hope to wish for. One drake was going to eat me, and the other decided they should share. A fight broke out and I managed to escape with my life."
"That's incredible. How long ago did this happen?"
"Yesterday. Just outside your valley in fact. Now if you don't mind, I'll take that needle so I can try to be somewhat presentable before supper.
"Right away." Edwynn left quickly, closing the door behind him. Five minutes later Claudette's stitching kit was in Mythril's hand and Edwynn was outside the manor, over the wall, and running as fast as he could towards the abbey. He had collected as much information as he could expect. Hopefully Jorik would know what to do.