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Story Hour
Steel Dragon's "Tales of Orea"
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<blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 5974291" data-attributes="member: 92511"><p>"I...HATE...THIIIISSSSS!" Duor cried into the wind as the world blurred beneath him from the back of the great hawk.</p><p></p><p>"YOU ATE WHAT?!" came Haelan's unseen voice from somewhere else in the air.</p><p></p><p>"IT'S NOT LONG NOW, DUOR." Alaria's also unseen voice replied to the dwarf.</p><p><strong><em></em></strong></p><p><strong><em>An hour or two before...</em></strong></p><p></p><p>The companions, minus Alaria, rose and had a hearty breakfast. Braddok had woefully noted that Alaria had not returned to her chambers that night but was informed by the servant that brought their morning meal, "The Magess spent her night in the library. We've brought her and Master Stenthil their breakfast there." This was enough to waylay Braddok's concerns and the warrior broke his fast with Haelan and Duor. </p><p></p><p>Haelan had to admit, through a full mouth (of course) of bacon and eggs, that "haffin' home cooked meavs ish *swallow* much nice than the food from the stone bowl. Don't you think?"</p><p></p><p>Duor ate in relative silence. The dwarf wasn't sure whether the daelvar's table manners or his unending cheerfulness in the mornings was the more annoying trait. What the dwarf <em>did</em> know, was that the loss of three companions on their last venture (Duor did not count Coerraine's death as specifically his "fault" as he did for Festus or Erevan) but he was going to do everything in his power (even give his BEARD!) to avenge their deaths and thwart the plans of the evil Tresahd/Desaarthal...if the Bulgruch, as it appeared, were directly involved, he'd feel the dwarf's dagger in his back as well...and any other wizard or dragon, dragon-snake or goblinoid </p><p>that got in his way.</p><p></p><p>Girded for travel, freshly supplied and freshly clothed, armor and arms well-oiled, and travel cloaks clasped (all of the Stormriders had been gifted fresh new traveling cloaks in the blue and grey striped style of the Bridgetower guard by the Lady Elhianne) the men were guided by Captain Rynthis' manservant to the large open top of the great tower.</p><p></p><p>To their surprise, two giant hawks and a griffon and their armored elvin riders awaited their arrival. From the highly elevated vantage point, they could see the dusting of snow that had fallen the previous night, quickly melting in various places of their immediate vicinity, but providing a solid blanket of white to the north.</p><p></p><p>Haelan was sure to keep behind Braddok...the giant hawks made the daelvar incredibly nervous even if they were "tamed."</p><p></p><p>To their greater surprise, as well as Braddok's appreciation, Alaria stood with one of the elf warriors and the magist, Stenthil. She had donned the midnight blue sleeveless robe, a long slit up the right leg. All of the edges were trimmed in silver runes that sparkled in the bright morning light. Her dark blue cloak billowed in the cold air of the full-on winter morning. Her long dark brown hair, normally free flowing, was bound high on the back of her head into a thick ponytail held by a thick silver clasp engraved with winding scrolling lines. She held her Staff of Azanna and was girded with a belt of white leather, also clasped with silver. The multitude of pouches and sacks that normally cluttered her belt was much reduced in number, but a cord held two scroll cases to one side.</p><p></p><p>She was a lovely vision to behold in the bright morning, thought Braddok.</p><p></p><p>"Alaria! You look lovely! Very...uh...wizardy." Haelan was the first to admire, from his "safe place" behind Braddok's thick thighs. </p><p></p><p>She smiled at the compliment. "I'm glad you approve, Haelan. Your new tabbard is equally sharp...very fetching. And you all."</p><p></p><p>The Hilltender smoothed out the front of his new pine-green tabbard with a smile of pride. The Hilltender's wooden holy symbol had been replaced with one of silver, as a gesture from Ole Midge. The large amulet in the shape of a pinecone sitting on a bed of pine needles also glittered in the morning sun. The daelvar had also taken the time and a few coins, to have the slightly oversized helmet of the fallen elvin defender of Silverfall resized in the passed days by the resident smith. It's fresh polish gave the halfling's head a halo of sorts.</p><p></p><p>Braddok had also acquired a new long flowing blue tunic, one of the Bridgetower soldier's uniform, to wear over his armor. The sapphire studded scabbard and freshly shined shield emblazoned with the stylized swallowtail hawk of his family crest also shone in the early light.</p><p></p><p>Duor's dark brown armor and dark grey cloak had also been mended and cleaned, but maintained its lusterless plain color, exactly as the dwavish rogue desired.</p><p></p><p>Meeessh looked as Meeessh always looked, giving off wisps of steam from any bent point or edge. Though, the companions noted, he was nearly invisible as the morning sun passed through his white-bluish-grey misty form.</p><p></p><p>They did, indeed, look like a group of heroes from legend.</p><p></p><p>"These are your Stormriders, Magess? I had been told you were a larger group." said the elf lieutenant. His nose curled up in an obvious lingering sneer at the dwarf, "That they were more...diverse. Where is the half-human? I had also been told there was a kiiri of Eres'ka Aiiri?"</p><p> </p><p>"I'll give yeh some diversity right now, point-ear." said Duor in direct opposition.</p><p></p><p>"Alas, lieutenant, we are those that remain. Our druid companion shall meet us in Evandrial (Alaria very much hoped). Your kiiri, to our great sorrow, met his end on our last foray." Alaria replied coolly.</p><p></p><p>"I do hope this won't pose a problem for you or your men."</p><p></p><p>"Not at all, Magess. Though we are greatly grieved to hear of our kiiri's loss. The songs shall be sung beneath the moons." the lieutenant replied, seemingly unperturbed by the magess' condescension.</p><p></p><p>"You and the warrior may join me atop the griffon. The vaari and dwarf may take their places on the backs of the hawk-riders."</p><p></p><p>No sooner had they said their farewells to Stenthil and Rynthis and a teary-eyed Elhianne than the companions mounted their respective winged transports and risen into the air. They moved away from the tower with great speed before, at the lieutenant's lead, the three elvin riders intoned a simple masking spell and the griffon and two hawks disappeared from view.</p><p></p><p>A few hours later, not even yet midday, they were whisking above a thick green wood that seemed to show no signs of having been snowed upon and with a stomach-jolting dive circled around down into view of a village?...no much larger and more intricate than a village...of domiciles of white wood, arching and spiring among the talled tree tops.</p><p></p><p>Upon another command from the lieutenant, the griffon and hawks again became visible to each other during their descent. They alit upon a wide open platform at the end of a railed walkway that extended out along an unnaturally thick branch of one of the silver-trimmed leafy trees.</p><p></p><p>Two guards stood at the perimeter of the platform.</p><p></p><p>The guards made no movements at the party's arrival. They simply watched, standing stoically with quivered bows and elegantly curved spears in hand. Their flowing silver and green tunics and cloaks rustled in the wind created by the great winged creatures' landing.</p><p></p><p>The lieutenant, Althan by name, dismounted and held out a chivalrous hand to aid Alaria off of the giant lion-eagle beast. "Be welcomed to Evandrial, Alaria of the Stormriders." Althan said. </p><p></p><p>Duor landed, quite unceremoniously on his face and simply looked up at the hawk-rider that had easily lept off of the giant bird's back. The elf looked down at the dwarf but made no comment.</p><p></p><p>Haelan was more lifted down than aided by his hawk's rider.</p><p></p><p>"Thank you, Eliel." Haelan said gratefully. "That was quite a trip. And thank you, Soral." the daelvar added patting the golden brown hawk's side with an appreciative but still cautious hand.</p><p></p><p>"Not at all, Hilltender. It was a glorious flight." replied the hawk.</p><p></p><p>Haelan jumped in surprise at the talking beast. "Yes...uh...it was. Well done. heh heh. Thanks again." he smiled up at the giant curved beak that could easily snap him in twain before trotting over to where Alaria and Braddok waited.</p><p></p><p>"Did you hear that?!" Haelan said in an excited whisper. "My hawk talked! Duor, did yours talk?! Can you imagine? I mean, I knew the realm of the elves was a magical place...but talking hawks!"</p><p></p><p>Lieutenant Althan smiled down at the daelvar cleric as one would a child. "Yes, indeed, Hilltender. Evandrial is a realm of wonder...and one we seek very much to protect. I believe you are to meet with Lord Seniiris. This way please."</p><p></p><p>The party was led to a comfortable space. Puffballs of blue-white light sat in sconces shaped like opened lilies along the impossibly narrow columns carved and etched to appear as leafy boughs themselves. They turned to pointed arches high over the party's heads and sloped, further, into a high pointed done inscribed with imagines of stars and clouds and birds flying.</p><p></p><p>The "chamber", if it could be so called, was open via these arches on all sides, providing breath-taking views of the surrounding "city" of Evandrial and the Miralostae forest. They could easily see many elves going about their daily business, moving to and fro other similarly open "buildings" over branch paths and delicate bridges...some of which seemed to have no supports at all, merely sticking out of the side of the trees.</p><p></p><p>Duor knocked upon the bleached white wood and scoffed. "Pff. Wouldn't stand up to a single hammer strike. Daft point-ears don't know how to construct a proper stronghold."</p><p></p><p>With a disapproving look from Haelan, the dwarf added/defended, "Well, I don't mean Erevan! He weren't any engineer. But whoever constructed this place didn't know his archways from his elbows."</p><p></p><p>"I suspect, Duor," Alaria offered as she poured herself a bit of clear water from an elegant silver pitcher into a crystalline goblet that was also shaped like a lily, "that the elves support their construction with magics. However, humans have been making perfectly good construction with timber for as long as there have been humans on Orea."</p><p></p><p>"Aye. True enough, Magess. But not this skinny!" Duor retorted in apparent disapproval. "I mean, lookit this! How'd yeh hide behind this thing?! I've got thicker ankles!" Duor said and stood before one of the slender arches. The dwarf's girth easy extended a foot to either side of the "column."</p><p></p><p>"Ehem!" came a surprising sound from one end of the chamber behind the companions.</p><p></p><p>They turned to see an elf in a silver and green flowing tunic. He...or was it a she?...was slender and beautiful. The chiseled features and bright green sparkling eyes of the elf reminded Alaria of Erevan's inhuman beauty. Golden flowing hair that seemed to move in some unfelt breeze trailed off his?...her?...back, unbound save for a delicate silver ring around its brow.</p><p></p><p>Alaria, who had long desired to visit the elf realm, envied the overall air of natural beauty and unearthly freedom that exuded from the elf. From everywhere they had been since their arrival.</p><p></p><p>"The Lord Regent will see you now. This way if you please." the elf said calmly. He or she turned with a disapproving glance at Duor, and led the party down a long bridge of white wood. </p><p></p><p>The railings were carved to also appear as leafy boughs and vines...occasionally there was the image of a squirrel or chipmunk climbing among the foliage or the occasional finch or robin with its beak opened in song.</p><p></p><p>Haelan was surprised and felt, for sure, he'd seen one actually move! A chipmunk climbed up and along the bridge with them as they passed, until it came to rest and hold up some nut or seed to its mouth. Haelan was going to say something, but thought the others would find him foolish. After a blink or two, the "eating chipmunk" appeared unmoving, as nothing more than another carving.</p><p></p><p>The party continued at an even, though somewhat slow pace, as they passed over the bridge and along another path that spiraled around an impossibly wide tree trunk, eventually becoming wide open stairs that led up.</p><p></p><p>They finally came to a huge platform at what they presumed had to be the top of the tree. The "hall" was again, mostly open on all sides, though a few solid walls appeared here and there. </p><p></p><p>Some were obvious construction, all engraved and carved heavily to appear as if they were in the tree itself, and some looked to be the actual branches of the living tree.</p><p></p><p>There were many small tall tripod tables on slender legs. Some held pitchers and goblets, others crystal bowls of fruits and berries and nuts, while still others were completely bare.</p><p></p><p>Around these tables stood many elves. Most were dressed in long almost gossamer robes or flowing tunics. They each bore delicate jewels of glittering metals and precious stones about their heads, necks and wrists. They were wrapped with the various colors of nature. Most were the deep blues and violets of a night starlit sky. But there were others in the rosy pink of dawn, the purest palest blue of an untouched stream, the soft silvery greens of the silverleaf trees that surrounded them.</p><p></p><p>None spoke, to the party or each other, simply watched with emotionless faces and a sparkling diversity of vibrant eye color, as the party followed their guide, directly through the center of the hall to another collection of figures upon a dais at the far end.</p><p></p><p>Meeessh made flourishing waves to either side at the observing elves. A broad smile on his misty face. He was a few paces behind the others and so did not receive any rebuke from Alaria.</p><p> </p><p>"My lord, Seniiris, regent of Evandrial, I bring to you the Stormriders as requested by the Emerald Lady of Daenfrii." the guide said calmly.</p><p></p><p>The central figure upon the throneless dais, turned slowly and nodded at the guide before returning to speak in hushed tones to the others with him upon the dais.</p><p></p><p>The guide, with an unacknowledged nod in return, turned and left the hall.</p><p></p><p>The Stormriders stood for a moment. Uncomfortable enough with the apparent attention their entrance had warranted. They were made to shift more uncomfortably to simply standing, ignored (?), by the elflord they had been told they were come to see. </p><p></p><p>"Well...?" Duor said. His voice, somehow, in this elegant audience chamber, sounded crass and hard and louder than he had actually been...completely out of place among these regal figures and surroundings.</p><p></p><p>Alaria stayed any further word from the dwarf with a quick motion and disapproving glance.</p><p></p><p>The lord regent slowly rose an arm to a doorway at the side of the dais and the elf he had been speaking to in unheard voice, turned with a nod and a glance at the Stormriders as he left.</p><p></p><p>Alaria and company noticed, for the first time, it was the lieutenant Althan. The magess was surprised just how similar all of the elf soldiers looked to each other. If not for the blond hair, green eyes, and heavier armor Alaria would have sworn it was Erevan, even at this close distance.</p><p></p><p>The Lord Regent Seniiris was tall and toned, the obvious muscles of his chest and arms that were free of the single-shouldered glittering white tunic he wore, bulged. The lord regent had hair that extended nearly to his knee, bound in a silver circle at his head with two long strands bound to either side of his face (in front of his pointed ears) with silver star-adorned circlets, and flowing unbound down his back. His eyes were a penetrating deep blue that seemed to glint with silver in the shimmering lights of the chamber.</p><p></p><p>The whole place seemed in a perpetual state of twilight even though, beyond the open archways, the bright midday sun filtered down among the high branches.</p><p></p><p>Bands of silver and gold circled his biceps and forearms, his bare thigh and, Alaria noticed, his ankle? The magess noticed the regent wore no shoes. She looked, as inconspicuously as she could, behind them to see that, in fact, none of the assembled elves wore shoes or boots or even sandals of any kind. All of the adorning jewelry was thin and delicately woven, looking like vines and/or leaves and/or many-pointed stars meeting at their points.</p><p></p><p>Just as Alaria was gearing up to break the uncomfortable silence, the Lord of Evandrial, the elvin province that translated as "Silversong" in the common tongue, spoke first.</p><p></p><p>His voice was thick and low, but seemed to trickle like honey over the party's ears. It too was easily heard throughout the hall though there was no hint of the elflord raising his voice at all.</p><p></p><p>"Greetings to you, Stormriders of Daenfrii." Seniiris said, plainly.</p><p></p><p>Alaria and Braddok, followed by Haelan and a reluctant Duor, bowed deeply at the elvin regent.</p><p></p><p>"Greetings Lord Seniiris. We..." Alaria began to reply before being cut off.</p><p></p><p>"I have heard of great deeds done by your company. The Emerald Lady and the seneschal of Bridgetower have spoken quite highly of your prowess." he said evenly...and again stopped.</p><p></p><p>"We are humb..." Alaria attempted to begin again.</p><p></p><p>"You are welcomed to Evandrial and Eres'ka Staliirosta in these dark times." the lord regent again addressed with seeming disregard for the magess' attempted responses.</p><p></p><p>This time, Alaria made no reply even though the others looked at her in question during the uncomfortably (to the humans, daelvar and dwarf) long pause.</p><p></p><p>"May I present to you, my first, Alharanda, the Morning Sun." the regent said and slowly stretched out an arm to the elvin woman (at least she was evidently a female!) to his right.</p><p></p><p>She all but shown with sunlight. Whether the glittering about her was due to the reflections of her shining dress or some elf magic said to be innate to the fabled star elves, the companions could not say.</p><p></p><p>The Lady Alharanda was dressed in a gown of shimmering gold, like the sun out of these doors. </p><p></p><p>Her jewels and adornment was almost entirely gold as opposed to the mostly silver of the regent and many of the other elves present. Oddly, the only bit of her that did not include gold (including the flecks in her violet eyes), was her silvery hair that was bound in bands of more shining yellow gold, almost to the floor.</p><p></p><p>"Very nice to meet you Lady Alharanda." Haelan managed to get out as the whole of the company bowed again at, what they properly assumed to be Seniiris' wife...and further presumed "first" wife.</p><p></p><p>The companions received the smallest of nods in acknowledgement from the shining elvin noblewoman.</p><p></p><p>"This," the regent continued in his slow even-metered speech, "is my eldest...the Prince Parthyr." Seniiris turned, ever so slightly and raised his other arm to indicate the male elf to his left.</p><p></p><p>The Prince Parthyr, Alaria was SURE could have been Erevan. His eyes were almost the exact shade of lavender, offset somewhat starkly and yet complimented by the metallic coppery red tresses that flowed free (other than the glittering copper circlet around his brow) to the middle of his back. The prince wore a jerkin of deep violet purple edged in silver. He also, wore no leggings or shoes of any kind, his ankle and shin wrapped in a flowing band of silver and copper that looked something like a vine twining its way up his leg.</p><p></p><p>Parthyr gave the companions no nod of acknowledgement, just a slight blink in his penetrating stare.</p><p></p><p>"Oh! So you're Silran's brother then!?" Haelan again piped up with a bright smile. "We've met him. Fine elf, yes indeed. Saved our bacon back in Daenfrii. Wonderful swordsman!"</p><p></p><p>Parthyr just looked blankly, emotionless, at the Hilltender's (shocking to the prince) direct address.</p><p> </p><p>"Silran is my third. I thank you, vaari, for your kind words. He is, indeed skilled in his arms." Seniiris replied.</p><p></p><p>Making progress, Alaria thought to herself. At least the regent was acknowledging something that had actually been uttered.</p><p></p><p>"My lord, Seniiris. You have our thanks at your hospitality in this most glorious of realms." </p><p></p><p>Alaria paused in due ceremony. </p><p></p><p>"And our arms are here at the behest of the Emerald Lady, directly...To aid in whatever way we can to the destruction and defeat of the dark forces rising throughout Miralostae."</p><p></p><p>"Nay, Magess." Seniiris replied with his palm held out toward Alaria. "The evil 'rises' not. It is in no way of the making of Miralostae...It is an invader that seeks to undo the whole of our realm...Our entire world if possible."</p><p></p><p>Alaria lowered her head. "Indeed, my lord. My Apologies for my misspeak."</p><p></p><p>"Have you not the child of Mistwood with you?" Seniiris said, not apparently swayed (or simply not caring) by Alaria's apology.</p><p></p><p>"Fen will be along shortly. By the next full silver, he said." Haelan offered.</p><p></p><p>The lord regent's midnight pupils shifted to the daelvar and he blinked in a slow nod. It seemed this was all of the acknowledgement he felt the daelvar needed.</p><p></p><p>"Apologies for our haste, my lord. But evil knows no propriety nor slows its pace." Alaria interjected, "We were told there would be an ally for us to meet here before we continued on to the front for our allotted mission."</p><p></p><p>"Indeed." Seniiris said. Another pregnant pause followed.</p><p></p><p>"Bloody hellfire and dragon's bones!" Duor finally said in exasperation. "Where's this ally of ours? And where's the front. Don't bother yerself! Just point us in the right direction!"</p><p></p><p>Alaria wanted, once again, to throttle the dwarf. Braddok's eyebrows rose in surprise as well. </p><p></p><p>"Duor!" Haelan chastised outwardly made a backhanded slap in the dwarf's stomach.</p><p></p><p>"Oof. What?! We gonna wait around here all day?! Day's a-wastin'!" Duor answered angrily.</p><p></p><p>"I have been...forgetful...of the speed with which your kind experience the world. The apologies...are mine, dwarf." The regent, slowly, placed his palms together and nodded toward the party.</p><p></p><p>Apologies aside, it seemed among these elves, Duor would not be afforded any complimentary or human realm titles. "Dwarf" was the only name they had for his kind. "Feorn's beard, we're never gettin' out of here.", Duor thought to himself.</p><p></p><p>Seniiris, not noticing (or, again, caring) about the dwarf's indignity, turned and looked to an attendant at another of the formerly unnoticed doorways out of this hall.</p><p></p><p>The party waited but no one was immediately forthcoming. Unsure how to proceed, Alaria opened her mouth to again make pleasantries with the Lord Regent. She closed it before she made a sound as the golden lady Alharanda made a motion toward some other elf in the hall. Two robed elves came to the party. One with a tray of refreshment and one with a bowl of fruits and nuts.</p><p></p><p>"Please, take refreshment." Alharanda offered in what, compared to Seniiris, sounded a kindly manner.</p><p></p><p>"Got any meat?" Duor said in an obvious displeasure at the fruits and nuts offered.</p><p></p><p>Unphased, Alharanda made another slow motion with her arm and another elf came forward with a tray sporting a collection of cured and salted meats and pale but firm cheeses.</p><p></p><p>"Oh...well...uh...Thanks." Duor said in mild embarrassment.</p><p></p><p>"Your ally shall join us...shortly." Seniiris said stoically.</p><p></p><p>"Care to join us?" Haelan offered in friendship. "These are bloody good fruits! And this wine is fantastic!"</p><p></p><p>Alharanda smirked. Again, Haelan was met with the smile one would offer a child. "Our thanks, vaari. The kindly spirit of your race is a rare pleasure for us. Please, enjoy." the lady answered.</p><p></p><p>To everyone's surprise, the attending elves with the trays made their way to the single step of the dais and the royal family took, each, a goblet of wine and a single fruit, nut and piece of cheese, respectively.</p><p> </p><p>"The songs shall be sung for the son of Eres'ka Aiiri this night." Seniiris offered, seemingly out of nowhere. "If you remain, you are most welcomed to partake."</p><p></p><p>"Our thanks, my lord regent. But I feel that we should be on our way as soon as possible. Erevan...er...the son of Eres'ka Aiiri would want it that way, we feel." Alaria replied in that casual but formal way one might at a cocktail party to someone one doesn't know well.</p><p></p><p>She sipped the simply luscious golden elfvine and grinned at the 'royal' family. She turned and nervously raised her glass to the other elves further back in the hall. This elicited a few nods and some soft grins. She was entirely uncomfortable to be partaking of refreshment in the presence of these noble elves when the others did not. It was like they were on display!</p><p></p><p>Duor had no such qualms. "Got any proper ale?" the dwarf said through a mouthful of thinly sliced salted venison.</p><p></p><p>"Regrettably, dwarf, we do not...Is the wine not to your liking?" Alharanda said after a moment.</p><p></p><p>A nudge in the ribs from Haelan's elbow altered the dwarf's initial response to a smiling "Oh yeah. It's great! Good venison too!" </p><p></p><p>The lady and lord regent looked at each other, turning their heads in tandem ever so slightly and slowly. The regent, his wife and the prince stood, motionless while the party had a polite modest (standing!?) repast.</p><p></p><p>"My lord, " Alaria began attempting to be formal but casual again, "can you tell us anything of the Eye of Arinane? We fear that may be the goal of the evil ones' invasion."</p><p></p><p>"We have known this for some time." Seniiris replied. "The Eye shall never fall into the hands of evil. It has not for the entirety of our history. Even when my mother brought it from the Everyoung land...The Eye of Arinane has never left the hands of the ShiStaliiri."</p><p></p><p>This received a few low murmurs and agreeing nods among the assembled elves. Even a giggle or two. The Eye of Arinane to be taken from Miralostae? Out of the hands of elves?! Laughable.</p><p></p><p>It did, however, confuse Alaria a bit. The ShiStaliiri, the elves "of the Blood of the Stars" were the fabled elves of the realm far to the west and southern region of the continent. The Miralostae, to her knowledge, were a different race of elves who left and/or were subsequently expelled from that kingdom...apparently referred to as "the Everyoung Land" by these elves...for entering into Orea's defense against the demon-godson, Aishapra during the Scourge Wars nearly five centuries passed. The Miralostae were not, any longer according to her teachings, of the Star Blood...It seemed, however, these elves firmly believed...or wanted to believe, they were.</p><p></p><p>"So, your mother was the fabled sorceress Nirastelyn?" Alaria asked in somewhat more surprise than she intended. "Erevan spoke very highly of her." she attempted to cover.</p><p></p><p>"She was." Seniiris answered. There was no need to say more than that, the elflord felt. "She was no fable, magess. I promise you." he added. These poor limited creatures called humans. History became legend and legend myth in the blink of an eye for them.</p><p></p><p>"My lord Seniiris, regent of Evandrial, may I present..." began the elvin attendant who had returned unnoticed from wherever he or she had gone. The elf looked curiously at the figure that moved passed him (or her) without ceremony. </p><p></p><p>Alaria deftly replaced her goblet of elfvine upon the tray of a nearby elf before they all nodded a bow and took steps further back into the hall. Apparently, the repast was concluded. She watched the figure enter with complete amazement...as did the other companions.</p><p></p><p>This figure, barely clothed in a short wrap of a fabric about his waist, sauntered into the hall. He was tall , as tall as Braddok if not an inch or two more, and thoroughly muscled. His skin was a bronzed tan broken only by the belt about his waist, on which hung an impressive looking single bladed axe to one side and a short curved sword (more of a long dagger really) on the other, and a thick harness of leather that cut across his rippled torso. Attached, it seemed, to that harness in the center of his back was a quiver filled with arrows and a short bow.</p><p></p><p>To either side of the quiver, from his back, sprouted two huge wings of near golden color. Stripes of what seemed metallic bronze striped the pinions and were mirrored in the multitude of feathers among his golden hair that flowed from his head down to his shoulders.</p><p></p><p>A zepharim?! Alaria thought, immediately recognizing the winged humanoid. Our new ally is a zepharim!?!</p><p></p><p>"He's got wings!" Haelan whispered (loudly).</p><p></p><p>"Thank you, Haelan. I see that." said Alaria.</p><p></p><p>Seniiris nodded to the new arrival and the zepharim took a step back from the dais. He looked, briefly, at the assembled companions and returned his attention to the lord regent.</p><p></p><p>"Stormriders, I present to your company, Pirnyon <<em>Author/Dm's note: "PEERN-ee-on"</em>>." Seniiris paused.</p><p></p><p>The companions stood with expectant looks of welcome and smiles to the back of the winged man. </p><p></p><p>He made no further indication of their presence.</p><p></p><p>"An agent, " Seniiris continued, "of our good friend and ally...Car'Tyr...the Wind Wizard." </p><p></p><p>Alaria looked again, askance, at the great muscled back and wings to their right but closer to the dais than they. Nope, he's not moving.</p><p></p><p>"He has been charged to aid your mission...You will find him a most capable companion." Seniiris concluded.</p><p></p><p>"My thanks, lord regent." Pirnyon said, finally, with nod before turning toward the Stormriders.</p><p></p><p>"Welcome, Peernion." Haelan said enthusiastically. "Are those real?! I've never seen an angel before. Are you a real angel?! I mean, you must be, right? Look at you!" the daelvar practically bubbled all over himself.</p><p></p><p>A wispy eyebrow of either hair or feather (it was tough to tell) rose over the zepharim's eagle-like round amber eye as he looked at the daelvar.</p><p></p><p>"Greetings Pirnyon. I am Alaria. This is Braddok kar Barforth and..." Alaria began to make introductions.</p><p></p><p>"I have learned on your names. I am Pirnyon." Pirnyon answered. "It is good to meet you. I am...in sorrow?...No, 'sorry'...I am sorry that it is under the dark circumstances we find ourselves around...Apologies that my human speech is not as very good as I would like." the winged man said calmly. His face did betray a hint of sincerity and embarrassment and overall relaxed softness that the elvin faces they'd been around all day lacked. Though his high cheekbones and chiseled jaw could have belonged to an elf.</p><p></p><p>"Sounds fluent enough to me! You speak very well!" Haelan said in another broad smile.</p><p></p><p>"Oh yeah, this guy's gonna be a barrel of laughs." Duor said under his beard. Unfortunately the acoustics (or more of the blasted elfin magic) made his mutterings easily heard by all.</p><p></p><p>"My lord regent, may we adjourn to chambers to discuss our next move?" Alaria asked cautiously of the elflord.</p><p></p><p>"Of course." Seniiris replied. He raised another slow arm and the guide that had brought them to the hall returned after a moment and led them back to the open "chamber" where they had initially waited. </p><p></p><p>Haelan gave a careful look at the carvings in the railings on the bridge. He noticed no movement...but didn't that bird have its wings open when they'd come by before?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="steeldragons, post: 5974291, member: 92511"] "I...HATE...THIIIISSSSS!" Duor cried into the wind as the world blurred beneath him from the back of the great hawk. "YOU ATE WHAT?!" came Haelan's unseen voice from somewhere else in the air. "IT'S NOT LONG NOW, DUOR." Alaria's also unseen voice replied to the dwarf. [B][I] An hour or two before...[/I][/B] The companions, minus Alaria, rose and had a hearty breakfast. Braddok had woefully noted that Alaria had not returned to her chambers that night but was informed by the servant that brought their morning meal, "The Magess spent her night in the library. We've brought her and Master Stenthil their breakfast there." This was enough to waylay Braddok's concerns and the warrior broke his fast with Haelan and Duor. Haelan had to admit, through a full mouth (of course) of bacon and eggs, that "haffin' home cooked meavs ish *swallow* much nice than the food from the stone bowl. Don't you think?" Duor ate in relative silence. The dwarf wasn't sure whether the daelvar's table manners or his unending cheerfulness in the mornings was the more annoying trait. What the dwarf [I]did[/I] know, was that the loss of three companions on their last venture (Duor did not count Coerraine's death as specifically his "fault" as he did for Festus or Erevan) but he was going to do everything in his power (even give his BEARD!) to avenge their deaths and thwart the plans of the evil Tresahd/Desaarthal...if the Bulgruch, as it appeared, were directly involved, he'd feel the dwarf's dagger in his back as well...and any other wizard or dragon, dragon-snake or goblinoid that got in his way. Girded for travel, freshly supplied and freshly clothed, armor and arms well-oiled, and travel cloaks clasped (all of the Stormriders had been gifted fresh new traveling cloaks in the blue and grey striped style of the Bridgetower guard by the Lady Elhianne) the men were guided by Captain Rynthis' manservant to the large open top of the great tower. To their surprise, two giant hawks and a griffon and their armored elvin riders awaited their arrival. From the highly elevated vantage point, they could see the dusting of snow that had fallen the previous night, quickly melting in various places of their immediate vicinity, but providing a solid blanket of white to the north. Haelan was sure to keep behind Braddok...the giant hawks made the daelvar incredibly nervous even if they were "tamed." To their greater surprise, as well as Braddok's appreciation, Alaria stood with one of the elf warriors and the magist, Stenthil. She had donned the midnight blue sleeveless robe, a long slit up the right leg. All of the edges were trimmed in silver runes that sparkled in the bright morning light. Her dark blue cloak billowed in the cold air of the full-on winter morning. Her long dark brown hair, normally free flowing, was bound high on the back of her head into a thick ponytail held by a thick silver clasp engraved with winding scrolling lines. She held her Staff of Azanna and was girded with a belt of white leather, also clasped with silver. The multitude of pouches and sacks that normally cluttered her belt was much reduced in number, but a cord held two scroll cases to one side. She was a lovely vision to behold in the bright morning, thought Braddok. "Alaria! You look lovely! Very...uh...wizardy." Haelan was the first to admire, from his "safe place" behind Braddok's thick thighs. She smiled at the compliment. "I'm glad you approve, Haelan. Your new tabbard is equally sharp...very fetching. And you all." The Hilltender smoothed out the front of his new pine-green tabbard with a smile of pride. The Hilltender's wooden holy symbol had been replaced with one of silver, as a gesture from Ole Midge. The large amulet in the shape of a pinecone sitting on a bed of pine needles also glittered in the morning sun. The daelvar had also taken the time and a few coins, to have the slightly oversized helmet of the fallen elvin defender of Silverfall resized in the passed days by the resident smith. It's fresh polish gave the halfling's head a halo of sorts. Braddok had also acquired a new long flowing blue tunic, one of the Bridgetower soldier's uniform, to wear over his armor. The sapphire studded scabbard and freshly shined shield emblazoned with the stylized swallowtail hawk of his family crest also shone in the early light. Duor's dark brown armor and dark grey cloak had also been mended and cleaned, but maintained its lusterless plain color, exactly as the dwavish rogue desired. Meeessh looked as Meeessh always looked, giving off wisps of steam from any bent point or edge. Though, the companions noted, he was nearly invisible as the morning sun passed through his white-bluish-grey misty form. They did, indeed, look like a group of heroes from legend. "These are your Stormriders, Magess? I had been told you were a larger group." said the elf lieutenant. His nose curled up in an obvious lingering sneer at the dwarf, "That they were more...diverse. Where is the half-human? I had also been told there was a kiiri of Eres'ka Aiiri?" "I'll give yeh some diversity right now, point-ear." said Duor in direct opposition. "Alas, lieutenant, we are those that remain. Our druid companion shall meet us in Evandrial (Alaria very much hoped). Your kiiri, to our great sorrow, met his end on our last foray." Alaria replied coolly. "I do hope this won't pose a problem for you or your men." "Not at all, Magess. Though we are greatly grieved to hear of our kiiri's loss. The songs shall be sung beneath the moons." the lieutenant replied, seemingly unperturbed by the magess' condescension. "You and the warrior may join me atop the griffon. The vaari and dwarf may take their places on the backs of the hawk-riders." No sooner had they said their farewells to Stenthil and Rynthis and a teary-eyed Elhianne than the companions mounted their respective winged transports and risen into the air. They moved away from the tower with great speed before, at the lieutenant's lead, the three elvin riders intoned a simple masking spell and the griffon and two hawks disappeared from view. A few hours later, not even yet midday, they were whisking above a thick green wood that seemed to show no signs of having been snowed upon and with a stomach-jolting dive circled around down into view of a village?...no much larger and more intricate than a village...of domiciles of white wood, arching and spiring among the talled tree tops. Upon another command from the lieutenant, the griffon and hawks again became visible to each other during their descent. They alit upon a wide open platform at the end of a railed walkway that extended out along an unnaturally thick branch of one of the silver-trimmed leafy trees. Two guards stood at the perimeter of the platform. The guards made no movements at the party's arrival. They simply watched, standing stoically with quivered bows and elegantly curved spears in hand. Their flowing silver and green tunics and cloaks rustled in the wind created by the great winged creatures' landing. The lieutenant, Althan by name, dismounted and held out a chivalrous hand to aid Alaria off of the giant lion-eagle beast. "Be welcomed to Evandrial, Alaria of the Stormriders." Althan said. Duor landed, quite unceremoniously on his face and simply looked up at the hawk-rider that had easily lept off of the giant bird's back. The elf looked down at the dwarf but made no comment. Haelan was more lifted down than aided by his hawk's rider. "Thank you, Eliel." Haelan said gratefully. "That was quite a trip. And thank you, Soral." the daelvar added patting the golden brown hawk's side with an appreciative but still cautious hand. "Not at all, Hilltender. It was a glorious flight." replied the hawk. Haelan jumped in surprise at the talking beast. "Yes...uh...it was. Well done. heh heh. Thanks again." he smiled up at the giant curved beak that could easily snap him in twain before trotting over to where Alaria and Braddok waited. "Did you hear that?!" Haelan said in an excited whisper. "My hawk talked! Duor, did yours talk?! Can you imagine? I mean, I knew the realm of the elves was a magical place...but talking hawks!" Lieutenant Althan smiled down at the daelvar cleric as one would a child. "Yes, indeed, Hilltender. Evandrial is a realm of wonder...and one we seek very much to protect. I believe you are to meet with Lord Seniiris. This way please." The party was led to a comfortable space. Puffballs of blue-white light sat in sconces shaped like opened lilies along the impossibly narrow columns carved and etched to appear as leafy boughs themselves. They turned to pointed arches high over the party's heads and sloped, further, into a high pointed done inscribed with imagines of stars and clouds and birds flying. The "chamber", if it could be so called, was open via these arches on all sides, providing breath-taking views of the surrounding "city" of Evandrial and the Miralostae forest. They could easily see many elves going about their daily business, moving to and fro other similarly open "buildings" over branch paths and delicate bridges...some of which seemed to have no supports at all, merely sticking out of the side of the trees. Duor knocked upon the bleached white wood and scoffed. "Pff. Wouldn't stand up to a single hammer strike. Daft point-ears don't know how to construct a proper stronghold." With a disapproving look from Haelan, the dwarf added/defended, "Well, I don't mean Erevan! He weren't any engineer. But whoever constructed this place didn't know his archways from his elbows." "I suspect, Duor," Alaria offered as she poured herself a bit of clear water from an elegant silver pitcher into a crystalline goblet that was also shaped like a lily, "that the elves support their construction with magics. However, humans have been making perfectly good construction with timber for as long as there have been humans on Orea." "Aye. True enough, Magess. But not this skinny!" Duor retorted in apparent disapproval. "I mean, lookit this! How'd yeh hide behind this thing?! I've got thicker ankles!" Duor said and stood before one of the slender arches. The dwarf's girth easy extended a foot to either side of the "column." "Ehem!" came a surprising sound from one end of the chamber behind the companions. They turned to see an elf in a silver and green flowing tunic. He...or was it a she?...was slender and beautiful. The chiseled features and bright green sparkling eyes of the elf reminded Alaria of Erevan's inhuman beauty. Golden flowing hair that seemed to move in some unfelt breeze trailed off his?...her?...back, unbound save for a delicate silver ring around its brow. Alaria, who had long desired to visit the elf realm, envied the overall air of natural beauty and unearthly freedom that exuded from the elf. From everywhere they had been since their arrival. "The Lord Regent will see you now. This way if you please." the elf said calmly. He or she turned with a disapproving glance at Duor, and led the party down a long bridge of white wood. The railings were carved to also appear as leafy boughs and vines...occasionally there was the image of a squirrel or chipmunk climbing among the foliage or the occasional finch or robin with its beak opened in song. Haelan was surprised and felt, for sure, he'd seen one actually move! A chipmunk climbed up and along the bridge with them as they passed, until it came to rest and hold up some nut or seed to its mouth. Haelan was going to say something, but thought the others would find him foolish. After a blink or two, the "eating chipmunk" appeared unmoving, as nothing more than another carving. The party continued at an even, though somewhat slow pace, as they passed over the bridge and along another path that spiraled around an impossibly wide tree trunk, eventually becoming wide open stairs that led up. They finally came to a huge platform at what they presumed had to be the top of the tree. The "hall" was again, mostly open on all sides, though a few solid walls appeared here and there. Some were obvious construction, all engraved and carved heavily to appear as if they were in the tree itself, and some looked to be the actual branches of the living tree. There were many small tall tripod tables on slender legs. Some held pitchers and goblets, others crystal bowls of fruits and berries and nuts, while still others were completely bare. Around these tables stood many elves. Most were dressed in long almost gossamer robes or flowing tunics. They each bore delicate jewels of glittering metals and precious stones about their heads, necks and wrists. They were wrapped with the various colors of nature. Most were the deep blues and violets of a night starlit sky. But there were others in the rosy pink of dawn, the purest palest blue of an untouched stream, the soft silvery greens of the silverleaf trees that surrounded them. None spoke, to the party or each other, simply watched with emotionless faces and a sparkling diversity of vibrant eye color, as the party followed their guide, directly through the center of the hall to another collection of figures upon a dais at the far end. Meeessh made flourishing waves to either side at the observing elves. A broad smile on his misty face. He was a few paces behind the others and so did not receive any rebuke from Alaria. "My lord, Seniiris, regent of Evandrial, I bring to you the Stormriders as requested by the Emerald Lady of Daenfrii." the guide said calmly. The central figure upon the throneless dais, turned slowly and nodded at the guide before returning to speak in hushed tones to the others with him upon the dais. The guide, with an unacknowledged nod in return, turned and left the hall. The Stormriders stood for a moment. Uncomfortable enough with the apparent attention their entrance had warranted. They were made to shift more uncomfortably to simply standing, ignored (?), by the elflord they had been told they were come to see. "Well...?" Duor said. His voice, somehow, in this elegant audience chamber, sounded crass and hard and louder than he had actually been...completely out of place among these regal figures and surroundings. Alaria stayed any further word from the dwarf with a quick motion and disapproving glance. The lord regent slowly rose an arm to a doorway at the side of the dais and the elf he had been speaking to in unheard voice, turned with a nod and a glance at the Stormriders as he left. Alaria and company noticed, for the first time, it was the lieutenant Althan. The magess was surprised just how similar all of the elf soldiers looked to each other. If not for the blond hair, green eyes, and heavier armor Alaria would have sworn it was Erevan, even at this close distance. The Lord Regent Seniiris was tall and toned, the obvious muscles of his chest and arms that were free of the single-shouldered glittering white tunic he wore, bulged. The lord regent had hair that extended nearly to his knee, bound in a silver circle at his head with two long strands bound to either side of his face (in front of his pointed ears) with silver star-adorned circlets, and flowing unbound down his back. His eyes were a penetrating deep blue that seemed to glint with silver in the shimmering lights of the chamber. The whole place seemed in a perpetual state of twilight even though, beyond the open archways, the bright midday sun filtered down among the high branches. Bands of silver and gold circled his biceps and forearms, his bare thigh and, Alaria noticed, his ankle? The magess noticed the regent wore no shoes. She looked, as inconspicuously as she could, behind them to see that, in fact, none of the assembled elves wore shoes or boots or even sandals of any kind. All of the adorning jewelry was thin and delicately woven, looking like vines and/or leaves and/or many-pointed stars meeting at their points. Just as Alaria was gearing up to break the uncomfortable silence, the Lord of Evandrial, the elvin province that translated as "Silversong" in the common tongue, spoke first. His voice was thick and low, but seemed to trickle like honey over the party's ears. It too was easily heard throughout the hall though there was no hint of the elflord raising his voice at all. "Greetings to you, Stormriders of Daenfrii." Seniiris said, plainly. Alaria and Braddok, followed by Haelan and a reluctant Duor, bowed deeply at the elvin regent. "Greetings Lord Seniiris. We..." Alaria began to reply before being cut off. "I have heard of great deeds done by your company. The Emerald Lady and the seneschal of Bridgetower have spoken quite highly of your prowess." he said evenly...and again stopped. "We are humb..." Alaria attempted to begin again. "You are welcomed to Evandrial and Eres'ka Staliirosta in these dark times." the lord regent again addressed with seeming disregard for the magess' attempted responses. This time, Alaria made no reply even though the others looked at her in question during the uncomfortably (to the humans, daelvar and dwarf) long pause. "May I present to you, my first, Alharanda, the Morning Sun." the regent said and slowly stretched out an arm to the elvin woman (at least she was evidently a female!) to his right. She all but shown with sunlight. Whether the glittering about her was due to the reflections of her shining dress or some elf magic said to be innate to the fabled star elves, the companions could not say. The Lady Alharanda was dressed in a gown of shimmering gold, like the sun out of these doors. Her jewels and adornment was almost entirely gold as opposed to the mostly silver of the regent and many of the other elves present. Oddly, the only bit of her that did not include gold (including the flecks in her violet eyes), was her silvery hair that was bound in bands of more shining yellow gold, almost to the floor. "Very nice to meet you Lady Alharanda." Haelan managed to get out as the whole of the company bowed again at, what they properly assumed to be Seniiris' wife...and further presumed "first" wife. The companions received the smallest of nods in acknowledgement from the shining elvin noblewoman. "This," the regent continued in his slow even-metered speech, "is my eldest...the Prince Parthyr." Seniiris turned, ever so slightly and raised his other arm to indicate the male elf to his left. The Prince Parthyr, Alaria was SURE could have been Erevan. His eyes were almost the exact shade of lavender, offset somewhat starkly and yet complimented by the metallic coppery red tresses that flowed free (other than the glittering copper circlet around his brow) to the middle of his back. The prince wore a jerkin of deep violet purple edged in silver. He also, wore no leggings or shoes of any kind, his ankle and shin wrapped in a flowing band of silver and copper that looked something like a vine twining its way up his leg. Parthyr gave the companions no nod of acknowledgement, just a slight blink in his penetrating stare. "Oh! So you're Silran's brother then!?" Haelan again piped up with a bright smile. "We've met him. Fine elf, yes indeed. Saved our bacon back in Daenfrii. Wonderful swordsman!" Parthyr just looked blankly, emotionless, at the Hilltender's (shocking to the prince) direct address. "Silran is my third. I thank you, vaari, for your kind words. He is, indeed skilled in his arms." Seniiris replied. Making progress, Alaria thought to herself. At least the regent was acknowledging something that had actually been uttered. "My lord, Seniiris. You have our thanks at your hospitality in this most glorious of realms." Alaria paused in due ceremony. "And our arms are here at the behest of the Emerald Lady, directly...To aid in whatever way we can to the destruction and defeat of the dark forces rising throughout Miralostae." "Nay, Magess." Seniiris replied with his palm held out toward Alaria. "The evil 'rises' not. It is in no way of the making of Miralostae...It is an invader that seeks to undo the whole of our realm...Our entire world if possible." Alaria lowered her head. "Indeed, my lord. My Apologies for my misspeak." "Have you not the child of Mistwood with you?" Seniiris said, not apparently swayed (or simply not caring) by Alaria's apology. "Fen will be along shortly. By the next full silver, he said." Haelan offered. The lord regent's midnight pupils shifted to the daelvar and he blinked in a slow nod. It seemed this was all of the acknowledgement he felt the daelvar needed. "Apologies for our haste, my lord. But evil knows no propriety nor slows its pace." Alaria interjected, "We were told there would be an ally for us to meet here before we continued on to the front for our allotted mission." "Indeed." Seniiris said. Another pregnant pause followed. "Bloody hellfire and dragon's bones!" Duor finally said in exasperation. "Where's this ally of ours? And where's the front. Don't bother yerself! Just point us in the right direction!" Alaria wanted, once again, to throttle the dwarf. Braddok's eyebrows rose in surprise as well. "Duor!" Haelan chastised outwardly made a backhanded slap in the dwarf's stomach. "Oof. What?! We gonna wait around here all day?! Day's a-wastin'!" Duor answered angrily. "I have been...forgetful...of the speed with which your kind experience the world. The apologies...are mine, dwarf." The regent, slowly, placed his palms together and nodded toward the party. Apologies aside, it seemed among these elves, Duor would not be afforded any complimentary or human realm titles. "Dwarf" was the only name they had for his kind. "Feorn's beard, we're never gettin' out of here.", Duor thought to himself. Seniiris, not noticing (or, again, caring) about the dwarf's indignity, turned and looked to an attendant at another of the formerly unnoticed doorways out of this hall. The party waited but no one was immediately forthcoming. Unsure how to proceed, Alaria opened her mouth to again make pleasantries with the Lord Regent. She closed it before she made a sound as the golden lady Alharanda made a motion toward some other elf in the hall. Two robed elves came to the party. One with a tray of refreshment and one with a bowl of fruits and nuts. "Please, take refreshment." Alharanda offered in what, compared to Seniiris, sounded a kindly manner. "Got any meat?" Duor said in an obvious displeasure at the fruits and nuts offered. Unphased, Alharanda made another slow motion with her arm and another elf came forward with a tray sporting a collection of cured and salted meats and pale but firm cheeses. "Oh...well...uh...Thanks." Duor said in mild embarrassment. "Your ally shall join us...shortly." Seniiris said stoically. "Care to join us?" Haelan offered in friendship. "These are bloody good fruits! And this wine is fantastic!" Alharanda smirked. Again, Haelan was met with the smile one would offer a child. "Our thanks, vaari. The kindly spirit of your race is a rare pleasure for us. Please, enjoy." the lady answered. To everyone's surprise, the attending elves with the trays made their way to the single step of the dais and the royal family took, each, a goblet of wine and a single fruit, nut and piece of cheese, respectively. "The songs shall be sung for the son of Eres'ka Aiiri this night." Seniiris offered, seemingly out of nowhere. "If you remain, you are most welcomed to partake." "Our thanks, my lord regent. But I feel that we should be on our way as soon as possible. Erevan...er...the son of Eres'ka Aiiri would want it that way, we feel." Alaria replied in that casual but formal way one might at a cocktail party to someone one doesn't know well. She sipped the simply luscious golden elfvine and grinned at the 'royal' family. She turned and nervously raised her glass to the other elves further back in the hall. This elicited a few nods and some soft grins. She was entirely uncomfortable to be partaking of refreshment in the presence of these noble elves when the others did not. It was like they were on display! Duor had no such qualms. "Got any proper ale?" the dwarf said through a mouthful of thinly sliced salted venison. "Regrettably, dwarf, we do not...Is the wine not to your liking?" Alharanda said after a moment. A nudge in the ribs from Haelan's elbow altered the dwarf's initial response to a smiling "Oh yeah. It's great! Good venison too!" The lady and lord regent looked at each other, turning their heads in tandem ever so slightly and slowly. The regent, his wife and the prince stood, motionless while the party had a polite modest (standing!?) repast. "My lord, " Alaria began attempting to be formal but casual again, "can you tell us anything of the Eye of Arinane? We fear that may be the goal of the evil ones' invasion." "We have known this for some time." Seniiris replied. "The Eye shall never fall into the hands of evil. It has not for the entirety of our history. Even when my mother brought it from the Everyoung land...The Eye of Arinane has never left the hands of the ShiStaliiri." This received a few low murmurs and agreeing nods among the assembled elves. Even a giggle or two. The Eye of Arinane to be taken from Miralostae? Out of the hands of elves?! Laughable. It did, however, confuse Alaria a bit. The ShiStaliiri, the elves "of the Blood of the Stars" were the fabled elves of the realm far to the west and southern region of the continent. The Miralostae, to her knowledge, were a different race of elves who left and/or were subsequently expelled from that kingdom...apparently referred to as "the Everyoung Land" by these elves...for entering into Orea's defense against the demon-godson, Aishapra during the Scourge Wars nearly five centuries passed. The Miralostae were not, any longer according to her teachings, of the Star Blood...It seemed, however, these elves firmly believed...or wanted to believe, they were. "So, your mother was the fabled sorceress Nirastelyn?" Alaria asked in somewhat more surprise than she intended. "Erevan spoke very highly of her." she attempted to cover. "She was." Seniiris answered. There was no need to say more than that, the elflord felt. "She was no fable, magess. I promise you." he added. These poor limited creatures called humans. History became legend and legend myth in the blink of an eye for them. "My lord Seniiris, regent of Evandrial, may I present..." began the elvin attendant who had returned unnoticed from wherever he or she had gone. The elf looked curiously at the figure that moved passed him (or her) without ceremony. Alaria deftly replaced her goblet of elfvine upon the tray of a nearby elf before they all nodded a bow and took steps further back into the hall. Apparently, the repast was concluded. She watched the figure enter with complete amazement...as did the other companions. This figure, barely clothed in a short wrap of a fabric about his waist, sauntered into the hall. He was tall , as tall as Braddok if not an inch or two more, and thoroughly muscled. His skin was a bronzed tan broken only by the belt about his waist, on which hung an impressive looking single bladed axe to one side and a short curved sword (more of a long dagger really) on the other, and a thick harness of leather that cut across his rippled torso. Attached, it seemed, to that harness in the center of his back was a quiver filled with arrows and a short bow. To either side of the quiver, from his back, sprouted two huge wings of near golden color. Stripes of what seemed metallic bronze striped the pinions and were mirrored in the multitude of feathers among his golden hair that flowed from his head down to his shoulders. A zepharim?! Alaria thought, immediately recognizing the winged humanoid. Our new ally is a zepharim!?! "He's got wings!" Haelan whispered (loudly). "Thank you, Haelan. I see that." said Alaria. Seniiris nodded to the new arrival and the zepharim took a step back from the dais. He looked, briefly, at the assembled companions and returned his attention to the lord regent. "Stormriders, I present to your company, Pirnyon <[I]Author/Dm's note: "PEERN-ee-on"[/I]>." Seniiris paused. The companions stood with expectant looks of welcome and smiles to the back of the winged man. He made no further indication of their presence. "An agent, " Seniiris continued, "of our good friend and ally...Car'Tyr...the Wind Wizard." Alaria looked again, askance, at the great muscled back and wings to their right but closer to the dais than they. Nope, he's not moving. "He has been charged to aid your mission...You will find him a most capable companion." Seniiris concluded. "My thanks, lord regent." Pirnyon said, finally, with nod before turning toward the Stormriders. "Welcome, Peernion." Haelan said enthusiastically. "Are those real?! I've never seen an angel before. Are you a real angel?! I mean, you must be, right? Look at you!" the daelvar practically bubbled all over himself. A wispy eyebrow of either hair or feather (it was tough to tell) rose over the zepharim's eagle-like round amber eye as he looked at the daelvar. "Greetings Pirnyon. I am Alaria. This is Braddok kar Barforth and..." Alaria began to make introductions. "I have learned on your names. I am Pirnyon." Pirnyon answered. "It is good to meet you. I am...in sorrow?...No, 'sorry'...I am sorry that it is under the dark circumstances we find ourselves around...Apologies that my human speech is not as very good as I would like." the winged man said calmly. His face did betray a hint of sincerity and embarrassment and overall relaxed softness that the elvin faces they'd been around all day lacked. Though his high cheekbones and chiseled jaw could have belonged to an elf. "Sounds fluent enough to me! You speak very well!" Haelan said in another broad smile. "Oh yeah, this guy's gonna be a barrel of laughs." Duor said under his beard. Unfortunately the acoustics (or more of the blasted elfin magic) made his mutterings easily heard by all. "My lord regent, may we adjourn to chambers to discuss our next move?" Alaria asked cautiously of the elflord. "Of course." Seniiris replied. He raised another slow arm and the guide that had brought them to the hall returned after a moment and led them back to the open "chamber" where they had initially waited. Haelan gave a careful look at the carvings in the railings on the bridge. He noticed no movement...but didn't that bird have its wings open when they'd come by before? [/QUOTE]
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