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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Paka" data-source="post: 1308878" data-attributes="member: 100">Riddle of Midnight - Karhoun Keep Part II - Post #8I have no had guests in my keep in a hundred years.  Most of my time and energy has gone into masking my existence, making sure any of my kills seem like they could have been done by the Dire Wolf pack that patrols the area and overlooking my hoard.  It was odd to have such an eclectic group in my walls.Karhoun was my half-brother and we shared a name.  I realized right away we were kindred spirits.  Vorden Qell was dangerously over-confident in many ways.  It came across during our many conversations.  When he found that the keep's only books and scrolls had long since turned to dust, he took to interviewing me with his Lorebook open, scribbling away into the night.Baau was the first Sea Elf I had ever met.  His dark eyes were always on the northern horizon, where he hoped he could find and rescue his love.Hishaya was a dangerous Snow Elf, harboring dangerous hatred towards the Shadow.  It would be folly for anyone to mistake her for a little girl, no doubt many Orcs had tasted her knives who had made that error.Jurev spent much of his time with Baau, talking to him of his love.  It wasn't long before they agreed to go north to the Breeder's Pits together.Slovac was bereft.  He had learned something recently that had left him a hollow shell.  It would be a miracle if he made it through the night without hanging himself off of a rampart or slitting his own arms in order to bleed to death in the snow.Laeli was the second Sea Elf I had ever met, dark brown skin like an stained axe-handle and hair in these tiny braids.  Like Baau, her eyes were northward but unlike him, there wasn't love in her eyes.Everyone agreed to sleep the night and discuss their directions in the morning.  Laeli had no intention of breaking bread with her saviors in the morning.  She never got under her covers but gathered her meager belongings and padded through the halls, no doubt feeling my eyes on her, as my vision extends throughout this keep.Laeli went to the highest tower in order to get the lay of the land before heading north to find her sister.  On the ramparts of the northern tower she found Slovac, white hair glistening in the starlight, his own spear-point to his own neck, contemplating his own suicide.  Her breath made little clouds around her face and her eyes narrowed at the sight of a Snow Elf, the great and valorous Erunsil deep in a pit of despair.She whispered, "I know what despair is.  I know where you are, cousin."  He was no cousin of her's, she was referring to their races being cousins, I realized.He sobbed, "I am shamed to be despairing in front of you.  You have been through so much more, so much worse than me."  But his hands stayed on the spear, the point pushing on his neck until he draw a little blood.Laeli took off her glove and put her hand out, "Take my hand.  I am leaving this place and going northward.  My sister is there.  Perhaps you can remind me why I hate her so, or perhaps even why I love her and perhaps I can remind you what is in this forsaken world worth living for."Slovac wiped blood from his neck and took her hand.  Neither realized the power of the bond they had just made, blood-annointed in the starlight.She left a note for Laeli and together they trotted Northward, towards the Breeding Pits of the Shadow.Dearest Baau,It is my most sincere hope that some day I can make you understand why I must kill my sister.  Taking on the mantle of kinslayer is not something I plan to do lightly but nonetheless, despite the shame it will bring my family, despite the banishment from the fair bay that we have called our home, despite her death sealing me from ever gaining your love it is something I must do.Perhaps some day I will find the words to make this right.  Most likely I will not.I am not sure what we shall do if we both should find her at the same moment.  I have no wish to harm you or any within our company.  I humbly ask that you allow blood to cope with blood.Slovac has accompanied me.  Perhaps he can teach me my reasons for doing what I know in my heart I must do while I teach him a reason to live through his grief.Thank you for saving me.  You saved me from a horrific storm and that is something I shall never forget so long as I live.  Thank you for saving me, thank you for nursing me back to health in this accursed northlands.Love,Laeli of the MiransilThey left in the night without bidding me farewell or so much as a thank-you-much for my hospitality.  I gave them none of the gifts from my hoard but quietly wished them well, praying to my ancestors to watch over their tragic pilgrimage.</blockquote>

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