A Discussion of Sorts[Domi, open?]

[zkjt]

I sighed inwardly and awaited for the arrival of Count Aethir Wyrdbreaker in the Great Hall. As my luck would have it, Dellanir had chosen me for the job of "greeter" and I was expected to greet him and welcome him into our halls. Dellanir had been growing even more paranoid as of late, especially with wild dragons roaming the forests. Her sickness had taken its toll on her, both mentally and physically, and she was in fact sleeping at this very moment.

Due to the fact most of my schooling here in Ellesmera had been largely based on understanding of the Great Game and the Ancient Language, I had not fully acquainted myself with most of the elven nobility, and the name Aethir had not rung any bells. So, naturally, I had headed to the library. the library was large, one of the third largest in fact, and I enjoyed lying on a simple divan and reading the day away. And the few days prior to Aethir's arrival, I had done just that, studying up on Aethir. Generally, elven literature doesn't focus too much on one particular elf, besides royalty and riders. So, the digging up on Aethir had largely been tough. After sifting through multiple volumes of elven texts(despite my blindness, I was able to magically transfer the words into my mind) however, I finally found some reference to his house, and through that, Aethir.

An old elf, Aethir had participated in the Blue Divide, and before that he had spent much of his time with humans. That fact slightly reassured me, as I had met many elves who considered me "below them". My blindness didn't help this fact, and though some considered my different magical talents interesting and powerful, many considered me an abomination. So however Aethir would view me, I had yet to see. It also mentioned Aethir's rise to Count ship of Ila Feon. The previous owner had died, while in the wilderness. The text mentioned some suspicion on Aethir's part, though no detail was added. The text gave no indication to personality, likes or dislikes, or even appearance. Though I could say I knew where he came from, I was still a stranger to what he was like.

My pleas to Dellanir had also gone unheard. My meekness, or cowardliness as some might call it, was in full effect, and I had no desire to meet with this mysterious elf. Dellanir had brushed her hand away, still pale from her sickness. Dellanir's paranoia was increasing, and she trusted no one else to discover where this count's allegiance's lay. "Promise me Sayenna. Learn about him, and discover who he works for. Someone in my midst is a traitor!" at the word traitor, Dellanir's voice had risen, and I had felt the all-too-familiar shivers of apprehension go down my spine. Dellanir was spiraling, and who was I to contradict her?

So now here I was, awaiting Aethir's arrival. My brown hair had fallen straight down,and I decided not to dress formally, and instead wore a servant's clothes: dark brown dress with matching brown slippers. I, of course, had gowns and dresses, and beautiful pieces of jewelry, but I preferred to dress according to my rank. I was not nobility, but rather a servant, and it'd be better if I didn't forget it.

Upon hearing the doors open, I stood up. I fidgeted, and not for the first time cursed my blindness. It made me feel exposed, and I could only hear Aethir's approach rather than be able to see him. I entwined my hands together and looked down, not being able to control myself. Upon hearing the footsteps stop, I looked up, yet saw only blackness as usual.


"Kvetha Fricai. I am Sayenna, Handmaiden of Dellanir, here to welcome you in Dellanir's place. I-I- I fear she is still recovering.." I trailed off suddenly at a loss of what to say. I could feel his presence in front of me, and cringed as I imagined how he could treat me.


meh; I don't like it. First post in a while though XD

[bliedr]

Aëthír was looking forward to this meeting. Humans were... interesting. Their short lives made them rash and reckless. Aëthír liked that, he had always liked that. Their artisans weren't quite as good as the elves, though, and their songs put him on-edge, unless of course, they were drunken chants, merriment fueled tunes that come as naturally as walking to people of culture. He was curious as to why Dellanir had chosen this particular servant - he knew little about her, only that she was human, and that she was blind. Maybe she was aware of his vices. He had met her a couple of times - only for diplomatic purposes; he had never eaten at her table. He supported her, however, and he was sorry to hear of her ailment. Many elves were strongly against her taking the throne, however, Aëthír was not one of them.

He walked in a slow stately fashion, greeting all those around him with respect. Some smiled graciously and sincerely. Others barely masked contempt for him under wicked grins and sour smiles. It didn't matter in the slightest, as whether friend or foe, people knew better than to try and fight him in Ellesmera. He had had several centuries to build up wards about himself, wards that would tell him if there was anyone that meant him ill, wards that would stop them from harming him. He was not untouchable by far, but Aëthír knew how to look after himself.

He eventually reached the chamber he was supposed to greet her in. He knew she would be frightened. She was not as strong as he was, she was much younger. As if that wasn't bad enough, she could not see him. He would be scared out of his wits in the same position - not that he would admit it. For a moment, he paused, considering how he was going to enter. He decided, and pushed the door open.

His voice layered with magic and goodwill, he sang, in the ancient language;"Kvetha; Atra du evarínya ono varda, Sayenna-grídkona." he then recited several lines of verse of an old, simple song of greeting that Skaäblim had taught him. He finished in short order and bowed; though the gesture was more than likely lost on Sayenna. He glowed with pride, as he had made his song the most beautiful song he had ever sung so far and he was sure that Sayenna would love it, and that she would be enchanted by it.

"Let us speak in the tongue of your people." he said, shortly. "The ancient language contains many vices - we don't want to be saying things that will bind us unaware later on, do we?" He purred. He had to hold back; it was so long since he'd seen someone who wasn't a weird forest creature, or an elf out to usurp him, he was getting a little excited. He slowed his heartrate down, and looked at her with such an intense gaze, he wouldn't have been surprised had she somehow noticed.

"I am Aëthír Wyrdbreaker, Hounder of Shadows, Keeper of Many Secrets. I know as much as anyone about these hallowed woods."

[zkjt]

Despite my fear of how Aethir would respond to me, I managed to control my anxiety, and my breathing was even. As he came to a stop in front of me, he broke out into song. "Kvetha; Atra du evarínya ono varda, Sayenna-grídkona." He sang more besides that, but the meaning was lost on me. However I heard the goodwill in his voice, which was in fact beautiful, and due to the fact he was singing it in the ancient language, he could not have been lying when he greeted me and called me friend. My nerves relaxed, and I was able to smile in a relatively calm manner.

As the song came to an end, I found myself wanting more. The raw truths he exposed as he sung brought back memories of my time in Terrae: My teacher's coercing the magic from me, singing in their guttural yet fascinating ways, and then myself singing back, a common way of showing respect between elder and student. My voice wasn't bad, yet it paled in comparison of this count's. The air in front of me changed, and I could tell he was bowing. As he returned to his normal standing position, I also bowed, dipping my head and bending my back, and then twisting my right hand over my heart toward him. After the formalities, Aethir spoke. His voice very closely resembled his singing voice: it was soft yet contained power, and the words rolled off his tongue in a way that unexplainably enticed me.

"Let us speak in the tongue of your people." I nodded my consent. It made sense, and would make me feel a lot better and not as out of my element. Despite the shortness in his voice, he continued, "The ancient language contains many vices - we don't want to be saying things that will bind us unaware later on, do we?" I smiled wanly at these words, nodding once more. "What you say makes sense to me Aethir-Elda. I have not much knowledge of the precise rules of the Ancient Language, and speaking would be much easier if not being worried of what it is we are saying,"

Aethir seemed slightly aggressive, not in the bad sense of the word, just in the fact he stood very close. He sounded exhilarated, and his breathing appeared to have quickened slightly. Confused, I didn't comment on his behavior, but the intensity of his gaze disgruntled me and made me slightly uneasy. I was used to being a peculiarity among the people of Du Weldenvarden, and yet I thought that Aethir would surprise me. Saddened but not surprised, I allowed him to first give his title before we would continue into a different room besides the Great Hall.

"I am Aëthír Wyrdbreaker, Hounder of Shadows, Keeper of Many Secrets. I know as much as anyone about these hallowed woods." A very professional title, and I already was filled with questions regarding the multitude of names he had accompanied with the name he was born with. Despite my curiosity however, I refused to ask the question. I was scared of how he would respond to my probing questions, and I knew from experience that many elves didn't like their past being brought up. So I said nothing on the subject and instead plastered a fake smile on my face and nodded.

"Well welcome to Ellesmera, Aethir Wyrdbreaker, Hounder of Shadows, Keeper of many Secrets. If you would accompany to the Library? A much better place for speaking of things that shouldn't always be spoken of in the open,". At that I turned, and proceeded to go left at the first hallway. After three years of walking these halls as Dellanir's servant, I had a mental map that was as good as any map of paper, and I needed no assistance in getting to our destination. As we walked in an akward silence, I decided to try and bring something up. Walking in silence would only darken the mood when more important subjects came up.

"So, Aethir. Have you been to Ellesmera before? I know you live in Ila Feon..quite a ways away." I could hear that my voice sounded hesitant and unsure. Having my mind scathingly attacked and crippled hadn't done me any good in the social department.