A trip to Kelethin in Beyond the Sanctum Forum

RSS
Email

0 Points

A trip to Kelethin

Author	Comment
Shalkai	A trip to Kelethin	Lead	[-]
Posts: 2060 (02/04/11 3:08 PM) Chancellor The Courageous Lord Sigil of the Hearth Order of the Wayfarers Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None Once outside, Shalkai sets off to the northwest, heading for the main road through the Karanas. Neither of his companions has asked about the details of their travel plans, but Hearth thinks it wise to tell them anyway. He knows that Elenai at least will be curious, even though she hasn't asked out loud. "We'll be heading west across the Karanas, to Qeynos, then go through New Tanaan to get to Kelethin. I like going through Highpass usually, but in winter there's just too much danger of storms and avalanches in the mountains. On the plains we'll be able to find shelter from any storms, and I'm hoping you two can introduce me to that family you stayed with this summer. It would be nice to meet them." "Oh, and if we don't have any delays on our journey, I'd like to stop at the Bazaar. I thought of a few more things I want to bring to the orphanage. Perhaps you two can shop for some books or clothes while we're there? My treat?" Shalkai grins at the quiet smiles of pleasure from both of his companions, then sets off into the plains, leading the way across the Karanas.
Talitha		#1	[-]
Posts: 184 (02/04/11 8:42 PM) Sigil of the Echo Order of the Wayfarers Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The trio journey across the plains. How different it is from the days of the Rana, when the two had gone together in silence or in quiet recitation! Talitha walks quietly abreast of her husband, listening. Elenai has grown fully comfortable with both of them. She has come to understand that although there are times in which she must be silent, she is welcome to speak and to question. Though her ollamh is often silent. Elenai knows that it is only her way, and that she is not displeased. On the contrary, Talitha walks with a hint of a smile about her lips even when the talk has drifted into quiet. It does not happen so often. For much of the time, the Lord Windchaser banters with Elenai and even Talitha, and giggles and laughter ring out, small against the panorama of the great plains of the Rainkeeper. The travel of the bards is tireless, though they keep their pace slow for Elenai's shorter stride. They camp the first night and enjoy Elvish songs and stories late into the evening. Elenai recites at Talitha's prompting, to show her learning before the Lord Windchaser, who smiles in delight and praises her progress to Talitha's quiet pride. When Elenai is put to bed with a whispered blessing and soft touch from her ollamh, Talitha returns to her seat by the campfire until the Lord Windchaser gently chides her for her reticence, and she smiles. They speak in whispers for a time and then rest together until the dawn. The next day their pace is kept brisk throughout the day, and so at sunset they reach the tiny village at which Talitha and Elenai had resided during the final phase of the Rana. Talitha knocks upon the door, well knowing that it is nigh time for the evening meal. The joy with which she is greeted makes her hazel eyes widen in surprise and draws a chuckle from her lord who stands back with Elenai. As the woman of the house stands in the doorway drying her hands, Talitha says, "Please forgive the intrusion. We have traveled this day and would request shel--" but she is unable to finish speaking before a cry of "Elenai!" breaks the low household noise and the children rush out past their mother and Talitha to surround Elenai with excited chatter. She is swept into the house without a moment's thought. Talitha is chagrined and begins to form an apology to the mother and to call Elenai back to her side, but the woman laughs and moves out of the doorway to beckon her in. Talitha looks over her shoulder and the woman sees the man standing behind her. For a moment, there is tension and she looks back into the house as her husband rises from his place at the table, but Talitha quickly says, "My Lord Windchaser," by way of introduction and stands where she is as the Lord Windchaser offers his greetings. His amiable, soothing personality and innate dignity set the country folk at ease, though first the woman twitters about not having the correct fare for one of such rank. The Lord Windchaser then offers the fowl that they had caught and killed outside the village, to add to the supper pot, and the fine gift leaves all well. The two elves enter the house amid smiles and greetings to be followed by surprised congratulations, blushingly received, when it is revealed that the Lord Windchaser and Talitha are but recently wed. Upon discovering that they have not one, nor two, but three bards in the household this evening, the family shyly requests a song, though they are obviously uncertain of the propriety of doing so despite their time spent with Talitha and Elenai in the late summer. The bards, however, happily comply. The music that soars through the house is unlike aught the family has heard, and they listen, spellbound, as the Windchasers and their tamhan sing of the faraway Faydark, night winds and spring fields, and the sylvan world of bygone days. When it is time to sleep once more, the makeshift bed by the warmth of the hearth is welcome. They travel on the next day to the hills that lead to the city of Qeynos.
Shalkai		#2	[-]
Posts: 2062 (02/08/11 2:47 PM) Chancellor The Courageous Lord Sigil of the Hearth Order of the Wayfarers Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The rest of the trip to Qeynos is uneventful, except for the cold biting wind which whistles all day long across the plains and through the hills around the city. All three travelers breathe a sigh of relief once they are inside the protective city walls. The three bards make their way through the bustle of the afternoon crowds to the bard guild hall, where Shalkai drops off some mail, and Elenai is, once again, discreetly not introduced. Their visit to the Qeynos League hall is brief, though. As they depart, Hearth and Echo exchange small smiles as their keen ears catch explanations of the old customs that senior bards are whispering to the younger bards and journeymen inside. Shalkai leads the way back outside, past the "Monk Pond" and out the main gate. A few more steps and they are at the Myrist Portal Stone. A quick invocation of the enchantments whisk them all to New Tanaan, where the three shed their jackets in the suddenly warmer air. "We've made excellent time, miladies, so let's make a quick stop by the Bazaar. There are three or four things I'd like to get for the orphanage if I can find them. While I do that, why don't you two have some fun shopping? See if anything catches your eye that you'd like, or as presents for family or friends. Here's some spending money for you, Elenai.....and here' some fun money for you too, Lady Windchaser." Shalkai hands them each a small coin purse. Talitha merely tucks hers away, but Lettie's curiosity gets the better of her and she peeks inside her own pouch, then her little eyes widen at the sight of some gold coins glinting in between the many silvers inside. She looks up in wordless surprise to Hearth, who kindly smiles back. "That's right, Elenai, it's all for you. Spend it or save it as you desire...but you might wanna save at least a couple of silvers to buy some pixie sticks in Kelethin!" Hearth chuckles in response to Elenai's girlish giggle, then leads the way into the bustling Bazaar. "All right, ladies....let's meet back here at the banker's stall in an hour, please. Elenai, remember to stay close to your Fili, okay? All right then...see you later!" Last Edited By: Shalkai 02/08/11 2:51 PM. Edited 1 times.
Talitha		#3	[-]
Posts: 185 (02/08/11 4:30 PM) Sigil of the Echo Order of the Wayfarers Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Talitha and Elenai browse among the stalls and booths of the bazaar, Elenai wide-eyed and curious, though she keeps her hands to herself as she is taught. Some of the more aggressive merchants attempt to call the little girl over, but they are quelled with a staid look from Talitha, who only then speaks a quiet word to her tamhan and they turn away. Talitha guides Elenai away from some of the more macabre vendors, for anything and everything is available in New Tanaan's bazaar, all sorts of arcane artifacts and even various body parts and fluids in vials. Talitha carefully keeps her distaste for some of the objects hidden and walks Elenai over to the booksellers and more innocuous merchants. It is instantly obvious that Elenai could spend hours at the book stall. She draws a suspicious look from the booth attendant, but Talitha stands straight and quiet behind Elenai, not meeting the eyes of the merchant but instead watching Elenai's selections with her full attention. The merchant shuffles back to the cashbox, sullenly mollified. Elenai, however, is engrossed in the book in her hands. It is a story book with many painted pictures of fairies and other sylvan creatures. Delight glows from her green eyes as they drink in the images and the fanciful words. She turns her joyful face up to Talitha and whispers, "En ie'sina, ollamh!" Look at this, teacher! Talitha smiles, both at her choice and at the fluency. Elenai speaks as readily in Elder Elvish now as she does in the modern tongue and in the common parlance of Norrath. "Tel parma vanima," Talitha assures her. The book truly is beautiful. Her eyes finally turn to the merchant and she beckons him with a lift of her chin. "How much is this?" He names a price, high, but reasonable. Talitha lowers her gaze once more, looking long at the book. Elenai's hopeful expression fades as she looks up at Talitha, but not in dejection. She sees on her ollamh's face the look of patient thought that means that Talitha will not be hurried and that her decision is by no means made. The price that the man had quoted was more than Elenai had in her little bag, but had that been a firm number, her teacher would simply have walked away. Elenai waits, imitating Talitha's thoughtful expression. After some time of standing in silence, Talitha lowers herself to crouch beside Elenai, speaking softly to her in the common tongue, seemingly paying no heed to the merchant nearby. She asks, "Elenai, what need have you of this book? You have many storybooks at home, and this one is too young for you." Elenai looks back at her ollamh with a gaze of open sky and replies, "You are right, but I do not want it for myself, ollamh. I want to buy it for Tadhg, for when we get him from the orphanage. He will be able to read it someday, and I wish him to have this from me." Talitha smiles softly to her and touches her little-girl cheek with delicate fingers. Her eyes blur as joy and pride fill them, and she whispers, "Meld'aiwe, it is a lovely thought, but..." At this, the merchant interrupts, "Excuse me. I couldn't help but overhear...this is a book for an orphan child?" Talitha looks up at the merchant and explains, "He is not an orphan, but has had to stay there for some time. My husband," Ah, the glory of those words! "and I will be fostering him for a time, until such time as his birth mother is able to care for him once more." "And this little girl...?" "She is staying with us also as her home has been damaged in the Karana earthquakes." The merchant raises both his eyebrows and looks at Elenai again. When he speaks again, he addresses her. "So this little boy's going to be like your little brother, at least for a little while?" Elenai's eyes light with sudden excitement. She had not thought of Tadhg in quite such a way, but the man seemed to be very right! "Yes, sir. He will. And I had hoped to have a present for him when we went to pick him up," she says, looking down at the book again. The merchant looks at the book as well and then he looks back at Elenai again and makes a decision. "Do you know how trading works, little girl? I tell you a price, and then you tell me a different one that you like better, and then we talk back and forth until we come to an agreement." Elenai looks up at Talitha who is smiling softly as she says, "He speaks true, Elenai. If you desire this book, you will have to bargain for it, for you cannot afford it at the price it stands." Elenai turns back to the man before her. She is wide-eyed and nervous, but she nods and hesitantly suggests a lower price. A twinkle in his eye, the merchant throws up his hands dramatically, bewailing the offered price and furiously insisting on one higher than Elenai's and slightly lower than his original asking price. Elenai stares, shocked at first, and then giggles when the man offers her a wink in the midst of his act. The little girl grins and then joins the scene, mirroring his acting and returning a price in the middle. At last, she and the merchant agree on a suitable price that does take all her gold but leaves her several silver pieces. She counts out the money for the merchant, who smiles and wraps up her book in paper and string and presents it to her, saying, "Well bargained, miss!" Talitha bows to the merchant and takes Elenai along with her to return to the Lord Windchaser at the central banks. He is waiting there for them as they arrive, and Elenai carefully unwraps her book to show him, as Talitha comments softly, "She purchased it of her own money and with her own skill at trade. She did well, for it is a fine book." She raises her eyes to meet his and smiles softly. "It is for Tadhg."
Shalkai		#4	[-]
Posts: 2063 (02/08/11 6:22 PM) Chancellor The Courageous Lord Sigil of the Hearth Order of the Wayfarers Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"It is?...." Shalkai bends over and takes a closer look at the book in Elenai's hands, flipping through a few pages. "You're right, tamhan...that is a very nice book for a little boy. You'll have to help him with it right now - hold it for him - but I bet he'll just love those illustrations. I know! When we get to the orphanage, you can inscribe the book for him. Write inside the cover, and tell him who this book is for, and who it is from. It will be years until he can read the words himself.....but those words will turn this book into an heirloom treasure for Tadhg and his family. His ~very ~ first ~ book." Hearth carefully rewraps the book as he speaks. A grin spreads across Shalkai's face as Elenai's eyes widen at the deeper meanings and long-term consequences of her gift. "You can muse on what words to write for him while we finish our journey, Elenai. So, with that said....are we ready to resume said journey?" Shalkai's eyes turn to Talitha, who responds with a small smile and a satified nod while Elenai stands mutely and patiently beside her. "Off we go, then!" The three elves make their way back out of the bazaar, and across the grounds of Myrist to the green swards of the northern lawns, kissed with the mist from the scattered fountains. A touch on the rune-carved stone, and they are standing on the Faydark forest floor, within sight of the south lift to Kelethin. A quick glance assures Shalkai that no annoying orclings or wasps are nearby, and they tread softly over the leaves and needles to the lift. The guards smile and give small bows of greeting to the two bards, who exchange quiet greetings with the grizzled veterans who guard the elven city. Shalkai leads the way as they work their way westwards across the bridges and platforms of Kelethin. When they get within sight of one of the bigger platforms in southern Kelethin, Shalkai stops and places one hand on Elenai's shoulder. His other hand points ahead and upwards, to a building built around the massive bole of the tree ahead, many yards above the already high platform they are approaching. "That's the orphanage, Elenai...the building up high, there. We just go up that spiral staircase, and the "front" door is actually down there at the bottom. Did you ever visit here with your mother? I don't remember if you have or not..."
Elenai		#5	[-]
Posts: 50 (02/09/11 5:43 PM) (Starlet "Lettie" Antares) Talitha's Tamhan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"No, sir, we haven't," Elenai says as she looks up and up and up at the great edifice. "It's huge! Are there really that many orphans in Kelethin?" Her little voice soars and lowers at once with amazement turned to sorrow. There must be so many among the motherless and fatherless. It prompts her to reach for the hands of her guardians, taking one in each. The small, strong, smooth hand of her ollamh, the larger, stronger and yet even gentler hand of the Chancellor. She feels a little smile visit her lips with a twinge of sadness but she insists that the sadness depart. And so it does. This is not a time to be sad, even if it is an orphanage. "Will I be allowed to play with the other children?" she asks hopefully. She would so much like to play with them. She has not seen her cousins since the party before the earthquakes, and the brief visit to the family in the Karanas only sharpened that emptiness. Elenai hopes that once she has seen Tadhg, she will be allowed to play with the others. Perhaps she can show them a new game. Perhaps that halfling game she learned in Rivervale. She thinks on it as the three approach the great doors.
Shalkai		#6	[-]
Posts: 2070 (02/10/11 7:06 PM) Chancellor The Courageous Lord Sigil of the Hearth Order of the Wayfarers Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"Aye, Elenai....there are that many orphans, and more." Shalkai gives the girl's hand a reassuring squeeze and smile, as he conceals his surprise at the level of concern and empathy such a young girl is feeling. "However, one of the reasons this orphanage is so big is so it can be a big, happy home for all the children who need it, without them being crowded. If the Redwood ever gets full....well, I'll just have them build it even bigger!" Shalkai shares a laugh with Elenai at his "solution" and holds her hand as they approach the stairs upwards. "Oh, and yes, you'll be able to play with the other children, but you'll have to go to class when they do, too. Class only part of the day, though, and there'll be lots of time for you to play. As a matter of fact, you and Lady Windchaser will be sleeping on the same floor as the rest of the girls, so you'll see them ALL the time. Hmm. If you're well-behaved, and your ollamh allows, we might even be able to have you sleep in one of the girls' rooms for a night or two. We'll see about that." Shalkai unlocks the door leading upwards, and continues up into the building. He pauses at the first open door and grins inside at the occupant, "Hi, Sarotar! The Windchaser and Antares Traveling Music Company has arrived!" Sarotar shares a chuckle with his uncle, while Talitha hides her distaste at the silly joke behind her normal reserve. Sarotar greets them all with a hearty "Welcome to the orphanage! Its a pleasure to see you again, Lady Windchaser, and we're very glad you can guest with us for a few day, Miss Antares." The leather-clad elf gives each of them a respectful bow as he greets them. "Here's the keyset for your wife, Shalkai. I think we got everything ready, just like you asked. The girls are looking forward to some company, and we've got a fine venison that we'll be roasting for dinner tomorrow so we can have something like a feast in your honor." Shalkai raises an eyebrow at that, "uhm, I don't..." but Sarotar cuts him off. "No, no...Kal and the others insisted. This is the first trip here for you two, as husband and wife, so just consider this a token of honor and respect for all that you have done....both of you." Hearth silently considers for a moment, then decides that this is a battle he can't win without hurting the feelings of quite a few people, so he decides to submit graciously. "All right, Saro...all right. A small midwinter feast I can live with. But nothing big, OK?" Sarotar replies with a silent nod, but the twinkle in his nephew's eye leaves Shalkai slightly uneasy nonetheless. Sarotar continues on smoothly, "Ladies, please wash up here in my washroom if you'd like. Then we'll move your packs upstairs and get everyone settled, and then it should be almost dinnertime. Just a regular dinner tonight...our little party will be tomorrow evening. I'm sure you're all tired, even though you took the quickest routes here." Shalkai responds with a thankful smile, "Thanks, Saro. That sounds great. Let's see....I'll just leave these two packs of mine here. You and I can sort them out later, once we get our personal belongings put away."
Talitha		#7	[-]
Posts: 186 (02/12/11 6:21 PM) Sigil of the Echo Order of the Wayfarers Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	“Come, Elenai,” Talitha says, touching her tamhan's shoulder and guiding her toward the room to which Sarotar directs them, leaving the Lord Windchaser to speak with him alone. Talitha meticulously washes her face and combs her hair, ever so carefully setting each bit of her appearance in perfect order. Elenai knows that she should be careful but instead hurries a bit, as she is eager to meet the other children. When the two are finished preparing, they return to the room with the men. Talitha bows to the Lord Windchaser and says, “We are refreshed,” and she turns to Sarotar and adds, “Thank you for your kindness in allowing us the time.” They all pick up their bags and go to their respective rooms, Talitha first overseeing Elenai putting away her things before she sees to her own. Not much time passes before they are once again ready to meet with the Lord Windchaser and Sarotar, but Talitha waits in their room, speaking softly with Elenai until the men arrive to pick them up. Elenai explores the room eagerly, but soon her attention goes to the book she has purchased, and she opens the front cover and begs a pen from her ollamh. There is an inkpot already in the room, on a modest desk, and Elenai proceeds to write slowly and very neatly inside the front cover of the book. When she has finished, she shows her ollamh, who praises her fine writing and helps her find a small weight to rest upon the open cover so that the ink will dry while they are at dinner. Soon there is a knock at the door and Talitha goes to open it.
Talitha		#8	[-]
Posts: 188 (03/24/11 10:39 PM) Sigil of the Echo Order of the Wayfarers Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Days passed in the Redwood Orphanage in a whirl of color and sound. The very day that they had arrived, Talitha and the Lord Windchaser had been ushered up to the infants and toddlers to see Tadhg. Talitha had gasped in sorrow and delight at how much he had grown even in the weeks that he had been out of their care. But his eager squeal when he saw them made her smile with equal joy. She and the Lord Windchaser each crouched low to the floor, beaming brightly as the small boy lunged toward them. He was walking almost on his own, how could that be so? But not so steadily yet. Tadhg had a room to cross to reach them, but cross it he did, tumbling to the ground once, twice, but pushing himself up again with determination. At last, he reached the couple who had not moved during his long journey. Immediately he found himself aloft in first Talitha's arms and then the arms of the Lord Windchaser. Talitha's eyes showed the fullness of her heart, as though it would burst from the sheer overjoy of holding the babe, the boy, growing so quickly. A noise behind them caused the Lord Windchaser to turn and see Elenai standing there. He had caught the hazel eyes of his wife and reached out with a hand to draw Elenai forward to join them. She had seemed shy for but a moment, as her ollamh looked to her with eyes shining with joyful tears, and then the little girl rushed to put her arms around Talitha's waist. She came nearly to her ollamh's shoulder now... Talitha looked to her young tamhan and smiled warmth to her as she placed an arm around the girl and then looked up to her lord who held the boy. After a moment of standing with them, Elenai asked if she could show Tadhg his present. The four moved to one of the rocking chairs in the room, where Elenai sat and took Tadhg upon her lap. Talitha gave her the book and reminded her that she must be careful with it, for Tadhg did not know to be careful. Elenai nodded and began to show him the pictures and read the words to him. Talitha and the Lord Windchaser looked on with soft smiles as he rested his arm around her. Talitha let herself be drawn to his side and rested her head for a brief moment upon his shoulder, as they watched the children. That evening, Talitha could not eat, softly excusing her poor appetite by the long travel, but in truth her mind would simply not quiet for her to enjoy her meal. She was glad to sit near silent and let the friendliness of her lord, as the rolling hills, carry their part of the conversation. As the days passed, she found that she enjoyed the time greatly as she had before, but now she longs for their home in a way that truly surprised her. They had stayed for days longer than they had first intended, for the orphanage had need of the Lord Windchaser's presence, and in truth Talitha had not minded the time spent. They had celebrated Tadhg's first birthday on the second day of their arrival, and Elenai had had at least as much fun as Tadhg at the party. She had played and worked with the other children as she had at the farmstead, teaching and learning with equal enjoyment. Talitha had helped to care for the children, and she had hardly seen her lord, it seemed, for all the work that he was busy with, both in and out of the orphanage. But now the repairs have been made, and the newcomers settled, and the day has come for their departure. Talitha sets Elenai to collecting the last of her things, as their bags are mostly packed already, and she walks up the flights of stairs to the nursery. When she opens the door to the nursery, Deslana looks up with a soft smile at Talitha's bow of deference. She asks if it is time for them to go, and when Talitha nods Deslana rises from her chair and lays the babe she holds back into the crib. Talitha stands still by the door as Deslana goes to get Tadhg from the toddlers' room next door and returns holding his hand firmly as he insists upon coming in upon his own unsteady feet. Talitha cannot hold back a dawning smile which is reflected in Deslana's eyes. Tiring, the boy reaches up to Talitha, eyes peeping through thickening childish curls. Talitha takes him up as she whispers to him in Elvish, and he giggles at the tickle of her words. She smiles with her whole heart to Deslana and says, "Thank you, Mistress Deslana. I cannot thank you enough for your kind and gentle care." Deslana smiles but denies doing any more for Tadhg than she would do for any child, and Talitha fully believes her. Yet this is not any child. This is Tadhg. A smile over her shoulder as she takes his bag in her other arm that is not supporting him, and she walks back down to the room to rejoin Elenai and await her Lord Windchaser. In due time, they are on the way back to the Sanctum once more. The earliest hints of spring touch the land as life returns to Norrath.