Its strange the companions you meet along the way. Those who could've been an enemy, are instead ally, simply by right of action alone. Had things gone differently, perhaps the young half-elf by the name of Arilyn would not be travelling with us, but instead she is. Were Islan to have any say over it, she would be thrown to the lions for being a half-breed. Instead though we travel together out of mutual protection as it seems she has also gotten on the bad side of the woman known as Veridean.
When we came upon Celembril we were greeted by news of a tournament, one which the Temple Of Whispering Air holds annually. This year however was to be special as it was also in celebration of the return of Thanandir. Now had we come across this several days earlier, I would have said that we must press on, that we have more important matters than this to attend to. However, with the recent turn of events, I was overjoyed with the possibility of being able to test the limits of my newfound sight.
Islan as well seemed anxious to enter the tourney as well, as this the home of the Bladesinger academy which he attends. He seemed in fact particularly ready to not only test out his new sword, but to try it out on one of his fellow students, Airond, whom he seems to have some sort of rivalry with. Dolartu seemed eager as well to join the tourney, though I'm not quite sure how a wizard can stand up against accomplished fighters, as they always seem to be more for support.
The tournament however was not the most important part of our visit. Though it was a significant portion. It is what happened during the tournament that was most important. On our way into town we met the young Arilyn, who was looking to have a good time, but couldn't help but get into it with Islan. It seems she has no taste for "fops" such as him, and he quite obviously is bigoted toward anyone but pure elves. Strangely enough the first round of the tournament found Arilyn and Islan pitted against each other.
Now being able to sense the innate resonance of life itself has some advantages; the most notable is the fact that the crystal shard itself shows up as a bright beacon. It was largely due to this that I was able to spot the fact that Arilyn purposefully took a dive to try and snatch the shard, which Islan dangled so recklessly around his neck. Were it not for the fact that the crystal seems to drown out everything around it, I may have never noticed this, and we may have lost the crystal. Fortunately however, with Arilyn beaten, we were able to recover it quite easily, and without much conflict.
Two days later and after the third round of the tournament, in which I was forced to face off with Islan, a battle which I narrowly won, it was decided that we should go speak with Arilyn and see why she sought the crystal shard. The question at the time was whether or not she was a Common thief, or was being directed to do so. I doubted the first to be true however, as she took a dive a bit too early as at a glance the shard doesn't seem as valuable as the prize for winning the tournament.
It was at her camp that we found her, slightly beaten and badly shaken. We asked her for explanations, but she offered none. She only seemed to shy away, her eyes darting to the spot where Islan had once kept the crystal, luckily she would have no idea it was more likely placed in his boot now. After a few minutes she tried to make a run for it, attacking Islan on the way. She didn't seem like a threat, so much as a trapped animal, looking for a way out. It was then that we realized why. it was then that Veridean appeared.
She had come back for the tear. She had come back to claim it her own. I couldn't fight against her; she was too fast for me, though this time I didn't run. There was no way I would let her take vengeance out on the woman Arilyn. Nor would I let her have the crystal. Though I couldn't best her, Islan seemed to have no trouble with it at all. It seems his sword is attuned to hurt ones such as her. Amazing what magic can do.
In the end Veridean ran, partially due to Islan, and partially because the old elf, Thanthaelor showed up, which seemed to terrify her. Either way, for the moment we were safe.
The next day the tournament continued. I was to face Airond, Islan's schoolmate. Normally I wouldn't have found him challenging in the least. His technique was extremely lacking and he seemed to fall into my blows. What gave him the edge however was his sword. It seems he had procured a blade that some how healed him through striking me. I believe I heard a cleric mention it to be a vampiric blade. I was forced to use a new tactic against him. The others I had fought I could stand up to them, but to defeat Airond I had to be smarter. So I ran.
Not far of course, but just far enough that to get to me he had to throw himself off balance, just enough to give me the edge, so that I might retreat again and play again. Though I wouldn't have thought this to be an effective strategy against most, I was fortunate that he was full enough of himself that he didn't see what I was doing until it was too late. Either way, I defeated him and exposed his sword to the clerics of the tournament, branding him as a cheater.
The important part of this isn't that I won however, the important part is that I gave the prize to Arilyn. I hope that this will give her some trust in people again. I also hope that whatever it is, that she can use it to protect herself from foes such as Veridean.
We have offered for her to travel with us. That way we may protect each other. Strength in numbers I believe the saying goes. Perhaps when she returns from receiving her reward she will be more at peace once more. |
