Page 7 of 8 Though as Bronwyn did fade from sight the landscape did now
shift and reform so that now she was looking upon a wide and grassy
meadow bordering a forest that could rival the forest of Avelorn. Tall
and mossy stones did stand upon that meadow as if they were ward stones
set to mark a boundary and Ae'thenal was now certain she did look upon
the Old World forest of Athel Loren.
"Ah, now another does arrive my Child." The lightest of touches
upon her shoulder did give her the direction to where she should now
shift her gaze and now Ae'thenal did see a fair maiden riding a white
horse at an easy canter towards the mossy ward stones. The maid did
wear a green gown and her hair the colour of wheat did flow out from
beneath a wimple that was as green as her gown. Girded at her slim
waist was a sheathed longsword and in her right hand she did carry a
mage's staff of power. Though for all that the maid did carry both a
longsword and a mage's staff, and that she did seem to be content
enough to ride alone in this landscape without a sign of fear,
Ae'thenal did think it strange that she should be here on the borders
of Athel Loren.
"Her name is Jean-Marie d' Quenelles my Child, and she is well
skilled in the magic arts," Isha did now tell her. "Do not allow her
youthful appearance to deceive you for she does own a scorceress's
craft in full measure and is a welcome friend to the Elf-kindreds of
Athel Loren."
"Another Elf-friend that Si'anelle and I shall meet at a future
time?" Ae'thenal did ask and again soft sweet laughter did surround her
as if Isha did know of yet more secrets that were her's alone. Which
did give Ae'thenal cause to wonder if even before Si'anelle and herself
had set foot upon their ill fated quest they had already been well
warded and provided for. Now the maid was dismounting from her horse
and engaged in unpacking a flask of wine from her saddle bags. This she
did place with care in the shadow of one of the great ward stones
before she did lead her horse across the boundary and towards the trees
of Athel Loren. In the moment before she did pass beneath the trees
however, she did now turn and stand, her eyes as blue as cornflowers
seeking her out across the meadow to where she was at the ship's rail.
Of a sudden the maid did raise her hand in salute, her smile quick and
warm, and then she was leading her horse beneath the tree's shadow and
in a moment was gone from her sight.
With her own hand still raised in answer Ae'thenal did feel a
rising sense of relief within her. They would not be alone and without
friends in the strange lands of the Old World. For neither herself or
Si'anelle had met with humankind before this day, and neither of them
had given a thought before this to the strangeness of the races of
humankind that they would all too soon find themselves amongst once
this voyage was at an end. And if these two women were to be their
companions, there could not be a greater contrast in their manner.
Where Bronwyn did seem to view all with mirth and a lightness of spirit
for all that her armour and shield did bear the marks of hard fought
combat against capable foes; - Jean-Marie did seem to own a seriousness
quality of manner as if her every act was well considered and not
undertaken lightly.
"Others you shall also meet my Child," Isha did say to her
then, her sweet soft voice all around her as if it was of the air
itself. "But these two shall be your principal companions, and they
shall go with you in all that you do in the lands of the Old World."
Quietly then Ae'thenal did say, "I have been so afraid, not for
myself but for Si'anelle."
"Ah Child," Isha did say, "the Banepearl is a wicked thing. Made by
Chaos long ago to be an agent of destruction in these times; - and that
it was made to seem fair and only able to be claimed by a one of good
intent does doubly make it wicked. However its purpose is now thwarted,
and for as long as it does remain ungiven it must give reluctant
service to the one who does hold it. Until the World's ending you shall
ever receive the aid you require at my hand my Child. And ever shall
individuals of good heart join to your cause and give of their strength
to fight against those servants of Chaos who will seek to reclaim the
Banepearl from you. So even though you and your Si'anelle shall taste
of despair and shall at times think yourselves abandoned, - in truth
you shall not be abandoned and shall ever be beneath my hand."
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