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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jun 28, 2006 23:28:37 GMT -5
Elestirne had been surprised by Storm's sudden tears. She had mortal friends,and had observed mortals and it had been her observation that mortal men thought it a weakness to cry in public.
And you wondered at his lack of emotion,commented Olore dryly a few feet off. The silver stallion,half-hidden in the shadows,pawed at the ground when she glanced at him,then arubtly lifted his head;nostrils flaring. His ears pricked,swiveled. Do you hear that lady?
She listened,and,after a moment did. It was the sound of crying,and was certainly not Storm. This crying was faint,sounded farther off,and,morever,sounded like someone young. Let us see what it is mellon nin,she said to Olore. It sounds young and may be in trouble-I would help it if I could.
That is like you. The stallion snorted softly,cast a glance to Storm and the ogre. What of these lady? Shall we tell them?
'' No need my friend. They will be fine." Elestirne rose gracefully and vaulted easily onto Olore. In a moment the two were gone;cantering quietly towards the crying through the forest. In a few minutes,they were drawing near the spot. When they were only a few feet away,Elestirne dismounted and approached slowly,soundlessly,not wishing to startle whoever it was.
She only had to walk a few paces ere she saw the source of the crying. What she saw filled her with curiosity and sympathy. A young human child lay curled by a large tree,crying. She had seen mortal children before of course,in Oron's keep and in Loderia,,but had never really interacted or spoken with one. This one looked to be about 11 in thier reckoning of years,quite young,and seemed to be bending over/observing a long sword. He gave no indication of her presence,but she was not surprised. Elves were not heard or seen unless they wished to be and she had moved with deliberate silence. She glanced back to Olore briefly. The silver stallion was hanging back;not wishing to startle the young one.
After a moment,Elestirne decided to speak to the little one,though she was not sure what to say. Quietly,she approached,then stopped when she was about five or six feet away. "Why do you cry little one? Are you hurt? Where is your family?" Her clear,melodic voice was gentle and quiet,but easily heard.
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Post by strays on Jun 29, 2006 0:19:48 GMT -5
Strays at hearing a voice startled that he had not heard the coming of footsteps jumped up with his father's sword at the ready. He then was again startled by the finding of a woman across from him. Strays then replied to the questions slowly, "Miss I... I... I cry for the loss of things that i cannot change." he then answered the second question with a little more confidence. "No i am not hurt but in my heart is a pain no healing can help." he looked at the woman in a deeper detail and what he saw was, if he had been older it would have been more so, was disarming beauty. How can she be so beautiful if only human Strays thought to himself for he saw a woman with a seemingly flawless silver crown, long black hair, and pointy ears.
The ears of the woman had caught Strays attention. He then said with confidence, "Your third question is painful to tell but i shall say this and no more, they died today but i shall not tell of their fate." He looked up again at the woman and said, "I have answered your questions now you should answer mine." Strays paused for a moment thinking of what to ask. When he found something to ask he gave three. He asked, "How did you sneak up on me like that without me hearing footsteps?" He looked up to see if the woman was listening, "Two, How did you find me?" Strays then thought long about the third question so he asked with great curiosity, "And three, why are your ears pointy?" Then he caught sight of her hair which sparkled and he knew immediately that she was not from mortal planes, or not from what he thought. He then looked into those magical grey eyes for understanding.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jun 29, 2006 11:24:59 GMT -5
Elestirne looked at the young child;understanding and sympathy in the elven-queen's clear grey eyes."Many things there are in this world that one cannot change,some which affect us personally and so,there are many who cry in this world for what they have lost or what they cannot change."Her earlier hesitation at talking to such a young mortal faded now,for she saw that the little one was plainly lost and likely afraid. "As for the pain in your heart,all things have thier own time for healing. The wounds of the heart and spirit are much deeper than those of the flesh and so,take longer tomend.What pain you carry I know not but it will heal in it's own time,when it is ready to." She was a little surprised by the sophistication of his speech. He is young,but something must have happened for him to grow up.
She got her answer with his reply to her last question. The poor thing,to lose his parents so young,she thought to herself. Aloud she said. "The loss of one's parents,or those one holds dear is always a grievious thing and one hard to bear,but especially hard when at such a young age. As to your questions,it is indeed only fair that I answer them,so I shall. For your first,I did not sneak uponyou,for those of my kind are naturally silent in our movements and are only heard if we wish to be. In answer to your second,I simply heard crying and followed the sound to you."
It is young lady. Little more than a foal my kind would account it,came Olore's thoughts behind her. Look at his surprise and the way he looks at your ears-I do not think he has seen a elf before,thus likely does not know what you are.
Elestirne nodded slightly. The slender elven-queen had noted the child's reaction to her,and to her ears. Given that,his third question was almost to be expected. Gracefully,she moved forward;knowing that she seemed to glide over the grass rather than walk as she approached. "As for thine third question young one,my ears are pointed because that is the way I and all my kind are,just as you and all your kind have round ears."After a moment,she extended one slender hand to the little one. "You look weary youngling,and hungry. I know where you can rest without fear." Her bright grey eyes flashed from side to side. "It would not be wise to linger in a dark forest at this time of night. But first,what are you called little one?" Elestirne's grey eyes were kind,and sympathetic.
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Post by strays on Jun 29, 2006 21:21:11 GMT -5
Strays replied letting his weariness show more, "I cannot argue with your statement about the danger of staying in this dark forest," he lowered his sword as he continued, "for i do not know this part of the forest." Strays then asked, "I have but one more question to ask of you before i trust you," he glanced at the ears once more, "what do you mean, your kind?" He then looked at the horse which seemingly was looking him over. He asked, "Why does your horse stare at me so?" as he finished he remembered how the woman walked and asked another question, "You seem to glide over the grass... How?" Strays after asking this question said, "My name is Strays. What is yours?" After asking this question looked at the horse trying to see if it was special in any way. But even looking at the horse he could not see anything because of the weariness that was beginning to take hold of him.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jun 29, 2006 22:26:32 GMT -5
"I know not this forest either,being new to this land,but the way I came to this place I know and that knowledge suffices for the present." She turned and walked gracefully towards Olore;pausing after a moment to look back to the young one. "My kind youngling? I am a elf,one of the Elder Kindred. Or,as I suppose many men know us by, one of the 'Fair Folk'." At his second question she glanced quickly back to the silver stallion. "Olore is no normal horse. He is my companion and very intellingent." She raised one slender eyebrow slightly at his third question;seeming slightly amused. "That is how we are. We elves possess grace beyond that of men for we are no mortal beings."
A faint smile touched her lips at his fourth question. "My name young Strays,is the Lady Elestirne Starbrow. More you shall learn of me in time. Suffice to say that I am a queen of my people,who somehow found myself in this land." Noticing the child Strays weariness she added. "That however,can be spoken of later. We should leave this place. Can you ride youngling?''
Olore stamped a hoof and snorted. Must I bear the young man-foal? I am bonded to you. You are the only rider I permit upon my back lady.
He is in need my friend and is too weary to walk the distance back. Morever is young and will not be much of a burded, thought Elestirne in turn. For me?
The proud silver stallion tossed his fine head,mane streaming,then dropped it with a grudging snort. As you wish my lady. If it is not for long,I will endure the man-child. But only for you. Elestirne smiled slightly,then turned to Strays. "Well youngling,can you ride? We shall get there sooner if so and you shall have a hot meal and a good sleep-both of which you look to need."
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Post by Sir Storm Brightblade on Jun 30, 2006 20:50:55 GMT -5
Storm got up from his little nap against the tree, and when he looked over, he only saw the ogre near the camp fire. Gosh, i wonder how long I was out. I wonder where her majesty went to? As Storm turned his head he saw Elestirne and Olore materialize out of the darkness, but something was different, there a was a boy, no older than eleven riding with Elestirne asleep. Storm walked over and took the boy from the saddle. "Where have you been your highness," Storm asked as he put the boy against a tree and covered him with his cloak. "and where did you find this boy?" he also said as he turned to her. He walked back over to Elestirne and took off the boys sword and shield from Olore and placed them next to the boy.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jun 30, 2006 23:41:10 GMT -5
She stepped back to allow Strays to approach Olore. The magnificent stallion snorted and sidled-watching Stays warily-but allowed the boy to approach and come near;shaking his mane out and stamping a forefoot. The regal elven-horse waited until Elestirne came forward. Then he slowly and gracefully knelt;knuckling his forelegs underneath him so that Strays could mount more easily. Elestirne slipped on gracefully after the boy and Olore rose;wheeling around and breaking into a smooth canter with the lightest touch of the reins.
During the ride back to the camp the young boy fell asleep. As she and Olore matierialized out of the shadows back into the light of the fire her keen eyes spotted Storm. She leapt gracefully off Olore as the regal silver stallion came to a halt,snorting softly and shaking out his mane. She watched as Storm eased Strays off the elf-horse and laid the sleeping boy by a tree;covering him with a cloak. Then she answered his questions. "I heard crying and followed it. Not far into the woods I found this little one.I believe he has been through a lot. Sleep is the best thing for him now." She glanced to Strays,then to Storm again. "He said he is called 'Strays'."
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Post by strays on Jul 2, 2006 20:50:39 GMT -5
As Strays started to stir he the first thing he noticed was the sky. It was starting to brighten, but just slightly. The next thing he noticed, and frightened him, was a really big creature at the side of the clearing. He hurriedly looked around the clearing for the "elf" woman but spotted a man. He saw that the man was wearing some type of armor, but Strays wasn't too eager to wake him to find out what it was made out of. After looking at the man for a little while he started looking for the "elf" woman again. At last the boy spotted her, she was near her horse. So he asked, "Why are you up so early lady?" As he finished this question he added to himself, how did i get here the last thing i remember is getting on a horse then this clearing.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 2, 2006 22:33:48 GMT -5
Elestirne turned slightly at the sound of slight stirring on the other side of the clearing. Storm had gone to sleep shortly after laying the young Strays down and slept still,as did the still silent ogre. Olore stood scant feet from her,appearing to doze slightly,though she knew him better than that. She had woken early,before all the others. The first hints of dawn were only now beginning to lighten the night sky;giving it a grey tint. A few stars however,still shone faintly in the lightening sky. Together with the light mist drifting around,everything had a soft grey cast and Olore seemed a silver shadow or ghost.
Across from her,her keen eyes picked out the young mortal boy-Strays he had called himself she remembered-stirring. Not far from her Olore snorted softly and Elestirne realized quickly that her stallion was not asleep in the least. It is early for the young one to be waking,he thought to her;touching his velvet muzzle to her cheek lightly. The slender elven-lady nodded slightly in response to this;agreeing with the silver stallion.
Slowly,she approached Strays;moving easily and answering him quietly as she approached through the light mist. "I and my kind do not have the same need for sleep as those of your kind little one.'Tis early for you to be up. Dawn has not yet crested the horizons of the world."
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Post by strays on Jul 3, 2006 22:02:43 GMT -5
As the lady approached, Strays started to remember the lady's name. "I always wake up at dawn," said Strays, "so i could hunt for my...". Strays at this point began to tremble and burst into silent sobs. He turned away and picked up his bow and ran into forest.
He then got his sobbing under control and decided that he would go and hunt. As he headed back he had killed a deer, costing him three arrows along with it. Strays then went back to the camp. As he turned around he was surprised at what he saw.
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Post by Zaron on Jul 4, 2006 8:51:38 GMT -5
Zaron circled around the battle knowing this to be a scouting party he quickly finds what he is looking for, three orcs fleeing to go tell their main force of the other ones in the woods. Quickly he dispatches the orcs with three hift strokes of his blade. Weighing the choices he sermises that Nitchmar is more than capable of handleing the other visitors and getting them to safety he starts to track the orcs back. After half a night he finds what is looking for. A large orcish force moving towards his beloved Mittelmarch. Not being the best of sneaks but still good enough to fool orcs he makes his way quietly back to the camp.
As dawn approaches Zaron stroles into the camp, orcish blood and dirt from the woods still on his armor as there was no time to clean. He is struck almost dumb by what he sees, an elven maiden, a horse, what appears to be a knight and a small child with Nitchmar at the camp.
Shaking his head Zaron manages to spit out "Well, what have we here, three at once this time?"
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Post by Sir Storm Brightblade on Jul 4, 2006 9:24:46 GMT -5
Storm's eyes flared open all of the sudden, his knightly instincts telling him that something or someone was wrong. He got up and turned his head seeing Elestirne awake already. He then turned his head to where he put the boy, he saw there was no one there. Storm walked over, as quietly as possible, trying not to startle the elf queen. He walked over to her and bent down and whispered in her ear. " There's someone or something about milady, don't you feel it? Like someone is watching us." As he finished he bent back up and pulled out his sword. He walked slowly over to where his instincts were the strongest. As he walks towards the bushes.....
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 4, 2006 15:48:42 GMT -5
Slightly puzzled by his actions Elestirne watched Strays run off into the woods with a bow. A part of her wondered if she should follow the young one,but decided that he could take care of himself and that he needed time alone and would return soon enough. She stood a moment ,looking in the direction the boy had gone,then tensed and turned slightly;grey eyes flashing from side to side,piercing through the mist in search of what had alarmed her. Olore too was fully alert. His head was up and pointed in the direction Elestirne had turned towards,his nostrils flared and ears pricked;every muscle in his body tense. Briefly one silver ear flicked back before returning to it's previous position and Elestirne,also hearing Storm stir and approach behind her,moved not at all as he came up to her and spoke softly.
"I feel it quite acutely good knight,"she answered quietly without looking at him,listening carefully and watching Olore for clues to whatever approached the camp. "Something comes. Be silent and speak quietly. I think not that it is a orc,for they make considerably more noise in thier movements." She put out one slender arm to prevent Storm,who had drawn his sword,from movingpast. "Hold,"she instructed,not unkindly "I sense no malice yet from whatever approaches."
Olore snorted softly to get her attention;ears flicking backwards again for the briefest of seconds. The young man-child comes back. It seems he brought back a deer as well. Elestirne heard the stallion's thoughts and gave the slightest of nods,but turned not to glance behind her;her attention focused on what approached. She hoped young Strays would know to be quiet.
Soon she heard footsteps approaching and watched cautiously-Olore moving instantly to stand by her protectivly-as a man entered the clearing. He seemed as surprised by thier presence-excepting the ogre's-as they by his. Elestirne watched him warily but made no move to any of her weapons,reasoning that if the stranger had wantd to attack them,he would already have attempted to do so. And there had been no hostility inhis voice when he had spoken. She noted also that he had evidently just been in a battle for his armour was stained with dirt and dark blood she reconized to be that orcs. No word she spoke yet,only watched the stranger calmly;waiting to see what would happen.
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Post by strays on Jul 4, 2006 20:38:38 GMT -5
When Strays got back to the campsite he saw Elestirne and Storm were up. But something looked wrong about them, like they were worried. I wonder why they look like that, Strays thought to himself. He sensed the tension from the campsite and decided to be silent, not wanting to be the one to break the akward silence. He also saw that the horse was acting rather strangely almost like Storm and Elestirne. He then heard footsteps and he then tensed more so than he already was.
On the opposite side of the clearing where Storm and Elestirne were staring at he saw someone step into the clearing. As the man spoke he noticed that neither Elestirne nor Storm were moving to attack, though Storm already had his weapon out at the ready. After the man spoke there was another silence that sent a shiver down Strays spine. Strays then moved up to the clearing to see if the man was alone. After Strays was greatly convinced that the man was indeed alone, he moved closer into the clearing near the horse, Storm and Elestirne.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 6, 2006 0:07:36 GMT -5
Without looking behind her,Elestirne sensed that Strays cautiously approached and subtly,with one slender hand,motioned that it was allright to come and join them. At the same time she glanced briefly at Storm in what would almost be called a stern look. No word she spoke to the young knight but the slender elven-queen's look clearly communicated that he should put his sword back. Only then did she focus her gaze to the strange man;matching his gaze levelly,calmly. Her clear grey eyes were bright and piercing as she looked at him;still waiting to see what he would do.
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Post by Sir Storm Brightblade on Jul 6, 2006 8:34:13 GMT -5
Storm feeling Elestirne's stern gaze, put his sword back into his sheathe. With a sigh, he turned around and stood behind the elven queen, next to the boy. He stood there quietly, waiting on for either Elestirne or the new commer to make the next move.
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Post by strays on Jul 8, 2006 22:58:53 GMT -5
As Strays slipped behind Elestirne she somehow knew that he was there. What surprised him more was the fact that Storm was putting his sword away. I wonder why he is doing that, Strays thought, then he saw Elestirne had given him a stern glace or so it seened. As he watched and waited for the man at the opposite edge of the clearing to make a move, his eyes swept over the clearing for his sword. He saw that his sword was still near where he had awakened. He then looked for any way to get to it without being noticed but he knew that the man had already seen him when he had come up to Elestirne and Storm. He decided the best coarse of action would be to stay still and wait for someone to move.
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Post by Zaron on Jul 11, 2006 8:51:40 GMT -5
Seeing the new strangers apprehention Zaron gives a brief smile holding his hands up in a non threatening manor he says in his friendiest voice "Greetings, I am Zaron, Steward of Mittelmarch, welcome to the Land Between the Lands."
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 15, 2006 0:36:06 GMT -5
Elestirne looked at the man warily;still cautious. She was not quite sure what to make of his greeting. He seemed friendly and non-threatening and the fact that he had greeted them and not moved to attack heartened her,as did the fact that he had seemed to reconize the ogre-whose name she still had not learned. What do you think friend?,she asked of Olore.
The elegant silver stallion shifted restlessly;pawing the ground with one slender foreleg. His nostrils flared,taking in the man's scent. He snorted softly. I sense no evil taint about him milady-I believe he can be trusted and his greeting taken to be sincere. Morever he seems to have a Elven look to him-not wholly Elven as thou,but perhaps half-elven. You best speak lady. Did you mark the title he gave himself?
Aye. If he is,as he says,the steward of whatever land or realm we have come tothen it would do us well to accept his greeting-and his hospitality should he offer it. That said,Elestirne now focused on the man and nodded her head regally in aknowledgement of his greeting. "Mae govannen then, Zaron steward of Mittlemarch. I am the Lady Elestirne,called Starbrow by my people;queen of the Elven-realm Taraer. I do not know how I came to be here, nor where here is. This is Olore,my loyal companion." Briefly,the silver stallion ducked his fine head in a polite nod;intelligent eyes alert and bright as he surveyed the man. After a pause Elestirne again spoke;the slender elven-queen gesturing with one hand to indicate Storm and Strays.
"These twain are but recently met. The knight I helped in fighting some orcs-which I earlier had been attacked by,"one slender hand strayed unconsiously to the partly healed wound that burned her side still,"and the young one I found alone in the forest not far from here. I'll let them introduce themselves. Yonder ogre's name I know not but he came upon the knight and I after the orc attack. As you seemed to reconize him good sir perhaps you can say who he is." Having spoken,Elestirne now fell silent and waited patiently for either Storm or Strays to speak,or the stranger.
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Post by strays on Jul 16, 2006 21:32:22 GMT -5
After Lady Elestirne finished talking Strays decided that if she talked to someone they must not be evil. Strays got up from behind Elestirne and Storm (or as best he could) and told the man, "I am Strays and i was indeed found by Lady Elestirne." After Strays had finished his introduction he started to walk back to the deer he had left in the forest. Strays then asked, "Sir. Storm would you help me bring a deer back?" While he was asking he moved a little ways back towards Storm. After he had heard his answer he led the way back to the deer.
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Post by Sir Storm Brightblade on Jul 17, 2006 1:23:39 GMT -5
Storm seeing as how this man wasn't going to attack by his polite approach, stepped up to the Steward and offered his hand in a handshake. " I am Storm Brightblade, a Knight of Solamnia of the Order of the Crown. I am terribably sorry for my reaction early. I was only fearing for the Queen's safety." he said as a smile came upon his face. "Pre tell you know of this ogre in our midst, your grace?" As he said this he followed Strays to go get the deer. As he was walking back he noticed that Elestirne had put her hand over the wound. "Milady," Storm said as he turned to face the queen, " is the wound still bothering you?" As he finished his statement a look of concern came upon his face as he saw the queen in pain
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Post by Sir Nichtmar on Jul 18, 2006 23:28:18 GMT -5
The ogre let's out a loud yawn and stretches pulling a dagger out from under himself. He sheathes the blade as he gets to his feet. He looks around at the elf-woman, knight and Zaron.
“Oh Yeah..”, remembering what happened last night.
“YAAAWWWN, Morning Z…”
Nichtmar hears the word “deer” from some kid.
“Sounds good kid, let me help ya.”
The ogre walks towards the kid.
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Post by Zaron on Jul 20, 2006 12:04:28 GMT -5
Zaron grins at Storm's response as he shakes his hand. "Please we are not so formal here, just Zaron or Z as Nichtmar called me is fine." So saying he gives Nichtmar a wave goodmorning. "And as to why he is here, he is here for the same reason as everyone else, to hopefully one day live peacefully in our small town rather it be by choice or because of being stranded by the mists. Now as to your lands," Zaron ponders a moment, "Solamnia unfortunatly rings no bells, Taraer, however stirs something in my memory, I believe I have heard that name before, nothing substantial, but hopefully it will come to me. For now though, let us eat and then get back to the town before another nightfall, you are all welcomed here for as long as you wish to stay. It is a harsh land, but a beautiful one."
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Post by Sir Storm Brightblade on Jul 22, 2006 1:07:20 GMT -5
"Very well Zaron, just my knighthood tells us to treat strangers with respect but if you would like me to call you that, then so be it." Storm turned away and started helping Strays to prepare the deer for breakfast. Within the hour the deer was being roasted over a hot, fresh fire. After having taken care of the deer, Storm walked over to Elestirne and sat down next to her. "Is that wound still bothering you milady?" Storm asked while watching Zaron teach the young boy Strays some new techinques in way of the sword. He looked over at her with a tender smile on his face.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 26, 2006 16:51:50 GMT -5
Elestirne was slightly surprised by the man's-Zaron he had named himself-vague reconigtion of the name Taraer. The last thing she had expected was for any to have heard of her realm in this strange land that was-by her guess-so far from any lands she knew or was known in. Although,it was possible she supposed, that since the mist had found her en route to Oron's land,this land was not far removed from her friend's. In such case,might they know Oron? She personally was unfamiliar with the land but she thought she remembered Oron speaking of it,of visiting it when he had first met her,two or three years ago. Yes,he had. Thus,it was very possible that this Zaron,as steward of this land,knew of Oron. Three years was not so long a time for mortals and barely any at all for those of her race. Rousing herself from her thoughts she waited until Zaron had finished,then spoke.
"All things have thier own beauty according to the nature of thier being good steward,and it is considered courtesy and good manners to call one by the title one posesses or gave themself." She paused a moment, then continued;her melodic voice thoughtful. "I personally am unfamiliar with your land but the name rings familiar to me. It was mentioned to me a few years ago by a friend,Lord Oron of Pentwyvern. Might you be familiar with the name? As for your proffered hospiltality I shall be glad to accept it for a time,until I can find my way back to my own lands."
Her gaze slid to Storm;grey eyes softening slightly as she saw his concern,and she moved her hand slightly away from her wound. "Nay Storm. I am well enough. It will heal in its own time." She nodded politly to the ogre after learning his name. "And it is good to meet you Nichtmar."
OOC: I apoligize for amy abscence friends,but my computer is not letting me on Internet or e-mail. I am trying to get it fixed,but it may be some time. Until it is fixed I may only be on once a week. If you want to contact me about posts,my number is 1815-498-3412 and my mundane name is Stephanie
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