Zalanthe Moonglow, the Moon Maiden

[CloudDancing]

It is always good to see others responses to in game events and other players confusing behaviors. I like how much time Swift spent on making these anecdotes well written and meaningful.

[Swift]

Note: Proof that even adhoc, unplanned events can get away from DM and player alike

Murder in the Moonlight


“Ya wanna’ see the tatto I gots in Waterdeep?” The pirate leered lecherously at the armoured elf, grasping at his crotch and moving to push his pants down, despite standing in the middle of the docks.

The elf laughed. “I bet that hurt, you got me curious though, how about you and I step out of sight of the Fist and you give me a look, hmm?”

“Oi missy...we be in port for a few days...if ye like, once we git this b'ness ova i'll com’n give ye the full view ey, ey?” the pirate grinned at her, the idea clearly to his liking.

“You are in the middle of business? Well, maybe we can help you with that” she smiled, motioning to her wall of a companion, “the sooner that is sorted, the sooner I get my look, mmm?” she grinned and winked.

“Nay, captn'll flay me right badly, feed me to ‘is mean bitch of a first mate if’n I tell ya.”

The elf stepped closer, ignoring her companions growing discomfort. “Who’s going to tell him, hmm? Not me, I won’t get me peek” she winked, motioning to her companion “and he can barely talk as it is.”

“Alright missy, ye’ talked me inta it.” The elf grinned faintly, glancing to her companion with a slight nod. “We’s lookin’ fer a girlie who capt’n has a bad need fer. Red hair, tall and jugs as big as yers” another grin, this time from the elf.

“We have seen her. How about we negotiate with your captain over the price he is willing to pay? ”

“Ye'll ‘ave t' talk ta’ ‘is firs mate...Delia, mean bitch fer sure. Follow me.”

The pirate turned and strolled casually toward the Blushing Mermaid. Before she could take a step, the elfs companion grabbed her arm to stop her, whispering harshly. “You cannot be serious?”

Zalanthe kept her face neutral, pulling her companion closer, whispering softly. “The woman wants the captain dead. These men are scum. If we can finish her problems for her, mores the better. I have no intention of giving her up to them. Just stay close and do not give us away.” With that, she swiftly passed the strong man and made her way towards the tavern

Shatters Shields sighed and grumbled as he turned to follow. “Just keep a distance from the bartender.”

--------------------

Zalanthe looked around the tavern with disgust. The Blushing Mermaid was living up to its reputation, had she known it. Terrible lighting, a ceiling that looked close to collapse and two brawls, along with much yelling, laughing and sailor songs greeted her as she stepped through the door. The clank of her greaves could barely be heard even by her ears. She was glad to have Shatters with her.

“What a hole” she muttered, brushing aside a drunken sailor who had fallen against her, listening with some satisfaction to his body crashing onto the stained floorboards. From a darkened corner, she saw a woman dash towards her escort, rapier drawn.

“Who’s this?” the woman nearly screamed, pressing the rapier to the pirates’ neck. “What have you brought me you worm ridden scum?”

Shatters hands instinctively moved to his halberd while Zalanthe resisted reaching for her sword.

“Oi...ma’am...I jest...they knows...” the pirate sputtered and stammered, trying to pull away from the blade on his neck.

“Well spit it out ye barnacle sucking maggot fore I slit yer throat!”

“’They knows whar be the gel...capt'ns lookin’ for!”

The woman glanced over to Zalanthe and Shatters. With a flourish, she grabbed the man’s hair and spun him away, slicing him across the cheek with her rapier, eliciting a yelp. As she strode over to the elven woman, the man mumbled to Zalanthe as he hurried out. “Tol’ ya’ she was a royal bitch.”

The woman appraised Zalanthe for a moment, a sneer crossing her lips “Suppose that scum told ye’ there was a reward or somethin’?”

“You must be Delia. Yes” Zalanthe nodded, “We had asked to negotiate with your captain, but instead we find...”

Delia growled. “Nobody sees ma’ capt’n but me, and I don’t negotiate. Now, ye’ will tell me where the girl is or I will ‘ave that pretty head an’ lovely chest of yers as the new figure on the bow of my ship”. She waved her rapier in the elfs face for emphasis.

Zalanthe laughed softly and stared evenly back at a now sneering Delia. “If that sword even moves, your head will be separated from your body.” Shatters nodded and glared at the woman, tapping the haft of his halberd. “Now, we know where the woman is. If your captain wants her, you will bring us to him, or you can continue your pointless search.”

Delia smirked. “Take more than yer pretty face to convince me, elfie, you will deal with me, and if’n I am satisfied, I’ll take ye’ to the capt’n.”

Zalanthe shrugged and turned. “We have no deal then. Either we deal with the captain, or we leave. I’ll not have some worthless pirate wench take credit for our work.”

Delia shrieked. “You watch yer tongue, elfie, less you want it cut out yer’ head.” Zalanthe and Shatters both laughed, walking away from her. “Wait...how do we even know you ‘ave what we wants?”

Zalanthe looked over her shoulder, smirking. “You are pirate scum. You would betray your own mothers for a bag of gold. You have no place to demand proof.”

Delia grumbled. “Fine, fine, you ‘ave a deal. He goes and gets her, an’ you” her finger pointing to Zalanthe “comes with me.”

Whispering a few words softly, Zalanthe set Shatters on his way to retrieve the woman, and then followed after Delia into the cool evening.

--------------------

Zalanthe sighed and looked up at the starry sky. Water lapped gently at the hull of the ship while in the distance, lights flickered now and again on the docks of the city. She paced along the deck, her heavy, armoured feet clanking loudly in the night air. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see shadowy figures skittering like spiders across the rigging and she was sure more were perched in the crow’s nest.

“What a day at the baths this has turned out to be” she muttered to herself, and it had promised to be just that. A lazy afternoon with no pressing business and finding Lettinius with a pretty, mystery woman called Jayla. The perfect ingredients for a few hours of leisure. Or could have been, had it been the Marches, and not the Gate.

She was surprised at how quiet it was out in the bay but then, that likely had something to do with the ship she was on. All the rumours of pirates’ antics did not seem to hold for these ones which made her worry. Trouble would come soon she was sure. A flickering light across the bay caught her light. Glancing up, she saw the signal returned from the crow’s nest. Well, at least Jayla was going along with the plan. Soon enough, a small rowboat pulled alongside the ship and up climbed the woman Jayla, Shatters, Lettinius Hold and Delia, bitch first mate. “You wait ‘ere. I’ll fetch the capt’n” she muttered with a wicked grin. The two men seemed relieved for Zalanthes safety.

Zalanthe gathered her companions in, whispering very quietly. “If we hold the strength of numbers, we fight before the trade is made. Once the captain has you in his hands” she motioned to Jayla “he would likely kill you before we could stop him. Until then, the ruse holds, understand?” Nods came from all around. Jayla seemed very eager to go along with the flimsy plan, which worried Zalanthe. “And keep an eye out for scum rushing from below decks.”

A few moments later, Delia returned with an older man who was typically dressed vastly better than the rest of the crew. “I present ta ye’, the Red Star, Caprina Nathainal Sutton.”

The older man slowly approached. His strength was obvious, but the years clearly weighed on his shoulders. His eyes, however, remained bright and full of the cunning only years of pirating could ever bring.

“What’s all this then Delia?” he said loudly, his eyes surveying the group until the rest on Jayla. “Ahh, little Jayla, it has been some time.”

Jayla stiffened and stood upright, her tone dour, “Uncle.”

“Oh ho, why so sour? You once used to be so happy to see me.”

“Before you killed mother” Jayla growled softly. Zalanthe cursed under her breath. Family problems. It was an extremely rare occasion that Zalanthe was glad to have grown up without family, but this was one of them. These situations never ended well, she knew. Stepping forward, she inserted herself between the captain and his prey, with Shatters moving close up by her side. “Well what a happy family reunion this is, but it does not get us closer to our reward.”

The Red Star captain smirked, his eyes set on Jayla. “The choice was hers my dear, just as this has become yours.” Snapping his fingers as he turned away, Delia quickly followed after him. Just before they disappeared below decks, he called out. “Kill them”.

Zalanthe growled, Jayla screamed and Shatters grinned, drawing his halberd. A handful of pirates ran up from below the main deck which four more dropped down from the rigging. Harsh cries rang out alongside the clash of steel. The pirates were brave, but far out of their depth against the small group, none more ferocious than Shatters in his gleaming red plate and Jayla, seemingly killing each man as though it was her uncle himself. As the second wave started to spread over the deck, Jaylas wrath became her undoing. As she charged towards a group of pirates, her feet slipped on a pool of blood, sending her crashing to the deck, taking an enemy out with her but leaving her prone. Despite the chaos, orders were still orders to the pirates and she was unceremoniously knocked unconscious, the men leaving her where she lay to rejoin the fight.

Shatters roared as he swung his halberd around like a twig, slicing limb from body, revelling in the bloodshed and seeming to shrug off the strikes that were being landed by his foes. Lettinius’ voice rose above the din, inspiring them all on, and Zalanthes blade sung with him, plunging cleanly in and out of foe after foe, her feet sure as she dashed back and forth between her companions, healing their wounds and shielding them from harm. Suddenly, Lettinius stopped singing.

“Zalanthe! Behind you!” he screamed. Glancing over her shoulder, Zalanthe saw a huge pirate lumbering towards her, a barrel held above his head. Before she could even move, a blazing torch whizzed past her head, momentarily blinding her and making her stagger forwards. Her sight came back just in time to see the pirate frantically trying to rub burning embers from his eyes while the torch lay at his feet and caught the decking alight. Heedless of the fire he sparked, Lettinius charged forward, thrusting his spear clean through the pirate.

As more and more pirates piled onto the deck to protect the ship, the fire quickly spread, running up the rigging and quickly lighting the sails. Somewhere off to her right, a barrel of gunpowder exploded, shaking the ship and tossing men off their feet. On her other side, she could hear Lettinius trying to get her attention.

“They are getting away! They took a boat!” Zalanthe rushed over to him, slicing a pirate down on the way. Cursing at the pirate captain, she immediately sheathed her sword and ran to the last rowboat, tugging at the ropes that kept it secure. The flames continued to race along the decks and more explosions could be heard below them. More crew mates ran up from below, coughing and spluttering, many throwing themselves overboard rather than die by the steel of Zalanthes companions. As smoke billowed into the night, Lettinius and Shatters staggered up the steps to the boat.

“It is time to go, into the boat!” she called

“Where is Jayla?” Lettinius looked around. Shatters was already almost over the railing but paused. “Knocked out somewhere, it’s too late.”

Zalanthe would hear none of it. A dozen or more dead by their hands and a pirate ship scuttled in the middle of the bay and nothing to show for it would hardly be good business for the Swords Edge. “Find her! NOW!” she yelled. Shatters mumbled and pulled himself back onto the deck, following Lettinius into the flames along the deck. Zalanthe stood motionless, eyes staring over the edge into the dark water to save her eyes from the brightness of the flames. Only when a thundering crack shook the ship did she look around. Stumbling up to her position were her companions, carrying an unconscious Jayla. Hurriedly loading into the boat, they pushed away just as the mast came crashing down on the spot they had just been standing, rending a huge hole in the deck and level below. Zalanthe managed a laugh. It hardly mattered, not even the salvage crews would visit this wreck.

As her male companions slowly rowed the boat back to the safety of the docks, Zalanthe sighed, watching the burning wreck as it grew gradually smaller. Briefly she held thoughts of a clean execution of the captain, followed by plundering the ship of anything that was valuable and maybe even selling the ship itself for great profit. She smiled and laughed softly again.

“What is funny, Elf-Woman?” Shatters asked, looking at her curiously and not without some wonder in his eyes.

“It is nothing.” Zalanthe shook her head but continued to smile.

“I have spent too much time with Trapper” she thought.

[ravin]

Very nice Swiffy! i'll give you more material soon!

[Swift]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5anLPw0Efmo

Dreaming

The night was nearly silent. All that could be heard was the rustle of a gentle breeze through the long, wispy grass. The moon was full and bright, bathing the field with its cool, silver rays. In the middle stood a figure, still as stone with an arm lightly raised towards the sky. Light glimmered from her body, unhindered by the sheer white robe that she wore.

Zalanthe sighed and looked around, her reverie broken for reasons she could not understand. Slowly turning full circle, her eyes scanned over the field. In the distance was a line of trees where the forest started, but no soul could be seen. As she came back to the direction she faced in the beginning, she nearly jumped out of her skin. Celendur smiled warmly at her, a smile she gladly returned. He was as beautiful as she had ever remembered. Gone was the armor she was accustomed to seeing him in, replaced by silver robes of silk that hung loosely from his shoulders. His sea blue eyes shone brightly as he gazed towards her.

“Where have you been, my love?” she asked, though her voice rang hollow in her head. She flinched and shook the feeling away.

“My dear, I am so sorry. The Guards keep me so busy in the city, but I am here now. Isn’t this place wonderful? I am so glad Taegan let you come with us. I could not bear to have been here without you.”

Zalanthes smile widened as the realization dawned on her. Myth Drannor, she had finally arrived. It all felt so clear, and yet a little voice in her head protested the notion. Again, she flinched and shook away the feeling, moving forward to embrace his strong body. Celendur moved back teasingly, just out of reach and winked, motioning her forward.

“Oh come on love, it has been so long since I felt your touch, can I not even have a hug?” she pleaded.

Celendur laughed softly and kept moving back at a slow pace. “But I wish to show you something in the forest. You will find it beautiful I promise.”

“But Celendur! It has felt like an age since we were together last” she sighed and then suddenly lunged at him. Celendur swiftly stepped to the side, letting her stagger forward, laughing softly again. Zalanthe squealed as her foot landed and caught the hem of her dress, tearing it down the side to flap in the gentle breeze and exposing the curve of her breast. As she stood, she could not help but giggle at her own clumsiness until she realised he was no longer there.

“It will not work you know. You will not catch me.” Celendurs musical voice rang softly in her ears and she felt a ghostly hand stroke across her bare shoulders, making her shiver. Holding her torn robe to her body, Zalanthe spun around, scanning the field as worry crept into her, blinking her eyes as she turned full circle to finding him standing infront of her where, moments before, he had not been. She found his presence instantly calming.

“Do not play tricks on me like that love, especially not now.” Celendur laughed again and turned away, setting off at a job. Zalanthe tilted her head. “Those trees should not be there” she thought. “They are meant to be...” She looked over her shoulder, blinking. “back there.” Over her shoulder she could see Celendur jogging towards the trees, a smile on his face, motioning her forward. “You are going to miss it, my love, if you do not hurry, and toss away that old robe, it marrs your beauty.”

Despite her confusion, she did as he said, his voice filling her head, calming her to the very core and leading her on. Slipping out of the dress, Zalanthe left her modesty behind as she chased her friend, her lover and the light of her life. Again she would lunge for him to embrace him and again he would step to the side, each time seeming to force a change in direction, yet ever they ran towards the same line of trees.

As the trees got nearer, a glint caught Zalanthes eye, slowing her footsteps to a walk. She peered towards the dark line as she continued slowly after him, searching left and right for what she had seen. There! The glint caught her eyes again and she stared at the spot. Despite her slow steps, the trees seemed to be closing in much faster than before. Celendur was lazily walking backwards so he could watch her, leading her on with sweet words and light laughter but she no longer noticed.

Another brief flash fixed her eyes. She had little doubt it was a weapon of some kind. Slowly but surely the object became clearer: a long, thin blade of silver, razor sharp and gleaming in the moonlight. “Celendur” she murmured softly. He continued to move towards the trees, heedless of her words. “Celendur...” she said again, louder this time, “there is something there. Please come back to me.”

Celendur didn’t pause. “There is nothing there my love, just the endless forest and our home. Come with me, I have something to show you.”

Zalanthes legs felt like lead, nearly rooting her to the ground as each step became laboured and more difficult than the last. The creature holding the blade slowly became clear. Small and dressed in dark leathers, the skin was utterly black. Only the creatures eyes and grinning teeth gave the face any definition against the backdrop of trees. That and the blade that Celendur seemed to draw ever closer to, oblivious of the danger it posed.

“Celendur please come to me, there is something wrong, something is there. Please, you are in danger” she called out, her voice rising and becoming more frantic as his movements would not even slow. Zalanthe struggled forward, trying to run towards him, calling his name and begging him to stop, but he did not hear her.

She blinked and when her eyes opened, she was infront of him and within reach. Sighing in relief, she reached her arm out for him before stopping suddenly. An odd thumping sound echoed through her head. Blinking again, she found her arms would barely move as though paralysed. Again the thumping sound, seemingly like a drum, echoed through her. Glancing her eyes down she saw something pressing against Celendurs flesh beneath his robe, as though it were trying to break out of his body. Time seemed to slow to a crawl, each breath taking a day to draw, each blink of her eyes an age of the world.

Zalanthe watched in horror as the point of the blade slowly split the silky robe at Celendurs belly as it pressed towards her. Drops of blood fell from the tip and seemed to hang in the air. Crimson crept along the torn robe, making the material hang down wet and heavy as the blade came to a halt, the point brushing her tender flesh. Looking up she gazed into his eyes; wide with shock and no longer gleaming blue, replaced by pale blue points.

Zalanthe blinked once more. Celendur was crumpled to the ground, torn open waist to neck, blood profusely flowing over the ground. The creature grinned wider at her and licked the tip of his blade, tasting the blood of her lover.

She screamed.

------------------------

Corio sprung out of bed. A light sleeper at the best of times, he was instantly on his feet and scanning the tavern room for threats. Zalanthe was sitting upright in bed, screaming as though she had been stabbed. When it became apparent that they remained alone in the room, his eyes turned to her, shaking her shoulders to try and rouse her.

As the memory faded from her eyes, it seemed that all became dark. The moonlit night melted away, the grinning drow dissipated and all that remained of Celendur was the echo of his laughter and the light in his eyes. She did not see, hear or feel Corio. Her body went suddenly went limp and fell to the bed, as though the very life had been drained from her and her screaming ceased. Corio called out her name, to no avail.

Moving off the bed, he lit the lamps in the room and looked down at her pale flesh, her face whiter than he could ever remember. Reaching down with a sigh he stroked her cheek with a gentleness few would have known he had.

------------------------

Zalanthes eyes opened. The room, if a room it was, was bathed in light so bright it melted all things away. She felt as though she were floating and her mind was at ease. A small smile creeped across her lips as a pair of hands slid down over her full breasts, caressing her belly and eventually resting on her hips. A strong chest pressed against her back and soft lips kissed her ear and whispered to her.

“I said I would love you until Sehanine herself called me to Arvandor. I love you still, Zalanthe and await your arrival.”

Zalanthed sighed deeply and closed her eyes again, leaning into the ghostly touch.

“I miss you Celendur”

------------------------

Corio lept to his feet from his chair beneath the small window of the room and moved to the bed as Zalanthe sat up and opened her eyes. Kneeling onto the bed, he embraced her, kissing her lips warmly as though he had found something previously lost to him. The color had returned to her face and her eyes no longer held any pain. “What happened? It has been two days and I could not rouse you.”

Zalanthe shook her head and smiled a little.

“Just a dream.”

[Swift]

Awakening

“So there we were, down to our last keg of ale and...”

“Wait, you dwarves measure your drinks by the keg?”

“Course we do! No self respecting dwarf would measure by the mug, or even jug. Really, you got a lot to learn about dwarves my friend.”

The man shook his head in disbelief as his eyes scanned the undergrowth on each side of the road. His dwarvern companion continued to elaborate on his unparalleled drinking feats while idly swinging an axe at least as big as himself. They were two days south of the Friendly Arm Inn and the man was feeling increasingly unsafe. They were warned the roads were dangerous but his dwarvern colleague insisted they move on (though not before liberally sampling the ale).

“Why did we have to leave anyway?” said the man.

“Why do you think? Much as I like my ale, and I do like my ale, we weren’t going to get to Beregost by drinking the nights away.”

“I know that” grumbled the man, “I meant why did we have to leave the camp? I don’t like coming this way, especially at night. These woods creep me out, coming right up to the road. I hear they are haunted.”

“Bah, nothing to worry about. Any beasties or ghosts come runnin’ out; they will get a taste of Bessy here.”

The dwarf chuckled and tapped his axe, obviously proud of its name, if not its size. The man chuckled with him, letting his eyes drift back to the woods.

“Did I ever tell you about the time I got attacked by worg?” continued the dwarf, swinging his axe as his steps continued. “Big as a house, all of them, but not a match for Bessy. Made a right mess of them.”

The dwarf paused and looked around, finding his companion many feet back and staring into the woods.

“Oi! What are you doing back there?”

“Shhhh! Come back here, look at this” the man hissed to his companion.

With a roll of his eyes, the dwarf wandered back up the road, heedless of the concern in the mans voice. Leaning forward on his axe, the dwarf peered forward into the woods and gasped.

“You see? I told you this place was haunted.”

From the woods emanated a soft glow of light that seemed to hover in one place.

“What a load of rubbish, I bet you ten crowns it’s just some mage whose got himself lost!” spat the dwarf with some confidence.

“No way, what would a mage be doing...hey! Where are you going?”

The dwarfed stomped forward, bringing his axe up to idly slash at a few low hanging branches of the outlying trees, laughing to himself as the man hurried after him, shouting vainly to turn his companion around.

“I am telling you these woods are haunted!” protested the man.

“And I’m telling you it’s just some old wizard with no sense left” chuckled the dwarf.

Both travellers gasped in surprise as they stepped into the small clearing where the light was coming from.

--------------------

The wind swept through her hair and the sand felt cool beneath her feet. Zalanthe strode leisurely along the beach, her mind, for once, clear of doubts and cares. Clothed only in the barest essentials to maintain her modesty, she had never felt more relaxed. Suddenly two arms slid beneath hers and around her waist, lifting her off the ground with a squeal and then a laugh as she was embraced.

“What are you thinking about, my love?”

“Nothing” sighed Zalanthe as she turned her head to smile back at the figure. “And I mean that this time” she added with a smirk.

“Oh please. My dear Zalanthe, chosen of the father of us all is really thinking of nothing at all?” the male teased.

Zalathe simply poked her tongue out and wriggled from his grasp, continuing her walk along the beach.

“Celendur, do you think that...”

“Ah ha! I knew you were thinking of something” Celendur laughed as he interrupted.

“..THAT one day we may get to settle down like our parents? I do not wish for all this that the priests tell me is in store. I do not wish to be one of ‘chosen’ or whatever they call it.”

Celendur paused a few steps from Zalanthe, a curious look in his eye as he watched her closely. He could see the sadness in her eyes. It had been growing over the past few years, though normally she could banish it fairly quickly during their secret liaisons, but it had become harder and harder for her. He knew she struggled with what she was but knew he could do nothing. After all, he revered her, like the priests did in their own way. That he held the love of a Favored was a blessing he thanked the Seldarine for every day.

“Perhaps the time will come when we can retire to a home near Siluth and raise our children in peace” he slowly, guardedly replied. He knew this to be a fool’s hope, but she did not want to hear the truth right now.

Zalanthe sighed again and smiled to him, opening her arms. “How do you always know the perfect words to say?”

Celendur laughed and strode forward to embrace her again. “I have loved you for many years, Zalanthe. I know you as well as you know yourself.”

Zalanthe laughed as she awaited his touch, but then blinked in surprise as she felt a small jab to her side. She glanced down, puzzled, to see her sheer white gown torn slightly at her side and small drops of blood seeping into it. “White gown?” she thought. “I never wore a white gown with Celendur, and where did I get this sword?”. Hanging from a thin belt was a long sword of fine, elven make.

Looking back up, she saw Celendurs smiling face, though he had not seemed to move forward. She raised her arms, urging him on, but even as she did he seemed to fade and...tear? Slowly but surely, darker holes began to grow in her vision, revealing dense woodland bathed in soft light. Voices slowly drifted into her ears. Suddenly what she thought was real was torn away and Zalanthe screamed like never before.

--------------------

“I told you it wasn’t a statue!” the man said with not a small amount of fear in his voice.

The dwarf remained quiet, watching the very real blood trickle down the side of Zalanthe, staining the sheer cloth around the tear. He dropped the stick he had used and looked a little closer at her. At first they had thought her a statue and, indeed, it would seem as though she was. Moss and leaves trailed through her snow white hair while her feet were quite hidden beneath the constantly building undergrowth. She had remained utterly motionless the entire hour the paid had been in the clearing and her chest did not seem to rise and fall in the slightest.

Moving around infront of her, the dwarf peered down at the sword hanging by her side. Suddenly and without warning, she screamed and ear piercing scream that made the pair recoil. Like lightning, Zalanthe freed her sword and swung it upwards, narrowly missing the dwarf who remained thankful to have his head remain on his shoulders. Fury burned in her emerald eyes.

The dwarf raised his axe to swing a mighty blow but stopped in his tracks. As suddenly as she had roused, Zalanthe had fallen still again, limply holding the sword by her side, its sharp point aimed at the ground, looking blankly back at the travelling pair.

“What in the nine hells do you call that missy?” the dwarf bellowed, holding his axe at the ready.

“Where am I?” Zalanthe said, her voice nearly a whisper. “Who are you?”

“Who the hells are you?” screeched the man, an arrow nocked and ready in his bow.

“I am Zalanthe Moonglow, Favored of Corellon” she replied, blinking in surprise at her own admission before rubbing her head. “I do not feel...so...good...”. She raised a hand to her forehead, letting the blade drop and moments later fell to the ground.

--------------------

“Four months!?” Zalanthe said with surprise.

The dwarf nodded his head as they sat by the fire in their makeshift camp. The trio were nearly back at Baldurs Gate and each day had only gotten stranger since Zalanthe was first discovered. The trip back to the Friendly Arm Inn went quietly with Zalanthe walking as though in a trance, her eyes often unblinking for hours at a time and needing to be carefully led to ensure she did not wander off back into the woods. Upon arrival, it was discovered that Zalanthe had rented a room for a few days four months earlier. Bently Mirrorshade, the bartender, was quite annoyed upon Zalanthes return, berating her for leaving her possessions in a room for so long without paying the dues in advance.

Zalanthe had slipped back into her armor as though nothing had happened, though it did weigh more heavily on her shoulders than previously and now wore it day and night, even while at rest.
“Aye, four months or there abouts. Rumors started spreading of a ghost in the woods, but I never thought much of it. Just happened by chance that my friend here saw your glow. Speaking of which, why do you glow?”

Zalanthe shaded her eyes and glances away from the fire, her face radiating a pale white light as the moon appeared from under a cloud. “A gift from my god, if memory serves. I do not remember this place at all, or the road south, or the tavern I supposedly stayed at. I cannot even remember why I went to the forest.”

“’fraid I can’t help you there. We are just common folk really”. The dwarf laughed as Zalanthes eyes drifted to the impressive sized axe. “Oh, Bessy? Take no heed of that, she’s cut more wood than anything else, though don’t tell my friend, hmm?” he said with a grin. Zalanthe smiled faintly.

“How did you survive out there, if you don’t mind my asking? Apart from all the little beasties that roam around those woods, four months without even a crumb? Why, my belly rumbles just a few hours after lunch each day.”

Zalanthe simply shrugged. The truth was, she simply knew very little. She had no knowledge of why she was in the woods, why she had been there so long or indeed anything at all from the previous few years of her life. She struggled to recall the death of her beloved Celendur, though life in Evermeet was clearer in her mind.

--------------------

“Well, here we are, just like we said we would” muttered the man. His dwarvern companion was more upbeat, despite it being his trip cut short to guide the elven woman back to Baldurs Gate.

“Cheer up lad, you’ve done a fine service.”

Zalanthe looked around confused, wandering as though in a daze behind the men. Each building looked the same as the last as they moved through the streets. She passed the Swords Edge guild hall without even realizing its significance. Onwards they walked, down into what had been oft visited markets that she now seemed to see for the first time. Upon reaching the docks, a few pirates rushed in the opposite direction, much to her amusement and further confusion.

“So, that’s the Gate. Anything coming back to you yet?” the dwarf said, looking over to Zalanthe. With a shake of the head, she simply moved forward down one of the wharfs and walked onto a waiting ship, much to the annoyance of the first mate. From a distance, the dwarf and the human saw an animated conversation. Soon after, the ship sailed away, taking the strange elven woman with them.

“She was a strange one” the man said, looking down at his companion. The dwarf shook his head with a chuckle. “All elves are strange in their own ways.”

--------------------

“Zalanthe, is...is that really you?”

Trapper bounded out from behind the bar, rushing to her friend to wrap her in a big hug. Zalanthe recoiled a little and looked at Trapper curiously.

“Do I know you?”

Trappers eyes and heart sank.

[Swift]

Short and rough. Got into a writing mood but...it has been awhile. I needed to shake the cobwebs out.

Letter Home


The sun shone brightly in the clear sky as Celia heard the gentle knock on her door. Opening it she found a tall elven male in simple garb with a bag strung over his shoulder.

“Letter for you, ma’am”

“Thank you” she smiled softly as the elf walked stiffly away. Closing the door with a soft click, she sat down and opened the envelope.

--------

Dear Mother

Firstly, please forgive me for the way we were parted. I was very angry from your news, not because father was missing, but because the priests never told me. I get the feeling they never told me a great many things. I am sure they felt it was for the best, though I strongly disagree, as they may have told you since my departure.

Doubtless you have heard by now about the attack and Celendurs death. I wonder if my disappearance was also noted? I suppose not, it would not look good on Taegens record to have allowed a member of his guard to desert. I hope you have not been worried about me. I will not go into all the details of my life since that day, but know that I am alive and well despite the best efforts of beast and orc alike.

I have seen and met many of our kin, along with a good deal of humans, half breeds and even some dwarves and gnomes! I wish my time at the temple had spent more time covering the races of the world and their cultures as I found it rather startling at first. Even our kin seem different somehow.

I have also felt so many emotions in my short years here so far. From love to loss, happiness to despair and everything in between. I was not ready for any of it. The priests sheltered me too much, I think, though you may be happy to know that I have found peace with who I am. Sometimes, though, in the deepest dark of night I still wish I could have been a normal elf.

I glow now, too. Isn’t that strange? The faintest radiance whenever the moon strikes my skin. Another gift I have been told, though I struggle to see its purpose. Humans either do not trust me for it or find it enchanting. Come to think of it, the same can be said for most races that have seen me since it started. It certainly makes it hard to travel un-noticed.

I miss you mother. I miss the childhood I never had. I wish our time together could have been much longer. I have thought about returning nearly every day since I left, but ever am I pushed in the opposite direction. He has plans for me, though I find the way still shrouded in darkness, as many things have been since my arrival. I hope the day comes soon that I can visit you again.

Has father returned yet?

All my love

Zalanthe.

------

Zalathe woke suddenly. Glancing around she found her room dark and still as expected. Shaking her head from the interruption she laid it back down. As she drifted back into reverie, a warmth surrounded her. Far away, she knew her mother smiled.

[Swift]

So as I have noted in Off Topic, I have written a book using this character. The ebook links are below, in both .mobi and .ePub (for Kindle users). Both files are rar'ed and should be virus free (so AVG tells me):

Moonmaiden's Journey (ePub)
Moonmaiden's Journey (mobi)

[JonnyJerny]

<3