Elfshadow - Elaine Cunningham [102]
"But to Evermeet and back?"
"It may be that my inquiry need not go so far. Those who serve in the Relay are bound to secrecy concerning specific messages, but as you can imagine there is a wealth of accumulated information in its members."
"Oh. Who is this Black Pearl?"
"A sea half-elf."
"That's possible? I doubt I could hold my breath long enough to accomplish such a feat," Danilo marveled.
Arilyn let out a burst of surprised laughter. "Sea elves do not always stay under water."
"Interesting name, Black Pearl."
"You'll understand when you see her. Black Pearl's human mother came from a land far to the southeast. Her ship sank off the coast of Calimport and she was rescued by sea elves. There are few half sea-elves, and Black Pearl spends much time with the selkies."
"I imagine selkies could understand her dual nature better than most other creatures," Danilo mused.
His perceptive remarks startled Arilyn, who had herself always felt uniquely comfortable with selkies. "That's true," she said, and immediately changed the subject. "Any other questions?"
"Yes. You said that the sword belonged to an elf named Amnestria. Who's that?"
Arilyn paused for a long moment. "My mother," she said, her voice without expression.
"Didn't Elaith speak of someone called Z'beryl? I thought that was your mother's name."
"So did I."
"Oh."
Silence hung between them. "Listen, why don't you get some sleep?" Arilyn asked after a time.
Her question caught Danilo in the middle of a yawn. "Good idea." The shuttered expression in Arilyn's eyes, combined with his own weariness, convinced him of her suggestion's merits.
Danilo awoke when the sky was still silver with the promise of sunrise, to find Arilyn deep in conversation with Black Pearl. At first glance Danilo knew that it could be no other. The sea half-elf's far-eastern heritage showed in the slope of her dark eyes and in the hair that fell to her hips like a length of wet black satin. Her pointed ears were somewhat more rounded than Arilyn's. Although her hands and feet were webbed, her white skin was very different from the mottled green or blue color that distinguished most sea elves. In the early morning light her naked body shone with the pure translucent sheen of a rare pearl.
"After King Zaor's death," said Black Pearl, "Queen Amlaruil became sole ruler of Evermeet. Their daughter Amnestria was sent into secret exile because of some private disgrace."
"That would be me, I suppose," Arilyn said in a low voice. In a louder tone she asked, "Exactly when did Zaor die?"
"At the end of the four hundred thirty-second year of his reign. The event made an great impact in the sea elf community, and I remember it well, young though I was. It was springtime, during the High Tide Festival." The sea half-elf bit her lip and calculated. "That would be the year 1321, as humans reckon time in the Dalelands. I remember the day, as well; the second day of Ches."
"Was the murderer caught?"
"No. Amnestria's human lover shot and wounded the assassin, who nevertheless managed to disappear without a trace."
"Of what race was the assassin?"
The sea half-elf dropped her eyes as if ashamed. "He was elven," she admitted.
"Yes, but what race?" Arilyn persisted.
"Oh. A gold elf. Is that important?"
"It might be," Arilyn murmured in a distracted tone. She looked up suddenly. "What did you learn about the moonblade?"
"Little is known of its powers, I'm afraid. It seems that Amnestria inherited the sword shortly before her exile, from a great-aunt whose family spent most of their time away from Evermeet. You would do better to seek the sword's history from sages here on the mainland." The exotic half-elf paused, then added, "I'm sorry I could not bring you the answers you needed."
"You've answered many questions." Arilyn extended her hand, palm up. "Thank you for your help, Black Pearl." The other half-elf smiled and covered the offered palm with her own webbed hand, then she disappeared into the sea with a faint splash.
Arilyn stood looking