Elfshadow - Elaine Cunningham [88]
"Why was Barth following me?" Arilyn demanded.
"It's rather a long story," Elaith said. "Won't you have a seat?"
"No."
"As you will. I believe you're acquainted with a man named Harvid Beornigarth?"
Arilyn straightened and folded her arms. "Sort of."
"I've employed him and his men in the past, on such occasions when finesse is not essential. Several months ago I heard him ranting about an 'elf-wench' who fought with a two-handed grip. He vowed to find you and settle some imaginary score. Since I was curious to learn more about you, I sent along a man of my own with his band."
"Barth."
"Of course."
Arilyn placed both hands on Elaith's desk and leaned forward, her face full of quiet menace. "Why?" she repeated.
Elaith was silent for a moment. "I knew only one etriel who fought that way. I thought that you might be Z'beryl."
Arilyn recoiled. Nothing could have prepared her for that answer. She was dimly aware than Danilo's arm had circled her waist, that he was guiding her into a chair. "I think you'd better tell me what this is about," she said in a dazed tone.
Elaith Craulnobur rose and walked to a window. He laced his long-fingered hands behind his back and gazed into the alley as if the answers to his past might be written there. "I grew up with Z'beryl on the island of Evermeet. We are related, although distantly. Many years ago we completely lost touch."
"I don't suppose you can support any of this," Danilo said from his usual place behind Arilyn.
The elf shot a sidelong glance at the dandy. "Of course. I anticipated that Arilyn would be back, and I had certain items brought here to me." He glided over to a wall safe and deftly opened it, taking out two silk-wrapped objects. The first he unwrapped and handed to Arilyn.
A small cry escaped the half-elf. She cradled the small oval frame in both hands, unable to look away from it. Danilo leaned down over her shoulder.
"Your mother?"
Arilyn could only nod. The portrait showed a young moon elf maiden, not quite a mature etriel, with long braids of sapphire silk and gold-flecked blue eyes. Beside her was a younger, happier version of Elaith Craulnobur. Both were dressed in ceremonial robes of silver and cobalt blue-betrothal robes? Arilyn raised incredulous eyes to the moon elf. His answering smile held an ancient sadness.
"There is also this," Elaith said, unwrapping an ornate sword and laying it on the table before Arilyn. Runes ran the length of the blade, and a white, blue-flecked stone gleamed in its hilt.
"That's a moonblade!" Danilo burst out, pointing.
"Don't be so surprised, young man. These swords are not all that uncommon to my people. I know many who either carry or own them, although admittedly most of these elves live far away, either on Evermeet or in the far reaches of the Dales, near the old site of Myth Drannor."
"You do not carry the moonblade?" Arilyn asked Elaith.
"That is so."
"I thought that elf and blade could not be separated," she said.
"While that is usually the case, this particular one is dormant. Whatever magic it once held is lost."
Arilyn's brow furrowed. "I'm not sure I understand."
"Z'beryl didn't tell you about moonblades? No, I see that she did not." Elaith leaned against the edge of the table and folded his arms. "Many centuries past, the first moonblade was elvencrafted in Myth Drannor. Although it was a magic sword it had but one inherent property: it could judge character. It could be wielded by only one person, and it was to be handed down from one generation to the next. With each generation, a new magical ability was added to the sword, and this was derived from the needs or nature of the wielder." The elf paused and raised an eyebrow. "This much is familiar to you?" Arilyn merely nodded, not wishing to distract Elaith. "Do you know the purpose behind the moonblades' creation?" he asked. She hesitated, then shook her head.
"I'm not entirely surprised," Elaith said dryly. "You trained with Kymil Nimesin, did you not?"
"What of it?" Arilyn said, a trifle defensively.