Elfsong - Elaine Cunningham [111]
"And I have pledged to hand the harp over to Elaith Craulnober when this is done," Danilo concluded.
"Given all that is said of him, it is reasonable for you to assume that he will put the artifact's power to evil purpose," the patriarch said thoughtfully. After a moment of silence, he rose from the table. "There is nothing more you can do here, and you may find some of the answers you seek at the temple. Come, let us go at once."
Despite his surprise, the Harper's manners brought him to his feet "Humans are permitted?"
"Under certain circumstances, yes. You are a friend of the People, and you strive to reclaim an elven artifact from one who wields it with dishonor. We must aid you in this quest. Also, you have remanded an elven ward to our care. It is only fitting that you meet another ward of the temple, so that you may know how we will honor the trust you have placed in us." The patriarch led the way to the front door.
"The rain is still coming down in sheets," Danilo observed.
"Yes," tile elf agreed, and then strode out into the storm.
The Harper followed. In time they came to a sweeping stairway of white marble, leading to a building complex defined by curving lines and surrounded by flowering plants. They hurried up the steps and into the corridor, where an elven servant took their cloaks. Evindal took Danilo down a corridor lined with doors. He tapped gently on one and cracked it open for a peek.
"Come in quietly," the elf said, disappearing into the room.
Curious, Danilo followed. The room was softly lit by several floating, glowing balls of white light, and was furnished with comfortable chairs, a low table and a tiny stool, and a small bed. No expense had been spared in the room, for the furnishings were fine and costly, and wondrous toys were scattered about On a velvet cushion near the bed curled a yellow kitten, and in the corner sat a white-robed elven woman. She smiled at Danilo and pointed toward the bed.
The Harper took a step closer and peered down. Sleeping there was an elven toddler, perhaps the most beautiful child he had ever seen. Tousled silvery curls clustered about her face, and a tiny golden thumb nestled in her mouth. The points of her little elven ears were still soft, folding over slightly at the tips. Her features were tiny and delicate, and her skin in the soft tight appeared both rosy and golden.
"Who is she?" Danilo whispered.
"May I present the Lady Azariah Craulnober," Evindal said softly.
Danilo looked up sharply. "Elaith's daughter?"
"That is so. Last spring, his elven mistress bore him a child. It was a most unexpected pregnancy, troubled from the first. The mother died at childbirth, leaving our mutual friend with an heir. As time went on, it became important to him that his daughter should receive her birthright and he came to me asking what might be done to restore magic to his moonblade. I bid him recover an artifact and bring it to the temple. He carries the sword now by elven law and tradition. I will not burden you with the particulars."
"I see," Danilo said slowly. He recalled Elaith's stricken face when Wyn Ashgrove mentioned that the elven temple took in the ill and the outcast. Although it was hard to imagine this beautiful child as a social outcast by Elaith's actions she was without honor or heritage. Suddenly the elf's actions made perfect sense to the Harper. He wondered if the true purpose of the quest was as clear to Elaith.
"I suppose he thinks that the artifact is to be rendered in payment as one would pay a wizard or cleric for a powerful spell," Danilo said.
Evindal smiled sadly. "You know him well. To find an artifact is a difficult task, and such a quest inevitably changes all