Elminster in Myth Drannor - Ed Greenwood [47]
"Seen enough?" she asked impishly, caressing her hips and turning alluringly, like a tavern dancer.
El dropped his eyes. "I-my apologies for staring* he said quickly. "I've never seen one of the People who looked so old before."
"There are few of us as old as the Srinshee," the Coronal said.
"The Srinshee?"
The old elven lady inclined her head in regal greeting. Then she turned, held out her hand over some empty air, and sat on that air, reclining as if she was lying in a pillow-padded lounge. Another sorceress.
"Her tale is her own to tell you," the Coronal said, holding up a hand to stay further words from Elminster. "First must come my judgment."
He walked a little away from the young man, treading the air above the floor. Then he turned back to face the Athalantan and said, "Your honesty and honor I have never doubted. Your aid to House Alastrarra, without thought of reward or rank, alone is worthy of an armathor-in human words, a knighthood, with citizenship-in Cormanthor. So much I freely grant, and bid you welcome."
"Yet-?" El asked ruefully, at the old elf s guarded tone.
"Yet I cannot help but conclude that you were sent to Cormanthor by the divine one you serve. Whenever I try to learn why, she blocks my inquiries."
Elminster took step toward the old elf, and looked into his eyes. "Read me now, pray ye, and know that I speak truth, Revered Lord," he said. "I am sent here by Great Mystra to 'learn the rudiments of magic,' as she put it, and because she foresaw that I'd be needed here 'in time to come.' She did not reveal to me just when, and how, and needed by whom or what cause."
The white-robed elf nodded. "I doubt not your belief, man; 'tis the goddess I cannot fathom. I well believe she said just those words to you; yet she bars me from learning your true powers, and her true designs… and I have a realm to protect. So, a test."
He smiled. "Think you I show every outland intruder riches that could well bring every hungry human from here to the western sea clamoring through the trees of Cormanthor?"
The Srinshee chuckled, and put in, "Elven ways may outstrip the comprehension of men, but that does not make them the ways of fools."
El looked from one of them to the other. "What testing do you plan? I've little stomach left for more spell duels or wrestlings mind-to-mind."
The Coronal nodded. "This I already know; were you such a one, you'd never have been brought here. To risk myself in your presence is to imperil a strong weapon of Cormanthor; to endanger the Srinshee needlessly is to toy with a treasure of the realm."
"Enough flattery, Eltargrim," the sorceress said primly. 'You'll have the lad thinking you a poet, and not the rough warrior you are."
El blinked at the old Coronal. "A warrior?"
The white-haired elf sighed. "I did in my time down some orcs-"
"And a hundred thousand men or so, and a dragon or two," the Srinshee put in. The Coronal waved a dismissive hand.
"Speak of such things when I am gone, for if we tarry overlong we'll have the court mages blasting apart half the palace seeking me."
The Srinshee winced. "Those young dolts?" The Coronal sighed in exasperation. "Oluevaera, how can I pass judgment on this man if you shatter our every attempt at dignity?"
The ancient sorceress shrugged in her airy ease. "Even humans deserve the truth."
"Indeed." The Coronal's tone was dry as he turned to Elminster, assumed a stern face, and said, "Hear, then, the judgment of Cormanthor. that you remain in these vaults for a moon, and search and converse with their guardian as you will; she will feed you and see to your needs. Folk of the court, myself among them,