Elminster in Myth Drannor - Ed Greenwood [76]
Elminster bowed. "My honor is brightened," he said, recalling a phrase from the memories in the kiira. Three sets of elven eyebrows rose in astonished unison at those words of ancient elven courtesy as the human went on, "It is my desire to befriend-yet not alarm or intrude upon-the folk of fair Cormanthor. To such a one as myself, both the land and People of this fair place are so beautiful as to be revered treasures we honor from a distance."
"Does that mean you're not the first spysword of a human army?" the Lord Qildor growled, hand going to the ornate silver hilt of the sword he wore at his hip.
"That and more," Elminster replied mildly. "It is no desire of my realm or any other land of men that I know of to invade Cormanthor or intrude our ways and trade where we are not wanted, and can only do harm. My presence here is a personal matter, not an unfolding affair of state or any harbinger of invasion or prying exploration. No Cormanthan need fear me, or see me as representing more than a lone human who stands in just awe of thy People and their accomplishments."
The Lord Qildor raised his eyebrow again. "Forgive my forward speech," he said, "but would you permit a mage to read the truth of your words?"
"I would, and will," El said, meeting his eyes directly.
"If that is so," the elf said, "I have misjudged you before our meeting, purely on the speculations of others. Yet, Lord Elminster, you should know that I-as most of the People-fear and hate humans; to see one in the heart of our realm is a source of alarm and disgust. I do not know that any noble thing you can do, or fair words you can speak, can ever change that. Have a care for yourself here, sir; others will be less polite than we. Perhaps it would have been better for us both if you had never come to Cormanthor."
He fell silent for a moment, looking grave in his yellow silks, and then added slowly, "I wish I could find fairer words for you, man, but I cannot. It is not in me… and I have seen more humans than most."
He nodded a little sadly, and turned away. Gems winked here and there among the hair that spilled down his back, as long and as magnificent as that of any highborn human woman. His lady, who had listened with eyes downcast, lifted her head proudly, gave Elminster and the High Court Mage a shared smile, and said, "It is as my lord says. Fare you well, lords both."
When they'd drawn a safe distance away, and had their covert looks back at the elf and the human standing together, Elminster turned to look Lord Earynspieir full in the face. "The folk of Cormanthor are unused to boldly blunt speech, Lord?" he asked smoothly, raising his own eyebrows. Earynspieir winced.
"Please believe that I meant not to lead you astray, lord sir," he replied. "It seems the sight of a human awakens a spirit of bluntness in Cormanthans I've not seen before."
"Fairly spoken," El granted, "and I-but who comes here?"
Drifting through the trees toward them came two elven ladies-literally drifting, their high-booted feet inches off the ground. Both were tall for elves, and sleekly curved, wearing gowns that showed off every line of their strikingly beautiful bodies. Heads turned as they wound their way through the revelers.
"Symrustar and Amaranthae Auglamyr, ladies and cousins," the High Court Mage murmured smoothly, and El thought he detected more than a little hunger in Lord Earynspieir's tone. As well there might be.
The woman who led was stunning even among all the elven maids El had seen since his arrival in the city. Hair that was almost royal blue flowed freely over her shoulders and down her back, only to be gathered in a silken sash that rode low on her right hip, as the tail of a horse is gathered to keep it from trailing along the ground. Her eyes were a bright, almost electric blue, flashing promises to Elminster under dark and archly raised eyebrows as she swept nearer. A black, unadorned ribbon encircled her throat, and her lips were full and slightly pouting; she ran her tongue openly over them as she surveyed the man standing beside the elven mage.