Elminster_ The Making of a Mage - Ed Greenwood [74]
"Tell me," a light, high voice said calmly, "why I should let you live."
*****
Delsaran sniffed suddenly and raised his head. "Fire!" The tree he'd been shaping fell back limply under his hands as his magic faltered. Quick anger turned the tips of his ears red. "Here, in the very heart of the old trees!"
"Yes," Baerithryn agreed, but laid a restraining hand on his friend's arm. "But a small one; tarry." He raised his other hand, sketched a circle in the air with two fingers, and spoke a soft word.
A moment later, an intent face appeared in the air between them, the face of a human woman. Delsaran hissed but said no more as they heard the woman speak: "My thanks, great Mystra. I shall try to learn, and serve thee well."
The flame soared then, and their spell-vision exploded into a tiny twinkling of blue sparks. Delsaran's jaw dropped. "The goddess heard her," he said in grudging disbelief.
Baerithryn nodded. "This must be the one the Lady said would come." He rose, a silent shadow in the gathering night-gloom, and said, "I shall guide her, as I promised. Leave us be… as you promised."
Delsaran nodded slowly. "The Lady grant us success"-his lips twisted wryly-"all three." Baerithryn laid a silent hand on his shoulder, then was gone.
Delsaran stared unseeing at the tree he'd been shaping, and then shook his head. Humans had slain his parents and their axes had felled the trees he'd first played in… why did the Lady have to send a human? Didn't she want the People to be guided in learning her service and true mastery of magic?
"I guess she thinks elves are wise enough to guide themselves," he said aloud, smiled almost wistfully, and got to his feet. Mystra had never spoken to him. He shrugged, set his hand reassuringly on the tree for a moment, and then slipped away into the night.
*****
Elmara stared up at the sword. "There is no special reason," she said at last. "Mystra brought me here, and"-she gestured down at herself, and a sudden blush stole across her face- "changed me, thus. I mean no harm to you or to this place."
The elf regarded her gravely for a moment and said, "Yet there is the will in you to do great harm to many folk."
El stared into his eyes and found her throat suddenly dry. She swallowed and said, "I live to avenge my slain parents. My foes are the magelords of Athalantar."
The elf stood silent, as still and dark as the trees around. The sword of light did not waver. He seemed to be awaiting more words.
Elmara shrugged. "To destroy them, I must master magic- or find some way to destroy theirs. I… met with Mystra. She said I'd find a tutor here… Do ye know of a wizard or a priest of Mystra in this wood?"
The sword vanished. Blinking in the sudden darkness, El heard that light voice say simply, "Yes." Silence followed.
Afraid of being left alone in the night in this endless forest, El asked quickly, "Will ye guide me to that person?" To her own astonishment, her voice quavered.
"You have found 'that person,' " the elf replied with an undertone that might have been satisfaction or quiet amusement. "Give me your name."
"El-Elmara," she answered, and something made her add, "I was Elminster until this morn."
The elf nodded. "Baerithryn," he replied. "I was Braer to the last human who knew me."
"Who was that?" El asked, suddenly curious.
Those grave eyes flickered. "A lady mage… dead these three hundred summers."
El looked down. "Oh."
"I'm not overfond of questions, you'll find," the elf added. "Look and listen to learn. That is the elven way. You humans have so much less time and always gabble questions and then rush off to do things without waiting for, or truly understanding, the answers. I hope to curb that in you… just a little." He leaned forward and added, "Now lie back."
El looked up at him, and then did so, wondering what would come next. Unconsciously, she covered her breasts and loins with her hands.
The elf seemed to smile. "I've seen maids before… and all of you, already." He dropped silently into a crouch and said, "Give me your foot."
El looked at him in wonder,