15My name is Jovan Goldmarsh. I am a half sun elf, half wood elf hailing from the High Forest, and I have been an adventurer for nearly two centuries. I still have not seen everything Faerun has to offer me, and that is what I love about adventuring- there's no shortage of brand new experiences. When I was but a child, sheltered by my parents and older siblings, I somehow instinctively knew that the world outside the High Forest is much bigger, filled with many interesting creatures both beautiful and repulsive, friendly and hostile. When I grew older, a friend of my father, who is a ranger of Silvanus, also trained me to be a Ranger of Silvanus, and when I was prepared to leave my hometown, the first town or city I ever visited was Silverymoon. Much of my travels and adventures took place in the north, I've never been far south to Calimshan before. Long ago, however, I lost almost all of my love and zeal for adventuring. Let me just say that adventuring is not always full of wonder, discovery and romance, but also tragic losses. Right now, I'm going to tell my most recent story to you, which took place in Icewind Dale, a region that I don't visit very often. On my visit to one of the ten towns of Icewind Dale, called Easthaven, I had been asked to go on an expedition with a dozen other adventurers. And so, this is where my story begins, in a time long before Time of Troubles, before the legendary dark elf ranger hero, Drizzt Do'Urden made his presence known above the Underdark, the month of Mirtul in the Year of the Cold Soul, 1281 DR is the time when the story I am about to tell you took place. This is not just my story, though, this story also belongs to the people I traveled with, in an epic adventure we will never forget.
-Jovan Goldmarsh
Alone, on my own during my arrival at Easthaven, I walked through the small town in the morning of the 2nd day of The Melting (2 Mirtul, 1281 DR), searching for an inn to stay in. I walked through the cold terrain, my body wrapped inside a thick brown cloak to keep myself warm. I am wearing +1 studded leather armor with thick brown leather boots, gauntlets and gloves, and the weapons I carry with me is a high quality long sword, forged by a blacksmith from Everlund who is a friend of mine, and I have a belt with five pouches each one holding at least three darts of stunning and three darts of wounding, and the third pouch holds ten +1 crossbow bolts, and I have a lightweight crossbow strapped to my back. I have no shield, nor do I need one. And as for the town Easthaven, it is not as large as it will be decades from now. Today, in the Year of the Cold Soul, Easthaven is more of a village than a town. It is a collection of ramshackle huts crowded together upon the icy shores of a very large lake called Lac Dinneshere, where fishermen go out in their fishing boats and catch fish known as knucklehead trout, which can be only found in Icewind Dale's three lakes. The ivory bones from this fish is in high demand all over Faerun because skilled artists can use the ivory to carve magnificent sculptures, this art is known as Scrimshaw.
As I neared a tavern called Winter's Cradle, in the northern part of Easthaven, I could smell the fresh odor of knucklehead trout that the fishermen were hauling in from the docks. I approached the door to the inn after three humans walked out, then entered the hut. The brightly burning fireplace in the tavern did a good job warming the room up. I felt more comfortable to open my cloak and approach the bar where the human bartender is cleaning cups and flagons. She took noticed of me after I sat down next to a halfling drinking ale.
"What can I get for you, dearie?" She asked me politely with a warm smile.
"Give me a warm drink, I don't care, as long as its not alcoholic," I replied.
The bartender chortled and began to decide which good drink to give me.
"I don't have warm ale, but this fine quality ale of mine should do the trick. Besides, the fire should be able to warm you up pretty good," the bartender said.
I nodded. "It'll do."
"That'll be 2 gold pieces," the bartender said with a friendly smile.
I gave her the gold and enjoyed my drink, which is called "Grisella's Dale Ale". It had a nutty bite in the flavor, but I liked it. As I was enjoying my drink, I heard footsteps behind me, but I didn't pay any attention to it until the person approaching the bar sat down next to me to my right. The bartender seemed to recognize the man sitting near me. When I turned to look at the newcomer, he met my eyes, and smiled. He is human, in his early or mid 40's, long black hair tied to a ponytail, a thick black mustache and beard, and he wore a silver fur cloak over his clothing.
"What's this? New face in town, eh? Well met stranger. The name is Hrothgar, originally from Hillsfar, but now, after years of traveling up, down and under Faerun, I am content to call this town home. Who might you be?"
"Greetings, Hrothgar. My name is Jovan, originally from the High Forest, and I've been an adventurer for nearly two centuries," I replied as I shook his hands. I noticed this his hands are rough, and strong, the telltale sign that he has used his sword in more than one occasion.
"Well then, Jovan, welcome to Easthaven. Whatever your business in these parts might be, I would offer you this small piece of advice: while you are in my town, you'd do well to be on your best behavior. These folk are under my protection, and anyone who seeks to do harm to them in any way shall answer to me."
"Don't worry, Hrothgar, I swear that you and I will remain on good terms," I promised sincerely.
Hrothgar nodded sharply in approval. "Glad to hear it. That said, I'll let you get back to your cups. I'm sure you've had a long journey, and you'll find that there's no better way to shake off the cold of the road better downing a few mugs of Grisella's best."
Then Hrothgar stood up and walked away a few steps then turned around to face me because he wanted to tell me something he nearly forgot.
"Oh, and if you are in need of lodging, I would recommend talking to Quimby over at the Snowdrift Inn, over on the east side of town."
"Thanks," I nodded gratefully.
"And equipment and supplies can be purchased next door at Pomab's Emporium." Hrothgar explained then he frowned in a dejected way. "Pomab's prices are a bit high, even for a Calishite, but you'd be better off well equipped and short on coin than the other way around. Ill-prepared travelers don't last long in these parts. When you feel well rested, come see me at my house, it's just a couple huts west form here. There's some business I want to discuss with you," Hrothgar said before he walked out the door.
"Farewell," I said before he left.
After he left, I continued drinking Grisella's special ale, and Grisella herself watched me drink for a moment.
"So, where are you from, dearie elf?" She asked me.
I set my cup down.
"I hail from the High Forest. I've been on the road adventuring for a very long time, but recently, I've become penniless," I said.
"So you spent your last gold to buy a drink? Is that what you are saying?" Grisella asked.
I nodded tentatively.
"Well..." Grisella paused and scratched the back of her neck. "I am in a bit of a bind right now. See, you just drank the last of my ale, and now I'm out of everything."
"Really? You are?" I couldn't believe it, and I just became hungry seconds after I finished my ale.
"Well, the tavern hasn't run completely dry. I do have some stock down in the cellar, but..."
"But what?" I became curious.
Grisella couldn't keep eye contact with me and she continued rubbing the back of her neck as if she is ashamed of something.
"This is rather embarrassing... but I'm having somewhat of a pest problem down in that dirty ol' cellar, and I'm afraid to go down there. I do so hate bugs! Just the thought of those nasty creepies and crawlies sends shivers down my spine."
"Don't worry. I'll go down there and get rid of them myself," I said as I stood up.
Grisella smiled at me gratefully. "That's awfully sweet of you, dearie. but I don't expect you to go to any trouble on my account. I'll pay you for your services," she promised.
"If you would simply offer a warm bowl of soup, I would still oblige," I smiled back warmly.
"That's wonderful! The doors to the cellar are right behind me. Now you be careful, dearie, and don't let any of those creepy buggers come up here, all right?" She instructed me as I walked around the bar from the left.
I nodded at her as I walked past then opened the door and walked downstairs. As I expected there is little light down in the cellar, and the air smelled a little damp. Not that I need light, as an elf, I have low light vision. When I reached solid ground, I looked around, seeing dusty wine containers, crates, and the corners of the ceiling had cobwebs on them. It seemed like Grisella hasn't cleaned the cellar or been down here in a month or two. At that moment, I heard something skittering along the floor. I looked down to my left and about 5 feet away from where I stood, I saw two red colored beetles moving aimlessly across the floor. They are the size of rats, nothing I can't handle. I don't even need to use my sword.
I just simply walked over to them, and crushed one of them under my boot. The second one tried to run away, but I caught it with my other boot, crushing it. Then I checked around for more beetles. Two more scurried out from under a dusty pantry when I opened the doors. I put an end to them the same way I did to the first two. The last beetle crawled away towards the crates, trying to lose me. With my low light vision, it is impossible for me to lose track of my target in darkness. I don't mean to brag, but even though elves, even half-elves have innate, natural abilities unlike humans, we are not without flaws of our own. After I double checked the cellar for any beetles I may have missed, I returned upstairs.
"You're back! Have you taken care of my pest problem?" Grisella turned around to greet me when I opened the door.
"Yes, those beetles shouldn't trouble you anymore now that I've squashed them," I said.
Grisella smiled in relief. "Oh thank you, thank you, dearie! Here, some gold coins for your good deed," she reached into the pockets of her apron and handed me 200 gold coins.
I looked at the coins in my hands for a few seconds, then at Grisella. "Thank you. Thank you very much. I'm feeling famished now, so could you please make some vegetable soup before I go see Hrothgar?"
"Sure, dearie!" Grisella nodded.
It took her an hour to prepare the soup, but when it was ready, I didn't hesitate eating it. The hot broth burned my tongue, a punishment for being overeager to calm my growling stomach. I waited a few minutes for the soup to cool down a bit and then I enjoyed it. After being well fed for a long journey here to Easthaven, I finally left Winter's Cradle inn and headed for Hrothgar's house, which is apparently the largest hut in Easthaven. I walked over to the front door, stood near it and knocked three times, waiting for Hrothgar to answer. He opened the door four seconds later.
"Ah, Jovan! Come in!" He said.
Without hesitation, I walked inside. And the inside of his house is very warm, thanks to his large fireplace, burning many logs of fire, sending smoke rising up the chimney.
"Welcome to my home, me friend. Please, make yourself comfortable, but try not to break anything," Hrothgar said as he guided me to his large couch, which is placed 6 feet in front of the fireplace.
As I walked over to the couch alongside Hrothgar, I took notice of the various objects and artifacts hanging on the walls, and Hrothgar noticed that they had my attention.
"Many of these curiosities that you see lying about have... sentimental value," Hrothgar continued as I sat down on the couch, making myself warm and comfortable.
I looked up on the wall above the fireplace and I saw three hunting trophy heads hanging on the wall. The head in the middle is a minotaur, the head to the left of the minotaur head is a mind flayer head, and the head to the right of the minotaur head is a lizard man's head! I looked to my left and saw that a few feet away from me near the corner of the large room is three rows of display cases made of glass holding many kinds of artifacts that Hrothgar has found in his adventuring days. I was impressed. Never before have I seen a man decorate his house with so many trophies and artifacts.
"Where did you get all this stuff?" I asked him as he sat down on the couch near me.
"Ah, they are all remembrances of my adventuring days, little trinkets and the like that I picked up here and there. more keepsakes than valuables, really, leftovers from my days of fortune and glory," Hrothgar said proudly.
"So you're a retired adventurer, then?" I asked him.
"I've settled down a bit from my adventuring days, but no, I have not yet given it up completely. That reminds me, I'm putting together an expedition of sorts, one which would surely provide opportunities for both fortune and glory. This is the business I wished to speak to you about."
"Is that so? Tell me about this expedition. Where are you going? Who is going with you?" I became intrigued.
"We've received word from Kuldahar, our neighbors to the south, that evil forces are stirring nearby in the Spine of the World mountains. I am organizing and leading a party of adventurers who will travel with me to Kuldahar Valley to investigate. You look like a capable adventurer, Jovan, so that's why I've decided to select you as a member of the party I am organizing. What say you?
"Before I give my answer, what kind of evil force are you talking about?" I asked curiously.
Hrothgar frowned slightly in concern. "I don't really know. The messenger wasn't too specific. I suppose if you want more details, you could ask old Everard over at the temple, but time is a-wasting. We need to get this expedition moving right away before the snows seal off the pass to Kuldahar. So what's it going to be, Jovan? Are you in or out?"
I wasn't expecting to be suddenly dragged into an adventure so soon. I didn't come to Icewind Dale for business reasons, I came here seeking adventure, but it seems adventure found me when I least expected it.
I nodded. "Yes, Hrothgar. I'm in."
My answer brought a wide grin on Hrothgar's face.
"Excellent! Glad to have you on board, Jovan," he shook my hand after we stood up on our feet. I plan to assemble the rest of the expedition and set out for Kuldahar tomorrow. With storms brewing in the mountains, I'd rather we depart as soon as possible, but I am waiting for two more of my party members to arrive with supplies from Pomab. They are late. Very late, and I hope it has nothing to do with Pomab's concerns with the supply caravans being late. Normally I take his complaints with a grain of salt, but, recently..."
"I could go check and see what could be the problem," I immediately volunteered.
Hrothgar raised his left eyebrow. "I wasn't expecting you to volunteer for this, but thank you." He shook my hand firmly once more.
"Besides, I would like to meet some of your party members if I am going to travel with you and them. So who are the people you sent to buy supplies from Pomab?" I asked.
"Well, since you asked, I'll tell you a little about them. First, there is Gorris of the Bear Tribe, one of the local barbarian tribes here in Icewind Dale, and there's Xalorn Rendar, a half-orc barbarian who is a close friend of Gorris and adopted member of that tribe, and there is Andy Gray, a young human mage from Neverwinter. If you find them, please help them with whatever is preventing them from buying the supplies we need for our expedition. The party members I sent to purchase foods and drinks for our expedition have encountered no problems," Hrothgar explained.
I headed for the door. "Don't worry, I'll see what's wrong," I said before walking out the door.
I headed for Pomab's Emporium, which isn't far at all from Hrothgar's house, trying to keep my body warm underneath my thick cloak. Not too many elves come this far north, and now I see why. When I approached the door, opened it and stepped inside, I heard Pomab himself arguing with two men at the service desk 8 feet ahead of me.
"... How many times must I keep telling you barbarians? Let me see your coins first before I show you my wares!" Pomab argued at the three men standing on the other end of the service desk.
Xalorn, the half-orc man in body armor made of thick leather and wolf pelts, slammed his fist on the table in frustration.
"I don't trust you, Calishite! We want to see what you have before we buy it, to make sure that you don't swindle us," he said.
Pomab looked incredulous now. "Swindle? Swindle you? Who will swindle who? How do I know that you have nothing to barter with other than wolf pelts and polished stones?"
Gorris, the human man who appears to be 27 years old spoke now. "Pomab, we are trying to prepare for an adventure here. We have no wolf pelts, or polished stones, just gold, and we don't want to spend our gold on low quality weapons, not when we are going on an expedition with Hrothgar and some other adventurers to Kuldahar," Gorris reasoned.
"Listen to the man, Pomab. Be reasonable here, then we can all get what we want," Andy said.
He has dark blue eyes, short, dark blonde hair and wore a thick cloak over his robes to keep himself warm, and he has a few freckles on his face.
Pomab darted his eyes left and right at Gorris, Andy and Xalorn as I slowly approached. Before Pomab could speak out, probably in further protest, I called out, saying: "Hold, maybe I can be of some assistance," grabbing the attention of Gorris, Andy, Pomab and Xalorn.
"What's this? More barbarians come to my shop?" Pomab said to me.
"I am no barbarian, Calishite. I am an elf, and I too have been selected by Hrothgar to go on an expedition with him. Now, let us see your wares, otherwise you won't see our gold," I said as politely as I could.
Xalorn looked at Pomab with a triumphant smile that said "Oh yes! We have backup! You're in trouble now!".
Pomab's face flushed red in anger. "How dare you speak to me in such a manner! Do you know who I am?" He demanded.
I sighed.
"You're Pomab the Arrogant?" Xalorn joked.
Pomab huffed, crossing his arms. "Hmph! I am Pomab Ak'azmhir, Royal Diplomatic Envoy of Calimshan and Appointed Overseer of the Northern Caravan Routes!"
Gorris started chuckling. "Oh, I see, I get it now. Your appearance as a lowly shopkeeper is just a clever disguise... to throw off any would-be assassins. Am I right?" He asked, smiling.
Pomab scowled sharply at Gorris. "Your poor attempt at sarcasm is an obvious sign of your lowly birth. I'll have you know that I am third cousin to the Pasha himself! Not to mention a royal courtier in good standing."
I had to step in before Gorris and Xalorn could make the argument worse.
"Never mind them, just show us your wares," I urged.
Pomab paused for a moment, and as far as I could read his scowling expression, I thought I could tell that he had a confession to make. My hunch proved to be right.
"I... don't have much to sale. My stock is very thin at the moment," he admitted.
"Ah! So that's why you're in a sour mood. What happened?" I asked.
"I was expecting a caravan from Caer-Dineval to arrive today, but they are two hours late. If they don't arrive soon, I'll be out of business," Pomab admitted calmly.
"We'll find out what happened to your caravan. Where should we go?" Gorris asked.
Pomab shrugged. "I suggest you head for the hills west of Lac Dinneshere, between Easthaven and Caer-Dineval, because caravans usually stick close to the shoreline of the lake this time of year."
"All right, the day is still young, so we should go find this caravan before nightfall," I instructed my new companions.
"You'll hear no argument from me, uh..." Gorris said then paused, waiting for me to reveal my name.
"I'm Jovan Goldmarsh from the High Forest," I shook his hand.
"I'm Gorris, and that muscular guy over there is Xalorn Rendar, we've known each other for 18 years," Gorris said as we headed out the emporium.
"And I'm Andrew Gray, but please, call me "Andy"." Andy said.
"Really? You've known each other that long?" I asked them as we stepped outside and Gorris closed the door behind us.
"Yeah. I like to think of Xalorn as a brother, right Xalorn?" Gorris gave Xalorn three friendly slaps on his back.
"Yes, Gorris, that is true," Xalorn nodded.
"Let's go see if Felicia is prepared to come with us to check on that lost caravan. The more people we have with us, the better, you know?" Gorris advised.
"I agree. I came here alone and the journey here was hard enough," I nodded in agreement.
"You came here alone? Either you are either brave or really crazy," Andy said.
"I have my... reasons for being a lone adventurer," I said sullenly.
Gorris led us over to Lac Dinneshere, over towards a house that belongs to a man known as "Old Jed", where I saw two people, a man and a woman, watching a dozen men at the docks haul in large crates full of knucklehead trout. The air is pungent with the scent of freshly caught trout, especially from the dozens of knucklehead trout hanging on wooden racks next to Old Jed's house.
"Felicia!" Gorris called to the two people.
The woman turned around and she smiled at us. Judging by the lute strapped to her back, I assume that she is a bard. She has short, platinum blonde hair, her eyes are brighter than Andy's, she wore a bright blue cloak around her body armor made of thick leather.
"Gorris! Andy! Xalorn! There you are!" She exclaimed as we approached, then she noticed me as the man she was standing with turned around to see us.
"Who is this?" She asked Gorris, pointing at me.
"This is Jovan Goldmarsh. He is the new guy Hrothgar just recently added to his party," Andy said enthusiastically before Gorris could.
"Really? That means he has a total of... 51 adventurers in his party!" Felicia exclaimed.
"Wow!" The guy she is standing next to, a human named Jhonen said. "Hrothgar must be expecting some trouble."
"My hunch is, he is always expecting trouble. My parents known him for years," Felicia told Jhonen.
"Jovan, I'd like you to meet Jhonen He's a fisherman," Felicia explained.
"Well met," I said to him as I shook his hand.
"Likewise," Jhonen nodded at me courteously, then he turned his attention back to Felicia. "Anyway, Felicia," he sighed then rubbed his eyes. "I can't shake these dreams out of my head. I don't know what they mean, but every night, I hear that same damn song..."
"How does it go?" Felicia asked.
Jhonen scratched his recently cut brown hair. "Uh... Damn it, I can't remember..." he muttered.
"You say you're having dreams, Jhonen? Dreams fade upon waking. Mayhaps a day of fishing will help clear your mind," I suggested.
"Ah, well, the dreams have been fishing in me, as of late, friend. So much so I can barely catch a wink before they rouse me from it. A frustration it is at times, sometimes, it feels more real than the waking world.
"What kind of dreams are these?" Andy asked.
"Well, there's a woman..." Jhonen paused to see Gorris, Andy and I giving him a suspicious look. "Don't give me that eye, it's not like you think... she walks upon the surface of this lake as if it were flagstones instead of waves. She doesn't say anything, just sings- beautiful songs, but I can't understand a word."
Andy rubbed his chin in thought. "Hey," he said to get everyone's attention. "Before Gorris, Xalorn and I went to see Pomab, I seem to recall a woman standing near the shores of the lake behind Apsel's house over there," Andy pointed out southeast past Old Jed's home.
Apsel the Scrimshander is the man in Easthaven who makes the Scrimshaw sculptures out of the ivory bones of knucklehead trout that Easthaven is so famous for.
"Hey, I got an idea. Why don't we go talk to this woman and find out what she wants from you? Andy, Felicia, come with me, show me where you last saw her," I instructed.
"All right, Jovan, follow me," he said, and we left the others behind.
We passed by a few people before passing by the house he was pointing at. As soon as we got near Apsel's home, we saw Apsel himself nearby, a 46 year old human man with a recently trimmed beard wearing glasses with large lens, looking around frantically for someone or something, and apparently the few people who were near us showed no intention of asking Apsel what troubles him. As soon as Apsel saw us, however, he rushed over to us, likely because he recognized us as adventurers because of how equipped we are with weapons.
"Oh, thank the gods. Whoever you are, you picked the perfect time to wander by. I could really use some help," he said.
"My name is Jovan. Who might you be?" I asked him.
"The name's Apsel. But please... we have no time for pleasantries. I desperately need your help!"
"What troubles you?" Gorris asked.
"While I was gone, a winter wolf somehow snuck into my workshop and is tearing the place apart! It tried to attack me when I entered my home. I was so startled at the sight of the beast that I accidentally broke the key off in the lock while trying to get away. Now I can't get back in. Please, get rid of that beast for me."
"If you can't get back in, how can we?" Andy asked.
Apsel opened his mouth for a second, but he didn't immediately speak. Then he shook his head when he decided that he doesn't have an alternative solution.
"I don't care! Break the door down if you have to," he finally said.
"Stand back," Xalorn said as he marched forward past us, then headed for the front door of Apsel's house.
After posiitoning himself in fornt of the door as we watched, Xalorn braced himself, readying his right arm and shoulder to smash into the locked door, then he charged at the door smashing it open, causing Apsel to gasp in astonishment.
"It's good luck to have someone like him around," Gorris said to Apsel with a reassuring smile.
Then almost immediately, we heard the wolf inside the house barking and snarling, apparently attempting to attack Xalorn. We were still outside the house and didn't dare go in, because we knew that a strong half-orc like Xalorn can take on a single winter wolf on his own. We heard Xalorn yelling in rage, and following his yells, we heard the sound of his sword cutting into flesh. Then a split second later, Xalorn threw the corpse of the dead wolf out the open door, and it landed on the snow-covered ground wooden planks just 8 inches away from the doorstep and 4 inches away from falling into the water of the lake, then Xalorn stepped out, sheathing his bloodstained sword.
"That little beast didn't cause too much damage to your workshop," Xalorn informed Apsel as he brushed his hands together.
Apsel grinned widely. "Yes! Thank you! The wolf is no more! How can I repay you?"
Before either of us could reply, Apsel immediately said "Wait! I know what you need."
He dug into his pockets and pulled out a dagger with a keen edge, a dagger that he uses for carving the ivory bones he has in stock inside his home, and handed it to me. I was deeply confused.
"You're giving me your scrimshaw carving dagger? I can't-" I started to protest.
"No, no, I insist. Take it." He said.
Without further objections, I reluctantly took the keen edged dagger, then after saying out goodbyes to Apsel, we continued past his home for the lake's edge away from the village of Easthaven. Soon we saw the woman standing near the southwestern shores of Lac Dinneshere, looking out at the vast lake and humming a beautiful tune.
Her skin color is the same as the surface of the lake, she has light green hair, and delicate features akin to fey creatures like me. In fact, I could tell she is a fey creature like I am, especially the way her ears are shaped.
"Uh, excuse me..." I called to the woman, and as she turned around to face me, Andy and Felicia, I saw that her eyes are light green like her hair too. "Are you the woman that Jhonen keeps seeing in his dreams?" I asked her.
She smiled, but she didn't say a word. I repeated my question again, this time speaking in the elf language.
"As one elf to another, I ask that you speak in the tongue of those who walk upon the land- what has brought you from your home in the lake, sister?" I asked her in the elf language.
But she still did not reply, other than making a depressed facial expression.
"If you can understand me, please, let us hear your song," Felicia asked.
The woman nodded, and she began humming. And for some reason, as I listened, I found that somehow I understood the meaning behind her song, and why she is here. It is a feeling I am all too familiar with. I tried not to shed a tear, but when I did, Felicia and Andy didn't notice.
"You are the woman Jhonen sees in his dreams, are you?" Andy asked.
"Jho-nyn?" The woman said slowly in a very thick accent.
I could tell that she is struggling to speak Common, but is progressing very slowly since she apparently has never spoken to anyone before.
"Yes, Jhonen. You are the woman from his dreams?" I nodded.
"Yes- yes! Have your eyes fallen upon him? Do you know where it is he walks?" The woman asked almost haltingly as she spoke.
"Yes, we have. He told us he sees you in his dreams, but he doesn't know what you want from him. What do you want from him?" Felicia asked.
The strange woman licked her lips before speaking. "I am of the calling Elisia-of-the-Sky's-Mirror. My heart is Jho-nyn's, but he cannot see me in the flesh, or else I will become as the currents upon the shore. A gift do I have for him, from one of his blood long ago, who also held my heart, but not as Jho-nyn holds it now."
"Gift?" I frowned. "What kind of gift?"
The woman turned around and looked out at the vast lake before speaking. "Many reflections of the moon have come and gone since the day in which the one of the blood of Jho-nyn fell beneath the waters of the lake. he fought the last of the great white serpents that swam upon the northern winds, the queen mother Icasaracht (pronounced "Ek-Kaas-Ar-Rakt"), who now lies without life on the bed of the lake. A promise was made, and I must honor it." She said as she watched the ripples of the lake's shore move towards her feet then recede, then return.
"What promise?" I asked.
The woman turned to face me, Andy and Felicia again. "The one from whom Jho-nyn comes, Aihonen, asked I see his blade returned to those of his blood if the queen serpent Icasaracht drank his life. She did, but not before he dealt her a mortal blow." Elisia then stepped further out into the lake, then crouched down on her knees to the point where her waist touched the water, and as far as I could tell, it looked like she is trying to retrieve something. I'm surprised that she is wading out into the lake in this time of year, normally people would freeze.
She picked up a special looking, but broken long sword from under the shores and returned to us, holding it in her hands.
"From the depths of the lake, I have brought the fire-shaped steel that ended her life. It is intended that it be belonging of Jho-nyn now."
"So, let me get this straight," Andy began. "You wish to return the sword of Jhonen's ancestor back to him, but you can't do it yourself because the sight of you will make you stream away to water?"
Elisia nodded. "It is one of the laws in the lands beneath the lake's mirror. Will you give this to Jho-nyn and tell him my heart? My songs are his, my heart is his."
"Forgive me, Elisia-of-the-Sky's-Mirror, but there are many tales of gifts that are more than they appear. Sometimes they can be dangerous." Felicia said.
"I wish no harm upon Jho-nyn," Elisia said firmly.
"Ah, I did not ask about your intentions, I am merely talking about your gift. You did not mention what it may do," Felicia corrected.
"Yeah. And your dreams are already hurting him. He can't sleep peacefully at night anymore," Andy said.
Elisia looked sad now. "The dreams were the only way I could speak to him. the blade is for him. I only wish him to dwell in the waves beside me..."
When I looked at her sad eyes, I could see how sincere she is. This is why I believe inter-species romance between a human and an elf or any other humanoid creature with a longer lifespan than a human, or can breathe in water or fly in air can never work out, because humans live for no more than a century or less, they can't fly, and they can't breathe underwater. So why do elves, and other humanoid creatures with longer lifespans or abilities humans don't have even try to establish a relationship with a human? I don't get it.
"But humans can't live beneath the waves, Elisia. For your kind, you are obviously headstrong to appear upon the shores where anyone may see you. That tells me you have a desperate heart. And a desperate heart does dangerous things," I said. Who am I kidding? I have done many dangerous things, even for love.
I could see my words hit Elisia like a dagger in her heart.
"There is no truth I can offer in these broken words that will show you that I nor this gift mean Jho-nyn harm..."
I crossed my arms. "You're right. Words may not suffice, but a song might reveal more than what words can't," I said.
Elisia nodded in agreement and began to hum the tune once again. And somehow, I "feel" the words more than I hear them, and somehow, after I closed my eyes, I saw images of how Lac Dinneshere looks underwater. the images moved even though I wasn't walking in my vision, I just stood there as if I were watching an event unfold. I saw the currents around me, I saw many knucklehead trout and other species of fish swimming around, the skeletons of humans that have likely drowned in this lake long ago, and through the underwater mist of the lakebed, I also saw the skeleton of a dragon and a human skeleton near it, which I assume must be Icasaracht's bones and the bones of Jhonen's ancestor. When the vision ended, I opened my eyes, understanding that Elisia is trustworthy and has nothing but deep love for Jhonen. I still don't understand why she is so naive to understand that because Jhonen is a human, he can't be with her beneath the waves, it can never be.
I reached out for the sword in her hands. "I will see to it that this blade is returned to Jhonen, Elisia. I think it will make a grand tale, indeed," I said.
She willingly gave it to me. "Here, then, I entrust this to your keeping until your path crosses with that of Jho-nyn. Return to me when you have given it to him. I mist know if it has found its way back to its home."
We returned back to where Jhonen, Gorris and Xalorn were waiting, near the only boathouse in Easthaven.
"Hey!" Andy shouted while waving, catching their attention.
"Oh, you're back," Jhonen said.
"Well?" Xalorn crossed his arms.
"Jhonen, I think we found the reason for the dreams you've been having," I declared, holding the broken sword behind my back so Jhonen wouldn't see it yet.
"Eh? You're not playing on a man's hopes, are you? I'd be grateful for just one night of peace," Jhonen rubbed his eyes and yawned.
"The woman in your dreams is a sea spirit, Jhonen. Her kind speak through song, which is why you couldn't understand her," I explained.
"A... a sea spirit? Eh... what does she want, then? Why the dreams?" Jhonen asked, somewhat skeptical, I could tell.
"Her name is Elisia. Speaking through dreams is one of the talents of her race. She speaks to you because she was a close friend of one of your ancestors and has carried a promise for him for many, many years," I said.
Jhonen raised his right eyebrow in confusion. "One of my ancestors? Why come to me, then?" He asked.
"Your features remind her of him, and your heart is strong, if not stronger. She has come to love you, but she cannot let you see her in the flesh. She wishes to give you something that belonged to your ancestor, if you would take it." at that moment I showed him the broken sword Elisia gave me to give to him.
He looked at the broken blade, his wide eyes clearly indicating that he is intrigued as he slowly took the broken sword into his hands.
"Aye, I will. Of course I will." He said almost reluctantly then shook his head. "Sorry, it's... well, it's a bit much to be laid upon a fisherman all at once. I... well, I'd be honored to accept anything she wishes me to have," he said gratefully.
"That blade is the blade your ancestor used against the last of the white dragon matriarchs named Icasaracht. The broken piece of the blade lay within Icasaracht's remains at the bottom of Lac Dinneshere for almost a century. Carry it well and know that Elisia loves you, your dreams shall trouble you no further now." I explained.
Jhonen held the blade high in the air, inspecting it with Gorris and Xalorn standing next to him, examining the interesting sword.
"By the Spine of the World... even shattered, this blade's a wonder. But... no more dreams, you said? I, well... I'll miss them, actually. Her songs... beautiful. Simply beautiful," he admitted without shame.
"I'll go tell her then. Farewell," I turned to leave.
"Jovan, meet us near the caravan roads when you get back, okay? We're going to find that missing caravan Pomab is expecting," Gorris called.
"Okay!" I called back as I raced past the boathouse then a few men carrying fish in baskets to their homes to feed their families. and then Apsel's home and the homes of a few other townspeople before leaving the village.
I found Elisia where I first met her and she had her back turned on me, no doubt in deep thought about Jhonen.
"Elisia, I'm back," I called.
She turned around to look at me. "Have you found Jho-nyn?" she asked.
"Yes, I returned the blade back to him." I nodded.
Elisia smiled. "You have my gratitude," she said then dug into the pockets of her wet clothing and pulled out a pearl resting in her right hand.
"Please take this shaped piece of sand which I have taken from the bed of the lake. I have heard that those who walk upon the land value such things," Elisia said, and after she gave me the pearl, she ran towards the lake and jumped in the water, literally disappearing- I saw no ripples on the ocean's surface.
Taking one look at the pearl in my right hand, I turned around and walked away, heading for the caravan road to meet up with my new allies to find out what could have possibly happened to the caravan that is supposed to be coming from Caer-Dineval.
