headed for Farlan when the Brotherhood attacked us. Me and my friends fought…” Thad’s voice trailed off as he once again thought about Brianna. His hand suddenly went to the ring on his right hand. Thad felt the tears start their trip done his face.
”I see, your journey has not been a pleasant one,” Emeriss said, her voice full of sympathy. “It has been years since our last visitor from outside our shores. I must admit to a fair amount of curiosity, though I do not wish to push you into talking about that which brings you pain.”
“That is much appreciated Lady Emeriss,” Thad said, bowing his head slightly. “While my trip here has been an accident, I would like to use this opportunity to undergo your rite, if it is possible.”
Emeriss laughed, her voice like that of tiny bells ringing in the air. “I figured you would, though I alone do not have the power to give that which you want. The council must convene and decided on all matters such as this.”
“The council?”
“Yes, there are fifteen ruling houses in Tremeir, and the head of each house is also the member of the high council. We like to sit around and talk about things and act as if we are more than we are.”
Thad could easily detect the pain in her voice. She did not agree with the council even though by her own words she was a member. “Could you explain more about the city and the council? There seems to be much more going on than just my unexpected visit,” Thad said, trying to coax more out of the young elf.
Emeriss gave a dejected smile, “I guess there is at that. We elves have extremely long lives. It is not uncommon for an elf to live two or three thousand years. Our near immortality, you would think of as a blessing, but I fear it is a curse. What can keep a mind intrigued over the centuries? There are only so many scrolls to read, only so many things one can do over the countless years. In the past my people used to go on sojourns for long periods of time, but since the Brotherhood has hunted us we have been forced to retreat into isolation. With nothing to keep us occupied we have turned to politics, and vanity.”
Emeriss paused when a group of servants brought them their food. Thad was amazed at the assortment and quality that was set in front of him. It would have been considered a grand feast fit for a small army and seemed extravagantly large given there were only two people. Thad waved his hand over the food. “Vanity, or is it a need to outshine those around you?
Thad’s feared his words would be taken as an insult though he meant them more in jest. “Yes we do love to show off,” Emeriss said, smiling as she began filling her plate with an assortment of meats and cheese “Though my servants don’t seem to mind my extravagance, as they get to eat what is left.”
“Your servants seem much different than those I met in Reinwood’s employ.”
“Reinwood, that blusterous oaf,” Emeriss spat. “Only those of noble house may have what the council considers the mark of a true elf,” Emeriss accented her words by tapping the tip of her fingers against her pointed ears. “Those not belonging to a noble house have their ears clipped at birth. It is a monstrous practice. Separating people based on birth. It is preposterous. Half…More than half of my servants have more brains than most those who sit on the council. Do we take advantage of their gifts? No, but we continue the charade of believing those of noble birth are better and we reduce the others around us to lesser status. Some of the so called nobles treat their fellow elves more like animals than their kin.”
Thad could understand her feelings. The belief that a few were born above others was not a special trait of the elves. The world of men was filled with people who believed such. Her words had stirred a forgotten pain within his own memories. Farlan was not so different, though they did not simply separate by birth but by gender. In Farlan, Men
”I see, your journey has not been a pleasant one,” Emeriss said, her voice full of sympathy. “It has been years since our last visitor from outside our shores. I must admit to a fair amount of curiosity, though I do not wish to push you into talking about that which brings you pain.”
“That is much appreciated Lady Emeriss,” Thad said, bowing his head slightly. “While my trip here has been an accident, I would like to use this opportunity to undergo your rite, if it is possible.”
Emeriss laughed, her voice like that of tiny bells ringing in the air. “I figured you would, though I alone do not have the power to give that which you want. The council must convene and decided on all matters such as this.”
“The council?”
“Yes, there are fifteen ruling houses in Tremeir, and the head of each house is also the member of the high council. We like to sit around and talk about things and act as if we are more than we are.”
Thad could easily detect the pain in her voice. She did not agree with the council even though by her own words she was a member. “Could you explain more about the city and the council? There seems to be much more going on than just my unexpected visit,” Thad said, trying to coax more out of the young elf.
Emeriss gave a dejected smile, “I guess there is at that. We elves have extremely long lives. It is not uncommon for an elf to live two or three thousand years. Our near immortality, you would think of as a blessing, but I fear it is a curse. What can keep a mind intrigued over the centuries? There are only so many scrolls to read, only so many things one can do over the countless years. In the past my people used to go on sojourns for long periods of time, but since the Brotherhood has hunted us we have been forced to retreat into isolation. With nothing to keep us occupied we have turned to politics, and vanity.”
Emeriss paused when a group of servants brought them their food. Thad was amazed at the assortment and quality that was set in front of him. It would have been considered a grand feast fit for a small army and seemed extravagantly large given there were only two people. Thad waved his hand over the food. “Vanity, or is it a need to outshine those around you?
Thad’s feared his words would be taken as an insult though he meant them more in jest. “Yes we do love to show off,” Emeriss said, smiling as she began filling her plate with an assortment of meats and cheese “Though my servants don’t seem to mind my extravagance, as they get to eat what is left.”
“Your servants seem much different than those I met in Reinwood’s employ.”
“Reinwood, that blusterous oaf,” Emeriss spat. “Only those of noble house may have what the council considers the mark of a true elf,” Emeriss accented her words by tapping the tip of her fingers against her pointed ears. “Those not belonging to a noble house have their ears clipped at birth. It is a monstrous practice. Separating people based on birth. It is preposterous. Half…More than half of my servants have more brains than most those who sit on the council. Do we take advantage of their gifts? No, but we continue the charade of believing those of noble birth are better and we reduce the others around us to lesser status. Some of the so called nobles treat their fellow elves more like animals than their kin.”
Thad could understand her feelings. The belief that a few were born above others was not a special trait of the elves. The world of men was filled with people who believed such. Her words had stirred a forgotten pain within his own memories. Farlan was not so different, though they did not simply separate by birth but by gender. In Farlan, Men
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