Hello, Everyone!
How are you doing? Did you like the Q&A I posted last week? Did you learn anything new?
Last time, Balaine Endoras and the group began a chat in his office. Mary managed to convince him to let her plant Gillean's tree in his city (he didn't need much convincing anyway), and then the conversation shifted towards the traitorous Clement and the Dark elves. Endoras stated his intentions of leading a small infiltration of the Underdark and asked our heroes to come with him when that happens.
Balaine Endoras’ office was quiet again. With the talk about the Underdark seemingly being over, Mary was wondering how to ask what had been weighing on her mind ever since last night.
"So, let's talk about the loxodon in the room," the Elder said, his eyes locked on her.
Oh, so it wasn’t she who was going to raise the question. Mary felt somehow relieved. She avoided the elf’s gaze but didn't feel as anxious as before. When Tesaya had asked her about Halas, she'd been so scared and uncertain; but now, after all that they… after all that she had been through, these fears and worries felt like some distant, childish thing.
"Whatever do you mean?" Aurum interjected, acting as if Endoras’ words had confused him.
"The caskets," the elf said. "And why Miss Windfiddle,” he emphasized the name, “cares so much about them."
Mary didn’t say anything. She had the feeling that however they might try to fool the Elder, it’d be in vain. The way he was talking about her, he’d already figured out who she was.
“It’s simply because they were in the laboratory.” Aurum said. “We were just wondering why.”
He would have kept pretending if Mary didn't say anything. After all, he was used to talking in her stead. She was usually too shy to do her own speaking.
"What will happen to them?” she said instead.
“I already told you,” Endoras said. “They’ll be put to rest in Falka’s mausoleum where they belong. Halas’ body has already been moved there, but it’ll take a few days to build a proper sarcophagus for Dalia.”
“Why…” Mary swallowed. “Why did they look like that? It was like they'd died just a few days ago.”
“Dalia’s body had traces of necromancy on her. At some point in time she must have been turned undead and then… preserved. Halas, on the other hand… We’re not sure how exactly Kloth did it, but it seems like he recreated his body from the bones up.” The Elder paused and his eyes fell on Mary once again. “As if he wanted to use him as leverage for something. Or someONE.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Mary lied, not even trying to sound convincing.
Endoras seemed keen on playing this game. He cocked his head and gave her a brief smile.
“You know,” he said, “they had a daughter. Meridia. I’m sure if she was alive, Myth Adofhaer would be happy to welcome her back.”
His words were followed by another pregnant pause. Mary averted her eyes, not wanting to confirm or deny anything.
“Oh!” Aurum interfered dramatically. “If only we knew where she was!”
Endoras shuffled in his chair and chuckled.
“You are an amusing one,” he said. “Thank you for the light-heartedness.”
“You’re certainly welcome,” Aurum said and wiggled his eyebrows.
“Let’s go back to Falka’s mausoleum,” Bruno said, obviously not as entertained. “Why was everything happening around it? Did that woman have anything to do with Kloth or the undead?"
“Yeah, what's up with that Falka?” Aurum joined in. “Why doesn't anyone talk about her?”
Mary appreciated her friends trying to change the subject and get the attention off of her. She gave them a little smile.
“It's a matter of national security,” Endoras said. “What Falka did, we just don't talk about.”
“Not even to Falka’s granddaughter?” Aurum said. “If she were here, that is,” he added quickly.
The Elder shook his head. “Not even to her.”
Then what was the point in confirming her heritage, Mary thought. Just for the sake of doing so? No, she’d better keep her mouth shut. Plus, there was still the question of Halas’ death. Why was he so worried when he left the Archive? What did he learn there? And who pursued him outside of Myth Adofhaer?
If she announced who she was, would she, too, be in the same danger?
“All I can say,” Endoras sighed, “is that Falka died in battle long ago, shielding not only Myth Adofhaer but all of Eastern Erathos as well. Her husband, Terros, was beside her, giving his life to protect her, so she could perform her feat."
He sighed, looking pensively at the sky outside the window.
“I leave flowers at their mausoleum sometimes,” he said.
That explained the dried up bouquet next to Falka’s sarcophagus. But it didn’t explain something else.
“What happened to their son?” Mary asked.
This was the one. The question she really wanted answered. Why did Halas have to die?
Why, indeed! Let's find out together, in the next episode of Mary Windfiddle's adventures :) Until then, what do you think Falka did for the elves? That's a really interesting question!
See you later!
Take care and be well!
(Also, here's a link to the Chapter Guide and the Glossary for the series. You're welcome!)
An important disclaimer: These are my notes from a D&D game turned into a narrative. All the worldbuilding and NPC encounters belong to our DM, and all the actions of the other main characters (Aurum and Bruno) belong to my co-players. My contribution to the story is only everything Mary-related (actions, reactions, inner thoughts), as well as the writing itself.