Hello, Everyone!
Previously, in Mary WIndfiddle’s story:
Mary and her friends arrived in Myth Adofhaer and are on their way to find out what happened with the undead attacks six years ago. They got summoned to speak in front of the Council of Hundred, hoping to get access to some more information about said events. However, they were met with some opposition from two of the three Elders – Tiriel Elaire was adamant not to let the strangers ‘steal their secrets’, and Kirios Ibre pointed out that the trio had ties to the dwarves, which, as is well-known, don’t really get along with the elves.
Let’s see whether our heroes can persuade them.
The Council of Hundred buzzed with murmurs and whispering. Kirios Ibre’s emphasis on Mary, Aurum and--especially--Bruno’s connection to Belfast, had stirred them up to the point that nobody was paying the trio any attention.
“Mr. Endoras,” Aurum’s voice rose up above the commotion. “I hope we can work together, Dynatos Perres and Francesca Findabair had many good things to say about you.”
Tiriel Elaire leapt from her seat with eyes wide with outrage.
“How DARE you speak of that Zerakastolian freak in our presence?!”
She flumped back in her chair and propped her head with her hand as if she'd suddenly gotten a headache. She half-turned to Balaine Endoras and spoke, just loud enough to be heard from the platform, as well as from most of the elves in the first circle.
“I don’t like them, Balaine. I don’t want them in our city.”
In the tense silence that followed, Mary felt all the blood go into her feet. She understood why Aurum had said that--to convince the elves that they weren't Belfast's spies or something--but it was such a risky move!
Balaine Endoras looked around and addressed the whole chamber.
"As far as I've heard, the dwarves in Belfast aren't fools who give out rewards to people who don't deserve them. Also, I must say that I trust Dynatos Perres' judgement. And you all know that we need investigators from a non-elven lineage. Their connections to Belfast, Pamagos AND Zerakas tol," he scowled at Tiriel Elaire, "show that they’re not allied to any one political force."
A murmur of approval spread through the circles of elves. There was still no trust in the other two Elders' eyes, but they didn't say anything.
"Tell them about Maquiel!" a voice rose from somewhere in the seats.
"I will!" Endoras said.
Then he turned to the platform. "Six years ago, Maquiel Prouvier confessed to the attacks in and around Myth Adofhaer and was proven guilty. However, two weeks before today, he suddenly woke up in his cell and started screaming that he didn't do it. And with the attacks happening again, in the same way as before, he might as well not be."
The chamber went silent once more. This time there was a certain air of anger and frustration towards the whole situation and, Mary thought, in part towards Endoras.
"I intend to give the case to these agents," he said. "Does anyone object?"
Nobody spoke up.
"Then it is decided. I think that it'd be appropriate to have somebody local… accompany the agents while they're in the city, and help them with the investigation in the unfamiliar setting."
"Send Tesaya!" a snide voice called out from the Hundred. "Let there finally be some use of her!"
Mary jolted in her seat and frantically scanned the chamber to see who was speaking. She knew this voice! She'd heard it a long time ago, in a cavern made by a Carrion Crawler, in the presence of three Duergar and a chest of treasure.
The elf was sitting across the room, in one of the farthest seats in the second circle. He was blond and arrogant-looking, with a large scar on his cheek which used to still be a fresh wound last time they saw him.
Mary looked at her friends and saw the same recognition in their own expressions. Bruno met her eyes and shook his head. She took it as a "we shouldn't make a scene right now" and pursed her lips.
Balaine Endoras looked at the elf and sighed.
"It is true," he said gravely, "that right now Tesaya is the most… expendable among us. And she can use the experience."
Soon after that, the Council dismissed them. Mary and her friends started to exit the door but just before they did, Mary touched her copper ring and whispered a Message into Endoras' head.
"There is a traitor among you."
She knew that Bruno wouldn't approve, but she couldn't leave it just like that. She had to warn someone. That way they would at least be wary and be careful whom they trust.
An answer came in her mind.
"We'll talk later."
Do you actually remember meeting that elven traitor? It was aaaall the way back to Mary’s first adventuring encounter with the Carrion Crawler! Do you think he’s a Duergar spy??? That’s quite worrisome! I hope he doesn’t do something terrible!
See you in the next chapter!
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.