Hello, Everyone!
Welcome back to the story of our dear Mary Windfiddle!
Before we start, let me tell you about this wonderful thing that happened to me during the last week :) I've been featured in the annual Scholar And Scribe Spotlight! This is so amazing and I'm so honoured and happy that @grocko has taken the time and care to write this super kind and thoughtful post! And the comments! The comments have made me cry with joy for days!
Anyhow, let's get back to the story! Last time, Mary, Bruno and Aurum got in front of the elven Council of Hundred and asked for cooperation for their investigation of the recent undead attacks. At first they were denied, but after one of the Elders, Balaine Endoras, advocated for them, they were allowed to research the matter, as long as they do it under the watchful eye of someone called ‘Tesaya’.
“Who is Tesaya?” Aurum asked when they got to Noanar.
“Tesaya?” he frowned. “Why?”
After hearing their explanation, Noanar smiled somberly.
“I see. I understand why they chose her. I’ll get you there.”
"But who is she?"
"Tesaya is a paladin. I've known her for quite a while. She’s a good person but she hasn’t… improved her craft for the past 42 years. A person like that…” He sighed. “They are not looked upon kindly here."
Mary remembered the way that elf in the Council had spoken about Tesaya, and the contempt on many of the other faces when she was mentioned. Anger rose in her stomach. It was so unfair to look down upon someone, just because they hadn’t progressed in a given craft!
“Has she been cursed?” Bruno asked. “Or ill in some way?”
"She has been tested for both,” Noanar said. “Sadly, nothing was found.”
They moved along and soon reached a short wall made of trees. Noanar knocked on a door amidst the trunks and they waited. It opened about half a minute later, revealing the face of an elven woman.
“Noanar?” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
She was tall and pretty, like every other elf they’d seen so far, but she seemed breathless, and her forehead was glistening with sweat. She brushed her golden hair off of it and smiled quizzically.
Noanar apologized for showing up unexpected and asked if she could let them in.
Tesaya moved aside and gestured for them to enter. The wall of trees turned out to be a natural fence. On the other side there was a wooden house, surrounded by a courtyard with well kempt grass. In one corner, there was a small patch that looked like a training grounds. That was the only part of the yard that was messy. Some of the equipment had been misplaced, like it’d been left in a hurry. Their visit had probably interrupted Tesaya’s workout.
Now that they were walking behind her, Mary could see that even though she had the usual slender build of an elf, Tesaya’ back was strong and muscular, much like that of Balaine Endoras. She was wearing wide-legged male trousers and a sleeveless shirt, something that further distinguished her from the other elven women they’d seen.
“Sorry, I wasn’t expecting guests,” Tesaya said when they entered the house. “Give me a few minutes to change.”
She went to the other room, leaving the four of them alone. Noanar awkwardly sat down, with his hands stiffly folded on his lap.
The inside of the house was entirely made out of wood. Mary wondered if those were living trees as well. She could see a chair and part of the table sprouting. On the opposite wall, mounted on a special place above the fireplace, there was a beautiful glass box containing a necklace.
Their hostess came back, wearing a more typical elven robe.
“So, welcome,” she said. “What brings you here?”
Noanar explained the Council’s decision and the purpose of their visit.
“I see,” Tesaya said. “Yes. I understand. I’m willing to make the sacrifice.”
Mary, who up to this point had been smiling, thinking that they might have just met the only nice elf in Myth Adofhaer, felt like the rug had been pulled out from under her feet.
So, helping them was a sacrifice...
“I’m sorry," Tesaya said, probably noticing her enthusiasm wither. "It’s nothing personal. There’s things at play that you don’t know of. I’ll tell you about them when we settle you inside.”
“Careful, Tesaya,” Noanar warned. “Don’t tell them everything.”
She looked at him and smiled softly.
Noanar gave her a nod and made his way out the door. His job was done. Now Mary and her friends were Tesaya’s problem.
Sooo, what do you think about this Tesaya woman? Is she really the only ‘nice’ elf in Myth Adofhaer, or is she someone that would spy on our heroes and then report to the Elders?
We’ll have to wait and see, wouldn’t we?
See you next time then!
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.