Legacy

[Paul]

Legacy - Kiabella

Once her name was announced the elder Coercer entered the Royal Hall and dropped into a curtsy before the Fae Monarch.

"Rise Ambassador Shadowbane."  The Queen said as she stood from her throne and approached the Koada`Dal with her hand extended.  "It has been a long time since you have graced this court with your presence.  What can I do for you?"

"Thank you for seeing me your Highness.  It has been far too long since I have had the honor to present myself before this Court.  I received word that one of your Paladins, a Fier`Dal named Arwelle Shadowbane, may be one of my descendants.  I would like to meet her and see for myself, if such a meeting can be arranged."  The elder Highborn said after rising to her feet and reverently clasping the offered hand.

"A meeting can certainly be arranged for you.  You have rendered much service to the Crown and this city and it would be the least I could do."  Queen Amree summoned a messenger forward as she scribbled a short note on a parchment.  "Find Miss Arwelle Shadowbane and deliver this summons to her and then escort her here."

"As you have spoken, my Queen so shall it be done."  The messenger bowed and started for the door after receiving the parchment.

"Wait."  Kiabella said before the Messenger could take three steps.  "If it would please you your Highness I would rather meet with her privately for the first time to ensure she is who I think she is so as to avoid any embarrassment to you or to me."

"Very well, Lady Shadowbane, your wisdom does bear merit.  You may use my sitting room through that door and I will send her in there once she arrives without saying anything of what she is to expect."

"That is more than acceptable your Highness."

"Very good then.  You are dismissed for now."

"Thank you your Highness."  Kiabella curtsied once more and was escorted to the Queen's sitting room.

The Queen summoned servants forward who curtsied before the Queen.

Have tea and cookies served to her while she waits and make sure there will be enough for both of them.

"Yes my Queen.  It shall be so."  The servants rose and performed the Queen's command.

Kiabella sat in a plush oak armchair with cushions of forest green and and admired the furnishing of the opulent sitting room.  Even though very little gold was displayed the room was well appointed with decor honoring the Mother from it's deep green carpet that resembled a canopy of leaves to the oak table that looked like it grew as a stump from the wooden floor.  All the wood was highly polished including the walls.  The large circular window framed in vines offered a spectacular view of the Tree City.

Legacy - Arwelle

A knock on the door takes the Fier`Dal Lady's attention from the book she is reading.  Arwelle rises from her seat by the window and heads down the ramp to the main room.  Opening the door she finds a royal messenger.

"Miss Shadowbane."  The messenger bows politely.   "I have a message for you from her Highness."  The messenger procures a sealed parchment and hands it to the Lady Paladin.  Arwelle breaks the seal and reads the message.

"Miss Arwelle Shadowbane,

You are hereby summoned to present yourself before me at once.  This messenger shall be your escort.

Sincerely,

Queen Amree

Sovereign of Kelethin."

Arwelle grabbed her cloak and put the message in her pocket before following the messenger.  Many thoughts run through the young Lady"™s head ranging from wondering if she had made a mistake or had she done something especially noteworthy to have garnered the attention of her Queen.

Upon her arrival at the Fae Royal Hall, Arwelle is announced and presents herself before her Queen.  Curtsying with her skirts spread wide around her in perfect form she awaits the command from the Fae Queen.  She does not have to wait long.

"Rise child."  Queen Amree bids the Lady Paladin.  "I am glad you answered my summons quickly.  Your presence has been requested by my Ambassador to Qeynos.  She is in my sitting room awaiting your presence."  The Queen motions toward the door.  "You are dismissed."

Arwelle rises and looks at the Queen with a questioning look for a moment.

"Thank you, My Queen."  Arwelle says.  "I live to serve the Mother and the Crown."  The Paladin makes her way to the door where it is opened by one of the servants and she is ushered inside.

Legacy - Restoration

Emerald eyes turn toward the door and meet emerald eyes on a face framed by crimson hair.  The Matriarch notices the familiar high cheekbones and facial features similar to those of her Great Grandson.

The young Paladin scans the room and quickly finds its only occupant seated by the large window overlooking the Tree City.  A Koada`Dal Lady with snow white hair beckons her closer.

"Come Child, Sit with me."  The Enchantress indicates the chair across the small table from her.

The Fier`Dal Lady approaches and gracefully sits in the offered seat.  Servants enter to replace the tea kettle with a new steaming one and replenish the cookies on the small platter.  Once all has been set and two cups filled from the new kettle, the servants depart and quietly close the door behind them.

Kiabella takes a sip of her tea before speaking.  "You are the daughter of Taegen Shadowbane."  It was almost as much a question as a statement.

Arwelle nods as she answers.  "I am.  You know of him?"  taking a sip of her own tea she studies the ageless face of the elder Elf.

Kiabella leans forward in her seat and smiles though there is much sadness in her emerald eyes.  "I do indeed.  He was my Great Grandson."

Shock overtakes the young Lady Fier`Dal.  Words come slowly to her at first as she digests the information that the Lady before her is the Matriarch of the Shadowbane Family, her family.

"I... met... a Teir`Dal... Lady here the other... day.  She told me that you existed.  She inducted me into the guild.  She said that you are also a member."  Arwelle leans forward in her chair also and gazes intently into the Matriarch's emerald eyes.  "Mother was told that the whole family was swallowed up with the Family Home in the Karanas during the Rending.  We thought no one had survived."

"I was the only one present during the Rending who managed to escape.  I saw your Father and Grandfather fall together into the same crevice.  They did not have time to summon their steeds to them."  Tears glisten in emerald eyes and slowly slide down the Matriarch"™s cheeks as she recalls the memory.  "Your Father had told us about his Bonding to your mother but I had no idea that she had even conceived on her Bonding night.  I would have sought you out years ago."

"You must meet my Mother.  I know she would be overjoyed to know that someone of Father's family had survived."

"There is also another but she is not a blood relative.  She comes through a different line through a legacy of adoption.  We have always accepted them as if they were born into the family though.  Her name is Vallinae Shadowbane and she is a Priestess of The Temple of Life in Qeynos.  I will arrange for you two to meet as well at my Sanctum."  The Elder Lady hands a small orb to her newly discovered descendant.  "Place this in your home.  It is a portal to my Sanctum.  I am sure you will have many questions.  Your Mother and you are always welcome to visit.  There is much to tell you about the Family history and the legacy you were born into though I do not see how it will continue beyond you but perhaps the Mother will provide a way."

Arwelle accepts the orb and smiles.  "I do not know how to address you.  Matriarch, Grandmother or what would be your preference?"

Kiabella smiles warmly as she takes Arwelle"™s hands into hers.  "You must learn the ancient Highborn dialect of the Koada`Dal which I will teach you.  For now, Grandmother Kia will be acceptable if it suits you as well."

"It does, Grandmother Kia!"  Joyful tears stream down the young Fier`Dal's cheeks.

"For now though I think it is time to present my Great-great granddaughter to Her Majesty.  I think she will be most pleased to know the outcome."  The two Ladies drain their cups and rise together to walk back to the Royal Hall.

Stepping out of the Sitting room the two find the Queen busy with another supplicant so they stand by and await the conclusion of her business.  Queen Amree looks toward the two Ladies once the supplicant has departed the Hall and motions them forward.

"I trust everything has turned out well seeing that the two of you are together."  The Fae Queen smiles warmly at the two.

"It has indeed your Highness"  The Ambassador responds as she and Arwelle dip into curtsies.

"Both of you please rise.  I am so glad.  Nothing warms the heart like a unitiing of long lost family."

"Thank you so much, your Majesty it gives me much pleasure to present to you my Great-great Granddaughter, the Lady Arwelle Shadowbane of House Shadowbane."

"Excellent!  Lady Arwelle, would you be interested in a posting as the Ambassador's personal guard?"

"I would indeed, Your Highness.  Thank you!"  Arwell replies, smiling brightly.

"Very well.  Once your training here is complete and you have completed the obligations to Kelethin it shall be so.  How far along are you on these things?"

"I have a tour of duty at the assault on Crushbone Keep left to perform."

"You have progressed rather quickly indeed.  Very good.  You should be ready for your permanent assignment in another season then?"

"I believe so your Highness."  The Lady Paladin stands proudly.

"Excellent news!  If we had more Paladins like you we would likely see the fall of Crushbone soon."  The Queen beams a smile as she rises from her throne.  "Well I must end our visit at this time since I still have more supplicants awaiting my time.  It was a pleasure to see you again Ambassador.  You are welcome in this court any time.  We must catch up over tea soon."

"I would like that, your Highness.  Send me a message when you have time for such and I will come."  Kiabella says as she curtsies once more.  Arwelle dips into a curtsy as well and the two ladies rise and leave the Hall.