Sari's Story

[Noa]

 Mixxi Bixiebane
Diva of Destruction
Posts: 80
(3/1/02 4:12 pm)
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Sari's Story
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Sari's Story -- A father's perspective

It was another beautiful day in Felwithe. The sun was setting, and a cool breeze swept through town, rustling the leaves of the trees. The red and orange hues of the sunset slowly giving way to shadows.

Merchant Irontree was locking the door to his shop, Emerald Armor, when he heard some leaves crunch outside, and he noticed a shadowed figure approaching the entrance. There was a knock at the wooden door. He opened the door, and said tiredly, "Sorry, the shop is closed for the night."

"Mr. Irontree?" said the elven woman who was standing there.

"Yes?"

"I am Xista Finder. I was sent by Master Enchanter Kinool of the Keepers of the Art. I would like to talk about your daughter, Sari."

"Oh, by all means, let's talk inside then, it is beginning to become chill out there. Shall I hang your cloak?"

Merchant Irontree held the door open for Xista as she entered. He hung her cloak on the wall, and they proceeded to sit on stools by the counter to talk. Merchant Irontree said quietly, "Let's not talk too loud, my eldest daughter is sleeping upstairs."

"It seems that your daughter, Sari Irontree, has not shown up for her Tailoring lessons with Lady Fhara Semhart in Qeynos this week, nor for her mana weaving lessons with Mistress Esdia Moeba at the magic school there."

"Oh, I thought you had been informed, her studies have been temporarily put under the care of Madame Luminare Pasinia of Firiona Vie on Kunark."

"Kunark?! Why would you send your daughter to such a forsaken place? Surely there are better schools . . ."

"Yes, I know. 'Tis the group she spends her time with these days I am afraid. Bad influence I tell you. They're nothing but a bunch of wanderers, and derelicts. The Trader's Union on the other hand, now there was a safe, responsible guild, encouraging her in her studies and furthering her education in fine crafts and economics. This Starspun, what a bunch of nonsense."

"Starspun sir?"

"Yes, they encourage her to wander all over, to all kinds of forsaken places. They fight orcs, goblins, and all sorts of nasty beasts together. I guess it is a good thing, but 'tis not proper for a noble lady of Felwithe. I don't know how I will ever find a suitable husband for such an irresponsible girl."

"Well, surely her mother . . ."

Merchant Irontree winced at that, stopping Xista in mid-sentence. "Her mother will not be teaching her any manners any time soon. She was reunited with the holy mother, Tunare, long ago, while Sari was still very young."

"I'm sorry, I . . ."

"No it's ok, my late wife died valiantly. She was on a trip to pick up some supplies from Kelethin one day, when she spotted some orcs chopping away at the base of one of the trees. They spotted her, and attacked her. She shouted a warning, and set off a flare of mana to warn others. Witnesses from high in the trees say that she fought well with her staff, but she was unable to get a moment to use her magic in her own defense. The guards arrived quickly and slew the orcs, but she had already been fatally wounded . . ."

"That's terrible."

"I will never forget the sorrow those orcs have caused me and my family. Sari hates them too; maybe even more than I do. She hates all orcs, and goblins too; they remind her of orcs she says. Tunare bless her."

"So what is it that Starspun is doing on Kunark?"

"Just roaming about, exploring the frontiers and getting in trouble I expect. Although my daughter is probably just hoping to find some exotic new fashions."

"Yes, I bought some dresses made by a tailor in Firiona Vie once. Crafted from some very strange spider silk."

"I swear my daughter will go anywhere in search of new clothes, and jewelry. She once told me that she only wanted to learn the art of Smithing so that she could craft her very own custom mithril clothing one day. She never really took to Tailoring very well though, I guess she was really disappointed that nobody would teach her how to dye the robes she made. I'm sure that Lady Fhara Semhart will see to it that she learns to tailor properly though."

"Why the obsession with clothes? I mean, I like a nice dress myself, but I would not travel to Kunark for one!"

"It seems to be a status symbol amongst the young women these days. The more expensive, rare, or exotic the clothing, the better. I'll never understand this younger generation. She obviously does not understand the danger she puts herself in, or the worry she causes me every time she runs off to some new and dangerous land in search of clothes."

"I understand, my daughter was the same way I think. Well, anyway, I must report back to master Goldsinger before it becomes too late. Be well Merchant Irontree, and Tunare's blessings be with you."

"And you as well Xista."

Merchant Irontree escorted Xista Finder to the door, closing the door quietly behind her. As he walked towards the stairs, a tear rolled down his cheek, and he quietly whispered a prayer, "May Tunare's blessings be with you too my daughter, where ever you are."