Korlin (EQ2 Saga)

[Korlin]

With a weary step the fair Koada'Dal entered the tavern. He stopped, filling the door, eyes searching the shadows of the room.  Seeing those he sought, he walked to the small table, smiled at those sitting and asked if he might join them.  A gray bearded dwarf pointed to the only empty chair and spoke quietly, "yes, please sit.  If you are who I think you are, we have been expecting you for some time."

A look somewhere between shame and pain crossed the face of the young Koada'Dal and he spoke with guilt fed quickness as he sat, " Please forgive me, I believe am that one you wait for and I give my deepest apology for my lateness.  Soon after speaking to some of you about joining your circle, a matter of some urgency arose that pulled me away for a while."

A voice spoke from the darkness at the end of the table, " News of your father?"

Surprise and shock filled him as he attempted to piece the shadows and determine who knew such detail of him, but as his eye adjusted and he saw the barbarian who spoke, a soft smile spread with recognition.  "Aye lady, it was indeed news of my father, or at least a rumor he had been seen near Rivervale."  He looked around the table searching each set of eyes, "I am sorry I could not come to you sooner, but I had to see if this rumor," his voice choked for a quick second, "this hope, might be true.  Sadly the story is false, he was not there.  Or perhaps it is just he has grown skillful at avoiding those who seek him." 

He sat for a quiet moment lost in his own sadness, then sat up and returned to those present. "But you are wanting the story of me are you not, and I will give you what I can.  You can call me Korlin, not my true name as I am sure you know, but I have gone by it for more than two hundred years, and it has become a part of me.  My true name I dare not speak for fear the one seeks my father will hear it.  Do not be offended please, if I did not trust you with my life, I would not be at this table, but as is said, the walls have ears.  Should my Mother hear my name, she would flood the city with her minions seeking me.  She knows if she had me, my Father would have to come to her.  I can not let that happen."

"Forgive me, I should begin at the beginning I suppose."  Korlin paused then spoke softly once more. "I was born in Felwithe in the time of Queen Thex.  My father was of the guard and had won minor nobility on the dark night the King was killed by the Teir'Dal.  Some called him hero, but he said he was only doing what needed to be done.  I have heard the stories and I know he stood when many ran and he played a large part in the saving of Felwithe.  But these are stories I heard from others, my father never spoke of them, he spoke only of the failure to protect the King and the great loss that was."

" It was while the battles of the War of the Fay raged that my father met my mother.  Looking from today I see it as her greed for power that drew her to him, and eventually his rejection of that power that caused her hate.  But then it was a story of a noble solider and young bride that sparked more than one Troubadour's tune of love.  It was into this time of happiness I was born."  Korlin started at a touch on his shoulder, he looked around to find the tavern girl looking at him questioningly.  He smiled at her.  "Forgive me, may I have a pot of tea, fayberry if you have it?"  He watched her walk away then turned back to those gathered at the table. "Of my childhood I have no outstanding memories, the war continued but it was far from the gates of Felwithe and I remember it only as times of long absences by my father.  But like all wars, even the War of the Fey eventually ended, perhaps more from lack of interest than victory, but to me it meant my father was home for good and it was a time of joy and plenty in our home.  I do not remember a set point when things began to change, I remember my mother hosting the Teir'Dal ambassador to many parties in our home and the tension that rose from that between my Mother and Father.  Loud words in the night and the feeling of anger that the young sense so well, even when they are not spoken of.    As the tensions once more rose between the elves of light and dark, my Mother began to take many trips, to where she never said but I feel my Father must have known.  Each return brought more heated arguments, each return grew shorter, and each trip grew longer.  Then one day, she just did not return.  Inquiries were made and it was said she was living in Freeport with a Teir'Dal prince, perhaps finally finding the power and status my father had refused.  My father was both relived and hurt I think.  Relived she had left, hurt with what was to him the traitorous act of choosing a Teir'Dal.  He was of the old Koada'Dal, believing in racial purity. "  Korlin chuckled softly, " he even went to great lengths to break up a short affair I once had with a Fein'Dal.  Of course times changed and I think even his opinions changed, but he never forgave my Mother.  As a child I never knew the full extent of all that happened or was said between them.  Nor do I know what caused her to hate him so much.  But I do know the one time they met in later years was filled with such vile hate the city guards were called to separate them lest they kill each other.  It is that deep hate that even to this day cause my Mother to seek her revenge on him, not even knowing if he still lives."

He waited as the Tavern girl arrived with his tea, gave her a few silvers with a small smile, then continued his tale as he sipped quietly. "At my hundredyear my Father called me to his rooms and ask me of my plans.  He said it was time to 'do something with my life'.  I felt he had always hoped I would follow in his footsteps, but it was not my way, I knew from an early age I wanted more to help those around me more than battle them.  I told my Father my thoughts and was surprised to see not disappointment, but happiness in his face.  He told me he was proud of my decision, that it gave him peace to know some goodness had come from his life.   He said he had a friend in Qyenos at the Temple of Life and he had spoken to him of me to arrange for my training there.  Before I left he gave me three things, he gave me a warning to avoid my Mother and pick a new name so she would not know where I was, he gave me his most prized horse, who's son I ride today, and most importantly he gave me his blessing which I still treasure."

"The years at the Temple was a time of learning and possibly the happiest of my life.  Then came the Cataclysm. " Korlin grimly looked around the table. "  Some of you here were not yet born, but all know the stories and I will not repeat them. I like many, lost my home, but also like many I have made a new home here.  I will tell you what I know of my family.    At last word my Father was in Felwithe when the moon fell, I do not know his true fate, I believe him alive, I hope him alive, but I do not know him alive.  But sometimes I hear his name on the wind and chase each story.   As you see, none have proven true yet.  As for my Mother, she still lives and it seems her power grows within the confines of Freeport.  It is her eyes I hide from.  It is her only that I fear."

Korlin sighed deeply.  "And that my friends is more of my life than I meant to tell, more than I should have told, but I know some of you and I feel great trust in all of you.  I pray you can accept this tale and ask no more of it, I hope you can accept me, as I am and for what I am.  I travel much and spend little time in the city I fear, but when I am with you I will give you my arm in friendship and my knowledge in protection.  I will stand at your back in battle and at your side in trouble.  I ask little, I give much.  And that is who I am."

Korlin leaned back in his chair, smiling at each in turn, then wrapped both hands around the mug of tea and sipped quietly.

(( OOC -
Korlin - High Elf Templer
One of two Character on this Server  Both are of Qynoes
I am presently playing both EQ2 and WoW when possible, unfortunatly RL keeps intruding and I am a very casual player.
In the past I have played most On-line games beginning with Ultima Online.  I have played max level in many including EQ, DAOC,SWG, and WoW.
I love to roleplay and write and from what I have seen  so far, have enjoyed very much the RP I have heard in gameand the stories you have written on the web sites.
I look forward to playing and getting to know you in the future.))