Delmora: The Lost Quest

Fast Words and Faster Actions

Edith woke early that morning. She bathed and tied her long brown hair back, most of it was still in tight braids across her head. She wore her plaited leather tunic and strapped in her light shoulder pads. It was harder to tie it on her own but she laced it just fine from practice. She wore simple pants not seen on women anywhere but Balthazon because they were more tight and easier to move in. She hadn't seen any women wearing pants outside of Balthazon. She could only guess why that was. Over it she wore Balthazon leather straps like a skirt. The wind was constant on Yedrasa and so she left her shorts. In the back of her mind she wanted to see what reaction she would get from it. But today wasn't the day for showing off. She was representing Balthazon and she wished no ill favor from the Del-folk unless properly provoked.

"Men need teaching" She remembered a Naopara say. Edith had never needed to teach a man anything that had not already been taught in Balthazon. She had long since been told of the prejudice and control of men from other kingdoms and have seen the Adurine herself when they travel to Balthazon. They were always wide eyed in awe, disgust or shock but always with eyes of hunger.

She made her way around Yedrasa and to the elevating box. When she reached the top the sun shone and the wind blew her braided pony-tail around her shoulder. She went directly to the Centerfold, the biggest building on Yedrasa. She waited patiently watching a hawk circle the sky. She was taken to a spacious room where a long rectangular table was literally rooted to the floor. At the head a tall man with dark straight hair stood in green Del-folk robes. He beckoned her and two others into the room.

There was a knight with a shining coat of arms from Havenhall. In the corner a grungy, unevenly shaved man from Viendenfal. A few Eldermen sat in chairs next to the Del-man. Next to them was a younger man, his hair short unlike the Del-folk but wearing the robes. The tall man held his arms in a beckoning gesture

"welcome" he said.

Edith bowed her greeting and sat down. The others did the same.

Don't tell me we're it Edith thought.

"I would like to thank you and all of your houses for making it here on such a short notice. But we are gathered here on grave matters and time is short."

Edith was slightly taken back with the man getting down to business. It had taken the other Del-foil hours of prestigious grueling small talk before they did anything when she arrived.

"My name is Gelphin and I am of the council of Delfoil. My duty is to protect this forest and its people."

He nodded to a short, wispy haired man on his right. He bowed slightly, the top of his head was bald and his beard was all white.

He spoke with a cracking deep voice "I am the Mar, a high elder"

The other old man was not an Elder, he was of the Del-folk, He introduced himself as the master physician. The young Del-man with short hair introduced himself as Simone. He kept his head low when he spoke and met no one's eyes.

The knight in Havenhall colors stood up and bowed.

"My name is Lance. I'm from the royal guard at Havenhall" He held his fist up to his heart.

It was Edith's turn and she rose.

"I am Edith, Naoparie of Balthazon" She bowed quickly.

All eyes turned to the rugged looking one. He stood.

"I am Morn. Of Viendenfal" He sat back straight faced.

Only a sellsword would have that kind of name Edith thought. She was surprised Viendenfall would even send anyone especially dressed like him. But she doubted anyone expected more. None of them had given their title but her, and she doubted they knew what a Naoparie is. There was one from a land she didn't see. The riders of the south and the sea folk. She wasn't too disappointed.