The Shadow Chronicles: Nadja Ravnos-Andoril Westernesse and Amber Silverdragon

Nadja:1

“Night has always been my favorite time. It’s cooler, softer, when the harshness of the sun melts away, the air is cooler, and the mind functions more clearly. 2

It’s also the best time to frequent a tavern.3

I’m a fighter by trade-a sailor turned traveling mercenary- so I’ve seen the inside of a good many establishments over the years. But I have to admit; The Bear and Boar on the outskirts of Dobrek in Cymru takes the prize. Now, Cymru is Human land, mostly scattered little trade villages devoid of true culture. Most unlike the Elven cities of my birth. But I am a sailor with a sailor’s love of good strong drink that Humans brew in abundance. Dobrek will forever stand out in my mind, but not for its good drink or fine courtesy.4

It is where I first started believing in fate. 5

I suppose I should explain myself. First of all, as I’m sure you’ve gathered, I am most assuredly NOT human. I am a Dark Elf, one of the Unforgiven scions of the spider-goddess Lolth. Partially, at least. Truly, though, I am a mixed blood of epic proportions: part human, part Water Elf, and half Dark. I suppose I should be thankful; so far, my light blood has kept my dark blood at bay. But mostly, I am merely torn in two by my crossed heritage.6

A rather unfortunate downside of my Dark heritage is, while I was spared the blue-black skin and white hair of my full-blooded counterparts, my eyes are a full-forced crimson, several shades darker than human blood and far more iridescent. And as humans are notoriously superstitious creatures, with a high dislike for anything different from what they are familiar with, it could well be the worst feature for me to have. 7

I also possess another defining feature; my clan tattoo. All Dark Elf women have them, even the very young. It tells a story to those who can read it, of battle and conquest and love and hate and freedom. Whenever one does something of great importance, it is etched into their skin for all to see, a centimeter at a time. If one does something that turns their clan against them, their tattoo must be removed, also a centimeter at a time. Each clan is different. My clan is defined by a graceful twisting stem starting at the base of the spine ended with a crescent moon and calla lily at the base of the neck. My warrior’s mark spreads from there, twisting in reddish-brown vines up and down the left side of my body, ending just above my left eye. It is very long for a young elf like me; I am quite proud of it. 8

But I digress. I was in Dobrek, my eyes and clan tattoo safely concealed through a very useful little magic spell I know, sipping a tankard of ale and trading stories with the bartender, when my keen sight caught movement at the door. It was a Halfling, and a handsome one as Halflings went. I had to look again; the new arrival was the veritable twin of the bard on stage. It made me wonder no small amount; seeing a Halfling in a Human tavern was odd enough, seeing its twin was the ultimate.9

I kept my eyes on them for the better part of an hour. But just when I had decided that I was wasting my time, the bard (who the bartender told me was called Bos) looked up and met eyes with the other.10

He looked as though someone had dropped ice down his back; they both did. Bos left the stage to sit at the other’s table. The second one addressed him, then bought them both a drink.11

I don’t know what made me stay to watch them, but I did, even when most the tavern’s patrons had stumbled home for the night. I’ve been told that I’m far too curious for my own good, and perhaps it’s true, but I couldn’t help myself. 12

I’m not a magic user by name, but the Aura-touch (which allows me to see a general overview of a person; name, trade, etc…by touching their life’s energy) is one of my most used spells. I used it now on the two Halflings. For a moment, their auras shone sun-bright in my mind’s eye, both a strangely mottled green-blue, before I found myself blocked. Solidly blocked.13

One of the Halflings was a sorcerer. 14

Now I was even more interested than I had been before. Which is what took me over to their table with two fresh tankards of ale and as close to a smile as I ever got. “Pardon me,” I let my accent roll through; my Siovalese Dark Elf mountain accent, wondering if they’d pick it up. They didn’t.15

Good.16

“One of you is a sorcerer, yes?”17

“Yes,” It was the second one, the one who had caught my attention first. “And why do you ask?”18

“That was an arcane shield you blocked me with,” I replied, “I would like to learn it.”19

“Oh yeah?” The Halfling cocked an eyebrow, “And what do you offer in trade, Miss…?”20

“My name is Nadja. And you may name your price, so long as it is reasonable.”21

The Halfling thought a moment, then said, “I want to travel.”22

“With me?” Now it was my turn to raise an eyebrow. But the Halfling was adamant.23

“With you.”24

“You mean, you want me to protect…”25

“No, not protect me. Just tolerate me, until your journey ends.”26

“That is all?”27

“That’s all.”28

“And your…twin…?”29

“He can come if he wants.” The Halfling shrugged. “His choice.”30

“Well then, Master Halfling. I believe we have a deal.”31

He smiled, “Good. Now, the spell goes like this…” 32

*33

Amber:34

“Humans. The very last place I wanted to be was in a town full of them, especially at night. During the day, most of them at least have the courtesy to ignore me if I must go through their midst, but at night they have fewer manners than a drunk troll, and considerably less common sense. And now I found myself going into a place teeming with the worst of them.35

A tavern.36

Now, you may have guessed by my references towards them that I myself am not human. I am a half-elf, thank you very much. Outcasts by nature, half-elves are pulled between two worlds and never fully accepted in either. It may have been easier to go among humans if I had been half-human as well. But I’m not. My other half is Dragon. This may seem an impossibility, but it is quite true. It also makes me stick out quite a bit; people tend to take notice of a person with fading pupils and silver scales. 37

Now you see why I feel uncomfortable among the human race.38

I wouldn’t have been in this situation if it weren’t for Banner. Banner is a viper the size of an Anaconda and decided that he wanted to slither off into town. If I did not go get him, he might very well try to eat someone. By listening to the tale a little boy was telling his friends, one of a giant snake that had slithered by him, I figured that Banner had managed to sneak into the afore mentioned tavern. 39

Joy.40

I read the sign above the door. ‘The Bear and Boar’. I smiled a bit; the name probably had nothing to do with the manners of its patrons, but it was a funny comparison nonetheless. Gathering my control, I entered. 41

There weren’t a great many people inside. A quick glance around the room showed me three humans at a far table, the local drunk, the bartender, a few guards, a pair of Halflings, and a whipcord thin lady elf who looked ready for anything. Good. That would make this easier.42

I began my search, looking under tables and chairs, in the rafters, and by the bar. You wouldn’t think a giant snake would be hard to find, but my search was taking me longer than I thought it should have. I focused all my energy on finding that blasted snake.43

“Hey sweetheart,” the drunk slurred, suddenly at my elbow, “you wanna…”44

“I never did find out the rest, for he had startled me so much that I used my father’s gift to me; Draconic spells, one of which is reverse gravity. That’s what happened this time, as I have no control over these powers. Within seconds, everyone was plastered to the ceiling. Everyone, that is, except the two Halflings and the elf-woman. They were holding their hands parallel to the ground, palm down, and staring at me as if my hair had just caught fire. I was stunned. 45

“You’re not floating!” I pointed out. 46

“That’s because we’re shielding.” The woman responded. It was at this moment that I realized her eyes were a deep, glittering crimson. A tattoo trailed up her neck and shoulders, curving around her eye. Her accent was heavy; Mountain Undercommon, if I was any judge. That meant Dark Elf. But her skin was pale and her hair dark, which is usually reversed in Dark Elves. I suddenly remembered what someone in the mountains had described to me. But that would make her…47

“Hey!” Yelled the bartender, “Get us down!”48

That brought me back to the present. I quickly apologized and proceeded to bring them all down. The Halfling’s face held a fleeting look of relief as he brought his shield down.  The woman did the same.49

The bartender was livid. But he wasn’t looking at me. He was staring at the Dark Elf. “GET OUT!” He screamed. The woman glanced around, puzzled at what had the bartender so upset. The bartender took this wrong, and cried out “GUARDS!” The guards moved off the wall and straight for the Dark Elf.50

Then, all hell broke loose.51