Elaine Cunningham - Evermeet - Island of Elves

The bladesinger reached into the leather bag on her belt and took a small package of green powder from it. This she poured into her hand. She spat, then mixed it into a paste and streaked it across her cheeks with the fingers of her hands. It was not as elaborate a war paint as was her custom, but it was all that time permitted. Shanyrria was already a daunting sight. Her appearance was unusual for a Silver elf, for she was tall and broad of shoulder, with eyes the color of amber. Her reddish-brown hair had been plaited into dozens of braids and woven with feathers and painted stone beads. In her mildest mood, Shanyrria was fearsome to behold. Now, even the Runemaster, no coward or weakling, hung back from her.

"Send me to Sunrise Tower," she demanded. "I will rally the spell-singers, and then go to fight beside the centaurs."

Laeroth nodded and began to cast the spell that would carry the bladesinger to distant Drelagara.

Shanyrria accepted the whirl and rush of magical travel, and came out of the spell running at full speed. She dashed through the Tower courtyard, pushing past the Gold elf guards who moved to block her way. They shouted that the Circle was casting and could not be interrupted.

She had barely cleared the door when an explosion of intense power slammed into her. Shanyrria staggered back, clutching at her bleeding ears. There had been no sound, no tremor, nothing that anyone other than an elf might hear or feel, but Shanyrria knew beyond doubt that every elf on Evermeet felt the impact of that terrible silent blast. She herself, so attuned to the silent music of magic, had been deafened by the force of it.

Horror gripped the bladesinger as she realized the implications for Sunrise Tower. In times past, entire Towers of High Magi had been shattered by a powerful backlash of magic. If this unknown spell could so effect her, what must it have done to a Circle of spell-singers? Shanyrria slapped her face several times hoping to distract the terrible, ringing pain and focus her powers for the task ahead. She went with all the speed she could muster up the winding stair that led up to the spellcasting chamber at the top of the Tower, bracing herself for the sight of her friends' blasted bodies.

Astonishment froze her in the doorway. A group of Gold elves-each of them known to her, most of whom she had selected and trained-stood in a circle, their outstretched fingertips touching. The Circle was unharmed; even now the elves' lips moved in a spell-song that Shanyrria could no longer hear. In their midst stood a single female elf. Shanyrria recognized her as a Circle-Singer, a warrior-mage who could blend the magical song into a single spell, much as a Center focused a circle of High Magi.

Suddenly Shanyrria understood what had happened. These elves were traitors! Sunrise Tower had attacked. The destructive force she had felt was nothing less than the shattering of the Towers of the Sun and the Moon.

Grimly the bladesinger drew her sword and advanced into the room. Evermeet had developed no defense against such treachery from within, but neither did spell-song have a defense against the magic of a bladesinger. It seemed good and right to Shanyrria that many of them would die by her blade.

She seized the nearest elf by his golden hair and reached around to cut his throat. As she pulled the blade in a lethal slash, she spun so that the swing would take down the elf to his right. Shanyrria had no illusions about her fate. She would die in this tower room. But when she came to Arvandor, she would bring many traitors to present themselves before the Seldarine Council for judgment.

Her only regret was that she would die before the battle's end, not knowing what Evermeet's fate would be.

After an indecently short period of official mourning for Lydi'aleera, Amlaruil and Zaor were wed. She was crowned queen at once, despite the outrage of House Amarillis and the murmurs of a few of the other Gold elven houses. But it was obvious to all that the moonblade had chosen. That Amlaruil had borne children to Zaor was counted in her favor.

Montagor Amarillis was furious at these events, yet there was little he could do without bringing his actions-and his sister's disgrace-to light. Besides, the formidable bladesinger Shanyrria Alenuath sought him out and privately made it plain that she held Lydi'aleera responsible for the death of her half-brother, the alleged heir of Zaor. She vowed that she would keep an eye on him and his house, and avenge any attempt on the royal family. The bladesinger's fierce reputation was widely known, and Montagor had little desire to bring her wrath down on his head. He suspected, even if he could not prove, that Shanyrria had forced Lydi'aleera's hand. His sister would never have taken such a bold and desperate step on her own.

Amlaruil left the Towers behind, leaving the rule of them to the trusted war wizard Tanyl Evanara and to her old friend Laeroth, now known as the Runemaster. Although Tanyl was not among the High Magi, he was one of the most powerful of solitary mages. Amlaruil was content that the Towers were in good hands, and dedicated herself fully to Zaor and their joint rulership of Evermeet.

Though some of the elves worried that a warrior and a mage would make for a grim royal couple, the arts and music that had been the former queen's passion were nurtured as never before.

Elven minstrels began to travel abroad, bringing the lore and music of many lands back to Evermeet. In particular, the elves became intrigued with the many new instruments developed by ingenious human bards. The harp and the flute, the traditional instruments of elven music, were soon joined by a host of other instruments. Elven nobles and minstrels soon vied with each other in composing new verses to popular lute songs, and groups of elves began to delight in singing the exuberant, multi-voiced music enjoyed by humans.

As a gift to the new queen, the Tower magi cast magic that enlarged and transformed the Moonstone palace. A vast garden maze was added to the grounds and filled with magical displays, softly playing fountains, and wondrous flowers. It was Nakiasha, Amlaruil's mentor, who added to the palace the touch that showed a true understanding of the queen. In a feat of magic and forestry that consumed three years of diligent work, the forest elf had transported to the palace grounds the very forest glade in which Amlaruil and Zaor had first met. Set like a jewel in the midst of an ancient grove, this glade rapidly became the royal couple's favorite retreat, and the place most sought out by the children that filled the palace nearly to overflowing.

The union of Zaor and Amlaruil was unusually fruitful, and the coming of spring usually saw the house of Moonflower increased by yet another prince or princess. Ilyrana, who had no desire for court life, was content to remain upon the Moonshaes. There also the twins, Zhoron and Xharlion, grew to maturity learning the fighting arts of the elves of Sonoria. Although Amlaruil missed them sorely, she rejoiced in each new babe that filled her arms, and she devoted herself to their training.

The next-born son, Chozzaster, showed an early talent for magic and in time aspired to become a High Magi, like his mother. The following spring brought a daughter, a fierce, fire-haired lass that they named Shandalar in honor of the bladesinger Shanyrria Alenuath. Female twins followed, Tira'allara and Hhora, lovely, serious girls who devoted themselves at an early age to train as clerics of Hanali Celanil. Next came Lazziar and Gemstarzah, twin girls who seemed by nature and inclination destined to take the warrior's path.