The History of Alliliel
Part IV
It was odd that she would think of such a thing at this moment, but as the knife slid into her back in a slow deliberate thrust, twisting from side to side, she thought it would be a sharp pain, not like the hot stinging she felt. The warmth spread over her back and became a throbbing. Alliliel did not feel the hard floor as she crashed into it.
Alliliel saw boots slipping away into the distance, and then her eyes went wide and she couldn’t see anything. It was black now, almost like a cocoon, strangely warm, and she felt unusually detached. Her breathing was shallow and fast now and the red pool grew on the white stone floor.
---
She tumbled through blackness, falling endlessly. There was no wind or color. There was only the faintest tingling in her ears, a sound almost too weak and small to hear. The sound became a word, a whisper from out of the ether.
"Alliliel... Alliliel..."
She was lying on the chilly stone ground still, surrounded by the darkness. A woman sat on the floor, rocking back and forth, cradling the little elfgirl in her arms and lap, as her hand brushed the hair from Alli’s forehead. Looking up, Alliliel met the woman’s eyes.
"Numa bei delarimis quo? Supti ve armadame? Deis!"
The little elfgirl struggled to speak, to move, but her body was beyond her control now. The woman smiled, and kissed Alliliel on the forehead.
Alliliel could not say anything, but darkness was closing in, and the plea was in her eyes.
"Cuei bealate, Alliliel. Summi tugarimis!"
---
"Alliliel! Child! Speak to us!"
Alli woke with a shudder. She blinked a few times and the room came into focus. She was in a bed in the Acolytes Hall. Master Yeolarn took her hand.
"Child, you gave us such a fright! Don’t try to speak, just rest. Here, have a sip of water."
The old elf held up the shallow cup. Lifting her head, he helped her take a drink.
Alliliel tried to speak, to ask some questions, but as soon as her head touched the pillow, she was lost in sleep.
---
It was three days before Alliliel stirred again. She felt a long, slow throbbing from her back, the wound was still not healed. Opening her eyes, she saw an Initiate reading a scroll by the window, lost in study.
"How... how long?" she rasped out. The Initiate stood up with a start and came to her bedside.
"Three days since you last awoke, and nine days since the attack. Master Yeolarn has been quite beside himself with worry. How do you feel?"
"Sore, and tired. But I’m alright, I... I think."
"Good, we have used all our powers on you child, it was quite a strain for the Master, but we know now that you will be well again soon. We’ll see to it that you get plenty of rest. If you are hungry, or need anything, one of us will be near."
"Have my parents come to see me? Have they?"
"There will be time for questions later. Rest now. We will bring you something to eat a little later to help you regain your strength."
With a smile, the young Initiate returned to his desk and resumed his studies.
---
"Yes child, they were caught by the guards. It seems that you gave out quite a yell. You woke everyone and alarmed half the guards in North Felwithe. It seems they made a poor choice and tried to fight their way past Lt. Rosaed. They will trouble us no more. And even more of note, everything stolen from the Temple was recovered! Because of you, little elfroot!"
Yeolarn’s eyes were smiling at the young girl as she sat up in bed, drinking the special tea the Clerics had made for her.
"I’m so glad, Master. The thought of those filthy rogues touching anything in the Temple makes me mad! What is our city coming to, that thieves are pillaging our sacred places in the night?"
"We will have no troubles like that anymore. The temple will be guarded at all times from now on."
Alliliel was quiet for a moment, looking into her tea.
"Master?"
"Yes, child?"
"May I ask you a question?"
"You have never asked permission before! Now what is it?" Yeolarn said with a smile.
"What does Tunare look like? I mean, how would you know if you saw her?"
Yeolarn sat back in his chair and looked out the window at the sky.
"Well it’s such a rare thing these days. Tunare used to walk openly with us ages ago and even then, her appearance varied. Commonly, she would appear in a green tunic, the color of the forest. Almost always she had a golden crown. But that is about it. Her hair, eyes, even height used to change. We think it actually changed with the seasons, but there were never enough visions of Her to confirm it."
"A crown with seven spires and seven jewels? Master Yeolarn... I... I had a vision. I think. Tunare came to me, when I was dying. She spoke to me, asked me questions that I didn’t understand. She kissed me, right here," Alliliel pointed to her forehead, "She comforted me, I think. But it is hard to remember, like I was lost in a fog."
The old elf’s mouth was open.
"Alliliel, that is... most remarkable! You have been most blessed! You must remember what she said? You must try to tell me everything she said, we must scribe it down!"
The Master stood up and went to the door. Opening it up, he called out, "Scribe! Scribe! Come at once!"
Returning to Alliliel’s bedside, he took her hand in his.
"Now start at the beginning and tell me everything. Don’t leave out any details, no matter how small they may seem."
---
The Master was enthralled.
"Child, this attack was a dark thing, but there was a great blessing in it! Tunare does not reveal herself often, nor all at once, so this was an extraordinary event! Tunare chose you, child. You have been given a great gift. I do not know what this portents, but we shall endeavor to find out, you and I, together!"
Master Yeolarn paused and thought to himself. "Alliliel, if you wish to join the Temple, I will not oppose it. After all, who am I to oppose the will of Tunare?"
The elfgirl threw herself into the chest of the old elf and hugged him tightly.
"Oh yes, Master! I so much want to join the Temple, and I never want to leave it!" she cried.