The History of Alliliel
Part VII
The market was bustling with activity; it never really closed down. During the day, merchants sold fruits and milk, cloth and tools. At night, strong drink and sweet treats were the standard fare. The tents swayed in the warm evening breeze and yellow candlelight reflected off of their faces, as the man, the elf and the boy made their way down the street.
The highborn daughters of Freeport walked hand in hand with their suitors, laughing at some shared secret. A young girl runs by, a hot, sticky sweet cake in her hands and a smile on her face. Alliliel smiled at the warm scene around her for a moment before turning to her mysterious knight.
"Sir, I suspect that it is too crowded here to randomly find this boy’s father. Perhaps we ought to enlist the aid of the kind guards hereabouts, they are much more amenable to helping such as these children then those militiamen in the east."
"That’s a good thought, fair lady. I am known to these guards, and I will speak with them. Perhaps you may wish to rest your feet after your awful scare." He said, indicating a bench between two merchant tents. With a smile and a bow, he saw them seated. Turning away he spied a guard with a large red chevron. "Sergeant! Sergeant! I will have a word with you!" he said as he went through the crowd after the guard.
Alliliel took the boy’s hands in her own and looked at him kindly.
"My name is Alliliel." She said then paused while looking at the boy. "Now you haven’t given me your name, child. It’s only proper manners to introduce yourself!" she gently chided him.
"My real name is Wildimir, but no one calls me that. They call me Willy."
"Alright Willy, while we wait here, let’s see if maybe we can get you a treat for being such a brave boy! Being lost and almost attacked and all."
Like all boys, even the ones in Felwithe, his eyes lit up at the mention of a treat.
"There’s some spicy cakes here, and sweet ones over here. Would you like one while we wait for that man to come back?"
"Yes! Spicy ones! I want a spicy one."
Alliliel reached inside her tunic to the small coin purse she kept around her neck. It was far safer than the one she had used on her belt. This one had yet to be stolen but the one from her belt had been taken several times. A spicy cake was 12 copper pieces, almost half her weekly stipend. However, her needs were few and the Temple looked after all her worldly needs.
With a smile she said to the old woman merchant behind the table "One spicy cake please, for the young man."
The crone looked up from her sewing. "Eh? An elf lady? With a human boy?" With her gnarled finger she stabbed at the boy. "She got some hold on you? Steal you from yer mother’s breast, did she?"
Getting no response from the wide-eyed boy, she continued "Watch dem elves, boy. Only be trustin’ your own kind. These ones is suspicious if ye ask me." Her eyes shifted between the shocked elf and the young boy.
Alliliel, dumbstruck, snapped out. "I’ll beg you to mind your shop and not your customer’s lives, madam. Now will you sell us a cake or must we find a more receptive merchant elsewhere?"
"If yer money be good and no funny foreign elf coin I’ll be taking it."
They quietly completed their business and returned to the bench. Alliliel unfolded the wrapping and broke the cake in half. She offered it to the boy who greedily took it and began to eat it.
"Slow down, child! You’ll get some hiccups if you eat so fast!" she said, before she realized that the boy had probably not had something to eat in some time. He did look hollow in the cheeks and a bit thin.
The boy, chewing his spicy cake, looked up at her.
"You look different." He said, matter-of-factly.
"Of course, child, I’m an elf!"
"Elf? What’s that?"
"We are the oldest things in all Norrath, child. When the birds sang for the first time, elves were here to hear it. When the sun moved a warm light across the ground for the first time, it was elves that felt it on their faces. We made the first stories and sang the first songs."
The boy looked at his cake for a minute.
"I wanna be an elf when I grow up." He said, before popping the last of the cake in his mouth.
Alliliel laughed and clapped her hands together. "Excellent!" she said. "But I have some disappointing news. You have to be born an elf. I’m sorry." Alliliel frowned down at the child.
"Oh. Well, too bad then. I’ll be a knight. And I’ll slay dragons and help people."
"Well then, it will be Sir Willy, then won’t it? Will you be very brave and gallant, Sir Willy?"
"Yes. I’ll be brave."
"Well done, then, Sir Willy!"
Alliliel turned away to see if the knight might be returning.
The boy looked closely at the elf’s head.
"Your ears are pointy!"
Alliliel smiled brightly at the young boy.
"Of course! All elves have pointy ears!" she said as she kept looking at the crowd, waiting for the knight to return.
Willy reached out with his finger and touched the point on Alliliel’s ear.
"Hey! That tickles! Are you trying to tickle me, Sir Willy? Are you?"
Alliliel grabbed the boy and tickled him furiously, until they were both laughing, and exhausted.
The boy sat on the bench, leaning up against Alliliel, smiling, until his breath changed from heavy to light, as he drifted off into a sleep, the elf lady holding his hand.
She was almost beginning to drift off to sleep herself, when she felt a touch on her elbow.
Stirring, she looked up to see the knight had returned, grim faced and stern.
"Lady, there is a problem."
---
"They were found in an alley, their coin purses empty, no jewelry of any kind. Looks like a clean robbery," the sergeant said.
"How long could they have been there? A few hours, maybe longer?" Alliliel asked.
"Well, taking the temperature of the bodies and the coldness of the street into account, I’d say no more than an hour ago. It’s just a guess, but certainly no longer then two."
The knight spoke up. "How can you be sure these are the parents of the boy?"
The sergeant looked away. "I wish it wasn’t so, but this man is known to us. His name was Herford Macree. He ran a shop near the bank that was popular with many of us. We used to have midday meals there. His wife was Alindra, she cooked and he did the selling. We knew they had a boy about his age, so it sounds right." The sergeant paused and suddenly looked uncomfortable. "Do you think, that maybe... we should ask him to identify the bodies for us?"
"Absolutely not!" said the knight. "No child should see such things at that age. This was no merciful death from a common robber, but an execution from a vicious animal. Those bodies are in no state to be viewed by such a young child. We must spare him that."
Alliliel spoke softly. "I agree. Why don’t we simply wait a few days and see if someone comes looking for him? The guards can make it known that a boy has been found, and we will see if anyone comes. No child should see his mother’s body in such a state."
"Well that’s a fine plan, Ms. Elf, but where is he going to stay? All I have are prison cells."
"I will take him. The Temple of Marr has a boarding school for children his age. While I have little funds, I happen to know that the Master of my Order in Felwithe has somewhat of a soft spot for lost children, and I suspect that I can coax him into finding the funds for the boy’s upkeep, at least, for a little while.
---
Master Yeolarn-
I hope this letter finds you well. I am progressing well in my studies here in Freeport, and I am learning a great deal. The Clerics of Marr have been very kind to me, and I will approach the Guild Masters here about sending some students to Felwithe to study with us. I am honored that thou hast chosen me to be Tunare’s conduit to these righteous and honorable clerics, and I hope we continue to build upon this wonderful beginning.
Master, there is another reason I write this day. Tunare delivered into my care, a human boy, perhaps 6 or 7 years old. The parents of the child were honorable local merchants, but were slain. The guards in town believe it was a simple robbery, but I spied upon the bodies some slight signs that I believe these good people were slain by disciples of Innoruuk. We both know the dark rituals of Innoruuk demand that the whole family be slain in sacrifice. If it becomes public that the murdered couple had a child, the boy will be in great danger.
It is my hope to keep the boy close to us and his parentage secret. Master, I beseech thee to offer him aid. Succor, and comfort this child, for we know what will happen if we do not. I seek the release of such funds from our treasury to enroll him in the schools here in the Temple of Marr. He is a human, and will be welcome here. Were we to spirit him to Felwithe, he would be noticed amongst our people. This is not so much an expense, Master, but a ransom we can pay to purchase his life. I will gladly give up my stipend if it will help.
Master, I have rarely asked thee for anything, but I beg thee to be merciful and hear the plea of this child.
Your most humble servant,
Alliliel
Cleric of Tunare
-----
Sister Alliliel-
I was pleased to see your communication waiting for me upon my desk, but I was saddened by its contents. I know Freeport well, and it is a sad day when Innoruuk’s lost minions carry out such attacks openly in the city.
I have considered your request, and it is worthy and wise. I have deposited in your account sufficient funds for an enrollment of one year. When this time is up, we shall examine this case again. In payment, Sister Alliliel, you shall send me private letters with the boy’s progress. It would be a worthy thing, should he grow strong and righteous, to walk the path of a Paladin, if he wishes. The school will no doubt offer it to him, should he prove worthy.
I must also testify to you about the burial of your friend Savinae. I personally presided, as you asked. All the Knights of Tunare were assembled in a massive throng and Savinae’s name was on their lips. Never had one so young done so much with such little training. King Thex made a decree in her honor, declaring Savinae a "Champion of Tunare". Bards will sing songs of Savinae and her valor. It is probably of little comfort to you, but it was a fitting and excellent tribute.
In another matter, I had occasion to run into your father at the marketplace yesterday. We spoke about some other matters, but he did ask about you. It appears that he was quite alarmed about the attack on Savinae, and he inquired about your safety so far away in Freeport. On a personal note, I saw nothing but concern and love in his eyes, child. Perhaps age has changed his heart. I know you were not able to come for the burial of your friend due to your studies, but perhaps you might consider a visit home soon. You may stay with us of course, as is your right, but you might consider staying with your mother and father. In peace, I remain,
Your Friend.
Yeolarn Bronzeleaf
High Priest and Master
Clerics of Tunare