“Now you know why it is called Thon-Tsalarian, the River of the Dead.” Silvara said in her low, musical voice. “For centuries, my people have returned the dead to the sea where we were born. This ancient custom of my people has become a bitter point of contention between the Kaganesti and our cousins.” Her eyes went to Gilthanas. “Your people consider this a desecration of the river. They try to force us to stop.”
“Someday the body that floats down the river will be Qualinesti, or Silvanesti, with a Kaganesti arrow in his chest.” Theros predicted. “And then there will be war.”
“I think all the elves will have a much more deadly enemy to face,” Sturm said, shaking his head. “Look!” He pointed.
At the feet of the dead warrior lay a shield, the shield of the enemy he had died fighting. Recognizing the foul symbol traced on the battered shield, Laurana drew in her breath.
“Draconian!”
The journey up the Thon-Tsalarian was long and arduous, for the river ran swift and strong. Even Tas was given an oar to help paddle, but he promptly lost it overboard, then nearly went in headfirst trying to retrieve it. Catching hold of Tas by his belt, Derek dragged him back as the Kaganesti indicated by sign language that if he caused any more trouble, they’d throw him out.
Tasslehoff soon grew bored and sat peering over the side, hoping to see a fish.
“Why, how odd!” the kender said suddenly. Reaching down, he put his small hand into the water. “Look.” he said in excitement. His hand was coated in fine silver and sparkled in the early morning light. “The water glitters! Look, Flint,” he called to dwarf in the other boat. “Look into the water-”
“I will not.” said the dwarf through chattering teeth. Flint rowed grimly, though there was some question as to his effectiveness. He steadfastly refused to look into the water and consequently was out of time with everyone else.
“You are right, Kenderkin,” Silvara said, smiling. “In Fact, the Silvanesti named the river Thon-Sargan, which means Silver Road. It is too bad you have come here in such dismal weather. When the silver moon rises in its fullness, the river turns to molten silver and is truly beautiful.”
“Why? What causes it?” the kender asked, studying his shimmering hand with delight.
“No one knows, though there is a legend among my people-” Silvara fell silent abruptly, her face flushed.
“What legend?” Gilthanas asked. The elflord sat facing Silvara, who was in the prow of the boat. His paddling was not much better than Flint’s, Gilthanas being much more interested in Silvara’s face than his work. Every time Silvara looked up, she found he was staring at her. She became more confused and flustered as the hours passed.
“Surely you are not interested.” she said, gazing out across the silver-gray water, trying to avoid Gilthanas’s gage. “It is a child’s tale about Huma-”
“Huma!” Sturm said from where he sat behind Gilthanas, his swift, strong oar strokes making up for the ineptness of both elf and dwarf. “Tell us your legend of Huma, Wilder elf!”
“Yes, tell us your legend.” Gilthanas repeated smiling.
“Very well,” she said, flushing. Clearing her throat, she began. “According to the Kaganesti, in the last days of the terrible dragon wars, Huma traveled through the land, seeking to help the people. But he realized-to his sorrow-that he was powerless to stop the desolation and destruction of the dragons. He prayed to the gods for an answer.” Silvara glanced at Sturm, who nodded his head solemnly.
“True.” the knight said. “And Paladine answered his prayer, sending the White Stag. But where it led him, none know.”
“My people know,” Silvara said softly, “because the Stag led Huma, after many trials and dangers, to a quiet grove, here, in the land of Ergoth. In the grove he met a woman, beautiful and virtuous, who eased his pain. Huma fell in love with her and she with him. But she refused his pledges of love for many months. Finally, unable to deny the burning fire within her, the woman returned Huma’s love. Their happiness was like the silver moonlight in a night of terrible darkness.”
Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127