Back to the Beginning

[Gilliadson]

This is actually the RP we had where Gilliadson and Sineliniel signed on with House Illumine... I am compiling the RP's involving them for inclusion into the new version of Shadowbane Chronicles... So if anyone involved has any corrections, comments or wish to be excluded please let me know and I will work around it... The rest of this story will be edited into this post...

Episode XIII: New Friends

Chapter 1: Stumbling In

The young squire staggered into the parlor, blood dripping from a few gashes in his armor. The fight with the Deathfist had been tough and he was not sure he was going to make it back to Freeport. Gilliadson Shadowbane had been fighting the Deathfist for several days now to acquire enough crude bronze to make the final piece of his Truthbringer armor, The Truthbringer's Breastplate. Once that was completed he would be ready to begin his trials for knighthood. Gilliadson had not been in the Commonlands since he was a child running around in wolf form with Willanaome, his nanny. Gilliadson had picked up his last brick of bronze and was returning to Freeport when he had to stop and rest. As he sat on the ground, he saw a large house off to the north. It was obviously much closer than Freeport was, so the young squire decided to see if he could receive a warm welcome and some rest to help heal his wounds. The land around the house reminded him of the Greater Faydark and his home there. The front door to the house was open. The squire was not aware of how badly he was injured as he walked into the house and read the welcome sign. Gilliadson had a habit of ignoring his own injuries while in the heat of battle, a habit that had more than once gotten him into trouble but for the grace of Marr.

”Ah, more souls willing to fight the evils in the land. Perhaps they can use another sword in their fight. Perhaps I may find some allies here to assist in mine when the time comes.” Thought the young squire.

As Gilliadson walked over to the small table set up in the foyer, the damage that had been dealt to him by that Orc Chieftain became apparent. The squire collapsed on the floor in front of the table.

The house was silent of late, not an awkward silence but a silence nonetheless. So upon hearing a muffled thud from the parlor, the Fier`Dal moved softly down the stairs and peeked around the corner. She saw what appeared to be someone’s leg sticking out from behind the table from her viewpoint so she moved further into the room until she saw the Knight in full. Her gaze shot around the room looking for hostile intruders but upon closer inspection she could see that the blood he was caked in was drying, suggesting that the wounds were not inflicted within the grounds. She knelt down beside him and touched his face lightly and checked that he still breathed. Her golden eyes glanced over his body noting the gashes in his armour and the blood. She could not tell how deep they were while he was still in his armour but she was reluctant to move him without knowing the extent of his injuries. After a moment’s hesitation and a glance round to see if anyone else was nearby to aid her, she started to unbuckle the heavy plate armour so as to better assess his injuries.

The Koada`Dal Elementalist, Sineliniel, Gilliadson's closest friend, wished him well as he departed Crescent Reach to begin his training to become one of the Knights of Truth. Sineliniel kissed him on the cheek and he was surrounded by flames but was not consumed by them. The vision faded then to the face of his stepmother Marial. The proud smile on her face changed to one of concern. Gilliadson looked down at his breastplate and saw the large gash in it and the blood dripping down. The vision changed again and Gilliadson was looking at the face of the Deathfist Chieftain laughing. The Chieftain’s laugh changed to a howl of pain as he collapsed to the ground. The vision changed again and Gilliadson heard the music from his box and was watching his mother, Alani, as she played the melody that was bound within it. Again a change in the vision and Alani smiled as she kissed her son goodbye before placing him on his horse. Gilliadson felt hands upon him and felt his armor being removed but could do nothing. Gilliadson faded from semi-consciousness again and saw the ruin of his family's estate. Gilliadson heard the melody of his box again but this time it was joined with the melodies of two others as the music from the boxes of his father and Willanaome, the Halfling druidess who had been his nanny, joined his. He heard Willa's laughter as she crossed over. Then the laughter changed... He could hear the laughter of Lucan D'Lere as he had heard it the day Father and he were exiled from Freeport. The vision changed yet again as the laughter faded away and Gilliadson was standing before a massive gate. The gate opened revealing a giant knight in glowing armor.

Young Shadowbane, you may not yet enter here as it is not yet your time.” The voice was gentle yet firm and commanding. It seemed more to enter his mind than his ears. "You have much to do. Go back and fulfill what your father has commanded you.” With that the gate closed and the young squire drifted back to semi-consciousness...

Gilliadson could still feel the hands on him and hoped that they were hands of healing. His vision was still quite blurred. The words of the healing prayer that Sir Dushire had taught him formed in his mind but he could not will them passed his lips. Instead the only words that escaped were "The box…” Gilliadson drifted off to unconsciousness again.

The halls were usually silent, but something was wrong in the parlor. The red-haired Fier`Dal, whom Haldan had seen a few times, removed the armor plates of an unknown, tall Human with brown hair. He hesitated on intruding, but the smell of blood made him enter, at running speed. Oh, how he wished he had paid more attention to the priests, instead of bashing wooden puppets for training. Still, there was something he could do for this poor man, who seemed to be alive - barely.

He was not sure if the girl knew about healing, but she seemed to be doing well. He nodded to her shortly, while sinking onto his knees and half-singing in Dal. "Rodcet Nife. See what they have done. We cannot let this poor man bleed to death in these halls. Let us mend his wounds, giving god." His hands moved in some pattern, and at least some of the wounds were no longer bleeding. He suspected this would not be enough, but it would help for a short time.

He stood up again and hoped the Fier`Dal understood Human: "I will get some hot water and bandages.” Not waiting for an answer, he ran up to his room to fetch the necessary things.

The Knight stirred under her touch as she removed his armour, though never seemed to wake enough to do anything more than mention a box.
Then suddenly there was another in the room with her, chanting in Elvish. His song seemed to halt the bleeding if little else. She was aware of his movements around her but did not greet him just yet, her concentration now on the huge gash across the Knights chest, though she did have an inward wry smile at the usual 'hot water and bandages' approach of those not overly gifted at healing.
Judging the gash on his chest the worst, she laid her glowing blue hands upon his chest, channeling the life-giving energy of Tunare through her into him. She was not a Priestess, true, but there was no better healer than a Druid where a cleric was unavailable. Bones knitted back together under her hands, torn muscles reformed and skin closed into a faint pink scar that would eventually fade to nothing over time. Satisfied that the most life endangering wound was healed she sat back and watched his breathing come easier before attending to his other wounds in a similar fashion.

When Haldan came running back, the brown-haired human was already breathing slower - usually a good sign. The Fier`Dal girl obviously knew some things about healing herself, and the blue shine around her hands told him she would have cast something. And the worst of the man's wounds had vanished. Nothing more needed to be done, but still Haldan knelt down again next to the odd couple.

"I beg you to banish his poisons, Master." He started in Elvish again, and cast a small spell ensuring that the man would not carry hidden poison around. After all, this was Orc country, and one could not be sure what had caused his wounds in the first place. But then, really nothing was left to be done. The Fier`Dal girl seemed to have taken care of all of his wounds, and the only thing which the man would need was some sleep, or maybe nourishment.

He addressed the girl in Human again. "You are a gifted healer, Lady. Now that he is safe to move, shall I help carry him somewhere for rest or nourishment?" Then Haldan, the Half-Dal Paladin, remembered he was still kneeling, and stood up, blushing a little.

Reality and dreams faded in and out of his mind as he went in and out of consciousness. He could, at one point feel the warmth of healing hands over his chest. His memory of the Priestess of Tunare that prayed over him after his encounter with the somewhat older Elementalist that tried to force his way with Sineliniel came to mind. He heard Elvish singing and was comforted. Semi-consciousness gave way again to the visions of his life. Willa sang while she channeled her healing power over his broken leg after he had fallen out of the large oak in the courtyard. Mother singing him to sleep. Sineliniel singing one of her incantations as her elemental companion came into existence. Marial singing him to sleep the night she and Father were joined. The music of his box blended into all of these sounds in his dream and wove them all together into a melody that peacefully put him to sleep.

Chapter 2: Searching for the Knight

The bluebird sat on the window ledge looking at the blonde-haired Koada`Dal maiden intently as the young mistress received her orders from the Koada`Dal monarch.

”Mistress Sineliniel, you are to go to Crescent Reach and learn as much about this new race called Drakkin as you can. You must assess whether we should ally with them, attack them. Find out, if they prove to be friendly, if they have any surplus resources that we can use and what resources we have that they would be willing to trade for. The journey there will be dangerous, so take one of our knights along for protection.” Ordered the Koada`Dal king as he gazed at the young elementalist who stood before him. Sineliniel was quite young still and this was actually a mission that he should have given to her aunt, Marial, but Lady Marial had insisted that Sineliniel was ready for such a test of her abilities.

“She is ready to take on a task such as this, sire.” Said Marial when she had met with the king before Sineliniel was summoned.

Sineliniel was nervous as she stood before the great King Thex. When she received the summons she quickly changed into her royal blue robes and ran to the palace. While she waited being announced to the king, Sineliniel examined herself in the intricately designed mirror at the end of the hallway just before the massive gold and oaken doors to the throne room. The robe shimmered slightly and matched her Sapphire colored eyes perfectly. She carefully adjusted the folds so that there would be no wrinkles showing and carefully ran her fingers through her blonde tresses.

“Mistress Sineliniel,” called one of the royal guards, “you are about to be announced. Come stand in front of the doorway and leave your companion out here.”

“Fluffy please wait for me here. I will be safe.” Commanded Sineliniel. She then kissed the earthen elemental on the cheek and he was engulfed in flames though they did not burn him or her. Sineliniel though she could almost see him blush.

“I know of just the one for the job, your Majesty.”

“Please don’t tell me that you intend to take that Human with you.”

“He is the best swordsman in all of Greater Faydark, your highness. There are not five of our Soldiers of Tunare or Faydark’s Champions that have put down more of our enemies than he has. Other than Fluffy there is none other that I would entrust my life to.”

“You are too much like your aunt.”

“Thank you, your Majesty. Sineliniel said with a smile.”

“That was not meant in a complimentary way young Eledhwen and you would do well to remember your place in this court. Your aunt may be able to talk to me thusly but you have not yet earned that privilege.”

“Forgive me, your Highness.” Sineliniel bowed to the king. “When do I leave?” She asked quickly changing the subject.

“On the morrow and go ahead and take that Human with you. At least he will be out of my hair while he is away with you.”

“Yes, your Majesty.” Sineliniel arose and quickly left the throne room. “Come Fluffy, we have some packing to do.” Sineliniel made her way quietly to the Citadel as the bluebird flitted along the overhanging branches of the trees along the path watching her. When the young arcanist entered the citadel the bird flew out of the city.

The journey to Crescent Reach was quite uneventful. Once Gilliadson was sure that Sineliniel would be safe there, he took his leave to begin his training for with the Knights of Truth in Freeport. Now that was a scary thought. If Lucan D’Lere found out that a Shadowbane was in his city Gilliadson would be hunted. Nevertheless he had to follow in his father’s footsteps and become one of the Knights of Truth. Several weeks went by… Sineliniel had to actually become a citizen of Crescent Reach in order to set up diplomatic ties with the Drakkin. Sineliniel decided that Lady Keikolin would be her best choice for a contact.

The young elementalist performed her duties toward gaining favor with the great dragon flawlessly and soon she was granted an audience with the great creature. The meeting went quite well and Sineliniel was given permission to set up a trade agreement with the Drakkin. Sineliniel’s mission now completed, she scribed her report for King Thex. Gilliadson had not returned yet to escort her back to Felwithe but she was not too worried… She knew that he would be back to get her as soon as he was able to.

Sineliniel took some time to help the Drakkin with their Undead Ogre problem. There were quite a few undead Nokk Ogres north of the farm that was north of the city. The farm had been overrun and the farmer and his wife took up residence at the Inn in the room next to Sineliniel’s.

A few more weeks and a bard arrived from Freeport with a message for Sineliniel.

“M’Lady, I was sent by Edwardian Holyblade of the Knights of Truth. Squire Shadowbane told him you would be here if anything happened to him.” Stated the bard.

“What happened to Gilliadson?” Asked the Elementalist as she gazed deeply into his eyes.

“They don’t know, M’Lady. He went out on a training mission and has not returned yet... It has been three weeks.”

“Let me pack up, we leave immediately for Freeport. I will need to ride along on your cadence.”

“As you wish M’Lady.”

“When we get to Freeport I will go speak with Sir Holyblade I need you to find a ranger for me and do it discretely. We do not need to let D’Lere know that a Shadowbane is or has been in the city. Understood?”

“Yes M’Lady.” The bard left the Koada`Dal arcanists room as she packed up her things.

Sineliniel joined the bard at the entrance to the city.

“Fluffy return to your plane, you will not be able to keep up with us. I will be fine with this gentleman.” Sineliniel commanded her pet.

“As you wish, Mistress.” Replied the Elemental and he dissipated. The bard pulled out his drum and started beating a cadence on it. The pair’s legs filled with energy and they started running. The two of them ran to the portal to New Tanaan and touched the book. Once in the protected city the two of them ran to the Freeport Portal. Sineliniel pulled the hood of her cloak over her head so the Militia guards would not know that she was Koada`Dal. Her last encounter with one of them was not very savory for either of them. Especially when the guard found the point of Gilliadson’s blade sticking out of the front of his chest.

Once inside the city, the bard departed to do as Sineliniel had requested while the Dal maiden went to the Hall of Truth to speak with Sir Holyblade.

“We don’t know what happened to him Mistress Sineliniel. He left three weeks ago to collect the components needed to create the Truthbringer’s Breastplate, the final piece of his armor and the next to final task before being allowed to take the tests to be inducted into the Knights of Truth. The components needed are all found in the Commonlands.”

“Very well Sir Holyblade, I will investigate this and do my best to find out what happened to him. Somehow I just feel that he is still alive.” Sineliniel left the Hall of Truth and waited outside the city for the bard and the ranger to arrive. Sineliniel summoned her Elemental companion and had him attack some of the skeletons and Orc Pawns that were wandering around outside the city while she waited. The bard brought the ranger to her. He was a Drakkin.

“Greetings M’Lady, I am Vinlo of Crescent Reach. This bard tells me that you require some services that I can provide.”

“Vinlo, I was just in your home city. Yes I need you to help me find a friend in the Commonlands. I know that there were some items that he was seeking that are carried by some of the Orcs there. I believe that would be a good place to start.”

“Very well then let us be on our way.” Sineliniel paid the bard and dismissed him.

The two arrived at a camp that was usually populated with Orcs but this one was empty. There were several Orc bodies laying around in various stages of being consumed by scavengers. Vinlo knelt by one of the bodies and removed the beads that were around its neck.

“Hmm. These are Chieftain Beads. Looks like there was a really nasty fight here.” The ranger squatted and examined the ground. There were no visible tracks since it had rained several times since the battle but the Ranger’s keen senses were able to discern signs that were not visible to most others. “A Human was here, an apparently heavily armored one at that. Looks like he was wounded in the battle but was able to walk away… This way back toward the east.” The ranger followed the trail that only a ranger could discern. “He stopped here at one point.” The Ranger looked toward the north and saw the house. “He walked toward that house M’Lady.”

“Thank you Vinlo, I will go investigate there and if I need your services afterward I shall send for you.” Sineliniel paid the Drakkin and sent him on his way.

Sineliniel and Fluffy walked to the house and found the front door open. There was a table set up there with a large chair and some papers on it next to a platter of cookies. Sineliniel walked over to the table and saw a piece of paper that had some dried blood on it so she picked it up. It was Gilliadson’s application to join this house. “Leave it to Gilliadson, Fluffy, to leave a battle hurt worse than he realizes and stumble into finding some allies. The Human is very blessed indeed. I guess I should fill one of these out as well. Hopefully someone will come soon with some answers for us. I do hope Gilliadson is well.” Sineliniel tried one of the cookies and liked it so she gave one to Fluffy before sitting down to fill out the application. After filling it out the elementalist took another cookie for herself and gave another to Fluffy before checking the guest rooms upstairs.

The Elementalist poked her head through the open doorway of one of the rooms and saw Gilliadson lying on the bed. She stepped into the room and quietly commanded her pet to stand in the corner. A worried expression formed on her face as she examined the gash in his breastplate on the armor stand. Sineliniel moved silently to the bed and checked on the unconscious squire. "Good," she thought to herself, "he is resting peacefully. There must be a healer in this house." The maiden sat in the chair next to his bed and held his hand.

Chapter 3: A New View

The young squire slept peacefully while his body regenerated the blood that he had lost. Sineliniel sat by his bedside and held his hand. She loved this human more than her own life and just wished that he would come to see her as something other than a close friend. "Thank you Mother of All for keeping him alive and thank Mithaniel Marr for me too when you see him.” The bluebird lighted on the windowsill and watched as the Koada`Dal maiden laid her head on the Human's chest and drifted off to sleep. The bird then flew off...

The squire slowly woke feeling a weight upon his chest. Instinctively his hand moved toward his chest and felt the silken strands of the maiden's hair. Gilliadson looked and saw the back of her head and one of the pointed ears of the Koada`Dal maiden. The lady was fast asleep so Gilliadson decided not to move until she awakened. He gently laid his hand on her head and stroked her hair. "Praise be to Marr that you are safe M'Lady.” Gilliadson thought to himself. Gilliadson looked around the room... It was quite simply furnished with the bed he was laying on and the chair that Sineliniel was sitting in. He saw his armor on the stand next to the window and saw the gash in the breastplate. "I will have to fix that for the next squire to wear it." He thought. Gilliadson looked in the far corner of the room and saw Fluffy. He was in the form of an Earth Elemental this time but Gilliadson almost thought he saw him wink and smile. Gilliadson laid his head back down and drifted back off to sleep with his hand still on her head.

How long she had slept, she was not sure. Consciousness returned to her and she felt the warmth of a hand upon her head. "He had awakened.” The Koada`Dal thought. She gently lifted his hand from her head and sat up in the chair. "He looks so peaceful when he is asleep.” The Koada`Dal arose from the chair and grabbed her bag before walking out to the river nearby. She pulled an eye patch out of her bag and put it over one of her eyes. The magic from the patch infused her eyes as they tingled. Sineliniel looked around to make sure there were no creatures nearby invisible or otherwise before removing her robe and stepping into the river to bathe. Sineliniel let the flowing water gently caress her ivory-toned skin. She felt much better now that she had to time to get the grime of travel off of her body. She stopped for a moment and realized that she was not in the Commonlands. This was the Eastern Plain of Karana. She decided not to ponder it but considered this to be the work of either her goddess or that of Gilliadson's god. The bluebird lighted on a branch of the tree and watched for a few moments as the Koada`Dal maiden bathed herself in the river below. The bird flew to the window ledge of the squire's guest room and looked in on the Human. The bluebird chirped and magical energies surrounded the young squire while he slept. His body glowed for a moment and then faded back to normal. The deed being done now, the bluebird flew off of the windowsill and departed the Karana's. Another work performed for her mistress.

Gilliadson awoke again to find that his charge had risen so he got up and went to the window. The autumn breeze brought the scents of the trees and the wildflowers to his nostrils. The squire breathed in the aromas deeply as he gazed out toward the river. "River?” He thought. "There is no river in the Commonlands.” Gilliadson examined what he could see of the landscape outside of his window and came to the realization that he was not in the Commonlands but in the Eastern Plains of Karana. "By the sword of the Truthbringer there is surely some strange magic going on here. I only hope it is all for good and not evil.” He could see the blonde-haired Koada`Dal leave the water and dry herself off. She was not close enough for him to see her in detail but he knew it was she. Gilliadson's mind drifted to the memories of her kiss upon his cheek as he watched her slip into a white gown. He watched as she called forth a water elemental to take her robe and wash it for her. New emotions toward her stirred inside him and he fought to gain control of them. "I cannot look at her that way.” He thought. "She has been like a sister to me. I love her more than my own life but still we are more like family.” Gilliadson remembered her holding back the tears when he told her those words before. The emotions grew stronger within him until he could not maintain his control over them. Gilliadson knew that he would have to eventually reveal the change in his feelings toward his companion but that day was not to be this day.

The bluebird lighted upon hand of her mistress and chirped her song.

"It is done then. You have done well Lithian." The Mistress gave the bird a kiss on the head and moved her hand near a perch and the bluebird hopped onto it and sang cheerfully while her mistress departed the room.


Sineliniel slipped into a white silken gown and summoned a water Elemental. The maiden handed her robes to the Elemental.

“Fluffy please wash these for me.” It was more of a command since the Elemental always did whatever his mistress desired but the lady was always polite to her companion. Sineliniel knew that when it came down to it, that her Elemental would give his existence in this plane if he had to in order to protect his Mistress, much like Gilliadson. Her thoughts drifted toward her friend and she felt the stirrings of the love she silently bore for him. “He does not desire me that way.” She thought to herself as she held back a tear. She had been in his strong arms once. That was after the Militia guardsman tried to have his way with her. She felt safe and secure in that embrace and longed to be back in it.

Sineliniel’s Elemental companion returned with her clean robes and carried them back toward the house. Things have been quiet at the house since the Koada`Dal had arrived. Sineliniel pulled a silken cord from her bag and tied it up between two trees that were close together. The water Elemental hung his Mistress' robes on the silken cord to dry in the afternoon sun. Sineliniel pondered the mystery of the house for a few moments before walking back inside.


The liquid gold eyes of a shaggy coated black wolf watched calmly the goings on. Despite her wild appearance, no malice could be read from its posture or stance. She had lain silently under the shade of a nearby tree as the Koada`Dal bathed, though naturally she had averted her gaze until she heard the elf head towards the House again. The wolf got up and swiftly padded along not far behind the woman, wondering who she was, but not overly concerned being that the injured Knight seemed to know her.

She did not pause as the Koada`Dal went inside, only continued to follow, her claws clipping off the stone floor as she also crossed the threshold.

The soft but sharp sound of something tapping on the floor startled the Koada`Dal. She stopped quickly and turned her head to see the wolf staring at her. The Elementalists sapphire eyes met the gold ones of the wolf. Fluffy did not move toward the wolf so Sineliniel did not feel threatened. "Gold eyes.” Thought the maiden, "Highly unusual for a wolf.” Sineliniel made a few gestures quite slowly and softly sang an incantation. A cookie appeared in her hand when she was done. Fluffy drooled.

"Not for you this time Fluffy," she said as she offered the cookie to the wolf. "Come let us be friends. You obviously bear no evil intentions toward me. I will not harm you." Sineliniel's voice was musical in its tones as she knelt down and held the cookie in front of her.

The squire watched his charge as she hung her robes to dry and walk toward the house. Then he saw something move behind her. Gilliadson caught sight of the black wolf following behind Sineliniel.

"Strange that a wolf would come this close to a house," he thought. Gilliadson grabbed the scabbard that held his sword and quietly made his way down the stairs.

"Come let us be friends. You obviously bear no evil intentions toward me. I will not harm you." Came the musical voice of the maiden he had sworn to protect with his own life. Gilliadson stepped into the doorway holding the scabbard in one hand and the other on the hilt of his blade. When he saw her kneel and offer the treat to the wolf, Gilliadson let go of the hilt of his blade. Gilliadson knew his companion all too well and if she put trust in someone or something, then it was good enough for him. Gilliadson silently leaned his sheathed blade up against the wall on the side of the doorway, slowly entered the room and knelt behind the Koada`Dal Ambassador.

The wolf had what could only be described as an amused expression at being offered a cookie. Then the sound of the young Knight approaching caught her attention, noting his hand on his blade. The wolf still made no adverse movement but simply turned her attention back to the musical voice of the woman who held out the cookie.

The wolf did not take it however, instead giving a quick shake as though expelling water though her coat was dry. Then she sat as she grew in size, shaggy black fur disappearing and fading into oaken tinted skin. Long fiery red locks grew down her back, as wild as the wolf fur had been, yet did not look scruffy. Within seconds a Fier`Dal woman was crouched before them, only the liquid gold eyes remaining the same as the black wolf. She stood up to her full height, which was still a good foot or so shorter than either of the other. She was dressed in red ochre coloured leathers, an aura of ancient experience both happy and sorrowful around her, yet she appeared to be barely older than twenty human years.

She smiled at the two of them, a warm smile that lit her golden eyes, and took the offered cookie and had a bite before speaking in rich velvety voice.

"Cookies always taste better in the true form, the wolf simply does not appreciate such fine tastes."

The golden-haired Koada`Dal watched in amazement as the wolf transformed into a Fier`Dal. She had seen this shape-shifting many times but it still impressed her greatly.

"Salutations, Lady Druid," Said Sineliniel as the other took the cookie from her and ate it. "My name is Sineliniel Eledhwen, the water elemental there is Fluffy and this Gentleman who is thinking that I did not notice his arrival, is Gilliadson Shadowbane, my protector." Sineliniel bowed to red-haired Fier`Dal and then turned to her Elemental companion. "Bow Fluffy! Be polite!" The Elemental bowed to the Druid as well.

Gilliadson watched as the wolf transformed, He had seen Willa do this many times when he was a child and was reminded of the times when she would share the wolf form with him and they would run and play together in the Commonlands. As Sineliniel made the introductions Gilliadson moved closer to his charge and placed his hand upon her shoulder.

"Greetings M'Lady," said the Human, "I remember arriving here in worse shape than I was aware of. Are you the one that the gods used to save me?"

Sineliniel felt as if a small surge of mana ran through her body as Gilliadson's hand touched her shoulder. She gently laid her hand on his. Somehow there was something different in his touch this time...

The Druidess nodded at the Knights question. "That I am you were almost dead. I am surprised you made it here at all." She looked again to the Elf and her elemental, and half bowed.

"I am Jetamio." Said the Fier`Dal as she finished off the cookie with a grin.

"My deepest thanks to you Jetamio and it is quite the pleasure to meet you." Said Sineliniel as she composed her thoughts and hoped that what she felt from Gilliadson's touch had no outward appearance.

Gilliadson felt the slight shiver in Sineliniel when his hand met her shoulder. Gilliadson bowed to the Fier`Dal. "My deepest thanks to you as well Lady Jetamio. If ever you need my blade, it is yours." Gilliadson gently turned Sineliniel to face him. "M'Lady I must leave in the morning to return to Freeport and complete my training. You may stay in the guest room that I am using till I return if you like." Gilliadson looked into her sapphire eyes and resisted the urge to pull her close and kiss her. He had looked into those sapphires many times and never had the feelings he was feeling now. "What is wrong with me?" He thought to himself. "I have never looked upon her like this before." Gilliadson tore his eyes away from Sineliniel's. "Excuse me ladies as I must go pack for my journey. Lady Jetamio if you are still here in the morning may I trouble you for a port to New Tanaan?"

The Trials were grueling but the young squire came through them victorious. As the house came within view Gilliadson's pace quickened. He knew now who his heart beat for and was looking forward to looking upon her face and hearing her melodious voice ring in his ears. He knew that she had never stopped wishing for him to finally see her the way he did now. The squire paused before the doorway and looked in his bag for the flower he had found for her. Gilliadson checked his pouch and found the pair of Palladium Sapphire Earrings. He would present these to her tomorrow at the celebration following his Knighting. The Squire decided that would be the time to ask her to join with him in the Holy Union. Gilliadson walked through the doorway and up to the guest room that he had occupied. Sineliniel was asleep in the large chair. Fluffy was nowhere to be seen. Gilliadson quietly walked over to the sleeping Koada`Dal and put the flower under her nose. The maiden's nose twitched in response to the new fragrance that now entered it. Sineliniel's eyes opened slowly at first and then flew wide open when she saw her protector standing in front of her.

Gilliadson placed the flower in her hands and stepped back.

The sweet aroma of a flower that she had not smelled in a long time brought the Koada`Dal awake. She slowly opened her eyes to see her protector standing in front of her holding the sand verbena under her nose. Quite a rare flower indeed since it is only found in the ruins of Takish`Hiz, the ancient home of her ancestors. Sineliniel's heart jumped as he placed the delicate flower in her hands and stepped back. For a moment she pondered the meaning of this gesture before speaking.

"Please tell me that you did not brave the ancient ruins of my ancestors to prove your devotion to me, Gill. All you had to do was say it." Sineliniel smiled and noticed that Gilliadson was wearing his father's armor. “So I take it that the trials are over as well and that you have succeeded as I knew in my heart that you would." Sineliniel stood and looked at Gilliadson lovingly.

Gilliadson looked into the Koada`Dal's sapphire eyes as she rose to her feet. The squire removed his father's armor and placed it on the stand before turning back to her.

"I did not have to go into the ruins to get that for you but I did encounter a Shadowknight who had just come out of there. I uh... persuaded him to give it to me." Said Gilliadson with a smile. "Yes Sineliniel, I have come to see you differently. I do not know how or why it had happened to me so suddenly. I can only suspect that one or both of our deities has a hand in this. If our higher powers think that we should be together then who am I to argue? Surely there must be a plan in all of this. Perhaps I have always loved you this way and just was not willing to acknowledge it. I will tell you now that I do love you." Gilliadson stepped forward and opened his arms to Sineliniel.

Sineliniel was almost in tears of joy as Gilliadson welcomed her into his arms. She had waited for this day for quite some time turning down several offers of joining from some very influential and handsome Koada`Dal males but none of them burned in her heart the way this Human did. The Elementalist stepped into his embrace and threw her arms around his neck. For a few minutes they stood there locked in each others arms with her head buried into his strong shoulder. She felt his kiss on her head and raised up to look into his eyes. Sineliniel put her hand behind his head to pull closer to him and kissed him passionately. The two of them were enveloped in magical flames but were not burned. "I love you." Said the Elementalist when the kiss ended. "I suppose I could take the room next door now that you are back." Sineliniel smiled brightly and put her head back on his shoulder.

The young squire gently stroked her silken hair and kissed her head again as she laid it back on his shoulder. The two stood there for several minutes before parting with another kiss. Gilliadson checked the guest room next to his and found it to be vacant so he helped Sineliniel get situated in it. The couple joined hands and went downstairs.

Chapter 4: The New Knight

Gilliadson knelt before the High Paladin and handed his blade to him. Sir Valeron Dushire held the young squire’s blade for a moment admiring the etching in the blade.

“Gilliadson Shadowbane, you have completed your training and the tests required to be numbered amongst the Knights of Truth. It is with great pride that I bestow upon you the rank of Knight with all privileges, rights and responsibilities thereof. You have knelt before me a squire. Now rise as a Knight of Truth Sir Gilliadson Shadowbane and recite your Testimony of Truth.” Gilliadson rose to his feet and turn toward the assembled knights and the Lady he loved.

“I believe in the might of Mithaniel Marr. I shall uphold the words of Marr and defend them with my life. I shall protect the righteous weak and avenge the souls of those whose life has been taken for naught. From this day forth I shall become a living vessel for the ideals of the Truthbringer and if I should ever falter from his grace may he cast me from this life and into the lifeless void. Praise be to Marr!”

“Praise be to Marr!” Shouted the assembly. Valeron handed Gilliadson back his blade.

“Your father would have been proud to have seen this day, Gilliadson.” Valeron whispered.

“I know. I wish he could have been here.”

“So do I”

Sineliniel walked up to Gilliadson, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

“Leofa.” She whispered into his ear. Which was Elddar Dal for “Beloved.”

Gilliadson and Sineliniel returned to New Tanaan for the celebration with their friends.

“Well I have put this day off long enough...” Gilliadson started after their friends were gathered around. Gilliadson droped to one knee before Sineliniel and took her hand in his. “Sineliniel I do not know why it has taken me so long to come to see you as I do now. But I do see you now as one I would not only give my life for but one with whom I would share my life with.” Gilliadson fidgeted a little and looked deeply into the Koada`Dal's sapphire eyes. “Lady Sineliniel would you do me the honor of becoming my Life-Mate and Join with me in the Leutha`Tala?” (Life Bonding) Gilliadson placed two Palladium Sapphire earrings in her hand and closed her hand over them.

Sineliniel looked at Gilliadson in disbelief for a few moments that seemed like an eternity. “I have waited and hoped for this so long I am truly speechless.” Said the Elementalist. And you know I adore sapphires.” Sineliniel giggled. “I will be honored to be yours for eternity”

Gilliadson looked lovingly into her eyes and rose to his feet. The Knight took the Koada`Dal elementalist into his arms and kissed her deeply. The group around them cheered loudly.