Firiona Vie Everquest

Three figures emerged from the portal: A Human Male, A Koada`Dal Female and an Air Elemental. The Human had a few bruises on his face that had almost faded. The Koada`Dal's hair was in disarray and her gown was torn in several places. Only the Elemental seemed unscathed.

The Koada`Dal turned to the Human and threw her arms around his neck.

"It is so good to be home, Leofa." She whispered into his ear. "I hope we never get called there again. That creature is horrible."

"Indeed, Leofa." Said the Human. The Human pulled the Dal close and kissed her gently since the bruise near his lips was still a bit sore. "I think that after what we have been through, perhaps we should take a break from our trials, settle into our new estate and have another child."

"I like that idea. I know our daughter will be happy to see us. I have so missed her."

"As have I."

The couple went to the stable and claimed their mounts. It was a long ride to the nearest portal to New Tanaan. Once in the great neutral city, the couple took a room at the inn and dispatched bards to their friends to let them know that they had returned and would be arriving at their new home in the Commonlands the next day. The Koada`Dal purchased a few healing potions for the Human to clear up his few bruises and stopped at the tailoring merchant for some supplies to mend her gown. She did not want their friends to see them in so rough a condition.

A young Drakkin bardess arrived at the estate.

"I have a message for Mistress Willanaome." Announced the young lady to the guards at the gate.

"You may enter." Replied on of the Crimson and Silver clad guards. The messenger bowed and entered the gate.



((OOC Note: Image is still a work in progress but you get the idea... *smile* ))

The young Drakkin found the Halfling Druidess in the garden behind the house standing as if expecting the bardess' arrival.

"You have a message for me, young one?" Asked the young druidess.

"You are Mistress Willanaome?" Asked the bard, quite surprised. "I was expecting someone much older."

"I am she whom you seek. Do not let the youth of this body fool you. Please deliver your charge."

"Oh yes M'Lady. I have word for you from Sir and Lady Shadowbane. They have returned to Norrath and will be here on the morrow. Please inform Lord Bralder and Lady Verlaine as well. That is the end of the message M'Lady. On a note of my own... I think you may have a story worthy of song and if you would be willing to share it with me sometime, I would be more than happy to hear it."

"Thank you, young one. By what name are you called?"

"I am Zephina, the daughter of Crissanos the Wizard."

"Well Zephina, I will certainly send for you when I am able to share the tale with you." The Halfling smiled warmly. "Would you be in need of some blessings to help you on your way to the rest of your deliveries?"

"Thank you M'Lady, They would be most helpful." Willanaome chanted a few prayers of protection and called forth a wolf spirit to touch the legs of the young bard.

"There you go Zephina, Udra and be well." The young Drakkin bowed respectfully and departed the estate.

The Koada`Dal guard approached the throne where King Thex and his chief advisor were deep in conversation, knelt and waited to be acknowledged. The king turned to the kneeling guard.

"You may rise and speak, guard." Said the king after a few moments. The guard stood.

"There is a bard in the foyer with a message for Lady Marial." The guard announced. The king and Lady Marial looked at each other questioningly for a moment before returning their gazes to the guard.

"Send him in." Ordered the King. The guard bowed reverently and returned to his post, bidding the messenger to enter. The Fier`Dal bard approached the throne and knelt. "You may rise and deliver your message."

"No disrespect intended, Your Highness but my message is for Lady Shadowbane." Said the bard. Marial locked eyes with the bard.

"Any message you have for me may be delivered in the presence of the King. I have no secrets to be kept from the throne of Felwithe." Stated the Platinum-Haired Koada`Dal Lady.

"As you wish, M'Lady." Started the Bard. "Sir Gilliadson and Lady Sineliniel have returned to Norrath and will be arriving at their new home in the Commonlands on the morrow." Marial smiled brightly.

"I am so relieved that they have returned! It is a happy day indeed!" Marial dismissed the bard, who bowed respectfully and left the Throne Room.

"It does my heart good to see you happy Marial." Said the King.

"Thank you Tearis. I have missed them so. I must depart in the morning to welcome them to their new home. I know they have not seen it yet. It would be quite an honor to me and to them if you would like to accompany me and it would give you an excuse to get out of the city for a little while. I am sure Lady Elanil and Lord Rolandel will be going as well."

"That does sound like an excellent idea. It has been a very long time since I had left the Faydark. We must keep my absence from here a secret though, especially since we will be visiting so close to Neriak. and instead of in the morning let us leave as soon as you can be packed. There is no further business here that cannot wait for me to return."

"That would be most prudent. I can procure a few illusion potions for you if you wish. Give me an hour."

The Shadowbane Knights were assembled in the courtyard of the estate. Bralder stepped out onto the porch of the house and addressed the troup.

"The new Lord of this estate and your commander has returned to Norrath and will be arriving here tomorrow to assume his rightful place. I will take a small detachment of you to greet him and his Lady when they come through the portal from New Tanaan and escort them home. The rest of you will assist with preparations here. It has been an honor and a pleasure to have been your temporary Commander." Bralder dismissed the Knights and went back inside the house.

The potions did the job on the Knight and his bruises cleared up right away. He could have used a prayer to do the same thing but he was not one to use the blessings of Mithaniel Marr for such trivial things. Gilliadson grabbed the brush from his wife's pack and started brushing her golden tresses while she mended her gown.

"It will be good to finally be in our new home, Leofa. What is your plan for us? Are we going to resume our trials?" Said the Sapphire-eyed Elementalist.

"I just think we need a little bit of a break before we resume our trials. Raising up another child or two would be just the break we need and perhaps I will have my son this time and you will get a child to train in your arts." Replied the Knight.

"Well Leofa, the timing for this could not be better. My season is almost upon me." Sineliniel smiled lovingly. "I will be fertile again in a few days. We can have this evening together to celebrate our return to Norrath and not have to worry about conceiving before we take over our new home." Sineliniel completed the repair of her gown and laid her implements on the table. The Koada`Dal rose to her feet and took the brush from her husband's hand and laid it on the table as well. Sineliniel's sapphire eyes locked with her Husband's as she slipped her silken undergown off of her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor.

Gilliadson pulled his wife close and kissed her passionately.

"I think a little private celebration would be in order for us tonight." said the Knight as he nodded toward the Elemental near the door. Sineliniel quietly commanded her companion to stand guard outside the room.

Sineliniel quickly undressed her husband and the rest... well... You know we can't tell you everything.... *grin*

It had taken the bard some time to find the Elven Druid. But found her he had, and came she did.
She had fidgeted all morning in this strange attire, but she knew Human's love of pomp and ceremony so acquiessed to her daughters nagging and wore a dress. Well, it was more of a gown. Cionaodh loved pretty things and had chosen her mothers dress for her.

The gown was bottle green, of a fairly simple but elegant cut and trimmed with fine gold thread. Cionaodh knew her mothers likes and dislikes and compromised on the style so long as she actually got her in a dress. She managed to get her to wear an emerald and gold pendant and matching earrings, and Jetamio always wore an emerald ring that Stormfollower had given her long ago anyway. She had refused to have her hair tied up in some lavish style, but had compromised on letting her daughter weave fine gold thread through it.
Any who knew her would hardly recognise her. She had not been dressed like this since state dinners in her first home when she was Leader almost seven hundred years ago. She was stunning, the green silk sat perfectly on her form, her fiery hair glinted in the sun. She knew she looked like a Princess or other royalty and was extremly self concious, but her flushed cheeks only seemed to add to her beauty.
She glanced at her daughter, dressed in blue and looking beautiful too, and smirked at her. Cionaodh grinned back, knowing her mother would get her back for this, but decided it was worth it. If Father came, he wouldn't be able to keep his eyes off her.
Jetamio turned her attention back to the direction they were going in as the House came into view.

Willanaome felt Jetamio long before she came into view of the house and called Myrikel to her.

"Lady Jetamio and Cionaodh are arriving soon. I will have one of the maids prepare a room for them." Said the Halfling Druidess.

"I will meet them at the gate. Rakana should be arriving soon as well. I know how you feel about her profession but she is still a friend of my parents." Said the young knight.

"My dear, I will judge her by her heart as you have." Myrikel hugged Willanaome and ran out to the gate to greet her childhood friend and her mother.


Verlaine joined Myrikel at the gate.

"It will be good to see Lady Jetamio again." Said the Shadowbane Matriarch. "I sense some others heading this way... Ladies Marial and Elanil along with Lord Rolandel and one other I do not recognize but he is Koada`Dal."

The four Koada`Dal came through the New Tanaan Portal and silently proceeded toward the Commonlands. The fiery hair of Sineliniel's mother and the platinum blonde hair of Gilliadson's Shelera glinted brightly in the morning light. The Ladies' Elementals followed close as the group neared the Shadowbane estate. The Knights at the gate had never met Marial but they knew her name.

"State your names and your business." Said one of the guards crisply.

Marial commanded her mount forward a couple of steps before answering.

"I am Lady Marial Shadowbane, the widow of Gilliad Shadowbane. This is my sister, her husband and a close friend of mine whose name is my business. We are here to welcome my Stepson and his wife home when they arrive on the morrow."

The guard bowed reverently.

"Please, by all means, do enter Lady Shadowbane and company."

Myrikel watched the exchange and did not interfere, knowing that protocol demanded it. Once Marial and her party were inside, Myrikel rushed to greet her Grandmothers and Grandfather. Myrikel looked questioningly at the strange Koada`Dal.

"Let us get inside quickly." Said Marial.

"I will wait here for Lady Jetamio and Cionaodh. I will see you inside soon." Said Myrikel. "Please make yourselves at home."

A lone lizardwoman soon came into view of the new Shadowbane estate, dressed in the rather humble Robes of her profession and caste. She took a moment to survey the area, noting the guards. She sighed. This would no doubt be troublesome. Still, she surged forward towards the Manor. She wouldn't let a little thing like possibly hostile guards get in her way of seeing her old friends.

She could practically feel the guards tense as she approached, no doubt the men having heard of her kind's reputation. The fact that a skeleton traveled by her side probably didn't help things at all. She glanced to her skeletal minion.

"Well, Jabober, let usss pray to Lord Cazic for luck. We will need it, I think" she quipped to the pet. The creature merely stared back at her, awaiting her every command but not saying a word. That was what she liked about the skeleton.

Rakana finally strode right up to the front of the Estate, skeleton and all. After a moment to let the initial shock wear off, she looked about.

"Isss Sir Shadowbane back yet? Or, perhapsss, Lady Myrikel?" she asked in heavily accented common of the guards.

They approached the gates soon after, and Cionaodh lead the way through the gate, her placid bay gelding having a calming affect on the spirited white stallion that Jetamio rode. Not that she worried for her mother, no one else could even mount that stallion let alone ride him. Jetamio herself had taken him from the Shissar Emperor's stables, though it had always puzzled her why snakes would have use for horses, let alone one of such spirit and beauty.
The young Wizardess rode side saddle in an attempt to not crease her dress too much but Jetamio had no such qualms. She rode astride him like any other day.
They stopped and dismounted, eyeing the small crowd that seemed to have gathered, but recognizing few. Jetamio's gaze fell on the strange Koada'Dal and she raised an eyebrow. She had not seen him in a very long time, but she knew who he was. It surprised her to see him so far from Felwithe but she said nothing and acted oblivious to his true identity. The two stood slightly back from the others til they were noticed.

Verlaine whispered into Myrikel's ear.

"I sense your parents' Iksar friend in the distance. She may need some assistance to get passed the guards but for now let us greet Jetamio and Cionaodh."

Myrikel stepped up and hugged Cionaodh.

"Welcome to my home, my friend. Please do go inside and make yourself at home for my home is always home for you as well. I must stay out here to greet one more guest before I come in." Myrikel smiled warmly.

Verlaine bowed to Jetamio.

"Welcome to our home Lady Jetamio. It is good to see you again. Gilliadson and Sineliniel will be returning tomorrow about Midday. Please make yourself at home and if you wish, you may slip into something more comfortable for yourself. I know how uncomfortable you feel in that gown, though it does suit you well for formal occasions. Willa will have it cleaned for you if need be." Said Verlaine.

Marial and her companions had already gone into the house.

Shortly after Jetamio and her daughter entered the house, Rakana arrived at the gate. The guard was about to send the Iksar lady away with a thrashing when Myrikel stepped in between the two.

"She is a friend of your Lord and Lady and demands the respect of such regardless of race or profession. You will stand down and appologize to her immediately." Myrikel turned to Rakana. "Please send your pet away for the Estate is hallowed ground. You will not need it here for you are safe."

The guard bowed respectfully to Rakana.

"Forgive me M'Lady I was unaware of your allegience to M'Lord."

"I am sorry, Rakana, but you know how unwelcome your people are in most places. You will now be welcomed here with open arms from this moment forward."

Lady Verlaine watched the exchange and smiled. "She already has the respect of the Shadowbane Knights. That is good." She thought as she watched Myrikel escort Rakana to the house.

The sun was nearly setting when the three Koada`Dal arrived in the Commonlands. The silver-haired male looked at his wife and daughter for a moment before urging his horse forward. The two ladies followed close behind with an Elemental, a small imp and a pair of blades behind them. The arrived at the gate with no trouble.

"State your name and your business here." Said one of the guards.

The male dismounted and approached the guard.

"I am Elwinde Eledhwen, the brother of Sineliniel Shadowbane. This is my life-mate, Siniari and our daughter, Sindera. We are here to welcome Gilliadson and Sineliniel home when they arrive on the morrow."

"Please enter and make yourselves at home." The guard smiled and bowed.

Elwinde and the two ladies entered the house.

Upon entering the house, Willanaome had members of the house staff show the guests to guest rooms on the second floor and left an invitation to a gathering in the Grand Hall on the first floor where food and drink were prepared for them.

Lord Bralder entered the room dressed in the traditional crimson and silver of the Shadowbane Family and addressed the guests that were assembled.

"Welcome to the new Shadowbane Home. I am Bralder Shadowbane, the family Patriarch and your host until my Grandson arrives tomorrow. Please make yourselves at home. If you need anything at all please ask one of the staff members and it will be provided. You are all friends and family of my Grandson and his wife so that makes you friends and family to Lady Verlaine and me. The Home has not yet been named, that honor belongs to Gilliadson or whomever he chooses to pass it to. For tonight, please enjoy the food and drink prepared for you by Willanaome and the House Staff and once again, Welcome!"

Bralder joined the guests and spent the evening answering questions about the family's history and traditions. Lady Verlaine spent the evening in the company of the druids that were present.

Gilliadson and Sineliniel took the portal to Freeport and appeared outside the City. Bralder, Willanaome and an honor guard of knights in Crimson and Silver stood ready to receive the returning couple.

"Welcome back to Norrath Grandson and Sineliniel." Said Bralder.

Willanaome stepped up and threw her arms around Gilliadson first and then Sineliniel.

"Welcome home, my friends." Said the young Halfling. "Your daughter is at the estate making the final preparations for your arrival."

Gilliadson and Sineliniel returned the embraces from Willanaome.

"It is good to be home." Said Gilliadson. "So these are the new Shadowbane Knights."

"Yes they are, my grandson and they are now yours to command. We will move out on your order."

As protocol demanded, Gilliadson inspected the assembled knights and found them perfect. Following the inspection, Gilliadson mounted his horse and pulled his wife up behind him. Willianaome cast her spirit of the wolf spell on herself and Bralder and the rest of the knights mounted their steeds. Gilliadson looked with pride on the assembly for a moment before turning toward the Commonlands.




"Move out!" Gilliadson Ordered and the troup followed their new leader.

Sineliniel's golden hair flowed in the soft breeze as she laid her head on Gilliadson's shoulder.

When they group arrived at the estate, the guards at the gate stood at attention. Gilliadson let Sineliniel down and then dismounted. A young Half-Dal came out to take Gilliadson's horse to the stable. Gilliadson inspected the gate guards and smiled.

"Excellent." When they entered the gate, they saw the rest of the Shadowbane Knights assembled in the courtyard. A full batallion of knights. The welcoming detachment took their mounts to the stable and joined their comrades in the courtyard taking the back two ranks. Gilliadson and Bralder went through the ranks inspecting each of the assembled knights. Pride shone in the eyes of each of the knights. They were the best of the Knights of the Marr Twins and they all knew it. After the inspection, Sineliniel stepped beside her Husband and took his hand. Myrikel came out of the house to greet her parents.

"I have so missed you both." Said the young knight as she embraced and kissed her parents. Love radiated from the young lady.

"We have missed you too." Responded Sineliniel for the both of them. The Koada`Dal smiled warmly as she felt the love from her daughter envelope her.

Willanaome produced a sword and handed it to Bralder who then addressed the Shadowbane Knights.

"As per our time-honored tradition, I now pass the command of the Shadowbane Knights and the residency of this home to a new generation." Gilliadson knelt before his grandfather. "Behold the sword of Vladimiri, the first Shadowbane. With the passing of this blade we have passed the mantle of command of this estate from one generation to the next. It gives me much pride to pass this mantle to the one who was responsible in restoring our family's legacy." Bralder placed the sword in Gilliadson's hands. "Arise Sir Gilliadson Shadowbane II and assume your rightful place. May you rule here wisely and may your heir follow in your footsteps."

Gilliadson stood and addressed the Knights with his daughter and wife at his sides.

"It honors me greatly to see such a fine batallion as you all. I have not seen the look in the eyes of Shadowbane Knights since my father and I did our last inspection before the fall of the old estate. You are all fine examples of what Shadowbane Knights are to be. You are the best of the Knights of Truth and the Knights of Devotion. I present to you all my wife, Lady Sineliniel Shadowbane and I am sure you have all met our daughter, Mistress Myrikel. There will be a celebration here in three days when we name the estate. Praise be to Marr!"

"Praise be to Marr!" Shouted the assembled knights.

"You are all dismissed!" The knights all stepped up and greeted Gilliadson and Sineliniel before returning to the barracks and their various duties. The Shadowbane Knights and their families lived on the estate in the barracks which was set up specifically as a multiple family environment. The children all played together in the play areas and the spouses all assisted each other in taking care of the normal household duties. Some of the house staff was assigned to assist the spouses in the barracks. The Knights themselves stood watches in the towers around the estate and made patrols throughout the Commonlands.

After the last of the knights departed, The Shadowbanes and Willanaome went into the house to the Grand Hall where Lady Verlaine and the guests were assembled and awaiting the arrival of the happy couple.