The Great Library of Palanthas
Astinus' Office
Dominating the center of this room is a massive birch desk. Legend claims this desk has supported the thousands of volumes of history Astinus has recorded. A large pot of ink, a container of sharpened quills, and a candelabra complete the desks decorations. Small windows line the room, allowing light to trickle in and gently illuminate the entire room. A comfortable couch rests against the west wall. Tapestries hang on the walls between the windows. Shelves line the walls, filled with tomes of the more recent records of heroes and villians upon the face of Krynn.
The librarian notices you aren't reading anything... Astinus hands a small leaflet to an Aesthetic standing by you. You note the spine bears the word 'Contessa' scribed in earth-colored red ink. As you glance down at the page you read..
From the pages of Contessa's book..
Author: Contessa Date: Sat Jul 11 00:17:05 2015 Subject Introductions
Walking into the Green flight wing of the Dragon army holding, Contessa stopped to take a look around. She knew Salah-Khan was the ranking Highmaster of the flight currently, and she knew tales of his battle prowess and his strong grip controlling the Green army. She needed to get close to him while turning the army to favor her. Then she would make her move to take it. It would be quick, clean and quiet. Just as she planned for her army to be. Continuing through the halls, she found herself advancing upon his war room as the people inside spoke of the upcoming attacks and the movement of troops. She slipped into the room, Khans eye catching her only barely as she came up behind him with a fluid and swift movement. His hand moved to his blade, assuming the worst: someone had come to claim what was his. His grip tightened around his sword, a motion that did not go unnoticed by Contessa. In one fast movement he drew his sword, spinning around to slash at her. She smiled, expecting and reading his attack rather clearly. He was good but, like most men, easy to see through. Dropping to a knee, head ducking the blade as it swung just shy. He threw a hand back, catching and gripping the table, not expecting the sudden lack of resistance but ready to meet a counter. Gaze shot downward, expecting an attack from below... But all he saw was a beautiful, leather-clad elf kneeling before him. It was a sight most men dreamed of. Looking up with a smile, she offered her greeting, "Lord Khan, my name is Contessa Moondancer. I am here to pledge my blades and whips to you and the Green flight." Khan blinked, taken aback from the odd and mildly threatening introduction as much as the fact that she had survived the affair. He coughed, sheathing his sword with his eyes on her, "You are Contessa, the Dark Elf, Silvanesti outcast. I have heard of you and your abilities...And that you have moved from the Red Wing, to the Black and now you wish to join Unmoving save for the lifting of her head to look up, she answered, "I was placed in the Red army for my skills on the front lines. Without a war, this was not needed so I was transferred to the Black Wing to help them grow. I return from a mission that drew me away to find the Black flight is now thriving, and has grown into its new ways. So I have been sent to help another head of my Queen's forces grow even stronger. We have our differences, the Wings, but only one Queen. I wish to aid you in any way I can. Take my blades, my skills and my experience and use them to Hone this army to a razor's edge." She took her dagger and whip from her sides her eyes locked on his as she did so. He instinctively tightened his grip on his blade once more, but she held them out flat in her palm and the whip coiled, offering them to him. He studied them from afar, and then made to take her in again. Deep thought, he considered her skills. As a deadly assassin, she would be greatly useful. But. He could not help but think of those eyes staring back into his. Deadly and seductive, her eyes burned...Perhaps with other plans. His pride won over, convinced that certainly he could beat her at any game she could play. He would use her as he needed, on the battlefield and otherwise. Smiling, he raised his hand to bid her to rise. "Rise Contessa Moondancer of the Green Dragonarmy. You will be given a scouting and ambush party for now, and there you will be tested. We'll see where we go from there. You leave out in five days time, but meet me tonight in here. I would like to discuss further your...Experience." She smiled an almost predator, darkly pleased with herself and the ease of the situation. He was, as many men were, too easy to fall for her elven beauty. Her eyes shifted toward him, a sultry look there as she stood to meet him face to face. "As you wish, My Lord." Her voice was soft and low but firm.
Clearing his throat, he turned to bark at his men, "And you! The ones I call my top men let her sneak in without being even noticed! If she was anyone else I could have been attacked, you idiots!" All of the men bowed to him in a rushed apology as Khan turned his back to them. "Now. Does your last Highlord kno--Hn." Contessa was gone, but there as a sealed letter left upon his desk. Once he finished giving the room a wary once-over, he would find the answer to his question. That would certainly make things more simplified. A woman of her skill was worth a little trouble, but not much was worth crossing another Highlord. Especially Khariif.
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He states simply 'You might start with that one.. or you could take a look at the latest story..'
The Latest Entry
Brim & Raina by Zivilyn, posted on Thu Jul 28 18:22:22 2022.
Ps. Check out their stories (Aquimer didn't arpee stories). http://www.ansalon.net/?page_id=630&content=Raina http://w(read more)....
The Storytellers of Ansalon, The DragonLance MUD
Astinus points to the massive wall of books behind him and bids you to make a selection.
Authors: All|A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z
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