ToF8-1k: The Table of Five (Part 11) by zaqxsw
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
“What in the name of the All-Father?” Tarl exclaimed in shock, recognizing the beautiful moon elven rogue from the previous night’s encounter as she strolled into the common room on Aeron’s arm.
“Easy my friend,” Aeron calm him, his arm wrapped affectionately about Nykira’s waist as he guided to the table where the other’s already sat at breakfast. “She did you no real harm.”
“I guess not,” the dwarf confessed, eyeing her slender, yet wonderfully shapely figure with a lecherous stare while a broad smile grew on his bearded face, “and it looks like you got “compensated” for your generosity after all, lad!”
Nykira glared at the dwarf with a spiteful scowl, while Galen and Faeryl shared a look of surprised recognition as they realized she was the thief Tarl and Aeron had told them about last night, the one Aeron had caught stealing Tarl’s purse and then gave his own to. But how had she ended up here… with him?
“His generosity earned him more “compensation” than you’ll ever know,” Nykira spat at the dwarf in a harsh, cold tone. But then turned to Aeron and smiled warmly, adding with true affection; “We’re bond. Where-ever he wanders… I follow!”
Aeron smiled lovingly at her, and bent his head to kiss her deeply, while Faeryl, Galen and Tarl could only wonder about what had happened between them last night to forge this bond, though they all conjured similar images in their heads.
Nykira found it hard to believe herself. Just weeks ago she’d fled her home in Everlund, a life of luxury and privilege to avoid a marriage arranged by her father against her will to seal a business partnership with the House Faerondarl, her family’s long-time rivals. Now she willfully bound herself to this young human, something her father would never accept.
A wicked grin turned her lips as she pictured her father’s reaction, the cold, terrible rage that had until so very recently froze her will and left her cowering and compliant. Now she saw it as comical. He would never dare raise a hand to her, so what had she feared… disappointing him? She’d done that her entire life. She’d never been enough of a lady for her role. Preferring archer and sword play to dance and music.
“We are all bond by destiny it seems,” Faeryl voiced the thoughts they all had struggled with at one point or another since meeting. “A Table of Five!”
They each looked to one another and nodded in acceptance; confirming their own realization that some higher power, fate or destiny had brought them together… but to what end?
Comments (10)
Thanks again for all your kind comments and interest... I hope you and your loved ones remain safe and well!
For those not familiar with the Forgotten Realms, here's a quick primer for the couple of setting specific terms used in the text;
All-Father - a common reference to Moradin, the leader of the dwarven pantheon of deities.
Everlund - a major city of the Silver Marches region known as a center of trade and commerce. Just north of the great High Forest, it has a large population of moon and sun elves.
This was intended to be the second to last image in this "book", but a question from a loyal reader (thanks RedPhantom) made me realize that I should explain the brand on Galen's forehead... something I was going to do in a later "book". I'm trying to whip up a quick installment to do so, which I hope to post tomorrow.
I hadn't meant to rush you with an explanation. I was just curious. Another great chapter. Hope to see what destiny has in store for them. Glad Nykira and Aeron have found each other.
Thanks again for all your kind comments and interest... I hope you and your loved ones remain safe and well!
I appreciate your curiosity... it made me realize that the mark on Galen's forehead is something the other companions would question, so I thought I should add it to the storyline. (I did manage to quickly write a narrative explaining it and came up with an image to go with it.)
Beautiful elf's portrait.
Thanks again for all your kind comments and interest... I hope you and your loved ones remain safe and well!
Awesome work and description!
Thank you for your kind comment and interest... I hope you and your loved ones remain safe and well!
Wonderful!
Thanks again for all your kind comments and interest.. I hope you and your loved one remain safe and well!
She looks as lovely as ever, and the story is moving along nicely, my friend! Looking forward to seeing where the quest takes them.
These stories often have a way of taking off on their own journeys.....
Thanks again for all your kind comments and interest... I hope you and your loved ones remain safe and well!
I'm glad you like her. The last of our heroes are now assembled... just two more images in this "book" to explain a couple of important elements... Galen's brand and Aeron's sword.
Excellent !
Thanks again for all your kind comments and interest... I hope you and your loved ones remain safe and well!
Great story and character!!!
Thanks again for all your kind comments and interest... I hope you and your loved ones remain safe and well!
lovely lass, fun story!
Thanks again for your kind comments and interest... I hope you and your loved ones remain safe and well!
I love that the characters have that general idea that they are meant to be together, like the player characters in a table top game automatically begin to work together (Why else be at the table?) Loving the build up.