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For Kellen
The Steeplewood Forest
“Definitely not club-footed,” one of the sprites says.
“Yes, definitely not. Not a dwarf either,” adds another.
“Could never be a dwarf with a laugh like that,” the third replies, “Dwarves are all bearded ale swilling grimness .... and monster bashing .... and heavy hammers .... and chopping axes and ... and... and ... O! I’m just glad he’s not a dwarf!”
“Not that we thought he was to begin with.”
“No. of course not. But the look on his face when we said that. Why now that is a story for the younglings tonight!”
One of the sprites begins to contort his face hoping to imitate the strange elf’s expression.
“No, not yet. The eyes need to be bigger.”
“And the mouth, you haven’t got the mouth right.”
“Wait! That’s it!” Turning to Kellen, a sprite in garments of various shades of red points to his yellow clad companion. “Do you see that? That’s what you looked like when Sylvus here,” he points to another sprite, this one clothed in varied russets and orange, “said you might be the son of a dwarf.” He looks once more at the contorted features of his companion. “Yes, definitely like that. Except you’re quite a bit taller.”
As one, the three sprites turn their attention to this elf called Kellen who dances to a singing blade. The bold and red-clad sprite steps forward and then stirs his wings that he might hover to the level of the elf’s eyes. “I am Jasper.” Pointing to the one whose face had so recently mimicked Kellen’s he says, “And this one of such talented facial expressiveness is Belshon. Sylvus is the one with the sharp tongue.”
“Speaking of dwarves!” Sylvus shouts in his high voice.
“Be careful, I just don’t have the energy to imitate any more facial expressions just yet. Elves are so difficult to get right.”
“No. No, you don’t understand,” Sylvus corrects Belshon. “Do you remember those unpleasant adventurers who were so much fun.”
“Yes! Yes, of course.”
“Well, then, do you remember how we saw to it that they left the Gloomwood without all of those heavy bottles of wine and ale to carry with them?”
“Why yes, I do. The smell of so much drink had me flying in spirals for a week.”
“Do you think our friend here would enjoy a drink?”
“An excellent idea, Sylvus! Go and bring something for him. Belshon, go with Sylvus and bring our guest something else.”
ooc: Sylvus and Belshom will be back quickly, the one bearing a very old and very good bottle of wine from the southern regions and the other a mithril stoppered bottle of dwarvish spirits.
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