Trell - 5

After dinner they all went out to the amphitheater to prepare for the fireside. The amphitheater was very well manicured circular depression in the hill near the top of the school grounds. It was about three quarters of a full circle with a wooden stage in the middle, leaving some of the seats actually behind the stage itself. Between the front row and the stage was a large metal depression in the ground where many a fire had darkened it to a deep black. The slope was grassed and tiered with descending rows wooded benches. Among the benches were stairs that acted as aisles in several places.

Lord Selimnairus walked them around the perimeter and down to the stage to get Trell comfortable with stage. They then began to greet some of the early guests, including the brightly dressed mayor of No Magnon and his family. The owner of the Inn Between was there escorting Gabe’s mother and brother. Before long students, faculty, and staff of the schools began to flood into the amphitheater, and everyone moved to find a seat.

The guests of honor were all seated in the first couple rows near the front of the stage, the other adults near by and the students scattered around in groups of whispering to raucous students. Soon the flood of new visitors slowed to a trickle of late comers, and the sun slipped behind the mountains. Lord Selimnairus rose and walked up on the the stage. He spoke some strange words and sprinkled some kind of dust around the edge of the stage. The dust sprang into small candle-like multi-colored flames about a six inches tall where ever the dust touched the stage. When the entire stage, except a small space for access, was surrounded in the flames, he changed his chant, and threw the remaining dust into the air where it burst into a million sparks the hung suspended in the air like a firework frozen in time.

He then addressed the gathering: “Welcome all this most exciting, and short notice, fireside. Tonight we have the incredible honor to see and hear from a special guest who has come all the way from the fey wood.”

At this point the amphitheater erupted into clapping cheers and whistles of excitement. As the applause died down one area of benches up near the top continued to hoot, and holler, and whistle like band of banshees. As the entire audience turned to look, they could see several students trying desperately to cancel spell that had taken on a life of its own. The other students laughed as the students continued with increased desperation to silence the spell. Eventually Lord Selimnairus came to their rescue, and with a wave of his hand that entire section went silent.

With a smirk, Lord Selimnairus continued, “Yes we are all very excited to have Trell a faun of the Order of the Dervish here tonight. But before we give him the stage, Lady Karil has a few announcements to make.” He extended his hand and drew his wife to the stage.

“Students, friends, and guests, thank you for coming. I won’t bore you with any long speeches, but I would like to take this opportunity with all of you here to update you on some minor matters.” She proceeded to announce some class changes for the next semester, and some issue with food getting tainted with mischievous magic that was causing students to miss classes. She also reiterated that polymorph spells were not allowed on except in special controlled classes and supervised activities.
As she closed, there was still some laughter and general chatting as Lord Selimnairus helped her back off the stage, but once he returned to the center of the stage, the night went silent in anticipation.

“Now” said Lord Selimnairus in audible excitement, “I am honored to turn the stage over to Trell.”

The amphitheater erupted into cheering and applause, and several of the faculty stood prepared to silence any out of control spells. Every eye turned to Trell who just sat for a minute as if oblivious that it was his turn to do something.

The applause faded slowly, and still Trell sat with his eyes on something in his lap. When at last the sound of crickets and other night sounds were all that remained, Trell raised his pipes to his lips and began with a long tone that seemed to swell and diminish for nearly a minute. Then the note changed, and held strong for a short time. Then that note too slipped into another, and before long a melody began to form as the notes flowed up and down, faster and slower.

Then after a long note faded into silence, Trell waved his hand above his head, and was instantly outlined in a strange glow that did not illuminate or obscure anything, but outlined him in a swirling dance of color. He then rose and launched into a vigorous song dancing his way onto the stage. The entire gathering erupted into the cheers and clapping to beat beat as Trell danced and marched around the stage, and no matter how loud the applause the pipes could still be heard clearly by everyone.

He finished his dance with a tight spin on one hoof and a trilling note on his pipes. Then with a flourish his spin flowed into a bow and silence. Again the crowd erupted into applause and several people people spewed rose petals and feathers onto the stage while other sent sprays of sparks into the air popping and sparkling as they faded.

Trell walked about the stage waving and smiling and thanking the audience until the petals and the feathers had faded away, and the audience had quieted to a dull roar.
Finally Trell put the pipes back in a pouch on his belt and began to speak.

“Thank you all so much for the incredible welcome. I have never seen a group of this size, and certainly never been the guest of so much honor. Thank you all; and think you Lord Selimnairus and Lady Karil.” He paused for a minute for the applause to fade some.

“Let me start by sending you the greetings of the fey wood, Queen Cheveux de la Séquoia and Lord Chêne Defender of the Fey Wood. You honor the whole of the fey wood with the warmth of your greeting.”

Trell then bowed deeply as the applause again drowned out his voice. Soon he began again, “Lord Selimnairus and Lady Karil have told me that you all might like to hear a little about the fey wood. Are any of you interested?”

The resurgence of applause urged him on, “Well let me first tell you the sad tale of our dear queen Séquoia. She was born of dryad and an elf…” here Trell paused, and looked up at the audience, “Do you all know of dryads?”

The audience gave a mix of uncertain mumbling, cheers, and a few hesitant claps. He ventured again with, “How about nymphs? Anyone?” The mixed response told Trell he should elaborate.

“Okay, so the dryads and the nymphs are the epitome of female beauty and innocence. They live a the heart of the fey wood, and only allow themselves to be seen by other fey. Now the nymphs look much like your women here, only they don’t wear the long dresses, high collars, earnings and the like. They are all very beautiful and absolutely enchanting. I have never one that did not threaten to melt my heart with her beauty. I dare say a man unprepared would probably not survive an encounter with one, and would probably lie right down pass from this life from the joy of the sight.

“Dryads are not nearly as delicate, but unbelievably beautiful. They blend their soul with the very trees of the forest. Their skin is like the softest wood, lined with the swirls and grains of living woods. Their hair is rich and very thick, and I am not sure whether they actually grow leaves in their hair, or just decorate them that way, but they always have wreaths or strands of leaves, and both their hair and the leaves change colors with the seasons…”

Trell voice trailed off as he stared up into the stars. His momentary lapse was cut short as he said, “Oh don’t let me fool you, I have given my heart to a nymph, but the dryads have a deep beauty and strength that will stop a man in his tracks.”

Trell paused for a moment and then continued in sneaky tone, “So ladies, if your man ever strays into the fey wood without you, you better pray he doesn’t stray too far, because I don’t think a mortal man could survive meeting such a beauty; it would surely melt his heart, and relieve him of his desire to ever leave the forest, that is if he doesn’t die on the spot.”

Trell then returned to his grand voice, “So, back to Queen Séquoia. The legend goes that her mother, a beautiful red skinned dryad found a widowed elf lord and his young son wandering through the forest. Her curiosity drove her to show herself to the two, and it is said that the elf lord would have died on the spot if she had not been a healer, but her beauty stopped the elf lords heart and took his sight, and his son lost all desire to ever leave the wood. The dryad was so touched by the strength and purity of the elf’s heart and the love he had for his son, that she too fell in love with them. She and the elf lord were married, and soon thereafter Séquoia was born with all the beauty of her mother, and the strength of her father. She became the most powerful and wisest of the dryads.”

“But her life was not without sorrow, for her father died while she was still a young woman, and her mother went with him to the next world. Such is the fate of a dryad that falls in love with a mortal.”

“Young Séquoia turned her love and attention to the forest, and married a strong young faun, but their bliss was short lived as a skirmish with some wicked men left took his life. She went on to become Queen and Hamadryad, but she refuses to this day to give her heart again; so deep was her first love.”

“That young son of the elf lord, Chêne, grew up among the dryads, and became the greatest warrior the forest has ever seen. He was granted the title Defender of the Fey Wood and given command of its defenses shortly after Séquoia ascended to her throne.”

Trell let a little the crickets chirp three times then continue, “In fact these are the his legendary blades,” he said drawing out is swords, “given to me on the very night I said farewell to the fey wood. And that brings me to my own story.”

Before continuing, Trell took out his pipes again, and played another song. It was not so much a dancing song, but it was a diverse and flowing tune. It was haunting and ancient, and at the same time, fresh and energetic. The song lasted for several minutes, and then suddenly stopped as if if was unfinished.

“That” said Trell in a humble thoughtful tone, “Was the song that my father composed the night I was born. He always said that it was unfinished because I would have to write the ending.”

Trell changed tone and continued, “My parents were sheep and goat herders in the northern woods. The father was a great musician, and my mother was a dancer, so I grew up dancing, and singing, and playing pipes from the time I could walk. I often visited the great lake and played with the young nymphs and dryads, but it wasn’t until joined the The Dervish that I realized my heart was lost to me. I had given it to sweetest and most beautify nymph of the forest, Nénuphar”

He paused because a lump had suddenly choked off his throat, but he could not stop the tears from streaking his cheeks. He paused, took a deep breath, and continued, “Nénuphar was surely beyond my reach, but I visited every chance I could, until one day my worst fears came true. The elders of the forest had seen my affections, and began to fear I might take advantage of her like a cruel satyr. They offered us several very difficult options. In the end we chose the hard path. Nénuphar left to train as a druid, and I chose the path of the Pariah Volontaire, or voluntary exile, and learn of the world outside the forest.”

“I was escorted out of the forest by my fellow dervish, and met Chêne one last time. He gave me some good advice and encouraged me when my heart wavered.”

“But I left, and struggled my way across the desert to the ridge that extends through the middle of the desert.”

Someone near the front row yelled out, “Zelaea’s Spine.”

Trell nodded to the overeager young student, and continued, “I camped near Zelaea’s Spine following the road when one night I was jumped by men. I was able to fend them off, and that eventually lead me to meet Gabe, son of the Smiths, who some of you may know. Anyway, we went to meet Lord Tramere. He enlisted me to pay a visit here to Trá Magnon, and here I am.”

He bowed and the audience clapped and cheered, then rose to their feet and redoubled their applause. As they did so rose petals, and feathers, illusions of animals, lights of all colors, and every other visual and audible illusion that could be concocted danced around the stage. While they cheered Lord Selimnairus came up to stand beside Trell.
After a minute or so Trell whispered something into Lord Selimnairus raised his hands and cast a spell. All the other spells in the amphitheater were quickly doused except the flames along the edge of the stage.

Lord Selimnairus then announced to the audience that Trell had offered to answer any rather questions you might have about the fey wood or himself. Immediately several hands went up, but one hand near the back erupted with a shower of sparks.

Lord Selimnairus called on the sparkler who asked: “Is it true the the nymphs and dryads don't wear anything but leaves and flowers in their hair?”

Trell blushed a little at the question, and said, “Goodness no. That would not only be impractical, and embarrassing, but surely such beauty could only be endured inside the covenants of marriage. Any man, or even male fey, would surely be rendered blind or dead if he beheld such a sight with anything except a pure heart.”

Just as Lord Selimnairus was about to call on another student, Trell’s face brightened, and he spoke up again, “Since you asked, and I know how your young minds work,” he began in a devious kind of voice, “Let me describe for you how my Nénuphar often dressed.”

He waited just a moment, until the amphitheater was silent, and began. “When my beloved was young, her mother would cloth her in her namesake water lilies. As she grew she continued to follow the tradition. She often wore the white flowers in her hair and writes and feet, and around the trim of her clothing. But when she was traveling, or spending extended time away from the water, she would use more practical materials such as leaves, moss, and bark.”

He paused briefly pondering, then continue, “I suspect a bit of magic went into their coverings because it was always perfect. I never saw a flower wilt, or a leaf fall from place. But maybe that is just one of those mysteries we guys were never meant to know.”

Trell then turned to Lord Selimnairus who chose an older girl from the middle of the amphitheater. “What is a dervish?”

“Ah yes. Sorry, I should have explained that.” began Trell. “The term dervish is a general description of a something spinning or churning. For example you have all probably seen the air elementals spinning up little funnels of dust. We call those dust dervishes. Or, as you watch a stew boil and churn, we call that a dervish stew. Also, when someone is dancing or spinning wildly, we say they have become a dervish, or they are dancing like a dervish. But there is a special discipline in the forest defense called The Dervish. The Dervish are taught a style of fighting that looks much like a dance. It involves spinning, and leaping, and weaving in order to dodge and strike at an opponent. If you like I could demonstrate one of our practice routines?”

The audience broke out in scattered calls of approval, but Lord Selimnairus called out, “What do you think? Should would you like to see another performance by out guest?”
With that the entire audience cheered or clapped their approval. Trell again whispered something to Selimnairus and the stepped off the stage returning to his seat. Meanwhile Lord Selimnairus thanked everyone again for coming and reiterated that although it was late, classes would begin and daybreak, and everyone was expected to be there.
While Lord Selimnairus held the audiences attention, Trell quickly stepped over to Lady Karil to ask for some assistance. “Gabe tells me you are the greatest wizardess in the world, is that true?”

Lady Karil blushed a little, and said, “Well probably not the world, but can I help you with something?”

Trell continued, “I don’t have the right costume to do this dance right, but I was wondering if you conjure something up for me.”

“Ah a costume.” said Lady Karil. She then put her arm around her daughter who was sitting beside her, “Heather is the one you want for that.”

Heather listened intently as he described the costumes The Dervish would wear during performances. She smiled and assured him that she would take care of it. She then began drawing small components and objects from the pockets of her dress.

Trell returned to the stage, and conferred quietly with Lord Selimnairus for a minute, then took his starting stance at the back of the stage. When he was in place, all the lights around the stage suddenly went out, and a fire started in the fire pit. The change cast eerie flickering shadows on Trell and the stage around him.

He began with rapid tapping and kicking of his hoofs. As he did so, he shirt changed into a brightly colored, loose, silky shirt. A bright blue sash appears around his waist and his hooves turned to pure gold, and began to spark wildly as they beat out a rhythm on the stage. He advanced to one side and retreated, then to the other side and retreated, the right up the middle of the stage and retreated. All the while his hooves tapping a kicking at a feverish speed while his shoulders and arms moved smoothly and gracefully in an unhurried flowing arcs.

After a couple repetitions of this movement, his hoof beats changed to a less flashy style. They continued at a feverish pace, but the kicks stopped, and he appeared to be preparing to pounce. The fire dimmed, and the sparks around his feet diminished noticeable. He crossed his arms and brought them close in to his body gripping the hilts of his swords.

Then suddenly the entire stage erupted with light as he suddenly drew swords raising them high above his head. They flashed in the firelight, and streams of sparkles followed in their wake. The fire burned brighter than ever, his hooves again exploded in sparks and flourishing kicks, and all of his movements took on a surreal blurred look, as if the eyes of the audience could not keep up with the movements. He began to sway and duck and leap in to the air as if he were in a desperate fight for his life.

His movements and the beat of his hooves accelerated to an ever higher pitch. His swaying and dodging turned into lunges and springing assaults. The sparks from his hooves began to take the form of small fiery fauns dancing and lunging in unison. As the pitch of the dance accelerated Trell began slapping his swords together and against his arms and chest adding a thumping and ringing sound to the dance.

The audience was completely enraptured and could not move or look away. Their breathing accelerated and their muscles tensed and flexed to the beat of his hooves.
Then Trell went into a series of leaps and dives and rapid clanging and thumping. The audience held their breath waiting for something they knew was coming, but could not yet comprehend. Then Trell leapt high into the air with both swords raised. The fire and dancing sparks erupted in a flaming burst. Trell hit the stage with on knee, one hoofs and both swords at the same time. At that very moment all the sparks and fire exploded and went dark. Trell continued to glow for a brief moment until that too faded into darkness and silence. The entire amphitheater, including the crickets, were absolutely silent.

Then the small fires around the stage ignited as before the dance, and Trell bowed. The audience launched themselves to their feet and erupted in cheering, and shouting, and clapping like the valley had never heard. The stage was flooded with rose petals and feathers from all directions. Several of the young girls swooned into a faint. The sounds of elephants, dragons, lions, bears trumpeted into the night sky. Sparks and fireworks erupted from many places around the amphitheater, and Lord Selimnairus slowly climbed to the stage and shook Trell’s hand vigorously.

Trell bowed over and over again in all directions. He blew kisses and brandished his swords for several minutes as the air was filled with the thunderous applause.
Nearly a mile away, outside the gates of Trá Magnon, the city of No Magnon cowered in their homes and workshops waiting for some mentors beast to come bellowing down the valley and destroy them all.

Eventually, Lord Selimnairus was able to get his magically amplified voice to raise above the roar of the crowd. He thanked Trell, his wife, Heather, and the staff of the school for their assistance and dismissed the students to return to their dorms.

Trell remained trapped on the stage for several hours as he shook hands, showed off his swords, and kissed many brightly flushed cheeks. He showed off his horns and hooves and joined in short dances demonstrating moves, and explaining the meaning of the dance. He deferred many questions about the pyrotechnics and costume to Heather who gracious explained the spells used to create the various effects.

As the night wore on, Trell would pull out his pipes from time to time and give short dance and music lessons to various students. He danced with many of the girls and women including Lady Karil, Heather, and the very pregnant Salinthra.

It was well into the morning before the crowd began to tire. Many simply sat or laid down on the benches not wanting to leave, but eventually Lady Karil shoed them all off to bed and escorted Trell and Gabe back to her residence for a light snack and soft beds.