Elaris was born unto scandal, and courts it daily still. The first child of the un-wed daughter of a third cousin of the Khan,
Elaris' life was one of privilege but also of isolation. Her elvish heritage, the gift of her father, a member of a diplomatic
contigent, stood her apart from her cousins and most other Ethangarians. Still , noble blood ran through her veins. Tutors were
arranged, in comportment, ettiquette, singing, dancing, reading...all of the knowledge a good daughter of the Khanate was honor-bound
to learn and perfect. And so she did, though she chafed at the strict limits on her freedoms, she revelled in the music and other
arts that were part of her education.
As Elaris' talent with instument and voice developed , she was noticed by her mother's new husband, become a favorite despite her
flawed heritage. Many nights she was forgiven her ususal chores helping perpare and serve the evening's feast, to instead favor her step-father
and his guests with her beautiful singing.
It was at these moments that Elaris felt the most free, allowing her songs to transport her away from her unending servitude. Over time,
others noticed her talents , as well as her beauty. Offers were made to her step-father, but he was shrewd, knowing as she grew older, her
value would increase and she could command a much more pleasing price.
Some suitors proved very persistant however, stealing into her tent, intent on taking her for themselves. However, they found Elaris most
uninterested in their advances, however romantic their aim. Some left with mere bruises, one lost an ear to her knife; all ended up in a heap out
side the entrance of her tent. Her step-father was most pleased, for now she had developed a reputation for fierceness as well,
a characteristic most prized among the nobility of the Khanate.
One evening, Elaris was hurrying back to her step-father's tent with a bundle of blankets when she heard a low conversation. Sneaking closer, her
chore forgotten, she overheard her step-father's senechal negotiating a price for her betrothal. Outraged, despite the knowledge that such
an eventuality was a certainty, the sudden relization that she'd just been sold for a pouch of silver made her insided turn to lead.
She stayed long enough to hear the final price, then creeped away, pleased despite herself at the price. Face set, she stole back to her own tent,
knowing her absence would be noticed before too long. Digging deep under her own assembly of carpets , she drew forth a pouch of coins. She'd
been slowly collecting a coin here and there, favours from admirers of her singing. Counting out the coins , she doubled the amount of the
transaction, and placed that into an different pouch. Fetching a quill and ink, she wrote a quick note to her step-father, informing him
that she was purchasing her own hand back and that she was taking herself away.
Sneaking through the camp, she easily gained entrance to her step-father's tent and left the money and note on his pillow. Gathering the
travel pack she'd left outside the tent, she made her way to the stabling area. She'd adopted the dress of one her step-father's scouts, hoping
the fading light would deter too much scrutiny.
Finding her horse among the others, she quickly mounted and with a wave to one of the horse tenders, galloped west across the plains.
She pushed the horse hard for half the night, even though she doubted any pursuit was following. Her step-father was a sensible, kind man, though
he tried to enrich his pocket , he also had wanted a good husband for Elaris. She was sure that he would honor her wishes in this. The man who'd
made the arrangements for her hand however, might not be so understanding. Therefore, Elaris kept up a good pace, the endless miles of grassy plains
passing by her mounts' hooves for days until she passed through Skullhorn Pass into Glantri.
There, and in many other lands she visited, her exotic mix of heritages, Ethangarian and Elf, gained her much favour, as did her musical talents. Many
times she sang for her supper, only to be asked to stay on for a time, earning good coin for her journeys. She stayed in the Prinicpalities for many weeks,
learning their songs and stories, making many friends.
But the wanderlust soon took hold and she travelled south, accompanying a fortified caravan through the Broken Lands to Darokin. There she learnt of the land of
the Elf's homeland, Alfheim. Intrigued, and armed only with her father's first name, she travelled to Alfheim Town. Here her reception was decidedly reserved.
But, again it was her talented voice that won over the locals. She had taken the time to learn some elf songs and her voice seemed to be a perfect
complement to the complicated arrangements. After a week, Elaris summoned the courage to ask after her father with the local government officials. Unfortunately,
it was revealed that he had perished on an envoy to the faraway Kindom of Sind.
Discouraged, Elaris took her leave of Alfhiem and travelled still south to visit the Shires, and eastward along the coast. Always, her singing brought
her food and lodging and an opportunity to stay and learn both the people and their songs.
She always had her suitors in her travels, and though she engaged in the occasional dalliance, she refused many offers of betrothal. These situations always
reminded her of her flight from her home and for some days she'd watch crowds on the street or tavern, noting anybody of Ethangarian descent, checking
if they were spending to much time looking at her. Then she'd laught at herself, of course they were looking at her, she was beautiful!
She was travelling through Ylaruam with some companions when her appeal proved too much for a local Emirate, who engaged an entire garrison in attempting
to add Elaris to his harem. She and her companions had to utilize all of thier considerable cleverness to extricate Elaris from that situation , fleeing on stolen
horses into the plains.
After some long moments of hard riding, Elaris took mercy on her mount and allowed it to slow down. It chose that moment to stumble, just as Elaris had risen in
her saddle to look behind for pursuit. Elaris was thown head over foot, her pack and gear tied there-on followed closely. Landing in a heap in a small hollow, Elaris sat
up and began to chuckle as she dusted herself off. She watched as her horse trotted over the nearby rise, she could hear her companions calling out to her.
Thier voices seemed distant and quiet, except for Carella. Her friend rode back over the rise, hopping down to help Elaris to her feet. Laughing, Elaris brushed dirt from
the silly dress the Emirate had asked her to wear, looking up at her friend good-naturedly about to say something amusing, when something spooked Carella's horse.
The woman tried to calm it, reaching for the reins, but with wild eyes the horse began to bolt, Carella only had time to grab her bundle of gear before off the horse went at
a gallop....it was then Elaris noticed the mist that was filling the hollow, enough that soon she could not make out any feature or the stars in the sky, and barely see her friend
standing close by. "What is this?" she asked outloud, before stepping a little closer to her friend and gathering up her gear, she looked about but saw naught but thick , grey mist.
Suddenly a voice called out, "Who goes there?"....
