Salamae Maquarces

Standing on a hillside you see a lone figure in black armor gazing out over a northern valley. As you move closer, the figure removes their helm and and long red hair falls about her shoulders, a woman so lost in thought she does not even see you move up beside her.

You offer a greeting and without taking her eyes from the valley she returns it, "Is there something wrong? " you ask following her gaze. At last she looks down at you a soft smile comes to her lips, her crystal green eyes misted with tears. "Wrong,,nae nothing is wrong". She gestures toward the valley below, "this was once my home, and seeing it again" she pauses and smile's at you again. "Ah you are young with adventures of your own to live you have no need to hear this Paladin ramble on about the past."

"No please tell me of your home. And what brings you here this day? " You glance down at the flowers laying at her feet. "Tis a sad tale of death and hate." a tear runs down her cheek. "My name is Salamae and as I said I grew up here. My parents both givers of knowledge had a cottage on the far side of the valley." She points to the far west to a place near a forest. "

When I was but a babe a clan of forest elves lived near by. This was a time of distrust between the races and many from near by farms wished the clan gone. Making claims that they were using magic to ruin crops." the woman lifts her eyes to the valley again. " There were attacks on the clan but they were a peaceful people, rather than take life even in defense they moved further into the forest."

She gazes back to you "Life is to be respected and when one can avoid taking it they should do so." Placing her hand upon the hilt of her sword she continues. "My parents traded with the elves,,herbs were given them to help all of the valley and in turn they gave what they had, skills and knowledge, when the people of the valley found that my parents traded with those they saw as an enemy." the woman looks away and her jaw sets firmly "they were killed as traitors, and the people left me to die beside them, I was but 5 years old."

" The elves came to bring herbs and found me, Taking me away deep into the forest they raised me as one of their own. They taught me thru the years that to hate was a fruitless thing, for it only returns to you tenfold" She smiles at you again and places a hand on your shoulder "as does love and compassion my friend."

" I became a Paladin so that I might give the help that was given me, and perhaps teach some the lesson's I learned. Justice is blind so that it may see the deeds of the man not the race nor age nor anything but what lies within the soul of the deed." You nod slowly and ask "but why M'lady why come back to place a of such sad times? "

She smiles at you and picks up the flowers at her feet, she lifts her arms and throws them high into the wind. As they fall to the valley below she turns to you " To offer a prayer for my parents,,for those who killed them, for every soul who has died a senseless death or caused one, May they all find peace and understanding in Light."

Turning to walk away she stops and without looking back she says "Light guide and watch over you and yours my friend."

Last Revised: 06/16/03