Submitted: 21 September 2000

Greetings, my name is Aslana

by Aslana Rivonogen

She downed the first drink rather quickly, started on the second as she began her tale. "I am an orphan, as in I nae have any parents. I do however have sisters. How can this be you ask, with out parents? Well they too were orphans. There are six of us all together, Sapfyre, Astrilia, Innannia, Riaoko, Satinia and myself, the majority of whom are of Elven decent, but I care not of race, only family." She glanced up briefly and saw this statement brought a smile to Baresh's face.

"When I was younger, I met a young Gor'Tog Barbarian, we got along wonderfully. In fact, when I was just a Novice, I sparred him and he cut off me leg, can you believe that", she said giggling. The mere thought of it even made Baresh chuckle. "It was not long before we joined our souls under the eyes of the gods, I thought nothing would make me happier, but I was wrong." Aslana sighed and finished yet another drink.

"As it would seem, time would tell a different story. I was in the Earth room of me guildhall one rainy day, it was empty of all but a few of us, and as it would be a Barbarian was confronting a fellow Mage. After all was said and the Barb had left the room, we began to talk, and for many days after, we would sit and talk. As time went by, I found myself growing rather fond of this Elven War Mage, and he of me. Then it happened, I wronged my young Barbarian, I left him to be with my new found love. Now, the story of this Mage is a long one in it's self, to put it short, he was rather disliked by many, many people." Baresh busied himself filling her glass once more.

"Now, where was I," Aslana looked a bit puzzled, "oh yes, I remember now. In no time, I had broken my bond to my Barbarian and was wed to my new love. It was after that I began to notice just how hated he was by so many, but yet I was oblivious to it, I could so easily loose myself in him. Every now and again, me thoughts would turn to my young Barb who I had wronged so badly, this began to make my heart ache. I actually had one of me sisters spy on him, so I would know he was okay", as she said this she hung her head. "I know it was wrong, but I could nae help it."

"Day after day, my War Mage was attacked and forced to fight. It became so common in fact, not long after we had joined together in marriage, he left these lands forever. So there I was, alone." After saying this a single tear rolled down her cheek, she quickly wiped it away.

"It didn't take me long to find new friends and the like, a couple of Gentlemen suitors as well," a broad smile crossed her face. "Then one day, I began to speak with my young Barbarian, it seems he had forgiven me for my mistake shall we say? And much to the dislike of my Gentlemen callers, I was once again wed to my Barbarian. Now it seems these Gentlemen now hate me which is evident when I am in the same room with them, but so is life. To think, hating someone for making themselves happy." With this said Baresh gave her an agreeing nod and continued to wipe the clean glasses and set them in thier proper place.

"Guess what has happened now, " she continued, "my young Barbarian has now disappeared, I nae know why, or where, he is just gone. I do nae even know if he will return, I suppose it is my time again to ask the favor of Be'ort to sever this bond once more. Ye know the old saying, what goes around, comes around." The thought of this made her frown. "There are some however, I have taken a liking to, but I am nae fool enough to believe they feel the same for me. There is one, it seems when I am around him he always so thoughtfully brings up my time with my War Mage which saddens me some, but I suppose it should."