The Leya Quest

The Leya Quest - The Tales of Lady Miriweather

"About a week or so after the quest began, some of us (Kythyn, Morgaine, Deavon, Shadowkatt, Myste, Sylanae, Danay, Diandra, Deepspring, Bronwyn, Grobinal, Geijon, Jorrdan, Starwynd, Brutkc, and myself) gathered together in Lady Kythyn's room to talk about all the events that had been happening since that first night we ventured off on our Quest for Leya. Many of us had missed the visitation of storyteller Lady Miriweather, an empath and the ex-wife of Lord Filifor. Several days before her visit, Jorrdan had found the scroll in a golem box. It was our understanding that the story Miriweather told helped us piece together the tale of Leya, given by the clue on the scroll. Those of us who had not yet seen the scroll passed it around. It read:

"..and it came to pass that the Goddess, in her great sorrow, built a black marble shrine, a monument to her desolation of spirit. Upon the altar, she placed the great sword given to her by her father, laying it down with the promise to never weild it again. In place of the mighty blade called Soulingen, she took to her a simple dagger, henceforth using it for all purposes that befell her.

"And taking on the humble robes of a common wanderer, she returned to the noble elves who had sheltered her in the sweet days of her innocence, retiring to the city in the trees to wait out her time."

So Lady Shadowkatt sat down and began to retell the tales.

Shadowkatt starts, "Miriweather told of a young lad... he was quite good looking she says...and that he and Leya fell in love." Deavon remarked, "Love... the root of all problems." Kiora added, "He was elven." Myste interjected, "He was successful in all he did, but one day tried to enter a wizard's tower to learn. Upon being discovered by the wizard, he suffered his wrath. Remorseful at what he had done, he wrapped the lad up in healing leaves and laid him within the boundary of the forest. Leya happened upon him, tending his wounds, and thus they fell in love." Shadowkatt began her reciting again, "The lad wanted to take his love, Leya, to his people and show her to them... Leya decided that she couldnt go... not yet anyway... So he rode off to his homeland only to find it being invaded. He took up his sword and rode off into the battle." Deepspring asked if we knew what he faced in battle. Kiora answered, "Miriweather only described it as a dark evil or something like that."

Shadowkatt nodded and continued. "He was being overrun by the enemy. When he had left to go back to his people they were to meet on a certain day at a certain place at a certain time. He never showed. Leya felt he was in trouble and she called to her horse.

This was nae ordinary horse... I dont know what else to call it but a magical horse... and she headed to the battle. When she arrived she saw her love in the middle of a horde of these evil critters."

Shadowkatt took a deep breath, "So she unsheathed Souligen and headed into the onset of the battle to fight aside her love. She swung in a rage... killing left and right... until...her love dead... Leya, in her rage, had slain her love." We gasped in horror, some of us crying sadly.

Softly, Shadowkatt finished, "She vowed never again to take up the sword. She went back to the spot they had vowed to rendezvous at and built her shrine. Upon a black marble altar she placed her sword, never to be touched again. It was a sword that could be touched by no mortal..." Myste chimed in, "So she lives a simple life, helping others." Shadowkatt added, "She took up a simple dagger and retired to an elven city. That is the story Miriweather shared."

Bronnwyn spoke, "Miriweather said that when Leya left the forest on her horse that the grounds shook. She was nae supposed to leave there. I wonder... if that could have been her father, Kai's anger?" Deavon nodded and said, "Such a sad story... our Lady must have lived in despair the rest of her days." Bronnwyn continued, "She was sent to the forest by him to avoid such things, so when she left the forest on her horse and the grounds shook."

Kythyn then led us down to the Helden Hall brewery to find the Lady Miriweather inorder to get more information and hear more of her wonderous stories of Leya. The smells of hops and honeyed brew tantalized our senses, making our mouthes water in anticipation. A small gnomish brewer draped in a huge apron anxiously bustled about checking the fermenting brew. Large fermenting vats took up most of the room and strange vials and testing containers cover the large table, while sacks of grain and small kegs of finished brew occupy a corner. The size of the vats attest to the thirst of the occupants of this house. We heard a muffled cough from behind a keg. Miriweather stepped sheepishly out from behind a keg and wrapped her pudgy arms around the center of a gnarled walking staff, casually leaning forward. Kythyn said, "Milady Miriwether, if ye be sampling the wares of our brewery, I bid ye welcome." Miriweather replied to our greetings with a smile, "Erm.. evenin'" Shadowkatt exclaims, "Ah, it is good to see you again m'lady!" I commented, "As i figgured, behind de keg" Miriweather complained, "I no finded any ale in here!" We chuckled as several offered her rum and ale. Deavon said, "Tis a pleasure to meet you, Lady Miriweather... we have been hearing of your storytelling." Miriweather replied, "Twas not me stories.. twas me Maethers." Diandra added, "Enchanting stories nonetheless." Deavon agreed, "Tis important to keep stories alive through the generations" Shadowkatt asked, "Tis perhaps yer story now, in a way, that it has been passed on by ye?" Deavon commented, "Good stories are the soul of a warrior's life." Deepspring chimed in, "And an empath's. What else do you do when you're sitting around cleaning up?" Miriweather queried, "Me? I takes care of all tha youngins." Miriweather mumbled something that we don't quite catch, then muttered with a frown, "That rascally hobbit."

Afer finding Lady Miriweather hiding behind some kegs we traveled to Helden's Great Hall, where food and drink awaited a most fantastical tale. Rushes lay strewn across the floor of this enormous room with a lofty ceiling, and elaborate tapestries adorning the walls. Opposite the entrance was a raised dais dominated by a massive table overlooking scores of smaller tables. In the center of the Hall lay a large hearth providing warmth and light. A display case rested against the east wall, flanked by trophies of conquered beasts. Stairs led up the north wall to a railed balcony. Miriweather eased herself down into a chair. Kythyn grinned, "Welcome milady, to Helden Hall!" Miriweather said, "Thank ye. And a fine-lookin' house ye haves here too. Well, what brings all ye fine ladies here this even?" Kythyn responded, "We hear that ye may have tales of interest to those that seek to worship the goddesss Leya." Miriweather thinks, "Hmmm. Told ye mosta what I knows from me Maether tha otter nights. Has ye all heard alla thats?" Kythyn inquires, "Might ye entertain a few questions, milady?" "Well, lessee," Miriweather paused as she considered. Bronnwyn remarks, "Miriweather I was wondering about a part in ye story." Miriweather asked, "What that be lil Bronnwyn?" Bronnwyn continued, "Well... when Leya left that forest on her horse, ye said the grounds shook... could that have been related to Kai in any way, or his concern for his daughter?"

Miriweather settled back, "Wells, I'll tells ye what's I knows. A crossin' tha bounderie, it twas. Tha forest was all bound up in tha magicks, ya sees. Well, I nae knows how tha' magickal bounderie was set ups... but twas to protects Kai's beloved daughter froms tha very thing tha happened." Danay asked, "Kai did not want his daughter mixing with mortals and did not trust her?" Miriweather disagreed, "Oh aye, I spose he trusted her. I allas took tha story ta means he was protectin' her." We absorbed that for the moment, then Grobinal asked, "How did the blade get its name?" Miriweather furrowed her brow, "Well, lessee... tha be another story alltagether... Soulingen," she uttered as she shivered, "Twas tole ta lil hobbits ta scare 'em inta bein' good, it twas. In tha hands 'a good, twas a blade of fierce power...Buts it tended ta steal tha souls of wha' it kilt. An' oncet in tha battle lust.. twould get ta reevin." Deepspring gasped, "That is a truly horrible weapon." Miriweather agreed, "Took a powerful soul ta weild. Tis said it hungered fer souls, buts it twas beautiful." "Sounds like the Vvrael," Myste commented. Miriweather shrugged, "I nae knows." Danay offered, "I hope it cannot fall into the wrong hands now," with an assenting nod from Miriweather. Sylanae considered, "Was it the souls that gave the blade its power?" Miriweather answered, "Well, I nae knows tha either Sylanae." Master Geijon spoke up, "Did evil seek to capture it because of those powers that it had of taking ones soul?" Miriweather replied, "Well, in those times, I thinks tha evil sought ta takes everthin." Deepspring asked, "And I assume Leya's Shrine had powerful protections placed on it, yes?" Miriweather said, "I nae knows Deepspring. Tha Shrine is said to house tha lady's sorrow." Quick we were with the questions, our thirst so strong. Danay wondered, "Miriweather, did you say you knew how Leya came to possess the sword?" Miriweather reflected, "Well... tha old legends say twas given to her by Kai, for she saws it and fells in love with it." Deepspring asked, "Can we get to Leya's shrine and is the sword still within?" "Wells, twas said when I was but knee-high to a dwarf that the Shrine be hard ta finds, but oncet found, is open to all of gentle heart." Miriweather relayed. We agreed that this was good to know. "In alls tha stories me Maether told me, Leya was never found after... But ye knows those elves... They be verra private." Brutkc glanced at the storyteller, "She is forever hidden from mortal kind?" Miriweather grinned, "Well, thas why twas a favorite story ta tells youngins. Twas said she tole those tha saw her tha last, tha' she be best served by showing mercy to those who needs it."

Jorrdan commented, "Then I served her well last night," earning a smile from the wizened lady. "Lesee... me Maether oft tole us a story of Leya and Kai. Kai was... well a romantic one as ye may knows... Kinda like tha rascally hobbit. And Leya's maether was sposed ta be one of tha fairest of the elven ta ever be borned." "Was she a mortal?" Deavon asked. Miriweather continued, "Kai, he was so in love tha he hid her away... Well, Deavon, some legends say she was mortal, some say she was a goddess cos no mortal could ever have been sa beautiful. So's with visions of tha evil startin' ta build, Kai feared for her safety. She bore Kai a daughter. Twas said tha child was so beguiling tha' tha birds and animals came to her hand. She began ta shows her fathers gifts ta her early... She was schooled along withs the young elves, but soon twas evident none cou' best her. She stole her Faether's heart early. An' finally he took her to train, seein' her talents and great spirit. When she became ole' enough, he gave her a mighty steed. An' as much as her faether loved her, she returned tha' love twice fold. Vowed tha never marry. So.. sincet she spent all her days huntin' an' spendin' her time wi' her faether... Kai prepared a place for her to keep her safe. Ya sees... Kai saw the evil risin." As we absorbed this, Myste asked, "Do you know the nature of the evil they faced?" Miriweather went on, "They say her Maether was a seer... Was a gifted witchess. As she held her beloved babe in her arms right after tha babe was born... twas a difficult birth, she spent most alla her spirit an' life gettin' tha babe ta daylight... So, she looked up at Kai and said, 'Protects tha babe, for the evil will hurt her. An' then her spirit was called away." Sadly we took this in, then Grobinal inquired, "Did Kai raise her himself or was she sent to the monks?" "Firs' he lefts her with tha elves... for his sorrow was great," began Miriweather, "But when he saw her Maether's spirit and beauty a shinin' in her eyes, he could stay away nae more. So's when Kai magicked up tha forest, twas cause he hailed backs ta her maether's words." Brutkc stated, "Then Kai feared losing Leya as he had her mother?" "Aye... as I was a sayin', Kai saw tha evil risin' in tha lands, and his heart was feared... but he nae wanted ta put fear inta tha heart of his beloved daughter by a tellin' her. So when she gave lil evidence of wantin' ta mix with worldly affairs, he was more an' happy. So Kai an' Leya dwelt in joy for marry a year."

We paused for more ale and a chance to absorb all that we were hearing, as Grobinal wondered, "M'lady how long ago did all this come to pass?" Miriweather replied, "Twas all verra long ago, Grobinal. Twas right before tha fall of the Arkati. Wha other question can I tries ta answer?" Danay piped up, "I have a question about our service to her now. You say to serve her we must show mercy to those that deserve it, but that does not negate, I hope, our passion as fighters?" Miriweather responded thoughfully, "Nae, I think tha stronger a fighter, tha more need for a respect for mercy. Wells... twas said, Leya tole' tha elves who loved her ta promote mercy... buts I nae be a fighter.. twould eem ta me, you'd know better how ta serve one of your own," closing with a smile. Grobinal began, "My lady... when Leya's love was in trouble...where was Kai?" "Kai was a battlin' tha evil tryin' ta destroy all." Miriweather answered. Kythyn asked, "Do ye think we should actively seek our Goddess or her shrine, or shall we conduct ourselves with mercy and honor, and let her seek us?" Miriweather considered, "Well, thru tha years, many have sought tha Shrine, out 'a curiosity bout tha sword, and also some wantin' ta see tha place because of tha ole' stories. Although I nae have heard 'a any findin' it... some must have, otherwise we would nae still have tha stories, seems ta me." Grobinal pressed on, "Might ya know the region at all, or descriptions from the area as told to ya by ya mother?" Miriweather thought back, "Onliest things me Maether tole me was tha twas at tha edge of Leya's forest."

Starwynd inquired, "Can you tell us anything about Leya's love, Miriweather?" "Wells, as I tole tha ladies tha other night.. I nae member his name," she began, "Only tha he was a proud one, if a beautious one." Deepspring asked, "And what tales do you have of Leya's forest, Lady Miriweather?" "Hmmmm... her forest. Tis said, it still is enchanted, an' as beautiful a forest as ever was." Deepspring continued her question, "Enchanted how? Is that known?" Miriweather replied, "Verra aulde magicks, Deepspring. Legends says thanot even tha evil could intrude even after they defeated tha Arkati. They says, tha Shrine is just on tha border, which is tha only reason folks can gets ta it. Twas built on tha place where Leya was sposed ta meets her love, ta carry him back over tha barrier. Now, I believes.. tha' tha forest of Leya's was a diffrent one thans what tha elves lived"

Deepspring sighed, "I am so saddened by the tale of Leya's life... and still wish there was something more we could do for her... showing mercy is admirable, of course, and I will strive to do so, but..." Miriweather replied, "Well, I nae knows tha steps ye have taken."

Kythyn asked, "Myste, might ye recount what we have done to date?" Myste began, "We have searched the Landing and surrounding area, started looking in River's Rest, and traveled to IceMule Trace to find an area with ferns, a hill, forest, and some ruins."

Kythyn pressed on, "And our visits to Kai?" Myste says, "We were not able to enter, a barrier of some kinds." Miriweather chimed in, "Why I was jus' there a small whiles ago." Myste continued, "We had communed there on nights when I felt a pulse from the pendant I once had." Deepspring interjected, "You were recently at Kai's shrine, Lady Miriweather?" to which she nodded. Danay asked, "You no longer have the pendant, Myste?" Myste said, "It shattered. I felt a very weak pulse, then it shattered." Miriweather added, "Seems ta me those pendants have a tendency ta does that, when ya uses them alot... I had one 'a tha crystal ones oncet." We talk about the ice and rubble pass that we could not seem to penetrate and wondered if the shrine lay beyond it. Miriweather remarked, "Well I dunno.. tha legends does say tho.. tha way inta tha shrine be verra hard ta finds. Praps a time of followin' tha goddesses example, combined with a few prayers would turn tha trick." Geijon wondered, "Is it possible that the fern and hill are at the outside of the shrine, but to find that glade there is some other type of entrance to reach that?" Miriweather answered, "I nae knows Geijon... as I said, no one I ere talked to ha' found it."

Grobinal asked, "M'lady can ya tell us more of Leya's steed?" "He twas said ta be a snow-white steed," Miriweather recounted. He was they sayes, spiritually tuned ta tha girl. Course he was made a pure magicks. When Soulingen tooks tha life of tha lad.. Leya was said to utter a cry tha echoed ta tha heavens." Deepspring leaned forward, "Is her steed's name known?" Miriweather mused, "Tis seemed ta be on tha verra edge of me memory...tis been many years sincet I told this. Anyways.. when Leya shouted out tha cry... tha heavens echoed tha wail like thunder. Aye.. twas a wail of such sorrow tha it sounded for miles around, so tha legends says. Legends says tha' tha cry undid tha magicks at tha heart of the steed, and in a flash 'a light tha' light tha skies, tha steed changed to an owl." Diandra remarked, "M'Lady Miriweather, yer tales are truly spellbinding." At this point we learned that some had spotted a white owl lately. Geijon stated, "So the owl may be guiding us towards her shrine." Miriweather smiled tiredly, "Erry more questions afore I takes ta bed this even?" Grobinal asked, "The name of the steed?" Miriweather tapped her chin in thought, "Hmmm... started withs an 'R' seems ta me. Seems ta me.. twas somethin' likes... Rig... Rigaetha. That be it." As we muttered about this for a moment, we almost forget our weary guest. Thanking her and offering her some last refreshments, Lady Miriweather bid us farewell, "Verra well. I hopes ye finds what ye be lookin' for! A good even ta ye all!" and hobbled out.

We talked of all the signs we had seen and the blessings we had received: Myste's pendant and backpack, Deepspring's shield, my myklian scale offering and my sack. As we were discussing what next steps we might take to honor Leya and serve her, we heard from out in the street, a voice yelling 'Kai's is opened... it's opened!' The voice, obviously of a small lad, dwindled off as he ran on down the steet. Sylanae wondered, "Perhaps we should go look?" Deavon added, "Perhaps we should go and offer our thanks and prayers." And as we found that Kai's shrine was open once again, we adjorned to that place to offer many prayers to Leya. Lord Raincail joined us as we knelt and gave our thanks. As we left the shrine of Kai... Deavon leaving behind a siren lizard skin and Danay leaving a ritual dagger both as gifts to the goddess Leya... Deavon felt an inclination to touch her medallion, the one that Lady Kali had presented her with just prior to the beginning of the Quest. And thinking about all the past events, she reached up to her throat and found that it had been changed by our Lady.

By the hand of
Lady Kiora Lionblood

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The Leya Quest content within this section is used by the gracious permission of Dame Deavon Laeren and is © 1997 Marsha H. Levine.Permission to use/reprint must be obtained from Dame Deavon and attributed to the (GemStone III) Leya Quest.