Elyn - Favored maiden of Sehanine

[Tenebrae]

Elyn, Favored Soul of Sehanine Moonbow

Background
Elyn does not speak easily about her past. When asked, she will try to deflect or gives vague answers at best.

Appearance
Elyn is a rather plain maiden of average height. Her only noticeable feature is her lush dark brown hair that falls to her shoulders. Her eyes are a deep, introspective brown, reflecting the dark of the night. She usually wears a simple, flowing robe of a deep blue. Around her neck, she carries a delicate half-moon pendant, of Elven make.

Personality
Elyn embodies humility and kindness and is rather shy. Her every action is guided by a desire to help others and bring comfort to those in need. Despite her extraordinary connection to the divine, she remains modest about her abilities and never seeks the spotlight. Elyn's gentle nature makes her a soothing presence, and her wisdom often provides clarity and hope to those around her.

Current Status
Lost in the ominous realm of Ravenloft, Elyn continues to serve Sehanine Moonbow, offering what solace she can to the tormented souls she encounters.As a favored soul, her connection to Sehanine grants her powerful abilities, but her humility remains her greatest strength.

[Tenebrae]

Dreams

Spoiler: show

[deep, sonorous male voice]

"Your name is ... Elyn?"
*sniggers*
"So, you were your mother's little sunshine, eh?"
"Interesting ..."
"I think we'll keep you then. It's only fitting."
"There you go, it's done."

"Welcome ... Elyn."

…
[woman's voice]

"Elyn?"

"Elyn!"

"Hey, girl! Wake up!"

"Having bad dreams again?"

...

The nightmares were coming regularly now. Almost every night I would wake up screaming and soaked in sweat, much to the dismay of my Sisters who woke with me. Quite a few nasty looks were turned towards me during the day and there was much gossip also. As head of my Chamber I could ill afford such rebellion; it was beginning to erode my authority. Something had to be done, and I resolved to seek an end to my bad dreams. Perhaps the herbalist at market knew of a solution.

[Tenebrae]

At market

Spoiler: show

I saw him at market, sampling wines with his entourage of aides, guards and other men. Wearing a gold-embroidered vest, silk breeches and a rich, velvet cloak, he was clearly their leader. I am always on the lookout for prospects and this fine gentleman, a merchant of sorts, made just the right impression. Blessed Sharess would smile on us if his patronage would honor our House. Besides, his good looks had me interested, personally.

I made short work of stumbling into one of his companions, spilling his drink of wine. It made my man look over his shoulder, annoyed, while I gave him my nicest, clumsy little smile. Our eyes met and his gaze bored into me, dark and deep. There was cruelty there, but also a smoldering passion. My knees turned to water and I felt touched to my core.

Mara, scold me! I was not going to let years of training go to waste so easily! Suppressing a shudder, I let his friend help me up and made a big thing of apologizing. That riled him and he shouldered his men aside to strike up conversation with me. Before long, I knew his name was Harlan, that he was here to trade ore and that he hailed from far Sembia.

Despite his disturbing gaze, I found Harlan pleasant enough, courteous even. He wanted to make sure that I was not harmed by my fall and offered to pay for the cleaning of my soiled dress. I laughed, merrily, and asked if he didn't want to check on me that evening to make sure I was fine? Harlan gave me an appraising look and asked if his companions were welcome also? I saw a chance and proposed a feast in honor of sweet Sharess. He agreed.

[Tenebrae]

Reverent Mother

Spoiler: show

Giddy with excitement at what I had accomplished, I hurried home. Fate had smiled upon me, but now I had to set the wheels in motion. Our House lies at the outskirts of town, as not all find merit in the way we worship Sharess, but it was not there that my feet sped me. I was headed for the temple proper in the center of town, anxious to speak to our Reverent Mother. If all went as I planned, then tonight would mark my rising star in the House of Sharess.

You see, just last month our Sybil had come of age, turning a sweet sixteen years old. Of course she already knew of art and beauty, but to complete her training she had to be bedded. Mother had been looking for the right man. It could not be a noble from town, as this kind of statement would upset local politics. Our House could ill afford such an entanglement. No, a different kind of patron was needed, preferably from out of town. On the other hand, the patron in question had to have a certain standing. Such a man I had met in Harlan. He was the perfect candidate. Thus it was that I hurried to our temple to kneel before our exalted Mother and tell her of my find.

[Tenebrae]

Kissed

Spoiler: show

Needless to say that Mother agreed to my plan. With swift decision she appointed her Second to oversee the preparation of the feast. She then turned her attention to me.
 "So, Elyn. You’re an enterprising young thing, eh?" Scratching her chin, ruminating awhile, she continued, "You are Headmistress of your Chamber, if I heard correctly. So you must know somewhat of adorning girls such that they please men. Why don’t you assist our precious Sybil tonight? She must not lack in appeal nor in appropriate behavior."
Laughing at my dumbstruck silence, she then added, "Come now! You must have thought of this. Ever did I know you to be an ambitious girl. You need not dissemble in my presence. Serve our Sybil well and we will talk about a more permanent promotion for you."
I smiled at her, grateful. I had won my prize but for this night to be a success. A challenge for sure, but one that I welcomed.

My charge proofed to be no challenge at all. She was young and she was eager. Eager to claim her birthright as our Sybil and eager to lay with a man, the one and only man she would have. Not a man to hold but to sample, just once, so she would know how it was that we, maidens of the House, serve Sharess. Of course she had a hundred questions for me, while I fuzzed over her hair and dress.

Our Sybil had read the traditional texts on the Art of Sharess but lacked practical instruction. There was little that I could add with mere words so in the end, when she started to despair, I taught her to kiss. After the first awkwardness, we had a lot fun together. She took to it with a passion, leaving us both rather breathless at the end of the lesson, when a rap on the door told us that it was time. I quickly took a step back to admire my charge. She looked beautiful in her white dress and was near glowing with excitement!

[Tenebrae]

The feast

Spoiler: show

The Maidens of my Chamber made me proud. It had fallen upon them to arrange the grand hall for our feast and they had done a splendid job. The great table in the center looked fit for a king. Silver plates and cups were laid out over our best linen cloth shot through with gold thread. Platters bearing fruit and rare spices were set out near every plate. Crystal candelabra’s stood at the center of the table casting a warm glow over everything. And everywhere little incense braziers burned, pervading the air with a delicate perfume. The alcoves of the hall were made comfortable with cushions and soft pelts and partly shuttered with drapes, so that Harlan’s men might retire with the girl of their choice. As for Harlan, he would enjoy our best private room and, of course, our beloved Sybil.

Seeing that all was well, I went to stand by the great doors to await the arrival of our guests. It was near dusk and the sky to the west was ablaze with the colors of the setting sun. An early autumn had brought a chill to the air and I was near shivering in my sheer, festive dress. It was well that I did not have to wait for long. There, around the bend in our street, I could hear the boisterous voices of young men approaching. Turning quickly, I clapped my hands to alert the others. Two of our youngest came hurrying to stand at the door with their trays of ratafia, the strong liqueur we make of cherry kernels, while I put on my nicest smile.

Clad in darkest leather and burgundy velvet, Harlan’s company looked majestic. A thrill went through me as they mounted the steps. In high spirits the men accepted our offer of welcome, emptying their drink in one go and casting the glasses down to shatter on the floor. They entered our hall as we received them, in style.

I took Harlan's arm and guided him to the center of the dining table, where our Sybil sat waiting. Seeing her, he cast me a bemused smile, but seated himself without comment. The clever girl! She had noticed his slight reservation and blushed most seductively.
Taking up a goblet of mulled wine, she looked at him, all coy, and toasted him. "Welcome to our hall, dear Sir, and good health to you and your men." The words were spoken softly but had their effect.
Harlan gave a hearty laugh and took up his own glass. "Well said, little girl." He looked her over then, deliberate. "I see that you are to be my table companion. Are you sure that they will let you stay up late?"
If she flinched at his sleight, our Sybil never showed it. Her blush only deepened when she retorted in kind, "If my sisters are of a mind to have me retire early, it is only because it is their wish that you tuck me in, Sir!" If not very subtle and more than a little cheeky, she had judged him right. Harlan clearly saw the challenge of it.
"Well, then let us be introduced. Pray tell, what is your name, my sweet? That I may later whisper it to you correctly."
"Arielle, Sir. May I offer you some delicious fruit?"
Harlan laughed again, a mischievous gleam to his eyes, as he accepted her offer.

And with that the evening was off to an excellent start.

[Tenebrae]

Red dawn

Spoiler: show

[deep, sonorous male voice]
"Your name is ... Elyn?"
*sniggers*
"So, you were your mother's little sunshine, eh?"

"Interesting ..."

"I think we'll keep you then. It's only fitting."
"There you go, it's done."

"Welcome ... Elyn."

…

A terrified screaming woke me. I sat bold upright, but the screaming didn’t stop. It took a moment before realization dawned … It was me that was screaming …. Horror-struck by the nightmare, I looked at my bed, to see the sheets soaked in dark blood … The walls, spattered with gore … The room, lit by flickering candlelight, all in a jumble. With a rising sense of dread, I looked myself over, but there was not a mark on me, except for the blood on my hands. I nearly screamed again, then wondered at the silence of the house. Was the feast at an end? Where were Harlan and his companions? Where were my sisters? What had happened?

Stumbling from my room, I entered the hallway. There! In the alcove, half hidden by the drawn curtain, a shapely leg. Ah! Niale, youngest of my charges, I recognized her by her silver anklet. Hurrying towards her, I slipped and fell, staining my dress … red! Feeling ice entering my veins, I crawled forward, jerking the curtain wide. There she lay, eyes staring fixedly at the ceiling, a read smear down her throat, blood congealed at two pricks in her neck, her hands still clutching a drinking cup.

A sob welled up in me and, scrambling to my feet, I ran blindly down the corridor at the end of which was the great hall. It was oh so quiet, as I entered. White shapes were lying around, white and ... red. My sisters, in their festive dress, murdered all. Some slumped in chairs, others grotesquely draped over couches, one spread-eagled on the table, all with their necks ravaged. Panicking, I went from one to another, looking for a sign of life, but all were already cold, the expressions on their faces witness to the horrors of this night.

Then I remembered Arielle. Sweet, cheeky, eager Arielle. I rushed from the hall, down the corridor, up the stairs, to the bridal suite. The door was slightly ajar, a light flickering inside. I hesitated, not daring to enter, dreading what I should see. But see, I must…

The room was eerily quiet. I held my breath as I entered. So quiet it was that I could hear a faint sound: drip… drip… drip, coming from the bed. Step by slow step, I moved over to find her lying there. She looked up at me, a faint look of surprise on her face. Her sweet lips, that I had kissed only hours before, a horrid blue. I barely dared look at the other horrors done to her body. Her throat near ripped out, her sweet br… I turned away, panic rising, guild overtaking me.

That is when I fled. Down the stairs, out the door and into the dark night. I ran and ran, stumbling through the woods, scratching myself on bushes, tearing my feet. But there was no stopping me. I ran with utter abandon, on and on, until the mists swallowed me, and I knew no more.