By nightfall they once again gathered in Lorian’s private meeting room. Eric had finished reading the scroll Soliander had written and discovered no mention of how the Dragon Gate worked. There was probably good reason for that, but now their only hope lay in something being written on the gate itself. Otherwise they’d just have to wing it, and no one thought that would turn out well. Now he wanted more information on the Ellorians themselves.
The rogue asked, “What can you tell us about Andier and the others? If people think I’m him, some info on him would be nice.”
Seeing four curious faces turned toward him, Lorian responded, “Andier comes from the kingdom of Roir on another world. Less is known about him than the others, even Soliander, because it’s his desire to draw information from others, not reveal it about himself. Like all good men of his ilk, he knows that others’ ignorance of him is to his advantage. Not only do they not know what to expect from him, but it makes his reputation larger than life, and such things go a long way in negotiations. Having details of your personality and past known can only be used against you, and the champions certainly have their enemies.”
“From thwarting people’s plans?” Anna asked.
“Yes,” answered the elf. “For every group that sings songs of their deeds, there’s another that curses their names. Each of the champions had enemies even before they started working together.”
Before the elf could continue, Matt wondered aloud, “When did they meet? Why did they join forces?”
This time Morven answered. “Before that, each had done quests alone or with helpers who weren’t up to the task, such as Korrin needing a wizard but finding only someone so unskilled that they became a second danger as a result. As the Ellorians started encountering each other and learned they shared a passion for solving the problems of various kingdoms, each realized the others were the competent comrades they desired.”
Anna asked, “How many quests did they go on? How long were they doing this?”
“Several years, and hundreds of quests in that time.”
“Wow. That doesn’t leave a lot of personal time.”
“Yes it is,” agreed Rognir, puffing on a pipe that gave off a sweet scent. “This self-sacrifice is responsible for the respect in which they are held, and for the willingness of summoners to provide every comfort imaginable during their stay.”
“What else can you tell me about Andier?” Eric asked, getting back on track. He noticed they spoke of the champions in the present tense, as if they still lived somewhere. Hopefully that was true, and it would be great if they showed up any time now to take over.
Lorian turned back to him. “Little. He is deadly with knives, swords, the bow and arrow, and with his hands and feet, much the way you are from what I saw in your suite. His balance is superb, and he’s nearly as adept from horseback, even dragon-back. He can scale any wall, get beyond any trap, and solve any riddle. His ability to get others to unwittingly reveal information is legendary, and it’s said he often knows people better than they know themselves, and within minutes of meeting them. He is called the Silver-Tongued Rogue with good reason. He is also rather charming with the ladies, as you might imagine.”
“Well,” Eric drawled, trying to make light of all that, “at least I have that last part taken care of.” He glanced at Anna, who laughed a little too hard about that.
Morven added, “Andier is an only child and it is not known if any relatives live, though undoubtedly some do. He would not want anyone to know so threats to them cannot be used against him.”
Eric nodded, thinking that being unaware of any living relatives was another thing he shared with Andier.
Morven turned to Anna, his face lighting up as he spoke so that Eric wondered if he had a crush on the subject of his words. “The Lady Eriana of Coreth is unusual in her peacefulness, which shines from her. Her presence alone lifts spirits, and she seems on first glance to have never known anguish, for many people assume such tranquility could not possibly lie on the far side of tragedy. They have never known it to be so, have never seen someone be at such peace after catastrophe, but Eriana has known deep pain.
“It is said she was shattered in her teenage years by a betrayal from someone close to her. It devastated her mind and spirit, causing great turmoil and leaving her desperate for kindness and care from others. Instead, she fell in with the wrong sort and received quite the opposite, making her confusion and anguish worse. It was in this darkness of the mind and soul that her power – and ultimately, her peace – were found. We do not know by what means she recovered herself, but the wisdom for which she became famous suggests deep introspection.
“Some time after this, she sought to help a gravely wounded friend and found herself begging the gods for aid, which was granted with vigor. So touched was she by this answer that she devoted herself to helping others, and the power she has wielded as a devotee of the gods is quite
