The Night of the Silver Light
When bright full Moon steals light from the stars, and paints the night in silverish greys, the Falcon clan awaits for their Spirit to visit them.
On that summer night, there are no bonfires in Tal Methedras. It is the Night of the Silver Light, when full Moon gives so much light that it puts a sparkle in our eye.
It is the night when Tur Morva is filled with humming of the tribal tunes and rhythmical drumbeats. The young of the tribe come out to play, sing, and dance for one another. They whirl along the narrow cliff paths for hours. When the mighty and encompassing Gwenaewen is pleased with their dancing meditation, She sends falcons flying around Tal Methedras. And the Spirit and its Tribe rejoice in celebration.
The last few weeks have been particularly brutal for young Lilu. She left familiar Dunland amidst the turmoil. Tensions among the neighboring Clans were at their height. The Falcon Clan was being slowly corrupted and no one noticed it. Lilu’s Father, Lheu Brenin, disregarded her warnings, even though he and the rest of the Clansmen were well aware of Lilu’s gift. It was like their minds were barred from thinking in any direction other than the White Hand…
It was the last Night of The Silver Light, when Gwenaewen met Lilu. She came to the girl with a Raven on her shoulder. Lilu was trying to summon Gwenaewen for few weeks already, she was trying to seek guidance from her Spirit.
The drums and humming of the Night’s celebration were filling the air and coating the two.
‘Your people are in grave danger, Lilu’ Gwenaewen spoke briefly. She lifted her hand and the Raven landed on it almost immediately, ‘This is Corbin. He will help you in case if you will need to leave the country’
Lilu’s eyes opened in surprise.
‘Lilu, as you might have suspected, The White Wizard is not well-intended toward the people in this country. Do not let his protective claims fool you! He watches you patiently, imposing more control over the Clans every day. You shall resist it, and help Lheu Brenin to overcome it’
Corbin circled Lilu two times and landed on her shoulder.
‘Shall the White Hand overcome your clan’s resistance, you must leave them. Do not tarry a moment longer, for you will aid them only by escaping in secrecy.’
‘Oh, encompassing Gwenaewen!’ Lilu dropped on her knees folding her hands in prayer, ‘Do not leave me with my questions unanswered! I beg you!’ She lamented as Gwenaewen started disappearing in the mist. Lilu sat down on dewy grass. The humming and drumming stopped a while ago. The dawn was near, promising a chance for Lilu to help her clansmen, and menacing with the threat of the enslaving White Hand. Could the Wizard really be so deceitful?
Corbin made a screeching sound as if confirming her doubts.
Lilu has been on the road ever since. In Eregion, a band of Orcs ambushed her. She lost her belongings, but managed to escape. They caught Corbin and lit a fire right away, setting up to cook him. Lilu could not lose that bird! She fought bravely, and managed to free Corbin and escape with him into the wooded Trollshaws.
Exhausted from days of travel and malnutrition, she was caught by Orcs East of Weathertop, and dragged into their camp in Naerost. Catching her was not easy, though. Lilu incinerated a few Orcs in the process. Naturally, they have beaten her up until she lost consciousness. She woke up tied in the Orc camp.
Lilu has never been captured before. It was madly frightening. Her heart was starting to beat faster and tears filled her green eyes. She would have better chosen death than a prospect of being tortured by Orcs. It took all of the strength of a resolute Derudh, but Lilu managed to regain composure. She tucked away fear into the furthest corner of her mind, and concentrated on assessing the surroundings. This is when she felt a feather brush against her hands, tied behind her back.
Another brush. than quiet pecking at the ropes. She knew she had a chance to escape now.
