The Tale of Tandrik and Estamil

The Tale of Tandrik and Estamil as told by Karly D'Lorieal DeLongfellow

Ysamine nods.

Mandell nods to Karly.

Casler examines his fingernails.

Kamiel nods.

Gavallar sits down.

Karly says, "It's South and East of here."

Neyla glances at Casler.

Ryvicke furrows his brow.

Karly grins at Casler.

Balinworn casually glances around the area.

Balinworn glances at Casler.

The silvery luminescence fades from around Gavallar.

Balinworn takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Kirael takes a drink from her Winterberry Ale.

Karly says, "The capitol of the Empire."

Mandell nods to Karly.

Selema mumbles something about imperial taxes and revolution.

Karly says, "When Tandrik grew ta manhood he took service in the army of Empress, nae because he was of a martial nature, but ta help support his family."

s>l

[ River's Rest, Narrow Point]
Surrounded by water, this narrow strip of beach offers a clear view of Maelstrom Bay and a larger body of water to the south. Small shells litter the beach and an occasional crab scuttles quickly to the safety of the water, leaving a tell-tale track in the soft sands which is soon erased by the gentle breezes. To the east, the mainland seems far away from this quiet and peaceful corner of the island. You also see the Gavallar disk, a green tourmaline, a tankard of Winterberry Ale, a tankard of Winterberry Ale, the Szhrike disk and the Selema disk.
Also here: Gavallar who is sitting, Laymia who is sitting, Neyla who is sitting, Casler who is sitting, Lady Daneyella who is sitting, Szhrike who is sitting, Great Lord Meeshach who is sitting, Kamiel who is sitting, Great Lady Ysamine who is sitting, Selema who is sitting, Lord Ryvicke who is sitting, Balinworn who is sitting, Mandell who is sitting, Lurrah who is sitting, Kirael who is sitting, Lady Karly who is sitting, Lord Aubery who is sitting
Obvious paths: out

Karly says, "Poor folks have always joined the military ta help their families."

Mandell furrows his brow.

Karly says, "Part of Tandrik's training included indoctrination inta the odd racial ideas of the Empress. Never having known anybody of another race Tandrik accepted the Empress' theories."

Kirael frowns.

Karly says, "He was convinced of the superiority of humans. It wasn't something he dwelled on. It seemed merely the way of the world."

Ysamine just left.

Ysamine just arrived.

Karly says, "The sun rose, the rain fell, the crops grew, humans were superior."

Karly says, "Now, nae all soldiers are warriors. Tandrik was never in a position ta raise a weapon against an enemy. He was part of an engineers squadron whose task was ta maintain the north road out of Tamzyrr."

Ysamine shifts her weight.

Balinworn takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Karly says, "During one routine inspection tour Tandrik's unit found themselves camped on the banks of the Tempest river...the very river which graces our small village."

Karly says, "Unknown ta the squad leader there had been severe thunderstorms ta the north and east of Tamzyrr. The storms drenched the countryside and unleashed a violent flash flood."

Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Aubery leans forward.

Karly says, "During the night the entire squadron was washed away in a flood. Most drowned. The others died when dashed against the sharp rocks in the river."

Balinworn winces.

Ysamine furrows her brow.

Ryvicke lets out a long, contemplative breath.

Karly says, "Only Tandrik survived."

Aubery smiles quietly to himself.

Ysamine bites her lip.

Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Mandell fidgets.

Karly says, "He was swept far downriver. Eventually he washed up here in River's Rest, at this very sandspit. His leg was broken, his strength was sapped, and he likely would have died."

(Balinworn stares out over the water and slowly drinks his ale.)

Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Karly says, "But by great good fortune Tandrik was found in the morning by a young elven woman. Tall and strong, she was--an attractive elf, though nae great beauty. Her name was Estamil."

Kirael takes a drink from her Winterberry Ale.

Karly says, "She was known as Estamil of the Bridges because of her passion for the design and construction of bridges. This, of course, is an unusual passion for an elf."

Balinworn grins.

Ysamine seems a bit less imposing.

Karly says, "Yet so great was her skill that even the dwarves of River's Rest consulted her when it came ta the making of bridges. Both of the bridges in our town were designed and built by Estamil."

Szhrike leans softly against Daneyella.

Aubery leans back.

Karly says, "She was a fine bridge builder, was Estamil."

Ysamine adopts an agreeable expression.

Meeshach leans on Laymia, giving her a companionable grin.

Karly smiles at Ysamine.

Karly says, "Estamil found Tandrik's battered body lying on the sand spit and took him ta the home of her parents. There she helped Tandrik back ta health."

Laymia smiles at Meeshach.

Karly says, "I say "helped" but, truth be told, Estamil had little skill in nursing. Nor, until she found Tandrik, did she have much interest in it."

Karly's dancing pixie tattoo appears bored with its surroundings.

Ysamine smiles quietly to herself.

Karly says, "Even if she'd been skilled in nursing, the fact was Estamil had little time for it. She was in the middle of her most ambitious project."

Balinworn smiles.

Karly takes a drink from her Winterberry Ale.

Karly says, "The drawbridge."

(Balinworn absently fiddles with his wedding band.)

Karly says, "It was an enormous undertaking, critically important ta the security of the village. Estamil was very aware of the responsibility."

Balinworn takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Karly says, "Each morning Estamil would rise early, see ta Tandrik's needs, then she would rush ta the bridge. At midday she checked on Tandrik and took lunch with him. Then back ta work until the daylight ended."

Meeshach glances around, looking a bit less confident.

The tingling sensation and sense of security leaves Meeshach.

Karly says, "In the evenings they talked. Estamil spoke of the bridge--the difficulties it presented and how important it was ta the town's safety. Tandrik listened, warmed and enchanted by her enthusiasm."

Balinworn grins.

Ysamine smiles.

Ryvicke smiles.

Karly says, "Tandrik, however, talked very little about himself."

s>lean forward

You lean forward.

Karly says, "Tandrik's worst physical injury was ta his leg, which had been broken. But his injuries were ta his spirit as well as his body."

Karly says, "Remember, he'd been trained ta believe non-humans were inferior. Yet here he was being nursed ta health by elves. And certainly there was nae anything inferior about Estamil."

Ysamine leans forward and rests her chin in her hand, a thoughtful expression on her face.

Karly says, "Ye can understand how he felt."

Karly says, "Tandrik became ashamed of his earlier beliefs. He realized he'd been a fool...which is a difficult thing for any human male ta admit."

Meeshach ponders.

Balinworn nods.

(Aubery peers into his tankard of ale.)

Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Kirael appears to be trying hard not to grin.

Ysamine takes a drink from her Winterberry Ale.

Karly says, "Tandrik wanted ta repay the kindness of Estamil. He had only one real skill...that of engineering. So he offered ta advise her on the construction of the drawbridge."

Ysamine laughs softly, trying to hide her amusement.

Karly says, "Estamil was pleased by his interest. It was the first sign that Tandrik's spirit was healing. She arranged ta have Tandrik carried in a chair ta the bridge site."

Mandell takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Karly says, "Tandrik saw the bridge and the plans sketched by Estamil. And he again called himself a fool. Despite his change in heart he'd assumed a bridge designed by an elf couldn't be much of a bridge."

Balinworn takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Karly says, "Seeing it, he had ta admit that the bridge was far more sophisticated than anything he could have designed himself. And he asked Estamil ta teach him about the building of bridges."

Karly says, "As ye have probably already guessed, Tandrik's gratitude and respect eventually turned ta love."

Lurrah smiles slightly.

Balinworn hoots.

Casler grins.

Laymia snuggles Selema, who responds by cradling an arm around her.

Karly says, "Tandrik, being male and human and therefore singularly foolish, tried ta hide his feelings. Estamil, being female and elven and therefore singularly foolish, openly declared hers."

Mandell smiles quietly to himself.

Kirael smirks.

Ysamine laughs!

Laymia snickers.

Ryvicke chuckles.

Mandell laughs softly, trying to hide his amusement.

Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Balinworn glances at Karly.

Szhrike laughs softly, trying to hide his amusement.

Karly grins at Balinworn.

Meeshach glances at Laymia.

Neyla glances at Casler.

Karly says, "And so, in the fullness of time, they became lovers and were eventually engaged. They agreed ta marry two weeks after the completion of the drawbridge."

Neyla smiles.

Ysamine smiles.

Balinworn rubs his crystal amulet.

Balinworn rubs his crystal amulet.

Karly says, "Stories of the romance between the former soldier and the elven builder of bridges spread throughout the area. They were smiled at by shopkeepers, teased by children, approved of by parents."

Karly says, "Now this all took place a long time ago, in the waning days of the Council of Mages. Powerful magics were still being created in and around the Citadel."

Aubery leans forward.

Mandell cringes.

Ysamine slowly empties her lungs.

A leaf-etched faenor music stand scampers in and plops itself down nearby.

A leaf-etched faenor music stand wiggles for a moment in an excited fashion before settling down.

Aubery glances at a leaf-etched faenor music stand.

Karly says, "A necromancer, whose name has been lost in the folds of history, was interested in longevity. He believed a superior heart could keep an inferior body alive far beyond the normal span of years."

You notice some movement by a leaf-etched faenor music stand.

Aubery glances at a tankard of Winterberry Ale in his hand.

Balinworn scowls.

A leaf-etched faenor music stand suddenly disappears.

Aubery turns an inquisitive ear towards Karly.

Mandell takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Karly says, "He had transplanted the hearts of orcs inta the bodies of roltons. He had transplanted the hearts of krolvin inta the bodies of kobolds."

Szhrike leans softly against Daneyella.

Ryvicke gazes at a tankard of Winterberry Ale.

A tankard of Winterberry Ale suddenly disappears.

Karly says, "And, indeed, these creatures seemed ta live somewhat longer than expected. Needless ta say, the orcs and krolvin from whom he removed the hearts did nae survive the surgery."

Balinworn's entire body tenses as he tightens his grip on his Winterberry Ale.

Karly says, "Very ugly magics, these were."

Balinworn agrees with Karly.

Aubery sighs.

Karly says, "His success inspired the necromancer ta decide ta expand the scope of his experiment."

Ysamine bites her lip.

Karly frowns.

Kirael shivers.

Karly takes a drink from her Winterberry Ale.

Szhrike beams!

Szhrike grins.

Karly says, "He needed more intelligent subjects."

Ryvicke takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Aubery glances at Balinworn.

s>cough

You cough.

Szhrike says, "Hes in trouble."

Aubery appears to be trying hard not to grin.

Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Aubery turns an inquisitive ear towards Karly.

Szhrike grins.

Karly says, "One evening he overheard his scullery maid talking ta the housekeeper about the romance of Estamil and Tandrik. The maid had gushed "Nae anything can keep two such great hearts apart."

Karly says, "Two great hearts."

Balinworn frowns.

Ryvicke glances warily at a tankard of Winterberry Ale in his hand.

Karly says, "By the time the drawbridge was completed Tandrik's leg had knit and he'd regained some of his strength. He was able ta dance with Estamil at the celebration of the opening of the drawbridge."

Ysamine furrows her brow.

Meeshach grins.

Karly says, "They danced long inta the night, and then in the wee hours of the morning they stumbled happily back ta the home of her parents, hand in hand. There Tandrik presented Estamil with a gift."

Karly says, "While Estamil worked on the drawbridge, Tandrik had secretly fashioned two engagement rings. The rings were of fine silver and inset in each ring was a green tourmaline...nae a rare stone, but one that matched Estamil's eyes."

Karly smiles quietly to herself.

Aubery smiles at Karly.

Selema gestures while calling upon the lesser spirits for aid...

Karly reaches out and touches a green tourmaline.

Balinworn smiles wistfully.

Casler ponders.

Karly says, "Just as Tandrik showed Estamil the matching rings, the minions of the necromancer struck. They overpowered the lovers and kidnaped them. Left behind on the doorstep were the engagement rings."

Balinworn scowls.

Ysamine bites her lip.

Aubery sighs.

Kirael frowns.

Szhrike mutters under his breath.

>blink

You blink.

Ysamine holds her breath.

Karly says, "The next morning the necromancer began his experiment. He surgically removed the hearts of Estamil and Tandrik."

Neyla's entire body tenses as she clenches her fist.

(Aubery shifts uneasily.)

Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

(Balinworn stares down at the sand at his feet.)

Ysamine gives a sigh of sadness.

Aubery picks up a tankard of Winterberry Ale.

Selema put a tankard of Winterberry Ale in her watered silk cloak.

Ryvicke breathes very slowly and looks much calmer.

Karly says, "He placed the hearts in a crystalline chest filled with a magical fluid ta keep the hearts alive. The chest he locked with eight locks ta insure the fluid did nae evaporate."

Karly says, "In the morning he would transplant these hearts...these two great hearts...inta the bodies of lesser creatures, inta the bodies of a krolvin and a troll."

Karly shakes her head.

Ysamine shudders.

Laymia shakes her head.

Balinworn frowns.

Karly says, "Ye must understand something...the necromancer did nae think of himself as cruel. In fact, he considered himself a caring person. Even something of a romantic."

Ysamine mutters awful.

s>nod karl

You nod to Karly.

s>agree

You adopt an agreeable expression.

Ryvicke grits his teeth.

Karly says, "He was, after all, only trying ta extend the course of life. He needed the hearts of Estamil and Tandrik for his work...sacrifices must be made in the interest of science."

Laymia chuckles.

Karly mutters something about foolishness.

Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Ysamine shakes her head, clucking her tongue.

Karly says, "Yet like everybody else, the necromancer was taken with the story of their romance. So after removing their hearts he stayed late in his laboratory and continued ta work."

Balinworn quietly says, "Don't matter. No one has the right ta take a life..."

Aubery glances at Balinworn.

Aubery shakes his head.

Karly says, "His intention was ta place Estamil's heart inta the body of a troll and ta place the heart of Tandrik inta the body of a krolvin."

Karly says, "He saw it as a sort of poetic justice, then, ta remove the heart of a troll and put it inta Estamil's chest. And he removed the heart of a krolvin and put it inta Tandrik's chest."

Ysamine gulps.

Balinworn glowers.

Ysamine frowns.

Karly says, "In doing so the necromancer hoped both Estamil and Tandrik, if given the proper care, could live at least for a short time longer."

Meeshach turns to face Laymia.

Ryvicke takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Ysamine hangs her head.

Karly says, "Satisfied with his work the necromancer finally left his laboratory and went ta bed, where he slept the sleep of the righteous."

Kirael sniffs.

Ysamine scowls.

Karly says, "However, the necromancer's household...the maids, the servants, the laboratory assistants...were all horrified by what their master had done."

Aubery leans forward.

Karly says, "That night the servants entered the sleeping chambers of their master and attacked him while he slept."

Ryvicke grins slowly.

s>gasp

You gasp.

Aubery lets out a cheer!

Aubery coughs.

Aubery blushes a nice shade of light pink.

Neyla adopts an agreeable expression.

Karly raises an eyebrow in Aubery's direction.

Karly shakes her head.

Aubery blushes a nice shade of light pink.

Karly says, "They hit him with a fireplace poker. Stabbed him with scissors. Jabbed him with knitting needles. And they killed him."

Aubery smiles.

Karly says, "As the necromancer lay dying in his bloody bed, the scullery maid seized the chest containing the hearts of Estamil and Tandrik and fled."

Ysamine winces.

Aubery nods.

Karly says, "The housekeeper grabbed the eight keys ta the locks that sealed the chest, and she also fled."

Balinworn nods to Aubery.

Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Balinworn exclaims, "Run Lass! Run!"

Balinworn clasps his hand over his mouth.

Balinworn coughs.

Karly says, "In fact, the entire household fled...and so there was nae anybody around the next morning ta tend to Estamil and Tandrik when they awoke."

Aubery sighs.

Karly frowns.

Laymia frowns.

Karly says, "Yes, they awoke. In confusion and pain. Tandrik on his table lifted his hand ta Estamil. And she, on her table, reached for him. But they did nae have strength enough ta touch each other."

Ysamine blinks.

Karly says, "And so they died...their fingertips only inches apart."

Ryvicke takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Mandell frowns.

Aubery glances at a green tourmaline.

Kirael sighs.

Karly says, "Now a love like theirs is a powerful thing. It is especially powerful while their hearts still live."

Aubery turns an inquisitive ear towards Karly.

Lurrah glances down.

Karly says, "Remember...somewhere, hidden in a crystalline chest filled with a magical fluid, are the beating hearts of Tandrik and Estamil of the Bridges."

Karly says, "And so their spirits are still tied ta River's Rest. And as we all know, ye can occasionally see them here at the point. Here, where Estamil first laid eyes on Tandrik."

Neyla reaches out and touches 'Casler arm.

(Ysamine tilts her head down and quickly dabbs her eyes before clenching her jaw and staring out over the water.)

Balinworn sighs.

Balinworn drops a tankard of Winterberry Ale.

Karly says, "Two shadowy figures looking longingly at each other."

Balinworn just opened a seashore tapestry sheath.

Balinworn removes a gleaming silvery eonake falchion with a white leather-wrapped hilt crested with the insignia of River's Rest from in his tapestry sheath.

Daneyella weeps softly, quiet tears falling from her eyes.

Aubery picks up a tankard of Winterberry Ale.

Balinworn removes a green tourmaline from in his silvery eonake falchion.

Aubery glances at Balinworn.

Balinworn carefully places a green tourmaline on the ground.

Karly says, "Reaching for each othe."

Meeshach glances at Laymia.

Ryvicke relaxes his hold on a green tourmaline in his hand.

Balinworn put a gleaming silvery eonake falchion with a white leather-wrapped hilt crested with the insignia of River's Rest in his tapestry sheath.

Balinworn just closed a seashore tapestry sheath.

Ysamine slowly empties her lungs.

Karly says, "But never quite able ta touch."

Kirael tilts her head down.

Ysamine sniffs.

Balinworn scowls.

Aubery leans back.

Laymia slowly empties her lungs.

Aubery gives Karly a loving gaze, and the two smile at each other widely.

Karly says, "And that's why people visit this spot, bearing green tourmalines. Here they kneel and drop the stones, offering them ta the memory of Tandrik and Estamil of the Bridges."

Karly smiles at Aubery.

Casler casts out a handful of green tourmalines.

Balinworn reaches out and touches his simple wedding band.

Karly says, "And that's the story of Tandrik and Estamil of the Bridges."

Ysamine takes a drink from her Winterberry Ale.

Ryvicke begins chuckling at Casler!

Aubery smiles.

Mandell stands up.

You feel less confident than before.

You hear someone applauding from the shadows.

Ysamine takes a drink from her Winterberry Ale.

Kirael just opened a dark leather hiking pack.

The tingling sensation and sense of security leaves you.

Mandell applauds.

Ryvicke smiles at Karly.

Kirael removes a green tourmaline from in her leather hiking pack.

Meeshach takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Kirael just closed a dark leather hiking pack.

Ryvicke moves to a kneeling position.

Szhrike applauds Karly.

Karly smiles at Ryvicke.

Ryvicke carefully places a green tourmaline on the ground.

Meeshach takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Kirael drops a green tourmaline.

Laymia looks lost in thought.

Ryvicke moves to a sitting position.

Meeshach gulps.

Ysamine slowly empties her lungs.

Speaking to Karly, Aubery says, "Well told elf.. well done indeed."

Aubery kisses Karly on the nose for what seems like an eternity.

Karly smiles at Aubery.

Meeshach takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Ysamine removes a green tourmaline from in her sable velvet longcoat.

Kirael agrees with Aubery.

Ysamine moves to a kneeling position.

Speaking seriously to Karly, Balinworn says, "Was verra well told, Lass. Thank you, as always."

Aubery put a tankard of Winterberry Ale in his oilskin cloak.

Karly says, "Thank ye all for ya attention. I hope ye enjoyed the tale."

Speaking to Karly, Ryvicke exclaims, "Aye many thanks!"

Aubery glances at Balinworn.

Balinworn sighs.

You hear the voice of Riverman announce a vote of "Yes" to Karly, who appears to disregard it.

Szhrike nods.

Karly says, "And perhaps it answers a few questions."

Kirael says, "Thank you very much for sharing it."

Speaking to Balinworn, Aubery says, "Ya dropped an ale.. shame."

Balinworn says, "Tis why I married my own Elfette here. Seemed fittin."

Speaking to Kirael, Karly says, "Am always happy ta tell the tale."

As posted by GM Xayle on the RR boards 10/15/14

The Story of Tandrik and Estamil of the Bridges
Transcribed by Ceisya Lerenit, Priestess of Aeia and Keeper of the Tomes in River's Rest's Cleric Guild

Originally told by a Rester by the name of Prata Aghaidh, this tale has survived many long years of being passed down, storyteller to storyteller. The first time I heard the story, it was told by Thaumatous Balklavar on the sandy point of River's Rest. I later heard it told again by Karly D'Lorieal, who originally heard it told by Prata himself. I, and many like myself, have dropped many a green tourmaline on that sandy shore, hoping for a glimpse of the tragic lovers of River's Rest. So, without further ado, I give you the tale of Tandrik and Estamil of the Bridges (as told by many skilled storytellers before me).

Many, many years ago, there was a soldier named Tandrik from a small village outside of Tamzyrr. A fair distance south and east of River's Rest, Tamzyrr is the capital of the Empire, and there Tandrik grew to manhood. Once he was of age, he joined the Empress's forces, not because he was particularly interested in becoming a soldier or because he possessed any sort of martial prowress, but rather to help his family, as they were of meager means. Being in the service of the Empress, his training included Her theories on other races and how humans held a superior position to them all. It was no particular passion of Tandrik's, but rather it seemed to him the way of the world. The sun rose, the rains fell, crops grew, and humans were superior.

Being that Tandrik had no particular acuity for warfare, he found himself in a squadron of engineers, as he did have some measure of proficiency in that area. He never was in a position to raise a sword against an enemy. His detachment's duty was to maintain the north road out of Tamzyrr, and during one routine inspection of this route, he and his squadron found themselves camped along the banks of the Tempest River. This is the same river that cradles our fair town of River's Rest.

Unbeknownst to the squad leader, heavy rains had fallen earlier in the day to the north and east of Tamzyrr, swelling the river and causing severe flooding. During the night, the overflow of the river reached the small camp, and the entire squad was swept into the river! Many were killed, pulled to a watery grave beneath the currents or dashed upon the sharp rocks as they were thrown down river. None but a single man survived, and that was Tandrik.

The river carried him far and deposited him eventually on the small sandspit known now as the Point in River's Rest. One of his legs was broken, his body weak, and his spirit sapped. It is very likely he would have died upon the sands had he not been found by a local, an elven lass named Estamil. She was tall and strong, attractive, though no great beauty, and she was called by locals "Estamil of the Bridges" as she had a passion and a talent for designing and building bridges. An odd occupation for an elf, some thought, however Estamil was very skilled.

Having found the battered human on the sand, Estamil took him to her parents' home, and there, she helped him back to health. Though, truth be told, she had little skill in nursing nor any interest in the discipline . . . until she found Tandrik. Regardless of her ability or lack thereof in the healing arts, she had little time for such things, as she was in the middle of her biggest project to date: the drawbridge into River's Rest. It was a tremendous undertaking, one that was essential to the safety of the village, and Estamil was very aware of that fact.

Nonetheless, every morning she rose early to see to Tandrik's needs, and then she was off to the bridge. At midday, they would take lunch together and talk, then Estamil was off to the bridge again until the sun had set. In the evenings after her work was completed, she would sit with Tandrik and tell him of the bridge -- any difficulties she might be having and how important it was to the town's safety. Always, Tandrik listened with rapt attention, taken in by Estamil's enthusiasm. He, however, spoke little of himself. Though the injuries to his body were unmistakable, he was harboring damage to his spirit as well.

Having been raised to believe that all races were inferior to humans, Tandrik was torn between his training and his certain knowledge that there was nothing at all inferior about Estamil. By and by, he became ashamed of his former beliefs, and he realized that he had been a fool, which is difficult for a male (of any race) to admit. He wanted to repay her kindness, but injured as he was, he had only one thing to offer: his knowledge of engineering. So, he offered to advise her on the construction of her bridge. Estamil was pleased by his interest, and she recognized it as a sign of his spirit beginning to heal, and so arranged to have him carried in a chair down to the bridge site.

Upon seeing the bridge however, Tandrik had to admit that what Estamil had constructed was far more sophisticated than anything he could have designed himself. And so, he asked her to teach him of bridge building. Gladly, she agreed. Now, as you might imagine, things began to happen (as things tend to) as the pair carried on together. Eventually, Tandrik's feelings of gratitude and respect changed to love. Being male and human and therefore singularly foolish, Tandrik tried to hide his feelings. Estamil, being female and elven and therefore singularly foolish, openly declared hers.

In the fullness of time, the pair became lovers and were eventually engaged. Their marriage date was set two weeks after the completion of the drawbridge. In a small place such as River's Rest is, and always has been, rumors of the injured soldier and the builder of bridges soon swept throughout the area. Shopkeepers smiled at them, children teased them, and parents approved.

At this point in the story, I should remark that this took place a very long time ago, and though the time of the Council of Mages had passed, their legacy was not forgotten. Powerful magic was still at play in and around the Citadel. A necromancer, whose name has been forgotten in the folds of time, still studied his craft in the area. His area of interest was in the extension of life, longevity, of matching strong hearts with strong bodies in the hopes of finding the secret of long life. He believed that a superior heart could keep an inferior body alive far beyond the normal span of years. He had toyed with transplanting the hearts of orcs in the bodies of roltons and the hearts of krolvin in the bodies of kobolds. While the roltons and kobolds did tend to live longer than expected, they perished eventually along with the orcs and krolvin who "donated" their hearts.

Such ugly magics, but the necromancer was convinced that he needed to broaden his scope. There must be stronger hearts to be found. After all, was his aim not beneficent? Longer life? Surely it was so. On a turn of chance, one evening he overheard his scullery maid and housekeeper discussing the story of the two unlikely souls whose love had overcome injury and prejudice. These hearts, he mused, must be strong indeed, stronger than anything he could scavenge from the wilds. As his maid proclaimed, "Nothing can keep two such great hearts apart," his plan was sealed.

Meanwhile, the drawbridge was completed, Tandrik's leg had begun to knit, and he had regained a measure of his strength. Being River's Rest, a massive party was thrown to commemorate the opening of the drawbridge. Some things, after all, never change. At the celebration, Tandrik was able to dance long into the night with Estamil on his arm. It was only in the wee hours of the morning that the pair made their way back to Estamil's parents' house, and it was there on the doorstep that he presented her with a gift.

As Estamil had toiled away on the bridge, Tandrik had forged of silver a pair of matching rings, each set with a green tourmaline. It is true that green tourmaline is no expensive gem, but it was the color of Estamil's eyes, and thus was perfect. As he presented the gift to his love, the pair were overtaken by a group of the necromancer's minions. Well, all but one of the minions. I'm told a singular fellow was making quite a spectacle of himself at the party, with a small keg under one arm and an empty pickle pot on his head as a helm. But, I digress.

As the necromancer's minions attacked, the lovers were easily overcome and nothing was left of them but a pair of silver rings on Estamil's parents' doorstep. Spirited away to a dark keep, Tandrik and Estamil were kept under sedation for the remainder of the night, and in the morning, the necromancer began his heinous work. He surgically removed their hearts and deposited them in crystalline chest filled with magical fluid to keep the hearts alive. The chest was secured with eight locks to ensure the fluid did not evaporate and put in safekeeping until suitable hosts could be found. Now, it could not be said that the necromancer was without a heart of his own. He didn't think of himself as cruel and was, in reality, a bit of a romantic. After all, his endeavors were intended to extend the course of life, and Tandrik and Estamil were merely . . . collateral damage.

Being such a bleeding heart for the story of the lovers, the necromancer stayed long into the night, working to retrieve the hearts of a troll (which he placed into Estamil's chest) and a krolvin (which he placed into Tandrik's chest). At least this way, he reasoned, the pair would have a chance to live a short time yet together, provided they were given proper care. Satisfied with his work, the necromancer retired to his bed chamber and slept the sleep of the righteous. Meanwhile, however, his servants had become aware of his machinations and though they knew the man for which they worked was no saint, this sin was far too grave to let stand. Under the cover of night, with weapons so crude as garden spades and knitting needles, the servants set upon their master, stabbing his sleeping form until he lay dead at their hands.

Now, the lowly minion that had become distracted by the festivities earlier in the night finally returned to his employer's keep, utterly besotted and boasting a new goat tattoo on his right calf. His merriment was quickly sobered as a great commotion arose within the keep, and he was caught in a stampede of the household staff fleeing. Some of them carried bits of silver and pieces of china, while others shouldered past him with armloads of magical tomes and sundries. The maid nearly knocked him over as she fled with her prize, a crystalline chest that she hugged close as she ran. Baffled and unable to take his cue from the servants, the man stumbled into the keep, only to find his employer slain in the most violent of ways. As he turned himself to flee, he scooped up a ring of keys that lay on a bedside table -- one of the few things left to salvage. Once things had calmed, perhaps he could return and find out what they opened.

The following morning, in the laboratories below the keep, the sedation spell was beginning to wear off of Tandrik and Estamil, and with the staff all fled, there was naught left to care for them. Pain wracked their bodies and confusion clouded their minds as they tried to make sense of what was going on. Finally, their eyes met, and it was only as they tried to rise that they realized they were shackled. Chains only stretch so far, but Tandrik lifted his hand from the slab upon which he lay and reached for Estamil, as she did for him. But their hearts, those borrowed hearts from troll and krolvin, could not withstand the stress and burst! As the light faded from Estamil's green eyes, the last thing she saw was her hand reaching for Tandrik's, their fingers inches away, so close, yet never touching.

They say that somewhere, the crystalline chest containing their hearts still exists, as do the keys that will open its eight locks. However, it has never been found. Until their souls are laid to rest, I imagine they will forever be tied to the sandy Point, the place where they first laid eyes on each other, called by gifts of green tourmalines, and forever bound to reach for each other, but never touch.

And such is the tale of Tandrik and Estamil of the Bridges.