Greyrawk (Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

words about being your prince are untrue."
    "Ah. Well as to that, Celaeri brides have been part of the Greyrawk heritage for countless years. The last one was seven of your generations ago, but there is Celaeri blood in you, Ian Greyrawk."
    "A little blood does not change who I am. What benefits does Celaeri blood give me?"
    "Quite a lot, actually, but most has to be gained by training. The fact that you can see me is a sign you have Celaeri blood. You do not have magical powers if that is what you were thinking."
    "I am not quite sure what my thoughts are. I am still stunned by your appearance. I have never seen anyone like you."
    "Do you find me attractive?"
    "You are exotic and enticing." He did not know why he said that. He tried to see Jaele in his mind but her image wouldn't come to him.
    "That is good. I will need your attention. Come, let us sit on the battlements and recall the history of this land. Some may seem new to you, but Men teach their children only in the ways of Men. The world is far larger than that."
    She took him by the hand and they walked to the summit.

Chapter 3
     
    Ioane Adan, sole child of Jerue Adan, held her youth for centuries and her exotic features made her the model of many a faery story of a young man enchanted by an immortal. The truth was not far from legend. She bore several children, all of mixed heritage. She never found a mate among the Celaeri; perhaps she recognized the darkness in her kind.
    From Gerrand's Histories of Landermass.
     
     
    Greyrawk listened to the history of the Celaeri as the wind howled across the summit. It appeared a scene out of a dream with the ruins of the castle lit by an ethereal light and tree branches waving to the darkness. Ioane Adan appeared a goddess from a tale for children. Her pale skin seemed translucent in the flickering darkness. It was difficult not to lose the conversation merely by staring at her. He tried to follow her words. He could see the land below him and the lights from the keeps and farmhouses.
    "For centuries the Celaeri dwelt in this land before Men came from the south. We built cities of wood and stone, white and beautiful in the bright sunlight of the dawn. The fields flowered and flourished under our guidance. We lived in peace for so many uncounted years. Then the Vlakan came out of the dark places of the world and we fought to protect our cities. Men came too and for years, we argued whether there is a connection between the two events. No consensus was reached. We did not hinder Men, nor did we help them although some contact was made. Men who settled near Adan's Hill were friendly and respectful and we were the same to them.
    "As Men expanded we pulled back. The later contacts we had with Men were violent and our people were unprepared for such things. Yet we endured. We learned warfare from Men and we are now quite adept at killing."
    "I noticed. Why was Alarie able to harm the Vlakan? She seemed to vanish like a ghost, I could see through her I thought, yet her weapon drew blood."
    "Some of us still have the strength to reach this world, but we cannot stay long. We can focus our strength where we want it and her spear needed to be in this world. Alarie's strength lasted until the danger passed. If there were more of them, she would not have been able to help you any longer. You were lucky."
    Greyrawk sat in silence, absorbing this information. The Celaeri were fairy creatures and he did not want anything to do with them. He considered running down the hill, but were there other Celaeri nearby, just out of sight? Would they materialize and catch him? Ioane Adan spoke as if he was important.
    "What did you mean by 'because I can see you' it proves I have Celaeri blood?"
    "You have heard stories that once Men rose in strength into this land, the Celaeri vanished, moved on, died out, however you want to state it. That is not true. The Celaeri remain, but Men can no longer see us, and we spend more time in the shadow world in