History Lesson
The Black Void - Episode 690
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Amergin coughed back a laugh. “Well, m’lady – that pretty much depends on
who you ask.”
Sarah glanced at him, puzzled. Amergin sighed. “I’m just a bard, miss – don’t ask me to go into the complexities of the matter. I sing for whomever I can; I take what food or money is given me. Do I care if they're humans or elves? If they don’t show me their ears, I can’t tell the difference.” Sarah still looked at him incredulously. “So – the only difference is the ears?” Amergin shrugged. “It’s one view.” “Amergin – you are not making any sense!” Amergin stopped and turned toward her. “You want a simple answer? You aren’t going to get one. I can’t get one, no one can. Elves live longer than humans. Usually five times their years. Elves have pointed ears. Other than that?” Amergin shrugged. “You saw your reflection, m’lady. Other elves are no different. Other humans are no different. Same hair as one another, same eyes, same skin, same clothes, same magic. Same culture in many places.” He continued abruptly on his way. Sarah jogged after him. “Amergin – please,” she said. “What’s the matter? What do you mean no one gets an answer? What am I supposed to do?” “Do?” he said. “We see what the next village is like, and act accordingly. Maybe it’s integrated. Maybe it’s divided. Maybe there’s severe restrictions of one kind or another. Maybe there’s vigilantes. Maybe I’ll be shut out, maybe you. I don’t know this region.” Sarah puzzled over this for a moment. “It’s a long story, m’lady,” Amergin finally said. “Elves came from the south, the old songs say. Were they tall then? Short? Magical? Unmagical? Peaceful? Warlike? Refugees? Were they just like they are now?” He managed half a smile. “The songs stop agreeing after the ‘from the south’ part, m’lady.” Sarah smiled grimly. “Then there were wars and inter-marriages, and edicts and purges. Lots of them. Until this Peace of Kespara we’ve got now, they say.” “Peace of Kespara?” Amergin nodded. “Every village and province makes its own rules. Some with mostly elves in the population, and with elves in charge. Others with mostly humans. You live with the laws, or leave.”
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MJE
4/8/2005 9:57:29 PM
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