Editing Teylin, the Ash Knight (section)

==Herne's Knot==
Teylin's elder brother went missing, and his younger brother soon followed into mystery.  As the years rolled by and neither reappeared, he at last feared the worst.  But Teylin could find no word of them in his wanderings and at last sought to know if they had passed death's bourne.  For nine days and nights Teylin walked without rest or sleep until, at last, he set his feet in the Shadowfell.  Nor did he stop, even then, but walked on to Groomwrought, city of the dead. 

In the black basalt temple there Teylin found Herne, a Shadar-kai witch, and demanded knowledge of his brothers' fate.  Herne agreed to open Wee Jas the Raven Queen's sacred book, but only if Teylin could wrestle him to the ground - one fall for each brother.  Herne came at Teylin once, his arms straining with power, but the elf cast him down.  The Shadar-kai came again, his hands twisted into claws, but again Teylin prevailed.

The witch was impressed with Teylin's skill; much more, he said, because the elf had held death in his arms - war-wounds in the first bout, age in the second.  Herne not only told Teylin that his brothers still lived, but in answer to his bravery he also twisted for him a special belt buckle from Shadowfell steel.  (Survivor's Belt)


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[[Crowns of the Dawn]]