Prizes for the Hunt for History II were items aboard the Foehn's Promise, each of which had a loresong. Many interesting items were available. One of them was an ivory-hilted mithglin dagger with a flawless blue dragonseye sapphire pommel, which has a song that is apparently about Leya, though it's never expressly stated. This log is of Ylena loresinging to it.

 

You see Ylena Fygar.
She appears to be a Sylvankind.
She appears to be young and robust and taller than average. She has sultry jade green eyes and ivory skin. She has shoulder length, tousled auburn hair streaked with copper-blonde highlights that tumbles in unruly curls. She has a delicate face, an upturned nose and a generous mouth. She bears a tiny beauty mark high on her left cheek.
She is in good shape.
She is holding an ivory-hilted mithglin dagger with a flawless blue dragonseye sapphire pommel in her right hand.
She is wearing a brilliant golden rose with deep cerulean-edged petals, a golden scaled tufted lizard, a golden satin headband encrusted with tiny sunburst diamonds, a delicate golden heart locket, a thin gold and sapphire band, a miniature golden lyre-clasped trollskin harness, a team pin, a blue sapphire shield, a glittering golden cloak, a cerulean-blue silk music satchel, an elegant instrument case, some golden gem-studded armor, and a pair of ankle-cuffed boots studded with tiny diamonds.

 

Ylena sings:

"She loved him unreservedly, with passion unrestrained.
He liked her, but to get more there were feelings he could feign.
He loved her, then he left her.
She brooded, for a start,
But found another passion with a dagger through his heart. "

Ylena holds the dagger in one hand, fingers brushing lightly over the blade, as she attempts to draw out its song.

Ylena whispers to the group, "A young half-elf is hunched over a washtub, scrubbing sheets in the back of what appears to be a wayside inn. She wears a soiled shift that is little more than a rag, and damp tendrils of her hair are plastered to her face as she toils. An older human woman storms out of the inn and angrily berates the half-elf for shirking her work, punctuating each word with a blow from her wooden spoon. The human stalks back into the inn as the half-elf watches her through sullen tears."

Ylena sings:

"Slaving for her supper, she toils through the day,
And at bitter evening's end, brushed sullen tears away,
A young half-elven maiden, beholden to an inn,
But where is this dagger? The answer lies within."

A low hum fills the air as Ylena continues to sing, the dagger still grasped in her hand.

Ylena whispers to the group, "A lone figure on the nearby road has been a silent witness to the exchange. The figure is simply dressed in a tunic and sandals, with a long-bladed dagger hung at her hip and a travelling cloak flung back over her shoulder. She is an athletic-looking woman with some elven features, her hair a deep mahogany and her eyes a piercing azure blue. An expression of sorrow is etched into her countenance, and somehow you sense the sorrow has a deeper source than the scene that has just transpired."

Ylena whispers to the group, "The lone figure turns as if to proceed with her journey, then suddenly enters the inn yard instead. The azure-eyed woman quickly cuts the bonds from the younger woman, gesturing for the half-elf to follow her. The half-elf stares at the woman in disbelief, equal measures of fear and hope rising in her eyes."

Ylena whispers to the group, "As the vibrations from the dagger in your hand fade, the scene begins to dissolve as the two quickly move along the road, trying to put distance between themselves and the inn."

Ylena sings:

"A stranger bears mute witness to the sobbing half-elf's plight,
With her trusty dagger, she watches in the night,
Moved by her compassion, she cuts the hateful bonds,
And motions slave to follow, hoping time will heal her wounds."

Ylena begins to sing again, cringing slightly though without failing a note, moving her other hand to help hold onto the dagger.

Ylena whispers to the group, "It is night, and the young half-elf is seated near a fire in a deep forest. The rescuer from before silently appears out of the darkness, giving the half-elf a start. The woman carefully leans her bow against a tree and drops a brace of rabbits at the feet of the half-elf."

Ylena whispers to the group, "The scene fades slightly and then brightens again, as vivid in your mind as before. The same two women are seated around the campfire, talking quietly with each other. They appear to be sharing details of their lives, but the words are not distinct. The rescuer becomes intent, as if trying to impart something important to the young half-elf. The younger woman listens raptly, a slight expression of hero-worship shining in her eyes."

Ylena sings:

"With bow but not with dagger, stranger hunts to feed the pair,
They eat beside the campfire, with time to converse there.
The stranger tells her story, intense as she implores,
The half-elf smiles radiantly at the woman she adores."

An azure aura begins to form around Ylena's hand as she holds onto the dagger tightly, her song still clear and strong.

Ylena whispers to the group, "Again the vision in your mind suddenly fades and brightens. It is daylight and the two women are in a small glade where they have camped in the woods. They wear nothing but short, kilt-like skirts, and the sweat of effort glistens on their skin. The azure-eyed rescuer is instructing the young half-elf in hand-to-hand combat. The young woman performs a maneuver over and over again, until the rescuer finally gives her a smile of approval."

Ylena whispers to the group, "The half-elf appears to bask in the attention, and, as the vibrations of the dagger in your hand fade away, you see a last glimpse of her renewed efforts to please her instructor."

Ylena sings:

"Time passes, as it always does, and time makes friendship grow,
The rescuer becomes teacher beneath the sun's warm glow.
Teach combat with a dagger, teach love by her example,
The half-elf toils joyfully, her aptitude is ample."

Ylena begins a new verse, though this one seems shorter than the rest.

Ylena whispers to the group, "You see the same camp in the woods, but you sense a great deal of time has passed. The two women from before are there, but they are no longer alone. A small band of women has gathered. The young half-elf appears transformed. She is now confident in her demeanor and the bitterness and despair that once surrounded her like a cloak have disappeared. She is engaged in instructing two of the others in the art of swordplay."

Ylena sings:

"Transformed by love and discipline, the half-elf grows in grace,
Time passes, and more women gather, standing in their place.
Two, then four, then twenty, banding joyfully together,
Daggers clasped quite proudly, bonds forged that won't be severed."

Hand curling around the dagger, Ylena continues her song, nodding slightly to herself.

Ylena whispers to the group, "A group of women are seated around the azure-eyed rescuer. Several of them look haggard, as if freshly arrived from dire circumstances. Two of the women tend to the wounds of a middle-aged female giantkin. All eyes in the small group are focused on the woman with the long-bladed dagger at her hip. They listen intently to her words as she gestures, students at the feet of their teacher. Finally her words become clear:"

Ylena whispers to the group, ""Fight well in a way that is honorable. Accept defeat honorably. Above all, fight with a warrior's wisdom, learn when to fight and when not. Strive for perfection in all that you do.""

Ylena whispers to the group, ""Your sisters are your sword and shield. Stand fast by them, side by side. Stay your differences in times of war and seek wise counsel to bear your sister no malice. Be loyal to your sisters.""

Ylena whispers to the group, ""Share your knowledge for the greater good. Lend your sword and shield to a cause that is just. Seek out and destroy evil where you may find it. Reach out to all who would honor you and the Way.""

Ylena sings:

"They grew in strength and wisdom, gaining more each day, The teacher lectured lovingly of reaching for the Way, Striving for perfection, with dagger, sword, or spear, The women sought to protect the weak from evil lurking here."

Ylena clutches the dagger more tightly with this attempt at song, head canting slightly to the side.

Ylena whispers to the group, "The band of women has grown larger, and they stand tall and proud, no longer appearing to be the cast-offs of society. They are gathered around the azure-eyed woman, who is once again dressed in a simple tunic and travelling cloak."

Ylena whispers to the group, "She is telling the gathered warriors that it is time for her to move on. She indicates the half-elf with her hand, saying she has faith in their leader. She bids them to remember what they have learned and tells them to always follow the true path."

Ylena whispers to the group, "The azure-eyed woman then presents an ivory-hilted dagger as a parting gift to each one gathered there. She calls out a final farewell before quickly and silently disappearing into the deep forest."