Elfshadow

Elfshadow is the second book in The Harpers Series by various authors. It introduces the now well-known characters of Arilyn Moonblade, Danillo Thann and Elaith Craulnobur.

Jacket Copy
''Arilyn Moonblade is one of the two best assassins in the Realms. Maybe both. From Cormyr to Waterdeep, Harpers are being murdered. The trail leads to the half-elven adventurer, Arilyn Moonblade. Is she guilty, or is she the next target? Tormented by strange dreams and stalked by shadows, Arilyn must uncover the ancient secret of her sword's power in order to find and face the Harper assassin'.''

The Story
The story begins in a flashback to 1321, with the death of the Moon Elf King of Evermeet, Zaor and jumps forward 25 years to Arilyn mourning the death of her mother,Z'Beryl, at a statue of Hannali Celanil in Everska. The relatives have gathered, not to comfort the grieving half elf, but to discover the disposition of Z'Beryl's only legacy, her sword. None will touch it, and when Arilyn claims it as her own, they leave without contest.

A Gold Elf, Kymil Nimesin, is impressed with Arilyn, and takes her under his wing. She is unable to answer his questions regarding her knowledge of her human father or the sword she has inheirited from her mother. He arranges to teach her at the Academy of Arms and to replace the missing gem in her sword.