Downstairs at the Dancing Goat

"There you two are! We were wondering when you were coming for lunch!"

We turned to see Seledra's Aunt Ariel smiling at us through the window, and we went outside to meet her. She had kindness and wisdom in her face; I could see why Seledra had so enjoyed her time with her aunt. She embraced Seledra, then took my hand in both her own.

"Mayurra, is it? You may call me Ariel, dear," she said. "I'm afraid your reputation precedes you. Both Issey and Tordrin told everyone of your treatment in Olostin's Hold. Young Methrammar was grieved to hear it and said something to Aarin about something called 'administrative leave' to make your trip back run more smoothly."

Seledra said, "Oh, I doubt we'll be making too many stops on the way back." Seledra and I had briefly talked about the return trip before our arrival in Amalith, and we had agreed that it would be best to travel straight through, stopping only long enough to water the horses when they needed it. Still, it was comforting to think someone might help things along for us. Seledra continued, "We're both kind of homesick for Silverymoon."

"Ah, Silverymoon," Ariel said. "I remember when Issey was just a child, all the stories she wrote home about about you two at Utramm's Conservatory. But that, that was all before." The word "before" had a . . . heaviness to it.

"Before what, Ariel?" I asked, before I realized what I was saying. I hoped the question hadn't been insensitive.

"Pan had an older brother once. He died." Sadness touched Ariel's kind face as she spoke.

I reached up and laid a hand on Ariel's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Ariel. I know how it hurts to lose family." My aunt, the only member of my family that had cared about me, the one who had converted me to Eilistraee's faith, had not survived the raid that precipitated my leaving home. She was, perhaps, the only member of my family I regretted losing.

Ariel took my hand and squeezed it. "Thank you, my dear."

She led us into the main house and to the dining room, where the rest of the family was waiting for us. The twins and Pandora, the bride, were indeed there, as Seledra has mentioned, as well as Pandora's fiancé, Aarin Gend, the former Spymaster of Neverwinter. Pandora was different from her siblings and her cousin. She was more reserved and solemn, even though her love for Aarin was evident on her face. For his part, Aarin was large and muscular, with a deep, rumbling voice. For all that, though, he moved with the grace of an acrobat. Like Pandora, he was reserved, but he had an air of watchfulness about him, and he carried himself as though ready to strike at a moment's notice. I sensed that he missed nothing that went on in his immediate surroundings. I would have to be careful around this one.

Also joining us were Methrammar, the young man that had so delayed Seledra in Everlund, and, much to my surprise, Tordrin. Pandora and Aarin took their seats at the head of the table, and the rest of the group found seats around them. Methrammar held his hand out to Seledra and seated her next to himself. He was quite charming, and his courtly upbringing was evident. As we were introduced, he assured me that he had already taken steps to ensure our safety and comfort on our return trip. I sat next to Seledra, and Tordrin appeared beside me just in time to hold my chair for me, and he sat next to me. Another charmer, there. He had been most solicitous toward me since yesterday. He hadn't needled me regarding my identity since the attack, but he could still just be trying to gain my trust.

After the initial introductions, the table became a flurry of conversation. I could hardly keep track of it all; it seemed as though twenty conversations were going on at once, despite the fact there were only nine of us in the room. Methrammar and Seledra made small talk. Tordrin mostly talked to Isendur about elven history or some such, something they apparently had a common interest in. He had explained to me when we first sat down that Isendur had invited him to lunch for that very reason. I sort of sat back and watched, at first.

As lunch was served, Ariel looked at me and said, "I hope you like chilled chicken salad with pine nuts, Mayurra."

I took a bite and replied, "It's delicious, thank you." It was; I loved pine nuts, and I hadn't had any since Cormanthor. It's a pity, actually, that I couldn't share that with my host.

Tordrin finished his discussion with Isendur and turned to me. "So, Beautiful, are you enjoying this little gathering?"

"It' s different. That much is certain." Indeed, while I had certainly shared meals like this with drow at various times and places, and we had mundane conversations not unlike the ones going on around this table, I was pretty sure Isioleth wasn't plotting her brother's untimely death as the twins chatted casually with their mother about the Harpers setting up camp down below the tree village, and Pandora wasn't thinking about the best ways to overthrow her mother as Archdruid while she and Aarin discussed some of their wedding guests, and Aarin Gend wasn't secretly orchestrating his takeover of Silverymoon while talking about his pirate days and how long his sentence was when he was captured. These people all liked each other, and it showed. I'm not used to this. True, with the Eilistraeens it was different, but when we had a chance to socialize, we did so quietly, in small groups of three or four, and we didn't really have personal conversations so much as we exchanged strategies for hiding our activities from our fellows. I distinctly remember having a conversation once about how to perform random acts of kindness without getting caught.

At some point, I noticed that Seledra was behaving oddly. Her voice was . . . higher than usual, and she was flushed and on edge. She seemed to have some trouble articulating when someone spoke to her. I glanced at Methrammar. He was very attentive to her, but he didn't look concerned. Amused, rather. Satisfied that I knew what was wrong, I turned back to Tordrin with a smile.

As Tordrin asked if I wanted to split a piece of flatbread with him, Seledra stood up suddenly.

"Um, Aunt Ariel...I'm afraid I am feeling...unwell and I...I...should go lie down. Now," she said.

Ariel suggested that Methrammar walk her back to her room, and Methrammar seemed only too happy to oblige. It was difficult not to grin at Seledra as she exited, but since no one else seemed to guess what was really going on, I faked concern. There was a bit of chatter around the table about what we had been through the day before and how little rest we'd gotten, and much to my dismay, I was asked to recount my side of the tale.

"Surely this isn't the first time you've encountered such racism on the surface?" Aarin Gend asked me when I finished.

"No, certainly not. When I stay at an inn, I typically pay twice what everyone else does for the privilege of receiving half the service, and I am regularly detained by guards in Silverymoon for no apparent reason. This was merely the first time I was caught so . . . helpless by someone who wanted to hurt me."

"Unjust though it was, I must say in their defense that Olostin's Hold probably finds itself the target of drow raids on a regular basis," Aarin said.

"No, you're right. I understand where the hatred comes from. I was part of more than one surface raid when I lived in the Underdark, though after my conversion, I mostly worked to sabotage such raids."

"I see. But why didn't you join one of the surface enclaves when you turned to Eilistraee? As I understand it, they never turn away a refugee from the Underdark when someone wants to join them." It seemed a man like Aarin Gend simply couldn't help but gather as much information as possible.

Tordrin butted in. "The Eilistraeens nearly always have followers who remain in the Underdark. Some simply can't bear to live on the surface, others fear repercussions against their families, and others, like our May here, act as agents to subvert the drow's goals and keep the surface groups apprised of any important plans the Underdark drow may have." He smiled warmly at me.

"You know a lot about the Eilistraee cult, then?" Aarin asked Tordrin.

"Oh, yes, I worked with them extensively as a member of the Silver Swords."

"Ah, then you are an associate of Mayurra's?"

"No, I left the Silver Swords for the Harpers before Mayurra joined the faith. But I still communicate with some of the groups I used to work with, and they know her." That was fast. Who had he contacted, and how? Maybe he just made it up to help me.

Gend seemed satisfied--for the moment--that I wasn't some secret drow assassin posing as an Eilistraee worshiper, and talked to Tordrin for a little while longer about his time with the Silver Swords. Isioleth took the opportunity to pepper me with questions about the Underdark and what it was like until we'd finished dessert. Nothing I couldn't answer honestly, fortunately.

As we all got up from the table, Tordrin offered me his arm. "It's a lovely day, perhaps you would do me the honor of joining me for a walk? Or do you feel you need a little more rest?'

"No, I had an opportunity to rest this morning, and maybe a walk would do me some good."

"Wonderful! I had thought to stroll the walkways, but if the height bothers you, we can go to the ground," he said as we headed out.

"Oh, the height is fine; I used to climb . . . buildings, when I was very young. I loved to walk rooftops." Eh-heh. I was about to say I climbed trees and explored abandoned elven villages. Stupid girl. Gods and demons, what was it about this beautiful man that made me drop my guard? Tordrin didn't seem to notice my slight flub, though.

It was indeed a lovely afternoon, all dappled sunlight, with brighter patches here and there where the forest canopy was thinner. As we walked through one of these, Tordrin asked me, "I hope the light doesn't bother you. It would have been a touch darker down below. I should have thought of that--I apologize."

"No need. I have . . . acclimated quite well to sunlight. Somewhat better than I would have expected."

"Indeed. The Talaviirs have told me it took them years to grow accustomed to it. They still get very uncomfortable in broad daylight. They prefer to remain in the shadows." Tordrin paused. "The only drow I've met who handle sunlight as well as you seem to were raised on the surface," he continued--not quite casually enough. I stiffened involuntarily. One of these days, I have to learn to control my reactions better.

We walked on in silence until we reached an isolated platform with no buildings on it. It must have been a sort of lookout. Tordrin stopped and turned to me, taking both of my hands in his. "This place seems reasonably secluded," he said. I looked away. "May, I know you don't trust me, and you don't want me digging around in your past. So I've decided that I should tell you exactly what my intentions are."

"Oh?" I turned back toward him.

He smiled. "I can't speak for Thralia's intentions, but as for my own . . ." He bent down and kissed me. Oh. Oh, no. Nonononononononono. I didn't want to let this happen. It was one thing when he was just a handsome man flirting with me that I didn't think I'd see again, but this went against all my better judgment. I couldn't let someone get this close to me who could watch my every movement without my knowing. Or someone who might discover information that would draw my family to me if it were to get out in the open.

But he kissed me like . . . like he wanted to share something with me, not take something from me. And I liked that feeling. And so I told my better judgment where to shove it and leaned into Tordrin's kiss. He put his arms around me and drew me closer to him. Oh, yes. I ran one hand up his chest and twined the other into his long, black hair. His own hands ranged across the expanse of my back. I felt for a moment like something out of those silly romance stories Seledra and I sometimes like to read to each other. The air grew warm around us and seemed to crackle, as though we were surrounded by sparks. Of course, I felt silly even thinking such a thing, but I chalked it up to the fact that I just wasn't thinking straight. But then I heard . . . was that bells? No, it couldn't be. I was imagining things. But if so, then Tordrin was imaging the same thing, since he suddenly pulled away from me when it started. Imagine my surprise to find we were surrounded by sparks.

Tordrin and I looked at each other, and he sighed. "Gnomes," he muttered, rolling his eyes, before he turned to lean over the railing. "Knock it off, you two!" he yelled to someone on the ground.

"But it was just getting really good!" a light, male voice yelled back. I joined Tordrin at the railing, and sure enough, way down on the ground, there was Meree, shooting fireworks from her hands, and Cosmo, um, serenading us with his Tocken. They both burst into helpless laughter, and Tordrin actually blushed.

"I promise you, I did not put them up to this," he said, shaking his head. Just then, another shout came from nearby.

"Hey, Thralia!" This time, it was a deep bass voice. I could just see Falco, the dwarf who played percussion, in the trees behind Meree and Cosmo. "Aren't we going to rehearse sometime this afternoon?"

"Yes," came Thralia's voice, "just as soon as Tordrin finishes his canoodling and gets his lazy ass down here!" She was trying her best to sound irritated, but I could hear the amusement in her voice. By this time, Meree and Cosmo were literally rolling on the ground laughing.

Tordrin dropped his head into his hands. "I swear by Solonor Thelandira, Eilestraee, and Ao himself that I did not have anything to do with this!" I laughed in spite of myself.

"Perhaps now would be a good time to walk me back to my room?"

"Yes, that's a good idea," Tordrin replied, succumbing to laughter himself. Thralia, Falco, and the Talaviirs had all come full into view, grinning like jesters. Falco waved. Thralia cat-called. Venye grabbed his sister and mimed dramatically leaning her back as though to kiss her, until she smacked him. Tordrin resolutely kept his gaze straight ahead of him through all of it, albeit with a embarrassed smile playing at his lips. But instead of offering his arm formally, as he had done earlier, he took my hand, lacing his fingers into mine. So linked, we made it back to my room and collapsed with mirth onto my bed.

"I am sorry," Tordrin said. "I thought we would be far enough away from the camp, but someone must have wandered off and seen us." He leaned up on his elbow and caressed my cheek.

"Well, there's nothing for it now," I said, wriggling up against his chest. "I suppose you'd better go down for rehearsal. If you delay much longer, you'll only give them more to tease you about."

"Oh, this is only the beginning of the teasing," he replied. "You should see what happens when Falco and Venye try to get some private time. I hope you have a thick skin, because I'm not going to let it stop me." He kissed me for emphasis. "Trust me, they mean it in good way. You get close, in a group like ours, especially considering how much we travel. We spend a lot of time together, and we're kind of like a family. Though now that I've said it, I suppose it may not be the best analogy for you."

"Not especially. I don't want to be around people who remind me of family, but it's okay."

"You're wrong, by the way."

"About what?"

"They'll tease me even more if I come down too soon. " Tordrin slid a hand up my skirt and kissed me again.

Altogether, he stayed in my room about half an hour. Nothing more happened, but he did promise to stop by again later. I eventually fell asleep, listening for his voice as the band rehearsed on the ground, and imagining he was singing just for me. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into, but there would be time enough to think about the repercussions later.

Pan walked through the door quite soon after Isioleth went to fetch her. She was different than I remember her, she looked tired, sad, but she embraced me all the same. Pan was always different from her other siblings, more serious, the reliable type while Unebrion was headstrong and charming, Isendur was more impulsive and daring and Isioleth was cocky and free spirited. Politely, she asked me of the goings on in my life, asking the appropriate follow-up questions, but not really showing interest. Just to stir her up a bit, I said,

"You seem absentminded. Are you getting cold feet?"

"No...I'm fully committed to Aarin. It's just that...you don't know what happened in Neverwinter, do you?"

I shook my head. This was what she really wanted to talk to me about. "Tell me."

"After my training at the Academy, in the space of about three months, I saw the worst of what human nature had to offer. Suffering and death that only served as a diversion of sorts, injustice, betrayal and so much blood. The horror, oh the horror of it all. I saw a friend whom it seemed fate itself had cursed betrayed, fallen and finally executed. She was my...best friend, the first person who understood what it was like to be young and saddled with more responsibility than you knew what to do with. Because I defended her, Lord Nasher banished me from Neverwinter, me and all memory of me, like I never even existed. But I have Aarin and we understand each other."

I was a bit taken aback. "But...you saved the city."

"The world, Seledra."

"That must offer you some consolation."

She smiled bitterly. "I wouldn't be much of a druid if it didn't. But if it were just the city...if it were just Neverwinter's fate that hung in the balance, I should have let them die."

"You don't mean that."

She stared at me and I saw her eyes harden. "Aribeth watched her lover be hanged to death and then burned, left hanging in the streets of Neverwinter to be fed upon like carrion, as a reminder of what happens to traitors. When she fell, I didn't blame her, but the world is bigger than Aribeth de Tylmarande and Pandora Lorien. I struck her down in combat and delivered her to Nasher, foolishly believing that men like him learn from their mistakes. But her death was worse. First they shot her full of arrows and while she was still alive, they...decapitated her, burned her body, put her head on a pike at the top of Castle Never as a ward against any possibility of her ghost ever returning to the city. And those people...they cheered. Sold food and drink. Brought their children. Some even tried to take souvenirs. If the city burned down tomorrow and killed every last inhabitant of that accursed place, I wouldn't shed a single tear."

Her expression softened again. "You know, when mother told me that you had become a city druid for Silverymoon, I couldn't have been more proud. Don't go into the hero business, Seledra. It is not a place for druids."

"Aren't you worried about Isioleth? You know she wants to be a hero, like you."

"Isioleth is different. Everywhere she goes, luck follows. She'll be all right. You have a good heart and you understand people. That could go a long way, but you can be so passionate, so reckless. So unlike a druid, who should always try to seek the balance. I don't know what that kind of life will do to you." She paused. "Oh, by the way. Unebrion is alive."

"What? I thought - "

"Yes, we all thought that when my father banished him that he would die in the wilderness, but it isn't so."

"How do you know it was him?"

"During Aribeth's march on Neverwinter, he was taking part in the pillaging as a captain in Aribeth's forces. I fought him and made him yield. Then he took his helm off. I can't kill my flesh and blood."

"So what did you do?"

"I spared him, made him help me retake the city. Unebrion gave me his word he would, after I helped him rescue his...woman and her sister, and Unebrion, corrupt though he is, always keeps his word."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I want you to be prepared, should you run into him. He told me he was heading east, towards the Dales but that doesn't mean he won't make any stops on the way." She smiled. "I'm glad we had this talk."

***

Well that made one of us. She walked towards the door and looked at the sun outside. "You should find your friend. It's almost time for lunch." And with that she walked out. I looked forward to the relative cheeriness of Ralenthra. So, I headed to her room. She wasn't there, but the door was unlocked, so I just decided I'd wait for her there. Just as I was starting to worry, she walked through the door. I smiled.

"Oh! There you are!" I said, relieved. "My aunt was hoping she'd get to meet you at lunch."

She nodded. "I just need to change. Will anyone else be there?"

"It's supposed to be mainly the family for lunch, so not too many people. Pan, probably. The twins. I don't know if Aarin Gend will be there or not; Aunt Ariel didn't say."

"'Ledra?" she said while her back was turned to me, doing something.

"Mm-hm?"

Ralenthra hung her head a little. "I'm sorry I ruined your trip."

She couldn't be serious. I'd probably be dead if it weren't for her and what fun I had was mostly because of her. "It's not your fault! It's a little hick town full of stupid humans who can't see past their own tiny lifespans!"

"It's not just humans, and you know it. Your family may think nothing of your bringing a drow home with you, but most elves hate my kind even more than humans. We are traitors to elvenkind, after all." We sat down on her bed, side by side.

"Things are starting to change, though, especially since Drizz't." She wrinkled her nose a little. "I'm sorry, I know you hate to hear about him."

"Yes, but change comes slowly, especially when most drow do their best to uphold our bad reputation. Even in a city like Silverymoon, there are many places I'm not welcome. The most respectable inn that will serve me is the Dancing Goat."

"Ah, but it's so fun there - the drinking, the dancing. They have the best cellar in town and Tordrin will be there." Of course, so could the boy, but that was altogether a different story.

"But the main reason they let me in at all is because I tip exceptionally well."

"Damn innkeepers. Why're they all so greedy?" Fifteen silver for midnight to noon is not what I call a great deal. Not for that place.

"Because the altruistic types usually go into druidry, not innkeeping." She elbowed me in the ribs and we both started giggling.

"You just swindle them right back, anyway, so it all evens out."

"Oh no, I don't swindle the innkeepers. Too risky. Not only can they kick me out, but they talk to each other. I just swindle their customers."

"You've really thought that out, haven't you?"

"Of course!" she replied. "There's something else, though," she said when we stopped laughing.

Ah, there it was. I thought I would make this less difficult for her. "You thought about running away." I said.

"How--"

"I can read people pretty well, you know. I saw it in your eyes. I'm glad you didn't."

"Why have you helped me so much? Why do you trust me?"

"I just told you, silly. I know people. I know an evil person from a good one. Or at least a not-evil one. You may be able to pull a fast one on me once in a while, but you can't fool me when it comes to who you are inside. I know you think I'm too trusting," I narrowed my eyes at her, "but I know how to tell whether I can trust someone or not. I also know when someone just needs somebody else to care about them." I slung my arm around her waist.

"All right, this is all getting way too sappy," she said.

"You started it!" I replied, and we started giggling again. She put her arm around my waist and we leaned companionably against each other.

***

And then my Aunt Ariel appeared in the window. She smiled warmly. "There you two are! We were wondering when you were coming for lunch!"

After we got up and walked outside to where she was, she embraced me warmly and just as warmly took Ralenthra's hand in her two hands, "Mayurra, is it? You may call me Ariel, dear. I'm afraid your reputation precedes you. Both Issey and Tordrin told everyone of your treatment in Olostin's Hold. Young Methrammar was grieved to hear it and said something to Aarin about something called "administrative leave" to make your trip back run more smoothly."

I piped up. "Oh, I doubt we'll be making too many stops on the way back. We're both kind of homesick for Silverymoon."

"Ah, Silverymoon. I remember when Issey was just a child, all the stories she wrote home about about you two at Utramm's Conservatory. But that, that was all Before."

I was surprised at Ralenthra's curiosity. "Before what, Ariel?"

Sadness crept into my aunt's eyes and at that point I knew that Pandora had not told anyone else about Unebrion. "Pan had an older brother once. He died."

I didn't know where to look or what to do. Ralenthra reached up and laid her hand on Ariel's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Ariel. I know how it hurts to lose family."

Ariel took Ralenthra's hand and squeezed it. "Thank you, my dear." Before the three of us turned and walked to the main house she turned to me and said, "Riol won't be joining us today. He's still on patrol and won't be back until late tonight." That was a pity as I had been looking forward to seeing the young half-orc whom I helped to look after when he was an infant. Waiting inside the main house for us was Pan, Aarin, Methrammar, Tordrin, Issey and Isendur. Conspicuously absent was my Uncle Celeborn.

Pandora and Aarin sat next to each other at the head of the table, showing a completely different image of my cousin than the one I'd seen earlier. There was almost a tangible glow about her as she smiled into Aarin's eyes. Aarin, for his part was intriguing, if not my type. Sharp eyed, muscle-bound, with catlike reflexes, it was interesting to see someone like him at something so mundane as a family gathering, but for all his air of danger, he was clearly smitten with my cousin and that was all that mattered.

Methrammar sat on Aarin's other side and beckoned me to him with a smile and an extended hand. He seemed charmed to be a part of something that for once didn't require political discussion. I took my seat next to him, with Ralenthra sitting on my opposite side. Next to her sat Tordrin and next to him was Isendur, followed by Isioleth, finally the circle was made complete with Ariel sitting between her two daughters.

Conversation broke out all around the table, but Methrammar was driving me to distraction.

Methrammar kissed my hand and said "I was beginning to think you wouldn't be joining us. Whatever kept you?"

I replied to him. "Oh, you know. Family business and all that."

And he said to me, "Well, I hope you don't mind me joining your little family affair. Technically, my business with Aarin is concluded but," he leaned over and whispered low into my ear, "I greatly desired to see you again." Before pulling back from my ear, his tongue flicked lightly at it, so fast that unless someone was paying close attention, no one would have seen it.

Isioleth asked Aarin excitedly, "You were a pirate?"

Ariel smiled and said to Pandora, "That ought to come in handy for your honeymoon, dear."

For the first time, I noticed the amulet Pandora was wearing, the stone, the color of the ocean after a storm, or so I'm told. She would be able to find out first hand, as their honeymoon was consisting of a cruise down the Sword Coast from Waterdeep to Calimport and then down to Chult.

Methrammar whispered to me again, "So, where would you like to go on your honeymoon?"

I replied, "I...I'm not married yet...that is probably too far ahead to plan."

Methrammar countered. "Nonsense. I'm sure you'll be married off soon enough. Any man courting you would be a fool to let you stay unmarried for long."

Ahem.

Methrammar spoke up to Aarin, "What kind of sentence did that land you?"

Aarin replied to Methrammar, "Twenty years, but I got out early," he looked at Pandora, "for good behavior."

Methrammar whispered to me again, "Look at how smitten he is with her. I daresay it is positively infectious." He finished his sentence with emphasis, as he pretended to adjust his lap napkin by squeezing me on my upper thigh.

Isendur was deep in conversation with Tordrin and asked him "So, you don't think the holy elven sites are untouchable?"

Tordrin replied to Isendur, "I think the Seldarine are understanding enough of the good intentions of scholars like yourself."

Isendur pondered his response to Tordrin for a moment and said "Just to be on the safe side, I should travel with a cleric. I wonder if Linu is busy?"

Methrammar spoke to me in a more normal conversational volume. "So, do you think what your cousin is doing is sacrilegious?"

Normally, I'd be able to have an answer for this question in a heartbeat, but that's usually when my heart is beating much more slowly than it was just then. "Um...well, it's not like Isendur is some sort of raider. It's for...educational purposes, something the Seldarine can respect, I think and um...so he should be safe from most vengeful god attack...things. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a cleric with you going to holy sites." Was there a mind flayer at the table?

Tordrin said to Isendur, "Either way, you may want to consider writing to the University of Silverymoon to apply for a grant. I'll be glad to be a reference."

Isendur looked relieved. "Thank you for the encouragement. You'd be surprised how rigid elves can be about sacred burial grounds."

Methrammar whispered to me. "Sacred burial grounds are apparently not the only things elves get rigid over, I see." I looked down and immediately crossed my arms in front of my chest.

Ariel said to Ralenthra "I hope you like chilled chicken salad with pine nuts, Mayurra." And Ralenthra replied to Ariel, "It's delicious, thank you." Ariel then turned her attention to me. "Dear, are you feeling all right? You're so flushed and you've barely touched your food."

I quickly gulped down a mouthful of food. "I'm fine. Everything's fine. We're both fine. How are you?" I should just not speak. Ever. Again.

Ariel raised an eyebrow, smiled slightly and asked Isendur about the Harpers who were camped out below. Whew. "Have you made sure that the Harpers are comfortable?"

Isendur replied to his mother, "The Harpers have set up camp on the ground near the reception area. They're pretty well stocked with the supplies they need."

Methrammar whispered to me, "I don't know that all the Harpers will be staying on the grounds tonight." And he slightly gestured his fork in Tordrin's direction.

Tordrin, for his part, was talking to Ralenthra. "So, Beautiful, are you enjoying this little gathering?" And she replied to him in an amused tone, "It's different. That much is certain."

I looked back towards Pandora and Aarin, who seemed to be reviewing their guest list. Pandora heaved a great sigh. "I wish we didn't have to invite Sharwyn. You know she's going to make a scene and I don't like her fixation with you." Aarin placed a consoling hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Perhaps Daelan can win her over." And Isioleth interjected, "That, or Linu can smack her with her mace. Pow!"

And then Methrammar decided it would be a good time to drop his fork. Not only did he drop his fork, but he went under the table to retrieve it. Not only did he retrieve the fork, but he hiked my skirt up and laid a soft kiss on my inner thigh. And he was back in his seat, all under a count of eight.

So this is what going mad feels like. I squeaked out, "Are you enjoying yourself, Methrammar?" He replied casually. "Am I! This is a nice diversion from typical Silverymoon business. No politics. Not that I don't love my work, of course."

Isendur said in a reprimanding tone to Isioleth, "Linu is a gentle soul. She wouldn't hurt a fly." And Pandora replied to Isendur with a gently amused smirk, "Have you seen her face an army of undead?"

I stood up abruptly. "Um, Aunt Ariel...I'm afraid I am feeling...unwell and I...I...should go lie down. Now."

A look of motherly concern crossed over her face. "All right dear. I know you had a rough go of it yesterday and not much rest. We'll wake you in the morning. Perhaps Methrammar should walk you back, you seem a little...off balance."

Methrammar stood up and took my arm. "Of course, ma'am. It would be an honor." He genuflected politely. "Ladies...gentlemen."

We didn't even make it back to my room before he pushed me against the wall and practically welded his lips to mine, one hand tangled in my hair and the other hand lifting my thigh. When we finally got back to my room he made as if he was about to leave.

I grabbed him by his collar. "Oh, no you don't. Not after what you pulled at lunch."

Less than an hour later, we were settling in to sleep. He had been...polite, considerate, careful. Not as passionate as I would have expected considering the prelude, but perhaps with time...ah, but I am much too tired to think on that now.

It was easier than I thought to get my jewelry cleaned. The female gnome with Thralia's band, Meree, as I'd learned, had a potion that I barely had to dip the necklace in before it sparkled again. We didn't speak much; she and her husband Cosmo seemed as much discomfited by what had happened in Olostin's Hold as I was, and I don't think they quite knew what to say. But she was kind, and didn't treat me with distrust. She even gave me a little vial of the cleaning potion to use on my other jewelry.

I sought out Seledra. I hadn't seen her in several hours, since I had been playing the hermit all morning. I think she knew that I needed some time to myself, and I'm sure she wanted to catch up with her family. I know she spent many years living here and training with her aunt. I wasn't quite sure I was ready to meet her relatives, but I knew she wanted to introduce me, and it would be rude to hide from my hosts much longer.

Her cousin Isendur had told me her room was just next to the one I'd been given. I knocked, but she didn't answer, so I figured she was out somewhere and went back to my own room. And there she was, looking worried.

"Oh! There you are!" she said, smiling. "My aunt was hoping she'd get to meet you at lunch."

I nodded. "I just need to change. Will anyone else be there?"

"It's supposed to be mainly the family for lunch, so not too many people. Pan, probably. The twins. I don't know if Aarin Gend will be there or not; Aunt Ariel didn't say."

"'Ledra?" I said while I put away my necklace and Meree's potion.

"Mm-hm?"

"I'm sorry I ruined your trip."

"It's not your fault! It's a little hick town full of stupid humans who can't see past their own tiny lifespans!"

"It's not just humans, and you know it. Your family may think nothing of your bringing a drow home with you, but most elves hate my kind even more than humans. We are traitors to elvenkind, after all." We sat down on my bed, side by side.

"Things are starting to change, though, especially since Drizz't. I'm sorry, I know you hate to hear about him. "

"Yes, but change comes slowly, especially when most drow do their best to uphold our bad reputation. Even in a city like Silverymoon, there are many places I'm not welcome. The most respectable inn that will serve me is the Dancing Goat."

"Ah, but it's so fun there--the drinking, the dancing. They have the best cellar in town and Tordrin will be there," she said in a sing-song voice.

"But the main reason they let me in at all is because I tip exceptionally well."

"Damn innkeepers. Why're they all so greedy?"

"Because the altruistic types usually go into druidry, not innkeeping." I elbowed Seledra in the ribs, and we both giggled.

"You just swindle them right back, anyway, so it all evens out."

"Oh no, I don't swindle the innkeepers. Too risky. Not only can they kick me out, but they talk to each other. I just swindle their customers."

"You've really thought that out, haven't you?"

"Of course!" I replied. "There's something else, though," I said when I stopped laughing.

"You thought about running away." Seledra said.

"How--"

"I can read people pretty well, you know. I saw it in your eyes. I'm glad you didn't."

"Why have you helped me so much? Why do you trust me?"

"I just told you, silly. I know people. I know an evil person from a good one. Or at least a not-evil one. You may be able to pull a fast one on me once in a while, but you can't fool me when it comes to who you are inside. I know you think I'm too trusting," Seledra narrowed her eyes at me, "but I know how to tell whether I can trust someone or not. I also know when someone just needs somebody else to care about them." She slung her arm around my waist.

"All right, this is all getting way too sappy," I said.

"You started it!" Seledra said, and we started giggling again. I put my arm around her waist and we leaned companionably against each other.

And that's how the Archdruid Ariel found us.

Rizzen was in my room, lounging in my bed, when I entered. I glared at him. He got up as I started to put my things away. At least he was wearing pants.

“And what were we doing tonight, Len? Do you really think you can win this one by sneaking around ahead of time? Just because you know the woods doesn’t mean you’ll know how to find your quarry on the chase.”

I merely smiled.

“Oh, yes, not speaking. Right. Why do you care so much, anyway? You’re not good at this. You don’t even like it. Even if you do manage to succeed in this contest, you’ll just fail again next time. You’re only putting off the inevitable. Why not move on to something else and let the training master save his time and energy for those of us who know what we’re doing?”

It was an honest question, if a petulant one, and he was right. I much preferred finding ways to merely take what I wanted over actually working for it. Still do. I should have bowed out, and I knew it, and I might have, if it hadn’t been for that damn pendant. That was what I really wanted, but pride wouldn't let me admit that. Not having a good answer even if I had been on speaking terms with Rizzen, I opted for just looking away as I pulled off my cloak.

Of course, Rizzen knew me entirely too well. He grabbed my arm and pulled me close to him.

“Of course, it isn’t just the test this time, is it?” Rizzen put a hand on my hip. “I saw you looking at that jewel your father put on display. A sapphire, was it? You've always liked sparkly things. That’s what you really want.” He ran a finger down my jaw. He was teasing me, and I wasn’t sure what to do about it. It’s never good when someone you’ve been taking advantage of realizes they’re not below you anymore.

“You could still have it,” he continued, “and much more easily than by tromping about the woods for two days, scheming and cheating. I could make it a gift to you, when I win it.”

He leaned close to me, and I let him kiss me, while I thought about my options. What can I say? Rizzen was a damn good kisser.

It would have been so very easy to just bed Rizzen to get the pendant. And much more pleasant than my original plan. But I feared it would give him power over me, for more than just a romp or two. This was different from him begging for my attention and giving me something I wanted to get it. As I pondered, his lips slid down to my neck.

Oh, yes, that’s why I kept him around for so long. Sune help me, I can almost remember how it felt even now.

“I think I like you not speaking to me,” he said, as he worked my shirt out from my waistband. I was so close to submitting to him. I pushed him backward onto my bed. Then he made his mistake.

“I definitely like having something you want, for a change.” Of course, I knew he didn’t actually have the pendant yet, but it took him gloating over it to snap me into a decision.

“Well, actually, you don’t,” I said.

“Oh, found your tongue--wait, what?”

“I said, you don’t actually have the pendant yet,” I replied sweetly. I straddled him. This was more like it. “If you win it, then we’ll . . . negotiate. Or I’ll negotiate with whoever does win it.” Rizzen almost looked hurt.

“You—you would . . .”

I ran my hand down his chest. “What, did you think you’re the only man I’ve ever had?” Apparently, he did. “Please, Rizzen. I’ve bedded most of the men here under the age of 150 at least once.” A good many of them, at any rate. “I’ve even bedded some of them without asking anything in return.” I lied, just to get his goat. I bedded many men for gain, but I only slept with Rizzen strictly for pleasure. Not that I ever let him know that. There was always a carrot.

“But I thought . . .”

“That we had something special?” I threw my head back and laughed. “I thought you realized I was only using you. Hells, I assumed you were using me just the same.” I leaned in toward his face and ran a hand through his hair. “Of course, that doesn’t mean we have to stop now. Perhaps it will give you extra motivation to win that pendant for me.” I kissed him. Angry as he was now, he still wanted me, and his arms slid around me again.

But I stopped.

“On second thought, I think I want to get the pendant for myself.” I swung myself off of him and shoved him off the bed. Of course, the only reason I succeeded was that he wasn’t expecting it.

Well, that really made him angry. “I can’t believe you still think you can win this! How can you? You’re up against the very best in our class. We’ll be back with the damned quarry before you’ve so much as found the trail. You're weak and useless! You’re wasting Tebvyr’s time, not to mention everyone else’s. I can’t believe they’ve allowed you to train with us for so long to begin with.”

“I don’t care about the training anymore, but I will get the pendant.”

“Maybe, but you won’t earn it!” Silly boy, who said anything about earning?

“Right, because none of you real rangers ever do anything dishonest to get ahead. You’ve never attacked one of your fellow students and taken the quarry from them, or anything like that.”

From the door, Rizzen looked at me blankly. “Of course not!”

“Gods, I think you’re telling the truth.” Was he really that innocent? “I hate to break it to you, but if you’re honestly making your way by merit alone, you’re the only one doing so. Everybody here cheats to get ahead. I just do it more than most. I can’t believe it’s taken so long for you to figure that out.”

Rizzen gave me one more look of disbelief, and left without another word.

I sighed. The sex would’ve been really good. And for the first time, I wasn’t sure he’d be back. It was a ballsy move on my part, because if my schemes fell flat, and he did win the pendant, I’d be sunk. But I couldn’t let him think he had any sway over me. True, I’d already reaffirmed my power over him, and if I’d just had a nice romp and gone my merry way in the morning, I’d still be able to get the pendant from him later if I failed. I’d made my decision, though, and there was nothing left but to move forward with my plans.

The following morning, I told everyone I was going to do some extra training on my own, which was plausible enough, and set out right away. I couldn’t help but notice that the pendant, which my father had put on display using some sort of enchantment, was missing. He had probably taken it down and had hidden away somewhere safe.

The caves to the southwest were farther away, and I’d need the extra time. I perhaps took too much time scouting out the quickest route, as it was already growing dark when I reached the caves. But I didn’t get quite to the cave mouth when I detected the unmistakable odor of goblins. Jackpot. The goblin would come straight here to its fellows when it was released. Goblins aren’t smart enough not to. My work was not yet done, however. I still had to explore the caves themselves. There were too many goblins around the main cave to get in without being seen, so I scouted around and found a smaller cave entrance that was mostly deserted. Once in the caves, I knew that we’d all have our work cut out for us the next day. The main tunnels were fair crawling with goblins. Rizzen and our other two competitors would waste a lot of time in fighting. Good thing they enjoyed that sort of nonsense. Better to slip in quiet-like and let as few know you’re there as possible.

This was also a larger cave system than what I’d found the previous night. I tried to keep to the less populated tunnels, but I couldn’t evade every goblin. Remarkably, most of them didn’t try to attack me. They seemed afraid. Near the end of one tunnel, far into the caves, I found out why.

As I crept down the tunnel, I heard the sound of metal clanging against rock. Much to my surprise, as I came closer to the mouth of a tunnel, I heard the crack of a whip, followed by a drow voice. Just inside the tunnel, I realized there was a small vein of ore here, and my clan had wasted no time putting the goblins to work mining it for us. Perhaps they had even already set up there, and this was why we chose the location for our new encampment. At any moment, though, it was simply one more thing to avoid.

I backtracked to one small side tunnel I hadn’t explored yet. I knew I had been in the caves for a long time, now, and would need to head back soon if I wanted to get any rest before the test began, but I was getting worried that there were so many goblins, that despite all of my pre-scouting, I wouldn’t be able to find the right one even if I did get here faster than the rest. If this last tunnel could help me at all, it was worth taking the extra time. To my disappointment, though, the tunnel was a dead end. Or so I thought, until a strange crack caught my eye, just as I turned to leave. It was entirely too regular. And long. There was a door here. I couldn’t not investigate it further.

Upon examination, I found a small stone protrusion that didn’t quite seem natural. I was worried, though, that the door might be trapped. I had come across more than few traps in my travels, but I couldn’t disable more than the very simplest ones. And even those, I sometimes fumbled. I didn’t see any of the signs I’d come to associate with traps, so I held my breath and put my hand on the stone. It was loose. I pushed, and it went inward. With a grating sound, the hidden door opened inward.

The door opened on a small chamber. Inside was a goblin, tied up. It was branded with Master Kenth’s mark.

By the Nine Hells. I hadn’t been set up to lose; I was being tested on a different set of skills. Pity the ranger students hadn’t a clue. They still thought the odds were stacked in their favor.

But once I got over the shock, there was a brand new one. I looked up from the goblin to see the sapphire pendant, on a slender, silver chain. This was way too good to be true. I moved the goblin out of my way (okay, please don’t tell Seledra that I kicked him) to take a closer look. Oh, yeah, now this was a trap. A fairly simple one, but still more challenging than the ones I’d managed to disable on my own. The necklace hung on a peg, and a change in the pressure on the peg would trigger the trap.

I got my makeshift tools out of my pack, and settled in to work on it. I considered trying to hang something else there, and then removing the necklace, but I wasn’t sure that adding more weight wouldn’t trigger the trap mechanism as much as removing weight. It was delicate work, and at one point I came very close to setting it off, but finally, with a click, the mechanism released. I removed the necklace, only to have it transform into a cheap, glass bauble on a pewter chain as soon as I touched it. Well played, father.

The goblin already had a lead attached to it, so I grabbed it and made my way out of the caves. It was only a few hours before dawn, and I had just enough time to get the starting point for the test. In fact, I was late, and the training master was already explaining the goal of the test when I arrived, quietly, of course. My father was standing nearby, speaking quietly with another man and a woman, both of whom I vaguely recognized, but didn’t know by name.

“A goblin we captured earlier this week was released yesterday evening into the woods,” Master Kenth said. “Your goal is to successfully track it, find it, and bring it back. And please don’t bring back another goblin and think you can fool me; it has been branded with my personal mark.”

“You mean like this goblin?” I said, as I stepped out from behind a tree.

Rizzen and the other two ranger students were appalled. “That’s not fair! How . . .”

Their indignant cries were interrupted by my father’s laughter. For once, he didn’t look at me with utter disdain. “When you didn’t show up this morning, I thought you had finally given up. In fact, I was rather pleased that I wouldn’t have to give this up,” he said, producing my precious pendant from a pouch under his cloak. “Indeed, you have exceeded our expectations.”

“You don’t know how happy I am to be finally rid of you, girl,” Master Kenth said. I raised an eyebrow.

My father explained. “As I’m sure you’ve guessed, this test wasn’t exactly what it seemed. Your perseverance, however misguided, has not gone unnoticed, and the . . . ingenious . . . methods you’ve come up with to compensate for your utter lack of ability made me wonder what hidden talents you might have, and so with Master Kenth’s cooperation, your new teachers,” he indicated the man and woman standing nearby, “came up with this little test to see if you could handle the work the clan leaders have in mind for you.”

“Perhaps you might introduce me to my new teachers, then,” I said.

“Of course,” said the woman. “I am Olorue Hlat'tar, and this is Qualnar Kenurden.” We, along with some others, generally work with raiding parties, and parties exploring in Myth Drannor.” Myth Drannor? Oh, this was way better than hunting.

Qualnar continued. “Our job is to . . . smooth the way for our companions; find out the best time to strike, open doors, find artifacts that might help the clan, and the like.”

“You might have to spend extended periods of time away from the encampment for your new training,” my father said, “but perhaps that will serve to keep your fingers out of my own coffers.”

“Well,” said Olorue, “we weren’t planning on beginning your training until tomorrow, and it looks like you’ve had quite a night, so you may as well get some rest.” She nodded a farewell, and she and Qualnar turned to leave.

My father said, “go on, hand that goblin over to Master Kenth. Perhaps his other students will have a chance to track it, yet.”

He thought I wouldn’t notice that he moved to leave as I handed the lead to Kenth. “Aren’t you forgetting something, father?” I asked.

He laughed again, and handed me the necklace he had once again put away in his pouch. “You are very much like your mother sometimes, girl. I only hope you prove more loyal than she did.”

I mumbled my thanks as he walked away, eager to examine my prize (and make sure it was the real thing, this time). As I turned to leave, I couldn’t help tossing a smirk back toward Rizzen, who was practically foaming at the mouth.

***

Fingering the now tarnished silver, I smiled in remembrance. I was so very proud of myself that day. Proud and smug. I had what I wanted, and for once, my father wasn’t threatening to throw me out into the woods and let me fend for myself.

“And what do you know,” I said to myself, as I wandered out in search of someone to help me clean the pendant, “I did earn it, didn’t I?”

I was laying out my things for the wedding the next day, trying to distract myself from thinking about the previous day's events. I realized that I’d brought the wrong jewelry box. I have two, one that contains new pieces I’ve . . . acquired since living in Silverymoon, and one that is one of the few belongings I took with me out of the Underdark. The box itself I stole from one of my marks in Menzoberranzan--I sometimes took something extra for myself when the job proved more challenging than the agreed-upon fee warranted--but inside were things from my childhood. Relics of another life. Found objects, stolen objects, small trinkets of the sort you give to children as bribes or rewards. I don’t even know why I keep them. It's not like my childhood is something I want to remember. But in my haste when I packed for the trip, I had grabbed that box instead of the newer one.

Drat.

There was a particular brooch I had in mind to go with my blue gown.

I pawed through the box, hoping to find something that might be appropriate. Among the stones and feathers and toys were some nice things; after all, I was over a hundred when I left. I found a silver chain with a sword-shaped pendant, a gift from one of the priestesses of Eilistraee back in Cormanthor. It wasn’t elegant, but it might do, with a cleaning. Then I saw it. A deep blue sparkle, buried at the bottom of the box. The sapphire. I can’t believe I’d forgotten about it, considering what I’d gone through to get it, and how it changed the course of my life.

It was elven work, beautifully cut. An oval sapphire, almost half an inch long, framed with silver filigree. The silver work was so delicate, it seemed as though it would snap with the merest touch, though it, too, was now tarnished. How I’d wanted it. I’ve since learned to school my features better, because my father saw it in my face, how much I wanted that pendant, and by the time I stole the gold to buy it (I didn’t dare steal the pendant itself, the merchant guarded it all too carefully), the traveling merchant told me that my father had already purchased it.

Oh, Cormanthor. Being in the High Forest, sometimes I can almost imagine I'm back there for a moment. It feels like a lifetime has passed since I left. I only wonder what I would have become if I hadn't done what I did to get this piece of jewelry.

Back then, I was still trying to prove myself to my father and to the clan leaders. Prove that I wasn’t just a drain on resources, that I was useful. I was training to serve as a ranger for the clan. Rangers received a lot of respect, as they were responsible for hunting and for the safety of the clan. And capturing slaves . . . remind me not to tell Seledra about that.

Training wasn’t going well, however. I wasn’t a strong fighter, and I was terrible at tracking. But I was nimble and good at sneaking about. I passed combat tests mostly by avoiding getting hit until I could get in a cheap shot, and, well, sometimes I was called out on those. I mostly didn’t pass tracking tests. But I often found myself in interesting places, and sometimes brought back items valuable enough to avoid excessive punishment.

It was a week before my “last chance” tracking test when my father bought the sapphire pendant out from under me. If I didn’t succeed, I was not to continue training. And just to taunt me, my father set up my coveted jewel as the prize. He knew I had no chance; I was set up to lose. There were four of us in the test, me and the three top students in the clan, including Rizzen, who was the closest thing I had to a friend. The few tests I did pass were usually because I would bribe him to catch my quarry for me, often with a night in my bed, until he wised up and realized that he had more to gain by claiming his own prizes. “Not this time,” he began telling me.

“Definitely not this time,” he had said when this contest was announced. I didn’t speak to him for several days.

This was going to require more creative cheating than what I used in the past. My aunt tried to encourage me, telling me that rangering wasn’t the only way to earn a place of respect in the clan, and that maybe this would be an opportunity to develop different talents. She invited me to come to dinner with her later that week, so we could talk more about my possibilities, but I declined, as I had too much plotting to do.

A few days before the day of the test, I spent some time spying on the training master and found out what the quarry would be. A goblin that had been captured and branded. He would be released into the forest, and whoever brought back the right goblin--still alive was optional--won the prize. I don’t remember what the penalty for the losers was (except my own, which was special). Probably lashes. Whipping was a popular punishment.

Knowing it was a goblin gave me an edge. Goblins love caves, and there were only two small cave systems nearby. I took the next couple of nights to explore. We were semi-nomadic, and my little section of the clan had recently moved to a new part of the forest, so I would need to find the best shortcuts and find out what was already in those caves, so I could figure out where the goblin was likely to head once released. The first night I went to the eastern caves. Much to my surprise, they were empty. I mean empty. No animal dens. No sentient creatures. Not even giant spiders. Every cave has spiders.

There were signs of humanoids, but not of occupation. It was as though the caves had been recently cleared. Nervous, I started to make my way back out of the caves, when I heard a strange music. I crept as close to the cave mouth as I dared, and saw an amazing sight: a group of drow, mostly women, singing and dancing. Many of them were from my clan, though there were also many that I didn’t recognize. I later learned that they traveled from the Underdark to take part.

I quickly surmised that it was an Eilistraee cult holding a ceremony. I already knew the Dark Maiden, of course; she had come to me in dream visions once or twice, as she does to most drow. And like most drow, I had ignored her, though I knew there were some that answered her call. The only wonder was that they dared meet so close to our encampment.

I couldn’t go anywhere until they finished and left, so I watched from the shadows of the cave, looking for people I recognized. Stupidly, I almost blew my cover when I saw my aunt. It was the same night that she had invited me to dinner, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she had really meant to bring me here. I watched in wonderment; these people were kind to one another. They cooperated in preparing food, and later in cleaning up the site. After the ceremony itself was over, they socialized. The priestesses didn’t watch imperiously and crack whips when someone stumbled. People smiled at their companions, without stabbing them in the back right after. Just in observing them, I felt more at peace, even safe, than at any time in my short life. Something seemed to tug at my very soul to join them. I didn’t, however; I merely watched and waited.

As I finally made my way home, the feelings that had swelled in me watching the Eilistraeens faded, and the familiar thoughts of cruelty and competition and status returned. I thought of my father, a priest of Vhaeraun. He’d want to know about this, want to rout them out. I wanted respect? It was at my fingertips. I need only find out when the next meeting would be, and quietly tell my father where to be. I could even bypass my father, and go to someone even higher than he. Wouldn’t he be surprised?

My father was deep in his trance when I snuck into our home. I considered waking him, or simply waiting in his chamber for him to wake, but I decided against it. This was my secret, my trump card, to be used only when the time was right. I wanted to hold on to my knowledge until the time it would benefit me most. In retrospect, I suppose that was the first step on the path I eventually found myself on.

As the rose-colored sunbeams began to reach the bottom of the forest floor, so was our journey to Amalith coming to an end. Isioleth rapped on the carriage door to wake us.

"Come on out," she called in her husky voice. Then she took a false distinguished tone. "The, uh, bride wishes to see you." Ralenthra was wary, I could tell, but silently, she stepped out of her side of the carriage. I did too, and took it in, the place I lived in for the happiest eighteen years of my life. The village of Amalith was almost entirely up in the great trees of the High Forest, with beautiful elven villas built into and around the trees in perfect harmony connected by sturdy rope-and-wood bridges and to the ground by an elaborate pulley system. On the ground, some space had been cleared for the upcoming reception and colored lanterns on strings were hung all about from tree to tree. Amalith is an almost totally self-sufficient commune, made up of a few families (all elven of some variety), subsisting on sustainable hunting and foraging for food. Many work as craftspeople or sell wares in nearby Olostin's Hold. It is thoroughly grounded in a love of nature, as a druid circle led by my Aunt Ariel is based here.

"It hasn't changed a bit." I said happily. Isioleth slapped me on my back. "Yeah, I know. I can't wait to get back to Hilltop, as boring as that one-mule town is."

Isendur caught up to us. "Now, Isioleth. I'm sure that Drogan will keep us plenty busy with our studies. And Hilltop is nice country, with nice people."

Isioleth scoffed. "You just say that because you like that Haniah girl who works for the mayor. At least you have Dorna to compete with! Xanos and that dumb paladin Mischa, we don't really have much in common."

"At least Xanos makes you laugh...and you're right, Mischa is pretty stupid."

We stepped onto the platform that would take us to the Lorien villa. Isendur grasped the rope and turned to Ralenthra. "I hope you don't mind heights, Miss Aerynrae." Just then, we heard a whistle. "Hold up," called out Tordrin, "is there room for one more?" I looked at Ralenthra, who was a little flushed, though I'm not sure if it was Tordrin drawing near to her (to conserve space, I'm sure) or the heights we were starting to experience.

As we reached the top, Ralenthra turned to Isendur and smiled politely. "Could you show me to my room? I need to...sort my things." Isendur shrugged and led her away, with Tordrin watching her as she went. After she was out of sight, Tordrin said, "Miss Isioleth, why don't you walk Seledra to her room. I think I know how this gadget works and I'll bring up some of the others before your brother gets back." She grinned at him "Oh, okay!" and looked at me like "who the hell is this guy" before shrugging. "So", she continued conspiratorially, "how's life in the Big City? Are you having lots of good sex?"

I turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "Issey, aren't you still a virgin?"

"Well, yeah, so? It doesn't mean I don't know what sex is. " And then she made obscene gestures with her hands that made us both collapse into giggles. "Don't hold out on me. I wanna hear all the details."

"All right, but when it happens for you, you'd better ante up."

"Takasi! That's not going to happen for a while yet."

"And why not? If I recall, you had to beat the local elven boys off with sticks when I left."

"Yeah, elven boys are boring. I don't care too much for humans either. They just don't do much for me."

"Dwarves?"

"Um, I don't think so."

"Gnomes?"

"Please, we're about to eat lunch, here."

"Halflings?"

"What do you think I am, some kind of pervert?"

"Well what then? Tief-"

"Don't change the subject, Leddie. I can tell there's something going on with you. First off, there's a strapping half-elf talking to Aarin in our kitchen who has brought you up more than once," she winked, "and secondly...secondly with you there is always a human. At least there is when you keep trying to change the subject."

I stuck my tongue out at her.

"Now I know there's a human. Fess up."

I groaned. "He's just a boy, Issey. He's eighteen or nineteen - "

"Cradle robber."

"Hmph. Any human with our species would be cradle robbing. Unless it's Elminster."

"Ew. Oh, that was uncalled for!"

"He's about six feet tall, has black hair, black eyes...he's a magic user..."

"I knew it, I knew it! You were always a sucker for magic users. Well, does tall, dark and handsome have a name?"

I lied. "I don't remember."

"One night stand, huh? Wicked! Pan'll be in in a little bit. I'll go get her."

"Wait!" I reached into my pack and pulled out a box. "This is for you."

With a wide grin, Isioleth wasted no time opening the box. Inside were a pair of crystal-studded hair sticks that I'd bought for her in Everlund.

"For when you do find that boy, Issey."

After hugging me, she scampered off to find Pan. I flopped down on my bed. The interrogations would continue until morale improves. I can't wait.

With Isioleth and Isendur leading the way and the Harpers trailing slightly behind we made our way through the High Forest to Amalith. I am so embarassed. And upset. I thought this little road trip would be fun and until we reached the ass hole of the Silver Marches everything was fine. If only the wedding were held in Everlund, all of this would not have happened.

I looked over at Ralenthra, her silvery hair glowing in the moonlight that streamed through the window of the carriage as she tranced. She saved my life and those...people, those humans especially, were so cruel to her. The wood elf I could almost understand as they are not exactly known for being too bright, but damn it all, why do people have to be this way?

I can at least count on Isendur and Isioleth to be good, as they'd already met her and didn't seem suspicious or bothered. Ariel didn't seem upset when I told her. I guess that leaves the bride and groom, oh, and Methrammar.

Ooh, Methrammar. I hadn't had a chance to think about him in a while. What a fine, fine specimen of a man he is. What a gentleman. I wonder how he dances and if he will dance with me at the wedding. And then I remembered the last person I'd danced with. The boy.

The charming, clever, handsome and good-natured boy with magic crackling and dancing on the surface of his skin. Who wouldn't remember me even if I walked up to him and flashed him.

This is all too much, too much thinking. I opened my pack and took out a small bottle of raspberry ale, downing it as quickly as I could. A wonderful numbness washed over me.

It is so much better when one doesn't have to feel anymore.

The end of the ordeal was almost anticlimactic. The constable spoke with us once more. This cleric that spoke on my behalf, Betha, apparently grew up in Olostin's Hold, and is well known for her honesty, and with the aftermath of the battle to deal with, Lord Marden simply didn't have the resources to pursue the matter further and accepted her testimony as the truth. Of course, word gradually spread through the town that there were drow present. Lord Marden, however reluctantly, was kind enough to decree that we were not to be harmed, but he made it clear we were not welcome in his town, and "advised" us to leave as quickly as possible. I believe his exact words were "If you're still here in the morning, I will not be responsible for what happens to you." You're welcome, sir, it was a pleasure to help protect your town.

Moreover, I caught wind that there had been some kind of kerfuffle involving the Harpers at the end of the battle. Something having to do with why the orcs attacked to begin with, but Tordrin told Seledra and me that it wasn't anything we needed to know about. Harpers. They want to know everyone else's secrets, but they sure keep their own close. I suppose that explains why they were reluctant to trust Thralia when she first approached them about my situation.

At any rate, between me and the Talaviirs sullying the town the with our mere presence, and the town not really trusting the Harpers for reasons beyond the fact that they were protecting us, we left, without ceremony, without thanks, as soon as we could pack, and believe me, if we could have packed faster, we would have.

I would have liked to speak with Betha again, to thank her, but I didn't see her. I presume she was forcibly kept away from us, but Seledra's cousin, Isioleth, delivered a package to us that someone of Betha's description had handed to her. It was hastily wrapped, and contained some bread and cheese, and some kind of token with Ilmater's sigil on it. There was a note that simply read, "For your journey."

Despite the girl's kindness, all of this really didn't make me excited to continue our trip. Having already accomplished what I needed to do with my fun and games back in Everlund, I'd have just as soon found myself a horse and gone back home. Drow may not be exactly common in Silverymoon, but it's a big enough city that I can find those willing to deal with me, and pretty easily evade the rest. Or maybe I could head to Skullport--if folk like the Talaviirs could come from there, maybe I could blend in and create a place for myself.

Seledra means well, and she's convinced that her family won't bat an eye at me, but even if she's right, it'll be more than her family in this village we're headed to. I sighed. I don't know why she's become so attached to me. She'd be better off without me. She wants to go out and have fun, and she wants me to have fun, but something like Olostin's Hold is going to happen wherever I go. I can't do what she does. I can't just "have fun," unless it's behind closed and heavily barred doors. She takes it for granted that she can go wherever she wants and not be harmed, and I think she thinks that she can bring me along with her and make people accept me by sheer force of will.

But I should try to rest. We should arrive in Amalith before dawn.

Be a good little prisoner. . .

I kept hearing their voices. An arrogant male voice and two female ones, one strident and one timid. I heard them over and over, relived it over and over. Trapped, threatened, unable to defend myself. Filthy drow.

The dreams began to fade, but the voices continued. New voices . . . I know those voices. . .

"I think the pain was just too much for her." Still male, but softer, more measured.

"But she'll be all right?" Female. So familiar, but…

"She had some serious broken bones. . ."

". . . And trauma on top of that. . ." Another female, closer to me. Seledra.

". . . But the potions I gave her took effect quickly. I gave her a sleeping draught; I thought it best if she sleep through the remainder of the battle, but she should wake soon." A cool hand fell on my forehead. Too big for Seledra. Tordrin's hand.

Tordrin dressed my wounds. And sent away the human women. I wonder what happened afterward. Maybe it has yet to happen.

The pain was gone, except for a dull, lingering ache in my hip and jaw, and I clearly wasn't dreaming anymore, but I didn't want to open my eyes. I felt utterly humiliated by having been caught so helpless, and having to be rescued. Never have I been so overpowered. Then again, I've never been so injured. Had I been able to at least walk, I could've hidden.

Nothing for it, really. I can't pretend to sleep forever. I opened my eyes. I was in our room, at the inn. Seledra sat beside me on the bed; Tordrin was in a chair pulled up alongside. Thralia sat in at the small table. Hers was the other voice I heard. The Talaviirs were also in the room, sitting on the other bed. For their safety, I presume. I didn't see Selune; she may have been outside. I could hear people calling to each through the window, but no more sounds of battle.

"Have a nice nap?" Seledra asked playfully. I made a face at her and started to sit up.

"How's your head?"

"Fine." she replied. "How're you?"

"Still in one piece, it appears. Thank you." I looked at Tordrin. "Both of you."

"How are you otherwise?" asked Venye Talaviir.

I didn't really want to talk about that. "I- I'm fine. What happened was not exactly a surprise, especially around here. Has that wood elf come around since the battle ended?"

"No," said Thralia.

"He almost got himself killed when he saw my sister fighting alongside everyone else." Venye said, lazily. "Just kinda stood there for a minute."

"Venye had to save him by shooting the orc that was coming up behind him." Miri said. The twins looked at each other and laughed. "He made his way to another area, and we haven't seen him since."

"I expect he'll be popping up soon, though. Don't worry, you're safe with us, no matter what happens. In fact, I may just go look for the constable now, and lodge our complaint, hopefully before that blockhead wood elf gets to him." Thralia left the room.

A shout came from outside. "She's not here! Shayla!!"

"Must be our wood elf," said Tordrin.

He got up and moved to the window. Seledra and I looked at each other and got up to join him. I stayed just below the windowsill, so no one would see me.

"Tharivol! I've been looking for you!"

"Is that Shayla?" I asked Tordrin. He nodded.

"By the Nine Hells, Shayla, what happened? I told you to guard the lorkh. Where is she? Where's the injured moon elf?"

"This man--he was a Harper--an elf--he told me he would take over, and that I should go fight." She didn't sound so bold now a she did before. Almost sheepish, in fact.

"Hells! You should've stayed, at least. Who was he? He wasn't of the town; there aren't any Harpers here."

"I'm sorry--I just--he told me--"

"Oh, just forget it, Shayla. Useless. Lord Mardan, Keled, my apologies."

"Do you know who they are?" Seledra whispered to Tordrin.

"Mardan Elthondsson, the one on the right, is the lord of the keep, and Keled Strongarm is the constable. I know of him; he's a fair man."

"Don't worry," a deep masculine voice said, "There is a group of Harpers staying at the inn. I'm sure this man was one of them. Miss Shayla, did he give you his name?"

Tordrin looked at me and said, "That's the constable."

"Yes, I'm pretty sure he did. It was--I don't remember--something--Torin?"

"Tordrin Windweaver." Thralia must have joined them. "Lord Mardan, Constable Strongarm, I am happy to find you both together, and with these two with you, as well."

"Then you know something about these drow Tharivol told us of?"

"Indeed. They are with me." Thralia paused for effect. "In fact, I've been looking for you in order to lodge a complaint about the treatment one of my group received at the hands of this young elf, here, and his friend, when she had already been grievously injured in battle against the orcs. Injured protecting your town."

"Oh I'm sure they were 'protecting' us, how better to burn our homes as we sleep than if they've won our trust by 'protecting' us!" Tharivol said.

"Tharivol, settle down," said the constable. "Now, Mistress-- er, what was the name again?"

"Ma'Freyja. You may call me Thralia."

"My apologies. Mistress Ma'Freyja, how can we be sure what you say is true?" Tordrin seemed taken aback the constable's formal address.

"I've worked with the Talaviirs for several years, now. I have every reason to trust them."

"And this other girl?" said a higher-pitched voice.

"Lord Mardan," whispered Tordrin.

"I've only met her recently, but I know people very well. She is also a close friend of the other injured elf--an old friend of mine, and not one to be taken in. Seledra's a smart girl."

Tharivol said something, softly enough that I couldn't make it out.

"Tharivol, I'm warning you!" the constable said.

"I assure you, I have several witnesses among my group to how both girls received their injuries in battle. Mayurra would not have attacked her friend."

"Tharivol, Shayla, did you actually see the drow girl attack Seledra, the moon elf?" the constable asked.

"Well, no--" Shayla began, but Tharivol cut her off quickly.

"Well, it was obvious she was up to something. She was creeping away from the poor elf girl when we approached the stable. She was definitely trying to hide, as well. She at least robbed her, if she didn't attack her." Tharivol said. He sounded bold; I wondered if the lord and the constable were subtly backing him up.

"Of course she was trying to hide; she knew how someone like you would react to her mere presence." Thralia sounded calm, but there was an unmistakable undertone of anger in her voice.

"I see," said Lord Mardan. "I think it would be wise, under the circumstances, to talk to these girls, especially the drow girl, don't you, Keled?"

"I don't see that Mistress Ma'Freyja has any reason to lie to us, but we can't be too careful, sir." the constable said.

"This can't be good." said Tordrin, up in the room. "Notice how formally they speak to Thralia. They don't trust her. You should maybe get back to the bed; they're heading toward the inn, now."

I followed instructions, and the Talaviirs left the room after a whispered conversation with Tordrin. Not long after, the group entered the room, trailed by Ariadne, who I suppose had to come as a witness. It was a tight fit. Tordrin resumed his position by my bedside.

"I don't see why Tharivol and Shayla need to be a part of this," said Thralia. "We've already heard their side of the story, haven't we?"

The constable looked like he was about to agree, but Lord Mardan, a tall, thin man with dark hair, cut him off. He said, "I think they can stay. No reason they shouldn't hear the evidence against their case."

"What!" Seledra said. "Ra... May didn't get to hear any ev--" Thralia cast a warning glance toward Seledra. "My apologies," she muttered under her breath.

Lord Mardan looked toward her where she sat next to me on the bed. He avoided looking at me. "Ah, Seledra, was it? I trust you are feeling better, young elf?"

Seledra was pretty tense, but she didn't act out again. "Yes, sir, my friends have taken good care of me." She put only the slightest emphasis on the word "friends."

"And you believe this creature--this girl, here, is one of your friends?"

"She's my best friend," she said, taking my hand. "She pulled me out of battle when I was trampled by orcs."

"I see, so she didn't attack you? You didn't fight her at all?" The constable looked increasingly uncomfortable as it became clear that Lord Mardan intended to ask all the questions.

"No! Of course--"

"Now, you were unconscious when Tharivol found you. When did you lose consciousness?"

"Not long after they carried me to the stable. Tordrin and Mayurra."

"And nothing was missing when you woke up?"

"What? No! You listen here, I don't care who you are; those two are the ones you should be questioning!" Seledra pointed at Tharivol and Shayla, who were smirking in the corner. "They treated my friend roughly when she was already injured, and . . . "

"But how do you know she was injured, if you were unconscious?"

"I was-- I started to regain consciousness after they came into the stable, and I heard almost everything. . . "

"You could have misheard; perhaps she attacked our good townspeople, who were only investigating something suspicious. If you were only just coming to, you mind could have playing tricks on you." Lord Mardan tapped his own temple, nodding sagely. Smarmy bastard.

"My lord, shouldn't we let the drow girl speak for herself?" the constable finally said. "We must hear all sides, you know."

"Don't worry, constable, I just want to hear from dear Seledra first, so that her story is not influenced by the drow, any more than it may already be."

"She's telling the truth," said a soft voice, coming from the door. It was the young cleric.

"Betha, you don't need to be here," said Shayla.

"Yes, I do. I saw the drow first, so they should hear my story, too." She seemed nervous, but resolute.

"Well, Betha, why don't you tell us, then," said the constable.

"We were heading to the battle, Shayla and Tharivol and I, and we were walking. As we passed the stable, we weren't very close to it, but I glanced over and saw her," she pointed at me, "in the stable trying to move back from the entrance. I pointed her out to Shayla, and we went over to investigate. As soon as we entered the stable, even before I saw the other elf, I could see that she was injured, as was the elf, when I saw her. Tharivol, he said that they must have fought each other, and I went along, but I knew it wasn't possible."

Tharivol scoffed. "What do you know? You're not a fighter, girl, like your sister! You just hide out in your little temple!"

"Tharivol, that's quite enough! Betha, please go on."

"I may be but a novice, but I see a lot of injuries at the Temple of Ilmater. I help the other clerics quite a bit. And the elf, her head was injured, it was a blunt force injury. The drow was armed with a crossbow; I saw it on the floor near her. She couldn't have caused that injury with that weapon, and the elf wasn't laying as though she'd fallen or been pushed; she was laid out nicely."

"What about the drow's injuries?" the constable asked.

"I couldn't look at them too closely; Tharivol didn't want me to treat her at all, but I could tell she was in a lot of pain. When Tharivol pulled her to her feet, she couldn't put weight on one side, and her jaw was badly bruised and swollen. She couldn't have threatened us, but Tharivol bound her, and gagged her tightly, anyway. I- I'm sorry; I knew she was injured, and I shouldn't have let Tharivol and Shayla treat her that way, but I didn't know what to do." Betha looked at the floor.

"When did you leave the stable, young lady?" said Lord Mardan.

"When the Harper came, my lord, the same as Shayla. He asked me to go make preparations to help with the injured.

"And have you seen or spoken to either of these Harpers since then, or any of their group?" Mardan continued.

"No, my lord. I have only seen the clerics of the hold as they came in for poultices and things."

Reluctantly, Lord Mardan said, "I see. Perhaps this really was just a misunderstanding. Keled and I shall discuss this matter--"

"And we will let you know how we decide to discipline Tharivol."

"Keled--"

"My lord, we have no evidence that this woman has done anything wrong, and Betha would not speak against our own townspeople without reason. You know her as well as I; she is the most truthful girl I know. And we still have wounded that require our attention," Keled said pointedly. Mardan acquiesced, and everyone but the Harpers filed out of the room.

Ugurth lower his blade to ground but not let go of it. "This hardly seem fair, brother. I came here thinking I'd find one Harper, not a platoon." He sneering, not afraid. "I figured my troops would level this miserable little hamlet by lunchtime. Now we're missing our roasted hen."

Ugurth is not quite as tall as Kronk. Not quite as strong, either. But he still look strong. His tunic made from well-tooled leather. Boots must have cost someone a lot of coin. Probably not Ugurth's coin. He wear silver chain with black jewel around neck. Kronk never wear jewelry.

"What Ugurth doing here?"

"Well, I suppose you not believe I just paying a visit to my dear long lost brother?"

"And destroy town for a visit?" Kronk growl.

He make gesture with hand, lifting sword. "Didn't know where you'd gotten to. Had to get your attention somehow."

One of the twin elves have bow and arrow pointed at him. "Drop the weapon, or I'll take out your eye."

Ugurth smile widely. "Which one?"

Elf not smile. "The left," she say.

He chuckle. "I always appreciate a fine marksman...I'm sorry, markswoman. Maybe you can join my army." He not put down sword, just look her up and down. "But...orc men not like being outshot by a woman. They might want you for...other purposes."

Girl mutter something that sound like elvish curse. She draw back arrow.

"Isioleth!"

Thralia's voice draw everyone's attention. Elven girl relax weapon after moment but keep it pointed. Thralia continue. "Enough bantering. What do you want in Olostin's Hold?"

Ugurth's hair in long ponytail down back. It swing as he turn to face her. "And you must be the fabled Thralia." He nod approvingly. "My brother is fool for letting you get away."

Kronk's face get warm. "Ugurth should stay quiet."

"Thralia should not be surprised by Kronk. He's always had trouble knowing what to do with his--"

"UGURTH STAY QUIET!!" Kronk swing axe at Ugurth, but he ready. He block Kronk with sword, pull it away. But Kronk only fooled for a moment. I bring back axe, ready to bring down on Ugurth's head--

"Stop them!"

Kronk try to swing axe, but something stops blade. I turn and find drow woman has caught Kronk's blade with her own. I look at Ugurth, and someone has caught him with a rope.

He snort. "Always too quick to draw steel, weren't you, brother?"

Thralia step forward. "Kronk, he's trying to start a fight with you, to keep us distracted. Try not being a fool for a change." She turn to Ugurth. "And you. What did you mean you only expected find one Harper in Olostin's Hold?"

He smile, a different smile, one Kronk see before. Same smile he get when he choose Verra for sacrifice. "I think you already know."

Thralia is quiet for a moment. "Ariadne, Meree, Falco, go to the town, right now. There is an old man there named Barundar. Find him immediately, and--"

Before she finish, everyone turns. There is a cry from the town, several people. Smoke is rising in dark cloud.

"What happened?" Someone points. "Look...are those?..."

"KOBOLDS!!"

About six short little creatures are running towards us. Five carry crossbows; the last one have something wrapped in dark cloth. Kronk hears the gnome woman curse to self.

They attack before others have chance to react, but Kronk already have blade out. Kobolds are so small they can get between our legs, break up our group; we can barely hit them without attacking each other. Three of them start fighting with daggers, manage to stab dwarf.

Kronk see gnome woman wrestling with one. "I hate these little things!" she say as it climb on her back.

Battle is quick. Kobolds are not winning; one of them is already dead. Everyone has forgotten about Ugurth. Kronk realize that two are not fighting, just working towards Ugurth. One of them have the thing wrapped in cloth. And then Kronk know what is happening. I turn to where other kobold is untying my half-brother. "Stop him!" I say, reaching for him.

But he grab hold of black jewel on silver chain, and mutter something. A glow starts around them, moving over them.

Ugurth smile. "Too quick on the draw, Kronk." And he disappear with the two kobolds.

Others stand in shock. And while they are standing, last three kobolds look at each other, and then shove their daggers up through their chins.

Everyone is silent for few moments. Then Thralia shake her head. "Damn."

One of the twin elves step forward. "Thralia...he said you knew what he was after. Is that true?"

Thralia lift her head. On her face was look of...pain, maybe? Kronk see a lot of pain. But also look of strength. Look of someone who refuse to stop because of pain. It make her...more beautiful, somehow. Thralia right: Kronk is fool.

She talk to elf. "We'll soon find out if it's true. Everyone to the village," she add to others.

"Why? What are we going to find there?" elf ask.

"A dead Harper."

Some houses on fire, but villagers are putting them out. Thralia march right to shabby little hut at edge of town. Hut is destroyed, but many people in circle outside the hut, surrounding something. Thralia start to run as we draw near.

"Barundar!"

Circle break as she draw close. They standing around a dwarf on ground. He look old, frail, but very wise and powerful, like he was strong when younger. He was very dead. Thralia sank to knees, put arms around him. She start to sob.

"Oh, Barundar, you old fool..."

Everyone stand around, not sure what to do. She rock back and forth, holding him.

After few minutes, Kronk lean down, put hand on Thralia's shoulder. "Kronk...sorry..."

She leave Kronk's hand there for a moment. Then she lay Barundar down careful and stand up, shrugging off hand.

"This was Barundar Foehunter," she say to us. "He was a Harper, a brave Harper...and...a dear friend."

There is muttering among crowd. Some of the locals join us now. "A Harper? Here?" "He couldn't be..." "What in Toril was he doing in this little town?" "Naw, he's our herbalist, helped my son's cough he did..."

"He was exactly what he seemed: an herbalist. It was a skill he knew well. When he retired from the Harpers, he came to live his last days in peace."

"What do you mean he was a Harper?" Old man in the crowd began talking angry. "Why did the Orc's attack him, if he was retired?"

Thralia pause. "I...don't know."

Villagers look suspicious. Like they not believe all she say. Then she continue.

"He had one last request," she say. "Barundar wanted to be buried here in Olostin's Hold. Would you, the people he served for these last several years, accept his body?"

Old man who spoke before step to front of crowd. "Alright. For what Barundar did for us...we'll take him. But we're a quiet village. We try to keep out of the way of war. We're grateful for your help...but..."

"But we'd just as soon you move on by tomorrow," finished another one.

Thralia nod. She look tired.

Villagers move off. She turn to rest of us. "Isendur, Isioleth, I thank you for your help today. Why don't you go to the inn and check on the rest of your party. I'll be along to convey my thanks to them soon." They left. "Ariadne, help the villagers prepare Barundar for burial. The rest of you help the villagers with repairs."

They already start to drift off when she beckon to the dwarf. "Falco?"

He return to her. "Yes, m'lady?"

"Falco, I need you to search the rubble for a dwarven urgrosh. I'm sure Ugurth has taken it, but we must check anyway." She speak in low whisper, but Kronk always could hear good. "And if he HAS taken it..." She trail off.

Dwarf grunts. "I THOUGHT there was more here than my crimson eye could see."

Thralia shake head. "More than you can imagine."

He nod. "I'll get my tools. Stonemason's tools come in handier than anyone'd think."

She walk over to front of Barundar's hut. Kronk join her. So does Serd. We look at front of hut for long time.

"Kronk, you had better leave," she say after a time.

"Kronk can help..."

"I know you can." She turn to us. "I thank you both for your help today. But the villagers aren't going to want help from a half-orc right now."

Serd raise hand. "I'm not a half-orc."

Her gaze turn to him. She look stern. "Surely your aren't. But YOU I've dealt with before, Serd of the Dalelands, as have many of my party. I believe one of them is still concerned about the loss of a certain ring..."

"Oh, is she?" Serd turn to Kronk. "Well, my large friend, I think I can be of little use here. I'm sure we'll meet soon enough." He touch hand to brow, smile, and walk into forrest, maybe a little faster than usual. Thralia still look stern...but maybe look after him a little lighter than at first. Then she turn to Kronk.

"As for you..."

"Kronk...sorry."

"So you've said."

"I know...some reasons why Kronk...turn away from you. It not...because Kronk not like you. Just...I not ever feel about someone like I feel about you. Thought I not ready for...night with you."

"Not ready, hmm? Are you now?"

Kronk shake head.

She nod. "It's just as well. I wouldn't accept now if you were."

Kronk nod. "Sorry."

"You think that helps, don't you?" She turn away, quiet for a moment. "When I offered you my bed, I meant it. I've met very few people like you."

She say 'person'. Not 'half-orc'.

"No one has ever refused me before, Kronk. I didn't know what to make of it. I suppose it should good for me to have a humbling experience. Maybe someday I'll see it that way. But today is not that day. Today I just hurt."

Kronk not say anything. Can't think of anything to say.

Thralia turn back. "Take one of our horses. You should be able to reach Everlund by nightfall." Kronk start to leave. "And Kronk..."

Kronk turn back.

"I didn't need you to save me from that orc back there."

She turn away. But she have that amused look in eye.