Cad Goddeau

Chapter 1

Ealayne steadily approached the stand of huge redwoods, a look of complete calmness on her face; calmness she did not feel inside at all. However, she was going to try to convince her friends otherwise.

When she saw Ealayne, Ciera gracefully rose from the large root she had been resting upon and went to embrace her friend.

"Thank you so much Cara, for taking time out of your busy schedule to see me," Ealayne smiled, using the Gaelic endearment for 'friend'.

Ciera made a little tsk sound, frowned slightly at Ealayne's formality, and then looked at her carefully. Ealayne's long brown hair was neatly caught back with a blue velvet ribbon, and she smelled faintly of lavender. Not a wrinkle creased her spotless blue cloak and dress, even the toes of her shoes peeking out from underneath the skirt looked polished. However, when Ealayne raised her hand and her sleeve slipped back a little Ciera immediately became suspicious, for she could clearly see the glint of fossil tacuil armor, and knew that her guild sister was trying to hide it.

"Velraa should be here any moment," Ciera said, gesturing to the natural seating the tree provided.

The two sat down and for a few minutes discussed various guild matters and other goings on. The Baroness noticed how Ealayne avoided her eyes, and began to grow more and more concerned. However, she would let Ealayne speak of what was troubling her when she was ready.

Velraa burst into the little clearing, her lithe elven form gliding quickly towards them. She curtsied to the two women and her slightly slanting violet eyes twinkled as she gazed at them.

"Here I am!" she announced cheerfully before sliding down into a sitting position. She looked from Ciera to Ealayne, "What is up?" she asked.

"Well," Ealayne began, "I will be going away for a little while, and I wanted to let you both know…" She plucked at her skirt as she spoke and suddenly wished she had her staff with her. Holding it would at least give her hands something to do.

"Away?" Velraa cried out, "What do you mean, away? Away where? For how long?"

"Well, ummm, you may have heard me speak of…of Kaylee, the daughter of Chief Gaeth…" she paused.

"Yes," said Ciera, "Gaeth was the leader of a group of Siabra dissenters, and Kaylee was the only survivor when they were betrayed and murdered."

"Oh yes, them." Velraa nodded with recognition. "What about Kaylee?"

"Well, her husband, Iago, is from a tiny village far off in the southwest and they have asked me to go there because there has been a great deal of…of sickness and…and, they thought perhaps I might be of some help. I have…agreed to go, I just wanted to see if Velraa could take my legion duties while I am gone. I know she is not officially even a squire yet, but she has been helping me so much, and really Ciera she could finish the project we were working on all by herself. I just…wanted to clear it with both of you," Ealayne cursed herself silently for her unsteady speech. "I will send you word if…I mean when I will be able to return."

Velraa and Ciera looked at each other. Velraa's face was filled with shock and bewilderment, but Ciera's steady sea-blue eyes silently told her to say nothing.

"Of course Ealayne," Ciera said softly, taking Ealayne's hand in hers. It was ice cold. "Velraa is completely capable as you say. When do you leave sister?"

"Soon," Ealayne said finally looking at Ciera. Her greenish brown eyes were huge in her unusually pale face. "A few days at most."

"What?" Velraa burst out.

My God, thought Ciera, what is Ealayne so frightened of?

"Velraa, could you take this letter to Mistress Miranda. It is just information on some new vault items. I had meant to deliver it myself but perhaps you could run it over for me?" Ciera pulled a small parchment out of her pocket and held it out to the enchantress.

Velraa gaped at Ciera for a minute before she realized her intent.

"Of course Baroness," Velraa said taking the missive and curtsying. "Ealayne, would you have dinner with me tonight so I can see you before you leave?"

"Of course, Vel," Ealayne forced a smile. She would come up with an excuse not to come later. "How about the tavern in Tir na Nog, about eight?"

"Okay," Velraa said, obviously still upset. She turned and hurried away to find Miranda.

"So," said Ciera after Velraa had gone, "are you going to tell me what this is all about?"

"I did tell you," said Ealayne, "I am going to a village in the north to help out the people for a while."

"You said it was in the southwest Sis," Ciera reminded her softly.

"Aye, that is what I meant…" she stood up abruptly. "I really must be off to practice…I mean prepare."

Ciera stood up with her and Ealayne hugged her quickly.

"See you soon Sis," Ealayne whispered, and ran off towards Ardaugh.

Ciera stood and watched her go. Suddenly a man materialized seemingly out of thin air beside her. She did not act surprised in the least. The guild's Master Knight was near wherever Ealayne was more often than not these days.

"What do you think is really going on?" Ciera asked the tall dark haired ranger.

"I do not know," Iragael said slowly, "but I intend to find out."