~*~*~*~IMPORTANT REGARDING CHAPTER 8 ~*~*~*~
Sorry everyone, but I'm not going to have Chap. 8 up on time, do to the fact that it's Christmas and I have a lot of family stuff and all. I have the first of the chap. written, and thought I might have the rest done soon, but I see I won't get it up in time. I'm really sorry about this. The normal schedule will resume next Wednesday. Sorry. Oh, and merry christmas to all of you readers! I hope God blesses you on this wonderful day!
"Why must I wash clothes? I hate washing clothes." Arelle mumbled as she walked through the forest to the creek. "Hmm…But I guess I hate cleaning animals more…All that blood…Yuck. I'm glad Moren doesn't mind," she continued. She looked at the few articles of clothing she was about to wash. She sighed as she remembered the rich clothing she wore in Felwithe. Now she glanced down at her present outfit, which consisted of a pair of black cloth pants and a brown tunic. She remembered how Moren had had her change her fancy outfit, just after a few days of being his apprentice. He had said she "probably couldn't climb a tree with such a dress on". Well, truth be told, she probably couldn't. Only once in her life had she climbed a tree before she met Moren. High Elves didn't think much of climbing trees, and apparently they didn't think much of having their children climbing trees, either. The time she climbed a tree she did so because she was curious how the world looked from above. But she had been careful not to let anyone see her. It would completely destroy her image as a respectable lady.
Now that she was living in Greater Faydark, she climbed at least a few trees every day. She remembered how Moren had taught her how to climb trees easier and how to keep balance better. She had fallen quite a few times, but Moren was almost always at the bottom, ready to catch her, or at the top, grabbing her hand and pulling her back onto the tree. "Almost", because he wasn't always there to catch her. She couldn't really depend on him to always be at the bottom of the tree, arms open, ready to catch her. No, she had had quite a few falls since she arrived at this mysterious forest.
She was close to the creek now and could clearly hear it. Suddenly she paused abruptly, listening. She heard something unusual. The sound of something raking across metal. She could see the creek through the tree branches now, and could also see someone in front of the creek. It looked like…A female Barbarian? It was hard to tell because of the black cloak wrapped around the figure, but the hood was pulled down so the face was easily visible. The figure appeared to be sitting on a rock… Sharpening a sword? Yes, that seemed to be it. Suddenly the figure stopped and looked in Arelle's direction. Arelle stood completely still, breathing lightly. The figure stood up now and raised the sword, preparing to strike whomever, or whatever, might come out of the bushes.
"Is someone there?" a feminine voice said, facing the thick clump of underbrush Arelle was hidden in. Arelle didn't stir. Suddenly, a belt slipped out of Arelle's arms, the metal belt loop hitting the ground with a clank. The figure peered through the dense pines, now knowing the exact location, but still unable to make out Arelle's figure easily.
"You don't look orcish… Are you friend or foe?" Said the figure. Arelle walked slowly out of the bushes towards the stranger. The stranger's eyes widened slightly in curiosity when Arelle stepped out of the underbrush.
"A High-Elf?" She asked.
"A Barbarian?" Arelle asked.
"What is a young female High-Elf doing here, in the middle of Greater Faydark?" the stranger asked. Arelle paused. She knew she couldn't trust a perfect stranger. She paused.
"Washing clothes, apparently." Arelle replied, simply. The stranger smiled slightly but quickly regained her solemn expression.
"That's not what I meant."
"I see." Arelle replied.
"What are you doing in this forest?" She asked, again.
"What are you doing in this forest? You're the stranger. I live here." Arelle replied. The stranger was taken aback slightly, but then smiled.
"My name is Lilliah."
"Mine is Arelle."
"Well met, Arelle." Lilliah said, sheathing her sword and extending her hand towards Arelle.
"Indeed so, Lilliah." Arelle replied, clasping her hand with Lilliah's extended hand. They smiled at each other. Lilliah sat down on a rock, and Arelle sat down near her.
"So…Do you really live in this forest?" Lilliah asked.
"I do." Arelle replied.
"Do you live here alone?"
"No, I don't… And what brings you to this forest, Lilliah?" Arelle said. She didn't trust Lilliah enough to tell her about herself, even though Lilliah seemed nice enough. Lilliah paused.
"I am looking for someone."
"Looking for someone?" Arelle said, questioningly.
"Yes…" Lilliah said, picking up her sword and beginning to sharpen it again.
Arelle paused. "Who?"
Lilliah paused, and looked up at Arelle.
"A Cutthroat." Lilliah replied.
"A specific Cutthroat?" Arelle asked.
"Yes."
"Who?"
Lilliah paused. "Aka the Scarlet Cutthroat." Lilliah replied.
Arelle was shocked! Lilliah was looking for Akinen! Why on earth would she be looking for Akinen? Perhaps it was the bounty on Akinen's head, for surely he had one since he was a Cutthroat, and no doubt a large one, at that. Yes, that would be logical. Well, she certainly couldn't tell Lilliah that Akinen was living with her. Although Arelle was still a bit mad at Akinen for becoming a Cutthroat, he was still her blood-relative. She could never forgive herself if she was responsible for her own uncle's death.
"Indeed? After a Cutthroat, huh? Is it for the bounty?" Arelle asked while be the least suspicious she could. Lilliah glanced at Arelle.
"Perhaps. I don't suppose…You don't know anything about the Scarlet Cutthroat, do you? Anything you know about him could help me."
Arelle fidgeted a little. "Are you after him for the bounty?" Arelle asked again.
Lilliah paused. "No, I'm not."
"Why are you looking for him, then?"
"Do you know something about the Scarlet Cutthroat?" Lilliah asked.
"Why are you looking for him?" Arelle repeated. Lilliah stood up now and looked Arelle in the eyes.
"You know where he is, don't you?" She asked. Arelle looked away. Liliah smiled excitedly. "I am a friend of Aka's." Lilliah said. Arelle stood up now, too.
"How do I know you're not lying?" Arelle asked.
Lilliah thought a moment. She had to think of a way to convince Arelle she was Aka's friend. Then she thought of something, "Aka's real name is Akinen."
Arelle smiled, "he wouldn't tell that to anyone."
"Then you know him? You know where he is? And will lead me to him?"
Arelle paused. "Yes, I will. Follow me." Arelle said, picking up her laundry and heading into the forest, with Lilliah right behind her.
********
On the way back to the camp Arelle and Lilliah asked each other questions. Arelle asked Lilliah how she knew Akinen, and Lilliah told her that she had been captured by Cutthroats and Akinen had helped her escape. Arelle wanted to know more about this, but Lilliah discreetly changed the subject. When Arelle told Lilliah that Akinen was hurt, Lilliah went into a panic. Arelle told her then that Moren had healed most of his wounds, which seemed to relieve Lilliah. Arelle told Lilliah that she was studying to be a cleric under Moren. Before any more could be said however, they arrived at the camp.
Akinen and Moren were sitting outside the tent talking, and Lilliah froze when she saw them. Moren and Akinen heard them coming and stood up when they saw Lilliah. Akinen and Lilliah stared at each other in disbelief. Lilliah smiled widely, her eyes gleaming.
"…Lilliah?" Akinen asked.
"Akinen!" Lilliah cried joyfully as she ran forward and hugged Akinen. Akinen stood still in astonishment.
"Lilliah! My goodness, it's been ages, lass!" Akinen said, hugging Lilliah. He then pulled away from Lilliah. "Lilliah, what are ye doing here, lass?" Lilliah just stared into Akinen's eyes, completely happy.
"I came to find you!" She said, happily. He cocked an eyebrow at her. Suddenly she blushed. "I-I mean… I came to repay a debt."
"A debt?" Akinen asked.
"Yes…To you." Liliah replied.
"To me?"
"Yes." Lilliah replied.
"Ye owe me nothing." Akinen said.
"Yes, I do. You saved me from the Cutthroats."
"I need no repayment for that, lass."
"Yes, you do! I will stay with you until I can repay you. I've trained so long, Akinen! I'm finally strong enough to repay the debt." Lilliah said.
"What about yer people? The barbarians? Ye should stay where ye belong, lass." Akinen said.
"I belong beside you, Akinen. I will not leave you until I have repaid my debt to you!" She said sternly.
Akinen sighed. "Yer really serious about this, aren't ye?"
"Yes, I am!" She replied hotly. He stared at her, and then chuckled.
"Very well, lass. Come sit down by the fire, now." Akinen said. She smiled happily and sat down beside him.