"Child are you all right?" a tall man picked Caleb up.
*****
Back in Freeport, Lielay and Albain were back in the tavern packing up all of Lielay's belongings. Silent tears fell down both of their cheeks as they left the inn and went to the bank. Lielay got her money out and she and Albain shuffled towards the city's gate.
"I can't believe Caleb is gone. I just only saw him again and now he's gone. Just like Danny." Lielay whispered.
Albain's blood boiled when Lielay mentioned Danny, "Lielay you know Caleb. and Danny," he flinched, "will always be with you."
"I know, thank you for reminding me.. so where are we going?" she wiped her tears away.
"I need to look up some druid spells and get more supplies in Rivervale. Are you willing to come with me?"
"Yes. Yes I will come."
"We will have to go through the Kithicor Woods, during the day though." He added positively.
"What happens at night?" Lielay moved her shoulders around uneasily.
"Very bad things. Things that are much worst then trolls, ogres, sarnaks, or dracnids."
"What about during the day?"
"Oh just little things like bixies and will-o-wisps inhabit the forest." He laughed.
Lielay and Albain continued their conversation as they walked through the East Commonlands. Albain was glad he got Lielay to talk about something other then Caleb. He knew that it distressed her to talk about him. Albain made jokes and did a lot to cheer her up and make her laugh again. Lielay enjoyed listening to Albain and her mind did wander from Caleb for a little time, but it always wandered back.
They had left Aubrey feeling better and less tense. He already had a few more friends over and they all buried Yumil and stayed with Aubrey for emotional support. Lielay felt bad for leaving Aubrey like that, but both he and Albain convinced her that it would be fine. Lielay insisted before they left to leave a contribution at Yumil's newly dug gravesite.
Many hours later Lielay and Albain came to a narrow dark passage. It was cold, damp, and the chirps of birds were not to be heard. Lielay shivered and followed Albain's steps into the Kithicor Woods. As he said before, nothing horrible seemed to be around and only little creatures were seen scurrying about. Albain chose the first path carefully, took Lielay's arm, and tugged her along.
"How far is it to Rivervale?" Lielay asked.
"Well, if we get all the right paths we should get there in about forty- five minutes to an hour.. I think." He added afterwards.
"Oh, really?" She lifted a brow.
A swift breeze picked up and blew what seemed like hundreds of leaves past their heads and swirled around them. Lielay lifted her hand and caught a handful. She brought them close to her face and inhaled their sweet fragrance. She opened her palm and let the leaves fly away with the wind. The thought of Caleb filled her head again and she felt no more desire to catch leaves or look at them anymore. Albain watched her the whole time and felt pity for her when her facial expression changed so fast. He didn't want to bring it up and make her feel worse, so he kept his mouth shut.
"Have you noticed that it got quiet again?" Lielay tapped Albain's arm.
"Shhhh," he put his figure to his lips, "behind this tree." He pulled her with him.
"What going on?" she ducked low.
"Something is out there and I don't think it's a small little thing either." He whispered.
"But you told me that there's nothing bad in the day, only night."
"I know, but whatever is out there is not an animal, I think its another person."
"Well, it wouldn't attack us. Would it? I mean they probably are just passing like we are."
"I don't know, that's why I pulled you behind here with me. Anyway, it could be a dark elf." Albain shuttered.
"A da-dark elf!" Lielay shrank back.
"Yeah, or could be another evil race, maybe an ogre, troll, or iksar."
"Stop it. You're scaring me." Lielay hit him on the shoulder.
He chuckled, "I'm.." he was interrupted by the crunching of leaves.
A short figure, as tall as an elf and a lager figure came into eye view. They were busily talking very fast in a strange language. As they neared, Albain saw the shorter one was indeed a dark elf. A black robe covered its dark skin and its eyes glowed red. The lager person was not so clear to Albain yet, but it hissed when it talked, so Albain had a good idea what it was. Lielay was squeezing Albain's arm very tightly and he heard her take long deep breaths. "That's an iksar." She managed to say.
"How do you know?"
"It hisses, it's tall, and it has a tail." Her reply was short.
"Oh. Well, I know the other is a dark elf." He tried to sound smart.
"I knew that. Be quiet." She slapped his hand.
They were both silent again as the two strangers came closer to their hiding spot. The iksar's scales gleamed in the light like armor, its eyes were only little slits and they darted around in their sockets. The dark elf took off its hood and lets its long white hair tumble down. She shook her head and continued to talk to the iksar. Albain looked at her and wondered how such a lovely elf, like her, was evil. He turned to Lielay and smiled, Lielay was much more lovely then the dark elf in his opinion and heart. The iksar's speech cleared up as he spoke in the common tongue.
"But we musssn't." he hissed at the elf.
"We could and it would be easy too." Her voice was clear and rang though the forest.
"I ssstill have to think about it." He twitched.
"OK, OK. Fine with me." The dark elf rolled her dark eyes.
The two passed the tree where Albain and Lielay hid without notice to them. After they were gone, Lielay got up and stepped in front of the tree. She looked after them and hoisted her packs up higher. Albain joined her, but he only took her arm and turned her around in the opposite direction. He pushed her along and begun to sing a song in the language of the old elves.
"I wonder what their conversation meant." Lielay said as she stopped right in her tracks.
"None of our business. Please can we carry on or we'll be here when night comes."
"What's with you?" she began to walk again.
"Nothing, I just don't was to get caught or seen if there are more of those iksar's or elves."
"I miss Caleb." Lielay softly cried.
"I know. I miss him too." He put his arm around her shoulders and led her on.
"But why did he have to go?" Albain shrugged. She continued, " I mean he was only seven, almost eight and he did nothing wrong to anyone."
"Things sometimes just happen."
"Oh so your saying Caleb was just meant to die young, is that what your saying!" she pulled away.
"No! No! That came out wrong. I didn't mean it." He closed his eyes and put a hand to his forehead.
"Then what are you trying to say." She said hotly.
"I mean.. I.. he.. oh hell, I don't know." He threw off his packs and punched them with his good hand.
"Can we just go to Rivervale now?" Lielay said with some concern.
"Fine." He picked up his packs and stocked off down the trail.
Lielay sighed heavily and followed at a distance. They didn't try to talk or show any signs of communication for a time. The breeze died and Lielay had nothing to do, boredom overwhelmed her. She kicked rocks, sang, threw pebbles at the back of Albain's head, and rummaged through her bags. Albain got annoyed after the fifth pebble had hit him; he decided to pull a little prank on Lielay himself. He ran ahead and darted off the path at a fork in the road. Lielay came to the fork and stopped, confused; she couldn't see Albain down either trail. Albain sniggered and laughed from behind a nearby tree.
"Albain Tinderblade where are you?!" she yelled, it echoed back.
A couple of bixies passed her buzzing, but still she heard no answer from Albain. She got impatient and tapped her foot with her hands on her hips. Lielay clicked her tongue and turned her head down each path many times. She gave up waiting and turned around, back down the path towards the Commonlands. She kicked a stone and it flew ten feet ahead, and then she tore off after it with great speed, but she didn't stop, she disappeared around a corner. Albain stood in the fork and stared after her, he shook his head slowly.
"Stupid Albain. Trying to pull retarded jokes like that. Well, I'll just joke with him too." Lielay muttered as she hid in the underbrush.
Albain came around the corner, muttering to himself, "Lielay, where did you go? I was only joking. This isn't the place to be playing hide and seek in!" Lielay saw that his face was glowing red, she giggled.
Albain stopped and turned his head to where Lielay was hiding. He started to walk slowly towards her. Lielay began to back away, trying not to make a sound. He came closer and closer; he was almost at her when another noise came from ahead of the trail. He jumped out of the brush and ran down the trail. Lielay relaxed and laughed. That sound saved her trick; she was going to reveal herself to him, but not now. Lielay got up and walked onto the path, she strained her eyes looking for Albain. From the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of something. She quickly spun around and held up her hands. A hissing came from behind and she spun again. The iksar from earlier was there with its little eyes glinting in the sun. From behind Lielay the dark elf smashed a branch over her head. Lielay collapsed with a bloody lump on the back of her head. The elf dropped the branch and cleaned her hands off.
"Now what wasss the point of thisss?" the iksar asked.
"For profit and fun." The dark elf said while looting Lielay's moneybag.
"You're not going to take all that, are you?" the iksar stepped forward.
"What do you think? Duh! You're too soft hearted, almost warm blooded if you ask me." She sneered.
"What about her and that other wood elf that ran off?" he bent down to check Lielay's pulse.
"Leave 'em. Let the night have them." She said with no feeling.
"We jussst can't leave her. At leassst letsss put her at the entrance to Rivervale."
"Oh, really? And let's just throw ourselves at the feet of the guards too. Oh, and let's no forgot to return everything we've stolen, that too!" she threw her arms up and tossed Lielay's pack aside.
"Your evil Valamora." He hissed at her.
"Oh I know, it' wonderful too." She tossed her white hair over her shoulder.
"It isss not." He picked up Lielay's pack and placed it next to her.
"Why don't you shut your mouth Mirk and we'll leave." Valamora put her hood on again, her deep blood red eyes burned with anger.
"No I won't leave. I'm not that cruel to do sssomething like that. You can leave, but I'm going to take her to Rivervale." Mirk crouched beside Lielay and began to examine her head wound.
"What are you saying? You're being weak! Now let's go!" Valamora grabbed Mirk's neck and pulled him up. "Why don't you at like a normal iksar?"
Valamora tightened her grip on Mirk's neck; he gasped for air, but was denied it. She let out an evil laugh. The small dark elf mustered up all her strength and threw the larger being into a tree. A shot rang out as soon as she let the iksar go and roots began to entwine their way up her legs and around her waist. A petit lightning blot struck her and she fell to the mossy ground.
Albain came out from behind a cluster of trees, tied Valamora up, and stepped over to Lielay. He muttered a few words and Lielay's wounds healed. Mirk stood up and leaned against the tree he had just hit. He rubbed his throat and swished his tail back and forth as he watched Albain make his entrance.
"I tried to help, but ssshe attacked me." Mirk took a small step forward.
"I know. I was watching and listening for a good portion of your conversation. I thank you." Albain bowed low.
"Isss ssshe going to be all right?" Mirk crouched.
"Yes, she will heal and be fine." Albain stroked Lielay's silky brown hair that had leaves stuck in it.
"Night isss coming sssoon. Ssshall I essscort you to Rivervale, if you would like."
"If you want too. I would like the protection." Albain picked Lielay up, "Can you please get her packs?"
"Sssure. I'll get her moneybag too. Valamora took it." He bent down and put the moneybag in one of Lielay's bags.
"Grab Valamora if you want, otherwise leave her tied to a tree." Albain walked off.
"I'll take her for I feel pity when night fallsss." He heaved Valamora over his shoulders along with Lielay's bags.
Mirk followed Albain down the trail and hissed a tune as he did. Albain listened to him and started to sing the song he sang earlier. Together the two sounded pretty decent. Mirk walked next to Albain and deepened his hiss in pitch. They raised their voices and that made some bixies close by rise up and buzz loudly. Movement happened in Albain's arms as Lielay stirred and awoke. Albain put her down and she opened her eyes wide.
"Oh my head." She said while standing up.
"Nice joke Lie. Real funny." Albain took the packs from Mirk and gave them to Lielay. "Ha ha, I'm sure glad you pulled that prank."
"Who hit me?" she moaned.
"You were.." Mirk began.
"Me." Valamora was awake.
"Valamora." Mirk said surprised.
"Yeah. So is that the little elf that jumped me?" she tried to struggle free.
"Little? Look who's talking, I'm taller then you." Albain said coolly.
"Umm question. Who are you two?" Lielay pointed her finger.
"My name isss Mirk and thisss isss Valamora." The iksar smiled.
"OK. So why was I almost killed?" Lielay threw the dark elf a glare.
"Valamora told me that you were dangeroussss, but she jussst wanted to loot you."
"You had a very large moneybag too. By now I bet Mirk has gave it back to you.... Untie me. This is so uncomfortable." Her hair fell over her face.
"No, I don't think they should. You might throw a branch at someone again. I saw that before I conked out." Lielay crossed her arms.
"Can we go now? I don't want to be here when night comes." Albain hurried them.
"Yesss, we mussst go." Mirk agreed.
"Joshua is going to go crazy once he hears all this." Lielay said as she followed Albain.
"Joshua? Geesh I don't even know your names. Mirk put me down and untie me!" Valamora struggled again.
"Oh, you want to know our names?" Lielay asked calmly.
"It might help." Valamora said with sarcasm.
"Fine. Since we know your name. I'm Lielay and that is Albain." She pointed.
"Oh, nice names." Valamora sneered.
"Someone gag her. She's getting annoying."
"Just like those pebbles." Albain added.
"Pebblesss?" Mirk asked.
"You don't want to hear about it." Albain sighed. They backtracked to the fork in the road where Albain pulled his little stunt. Mirk followed behind the two carrying the squirming body of Valamora as she complained and whined the whole time, never shutting her big mouth. Lielay covered her elfish ears, but still Valamora's voice was heard.
Lielay leaned over to Albain and whispered in his ear. "Can you really trust these two?"
"I watched Mirk fight back with Valamora about what to do with you. He fought to save you. Of course we can trust Mirk."
Mirk's earflaps lifted and a dull color filled in his scaly cheeks. He smiled at the two and moved his attention back to Valamora. Valamora's voice got louder and she started to threaten Mirk. "I'm going to rip those horns off your flat head if you don't untie me now!"
"How?" he hissed.
"What?" the dark elf stopped squirming for the moment.
"How are you going to rip them off if you are tied up?" he laughed as did the other two.
"Ahh, I will. I will. You'll see." An evil grin spread over her face.
"We will be at Rivervale any time soon. What are we going to do? I mean how are you going to get in Mirk?" Albain stopped.
"I don't intend to enter. I would be attacked; I'll just wait outssside. Plus sssomeone hasss to watch Valamora." He shrugged.
"True. But what about the evil that comes at night?" Lielay turned to him.
"We'll hide in the tunnel."
"Do you need anything while we are there?" Lielay offered.
"Yeah, I want a new sword to cut off these ropes." Valamora interrupted.
"Well, actually yesss pleasse, jussst sssome food, drink, and if they have any plain robesss that will fit me. I have money so I can pay you back."
"Only a copper or two will do." She smiled.
"Asss you wisssh." His horned head bowed. The tunnel into Rivervale lay before them and the two wood elves entered. Mirk and Valamora hid in the depths of the tunnel and waited.
"Just wait. Just wait and see." Valamora mumbled under her breath.
*****
Back in Freeport, Lielay and Albain were back in the tavern packing up all of Lielay's belongings. Silent tears fell down both of their cheeks as they left the inn and went to the bank. Lielay got her money out and she and Albain shuffled towards the city's gate.
"I can't believe Caleb is gone. I just only saw him again and now he's gone. Just like Danny." Lielay whispered.
Albain's blood boiled when Lielay mentioned Danny, "Lielay you know Caleb. and Danny," he flinched, "will always be with you."
"I know, thank you for reminding me.. so where are we going?" she wiped her tears away.
"I need to look up some druid spells and get more supplies in Rivervale. Are you willing to come with me?"
"Yes. Yes I will come."
"We will have to go through the Kithicor Woods, during the day though." He added positively.
"What happens at night?" Lielay moved her shoulders around uneasily.
"Very bad things. Things that are much worst then trolls, ogres, sarnaks, or dracnids."
"What about during the day?"
"Oh just little things like bixies and will-o-wisps inhabit the forest." He laughed.
Lielay and Albain continued their conversation as they walked through the East Commonlands. Albain was glad he got Lielay to talk about something other then Caleb. He knew that it distressed her to talk about him. Albain made jokes and did a lot to cheer her up and make her laugh again. Lielay enjoyed listening to Albain and her mind did wander from Caleb for a little time, but it always wandered back.
They had left Aubrey feeling better and less tense. He already had a few more friends over and they all buried Yumil and stayed with Aubrey for emotional support. Lielay felt bad for leaving Aubrey like that, but both he and Albain convinced her that it would be fine. Lielay insisted before they left to leave a contribution at Yumil's newly dug gravesite.
Many hours later Lielay and Albain came to a narrow dark passage. It was cold, damp, and the chirps of birds were not to be heard. Lielay shivered and followed Albain's steps into the Kithicor Woods. As he said before, nothing horrible seemed to be around and only little creatures were seen scurrying about. Albain chose the first path carefully, took Lielay's arm, and tugged her along.
"How far is it to Rivervale?" Lielay asked.
"Well, if we get all the right paths we should get there in about forty- five minutes to an hour.. I think." He added afterwards.
"Oh, really?" She lifted a brow.
A swift breeze picked up and blew what seemed like hundreds of leaves past their heads and swirled around them. Lielay lifted her hand and caught a handful. She brought them close to her face and inhaled their sweet fragrance. She opened her palm and let the leaves fly away with the wind. The thought of Caleb filled her head again and she felt no more desire to catch leaves or look at them anymore. Albain watched her the whole time and felt pity for her when her facial expression changed so fast. He didn't want to bring it up and make her feel worse, so he kept his mouth shut.
"Have you noticed that it got quiet again?" Lielay tapped Albain's arm.
"Shhhh," he put his figure to his lips, "behind this tree." He pulled her with him.
"What going on?" she ducked low.
"Something is out there and I don't think it's a small little thing either." He whispered.
"But you told me that there's nothing bad in the day, only night."
"I know, but whatever is out there is not an animal, I think its another person."
"Well, it wouldn't attack us. Would it? I mean they probably are just passing like we are."
"I don't know, that's why I pulled you behind here with me. Anyway, it could be a dark elf." Albain shuttered.
"A da-dark elf!" Lielay shrank back.
"Yeah, or could be another evil race, maybe an ogre, troll, or iksar."
"Stop it. You're scaring me." Lielay hit him on the shoulder.
He chuckled, "I'm.." he was interrupted by the crunching of leaves.
A short figure, as tall as an elf and a lager figure came into eye view. They were busily talking very fast in a strange language. As they neared, Albain saw the shorter one was indeed a dark elf. A black robe covered its dark skin and its eyes glowed red. The lager person was not so clear to Albain yet, but it hissed when it talked, so Albain had a good idea what it was. Lielay was squeezing Albain's arm very tightly and he heard her take long deep breaths. "That's an iksar." She managed to say.
"How do you know?"
"It hisses, it's tall, and it has a tail." Her reply was short.
"Oh. Well, I know the other is a dark elf." He tried to sound smart.
"I knew that. Be quiet." She slapped his hand.
They were both silent again as the two strangers came closer to their hiding spot. The iksar's scales gleamed in the light like armor, its eyes were only little slits and they darted around in their sockets. The dark elf took off its hood and lets its long white hair tumble down. She shook her head and continued to talk to the iksar. Albain looked at her and wondered how such a lovely elf, like her, was evil. He turned to Lielay and smiled, Lielay was much more lovely then the dark elf in his opinion and heart. The iksar's speech cleared up as he spoke in the common tongue.
"But we musssn't." he hissed at the elf.
"We could and it would be easy too." Her voice was clear and rang though the forest.
"I ssstill have to think about it." He twitched.
"OK, OK. Fine with me." The dark elf rolled her dark eyes.
The two passed the tree where Albain and Lielay hid without notice to them. After they were gone, Lielay got up and stepped in front of the tree. She looked after them and hoisted her packs up higher. Albain joined her, but he only took her arm and turned her around in the opposite direction. He pushed her along and begun to sing a song in the language of the old elves.
"I wonder what their conversation meant." Lielay said as she stopped right in her tracks.
"None of our business. Please can we carry on or we'll be here when night comes."
"What's with you?" she began to walk again.
"Nothing, I just don't was to get caught or seen if there are more of those iksar's or elves."
"I miss Caleb." Lielay softly cried.
"I know. I miss him too." He put his arm around her shoulders and led her on.
"But why did he have to go?" Albain shrugged. She continued, " I mean he was only seven, almost eight and he did nothing wrong to anyone."
"Things sometimes just happen."
"Oh so your saying Caleb was just meant to die young, is that what your saying!" she pulled away.
"No! No! That came out wrong. I didn't mean it." He closed his eyes and put a hand to his forehead.
"Then what are you trying to say." She said hotly.
"I mean.. I.. he.. oh hell, I don't know." He threw off his packs and punched them with his good hand.
"Can we just go to Rivervale now?" Lielay said with some concern.
"Fine." He picked up his packs and stocked off down the trail.
Lielay sighed heavily and followed at a distance. They didn't try to talk or show any signs of communication for a time. The breeze died and Lielay had nothing to do, boredom overwhelmed her. She kicked rocks, sang, threw pebbles at the back of Albain's head, and rummaged through her bags. Albain got annoyed after the fifth pebble had hit him; he decided to pull a little prank on Lielay himself. He ran ahead and darted off the path at a fork in the road. Lielay came to the fork and stopped, confused; she couldn't see Albain down either trail. Albain sniggered and laughed from behind a nearby tree.
"Albain Tinderblade where are you?!" she yelled, it echoed back.
A couple of bixies passed her buzzing, but still she heard no answer from Albain. She got impatient and tapped her foot with her hands on her hips. Lielay clicked her tongue and turned her head down each path many times. She gave up waiting and turned around, back down the path towards the Commonlands. She kicked a stone and it flew ten feet ahead, and then she tore off after it with great speed, but she didn't stop, she disappeared around a corner. Albain stood in the fork and stared after her, he shook his head slowly.
"Stupid Albain. Trying to pull retarded jokes like that. Well, I'll just joke with him too." Lielay muttered as she hid in the underbrush.
Albain came around the corner, muttering to himself, "Lielay, where did you go? I was only joking. This isn't the place to be playing hide and seek in!" Lielay saw that his face was glowing red, she giggled.
Albain stopped and turned his head to where Lielay was hiding. He started to walk slowly towards her. Lielay began to back away, trying not to make a sound. He came closer and closer; he was almost at her when another noise came from ahead of the trail. He jumped out of the brush and ran down the trail. Lielay relaxed and laughed. That sound saved her trick; she was going to reveal herself to him, but not now. Lielay got up and walked onto the path, she strained her eyes looking for Albain. From the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of something. She quickly spun around and held up her hands. A hissing came from behind and she spun again. The iksar from earlier was there with its little eyes glinting in the sun. From behind Lielay the dark elf smashed a branch over her head. Lielay collapsed with a bloody lump on the back of her head. The elf dropped the branch and cleaned her hands off.
"Now what wasss the point of thisss?" the iksar asked.
"For profit and fun." The dark elf said while looting Lielay's moneybag.
"You're not going to take all that, are you?" the iksar stepped forward.
"What do you think? Duh! You're too soft hearted, almost warm blooded if you ask me." She sneered.
"What about her and that other wood elf that ran off?" he bent down to check Lielay's pulse.
"Leave 'em. Let the night have them." She said with no feeling.
"We jussst can't leave her. At leassst letsss put her at the entrance to Rivervale."
"Oh, really? And let's just throw ourselves at the feet of the guards too. Oh, and let's no forgot to return everything we've stolen, that too!" she threw her arms up and tossed Lielay's pack aside.
"Your evil Valamora." He hissed at her.
"Oh I know, it' wonderful too." She tossed her white hair over her shoulder.
"It isss not." He picked up Lielay's pack and placed it next to her.
"Why don't you shut your mouth Mirk and we'll leave." Valamora put her hood on again, her deep blood red eyes burned with anger.
"No I won't leave. I'm not that cruel to do sssomething like that. You can leave, but I'm going to take her to Rivervale." Mirk crouched beside Lielay and began to examine her head wound.
"What are you saying? You're being weak! Now let's go!" Valamora grabbed Mirk's neck and pulled him up. "Why don't you at like a normal iksar?"
Valamora tightened her grip on Mirk's neck; he gasped for air, but was denied it. She let out an evil laugh. The small dark elf mustered up all her strength and threw the larger being into a tree. A shot rang out as soon as she let the iksar go and roots began to entwine their way up her legs and around her waist. A petit lightning blot struck her and she fell to the mossy ground.
Albain came out from behind a cluster of trees, tied Valamora up, and stepped over to Lielay. He muttered a few words and Lielay's wounds healed. Mirk stood up and leaned against the tree he had just hit. He rubbed his throat and swished his tail back and forth as he watched Albain make his entrance.
"I tried to help, but ssshe attacked me." Mirk took a small step forward.
"I know. I was watching and listening for a good portion of your conversation. I thank you." Albain bowed low.
"Isss ssshe going to be all right?" Mirk crouched.
"Yes, she will heal and be fine." Albain stroked Lielay's silky brown hair that had leaves stuck in it.
"Night isss coming sssoon. Ssshall I essscort you to Rivervale, if you would like."
"If you want too. I would like the protection." Albain picked Lielay up, "Can you please get her packs?"
"Sssure. I'll get her moneybag too. Valamora took it." He bent down and put the moneybag in one of Lielay's bags.
"Grab Valamora if you want, otherwise leave her tied to a tree." Albain walked off.
"I'll take her for I feel pity when night fallsss." He heaved Valamora over his shoulders along with Lielay's bags.
Mirk followed Albain down the trail and hissed a tune as he did. Albain listened to him and started to sing the song he sang earlier. Together the two sounded pretty decent. Mirk walked next to Albain and deepened his hiss in pitch. They raised their voices and that made some bixies close by rise up and buzz loudly. Movement happened in Albain's arms as Lielay stirred and awoke. Albain put her down and she opened her eyes wide.
"Oh my head." She said while standing up.
"Nice joke Lie. Real funny." Albain took the packs from Mirk and gave them to Lielay. "Ha ha, I'm sure glad you pulled that prank."
"Who hit me?" she moaned.
"You were.." Mirk began.
"Me." Valamora was awake.
"Valamora." Mirk said surprised.
"Yeah. So is that the little elf that jumped me?" she tried to struggle free.
"Little? Look who's talking, I'm taller then you." Albain said coolly.
"Umm question. Who are you two?" Lielay pointed her finger.
"My name isss Mirk and thisss isss Valamora." The iksar smiled.
"OK. So why was I almost killed?" Lielay threw the dark elf a glare.
"Valamora told me that you were dangeroussss, but she jussst wanted to loot you."
"You had a very large moneybag too. By now I bet Mirk has gave it back to you.... Untie me. This is so uncomfortable." Her hair fell over her face.
"No, I don't think they should. You might throw a branch at someone again. I saw that before I conked out." Lielay crossed her arms.
"Can we go now? I don't want to be here when night comes." Albain hurried them.
"Yesss, we mussst go." Mirk agreed.
"Joshua is going to go crazy once he hears all this." Lielay said as she followed Albain.
"Joshua? Geesh I don't even know your names. Mirk put me down and untie me!" Valamora struggled again.
"Oh, you want to know our names?" Lielay asked calmly.
"It might help." Valamora said with sarcasm.
"Fine. Since we know your name. I'm Lielay and that is Albain." She pointed.
"Oh, nice names." Valamora sneered.
"Someone gag her. She's getting annoying."
"Just like those pebbles." Albain added.
"Pebblesss?" Mirk asked.
"You don't want to hear about it." Albain sighed. They backtracked to the fork in the road where Albain pulled his little stunt. Mirk followed behind the two carrying the squirming body of Valamora as she complained and whined the whole time, never shutting her big mouth. Lielay covered her elfish ears, but still Valamora's voice was heard.
Lielay leaned over to Albain and whispered in his ear. "Can you really trust these two?"
"I watched Mirk fight back with Valamora about what to do with you. He fought to save you. Of course we can trust Mirk."
Mirk's earflaps lifted and a dull color filled in his scaly cheeks. He smiled at the two and moved his attention back to Valamora. Valamora's voice got louder and she started to threaten Mirk. "I'm going to rip those horns off your flat head if you don't untie me now!"
"How?" he hissed.
"What?" the dark elf stopped squirming for the moment.
"How are you going to rip them off if you are tied up?" he laughed as did the other two.
"Ahh, I will. I will. You'll see." An evil grin spread over her face.
"We will be at Rivervale any time soon. What are we going to do? I mean how are you going to get in Mirk?" Albain stopped.
"I don't intend to enter. I would be attacked; I'll just wait outssside. Plus sssomeone hasss to watch Valamora." He shrugged.
"True. But what about the evil that comes at night?" Lielay turned to him.
"We'll hide in the tunnel."
"Do you need anything while we are there?" Lielay offered.
"Yeah, I want a new sword to cut off these ropes." Valamora interrupted.
"Well, actually yesss pleasse, jussst sssome food, drink, and if they have any plain robesss that will fit me. I have money so I can pay you back."
"Only a copper or two will do." She smiled.
"Asss you wisssh." His horned head bowed. The tunnel into Rivervale lay before them and the two wood elves entered. Mirk and Valamora hid in the depths of the tunnel and waited.
"Just wait. Just wait and see." Valamora mumbled under her breath.
