She raised her brows and plucked his arm off. "That's what everyone
says."
"You don't believe me?" he grinned.
"To tell you the truth..no." Lorilie said simply.
*****
The boat's floorboards creaked under Caleb's foot as he stumbled to the side. Lorilie sat at the helm with her feet propped up on the railing. The Windchaser had been to sea for a week and already the passengers were eager to get off, especially Caleb. Lorilie didn't even bother to call her crew; she had Slith, Wintercloud, Caleb, and Brand to do all the work for free. Lanie sat on the deck sewing a dress for Lorilie. It was a soft green with dark blue flowers embroided decoratively. Lorilie acted like she adored the dress, but inside she despised the thing; she did not wear dresses.
Valamora and Durk only accompanied them until they got to Freeport after their meeting in the forest. They bid them farewell and vanished back into the woods. Caleb got plenty of information about what happened after "the duel" that he wanted to know. Slith enjoyed listening about his father, but laughed when Valamora said that Mirk was so active. Slith told her that all he does now is stay at home and teach his siblings the ways of the monk.
"When are we getting there?" Wintercloud sat next to Lorilie.
"Some time today, if the weather holds out." She gazed at the sky.
"I don't think Caleb can last much longer. He can't seem to keep anything down." He chuckled.
"I wish I knew some sailing songs." Brand surprised them from behind.
"I don't. I can't stand you singing. I'd rather face a pack of angry griffins." Lorilie giggled while standing to see how close land was.
"Very funny. I don't sound that bad." He blushed.
The endless cry of gulls filled their ears as they pulled into the Butcher Block docks. Slith jumped over the side and swam to shore. He was thrown a rope to tie off the ship. Wintercloud threw down the gangplank and helped Caleb regain his balance. Lorilie walked into the Port Authority building to report her ship. Brand and Lanie gathered all the supplies and secured all the cabin doors as she did that.
Rain poured down in sheets on the weary travelers half way to Kelethin. Everyone complained, except Kel and Slith, they quite enjoyed the multiple droplets. The bitter coldness nipped at Lorilie's unprotected face; her nose and cheeks were a bright red color. Caleb pulled his cloak closer around him to try to keep warm. He stepped closer to Lorilie and put his arm around her shoulders to warm her a bit too; she smiled. Brand glared at Caleb's back and quickened his pace to walk with Slith. Wintercloud trailed after everyone and kept the pace they walked at.
The rain finally stopped as they reached Kelethin. The little elven children scattered as the group got to the mechanical lift. They laughed uncontrollable while darting behind Kel's feathery rump. The guards had a problem at first with the group, but then let up when they stated their names and business. More children ran about on the platforms above. A tiny iksar raced by and Slith laughed.
"That looksss like one of my sssiblingsss." He stared after the child.
"That's right!" Lorilie said after a minute, "Your parents hatched another nest a couple of years ago."
"Yesss and now I finally get to meet them." Slith said happily.
"How many brothers and sisters do you have?" Brand looked around.
"Let'sss sssee..there were four othersss in my nessst and there were three in the lassst nessst. Ssso I have ssseven." He grinned.
"How do your parents raise them all!?" Lanie said flabbergasted. Slith shrugged his shoulders and followed Lorilie who was already at the top of the ramp. Caleb whispered to Kel and then walked to the lift again. Lanie and Brand went after Lorilie while Wintercloud stayed confused were they left him.
"Where's Caleb going?" Wintercloud asked the griffin.
"He'sss jussst going to sssee the horrrsssesss." Kel rolled his shoulders.
"Why?" Wintercloud peered towards the lift.
"Becaussse he wantsss too."
Lorilie sat at the small garden looking at her mother's grave. The garden had replaced her house ever since it burned down. Lielay was buried there with tiny flowers sprouting up in the dark soil. On the right there was Lielay's sword placed nicely on the ground. On the other side was a smaller stone; Lorilie peered closer to read the inscription. It was her mother's pet lion, Snappy, who had died trying to save Lielay. Lorilie scarcely remembered Snappy it was a lost memory.
"This garden is never to be disturbed by any mortals. May the souls that lie here pass to a greater place above us." Lorilie read a small sign. Silent pain over took her.
Lanie and Brand stood at a distance silently. The pain welled up in their hearts to have to see Lorilie in this state. Seconds later, Lorilie saw the two and stood up. She wiped a tear away and headed off again. Lanie sighed and hauled her packs up until she was comfortable again. Brand surveyed the city in the trees while following Lorilie closely behind. Not far away, Lorilie stopped at a large house and knocked. Brand noticed that this house was much larger then the rest. The door opened and Slith stood in the doorway. He smiled and let Lorilie enter. Lanie held Brand back and shook her head at him. He groaned and sat against an enormous tree trunk.
*****
Caleb opened the stable doors and inhaled the smell of horses and hay. It was a welcoming atmosphere. Large sunrays poured through the open windows when Claeb threw them open. He crossed to a sleek black stallion and patted its nose. The horse nuzzled Caleb's hand, searching for a treat. Caleb smiled and walked over to a corner where boxes and bags were stored. He came back with two sugar cubes. He gave one to the black stallion and the other to the brown stallion in the stall next to him.
"You were always fascinated with horses." Wintercloud leaned on the stall door.
Caleb smiled, "Hasn't everyone in their life?"
"Yes. Do any belong to your uncle?" Winter waved around at the horses.
"My uncle? Oh yeah. Yeah this black one and this brown one." He pointed.
"What are their names?" the human picked up another two cubes and fed them to the horses.
"Midnight and Traveler. They used to belong to my mother and Albain." Caleb frowned.
*****
Mirk jumped up from the ground when Slith walked in with Lorilie. "Have you been to your uncle'sss?" were the firsts words he said.
"No." Lorilie blushed.
"Then why are you here?" he hugged her.
"Well, your house is closer, so I came here." She glanced at his flat head; it looked awkward with only one horn.
Three mini iksars ran through the front door and hissed with laughter. Mirk beamed and signaled them to stop. Two had bright designs on their faces and pink under-bellies. The other was dark like Mirk and Slith. They tilted their heads and their narrowed eyes turned towards Lorilie. Mirk's wife, Linia, came out from a back room with her oldest daughter, Laylette; both were carrying trays of refreshments.
"Good the little onesss are here. Now they can finally meet Ssslith." Linia glowed.
Mirk herded them closer to Lorilie and Slith. "Macura, Beonin," he placed a hand on each girls' shoulder. He turned to the little boy, "Tarmon, thisss isss your brother, Ssslith, and thisss isss Lorilie." Lorilie bent to one knee and gave the tiny iksars a warming smile. Mirk's family were the nicest most caring iksars out of their whole race. Lorilie never heard of any other iksar like them.
It took hours for Lorilie to be introduced to all of Mirk's children. Slith, Taren, Laylette, Arad, and Mayene were all from the same nest as Lorilie sat and listened. Macura, Beonin, and Tarmon were the younglings that were hatched four years earlier. After what seemed like an eternity, Lorilie departed Linia and Mirk's house to find Brand asleep and Lanie working on the evil dress outside.
"What took so long?" Lanie shoved her work into a pack.
"I met all of Slith's family." Lorilie rolled her eyes and smiled.
"Is Slith's family the only iksars living here?" Lanie got up and handed Lorilie a bag to carry.
"Yes. Only Mirk's family is allowed. My mother cleared them as harmless." Lorilie slung the pack over her shoulder.
"What are we doing now?" Brand yawned while slowly standing up.
"Going to my uncle Joshua's house." Lorilie laughed when Brand's face dropped.
"Do we have to sit outside again?" he crossed his arms.
"No, you can come in this time." She playfully smacked his arm.
*****
Caleb laughed as Kel paraded around the living room with his little cousin, Saria, on his back. His uncle Joshua and aunt Birria sat on the couch opposite from him and Wintercloud. Caleb's first childhood friend and cousin, Marcus, leaned by the window watching with boredom growing in his eyes. Caleb's other cousin Kayla stood behind her mother giggling. Wintercloud looked around the room scanning all the portraits; one in peculiar caught his eye, he crossed to it and examined it closer. It was of Caleb and his parents when he was a baby. Sorrow swelled up inside him as he turned to Caleb; so much despair had befallen on him.
The door slowly creaked open. All heads whirled around and stared. Birria gasped and clutched her throat. Joshua's eyes widened and he stood up. Caleb, Kel, and Wintercloud were smiling. Lorilie stood in the doorway with a confused expression on as she looked from Joshua to Birria. Brand and Lanie came in behind her and stood to the side.
"Come on, it's just Lorilie." Caleb chuckled.
"You look so much like Lielay." Birria had Lorilie in an embrace in a flash.
"And Albain." Joshua stepped closer.
"OK, you two are scaring me now. Let's try that again. This time when I come through the door; jump up, scream "Lorilie!", and smile, got it?" Lorilie winked as she closed the door behind her.
Laughter erupted in the room when Lorilie popped back into view. Everyone mingled together as if they were at a party. Joshua swore aloud when Caleb told him about the burning of the inn and the attackers of Lorilie. Brand then opened his flute case and began to play a nice tune. He couldn't resist the urge to play for the crowd. Little Saria clapped her tiny elven hands and bounced on Birria's knee while listening to the music.
*****
Victoria dove over the side of the boat and swam to the docks. She cursed and made a rude gesture towards the ship as it sailed right by the harbor. Victoria had gotten onto a boat heading for the Butcher Block Mountains, but once they got into view of its docks, the captain changed his mind and shouted to his crew that they weren't stopping. Wringing her cloak dry as best as she could, Victoria pulled her hood up and walked calmly past the guards. She sniggered at their stupidity; she had passed them so easily. Stopping by a tree a few minutes away, Victoria took out a flask of water and drank deeply.
"Can you spare anything for a homesick halfling?" someone came up behind her.
Victoria twirled around and stared down at a filthy little halfling beggar. "Be gone or I'll make you." She spat on his dirty, furry feet.
"Don't you have any kindness? You're a very rude.." he stepped closer and peered into the cowl of her cloak. He fell backwards and started to yell. "Dark elf! Help an inky is attacking me!" he stared to run. A dagger flew into his back and he fell in a small heap. Victoria grabbed her dagger and kicked the lifeless body. She shoved that blade into her boot and took another sip of water.
"Halt there you inky!" two dwarves were running towards her.
Throwing the flask in her bag, Victoria set off at a dead run. The trail was muddy from the morning rain. She slipped and slid a few feet. Covered in mud she ran again, vanishing into the trees. The dwarves searched around for some time before walking back to their stations. Victoria continued her way to Kelethin while dodging through trees and rocks. She avoided all other people in case of repeating what just happened with the dwarf guards.
*****
Lorilie and Wintercloud sat on the balcony watching the stars above. Everyone else was asleep and unaware of the two outside. Out of complete boredom, Lorilie started to braid her hair in two. Wintercloud sipped on a hot liquid while glancing at her. She smiled and finished her hair. A wolf howled below them; breaking Wintercloud's gaze. Lorilie leaned over the side trying to find the wolf; another wolf howled and Lorilie leaned further.
"You're going to fall." Wintercloud grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back.
She turned around in his arms. "Ummm..thanks Winter." She was glad it was dark since her cheeks were burning.
"Who's out there?" Marcus yawned while pulling back his long black hair into a ponytail.
"Just me and Wintercloud." Lorilie sat back down.
"What are you doing up so late?" He supported himself in the doorway.
"Both of us couldn't sleep." Wintercloud smiled to Lorilie.
"Well you better go to sleep otherwise Mother will skin both your hides. Even if you are guests." Marcus yawned again.
Marcus went back into the house yawning louder this time. Lorilie stared over the balcony again, hoping to catch a glance at the wolves. A shimmer in the trees turned her attention. She motioned Wintercloud to look too. The shimmer was there one second then vanished. Lorilie sighed as Wintercloud steered her to the room she shared with Lanie. Wintercloud closed the door and went to the couch he was sleeping on. On the other side of the room Brand slept halfway off the couch, snoring.
*****
Victoria. She had, had another run-in with some guards again; they were tracking her through the forest this time. She carefully peered around the giant boulder she hid behind. A green blur pounced out and tackled her to the muddy ground. She kicked, scratched, and even bit, but the attacker's grip held her in place. Pressure was insured on her wrists, Victoria almost cried out. No, she wouldn't show signs of surrender. She looked up and stared into the narrow face of a dark elf. His silver hair was perfect, not a stand was out of place. His green robe almost blended into the forest surroundings.
"What's your problem? Get off me!" An evil grin crossed his face. He began to chant a spell. "What do you think you are doing?" Victoria growled.
An invisible hand clamped down over her nostrils and mouth. A searing pain shot through her body. Victoria twitched under the elf's grip. He grinned wider and stopped the spells. He let go of Victoria's wrists and stood up. Victoria lay panting for air; she reached for one of her daggers. The hand came back denying her air. She tired to claw away at it, but it was like attacking nothing. She pulled a dagger instead and threw it at the maniac. He dove out of the way and broke his concentration on the spells. Without hesitation, Victoria leaped up and then tackled him to the ground.
He laughed. "I like your spirit." His dark eyes were lifeless.
"Who the hell are you to treat me like that!" she demanded.
"If you get off me, I'll introduce myself." He said calmly.
"No funny stuff or you'll be a living pin cushion." She let him up.
He brushed off his robe and cleared his throat. "Vinx Darkmist, Enchanter." He bent to kiss her hand.
She pulled it away. "Victoria, Master of Daggers."
"Master of Daggers? Never heard that one before." Vinx stroked the small beard on his chin.
"Shut your mouth." Victoria snapped. "And why did you attack me?" her purple eyes glared.
"You looked like easy prey." He chuckled.
"For what?" Victoria sneered.
"For whatever you had on you." He stepped closer.
"You were going to try to loot me." She laughed.
"Yes." He said while stroking his goatee.
"I'd like to see you try. I was raised by the most skilled looter of Neriak." Victoria held her head up high.
Vinx smirked. "Then why are you here?" he waved around at the trees.
"Following someone, that I should be doing right now, not wasting my time on stupid questions." She tried to push past him; he stopped her.
"I like your attitude. I think I'll join you." He crossed his arms.
"What makes you think you can just join me?" she placed her hands on her curved hips.
"Not very aware of your surroundings, are you?" he grinned.
Victoria shoved him. "Fine! Just don't cause trouble or get in my way." She stalked off.
"My pleasure, Milady." He bowed.
"You don't believe me?" he grinned.
"To tell you the truth..no." Lorilie said simply.
*****
The boat's floorboards creaked under Caleb's foot as he stumbled to the side. Lorilie sat at the helm with her feet propped up on the railing. The Windchaser had been to sea for a week and already the passengers were eager to get off, especially Caleb. Lorilie didn't even bother to call her crew; she had Slith, Wintercloud, Caleb, and Brand to do all the work for free. Lanie sat on the deck sewing a dress for Lorilie. It was a soft green with dark blue flowers embroided decoratively. Lorilie acted like she adored the dress, but inside she despised the thing; she did not wear dresses.
Valamora and Durk only accompanied them until they got to Freeport after their meeting in the forest. They bid them farewell and vanished back into the woods. Caleb got plenty of information about what happened after "the duel" that he wanted to know. Slith enjoyed listening about his father, but laughed when Valamora said that Mirk was so active. Slith told her that all he does now is stay at home and teach his siblings the ways of the monk.
"When are we getting there?" Wintercloud sat next to Lorilie.
"Some time today, if the weather holds out." She gazed at the sky.
"I don't think Caleb can last much longer. He can't seem to keep anything down." He chuckled.
"I wish I knew some sailing songs." Brand surprised them from behind.
"I don't. I can't stand you singing. I'd rather face a pack of angry griffins." Lorilie giggled while standing to see how close land was.
"Very funny. I don't sound that bad." He blushed.
The endless cry of gulls filled their ears as they pulled into the Butcher Block docks. Slith jumped over the side and swam to shore. He was thrown a rope to tie off the ship. Wintercloud threw down the gangplank and helped Caleb regain his balance. Lorilie walked into the Port Authority building to report her ship. Brand and Lanie gathered all the supplies and secured all the cabin doors as she did that.
Rain poured down in sheets on the weary travelers half way to Kelethin. Everyone complained, except Kel and Slith, they quite enjoyed the multiple droplets. The bitter coldness nipped at Lorilie's unprotected face; her nose and cheeks were a bright red color. Caleb pulled his cloak closer around him to try to keep warm. He stepped closer to Lorilie and put his arm around her shoulders to warm her a bit too; she smiled. Brand glared at Caleb's back and quickened his pace to walk with Slith. Wintercloud trailed after everyone and kept the pace they walked at.
The rain finally stopped as they reached Kelethin. The little elven children scattered as the group got to the mechanical lift. They laughed uncontrollable while darting behind Kel's feathery rump. The guards had a problem at first with the group, but then let up when they stated their names and business. More children ran about on the platforms above. A tiny iksar raced by and Slith laughed.
"That looksss like one of my sssiblingsss." He stared after the child.
"That's right!" Lorilie said after a minute, "Your parents hatched another nest a couple of years ago."
"Yesss and now I finally get to meet them." Slith said happily.
"How many brothers and sisters do you have?" Brand looked around.
"Let'sss sssee..there were four othersss in my nessst and there were three in the lassst nessst. Ssso I have ssseven." He grinned.
"How do your parents raise them all!?" Lanie said flabbergasted. Slith shrugged his shoulders and followed Lorilie who was already at the top of the ramp. Caleb whispered to Kel and then walked to the lift again. Lanie and Brand went after Lorilie while Wintercloud stayed confused were they left him.
"Where's Caleb going?" Wintercloud asked the griffin.
"He'sss jussst going to sssee the horrrsssesss." Kel rolled his shoulders.
"Why?" Wintercloud peered towards the lift.
"Becaussse he wantsss too."
Lorilie sat at the small garden looking at her mother's grave. The garden had replaced her house ever since it burned down. Lielay was buried there with tiny flowers sprouting up in the dark soil. On the right there was Lielay's sword placed nicely on the ground. On the other side was a smaller stone; Lorilie peered closer to read the inscription. It was her mother's pet lion, Snappy, who had died trying to save Lielay. Lorilie scarcely remembered Snappy it was a lost memory.
"This garden is never to be disturbed by any mortals. May the souls that lie here pass to a greater place above us." Lorilie read a small sign. Silent pain over took her.
Lanie and Brand stood at a distance silently. The pain welled up in their hearts to have to see Lorilie in this state. Seconds later, Lorilie saw the two and stood up. She wiped a tear away and headed off again. Lanie sighed and hauled her packs up until she was comfortable again. Brand surveyed the city in the trees while following Lorilie closely behind. Not far away, Lorilie stopped at a large house and knocked. Brand noticed that this house was much larger then the rest. The door opened and Slith stood in the doorway. He smiled and let Lorilie enter. Lanie held Brand back and shook her head at him. He groaned and sat against an enormous tree trunk.
*****
Caleb opened the stable doors and inhaled the smell of horses and hay. It was a welcoming atmosphere. Large sunrays poured through the open windows when Claeb threw them open. He crossed to a sleek black stallion and patted its nose. The horse nuzzled Caleb's hand, searching for a treat. Caleb smiled and walked over to a corner where boxes and bags were stored. He came back with two sugar cubes. He gave one to the black stallion and the other to the brown stallion in the stall next to him.
"You were always fascinated with horses." Wintercloud leaned on the stall door.
Caleb smiled, "Hasn't everyone in their life?"
"Yes. Do any belong to your uncle?" Winter waved around at the horses.
"My uncle? Oh yeah. Yeah this black one and this brown one." He pointed.
"What are their names?" the human picked up another two cubes and fed them to the horses.
"Midnight and Traveler. They used to belong to my mother and Albain." Caleb frowned.
*****
Mirk jumped up from the ground when Slith walked in with Lorilie. "Have you been to your uncle'sss?" were the firsts words he said.
"No." Lorilie blushed.
"Then why are you here?" he hugged her.
"Well, your house is closer, so I came here." She glanced at his flat head; it looked awkward with only one horn.
Three mini iksars ran through the front door and hissed with laughter. Mirk beamed and signaled them to stop. Two had bright designs on their faces and pink under-bellies. The other was dark like Mirk and Slith. They tilted their heads and their narrowed eyes turned towards Lorilie. Mirk's wife, Linia, came out from a back room with her oldest daughter, Laylette; both were carrying trays of refreshments.
"Good the little onesss are here. Now they can finally meet Ssslith." Linia glowed.
Mirk herded them closer to Lorilie and Slith. "Macura, Beonin," he placed a hand on each girls' shoulder. He turned to the little boy, "Tarmon, thisss isss your brother, Ssslith, and thisss isss Lorilie." Lorilie bent to one knee and gave the tiny iksars a warming smile. Mirk's family were the nicest most caring iksars out of their whole race. Lorilie never heard of any other iksar like them.
It took hours for Lorilie to be introduced to all of Mirk's children. Slith, Taren, Laylette, Arad, and Mayene were all from the same nest as Lorilie sat and listened. Macura, Beonin, and Tarmon were the younglings that were hatched four years earlier. After what seemed like an eternity, Lorilie departed Linia and Mirk's house to find Brand asleep and Lanie working on the evil dress outside.
"What took so long?" Lanie shoved her work into a pack.
"I met all of Slith's family." Lorilie rolled her eyes and smiled.
"Is Slith's family the only iksars living here?" Lanie got up and handed Lorilie a bag to carry.
"Yes. Only Mirk's family is allowed. My mother cleared them as harmless." Lorilie slung the pack over her shoulder.
"What are we doing now?" Brand yawned while slowly standing up.
"Going to my uncle Joshua's house." Lorilie laughed when Brand's face dropped.
"Do we have to sit outside again?" he crossed his arms.
"No, you can come in this time." She playfully smacked his arm.
*****
Caleb laughed as Kel paraded around the living room with his little cousin, Saria, on his back. His uncle Joshua and aunt Birria sat on the couch opposite from him and Wintercloud. Caleb's first childhood friend and cousin, Marcus, leaned by the window watching with boredom growing in his eyes. Caleb's other cousin Kayla stood behind her mother giggling. Wintercloud looked around the room scanning all the portraits; one in peculiar caught his eye, he crossed to it and examined it closer. It was of Caleb and his parents when he was a baby. Sorrow swelled up inside him as he turned to Caleb; so much despair had befallen on him.
The door slowly creaked open. All heads whirled around and stared. Birria gasped and clutched her throat. Joshua's eyes widened and he stood up. Caleb, Kel, and Wintercloud were smiling. Lorilie stood in the doorway with a confused expression on as she looked from Joshua to Birria. Brand and Lanie came in behind her and stood to the side.
"Come on, it's just Lorilie." Caleb chuckled.
"You look so much like Lielay." Birria had Lorilie in an embrace in a flash.
"And Albain." Joshua stepped closer.
"OK, you two are scaring me now. Let's try that again. This time when I come through the door; jump up, scream "Lorilie!", and smile, got it?" Lorilie winked as she closed the door behind her.
Laughter erupted in the room when Lorilie popped back into view. Everyone mingled together as if they were at a party. Joshua swore aloud when Caleb told him about the burning of the inn and the attackers of Lorilie. Brand then opened his flute case and began to play a nice tune. He couldn't resist the urge to play for the crowd. Little Saria clapped her tiny elven hands and bounced on Birria's knee while listening to the music.
*****
Victoria dove over the side of the boat and swam to the docks. She cursed and made a rude gesture towards the ship as it sailed right by the harbor. Victoria had gotten onto a boat heading for the Butcher Block Mountains, but once they got into view of its docks, the captain changed his mind and shouted to his crew that they weren't stopping. Wringing her cloak dry as best as she could, Victoria pulled her hood up and walked calmly past the guards. She sniggered at their stupidity; she had passed them so easily. Stopping by a tree a few minutes away, Victoria took out a flask of water and drank deeply.
"Can you spare anything for a homesick halfling?" someone came up behind her.
Victoria twirled around and stared down at a filthy little halfling beggar. "Be gone or I'll make you." She spat on his dirty, furry feet.
"Don't you have any kindness? You're a very rude.." he stepped closer and peered into the cowl of her cloak. He fell backwards and started to yell. "Dark elf! Help an inky is attacking me!" he stared to run. A dagger flew into his back and he fell in a small heap. Victoria grabbed her dagger and kicked the lifeless body. She shoved that blade into her boot and took another sip of water.
"Halt there you inky!" two dwarves were running towards her.
Throwing the flask in her bag, Victoria set off at a dead run. The trail was muddy from the morning rain. She slipped and slid a few feet. Covered in mud she ran again, vanishing into the trees. The dwarves searched around for some time before walking back to their stations. Victoria continued her way to Kelethin while dodging through trees and rocks. She avoided all other people in case of repeating what just happened with the dwarf guards.
*****
Lorilie and Wintercloud sat on the balcony watching the stars above. Everyone else was asleep and unaware of the two outside. Out of complete boredom, Lorilie started to braid her hair in two. Wintercloud sipped on a hot liquid while glancing at her. She smiled and finished her hair. A wolf howled below them; breaking Wintercloud's gaze. Lorilie leaned over the side trying to find the wolf; another wolf howled and Lorilie leaned further.
"You're going to fall." Wintercloud grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back.
She turned around in his arms. "Ummm..thanks Winter." She was glad it was dark since her cheeks were burning.
"Who's out there?" Marcus yawned while pulling back his long black hair into a ponytail.
"Just me and Wintercloud." Lorilie sat back down.
"What are you doing up so late?" He supported himself in the doorway.
"Both of us couldn't sleep." Wintercloud smiled to Lorilie.
"Well you better go to sleep otherwise Mother will skin both your hides. Even if you are guests." Marcus yawned again.
Marcus went back into the house yawning louder this time. Lorilie stared over the balcony again, hoping to catch a glance at the wolves. A shimmer in the trees turned her attention. She motioned Wintercloud to look too. The shimmer was there one second then vanished. Lorilie sighed as Wintercloud steered her to the room she shared with Lanie. Wintercloud closed the door and went to the couch he was sleeping on. On the other side of the room Brand slept halfway off the couch, snoring.
*****
Victoria. She had, had another run-in with some guards again; they were tracking her through the forest this time. She carefully peered around the giant boulder she hid behind. A green blur pounced out and tackled her to the muddy ground. She kicked, scratched, and even bit, but the attacker's grip held her in place. Pressure was insured on her wrists, Victoria almost cried out. No, she wouldn't show signs of surrender. She looked up and stared into the narrow face of a dark elf. His silver hair was perfect, not a stand was out of place. His green robe almost blended into the forest surroundings.
"What's your problem? Get off me!" An evil grin crossed his face. He began to chant a spell. "What do you think you are doing?" Victoria growled.
An invisible hand clamped down over her nostrils and mouth. A searing pain shot through her body. Victoria twitched under the elf's grip. He grinned wider and stopped the spells. He let go of Victoria's wrists and stood up. Victoria lay panting for air; she reached for one of her daggers. The hand came back denying her air. She tired to claw away at it, but it was like attacking nothing. She pulled a dagger instead and threw it at the maniac. He dove out of the way and broke his concentration on the spells. Without hesitation, Victoria leaped up and then tackled him to the ground.
He laughed. "I like your spirit." His dark eyes were lifeless.
"Who the hell are you to treat me like that!" she demanded.
"If you get off me, I'll introduce myself." He said calmly.
"No funny stuff or you'll be a living pin cushion." She let him up.
He brushed off his robe and cleared his throat. "Vinx Darkmist, Enchanter." He bent to kiss her hand.
She pulled it away. "Victoria, Master of Daggers."
"Master of Daggers? Never heard that one before." Vinx stroked the small beard on his chin.
"Shut your mouth." Victoria snapped. "And why did you attack me?" her purple eyes glared.
"You looked like easy prey." He chuckled.
"For what?" Victoria sneered.
"For whatever you had on you." He stepped closer.
"You were going to try to loot me." She laughed.
"Yes." He said while stroking his goatee.
"I'd like to see you try. I was raised by the most skilled looter of Neriak." Victoria held her head up high.
Vinx smirked. "Then why are you here?" he waved around at the trees.
"Following someone, that I should be doing right now, not wasting my time on stupid questions." She tried to push past him; he stopped her.
"I like your attitude. I think I'll join you." He crossed his arms.
"What makes you think you can just join me?" she placed her hands on her curved hips.
"Not very aware of your surroundings, are you?" he grinned.
Victoria shoved him. "Fine! Just don't cause trouble or get in my way." She stalked off.
"My pleasure, Milady." He bowed.