Elanora's first hunting trip was on a trip to Tear with Janarc. He had business there that he had to accomplish and offered to take Elanora along with him.
When he finally showed up, looking decidedly tired but grinning all the same, Elanora had Janarc's horse Scoundrel saddled and the horse that Malk had loaned her was packed with provisions. Malk had helped Ela ready the packs, showing her what to pack and how to pack it. As they swung up onto the horses to leave, Ela thought back over the conversation she'd had with Malk.
"I've had years of experience at traveling light and fast. There's things you can get along without, things that can do double duty, things that you HAVE to have. You'll learn it as you go along, la…d." He'd given her a long slow look that Ela tried to return without changing expression but the hard blue eyes bored deep into hers. Ela's eyes were the first to drop as she replied "Yes, sir," so that she didn't see the grin that had passed over Malk's face.
"Janarc's a good man but he tends to react from his ideals. He'd try to tell you that he doesn't have any. But he does. And it's not a weakness, it's a … foible. He'll also expect you to know what he's thinking and to be ready for whatever happens." Malk looked at her, all trace of humour gone from his eyes. "Some of the people he's meeting wouldn't hesitate to stick a dagger in his, or your, back." He hesitated to emphasize his words. "Watch his back for him. Try not to let him lead with his feelings. Can you do that, lass?"
Ela's blue-gray eyes met Malk's icy blue ones. "I'll do my best, sir," she said, just as seriously. "But I ain't got no influence over him. I'm just along to take care of the horses. He coulda hired anyone for this." She raised her eyes to Malk's and said quietly "Are ya gonna tell him about me?"
Malk looked hard at her for a second and replied, "No. He chose you. That means that he's willing to be convinced that he can trust you. So don't make any mistakes that you can't correct. Because if he ever learns not to trust you, you'll never get another chance." Elanora nodded. "Here," Malk said as he handed her a sealed note, "if he stops on the way back from Tear, and he will if I know him, give this to Ossendre. She's the housekeeper for my place near Tear."
"But shouldn't Janarc carry it?" Ela asked. Malk shook his head. "No, he'd forget it or want to read it or lose it in some bar fight. It's better off that you have it. Put it in the saddlebags and remember to give it to her when you arrive. When you arrive now, you hear?" Nodding, Elanora stowed the letter carefully in the pocket of the saddlebag, shrugging a little at Malk's vehemence.
As they rode out the south gate of Caemlyn headed for Tear, Janarc said "Well, lad, I suppose you want to know what we're doing. I've got a few deliveries to make in Tear and some things to bring back. I'll be doing some trading with people I know there. Lad, you'll… errm, what's your name? I can't just keep calling you lad."
Ela paused, remembering Malk's words about trust but unwilling to let go of the secret that she'd held since leaving home. "My name's El, sir," she said. Janarc turned in his saddle, looking back at her. "Well, my name's longer but it's embarrassing. I don't like ta use it. You can just call me El. My ma, she picked it out…."
Janarc chuckled. "One of the privileges of not knowing your mother is that you can't blame her for the name you've got. Alright, El, I won't ask any further. Now when we get to Tear, we'll spend a day showing you around so that you can find your way when I need you to run the errands. Then I'll do the jobs I've come to do and we'll come back to Caemlyn."
The ride from Caemlyn to Tear was a slow easy ride with Janarc teaching Ela how to handle a sword and how to hunt. They were two day's ride south of Glancor when a man stepped into their camp just at dusk. Ela reached for her sword, still close at hand since she had just finished sparring with Janarc. "Put it down, El," Janarc said, "he's a friend. I've been waiting for you to come out of those trees over there for the last hour, Garwin. What kept you so long?"
"Just seeing if you had any abilities as a teacher, Janarc," Garwin growled in his low voice. "Looks like this one can learn even if you are the one showing him how." Garwin turned and looked at Ela. "You need a better blade than that thing that Janarc's got you using. Here." He reached in his pack and handed her a bone-handled blade, superbly balanced and just right for her reach. "I don't have any use for it and you might be able to learn how to fight now that you have a real weapon. Now could you step along and take care of my horse? I'm sure he'd like a brush down while Janarc and I take care of a little business." Ela nodded at the big burly man and slowly slid her eyes to Janarc, seeking his permission.
At Janarc's nod, Ela bowed to Garwin, murmuring her thanks for the blade and slid it into her belt as she moved away to where Garwin's horse stood with theirs. Within the hour, Garwin and Janarc had finished their talk. Ela resaddled Garwin's horse and held it while he mounted. Garwin leaned over and said in a low rumble, "He's a good teacher. Make him teach you the tricks though. No one ever makes it to old age always fighting by the book." Garwin straightened and growled "Janarc, I expect you not to let this boy lose that blade." Janarc grinned up at Garwin, saying "I'll do my best," as he came to stand next to Ela. As they bedded down on opposite sides of the fire later, Janarc said "You did just fine, El. You waited for me to let you know what to do. And don't feel bad about not noticing Garwin there before he stepped to the fire. There's few men that see him when that old fox doesn't want to be seen. You'll do just fine in Tear, lad."
