Chapter six: The Ranger's Rest
"Father!" Orincio shouted as Xarlion and Katla retuned to the camp.
As the sun slowly made its way down the sky on the third day of their absence., Marthelle and her pilgrims returned.
Three of the pilgrims were dead, and two were gravely injured.
Those who were not hut badly, were covered in cuts and bruises.
"Father! Kapla is hurt badly! Airlia! Please do something more! Katla, please help her!"
Xarlion put his hands on Orincio's shoulders. "Calm yourself, we are here we will do what we can."
Katla rushed to the litter where Kapla lay silently.
Katla prayed to Corellon to give her the strength to help the young woman.
"She has been poisoned."
"Yes," Marthelle replied. "We should have listened to you Xarlion when you warned us of the dangers. It was only by the will of Apima that we survived at all."
Katla began using her spells on Kapla and the other injured girl.
By the time the sun had set, the injured were well on the way to getting better.
Orincio held Kapla's hand and spoke soothing, love filled words to her.
Xarlion pulled Marthelle aside and spoke to her of his plans. They kept to themselves as they spoke and did not share their thoughts with the others.
At times, Xarlion would get a look in his eyes as he spoke and a slight blush would come over his face.
Rowan and Tevera, likewise had private conversations. Their faces lit up as they quietly spoke.
Airlia was fawning over Iasa, and slowly, Iasa warmed up to her affections.
Solass and Joraine were talking with the remaining pilgrims. They wanted to learn all they could about the land their father wanted to be their new home.
Katla stared at the campfire and occasionally looked at the remains of the three dead.
The pilgrims had tightly bundled the remains of the dead in rags and sweet herbs and flowers, to temporarily keep them stable until they could be returned to Nyärith and be properly honored.
Katla took a deep breath. She understood that no matter how well she tried to live as a normal elf, she never would be normal. Being an elf-bane set her up for being alone. Becoming a bride of Corellon cemented her position as a stranger to all she knew and wanted to know.
Katla rarely spoke on the journey to the Ranger's Rest .
With the affections between Xarlion and Marhtelle and Iasa and Airlia blooming, Katla was mostly left to herself.
Katla looked at the snowflakes as they gently fell, blanketing the trees in their white splendor.
Winter, frozen, preserving the feelings she shared with her friends deeply within her heart.
Katla knew that she would have to keep those memories frozen in time, because she knew she would soon be all alone once more.
She did not mind. For the first time since she came to the continent, she had extra time for her prayers and meditations. At least, that is what she kept telling herself.
Evenings when others were taking reverie, she would pull her sword and start practicing in the same ritualistic manner she did in the glade outside of Wisteria Manor.
"I have no voice, so the sword is my voice.." she chanted as she slowly practiced every move and technique she knew.
"I see why father said you nearly beat him." Joraine said as she opened one eye, then the other and watched Katla from the light of the dimming embers of the fire. "I have never seen anyone as good with a sword as you are."
"I thought you were taking reverie."
"I was faking. I am too excited. Kamiel is so handsome and kind. He has elves from all over Cormathor forest, and elsewhere, fawning all over him, begging for his affections. And this time of year, all of the most wonderful men show up to hold out the winter."
"Seems that you have an affection for Kamiel yourself."
"No more than that of like an uncle. I did when I was younger. It is all of the handsome, eligible males he attracts that interest me."
"Looking for love?"
"Not really. I just want, well, um."
"I see. You are half human, so I suppose you develop faster."
"I don't mind telling you, father does not know, but I am not a virgin. I really like coupling, Airlia says I like it more than I should."
"It is a very wonderful feeling." Katla said as she sheathed her sword and sat next to Joraine.
Joraine's mouth popped open in surprise. "Father keeps saying that for elves, you are considered a little young for, well, that."
"Yes and no. It is hard to explain. Trysting is not really considered a problem, among most families, it is marriage itself that I am considered too young for.
"So do think father will be angry when he finds out I had a lover during our travels in the Silver Marches?"
"I doubt it. As long as there is no child, it should be of little consequence."
"Thank you , Katla. That is good to know. There is a big chance that my former lover will be at the Ranger's Rest. He travels widely. He has even been to the heart of Kara-Tur. I am excited and a bit afraid he will be there. He is so popular among the women. His reputation is that of a rake. He has women all over the place."
"Well, that might be a problem. You know how your father is about honor."
"So should I keep my relationships a secret?"
"No, just don't go into large detail."
"I will."
"We're here." Xarlion said as he pointed to a huge camphor tree a short distance away down the path.
He looked up onto the trees around them, made a few bird calls, and waved some hand signals.
Iasa went rigid as two elves jumped from their perches and into the road.
"Well met." One said as he removed the hood of his cloak. A mass of blonde, straight hair fell past the elven man's shoulders. His blue eyes danced with delight. "It is good to see you, Xarlion."
"And you as well, Lysar."
"No hello for me?" the other man said as he removed his hood. This man's short cropped hair was stark white. His complexion was dark. He looked scrutinized Xarlion's group with his dark blue eyes.
"Drow!" Iasa shouted as he drew his sword.
The pilgrims cowered in fear at a seeing a creature they had only heard of in legends.
"Put that thing away." Xarlion said as he put himself in front of Iasa's sword.
"Sakes, Ormin" Rowan said as he pushed past his father and Iasa. "You didn't have to scare them liked that."
Iasa blinked at Xarlion a couple of times before sheathing his sword.
Katla walked to Ormin and stared in fascination. She had heard that drow were short, ugly, dark monsters, but his man was not short, nor was he ugly. "Hello, I am Katla."
"As Rowan just said, I am Ormin." he said as he reached out and kissed Katla's hand. "I am only half drow. Mother was raped by Vhaerunites during a raid, but she loves me all the same, despite the circumstances behind my conception."
"Lysar and Ormin are Kamiel's younger brothers. You have nothing to fear from either of them." Rowan said. "Ormin, why don't you inform your brother that we are here."
Ormin made a face and rolled his eyes before he put his hood back up and raced towards the camphor tree.
Katla blinked at Ormin as he sped off. She marveled at his quickness.
Lysar let out a hearty laugh. " I must get back to my post. It is good to see all of you." He looked directly at Joraine and gave a sly wink before speeding back up into the trees.
Xarlion furrowed his brow and shook his head before waving his group ahead. "You must excuse Ormin, Katla. He is a child, only sixteen. He revels in jokes and pranks. Pay him no mind."
Katla smiled and nodded.
As they came closer to the camphor tree, Katla noticed the tree had grown around a small, rundown cabin. If one did not know what to look for, the cabin would be easily missed.
Vines twined themselves through the lower branches of the tree, around the crumbling wall of the cabin and over the rocky outcropping behind.
Ormin burst through the door and rushed past them and back to his post.
Another blonde elf man was right on his heels. "Ormin! Ugh!" He shouted as he shook his head.
Katla thought Lysar was handsome, but if this elf's hair had more of a tinge of red to his golden locks, he would have been the spitting image of Corellon.
"I see he is keeping your hands full, Kamiel."
Kamiel let out a hearty laugh. "That he is, Xarlion. Welcome. It has been slow so far, so nobody will have to sleep in the main hall."
Kamiel opened his arms and embraced his friend. "It is good to see you again. We weren't sure whether you would come back after we heard that you returned to Evermeet."
"My business there is concluded." Xarlion turned and led Kamiel to where Katla was standing in stunned silence. "Kamiel Willowsong, may I present the Lady Katla Wisteria. She is the reason I returned to Evermeet. I just had to rescue her." He said sarcastically.
Kamiel looked at Katla and took a deep breath. "I am honored to meet such a stunning beauty. I am certain you have no equal in all the realms. No wonder Xarlion rushed back to his birthplace."
"I, I am glad to meet you. Has anyone told you that you resemble Corellon greatly?"
Kamiel laughed, "Quite often, I'm afraid. It is a curse as much as a blessing. Come, let me find you and yours some place to rest."
The exterior of the Ranger's Rest gave nothing to indicate the comforts inside.
The lodge extended throughout the huge camphor tree and into the rocky outcropping itself. It was not grandiose, but it was able to house a good number of people.
"Kamiel, Is 'he' here?" Xarlion asked as he helped the others unload their gear in the main hall.
"No, Brasher and his group rescued a small caravan of slaves in the Anauroch. He is returning them to their home in the Yuirwood."
" Let me guess, it was a caravan of courtesans to be sold in the west."
Kamiel laughed. "As a matter of fact, it was. The elven ladies were quite, accommodating."
That brought a laugh to Xarlion. "It would be nothing less for that youngster. I wonder how Montolio and Willwaren put up with him?"
"Parents can tolerate much from their own, as you well know."
"That I do Kamiel, that I do."
Katla stood listening to the conversation, wanting to speak to Xarlion, but not willing to interrupt.
The conversation was lightening Xarlion's spirits.
Katla knew he needed all of the cheer he could gather, before he left all he knew behind.
"Kamiel!" a shrill voice shouted as a tall, graying elven woman stomped into the great hall.
"What is the matter, mother?"
"Did you catch that snipe Ormin before he got outside?"
"No, mother I am afraid I wasn't."
"Damn it all!" She stomped her foot. "Now I will have to brew a stomach medicine. I warned the boy that the pie was not baked through, but would he listen, no. I tell you , we should have not let those members of House Amaquissar come to stay the winter. They are a bad influence on my boy."
"Mother, I would like you to meet someone, " Kamiel said as he turned his mother Katla's direction. "Lady Katla Wisteria, newly from Evermeet. Katla, this is my mother, Yuula Willowsong."
Kamiel turned his mother toward Katla, hoping to avoid Yuula's wrath.
"Well, good m..." She started until her eyes caught the color of Katla's eyes. "Good God Corellon!" She wailed," First the odd happenings in the forest, then the Amaquissars, now this! Kamiel! What in the nine hells do you think you are doing?"
Reactively, Kamiel went to Katla's side, put his arm around her waist and protectively pulled her to close to him. "What complaint do you have now mother? You have no business frightening a lady with your taunts and temper."
Katla turned her face into Kamiel's chest to avoid having to look at Yuula.
"That, my son is no lady, it is a monster sired in the depths of the demon lands and implanted in a womb to mature."
"Enough, mother! I will hear no more of your nonsense! Xarlion brought her as his guest. She has posed no threat to his or to us. "
"Not yet, but it will. It may be the cause of all of the strangeness in the forest. Gods, son, did you not even look into that thing's eyes!"
"Yes mother, they are lovely. I quite like them." Kamiel growled.
"That thing is an elf-bane, son. If it stays here, the lodge will come down around our ears while we are in deep reverie!"
"You have been too much in your herbs, mother , there is no such thing."
Yuula sneered at Kamiel, turned and stomped through the door that led to the kitchens. She yelled out a last warning , "Mark my words, son. That thing will bring ruin to us all!"
Kamiel pulled her tighter to him and smoothed her hair. "Now, now. It will be alright. Pay her no mind. My mother has always been high strung.
Katla did not realize she was sobbing until Kamiel's hand ran through her hair.
Xarlion furrowed his brow. " I suppose I should be jealous, she is to be my betrothed, by my mother's arrangement."
"But you are not."
"No, I am not jealous. You know I ran from the isle the first time because of the threat of an arranged marriage. and she is a bit young for a formal courtship or betrothal. It is Iasa you will have to watch out for." Xarlion looked at Marthelle and winked. "I only agreed so I could get her away from the isle before someone attempted to kill her, and her entire family again."
Kamiel tilted Katla's head up so she could look him in the eyes. "How old are you?"
Katla's eyes went wide and pushed herself away from Kamiel and dried her eyes on her sleeves. "I am sorry, I did not mean to take such liberties, you must think..."
"You have yet to answer my question, milady."
"What? Oh, I am thirty two."
"Well, that may be too young on the isle, but in the wilderness, we tend to court our mates much younger, as nature intended it. I would like your permission to be one of your suitors."
"But, but we only met a few moments ago."
"I know." Kamiel said with a smile. "Araslo, go relieve Lysar. The lady Katla will need a food tester and someone well schooled in my mother's tricks and traps until she can spot them on her own. Mother will be less likely to pull something if more than one of her own is looking after Katla."
Araslo nodded and rushed out of the door.
"Lady Katla, do you have any skills? I am afraid the lodge has no servants. Everyone who stays here must help in the upkeep to stay."
"Well, Kamiel, I am a devoted cleric of Corellon. I am good at healing and protection spells. I am good with a sword and a bow. "
"She is more than good with sword and bow, Kamiel" Xarlion interjected. "She has nearly bested me in both more than once."
Kamiel raised an eyebrow and smiled. "I have the perfect task for you while you stay. Oh, one more thing. Keep a close watch on your belongings. A family from House Amaquissar is staying the winter. On Evermeet, they are the court tricksters and Queen's assassins, but here..."
"They will simply try to steal you blind." Katla finished.
"I see we are already of the same mind, my heart. Let me show you to your room. It is not much, barely room for a small cot and a side table, but it is warmer than outside."
"Thank you." Katla followed Kamiel into the interior of the tree.
"My room is just up the steps. Call out if you are in need."
Shortly before sunrise, Kamiel roused Katla from her reverie. "Are you ready to start your tasks?"
Katla stretched her arms as she blinked at Kamiel. For a moment, she had believed that Corellon had invaded her bedchamber again. She took a deep breath to shake the twinkle from her eyes.
"Did you catch my words?"
"Yes, Kamiel. I am ready to begin. What is my task?"
"You are going hunting, with me. I brought you some warmer clothing to wear, and a cloak that will help you stay hidden in the brush. The quarry we hunt is very dangerous. But, I must admit, it may be safer to deal with than being inside the lodge all of the time."
"Because of your mother?"
"Because of my mother." Kamiel turned and left Katla to change.
Katla met Kamiel outside of the door of the lodge with her sword at her side and her bow over her shoulder.
"Good, you are prompt. I like that." Kamiel said with a twinkle in his eye.
Katla smiled, then let her smile widen into a smirk, "This is no time for play, Kamiel."
"Right. We have something to hunt. When Xarlion told me of your skills, I was certain that you would be the best one to help me with this task." Kamiel's face darkened and he shuddered slightly.
"Go on."
"I am afraid the creature, or creatures we hunt walk on two legs. You heard my mother ramble about strange happenings in the forest?"
"A little, my face was buried in your chest."
"Did you like its warmth?"
"I liked hearing the beat of your heart. It was comforting. But, please tell me, what about the strange happenings in the forest?"
"Uh, yes, well. We have found carcasses of animals and some carcasses of humans and elves littered in various areas of the forest. The hides, horns, and in the hooves of the animals have been taken, and the rest left to rot. In the cases of the people, their ears, hands and feet were severed and the skin peeled from their bodies."
"Your mother believes it is a curse."
"Yes, but my mother has never been one to think in practical terms. If she had been, she would have never wandered off alone, only to return with Ormin in her belly. I am still unsure how she escaped from the Vhaerunites' fortress."
"So what do we seek?"
"Poachers, people who hunt for sport. Of what race they are, I have yet to determine. I have never found anyone during a kill, although I have found the carcasses while still warm."
A twinge of anger welled up from deep inside Katla.
Katla saw the politics on Evermeet as no more than greedy ones, hunting power and position, for sport.
"Katla, are you alright?"
"Oh, yes."
"I hope you were daydreaming about me, but the sun is coming up. We need to get into the forest before the sun. The poachers seem to attack during early light."
Katla nodded and followed close behind Kamiel.
"I know why your forest has been acting strangely. " Marthelle announced at the noon meal a few weeks later. "It is our goddess, Apima, whom you call Mystra here. It is the sign that the portal is being prepared for us. It should appear in another week."
Katla rolled her eyes at Marthelle's assured statement. She had been following the clues with Kamiel the entire time. She knew the poachers might be killing to gather supplies for a wizardly experiment, but their activity was in no way a godly sign.
Kamiel and Katla had determined that there was possibly two groups of poachers, possibly killing and leaving the carcasses in a sick form of rivalry.
There was one other possibility. One of the groups of poachers seemed to be using the kills as bait, for the other, and possibly for finding the location of the Ranger's Rest.
Either way, the poachers were very dangerous.
Katla had found a bit of skin left on one of the elven victims of the poacher. The victim was a drow. The human bodies were half-elves of drow mixed heritage.
After that, both Katla and Kamiel were more careful to determine the race of the person before burying the body.
Once it was determined that drow were the only sentient victims, Kamiel made sure that Ormin was never aloneat his watches.
"At least we got the drawings of the ruins in the Farsea Marshes." Tevera added to Marthelle's statement. " I am certain they are exactly like the ones on Duskever Island, on Nyärith. In ancient times, the island was said to have been where the Dragon King ruled over all of his slaves. And, we know no dimensional gate to Nyärith lies there"
"You are quite aware that if Xarlion goes with you, there will be dozens of elven wizards trying to create a gate to your continent?"
"Yes, master Kamiel, and frankly, it would be welcome. Those who worship the gods of Anthealda and Greiis Havens are facing a huge threat by a race of humans in Xel-Sia. The Xel-Sians worship only one god, Ya'al, and condemn and murder any who do not worship as they do. In the last few years they have grown drastically in number and in power. Their emperor insists that is his destiny to rule the continent and from there, the world. We suspect that he a gate to this continent already, but our people have yet to find it. Wherever it is, it is well hidden."
"I see the wisdom of Mystra for sending pilgrims to Faerun to find it, even at such cost as you have paid." Kamiel said with a nod. He squeezed his hand around Katla's, who sat next to him.
"Yes. We have only lost three, and their souls are free. While on Nyärith, dozens and more are being killed and enslaved daily because of Xel-Sia." Tevera said.
"We are ready to go with you through your portal, there is only one more question to answer. Iasa, are you going to come with us?" Xarlion said flatly.
Iasa was not listening. He was busy scowling at Kamiel.
"Iasa!"
"Oh, did you say something, your grace?"
"Are you going to Nyärith with us?"
"No."
"No?" Airlia said loudly and stood from her seat next to him. "After, everything you have done, after all I have... Why? What is wrong? Why not."
"I have a duty, Airlia. If Lady Katla does not go, as her chaperone, I do not go."
"But I thought you had given up on proprieties?"
"I have a duty."
Airlia ran from the great hall, with Xarlion on her heels.
Iasa continued to give Kamiel and Katla a cold stare.
"If you want to go, I release you from your vow, Iasa."
"No. I will not go."
"What a time for that stubborn streak of his to surface." Katla thought to herself.
"He is jealous" Kamiel whispered.
"No, his jealousy mellowed not long after we landed on the continent. Something else is bothering him, angering him."
Kamiel looked to Katla, then to Iasa and shook his head. "I hope you are right."
"There, behind that group of berry bracken." Kamiel signed to Katla . He was glad to brush up on his knowledge of finger speech. Most of his people refused to use the drow invented tool, preferring bird calls and clicks. Finger speech was much more effective in catching this particular prey.
Katla nodded and drew her sword. She crept slowly and silently along the ground on her belly. She was glad that her father had taught her and his students more than just fancy swordplay.
Earlier, Kamiel had decided to track the path of a boar when they came upon a half hidden, hastily doused fire. Their poacher or poachers was also tracking the boar, possibly for the tusks.
From the goring in brush and trees, the tusks of the animal looked to be that of a mature male boar. Boar tusks of that size could be very valuable.
It was the opportunity Kamiel had been waiting for.
Katla stayed hidden, shadowing Kamiel's path as he tracked the boar. Kamiel hoped that the poachers would be absorbed enough in tracking the boar himself, that he would not notice Katla even if he did notice Kamiel.
Kamiel suspected some of the poachers knew of his movements, and that was the reason he had never been able to catch the poachers. It reassured Kamiel that he could have easily been a victim, but decided to leave Kamiel alone.
Hopefully, the poachers were proud enough to realize that the boar was not Kamiel's actual target.
Katla crept closer to the bush where the poacher was well hidden.
Suddenly, everything went black and she felt a strong pair of hands take her by the arms.
The poacher spoke an odd language. Katla could only make out a few words as the poacher disarmed her and stuffed something into her mouth.
The leathery taste of the gag made her feel sick. She tried to struggle, but the poacher was quick and strong. He had her bound in a matter of moments.
She closed her eyes and thought of Corellon's shining face. She thought of the way Corellon had touched her, and hoped her death would be quick, so she would have those arms around her once more once in Arvandor.
The poacher spoke more as the darkness around her faded.
She heard the boar, much closer, rooting around in the berry bushes where the poacher held her captive.
Katla opened her eyes to look at her captor.
The poacher was unmistakably a drow male. he was dressed in rags and a combination of animal furs. His hair was so matted and filthy that it was hard to see the signature whiteness of it. He smelled of dung and sweat.
Katla tried not to vomit as she looked from her captor to the spot where the boar was making noise to the spot where Kamiel was hidden.
If her hands were not tied, she would have tried to use the finger speech to communicate with the pitiful drow.
As Katla looked at the drow's concentration on the boar, she wondered if he was the one leaving the carcasses.
The drow was thin from hunger. It would not be prudent for a starving man to leave the meat and only take the hides.
Katla was desperate for Kamiel to find this man. This was not the poacher they needed to worry about.
As she prayed to Corellon for strength, she got the gut feeling that the other group of poachers, the ones Kamiel should worry about, were surrounding them. She glanced up to see a glint in a nearby tree.
This poacher was being set up for an ambush by more than her and Kamiel
She swung around on her behind and taped the drow with her foot to make him look at her.
He shot her an angry look as Katla moved her eyes and craned her neck in the direction of the tree where she had seen the glint.
He did not seem to understand, so she kicked him a couple of more times as she tried to get to her feet.
She tried to squeal through her gag so perhaps Kamiel would hear her.
As she struggled, a drow wearing a dark mask jumped from the tree and started making his way toward her and her captor.
The beggarly drow was too distracted to notice the masked one inching his way closer.
Her captor growled something at her again as the masked one leapt over both of them and sunk his knives into the boar.
The masked one spoke calmly to her captor.
Her captor let out a gasp and quickly cut her bonds with his knife and pointed to where he lay her sword.
"Oh please Kamiel, stay hidden. Corellon protect us." Katla prayed silently.
Kamiel had warned Katla that the Vhaerunites, drow followers of the god Vhaeraun, who always wore black masks, always hunted in groups. Two well armed elves and a wasted drow were no match for a larger Vhaerunite hunting party.
Katla prayed this hunting party was small.
Katla hoped that Kamiel remembered that before doing something rash.
As the Vhaerunite one spoke again, the beggar drow shot back words in anger, grabbed her hand and squeezed it, to reassure her for some reason.
An arrow hit the Vhaerunite as he came close to the bush. As he turned to determine where the arrow had originated, Katla grabbed her sword and engaged the Vhaerunite directly.
Katla was able to get a few good hits on him before the Vhaerunite was able to regain his senses and parry her blows.
The Vhaerunite shouted out. Four more masked hunters joined him in the clearing.
One of them grabbed the beggar drow and laughed as he tied the beggar up and the others tried to subdue Katla.
Kamiel jumped in, scimitar in hand, and engaged in battle with the drow.
Katla noticed the drow were being more heavy handed with Kamiel than they were with her.
She would not let these men realize their mistake in thinking that Kamiel was the better swordsman.
Katla steeled herself and cried out an oath to Corellon as she let the battle instincts her father had taught her kick in.
She disarmed and killed the first drow she was fighting , then turned to quickly engage the one trying to flank her.
The second drow screamed as Katla cleanly took off his arm.
With that drow preoccupied, she pulled a knife from her boot and threw it at a drow trying to flank Kamiel. The knife missed, but distracted the drow well enough to make him miss his blow.
Katla turned to the beggar and quickly cut his bounds. Even if the beggar drow was not in good condition, he had the right to escape or to help in the fight against the Vhaerunites.
The beggar nodded to her and grabbed the knives of the hunter that Katla first felled.
The beggar drow jumped to Kamiel and disposed of one of the two he was fighting before retreating back next to the dead boar.
The beggar put the one armed drow out of his misery as Kamiel and Katla finished up the last two.
Kamiel started towards the beggar, but Katla stopped him with the flat of her sword. "His is of no threat to us. He could have killed both of us a dozen times over if he had wanted to."
"He is one of the poachers."
"Yes, but not one of the ones leaving the carcasses. From what I see, the carcasses were being used to bait him, not us."
The beggar lay the knives on the ground, stood and raised his arms to show he was willing to be taken prisoner.
Katla sheathed her sword and pointed to herself. "Katla." then to Kamiel, "Kamiel, "
The drow beggar slowly lowered one hand and pointed to himself, "Bhintel." then raised his hand up again.
Kamiel sheathed his sword and sighed. "Well, we now have a drow slave. What are we going to do with him?"
Bhintel slowly lowered his hands, picked up the boar at his right and threw the boar over his wobbly shoulders. He pointed to the boar than to Kamiel and smiled.
"He wants to carry the boar for us." Kamiel said.
Katla knew he did not speak high elven, so she used her finger speech to communicate with Bhintel, hoping that he knew it.
Bhintel gasped, wobbled, and nearly dropped the boar as he set it at his feet.
"The boar is your as is my life, to do as you wish, lady." Bhintel signed to her.
Katla took off her cloak and put it around Bhintel's shoulders. "You may come with us to a safe place. I will make sure you have a warm bath, good food, and fresh clothing. You have no debt to me, but I will make sure you are not harmed. " she signed.
Kamiel rolled his eyes as he picked up the boar and slung it over his shoulders. "How can you tell him that?"
"I am an elf-bane. I know very well what it is like to be outcast, and alone."
The three slowly made their way to the Ranger's Rest, carefully covering their tracks.
As they neared the front door, Ormin burst through with Yuula fast on his heels.
Bhintel gasped , went for and grabbed the boy. The hood of his cloak fell back as he went to his knees in front of Ormin
"Ew, who are you? You stink." Ormin said as he tried to escape Bhintel's grasp.
Tears welled up in Bhintel's eyes and streamed down his dirty face. He spoke softly as the hand not holding Ormin's arm went to the boys face and caressed Ormin's cheek.
Yuula stood still, stunned.
Kamiel dropped the boar and tried to get Bhintel to let go of Ormin, but Bhintel gently pushed Kamiel's hand away.
"let go of me you old stinky coot." Ormin said as he wiggled lose and ran towards the lookout post.
Bhintel crumpled to the cold ground and let his tears flow more earnestly as a small smile crossed his face.
Ormin turned back once, wrinkled his nose, before he continued to his post.
"What is the matter Bhintel" Katla signed.
"My son, my beautiful son." Bhintel kept signing over and over.
"Bhintel," Yuula said in a half gasp.
As soon as Yuula shook off her shock, she ran to and knelt by Bhintel's side.
Bhintel looked at her, "Yuula!" He threw his filthy arms around her.
Yuula did not seem to notice the filth as she kissed Bhintel's face. "You are alive, by the gods, you are alive! When you distracted the others so I could escape, I was sure you were dead!"
Bhintel spoke in drow to Yuula and she nodded and helped him into the lodge.
Katla looked up at Kamiel, "Now you know how your mother escaped the drow."
"Yes. I had never thought someone with her attitude could love a drow." He picked up the boar and started to head indoors.
"A question. Why were those drow hunters being easy with me when they fought?" Katla asked.
"Vhaerunites are outcast males. In order to make a home on the surface, they capture women, as breeding stock. They wanted you whole and unharmed."
"Oh." Katla said as she followed him inside.
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