Chapter 12: Reunions
The trip through the desert went smoothly consideing all of the problems facing the travelers.
Several of the former slaves got into fights over food, water and general necessities. Uasil and Shadow were able to help keep things under some control.
At first, the humans resented having Katla, Iasa and Elli as guards for their rag-tag caravan, fearing special treatment towards the elves.
The half-elves, orcs and half-orcs feared reprisals from both of the humans and from the elves.
The two dwarves among the travelers kept trying to run off on their own out of their dislike of the bickering. Often the two dwarves, Gemez and Keld, would head off in the wrong direction, prompting Uasil to go look for them. They grunted out curses whenever Uasil and Katla brought them back to the caravan.
Loelvar followed Elliberyl around like a puppy. She did not seem to mind, but rather relished the constant attention from the forest elf.
"Isn't that sweet, Katla," Uasil commented, "They are in love."
"How can you tell ?" Shadow asked with a quizzical look on her face.
"It is what we call thiramin, Shadow," Katla replied, "He loves her all the way down to her soul, and she does him, although she tries very hard to hide it."
"Forgive Shadow for not understanding. I found her near the shore of the Sword Coast. My shipmates and myself were combing through the contents of a shipwreck when I found her huddled in a floating barrel within the partially sunken hold of a ship. She was half-starved and thirsty. She didn't talk. Although, I know now it was a lack of knowledge of the common tongue. She trusted only me because I saved her and protected her. She became my shadow, following me everywhere. That is why her name is Shadow. I have tried for years to find her family, with very little luck. I just kept getting, 'Send her to Evermeet.' Humph, like I would abandon her, since they don't allow humans on that isle. How could I leave her with no guarantee of finding them there either. She knows nothing of how elves express love."
"I understand, " Katla took Shadow's hands. "I knew little about thiramin myself until this last year. I knew little about the power within myself as well. Among the elves, what I am is something to be feared and scorned. " Katla looked up at Uasil. "Her family was probably either from Evermeet or journeying to the isle." She looked back to Shadow, "As long as you are happy, there is no real reason to seek out something that will cause you sorrow. Although, once I reach Straankeep, I would like both you and you, Uasil to visit. "
"I would like that." Shadow smiled. "Katla, have you ever experienced thiramin?"
"Not with another elf. I have a special connection with Corellon Larethian, my god. The feelings I have are as deep if not deeper than the bond of thiramin. The bond with Corellon, in and of itself, complicates my life. But, I will adapt and use what is given to me the best that I can. It is all I can do."
Uasil sighed as he listened to Katla's words. "I'm surprised that the elves do not revere you for your warrior spirit and your special bond. On Ruathym, a berserk is considered an asset and a blessing."
"If it had not been for one misunderstanding hundreds of years ago, there would be more of my kind among the elven warriors."
Uasil frowned, "How do you mean that?"
"Most children who have violet eyes and begin to show the signs of being a berserker are killed before they reach maturity. I was lucky."
Uasil's eyes widened as he looked at Katla then at Shadow. "Perhaps that is why..." he shook his head and looked at his foster sister. "It is good that I did not find your family, little one."
"Do you think they would have killed me?" tears fell slowly from Shadow's eyes.
"I think they already tried. I always wondered why you were inside that barrel in the first place. I will not let anyone harm you. You are my sister now, my family. Remember that."
Katla, for the first time, took more than a casual look at Shadow's eyes. The color was a deeper shade than that of Katla's, but Shadow definitely had violet eyes.
"I see, " Katla said with a nod, "The color of your eyes is almost dark blue, so it would be hard to see unless up close." She took a deep breath. "Uasil, has she shown any of the signs? Fast healing? Great strength when over-emotional? And most importantly..." Katla looked down to where Shadow's tears fell, looking for flowers. No flowers sprouted. "The flower tears. You do not have the flower tears, Shadow. I do not think you are a berserker."
Shadow dried her eyes and looked closely at Katla. "What do you mean by flower tears?"
Katla told Shadow and Uasil the story of The Warrior of the Flower Tears, and she told of her own experiences when the flowers sprouted from her own tears.
The smell of plant life and moisture signaled the end of their journey. The humans danced and sang, as fluffy clouds formed in the sky.
Several of the elves and some humans banded together and decided to travel south to Evereska.
The rest of the humans voted to continue on the road west. They felt no danger in splitting from the group because thy were armed, and no longer under the control of the Red Wizards' slave collars.
Gemez and Keld decided to stay to the route Katla and Iasa were to travel, since it put them closer to the mines near the Spine of the World.
The half-elves, who had nowhere else to go, voted to continue on with Uasil and Katla.
The orcs, half-orcs and a few humans banded together and whispered some secret plan. At first, Katla and Iasa were worried what the half dozen or so of them were plotting. Uasil saw the two elves hiding in the brush near the clearing where the orcs had gathered. He crouched beside them and patted Iasa gently on the arm.
"You're in for an amazing sight. You've nothing to fear from that bunch, they don't worship the orc gods. In a moment, you'll see why, and why the Zhents had them."
"What do you mean? They are just stinking orcs." Iasa whispered.
"You're naive, boy, and this is the night of the full moon. They worship Selune. You'd know that if you bothered to ask."
The orcs formed a circle as they raised their arms to the darkening sky and chanted. They slowly moved and danced as the moon rose over the horizon.
Katla, Iasa and Uasil waited patiently as they continued their ritual, despite Iasa fingering his sword in nervousness.
After about an hour, when the moon started rising high, the orcs stopped their chanting and began to howl loudly.
Katla was startled by the timbre of their voices. "Do orcs always sound that way? Do they always they howl?"
"Normal orcs don't howl, but then, these are not normal orcs. Just watch." Uasil said calmly.
Suddenly, as the orcs raised their arms to the sky one last time, their hands began to change. They fell forward on all fours. Where orcs had once stood, were a pack of wolves.
The wolves ran in a circle then off to the north.
Iasa panicked as the wolves ran off. "Werewolves! We were traveling with a group of werewolves and you didn't say anything, Uasil!"
"You didn't ask. Besides, I knew they were no danger to us."
"No danger! What if they come back and kill us in our sleep?"
"Calm down Iasa," Katla said as she grabbed his arm to steady herself to stand. "If they had wanted us dead, they could have done so a dozen times."
"They are on their way back to their tribe. They will not return. Come, Iasa, I will tell you about shape changers. Not all are evil, in fact, many are good." Uasil took Iasa by the arm and lead him back to the camp. "I have yet to tell you about my home." He gave Iasa a sly smile.
"Don't tell me, you are a shape changer too."
"Only when the high priestess sings." Uasil winked as he let go of Iasa's arm and strutted towards the camp.
Katla smiled and patted Iasa on the shoulder and mirrored Uasil's swagger.
The howl of a wolf made Iasa shudder. "Wait for me."
Io'nore Straan's small healer's hut was a constant place of peace for many years. The few forest elves residing in the grove never accepted him completely as one of their own, but they tolerated him because of his visions and his healing arts.
He left his little home in the Lonely Moor and traveled south, due to a strange vision he had after healing a group of forest elves whom had battled with slavers. The seer only knew he needed to be in a certain place at a certain time.
Slavers from the nearby Anauroch desert seemed to grow in abundance in the moor. It worried him to know he could be walking into danger from slavers, trolls or orcs, but he trusted his goddess to help him see that danger before it hit him.
He whistled an old tune that his mother had sung to him when he was little. Sometimes he wished for those innocent times to come again, those times when he and his twin brother were the best of friends. The innocent times that came before his twin brother tried to kill him.
Io'nore was expected to become a wizard, like most other members of his father's family were. He excelled in the magic arts, but arcane magic made him feel incomplete. Io'nore had always had prophetic visions. A few of the visions were good, but most consisted of betrayal and destruction. He chose to worship Sehanine Moonbow, and study as a cleric under her mystical guidance, much to his father, Onaagron's dismay.
As a spring rain threatened to release it's torrent, he found a dry place not far from the road. The well-hidden shelter was in disrepair. It looked as it had once, long ago, been a farm house, but over time, the tree branches grew through the mud walls and thatch roof. Io'nore felt no need to repair the structure, as long as it kept a fire dry. The earthen fireplace was in good order, so the fire did not spew smoke into the structure. The litter in the room was easy to sweep aside. Some of the wood from long-broken furniture was the perfect size for kindling.
Io'nore gutted fish from he caught in a small stream near the house. "Oh great lady Sehanine, why have you brought me to this place?" he sighed to himself as he put the fish on sticks so they could be cooked by the fire.
His long blue robes hid potions and scrolls of many kinds, as well as the fact that he wore leather armor. His staff lay propped lazily against a large tree that had nearly engulfed one wall of the shelter.
Io'nore ran his fingers through his short-cropped blonde hair and sighed. He knew he was in no danger. His intuitions and visions showed him when danger was near, without fail. The only emotion he felt was a sense of weariness and boredom.
He pulled the hood of his black cloak over his head as the spring rain began to flow down from the sky, seeping through holes in the roof. If he had been closer to his home, he would have stripped off all of his clothes, ran outside and enjoyed the cool, wet weather, but when so close to the road, his eccentricities were not an option.
Io'nore needed to make sure the fish he was cooking did not burn or spoil. He had caught much more than he personally needed, which meant that Sehanine was sending others to meet him. He only needed to follow his feelings and wait.
After he had wrapped the last of the huge pile of fish in leaves and placed them near the fireplace to stay warm, he heard laughter coming from the desert road.
A small group of travelers had come from out of the desert. They were dancing about and enjoying the rain, much like any traveler from the harsh desert might do once reaching the ends of the wastes.
One rickety wagon rolled along the muddy road, promptly getting stuck in a deep spot.
Io'nore observed that the threadbare travelers did not bother to try and push the wagon from the mud hole, but rather unloaded everything from inside and unhitched the horse. Once emptied, a huge human drug the wagon from the mud.
"Find a dry spot. We will camp here. There's no use plodding ahead in the rain." The man said once he had the wagon free. "Shadow, there are plenty of trees now, there must be a spot where it's less wet."
"I'll help. I need to practice my skills, a male, melodic voice rang from the small group.
Io'nore's eyes went wide and he gasped as he heard the voice. It was a voice from long ago he thought that he would not hear again.
Without thought, Io'nore stood and stepped out of his hiding place. His presence startled most of the travelers.
The young male elf who had spoken sped next to Io'nore with sword drawn. The brown hood fell back from the young elf, showing his blonde hair. "Who are you?"
Io'nore laughed as he threw back his own hood and opened his arms wide with his palms up. "You know exactly who I am, Iasa. It has been a very long time. You have grown much. I have missed you greatly!"
"Io'nore? Io'nore!" Iasa yelled as he put his sword away and flew into his brother's arms, "It is a miracle! Iagron said you were dead!"
"Hardly. I was hurt very badly, but I survived. I am glad you can tell me apart from Io'lan. Iagron and Io'lan are not with you, are they?"
"No. Iagron is at Straankeep and Io'lan... Io'lan is dead."
Io'nore nodded. "It is just as well. When he found that strange journal years ago, he became obsessed with finding out about the secret power written in its pages. Iasa, how could you tell me apart from Io'lan? I could be fooling you." He asked with a smile.
"Your eyes are a lot lighter blue than his, almost gray. His are dark like sapphires. Besides, he liked to wear his hair well past his waist, and you hardly have any hair. I could always tell you apart, even if father couldn't."
"Io'nore!" Katla yelled as she waved at Uasil and the others to put away their weapons. "What are you doing here?"
"Katla? You can speak! Now, that is a miracle, more so than me being alive." he turned to her then back to Iasa, "You and your friends need to get dry. I have plenty of fish and there is a small shelter here near the road. It needs repair..."
"Show the shelter, and it'll be repaired in a flash." Gemez shouted out as he and Keld headed towards Io'nore. "We don't be likin this rain at all."
Io'nore raised one brow and pointed to the structure. He followed quickly behind the two dwarves so they would not accidentally ruin the cache of fish. He picked up some of the wrapped fish and offered it to them. "Hungry? I have plenty."
Both Gemez and Keld dropped what they were doing and dove for the fish in Io'nore's hands. The two plopped down and ate hastily.
"We could all use some food. We have sparsely eaten for days." Katla said as she came up slowly behind Io'nore.
"You keep strange company, Lady Katla."
"The last year or so has been strange, and enlightening. The caravan is a group who escaped slavery by the Zhentarim."
"You must tell me your story after everyone has a bite to eat and some time to rest. Are any in need of healing?"
"I am certain some of us can."
"Then, Lady Katla, you and Iasa help me pass around the fish, while I see to those who need me."
Io'nore made his way through the small crowd, healing whomever wanted his help. He showed no prejudice towards creed or race. The half-elves were grateful for his help and tolerance.
"You there, come here." Io'nore said as soon as he set eyes upon Loelvar.
Loelvar was smiling at Elli and turning his face up to the misting rain, trying to teach her how to catch raindrops in her mouth. He looked at Io'nore with a strange look on his face and pointed to himself.
"Yes you. While it was a pleasure that my family members were among your little group, I believe it is you Sehanine wanted me to find.
Loelvar blinked a couple of times and went to Io'nore.
"What are you talking about?" Elli snapped as she grabbed Loel by the arm.
"This." Io'nore reached into his robes and pulled out a scroll. "I will not harm him, I am here to heal him. Loelvar, your family misses you."
Loel stood in front of Io'nore and opened his mouth.
"You know him?" Elli put on a skeptical face.
"Indeed, I do." Io'nore opened the scroll and chanted the words.
Loel opened and closed his mouth a few times. He exercised his jaw with his mouth closed. After a few moments, Loel turned to Elli, "I can finally tell you how much I love you."
"A spell of regeneration." Io'nore explained. "I normally do not carry or memorize that sort of powerful spell when I travel from my home, but for some reason, it was the first one I packed into my robes. Sehanine has given me the gift of foresight. I use it, to her glory, and the glory of all of the Seldarine."
Before Elli uttered one word of protest, Loel pulled her into his arms for a kiss.
Io'nore smiled and went along his way to see if any others needed healing. He touched the necks of several, helping to heal the scars left by the slave collars.
"So you are the whelp's brother?" Uasil said as he came to see what Io'nore was doing.
"Yes, although I have not seen him in many years. I am a priest, and a hermit. I had no desire to get involved in the court intrigues that my father so loves."
"Court intrigues?" Uasil scratched his head, "The boy did not tell me he was a nobleman."
"Would it have mattered?"
Uasil gave a hearty laugh and clapped Io'nore on the shoulder," No, I suppose it wouldn't have. Now where did you send those crazy dwarves?"
Io'nore pointed to the direction of the hidden shelter. "There is an old peasant hovel in the trees. I think they are trying to repair the roof. There should be enough room for all of us, even though it may be a bit cramped."
"I had best go help those two, then. We don't need one of them falling through the roof and breaking something."
Io'nore smiled, "I have plenty of healing potions if they do."
"Brother, everyone has nearly finished off their food, what do we do next? Everyone is celebrating Loelvar's healing, although he and Elliberyl seem to have disappeared."
Uasil chuckled as he looked at Shadow and beaconed her to follow him, "How many are left?"
"Sixteen, if you include the priest."
"We can use most to help repair the shelter, and have a couple to stand guard."
Io'nore looked up at Shadow as she turned to go gather the people. His heart began to pound so fast that he could barely concentrate on healing the cough of the human in front of him.
"Shadow..." He whispered to himself.
Shadow packed as much as she could into makeshift saddlebags and sacks so their belongings could be carried on the horse. Even with her effort, much of what they brought from the desert had to be left behind.
Io'nore lead the group through the treacherous swampland that made up most of the Lonely Moor. The traveling was slow, but it would have been slower if he had not convinced the travelers to leave the wagon behind.
That evening, Shadow and a few of the other women took turns cooking and keeping up the fire. She soon tired and lay on a pallet to rest.
Uasil, Katla and Iasa volunteered to keep watch, while Io'nore kept the fire fed.
"This moor is dangerous. " Io'nore explained to Uasil, Katla and Iasa. "The worst is not the sinking sand pits or the bogs. There are a few tribes of trolls, goblins and orcs that wander the moors, not to mention a small tribe of wood elves whom have turned to the worship of Malar."
"Shouldn't we keep a quicker pace then?"
"No, Iasa. If we go too fast, we could run into a huge bog, or attract the attention of some of the enemies I mentioned. Most of the creatures in this place are afraid of me. More importantly, we need not tire ourselves in case we need to get into battle."
"I agree. Some of us who were slaves are pretty good fighters, but many of us are just ordinary people." Uasil added. "I would die if anything happened to Shadow."
"As would I," Io'nore blurted out before he could catch himself.
Katla laughed. "Oh, I see how it is now. Uasil, do you know how old Shadow is?"
Uasil blinked a moment as he looked where Shadow was resting then back to Io'nore. "Is this that thiramin that Katla told us about in the desert?"
Io'nore folded his arms in the sleeves of his robes and bowed his head. "I do not know. I have never experienced it before. But, I do feel an overwhelming fondness for her."
"You have yet to answer my question, Uasil."
"This priest who lives in the middle of a blasted swamp wants to court my sister and all you can ask, Katla, is if I know how old Shadow is?" Uasil barked.
"It is important in determining if it is thiramin or just blind lust. An elf can't normally experience thiramin until they are over forty or so. Thiramin must be returned to be thiramin."
"How old are you?"
"I am sorry. I shall remain at a distance from her. If it makes you feel any better, I am young for an elf, only one hundred and sixteen, and.." Io'nore blushed, "I have never known a female."
Katla looked at Iasa and Iasa looked back at Katla. The two of them erupted in a riot of laughter.
"My eldest living brother is still chaste!" Iasa rolled over on his back and grabbed his stomach.
"Stop it, Iasa, it is not funny." Io'nore protested.
Katla dried the tears of laughter that fell from her eyes. "No, but it is odd, for an elf. I am not yet thirty and three, and I am not a virgin. Iasa is not chaste, very much not chaste. He goes through females like water."
"Hey, that is not fair, Katla. You should not discuss my exploits with my brother! I will quit laughing at Io'nore, alright?"
Io'nore seemed to try and shrink into his robes from the embarrassment. "I am a priest and a wizard, I have poured myself into my studies. I never had time for that sort of thing." He mumbled out.
Uasil looked at the three elves and shook his head. "Katla, Shadow has to be close to forty, because I am in my forties. I was barely a man when I found her, and she looked to be a teen then. But, in truth, I am not sure of her age. I will let her make any decision if she chooses to return Io'nore's feelings, but break her heart, priest, and I will have your head on a pike tied to the mast of my ship when I get back to the Sword Coast."
Io'nore's head popped up and looked Uasil square in the face. "I promise, I will not break her heart. And, I do not take promises lightly."
"Good."
Later that evening as the travelers rested, a small group of goblins wandered into the camp, looking for food and fodder.
Katla and Iasa immediately sprung into action, cutting down the creatures with their skills.
Uasil relished the fight, chopping down one after another of the stupid creatures.
The few who were trained and able to fight rose from their pallets and drew swords as well.
Io'nore cast a spell that frightened the rest off. "Come and gather everyone together to leave. We can stay here no longer."
"But they were only goblins." Iasa whined as he put away his sword.
"Yes, but where there are goblins, there are always trolls not far behind. We need to get moving so they will not track us. I am wondering why Sehanine did not warn me of the danger."
"The gods have their own business to attend to. Let's move." Uasil said as he roused people from their sleep.
Before the travelers could get on their way, a troll stepped out of the shadows, grabbed the horse and bit it in two before waving its club in the air.
The goblins that ran away at Io'nore's spell before came back, with more among their ranks.
One of the women screamed and ran from the safety of the group, only to be cut down by another troll waiting in the direction she ran.
"For the sake of the gods! Stay together you dim-wits!" Uasil yelled as he hacked at the goblins. "You there, protect those stupid girls!" He yelled at the two dwarves.
Keld hooted as he pulled out his axe and chopped every goblin that came within reach.
Loelvar began singing battle song at the top of his lungs.
Elliberyl pulled out her daggers and worked to help Keld protect the few remaining women from goblins that got too close.
"Corellon aid my cause!" Katla yelled as she ran headlong to meet the first of the trolls.
"Katla, NO!" Iasa screamed "Trolls heal too fast for you to cut it down!"
Katla did not listen, the rage had already taken her over by the time Iasa's words reached her ears.
Lightening began flashing through the dismal mists.
One small arc of lightening hit Katla's sword, turning it white with energy as she took her first strike at the troll.
The troll shielded it's eyes from the brightness as Katla plunged her energized sword into the troll's heart. The troll's flesh sizzled and popped as it fell and burst into flame.
Katla laughed and raised her sword to the sky. "Praise to Corellon!" She shouted.
Io'nore released a flaming sphere to devour the second troll while Uasil hacked at it.
Shadow had to hold down another hysterical woman who tried to run.
Iasa cut down goblin after goblin, with no end seeming to be in sight.
Gemez watched Iasa's back as he spewed out random insults at the goblins to make them come forward.
Katla ran in large circles, laughed and screamed joyfully as she cut down more of their enemies.
Io'nore released spell after spell until his brow beaded with sweat.
In a matter of minutes, the battle was over.
Katla sheathed her sword and ran over to Io'nore as he fell in a slump to the ground.
"I am fine. Are you well? I have never seen such as sight. You must be hurt badly from that lightening that hit you. You don't even have a slight cut." Io'nore continued to babble.
"What are out losses?" Uasil asked Shadow as he sheathed his sword.
"Two of the men are mortally wounded. We lost the horse, and the one woman who ran. Otherwise, there seems to be only minor cuts and bruises."
"Do you think they will come again?"
"Surely they will," Io'nore answered. "I feel it."
"Then we have to move. Can you heal up any of these hurt?"
"I am already doing so." Katla said as she finished a spell on a bad cut on Elli's arm.
"I have potions, but there is not much I can do for the two who are dying."
"We can't leave Connie's body and Kyle and Ben for those things to eat!" One of the surviving women squealed. "They at least need a burial!"
"We don't have time, Hannah. The best we can do is push them into the closest bog."
"But Uasil! Kyle and Ben are still breathing!"
"Then you carry them. There has to be some muscle among that bulk around your body."
One of the surviving men slit the throat of one of the dying men, while saying a prayer. "You don't have to worry about my brother, Kyle, he is on his way to Kelemvor."
Hannah stood in shock as she watched the man slit Ben's throat.
Uasil, Gemez and Keld hauled the bodies quickly into a bog indicated by Io'nore as the travelers continued quickly on their way.
The travelers did not slow their pace until Io'nore indicated that the danger had passed.
The sun broke through the mist several days later. Io'nore pointed to a forest grove and smiled. "We are here." He held his hand in front of Uasil to keep the big man from proceeding. "Wait just a moment."
Loelvar ran into the trees and made several hooting and whistling noises
A large group of forest elves hiding in the trees jumped into the small clearing and embraced their lost family member.
Loelvar spouted out a dialect of elvish that neither Katla nor Iasa could understand.
"He is trying to convince them that we are no threat to them." Io'nore translated.
"Elli!" Loelvar circled around, grabbed Elli's hand and led her to the gathering of forest elves.
The elves chattered on some more before turning to Io'nore and the rest to give the elven sign for thanks and the sign for friendship.
"We are trustworthy now. I am certain you will all be cared for." Io'nore said as he returned the hand signals.
Io'nore walked to the left towards a small house that could barely be seen among the trees. It looked like the roof grew out of the ground. The walls seemed to be made of several small, still growing trees.
"Iasa, Katla, Uasil, Shadow, welcome to my home. It seems like the rest of your group is having no trouble finding shelters for themselves."
As Katla looked more closely, she realized that each of the trees in the grove were made to be a small hut. In a way, it reminded her of Ilyrana's grove on Evermeet.
"Did you make the trees grow into homes?" Iasa asked.
"Only my own, Iasa. The forest elves are much better at tree-house building than I am." Io'nore said as he lead his four guests into his hut.
"I am marrying Loelvar!" Elli said excitedly to Katla the next afternoon. Elli threw her arms around Katla in a tight hug. "The ceremony takes place tonight, just before sunset."
"That is wonderful. Your mother will be so happy when you see her."
"Well, that is what I wanted to talk to you about, Katla. I would like you to tell my mother where I am living and that I am doing well. It is not a good idea for me to be traveling much more, at least not for a year." Elli rubbed her stomach protectively. "I am going to have a baby."
Katla blinked partially in shock and partially in awe. "Already? Are you certain?"
"I have not had my sanguine time since I coupled with Loel in the desert. I am certain."
Katla smiled and hugged her one more time before Elli was drug away by Shadow and several forest elven women wishing to help her prepare for her wedding.
Katla looked around the small, sunny grove.
Iasa was helping a couple of elves weave flowers into the ivy that covered many of the high branches of the trees.
Gemez and Keld were discussing the refreshments with Loelvar. The two dwarves sternly argued that they needed less wine and more mead and ale for the celebration.
Uasil was helping the half-elves to purchase new clothing from the seamstress in the grove.
Io'nore was weeding his herb garden, ignoring those around him.
Katla walked towards Io'nore. She noticed his trembling hands as he diligently worked the small patch of soil. "Are you well?"
Io'nore jumped at the sound of Katla's voice. "Oh! You are so quiet. Usually no one can sneak up on me."
"Be careful or you might pull an herb rather than a weed, not that I can tell much of a difference."
Io'nore stood and brushed off his blue robes. "Yes, quite right. Gardening usually calms my nerves, but not today."
"You do not sense danger, do you?"
"No, no. It is the wedding that has me nervous."
"Loelvar and Elliberyl are happy, and under the complete union of thiramin. What could be so upsetting?"
"No, not the actual ceremony, it is the feast that has me nervous. I always get like this before a wedding of forest elves. Only, this time it is worse."
"Dancing, drinking and eating. It sounds like fun."
Io'nore looked at Katla and blinked a couple of times. He shook his head and made a slight chuckle. "You have never been to a forest elf wedding. I have been here so long I forget that not all know what the celebration entails."
Katla caught Io'nore by the arm as he nearly sent himself in a faint. "Lets go inside your hut. You need to sit down and have a cup of water."
Io'nore turned pale as he allowed Katla to lead him inside and to a chair to sit. He grabbed a flask of water and took several gulps without bothering to pour the water into a cup.
"It can not be that bad Io'nore."
"It is an orgy."
"A what?"
"The wedding feast is an orgy."
"I don't understand." Katla pulled up a small stool and sat next to Io'nore.
"As soon as their vows are exchanged, the fire is lit and everyone takes a drink of the wedding wine, which contains potion to encourage lust. Everyone takes off all of their clothes. Nature takes it's course from there. One coupling with multiple partners is not uncommon. Usually I retire to my hut and lock the door when the wine is served. I find this wildness a bit too much for my personal tastes, but..."
"You want to be there to protect Shadow."
Io'nore gripped his hands into fists so tightly that his knuckles turn white. "No, and yes. I am confused. Oh, gods, Uasil is going to kill me. I want her so badly, the feeling is making me physically ill."
"I will speak to him. Has Shadow given you any indication that she feels the same way?"
Io'nore shrugged. "She stares at me."
"I will go to Shadow first then, and have her talk to you. I wonder if it is respect for Uasil that keeps her silent.
Io'nore nodded. "I thank you, Katla."
The cleric of the forest elves was joyful as she performed the ceremony to bind Loelvar and Elliberyl for eternity.
Shadow and Io'nore were holding hands as they watched.
Uasil stood in a corner with a stern face and his arms crossed over his chest, but he made no move to pry Io'nore away from his foster sister. Uasil's troubled looks melted away moments after he gulped down his cup of the wedding wine. He smiled and chased one of the giggling half-elven women in order to enjoy her charms.
Katla stepped back into the shadows as she watched Io'nore and Shadow retire to his hut.
Katla was not surprised at seeing other elves in the throws of lovemaking. Privacy in her household was often a luxury. But, the frenzy of the wedding feast was like nothing she had ever witnessed.
She took a conservative sip of her wine, out of respect for Loelvar and Elliberyl, but she had no plans to let the drug drive her to wildness.
She sat near a stump and planned to slip into one of the empty trees as soon as she had a chance, when she felt arms circle around her and slowly unbuckle the belt from around her tunic.
"Katla," Iasa's husky voice breathed in her ear. "Please, let me. Please."
"You have had too much of the wine."
"Just once, Katla. Please let my curiosity be satisfied, just once."
Katla stood and pulled herself slowly away from Iasa as she turned to face him.
Iasa continues to plead as he went on his knees and wrapped his arms around her waist. He released her, looked up at her, then turned to grab the cup of wine Katla had set on the stump.
" I am a heretic to the Seldarine. I worship you. You are my goddess. You deserve a place in Arvandor among them, yet you are condemned to this land." Iasa said slowly. "Drink your wine. Let me show you the heretic that I am."
"I can not, Iasa, you know it is forbidden."
"I am a heretic. You are my true goddess. Nothing is forbidden."
Katla looked at Iasa one more time, took the cup, and drank down the rest of the contents.
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