"Wait. What's that?" asked a female elf drinking from the spring, to her companion.
"Get your bow and dirk ready," her elf companion said.
She leveled her bow at the bushes.
"Ready."
Her companion took out his sword and walked slowly towards the bushes.
"Come out from your hiding. I am not afraid to fight."
Out came a panther, big and masculine.
"Pantera. Come back here," said a woman's voice, and the source stepped out of the bushes just as incredulous as the two other elves.
Then out stepped Tanis staring at the two elves just the same as Laurana.
"Who are you?" asked Maharret, the female elf.
"I am Laurana, and this is my friend Tanis," said Laurana pointing to herself and Tanis. "And of course, the is Pantera, my panther we found awhile ago."
"I am Maharret, and this is my companion Duende. Dine with us this evening for we haven't had anything but some bread for a while. Please we would like some company and would like to hear some tales of you, your family, everything, and even about your friend."
"It all began…"
A while later, after Laurana finished talking and eating bread, she finally finished with a long sigh.
"So that is how we came to here, with Pantera, and all the rest."
"I see…and this 'Temple of the Moon'…there are…untold riches there?" asked Maharret.
"Yes."
"And you plan to find it?" asked Duende.
"Yes."
"Can we go with you? If you don't mind."
"No, no…not at all. Please do come."