Russa: I am gonna go get Elidor to do the disclaimer now. (leaves, then returns a moment later dragging the reluctant elf)

Elidor: I'd really rather not.

Russa: (conjures up pitchfork) Do it! DO IT NOW! (pokes Eli repeatedly)

Pitchfork: is conjured, then pokes Elidor

Elidor: (attempts to shield himself from poking pitchfork) Okay okay fine. Russa does not own Dragonlance, though the plot and characters in the story are made up by her.

Russa: Good Eli! Now you get a cookie!

Pitchfork: turns into a cookie

Elidor: o.O how did you do that?

Russa: (smiles evilly) the same way I conjured the pitchfork in the first place. HAVE A COOKIE! (throws the cookie at Elidor)

Cookie: is pelted at Elidor

Elidor: (catches cookie) Hooray!

Peanut Gallery: O.o wow this girl is messed up!

Russa: (bows) Thank you! Thank you very much! Begin the story!

Riishu woke up feeling revitalized. Elin, who had collapsed right next to her, was still sleeping peacefully. Riishu picked herself up and headed off to get some breakfast.

She greeted every elf that passed her by name; a practice that had served her well over the years.

Mieran fell in beside her, "It's good to see you feeling better, Captain."

Riishu sighed, "I only wish that were true. It's my fault that Elin got hurt. I can't help but blame myself."

Mieran placed a hand on her captain's shoulder, "It's not your fault. There's always the potential for an accident, you know that. And besides, you were the key in healing him after. It was not your fault!"

Riishu smiled, "Thanks, Mieran. You're always there when I need you." Mieran grinned, "That's me!"

Just then, the Kagonesti captain's stomach rumbled loudly. Both elves burst out laughing, and Mieran handed Riishu enough for two breakfasts, "Captain, don't you think Elin should be waking up about now?"

Riishu nodded, "I'd better get back over there." She got back just in time to see Elin sit up, rubbing his head. Riishu handed over half the food and plopped down next to the half-breed.

He grinned at her, "Thanks. For everything." Riishu shook her head, "It was my fault you fell in the first place, and you saved us all when we were captured by the Solamnians. That was the very least I could do."

Elin shook a finger at her, "I have a feeling you've been told this already, probably by Mieran if I had to guess, but it wasn't your fault I fell. I don't want you feeling guilty about it."

Riishu hesitated, then nodded, "Okay." They ate in silence, each contemplating the mess their life had become.

When she finished, Riishu stood up and brushed the dirt off her uniform. Elin did the same. Riishu motioned for him to stay behind. Grabbing her bow and quiver, she headed out of the camp at an easy jog.

The Kagonesti captain headed to the river to wash up and think. She stripped off her uniform and sword belt and headed into the water.

Riishu floated serenely in the slow-flowing water, staring at her traditional Kagonesti full-body tattoos. The water caused them to wave and wriggle in a fashion both interesting and mesmerizing.

After several minutes of this, Riishu finally surfaced and made her way back to shore. She shook the hair out of her eyes and redressed.

Fastening her sword belt around her waist, Riishu patted the well-worn hilt of her rapier to check that it was still there. She also made sure her various dirks and daggers were still in their respective places before grabbing her quiver and throwing the strap over her shoulder.

Riishu heard a twig snap in the woods and snapped up her bow, nocking an arrow in the blink of an eye.

A human stumbled through the woods, blood dripping from a wound in her side. The woman tripped over a tree root and fell forwards onto her face. She moaned in agony, fighting to rise.

Riishu put away her arrow and slung the bow over her shoulder. The elf tore a long strip off the hem of the woman's shirt and quickly bound the wound in a poultice of painkilling herbs. Riishu waited patiently for the woman's pain to fade, then pulled out a blade and held it ready.

The human slowly sat up and gazed calmly at the elf. "And you are?" Riishu questioned in Common.

The woman blinked, then answered, "My name is Urea. I was wounded in the last rally with your troops and never made it back to the other soldiers. I'm not a knight, just a recruit."

Riishu stood and hauled Urea to her feet, "I'm taking you back to my camp." Urea sighed, "Okay. I wouldn't try anything even if I wasn't a bit dizzy from those herbs." Riishu pointed her in the direction of the rebels' camp, and, true to her word, Urea silently walked in front of the elf.

When they got to the edge of the ravine, Riishu directed her captive to be careful of the loose rocks. They made it down without a hitch.

An elfin sentry challenged them as they drew near, but Riishu dismissed him with a wave of her hand.

Elin was the next to show up. He fell in beside his friend and shot her a questioning look. Riishu rapidly explained the situation in their native tongue.

Elin thought for a moment, then nodded, "I would have done the same. What are going to do with her, though?"

Riishu shrugged, "I don't know. I couldn't bring myself to kill her in cold blood." Just then, they reached the area where they had slept and stopped.

Riishu rummaged around in her packs for a rope. She bound Urea's hands in front of her and looped the other end of the rope around a small rock spire that was sticking out of the ground.

This done, Riishu quickly searched the human for weapons. Those she found were passed off to Kuran, who disappeared as soon as the captain was finished. She addressed the human in Common, "I will send for our senior healer, Carine, to tend to your wounds."

Urea nodded silently and sat on the ground. Riishu stayed awake long enough to see Carine arrive, but fell asleep soon after.

A/N: Cookies! Yayz. Yes, Carine is a healer. I forgot to mention that earlier :-P