18 We're at Tannepol Ilks' place
im back to re edit this installment which's my fav part =) Since the tribal elves are very religious, I reckon they also place the gods' statues in their homes too.
2020
"Psst wakie wakie," I said, patting Ilkar's cheek. Our ship had stopped moving and people were shouting that we had reached the elven village. Since my friend was still asleep against me, I couldn't move. I was treated to a few glimpses of the trees from Serif's view. Drizzt shaded his eyes and grinned. Ilkar yawned and mumbled if it was real. Serif barked and pawed impatiently at us. "Yes yes, I'm coming."
After bidding goodbye to the captain, Lots of greenery after the beach, in the distance. Wooden houses were neatly built on the opposing shoreline. Calls of animals. I beamed and inhaled the air. "YEAYYY!" Judging from the sunlight, it was midday.
Ilkar could not resist a smile as he touched a tree trunk. Serif sniffled, wagging his tail hard. We set off at an even pace with Ilkar leading the way. He paused for a while to think, then beckoned for us to follow. I just noticed some of the sailors had elf features and looked pleased to be on land. Mage said, " Listen, let me do the speaking. They don't understand the common language." Fine by me. Drizzt held my hand and cautioned against potholes. The light was now dappled by leaves overhead and occasionally someone smacked an itchy bug, or tripped on a tree root. Other than the heat, I did not feel worried by anything here. Occasionally Ilkar stopped, watching the trees. They looked like people. One of them, balanced on a tree branch with a wild cat, spoke in a soft voice. Ilkar frowned concentrating.
Some people started to ask what was up, and he gestured for them to be quiet.
"He is a guide. Friendly, we can follow. Fel, you all right?" he asked, panting slightly.
"Yup. Can't wait to get to shade. Drizzt, don't look up," I advised the drow. Mage was supporting him, he was not able to open his eyes to the glare of the sunlight.
"Yes weather can be very hot and humid here, sorry. Once we're over the logs should be fine. My home village is up ahead." Ilkar indicated some vines snaking over a space, then a couple of logs laid across a river. I wiped my sweat.
A slim person in the trees now came into view, a long black haired elven guy. He wore a belt of knives and a longbow was strapped across his body. Plenty of painted tattoos on his face and arms, he was much browner than elves we had seen in cities. He waved for us to follow and grasping a vine, swung across. His feet only padded once or twice on the logs. Wow! I was a bit apprehensive of the soft wood, if it would support our weight. "Er being wet wouldn't it not be stable?"
Ilkar brushed aside some thick foliage to the left of the makeshift crossing and pressed a lever. The logs evened out to stabilise. Once he helped me to cross, the others followed. Fascinating!
Deeper into the greenery we ventured.
"Reached." He announced. Curious villagers stopped their bustling and children ran into the houses. A few elves in green and colourful short robes stared at us and formed a row. So we came to a stop. Serif wagged his tail standing beside Ilkar. One of the older women with feathers in her hair said something and clasped her hands in complex gestures. Mage replied with his hands forming some triangles, continuing the foreign musical language. He gestured a bit to us and bowed his head. I tried to smile and look friendly. Really hoped we would nnot be turned away. She nodded slowly, telling something to the elves behind. Ilkar was tense, without averting his gaze he reached out and clasped my hand. He felt clammy.
All their eyes were narrow, green and hazel as well. They did not smile back. Serif went boldly to a male on the left offering a lick. That broke the tension. Tinunir, a senior ranger closed his eyes, stroking my companion reverently. He asked Ilkar something. The man smiled a small smile at me and shook hands with our mage.
The Julatsan translated softly, "He thinks you Bond with animals well. I said yes we adopted him together." Tinunir and Ilkar then talked, while we were ushered along. Most stared at Drizzt. Then they bowed to each other, made a peace sign and left.
Many wooden houses looked the same, we kept walking until got to a slightly larger hut with a few statues at the doorway. "Ok, this is my house. Come in," our friend's voice was happier and not as restrained as before.
Ilkar showed us inside, pushing open the door. Drizzt gratefully lay down on a mat. I was not that tired and settled on one of the chairs. Everything was on the same level. Ilkar smiled. "That went rather smoothly." This looked like the sitting room, sections for sleep, food, doing business. He explained what was for what. Presently, I said, "Alright you can rest now, Ilks. We're safe. I'm hungry."
He offered me some fruit on the table. First I imitated washing my hands on a dish and then we ate. Drained, we lay down on low beds and fell asleep too. To be accurate, I lay facing the ceiling listening to their breathing. Serif had sniffed every corner. He showed how he wanted to go outside. The place was so quiet. I said No we're resting. Relax. Plenty of time to do that. He came to me and licked my face.
In Aranos there had always been speaking but here, only the insects called.
I turned watching Ilkar sleeping on his back, paler than the elves whom we met. He snored. Why? Didn't he brown well? He had a sheen of sweat. I sat up slowly. The water for drinking must be cleansed first, I remembered him saying. Tenderly, I touched his forehead.
No fever. He has kept his promise.
Drizzt opened his special eyes and stretched. He was completely blended in the darkness. Someone came in, a tiny girl with short hair. She gasped, and I saved the pitcher before it crashed on the floor. "Water?" I asked.
She pointed and trembled at the drow. He shook his head and held out both hands in a peace sign. Ilkar was still asleep. She seemed to be demanding who the hell he was. My medallion glowed. Why now? I said, "Friend, he is good." The girl frowned, still unable to understand our words. But she came closer to me and stared at the glowing object.
I smiled. "I'm Felicia. He is Drizzt. Ilkar, there, brought us home." Drizzt did not move, I think he was hurt by her reaction and did not want to startle her more. I repeated our names.
She pointed to the pitcher, to her mouth and then ran away. Oh dear. "Thank you. I think they will be wary of me." Drizzt sighed. We found some teacups and poured. The water tasted sweet. "Let's try to be quiet. Are you sleepy?" he asked. "I am hungry now."
"No I'm ok, Drizzt. Eh my medal has light." I noticed the dish of fruits. The fruits were brown and funny shaped. I wondered if there were bread and other types of food. I showed him how to peel them. "It's hard to know what they say. Keen to learn? I'd rather have translators."
He smiled. After that I tapped the medallion which stopped glowing. Though we were not changed yet and felt sweaty, it would be rude to wake Ilkar since he rarely slept this much.
The next day was more noisy. I awoke to a lot of rapid speaking. The Julatsan was awake and dressed in a clean pale tunic and brown pants. He was barefooted as well, when I looked at his feet. The girl who had come in was pointing at Drizzt. Ilkar smiled and explained something to her. This language was unlike the one they used when we were just the three of us. Other elves had also come in and ate some food. I sat up. "Morning." I blushed when one of the male brown guys looked in my direction.
Ilkar introduced all of them. They were either friends or cousins of his parents. I forgot who was who, just grinned. Apparently it was alright not to talk, because they did a lot of the speaking then a deep silence. "Ilkar everything good?" I whispered.
He smiled. "Yes. Oh I forgot, you can take a bath there. Faelneth (the young girl) will show you how." He spoke to her and Faelneth showed me how to bathe and change. She even poured the water for me.
When I came out, changed, Ilkar and Drizzt were alone. I liked the attention, but it was nice to have my friends again! "I have plenty of questions, Ilks. Why are they so—brown? And you're whiter."
He laughed. "I don't burn that easily. Maybe when we live here longer, we will look tanned. Having spent my time at other places, the regions weren't as hot. You look nice." I glanced down at myself, a light colored female dress and I was glad it didn't trail on the floor. Drizzt was still tired and he was now wearing a nice brown loose sleeveless tunic. He was half lying against the wall. Most of the chairs were raised higher than the beds.
"Thank you Ilkar!" I hugged him. He gasped and gingerly touched my hair.
"Oh what for? I think they will be worried about our friend here, but they seem to have accepted you quickly." Serif rolled on his back. We tickled his stomach.
"Bringing us here. It's lovely. Only, we don't speak like them. I will learn. Where are your family?"
Ilkar stopped smiling. "I- don't think they are here, anymore. Only my brother Rebraal, he is in another forest now." Oh no. I squeezed his hand which distracted him. "She said your medal glowed. Can I see it?"
I unhooked from my neck and showed to Ilkar. It was completely mute now. "yea. I tried to tell her not to fear Drizzt. He is sleepy."
"The heat makes most of us sleepy. For our culture, we don't stare at each other for long. I sense a greater hospitality than the previous time I was here. Twenty years ago. Toward the evening there will be some festivities. The warriors on patrol will be more active…." He talked about them, in detail and paused to find words.
Drizzt woke up after a while. I hugged him too. He watched a deity statue in fascination. The big statue was near the right of the house almost in the centre, pointed ears and had several arms in poses of tranquility. Some water trickled from one of his hands. "Ilks is that your God?"
"Yes. Yniss the Father of Life. We have many gods and goddesses. Sky, trees, river, death and so on. Rebraal will be able to explain more. I have forgotten much. They all pray at least thrice a day."
"Oh. How about you?"
Ilkar pouted. "I couldn't do that. I was born under Ix, but I've always believed in my own path. I make my choices. No god helped when we were at war and when people died. However, we have to respect the others here." I said sure.
Drizzt said his was Lolth. "The spider queen. I didn't want to worship her. She demanded sacrifice and death. Most of my House and the drow I knew had to do all those horrible acts. My father died. I think before me, I had two brothers and they were killed. My sisters were all devoted."
I made a sad face. Ilkar nodded, refilling our water. "So don't believe in any gods now?"
"No. This is Mielikki, the unicorn that is supposed to be the guardian of rangers. A friend said I could believe in her instead. But she did not save Catti or Wulfgar." This was the first time we heard these names mentioned, and from his tone, they must be close but had died. Why must Drizzt suffer so much? It should not be like that.
Ilkar studied the pendant. He himself did not wear anything. I had asked but he always forgot to tell me why. "How do you explain us? Sister and brother hopefully?" I said grinning.
"Ah that. The closest word is i'marinmellon, ally. You know the funny thing? Tinunir asked if I consent to his liking of you."
"Huh? No no, why?"
"Because he thinks we're related. Haha! I said it's up to you." He jested. Drizzt chuckled. "I see the resemblance. You can be like his daughter." I sighed and tried to stop my face turning hot. What if Tinunir came again? Gah! "Ilkar tell him I've a boyfriend already."
"I'm not sure if he is going to believe me. Never mind, they are all good people. Don't you feel affection? Sorry you have a boyfriend?"
"Yea I did tell you before. Very long time ago. It's fine. Glad to make you happy." Indeed with this joke, Drizzt forgot about the unicorn god. I agreed, we had to help ourselves. Ilkar mused, "I do not believe either, it is only in very difficult times that I did hope for some form of divine help. But here, religion is very important. We would need to attend some of the ceremonies, to be welcome here."
"Eh language barrier," I remarked. "But gonna be exotic!"
Drizzt smiled, putting his arm around me. "Yes. We can wear nice costumes. It has been long since I saw a country like this full of elves. Have you heard of Silverymoon, the realm of the moon elves? Some were my friends."
"I can fix the language thing… No. They look very pale, I'm guessing. Do bring us there, ranger. For now, let's relax in my home." Ilkar exclaimed.
"Yes they are very white. I will. Thank you, do they find me strange? I almost frightened some of the children." He sighed.
"I've explained to them you are like a- warrior Orc killer. My brother is impressed, the elders are happy. Fel, they think you're like us, close to nature."
The drow chuckled. So it would be alright then!
Later, when I heard water running, I met Rebbie. Of course that was not his name but it was easier for me. He had come out from bathing, hair wet and looking very brown. His body was bare. I called him that, which startled him. At first Rebraal scowled. I didn't know what he said. I went to my friend, who patted my head and they conversed.
"I told you not to be rude. He's irritated. Apologize, do this." Ilkar showed me the prayer gesture. I imitated. Rebbie nodded. He stared at Drizzt and then bowed as well. Our friend added,"I will translate most of the words. He may speak slowly." They went into their own dialect, a rather fast and musical tone. Wow I had no idea how fluent Ilks can be! Swell of pride.
Noticing the dark elf's sombre expression, I nudged him. "Hey why so worried?"
"He may not like my presence. I am prepared to leave."
I shook my head in disbelief. The brothers were still speaking and now Rebbie had taken a seat cross-legged on a mat and Ilkar was smiling. "Don't be silly, Drizzt. We will be fine. No one is gonna be... exiled." I tried out the distasteful word. The drow's lavender orbs glittered as he heard me. He patted my head.
"Sounds like you won't let it happen, eh Felicia? Remember, this is a place to start anew. Do not implicate Ilkar."