Naveen

Rina:

After I calmed, I washed my face with the frigid creek water then found the inseparable three. I asked Dorian to help me blow off steam, since Talon was not around as a stress reliever.

We went farther into the woods to a small clearing with Wren and Maleen following. As a precaution and so that we would not have to hold ourselves back, Maleen put a quick spell onto our weapons so that they would not be able to strike anything but the other sword.

Dorian was more skilled than I was but he was taking it easy on me. Only after I demanded that he beat me did he give me everything that he had.

Wren:

I practically danced along side Maleen as we followed Dorian and Rina. I couldn't be happier to have Rina back with us, our little family together again. I didn't mind watching the pair fight it out in a spar, I simply sat beside Maleen and watched with a cheerful smile.

Maleen:

If I had not enchanted the blades to protect the pair, I would have been wrought with anxiety. As it was, their aggressive fighting brought worry lines to my face. I tried to distract myself with Wren.

“Look, Antisuro mushrooms!” I pointed to a rotting log with tiny yellow mushrooms growing from it. I hurried over and squatted down. “These can diminish and in most cases remove the effects from nearly all poisons.” I explained, having acquired the knowledge from one of my books. “They are very rare.”

"Antisuro? Oh can they do all that? We should gather them all and bring them back!" Wren beamed as she leaned forward to inspect one of the mushrooms. Her shoulder brushed her friends, and she had to brush her own hair from her face.

Maleen:

“Not all, some need to stay to spore new mushrooms.” I told her with a smile at her enthusiasm. “But we shall collect most of them, they have other uses in potions as well. You can use them to make certain ingredients non toxic in order to receive the benefits.” I knew a great deal about magic and potions now, but I lacked the experience.

I drew a small canvas bag from my pocket and began to pluck the tiny yellow caps.

I watched her with the first couple of mushrooms before bending forward to set to the task myself beside her. It was simple work, but it kept the body busy and the mind free to wander. And so I did, wandering through a daydream as I toiled beside Maleen.

Rina:

I was worn out at the end of our dueling, it had been a great distraction while it lasted. The next couple of days were taxing. The word spread quickly through the camp. Some were openly supportive of me, most seemed suspicious, and some even came out to call me a wolf in sheep’s clothing and other vile names.

Brian made secret arrangements to hand me off to the queen in exchange for a hefty sum. It would take place in another two days. I was doing all I could to condition myself for the role I would have to play.

I sought out Talon with a proposal. I found him at his tent with some of his kinsmen and gave a slight bow of my head to him as was customary for our rank to one another. “May I speak with you?” I asked him eying the other elves.

Rina:

I was worn out at the end of our dueling, it had been a great distraction while it lasted. The next couple of days were taxing. The word spread quickly through the camp. Some were openly supportive of me, most seemed suspicious, and some even came out to call me a wolf in sheep’s clothing and other vile names.

Brian made secret arrangements to hand me off to the queen in exchange for a hefty sum. It would take place in another two days. I was doing all I could to condition myself for the role I would have to play.

I sought out Talon with a proposal. I found him at his tent with some of his kinsmen and gave a slight bow of my head to him as was customary for our rank to one another. “May I speak with you?” I asked him eying the other elves.

Talon:

I looked up from my men where I had been sitting atop a chest while we all had been looking over a map. With a glance and a nod the others began to file out. I smiled faintly once we were alone and gestured for her to take one of the two vacant chairs. "What can I do for you Rina?"

Rina:

I sat down in the chair he indicated. “I have a proposition for you.” I said steadily. I tried my best to seem confident, but at heart I was afraid he would refuse me. “I know that you need to get back to your people… But I think you could do them better if you come with me.” I looked up to meet his eyes then, having been unable to before. “If you come with me we can work together to make things better for your people, and not just you people, but all other magical creatures. You can be their representative.”

"You wish for me to go with you....to where?" I began carefully, leaning forward to peer at her over my laced fingers as I pressed my elbows to my knees.

Rina:

I dropped my gaze again. “To the castle.” I answered shortly. There was no use saying anything else. There was only so much playing up I could do to the idea. I was asking him to go into the den of people who truly hated his kind. But I truly did believe that we could do some good together. And the selfish part of me knew that I had a higher chance of surviving this if Talon was at my side. The 'servants' Brain would send to protect me couldn't hold a candle to him.

My gaze hardened and I looked away myself. "I have been inside your castle. It wasn't a good place. Why do you return, and why do you wish me to be there?" The same hard gaze had my voice gain a slight razors edge to it. I tried to work out if I could do this, should I do it, would it be alright for my people.

Rina:

A deep line formed between my brows and I felt a bitterness in my mouth. His words and manner sparked my own temper, which I controlled to the best of my abilities. It was best as it chased my worries.

“Because I must.” I answered crisply. “Because I had the misfortune of being born into royal blood. It is nothing I want to do, I assure you. The very thought of it sends shards of ice through my veins. But I have a duty to the people. If I can make things better, I must do all in my power to fulfill it.

I think you're tied to the same line with your people, and I think you could do more good than bad by coming with me. It is what neither of want to do, but that doesn't really matter does it? We don't get to live simple lives, sooner or later responsibility calls to us.”

"I have been enslaved within your Castle Rina. You think it sends shards of ice through your veins? I was beaten, bound by magical bindings, forced to do what ever task I was ordered to do. Treated less than trash because I wasn't human. You ask me to go there again. With no promise that I can return to my people. Escaping once from within that slavery is rare. Escaping twice? Unheard of." I stood slowly and moved over to her, looming as I stared down at her.

Rina:

“It's not my damn castle, Talon.” I snapped. “And you wouldn't be a slave.” I stood up. “I shouldn’t have asked you this. I'm sorry. Go back to your people isolated in your mountain.” I said curtly and turned to go, heard beating in my throat.

"Return when you wish to ask for either you rown reasons, or for the strength of our combined people. Not both." I called to her softly as I sat back down and stared at the map. I didn't wish to be used, to be her plaything and used only when she saw fit to take me along. But more than that, I feared that castle and had no gaurentee that I would be permitted to escape again.

Rina:

He infuriated me. As I walked out I caught the glances from the other elves but made no comment. I stalked off into the tree line, knowing I should be alone until I calmed down. What bothered me most was that he didn't trust me.

I rubbed my face after she had fully left. I trusted her, but for her she had a chance to make it out if things went wrong. Could be disguised. I had no chance of that. For me I would be going as I was to be scorned and jeered at. I would have to go as her servant or slave and she would have to treat me as such lest she be treated as a outcast even by her own people.

Rina:

I returned to the tent I shared with the girls and began writing a letter. It took me quite a while to formulate my words properly. Once I finished I started to hand the note off to a messenger but Maleen volunteered to take it when she heard it was going to Talon.

Once more I was at war council with my men when I heard a knock outside the tent. At a gesture the men filed out but I was surprised to see Maleen there instead of Rina like I had been expecting.

Maleen:

“I'm sorry to interrupt you,” I apologized ruefully. “I could have waited for you to finish.” I truly felt bad that he had dismissed his men simply to take a letter from me. I wasn't that important.

"It's fine. They already have their jobs and we were discussing tactics. What we will do should this camp come under assault and the positions we shall hold. They already know what to do, but sometimes it is better to discuss it out in the open anyway." I waved to a seat without rising from my own.

Maleen:

I smiled sweetly and perched at the edge of the chair, not intending to stay long. I wouldn't want to keep him from his important work, no matter what he said. “Rina had a letter for you. I offered to bring it because We will be leaving to the new cottage tomorrow and I am unsure of when I will see you again.” I explained softly.

"Oh? A new cottage hm? Well I do hope your journey is safe and that the three of you find happiness and enjoyment within your new home." I replied with a soft smile. I offered out my hand for the letter as I spoke.