When we left Tawashu several games ago, he, Corianna, and Meyshik were all on a Roc, allegedly named Pfooter, flying through the pre-dawn chill and rain, north along the Ninya River, in Foalooke.

To sum up a little of what happened before:

Corianna is a tall ungainly human girl of indeterminate early twenties with long brown hair. She is a Palandiri slave, and her elven master can occasionally see through her eyes and cast spells on what she sees. Therefore, she never makes eye contact with anyone, and tends to be somewhat withdrawn, always hiding behind her hair. Corianna and Tawashu had been slowly building up a friendship, and it was obvious by the time we left them that they both cared for one another.

Meyshik is a Nathi warrior, one of the Enemy which was invading Foalooke by bits and starts. She was part of the first scouting force that encountered Tawashu's group as they fled northwards from the burning city of Ninya. She and Tawashu exchanged unpleasantries outside the town of Yavin, in the rainy night. Corianna happened to meet her glance long enough for Corianna's master, the Elf Eremir Kondella of Palandir, to cast a spell which put Meyshik into the same kind of slavery as Corianna. Therefore, Meyshik, unable to return to her people for fear of betraying them to the Elves, threw in her lot with Tawashu and company. Nobody believed her. She is on the shorter edge of average height, wiry, with chin-length black hair.

When we last saw them, Tawashu had a few cuts and bruises but nothing serious. He also had all his equipment with him, consisting of the normal adventuring gear, a long staff, a longsword, a few daggers, and I believe he also had Meyshik's blowgun.

Corianna had the clothes she was wearing, and not much else. This consisted of a long brown dress of fairly decent cut and weave.

Meyshik was wearing a Ninya Roc-Cavalry uniform, and had previously had all her weaponry taken from her. She has a deep cut in her left forearm, which has been badly bandaged. This was from when Thomas Reaver, a human mage, had slashed her, using her blood to magically bind her to him, despite her protests of harmlessness.

From the roof of the Yavin Manor House, Tawashu and Corianna, and Meyshik, who was the only one of the three who knew how to control a Roc in flight, took off. Shortly thereafter, a large blue glow opened up in the town square, and Enemy troops poured through. Then the blue glow disappeared.

They flew north along the Ninya river, looking for two others of their number. It was at this point that the game ended due to an overwhelming attack of Real Life upon the GM. We now pick up where we left off...

This narrative assumes that the events chronicled in the GDoD game never occurred. It is a fiction, concocted by a deranged imagination, so never mind. I can see you. You're minding. Stop it.

...As the predawn darkness begins to lift, so does the damp mist. Meyshik is seated on Pfooter's neck, with Tawashu behind her. Corianna is behind Tawashu, holding on for dear life.

"We may even yet get out of this alive," mutters Meyshik cynically. "Are those your friends down there?" She points to a couple figures trudging along the river."

Tawashu is about to reply with the affirmative when a blue glow opens up underneath them and all around.

"They couldn't contain the node!" screams Meyshik. Corianna just screams. The Roc, and everyone on it, plummets into the yawning glow. Tawashu's stomach rises, then drops, and his chest feels like it is being forced out through his spine. This goes on for what feels like eternity, and then it ends, with an abruptness that is almost painful.

The blue glow is gone, replaced by a bright sunny morning over a vast sea. The Roc screams, and flaps wildly, panicking. As it loops and spirals, the sea is at once overhead, with one or two boats like children's toys hanging above.

While Corianna holds on tight enough to break Tawashu's skin with her fingernails, Meyshik fights to get the Roc under control, cursing and yelling.

Finally, the Roc is persuaded to fly level, as tangible evidence of its panic floats gently downward, splits into a ring, and then finally lands unremarked in the water below.

As far as the eye can see, to what it takes Tawashu a moment to figure out is the north, east, and south, the sea stretches unbroken. Far to the west, he can barely see the silhouette of a long mountainous coastline anchoring the horizon.

"WHAT THE DEVIL WAS THAT?" Tawashu sputters, once he has regained enough breath to say something. "Someone let loose one of those portals the others were using to pop your people in back there at the manor house?"

"They lost control over the one they opened at the square," snaps Meyshik. "It's a dangerous thing under the best conditions."

Calming down a bit, he looks around. "I am not accustomed to navigating from his height. Do you have any idea where we are?"

Meyshik replies, "No. Hang on, I'll try to find out."

Glancing around at Corianna, he pats her leg. "It's OK now. You can start breathing again. The Roc is back under control, and once we figure out where we are, we'll put down and catch our breath."

Corianna's reaction is unintelligible, but she does somewhat relax her death grip on Tawashu's sides.

"Oh dear," says Meyshik faintly. "The Power feels different here. I hope I'm wrong, but there is not a single Nathi within a hundred miles of here. I have no idea where we are."

"Well, is there a limit to how far one of those portals can throw a person?" Tawashu doesn't sound happy at the situation. "Of course, if the thing was out of control, then I suppose anything could have happened. I guess we should head for the shoreline and follow it until we find a city or something. If worse comes to worse, we can set down, rest and head out again in the morning. I don't suppose flying higher would give us any better chance to see familiar land."

"I really don't know any more about them than you do, just that they were a trump card the General pulled to get the prize," Meyshik sounds much more worried than normal. "I've heard they could go just about anywhere, leaving you stranded."

"To be honest," he mutters, "I was not too happy with the wild goose chase we were on before. Running around looking for some unknown thing in some unknown location, with the vague assurance that, 'the world is depending on your success in this mission...' Thank you, but I like a little better idea of where I'm going and what is expected of me."

Meyshik growls something under her breath, but steers the Roc off towards the coastline to the west. As they fly along, the mountains rise higher and higher, looking like no place Tawashu has ever seen or heard of. One or two of them off to the north is smoking slightly. There are a few more boats below, a little more easily seen, as Meyshik has been directing the Roc gradually downward.

There can also be seen the suggestion of a road along the coast, winding its way through the mountains. At this distance it is impossible to tell if anyone is using it at the moment.

"I wonder if we should come down in the forest a short way from the road and check to see who is down there.... or just keep going until you have a better sense of where we are. I have a bad feeling that, between the two of us, we're likely to find a less than warm welcome no matter who we meet up with."

"I've always been taught to make my own welcome," mutters Meyshik.

They fly on for a while, and then Corianna gasps. "Tawashu, I..I think the Elf in my head is gone!"

Tawashu starts to spin around, almost falling off the Roc. "What?!? Did this just happen as we were flying, or did you just now notice? Did you feel this suddenly, as if something happened to him, or do you think we just so far away that he can no longer reach out to your mind?"

"I... don't know," says Corianna, sounding like her heart is in her throat. "He's just gone. He's never been gone before."

He turns back to Meyshik. "How about you? Didn't this Elf do something to your mind too? Is he still there? In any event," he growls, "I feel a little better without him spying on us wherever we go."

"I don't bloody well know," growls Meyshik. "I didn't get that blinding headache when I dropped the sounding back there, but that's no indication either way. I know how to block him if he tries again though."

The Roc is now close enough to the mountainous coast that it is gliding down towards a landing within ten minutes. As it gets closer, it can be seen that the major road along the coast has somewhat regular offshoots, which wind their way through the trees and around the mountains off out of sight. The mountain slopes are heavily forested, mainly with conifers, though there are more broadleaf trees in lower elevations. The mountains stretch as far north and south as can be seen.

"I'm setting us down on that ledge above the road there" says Meyshik, pointing at a convenient landform that seems wide enough to land on. "Got any better ideas?"

"No," Tawashu replies. "Have you seen any population centers yet? The greater the number of people, the greater the chance of a mixed population, and the greater the chance that we can blend in and figure out where we are." He looks around at any people under them to see if there is any indication that they have been noticed from the ground. "Doesn't look like these people are used to watching the skies."

"Would you expect them to?" says Corianna.

"What is this 'sounding' thing of which you speak?" he asks as they approach. "Is it a way for you to communicate with others of your people, or get a bearing on where they are?"

"It is a brief pulse of power that shows me generally where others of my kind are located," says Meyshik, concentrating on steering the Roc. She says nothing more on the matter, nor does her posture appear to invite questions.

Meyshik guides the Roc to the ledge she had pointed out, where it lands with a great backdraft, and relief to all.

The ledge is about a hundred feet long and fifty feet broad. The shoreward edge of the ledge is a 70-foot fairly sheer drop down to the major road, which is about wide enough to let two decent-sized wagons pass abreast.

The back of the ledge is another fairly sheer wall, going up in various amounts of steepness most of the way up a mountain. Where possible, the slopes are covered with trees, though there is a clear section large enough for the Roc to land and walk about without feeling cramped. A few bushes and boulders litter this section, but nothing much else. The ground here is fairly stony and dry, making it difficult to leave or see footprints.

There is a path of sorts into the dense evergreens along the back wall. Further investigation reveals a neatly covered-over firepit against the back, as well as a store of firewood set into a small waist-high hollow in the rock wall behind a small bush.

Tawashu rolls off the Roc when it lands, letting out a small moan. While it is clear he is familiar with dealing with motion sickness (sea-sickness), and riding on the backs of animals, this Roc thing is new to him, and not altogether comfortable.

Discovering the firepit, he inspects it to determine about how long it's been since it was used. He also checks the path where it goes under the trees (i.e. forest floor) to see if he can find tracks or indication of how long it has been since someone else was here.

The firepit is cold, and overall, there is no sign that anyone has been here in quite a while.

"I would think this was a watch post from its location over the road, but then why would it be empty?"

Tawashu turns to Meyshik. "If I remember my geography right, your people are located far to the South. We could continue South until we find them. If you and Corianna have in fact been freed from the Elf in your head, then you should be able to return there. As for me, I know that SOMETHING is going on between your people and the Elves, but I don't understand what it is, or if I even want to get myself into the middle of it."

"We are located far to the west," replies Meyshik, quietly at first, but her voice rising as she goes on. "I don't think we are even still in the same world we were. It's not unheard-of when a Node goes berserk. It's a hole in reality, and if you lose control of it, you could end up anywhere. I've told you that the Power feels different here, and that seems to mean a different world to me. That's why I don't think I can ever go home, and neither can you."

Tawashu hesitates for a moment, looking intensely at Meyshik before continuing. "I have found that you are very good at muttering and complaining about your general situation and the Elves, but I have yet to hear you give me any good reason why I should be motivated to help you. I'm no hero, but I can handle a sword, or find my way through a wood in the dark of night. Tell me who you are, and what you are fighting for." Then, he shrugs. "Either that, or you can drop Corianna and me off at the nearest city and we will find a way to fend for ourselves."

Meyshik gives him a very odd look for a second, then shrugs. "Very well. Because of that bloody Palandiri, I'm a dead woman if I return to my own people, and I don't think we're still in a world where it matters. I'll tell you, our world will know soon enough...

"I am an Infiltrator in my people's army. Our mission was to find your group and stop them with whatever means necessary. In large respect, we succeeded. Our wider mission is nothing less than the complete conquest of all of Foalooke, just because it was there. The High Generals bid for the priviledge of invading certain fronts, bid for the largest task with the fewest resources. It was decided that it was time for Ninya to fall, and it fell in a day. My king was playing with your entire land like a cat plays with a mouse before it kills you.

"Now, because of that Palandiri in Corianna's head, I am cut off from my people, and can never return. In a week, the man who was my intended was butchered by your 'Friend' Thomas, who then slashed me across the arm," she raises her bandaged forearm angrily, "because he did not believe everything I had already said and demonstrated to you. I have not slept in over a day, and all my hopes and dreams have just been slashed by an Elf I've never seen, just because Corianna here glanced into my eyes."

Corianna shudders at Meyshik's gaze, and once again retreats behind her hair.

Meyshik is furious by now, but does not shout. Instead, she continues, slowly and carefully. "There is absolutely no reason in Manek's green earth why you should stay with me or help me. I don't want or need your help. You, however, are the only people recently who have treated me even vaguely honorably, and I owe you for my life. I am not happy about this. I can't go back to my people, even if I knew where to find them. I can't go to the Elves, because they would kill me on sight. You are my only option right now. I don't even like either of you, but for the foreseeable future, I have no option but to stick with you. I'll take the honorable enemy I know over a world full of unknowns."

She stops her pacing around, and gives a bitter smile. "Besides, I'm the only one who knows how to control the Roc. It's a beautiful morning. Get some sleep, I'll wake you later. I've had plenty of chances to kill you already if I was going to."

Tawashu regards Meyshik carefully, not responding at first.

Then, suddenly a smile cracks his face and he begins to laugh. "Brave woman, for the first time in recent memory, someone has finally given me a straight answer. I do not know how to believe this story of being in a 'different world', but somehow I sense you are right. So here we are, with no place to call home, hating each other to the bone, but compelled to defend each other's back. As you promised, you have added no end of misery to my life, just as I have destroyed yours, but in some strange way, I am glad for it."

He turns to Corianna and takes her hand. "Come, let us find a place to rest. The snake has not lost her venom, yet I feel safer with her watching over us than with a hundred armed men."

Corianna rolls her eyes, but nevertheless finds a place to sleep under the trees, a few yards from Tawashu.

They both awaken to Meyshik shaking their shoulders. "It's a little past noon," she says. "Nothing's happened, though I sent Pfooter off to hunt about an hour ago."

She looks around, then up at the noontime sun. "There's a group of mounted men coming down from the north along the coastal road. they're about half a mile off. I'm going to sleep."

She trundles off a few feet, then collapses behind a likely tree.

"Well," Tawashu says, turning to Corianna, "it looks like we finally have a little time to ourselves. It seems like it has been a long time..."

He leans back and sighs. "So, what has happened to us, and what has happened to the Elf that was inside your head, and why are we suddenly here with this Meyshik?" He glances over at Corianna and smiles. "I know -- altogether too many questions. I is clear that something happened to us when we went through that gate thing, but it may be a long time before we have a clear understanding of what it was."

Corianna shrugs helplessly, but manages a smile in return.

He leans closer to Corianna. "Do you feel any remnant of the Elf, or is he completely gone? Have you ever had distance weaken his grip on you, or do you think something else happened to break his grasp on you?"

She shakes her head, wide-eyed, but still not making eye contact. "He's always been there in the background," she says. "He's never just been gone like this before, no matter where I was. I feel like there's still a place for him, but he's not there, isn't looking, or anything else."

"And," he adds finally, "do you have any ideas on where we should go from here?"

"I don't know," she says. "I've never been free."

Tawashu leans back and sighs. It is clear that Corianna has been a slave for a long time, and the idea of thinking on her own is new to her. She will follow, and no doubt help in any way she can, but he shouldn't expect her to do any creative thinking. Meyshik on the other hand will no doubt have PLENTY of opinions, though it is obvious that she too is confused by the turn events have taken.

"Ah, freedom," Tawashu intones. "Such a privilege, and at the same time, such a burden. I have known freedom all of my days, and yet there have been times when I wished that I had someone else making all my decisions for me. It would be easier now to have someone tell me, 'Go here' or 'Go there', but we do not have that. So, we must blunder on by ourselves."

Corianna looks uncomfortable at this, but it looks more like not knowing what to say than horror at the prospect.

"I am inclined to try and find Meyshik's people. I am not altogether happy with this 'take over the world, just because we can' attitude, but then again, I'm not sure I trust the elves either. For that matter, I'm not even sure Meyshik wishes to find her kin, since it sounds like she is a marked woman, and banned from home and hearth. It seems then that we should find a suitable center of civilization, hopefully among the humans, and try to start our lives again."

Before Corianna can say anything, or Tawashu can say anything more, he hears the Clop-clop-clop of several approaching horses. These are approaching along the hard-packed dirt path up to the ledge from the north.

Tawashu does a quick roll and is on his feet in an instant. He silently motions Corianna to duck down behind the trees at the path side of the clearing (i.e., out of sight, but closer to the path rather then on the far side of the platform.

Corianna nods, and wide-eyed, crouches down behind a fairly thick bit of underbrush.

He then quickly steps over to Meyshik. He gently shakes her to wake her up. Placing a hand lightly over her mouth to quiet her, he whispers, "We have guests..."

Meyshik growls something unintelligible, and probably unprintable. "Well, if we're anywhere that knows about my people, I won't be welcome. Give me a knife, and I'll cover you if you need it."

Regardless of whether or not she gets one, she rolls over onto her stomach and makes herself inconspicuous in the bracken.

Tawashu hands Meyshik a dagger, then leaves her and Corianna in the forest. He goes to stand at the center of the clearing, facing the path and putting on his best nonchalant pose.

After a few minutes, just long enough for the nonchalance to seem a bit forced, rather like holding a smile for a cameraman becomes forced after a couple seconds, three horsemen ride into the clearing from the path off the north. All three wear swords, and are dressed well.

The horseman in the lead is a young human in his early twenties. He carries himself with grace and a natural confidence that makes him seem older than his face appears. He is tall, with straight light brown hair tied at his neck with a cord. He pulls his grey gelding up and lets the other two past.

The others are both Elves. They appear somewhere in their middle years, though that leaves a range of 400 years of age. The one on the right is tall, black-haired, and carries an expression of arrogance that only deepens when he sees Tawashu. He is dressed in black and purple riding gear, and drops a hand to his jeweled sword pommel.

The other Elf is shorter, with a more good-natured cast to him. He is dressed as a servant, though one of high position. He reins up ten feet behind and to the left of the Elf. His horse is carrying more saddlebags than either of the other two.

"Greetings of the afternoon to you!" calls the human, He is smiling as he speaks, and cutting off the first Elf before he could speak, which earns him an irritated glance. "What is one such as you doing here? We hardly see any travellers along this way."

Tawashu bows just enough to be polite. "My greetings to you good sir. I have been passing through your fair land on my way South. I spotted this ledge and thought it would be a good place to rest and take in the view." He waves his hand towards the sea. "I never cease to be amazed at the beauty and power of the sea, especially when seen from above."

The noble Elf's face deepens into a frown, and nods to the other Elf. This one gives Tawashu a sideways glance and turns his horse and rides back towards the path, which would take him past Corianna and Meyshik's hiding places. "Elintar, is this necessary?" the human crossly asks the noble Elf. "He is at least courteous, which I find refreshing." To Tawashu, he continues, "I am Prince Aaron Talisar. May I inquire after your name and business in Palandir? If my comrades" here he rolls his eyes at Elintar, "permit, perhaps we could travel together."

Tawashu nods. "perhaps," he adds with a bit of a frown, "though I am a solitary wanderer, and not known for my great companionship."

He stops for a moment, biting his lip, but then appears to make up his mind. "And," he adds with some embarrassment, "my one companion is terribly shy..." With this, he takes a careful step towards where Corianna has hidden herself. "Corianna," he calls softly, "you may come out. These are gentlemen and men of honor, and have not come to hurt you."

Corianna slowly emerges, her fists knotted in her skirts at her sides, and looking like nothing more than a wide-eyed rabbit about to bolt.

"It is difficult," Tawashu says with a sigh, turning back to Aaron, "when one's town is burned and your family slaughtered. I picked up this poor woman wandering in confusion and hardly able to speak. Even now she will hardly look another person in the face for the fear she hides deep within her." Tawashu shrugs again. "I have been able to show her some care, and now we travel together."

Aaron nods gravely. "Well, when I am king, I shall make sure that such things are punished, if not prevented altogether. Where was it? I have not heard of any such things during my time in the Elflands."

[Sorry. I screwed up the turn numbering again.]

"A noble goal," replies Tawashu, "though often easier to say than to implement. I do not doubt that those who carried out such a deed against our town thought THEY were punishing US, for some offense long forgotten in the past. Who of us common people may find any reason in the struggles of the powerful?"

Then, taking a quick step towards Corianna, Tawashu smiles brightly. "But pardon my rudeness," he says, taking her hand and bowing towards the Prince. Corianna's grip feels like it is nearly breaking his hand. "I am Tawashu, formerly of Havna, and this is my friend Corianna. Is this your camp? I apologize if we have intruded, but in our travels, it has been rare to find such a pleasant and well protected spot to rest!"

"I have no objection to you sharing a campsite with us," says Aaron, graver now. "I had not heard that Havna had been burned. This is grave news. Was it the Elves or the Nathi who finally lost patience with them?"

"I will make enquiries," puts in Elintar. "In the mean time, I agree with the prince. You two shall travel with us as we continue southward, if that is your wish."

Tawashu frowns, and there is a moment of confusion that flickers across his face before it is replaced with a scowl. "I can still smell the stench of the flames if I close my eyes. I am surprised that word of the attack has not reached here, but then, sometimes those in power find ways of letting out only such news as fits their purposes..."

Tawashu considers for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I believe we can travel together. I have little to offer you, though I have made a good living in the past as a ranger and guide. I have much to learn of this beautiful land of yours though," he adds with a smile towards the prince, "and I am afraid I may chew your ear off with questions. I have spent much of my attention caring for my friend Corianna, so I am afraid I am a little behind on the news too."

Then, he takes both of Corianna's hands and looks into her eyes. She immediately closes her eyes and looks away. "If you will excuse me for a moment gentlemen, Corianna is sometimes confused, and is easily flustered in the company of strangers. If you will allow me to speak to her privately for a moment, I should be able to soothe her fears."

Elintar curtly nods permission, so with this, Tawashu gently takes Corianna aside, as one would lead a frightened child. He steps over to within earshot of where he knows Meyshik had hidden herself, but not so close as to attract undue attention. Leaning closer to Corianna, he speaks softly, but not so low as to make it sound like he is trying to hide anything from the prince (i.e., he's not trying to keep them from hearing, and he IS trying to make sure Meyshik can overhear...)

"Corianna my dear, we will travel for a while with these men. They will help us find safe places to stay and good food to eat, and may even be able to tell us some news of what has been happening up North, for I am sure they have greater eyes and ears than you and I do. Now, I know you are concerned about the little black bird you kept seeing. I am sure the little bird is very brave and clever, and can take care of itself for a while. We will see it again, of that I am sure, and we can feed it out of your hand again. We will listen again for its song in the evening. Now, I do not want you to be frightened. I will stay with you no matter what. Do you understand that?"

He gives Corianna's hands a quick squeeze and smiles warmly at her.

"But they're Palandiri!" she hisses. "They could control me with a note, and you would never know. I can't do this!"

Tawashu frowns and lowers his voice. "OK..." he says slowly, pausing a moment to think, "but we must be careful here. Are you sure if this danger?" He looks up and gives the prince a sheepish smile before turning back to Corianna. "If they are convinced of your fear of strangers, then they may understand my reluctance to travel with them, but we must speak with great care. Do you understand what I am doing?"

Tawashu places a reassuring hand on her shoulder and raises his voice just a little. "I am asking you to trust me, but on the other hand, I do not wish to lose all that we have gained over these weeks that we have traveled together. These are noble men and will be able to help us in many ways, but I don't want you to be afraid."

Aaron dismounts and comes over to them in time to hear the last part of this. "In addition," he says, so that only Tawashu and Corianna can hear, "If Elintar or his servant do either of you any unprovoked harm, they will have me to answer to, as much good as that will do. I personally am sick to the teeth of the way Humans are treated here. Be careful though, Elintar is ruthless and an elitist, but has his own honor."

With a nod to Tawashu, and a glance at the second Elf as he returns empty-handed, Arion unloads his horse and begins to rub it down.

Tawashu sighs and leans close to Corianna. "I am afraid that it will be difficult to break away from these people gracefully," he whispers, "and they may be able to give us some help figuring out what has happened. The more I hear, the more I feel that our little journey through the portal did more than throw us a great distance from where we started. Other things have changed... However," he adds with a grimace, "I cannot put you at risk of your soul being taken captive by the Elves again." He considers for a moment. "Can you take staying here for a day, if you stick close to me and the Prince? I think he will do his best to keep the Elves under control. However, if you cannot, then I will excuse ourselves as graciously as I can and move on."

Corianna thinks for a moment, then nods, slowly.

The two Elves have more or less set up camp by now, and are making conversation along the lines of having reached this campsite too early in the day, and wouldn't it be better to press on to the next? The opinion is reached that it's too far to do in what remains of the afternoon.

The Roc chooses this moment to circle down, looking for a place on the ledge to land. It auks perturbedly upon seeing the newcomers, and hovers fifty feet up. The wind from its massive wings blows over various camp acoutrements, and Aaron and the Elves are soon very busy keeping the horses under control.

Tawashu stands up and gives Aaron a surprised look. "I have heard tales of these great creatures," he says excitedly, "but I had no idea you had any in this country. Is this a real roc?" He grabs hold of Corianna and backs up towards the cover of the trees, shielding her from the bird.

The Roc lands on a ledge somewhat higher up, cocks its head at Tawashu, auks once or twice, and launches itself back into the air. It soars off over the sea, and after a minute or so, drops like a stone into the water. When it rises again, it has rather a large fish dangling from its talons. It flaps off to the north.

Once he masters his horse, Elintar glares at Tawashu. "There is more to you than meets the eye, Human," he declares blackly. "Search the area again, I want to know if he has accomplices," he says to the other Elf, who nods politely and sets off into the woods again.

Tawashu tips his head slightly and gives the elf a surprised look. "And who might that be?" he asks with some bewilderment. "Is there something which might have attracted the bird to your camp?"

"I think it was you," replies Elintar.

Aaron rounds on Elintar angrily. "You have absolutely no proof-"

He is interrupted at that moment by a cry of pain from the path up which Aaron and the Elves had originally come.

Elintar glowers at both Aaron and Tawashu, then sweeps out his sword and walks across the clearing towards the noise, which is not repeated.

Tawashu gives Aaron a confused look. "Something strange is going on here..."With this, he too pulls out his sword and hurries after Elintar.

Aaron nods, and follows Tawashu a little more slowly.

Tawashu finds the other Elf huddled against a tree on the trail into theclearing, not twenty feet from where Meyshik is hiding. The Elf is holdinghis head, his face contorted in a silent rictus of pain, and deaf to theworld. The Elf's sword is on the ground beside him.

Elintar is in the woods, chasing after a form which Tawashu gathers go beMeyshik. "Chase" is not really the best word. It is more a series of dodgesfrom tree to tree, moving and countering the other's equally furtive moves.As one who is used to stealth and woodcraft, Tawashu can see that Elintar is amaster at it, while Meyshik is good but nowhere as good as the Elf.

"So Elintar was right, after all," murmurs Aaron, lowering his sword-point tothe ground.

Tawashu turns around and looks at Aaron. His teeth are clenched in frustration as he gives Corianna a quick look and then turns back to the prince. "My apologies sir," he says, casting a quick glance back at the other two. "We are not here by our own choice. My only desire is to figure out where we are, and return to our homes -- or what may be left of them -- with as few encounters as possible. I have no wish to do harm to you or your... companions, but keeping these two from killing each other may be... difficult."

"I'll not hinder you," replies Aaron gravely.

With this, Tawashu quickly puts away his sword and tries to sprint down to where he is between Elintar and Meyshik. Planting himself between the two of them as well as he can, he puts up his hands. "STOP, BOTH OF YOU!"

"Help me or get out of the way!" snarls Meyshik, dodging to another tree. Her eyes flare bright red for a moment, and Elintar stumbles, the spell he was chanting ended abruptly with a palpable snap.

Unarmed, Meyshik takes this opportunity to crouch down for a rock, which she slings at Elintar's head. Elintar ducks easily, and, pushing Tawashu roughly aside, springs at Meyshik again.

Tawashu growls and throws up his hands. For a moment, he hesitates, but then, appearing to make up his mind, he draws his sword and springs after Elintar, attempting to bring the FLAT of his sword down on the back of the Elf's head.

Elintar is so intent on Meyshik that he doesn't even see Tawashu coming. With a smack, the flat of Tawashu's sword comes down on the Elf's head. Elintar staggers, but does not fall. Instead, he spins around on his heel, his sword whirring through the air in a waist high arc.

Tawashu is able to avoid the attack, but only by throwing himself backwards and sprawling into the middle of a privet bush.

Momentarily disoriented and getting seriously scratched up, Tawashu thinks he hears Meyshik mutter "Thank you" at him. What with the rustling of the privet bush and the sudden alarmed cries from those nearby, though, he can't be sure.

Thankful that his sword didn't just snap in two, Tawashu does his best to dislodge himself from the privet bush. Ignoring the other cries for the time being, he does his best to defend himself, focusing all of his attention on blocking Elintar's blows rather than in attacking back.

Strangely enough, No further blows are forthcoming.

"Stand down you fool!" he shouts. "If I had wanted to kill you, you would be dead now..."

He breaks off, having righted himself finally, just in time to see Meyshik standing over Elintar's prone form with a rock, her eyes blazing. Before he can react or stop her, she brings the rock down hard into Elintar's chest with the crackle of snapping ribs.

Elintar gurgles once, twice, then falls still. Meyshik matter-of-factly dislodges the rock from the ruins of his chest, then rolls him over, revealing her dagger wedged deep in the Elf's back.

Aaron, who almost made it to Meyshik in time to stop her, puts his hands on his hips and demands "Do you realize how complicated you have just made my life, young woman?"

Meyshik, who is at least five years older and several inches taller than Aaron, ignores him.

Tawashu maneuvers himself between Elintar and Meyshik, still facing Elintar, but keeping a half an eye on Meyshik. "I apologize for being...somewhat less than forthcoming, however I was not looking for a fight," he growls, still gripping his sword, but lowering the tip towards the ground. "I will tell you that our homes have been destroyed, and we were transported here against our wishes by someone's backfired magical effect. My one consolation is that the caster was probably reduced to a tiny pile of smoldering ash by the backlash. For the time being however, we are stranded with no idea where we are. I would like nothing better than to move on."

"That one," Meyshik points at the other Elf, "found me and tried to cast that vile Palandiri hook into me. I had to act. This one," she kicks Elintar's body, snapping another rib, "deserved what he got."

"Stand aside," says Aaron firmly. He kneels down, closes Elintar's eyes and folds his hands over his chest. Meyshik watches, fuming.

Standing up, he faces Tawashu. "I would have spoken differently at the start, had I known you were accompanied by a Nathi. Nevertheless, what is said is said, and you seem like a decent fellow. I'd appreciate it if you would help me bury Elintar, and have one of your companions see if Lasgren is seriously injured."

Tawashu straightens up and puts his sword away. "I will do what I can to help. I am not much of a healer, but I have spent plenty of time on the trail, and have learned a few things. I will ask Corianna what she can do." He turns to Meyshik, but hesitates before he speaks. "Do you know the nature of Lasgren's injury?"

Meyshik shrugs. "He tried to cast a spell on me. I disrupted it, and it looks like it rebounded on him. He'll be fine in a few hours, just roll him under a bush and he'll come out of it when he's ready."

Lasgren does appear to be alive still, and he has improved to the state that he merely looks like he has a debilitating migraine, instead of looking like the newly reluctant dead. He is about twenty feet from where Meyshik killed Elintar.

"OK," Tawashu replies, "though I would appreciate it if you would refrain from doing any further damage to him."

Tawashu looks over and nods to Aaron. "If you will excuse me for a moment, I need to check on Corianna to see how she is doing."

He walks back up the trail (a stone's throw?) to where Corianna is and asks her how she is.

She just shakes her head in reply.

"One of the elves found Meyshik and there was a fight. The elder is dead, and the other one is at least temporarily incapacitated. Apparently he tried to cast the Palandiri hook into Meyshik, and it backfired. In any event, things have calmed down for the time being. I need to speak with Aaron to figure out where we need to go from here."

She nods. "I would rather take my chances with Meyshik than the Elf. Couldn't you have just let Meyshik kill both of them?" Fighting back panic, she continues, "They're Palandiri! You know what they're like!"

Tawashu frowns again. "I'm starting to agree with you. These are not like the elves I have known in the past. In any event, I need to speak with Aaron. I don't know what happened when we went through that portal, but the more I look around me, the less I see that is familiar. You fear the elf, and apparently with good reason, but we need Aaron's help, if for nothing else but to give us some direction on how to get away from here to some place safe."

He bends down close to Corianna and speaks softly to her. "I will not let the elf close to you, and neither will Meyshik. I will seek Aaron's help, and then we will do our best to be away from here."

Corianna drops her eyes, small tears welling past her eyelashes and trickling down her cheek. Then she smiles, and nods. "Thank you," she whispers.

Then, a sudden shadow crosses his face. "You say that the Palandiri could see through your eyes, and hence know what is happening from a distance. Is there a chance that the Elf could communicate back to some master and bring others? I don't want to suddenly find myself set upon by an entire army..."

Corianna stares at him, her mouth in a shocked 'o'. "I don't know..."

Aaron emerges alone from the forest in time to hear Tawashu's last statement. He approaches them in a businesslike manner. "I've left your Nathi watching Lasgren," he says with a significant look. "For your concerns, the Palandiri do not have a strong standing army, they mainly use small skirmishing forces to keep down unrest if it is needed. Wizards take care of most of that anyway with the humans. It's my understanding that unless a wizard prepares someone to use for scrying ahead of time, they can't eavesdrop on us. Lasgren is not the sort to allow that on himself."

He glances at the now late-afternoon sun and massages his temples. "What a day."

Tawashu sighs deeply. "Yes, and it is not over yet."

He turns to face Aaron. "Sir, it is clear that you carry authority here, but I am not familiar with this land, or the political situation with the Palandiri. All I know is that my companion here," he says, indicating Corianna, "has intimate knowledge of what the Palandiri do to their slaves, and has no wish to return to that life. I know too that the Nathi and the Elves are locked in a struggle, though I have no knowledge of its origins, or of its current players. I have long tried to avoid such battles, knowing that there are few who profit from them, and many who suffer at the hands of their 'protectors'. However I was forced into the middle of things when my home city was destroyed overnight without warning."

Aaron nods, having listened gravely to everything. "Help me bury Elintar as we talk. At the very least, we can bring his sword to his family for his Quelin vault."

Tawashu hesitates for just a moment before going on, but then nods again to Aaron and proceeds. "What I need from you Sir, is news of what is happening, to give me some sense of where we are, and then permission to be on our way. I would enjoy sharing your hospitality, but I am afraid that Lasgren's presence makes that problematic..."

"You appear to have a very troublesome situation, Tawashu," says Aaron as they make their way to Elintar's body. Meyshik is still glaring at Lasgren, who no longer seems to be in pain, but seems to have decided to be careful for the moment.

"I have very little real authority here, but it is easy to pretend when you have been brought up to rule." Aaron grins, taking Elintar's weapons and other personal effects, and laying them carefully next to the body. "There's soft ground at the edge of the clearing, let's bury him there."

As they carry the body to Aaron's chosen spot and start digging with spades taken from Lasgren's saddlebags, Aaron continues talking.

"I will show you on a map where we are after we are done. Until then, we are about fifty miles north of the Elven city of Palandir, and well within their territory of influence. Elintar, Lasgren, and I were planning to take ship at Palandir south to the Tirith plains, and then make the overland crossing to my home country of Talisar. Elintar was to be the Palandiri ambassador to Talisar. Between you and me," Aaron lowers his voice for this, "I'm not entirely unhappy about his death. It will make my life at home much easier to not have him around."

Tawashu raises an eyebrow at this, but makes no comment. It appears he understands Aaron's predicament.

"The situation as it now stands in the world, assuming that you have been both blind and deaf all your life, is that the Elves and the Nathi hate each other, and are fighting an interminable war on the east end of the continent. Depending on whose propaganda you believe, it could be going either way. We humans generally try to live our lives and ally with whoever is easier to please."

Tawashu nods. "This much, it is clear, has not changed. Keep your headdown until the dust settles, and then see who is left."

They have dug a good-sized hole by now, and Aaron climbs in, taking Elintar's body in his arms, and laying him carefully to rest. He closes the Elf's eyes and folds the dead hands over his chest.

Climbing out, Aaron says, "If you would be at all amenable to it, I would love to have you along with me, your Nathi and all. Getting you through Palandir would be a chore, but if we don't stay long, or if we leave Lasgren to deliver news of Elintar, and never go into the city proper ourselves, we might stand a chance."

As the last shovelful of dirt is returned to Elintar's grave, Aaron looks at Tawashu with a calculating gaze. "Or we could use that Roc you seem to deny knowledge of so well."

Tawashu grins at this. "They are truly wonderful creatures, are theynot? It is rumored that a large one can carry three grown individuals,though I do not know if they are strong enough for four." He looks upinto the glowering twilight and rubs his chin. "I know of a young Nathiwho might be persuaded to let us try though, if it meant freeing herfrom her guard duty over a very uncomfortable Elf..."

When they are done, Tawashu returns to where Meyshik is standing guard. She is leaning against a tree opposite Lasgren, cleaning her fingernails with Tawashu's dagger. Every time Lasgren looks up at her, she grins evily.

He comes over next to her. "I have an idea how we can find our way out of here," he begins in a low voice. "How many people can your Roc carry? Would he be able to carry the three of us and Aaron past Palandir? Aaron says that we are north of the city now, though he didn't say how far. We can leave the Elf here to fend for himself. Aaron has more to fear from him than we do, if he returns to his city and tells stories. I'm not sure if you wish to return to your home, but at least Aaron can help us get out of this territory of the Elves."

"He could carry four," she says out of the corner of her mouth, never taking her eyes off the Elf. "Though space on his back might be a problem, and his range drops dramatically as you add people." She gestures at Lasgren with the dagger. "We're taking the human and not this one, I assume? Where does he want to go?"

"Yes," Tawashu replies. "Aaron knows this land better than we do, and can get us past the Elves." Tawashu considers for a moment and then goes on. "I would think the Elf will return to Palandir with news of his master. They were supposed to be returning with Aaron as ambassadors, though I'm not sure how their government will take his death. If we bind him and leave him here, then by the time he gets himself free, we will be well away from this place."

Meyshik considers this, and then nods. "He doesn't seem to have the means to travel by magic or anything. When we bind him, we had best gag him too, so that he can't cast magic. I would have to see where we are going on a map before I say whether I think Pfooter can carry us there, though. You're sure he can get us past the Elves? This isn't the easy conquest we had of your lands, and I don't have any crystal weapons." She rubs her bandaged forearm idly.

"Hey!" Meyshik leaps up and lunges after Lasgren, who had gone wide-eyed and tried to bolt into the shrubbery at the mention of crystal weapons. He ducks, bobs, and weaves, Meyshik always just out of reach behind him.

Suddenly, he gestures downward, and Meyshik trips over something. Tawashu ,who had taken off after Lasgren as soon as the Elf had bolted, lets out a quick curse as he hits the ground. Rolling, he tries to free himself, but soon sees that a chase is useless. Heartbeats later, Lasgren is nowhere to be seen or heard.

"Well, looks like that problem is taken care of," Tawashu spits out, regaining his feet. "Whatever we do, we should leave this place quickly. I don't know how high the Roc can take us, but we want to get over this ridge and away from the coast. As long as we are near the road, it is too easy to spot us in the air."

He looks around quickly to find Corianna. "Corianna," he calls out to her, "we are leaving."

Then, he runs to find Aaron. "Your Elf has gotten away. Meyshik has said we can ride the Roc, though it will be more difficult with four of us. Nevertheless, we need to leave this spot and find another more secure location, hopefully on the other side of this ridge, or wherever you think we can get out of sight quickly. We will discuss maps and such later."

"Damn," says Aaron with a grimace. He glances around. "Well, he'll have gone down the path to the road, but we'll not be able to find him from the air and I don't want to chase him from the ground. I think you're right. You can summon the roc quickly, then? If not, the horses might be the better idea."

"Is it likely that the Elves will try to come after us?" Tawashu replies, already working on gathering up his things. "I hate to lose the horses, and frankly, I feel a lot more comfortable on the ground than in the air, but there is nowhere to go with the horses other than along the road here. Besides," he adds with a smirk, "it is a lot more difficult to track a rider on a Roc, since the only thing it leaves behind is a rustle in the air to mark its passing.... If I knew this area, I would head into the mountains with the horses, but without knowing where I am going, I'm afraid we would simply get ourselves lost."

"They're Palandiri, they'll find their way home no problem," says Aaron. "I'll wait to unhitch them till we have the Roc in sight." He eyes Meyshik, then shrugs.

Tawashu turns to the Nathi. "Meyshik, can you call the Roc? I believe we can fly along the ridge until we find a pass low enough that we can get through. Other than that, I will have to trust your knowledge of the Roc to tell us where we can go."

Meyshik nods, and ambles over to the edge of the ledge.

Not waiting for a reply, Tawashu goes to Corianna and kneels next to her, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Well, not exactly what I had planned, but it looks like we are rid of the Elf. Gather your things. We are heading out again." He pauses a moment to look up into the dusk. "Aaron wishes to come with us. Fortunately, he knows this area better than I do. We will simply vanish into the darkness. The Elves will not be able to follow us."

Corianna nods, smiles a little, and squeezes his wrist. She does not meet his eyes.

"Cover your ears, everyone!" orders Meyshik, then puts her fingers to her lips. Her eyes glow red, and she lets out a louder and more piercing whistle than even was ever heard in a junior-high lunchroom. The horses all scream, rear up, and burst their hitchings.

"Oh, cra-" begins Aaron.

Ears laid back and eyes like dinner plates, the horses gallop to the path down to the road.

"-p," Aaron finishes. As a suspiciously roc-shaped shadow appears on the horizon, he makes his way over towards Meyshik, in time to see the trail of dust left by the horses as they bolt southward.

"How distressingly intelligent of those beasts," he remarks, twisting a finger in his ear. Meyshik smirks evilly. Even Corianna giggles a little.

The Roc glides in for a graceful and windy landing. It nuzzles Meyshik with its beak, eliciting a rare smile from the woman, then auks conversationally as it noses through the saddlebags.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Tawashu adds with just a hint of a grimace, "I believe it is time to make our exit."

He turns to Aaron. "It really is quite safe," he says with a smile, "as long as you can hold on to the contents of your stomach, and much faster than foot or horseback. I can only imagine what it is like when he isn't weighed down by three or four riders."

"All right," says Meyshik irritably. "I'll sit at the wing joint, you all have to strap onto the harness behind me."

She pats the Roc's beak, then vaults to his shoulder with practised ease. Tawashu helps Corianna up with a minimum of feather pulling. Aaron follows Tawashu. So seated, Meyshik, Tawashu, Corianna, and Aaron, they all buckle themselves on.

"If you need to scream, don't do it in my ear, and if you need to be sick, wait till we're on the ground again," says Meyshik in a no nonsense tone. "Right."

She clicks to the Roc, who waddles to the edge of the ledge, and hops off onto nothing. It spreads its wings and bottoms out of its drop at almost the tops of the trees below. With an "auk", it swoops gracefully out over the ocean, covering a quarter mile in the time it takes Tawashu's stomach to catch up with him.

Corianna resumes her accustomed white-knuckled grip on his hips.

"Where are we going?" Meyshik calls back over the rushing wind. "I'd rather fly north or south over the water until we know where we're going to be, less chance of hitting a mountain."

Tawashu swallows hard, and then tries to turn his head to speak to Aaron. "Where to now to get clear of the Elves? North or South?"

"South is towards Palandir, but we have to get past it to get home. Try a couple miles south, and then inland past the first ridgeline."

"Sounds good to me," Tawashu shouts back over the noise of the wind. "Make sure you warn us before we come in sight of the Elves. I don't know what they have for ranged weapons, but I'd rather not become a target."

Meyshik nods, and guides the Roc south, parallelling the coast for a few minutes. As they fly, the evening deepens into blackness, broken by one, two, then a myriad of stars. Scanning the heavens, Tawashu does not find any of the constellations he grew up with.

After what seems like further than two miles, Meyshik steers the Roc landward again, gaining altitude and heading for the space between two peaks. Over the coast, its thin ribbon of road barely visible, then over the foothills and cliffs of the first ridgeline they fly, the air turning icy as the winds cut across the roc's path.

The twin peaks are underneath the roc now, several stone fortifications visible nestled in the saddle. "Bugger" mutters Meyshik, "Hang on, I'm going to get out of sight of those!"

The roc banks sharply to the left, descending so rapidly that everyone's ears pop before their stomachs catch up with them. Corianna throws her arms around Tawashu, so that he can barely breathe as the roc dives straight towards the southernmost of the two peaks. A crash seems inevitable at the speed, and it is possible that nobody breathed at all as the ground rushed crazily towards them.

At the last moment, the Roc pulls up, scarcely fifty feet above the treetops, then cuts right, traversing around the westward face of the mountain. After about twenty minutes of this, she guides it down into the far valley, where the shadow of another ridgeline to the west makes it incredibly difficult to see anything in the night gloom. Nevertheless, Meyshik does not allow the roc to slow at all.

"How often do they have these outposts?" Meyshik calls back to Aaron.

"I don't know," he replies. "I never knew they existed. I would guess they're retreats for the nobles, or maybe someone's Quelin vault is located there."

"Thanks a heap," mutters Meyshik, audible only to Tawashu. "Lets put anotuer couple peaks between them and us, and then I'll set us down on a good plateau."Meyshik urges the Roc onward for about fifteen more minutes, during which they leave the outpost and both peaks far behind. After that, she slows the Roc to a gentler pace, and searches for a good spot to land.

Finally, she sets the Roc down on a clearing about the size of a large house. The Roc beats its wings frantically, finally setting down for a rough, but treeless landing.

"I think we lost whatever might have seen us," growls Meyshik as she slides off and assists others in doing so. "I don't like this area, but it's the best I could find. I want to lay low through the day and fly when it's night again. Make yourself comfy, but be careful!"

Tawashu rolls off the Roc and hits the ground with a thud! His face is just a little green, but it looks like he will survive. After a bit, he rolls over and gets to his feet, looking around at their situation, trying to see what little he can of the surrounding mountains.

Once everyone is off the Roc, she paces achingly to its head. She whistles to it, and it settles itself at the edge of the clearing, underneath the high spreading branches of a tall conifer. She wanders off into the woods in search of firewood.

The clearing is dark and cramped. The trees are a mixture of tall pines and spruces, which let little light if any through to the ground. The floor of the clearing is choked with gorse and bracken, mingled with some optimistic grass and ferns. The land slopes up on all sides, adding to the claustrophobic air of the site.

Corianna staggers about, then gives up and plops to the ground by the Roc, where she huddles against it, her knees drawn up to her chest and her head down. Her hair falls over in front of her face, and she shakes somewhat, looking smaller and more frightened than Tawashu has ever seen her.

Aaron stretches and yawns. "Tawashu, we should get a fire going at least," he says good-naturedly. "Then, I will attempt to answer what questions you have, and at the very least show you a map."

Tawashu slips over to Corianna, giving Aaron a quick, "I'll be with you in a minute" look. He carefully puts his arm around her shoulders and holds her quietly, not speaking for a while.

It is some time before he eventually whispers in her ear. "What troubles you my precious one? Can you feel the elves near?

She shakes her head, but doesn't look up or speak immediately. Finally, barely audible, she speaks. "It was like...an eye," she finally whispers. "It only glanced at me when we were over that castle, but I could feel it laughing...like it knew who I was...I don't know who it was, but it laughed at me...like it was promising to find me, slowly and cruelly."

Tawashu gently touches Corianna's cheek and turns her face towards his before leaning over and kissing her on the forehead. "Whoever it may be," he whispers to her, "I will hide you, and if it does find you, it will have to come through me first. We will see then who has the last laugh." He gives her one more squeeze before rolling over onto his knees in front of her. "I must help the others prepare, and speak with Aaron to figure out where we are, and where we should go from here. Stay here by the Roc and keep warm, and I will be back shortly."

Tawashu rises slowly to his feet. His words to Corianna may be brave, but he too is shaken. The more he has discovered about where they are, the more the feeling of being hopelessly lost has taken over him. Finally, he shakes his head and turns to find Meyshik.

"We were seen when we went over that watchtower," he quietly tells Meyshik when he finds her. "Corianna told me that she saw an eye. It was only for an instant, but she thought it knew who she was. We may not be able to wait until tomorrow night to leave this place. We need to find out as much as we can from Aaron, first to understand where we are, and then to plan where to go from here." Tawashu pauses a moment to look up into the night sky. "I wonder how many more of these watchtowers they have scattered through these mountains..."

Meyshik listens with narrowed eyes. "Dammit." She paces a moment. "Well, we're all exhausted, all but that prince you picked up, so we have to lay low for a while. If she can feel an Elf searching for her, that means I will too. We have to rest, and so long as she or I is awake at all times, we'll have warning if they try anything."

She turns away. "Go confer with your prince, I promise I'll try not to murder you in your beds..." and trails off as she strides further into the forest.

Tawashu laughs suddenly as Meyshik walks away. "And having your honorable word Meyshik," he says with a chuckle, "I will sleep in peace."

With this, Tawashu spins around on his heel and strides over to Aaron. "And now, my good sir," he asks with a hint of a bow, "if you could enlighten us with a map, I would feel much better. I have long served as a woodsman and guide, and being totally lost is most disconcerting. Where are we in this land of ours, who is around us and who would be likely to offer us shelter?"

Aaron, having rummaged around in his saddlebags, produces a map, and spreads it out on a relatively open space. As it is nowhere near light enough to read it, he rolls up the map, rummages around again, produces a torch, and having kindled it, spreads out the map again.

The map can be found here.

Aaron points at a position about 40 miles north of the city of Palandir, on the eastern coast of the peninsula. "That's our approximate position," he says. "We were originally headed south to Palandir, and then to take ship south. My home is here, Talisar." he points to what is the only dot on the large southern continent in the online map, "in the southern foothills of the Spinewalls, guarding the headwaters of the river Palt."

The amusement which only a short time ago had been on Tawashu's face only a few moments ago suddenly drains away as the full impact of the map dawns on him. He listens in silence, and does not reply for some time.

Finally, he shakes his head. "I know these names, but not this map. It is as if they were from a different world. Everything I thought I knew has suddenly vanished." Tawashu stands slowly to his feet, and gazes up at the start over head. "I have known since we came here that something was not right, but I had no idea just how true that was. It is as if we had slept for a thousand years, and the land has shifted and changed while we were asleep, so that now there is nothing left the same."

Aaron's face lines with concern. "I have no counsel to offer you on your loss," he says slowly. "However, the fact remains that you and your friends are in danger as long as we are in the Elflands. If, once we are out of danger, you wish to go anywhere you want, even to Havna, I will not stop you. Now though, I think we need to worry about getting past Palandir. Once we are past our mutual obstacle, we can decide what do do with the rest of our lives."

Aaron gives a half-smile, squeezes Tawashu's shoulder companionably, then adds as an afterthought. "From what I have seen so far, all three of you would be welcome in Talisar, 'Elven Protectorate' or no."

Tawashu sighs and gives Aaron a weak smile. "I have always made it a practice to travel light. Means that there is little to leave behind. What's done is done, and there is little use looking back." Once more, Tawashu looks up to the start above them. "Soon, these lights will become familiar, and once again they will guide me through the night. But, in the mean time," he adds, turning back to Aaron's map, "we have the Elves to deal with."

With this, Tawashu turns his full attention to studying the map. "The crossing is close to 100 miles... more if we must go around Palandir. I have no doubt the Roc could do that distance on its own, but with four of us, I would be afraid of falling into the sea before we reach land. Meyshik will know the strength of her mount, and whether he will be able to make it that far. The only alternative would be to find a boat somewhere. I am familiar with sailing, and could get us across the straits there, but I don't know where we would find a boat." Tawashu gives a crooked smile. "I don't think we would be very welcome booking passage on a conventional passenger ship..."

"With a Nathi and an escaped slave? Certainly not," says Aaron, steepling his fingers in thought. Corianna looks up briefly, and glares at him. "Well, first of all, see those stars, in a triangle there?" He points at a trio of exceptionally bright stars. "Follow the left edge, and about the breadth of two fingers up is Forvensil, the north star."

Aaron thinks a little more. "Meyshik?" he calls into the woods.

After about half a minute, Meyshik plods into the clearing with a small armload of firewood. She gives both men a "Yes, what is it now?" look, drops the firewood, and crouches down to look at the map. She frowns, and makes a sound not unlike a teapot approaching a boil.

"If we took off fresh from the utter southernmost point of Cape Palandir," she says slowly, "and flew straight south, directly towards that coast, we might get within sight of land before Pfooter dropped into the sea of exhaustion."

Tawashu frowns. "The alternative would be to either take more trips,which would take more time, or for Meyshik and Corianna to go by Rocwhile Aaron and I find a ship and come separately. I do not know whatthe weather through those straits is like this time of year, but Iwould imagine we could make it in a couple of days...." He looks againat Aaron. "Who owns most of the shipping in these parts, and what sortof transport is most common between the lands of Elves and Men?"

"Most of the native shipping is owned by Elves," says Aaron, thinking. "If I remember correctly, there is a wall around the harbor, withinwhich free men are allowed. If a human passes that wall withoutpermission, he's as much as giving up his freedom. There might be afew human ships docked though."

"And," Tawashu replies, "what would be the chance of us getting in therewithout raising suspicion? You are clearly not some commoner Aaron, sothere is a significant chance that you will be recognized. I amconcerned," he adds slowly, "that the Elf Lasgren will return and spreadword of what happened, meaning that we may have suddenly become wantedmen..." Tawashu thinks for another moment before speaking again. "Whatother ships might there be along the shore here? I would think that thereare small fishing villages along the coast which would have ships, one ofwhich we might be able to, ah.... borrow."

"Most of the coastal settlements are mining colonies, humans overseenby Elves," replies Aaron. "The ships there will be barges, captainedby Elves. I don't know if we could capture one without unacceptableloss. That is the only way I know of getting passage on one. Could weperhaps try to land on a ship as it is underway, and well out ofPalandir?"

"Well... yes"," Tawashu replies, looking doubtful, "though I have my doubts we would be welcome, dropping in from the sky. Perhaps if we found a ship owned by humans, we mightfind a welcome, but I would hate to set down on some ship only to find ourselves with our backs to the rail and a fight on our hands..."

Aaron chuckles. "Well, so far, it appears that our best course istowards Palandir, at least for the moment. We're more likely to findhuman ships at their port anyway. There's really not much between hereand Palandir, mostly wizards and Awakened recluses. Tell you what, whydon't we all three think on this, and decide once we see what isavailable as we get further south. I haven't been near Palandir inseveral years, myself."

Aaron gets up, crosses over to the Roc, and tries to make himselfcomfortable against it.

"We fly in six hours," growls Meyshik, and goes off to do likewise.

Tawashu shrugs. "I agree. Not much use trying to make a plan until we know what we have."

With this, he goes to find Corianna and check how she is doing. He spreads out his blanket next to her and does his best to make her comfortable.

"Do we need to take turns at guard? I would like to have some warning before some Elf Watcher drops in on us..."

"I'll wake you if anything happens," says Corianna faintly. "I don't think I'll be sleeping tonight."

The six hours passes without incident, and Meyshik wakes them all with more than necessary vigor. "Let's go, come on," she says, handing out trail mix and other edibles she scrounged from Aaron's luggage.

"Tawashu," says Corianna, pulling him aside as the Roc is being loaded up. "I think I feel someone trying to look at us, but I can't tell who it is or where he is coming from..."

Tawashu frowns at Corianna. "Has this feeling been growing? Do you mean look at us through your eyes, like the palandiri did before?" He sighs. "The sooner we are away from here, the better. I hate to pass close to the city, but I don't see any alternative... without going hundreds of miles out of our way."

Corianna thinks. "No...It's more as though someone was trying to find me, and didn't quite know what he was looking for."

Tawashu approaches Meyshik. "If we fly towards the city, is that going to put us at a greater risk of the elves sensing you and Corianna? If so, is there any way to mask our presence from their observation?"

"Only if they know to look," she replies grimly. "Someone was looking out as we flew over last night. I say we hijack a ship and go south that way."

She grumbles, picking up the last saddlebag and loading it onto Pfooter. "You're the one who has the prince's ear, what do you say?"

Tawashu considers for a moment before nodding. "We will fly in closer to the city to see what we find there. There are many ways we could go, but dropping in on a ship mid way across could avoid a confrontation with the elves here at the docks." Tawashu's eyes narrow as he strokes his chin. "You can drop the prince and me near the edge of the city, and we will go in during the day to see if we can select a likely candidate -- a small, fast ship piloted by humans, heading to the Southern continent. Hopefully, we can find a crew that will not give us a hard time about dropping in on them... Then," he adds with a grin, "a little later, once they have set sail, we can track them down and drop in for a friendly visit."

"That sounds good," declares Aaron approvingly. "We'll have to fly low, and skirt the city somehow, since I don't want to be in the city proper without the Elves who were with me. You'll do that, Meyshik?"

She returns a withering look of scorn. "I know my job and my tactics," she says coldly. "As it happens, you are right, but that is only coincidence." Aaron merely smiles, amused.

Loading everyone onto the Roc takes only a few minutes, practice having made, if not perfect, at least better. With that now familiar lurch, Pfooter takes off, skimming the treeline. After some time, the left horizon lights up in a spectacular sunrise, spreading its golden glow across the sea. Meyshik grumbles something about being too exposed, and sends Pfooter behind a ridge.

After you've been flying for about two hours, the mountainous terrain starts to settle down a little bit. There is only the one major ridge here, as opposed to the two or three at the beginning.

"If we're heading due south along the coast, we'll actually have to curve around to the west to get to the city," says Aaron over the rushing wind. "Most of the Elves live in the city itself, but the ones who live out along the coast are more likely to be nobles or slavemasters."

The Roc continues its flight south. More and more frequently, Meyshik has to direct the Roc lower or around the terrain in order to avoid the direct gaze of towers or other settlements. Corianna's grip on Tawashu alternates between merely tense, and white-knuckled.

Finally, as the landscape below starts to give way to foothills, the white towers of the city of Palandir can be barely seen off ahead to the right, gleaming in the morning sun. The land below is about evenly split between hillside vineyards, cliffs, and relatively flat fields, fed by rivers and small streams still ebbing from the spring meltwater rush.

"This is too far," says Meyshik, after sending Pfooter so low across the fields that the roc needed to shake wheat out of its toes. "We need to put down and find somewhere to hide, or we'll be seen for sure."

"We need to find an easy way into the harbor," declares Aaron from behind Corianna. "Most any human not on the coastal highway or in the harbor is assumed to be an escaped slave or rogue. They wouldn't take me, but I'd worry about you three. Tawashu, what do you think?"

The Roc continues its flight south. More and more frequently, Meyshik has to direct the Roc lower or around the terrain in order to avoid the direct gaze of towers or other settlements. Corianna's grip on Tawashu alternates between merely tense, and white-knuckled.

"Ouch!"

Finally, as the landscape below starts to give way to foothills, the white towers of the city of Palandir can be barely seen off ahead to the right, gleaming in the morning sun. The land below is about evenly split between hillside vineyards, cliffs, and relatively flat fields, fed by rivers and small streams still ebbing from the spring meltwater rush.

"This is too far," says Meyshik, after sending Pfooter so low across the fields that the roc needed to shake wheat out of its toes. "We need to put down and find somewhere to hide, or we'll be seen for sure."

"We need to find an easy way into the harbor," declares Aaron from behind Corianna. "Most any human not on the coastal highway or in the harbor is assumed to be an escaped slave or rogue. They wouldn't take me, but I'd worry about you three. Tawashu, what do you think?"

Tawashu still sounds uncomfortable. He nods to Meyshik's suggestion. "Get us as close as you think we can safely go. After that, we'll just have to walk a bit."

He tries to turn a little to talk to Aaron. "You know this area better than I do Aaron. Can we enter the city without them recognizing you? The less attention we draw to ourselves, the better. In any event, the women will have to hide out while we enter the city. Meyshik is a pretty obvious target, and Corianna would most likely be spotted as a runaway as soon as we entered the city. It's up to the two of us to make it to the road, enter the city as inconspicuous as possible, find what we can about ships at the docks, and then return. At least they will have the Roc, and should be able to get away if someone stumbles on them."

"I think we can, yes," says Aaron, gazing off at the city in the distance. "I can probably prove my identity, and yours as a servant, but it will be difficult. I suggest that we cut over to the coastal high road," he points off to the southeast, "and make our way along that road into the city, and then the harbor district, where we will be safer. It looks like about ten miles..."

Aaron trails off, then looks at Corianna. "Young lady, who was your master in the Palandir you knew?"

Corianna looks up at Aaron in surprise, then quickly averts her eyes. "His name was...Eremir Kondella," she says with difficulty.

"The Kondella are the ruling family of Palandir," muses Aaron, "but I have never heard of Eremir. Very well. Tawashu, are you ready for our trek? How and where shall we meet the women when we are done?"

Tawashu sighs. "Ten miles? That will take us a while to get there and back." He looks around. "Are there any points where the women could hide out, but still have a clear view of the highway. At this distance, it will probably take us the better part of the day just getting there and back, not to mention looking around. We should probably plan to meet up again some time tomorrow evening."

"While we're discussing, I'm going to land," says Meyshik, with her customary annoyance. The Roc glides to a reasonably gentle landing in the shelter of one of the last mountains.

"There's a village between here and the coastal highway, if I remember correctly," says Aaron thoughtfully. "then there's the mining town of Caerie, which is on the coast, built into the cliffs. I would avoid it if possible, since there are likely to be more overseers there. Ideally, we'd be closer to the highway already."

Tawashu nods. "I assume that we can make our way from this point too the road. Meyshik and Corianna can wait here while we head to the coastal road, and from there to the city. If it really is ten miles, then it will probably take us two days to make the round trip." He turns to Meyshik. "You can start watching for us at either the end of tomorrow. I don't like taking that long, but I'm not sure what else to do." He considers carefully for a moment before going on. "If we are not back after the third day, then we will have run into trouble. I do not think you will be able to help us without drawing more attention to yourselves, so the wisest thing to do will be to make your own way to the Southern Continent, however you can make it, and we will try to rejoin you there."

Tawashu scratches his head for a moment. Turning to Meyshik, he asks, "Do you have a signal mirror by any chance? It might be best for Aaron and myself to find passage on a ship, and then have you join us after we leave the docks. A signal mirror would make it easier for you to find us."

"You took all my equipment back at the manor house, remember?" Meyshik snaps back at him, but without her usual acidity. If you have a spare, I'll certainly use it."

"One moment." Aaron rummages in a saddlebag. "Here." He hands Meyshik a small mirror, which she takes with a nod.

"Mister Ranger," says Meyshik abruptly and forcefully. "You are the closest I have to either an ally or a people here in this world. If you are not back by the end of the third day, I will drag this rabbit of a young woman with me and come find you, make no mistake."

"Now, are you walking from here, or am I flying you even farther into danger first?"

At first, Tawashu doesn't answer, apparently taken off balance by Meyshik's statement, but then he shakes himself and quickly scans the terrain for a safe haven. "There!", he says, pointing to an outcropping covered by a small stand of trees. "That looks like it has a view of the South road, so you should be able to spot us coming back up the road."

"It is as good as any," Meyshik finally says with a grudging nod.

As soon as they land, Tawashu pulls out his own signal mirror. "I donot plan on needing you to rescue us," he says, looking keenly intoMeyshik's eyes, "or at least not yet, but your offer has not goneunheard." Tawashu takes a deep breath and gives Meyshik one more longlook before continuing.

She returns his stare with an icy one of her own, completelyunreadable.

"The plan is for Aaron and I to go into the city in the area frequentedby human freemen and merchants," he says, speaking quickly now. "Weshould be able to reach the docks before nightfall, if we movequickly," he adds, giving Aaron a quick glance. "We will book passageto the Southern Continent, due to leave on the third day from today. We will then return here, hopefully by nightfall tomorrow. I willattempt to signal you before we leave the road to make sure you two...or three rather... are still OK. Once we have given you a descriptionof what ship to look for, we will return to the city and leave from thedocks. You will give us enough time to get away from the city so thatyou can circle around and find us. Aaron and I will keep watch withthe signal mirror, so you should know which ship we are on. Since wewill already be aboard, hopefully we will be able to assure the captainand crew that they are not being attacked, and thus avoid aconfrontation and bloodshed."

"Then," Tawashu adds, leaning back with a smile, "we should be able torelax and enjoy the ride."

Tawashu turns his gaze out over the ocean. Where is a wistful look inhis eye. "It has been a long time since I have been on the sea," hesays softly. "Far too long..."

Aaron and Tawashu leave the women and the Roc behind, and set offacross the foothills to the road, which they reach easily. This farnorth, it winds its way around hills and through the occasional cleft,though the clefts are smaller, and the hills require less than Ragaagility to climb.

As they walk (moving at as quick a pace as is comfortable), Tawashuasks Aaron to fill him in regarding the recent history of Elves andMen, noting the differences between the world he once knew, and theland he now finds himself in.

Aaron looks at Tawashu oddly out of the corner of his eyes, but goes onanyway. "The Elves basically ruled all of the northern world for timeout of mind, and influenced what they did not rule. With their magicand long lives, none could really stand up to them. Then five hundredyears ago, the Nathi rose up out of nowhere, and drove the Elves out ofKaranath in a few years, all but two fortresses on the coast.

"There's really bad blood between the Nathi and the Elves, somethingabout weapons that would steal away an Elf's soul. The Elves declaredholy war, and they've been fighting ever since. When that happened, alot of the southern human countries broke away from Elven rule, andthose that stayed with the Elves got pushed harder. My home, Talisar,has an Elven ambassador and a small force of Elven soldiers, and we'rejust south of the Wolfjaw mountains.

"My father and grandfather, and ancestors time out of mind have alwaysheld that working with the Elves was better than working against them,and we've sent soldiers to fight their wars." He laughs bitterly. "father's champion, Soir Orren, should be finishing up his tour of dutysoon too, more's the pity. That means I'll have to deal with thebastard strutting around like he owns the world."

He falls silent for a long time.

"I will be different," he says at last. "I have been educated byElves, and I have seen how they treat my people. I will make themrealize they I am a better ally than slave."

With the last bite of winter flirting with the breeze, the two menreach the outskirts of the first village as the sun climbs up towardsnoon. It is a smallish village, a mere twenty or so broad stonehouses, with a gathering place and an inn off the central square. Allthe houses look extremely old, with a grace to their lines that makesthe stones seem to want to soar.

The road goes right through the village. They walk through unaccosted,though a lot of Elves give them sidelong looks. One in particular, aparticularly clean-cut individual, hums and chants, gesturing at them,then stops, looking surprised. He shrugs, and goes about his business.

Tawashu does his best to look bland, avoiding eye contact, and sayingnothing.

"He most likely believes that free humans this far from Palandir have areason to be free," Aaron murmurs into Tawashu's ear when they are asafe distance away. "Look at the others, it's like this all overPalandiri territory."

If Tawashu looks, he does indeed see a fair number of humans around thevillage, most of them hauling or carting or other menial activities. From their bearing, they can be nothing other than slaves. Several ofthe men look at Tawashu and Aaron with naked envy, sometimes evenloathing.

Tawashu sighs. "In the world that I came from, the Elves were none toofriendly with others, but they were generally even handed and fair --the sort of people you wouldn't want as your best friend, but you couldtrust them in business. The situation is much different here I cansee.

"The Elves ruled the world once," mutters Aaron. "The Nathi threw themoff, and the lot of Man has worsened since."

A young woman carrying a bucket of water nearly bumps into Aaron. "Oh,sorry, good master, I didn't see-" she babbles, then looks up at Aaronand Tawashu for the first time. "Oh!" she exclaims, then backs up,curtseying.

"Don't worry about it," says Aaron with a grin. "You should watchwhere you're going, I'd hate to see that pretty face scuffed up."

He looks over at Tawashu, mirth in his eyes. To the woman again, hesays, "What is the latest news from the south, my lady?" as thoughaddressing a high-born woman.

She blushes, and looks at her feet. "Nothin', milord, not as concernsthe likes of me. The Masters were talkin' about something the minersfound over in Caerie, an' were takin' to the City to show the Prince,"she knuckles her forehead on the word. "But what or who it is, theydon't tell us, sir. I've got to get back, so good day, milords." Shecontinues about her business, but with a bit more of a spring in herstep.

"Wait, what is your name?" Aaron calls after her. She shudders, andquickly rounds a corner.

Tawashu watches silently during the conversation, though he does givethe girl a warm smile when she glances his way.

"I hate what the Elves have done," says Aaron as they continue to walkalong, passing out of the village. "When I am king, I mean to be nolapdog." He spits on the road.

Tawashu shakes his head. "When you are king," he replies slowly, "youwill have your hands more than full. Hopefully, when we are out of theElven lands, we will be further away from their influence, and yourpeople will act like humans rather than domesticated animals. However,change will come slowly, no matter how great a leader you are." Heturns for just a moment to look back over his shoulder toward the hillswhere they landed. "I am beginning to understand the Nathi and whythey fight so fiercely."

"Indeed," replies Aaron, after the village is out of sight behind them. "And I cannot take sides, not with the Elves so close to home. That'sthe really galling part."

They walk on for another couple hours, as the land trends flatter, andthe farms and settlements increase. As they near the city of Palandir,traffic increases as well: farmers in their carts, soldiers marching information to the north or the south, travelling merchants and theirguards. More than once Aaron and Tawashu are almost forced off theroad by careless or uncaring drivers, and many of them shout the samefew words at them.

"Never mind," replies Aaron if Tawashu inquires. "It's just their wordfor us lesser peoples."

As the south road approaches the village to the east of the city ofPalandir, and the sun is marking the late afternoon, Aaron remarks,"Tawashu, what do you think this thing is that they found in Caerie?"

"In a time of war, the thing which rouses the greatest excitement isgenerally the discovery of some new weapon of great power, with thepromise of finally, once and for all, wiping out your enemies. Ofcourse," he adds with a bitter laugh, "it never works that way, sincethe new weapon either backfires, or is countered in some unexpected wayby the opposing side." Tawashu ponders for a moment, and his foreheadwrinkles. "As I remember, the elves have always used some sort ofcrystal in their weapons, so it is possible that they have discoveredsome powerful new stone, with which they plan to deal with the Nathi."

"Generally, it's been the eastern Elves, who live on the coast of theSeregaer, who use crystals," muses Aaron. "Though I've heard fromreliable people that the Nathi also use them exclusively, and maybeeven more powerfully. You're right though, we even have a large boltermounted on the high tower at home. The Elves use it if we're everattacked, but only if all our knights are dead first. No, I think ifit were a weapon, they would have said it was a weapon."

"Ye there, good master," calls Aaron at a passing carter, his voicesuddenly that of a downtrodden servant. "C'n you tell us what they'vefound over there in Caerie, Sor?"

"Something or someone from deep in the earth, they don't tell me,"snarls the Elven carter. "Now get out of the way."

Tawashu frowns. "If not a weapon, then some other great source ofpower..." For a moment, he pauses. "... or 'someone' he said. Iwonder if they have uncovered some ancient creature. I have heardother tales of powerful Evils that were disturbed when people, in theirunbounded greed, drove their mines too deep, though most of them didnot live to tell the tale. If the Elves had simply found a gem stoneof great value, they would no doubt be boasting of it to everyone. No,this is something more important, something that will take the Elveslonger to figure out how to turn to their best advantage."

Tawashu turns to Aaron. "I am tempted now to stay here for a few dayslonger, just to see if we can find out what this thing is. Somethingin my gut tells me that the knowledge will be important to you in yourdealings with the Elves once you return to your home..."

"I have no idea how deep the mines in Caerie go," replies Aaron with agrin. "Who knows? At any rate, since it has taken this long to walkthis far, we should find ourselves a ship quickly, lest your militantcompanion come find us."

Tawashu shrugs. "We will continue on to the city and see what we findthere."

The next village has a wall around it, though the gates are wide open,and the road goes right through it. The wall seems to serve more as adivision between farms and city. There are guards, however, and theydo appear to be stopping roughly every tenth person going through.

Tawashu looks down. "You know this area better than I do. If theguards stop us, I'll let you do the talking."

"Agreed. Keep your head down."

Tawashu and Aaron continue along the road towards the gate. As theyare about to pass through the gates, one of the guards drops his speardown in front of them, blocking their way.

"Your names and your business," the guard growls, while the other lookson. Both are Elves, well muscled and fit, but the whipcord awarenessthat Tawashu has learned to associate with Awakened Elves is present inneither.

"Your pardon sir," replies Aaron. "We're just on our way to the city,to see what they found in Caerie. We mean no harm..."

"Let them pass, Len," says the second guard. "The descriptions saidthere were two woman with them, and neither of them are slaved."

Aaron blinks. "Who were these, Sir? Nobody causin' trouble, I hope?"

"Eh, just some human prince with a giant bird. Lord Elintar's beenkilled by them and a Nathi, or so his servant said. Poor guy was halfout of his mind, then the Watcher saw the bird himself..." He trailsoff, as the other guard makes shushing motions at him.

"Oh." Aaron shrugs, beginning to walk through. "Oh sir, I thinkw epassed them, though there was only the human girl. Tall, hunched overlike? Yeah, we saw them in the last village, said they were going toCaerie, something about the mines."

"Thank got, now get on with you," replies the guard. The two of thementer into whispered conversation, and then one jogs off.

Losing themselves in the marketplace along the main road, Aaronwhispers "Well, I think we got through that well enough. Looks likewe've been reported though. Any ideas?"