Lillian Eirellan's Story

Lillian's pale blue eye jutted open, as she sucked in hard for air, as she shot up in a sitting position from on the ground. Beads of sweat built up on her forehead as she looked around in a panic, only to leave out a huge sigh of relief. It was not uncommon for her to find herself passed out in some random spot on the forest floor usually after indulging herself in too mead, which was quit often, but rarely did she awaken with flashbacks of that horrible night that she worked so hard to drown out of her mind. She instinctively went for a flask of ale she kept near at all times. Rolling her eyes back in ecstasy the the bitter liquid washed over her parched tongue. As she continued to suck back the contents, her eyes began to explore her surroundings a tad more. Gale, her huge white mare seemed to be resting not all too far from her, in sight of a makeshift camp. There had been a fire pit that was only embers now, that barely flickered now in the stone circle. Her belongings were thrown terribly close to it, but luckily not burned. No tent...Well she probably would of just managed to get it all knotted up and slept on it unmade anyways...Recapping the flask, she went to get up and found her legs constricted and fell over to on to her side with a loud thud.

"What the?" She mumbled a slew of profanities under her breath as she rolled back on to her back. Rocking some, much like a turtle trapped on it's back side, she mad a sad attempt to sit up right again to get a good look at her legs. It was her bed roll that was rather tangled and intertwined between her legs that seemed to be the problem. How in the world could that even happen? She growled more like a wild animal than a nice young elven lass, startling her horse. Gale gave a loud snort and cast an annoyed stare in her masters direction.

Lillian paid no mind to stares, and continued to claw at the bedroll and worked to release her bound limps, finally throwing the thing away from herself in that moment of triumph. It was as if it was a wild beast that had latched onto her. This deserved a victory drink, she thought to herself as she raised her flask once more only to be horrified to find it empty. Her lip quivered in a pathetic pout as she cut her eyes back over to the horse, "Gale!! What have I told you about drinking all my ale?!"

The horse just got up on to its legs, not paying any attention to the druid's drunken ramblings and trotted over knowing that this usually meant they were going to waste no time packing up and looking for the nearest town. As if this was a normal command that any stead should surely know. Lillian hopped up from the ground and hurried to go collect her defeated bedroll, and other items from the ground, placing all but her backpack into the saddle bags that hung from her loyal Gale. She gave the horse a gentle pat before leading her forward through the thick forest, hopefully in what she thought was in the correct northeastern direction.

A heavy weight sat on a sleeping Reimel's chest. His eyes peered opened to find a massive grey wolf laying contently on his chest. Raising a slightly annoyed brow at his long time friend as he gave a slight snort. "Root....up......now." giving him a gentle push on the face and body trying to get him to move However it would seem companion had different thoughts on how the morning would play out as he simply just pushed back and placed the rest of his weight onto the elf. "Gah!" Reimel started a low growl as he began pulling on the Root's large furry ears. "UP!" Finally managing to pull him to the side to where he could finally sit up with a stretch that sent a few pops through his spine. Reaching over to his friend and scratching behind the ears as well as a few wolf like barks to scold him. It was now time for him to start his daily routine of day. Grabbing his bow and quivers he moved out of his home beneath a large oak tree.

The Tree's roots made a dome out of the ground with large foliage filling in the gaps of protecting him from rain and the painful morning light. Once outside he bowed towards the great tree that called him home. "Root...come......Kaw." The large wolf leaped from the home and began walking down a random path as a crow landed on Reimel shoulder. Trusting his friends instincts he followed closely. Keeping close to his companion a small breeze came up blowing leaves and dirt into the air. "Hmm." Quickly the three changed their direction to the way the breeze had come as if some force had told them something was there. Several minutes passed as they continued down this path.

Root and Reimel paused as they began to come up on a trail up ahead. Concealing their presence with in some bushes like predators about to attack their prey. "Horse?" Turning his head in confusion. Finally he caught sight of a Elvin woman beside the horse.

"Oh gods", thought Lillian, "I'm not awake enough or and too sober for this trek.." The loud crunching of the forest floor under the horse's huge hooves was so loud and she just knew it was a matter of time before someone or something would hear them. Oh how she wished she knew how to enchant Gale so that she could stride as soundlessly as herself through wooded lands. She slowed her pace some turning to look at to her horse friend, hands on her hips as if the poor thing was able to control the sound of it's movements. As Lillian shook her head a small tisking sound broke from her lips. "Gale you are the loudest animal in the entire country, I swear. If there were bandits near by they could hear us coming from miles away at this rate."

Stopping the horse looked to the elven woman in a cold hard stare. If she could talk, be sure that she would of given her some colorful language. Gale stopped, and just stomped her right front leg in protest to go any further. She was having quite enough of this elven lush bossing her about, selling her out for "pony rides" in front of the local taverns to pay for her drinking addiction, and now she had the nerve to insult her impeccable grace. Oh no, that was far enough. The stead whinnied, followed by a loud snort as it shook its head wildly.

Lillian watched Gale's horsey temper tantrum, before pinching her finger in frustrated thought to bridge of her narrow nose with an exhausted sigh. She knew these past few month she was probably unbearable to be around. The attack on her village had left her a tad unstable and moody and the only solace she found was at the bottom of a bottle. Lilian knew deep inside that eventually she would have to deal with these demons, but now wasn't the time and she was very content with her nomadic life style. Poor Gale on the other hand was without feed and being treated like a common beast of burden. She took a few small steps closer to her friend and and shushed softly to her wild protest as she stroked her hand softly back over the side of the sweet horse's head, down the front of her mighty neck. "Sh..Sh...I am sorry Gale to be so mean. I will make sure to get your food before anything else in town. I also swear not to solicit you out to drunks for rides, in return for money this time...I'm sorry"

Though it seemed a tad halfhearted the horse accepted the apology, showing this by nuzzling the side of Lillian's wild blonde head. This cause the the elf to smile honestly for the first real time in what felt like ages. She was half expecting Gale to bite her and run off with all her belongings as a pay back.

Watching the elf and the horse converse from behind a tree Reimel gave a slight chuckle. The horse was obviously annoyed with the elf. Glancing down at Root who was laying in wait to pounce if needed but Reimel found these two seemingly lost travelers entertaining. Reminded him of a catgirl he had saved years ago who tried to talk to Root but failed miserably. Out of curiosity Reimel found himself wanting to talk to these two oddities in the forest. It was one of the few times the travelers through here weren't slavers that he would have to fight so this was, to be honest quite refreshing. Removing his bow and placing it on the ground and giving a low growl to inform Root to stay put and watch his bow.

Moving ever so slowly making sure not to make to much noise. It was like a lion about to strike it's first prey of the day. Taking a few sniffs from the air with every step and keeping his body low and unassuming. An odd bitter smell was coming from the elf something he wasn't familiar with while the horse on the other hand smelt normal. "Hi..." he said shyly. Talking to others was always challenging for him and seeing how most tended to be attacking him talking wasn't always an option. "Are.....you....lost?" His mouth seemed to have trouble forming the words and made over exaggerated movements.

Root came trotting from the bushes with Reimel's bow within his jaws. Walking happily up to him and dropping it at his feet. "Root?" he said with a heavy sigh and a quick face palm.

Lillian canted her head to the side casting a puzzled looked over to the Elven man as he intruded on this heartfelt moment. Arching a high narrow brow, trying to get a clue as to why he seemed so skiddish. Watching his arms flail about as he spoke slowly...did he not just hear her using common to the horse. Maybe he was hit upon the head too many times in a recent battle? She couldn't help but break a slight smile as the wolf came scampering to his side like a little pup carrying his bow in mouth.
"We're not lost...well, at least I don't think we are. How far is it to the nearest town?" She gave Gale one last stroke before stepping closer to the man. He didn't seem like a threat at the moment, but her fingers laid lightly on the hilt of her scimitar that hung at her hip, just in case.
"I need to stock up on some much needed supplies and time is of the up most importance."

Reimel was about to scold Root for waltzing out before realizing the Elfish woman had responded. He understood her words perfectly but now tried to search for the words that would convey his meaning perfectly. Yet speech was something of a challenge for him. "This....way....long." he said while holding his hands out as wide as he could. "uh....short....tear....no cut.....short cut...." he pointed to the trees to his right. "Follow?......I know....the.....way."

Kaw removed himself from Reimel's shoulder and landed on Root's head giving him a quick peck. A small laughter came from Reimel before straightening up and looking back at the two guest in his forest. Placing his hand on his chest he spoke "Reim...el......Reimel V-ventus" then he pointed to the wolf and crow. "Root....Kaw....we .....help....if you ....want."

The elf picked up his bow from the ground hand placed it over his shoulder. A toothy grin grew on his face as a slight breeze threw his hair into more of a mess then it already was. His eyes glinted with enjoyment at the prospect of being able to help someone with out having to kill a group of slavers in the process, and his two animal companions seemed to agree.

He must of been hit on the head multiple times, Lillian decided with a rather audible sigh, poor bastard. Releasing her weak hold to her blade she pounding a hand to her chest in imitation to how he had just introduced himself.

"Me Lillian..." Then pointing to him, "will follow you...Reimel, right?"
Feeling that was simple enough to understand even for a brain damaged elf, she gave a victorious nod. Gale seemed all and all agitated and swiped her tail over to Lillian's direction. Catching the elf off guard, she hopped back shooting an unamused glare at the horse's rear, and then back to the beast master, though it softened quickly enough. At least he wouldn't talk until her ears felt like they were going to fall off like others she had encountered in her travels. She only hung around Gale because she didn't talk much...or at least when she was not drunk the horse seemed quiet.

Not sure of what really else to say now she ran her fingers nervously through her hair, looking up at the rather gloomy trees, Lillian cleared her throat loudly. She was not exactly a people person and liked to keep lengthy conversations with folks to minimum and just wanted to get going. "So...yeah... Lets get moving then?"

Reimel simply nodded and motioned to follow. Root walked beside him with kaw still roosting on his head contently. She talked differently than the others he had meet it was most likely an attempt to make himself feel less awkward. It didn't work he just felt weird about how much trouble he had talking to other people. Animals were easy.

The forest became thicker and thicker as they walked. The cracking of leaves and sloshing of wet ground from the rain could be heard from the sides of the path they walked. Reimel looked in each direction after the sounds. "Root....family." these words were enough for Root to run into the forest barking along the way. Turning back to Lillian "Just....Family....only....watch." He tried to think of a way to convey his message with out sounding weird but unleash she spoke some sort of animal he would have serious trouble with that. Deciding he might have better luck talking to the horse. Using an odd set of words his words started to mimic that of a horse. "You're name is Gale correct. You seem hungry....apple?" reaching into his bag and held up an apple. "Breakfast is important." glancing at Lillian and speaking normally again, well as normal as he could. "Good....friend."

After several minutes Root and Kaw returned with a few wolf pups in tow. Root gave a bit of a yelp before running in front of the group as if leading the way. "Ah....Mother...is up......forest .... is safe. Edge .....of forest is ....near" Giving a toothy grin feeling like is word phrasing was getting better.

Gale took the apple with pleasure from Reimel's hand, chomping loudly as juice foamed from her muzzle. It seemed to give her more of a happy spring to her trot. Meanwhile Lillian seemed to walk on like a zombie, lost in her own thoughts and not paying much mind to what the Elven man was saying. It wasn't until she heard the little pups' yelps that she seemed to break from those deep dark visions that seemed to plague her subconscious. Her features became softer as her pale blue eyes focused on to the little guys running out in front of them, chuckling at their awkward clumsy movements. There was something wonderful at watching baby animals of any sort. It could even make the coldest heart melt if even for a second.

Giving an exaggerated stretch of her arms high over her head she looked over to Reimel, offering a smile in return to that goofy grin that he was wearing. She half shook her head with a slight chuckle as her arms dropped heavily back to her sides. "Does that mean the town is close?"

He watched as the small pups ran between Root's legs and stumbling every now and then. Of course he couldn't help but chuckle at the site, no apparently they did not enjoy the laughter of their stumble. Almost as if they have planned the whole thing out. All of the pups rushed towards Reimel's legs nipping at his heels. The sudden charge took him by surprised him causing him to trip over his own feet rather then step on the young ones and Splat, face first into a pile of mud. Growling as he jumped off the ground obviously a little annoyed. Mud steadily dripped from his snow white face all the while Root rolled on his back making a weird yipping noise that sounded an awful lot like laughter. It was at this moment that he realized Root was the mastermind behind the whole ordeal. Trying to whip off as much of the mud as possible and slinging a bit towards Root as revenge. Almost missing Lillian's question he turned saying "Yes." Still trying to whip the mud off his tunic.

Being a druid he was very in tune with the forest and most of the normal world. As well as being a ranger allowed him to almost become one with his surroundings. Understanding nature and the habits of animals was easy. He was raised by this forest almost isolated from people. The Annoying wolf ringleader in front of him, who was currently being swarmed by the ankle bitters. Root wasn't just a friend he was a brother. Both of them orphans and raised by what the forest called the Mother Fang A giant wolf who stood taller than any bear. Reimel learned much from the wolfs but if the Mother Fang was his mother then The Great Oak was his father. An ancient spirit that lived in the oldest tree in the forest. This spirit taught him the language of every animal in the forest and gave him abilities to allow him to protect the forest. Yet despite all these abilities he couldn't understand other people. The only reason he could speak at all is a Neko slave he had freed once had stuck with him for a few days and taught him what she could. Eventually Reimel abandoned him near the edge of the forest. He felt out of place around others. However right here, he could feel an uneasy feeling coming from her.

He collected himself thinking hard on what to say. Making sure each word was used correctly before speaking. "Are you okay? Sadness....holds in your eyes." Continuing to lead the way he moved past a few trees leading to the first clearing since the trail the left. At the end of a small field stood the buildings of some city or town he hadn't any idea the name of. "Here ...it is...end of ...the forest. Town."

Taking no more than two steps he walked from the forest and stood there still with bits of mud on his tunic and a small piece on his cheek. "May happiness find you." This was the first phrase he had said since meeting this girl that didn't seem strained in any way.

"Sadness...hm..." Lilian took a long moment to think over Reimel's words. Was it really that easy to tell? She scratched the back of her head, giving her best forced smile. "Perhaps or it could be hunger...Tell ya what forest boy, come with me into the town and allow me to buy you meal and maybe a drink as repayment for you leading me all this way?"

Giving Gale a light pat, the horse stopped for Lillian to fish out a small coin purse from one of the saddle bags. She wasted little time in securing the pouch to her belt, and then giving a gesture with her head for the horse to follow her once more. They were just outside of Brainde and simple stable stood not far from the main gate, and this is where they were to head first. There was rather large human man tending to several horses already housed there, running a rough brush over their coat and mane. This was little a mini horse spa to Gale and a much better prospect then following the elf into the city where she may be attempt to solicit her out for booze money should she run low on funds.

Lillian held a finger up in Reimel's direction to signal for him to wait a moment, having not gotten an answer from him in regards to her request with accompanying her in to city. She lead the white mare over to the man tending the stables and seemed to take a few minutes discussing housing Gale for a short time while she was inside the city walls. They bartered for a moment before reaching an agreement and a gold coin was placed into the mans outreached hand. This was more than enough for housing and feed for the horse.

After saying a short farewell to Gale, Lillian would return to the wild elf man to see what his decision would ultimately be with following her in.

To be honest he was taken by surprise when Lillian asked for him to leave to forest and join her for a short time. Nervously he messed with his hands and shuffled his feet. He had never left the forest before, of course he had thought about it once or twice in a passing whim. But to leave the forest for any reason seemed insane.

A slight push appeared against his the back of his leg as Root nudged him forward. "Root?" Glancing at his partner he gave him a quizzical look. Perhaps this could be a chance to explore the outside world a bit more. "R-root....stay same for .....Kaw." the to animals gave an almost human nod saying they understood and moved to the edge of the forest and waited.

Reimel took a very cautious first step, as if checking the ground to see if it would collapse from underneath him. Taking small and awkward steps away from forest. "Okay I ....f-follow." Still unsure he should leave he walked towards her once she had finished dealing with her horse.

For a long time, Lillian watched Reimel in a curious silence, studying how the idea of heading into the city seem to cause the Elven man to become so nervous. "You don't get out of the woods a lot do you?" She reached out and took hold of his hand with her thin fingers intertwining through his.

"Look, I won't let anything bad happen to you." She offered a smile that could almost be referred to as motherly with the softness of concern that seemed to shadow over her delicate features. She turned to the city gates, still holding on Reimel's hand as if leading a a scared lamb. She kept her pace slow and steady not wanting to pulling him along against his will. She had to wonder how long was he out there alone.

Reimel unintentionally moved closer to her as they walked "I never leave...." He muttered in response to her question about getting out of the forest. To be honest he was truly afraid of what my be laying in wait for him in the city. There was no voice of the forest to lead him through this unknown maze of buildings. Taking one last glance towards Root he was now heading back into the forest with Kaw perched on his head he let a nervous smile grew on his face.

A growl came form his stomach he was hungry seeing how he had given the apple which was going to be his breakfast to the Elven woman's horse.

Lillian looked over with a chuckle hearing Reimel's stomach, hoping that was grumbling due to hunger and not from nerves. She held his hand a tad harder as she lead him through the bustling streets, not wanting to get separated because he was so new to this type of surrounding. Even though he could surely hold his own in a fight, elves seemed to be in high demand amongst slavers and almost every city seemed to hide a black market that would love to drag off a "wild elf" into chains and collars. Lillian on the other hand, though she was not a fan of the city in particular she found it necessary to wander in from time to time to fuel her habits and find employment to there for pay for said interests. She would look over the faces of the others going about their days and shook her head feeling sorry for these zombie like bodies that seemed to just move through the motions of living without the aide of the god overlords that once controlled all like little puppets. Well, that was her theory at least though many didn't believe it and would say it was the ramblings of a drunken druid with PTSD.

She would finally released the elven man's hand as they stood in front of the lion's den, or The Minstral's Mug. Placing her hands upon her hips as she stood in quiet awe of the shabby establishment and blessing the gods, because it did not look all that routy today. Lillian shifted her attentions over to Reimel to gauge his reaction, before giving him a playful probe to the side with her elbow. "Are you hungry?"

Reimel stood in awe that shear amount of people that waded through the street like a never ending river. So many people yet there faces seemed blank and void of life. "So...many...so....depressed." Glancing back and forth between the people and the building he wondered how the managed to such structures with out the aid of the wise forest spirit and no great wolf to protect them from the those who would hunt them. Between his wonder and questions he would look at Lillian the elven woman whom he had decided to follow in to this unknown place. She seemed unfazed by all of this and seemed to know were to go.

After what seemed like forever, they stopped and stood in front off what seemed to be a poorly kept together building. A sign hung with strange marking he couldn't identify but assumed they were words of some sort. This seemed to be the place they were heading. Lillian had let go of his hand which just seemed to make him more nervous then he was already. She had asked him if he was hungry. "Yes..." he said shyly as his stomach growled a bit in response.

Wrapping an arm casually around his back, Lillian gave Reimel a guiding push towards the door of the inn. It was a soft guiding shove, more to herd him in the direction they needed to go. It was almost protective how she let her her fingertips linger upon the center of his shoulders, as she trailed close to him. The only time she let the gentle reassuring touch fade was to push open the well worn door. Her pale blue pools scanned over the various occupants as they crossed the threshold, as they adjusted to the much dimmer lighting within the establishment. There seemed to be a few free spots right at the bar, and that was where Lillian would lead Reimel, giving a pat to one of the tall wooden stools to show him where to sit before pulling herself upon the neighboring one.

Waving to the older dwarven woman tending bar, Lillian stood up some, balancing the heels of her boots that hooked on to a part of the stool, making sure she caught her attention. The woman would limp over dropping a crate behind the bar in front of where the two elves had sat themselves, so she could look over the counter easier and waited for them to order. Without asking Reimel, Lillian went ahead and ordered the pair a round of mead, fishing the proper coin from the pouch that hung at her waist to place upon the bar for the dwarf when she returned with the tall wooden mugs in hand. Lillian would then turn to Reimel and offer one of the mugs to him with a smile. "Do you know what you may be hungry for?"

Please forgive me for this post. I was bored, it had been over two weeks and I did warn you that this was going to happen.

The point is I got us where we were going. And a frozen Caesara is funny.

Drei trod along the main road, grumbling to herself. She was struggling to walk - although she had been for many miles - and was almost about to give up. At last, she lost her footing and fell flat on her face – Caesara on top of her. Caesara was tied to her back by the same rope Drei had used to yank her kill into the air and was positioned to be piggy-back riding Drei, but she wasn't aware of that. Or anything. Drei moaned and rolled on her back, not caring about Caesara beneath her.

Drei was still standing, hands on her hips. waiting for an answer. Caesara wasn't giving her one. Nothing could be heard but the awkward rustling of leaves in the wind and one twittering bird. Drei growled and stepped forward, snapping her fingers beneath the slaver's nose.

“Oy, I said what now, Caesara? Caesara?!”

She needed to get up. The nearest city couldn't be that far away, she's sure despite neither her or Caesara being in possession of a map. She knew that because she had checked – she had sprawled all of Caesara's belongings in front of her and counted up their value, just to check if tearing up the contract and selling the slaver's things on the black market would be a better deal, but it wasn't. The stuff hardly added up to what Caesara had promised her, so here she was. Giving her frozen employer a piggy-back ride. It had to be the most humiliating thing that nobody was there to see.

Drei walked a full circle around her. Her tail was frozen in a curl, her ears pointing in different directions and, when she observed her face more closely, it looked like she was half-blinking. Drei forced down any uneasiness about this she had and instead flicked her ponytail agitatedly.

“I know what this is,” she said with her nose up in the air, “You just don't want to answer me until I call you 'boss', is that it? Well, forgive me, YOUR MAJESTY,” Drei spoke her words dripping with venom and sarcasm as she dropped down into a low, childish mock curtsey. “I'm aware that I'm not the most preferable companion but if you take 2 months to tell me what the plan is, then this is a waste of both of our time!” Drei spat out the last sentence, glaring up at Caesara with her teeth bared in a cat like fashion. Still, Caesara did not answer nor flinch. Drei's eyes flashed and she struck out at the woman's face.

Drei screwed up her face in distaste. It wasn't that the neko was that dirty and it wasn't like she smelt that bad besides the damp earth and scent of scorched flesh that hung on her clothes. In fact, she was much more appealing to look at and to be near when she wasn't speaking or sneering, but that was beside the point. Drei's lean muscle was simply not cut out for carrying larger loads over very long distances.

“Alright,” Drei said determinedly and rolled back onto her stomach. She pushed herself up from the ground and stood, securing Caesara's legs by looping her arms around them. “It's just a challenge. You like a challenge. On the count of three, you put one foot in front of the other and start walking again. If I fall down once more, I'll jog the rest of the way. One...” As soon as Drei made her way up to three she began hurriedly walking down the path once more. She didn't know how much further she had to walk, and she needed to get her employer into some place safe before night fall, which appeared to be soon. As she continued to walk, she spotted four figures walking towards her which made her heart leap. Perhaps she could ask them how far the city was? Her optimism died down and she stepped off the path and hid in the shadows. She couldn't go just asking anyone. Her eyes scanned through the small group as they approached near her.

“Slavers are bullies,” Drei whispered to herself, “They pick on the weak to insure that they won't fight back – against themselves and against the monsters they sell them to. At least... that's the case with female slaves. Monsters like their women submissive.” She mused, remembering that the slave she was looking for was a girl. Her eyes darted between the silver-clad spear woman and the small, nervous looking blonde girl. She looked human from where Drei could see her. Drei clicked her tongue and locked her gaze onto her. “Got 'cha... ugh...” A painful ringing sounded in her ears and something flickered in her mind. Her hands immediately went up to her temples and she rubbed them, trying to calm her throbbing head. She could see something in front of her, she just had to reach for it, try a little harder to unlock it... a memory? Drei's vision went blinding white and she inhaled sharply as the memory started to play.

An elf woman loomed over her. She was beautiful, with fine lime green hair with gold woven through her braids. Her eyes were hazel and glassy, with no warmth nor light reflecting in them – her fire had long since died out. Her clothes were kept to the bare minimum and though she was tall, her posture made her seem smaller, more insignificant like she had been defeated. Her body was illuminated by a single torch, but despite that her surrounding were pure darkness. The elf held a large silver goblet in her slender, scarred hands. She bent over and brought the goblet to meet Drei's lips, at first gently, but as Drei reclined the woman suddenly grabbed the hair tied into a thick bun at the back of Drei's head and yanked her head back with surprising strength. She forced her mouth open with the goblet and tipped it, pouring its contents into Drei's throat. Drei choked on the thick, slimy liquid as it clogged up her throat and squirmed inside of her mouth. Her small hands clenched into fist as she thrashed, swinging an arm at the goblet.

It was smacked from the woman's hand and clattered onto the ground. Drei immediately dropped down to her knees and lurched over, retching. The bile splattered on the ground and she stood up shakily, staring down at the thick black worms writhing and screeching in her vomit. With her small, child-like bare feet she stomped down on them, mashing them into the ground until they were they were black and yellow paste. She turned her head to see the elf woman cowering on the floor, picking up the goblet with her shaking hands. Drei walked over to her and shouted something in drow, and despite the words being aggressive they were trembling, afraid. A drow man had stepped out from the darkness and Drei immediately pointed to the slave woman accusingly, speaking desperate words so fast they melded into one another. The drow paid no heed to her words as his iron-clad hand rammed into her cheekbone and her tiny body slammed into the wall.

The memory changed. She could no longer see. In a hand that felt bigger from before she held a knife, and in her other hand she was feeling a face. A face she could recognise from touch, however, this time the face was wet from tears. Drei could feel the cold wind against her skin and sensed her city's eyes on her and heard the beautiful sound of a melodic voice pleading. She could 'see' her face, see the fear in her eyes as she neared her end. Drei kept herself composed as she tilted the elf's head back to expose the woman's throat. She grit her teeth as she brought the knife to rest beneath her chin.

“Torturer,” she hissed for only her victim to hear and slit her throat.

The crowd cheered.

Drei's eyes snapped open. She felt queasy, like she was about to throw up again, but she swallowed her breakfast down.

“What the heck was that?!” She whisper-yelled to herself, horrified at the twisted things she had just witnessed. That could not have been her memory. It had to not be. She glanced back over at the possible slave-girl candidate and shook her head. There was no way to tell if it really was the one that Caesara had described in an incredibly loose fashion and besides – Drei thought as she sized up the giant rock golem tagging along – it wouldn't be the best time to try anything if she was. Not with Caesara in the state she was. Drei impatiently waited for the four travellers to leave before she stepped out onto the path to continue her journey. Her journey didn't take long. Before she knew it, she was outside the gates of Brainde.

Here we go, Drei thought sarcastically as she entered the gates and passed a merchant with his wares, Oooh, look out for the big scary drow, everybody. Hey drow, what you doing out from under your rock? Stop drow, we're adventurering heroes and we thought we'd might march up to you and ask for your life story while we size you up and figure out whether you're here to bury our fair city beneath an earthquake. Oh no a drow, hide the elves before she runs rampage and murders everyone because drows have absolutely no self control over that! Oh shit a drow, keep your chickens cooped or- Drei's mind continued like this as she walked through the streets ignoring the looks she was getting. A concerned looking red haired man passed her and Drei raised an eyebrow, pausing shortly and looking after him. He seemed familiar to her, or at least his hair did. At that exact moment, a stray chicken strode past her and her eyes widened. She stormed up behind the man and kicked him gently in the back of his legs.

"Bird feed?"

Esclava

"You're too persistant. You doubt I can do this myself?"

A look of surprise briefly crossed Esk's face pun hearing the question. Completely missing the fact that it was rhetorical, Esk waited for her to finish talking and answered, in a slightly surprised tone, "I do not doubt your strength, ma'am. I offered my services in carrying your travelling companion as I believed that you might have wanted a rest, considering that you have been carrying her for the whole day."

Truth be told, Esk didn't really see how he was being too persistant. It felt natural and right, offering to help, and he had a feeling that it had been ingrained in him to offer his assistance whenever he could. It seemed that he had offended the dark skinned elf by doing so, however. Esk's tone turned apologetic, and he continued "I'm sorry for offending you, and I apologise for being too persistant as well."

Walking towards the door, Esk was about to reach for the door knob after the elf kicked it, opening the door and standing aside to allow the dark skinned elf and her load to enter first, before going in after her and closing the door behind him and looking for a place to sit.

While Esk had been gone, the inn had gained more people, who had decided to stop by after a hard days work to relax and release steam. The place had become more rowdy, and there seemed to be a drinking competition going on at one corner of the room. Looking around, Esk spotted three empty seats at the bar, beside two other Nekos and a... Deer? An animal, at any rate. Pointing towards the seats, Esk turned to the dark skinned elf.

"There are free seats there." He said, raising his voice to be heard over the din. He started to walk towards the seats, indadvertedly clearing a small pathway behind him as he did so.

Drei kept close behind Esk as they approached the spare seats, glaring at everyone in the room as her eyes discreetly darted to their weapons, coin pouches and anything else shiny that caught her eye. She spotted two elves sitting on the opposite side of the tavern and turned her head back forwards, ignoring them. She didn't mind them just being there, as long as they didn't look at her the wrong way or come and confront her about who-knows-what, she didn't have an issue with their presence - exactly in the same way as she wasn't bothered by the others around her. When they were all distracted and talking to one another, it was quite comfortable to slot in among them.

The seats that Esk was leading her towards were beside two Nekos - one exotic and feminine and the other scruffy and tomboyish - and a little, adorable faun.

When she reached the seats, she untied Caesara from her back and slumped her over the bar table, propping her up on the stool between her and Esk and taking the right seat to her. When Caesara awoke and by the extremely probable off-chance that she acts out violently and punches the nearest person to her, Drei would most likely be safe and Esk would take the blow, considering that most people are right handed. An evil grin stretched across Drei's face as she stared at Esk and a brave bartender came right over to take their order.

"Well, for this one right here..." Drei spoke loudly and distractedly over the noise, gesturing to the frozen Caesara, "... A bucket of water. Oh, and something strong for after, I bet..." After ordering a meal for herself and a bottle of red wine (for herself also), she turned to Esk and raised one eyebrow, a slight smirk tugging on the corner of her lips.

"What, you're still here?" She said mockingly, wondering why the boy hadn't made his leave yet. He should have just opened the door for her then bid her farewell already, after all she did only ask him to show her to the nearest tavern, not come in and sit to have a meal with her. "You could just leave if you want to, but if you want to order something I'll let you know that it's not on me." Drei made sure to tell him that, just in case he got any funny ideas of "well I did something for you, so you can do something for me". However, Drei did feel slightly indebted to him now...

Curses, Drei. This is why you don't ask for help from strangers... Her gaze slipped down to the rips in his pant legs. Perhaps there was another way to pay the man without emptying out her pockets for him?