* * * * *
Elryia breathed deeply, huffing slightly as she pushed through Sharia. She stopped, put her fingers in her mouth and whistled again.
Nothing.
As it had been for the past hour; she was almost out of breath from whistling so much. She was slowly starting to grow worried. She had sent Samsun south as she went north, unsure of exactly where they had left; deciding it would be easier to find them if they split up, though she didn’t imagine it would take this long. El waited for a moment, listening; and when she heard nothing she continued on.
Her fingers pressed to her mouth again, preparing to send out another signal but she halted at the soft sound of rustling ahead of her. She crept forward, trying to discern exactly what it was.
And then more rustling, then…laughter…and complaining.
“Gort!” She exclaimed. Rotating, she whistled three times, this time to attract Samsun.
When she saw his huge frame push through the dense forest she motioned for him to follow and then turned and put her hands in front of her to part the brush.
The long, thick twigs holding lavish leaves cast aside to reveal the camp Lanyan and the others had created. A fire was burning and as usual Gort was in front of it, one boar next to him partially carved, another completely untouched. Merial and Carsis sat next to him, both chewing quietly. Gnert behind them, peering over their shoulders and sniffing, more interested by them eating than doing it himself. Elryia trotted up and all turned bright, smiling faces to greet her.
“Lanyan’s been hunting,” Elryia remarked as she made her way next to them and sat.
“Aye, still is. Playing with his new toy.” Gort said, passing the frying pan El’s way.
She grinned graciously and helped herself, then asked, “Toy?”
“A crossbow,” Carsis interjected, “A rather ingenious invention that Gnert gave him. You should see it El, it’s amazing.” The Gnome behind him beamed, then swooned so badly that he nearly fell over. El chuckled as she ate—somewhat aggressively—then turned when Sam sat down next to her.
“All is well?” Carsis asked.
Elryia took a moment to swallow and then answered, “Aye. Rhimaldez is safe and on his way to Davaina.”
“No troubles then?”
Elryia debated that a moment, wondering if she should mention the dilemma with Kalinies, then opted not to worry them. “No, but there is one thing I wish to discuss once Lanyan…” she paused and looked around briefly, “and Jeralyle return.”
“Ah,” Merial chirped, moving to pull something from her bag. “I have not seen him, but I found this.” Her hand moved from her bag to Elryia, a small note tucked within her fingers. “I assume it’s from him.”
She leaned and took it from Merial, prying it open.
Elryia,
I apologize for not speaking to you directly, but something urgent has come up and I must leave. I will return soon, and when I have, I promise to tell you about it. Please do not worry.
Jer
She read it once, then again, a serious look crossing her face after the second pass. Although he asked her not to worry, that was the first thing she did. “I hope he’s well…” she whispered, more to herself than anyone. “Did he say anything?” she asked, a little louder. They all shook their heads, nearly in unison. Her face remained distraught until another missing party member pressed through the thick trees to join them.
“Lanners!” she squeaked, jumping from her seat to rush across the camp and embrace him.
“El,” he said, hugging her back, “I’m glad to see you’re safe.”
“Thank you,” she perked, turning her eyes down towards his forearm and swaying with her hands behind her back. “Is that your new toy?”
Lanyan glared slightly, “Gort?” And Elryia nodded with a giggle, forcing a grin out of the Elf. Taking a step back and then another, he flicked his hand forward, the crossbow arcing over and the handle landing right in his waiting grip. “Amazing isn’t it?” he asked as he looked at it, then pointed it towards the trees, showing off slightly.
A curious stare followed as Lanyan moved it about, “It is… He made that just for you?”
Lanyan shrugged, releasing his grip and the crossbow flung back and tucked against his forearm. “I asked him…regrettably. But from what I gathered he had the idea and parts for a while. He just had no practical use for it until he met me.”
El smiled again, “That was sweet of him.” Casting one last glance at it, she spoke again, “I am glad you have a weapon, I know it was bothering you not being able to hunt.” Lanyan nodded, a bit surprised that she had noticed. He thought he had hidden it quite well. “And everything else is well?” Lan nodded. “Did Jeralyle say anything to you?”
“No,” Lanyan said, shaking his head, “Not to me. I know he left, but that is all.”
“I hope he’s not in danger.”
“Speaking of missing people… Is Grahamas not with you?”
The moment he said it he regretted it, seeing the pain that stung her features, “No, he had to return.”
“I’m sorry El…”
She shook it off, “It’s fine. He did want me to talk to you about one thing though, all of us actually.”
“Lead the way.” Elryia smiled and headed back towards the clearing.
Assuming that they would be leaving, the rest of the group had begun to gather their things. Which made what Elryia had to say a lot easier, “We’re staying everyone. No need to pack,” she stated idly, ignoring the urge to gather everyone into a group as she imagined Grahamas would have in this situation. “We’re going to visit the Elven council first.”
“El,” she heard Lanyan whisper behind her, “the trials. We need to travel to the north to begin them.”
“Oh,” she quirked, trying to hide her smile. “Gather around everyone. I have something I need to talk to you all about.” And she giggled, saying it exactly as she believed Grahamas would have.
In A Time Of Darkness Page 46