Elfsorrow

'Me?' Hirad's expression was pained i

'Yes, you,' said Ilkar. 'Prolonged eye contact is a challenge. Don't make it until they accept you. Really. Come on.'

He led the way up the bank, The Raven and Ren close behind him as the rain swept across the river and soaked them yet again. It wasn't even worth hurrying. They'd learned that much. And at least it discouraged the flies.

Taanepol, Ilkar's home village, which roughly translated meant 'town on the river', was a cluster of approaching two hundred wood and leaf-thatch buildings in an elf-made clearing somehow in total sympathy with the forest around it. Trees overlooked it on three sides, with the fourth largely open as the ground fell away towards the river.

It was not an obviously organised settlement to the Balaian eye because there was no discernible centre or dominating structure. Groups of buildings were gathered loosely around cleared areas in which fire pits sat, tables and benches were arranged, and cooking and hunting paraphernalia lay scattered. Every house had a wide covered porch, roofs angled to take the rain into shallow cha

As they approached, the rain smearing their faces, Erie

'There'll be about five hundred in all here, though at any one time half are fishing, hunting or farming. Or on Balaia mage-training, if they feel the calling. I know it looks a bit jumbled, but like every other village, it was originally settled by one family and has grown as others were accepted and joined.'

'Why did it happen that way?' asked The Unknown. 'Protection presumably.'

'That's right. The elves of Calaius have a tribal history no less torn by war than the Wesmen's. Even so, this is one of the biggest settlements you'll find this deep in the forest.'

'So how come you're allowed to hack down the forest but when we break a twig Captain Miserable has a fit?'

'Because, Hirad, it's our land. We were born to it and we husband it. This isn't wanton destruction. We benefit the forest; strangers destroy it,' said Ilkar. 'Like I say, just respect elven beliefs and you'll have no trouble.'

It was a moat. Dug square, and she could see as she neared that it was the best part of six feet deep and around eight feet wide. Log bridges crossed it in five places.

'Expecting attack, are you?' she asked.

'Not exactly,' said Ilkar, turning and smiling through the downpour, his black hair smeared on his head. He stopped on the bridge. 'It keeps our animals in and some of the undesirables out.'

Erie

'It's hardly going to stop a spider, is it?' said The Unknown.

Ilkar shrugged. 'Probably not, but we fill it periodically with a mild alkali. Creatures don't like it. Then, in the morning, we clear it out and get them back into the forest where they belong.'

'Is it that bad?' asked Darrick.

'Unless things have changed radically, it varies,' said Ilkar. 'It's just a safer environment, particularly for the young ones. They need to be taught to treat animals correctly to avoid trouble. Some of these things don't give you a second chance.'

Erie

All activity had stopped in the village. Children came ru

'Always this welcoming, are they?' asked Hirad.

'Now's the time to be quiet,' said Ilkar sharply. 'Remember, most of these elves have never seen a non-elf. I suggest you stop and let me see what's going on.'

The Raven did so, each of them assessing the threat. Erie

Despite herself and the clouding of her mind, Erie

Knowing she'd be unable to understand what Ilkar said to his people, she moved so that she could see the villagers clearly and tried to gauge their body language. She looked at Ilkar, seeing him ramrod straight, and felt total confidence in him.

It was not shared by Ilkar. The Julatsan mage, who had last seen his home before any of The Raven's parents had been born, had rehearsed this moment in his mind over and over since they'd boarded ship at Herendeneth. In his dreams, he'd seen smiling faces and open arms as he strode across the bridge to his family group of homes, the lost son returned. But in his waking thoughts, he'd known suspicion would hide the smiles and that those arms would not be opened to him or those he brought with him.

But he'd expected nothing like this. There was no confusion on their faces, some of which he recognised although others were too young for him to know. There was no surprise either. What he could see were anger and fear. He sca

Ilkar glanced behind him and saw The Raven's formation. It was u

He made a wide angle with his arms in front of his face, fingers linked at the first digit to mimic the canopy. It was an ancient greeting, and was returned by most of the thirty or so in front of him, more in reflex than friendship.

'Hello, Kild'aar,' said Ilkar, settling on a middle-aged elven woman, distantly related to him on his father's side. She was standing near the centre of the group, arms folded firmly under her breasts, her jet-black hair covered by a soaking cloth and her light clothing sticking to her thin body. She looked very tired, her slanted oval eyes red around her pupils, the crow's feet deep and pronounced. 'I've come back seeking help. May I and my friends enjoy the hospitality of Taanepol?'

Ilkar was glad of the traditional opening speech required of any visiting an elven rainforest village, which included reasons for the visit and a request for lodging should it be desired. Kild'aar stepped forward, her face severe.

'As a child of this village, you are welcome, as is the child of Drech with you,' she said, cocking her head at Ren behind him. 'But these strangers must go. Now.'