Hessins Daughter
Chapter Ten

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“Will we see eachother again?” Jae’lyn asked. The company was geared up once more. The horses were adorned with riches, furred armor and bags of jewels, gems and golds. All gifts from the dragons Hessin and his daughter Anearh. Except that Anerah was the only one to see them off. Hessin was growing weaker and his strength had been exhausted with the efforts of summoning Jae’lyn and her friends to help his daughter. It wouldn’t be long now before there was a new keeper of the Wilds and the Sea.

Anerah grinned “Of course. I never had a friend before...and it gets lonely here. I wouldn’t mind going someplace warm after so long.”

“How long has it been since the last you saw the coast of Ra’vain?” Jae’lyn asked with a raised brow. She was once again dressed in the white fur gown and silver armor, along with Jaer who yawned lazily at her feet.

“Ooh...About thirty generations ago.” Anerah said with a knowing grin.

Despite Jae’lyns knowledge of Dragons, she still looked surprised. “Well I look forward to your visit then. But aah...Please don’t cover it snow anymore beyond what is normal, aye? We will be ice statues if its like it was when we left.”

Anerah laughed and smiled at Jae’lyn “Yea. No more snow and ghosts. Promise.”

Jae’lyn smirked and rose her arms to hug her new found friend. When they pulled apart Jae’lyn bent to pick up her travel bag and hoist onto her shoulder before retrieving her staff leaning against a stone “Oh and...Those stray Giants. What do we do about them? They are terrorizing Runewald and...we have family there.”

Anerah smirked “Don’t worry about them. I will do as you suggest and re-direct my anger and sadness to more helpful things...besides, it’s fun hunting giants.” she laughed.

The pattering of feet on frostbitten stone approached and Jaer gave a slight grumble that caused Jae’lyn to look down at him before turning to meet her brother “All ready, lyn?” Rohir asked, Kisa, his girlfriend followed close behind, smiling at Anerah and offering a bit of a curtsy, her mothers teachings were deeply engrained in the girl.

“Aye. All ready. The horses and crew all packed up?” She asked her brother

“Aye. Though they are reluctant to go. The food was good.” Rohir laughed “And Kisa insists she saw an Elf.”

“Oh?” Jae’lyn rose her brow and looked to Kisa who nodded her head several times in her excitment.

“He said my red hair was really pretty!” Kisa grinned, a slight tint of red to her blushing cheeks.

“Yes. They do like pretty things.” Aneriah spoke up in reply.

Jae’lyn looked to Hessins daughter curiously “So there are Elves?”

“Oh yes.” Aneriah laughed “The ones here are really shy to strangers. They were the ones that prepared all the food and got your horses groomed, armored and ready. But they rarely come out to show themselves.”

“He did seem very skiddish.” Kisa observed, now curious of the cautious behavior of the elf she had seen.

Aneriah nodded “There used to be a village here. Peaceful folk. Monastery type...They were a mixture of human and elves but...the tides of nature shifted and changed...the human monks grew violent and turned against the elf-kin forcing them into hiding and the protection of Hessin. My father purged most of the monks and the village was covered in snow. Now they serve my father with his growing age...” she frowned, she would miss her father dearly.

Jae’lyn saw the girls saddened thoughts and moved to her side, placing a hand on Aneriahs shoulder “He will always be remembered as a god and a father. Remember. If you ever need a friend, come replace me, or have mother sea hurry me your way.”

Aneriah smiled and both girls embraced in a tight hug “Follow the tunnels and watch your step. The Wolves will guide the way.” A hoot sounded above them as a flock of white, snowy owls flew overhead, scrolls were tied to their talons. Messages to the realm that the traveling party was both safe and successful. They would fly ahead while the travelers returned home by traversing the dwarven tunnels below.

Both girls parted their embrace. Aneriah folding her hands in front of her and Jae’lyn tapping the end of her staff against the stone ground “Farewell, friend.” Aneriah smiled fondly at the Ruce maiden clothed in silver and white.

“Farewell. And may the great Atar and Amil protect you upon your journey .”