Steel Wolf

Clan Dragonspring

With the sun low on the horizon, torches were being lit as Shalindra Dragonspring limped slowly toward the dining area, her magic bow clutched in her hand, ears twitching to catch the calls of the forest creatures. She stopped a few feet away and bowed, as was her norm when addressing either Serenna or Tanaya.

"Chief of Humans send for me? I was being friendly-type with Amman-da who save me. Is this wrongly?"

Serenna's countenance showed its most courtly demeanor.

"By no means is it wrong, my dear elven friend," stated Serenna. "We merely wished to speak with you and find out more about you. Starting with these..." She placed a handful of arrows on the table. These were the same arrows which had formed a miniature wall in front of the chief constable not long ago. "How could you fire these arrows so precisely, yet moments later be friendly with Sergeant Whitepurse?"

Shalindra looked at the arrows, then at the princess, then at the commander, seemingly on the verge of tears. When she looked away from Tanaya, the beautiful commander glanced over to find Amanda hovering in the background as she'd expected. Tanaya caught Amanda's eye and subtly motioned her over to comfort the scared elf. Amanda seemed to glide over, her healer's robes billowing behind her, and placed her hands on the slender shoulders of the now-seated elf, whispering in her ear then kissing her lightly on the cheek. Shalindra gazed at Amanda for a second, the latter just nodding reassuringly. Shalindra glanced around the table once more, then focused her gaze on Tanaya.

"Chief of Humans, I have sumsing to show to yoo for yoo to be seeing. Pleez to say to yoor clanning not to be afraid. No hurt will ebber come to dis clanning," said the elf in her barely-above-a-whisper voice.

Tanaya looked at Serenna who shrugged and nodded, then around the encampment and raised her voice to be heard clearly.

"Royal Guard! Hear this! Relax posture! Take no action! Squad leaders, acknowledge!"

When all squads had reported their acknowledgment, Tanaya gazed levelly at the elf.

"Shalindra, you've helped us a great deal, but if this is a trick, you will be the first one to die. Do you understand?"

"Jace, commander. I yam knowing thees. But, is no tricking. Pleez to watch around da camping place."

With Amanda's hand on her shoulder for reassurance, Shalindra canted her head and parted her lips very slightly, birdsong issuing forth. It was quickly answered by a chattering squirrel and a bird in the distance. The bear in the next canyon wuffled. Presently, the camp was filled with forest elves; they stepped from behind trees, dropped from branches to land lightly beside and behind startled guardsmen and monks. Moments later, from the direction of the canyon, four dozen forest elves sprinted into view, their bows held loosely. Not a sound was heard from any of them.

Tanaya and Serenna exchanged glances as the elves clustered behind Shalindra. Serenna's jaw fell open at the sudden appearance of the elves.

"Guard! Resume watch!" ordered Tanaya.