Into the Flames

2: Ra

Before anything else, we made sure that the little girl got home safely. We walked back with her through the town to her house. A little over excited from the battle and wanting to get the get the girl to safety, I busted down the door with enough to force to make the man standing in the entryway jump back in terror.

When he saw the little girl, he jumped again for joy. "Sarah!" the man yelled and picked her up and started spinning. He looked about 30 with his hair starting to gray and his unkempt beard. His eyes were red from tears.

From around the corner, a short half-elven woman came running and joined in the group hug. She was sobbing into the mans shoulder and kissing the little girl's forehead, and I almost felt bad for the girl because of the sheer force of the hug. She had to be getting squished.

"What can we ever do to repay you?" The man asked me, but my focus was still on the little girl. He set her down and she walked over to me as I got on my knees.

"Sarah was it?" She nodded, "You're under our protection now Sarah.". I looked back at the three I had just fought for my life with. The Tiefling and the Babs were continuing their argument while the elven man was eating something, though I couldn't tell what it was. I smiled at their innocent nature, gave the girl a hug and then left their home.

I walked up to the group just as the man was beginning to speak.

"Well, we might as well get introductions out of the way." He was taller than me and was rather thin. His dark, long hair was dirty, but was still long and beautiful. He had a druidic tattoo under his left eye. His silver eyes seemed to hold too much for his young age, but that was how it was with elves. "I'm Gireahm, nice to meet you all."

"I am Ditia." The Tiefling girl spoke next. She had a northern accent, but it wasn't thick like I had heard in others. I hadn't noticed before, but her irises were yellow, uncommon in Tieflings. Her golden trident was now strapped to her back and I saw she was wearing a gray cloth choker around her neck with a silver ring attached to the base, lying against her throat.

Babs gave a large bow with so much flair that it was almost laughable, like she was trying to get us to smile with just an introduction. "I am the traveling bard Babette, but you dears can call me Babs!" She gave a wink in Gireahm's direction and he quickly looked away. She seemed kind enough, and that smile of hers was mischievous and infectious.

Finally, it came around to me for introductions. "My name is Ra." I tried to seem as normal as possible but introducing myself was not something I was good at.

"Ra? That's a lovely name!" Babs said as she wrapped an arm around my shoulder, "I can already tell we are going to be great friends dear." She smelled like oranges, which was comforting.

The bald man in the black leather armor approached the four of us, his face tight and nervous. "Are all of you ready to see the Shade master?". He looked at all of us with anticipation. I think he wanted us to see the Shade master more than the Shade master wanted to see us.

Babs walked up to him and smiled wide, "Only if you give me a hug first doll.". Flustered and taken aback, the man took a step backwards and Babs started to laugh. She slapped him on the back, "Lead the way Shade guard.".

The man led us through the town, and we got several looks as we passed, flanked by the rest of the Shade guard. I realized why they were looking at us. We looked like we'd just been through hell. All of us were battered and had either our own or worg blood on us. Probably not the sight you wanted to see traveling through town. It meant trouble.