Legacy

Chapter 9

Two weeks later.

"We cannot stay here indefinitely as guests Mae." Said Ashar as the two walked the wall.

"I know, I've been thinking about it over since we arrived. The question is what do we have to offer?" Said Mae thoughtfully.

"We are both reasonable trackers, the pathfinders or rangers could use our skills." Said Ashar after a moment.

"What of Mirage?"

"That may be more of a problem, ever since the incident in the dining hall, the humans have been reluctant to deal with her directly."

Mae nodded, "It was an overreaction on her part, though it was understandable I suppose."

Ashar grinned "I doubt the ambassador will be quite so quick to brag of his hunting prowess in future. Especially when his prey is my kin."

"I think it was pretty obvious that he wouldn't know a Dark Elf unless it picked him up and shook him about. " Chuckled Mae.

Ashar grinned at the memory of Mirage having done just that.

"She did apologise, which surprised me." She conceded.

"I suggest you talk with the young Lord about this, I suspect with the mass migration of my kin, his brother would welcome some help."

Mae seemed about to say something, but merely squirmed.

"What?"

"I think he has feelings for me." Said Mae after a few moments.

"I see, I can understand your reluctance."

"Would you handle the arrangements for me please? Every time I enter into a room with him, I'm almost afraid he will faint. It would save many an awkward situation."

Ashar nodded, "I had suspected as much two weeks ago, but I understand little of the human heart, save what you have tried to explain to me."

"There are many times I wish that side of my heritage did not exist." Said Mae quietly.

"That cannot be changed, or helped." Replied Ashar. "And you would not be you without it." He sighed and continued,

"I will do what you ask, but I would also say this: You will have to face this sooner or later and, I would strongly urge you to do it sooner, rather than prolong any hope this human has of a relationship with you."

Mae nodded. "I know. Does it ever get easier?"

Ashar grinned "Dark Elf relationships are based on political union, love has little to do with it for us. For you, I do not know. I doubt it." He shrugged at the last, and began making his way toward the keep.

Mae leaned against the wall and watched as several large carts began making their way away from Fort. The caravan had stayed only for a day, before moving on, like so many before it, it brought hard to get items, news and supplies to the various places it stopped at, not to mention entertainment.

She smiled at the memory of the dancers, and of the look of joy that fell upon the children who played in the courtyard who watched them.

"Children, they are all children." She sighed.

Mithrilaxe sat in his small study, various papers and scrolls lay on his desk, his attention however, was fixed on one of them. It was a message from a neighbouring region - Grassolk, from Lord Fardan himself. It complained of massive amounts of poaching on the boarders, and demanded to know if it were the work of people of Fort's holdings, since none of the outlying villages on his own soil could be shown to have taken such amounts.