Title: Why do elves get all the looks?
Date: 1/28/00
Author: Spiffy

When last we met our intrepid band...
-=-=-=-
Teri flicked annoyed eyes at the back of the woman's head. "Relax, it's
safe here.
Can't you feel it?" Indeed, the patch of green was vacant save for the
small band, and
the peaceful chirrup of birds came from the leafy curtain above.

"We won't be alone for long," Elainas said, beginning hastily to
arrange her rumpled
attire. "Put your weapons away, and let me do the talking," she said,
watching the
edges of the green for signs of movement.
-=-=-=-

There was no sign of movement, but suddenly a lone figure emerged from
the dense foliage surrounding the semi-clearing.  He stood about five
and a half feet tall with a slim build and looked rather striking in
his leather armor, which had some portions dyed green in a style that
made Teri and Stana immediately think of army camouflage.

The military aspect was emphasized by the thin-bladed sword at his hip
and the bow in his hands, an arrow already knocked and ready.

The raven haired elf (the ears gave it away) called out in a sing-song
language, and Elainas answered in kind.  The conversation continued for
a while, leaving the rest of the group at a loss.

"What are they saying?"  Teri asked to nobody in particular.

"Damned if I know," Kal responded.  If anyone was a nobody, it was him.
"Most humans can't understand their language 'cause most can't hear
all the words.  That's why elvish thieves are among the best - they can
hear the tumblers in the most well oiled lock and hear the local watch
before anyone else."

There was a sense of pride in his voice that the rest of the party felt
uneasy about, but now was not the time to discuss it.

"Anyways," the thief nodded towards Clip, "yer friend there might know
what they're saying, but I doubt he'll fill us in.  Unicorns tend to be
too snobbish towards us lesser races."

Clip snorted in response, electing a slight grin from the Fire Chosen.

Their attention was snapped back to reality as Elainas broke in.

"It is arranged.  We will stay here for the night to conserve our
energy, then tomorrow we will Travel to Clan Malara.  They will be
expecting you there."

"Isn't traveling what we've been doing this whole time?"

"'Traveling' is something you just got a small taste of, Chosen of
Earth."  This was from their dashing host.  "You only Traveled a mile
or two so you may not have noticed any fatigue, but tomorrow you will
Travel a distance worth many days in the span of a few minutes.  It is
hard on an elf.  It will be harder on ... those less suited."

With that, his stern composure melted into a boyish grin.  "But enough
about the worries of another day!  Come!  We have food and drink for
your horses, and a feast for you!"

With a bow intended to make fun of the gesture as much as it was to
show them honor, the elf led them away from the clearing and further
into the woods.

"Let it never be said that Avery Sa'Chatham did not show his guests a
good time."

=====
-----------------=Aaron "Spiffy" Smith=-----------------
Divine Aesthetics: http://members.xoom.com/blakeemrys/
WebTools: http://www.freeyellow.com/members7/blakeemrys/
---------------=LONG LIVE THE MACINTOSH!=---------------