See Prologue (A) for Disclaimers

Eleni's arrival in Wood's Heart was heralded by the excited yells of the children who had not yet gone to sleep.  The ones who  had gone to sleep woke almost instantly and with amazingly renewed energy, though Tao suspected from past interaction that that energy would flag again soon.  The source of their excitement came as a shock to Tao and Miren, as did Ordan's explanation of Eleni's connection to the village for the past forty years.  The scholar shook his head in wonder as the human woman approached them.

"So that's why you were worried about us coming to the forest," Tao said, smiling.  "You weren't concerned for us, but for what we might find."

Eleni chuckled.  "Both," she corrected.  "I wasn't sure of your intentions, but no wood is a good place for a pregnant woman."

Miren smiled at her.  "I've survived worse."

Eleni nodded, her eyes darkening slightly.  "So Niirin informed me," she said softly.  She reached out and took Miren's hand in her own.  "I'm so sorry, little one.  But you will find no safer place to bear and raise your child than Wood's Heart."  She smiled abruptly and asked, "And how is the babe?"

Miren laughed.  "Kicking fit to make its entrance to the world any second.  But what brings  you here tonight?"

"Yes," Ordan said.  "We were not expecting you, Eleni.  Has something happened?"

Eleni nodded, but it was Niirin who spoke.  "Gone wandering has her grandbabe."

Ordan frowned.  "Shallan?" he guessed.  Eleni sighed and nodded.  Ordan couldn't help a smile.  "Only your progeny, Eleni."

The tavern-keeper smiled wryly.  "Near enough to Niirin's words.  And my own."  She shook her head and looked at Tao and Miren.  "Niirin said that your friend is a . . . BeastMaster?  She thought perhaps --"

Tao nodded.  "Yes, of course!  I think I saw him head that way -- I'll go find him.  Don't worry, we'll have your Shallan back to you in no time."

He was hurrying off in the direction of the orchard before Ordan could stop him.  The tall Woodsman watched him go with a frown.   Well, it's not as if me  showing up would be any less uncomfortable. . . .  I just hope they're both dressed by now.

~*~*~*~

Tao wasn't too familiar with the layout of the village, but it was small enough that it didn't take him too long to find his friend.  He simply followed a straight line from the direction he had seen Dar head in and soon spotted a tell-tale flash of fair skin and blonde hair in the clear moonlight that illuminated an orchard-like area.  He smiled and hurried forward until he had a better view.

Dar stood in the moonlight, yes, but Rhianna was there as well.  Both were dressed, but from the fact that Rhianna was still buttoning up her gown, it was a recent state of dress.  Tao stumbled to a stop, his jaw unhinged, eyes wide with surprise.  Not that he didn't think Dar deserved some time off and the comfort of a woman's arms, indeed sometimes he felt Dar's quest for Kyra was an impossible one and he feared loneliness would destroy his friend.  It was just that . . . well, he hadn't expected Dar to choose the comfort of a woman's arms just  now.  Here.  And with that  particular woman.

Dar spotted him out of the corner of his eye; both lovers turned to face the newcomer, and Tao became very glad moonlight was not conducive to illuminating blushes.  If it had been, he suspected the three of them would have been lighting up the place.  As it was, he cleared his throat, looked away briefly and then said, forcing his tone to be casual, "I'm sorry to -- um --"   So much for casual, he thought irritably.  "Right.  Eleni is here.  She says her grandson went wandering and she needs help to find him."

Rhianna's eyes widened.  "Shallan is lost?"

Dar frowned at her, then at Tao, his embarrassment forgotten in his confusion.  "Eleni?  Here?"

Tao nodded.  "It seems she's known about Wood's Heart since she was a child."

Rhianna nodded as well, collecting herself.  "She trades with us regularly.  She's a good friend."  The lovely blonde finished buttoning her gown quickly.  "The Wood is safe if you know the ways and the territories, but never for a lone child at night!"

Dar agreed.  "I'll speak to the animals and see if they've spotted him."

Tao nodded and turned back towards the path, heading to inform Eleni.  And give Dar and Rhianna a bit more privacy.  Dar appreciated it.  He trusted that Tao would not make any comment on what he had seen until he had a chance to speak with his friend.

As she started forward, Dar touched Rhianna's arm and she paused, turning to look up at him.  He smiled and brushed her cheek with the backs of his fingers, almost hesitantly.  "Thank you," he murmured.

Rhianna smiled and leaned up to kiss him briefly on the mouth.  When she pulled back, her eyes were soft in the moonlight.  "You're most welcome," she answered.  "As I told you before."

"I wish --"

She smiled and shook her head.  "No, you don't.  And neither do I.  Both our hearts are given to another, and we will not be truly content with the love of any but them."  Rhianna chuckled.  "Our bodies on the other hand. . ."

"Body and soul sometimes need the comfort of another's touch," Dar said softly.

Rhianna nodded, her eyes somber.  "And for that, I thank you as well."

Dar smiled and lifted her hand, kissing the knuckles lightly.  They looked at each other for a moment more, then headed for the village.

~*~*~*~

Whatever Dar, and those eagerly awaiting his communications, expected to hear from the animals, it was not the information that came barely a minute after the BeastMaster contacted Ruh.

What do you mean  he's right there?!

I mean, Ruh answered dryly,  he's right here.  Beside me.  Fast asleep -- well, actually, passed out -- but safe and sound.

Why didn't you tell me sooner?, Dar demanded.    His Grandmother has been worried sick!

I didn't know he had already been missed.  And you were . . . otherwise occupied, the tiger added, a definite smirk in his mind-voice.    I didn't wish to interrupt.

Ruh could almost feel Dar's blush through the link.   You . . . knew?

Ruh snorted, both in mind-voice and in reality.    You are the BeastMaster, my friend.  I would be greatly surprised if the whole forest didn't know.  He felt Dar's embarrassment and relented, adding,  You are not to be faulted, young one.  There is a great deal of magick in this Wood, and most of it was attracted to Sharak and Pasha.  I heard their . . . ah . . . activities as well as I heard yours.

Dar's sense of relief was palpable.   So this doesn't always. . .

Hardly, the tiger assured him.    If it did, I would have wandered further off when you were with Kyra.  Or when your parents ----

Right.  Thank you, Dar said quickly.  He felt Ruh's laughter and fought amusement of his own at his reaction; there were some things no child wanted to be fully aware of regarding his parents.  He confirmed the location of the tiger and the boy, then "shut off" the link to relay the information to a very relieved Eleni.  Even as he did so, however, a part of his mind was thinking that he and Sharak were going to have to have a little talk.

Eleni was quite startled to find a large tiger playing babysitter for her young grandson, but relaxed when Dar assured her that Ruh had kept him from harm.  Shallan woke slowly at his grandmother's prodding, and launched almost immediately into a tearful account of his fearsome adventures -- adding quickly that he had faced the dangers with great courage and wit.  Ruh withheld comment, especially when the young boy caught sight of him and nearly fainted again.

Seeing the tiger and the familiar traveler close by him had aroused Shallan's interest, however.  "Gram!" he exclaimed excitedly upon recognizing Dar.  "Are they all here, the strangers?  How did you find them?  How did you find me?  Where---"

That and a dozen other questions bubbled forth, until Rhianna made a conscious choice and stepped out from behind a tree.  Shallan's eyes widened, though whether it was mostly surprise or instant infatuation was debatable.  Until Niirin took the beautiful human's lead and revealed herself as well.  From behind a dozen other trees, other residents of the Wood made themselves known, effectively placing their lives in his small hands.

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