The wild plains were weaving over her as she lay motionless upon them. Her body bloody, her weapons lay with her bow on her back, sword at her side dagger clutched in her hand. The Wild Nisse had taken her again and spat her out over the falls and down in to the world unknown. She had washed up upon the sandy shores and had barely been able to drag her self in to the grasses. How long had she lied there, how much longer would she?

The sound of hove beats started to rouse her from her state. Emerald hues opened and she felt the pain that rushed though her body, her ankle was broken for sure, her arms were bloody and at least one rib was broken. "Kegan.," She breathed and winced. She felt that arrow that was through her arm now. Rolling over carefully she snapped the shaft in two and pulled the arrow head out with a little scream. She gazed at the arrow head, Tel Uuranor Assassins. She had nearly blacked out the whole fight, all she could see now was the Nisse washing her off and she could still hear Kegan's voice as he called to her. But she couldn't recall what had happened to him. "Kegan.." She started to rise and found that was not a good idea.

The beats of horses hooves came closer and she heard someone dismount and come towards her, eyes shifted back to see a man clad in armor coming towards her. Instinct told her to reach for a weapon so that she did. She found her self starring up at the armor clad man. His hair was short and brown his eyes the same shade. He looked human. Aria grumbled lightly, not too found of humans now after all she'd been through. "Stay away!"

The man was Drake, and he was a knight and he was not the type to do that. "Your hurt, let me help you," He seemed sincere enough, but Aria wasn't going to trust him too much. But then she didn't have much of a choice, she wouldnt be able to get far. Aria clutched that dagger close and allowed him to look at her wounds he used a cloth to wrap her arm wound. His touch was gentle but it was clear to Aria that he'd done this kind of thing before.

"There," he smiled, "but you'll need to get that ankle looked at, and need to stay off of it a while. " Aria looked around, " thank you.. guess I'll be camped out here for a while." Drake shook his head, " there's a village near by, I'll take you there,see that your taken care of." Aria still didn't trust him but since she had no where else to go she nodded and hobbled her way over with his help to his horse.

The ride was slow and Aria hung on, she had never ridden a horse before she had seen them wild but never seen them so tame. They reached the village and Aria noted how the people greeted him, with bows and soft nods. A man of valor it seemed.

"What do you do?" She asked him as he helped her along. "I am a knight." He replied and that got Aria's brows to rise, "a knight...?" Drake smirked softly, he had noted her Elven ears. "A warrior."

Aria nodded to that, and he led her in to a small but nice home. "Whos home is this?" "Mine, " said as he lowered her to a chair. " You may stay here while you heal and I shall look after you. My name is Drake." He held out his hand, "Aria,Mae govannen " She held out her own and he shook it softly. "A pleasure."

Aria had much training in how to sue a bow and arrow, a blade both short and long. She wielded them all with care and faness.She moved quickly and was silent like a hunter. But she would have to prove herself all over again.

The morning was new and she unwrapped the bandages that bound her. Her fingers trailed over the soft flesh of her side, healed without a mark to remember it. But what was it to remember. Aria still could recall nothing of that day save for the marks in the sand and the cold of the rushing Nisse. She wished she could remember, but she knew she had lost many things that day.

She rose with that sun and got dressed ready to be trained, she sheathed her fathers dagger and her sword then her bow was laid on the bed. The string was broken, the wood weathered by the wild Nisse.It would need to be repaired, but not today. Sword and dagger would have to do for now. She turned and Drake stood in the door way.

"You'll need your bow as well." Aria lifted it to show him it was broken. He nodded, "I can fix that while you work on your skills. " He reached out and took the bow.

Aria then lifted up her quiver, it had been empty since that day on the Nisse. She would have to buy or make new arrows. Drake led her out to the back of his home there stood wooden and hay statues made to look like men. " Get to it.." Aria went to work, hacking and slashing shadow fighting. Images flashed in her mind of Kyna and Thoren and the wild Nisse.Then a sudden burst of cold rushed her back to where she was Drake stood before her with her bow held out. "You fight well. Soon I'll have to see how you do against the living but for now show me what you can do."

The day went on and she had shown him all her skills, all but the one she held hidden. Magic was not something to freely talk of and hers was old magic, she would not use it less she had to. Drake patted her shoulder. " Your skilled, I think you'd do well, tomorrow we'll find you a good horse to train on. You'll do lots of traveling on horse back you'll have to get used to it." "I can run as fast as any wild horse." He smiled to that, "I am sure you can but when leading a group of villages between towns you will need a horse." Aria nodded to that.

The following day Aria made breakfast for them both and they sat at the table, today she would tell him about her self, but how much as she willing to open up to him?

"I grew up far from here, in a line of ashen mountains called Tel Ered Lithui They spread across the western border of my homelands like a spine.Tel Nim Litse the white wild beach spreads across beyond them sparkling with a light not many will ever see, Tel Nin Hyanda Shae washes along the white shores in soft bursts. The wind is wild there, and all you can see and sense is the ocean before you and the large ashen cliffs behind you. At night Tel Nim Litse drinks int he moon light and the color of the sky and it looks as if one is sitting with the very stars.Tel Anfauglir spreads across to the East. Beyond the Mountains, the wild sands of Tel Anfauglir hot in the day and cold at night. And through the South spreads the Wild Tel Mandu' Taure. The massive trees spread their arms in to the sky.

The forest floor deeply shadowed by the thick branches and large leaves of the trees. Yaara orn, the great ancient trees, their trunks wide enough for six grown men to stand around and link arms, their height so daunting to look up at them makes one dizzy. Their leaves are broad and wide as well as tough, perfect for quivers, sheathes and even boots. The few fruit trees that dwell in the forest produce a luscious fruit, eligre. It grows on only a few of the elder trees. In the spring the blooms form, a soft white glow takes over the forest as each flower opens, its petals are filled with lush perfume. The flowers can be white, or a soft pink.

The pink flowers are used by the Mandu' Eldalie to make a sweet wine. The white flowers are picked once the fruit appears then given to the virginal young women of the tribe. The white flowers are said to bring fertility. "

Drake listened intently and was amazed of how she recalled her lands, the smile on her face so wide and bright her eyes shimmered with a power he had never seen before. "To the North beyond the Wild Nisse River lays these lands here the unknown past the wild open fields of golden green grass. The Nisse rushes in from Tel Nin Hyanda Shae at the West and it reaches depths of six feet or more. It is nearly impossible to cross yet I have done so more than once now. There are two paths around the waters. Through and over the Ered Lithui,around the waters falls and deep valleys that carry the water to the ocean. And across the Cliffs to the far east, the cliffs of Uuranor.Uuranor is a dangerous place the water rushes under it through caves and out to the East and over the falls."

"What do your people think lies here in this unknown lands?" Aria shrugged tot hat, " most who have come this way never came back again, it is unknown what is here. No one really wishes to find out."

Drake nodded, "is there a ruling system in your lands?"


"The lands are divided between Elven Clans. Each clan ruled over a territory. The Ered Lithui clan ruled over the mountain range that their clan was named after, clan members bare a tattoo upon their body, usually on the back, a woven green band with colored spots three, the colors varied, each color represented a different family. The Mandu' Eldalie Clan ruled over the Forest. The clan tattoo was done in green and looked like a tree, a large ancient tree The hunters of the clan bare a tattoo of an arrow. And it is fabled that those embers believed to be druids bare a tattoo of both the arrow and the tree as well as a rose all mixed in to one tattoo. Tel Anfauglir is divided the wide space of sandy dunes is ruled over by four different clans of elves. Each clan differs in their customs the clans of the Anfauglir are: Tel Ronyo, Tel Kua,Tel Atalan,Tel Mithlin. Every clan member bares their clan tattoo."

Drakes brows rose, " where is yours?"


Aria stood and lifted up the back of her shirt and there he would see the mark of Ered Lithui.Shifting back in to her seat she smiled to him. " Tel Ronyo means The Fox and little was ever known about that clan. Their numbers dwindled they lived in the far east of the Anfauglir close to the cliffs of Uuranor. Their hair is red as the mountains and their spirits are also as fiery. Most of that clan is gone now though, any left will bare the mark which is a tattoo of a red fox. Tel Kua mean The Dove Clan, they are the closest clan near Ered Lithui they live on the Southern border, between the Forest and the Mountains. They are elegant, tall and regal. Their numbers flourish they hunt in the woods and travel over the mountains to the waters of the ocean. One of the few clans of elves that have light colored skin. It has been rumored that they are named the Dove Clan because they have wings, but this has never been proven, it is known that they bare a tattoo of wings done in silver. Tel Atalan means The Down Fallen Clan. They live on the South eastern border close to the woods. Their homes are the sand dunes that rise in to the sky. A hardy people, short and stout their skin is tanned for the unyielding sun. They live off the plants that grow in the shade of the dunes, they dig for their water. They hunt the creatures that live in the dunes, and sometimes go as far as the river to fish when times are bare. It is said that they are called the down fallen because of their size, and also because the dune often fall upon them in the wind. Their clan tattoo is a beetle done in gold what some may call a scarab. They are good and honest people, welcoming."

That got Drakes brows to raise a bit more. Aria was hiding things from him, she was not yet ready to tell him everything. "Tel Mithlin mean The Grey-Blue Clan. A clan of dark elves. Tall with long pale colored hair and eyes. They live on the bank of the Nisse they fish the waters and make their homes out of drift wood and mud. They are also craftsmen, they make spears and hooks from mined mithral deep in the earth. The forge fires and melt the meta la d sell it to passing clan members. The tattoo of the Grey-Blue Clan is four shimmering scales done in blue,silver,purple and green. Their women are very strong in battle. The Mandu' Eldalie Clan dwell within the Tel Mandu' Taure. Their numbers are vast. Their people are different ranging from dark Elven to those with light skin. They are advanced hunters, their skill with a bow and arrow would make any rangers jaw drop. Some of them are even fabled to be Taur'amandil,druids. Though magical powers are known and it would not be surprising if that rumor was true. They live in the trees and off the land, they welcome any in to the forest but one must not harm anything unless you intend to eat it or heal it your self or face the clan leader. The hunters of the clan bare a tattoo of an arrow, other members bare a tree done in green ink. And it is fabled that those members believed to be druids bare a tattoo of both the arrow and the tree as well as a rose all mixed in to one tattoo as I told ye before."

He nodded, she had not yet spoken of her own clan in any detail.

" Lastly there is The Ered Lithui Clan. We of the Ashen Mountains. We are a stead fast people. We live off the Mountain we grow out food and treck miles to the river or ocean for fresh fish. We are also crasftmen, we mine gems and metal from the earth everything from copper, gold to mithral from the ashen rocks. Most of the clan is dark skinned like the mountain its self, only a few are fair skinned, even fewer have dark hair. I was one of those few, born of light skin with dark hair and bright eyes. I was different from the rest of my clan and for those reasons I was singled out. From the moment I was born. But that is a tale for perhaps a night that has not gotten away from us so."

Drake cast his gaze tot he window it was dark out, and the moon was high. "I would like to know anything ye wish to tell me."

"In time, Othar, in time." Aria then rose and went to go to bed.

Her Training was done, and now she stood before the king. An elderly man, upon a throne of gold with a crown of the same metal, he had many guards. Aria knelt as she had never on both her knees before the king and he made her a knight, she would serve him till he let her go or she died. So was the rule.

She left and walked to her mar e and ran her fingers down its nose, eyes cast to the mountains. Drake had said they were dangerous, very dangerous all sorts of things lurked there things Aria had never heard of.

But now she was a knight, she refused to wear the armor though so she looked of more a ranger than a knight. Helping people she could do, leading them perhaps. But she knew she might have to work with other knights, lead them one day. It was an unsettling thought.

Later she picked at her food.

"Are you not happy to be granted in to the knighthood?" Drake sat across from her he'd never seen her like this.

"I have led people in to battle before, my own people. I have risked my life before for those who were like family to me, I have never led men whom do not know me in to any fray."

"It becomes easier as you do it. We all work together, you will see, your first mission is to lead the farmers from this village to the granary and back tomorrow. You'll do just fine, on the road there can be bandits sometimes wild animals."

Aria nodded to that. "It is my duty to help, and so I shall." Bound by honor and duty, so different from before.

It was late in the evening. Aria was sleeping. Her dreams were a wash of icy blue, dreams or nightmares for she tossed and turned. The Wild Nisse rushed with ice and her blood. Kegan held her close looked in to her eyes as they shivered, the Nisse carried them far. Her world went black. Aria woke with a start and a light scream.

Drake rushed in head strong sword ready. But when he saw it was just her alone he lowered his sword and walked to her side. His torso was bare. Aria's gaze lingered upon him. He walked to her bed side. "Are you alright?"

"Yes.." A long glance up in to his eyes. "Just a nightmare."He sat beside her with a nod. "Your safe here you know," He knew she had not told him all about her past, perhaps one day she might trust him. She has begun to look at him differently, as more than a friend or confidant. "I'll be close if you need me."His fingers slid through the wisps of raven hair that shadowed her eyes.

The next morn she passed his room and glanced in ward. He wasn't there. "Looking for me." Startled she jumped back and smiled to him then. "Aye I was. Thank you for coming so quickly last night." Drake nodded to that, "I heard you scream, I wanted to make sure you were alright. " Aria nodded and leaned in and kissed his cheek softly. Drake blinked as he watched her go down stairs. She had never done that before.

The next few days were filled with missions of the normal nature. Drake had begun to fall in love with his Elven house mate. He deiceded to be bold. He wanted to kiss her just once, he wanted to know if she felt as he did about her towards him. So after diner and after she was ready for bed he passed in to her room. She was standing by the window looking out, her face aglow from the moon light. He walked to her and placed his hand upon her shoulder. Aria turned to face him with a smile. Before she could speak he kissed her. A soft slow kiss, that slowly deepened as he felt her kissing him back.

The kiss was broken, Aria blinked to him. But said nothing. It had been over a month and she had not forgotten about Kegan but she had begun to love the man that had saved her and given her a new life. His touch felt nice, she could not hold Kegan,his arms could not be around her. Drakes arms around her felt nice, felt good.

Drake rose from the ground with a moan. The fight had gone on for what felt like hours before a horn blazed in the distance. The dark elves scattered away and Drake was pulled to his feet with that moan. He gazed around through the blood that ran down his face and saw that he and two other men were the only ones standing. Behind him stood a fleet of other men and women who had been sent to help.

Drake was surprised he wasn't dead. His rips were broken, his left arm as well blood trickled down over his eye which was closed. That blood dripped from the gash in his forehead, He and the two others would be carted away and the fleet would take care of those dark elves that slowly started to escape.

Drake was lucky to be alive and in one piece most of his men had been torn to bloody bits, he and the two others that survived were rather lucky. Drakes wounds would heal. But it would take time. After a very short meeting with the king Drake was sent home to rest and heal along with him he took a letter meant for Aria's eyes only.

Aria gazed to him as the two men led him in to lay upon the couch. She had seen worse. But any worse and she was sure he would not be breathing barely. She gazed to the letter and ripped it open. It was a message right from the king, that simply stated that she was to take care of Drake while he was healing and offer what ever survives she could healing wise to him. It was an order and not a request. Aria would follow those orders to the letter and take care of Drake till he could again fend for himself.

They days went by. The weeks. At last she watched Drake as he walked around the house without any help. She had missions to go and do now that we was well enough to take care of himself.

She set out for her normal patrolling around the village. Tending to traveling merchants and helping out those she could. But though her hours were filled with training and patrols, her mind often wondered off. Every gust of wind carried Kegan's voice. Every faint whisper of grass made her think of home.

Aria had gotten to know the two knights she often patrolled the surround with very well there as Natasha a very well trained woman who claimed to be from some ice bidden isle far away at sea. Her hair was long braided and blonde. Her eyes fierce. She wielded an ax with grace and power. She wore skins and furs and was very wild. When she spoke Aria could hardly understand the woman. "Ja." Natasha would say often.

Then there was Daniel he was young.

But most humans seemed so young to her eyes, but he really was sixteen maybe seventeen. Yet strong and his eyes spoke of all the chaos he had seen in his time so far served. His hair short soft chestnut brown his eyes deeply set and blue. He wielded a long iron claymore.A sword that many of the men carried. He hardly spoke, only when he was spoken too. He was curt and direct. "Left flank, up front." He would note a villager wandering off or a flock of birds that moved through the sky, with remarks like. "Simple black birds. On the Wing."

They each rode on their chosen horse.Natasha to her right , Dan to her left a flock of villagers between them.Merchants,farmers,travlers.Being safely taken back towards town. Aria watched the surround keenly. In the last weeks while she had been busy nursing drake back to health there had been six attacks on those outside the walls, six large attacks.

Aria watched until the villagers were safe back inside the walls then the three knights headed out Natasha went north Dan went east and Aria wen west. The ranks were thinly spread, Drake wasn't well enough to go out of the village and many of the men had been wounded. Aria was bracing for a fight.

Anything to get her mind off of things. An arrow shot through the din light of the shadowed light of day. It was not normal. A glance around found that it had been shot by a band of bandits not a mile away. Aria knew she was well with in range to take her bow and hit them all, but something about a head on confrontation felt needed.

Aria rode at the front of the pack with Dan and Natasha. The other five knights were flanked out at either side and behind them. They rode slowly quietly. They would still be out numbered if what the captive bandit woman had said was true. But they were heavily armed and ready for this battle. Aria could see over the fields for many miles towards the mountains. No one spoke. The horses were tense. Aria slowed the trot. She was not the leader here no but Natasha trusted her view. "Hva do ye see Aria?"

"I see the camp. Its not only inside a cave but outside, I see at least a dozen bandits. The wind is with us. We should move closer, some of us should ride around and attack others should go in on foot."

Natasha nodded, "Well ye heard her. Onward."

The knights trotted onward. Once the grove of oaks was reached Aria, Dan and Natasha dismounted along with two other knights. Natasha looked tot he still mounted. "Stay med det wind. Ride around and attack." The four knights still mounted nodded and rode off quietly. Aria shifted then in to the grove of trees. Dan followed her close behind.Natasha stayed with the other two knights who were rather new, she would have to watch out for them.

Elven eyes peered through the trees. The bandits passed to and from the cave some camped outside of it. Chests of gold were seen. There tents were not lavish but the gems they held sparkled in the light. Aria watched and moved onward with the other close at her heels. "Sneak attack." Aria moved in drawing her dagger. Dan followed her he drew the small but sharp hunting blade from his back sheathe. Natasha looked to that ax in her hand and sat it along her back and drew that ax she would be more likely to chop wood with and snuck in behind the two. The other two knights followed her without question.

Aria and Dan went right. Natasha took the two rookies to the left with her. They slunk along the outer rim of the camp killing those sleeping or unaware in their tents. Then the mounted knights rode in arrows flying. Aria ducked the volleys and she and Dan ran along the outer rim to join up with Natasha and the two rookies. The bandits came out in full force. Aria changed from stealth mode with that dagger to full on attack mode taking her elfin blades hilt in hand.

Dan swung that claymore with power. Natasha chopped all those who came her way with a mighty ax blow. Two mounted fell from their mounts when the horses were killed. Then those knights were killed. Bandits died right and left but more seemed to flow from the cave. Aria pulled Natasha and Dan to the ground as arrows flew past them all. Natasha looked on and nodded with a smirk. "We be out numbered." Aria nodded tot hat the two rookies had killed only three bandits. All the mounted knights were dead. Aria glanced back over her shoulder they were hidden for now. "You two." To the rookies, " we three will create a distraction go get two horses and ride to town get help." The two nodded.

"Ready to make some noise there young blood?" That to Dan. Natasha just smirked and was ready to go. Aria rose blade held to block any arrow's volley and ran in followed closely by Natasha and Dan. Aria made her way for the cave the two others behind her. Any in their path was knocked down and out of the fight. Aria ran through the cave with Dan and Natasha on her heels she ducked in to one of the passageways that seemed rather unguarded and was followed by the two. Aria pressed her back to the wall and took a long breath. Bandits ran right past them not seeing the three.

"Oh come on we can take them." Dan uttered low. Natasha looked to Aria. " Too many." Aria agreed, they needed to hide some where. Then Aria saw a small wooden door at the back of the passage way. She moved along the wall with the shadows and opened the door and when she opened it her emerald hues could not believe what she saw.

But soon the passage way opened to a lit room. Lit by light from above.
"En hall for de d?de." Natasha looked around. Aria glanced seeing the many heavy tombs of stone. Dan stood motionless. Aria counted twelve no thirteen tombs, heavy coffins. The light shown from above was natural yet had an eerie glow to it. Aria lowered her head tot he tombs.

They were not the tombs of the bandits no those outside had no graves like this. Aria pressed her gloved hand tot he dust covered tomb that stood before her. The words were written upon each one stating the persons name and when they died, but a few of the tombs she could not read. But the one before her had drawn her attention for the words were elvish.

"Hva does it say?" Natasha looked to the tomb which Aria stood before. Here lies lord of gifts, the lord of ,"Sinome kea Annatar. Tel' Heru en' Methedras." Natasha looked on listening to Aria speak she had only heard the word of those like her spoken once or twice. "It says here lies lord of gifts, the lord of the last peak." Natasha nodded looking to the tomb that lied next to that one. "Hva about that one?"

Aria gazed over the words there written were not elvish they were drow. "I do not know, it is written in the tongue of the Drow." Aria gazed tot he tomb next to that written in the human tongue, then over to a tomb whose words she could not read. Natasha followed Aria's gaze. "Her ligger l?ven av vinteren. En kriger.En far. En elsker. Kan guden blyet ham til Valhalla." Natasha read the tomb with ease and noted two more of the tombs were written int hat tongue she knew. "Her lies the lion of winter. A warrior. A far. A lover. May the gods lead him to Valhalla." Aria nodded to that and shifted her gaze across the room to Dan who lingered by two of the tombs. Aria moved along under the glow of the room.

"Theres another way." Dan stated looking to his left was a dark opening. It looked as if it led downward.

Aria looked to the two tombs the words there written she could not read. Aria then led the way down through the dark opening. Natasha followed and Dan followed lastly. Aria could sense that Dan knew what those two tombs read but was not about to say anything. He was a young man but a man of much mystery. The passage way was dark and Aria even with her Elven sight had to guide herself through with her hands out stretched so not to hit any walls or hanging rocks.

Aria then caught sight of a glittering light ahead. Carefully she stepped out and found that they had entered a huge room that glittered with light. The room sparkled with gypsum, crystals. Gems of sappahire,ruby,emerald and diamond glittered among the darkly colored walls. It was like the night sky filled with stars

The three sat in the cavern of glittering rocks. Dan, Natasha and Aria. The three to live through the fight. Two others had gone back to town for help. The rest were gone. Natasha looked around the cavern then between Dan and Aria. Dan was wounded but he would live.Aria had a few marks from battle but nothing serious. "Dette stedet minner meg av et sted fra min barndom." She began.

Aria brows rose and with weary eyes looked to Natasha.

"Listen her Alfheim one and man of Midgard." Her wild eyes were cast to the young Dan. "Upon det isle of ice is n?r I was jorn. We lived a simple life. Mor,far,br?dre and I. I be one of a boys house. Det only woman there save for my mor. I had six br?dre . All who dwell in Valhalla now."

Aria's brows rose with a sip of that broth. They had some food, mostly broth and root vegetables to get them through till the help came. If it came. Natasha looked to Aria and her risen brows. "Valhalla, Alfheim one be a place for det greatest of warriors who have died to be." Aria nodded to that all people seemed to have a view of what came after this life. " First me far died in det great battle with Jotun. De even towered over him. De crushed all in their path till many men were dead and det fields n?r red. My den yngste broren died next shot with an arrow through det heart. Da det next two fell in battle with Svart?lfar. De be like you Aria yet darker."

"Dark elves. Or Drows." Aria chimmed in. Dan just held his hands over the fire and sipped at his broth every so often.

"Aye. Well n?r my br?dre all were dead, and it was just me and my mor she looked to me and said 'Taska your det warrior of this house now. I Da became a shield madien. I fought along side det best of det men.N?r my mor died I set out to sea.I had no reason to stay and fight det wars with det gods and men.n?r I came her, I found not a soul that knew of my home but many had heard of a place like it De called it myths. I fell right in to place her and have been her since."
Aria sat forward then. "What do your people believe in?"

Natasha chortled softly. " Der are nine worlds to us of det ice and snow.At least det elders always taught us. Asgard, world of det ?sir. Valhalla is Odin's hall within Asgard; it home of det Einherjar, who var det souls of det greatest warriors.Like me br?dre . Those warriors var selected by det Valkyries.Who are Odin's mounted female messengers whose sparkling armor shone light lights in det North, that armor was mythed to be created by magkics.. Det Einherjar would help defend det gods during Ragnarok, which was det end of det world. Hvor everyone would die in a great battle between det gods and their enemies. Vanaheimr, home of det Vanir. Midgard, det mortal plane.Is where Young Dan hails from Na?"

Dan just waved his hand at her once.

"Muspell, world of fire and home of Surtr, a giant whose skin was lava and had hair of fire. Niflheim, det icy underworld ruled by Hel, Loki's half-giantess daughter, and home of det frost giants. But Home was much like Niflheim frosty and snow det people often paid dept to Loki's Daughter.Hel.Alfheim, world of det elves. Is where you would hail from Aria, ja?"

"No, I hail from Ered Lithui."

Natasha shurgged, "Alfheim." A smirk crossed her face, "Svart?lfheim, home of det Svart?lfar. Or Drow's as ye called them Aria. Nidavellir, world of det dwarves, det tiny men who var great miners and goldsmiths- De would often build magical items for det gods such as Thor's hammer and Freyr's mechanical boar. De might be det ones who made that armor that det Valkyries wore, or perhaps it was det elves. Jotunheim, world of det Jotun, or giants. And De made a stir upon det isle."

"Nine worlds, and they are somehow connected?"


"Aye . A root of black toned ash called Yggdrasil.Tis like a tree."

Aria shook her head softly, what an odd world Natasha had hailed from. It made her home seem all too normal. Dan shifted looking between the two women. Aria watched him, "come now Young blood what's your story all this time and we know nothing of you."

The king commened The tree on their finding of all the treasure the following day. Dan was givena high position as a personal guard and Natasha was made a worth while Captain. He offered Aria the same title but she turned him down and would not give him the exact reason. He respect her wishes though for now.

Aria spent that day with Drake they walked around the village. It was a buzz with her acts of bravely and valor. She had kept five people alive through the fight. Her keen senses had saved them all. But Aria wished she could have saved more of those who she'd taken in to battle, but she knew when you lead people in to battle they are going to die, some are going to die needlessly. That was what war and battle was about needless pointless death. But they fought on any how.

She shared a picnic lunch with Drake and told him all about everything they had seen and the stories told. It filled the hours of passing day with memories she would take with her. Aria never let on that she planed to leave for she knew if he knew Drake would try and stop her. There was a massive feast in the village come night fall to celebrate the dead and those who had lived as well as the treasure of the bandits being gone for now. Every time Drakes hand brushed along her back she tried her best not to lean in to it but it had become something she was so used to.

After the hearty full meal the two slipped back to Drakes home. They sat by the fire side for long hours in the quiet for one last eve Aria lay in his arms and tried not to be sad. She would not say good-bye to him, she could not do so, it would be all to much for her heart to bare. She leaned in to his fingers as he slid them through her hair. He was silent watching the fire light with her. Aria closed her eyes and before long they slept up in his bed side by side. One last time.

"You headin to Rhydin?"

The man at the front looked to her and Aria nodded as she shifted out of the way. "We be heading that way too, me my wife and our children, please jump on always happy to help." Aria smiled and nodded to him and went to the back of the wagon where she slid in there sat his wife a young boy and a young girl.

The woman smiled to her. " An elf, I haven't seen any out here before." Aria smiled to the woman and let down her raven hair to hide those Elven ears. The little girl smiled up at Aria. "Your pretty."

Aria smiled to the girl, "Diola lle." The woman then blinked, "Oh you don't speak common but you understand it?" Aria nodded, might as well go along with it she was trying to leave everything behind. "Oh well I am Grace, that is Matthue and this is Emily. My husband is Dar. " "Saesa omentien lle." Grace smiled softly, "You know I know a little Elven, tis a lovely language. My husband knows more. Are you heading to Rhydin?" Aria nodded.

Grace smiled a bit more, " we are traders, and you?" "Othar." Aria motioned to her sheathed sword, and dagger. Then that bow and quiver on her back. "A warrior, well no lack of those needed in Rhydin it can be dangerous there but you seem well equip. "

Emily tapped on Aria's arm. Grace pulled her back, " you must forgive my daughter she has never seen anyone like you." Aria notice that the boy was very silent and watching her intently. "Neither one of my children have ever seen an elf. " Aria smiled, the journey would be faster now than it would have been on foot and she would be harder to track. But it would be a long journey. Aria watched the children with a soft gaze. Her gloved hand raced across her side, she had recalled some of what happened but not everything all she knew was that she had lost something very dear that day Kyna attacked.

Rhydin would be reached in a matter of days, rest taken with every night. Aria aided in protecting the small family form bandits and they were happy to have her. They traded tails of their travels and Aria listened. They were a night away from Rhydin when Grace finally asked Aria her name. Aria didn't want to lie, these people had been so kind to her but she would not place them in any danger by knowing her real name. "amin essa Isilma." Grace smiled , "that is a lovely name. We will be in Rhydin soon, I hate to part ways with you, you've been so helpful, Emily shows a real shine to you even Matt seems to like your company and I know he wouldn't say it but Dar likes having a bit more muscle along." Aria chuckled tot hat.

Once they got to Rhydin Aria let the wagon go in to the marketplace before she slid out the place was teaming with people, elves, all types. It was amazing. Aria took a long sash of green cloth and slid it over her face and around her head. She bowed to the family in thanks before leaving them to sell their wears.