laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Her footsteps touched the cold ground gingerly as she walked through the dark murky night, sparse dots of light shimmered through the blackened boughs above. Death and danger surrounded her but, she knew that she had to find them, somehow. Dark laughter soon chased her as Eirianwen's long nightgown caught on a low branch. Yanking, she desperately tried to free herself as they drew closer; footfalls crunched in the distance and threatened to catch her at any moment. Glancing upward as she tugged, the glowing yellow eyes turned to and fro in search of their prey. Finally free, she resumed her search and escape, bathed in sweat and tired. Soon, the light up ahead announced a campfire and she sprinted towards it to soon find a group of humans sitting around, eating. Exploding into their camp, they didn't notice her at all, panting and scared. At the cookpot, a large human male served his compatriots a stew while younger boys and two girls assisted putting their things away and prepared for rest. Suddenly, their bodies became enveloped in an aura of brilliant light that continued to strengthen until she was blinded.

Opening her green eyes, the queen noticed Meadhran asleep beside her. Slowing her breathing, she realized that the chalice had given her another vision about the future - the third in as many nights. These people had to be contacted again, she thought as she quietly sat up. To her left, beyond the thick fur rug on the stone floor that fronted a small nightstand near her pillow, she gazed out into the night through tall windows, each flanking the large hearth. It was still early morning but, she had to get this issue taken care of before she forgot the key points.

Slipping out from under the covers, she snuck around the large bed and headed to the door.

"Where are you going," Meadhran's sleepy voice asked.

"I need to pen a letter, sorry to wake you."

"I take it that this is something that can't wait," he rose from the deep pillow to eye her more directly.

"Correct. It will only take me a moment," she whispered, then opened the door and walked out into their private living room, closing the door behind her. Padding over to the large desk, she sat within the high-backed, leather chair and opened a drawer to her right, revealing a thick stack of parchment. Reaching in, she picked up the top sheet and placed it on the desk, then closed the drawer and eyed the tall candle which sat perched within an ornate brass holder on the left corner.

"Me'si," she stated and suddenly, the candle lit. She then reached over and pulled the wooden quill from it's holder and placed the tip on the parchment, then let it go. Standing patiently, the writing utensil waited obediently.

"To the Chosen," she began as the quill penned her every word. "The world itself is in a struggle and even though we haven't met, our goals are aligned. There are many who are fighting the same fight that you've been involved in for the past few years so, don't think that you're alone. The Second Dark Age is beginning and I pray that all can come together to fight the evil that is spreading. We have pre-empted strikes against the dark elven and orc nations to our south and have been thus far victorious." She thought for a moment, realizing that the first war that had consumed the elven nations so long ago had claimed too many that she held dear. "I'm sending an alchemist who will create an item of your chosing in exchange for the bow that you're making. A Friend," she had the quill sign the letter, then she reached and replaced the pen within the brass holder. The mistakes of the past would be corrected as these humans were among those in the forefront of the resistance. As she remembered her dreams of the past few nights, she realized that they were a motly assortment indeed.

Smiling, she folded the letter and melted wax upon the crease, then stamped it with a nondescript, short rod. As she sat, staring at the letter on the desk before her, she reminisced over the past several thousand years and wondered how another time of danger had crept up on them without being realized sooner. Human empires had grown to prominence not far from their own borders and far to the south as they looked on. Towns had sprung up not long ago between the borders of the 'Black Mountains' and her own forests without much confrontation. Many had been unhappy within her own cities and had not been shy about voicing their displeasure at private meetings or dinners. She still wasn't sure what to make of all this; things were easier before she became a mother.

* * *

After breakfast, she carried the letter from the palace towards the university. Tall spires and beautifully carved statues graced the garden whose patient tending had grown to nearly envelope the yard and front of the tall, stone building. Her long, light blue dress flowed as she walked up the front stair, opened the door and headed inside where she could hear classes being held down the long hallway as instructors raised the next generation of alchemists, engineers, scholars and diplomats. Turning left, she passed painted portraits of many of the elder masters in their craft. Among them, Binidig sat within his favorite chair, a tower of books behind him.

Entering a cluster of offices, she turned to the right as several occupants immediately rose and bowed.

"Your Highness, to what do we owe the pleasure," Jordaan greeted.

"Actually, Jordaan, I need you to do something for me. May we have a moment in private?"

"Certainly," he motioned to his own office and study to the rear of the smaller room filled with couches and shelves. Eirianwen walked into the alchemist's private study and turned as he followed, then closed the door behind them. "What may I do for Your Highness?"

"I need you to deliver a letter for me, to some friends of mine," she held out the letter. "I know that this isn't normally on your list of tasks but, your unique talents are required once you arrive."

He took it tentatively, half grinning. "Of course. What does my lady require that I do once I arrive?"

"I need you to make something for them in exchange for a bow that one of them is making for themselves, but has been having trouble pulling because of a wound that he suffered at the hands of a would-be assassin."

Nodding, he placed the letter into his jacket. "And where will I find them?"

"They will be a day north of the town of Ruse in the Kuzomen kingdom of Ganshoren. You'll deliver this to either Sir Alister or Sir Lericanin. No one else."

His head cocked to the right. "They're human?"

She grinned. "Yes. Thank you for your speedy delivery, you have my thanks." His disdain for the humans was readily apparent and she hoped that his opinion would change. In fact, she had seen it. Excusing herself, she exited the room and left him to his preparations.