Chapter 60

It had been over two years since last Darras had been in Durine, the Human capital of the Forest Kingdom. Little had changed. The administrators were as fussy as ever, particularly as Darras did not have his merchant’s pack with him but a smaller one containing several gifts.

“You are travelling to Trecor and then on to Iversirion?” a pinch-faced official asked. “For what purpose?”

“One of the gifts is for the child of the priestess Kina,” Darras explained, keeping his exasperation in check. “The others are wedding gifts for my Elven friends in Iversirion.”

“You have Elf friends?”

“Yes.”

Finally, the paperwork had a seal affixed, though Darras had his suspicions that the men had been looking for a way to prevent his entry as he was not selling goods.

“Was it me, or did they not want me here?” Darras murmured as he finally stepped outside.

‘They were suspicious of the gifts; it’s not a Human tradition here, and they suspected they were bribes, ‘ Erren replied.

“I’m here now, though I suspect they’ll have me observed.”

‘Yes, that’s why the seal is in blue wax. It is so the town guards know to report your whereabouts.’

“Ah,” Darras nodded as he showed the document to the man at the main gate and paid his exit toll.

‘He’s reporting you to his superior, ‘ Erren giggled.

“Oh well, not a lot I can do, and it’s not like I’m up to anything nefarious,” Darras chuckled as his pace lengthened, and he made good time down the road, waving to the Elven watcher as he passed them.

Darras made good time on the way to Trecor and, upon reaching the village, ascended the hill to the temple of Erren and entered, finding it empty, if lovingly kept. Soon enough, a young man entered from a door to the rear, stopping in surprise as he saw Darras.

“Can I help you, good sir?” he asked.

“You are the priest, Galard?” Darras enquired.

“I am,” Galard replied in curious tones.

“I am Darras, agent of the goddess and friend of your wife Kina, here to bring your son a congratulatory gift.”

“Oh, come through. She is resting, but I’m sure she will be delighted to see you.”

Kina’s whole face lit up when Darras entered the living area part of the temple as she nursed her and Galard’s son.

“Darras, my friend, a surprise to see you,” she said happily.

“My pleasure and that of Erren,” Darras replied. “She made this for your son, personally,” he finished, handing over the soft plush toy.

“Oh ... It’s beautiful, and Erren herself made it?”

“She did, by her own hands,” Darras replied with a smile.

“I’m sure he’ll treasure it. After he grows, that is.”

“Yes, it’s a toy, not a keepsake,” Darras chuckled. “Have you a name for him yet?”

“Galkin.”

Erren’s ghostly hand reached from Darras’s body and rested upon the child’s head. “Galkin, you will grow strong and bring much happiness to the world and always have my protection,” she intoned, leaving both Galard and Kina stunned and overjoyed.

Darras declined an invitation to remain with the family, simply informing them that he intended to stay at the inn and pay his respects to Hersey and his family. “I’m not here to be a burden, and you weren’t expecting me,” he told them before leaving.

“Why, tis Darras, the merchant,” Hersey greeted Darras effusively, clearly recognising him.

“A pleasure to be back. Do you have a room available?” Darras replied with a smile.

“That we do, prices are the same,” Hersey replied.

“A room, a meal, and keep the beer flowing,” Darras chuckled, handing over a silver coin.
“And whatever’s left is Erren’s gift to you and yours.”

“Thank you, Darras,” Hersey acknowledged the generosity. “Pelna, could you take Darras to his room,” he ordered.

Pelna had changed over the two years since Darras had last seen her. She had grown and begun to develop her womanly form, though she still had the same bright disposition. Her delight also grew when Darras handed over a silver coin as a gift to her as well.

“Goddess of light bless this place,” Darras reverently intoned when he stepped back into the inn after stowing his little gear, though he held on to his quarterstaff as ever.

Interestingly enough, a couple of Elves were staying at the inn, who politely acknowledged Darras’s presence, though as was their way, kept themselves to themselves. The meal, as ever, was superb, and the beer good, if not as good as Erren’s, because Hersey had no way to chill it. Unfortunately, there was no possibility of Kina singing that evening. However, the locals enjoyed a sing-song anyway, with Hersey playing his lute and Pelna joining in with a flute of some kind. And so a merry evening ensued, with even the Elves enjoying the merriment.

“Sir Darras?” the young seeming Elf asked as he approached Darras’s table.

“How may I help you?” Darras politely asked.

“I am Fluveil, and my partner is Cannat. We were wondering if you were travelling to Iversirion?”

“I am so I can present gifts to my friends,” Darras replied.

“I see. May we join you on this journey as we have travelled from Jizzard with trade goods, and although I’m sure we’ll find it, this is our first visit.”

“Would be my pleasure,” Darras nodded. “Set off at first light?”

“Yes, thank you,” Fluveil accepted before returning to the table where Cannat still sat, looking slightly nervously at the scenes of laughter and song.

‘She’s afraid of being around so many Humans, though she’s in no danger from them, ‘ Erren explained.

“I thought the Elves of Jizzard were used to humanity?” Darras murmured.

‘Yes, though generally there, they outnumber them.’

“Ah, I see,” Darras nodded.

‘Good to see my restored blessing is being put to one of its proper uses in attracting trade, ‘ Erren replied happily.

“As am I.”

Dawn was breaking when Darras left his room and entered the inn to greet Yilda, Hersey’s wife, who was already up and about preparing for the day’s food offerings. Greetings were exchanged as Fluveil and Cannat entered and were pleased to accept the bread and cheese and some dried meat for later repast.

“I must admit when my husband suggested the trading trip to Dorlianath, I was very nervous as, for all it is ostensibly an Elven Kingdom, at least a third of the inhabitants are Human,” Cannat confessed to Darras.

“The Humans have their own King and rule themselves, usually peacefully,” Darras chuckled. “King Leandomus and King Danvas have become good friends, however, and what issues there are are minimal.”

“Very different from two years ago, I’m told.”

“It is. The former Priest-King, Sallason, greatly offended Erren with his teachings of Elven superiority and paid the price for it when she withdrew her blessing on the Kingdom,” Darras explained. “He was then cursed to be Human and cast out of Iversirion.”

“A truly terrible fate ... for an Elf,” Cannat replied, looking shocked. “No insult intended.”

“None was taken,” Darras chuckled. “He abused his position, and an example was made.”

“But to turn him into a human...”

“Cannat, he threatened the agent of Wenderos with death for simply being a Human,” Darras explained. “It’s not for Elves to interfere with her work.”

“He threatened her agent?” Fluveil asked, looking shocked.

“He did.”

“No wonder she was so angry.”

“And you know this how?” Cannat asked. “My people would not normally talk of such matters to other races.”

“Because I am her agent,” Darras stated with a smile. “I know her as Erren, and she is the abiding love of my life.”

“You’re the agent of Wenderos?” Cannat asked, looking surprised.

“I am, though much of what I do involves combatting that which you call the darkness ... amongst all races.”

“I understand, yes, an Elf would not be that welcome in any Dwarven Kingdom and many Human ones too,” she nodded as Darras spotted a single Elf waiting at the roadside.

“Darras, my friend. You have returned,” Firios greeted the party and Darras specifically.

“I take it your watcher reported me when I left Durine, friend Firios,” Darras chuckled before jumping down to clasp hands.

“He did, though I take it you had business with Kina first?”

“I did. Erren wished to bless her child personally.”

“And your companions?”

Darras introduced Fluveil and Cannat, who greeted Firios respectfully.

“So, you’ve come to trade, be welcome,” Firios replied formally.

“Land-King Remornos is looking to buy the superior bows your people make. I’m here to negotiate and show examples of what Jizzard can supply in possible exchange,” Fluveil replied.

“I see. I can introduce you to Beltriol of the royal bow-smiths when we get to Iversirion, should you desire?”

“I thank you. Jizzard supplies many Human kingdoms with our bows. Still, it was noted in the fighting in Thenarron that Dorlianath bows were far superior,” Fluveil replied, indicating for Firios to climb on the wagon.

“I believe so, though few Human kingdoms would be able to afford them for their armies,” Firios nodded.

“Be wasted on horse archers anyway,” Darras added. “Accuracy on a mount is possible, but not to the standards of a standing bowman.”

“Land-King Remornos agrees, hence my presence,” Fluveil replied.

Firios used his far-striding ability to guide the wagon and its occupants swiftly to the gates of Iversirion, where they were waved through the gates by the guards who were expecting him and Darras. Firios then guided the wagon to a building suspended from several trees and took Fluveil and Cannat inside as Darras waited outside for him.

Soon enough, Firios rejoined Darras after introducing the pair of Elves to the royal bow-smiths of Iversirion. The pair then walked in comradely silence through the city’s centre to the shrine.