A New Path, A New Day

[Phelan]

" Relax, you need not worry I do not require any sort of payment. And there is no reason to offer "that" for payment ever. I just thought it would be nice to talk to a Tier Dal who didnt want to kill me."

He grimaced at the thought and rubbed his ribs in rememberance of the horrible wounds he had.

" I too have no family, well, no I have no family. I wasn't raised by anyone either, but I didnt' live in a city growing up either. I understand in a way what you have had to go through. You may count me among your friends if you wish. Oh and by the way, from what I hear Wilkens family is some of the most understanding humans around. " He says winking at her.

Phelan pushes all of the plates and mugs toward her.

" Eat and drink your fill, it is on me. " Phelan said smiling.

[Shalandra]

:: Shalandra hesitantly smiles back.

and she sees him wince in pain when he moves. ::

"you are hurt, let me see that. i may be able to make it better. "

:: before phelan has a chance to say a thing shalandra gets up and kneels before him.

she lightly taps his hands till he moves them out of her way and she slowly lifts his shirt to see his ribs. ::

" wow, you definately did some damage here. nothing serious from what i can see.

someone must really hate you if they did this to you.

and i dont know what friends are. all i do know is how to survive.

i am sorry if i offended you with my talk of payment, or i should say the type of payment.

i am not used to tier dal who didnt demand that type of payment.

you will live, but you should go and see a healer. "

::Shalandra gets back up and sits down and starts in on the food that phelan set before her. she gets thinking bout this person. ::

" what is a person of your kind doing here. this place is kinda below you"

[Phelan]

" That is after healing " Phelan chuckled.
" There were three blows that cleaved through my ribs. Though I must say that I really would have rather been healed by someone other than that women, but I am alive and I am thankful for that.

You didnt' offend me and as I said you have a friend in me. So tell me is this all Wilkens said? she didnt' mention anything else? "

[Shalandra]

:: shalandra sits back and slowly drinks the mug of ale in her hands. after eating all the plates of food in front of her she is finally full for the first time in days. ::

" she just asked me to go to all the towns she couldnt to see if i could find you.

i am to meet her in freeport tonite if i find you and another.

i am not to return to freeport till i find you and another teir dal.

oh boy, i almost forgot that part. i am not doing so well today as a messanger.

she said that you would know the other tier dal and if you told me that she was dead that you would remember the promise.

i have never seen wilkens so secretive but she said there was a good reason for it.

but can you answer this for me, is she in trouble? "

[Phelan]

Just as he opened his mouth to speak sensitive ears picked up a light body treading down the stairs. He knew it was Kal he could sense her approaching. He looked up at the stairs and smiled as she came into view.

" Yes she is fine. " Phelan said.

Phelan waved at her.

" Excuse me for a moment if you would. " Phelan said to Shalandra.

Phelan left the table and embraced Kal with a big hug.

" I thought you were dying. " she said. " don't make me go through that without being there again. "

" I am sorry my heart, it was a confrontaion that had to be that way...You see it was my sister. " Phelan said quietly in her ear.

" Your sister?! I thought you said " She began but he cut her off.

" There will be plenty of time for that, Wilkens has sent a messenger to retrieve us. " He motioned to the table.

Phelan and Kal walked over to the table, Phelan made the introductions.

" Kalysta this is Shalandra, Shalandra this is Kalysta and I am still Phelan. " He said with smile.

[Shalandra]

:: shalandra watches phelan approach the new teir dal with envy.

she has heard of such things but she has never seen such emotion shown.

when the two of them approach the table she gets a chance to see the young female.

she quickly gets up from her chair and straightens her hair.

what approaches her is the most beautiful female she has ever seen in her life.

shalandra looks at her cloths and grimices.

she must look a mess to this person.

she barely catches the introduction that phelan has made. ::

" forgive my appearance my lady.

i did not know i was going to be seeing such a lady.

here have my chair, i will make sure its clean for you. "

:: shalandra quickly grabs a rag and cleans the chair and puts it out for kalysta to sit down. ::

" i can see why wilkens is worried for you. she must realize what kind of lady you are.

but may i ask my lady, what are you doing in this place. i can understand me being here.

but you are a lady, this is no place for the likes of you"

[Phelan]

Phelan didn't understand what was going on between the two women. He was not the most educated person on how women think. He shrugged, Kal and her would work it out.

" I will go get us something to drink I will be right back." Phelan said and headed for the bar.

Phelan watched the two talk and didn't couldnt' hear anything that was said between them for the Trolls were now talking and almost arguing up at the bar.

" Could I get three ales. " He yelled to the bar keep who was shaking his head.

The bar keep quickly fills the mugs and the two women quickly stop talking upon Phelans return. Phelan felt a little odd now, like he interupted something. The two women seemed to be getting along fine. He knew that Kal wasn't the type to look down at someone, at least not that he knew of.

Phelan let his mind drift back to the battle with Adaun, maybe she has it out of her system now. He was shocked that she had survived. Troubling thoughts as well, if she is so consumed with rage then she may stop at nothing to kill me....

[Wilkens]

:: its night time again in freeport and wilkens quietly enters the inn and sees that its unusually empty.

she walks to the barkeeper and asks for a mug of ale.

after he hands it to her she asks if Shalandra is back yet.

he replies that he hasnt seen the teir dal in a few days.

she thanks him, finishes the ale and tells him that she will be in her usual room.

she walks upstairs and realizes how tired she is.

once she is in the room she takes the chair and moves it in front of the door and moves the bedside table to under the window.

there, now no one can get in here without me hearing them.

she then crawls into the bed and falls asleep. ::

[Shalandra]

:: after the conversation she had with kalysta she was still mystified why such a beautiful lady is staying in such a place. ::

" i am sorry my lady, and you too phelan but i have to head back to wilkens.

she will be wanting to know the two of you are safe and that i have been able to get the message to you.

do you have any message for wilkens for me to take with me?"

[Phelan]

" Just tell her that we are right behind you, I need to get some sleep and we will make hast back to Freeport. " Phelan said.

Kalysta seemed a bit distracted staring off at seemingly nothing. Phelan glanced at her and then back to Shalandra.

" You take care of yourself, if you ever need anything, all you must do is ask. " He said with a smile and handed her a small pouch of Tunar.

[Shalandra]

" ok, will do, i will make haste to freeport to find wilkens. and deliver your message. "

:: Shalandra looks at the pouch of tunar and thinks about what she should do.

she looks at phelan and sees his smile.

she smiles back and takes the pouch ::

" thank you for all you have done for me this day, it will not be forgotten.

if you are in any need of an extra set of hands, i am willing to help you in any way. "

:: she gets up and bows to kalysta and to phelan ::

" travel safe my lady and phelan. "

:: she walks out of the inn and heads to freeport. ::

[Phelan]

Phelan and Kalysta bow to Shalandra and watch her leave. Phelan yawns and stretches. He looks to Kal who still seems lost in thought. He brushes her hair back and kisses her forhead.

" My love I have to get some sleep and then we can depart, are you going to be ok? " He askes her.

" Yes, my love, go ahead I will be up in a bit. "

Phelan nods and goes upstairs and streches out on the bed and falls asleep.

[Phelan]

Phelan awoke hours later still tired from his ordeals of the day. His previously healed wounds seemed better. He awoke to find Kal sitting at the end of the bed watching him. He smiled at her and she smiled back.

" How do you feel? " She asked

" Good " he lied trying to put her at ease.

Kal just smiled and tapped her chest, Phelan rolled his eyes.

" well if you knew already why did you ask? " He said slightly annoyed.

" because I wanted to know what you would say. " She answered sweetly.

Phelan sighed and climbed out of bed. He began to put on his sword belt when there was an urgent knock at the door. Phelan began to draw his sword and slowly opened the door. Before him stood a small boy holding a piece of paper, the boy thrust the paper at him and ran away.

Puzzeled Phelan took the note and opened it. His puzzlement grew the farther he read, who was this from? he wondered.

He showed Kalysta the note and she looked as puzzled as he did. She reread the note thinking she had missed something. She shrugged and handed it back to him. He stuffed it in the inside pocket of his tunic. To be dealt with later he thought as they walked out the door.

They arrived at the dockmaster, Phelan payed the man and they were on their way to Freeport with as much haste as the boat would go.

[Phelan]

Phelan and Kal didn't say much of anything to each other on the way back. In fact Phelan noticed that she had been staring off blankly into nothing for a few days now. He was beginning to get a bit worried about her.

Then his thoughts drifted to the mysterious letter.

Move with all haste and worry not about your rear, I shall be your rear guard my friends. Know that there are those who are helping but are not seen. Take care.

Phelan didnt' really have any idea who could have sent it. Not in Hazinak anyways. Disturbing as the thought was it seemed that someone was helping them, as long as it didnt' come back to haunt them.

Phelan was jarred from his thoughts as the boat docked in Freeport. He and Kal hopped out of the boat and headed back to the inn. Phelan's hands were on the hilts of his swords, he knew that Freeport was not Phelan friendly at this point and time. Funny how fast things changed he mused to himself.

He hoped that Wilkens was still waiting. Shalandra hopefully made it hear to tell her.

[Wilkens]

:: it was after dark when Shalandra made it back to freeport.

she can only hope she can find wilkens before the lady and her escort make it to her.

she headed straight to the inn that wilkens told her to go to when she found the people she was sent to find.

as she walked into the inn she notices some strangers sitting in the corner, this isnt good she thinks to herself.

well, there is only one thing to do." she walks to the inn keeper .

" i am sorry master, i didnt mean to be gone so long. here is the money you told me to get. " she hands over the pouch that phelan gave her.

the inn keeper looked at her with a bit of confusion until he noticed the attention of the strangers that Shalandras entrance gained.

" you stupid blak elf, i sent you days ago. what took you so long. go to your room, you stink and you are scaring my customers away. "

Shalandra bowed to the inn keeper and headed upstairs to the room that wilkens uses when she is here.

when she gets to the stairs she smiles to herself, the inn keeper is quite smart.

when she gets to the door of the room she looks around before opening the door.

she doesnt see anyone so she opens the door and quickly steps into the room and proceeds to trip over the chair that wilkens put in front of the door.

" well im not as smart as the inn keeper i guess. "

:: wilkens jumps out of bed and is reaching for her swords as she hears shalandra speak. ::

" oh its you, i assume that you found the people then. "

" yes wilkens, i have found them and they say they are on their way as soon as phelan has gotten some sleep."

" who is phelan?"

" phelan is the male teir dal that you sent me to find. that is his name. he is very nice person "

" hmmm ok its good to know his name now. ok thats good, im glad they are on their way now. "

" but there is another problem. there are some strangers downstairs. i had to pretend that the inn keeper was my master to get up here without them following "

" strangers you say, and they are downstairs right now? "

" yes, they were very interested in my being here. "

" this isnt good. not with our two friends coming here. i need you to do one more thing for me.

i need you to go to the dock and wait there for our friends.

tell them that its not safe here for them. but to hide among the watchers of duelists.

if you have to start a few duels. i know you can do that"

:: just as wilkens says this there is a knock on the door. she nods to shalandra to go and answer the door.

shalandra heads to the door slowly while wilkens gets her swords ready.

shalandra opens the door slowly to see the inn keeper at the door. ::

" yes, how can i help you."

" you need to get out of here soon. the strangers didnt totally beleive us. "

" dam, ok thanks. i have an idea, can you call me from downstairs, and tell me to go and do an errand. tell me to go anywhere. "

" ok i can do that and by the way here is your bag of tunar back. that was quick thinking on your part "

" thanks, i will be waiting "

:: the inn keeper heads back downstairs. and after five minutes he starts shouting for shalandra.

shalandra runs down the stairs ::

" yes master, im here. what can i do for you "

" i need you to go and take this letter to my cousin in grobb. and it has to be taken there tonite. no dawdling. "

" yes master, right away. "

:: she takes the letter and runs out of the inn.

she headed straight for the dock. hoping to find the pretty lady and her escort before they head to the inn. ::

:: wilkens sits down on the bed, wondering who the strangers are downstairs.

she doesnt know how to find out without causing more trouble than she is in so far.

she decides to wait for kal and her friend phelan to get into freeport.

her and phelan should be able to take care of the strangers downstairs.

she nods to herself and gets her stuff together. and climbs out the window and heads to the arena. ::