Strength of Hearts

[Feena_bronze_rider]

A story writen by Feena Bronze Rider


Strength of Hearts
Once upon a time there was light and there was a spirit that lived in this light. This spirit created the light and was known as the creator of all. His hands were kind and his heart warm he loved this light which he created but he grew lonely. So he split the light in two and created earth and heaven. In Heaven he placed angels to take care of the things on the land he had made. He called his earthen land Malis and he was proud. Next the creator made animals and trees and then he made seven races.
The first were dragons
strong and fierce.
The second were elves
experts in magic.
the Third were imps,
living in the trees.
The forth were fairies
that cared for the animals.
the Fifth sprites
that lived in the seas.
The sixth were centaurs
masters of weaponry.
The seventh were humans
the most imperfect of all these creations.
When each race had multiplied and filled Malis the creator saw it was good and took rest in his people. But the people were not pleased they could not see this creator and so they wanted kings. And the kind creator gave them these kings and established kingdoms among the people. And the creator once again rested in his people, giving the kings of each race the vision to lead. When the royal families multiplied and began to dispute over who would be the heir to all of their kind murder and lust was born. These two sins became the breaking point for all of Malis. When the creator saw that lust and murder were now common among his people he set up laws.
“If a man should take a woman then she shall be called his wife, if a man should lust after an others wife and kill the man then the wife in return shall be able to take another man as her husband. But the man who has murdered her husband shall be killed in return.” said the creator to his people through their kings.
And again the people began to abide by these laws and peace was restored.
When the law of marriage had spread through the land then the people began to wonder why the creator did not rest in them any more.
“He has forsaken you!” Called out those that had powers to heal or kill.
And so the people looked upon the gifts given to these by the creator and called them gods and goddesses. And so these evil people were separated from the pure of their kind.
The dragons of gold and bronze that had fallen became black and gray lusting after the flesh of the other races.
The elves in all of their glory were banished to the mountains and called dark.
The imp, fairies and sprites were banished to swamp lands and deserts there they became orcs and goblins.
The humans could not bare to be separated so they all became hunters and barbarians. Those few that did cling to the creator lived with on the boarders of the light elves land.
Thus life on Malis became imperfect and all had sin.

“Mother? Why did everything have to happen like it says in the scroll?” Asked the small elfling sitting on her mothers lap.
“Because we couldn’t be happy with what the creator said.” The mother replied.
In the land of Jarinda home of the light elves the King Garnak and the Queen Reese had a ruled happily. On their on hundredth year of ruling they were blessed with a daughter Anya.
Anya grew quickly and became skilled with the sword. Her small hands were strong and her face beautiful and full of life.
She was the heir to the thrown of Jarinda and she was loved by the people.
At age 10 she was introduced to the teachings of the creator and taught to listen to his voice.
“Father? Why must the dark elves live in the mountains why we live in the valleys?” She asked her father.
“Because it was as the creator wished.” He would reply.
The young Anya was full of questions that she yearned to be answered. The scrolls and books in the palace was a haven for her. At the age of 14 she learned to use her magic.
Radai son of Zoranah knight of the Blood Rose was to be Anya’s husband when she came of age. Radai, at age 14 new most of the elfin magic and helped Anya learn the necessary skills to learn it also. The two became the best of friends.
At age 16 Anya and Radai left Jarinda to quest for knowledge. The two lovers were to return at age 20 and be married. The two returned at age 18 for the urgent news that Jarinda had been attacked. Zoranah took the two into his home and hid them from the human barbarians that had attacked. When the humans reached the castle their leader slew Garnak and took the crown.
In the town square the held out Garnak’s head for all to see. Enraged by this Anya and Radai decided they would need more than knowledge to take the thrown. They would need to be skilled with weaponry and the arts of fighting.
Zoranah packed horses for the two and sent them to Zever a human, allied with Jarinda.
There Zever taught them what he could and in order for them to learn more he sent them as mercenaries to fight for kingdoms in need.
What seemed to be impossible would soon come into reach, the two elves that lived in a land that forgotten happily ever after were soon to learn about that stories most always ended before that could be achieved.

Chapter I (II years later)
Riding into the village of Cari-sen Anya and Radai talked and laughed. The two lovers sent to fetch and carry for Zever were happy just being in one another company.
“At least mine is a prize! What makes you think a thief would want to steal that nag of yours Anya?” Asked Radai laughing at the petty insult on his laziness in tying his horse up.
“Weera is not a nag!” Replied Anya kicking her horse to make it go faster.
Racing into Cari-sen the two quickly began to start their business.
“Have you heard of a man named Hawk-eye?” Asked Anya to a village woman.
“Hawkeye ye say? ‘As he gotten ‘em self an any trouble?” The village women were quite busy bodies and wanted to know everything about everyone.
“So you know him?” She asked.
“Well, he be living’ at the edge of this village last time I ‘eard.” The woman replied.
“Could you tell me the last time you heard of him?” inquired Radai.
“About a month ago. He ‘ad gotten ‘em self in some trouble with the mayor of this ‘ere village. Taken the Mayor’s little girl out for a wagon ride, save she wa’en a little girl any more, the two of ‘em was wit out a chaperon if ye be knowin’ what I mean!” The woman cackled.
“Thank you for your help.” Anya bowed slightly and turned to Radai and the horses.
“No wonder the mayor wanted Zever to teach him some ‘manners’. I would too if it was my kid.” Radai said rolling his eye’s at human woman’s gossip.
“I take it that would be his house.” Anya sighed pointing to the small shack at the edge of the village.
“I thought he would have at least been a mile or two out. I would be if I had embarrassed my self like he did.” Radai shrugged.
“But your perfect remember?” Anya laughed.
Radai knocked on the door (hoping it wouldn’t fall down)of the rag tag shack.
“Who is it?” Came the voice from inside.
“I’m Anya from--”
Before Anya could finish Hawk-eye had noticed that the voice belonged to a woman and slung open the door.
“I’m Hawk-eye, And you Lady Anya are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on.” The short young man smiled.
“Nice to meet you Hawk-eye, I am Radai.” Radai said in with a noble heir.
“Hello.... Radai.....” Hawk-eye seemed intimidated by the tall muscular Radai.
“Our Master Zever has received orders to take you as his new ‘stable boy’. If you would kindly pack your bags and prepare your horse, we can be on our way.” Anya informed.
Hawk-eye turned around went back inside of the shack to pack his things. When he was ready much to the old biddies joy the three left the town for the long journey to Jarinda’s boarder.

(2 Weeks later)
The three returned to Zever’s home on the boarder of Jarinda.
Hawk-eye who was quite educated in elvish mannerisms by now was quite happy to see another human.
“What do I do here any way?” Asked Hawk-eye scratching the back of his head.
“You’ll take care of the horses. We have eighteen in all. You’ll make sure they have food water clean hay and are washed down before put away.” informed Zever as Radai handed Hawk-eye his reins.
“Weera is picky about where you put her hay. Be careful she kicks.” Anya said as she handed Hawk-eye her reins.

The four lived together for a few months. Hawk-eye slowly getting used the elvish ways pushed on him by the two nobles. One day as Anya and Radai were sparring and Zever was fatherly supervising a messenger from Jarinda arrived.
“Is lord Zever here?” Asked the tall young runner elf.
“I am he.” Replied Zever taking the hide from the tall young female’s hands.
Zever,
I hate to inform you of this news but Jarinda has fallen. The great city is now in ruin. The knights have all been killed but my self. Close your home as you would in a time of great sedge. Keep Anya safe, her time has not yet come. Reese has been made a concubine to the king Darien, She has bore him a child, if this child takes the thrown upon his fathers death then Anya shall be needed here. Until then,do not gather to yourself an army but instead quest for the dragon’s eye daggers and the dragon’s eye swords. There are two daggers and three swords. These shall open the realm of the dead. There you shall receive instructions from Garnak on the allied elves of Jarinda.
In sorrow,
Zoranah
After eyeing the letter a few times Zever looked up at the runner.
“Is what he speaks of true?” He asked.
“In regret it is....” The runner said bowing her head.
Anya and Radai didn’t have to read the letter to understand. They knew this day would come. But why now?

The next afternoon the two elves had packed their traveling things and set out to the mountain of Mongonah.
“This is where they said the dragon daggers should be. Are you ready?” Asked Radai.
“Yes.... I can not turn back now.” Anya said in a gentle tone.
The two drew their swords and entered the gates of the mountains.
The darkness of the mountain seemed to swallow them up. This is the land that Gold and Bronze dragon kings had lived but now it was the dark abyss inhabited by the Black Dragon Mongonah.
The damp black caves and halls chilled straight to the bones, and sent fear straight to the heart.
“Where do you think it is?” Asked Anya shivering at the unshakable cold.
“Should be near the dragons lair.” Radai sighed.
After a few hours of riding Anya and Radai saw a light like the glimmering of gold a head.
“That must be it.” whispered Radai climbing off of his horse and tying it to what used to be a great statue.
Anya climbed off her horse and did the same. Both the young elves unsheathed their swords and walked forward. As they got closer the blue magic stone on Anya’s neckless grew brighter and brighter until it began to shine.
“Anya, take the neckless off and put it away. If they see that shine then they will know it is an elvish stone.” Radai commanded.
Anya hesitantly removed the neckless and handed it to Radai.
After hiding the stone the two marched on.
When they finally reached the room with the glowing doors the saw that it was not gold which the room kept. It was a dining hall for the dark Dragons.
In their humanoid form they ate what looked to be fresh meat.
Each Dragon was enormous. females at Seven and eight feet tall in the humanoid form and males at nine to ten feet. And at the head of the table was the dragon god himself. Standing at Eighteen feet, with long black hair and red eyes that sparked like flame. And around his neck was a black neckless with a stone of red.
“The stone on his neckless is like mine.” Anya whispered feeling as if she was being pulled into the room.
Grabbing Anya and pulling her back Radai threw her behind the door and quickly jumped behind it himself.
“I have brought offering to my lord Mongonah the god of Dragons!” Called a voice from behind.
In rushed a tall humanoid dragon carrying the two dead elvish horses over his shoulder.
“Fresh meat!” Called the female sitting beside the god.
“Show us a miracle!” Called a male in the corner.
“Cook the meat with fire from your beautiful eyes!” Called the small child dragon at his right side.
Closing his eyes for a moment the god seemed to be in deep thought. A few moments passed before the god again opened his eyes and let a gust of fire engulf the horses.
Anya would have let out a shriek for her beast companion but Radai covered her mouth.
“Do you want to get us killed and cooked as well?” He asked in a harsh whisper.
Shaking her head no Anya felt bile rise to her throat.
The animals that were now being ravenously ingested by the dark dragons.
Radai removed his hand from Anya’s mouth and stood up to turn away from Anya’s sickening behavior.
“You need to learn to be able to look at death with out sickness. Even if it is the death of an animal.” Radai whispered.
“I’m sorry.” Anya whispered whipping the bile from her mouth.
A few moments after the young elven princess regained her composure Radai helped her to her feet.
“What are they doing now?” asked Anya after the dragons had finished their meal.
“They should be ready for entertainment, a bard should play a song or two and then they should dance.” Radai said speculating on what he had seen at Gold and Bronze Dragon feasts.

“Now my kinsman! Let us bring forth the strongest members of clans and watch then spar!” Said Mongonah in a kingly tone.
“Here! Here!” shouted the crowd back to the god.

“Where did you collect such extensive knowledge of dark Dragons?” Asked Anya to Radai.
“We have to wait until their attention is directed from the center of the room so that we can escape and find the dragons eye stones.” Radai said ignoring Anya’s comment.
Radai and Anya sheathed their sword and sat down so that they could think.
“This noise isn’t helping any!” Radai grumbled getting short tempered.
“Should I ask them if they could spar more quietly?” Asked Anya who was also getting quite annoyed.
“Your little comments aren’t helping us any!” Radai said rubbing his forehead.
“Your complaining doesn’t help us much either.” Anya retorted.
The two sat a few moments waiting for the rumbling to stop.

In a quiet corner of the room two guards sat eating what little dinner was left over.
“Sir.” A small servant girl approached them.
“Ah, wait is it that we can get you young one?” Asked the eldest guard.
“Master Mongonah says that he senses something disturbing on the premises!” She said holding her pale brown skirts.
“We’ll see what we can find young one.” He said backing his chair from the table.
After moments of searching the elder guard resorted to looking behind the statues and doors.
Much to his his surprise he found two elves bickering back and forth.
“What in the name of our master is going on here!?” Uttered the guard in disbelief.
“Anya.... Run!” Stammered Radai standing up to full his height.
This would have intimidated a normal foe, Radai being seven feet tall, but he was only waist high to the old dragon guard, making his tactic back fire.
“Your an idiot!” Said Anya grabbing Radai by the arm and pulling him with her.
The two ran past the guard only to be chased by several others. Drawing their swords they made a few desperate swings at their attackers when Anya who was blindly leading ran into the chair of the dragon god himself.
“What is it that we have here?” Asked Mongonah looking down.
Anya who was just under the gods knee at her full height was quite frightened.
“Might I ask why you are here?” Asked Mongonah as the crown stopped their cheering to listen.
“We.... We seek the dragon’s eye stone!” Anya informed standing up with the help of Radai.
“Tell me light elf, why do you seek the dragon’s eye?”
“My father told me to retrieve the dragons eye all of them.” Anya replied her voice quivering.
“And who might your father be? Or maybe the correct question is who might your father have been?” Mongonah laughed.
Anya’s throat tightened.
“Daughter of a coward are you? You wanted to make a fortune and heard legend of the stones. You and your friend here decided to quest to find the stones only to be killed now.” Mongonah smiled baring his fangs.
“No! I am Anya daughter of Garnak king Jarinda city of elves! If you are as much of a god as you say you are then you would have seen that!” Anya shouted.
A hush fell over the crowd and then a short wave of gasps and whispers started.
“So, daughter of Garnak. Why is it that the elven king wants the dragon’s eye?”
“To call himself back from the dead.” said Radai placing his strong hand on Anya’s shoulder.
The fearless words spoken by Radai were a comfort to Anya who stood near shivering in the angry cold.
“He has the audacity to call himself back! Well then,If you Truly want them. then you will fight me for them!” Mongonah laughed confident in his ability to win. “Now Anya daughter of Garnak draw your sword. If you defeat me then the dragons eye is yours!”
Swallowing hard Anya drew her blade now her training would pay.
The god Mongonah suddenly began to grow larger changing into his full sized Dragon form. His black skin shone in the light of torches.
“Now elf child prepare to die!” He shouted.
With a wild cackle from the crowd the fight began.
Down came a giant arm from Mongonah breaking the table in front of him. Anya stood still sword in hand ready to strike. The warmth of the fire couldn’t reach Anya’s hands the fires through out the room only made her colder. Was this the magic of the dragon god? The grip Anya had on her sword grew weak. She couldn’t hold on much longer. Then as Anya couldn’t hold any longer a large hand and claw came down and pinned her down to the ground.
Anya opened her mouth to scream but nothing would come. Closing her eyes Anya thought that she would die when she heard clang of steal against dragon scale. Then the pressure from Mongonah great hand lifted, as Anya looked she saw Radai sword drawn running underneath Mongonah and stabbing him in the under belly where his scaled armor was soft.
Flame roared from Mongonah’s mouth searing the cloak that Radai wore. Throwing the cloak into the air Radai again darted under the god and tore open his under belly. As Mongonah threw his head down for another attack Radai thrust his sword into the dragon’s jaw. And with one last screech Mongonah died. and from the stone in his neckless turned to two daggers with dragon’s eye stones in the handles.
“Master!” Cried the servant girl as she watched Mongonah die.
“Anya, are you all right?” Asked Radai helping Anya to her feet.
“I’m fine. And you?’ She replied.
“Well I’d be better if we were out of here.” Radai said drawing his sword once more.
Picking up the daggers Radai grabbed Anya by the arm and pulled her out of the room. Flame at their heels Radai and Anya raced down the stone halls looking for the entrance.
“My neckless!” Shouted Anya stopping when she saw the glowing blue stone where they had hidden it.
“Anya we don’t have time!” Radai replied grabbing Anya by the arm once more.
With a loose grip on the neckless Anya and Radai began running for the entrance. Clearing the entrance by a hair Radai cut the rope that held the entrance gate up. Crash! The gate shut the approaching Dragons in ensuring Radai and Anya’s safety.
As the two made their way to a group of trees near the river surrounding the mountain Radai felt a cold liquid flowing from his arm.
“Your bleeding! Are you all right?” Asked Anya placing her hands on his wound.
“Yes I’m fine. Your neckless?”
Suddenly Anya realized that she had dropped it in the river as she fell forward.
“Did you drop it?” Asked Radai.
“In the river....” Anya replied turning to the river and untying her belt and taking off her gloves and arm bands.
“Your not going in there are you?” Radai worriedly asked.
“Yes.” She informed taking off the belt she wore on her left thigh and her tall brown boots.
“Anya that water is bellow zero!” exclaimed Radai.
“The neckless began to shine more and more as we got closer to the dragon stone. We’ll need it.” Anya replied removing the corset she wore over the cloth she wore as a covering.
“Anya! You’ll die! That river is more than Fifty feet deep, your neckless is half way to the bottom by now!” Radai said picking up the various articles of clothing Anya had removed.
“But....” Anya began.
“What good will a neckless do you if your dead?” Radai said handing Anya her clothes.

In the city of Jarinda
Reese sat in her room alone. It had been some time sense the fall of Jarinda and she often wondered if Zever had received the message sent by Zoranah.
She would often remember the better times in Jarinda before everything had gone wrong.
In the early morning air the young Reese daughter of Jozah was singing to her lover the Prince Garnak the third. The two lovers had been married for a year now and they loved each other more and more each day.
The only thing that came between them was the fact that Garnak’s father was dying, he had ruled for two thousand years and now his life span was coming to an end.
Garnak loved his father very much and couldn’t stand to see him sick. His young face still seemed to hold so much life, but the old soul behind it was ready to die. As you could see how this would upset any son and make any bride nervous.
Reese’s confidant, the daughter of a boarder guard, the young Domah lived far away and didn’t have the money to travel to the capital city of Jarinda, Nor did Reese have the time to visit her. But with Garnak’s father dying Reese decided to steal a few days to go to her friend.
Setting out one morning Reese rode to her friends home only to find that Dolmah’s kind, the boarder guards, were at feud with the barbarian king Darien. Trapped at Dolmah’s home until the fighting was stopped Reese prayed that this matter would come to Garnak's attention.
In the capital city of Jarinda that night Zoranah brought the news to Garnak that his father was taking his final breathes Garnak ran to his fathers side.
“You are not king yet,” said the Chancellor, “But there is a matter that you must see to. The boarder Guards are at feud with the Barbarian King Darien.”
Hearing this Garnak saddled up his horse and called forth the men he trusted most and then set out for the boarder.
When Garnak arrived at the boarder he quickly set out and vanquished the offenders and set his people free of the Barbarian King’s grip.
Soon after they all returned home to capital city, bringing Dolmah with them, Garnak was crowned King and Reese crowned Queen. The men that Garnak brought with him to the boarder, including Zoronah, were knighted. Shortly after Dolmah and Zoronah were married. Those were the best times of Jarida when every thing was new again. Many wished to go back to those days.
Reese sat thinking of the days of old looking out her window. It had been four years sense Garnak had been needlessly slaughtered, and she was left to keep Anya away from the boarders and defend her people. When The Barbarian king finally entered Jarinda he had made Reese his concubine and she bore a child for him. This Child's name was Bashtha. Darien had many wives but none were able to bare Darien a respectable heir. Bashtha the only male child now three was not at all timid and was quite the opposite of Anya as a child. As Anya had been a strong but quiet child that would play well with others, Bashtha was not, If he was not sick in bed then he was fighting with the human children. Reese had not planned on failing to protect Jarinda, and least of all planed to betray her husband and bare a child for a human! She was quite happy to have a small child again but she had hoped that any children she’d have were Garnak's.
“Mother....” Bashtha said opening the door to his room and looking out into the living area that his mother sat in.
“What is dearest?” Replied Reese.
“Are you sad?” He asked lifting up his arm allowing a little green winged lizard to land on his fore arm.
“No dearest, I have no reason to be sad.” Reese lied.
“Why not?” Asked Bashtha as the lizard crawled onto his shoulder.
“Because I have you here with me.” Reese pulled the child up into her lap.
“I’m glad that your not sad.” Bashtha smiled.
Reese pulled her little boy close to her and held him tight. She didn’t want him to grow up and have to choose the human side of him, She wanted him to be excepted by every one that saw him. But she knew that that would never happen.
Snuggling up to Reese Bashtha laid his head on her shoulder and went to sleep.
Reese stroked the child’s dark brown hair and thought of the days when she would rock her dearest daughter to sleep.

Two weeks later (On the boarder of Jarinda)
The afternoon was late and Anya sat on the bank of a small stream near the forest surrounding Zevers home.
“What are you doing out here?” Asked Radai sitting down beside her.
“Thinking.” She replied.
“About the Dragon Stone?”
“No, about Jarinda. And about my mother... why do think she wouldn’t let me near Jarinda when they were being attacked?” Asked Anya.
“She probably didn’t want you to see the city fall, or you to be killed.” Radai explained in his softest tone.
“Do you think that Zever we’ll let us go to Jarinda and free my mother?” queried Anya.
“No.”
The two looked behind them to see Hawkeye standing with a smirk on his boyish face.
“And why do you think that?” Asked Radai.
“Because of the stories Carr has been filling his head with.” Hawkeye replied.
“Carr?”
“The runner that brought the letter, that's her name. She’s a real nice person but she’s got this dog... That is the dog from hell!” Hawkeye informed.
“Hell? I thought humans didn’t believe in such a place.” Anya said dipping her bare feet into the water.
“Only some humans. And don’t act like your so high and mighty elves fell too!” Hawkeye replied.
“You know the lore then?” Asked Anya.
“Yes I do.”
“Do you know the lore of death then?” Radai asked with a smirk.
“Death?” Hawkeye wasn’t sure weather or not that he wanted to hear the lore of death.
“Yes, When a man dies a hero’s death before he is meant to die then he is rewarded with honors in heaven he is decorated with the finest gold and jewels. But, if a man dies by his own hand then he is punished with hell on earth! He is to suffer at mercy of his land.” Radai said in a evil tone.
“What would a man who is good and lived a long life be sentenced to?” Asked Hawkeye.
“Heaven, if that is what he deserves according to the creator.” Radai said in a dull tone.
“You shouldn’t speak of death so lightly.” Anya informed standing up and walking towards the main house.
Hawkeye followed closely not sure he wanted to be with Radai alone after his ‘dark’ out burst.
Radai removed his boots and laid back placing his feet into the cool water almost glad to be alone.

Later that evening Anya made her plea to Zever.
“You want to what?” He asked in unbelief.
“I want to go to Jarinda and free my mother. I know that we can’t free Jarinda just yet but I want her to be here with us!” Anya replied.
“Anya you don’t know how much I would Like that but the last thing I need is for Darien to be after my head and then find you here hiding! He thinks your dead!” Zever replied.
“But I’m not dead!”
“That is beside the point!” Zever retorted with anger.
“If you wont help me then I’ll do it my self.” Anya threatened.
“If you do that then Zoronah will have my head!”
“Are you a slave to elves Zever?” Asked Anya.
“No! And what doesn't that have to do with anything?”
“Because if your not a slave to elves then you must leave the business of elves to the elves.” Anya said in a noble tone.
“Anya if your going to start talking like a princess then you’ll act like one by staying here and waiting for Radai and Hawkeye to find the Dragon’s Eye.” Zever replied.
“Fine then!” Anya said storming out of the room.

By midnight Anya had packed her things and was prepared to leave for Jarinda.
Climbing out of her window and darting to the stable Anya tacked up a black horse and lead it out to edge of the forest and then mounted. Riding off into the darkness Anya made her way to jarinda.
At four O’ clock in the morning Anya arrived. Trying to shake the morning dew out of her hair as she scaled the wall Anya lost her footing and fell into the garden of run down home.
“Where am I?” She thought as she stood up.
“Whose there?” Came a voice from the door.
“You probably just heard a cat!” Said the voice of a woman.
“With those barbarian troops around I wouldn’t be surprised if it was one of them.” Said the first voice.
The sound of a sword being unsheathed filled the garden.
“Those voices? Could they be?” Thought Anya placing her hand on the hilt of her sword.
The foots steps came closer and closer and Anya’s grip on the sword grew tighter and tighter.
“Whose there?” Called the voice again this time with a sword drawn in the direction of Anya.
With a clash of Swords Anya burst from the shadows and the opposing swordsman was on the ground Anya’s blade pointed to his throat.
“Zoranah!” Called the female voice running out of the house.
“Dolmah!” Anya stammered shocked.
Zoranah took this chance to grab his sword and knock Anya to ground.
“Now tell me, Who are you and why are you here?” Asked Zoranah.
Dolmah now beside her husband looked hard at the young creature on the ground.
“Anya?” She whispered.
“I’m Anya daughter of Garnak!” Anya blurted out covering her face.
Zoronah sheathed his sword and offered a hand to Anya.
“You should watch you opponent at all times.” He said helping Anya to her feet.
Anya couldn’t say anything, she was so happy to see familiar faces, With out thinking she embraced both Zoranah and Dolmah.
“Mother?” Called a small voice from doorway.
“Who is that?” Asked Anya looking over Dolmah’s shoulder.
“That is Zephiren. Our daughter.” Zoranah replied as the little girl ran out to her father.
Zephiren grabbed at her fathers pant leg and looked up at Anya.
“This is Anya, Zephiren, She is the one we have spoken of.” Dolmah informed as Anya let go of her.
“Radai’s wife?” She asked.
“Not yet.” Zoronah replied.
“Well Why are we standing out in the cold lets go in.” Dolmah said motioning for the door.
After Dolmah had brought out a set of clothes for Anya to change into they all sat down in the parlor.
“What is it that brought you back to Jarinda?” Asked Zoranah pouring himself and his guest a glass of wine.
“I’ve come for Mother.” Anya replied.
“And where is Radai? I thought he would slay dragons for a chance to come back to Jarinda.” Dolmah handed Anya the glass as she spoke.
“He didn’t know I was coming. He wouldn’t have let me. Not after reading your letter.” Anya informed.
“So he is well?”
“Quite. He’s gotten taller sense you last saw him. He’s seven feet now.” Anya smiled.