Authors Notes: -

Okay, trying something new here. Actually sticking notes on the front every once in a while. I'm giving you a chance to ask questions about the story, and I'll reply, as a great many of my reviewers don't leave an email address for me to reply personally. So have a burning question you want to ask? Stick it in a review, and I'll answer it in an authors note the next chapter I put up. Here's one I get asked a few times in reviews.

Question: Do you read the Tamora Pierce novels?
Yes, I do. Or did. I read the Lioness Quartet at about 14, the Wild Magic Quartet when I was 16 or so I think. To be honest, I'd already started this before I ever read Protector of the Small. However, while they provide some inspiration, I also read many other books set in medieval style worlds, and the Cadfael books are a big inspiration when it comes to medicine. I had not read any of her books for about a year and a half before I started to write Outcast, so similarities (Other than the knight training system) are the work of my subconcious.

---

Takuya tried not to sigh with relief as they left the castle the next morning. He still rode with the king, but both the twins and Tomoko had exchanged their carriage for horses and joined them at the head of the column of soldiers accompanying them. At Kouichi's request the human members of the group were wearing clothes in bright reds, purples or blues, and apart from their coat of arms they had removed all jewellery or ornamentation. The twins themselves wore green and brown, although in a more human style than was usual for them, and both had their coat of arms pinned firmly to their chests. Takuya felt some sympathy for Tomoko, who had looked pale most of the morning, and who seemed to be in the constant company of either Kouji or Kouichi. The twin that wasn't keeping her company was trying to coach Elbert in the correct phrase to greet the high council.

It occurred to Takuya that he would probably again be asked to surrender his weapon at El Metriscule. And that wouldn't be a good idea. I'm not sure what would happen to anyone who tried to touch it or use it other than with my permission. He sighed a little, and turned to watch Kouichi fiddle nervously with his bow as he repeated the phrase to Elbert again. What he said last night scares me a little. Big responsibility for me to take on. Kouichi signalled to the king, and the whole procession moved off the road and on into the Great Forrest, following Kouichi mounted on Starfire as he wound a path through the trees.

Takuya rode Chess up to near Kouji and Tomoko. "You both okay?"

Tomoko smiled thinly at him. "Not really, Takuya. This is bringing up a lot of unhappy memories." She looked down at herself, bereft of the finery Takuya was used to seeing her in. "Father would pitch a fit at me wearing something like this. Would say that I was acting below my station."

"Rubbish," said Kouji, not taking his gaze off his careful tracking of the nearby trees. "Wearing clothes that are more practical, without a hundred petticoats, or complicated fastenings that can catch is nothing to be ashamed of."

Tomoko looked down at her deep purple skirts and red sash, all made out of hardy material. "We'll certainly stand out even then. From what I remember most of the elves wore britches."

Takuya smiled warmly. "You'll be fine."

"Wait!" Kouji reached out, snagging the bridle of Tomoko's mare and bringing the creature to a halt. He shifted the staff he carried to rest across the pommel of his saddle, and moved his hands away from it. Up ahead Takuya could see Kouichi similarly bringing Elbert to a halt. Takuya started looking around for signs of elves around, but could see nothing that could have caused the twins' reaction. He shivered as he heard the sounds of bows being readied and swords drawn from amongst the King's Men. He knew instinctively that it was a wrong and dangerous move, and sat up straighter in the saddle.

"Hold still!" Takuya called out to the guards. "Trust those who have better eyes and ears!" He moved Chess in a slow circle, looking around. "Put your bows down. We're in their country, they have the advantage no matter what. They agreed to welcome us in peace." To Takuya's amazement, the men obeyed his orders with barely a murmur. He turned to look at Kouichi. "You want to formally announce us? You are the first-born."

Kouichi nodded, and cleared his throat. "I come as I was called. I am Kouichi Minamoto, first-son of Honoured-Kousei Minamoto, healer of El Metriscule. I bring those who I was instructed to bring. Honoured-Elbert, ruler of the Earth-folk of these lands, and Tomoko Kimura, the woman who was chosen by Honoured-Kousei as his mate." He paused and seemed to listen to nothing Takuya could hear, but it seemed to cause Kouji to wince from his place by Tomoko.

Kouichi turned to Elbert. "They say they asked for only three humans to return. They say this seems more like an invasion army to them." He looked unhappy. "They say that we have to go on alone from here. The King's Men can't follow."

Elbert nodded, and considered his position. "Will they allow one more to pass? I want to bring one man to serve as scribe and messenger to those that remain here."

The man identified as the unit captain by the gold trim to his uniform looked dismayed. "But your majesty! You can't go into an enemy village alone! You must let us come with you!"

Elbert shook his head. "I won't be alone. Mage Kanbara will protect me, as will the two Kimura lords." He raised a hand to stall the man's further protests. "I trust them as I trust you. With my life. They won't betray me." He turned to Kouichi, who had been talking to the air. "Do they agree, Lord Kimura?"

Kouichi nodded. "One other. Unarmed, apart from a knife." He dismounted slowly. "We need to go on foot, your highness. The people of the trees don't use horses, and would have no idea how to keep them." He pulled his quiver from the horn of his saddle and placed it across his back. "I don't know if I'll be allowed to keep this. We were judged as friends before, but whether we still are is a different matter."

Takuya sighed. "We will be. I'll make sure of that." He dismounted, and handed his reigns over to one of the Kings Men. "We should get walking. They'll have stopped us well outside their village." He looked over to Kouji and Tomoko. "We should all stick close and expect them to come and stop us in person just outside El Metriscule."

Kouji nodded, and moved towards his brother. "Let Kouichi lead. I'll stay at the back to protect. You and the guard walk with our mother and the King."

Takuya nodded, and moved to Tomoko's side, one hand on the hilt of his sword. "We best move forwards then."

---

Takuya wasn't surprised that he didn't hear the sentry coming to stop the party. To him one moment they were walking cautiously through the woods, and the next two elves stood with their bows ready and aimed at Kouichi. Takuya stamped down on the automatic reaction to reach for his sword. Any such move would have been spotted by the elves much sharper eyes, and retaliation would most likely be swift and lethal.

Kouichi stepped slightly forward, keeping his arms out from his side. "I have returned as asked with the humans I was to find."

One of the elves looked in Tomoko's direction and snorted. "You flowers sure did take after the dirt folk. You look more like her than us. She should have taken you with her." He turned a critical eye over them. "I see only friends to us carry weapons. You can pass."

Kouichi nodded. "We will wait at our house until the council summons us." He started forwards, expecting to see the elves move to let them pass. The quieter one did, and Takuya suspected that it was Kojiro who had greeted them before, although he was not certain.

The other elf stayed in their path. "You should find somewhere where your dirt folk stench won't disrupt the rest of us. You half-breeds aren't welcome here."

Kouichi straightened. "We are not welcome with only some of our people, Haarald. Step aside." Takuya could see Kouji tense out of the corner of his eye. Thankfully both Elbert and Tomoko seemed to know that it was unwise to draw attention to themselves by speaking, and the accompanying messenger seemed to follow their lead.

Haarald moved to the side. "You are not welcome here. You'd best take care that someone doesn't choke on your smell. I only let the earth folk pass because the High Council wills it." He watched them as Kouichi led them forwards. "Enjoy your remaining days, flowers," he taunted."I'm sure they'll pass quickly. Then we'll be free of your stench. And you can be with your father again."

Takuya moved for Kouji, even though he knew it would be too late. He was sure he had heard Kouji's teeth grinding during Haaralds taunting, and he also knew that including the father that Kouji respected so much in it would push Kouji over the edge of his temper.

Kouji darted forwards, snarling, forgetting about his staff to reach out for Haarald's neck with fingers bent into claws. Haarald side stepped around him and took Kouji's wrists in his hands, swinging him around and bending Kouji's arms painfully behind his back. Takuya watched Kouji struggle against Haarald's grip, realising that while Kouji had greater strength than a human of similar age, he was struggling against a fully grown, full blooded elf.

"Let him go!" demanded Kouichi, trying to sound assertive. "You're hurting him!"

Haarald looked pleased with himself. "You know the law for attacks on tree folk made by the earth folk. Brutal retaliation." He moved his grip slightly, causing Kouji to cry out in pain. "The law agrees to this. You lost your protected status when you were declared outcast."

"Enough, Haarald," said the other elf guard. "You've proved your dislike of the flowers once more. It is the High Council's decision now, not yours that matters. Let the child go."

Haarald shrugged, then shoved Kouji forwards, back towards the group. A loud crack sounded from Kouji's shoulder as he stumbled forwards, making both Tomoko and Kouichi wince. "Get out of my air, pretty flowers."

Kouichi moved and wrapped an arm around Kouji, being careful not to knock his shoulder. "We pass in peace." He nodded to Elbert and Tomoko. "Come on. He'll let us pass now he's had his entertainment." Together the twins started walking towards the village.

Tomoko hurried to Kouji's side. "How is it that you just let him do that? Why did you give him what he wanted?"

"He insulted my family," replied Kouji, grimacing in pain. "This isn't the first time he's done something like this. His father is on the council, and he is to inherit the position when he's older."

"He took it as a mission from the lords and ladies to drive us from the village," added Kouichi.

Takuya remembered a snatch of a conversation that they'd had in the castle courtyard. "So, that was the guy who beat you up as kids? What a jerk. Why didn't you ever do anything about it? Couldn't your father have done something?"

Kouichi shook his head. "Haarald is an adult. Adults may discipline the young however they see fit, unless the parent disagrees. Honoured-father couldn't interfere because we were given so many other allowances for who we are. To interfere in 'proper' discipline would've set us that much further apart." He shrugged. "Besides, there is a vocal anti-human group within our culture. His father is at the centre of it."

Elbert shook his head. "I only hope that this Haarald is not representative of all your people. If he is, how will we achieve peace?" He looked around interested at the huts as they started to move through the village proper. "You seem to live like those on our western boarder. Maybe this peace should have been started a long time ago."

"Perhaps," replied Kouichi, leading them to his hut. He sat Kouji down, then motioned around the hut. "Please make yourselves comfortable. I'll go for a healer for Kouji." He left, and Takuya moved over to put a hand on Kouji's uninjured shoulder.

"You're an idiot."

Tomoko shook his head. "He's a Kimura, through and through. My family used to have arguments that made the servants hide in fear." She moved to kneel in front of him. "I'm sorry, Kouji. I know that you only got hurt defending Kousei and I." She smiled at him. "I'm very grateful, but when I can't understand what they're saying about me, there's no point in defending my honour."

Kouji sighed. "If you don't understand, then who else will defend you? This is usual between us." He looked up as Harra entered the hut, scowling.

"Kouji Minamoto, you should know better, for all you're still a babe." She moved over, shooing Takuya away. "Letting Haarald pick a fight with you when he's willing to hurt you is just sheer foolishness."

Tomoko stood slowly, watching. "Harra?"

Kouichi came hurrying in, clutching a drawstring bag. "I'm sorry, Harra. Annika tried to talk to me, and wouldn't listen when I said that you needed this urgently." He stopped, and looked at his mother. "Uh…"

Harra smiled. "It's been a long time, Tomoko." She patted Kouichi's shoulder. "They've both been good sons."

Tomoko nodded slowly. "I am glad to see you. Thank you for Kouichi and Kouji." Her elvish was halting and to Takuya's ears somewhat slurred, but the meaning was clear enough.

"Always causing trouble, this one." Harra patted Kouji's shoulder lightly, before pulling him up. "This will hurt, little flower."

Kouji shrugged with his good shoulder. "Never had a meeting with Haarald that didn't, Harra." He lent with his good arm on the table as Harra took a hold of his arm and shoulder. Takuya felt his hair stand on end, and could almost smell pine, which were in the forests of his home at Greenfields, but none of the trees here were evergreens. He could understand that this was the feel of Harra's healing magic working on Kouji's shoulder. He watched her grip Kouji's arm and twist hard, resulting in a clicking noise, and a short gasp from Kouji.

Tomoko looked worried. "Kouji? Are you okay? Does it still hurt?"

Kouji rolled his eyes. "It's better, mother. Just won't be able to draw my bow for a few days." He stood up and rubbed his shoulder. "I hope we have better luck with the council."

Takuya scowled. "You will. I don't think Haarald should be allowed to get away with it."

"We can't do much, Takuya," replied Kouichi. "He's an adult and we're not. Without a parent to intercede, we're stuck."

"You're eleven!" protested Takuya. "How old do you have to be to be allowed to escape his grasp?"

Kouichi shook his head. "Thirty five, Takuya. The people of the trees accept that childhood ends at twenty one, and that they are adults at thirty five. They age much slower than humans do."

Takuya made a face. "Eh?"

Tomoko sighed. "Takuya, to me, Harra hasn't aged at all, although it's been ten years since I last saw her. She's probably four hundred and fifty, five hundred years old. I never asked, but Kousei said she was a similar age." She smoothed her skirts nervously. "And that she was his first wife."

Kouichi shook his head. "So? He loved you enough to go against all our traditions. As far as I know, his and Harra's bond was dissolved long before you came into his life." He smiled at Harra. "I'm sorry, Harra. You must think us terribly rude, rattling away in the Earth folk's tongue."

"That's only to be expected, Kouichi. I shall be waiting for your return from the council with open arms." She looked at Tomoko. "I want peace. Help Kouichi, Kouji, Takuya."

Tomoko smiled back. "Don't worry, I will. I care about them a lot."

Elbert stepped forwards and bowed to her. "Don't worry. We will have peace. With people like you outnumbering Haarald, peace will surely come."

"Only if the council are full of people like Harra rather than Haarald," added Kouichi in an undertone. "I know nothing of any Elders, other than that of our own. While he is for peace, I have no knowledge if other villages feel the same." He paused. "I think someone is coming to fetch us to the council. Someone is intent on us."

Kouichi's statement caused a muddle of activity, as everyone except Harra checked their appearance. A faintly worried looking elf entered the hut.

"The High Council request the presence of Honoured-Elbert, ruler of the Earth Folk, Tomoko Kimura, mate of Honoured-Kousei Minamoto, the twins Kouichi Minamoto and Kouji Minamoto, and that of the fire-user Takuya Kanbara."

"As summoned, we come," replied Kouichi, turning and offering his arm to his mother. "It's time to face them."

The guard held up a delaying hand. "The Council commands that you remove your weapons and leave them here. No point or blade must enter the council."

Takuya cast a worried look at Kouichi. "Are they likely to steal anything they leave here?"

Kouichi shook his head. "Unless we're declared enemies, no, nothing will be disturbed that we leave here." He looked at Takuya carefully. "I know that your sword is valuable, but do you really think someone could take it without your permission?"

"I guess not." Takuya carefully unbuckled his scabbard and laid the sword down on the table, wincing as his magic objected to it being removed. Hush. You're strong enough without this. He turned back to them, letting Kouji and Kouichi similarly disarm themselves. He gave what he hoped was a winning smile. "Okay. Let's go show the elves that we're worth talking to."