Flight From Sorrow's End Part 1

"Elves!" Zhantee whispered excitedly. "Elves just like us!"

Though Rayek felt his heart pound in excitement at his friend's words, he couldn't stop the suspicion that followed close after. Not even two weeks had fully passed since his people were driven from their oasis home by a tribe of invading humans. They'd thought they'd found shelter with the trolls - but instead the back-stabbing tunnel dwellers had trapped them here. In a harsh land of unknown and untold dangers his gentle people were ill-prepared to deal with. "They have warm furs, atleast. And fresh meat!"

"Elves...just like us..."

"No, not like us, Zhantee!" Rayek hissed at his friend. "Look how pale their skin is. And those mangy beasts surrounding them. And they live in trees! It's barbaric."

"You don't think they'd give us food and shelter if we asked?" Zhantee's face fell.

"We aren't going to ask. I swallowed my pride for the trolls; asked for aid. And look where it got us. From now on the Sunfolk don't ask for anything. We take what we want. We have those No-humps we stole from the humans. Now we'll use them!"

"Redlance - you shouldn't be out here in the cold." Nightfall sighed, going over to where Redlance was coaxing life out of a few plants stubbornly growing along the river despite the cold setting in. His plant-shaping powers had emerged in time to save the woods from the humans' fire only ta few turns of the season ago. But her chosen lifemate had never fully recovered from either the abuse of the humans or the tolling use of his powers.

"I can't stay inside the Holt all the time. I'm perfectly safe here."

"Safe and freezing! Brrr!" Nightfall wrapped her arms around him. "Come. Let's go get you warmed up!"

*What did you have in mind?* Redlance teased her gently. The sound of hoofbeats interrupted them. "Huh?"

"What's that?" Nightfall looked up. "Humans this close to the Holt?"

Moonshade, tanning near the edge of the glen surrounding the Holt, stood - sniffing the wind. "I don't smell humans - " She let out a gasp as she was forced to leap aside from a No-Hump and its elven rider.

*Treestump! Clearbrook! One-Eye! Come Quickly!* Nightfall sent to her tribemates, jumping up and pulling her bow off her back. Redlance wavered as he stood - picking up his spear.

"We need these more than you, Paleskin!" Dodia yanked the fresh furs onto her horse.

Rainsong let out a scream as her basket of white-cold berries were speared out of her hand from where she'd just emerged from the holt.

"Alot more! Forgive me!" Zhantee took the basket, his No-Hump barely dodging an attack by one of the wolves.

One-Eye and Clearbrook emerged from the Holt, swords at the ready, but one rider purposefully skidded their mount to a stop - throwing dust and snow into their faces. "Ha! These pale ones aren't as tough as they look!"

"We'll see about that!" Nightfall sent an arrow at the rider.

With a snarl, Rayek held out his hand - stopping the arrow a hair's breath from his tribemate. "Don't get careless, Shushen!" He warned. Turning he rode toward the archer - clearly the greatest threat.

"Stop!" Redlance pushed himself in front of Nightfall. "Who are you? Why are you doing this?" He was shaking from the sudden exertion.

"Weaklings shouldn't take up weapons!" Rayek's dagger cut through the spear and he booted the treeshaper aside.

"Redlance! You!" Nightfall whirled on the stranger, her eyes narrowing. But then they widened.

Gold eyes met amber - and Rayek found that there was a hunger that could eclipse any he had ever known!

'No! High Ones, no!' Nightfall stumbled back, but without thinking, Rayek reached down to grab her wrist and yank her onto the No-Hump with him.

"Nightfall...!" Redlance called weakly, struggling to push himself up.

"Sunfolk, scatter!" Rayek ordered and they retreated swiftly to the surrounding woods.

"Um...and the meat?" Zhantee asked Rayek.

"Meat?" Rayek repeated, as if confused, then glanced down at the elf woman struggling against his hold. "There wasn't time."

"And her?"

"I'll explain later!"

Zhantee winced a little at his sharp reply, but kept riding. 'You'll be explaining it to Leetah - not to me!' He thought.

Cutter and the rest of the wolfriders rushed into the glen, abandoning their fresh kill in the light snow when they saw their tribemates.
"What has happened?" Their chief demanded, taking in the hoofprints. "Humans??"

"Elves! Madder than Two-spear!" Moonshade spat. "Riding human's animals!"

"They simply rode in and attacked us, my chief. There was no warning." Rainsong added from where she was helping Redlance to his feet.

"Redlance!" Cutter hurried to his injured tribemate's side.

*Cutter, they took Nightfall! You have to get her back!" Redlance sent desperately - his voice failing him.

Cutter let out a growl. "Don't worry, my friend - we will!"

To Be Continued...

Started writing this on the Scroll of Colors Forum awhile back. Figured I should post it here. I seem to be a little stuck on it where I currently am and maybe posting it here will be inspiring. LOL