Chapter Two
Reunions

Midday heat swelled and sweltered, intense, almost tangible, amongst the sands lining the mouth of the tunnel. Here, it grew fiercer still, thriving amongst the perpetual mass which gathered; traders, travellers, and those who had come to seek futile shelter from the harshness of the deserts beyond. The heat was rivalled only by the bustling noise of such a crowd. This was common ground; filled with multitudes of races and religions, inevitably and invariably casting aside their barriers in the interests of money and rare goods.

Amidst this crowd a small woodelf form could be seen leaning against the wall. Female. Her face painted by the dim flicker of the torch above her, illuminating her. She listened to the calls of the nearby traders, running a hand through her short, golden hair. Her face held the somewhat irked look of one who had been out travelling and hunting for some time, and sought refuge in the safe haven of the Commonlands. She should have remembered however, that the Commonlands, although safe, were in no way a refuge for those needing a much deserved rest.
A universal, Norrathian truth.
Another truth was the matter of wood elven females in this part of Antonica. She should also have remembered this as she drew the unwanted attention of a nearby half elven male. She caught his eye momentarily, and instantly regretted doing so.
"Ahh m'lday, lonely are you?" he grinned at her. "Well, Devn will put an end to that, m'lady!"
She raised an eyebrow at him, but said nothing, directing her glance pointedly away.
"Aww, no need to play 'ard to get m'lady!" Devn chuckled, drawing a step closer. He looked entirely human, if not for his ears and height; his face was scarred from battle, although partly hidden by his long red hair. A cocksure smile complemented his manner perfectly. He glanced at her clothing. "Druid, are you?"
Her irked expression changed slowly to a malevolent smile.
"Aye." She spoke softly, as Devn leant against the wall, folding his arms. His grin grew wider.
"Thought so," he said. "Well, m'lady, how about you grant me the Spirit of the Wolf and I can rush you to a nice little inn somewhere?"
Looking amused, she shifted her weight against the wall, mirroring him.
"Very well," she smiled.
Looking somewhat surprised at his apparent success, the half elf laughed out loud rejoicing, then gestured for her to begin casting. The female followed suit, raising her hands into the air to begin her spell...

A vicious red glow began to flow from her palms as she smiled menacingly at him.

Taken aback at this he uncrossed his arms and cried out.
"What are you doing?! That is not-"
A rapid swish cut through the air like a knife, and the echo of metal penetrating rock resonated around the area, drawing the silent attention of the crowds momentarily, until the usual commotion of the tunnels resumed.
Breathless, the female recovered from her interrupted spell to focus on what had just passed. Just inches in front of her face, buried in the wall was an arrow, it's metal shaft gleaming.

Footsteps sounded softly on the ground behind her. Then, a voice, unwelcome, and all too familiar.

"Leave him, Dark Elf."
She turned to see the human towering over her, his black armour illuminated in the glow of the torch.

Mantic.

"You!" She snarled. The ranger only grinned back.
"Hail, Xaeria," he said, the air of amusement still in his voice. Devn the half elf looked bewildered.
"Dark Elf!" He cried, his hand grabbing the hilt of his sword, drawing it swiftly out of its sheath. "Enchantress! How dare you attempt to kill me!"
He swung his blade at her violently. She shrieked, jumping back, knowing she was helpless in combat. A sharp pain ran through her arm, and she realised she was bleeding. Devn lifted his sword again, and began striking it down in haste. With even greater alacrity, the clash of metal sounded, and he found himself countered by the ranger.
"Leave her be," he said gravely. Scowling, Devn drew his sword back into its sheath and disappeared into the crowds. Mantic watched him leave, then turned back to face Xaeria. She lay once again in pain on a heap on the ground, suffering the indignity of again being rescued by a Human. This human. Mantic.
"Ranger," she said, her voice somewhat meek from weariness.
"The name, if you remember, is Mantic," he said, bending down to where she lay.
"I know who you are," she murmured, clutching the gash on her arm as it began to throb in pain. Her illusion faded, and her long, ebony hair lay strewn over the sandy ground. Mantic gazed at her momentarily, then lifted her up.
"Come," he said, "You are in bad condition." He placed a hand to the wound, as a blue glow emanated from his palm, healing her wound, alleviating the pain. He continued until it began to fade into a scar. Looking somewhat drained, he stopped to sit on the ground in order to rest. He closed his eyes for a few moments. A sudden feeling of tranquillity washed over him, and he sighed, opening his eyes.
Xaeria was standing in front of him, her face solemn, instead of her usual dubious glare.
"Thank you, Mantic," she said earnestly. "Again, I owe you my life."
Mantic stood up, and slung his quiver over his shoulder. "Aye, more times than you know, Dark Elf."
Xaeria glanced at him, looking rather nonplussed, at which he grinned. He continued, "You need supplies, I understand, Xaeria?"
Glancing at her nearly diminished backpack, she nodded, "Aye ranger."
"I have need to venture into Freeport, and will help you with supplies if you accompany me?"
She considered for a while, then resolved to perhaps trust this ranger. His offer seemed genuine. "So I shall, human. So I shall."

***

The heat of midday had soon diminished into the subtle warmth of the afternoon in Freeport. Cloaking herself as a human female with hair of auburn, Xaeria passed freely into the City of Men. The Militia regarded her indifferently, but this was not so with her counterpart at whom they glared dubiously; a sentiment which Mantic was all too happy to return.
"Corruption," he whispered to Xaeria, "is the only order upon which the Militia is based."
Xaeria glanced at him with an air of superiority, "Corruption, ranger, is a perfectly valid order. As is hate."
Momentarily shocked, Mantic turned to face the human female walking beside him. He then let out a laugh and shook his head.
"Of course Dark Elf," he smiled. "Of course."
Xaeria began to reply to this clearly patronising remark, when Mantic grabbed her wrist and turned into the Freeport Inn.
"An inn?" she said suspiciously.
"Of course," he said. "You don't have inn's in your caves?"
Xaeria glared. "There are indeed inn's in Neriak," she said. "But why are we here?"
Mantic nodded to the innkeeper as he approached, and tossed him a bag of platinum pieces.
"I occasionally take up residence here when I am in the area," he explained as he led the way up the narrow staircase.
"Your... home?" asked Xaeria.
"Nay, a ranger's home is the forests, the land. This is merely a shelter."
Xaeria mouthed an "Oh", and glanced around, somewhat disgusted. She had never favoured human architecture, nor decor. Mantic unlocked a door at the end of the corridor, revealing a small, bare room, containing only a chest of drawers, a desk, and a bed. Walking over to the drawers, he pulled out a bag of bandages, which he tossed over to Xaeria. She caught it, nodding in thanks, and sat down on the small wooden chair. Mantic still stood at the drawers, seemingly searching for something.
Xaeria cleared her throat. "You've been... following me, haven't you." It was a statement rather than a question, at which Mantic did not react, only mumbling a response as he continued searching the drawers.
"I said not so."
"No, but I know you have. How else would you have been there at the tunnel?"
"Coincidence, Dark Elf?" His voice was grave, as if in deep concentration in his search.
"I do not believe you." She paused for a moment, looking thoughtful. She then stood up, and dropped her illusion. "Why do you save my life so, human? I am Teir'Dal. What is to stop me killing you now as you stand there with your back open to me, your guard down?"
Mantic turned his head to face her, and looked her in the eyes for a moment. He then his attentions back to his search.
"You will not kill me."
Xaeria glowered at him momentarily, recast her human illusion, then sat down. She, a princess of Teir'Dal could surely kill a human if she so wished; why did he have no fear of her? And why did she not want to?.
I have no need, she told herself, this ranger could prove useful in many other ways... alive. That thought had not crossed her mind before; Mantic had proven himself to be a most worthy adversary to whatever crossed his path. Surely this could be used to her advantage. With a ranger under her control she would be the most powerful enchantress ever... It was certainly in her power to charm him, their meeting had proven that to be so...
"Xaeria," Mantic's voice halted her thoughts. He was now standing to face her, the drawers behind him shut. She noticed his hand was clasped shut, as if holding something. "Xaeria, you believe in Fate? In...destiny?"
Xaeria did not answer immediately, but gazed at him pondering, then spoke slowly.
"I believe that one day Innoruuk will reign supreme over the Gods," she paused. "And I shall be his queen."
Surprisingly, Mantic's reaction was but a mere sigh, then silence for a few moments.
"Xaeria. You speak of Innoruuk. Of Hate, " he said softly. "Yet why do you not kill me? And why do I not kill you?"
Still, Xaeria only stared, a bemused look upon her face. Mantic walked over to the window, opening it, and gazed out over the bustle of Freeport. There he stood for a moment, letting the warmth of the zephyr caress his face, breathing it in.
"I must go to the West," he said finally. He turned to face her. "Xaeria, I invite you to come with me."
He peered at her intently. Xaeria's human facade still revealed her true Teir'Dal nature, her eyes still gleaming violet. Despite her human height, she looked small and frail as she sat across the room from him. He could tell she was considering his offer, although she looked slightly perplexed. For a few minutes more, the silence between them did not break, until she spoke:
"Very well, Ranger." Her voice had regained it's air of royal dignity. "I shall accompany you."
Mantic looked at her gravely, as he clenched his fist tighter around something. "So it is sealed. We shall travel tomorrow. The evening draws in soon, and you are weary."
Although irritated at this remark, she could not deny his perceptiveness. Questions filled her mind, although her need for rest overruled them.
"Come Xaeria," Mantic said, "We shall venture downstairs, you are in need of food."
Xaeria stood, and walked towards the door. She peered behind her at Mantic, who motioned for her to continue ahead. Opening it, she walked out of the door and back down the corridor towards the stairway. Behind her she heard the soft thud of the door closing, but Mantic did not appear out of the room. Xaeria shrugged, and continued downstairs, ensuring her illusion was intact.

Tomorrow, they were to go.

Authors Note: As usual please review! Chapter 3 coming soon :) Just a note that the protagonists of the story are actual characters on the Antonius Bayle server. If any minor characters are given names which belong to your character(s) and you're not happy with this please tell me and I will change it. Keep reading!

Authors Note 2: I have ironed out all the typos (which I have noticed!) in the first and second chapters! If you notice any more please say so! I will try to proofread before posting in future, lol :) And just to reiterate: please please please review!! :)