Racing the Fire

[hisdivineshadow]

A steady wind swept over the dunes, kicking a fine dusting of sand up into the air. Racing along on horseback, Elias decided he wouldn't have minded so much, if the wind wasn't blowing that sand right in his face. It was all he could do to see where he was going; there was no chance to check on Ann's progress, but last he looked, he'd still been in the lead of their impromptu race.

As he crested a dune and saw Clan Char's tents come into view ahead, Elias opened his mouth to call out a friendly taunt -- only to choke on a mouthful of sand as the wind suddenly gusted. Coughing, he doubled over in his saddle, and without his urging the horse began to slacken its pace, allowing Ann to take the lead.

[Northen Light36]

"Come on Dancer, we can do it," Ann whispered to her mare, Sundancer, as she kicked the horse to greater speeds. Slightly behind the horses and their riders, Ember barks happily as the dingo runs as fast as she can.

"Too slow Elias," Ann calls as she crosses the boundry into Char's territory. "Come on, keep up."

[hisdivineshadow]

As he choked out the last of the sand, Elias made a dismissive wave with one hand. "Not my fault," he insisted, his voice slightly raspy from the coughing. "Okay, maybe it was kind of dumb to swallow that sand." He managed a laugh. "But I was expecting it to taste better than it did."

His horse slowly plodded up behind hers, and he brought it to a stop, looking around to get his bearings. "I wonder if they'll invite us inside," he commented offhandedly.

[Northen Light36]

"It's a big clan, we probably haven't even been noticed yet," Ann replies. "Come on, let's see if we had find Charminei or Alexi." She very deliberately doesn't mention Charanth, not at all sure if he's still angry at her or not. Dismounting, Ann leads her horse, pet and companion into the clan.

[hisdivineshadow]

"Well, sure. I just want to get out of the wind," he answered lightly, dismounting and taking the reins in his hand to follow behind her. "But last time I stepped into someone's tent uninvited . . ." He laughed. "Well, let's just say it didn't end up so well."

[Deleted]

"See, Charii? This is the right size for you," Alexi was saying, taking a small bow expertly crafted by one of the clan's bowmakers, and held it out to his daughter.

"But Daddy, I wanna big bow like yours," the little heir said stubbornly, hands on her hips.

"Sweetie, what happened the last time you tried to pick up my bow?" the Elder asked, hiding a smile behind his hand.

Charii's posture faltered. "It...." She lowered her head, digging a booted toe into the sand. "It landed on me and I fell over," she admitted in a small voice. She never could lie to her daddy.

Alexi moved his hand and carefully placed it on his daughter's head, ruffling her hair. "Not even Uncle Mal can handle my bow, princess," he said. "A crossbow, sure, but not mine. I had to start small myself."

The little girl's eyes widened, and she gaped at her father. "No way."

"I'm not kidding." Alexi motioned to his face. "Are these eyes that- er.... Is this an eye that lies?"

Charii shook her head.

"Good answer." Her father held out the bow again. "Nothin' wrong with starting small, princess."

This time, Charii took the little weapon and hugged it to her chest.

Pleased, Alexi straightened, then turned his head when he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. "I'll be Forces-damned," he muttered, and added "Cover your ears, princess."

Curious, Charii did, just in time for her father to put his fingers between his lips and whistle. "FWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET! FWEEEEET!"

Activity stilled and several people looked at Alexi in confusion. He just waved a hand in Ann's direction and yelled "Show a little respect for the Honored Leader! And someone get Charminei!"

Yells of greeting rose in answer.

[Northen Light36]

Ann's cheeks flamed at all the attention, but she manages a smile and a wave of greeting for people before leading Elias over to Alexi and lightly smacking the Elder over the head. "Forces damn it, Alexi," she groans. "I was hoping for a nice, quiet visit." Despite the compliant, Ann's still smiling cheerfully. "Hello Charii, remember me?" she adds to the little girl.

[hisdivineshadow]

Elias chuckled and ran a hand through his hair, brushing some of the sand out. With a touch of sarcasm in his tone he commented, "You don't ask much, do you, Ann?"

It felt a little strange to him, being near the center of attention like this but not really being noticed. Usually when he found himself in the middle of this sort of attention, people were either enthusiastically watching some trick of his, or getting ready to run him out of town with equal enthusiasm.

[Deleted]

"I think so," Charii said solemnly, looking up at her Leader.

Alexi accepted the head slap, but countered by reaching for Ann's head, only to have his fingers graze her temple. Correcting the motion, he succeeded in ruffling the girl's hair. "Good to see you too," he said, partly sarcastic and partly truthful. "How ya been?" He nodded in Elias' direction. "And who's your friend?"

[Kender Bard]

Charminei and Charanth arrived together, the woman's arm slung over her brother's shoulder and his around her waist, the two grinning widely. Their little tiff had passed a while ago and they were making up on sibling time lost.

"Well, well, look who it is!" Charminei laughed, pulling away from Charanth as she walked over, hands on her hips. "And don't you look lovely today? I hope your trip went well. Please, come, let's get you some refreshments."

Charanth did not approach but he did bow low in respect to Ann. "Welcome to our Clan... Honored Leader."

Whether he liked it or not, the fact was truth, and he felt Ann deserved all the respect he could give.

[Northen Light36]

"Thank you for the welcome, Elder Charanth," Ann replies, then smiles at Alexi and Charminei, their warm greeting easing the sting she feels from no longer feeling comfortable being anything but formally polite to Charanth. "It was fine, Charminei, but a drink would be lovely, just as soon as we've taken care of the horses. And I've been fine, Alexi."

Ann grins at Elias as she adds, "And allow me to introduce my friend Elias. Elias, this is Elders Alexian, Charminei and Charanth." A sudden thought crosses her mind and Ann adds, "By the way, you haven't happened to see Gemma here have you?"

[Deleted]

"If she was around, it was while I was gone." Alexi offered his hand to Elias. "Nice to meetcha. Call me Alexi."

[hisdivineshadow]

"Um, hey there," Elias answered, shaking the proffered hand. He glanced a bit nervously at the other two elders, and wondered how much they remembered of his prior visits to the clan. He'd made a point of putting out their hut first when his juggling act got out of control, but . . . after so much time, they might not recall that little fact.

[Kender Bard]

It would appear the two didn't remember Elias. After all, Charminei wasn't even a part of the clan at the time.

"I haven't seen Gemma," Charminei piped in.
"Nor I," Charanth added, then left to go prepare the guest quarters.

"So, Elias, I trust you're taking good care of the Leader?" Charminei asked, her voice laced with a mischievous tone.

[hisdivineshadow]

Elias caught Charminei's tone and smirked. "I'd say yes, but it's not like she actually needs my protection. Ann can take care of herself, I'm just along for the ride."