Jaek

They followed the young man pulling on Talon's hand. The smile on his face was wide and it was obvious that he rather liked Talon.

Jaekel wondered how familiar Talon was with this village. He glanced at the wooden buildings and tried to figure out if it said anything about the occupants.

The buildings were actually rather well built. Most of them were log houses where the wood had been snuggly fitted together. Others looked like more temporary housing and had been hastily tied together.

There was one dwelling place that was different and it was in the middle of the village. It was not even a building really. A large white tent that had tables set out outside of it.

Jaekel also noticed that there were several people moving around in the village going about their business. At the tables in front of the white tent children sat with a woman.

As they actually entered the village, the man tugging on Talon hollered out, "Mem! Guess who's here?"

The woman sitting with the children looked up and then lept to her feet and ran over.

She was much a streak as she whirled into Talon and hugged him her bare feet kicking into the air, as she squealed in joy.

Jaekel suddenly felt very awkward not quite knowing how to respond and what exactly was going on. It did appear as if Talon really knew these people. Very closely. Maybe he was from here?

Anyway, now that she wasn't moving he could get a good look at her. Actually there was something about her that looked quite familiar. This woman looked exactly like Xeltia had in his vision. She also looked like that woman and the girl who had also had that long golden-red hair. Wait, she might actually be that little girl… the names seemed to match.

And she was the most beautiful woman he had ever actually laid eyes on. As much as he hated to admit it.

After the hug had gone on for a few minutes, Niliah coughed, "Um…"

The woman jumped down and smiled at them, "Just a minute." Then she turned her gaze back on Talon and looked him up and down, "So where are you hurt?"

"Pardon?" He blinked.

"You only show up here when you need some healing."

"…" He blinked again, "…Sorry… I've been… busy?"

Jaekel finally stepped forward and gave a half bow to the woman, wanting to show goodwill, "Talon thought we could get supplies here. Would you be able to spare any? I am sure we could compensate."

"Talon? Who's…Oh. Is that what your going by now?" She glanced pointedly at the man, "Would it kill you to at least use your middle name?"

"Princess is using a shortened form of my middle name." He said it deadpan.

"Why Talon? Oh nevermind. It was probably a whim made by a less sane mind than what you got now." She t'ched and gestured for them to come with her.

As they followed her, Jaekel full into step beside of Rune and looked at her entranced face. She was being rather silent but she was drinking in everything with wide eyes that were filled with curiosity.

"You are staying the night right? Can you tell stories for them? Of the old kingdom?" Mem shot forth these questions and received a nod to each one from Talon.

"Alright. School's done for the day. You can tell your parents that the wanderer has returned."

The kids gave them curious looks as they left. And Mem gestured for them to sit.

"You seem to have accepted our presence pretty easily," Jaekel smiled at the woman in an easy manner. "Is it because you know Talon?"

"We aren't Nix'Rylians who live here. Well, we are in some ways but we decided not to live like the other natives of the land. We refuse to live in fear that someone is going to stab us. So, the village was born as I gathered people who wanted security and friendship and family." She paused and smiled, "I suppose you could say that we are the signs of civility creeping into these lands again."

"It never fully left." Talon murmured. "There have always been a few."

"But not enough."

"True that."

"So, you accepted it because you just accept people until proven otherwise?" Jaekel was pleasantly surprised. No wonder Talon had thought this a good place to get supplies. The leader here, he was pretty sure she was the leader, was really nice.

"Yes. Though I already know that you all won't prove me wrong." A beautiful confident smile had come to her lips.

"How can you be sure? You don't know us."

"I know who you are. You're the prince of Carendlus. The red-haired is your Court Sorcerer's daughter. And the elven maiden here is…" She paused and then smiled, "A halfdragon with a heart of gold."

Jaekel was not sure how she had known his and Rune's identities. He hadn't even fully explained to their companions who they were. Just enough to say what they were doing here. Niliah seemed taken aback and looked at them both with round eyes.

Talon didn't seem too surprised though. Actually he had no reaction.

Mem stood up and stretched, "Well, feel free to walk around our village and mingle. I will make sure you all have supplies by tomorrow morning, and you see those temporary houses over there? The two on the left are currently empty so feel free to use them. Now," She turned and smiled at Talon, "Walk with me? We have a lot to catch up on."

As they wandered off, Niliah also stood up with a frown and said quietly, "I am going to go rest a bit. Have fun you two."

That left Jaekel alone with Rune. Which he was rather good with, he had been missing it just being the two of them. Hopefully she didn't want to go take a nap and would be willing to walk around with him. He gave her a hopeful smile and waited to see what she said.

"Guess its just you and me huh?" She took his hand and pulled him along, "Come on. I want to study these people!"

He laughed. She was always like this. And he never wanted her to change.