Chapter Two - Kaerishiel

Kallian couldn't remember when life had been as easy as it proved to be over the next fortnight. It was as though she'd unlocked a wellspring of good luck with her new abilities, or if the silver the elf had thrown to her was the first sign of some god's blessing. Rather then spend her days freezing on the docks in silks, she was able to dedicate her mornings to a little pickpocketing, her afternoons to gathering firewood and her evenings to her lessons with Morgana. She rose in the morning to a good, filling breakfast and went to bed feeling accomplished, warmed by a blazing fire and basking in the glow of having eaten an actual dinner.

She couldn't have said if it was simply easier now she'd broken that first barrier or if having a full belly helped with her focus, but her lessons had become almost easy. Step by step, she learned to call on the shadows to mask herself from sight, to see through the gloom of night and to move smoothly and quickly. As her skills as a Shadowdancer improved, so did her skills as a rogue and a general dancer. Even Morgana had reluctantly begun to offer compliments before, oddly enough, spacing out the lessons further and further apart. Kallian had questioned her on the delay once, but the sarcastic reply that Morgana had other things to do with her time then teach a spoilt little princess convinced her not to ask a second time. If Morgana was busy, she might decide to simply end the lessons all together if Kallian annoyed her.

The only bump in the otherwise smooth road life was taking was the oddest feeling of being watched. It wasn't consent and Kallian could never place the watcher, but at least once a day in the last three days she'd felt the hair on the back of her neck go up. It had been enough to make her shift her routine slightly and turn to picking pockets in the evening, despite the pickings being slimmer as the day drew to a close. She'd have been annoyed by it if she and her father hadn't had a reasonable nest egg stashed away by now. But the feeling kept coming and as she headed to her lastest lesson, Kallian found herself sneaking through the shadows rather then openly walking down the street and was relieved to knock on Morgana's door without that uncomfortable sense of eyes on her back.

Morgana's expression was oddly sober rather then irritated or impatient. "Kalli," she murmured, much to Kallian's surprise since she didn't think Morgana had even known Kallian had a nickname much less what it was. "Come in, child." She stepped aside and held the door open. "Sit down. I have some nice mint tea on the stove. We'll both have a cup, and a talk, before your lesson today."

"A talk?" Kallian swallowed hard. "What did I do?"

Morgana laughed. "Developed a guilty conscious, it seems. No, you've done nothing, child. But I simply think this may very well be our last lesson." She closed the door and lead the way over to the battered table. "You've been progressing very well with our lessons, Kalli. I assume you've been practicing, somehow?"

"It helps," Kallian murmured. "With hunting and... other things." She smiled. "I still have to be careful, since well, animals can still hear and smell me, but I'm good at moving quietly." Her smile faded a little as she added, "And... Our last lesson? Why?"

"Yes," Morgana murmured. "You are." She poured the tea and passed one of the old tin mugs to Kallian. "And yes, our last lesson. You've been making wonderful progress, far more quickly then I'd expected. Really, you've almost reached a point where you can reach the next stages of your ability on your own, with an occassional bit of advice from a fellow Shadowdancer." She gave Kallian a small, oddly sorrowful look. "I want to take you through summoning a Shadow spirit tonight, since that's best done with guidence the first time you try. Afterwards, your shadow can offer a good deal of advice as you go."

"Summoning a spirit." Kallian took a slow, deep breath. "You're sure I'm ready?"

"Honestly, Kalli, you were ready almost a week," Morgana replied. "But relax, we're not going to do so right this minute. Drink your tea, we'll talk and, when you're relaxed, we'll introduce you to your new friend. You have nothing to fear from your Shadow companion, child. Now, tell me something... What have you thought of doing with yourself? I don't see you spending your life in Rag's End and clearly you don't intend to spend your life as a bard like your father. You wouldn't be here, paying me what I ask, if that was the case. There are plenty of cheaper music and dance teachers if that was what you'd wanted. So, what do you want?"

Kallian sipped her tea as she thought. "Something to look after father," she murmured. "Something that takes me out of here... You're right, I don't want to spend my life in the End. But I don't know, maybe it's a fool's dream. I don't see there's any way I can get out of this place." She smiled ruefully at Morgana. "I'm supporting us now, thanks to what you've taught me. I mean, it's not going to get us out of here, but we're not going hungry any more. So that's good, right? Maybe I'm being too greedy. Maybe this is as good as it gets."

"Perhaps. Perhaps not," Morgana murmured. "Never hurts to dream, in any case. It encourages to keep striving for something more. So, on that note, if you could do anything you wanted, with no restrictions, what would it be?"

With another sip of tea, Kallian closed her eyes and thought about the question. "Well... I don't know. Something important, I guess. Something that helped people and something other people couldn't do. Like... when Mother was alive, she used to steal food and leave it for families who couldn't feed themselves. Particularly the families with children. No one but father and I knew she was the one who did it, but that didn't matter. She didn't need to be thanked or praised for what she did. It was enough to know she was helping people, to be protecting them." Kallian opened her eyes and laughed. "It's silly."

"What is?"

"Well, um, mother used to tell me stories when I was a little girl. You know, the ones about the Shin'Rakorath I told you about? The elven heroes who protected the world against evil?" Kallian smiled ruefully. "Well, when Mother came back from leaving that food... She used to look... accomplished. Proud, really... And taller. Like a hero, at least in my eyes. I used to imagine that she was a Shin'Rakorath. That the hunger of people was a force of evil and she was protecting us all from. I used to want to be like her. Like the Shin'Rakorath. They were my name for heroes, but she was my image of them."

Morgana was silent for a long moment, staring down into her tea. "It's not such a foolish dream," she murmured. "It's a lovely one, in fact."

"You look sad," Kallian murmured.

"Merely thinking that I'll miss my pupil," Morgana replied, with a strained smile. "Drink your tea, Kallian. We'll see about finding your companion when you're done."

Kallian shivered and took her time finishing off her mug. This was the part of her training that she couldn't quite get comfortable with. Morgana had said that the spirits liked to help, but surely no one could feel entirely happy about being disturbed from their rest? "Are you sure? I mean, you said they don't like to be summoned without good reason."

"A new Shadowdancer meeting her companion is a good reason, child." Morgana's tone sharpened with irritation. "The Shadows know that the first meeting must be guided. There'll be no penalty this time, except my taking the flat of a sword to your rear if you continue stalling. Swallow the last of that tea and hide yourself in the shadows. The first summoning is easier if you are already drawing on the shadow realm." Without another word, Morgana followed her own orders.

Not wanting to chance that Morgana meant her threat Kallian swallowed the dregs of her tea along with her doubts and stood up, cloaking herself in the shadows in the same movement.

"Very smooth," Morgana praised, the hint of sorrow creeping back into her tone. "You truly have come far since we began your training." She took a slow breath in and expelled it in a sigh. "Well... Let's find you your new best friend, shall we? Open your senses, Kallian, and follow my lead."

Focused on the shifting sense of power in the shadows covering her, Kallian knew exactly when 'Morgana made the call. It was an odd feeling, not quite hearing, not quite seeing or feeling, but some mix of all three. Kallian wasn't sure how, but the moment Morgana made the call, she knew how to mimic it and she did so. Something inside her felt an answering tug then two figures appeared in front of them.

Their features were blurry, washed out as though they too were cloaked in the shadows. But it was more then that. These two were part of the shadows, in a way Kallian and Morgana couldn't duplicate. The figures smiled, nodded in greeting to the two Shadowdancers, then one spoke. "So... you've finally taken an apprentice, Morgana? Some time ago, it seems, if you're letting her meet her own Companion." The figure tilted her, for Kallian was sure it was female, head and seemed to frown. "You should be proud of this accomplishment and yet, I sense... Come, we shall talk while your apprentice and her companion get acquainted."

Kallian watched as Morgana and the figure walked away, then turned nervously back to the remaining shadow. "Well... Uh... Hello."

The shadow smiled at her and gave a little bow. "Relax, Kallian. Or would you prefer Kalli? In either case, I am glad to meet you at last and it is a pleasure to be summoned. You have no reason to fear, for while I shall share in your strength if you summon me foolishly, this is not such a time."

"You... You know my name?" Kallian asked, grimacing at the stupidity of the question as soon as it left her mouth.

The shadow didn't laugh, but it did smile a little more in amusement. "As well as I know my own," he replied. "Which is Talathel, by the way. We are connected, you and I. I know you as well as you know yourself, if not better. And I will forever be here to guide and guard you, when the situation calls for it."

"I see..." Kallian started to relax. Despite Talathel's warning about taking her strength, she found it impossible to fear him. Feel a wary respect, certainly, but not fear. Not any more, in any case. He was right. There was a connection between them that couldn't be denied. It was too much like finding a part of herself that she hadn't known was missing. "Well, if we're going to be friends, you should call me Kalli. All my friends do."

"Then Kalli it is," Talathel laughed. "For I certainly hope we'll be friends." He looked at her, his gaze thoughtful. "I can feel your potential, you know. While seeing the future isn't within my abilities, though we should certainly discuss what is, I can tell you have the potential to be great. Not all Shadowdancers have it within them to walk all the way along the path you've begun, but you, I think, do. It shall be interesting to work with you, Kalli. It has been a long time since I saw one such as you."

"Uh... Thank you?"

Talathel laughed again. "You'll get more comfortable soon enough. Your mentor and her companion have gotten close over the years, but I believe she too was uncomfortable when they first met. Now, they will talk and she'll be soothed."

"She said this is my last lesson with her," Kallian murmured. "But I don't know why..."

"Perhaps it has to do with the one now approaching the door," Talathel murmured, turning to look at the door. "As much as I would like to speak more with you, I believe this visitor is important and you should not be distracted." He smiled. "Summon me in a moon cycle, Kalli, and tell me all about it. I believe we shall have much to discuss at that point and our conversation will be best held then." He gave a little bow, then added, "If you will dismiss me?"

Kallian did so, almost without knowing how she did so, as a knock sounded on the door. She jumped, turning towards it as Morgana stepped back out of the next room.

"I'll get that," she snapped at Kallian, her eyes hard now. "Put the kettle back on and start another pot of tea. Enough for three."

Kallian scrambled to obey as Morgana strode to yank open the door, then paused in shock as a white-haired elf stepped into the room. He wasn't wearing armour this time, but she still recognised him as the one who'd given her and Thomas the silver a fortnight earlier. "You!" she gasped. "You gave me the silver when I was dancing."

The elf nodded, giving Morgana a look that almost seemed smug in its satisfaction. "A fleeting glimpse and yet you remember," he remarked. "You've an eye for detail, it seems. Very good, Kallian."

"How do you know my name?" Kallian asked, frowning. A chill ran down her spine as she thought about Thomas' insistence that this elf had taken an unusual interest in her. Apparently, he was right.

"Kallian, the tea," Morgana snapped, then stepped over to put the kettle on herself. "Calistria knows, I'll need it and something stronger if you keep playing that mysterious stranger bullshit," she added in a sour aside to the elf.

The look the elf threw at her was no warmer then Morgana's tone, but it softened slightly as he turned to study Kallian and gestured for her to take one of the two seats at the table while he took the other. Apparently he didn't care if Morgana was left without a seat. There was a long silence while the two elves studied each other, then the man spoke. "My name is Kaerishiel Neirenar, and yes, I know your name, Kallian. In fact, I know a great deal about you, including the fact you may be exactly what I'm looking for." He glanced at Morgana and his lip curled slightly as he continued. "You see, Kallian, I command a small branch of a group of elven warriors called the Shin'Rakoraith." He paused at Kallian's gasp. "You've heard of us?"

"My mother used to tell me stories about the Shin'Rakorath," Kallian replied, her eyes wide. "And how they stood against a great force of evil and darkness. But... I thought it was just a story. A fairytale..."

Kaerishiel smiled slightly, the expression seeming to soften his entire face. "The Shin'Rakoraith are certainly no child's tale, Kallian, though it's rare anyone outside of the elven lands has ever heard of us. However, I digress from the answer to your question and the reason for my being here tonight. Some time ago, your... mentor, Morgana, got into some trouble in the forests around my home. In repayment for our aid, she agreed to contact the Shin'Rakoraith if she ever encountered someone who might be a worthy addition to our ranks." He looked Kallian over and finished, "That was more then some thirty years ago now and I'd thought she'd never contact me. Then, six months ago, she wrote to tell me about you and your potential to be a Shadowdancer. That's a rare and valuable talent among the Shin'Rakoraith so, when I found myself passing through this city, I felt compelled to make a slight detour and get a look at you for myself."

Kallian frowned thoughtfully. "So, that's why you were watching me that day on the docks... Have you been watching me at other times? Less openly, shall we say?"

"Noticed did you?" Kaerishiel's tone was approving. "Perceptive of you. Another skill that would be useful for a Shin'Rakoraith. Kallian, I have little time remaining before I must return to my home, but from what I've seen of you and heard from Morgana, you have more then enough talent and potential to join our ranks and, perhaps one day, rise to the top." He considered her again with that measuring stare. "Despite your youth."

"I turned one hundred last week," Kallian replied heatedly, then flushed at Kaerishiel's raised eyebrow. Nothing made you sound more childish then stressing how old you were. "I'm young sir, but I'm not a child. If you've been told so much about me, you've likely learned I haven't had a lot of time for childishness in the last few decades. No one in Rag's End does."

"So I've noticed," Kaerishiel muttered in distaste. "Then let me make this official. Kallian Tobias, I am offering you a position as a novice in the Shin'Rakoraith under my command. I believe you could be a valuable addition to my team and would be pleased if you would accept the offer."

Kallian sighed and sipped the tea Morgana put in front of her on her way out of the room. "Sir... I'd like to. I really would like nothing more... But... My father. I couldn't possibly go away and leave him here. He's tried to support us, but his joints ache and he can't really play any more. If I'm not here to pay the rent..."

"Shin'Rakoraith, even novices, earn far more per month then any street dancer," Kaerishiel said simply. "And of course, I would not expect you to fore sake your flesh and blood. Arrangements can be made for your father, I assure you. While I would not recommend he join us in my home of Crying Leaf, for many reasons, I have contacts in Kyonin and could see to it that room was found for him in the bardic guild. Or perhaps a small home could be acquired, though I would insist that a large portion of your monthly earnings was docked until the sum was repaid. I would not expect that to take more then seven years or so and you would still have money to spend, particularly as your food, lodgings and basic supplies would be provided for you."

Kallian's frown deepened. "Frankly sir, that offer sounds too good to be true. What's the catch?"

"You'll work hard for what you're given, Kallian, and the work of a Shin'Rakoraith is often hard, uncomfortable and highly dangerous," Kaerishiel said bluntly. "I believe you are worth this investment, so I am prepared to make the offer. In return, if you accept, I would expect you to remain with the Shin'Rakoraith until the debt was repaid."

Kallian traced patterns on the scuffed tabletop as she thought about Kaerishiel's offer. On one side, if she accepted it was clear that she'd basically be an indented servant of sorts until the debt was repaid, for she got the feeling that even if she turned out to be a terrible Shin'Rakoraith, Kaerishiel was the type to demand debts be paid. And if her mother's stories were true, and what Kaerishiel said seemed to confirm that at least the basics were accurate, being a Shin'Rakoraith would be dangerous work. And yet, on the other hand, hadn't she said to Morgana that this was what she'd dreamed of? To not only get herself and her father out of Rag's End, but to be something. To do something good and important, even if no one ever knew who to thank. To have a home, a proper home, for herself and her father, one that she'd earned and which wouldn't be taken from them if they were half a day late with the rent... And who knew? Maybe she could even make a friend or two who would actually stick with her through difficult times. It would be difficult to be separated from her father, but that was a small hardship in the face of all they'd gain... "I could visit my father, couldn't I?" she asked Kaerishiel.

"Of course, when you have leave time due to you," Kaerishiel replied. "And he could come to you, if he has the strength for the trip. Have you decided then?"

Kallian drew in a deep breath and nodded slowly. "Yes sir. I'll have to talk to my father, of course, but... I would like to accept your offer. I want to join the Shin'Rakorath."

Kaerishiel nodded and swallowed the last of his tea. "Good. Then let me tell you more about what you are getting into." He learned back, his gaze turning distant as his thoughts turned inwards. "The Shin'Rakoraith were formed centuries ago to guard against and contain a dark threat to the world. Which is why our name translates to "The Lantern Bearers" in the common tongue. You'll learn more about the exact nature of that threat when we reach Crying Leaf, for it is best not to speak of it among uninformed ears. For now it's enough for you to know that the threat is very real and very deadly. I won't lie to you, Kallian, many Shin'Rakoraith die an early death at the enemy's hands and I cannot promise that you won't be one of them. But I can assure you that should we falter in our duty, the result would be the deaths of many more and the suffering of everything that is good and worthy. We fight a dangerous foe, but one only we can."

Kallian shivered with the intensity of emotion behind Kaerishiel's words, but nodded firmly. "I understand sir. I won't say it isn't unsettling to think of dying, but..." She took a deep breath. "My mother died doing what she felt was important. If the threat is as great as you say, I would be turning my back on everything my mother ever taught me if I didn't do my part to stop it."

"Then you are as brave as your mother and I have no doubt that she is proud of her daughter," Kaerishiel replied, his tone strangely soft. "You'll do well in our ranks, Kallian."

"She will," Morgana agreed with a sigh as she stepped back into the room. "I have no doubt of it." She looked at Kallian and murmured, "I'd have liked to see you on a different path, child, but it seems you're destined to walk this one." She turned hard eyes on Kaerishiel and hissed, "Just you look out for my student, Kaerishiel."

Kaerishiel gave her an unimpressed stare, then rose from the table. "I've done what I came here to do, so I will not intrude on Morgana's hospitality any longer. Finish your tea, Kallian, and we'll speak to your father."

Kallian nodded and quickly gulped down down her tea, ignoring the sharp burn of the hot liquid as her mind buzzed with excitement. The Shin'Rakoraith were real. She was going to be one of them. It was almost too much to come to terms with. She couldn't take it all in. Feeling like she was dreaming, she rose from the table and followed Kaerishiel out into the dark street. There, instincts trained by sixty years on the streets of Rag's End kicked in and burned the dreamlike fog out of her mind.

Only a fool didn't keep alert in the End, particularly at night. She was too close to having a way out of here at last to end up dead in a pool of her own blood like her mother had. With a companion, she couldn't just vanish into the shadows as had become her habit - though Kaerishiel had probably learned where she lived from his spying. So she straightened her shoulders, let her head lift up proudly and walked with a quick but casual step that suggested a complete lack of fear. Her hand drifted to her dagger, but she left it concealed. No sense risking one of the brief, rare patrols of the higher city guards, who might take offence at an Ender with a weapon. There was no LAW against such a thing, of course, but that didn't mean she wouldn't find herself locked up for disturbing the peace or some such. Everyone knew Enders were always up to no good.

It crossed her mind that this was the last night she'd have to worry about such things. No more sneaking out to hunt, fearing being spotted with a bow. No more crude, make-shift weapons or risking her life to steal a half decent knife to call a dagger. She'd have money, and not have to justify where it came from if a guard at the market decided it was too much for an Ender to have. Her father was going to have an actual home, not that shack that threatened to fall down around their ears. Kallian almost chuckled as it crossed her mind that she didn't have to worry about the rent due next week. There'd be no one home for their landlord's spinecrackers to beat up by way of warning. Somehow she didn't feel remotely inclined to give advanced notice of their departure. The thought put a bit more of a spring into her step.

Kaerishiel was silent as they walked, though Kallian thought she saw a hint of approval in his gaze at her alertness. "I don't suppose you have much in the way of arms and armour, do you?"

"Only this, sir." Kallian looked around carefully before drawing her knife."And an old bow at home."

Kaerishiel's face twisted slightly into an expression Kallian couldn't read. "I'd have thought..." He trailed off and shook his head. "No matter, we'll just have to see you're properly equipped. Armour will have to wait until we reach Crying Leaf, but we'll see if we can't get you a decent dagger at least before we leave. Perhaps a bow too, if yours isn't suitable. How well do you shoot?"

"Reasonably, sir," Kallian replied. "I can keep us fed well enough in the warmer months, anyway."

"Good." Kaerishiel lapsed back into silence.

Kallian had never been embarrassed by her home before, but as they approached she considered how it must look to a stranger not raised in the End and felt a little sick. Dirty, half rotten wood and cracked and broken windows. It probably looked like an animal's hovel to Kaerishiel and she didn't dare look at him as she opened the door. At least she'd managed to fix that so it didn't fall in like it had a couple of weeks ago. Though the rat that skittered out from a corner wasn't an improvement. "Father? I'm home! And I have important news!"

Cyrion wandered out of the tiny kitchen with a hot mug of tea and a warm smile that twisted as Kaerishiel stepped inside. "Kallian, go to your room."

Kallian had never heard her father speak in that tone, some how both cold and commanding at the same time. "Father? This is Kaerishiel. He's here to-"

"Kallian Ashka Tobias, go to your room. Now." Cyrion's eyes never left Kaerishiel's as he set the tea down on a barrel that served as a side table. "We'll talk later. Go."

Baffled, and just a little unnerved, Kallian looked helplessly between her father and Kaerishiel. "But..."

"Do as your father says, Kallian," Kaerishiel said calmly.

At a loss for what else she coulddo, Kallian obeyed, retreating into her room and closing her door. At once she pressed her ear against the thin wood.

"Outside," her father was saying flatly. "I'm not having this conversation in here."

Kallian heard the outside door slam and flopped back onto the nest of blankets that served as a sleeping mat, wondering what in the world was going on.

Cyrion closed the front door behind him and leaned against it, still looking coldly at Kaerishiel. "No. Absolutely not."

Kaerishiel lifted an eyebrow. "It's what Kallian wants."

"Kallian is a child," Cyrion snapped. "She doesn't know what she wants. She barely knows anything about the Shin'Rakoraith! Certainly not what she'd be facing."

"And who's fault is that?" Kaerishiel snapped. "I am quite certain Adaia told you of our agreement, so you knew this day was coming. You had a century to prepare her for this, or inflict your feelings on her." He scowled. "I let you take one of our best away from her duty, her home and her parents. I didn't step in after I came looking for Adaia when her letters stopped and discovered she'd been murdered. I went home and told her parents, Kallian's grandparents, that they'd never see their youngest girl again or lay eyes on their granddaughter. I kept my end of the bargain and allowed you, against my better judgement, to deny Kallian her heritage. However, I will be damned if I let you keep the girl away now, when she's willing and eager, in favour of keeping her in this... cess pit! By Calistria, Cyrion, is this really what you want for your daughter? For Adaia'schild?"

"Don't you dare use my wife against me." Despite his words, Cyrion's tone had turned tired. "Don't. You. Dare. No, Kaerishiel, this isn't what I want for Kalli. It wasn't what I gave her or Adaia at first. If you were keeping such a close eye on us, you'd know that. Damn it, I didn't plan for any of this!"

Kaerishiel sighed a little. "You didn't, no. I don't like you, Tobias, but I'll acknowledge this isn't how you expected things to turn out. But look around you, man! You're living in a slum. You and Kallian can both do far better."

"Fighting drow," Cyrion's tone was cynical. "Exactly what I took my family away from, Kaerishiel. I don't want Kallian dying an early death in your little war, sir."

"You didn't want that for Adaia either," Kaerishiel shot back. "So instead of being with her comrades and friends, she bleed out alone in a back alley. Be honest Tobias, with yourself at least. Adaia would have been on light duties, paperwork and message running most likely. There's a better then good chance that she'd be alive right now if you hadn't convinced her to leave the Shin'Rakoraith." He shook his head. "I'm not here to cast blame. I came to speak to Kallian. She wants to join, Cyrion. Neither of us can give her her mother back, but at least let her have the Shin'Rakoraith. Let her have her mother's family, her history."

Cyrion closed his eyes. "I'd die to protect that girl... She's all I have left. And there's so much of her mother in her."

"She has her mother's eyes," Kaerishiel murmured. "I noticed that right away."

"Her mother's temperament too," Cyrion chuckled. "And her smile. There's a lot of Adaia there, really."

"You love her," Kaerishiel said simply. "I believe it when you say you'd die to protect her. But after that? What happens when she's alone, hmm? Left in these streets? This rotting shack you don't even own? What legacy is that to leave your daughter?"

Cyrion scowled, looked back over his shoulder at the house... then slumped. "She loves to dance and sing," he murmured. "She still sleeps with the doll Adaia made her when she was a baby. She could be a wonderful bard, with a little training. I'd hoped..." He trailed off, looked up at the night sky. "Even when I saw how quickly she picked up the bow and the dagger Adaia taught her, I still thought... There's time to turn her interests to the arts. I had her educated as well as I could afford to. She knows three languages, Kaerishiel. And she's always so thirsty for knowledge. I told myself, we'd get back on our feet, she'd pick up her education and when you showed up she'd be happily engaged, settled and be of no interest to you. But... she's so very like her mother..." He shook his head. "I want to tell you to stay the hell away from my daughter, to slam the door in your face and pretend you were never here... But Kallian knows now. She'd never let it go." He slumped. "How much did you tell her?"

"Nothing about Adaia," Kaerishiel replied. "When I realised she knew almost nothing, that you hadn't told her... I promised Adaia that I wouldn't use her to tempt her child into joining, so I said nothing. I did make sure Kallian was well aware that being a Shin'Rakoraith is dangerous. She won't be going in blind, I assure you. Nor will she be alone. I will look after her. And, for Adaia's sake, I'll make arrangements for you as well."

Cyrion sighed again. "I don't want your charity... but if Kalli's going into this, it's best she does this with a clear mind rather then worrying about me. Fine, I'll agree, on one condition."

"Which is?"

"You don't tell her about Adaia. She doesn't find out that from anyone but me, when the time is right."

Kaerishiel frowned at Cyrion. "Will you ever tell her? Or is the goal to keep her from ever knowing her history?"

Cyrion drew in a deep breath. "Give me time, please. Let's see if she even stays in the Shin'Rakoraith first. Give her time to find her place without feeling she has to live up to her mother's standard, please. After that... If something happens and I don't find a way to tell her, then you may do so if you still feel she should know. All I'm asking is that you keep to your agreement with Adaia for a little longer. Let Kalli finish growing up without that pressure, all right?"

Kaerishiel gave Cyrion a long, cold stare. "125, Cyrion. If Kallian is still in the Shin'Rakoraith and you haven't told her by her 125th birthday, then I will."

"Agreed," Cyrion said, and sighed. "She's going to have questions..."

"Well that display of yours was hardly subtle. I'll give her something else to focus on."

"If I go to Crying Leaf, people will recognise me. They'll put two and two together if Kallian's seen with me."

"I don't want you in Crying Leaf in any case, given your feelings on the Shin'Rakoraith." Kaerishiel gave Cyrion a hard look. "If Kallian's to see how she fits into the Shin'Rakoraith, you'll need to let her do so without interference. I have a small home in Kyrion that I'll sell to you, at a reasonable price. Kallian will have worked it off easily in less then a decade in the Shin'Rakoraith. Or elsewhere, if I'm wrong about her and she truly doesn't fit with what we need. We can arrange you transport easily enough and Kallian will leave for Crying Leaf with me."

"Then I think this is a discussion we should continue with Kalli present," Cyrion sighed. "Come in." He paused before adding softly, "She's still a child. For Adaia's sake... Look after her."

"I look after all my people, Tobias. But for her mother's memory, I'll keep an eye on her."

Cyrion didn't thank him, not that Kaerishiel had expected the other elf to do so, but it was clear that a truce had been reached. Cyrion opened the door, stepped inside and held it open. "Kallian. Come here little love."

In her room, Kallian grimaced at the pet name but scrambled to her feet and out of her room. Relief flooded her to see Kaerishiel still there. At least her father hadn't just thrown the older elf out. "Yes, Father?"

Cyrion gestured silently for everyone to go into the kitchen and be seated. There, he stared across the table at his daughter as if he'd never quite seen her before... or as though he was seeing someone entirely different. "You really want this, Kalli? It won't be a game, or a story. This is real. If you get hurt, or worse, you can't just rewrite things to change the ending."

"I know, Father," Kallian replied softly. "I'm not a child any more. I understand this could be, is likely to be, dangerous. But it's also important. And... I don't want to spend my life dancing on street corners for copper."

"That's not what I want for you either," Cyrion sighed. "Or what your mother would have wanted either. I might wish you'd followed in MY footsteps, but the Shin'Rakoraith serve a purpose. A noble one."

"So... You approve?" Kallian looked between Cyrion and Kaerishiel. "I can join?"

Cyrion's smile was sad, but he nodded his head. "Only a fool tries to stop the tide, Kalli. I've been many things in life, but I like to think 'fool' isn't among them." He reached across the table to rest his hand on hers and murmured, "It is a hard thing to see one's child finding her way, and harder still not to stand in her way. But that is the way of life."

Kallian met her father's eyes and felt tears prick at hers. "It's not that I want to leave... It's just..."

"No need to explain, Kalli. This is where your path has led you now." Cyrion forced a smile. "So no tears tonight. You'll pack tonight and leave with Captain Kaerishiel..." He paused to look questioningly at Kaerishiel.

"Tomorrow," Kaerishiel replied simply. "Before noon, if at all possible."

"Tomorrow then." Cyrion sighed the words then smiled wistfully. "Probably for the best. You've a long journey ahead of you, no doubt."

"You're coming too, aren't you?" Kallian asked. "You sound like I'd be going alone, but the rent's only paid for another week. You can't stay here alone!"

"He won't be," Kaerishiel assured her. "As I told you, arrangements will be made for your father."

"Indeed," Cyrion agreed. "I'll be leaving a few days after you, Kalli, but I have business here to wrap up first. And in any case, I'm too old for long journeys over land."

"I'll arrange passage to Kyrion for your father before we leave," Kaerishiel added. "And send word ahead so he'll be expected. He'll likely be well settled into his new home long before you and I reach ours."

Kallian didn't particularly like that plan, particularly the part where tonight was the last time she'd spend in the company of her father, but she couldn't come up with a good argument against it either. "I guess..."

"It's how it needs to be, sweetheart," Cyrion told her. "Don't worry. I have no doubt you'll be far too busy to miss your old father before long."

"Indeed," Kaerishiel murmured, rising. "Kallian, I'll leave you and your father to your farewells. I'll be around to collect you three hours after dawn, so be ready to go then." He gave Cyrion a brief nod before letting himself out of the house.

Cyrion leaned back in his chair and gave his daughter a small smile. "My little girl, all grown up and ready to face the world, hmm? Well, I suppose that means it's time."

Kallian blinked. "Time? Time for what?"

"I... have some things of your mother's I'd put away," Cyrion murmured. "Never could decide what to do with them, but... Given the circumstances, I think she'd have given them to you if she were here. Come. They're in my room." he rose and took an old, rusted key off a hook on the wall before walking into his bedroom.

Kallian followed, frowning as she watched her father kneel by a battered old chest. For decades, she'd wondered what was in there, only to be told it wasn't important. The smell of leather, old and loved, met her nose as soon as the lid was raised and she drew in a sharp breath as Cyrion lifted out a folded pile of brown, almost black leather. "Is that..."

Cyrion smiled softly and unfolded the leather armour before turning back to the chest and taking out a matching pair of boots. "Adaia used to say we should sell this and claim she could never fit back into it after she had you, but she never got around to it. To be honest, I think she really wanted to keep it for you, when you grew up." He held it out to Kallian and urged, "Go on, try it on. Let's see how it fits you."

It took a little help from her father, but Kallian managed to squirm into the stiff leather and figure out the various buckles and ties. Once it was on, she breathed in deeply, wondering if some trace of her mother lingered under the smell of oiled leather.

"You look... so very like her," Cyrion murmured, smiling. "I wish Adaia was here. She'd be so proud."

"Why did mother have this?" Kallian asked, running a hand over the armour. "I mean... It's not exactly typical bard's wife wear..."

Cyrion turned back to rummage in the chest again. "Oh, you know, dangers of the road. We did travel a great deal when you were young. Now where... Ah!" Smiling he straightened up, holding a dagger, tucked away in a neatly made sheath. "The missing piece. How does the armour fit? Not too loose or too tight anywhere? Are you comfortable?"

Kallian nodded slowly as she strapped on the dagger then drew it. "It's... beautiful," she murmured, taking in the blue-green shimmer of the mirror like metal. "I've never seen anything like it."

"You won't," Cyrion replied. "Not around here, in any case. The metal is adamantine, or sky metal. It's rare, but makes for strong, powerful weapons. That dagger will never lose it's edge and it will take a great deal of force to break." He smiled almost warmly. "Adaia named it 'Fang'. I think she'd be glad to think of it protecting you." He stepped forward and gently kissed his daughter's check. "You're going to be something special, Kalli love. I've always known that, but soon the world will to. Now, best you go pack. You've an early morning ahead of you."

"I'll leave my silks," Kallian murmured. "They're worth... a bit. You can sell them, have some money for your journey."

Cyrion shook his head. "No, take them with you. You've chosen a hard road, my girl, and you'll need some fun along the way. Never forget to take the time to dance, Kalli. It's a part of who you are." With that he gently guided Kallian out of the room and closed the door firmly.

Though she heard nothing as she walked into her own room, Kallian felt uncomfortably certain her father was crying.