Thunderous silence echoed through the forest, Selene’s senses screamed of unseen danger stalking the pair. Flickering her fingers in a series of gestures, she signaled for Cire to take to the trees. Without hesitation, he scrambled up a nearby great oak, his steps sure and movement graceful. Sometimes Selene was still surprised at how sure of himself Cire had become, but this wasn’t a good time to lose herself in thought. Following right behind, the two elves managed to enter the canopy and hide in the leaves within minutes.

Almost as if on cue, skittering through the brush, a massive spider the size of a small wagon passed under their tree. Using hand talk Selene identified their new guest. “Giant wolf spider. More trouble than it’s worth. Stay silent.”

Cire raised an eyebrow, but besides that was keeping his body as still as possible. He signaled back, still having a limited vocabulary, it was a bit stilted. “Giant wolf spider. Each word badder. Received direction.”

Selene almost, almost, laughed. It wasn’t that Cire had made a good joke, she didn’t even think he meant it as a joke, his signaling was just so atrocious.

At least he understands more than he can communicate. Surprised he picked it up so fast, but then again, he doesn’t seem to know what his preferred skill set is yet. He’s just been blindly charging ahead like the child he is. I still can’t believe he is so young, but that’s the least surprising thing about him so far. It even makes sense, for once. The palaestra, if it’s still Eliana at least, will be able to give him direction.

Travel through the Shadowed Forest wasn’t as hard for the two of them compared to a large party. However, their best strategy was to run and hide while waiting for danger to pass, not exactly satisfying. Pulling out some of their trail rations, she handed her companion a strip of jerky and began gnawing on her own. Enough time had passed that they could speak and eat, the wide branches of the oak were as good a place as any.

“We are only about another day or two away from the Tops’ at the rate we have been moving. Do you remember the people I told you about? Their names? What you’re supposed to do when we get there? Don’t speak common, only elven. You don’t have much of an accent, so that’s good.”

Looking introspective, Cire finished off the bite he had been chewing and smiled. “More or less. I have been going over it when I am dreaming. Even since you taught me how to keep half of my mind awake while sleeping, I have been trying to use that time productively. Although, to be honest, I’ve been worrying about Durg getting along with Kalani, and the rest of the naga. We managed to smooth things out pretty well before we set out, but it’s Durg, who knows what we could come home to.”

Selene found the tips of her mouth pulling upwards, he could be so naive. “I wouldn’t be concerned about them. You should be far more focused on the challenges before you. The circle won’t just let you in because you ask nicely, and your curse will undoubtedly cause a commotion.”

Cire nodded and tilted his head a bit, scanning the forest floor before responding. “I know, I know. I just have a tendency to worry more about others than I should. Even though the best thing I can do right now for everyone is to focus on myself, that doesn’t make it any easier. You’re still sure we shouldn’t tell them about the bonding?”

Sharp and definitive, Selene’s glare brooked no disagreement. “Do not, under any circumstances tell them about the runestone, the bonding, or establishing a house. You remember what Maisy and Stout said? We may be traveling to my home, but you are more vulnerable now than you ever have been. Do not invite danger. We could not hope to defend ourselves from the many threats in the world, even those who are potential allies.”

Rubbing his cheek to soothe phantom pain, Cire grimaced. Suddenly, Selene clamped her hand over his mouth, he hadn’t even been about to speak. Upon meeting her blue eyes, he went silent. Cautiously he signaled to her. “Danger?”

Withdrawing her hand, she flicked and wove a quick reply, “Not sure. Listen, something’s in the trees. Not sure where.”

Twitching, Cire moved his ears and focused on the wind breathing through the boughs. Now accustomed to his elven sense, it didn’t take long for him to pick up the subtle difference. Looking up to the stars to confirm their direction he responded, “From the north. In trees. Moving fast.”

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Selene nodded confirmation and slowly unsheathed her daggers, shifting to an adjoining branch to give Cire space. There would be no further silent communication. Looking back to Cire she nodded once and then faded into the foliage, her cloak breaking her form as she camouflaged. Grating and metallic, a stymphalian bird’s call shattered the quiet.

Leaning her head back, breaking cover, Selene responded. Cire was equal parts intrigued watching her move her finger rapidly over the front of her throat and astonished by the sound she produced. Grinning wickedly, Selene sheathed her weapons and stood nonchalantly on the branch.

“No swamp birds this far north Cire, looks like we got noticed. It’s a patrol from the Tops’. Keep still, they will come and find us. Now it’s time for our adventure to really get started.”

Two weeks ago...

Sharp and searing, Selene’s slap across Cire’s cheek startled a small flock of finches and they took flight into darkness. Rocked, he almost fell off the log he was seated on, but braced himself. Cire was shocked and stared, mouth agape, at his companions.

Durg let out a loud chuckle and slapped his thighs, “Oh ho, boyo. Ya gone an done it now.” He shook his head. “Didje even think ta ask us? Wonder why we be given the darn thing away instead o’ keepin’ it? Gone and made us heirs. Me, a member of a royal house, bwahahaha!”

Selene scowled, arms crossed in front of her chest and practically barked at the sun elf. “What were you thinking? Wait, never mind, you weren’t. You have no idea what you’ve done.” Hugging herself, she stood up and started pacing next to the fire.

Gingerly rubbing his cheek, Cire weighed his words carefully. It would be all to easy to react flippantly to this situation. Hell, the pain had made him angry. He wanted to argue. Taking a deep breath, he thought about what each of his friends had said and then nodded.

“You’re right. I don’t have a firm grasp on what making you heirs to the house entails. I don’t even have a great idea about what binding the territorial runestone means. But I do know that regardless of the circumstances I would rather face them together than alone. I’m sorry about not asking, I didn’t even think you wouldn’t want me to name you as heirs to House Eventide.”

Cire looked between the two, imploring, “Please, give me a better idea of what I did. What do I need to know? Can’t you just say no?”

Doubling over with mirth, Durg offered no answers. Selene stopped her pacing and let out a long exasperated sigh. Hands on her hips, her icy blue eyes bore into the other elf’s unmatched pair. “Say no? Really. That just screams your ignorance. You’re the ruler of this territory now, but you have no city, no army. Now that the territory has been claimed..”

She shook her head and sat back down on one of the logs, across from the others, a shiver coursing through her form. “We’re marked now, each of us. I never learned about the inner workings of our city’s house, let alone a territorial house. We need to talk with Maisy, she will know far more about this than any of us.”

Wiping a tear from his eye, Durg grinned. “Aye lassy, we be marked alright. Marked by the blessing o’ fools. Course I accepted. I dunna know the first thing ‘bout being a noble, but I ain’t gunna let my friend down. Figure I’ll stumble along the way and learn with ya boyo. What I do know, is that now our lives are bound ta get a bit more exciting. Nobles always have all kinds o’ extra quests, responsibilities ta the gods, and not ta mention fighting each other. I be thinkin’ we’re about ta get a taste o’ that sooner than we expect.”

Looking askance, Selene toed the dirt between her and the fire. “Cire, traditionally elven house members…” Her voice caught before she coughed, clearing her throat. “Are wed. Before I realized you named Durg a house member as well, I thought...” Selene stopped speaking, letting the words hang.

Cire had been silent, largely absorbing his friends outpouring, but at these final words he gulped. Flushing with embarrassment, his cheek stung all the more. By Zeus! That’s why she slapped me. Cire you idiot! What have you done?

Lurching forward, Durg’s hearty pounding on his back didn’t help steady his thoughts. The dwarf was cackling and repeatedly thumping his shoulders. Pulling Cire into a one-armed hug Durg offered unwelcome advice.

“You gone and done it now boyo! Make sure ya find all the knives before the wedding night, I wouldn’t sleep naked next ta her while she’s armed.”

“Argh! Durg, don’t you start in. If you mention one word of this to anyone in town I’ll skin you and tan your hide.” Selene jabbed the dwarf roughly in the ribs with a piece of kindling and then brandished it towards Cire. “You, you just forget about what I said before. Obviously, you didn’t offer to make me an heir for that reason.”

Waving his hands before him in mock defense, Cire relented hastily. “I promise. Already forgotten, I swear.” He needed to redirect the conversation, unfortunately he couldn’t think of a better target. Sheepishly smiling Cire elbowed Durg and winked at Selene. “If you recall, the ‘Loving Slayers’ conquests are quick from his mind once he has gone.”

Genuine laughter filled their campsite and carried up into the trees rising like embers heralding the ascension of a most peculiar family, the House of Eventide.