The faun cowered as Amelia ran towards him, holding the piece of bread protectively close to his chest.

Amelia stopped a few feet short, finally noticing his fearful body language.

"Pola? What's wrong? You look terrible? What happened?"

The man squinted at her, no recognition on his face. "I'm sorry, do I know you, my lady?"

"I'm Amelia! We met like a month ago? In your office in the village?"

He peered at her some more, then a glimmer of remembrance appeared on his face. "The people with the seed problem, right? Shadows or something? I sort of remember. So much has happened ..." he trailed off, looking down at his soiled clothes, then back at the group he was with. The boy Amelia had recognized was one of the people in the village she had visited when they went to Pola for help.

"Did ... did that turn out okay? You had a friend? Tree, I seem to recall? That was in trouble?" He spoke haltingly, and couldn't hide his flinch when anyone passed by where they were standing.

"Yep! Thanks for asking! But what happened to you? Something happen to the village?"

The faun frowned as he smoothed down his robe, and tried to stand a little straighter. "We've ... well, we ... hmmm. That is ... No. Uh ... Um ... Let me start again. Sorry, not thinking so well right now." He gestured with the stale crust, miming eating. "Not to put too fine a point on it, we're starving. Let me give this to my friends, and we can talk, okay?"

"You need food? We can take care of that! C'mon! There's a stall right there selling soup and stuff. Let's get you guys loaded up! Call your friends over!"

A look of embarrassment flashed momentarily across his face, but he quashed it and forced a smile. "My lady, are you sure? We can't pay, and there are many of us ..." He stopped speaking as Amelia pulled the handful of gems from her bag, holding them cupped in her palm so he could see them.

"Very sure! As far as I'm concerned, we owe you for Alder's life! And I never would have met Donald, either, if you hadn't helped us. It's the least I could do!" She declared, tugging him towards the vendor. He gingerly waved at his friends, gesturing for them to join them.

"Soup, bread, and butter for all these nice people, please!" She announced to the person tending the stall. The person started to object until Vieno picked out a couple of the gems from Amelia's hand and placed them on the protruding service counter. Amelia flashed her friend a smile of thanks while the bowls and loaves were handed out.

Amelia waited until they had each gotten all they could carry, then led them to a nook behind a clutch of stalls she'd seen earlier. There they could be out of the way of foot traffic and avoid the stares and ears of passersby. She sent Vieno and Rakish back to buy more after she noticed the villagers furtively trying to give most of the food to the younger ones in the group, making sure that they all were able to eat their fill. After the ravenous eating was starting to slow down and the edge was off their hunger, she introduced herself and her friends. She tried hard to remember as many names as she could when Pola reciprocated.

The meal had returned a measure of energy to the faun, and his cheeks looked less pale.

"Thank you again, my lady! That was the best we've eaten in some time." Pola said, sucking errant drops of soup from his beard.

"My pleasure! But I'm no lady. I mean, I'm just Amelia, okay? Now, what happened? Why aren't you in the village? You guys looked so happy there!"

"We were, my l..., um, we were. The trouble came not long after you visited. Maybe a few days, a week at most. They came." He finished with a whisper.

"They? They who?"

He glanced around surreptitiously, then leaned close to Amelia. She tried not to flinch at his unwashed smell as he put his mouth next to her ear. "Elves. And their minions. I think ... I think ... they're preparing. For war. Like in the books and stories."

The refugee group bunched closer as they heard his whispered words, looking worriedly towards the people walking past just feet away.

Amelia pulled back and stared at the man. "War? With who?"

He nodded, continuing in a very quiet voice. "Those that opposed them before. The ones they crushed and scattered the last time. When they stopped the raids." He looked even more fearful, which Amelia hadn't thought possible. He barely breathed as he mouthed the next words. "The Unseelie. The dark ones."

The faun shivered. He wrapped his arms around himself and rocked back and forth slightly. He continued in a marginally louder voice, but still hushed. "The tales say the dark started it, with the raids and conquering. There aren't many left who would say otherwise. The victor writes the history, after all. Nobody knows where they, uh, the losers, went, but things have been quiet, peaceful, for at least a couple hundred years. No reason for the, ..., you know, them, to recruit again. Snatching and kidnapping. Using their charms and beguilements."

He cleared his throat, wiping a tear from his eye as he paused. His voice was ragged. "They raided the village. Turned us out as they burned the place. We were lucky--there were no babies, no children young enough for their uses. None were taken. But they destroyed everything. Everything! We were left with the clothes on our backs. We tried to go to another village, but we saw the smoke before we even got close. Same thing had happened there, but worse. I think ... I think they resisted." He steeled himself, but his eyes started to tear freely.

"Who did this? Can you describe them?" Amelia asked, shaken to her core. These were people she'd met, a place she'd been to.

"Seelie. At least, they wore the markings of the light. The usual--symbols of torches, lamps, lanterns. White or gold banners and sashes. The leader was an elf, I'm sure of it. The rest were the usual mix. Human fosterlings, hounds, dwarves, that sort."

Amelia glanced over to Vieno, who was sitting next to her. Pola noticed her unspoken question, shaking his head in negation. "Not dweorgar, like Miss V, here. The other kind. The light lovers. Bastards! Pardon my language, I'm sorry." He shot glances around again, worried at being overheard saying such things.

Amelia reached out and hugged him, patting his back as he sniffled for a moment. She looked at the displaced villagers sitting nearby, painfully thin and afraid. She scowled, then quickly shook her head and smiled, waving as they jerked back at her reaction.

"No! No, it's okay! It just makes me so mad that people could do that! How horrible! I don't understand how anyone could be so mean and rotten." She shook her head as she hugged Pola again. "Maybe they aren't all the same. I hope not. Some elves tried to steal my friend's son and would've succeeded if another friend didn't save him. She risked her life for Onni."

Amelia frowned again. "I used to like the idea of them. But now I don't think they sound nice. Not at all!"

Pola pulled away from her embrace, dabbing at his face with the filthy hem of his robe. "Well, yes. They have no need for anyone they can't use, or who can resist their blandishments. This is what happened the last time, too. Everybody uprooted, both sides raiding, looting. But it was the elves who did the kidnapping. 'Recruiting' they called it. 'Volunteers against the dark', the books said. It was so long ago, you know, we only have the stories."

He looked around the shabby stub of an alley they were in. "Where will we go? We can't stay here. We've nearly been thrown out so many times already. There are patrols sometimes. Wearing white sashes and lantern pins. Like the ones who ... before. In the village. We've been hiding when we see them, try not to attract attention. But no place is safe ..." he shuddered, following Amelia's gaze to his fellows.

"Hey!" Amelia grabbed his shoulders and pulled him to face her. "Hey! You can stay with us! We have lots of room! And food! It's safe, too. Nobody would mess with my friends. They'll protect you, right, Blue? Beige?" She looked up at the two birds who were perched on a roof edge nearby. They nodded, eyes firm.

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The faun stared at the birds in confusion. The tiny avians didn't look very capable of protection. But beggars couldn't be choosers, unfortunately. Any place had to be better than here.

"Really? You really have somewhere we can stay?" Hope blossomed in his eyes, although he was wary.

"Yep! We're gettin' lots of people, but I can make room, no problem. It might have to be in the warrens, for now, until we work something out in Elara, but yeah, of course you can stay with us! We can go there right now if you want. Is this everybody? I thought there were more people in the village."

"We had to split up. Too many of us draws attention, and we get moved on. Some probably've been kicked out already. Who knows where they are, if they have." Pola answered.

"Right! Beige, Blue -- would you guys see if you can find the rest of the villagers? Anybody that looks like they need a home, really. Get them headed towards the crossing point? Nicely?"

Both birds bobbed their heads affirmatively, then flitted off.

"Good. Those two will find 'em, don't worry. They can track almost as good as Shocky. V? Would you take Rakish and head to the rainbow fountain, let everybody know I've headed back home? You okay with that?"

The teen nodded her head. "Got it. We can find it, fill them in. Will you be okay?"

"I'll be fine! I've got Pola with me, so I won't get lost, right Pola?" He looked a bit surprised but agreed.

"I'll take these through and get 'em settled in, get some rooms set up for the rest. Keep an eye out for any more on your way, would you? And watch out for elves or other bad people!"

Vieno nodded, then headed off to the meeting spot, the ambulatory junk golem following after.

Amelia made sure they hadn't left any trash behind, then started leading the refugees towards the market exit.

They hadn't gone very far at all when a pair of figures blocked her path. They were both wearing dingy white tabards and carrying pole arms of some sort. They had shiny badges in the shape of a lantern pinned at their left shoulders.

"That's them! They were at the village!" hissed Pola quietly to Amelia, edging back.

"What have we here? Nasty dregs. Dirty beggars. No use to anybody, you sorry sods. Time you were dealt with, I think!" said the one in the lead.

"It's fine! These people're with me. I'm taking them home, don't worry, won't be a bother. Sorry!" Amelia tried to step around the man in front, but he moved to intercept her. She remembered all the times she'd had encounters like this, in the days before she'd come to the hollow. She felt the adrenaline start to flow as she stopped in front of the stern man.

"I don't think so. You know, there are bad things out there. Rumors are spreading already. Really bad things, sneaking into the market. Can't be having that. Young lady like you, with these? I think, for your own protection, you'll have to come with us. All of you."

He lowered his weapon slightly, holding it horizontally to block the lane. The man behind him grinned, bouncing the haft of his weapon in his free hand. They had the look of people who were ready for some 'fun' with targets that were helpless.

Amelia looked at the man and heard the worried mutterings from the people behind her. This wasn't their first time with these types, either. She wished she hadn't sent Beige and Blue off. Or that one of her other friends was here with them. But it was just her.

Just her, but she'd learned a few things since the last time she was accosted like this. The last time she had to put up with such behaviour. This wouldn't be like the times before. Before the hollow.

"No." Her voice quivered slightly. She took a deep breath and set her shoulders. "I think you're gonna let us pass." Her tone steadied as she spoke. This was it. Time to stand up for what she believed in. "You're just gonna walk away, and never bother people like this again. That's what I think. For your protection." She ended softly, but her face showed her resolution. She smiled as she met the man's eyes.

"Hah! Is that what you think, girly? You think wrong. You sound like you want to do this the hard way. Don't you agree?" He grinned over his shoulder at his partner, who chuckled and grinned back.

"Amelia, it's okay! We'll do what they say, it'll be okay!" Pola said, patting her shoulder gently. "We can go with them, quietly. It'll be fine. We'll ... survive."

"I don't think so. Not today." She stared coolly at the two toughs brandishing their weapons. "I think ... I think I'm done with people like this. Abusing their power. Bullies."

She brushed her cloak back behind her shoulders. "Walk away. We'll leave peacefully. We aren't causing any harm. Turn around and walk away. We're going. You won't be stopping us."

"Hah!" grunted the rearward man. He lifted a whistle that hung on a chain around his neck, then blew several piercing blasts. Answering blasts sounded from all directions, some from close by, others from quite a distance away. "Don't want the rest of the boys to miss the festivities, eh?"

Amelia watched as several gangs of similarly dressed men approached from around corners behind the two, the men scowling and looking hungry for trouble.

"Not kidding. Last chance. I'd really rather be nice, you know. You sure you don't want to be nice, too?" She pitched her voice to be friendly and sweet.

"These folk are causing trouble. Let's round 'em up and take 'em to the gaol. For ... questioning." The closer man called to the newcomers then turned to face Amelia.

She smiled brightly. "Okay. You guys had your chance. I'll just say, you're extremely lucky none of my friends were here. They wouldn't be so gentle, like I'll be."

Both men had smug looks, not the least intimidated by the unarmed girl in a sundress.

"[Force Jet]. [Force Jet]." She said, pointing at the two in front of her.

Amelia was slightly surprised when both spells hit their targets. They didn't even try to dodge or block like her practice partners. She hadn't hit Fork in ages. Even Spoon stayed dry for most of their sparring session.

They practiced with water, though. Unlike that version of the spell, this one packed a much heftier punch. Both men were sent hurtling backwards, sprawling limply to the ground yards away, weapons rattling to rest well out of reach.

The other men halted and bunched close together at the sight, warily pointing their weapons to form a hedgehog. Then they continued advancing slowly. Amelia waved politely at them.

"Sorry about that! Your boys there decided they wanted it this way. Would you guys like to be nice? One chance." She smiled widely.

The cluster continued edging forwards, weapons front. "She's some sorta freak. Take her down quick!" came a voice from the group.

"Huh. Wrong choice. [Force Ball]." They were blasted in all directions by the explosion, flung about like rag dolls. One landed almost at her feet, unconscious. There was a sizable crater in the road where they had been standing. Weapons and helmets rained down from the air for a moment or two.

One man, the farthest away and at the edge of the effect, pulled himself up painfully, reaching for his dropped pike.

"[Fire Jet]." Amelia said casually. The metal of his weapon's head sheared off as the glowing projectile blazed past. The remaining bit of ferrule melted to slag, then dripped down to the pavement. He dropped the haft as it burst into flame from the extreme heat. She had aimed the bolt so it wouldn't hit anything else flammable. Well, anything that would cause a big fire, anyways.

"I'd like to get these people home and into a nice bath if you don't mind. Were you boys done? Maybe ready to rethink your life choices? I could get my weapon out if you want to get serious about this. Would you like to meet Jam Spreader? You really really don't, in case you were wondering. It's an option, though." Her smile was much less pleasant than it had been earlier.

She was answered by a chorus of faint groans, from those few who still retained the power to make noise. The one standing fled without looking back.

"You guys have nothing on the triplets. They'd have you for dinner, no mistake. Possibly literally, now that I think of it. If there was anything left after the first volley."

She looked back at the villagers, who were standing behind her, gobsmacked at what they had just seen.

"I should point out that the triplets are like 5, maybe 6 years old. I don't even want to know what my other friends would do." She shivered at the notion. "But I think we're done here. Shall we?"

"[Commanding Presence]. [Overwhelming Persuasion]." The voice was different from Mr. Unpronounceable, but the oily smooth manner of speaking was the same.

[Passive defenses still engaged.]

The woman who stepped into view was dressed in a similar fashion to the ones scattered around and groaning on the ground. Her clothes were much cleaner and finer. The lantern pin at her shoulder glowed softly.

She had the same ethereal, unnatural beauty that Mr. U had, as well. "Surrender." she commanded.

"If you want. Just go lie down over there with your friends." Amelia gestured at the prone figures.

The elf frowned briefly. "[Commanding Presence]! [Overwhelming Persuasion]!" She said the words of magic much louder.

"I heard you the first time. That doesn't seem to work on me, for some reason. Sorry. You can still surrender, though. I won't mind."

The lady scowled, drawing an elegant rapier and pointing it at Amelia, advancing with impeccable footwork.

"Huh. Jam Spreader it is! He'll be so happy!" Amelia said, tugging the broach free. The weapon expanded instantly in her hand, midnight flames licking along its entire length.

The elf took a quick step back and parried side-to-side involuntarily as she felt the power emanating from the spear, even though they were still separated by a dozen or more yards. Her eyes were drawn to the black edge of the gleaming yellow blade. She sucked in a breath and jerked as if struck upon recognizing the metal.

"Ooh! That's right! I hear you guys don't like cold iron. You know what else is made of cold iron? Lord Twinkles!" Amelia taunted, tugging aside her left sleeve. As usual, the bracelet felt cool on her arm. Tendrils and drips of insubstantial ebon ichor wept from its place on her wrist.

The elf swore, turning and running in pure terror.

"Huh. Sorry, Jam Spreader, Lord Twinkles. I don't think she liked you guys. I like you, though!" Amelia said, putting the sleeve back and returning the spear to broach form.

"I guess we're free to go!" She said, waving the horrified refugees to follow her.

They didn't have any more trouble as they made their way to the archway that exited the market, then continued on to where the gateway was.