41 Chapter 41 Opposing Viewpoints (1/2)

”Elisen, I should have known you would get involved in this. Don't you have your hands busy with that new baby of yours?” asked the old elven man as he stepped out of their way.

Luan held tight to Gia and Vonn as they made their way towards Elisen.

”Grand Mystic Malthren, I greet you in the name of the forest. Don't you think the prolonged warmth we've had this late autumn is quite beautiful?” asked Elisen calmly, patting her child gently.

”Yes, it is a bit unusual,” he said softly as she smiled at him and nodded, holding a hand out for Gia and Vonn to lead Luan away from the stone pit alter.

”Safe travels, humans,” called the elf before they were far enough away.

Elisen didn't stop until they were standing on the stone path in the village again, and even then, she motioned for them to proceed to the building where Gia's family waited for them. Spying the bag Vonn had dropped earlier, holding the rations from the store keeper, Gia stooped to pick it up before climbing over the vines.

Stepping into the doorway of the building, Elisen turned to them and said quickly, ”Get your things, we need to be out of this town before dark. I don't trust Malthren as far as I can throw him, and right now, that wouldn't be very far.”

Gia and Vonn nodded, rushing to her parents who were calmly sitting at the table finishing a cup of tea.

”Is everything all right?” asked Carla, her eyes narrowing. ”Gia, you look like you've been crying!”

”There's no time, we need to go,” said Gia, shoving things into her bag and putting it on.

”Alright,” said Tom, grabbing his walking stick and standing up. His bag was on the ground behind him, in easy reach to grab and put on.

”Mom had us getting ready while we waited for you,” said Mikey, appearing with his bag on as well. ”The elven lady told us we would be leaving as soon as you guys got back.”

”What elven lady?” asked Elisen, confused.

”I believe it must have been the mayor,” said Luan. ”I think I saw her briefly when they dragged me away.”

”So, she saw us get pushed off the edge, and didn't come to help us?!” exclaimed Gia in surprise and anger.

”Wait, what!” cried both her parents.

”There's no time,” said Elisen. ”We really need to be going. I'm sure Malthren will be thinking up something to cause us grief on the way.”

”You will explain everything, in great detail when we get a moment!” growled Carla, throwing her bag on after dumping the last of the tea out of the cups and shoving them in her bag.

”I intend to,” said Gia, hurrying to the door with everyone else.

”I can't believe you guys did that for me,” said Luan, following along.

”Did you think I would let you just die?!” exclaimed Gia in horror.

”Everyone else would have,” muttered Luan. ”Except Elisen! She always said she would find a way. I never imagined it would be like this, though!”

”I try very hard not to break my word,” said Elisen with a soft smile.

”We don't have to go on those dreadful tree branches again, do we?” groaned Carla as they stepped outside.

”Absolutely not! The twins must have brought you, if you came that way. They are the only ones I know who would brave those branches this time of year,” said Elisen.

”Yes, and Kilyn used her vines on the branch, too!” pouted Luan. ”The poor thing had moved a whole six feet from the edge of the ledge! I was able to get it moved back, but it wasn't happy about it.”

”Control yourself,” said Elisen, giving Luan a thoughtful look. ”I don't think Kilyn will be causing any trouble again, any time soon. Let's go the back way. There's not cliffs or trees to climb, and should be much easier for your father.”

”Thank you,” said Tom, holding tight to Carla's arm as they made their way along the stone pathway.

”What do you think Malthren will do?” asked Luan after they had been traveling for a while.