Visitors from Kharun

The light of the rising sun had not yet reached the ground when Elian awoke, curled up into a warm ball in his bedroll. The camp was still quiet, so remaining where he was, going back to sleep, was tempting. But no, resolutely he pulled the top blanket to the side, the chill immediately forcing him awake. The days might still be pleasantly warm, but the nights already whispered about the upcoming change in seasons. The time to leave this place and head to the caves was growing closer before rain and autumn storms were upon them.

He shivered as he pulled on his shoes and dug out a clean shirt and the small sheet he used as a towel. Moving silently through the camp, he smiled as he passed the pups, snuggled up together under soft, warm pelts. While most slept scattered among the closest trees, some of the elderly made use of the extra warmth from the slowly dying fire.

“Morning bright,” Rhaen greeted him quietly as he passed. The youngling had been on night guard and was stifling a yawn.

“Morning bright,” Elian answered equally quietly before heading down the path to the lake.

Once at the edge of the water, he found a secluded spot and stripped to his smallclothes. After placing his necklace on top of the pile, he carefully unwrapped the long strip of cloth that was covering most of his right arm and hand. Holding his breath, he gave it a disgusted look. The scar reached from the accursed mark on the back of his hand almost to his shoulder. Time had paled it into a pinkish mess of damaged skin. The Lykar had great herbal healing remedies, but no poultice in the world could erase the past. Nor the pain it still carried.

The water felt colder than yesterday, but he meticulously scrubbed himself with foaming leaves, enjoying the fresh woodsy smell. Finishing off by wading out to the deeper part and diving in, he came up feeling refreshed, and spent some time swimming lazily while the sun rose high enough to warm the world. Soon the others would come, so it was time to get dressed again. Perhaps he should come back to pick some berries for their breakfast. A little treat for everyone.

Most of the camp had awoken when he returned to leave his wet things. The fire had been stoked into life, a large pot of water steaming while one of the women added a handful of herbs, preparing the traditional fragrant morning tea. He greeted them, holding up the small basket he’d fetched, promising to join them for tea and breakfast a little later.

As he left, Myan came bouncing after him, tugging at the hem of his shirt.

“Can I come? You know I’m bestest at finding berries.”

“Of course. Together we will find the ripest and sweetest ones.” She beamed, and he couldn’t resist ruffling her hair a little before they set off.

The basket was almost full, just as Myan’s belly, when she paused, ears turning before the rest of her did. She raised her head a little, sniffing the air.

“Someone’s coming.”

Elian couldn’t hear anything but he knew better than to distrust a Lykar nose.

“Perhaps someone else wants berries?”

“No… It’s… it’s,” she jumped excitedly, “it’s Roahr-leader. And some others.”

“Are you sure?”

She gave him an offended look and flicked her tail at him.

“Okay, then,” he said, “let’s go meet them.”

Still popping berries in her mouth, Myan led the way to a narrow path, and soon even Elian could hear footsteps approaching. Soft, but steady, they were clearly not trying to hide their presence.

“Welcome home,” Elian said as the small group came close enough.

“Elian. And Myan.” Roahr caught Elian in a rough embrace while Myan jumped him, hugging him as if she were a living backpack, nuzzling into his bushy golden-brown hair. “It’s good to see you again.”

“You were missed.”

Hoisting Myan up on one arm, Roahr gestured toward his companions with the other.

“Meet Kaer and Kaia of Kharun. We will have much to discuss.”

“Welcome. Our camp is your camp,” Elian said politely, eyeing the newcomers. They were about his age, the young man almost as tall as Roahr, while the girl was roughly Elian’s height. Not counting the ears. Surprisingly, it seemed as if Lyco had been correct, they both had gray ears and tails, so dark they almost appeared black. And their skin was a warm, pale gray, catching the same purple tones as their black hair.

Unlike the Nareth, who, like him, usually wore clothes made from fabrics traded from humans or dwarves, the Kharun siblings were dressed in soft leather. Kaer wore long pants with a vest sturdy enough to act as light armor. The leather arm braces and the two sword handles sticking up over his shoulders gave him a military air, in no way softened by the cold glint in his eyes as he looked Elian up and down.

“So the rumours are true. You raised a human cub.”

Cub? That couldn’t go unanswered, but Kaia beat him to it.

“Brother, that’s no way to speak to our hosts. He may not be our cousin by blood, but if Roahr trusts him as family, so should we.”

“Yeah, he’s not a cub. He’s Nareth, like me.” Myan’s tail was swishing dangerously from side to side as she took a step forward, locking eyes with the warrior almost twice her size.

Kaer smiled at that, his eyes softening.

“My sister is right. I apologize. There has been… tension with the humans in our land for some time, and I allowed it to cloud my judgement.”

Tension? Unfortunately, it made sense. Many humans held nothing but fear and contempt when it came to the ‘wolf-men’, as they called them.

“No apology needed. I have no illusions about the behaviour of some of my race,” Elian said, and Kaer’s dark tail wagged once in acknowledgement. “Welcome to our camp. Everyone is eager to meet you.”

“We brought breakfast,” Kaia smiled, holding up three large bunnyrats. They’d been tied to the quiver she carried at her hip.

“We are grateful. You are a skilled hunter.”

She laughed at that, patting the short but sturdy bow slung over her shoulder.

“They aren’t exactly challenging prey. But they taste good.”

“Sure do,” Elian agreed, and they set off toward the camp at a leisurely pace with Myan taking the lead together with Kaia. The pup was merciless with nonstop questions, but their guest didn’t seem to mind, sometimes laughing and patting the pup’s head.

Kaia was dressed more casually than her brother, a short leather skirt with pointed panels hanging down the front and back of her legs, while the sides were cut high to allow free movement. A leg strap held a small but surely sharp dagger fastened to her thigh. They both moved quietly, with confidence, and their equipment looked efficient, well used but well cared for. Elian found himself suddenly curious about both the siblings and the Deep Forest tribe.

Once they arrived at the camp, everyone greeted the guests and started preparations for a feast in the evening. The hunters brought back a deer that was put to slowly roast over the main fire, and soon amazing smells spread around the camp, making Elian’s stomach growl in anticipation, despite the late breakfast he had just finished.

Later that afternoon, he was helping grind seeds for the traditional flat bread when Roahr and Lyco walked up to him.

“Come with me,” Roahr said, looking toward the edge of the camp where a large colorful sheet had been spread on the ground. Several of the elders were sitting on it, cross-legged, forming a half circle. “We will have Talks. Talks that concern humans, so you should take part.”

“But…” Elian looked down at the grinding stones in his hands, surprisingly reluctant to give up the menial task.

“Lyco will finish it for you. Some practice in food preparation will be good for him.” While the pup didn’t seem too thrilled over the arrangement, he nodded, tail wagging softly.

“Yes. Ryn-auntie always says that food tastes better when you’ve put in the effort.”

“She’s very wise.”

Elian got up, brushing seeds and flour off his hands before he followed Roahr to the meeting place. He wasn’t surprised when Kaer and Kaia followed suit, closing the circle. The Talk was ready to begin.

“Our guests have brought news. There are things we need to discuss.” Roahr looked at the siblings. “Please, tell us your concerns.”

“As you know, humans have spread from their usual habitats deep into our territories over the last few years.”

This was news to Elian, but the others nodded for Kaer to go on.

“Some even reached Kharu forest, setting up homesteads and small farms with livestock. We have plenty of space, and were happy to share, though we mostly stayed out of each other’s way.”

Kaia nodded. “Despite having different languages, we could still trade tools and food, but otherwise keep our distance.”

There were more nods. The Nareth had many campsites close to the human lands, and were the ones who mostly interacted with the other races, often functioning as translators.

“Lately, however,” Kaer’s voice lowered into a growl. “Something’s been preying on the humans and their livestock. Leaving several farmsteads empty and dead.”

“There are great predators roaming the Deep Forests, and humans are ill-equipped to deal with them,” Kaia said matter-of-factly. “They’re also quick to blame…”

Wait…?

“The humans are now accusing us of attacking them. Robbing their homes and killing their people.” The insult and disgust were all over Kaer’s face, ears flattened and tail whipping aggressively behind him.

“Clearly we’d never do such a thing, but humans are stubborn and hard to reason with.”

Elian’s chest tightened… No Lykar would ever stoop so low. He could feel the weight of Roahr’s eyes on him as he swallowed the lump of fear forming in his throat. Something raiding human farms, killing everyone there…?

The hidden mark on his hand throbbed with heat.

Could the buggers really have spread so far?