Kayla meets Mack

"Kayla!" Owyn stood on the steps calling her youngest child. "Kayla!"

The sweet sound of the thirteen year old elf was that of a morning dove in spring. Kayla's small frame seemed to glide over the landscape. With two mightily polar bears close to her heels as Kayla waves at her mother from across the field of flax. Slowing her run down to a walk the polar bears snow and salt slowed to match their masters stride. With nothing more than a hand gesture to the pair of white fluff, they sat near the door as Owyn held it open for Kayla.

Pulling out the chair Kayla sat down. "Wha' be ye need Ma?" tilting her head to look up at her mother with bright eyes.

Owyn placed some tea on the table and some fresh bread. "I need ye ta take a trip fer me lass."

Slowly raising her head up as the knife sliced the bread. The stormy gray eyes swirled with excitement. She was never asked to do anything like this before. The older six were always the ones that got to do everything. Kayla's small legs swung back in forth under the table, she could hardly believe her ears. Which were twitching uncontrollably now. "Me?" the small voice squeaked out.

Owyn laughs softly and patted Kayla's shoulder with tenderness. "Aye m'wee lass, I need fresh herbs. Katlyn can nae go."

"I'z goin by m'self ma?" Kayla stuffed some of the sweet honey bread into her mouth.

"Aye." Owyn said "Under one condition."

A small grown of displeasure pressed from Kayla's mouth as the crumbs spilled fourth to the table.

Oh here is comes she thought to herself as she sighed. "Ma!"

"Hear me lass. Kendra's men will go with ye. Ye nae knowest thy way. Tis a long way lass." Owyn reassured her youngest child.

"Sir Soulless and Sir Mac with a few others shall escort ye. Make camp and watch over ye." Owyn looked across the table from her, knowing her youngest child was more than able to care for herself. She needed to know Kayla was safe and the men would send word of just that every few days. "There be fields to thy west of Tannia. Tis where ye shall find the herbs to pick. Take ye time pick'n them lass, Ye know they must be handle with care. Nae let those ox's Kendra sends with ye ta pick. Their hands will crush them with out a dought."

Laughter filled the air of the farm house. "When do I depart ma?"

A soft smile rest upon Owyns lips. One Kayla hasn't seen in some time. "Tomorrow, can ye be ready lass?"

Kayla's head nodded to her mother. "I go pack and be ready."

"Kendra's men will be here this dusk. In the morn ye can depart when ready. Tis 'bout a days ride."

Kayla ate the last of her bread. "I be proud ma to do ye biding fer ye." as she left the kitchen and healed to get her things together for the journey.

Kayla made ready for her trip, Owyn warmed some water over the fire and began to fill the great wooden tub. She knew the fear of water Kayla had but the lass was going to leave clean and not smelling of the animals she befriends. When the tub was ready Owyn called for Kayla.

Pushing the door open Kayla knew before she saw the tub, that she would be made to bath. Sighing deeply the small elf began to undress as her spirit slipped from her. The room grew dark and cold around her. The stormy gray color of her eyes drew into dark masses of deep green almost black. Her green skin took on a dark mossy color of sick looking frog. Gloom over took her happiness she was given not more than an hour ago. Her mother glided her into the tub slowly knowing Kayla's spirit had left her body for a place of peace. Owyn washed her child well. She never was able to find out why she feared water so badly. The past few years were better. The older Kayla gets the more she can unattch herself from the horror she felt from a bath. Owyn washed and rinsed Kayla's hair. Pulling her from the tub and started to

Briskly towel dry her off. The movements of a dry garment on her silky soft skin seem to bring Kayla back from where ever she escapes to.

"Now Now lassy we be done, tis good again." Owyn reassured the youngest of her lot.

Feeling her spirit returning to her body, she dressed herself quickly in some fresh leather armor. Sliding her tiny feet into her sandals, she hurried back to her room to finish packing what she would need.

The rest of the day was uneventful. The night fell with a welcome to Kayla, this night she was excused from tending to her many pets and picking whom she would take with her was even harder. She settled with her frost drakke Powder. For a young dragon he was very protective of her, and really hated to be apart from his best friend.

The sun rose over the edge of the horizon breaking the darkness that held the land in slumber. Rays sticking into Kayla's bed and upon her face. Eyes spring open as she thought of what the next few weeks would bring her. She wasn't scared, more anxious than anything. Sad of course, for she would be alone without Kyrsta and Kylib. Her heart sank knowing how much she would miss them greatly. Swinging her legs to the side of the bed and lowered her feet into the thick fur rug. The sound of the men outside awakened Kayla's senses. The aroma of bacon cooking pierced her nose. Inhaling it deeply as she dressed. Grabbing up her packs she headed for the kitchen.

"Mornin' lass." Owyn smiled at her and set a plate before her. "Eat up lass. Travel will be harder than ye be use ta."

Giggling Kayla ate her food and chatted with her mother on the herbs she was to gather, where to find them. Kayla noted all she could onto a small scroll. Tucking it into her pack she reassured her mother she'd do just fine.

Within no time Kayla was mounted upon Midnight and was riding out of sight as her mother waved after her.

The traveling wasn't too bad. Within two days time they were riding across the bridge into Tannia. The men went to get supplies and make camp, while Kayla set off on her own.

Kayla walked slowly into the large town known as Britanna. The young druids smoky gray eyes scan the people as she looks for the local bank. The town crier is always a good fellow to ask for directions. The older man chuckles lightly at the small elf. As he turns and points to the large gray building behind him.

"there ye be lass". Still chuckling as she steps around him heading for the door while he calls after her "Yell fer thy Guards if anybody trouble's ye".

Kayla's small hand rises up in a thank you gesture as she pulls the large door open. The small elf

walks up to the table by the banker and with takes some gold. The few others with in the bank look and

watch the wee lass. Kayla turns mumbling to herself as she counts her gold coins. A large man chuckles to himself as he watches her. Loaming with his back upon the wall The dark locks tossled about his broad shoulders. Tangling with his long wirer looking beard. His chest was as wide as her horse and tapered down to a narrow waste. His long legs were covered in plate male. One could tell they were well fit and shapely as the rear of him was. The dark steely blue eyes peeked out from under the strands that cover his face. The skin that was visible to the eye was dark rich golden color, that one gets from being under the golden rays of the sun.

Kayla's gray eyes lock with the large man's steely blue eyes, the heat flushes to her cheeks bringing them to a rose color. The large man pushed himself off the wall and walked to the door. His eyes never leaving hers. His strides were long and heavy. Kalya could feel her stomach tighten up and reel with fear at the sight of the very large man, yet excitement flooded her small body like never before. She swallows hard and dashes for the door, but Kayla's timing wasn't good. She tripped over the man’s foot sailing into the air. The gold clutched in her hand along with her pack to the floor in a thud. Kayla didn’t end there she slid across the wooden floorboards on her belly ending up outside the door in a heap.

Before Kayla could gather her up, a pair of the hugest hands fastened around her tiny waste and picked the wee elf up from the ground. Gently setting her back on her feet he held her in his great hands still gazing down into her stormy gray eyes.

"Thou hurt wee lass?" his voice rang in her ears. It was low in tone, not harsh in anyway, deep and caring it rang within her whole body. She shuttered in his grip. Drawing her close to him he cradled her protectively. "Take a deep breath lassie. Noone will harm ye now." The look on his face was so strong it matched the rest of him.

Dazed she looked up at the towering man holding her. Trembling slightly in his arms she had never felt this safe, never. The thought raged in her mind. So many, to many, shaking her head and regaining herself. "I'z fine sir." Her voice, the softness of the child she is, yet assure of the woman that laid beneath the surface. He just gazed down at her speechless until the slap ajared him back and the snap now in her voice. "Unhand me'z ye Great Oaf!"

His eyes opened wide as he set the lass free. A small laughter of amusement filled the air. A great Oaf indeed echoed in his mind. What a spit of fire for one so young and small he thought. "Watch ye step lass. I do nae like the thought of ye being harmed in anyway." With a soft smile from under the dark curls. His voice roared deeply, when he called his men to follow him.

Kayla stood brushing the dust from her green leather as she watched the warrior stride off. Her heart hammering in her tiny chest. The brief encounter with a stranger left her empty and alone. Still not herself she staged over to the stream running by and sat down. Sticking her sandaled feet into the cool water. Sighing deeply while her small hands planted themselves onto the coble stone path, just slightly behind her. Tilted back slightly she lifted her face toward the bright sun and closing her eyes. Drinking in the warmth of the late afternoon sun began to relax. Recalling in her mind of what happened with the large warrior, and why did she feel so funny inside now.

Lost in her memories for what seemed to be just a few minutes turned to be a few hours. Startled by a voice calling for Lady Kayla, she bounced up to her feet and looked back to the street that led out of town and across the bridge to where she left her sisters men of arms that escorted her there. She rushed down the coble path finding Sir Shawn one of Kendra's most trusted men. He scowls ay her as she rushes up to him. Her tiny hand went up in front of her stopping him from scalding her any farther.

"We made camp M'Lady Kayla." Sir Shawn’s deep shallow voice echoed in the dusk air. "Sir Markum shall escort’s ye." He nodded to Sir Markum and hit Kayla's stallion on the rump. He watched the pair ride over the bridge and turned to scan for any riders that would follow. He soon departed after the pair making sure no one followed them to camp.