The Woodelf Bard

By Larkee

Chapter Two

A smile had crept over Kemili's face as Larkell finished her story. "You have quite a legacy to work with already little bird, and I assume that these silly human bards did not teach you the ways of the good fight. That is a task they usually leave up to the warriors." He looked at Larkell and got the affirmation that she had no fighting skills. "Do you wish to learn the good fight my friend?" Again he got a nod from her. "Good, we must get going then." He stood up and broke the little camp they had going and pulled her to her feet.

Larkell looked at him in disbelief, "get going where? What about Qeynos?" This was happening way to fast. Even though she knew she must start on her quest it just was so over whelming and even scary.

His boastful laugh set her at ease. "My little song bird, do you not trust me. You are smarter than your years would give you credit for, I guess the Bards have taught you something. I assume that you have stuff inside of Qeynos, a lute or a drum, some extra clothing and bedding, and your song book, like all good Bards of Antonica do?" Larkell nodded to him and he just smiled and said, "lead the way my friend."

They arrived at the Bards guild in short order and she went around back to where her sleeping quarters where. At first she tried to pack up every thing that was hers and Kemili immediately halted the packing and told her as he selected a few items to place in a spare backpack he had. "Little bird, all this finery will be of no use to you on the travels you must make. Take only the necessities of life and that does not include the kitchen wash basin!" The bag contained her heavy cloak and a change of cloths, the rations she had been given, her songbook, lute, drum, and the coppers. Attached to the bottom of the bag Kemili put a bedding roll. "There Larkell, my dear, we are now ready for our trip!"

"Kemili, you have yet to tell me where we are going." She pointed out to him. "And I will not go anywhere until you do!" She was shocked when he let loose a great laugh.

"You will make a fine traveler friend," he spoke around his merriment. "Never let yourself get side tracked, very good. My dear songbird, we travel to Halas. I was on my way to meet my cousin Macullok so as to train him in the warrior ways and teach him the good fight. You will also be my student and learn as a barbarian does." Kemili all of a sudden became very serious as he continued, "I would not do this, but the Barbarian named in your tale was a great adventure of my time. Even though I never met him myself, I heard of his great deeds. If your mother was his traveling companion that was spoken of in his tales and you her child, then it is my honor to teach you the ways of the barbarian even though you are not of our kind."

"Does he still live?" Hope filled her chest as Larkell thought that someone might be able to tell her more of her mother.

Kemili shook his head "nay child, he traveled here 16 seasons ago and meet up with a druid just in time for the Great War. The gnolls had used the magic they had learned from the Dark ones to make superior gnolls, some as tall as a hill giant. Mead and this druid worked together to help guard Surefall and Qeynos from this evil. Unfortunately, both men died in the battle." He put his large hand on her shoulder and continued in a merry voice. "Come child, it is a long journey and I want to be into the hills before night fall."

The two travelers started on their way. One twice the size of the other and much more seasoned. Once they got to the gates of Qeynos again Kemili turned to Larkell and reached into her bag to bring out her drum. "Play a lively jig my song bird. It will make the trip more fun."

Larkell raised an eyebrow at the barbarian but obliged him. Then smiled when his eyes widened toward her. A soft blue light pulsed around the two and made him feel light as a feather. "YOU, you have the bardic magic?" He let loose a gut filled laugh as he smacked her on the back (softly so as not to hurt the small half-elf) "You HAVE been blessed with magic. Then I must believe your tale for it is not easy to master such music with out the hereditary magic." His smile seemed to cover his face as he continued, "You will make a fine adventurer and this will aid in your lessons."

The misfit travelers set off on their journey towards the Qeynos Hills. Kemili had made it clear that he wanted to camp just before the pass going to the plains of Karanas. If they went further, they might encounter gnolls, which would make a good nights rest impossible. He explained some fighting tactics as they ran to the music. The jig she played invoked a special magic that made them seem light on their feet and take longer to get tired. It would speed their journey, but it would also make the need for sleep great once the song ended. It was going along fine; just listen to him give pointers on how to avoid getting hit and where to swing the blade for the most effective attacks. When Larkell was knocked to the ground. Kemili stopped when he did not hear the music and turned to see Larkell underneath the bulk of a gnoll pup. With out much though he chanted a spell to cover the pup with fire. The gnoll jumped off of Larkell and started to run. 'This was uncalled for' she thought to herself as she jumped up, dropping the backpack on the ground, and taking after the pup. The pup was slow, due to the damaged done by Kemili's spell, so she caught up to it in short order. She dispatched this enemy with just a little effort thanks to his weakened state. Kemili came to stand over her while she skinned her newest enemy and to make sure she introduced the blood correctly. They collected up her backpack and carefully placed the gnoll skin and meat into the bag so as not to mess up the other things inside. When she further inspected the pup she also found a few copper on it. "Yes little one, they do carry money and sometime weapons or armor that can be salvaged for use or for sale. This is how we adventurers live." He grinned as he continued, "let us go, we are almost to the guard shack where we can rest. I think you have earned it my young one."

He did not lie; the road must be well traveled for him, for just over the next hill was the large guard tower marking the pass to the plains. The guards looked at the two with suspicion but allowed them to enter the relative safety of the tower. Inside there was a ragtag group of adventures curled up in sleep or mending recent wounds. Kemili settled down in the back near the wall and helped Larkell lay out her bedding. Sleep was easy for Larkell especially after the type of day she had. And even though her sleep was riddled with dreams of battles and her long lost tree city, it could not prevent her from sleeping through the night.

To Be Continued...