Episode 8

**Episode 8**

**An Elvin Home in the Dark: Athame’**

Rynth and
Athame’ have traveled for over a day with Athame’ taking the elixir vials as
she was instructed to do so by Whitley. When weak from traveling on foot, Rynth
carries Athame’ long as she can and they rest when they are able to. Two days
pass and their food begins to dwindle, the lands are scarce of things to hunt
but also scarce of things that can hunt them. Athame’ grows concern that Rynth
doesn’t know where the two of them are venturing to as a safe zone as they
continue to walk through mounds of grass and tall forest trees that seem
endless.

Athame’: You
said she showed you how to get there?

Rynth:
Yes…somehow. I am unsure.

Athame’: If
you’ve never been there how do you know it’s the right place…the right
direction?

Rynth: I am
unsure, but at times when I dream…I envision it within my mind. My mother…my
father as well… but images are hard to read at times…inconsistent actually.

Athame’: How did
you end up with the Darko Clan, if I may ask?

Rynth: I am
uncertain entirely but there are secrets, among the people, that I was given to
them…

Athame’: Like a
slave or what?

Rynth: I am
unsure my lady…

Athame’: So
you’ve never been here before but only recall how it looks from dreams, is what
you are saying?

Rynth: Correct.

Athame’: So this
is pretty much a coming home for the first time for you…aren’t you nervous?

Rynth: I am
uncertain of what you mean my lady?

Athame’: I mean
scared….or anxious to meet your people…your parents…family?

Rynth: Fear does
not rule me, my lady, I stare at it when it gazes into my eyes… ready to
strike.

Athame’: Stop…

The two stop in
a large dark area of woods. Surrounded by tall trees in every direction they
listen closely and hear skittering sounds in the distance all around them. As
they draw closer, Rynth is attacked fast and swiftly by a large tick like
creature. Athame’ attempts to help but is stopped by another creature of the
same. Seeing Athame’ in trouble Rynth forces the creature up and over her then
impales its head. Athame’ is surrounded by three more. Rynth sweeps all with
her razor sharp chain whip, severing the creatures legs and jump in front of
Athame’ in defense. The two fight the creatures off but more take their place
which each one that falls. Finding them surrounded and outnumbered Rynth sees
only one way out, up and through the trees. She grabs Athame’ and jumps into
the trees in retreat. Safe for only a few seconds, the creatures begin to
climb, so continuing their retreat the two begin to jump and swing through the
trees to avoid the creatures. Unfortunately the creatures manage to keep up a
steady place in their mass numbers on the ground and in the trees. A small contraction
stops Athame’s retreat as she begins to have them as the monsters come toward
her. Rynth fends them off the best she can until helps comes from the shadows
around them. Several arrows come from a variety of directions soon accompanied
by several dark and light elves. Three female and four males take the creatures
out from close and long range. Moving swiftly and light on the tree trunks and
surfaces around on the ground they attack with a kind of grace, effortlessly
killing creature after creature. Together, along with the Rynth’s help, the
elves are victorious as the creatures retreat.

The leader of
the squad of elves, a light Elvin female, with blond hair and porcelain white
skin, removes her helmet as Rynth helps Athame’ stand on her feet from the
battle.

Lead Elf Woman:
Who are you and why have you come here?

Athame’ tries to
explain but is over taken with another contraction leaving Rynth to explain
while aiding her.

Rynth: We…We
seek shelter and refuge from this land…a safe place for this child to come
forth.

Lead Elf Woman:
Then tread back to wince you came with your lover at once, there is no such
place among these parts. Only Death.

Athame’: Please!
(she shouts) We were sent this way by a Drake. She informed us what we seek is
here somewhere.

Lead Elf Woman:
Drake? Does her name come from the light and the dark?

Athame’:
(whispers) Twilight… Yes! Twilight… please…help!

The lead elf
speaks in elfish to her squad as a couple more moves and pull leaves from nearby.

Lead Elf: If
Whitley sent you here then you must be of some great importance. I am Trysta.
Light Elvin warrior of Red Leaf. We shall bring you to our healer; she shall
know how to aid you in the way to seek. Come… it is nearby.

Two elves use
the largest leaves to make a stretcher to carry Athame’. Rynth follows with as
Trysta opens a portal to another place deep into the woods. It resembles a
variety of tree formations creating a make shift castle, out of wood, leaves
and various plant life. As the two of the elves carry Athame; on the makeshift
stretcher, the rest follow and Rynth closely by with Trysta; Athame’ always in
her field of vision as they walk through the portal toward the entrance.

Rynth: Will she
be alright?

Trysta: Yes, our
healer is the best and possibly the strongest of the many here. This way,
please.

The two walk closely
and converse with Trysta growing more and more curious as they walk.

Trysta: Tell me
young warrior, where do you hail from?

Rynth: Why do
you ask of this?

Trysta:
Apologies, I mean no invasion of privacy but you seem familiar…I ask because
you seem to be of our kin but there is…something different within you.

Rynth: I am
unsure of what you mean and the purpose of your question, explain?

Trysta: You move
as we do in battle…accurate, fast bust swift; As if you ride the air but a glow
lies within you… as well as darkness.

Rynth: I was
born of the drow many years ago…that is the extent of my knowledge of self.
Rest aside…I grew up in the arena and in combat since I could walk.

Trysta: You know
nothing of your mother or father?

Rynth: No just
that I was given to a clan of demons…

Trysta: Demons
you say? Hmm interesting.

She says as they
arrive to the large broad room filled with books and variety of technology and
magical machines. Almost like an enchanted clinic as somethings move by
themselves that are machine and others are not. As they arrive the elves
carrying Athame’ pause in wait, with everyone else as a tall woman swoops in
from the window, post flight. She wears Elvin clothing with a hood attachment.
Floral decoration and design in her clothes with black, brown and purple
colors, and a corset like brazier and skirt with thigh high boots. She has pale
elf like skin but almost scaly and hard like a reptile. Her dark long hair
hides her skin tone and painted dark green lips. She has a few tattoos on her
face and arms, tribal in nature. Her soft spoken voice is the complete opposite
of her demeanor.

Healer: What’s
going on in here?

Athame’ exclaims
in pain distracting the healer’s thought, as everyone crowds around her and the
healer attends to her.

Rynth: My lady
seeks help mistress…she is in the dire need of a healer. The warrior elf,
Trysta says you are such, are you not?

Healer: Shh…
(saying as she places her hand over Athame’ who is breathing fast) This woman
is pregnant but with… who are you drow woman? Her lover?

Rynth: No. I am
Rynth. Protector of Lady Starfire and guardian to the unborn child.

Healer: Well if
you were doing actual protecting you wouldn’t be here so…

Trysta: They
were sent by the Twilight mistress…I assumed if this was so…then it must be
important.

Healer: It is...
put her up here (two elves do as she says as she gestures to a medical bed) I
need water and after that quiet so clear the room (saying as another elf gets a
small pot of water) You, Rynth (saying before everyone leaves) I need your assistance
to help her undress, can you do that?

Rynth nods as
Athame’ strains her body movements as she’s slowly undressed with Rynth’s help.

Healer: Thank
you. Trysta! Get Rynth here food, water…whatever she needs… our guest will be
here a while.

Rynth: What I
need is for the assurance of my ladies wellness!

Healer: And you
will do just that by leaving my domicile please and letting me work!

Rynth looks to
Athame’ as she gives her a nod yes and leaves with Trysta.

Healer: Please…
lay back for me and try to relax. Deep breathes in through your nose and out of
your mouth.

Athame’ does as
she is asked despite her pain while the healer lays her hands on her stomach
and head begins to chant in elfish. Meanwhile Rynth walks with Trysta in the
outside corridor and converse.

Trysta: My
apologies if our healer was a bit hostile… she has both her good and bad days
but I assure you, your friend is safe with her… you both are safe here. (Saying
as Rynth looks around the long hallways curiously) Are you bothered by
something?

Rynth: Not at
all fellow warrior but there is a strange remembrance about this place…as if
I’d been here before?

Trysta: The red
leaf has been here for centuries…when we elves are born, to the light or dark,
it is believed we passed the knowledge from our predecessors and
parents…perhaps what you are seeing are latent visions from fellow passed
kindred who once dwelled within these walls?

Rynth: I am
uncertain…did…light use to cast here? (saying as she gestures in a specific
place)

Trysta: (looking
curiously) Once upon… yes. But centuries ago. The um…red leaf has always had
its own spirit. Binds the Elvin people…protects within and without the walls of
itself. (saying as Rynth gazes down another hallway as if she recognizes it)
Come, let us eat. (saying as they walk together to get food).

Meanwhile in the
Elvin infirmary, the healer examines Athame’ after relaxing her with Elvin
magic.

Healer: Feeling
better now are you?

Athame’:
What…what did you do?

Healer: I
blocked your nervous system from the pain using magical point in said system,
should temporarily help so I can obtain information.

Athame’:
Amazing… it’s like… wait what information?

Healer: Like
your story first of all…

Athame’: My
story?

Healer: Yes like
how are you eight and half months pregnant with a drake and still walking, let
alone conscious?

Athame’: I…um…

Healer: Or
something easier perhaps, like your name and why you think Whitley sent you
here to me?

Athame’: I’m
Athame’ Starfire…from the hidden city of Atlantis.

Healer:
Atlantis? Really? I’ve always thought it a myth.

Athame’: It’s
not..it’s actually well hidden in….

Healer: Getting
side tracked…tell me exactly why you think Whitley sent you to me…and don’t lie
please… I can tell.

Athame’: I don’t
know for sure…but she said I needed isolation and seclusion for this birth to
take place. I thought she was sending us somewhere open so no one would get
hurt…I was wrong. She didn’t tell me where I was going just gave us directions
in Rynth’s head…I’m sorry I can leave…I don’t want to burden anyone.

Healer: No you
won’t. The nerve blocking spell will only work for so long then you’ll be back
to how you were pain…agony. I think Whitley sent you here for that reason you
mention I am sure…but also I may be able to help deliver that baby safely….
That’s what you want right?

Athame’: Yes,
It’s the only thing I want more than anything. To see my son healthy…safe.

Healer: And you
as well right? I am sure she told you your survival rate?

Athame’: Yes…If
you can save me, I mean it’s not important…only he is.

Healer: You
brave woman…. Listen I owe Whitley more than you can imagine. I cannot say it
for sure but we will get that baby out safely and you with it.

Athame’: Thank
you (she says with a smile).

Healer: My name
is Vaqui Thunderbird…please to meet you Athame’ Starfire. Come… we have much to
do. (saying as she helps her stand up)