The Solitary Arrow Ch. 07
She then turned to the third item, and the largest. It was a mask, carven of some white stone, and inset with fine symbols of blue stone. Hyandai asked. "Know you this item, then?" She pointed to the mask.
"I can't say I know much about them save the flute and the night-orb, on the right." Gramma said. "The others I simply desired for their beauty."
The elf-maid nodded. "And they are worthy on that regard alone, in mine eyes also." She looked at the mask. "That is a soul mask." She said. "When an elf dies but needs something done after that death, they have such crafted. The wearer is said to channel the spirit of the deceased and can thence finish their works." She did not touch it. "I know not how they work or if they do, but they are rare." She said. "I will not touch it, as touching one may be perilous to elvenkind, for you never know if the mission it was crafted for was completed."
She looked at the second item from the right, a small box, of intricate design, and lovely display, wrought of silver with jet inset. It depicted men and elves trading goods with one another, and singing and dancing together. She laughed. "I'm afraid not all you have is precious." She said. "This is a thing made for trade with humans, a jewelry box, crafted for trade with the people of the Windy Isles. Such things still are made and traded to this day."
Maggie did not look terribly disappointed. "Then I am happy just to know it, and still, it's lovely." She said.
Lastly was a black stone sitting on a ring of bronze with three little legs that held it off the counter top. The stone was deepest black and one might think they could fall into it, or at least reach inside it. "As you say, this is a night-orb", she said. And have you shared with your grandson what it's purpose is?" She asked, giving Gramma a sideways glance.
The elder lady said. "No, I haven't, since he's been a bachelor all his days. But perhaps I might should soon." She smiled at the elven lady and winked.
Hyandai picked up the orb and held it in her palm. "They are still used in my lands, and I am shocked to find this one outside of my lands, as they are so terribly useful and hard to craft now." The stone pulsed white a moment then settled to a pulsing red. Flashing with short quick alternations between flat black and luminous red. Her eyes widened quite a lot and she looked at Gramma. "Oh, dear." She said, trying to keep her face happy. "Perhaps I should speak to Harlen." She said, forcing a sheepish grin onto her lovely face.
The grand dame said. "I think perhaps you might." and took the stone from Hyandai's numb fingers. She put it back onto the mantle and said. "That stone has predicted many an unexpected visitor, and has, I deem, done so again?"
"Y...yes, Gramma, it probably has." The elf said.
Gramma led her into the kitchen where she gave her water from the hand pump, and Hyandai drank heartily of it, taking a second cup. They both looked out the window at Harlen's back, muscular and coated in sweat, cutting wood.
"There are worse fathers, you know?" Gramma said.
Hyandai winced. "Yes, I do." She said, and forced a smile when the Maggie looked on her.
"He's quite smitten by you, I deem." Said gramma.
The elf asked. "How can one be certain no longer than you saw the two of us together?"
"You're the first girl he's brought to my home," the lady said, beaming at her.
Hyandai giggled, though to her ears, it sounded strained.
"And you're smitten as well." Said Gramma.
"Is it so obvious?" Asked the elf.
The lady looked at her and smiled gently. "I was a girl once and I have looked at men that way. One gave me a flute."
Hyandai giggled again, more naturally this time. She did need to speak to Harlen, but it was not the glad tidings that Gramma seemed to hold in her thoughts.
"I will still my tongue on the night-orb matter, such news should be yours to tell." She said, and walked to the door, and put her hand on the pull-handle. "He will do the honorable thing, if you wish it. I know he will."
"I do as well, Gramma." Said Hyandai, her thoughts half a world away.
The older lady opened the door and said. "Harlen, I believe your lady friend is tiring of my old chatter, you two might be thinking of going home. I've plans, anyway."
Hyandai marveled at this, he had just done backbreaking work for an hour and was sweating profusely, but he smiled widely and ran to his gramma to give her a sweaty hug. "Very well, then, Gramma, I will see you next week then, though I doubt I will have a gift quite so grand to present to you."
Gramma judiciously avoided the scars on his back and hugged him, and handed him his shirt. "Your smiles are gift enough for an old woman, grandson of mine." She said.
Harlen took Hyandai's hand and walked around the house back to the small front lawn. She was quiet as they walked home noticeably so. "Is something wrong, my love?" He asked.
Tears started rolling from her eyes but she kept her face placid. "We will speak when we get to your home." She said, forcing back a sob. She wanted to fall into his arms and be comforted, but had to wait, such news needed no hearers.
They finally arrived at the house, and letting themselves in, Hyandai called out. "Trevir, are you here?"
The boy appeared a moment later, smiling. "Yes, Miss Hyandai?" He asked, all but bowing to her. This deference caused Harlen to blink a few times, but he kept his mouth still.
"I need you to go home for tonight, young Trevir." Hyandai said bluntly. "Harlen and I have matters to discuss and wish privacy."
The lad looked a little hurt, but nodded and left quietly.
"What was that about?" The hunter asked as he closed the door quietly.
Hyandai collapsed into tears, and fell onto his chest. He put his arms about her and held her, and murmured to her, but not knowing the problem, could say little of meaning.
She finally stopped bawling long enough to look at him and say. "I bear a child." She said, and dissolved into more crying.
Harlen stopped a moment then his mind fully registered. "No." He said. "You...oh by the One." He said, and wept with her. "It's not fair." He said.
She sniffed and looked at him. "No, but it is so." She said. "The night-orb does not lie." She straightened up. "Which leaves me with no option but to go home, and soonest as maybe." She hardened her face. "I must have this, this THING torn from me, and I only know of elven arts that can do thus safely."
Harlen nodded. "Or a Sorceress." he said.
She turned and regarded him. "A Sorceress, here?" She asked.
"About a half day walk toward Norboro." He said. "She keeps to herself, but has been known to do favors for pay."
Hyandai nodded. "Sorceresses learned their arts from elves, they would know the way." She said, some hope gleaming in her golden eyes.
"So I've heard." Said Harlen. "But they charge dearly."
She looked down. "I have little to give." She said. "So, again, to home my path leads me."
"I have money." Harlen said. "And would gladly give of it for your benefit."
She shook her head. "The price may be high indeed." She said.
"I have it, or I deem I do, lest the price be outrageous." He said, and walked into his workroom. A few moments later he came out with a small chest, about a foot wide, built with heavy bands of iron around wooden boards. He opened it, and within were silver and even gold coins.
"How?" She said. "You are a hunter."
He smiled widely. "I am a very good hunter." He said. "I do not shy always from more dangerous beasts, and the bounty for the more dangerous ones can be high indeed." He closed the chest.
"I see." She said, somewhat stunned. Elves, in general, are not creatures of avarice, but they do know when something of value is showed them, and that was a lot of silver and not a small amount of gold.
"We leave on the morrow, then." He said, nodding.
She looked at him and cried again. "What is it now, my love?" He asked, almost perturbed.
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