Seven Tribes: The Spear's Point by Eric Guindon

Author:Eric Guindon [Guindon, Eric]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Eric Guindon
Published: 2013-05-16T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 4

The elf bid them get dressed and be silent. Once they were ready, he led the Hand out of their cabin and into the woods. Kire saw there was smoke in the distance, in the direction they were headed.

When they arrived, it turned out the smoke came from a well-built camp fire, bound in a circle of stones. Arranged around it were seats in the form of upright logs; one for each member of the Hand and one for Taran. The elf indicated everyone should sit. This was the first time Kire felt he had time to really study the elf and he was struck by his clothing. It was plain-seeming, but very well crafted of quality materials. It was of a dull uneven green colour throughout, but the poor dyeing job was deliberate, not the result of poor quality work or dyeing agents. Kire knew from personal observation that the clothing blended well in a forest.

Once everyone had found a seat, Taran withdrew a bottle from his cloak. He presented it to Deviendra, who took it. Kire could see no label on it, but he could tell it was filled with a red liquid.

"Elvish wine," the elf said. "It is one part of your reward for helping me. This is the other." He handed a gold coin to Kire. "Both are to be shared between you. Further, should you need my help, you can call upon me using the same method as you did previously."

Kire looked at the coin Taran had handed him. It was definitely real gold, but it was not of Seven Tribes minting. It looked custom made, with words in elvish written on one side and a picture of clasped hands on the other. It was worth more money than Kire expected he would receive as stipend for his five years of service to House Howling Wolf. He was reluctant to let go of the gold piece, but felt it was right to let the others handle it. He passed it to Tanax.

"What do the words on it mean?" Kire asked as Tanax looked unbelieving at the unique gold piece.

"It reads 'In the name of cooperation and friendship. May it forever be so.' I had it made since we do not use currency in the lands of my king, but I felt an offer of coin appropriate and necessary for the business we have transacted. I hope it pleases."

"It does indeed!" exclaimed Tanax, who was still marvelling at the gold piece. Kire took it from him and passed it on to Tress. Deviendra unsealed the wine and, lacking glasses, drank from the bottle directly. She smiled in surprise and had another drink before passing it on to Tress, who passed her the coin.

"I want you to know that the experience we have lived through binds us. Among my kind, life is the most precious thing. When you put your lives at risk for what was an elvish problem, it was a gesture which touched me deeply.

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