Chapter 4 Part 27

After a good night's sleep under a clear sky, Marlena was in good spirits. She had awakened to a delicious breakfast of fruit, stewed roots and boiled eggs. Avery had assured her that the eggs were unfertilized and would never hatch.

Later as they walked across the grassy plain in the half-light shadow of the mountain, she rejoiced at the feel of fresh air and the sight of blue cloudless skies. They reached the small village they had spied as they descended the slopes just as the first sun appeared above the mountain peak a few hours before midday.

At Avery's insistence, they sat among the tall grasses and watched the villagers. Seeing that there was no evidence as to the presence of elvenkind among the human inhabitants, it was decided that Marlena would enter the town and determine if it would be safe for the others to enter as well. After agreeing on a set of prearranged signals, the woman confidently walked into town.

The village was quiet and very, very boring. Just the kind of place she wanted to live in when she retired, she decided. Her sudden appearance attracted quite a bit of attention, however. She had not gone very far when an elderly man approached, cane in hand. "My dear," he said. "You should not be our in the sun in your condition."

Marlena looked amused at his comments and was about to ask him his name when a young girl ran up to them. "Grandfather, please don't disturb the lady." She took him by the hand and faced Marlena.

"I'm sorry," She apologized. "He thinks it is his business to tell everyone else their business."

Marlena smiled. "That is just fine," she said. "His age demands respect. Listen to what he says. There is a lot of knowledge behind his eyes."

"Thanks," the girl said, not listening of course. "You are new here aren't you?"

"Yes I am, can you tell me where I might find passage south?"

"Always find business men at the tavern, young lady, but never find a husband there." The old man waved a finger at her as if teaching her a valuable lesson.

"A freighter comes in about every five days. They bring cattle to graze on the grass from other ranches in the strip," the girl said.

"The strip," Marlena asked.

"That is what we locals call the land between the Orkons and the Glass Desert. All the good soil that washes out of the mountains gets trapped in the few leagues here making this some of the best land in the north.

"I see," Marlena said. "Thank you. Can you tell me where the tavern is?"

The girl pointed to a building down the lane. "That is the place, but I suggest you send your husband." She looked at Marlena's large bulge under her robes. It was clear to Marlena that by now her pregnancy was obvious. "You are married," the girl said inquisitively.

"My husband was killed in a rock slide in the pass, north of here," Marlena lied. I am trying to get to Allentown. I have relatives there."

"I am sorry to hear that," the girl said.

"Relatives are always a comfort after the loss of a loved one," the old man said patting the girl's hand. "I wish you well."

Marlena thanked him and started to leave, then stopped. "Are there any elves in this town?"

"Occasionally," the girl said as she led the old man away. "They are nice enough, but they don't stay long." Again Marlena thanked them. It sounded as if Avery and Armegon would not scare the local populace, so she gave the signal for them to approach.