The small room that Ionae lead Vash to was sparse, but comfortable. A bed, washbasin, small window, all in a stone room that if Vash reached to either side, he could almost touch the walls. “Get some rest.” She had said, sympathetically. “Byar won’t be back until the evening meal, and it doesn’t look like you’ve slept in a fortnight.”

“Thank you.” Vash said, all but collapsing onto the narrow bed.

“I’ll check on you later and bring you something else to wear. It’s bad enough that you’re called a son of a bitch, but if you go around smelling like shit, you’re going to get a reputation.” Ionae said with a teasing grin. “There’s water in the ewer if you want to wash up. Just a suggestion.”

Vash blushed and nodded, eliciting another laugh from Ionae. She shook her head and left, closing the door behind her. With a long sigh Vash finally started to feel taut muscles unwind. He was safe, he felt, for the moment. At the very least he could get some sleep in a bed and a change of clothes if Ionae could be believed. He poured the ewer of lukewarm water into the washbasin and picked up the small bar of soap. Slowly he lathered up his hands, washing off grime and blood, revealing the cuts and bruises he had known were there but could not see. He peeled off the ragged remnants of his tunic and winced at the sight of his own body. Bruises marred his side where one constable had taken particular joy in kicking him over and over again. The flesh was tender, but he didn’t think anything was broken, thank the gods. The act of getting clean made Vash slowly start to feel whole again. The bruises, cuts, and sores became more pronounced, but he started to feel more himself as the layers of dirt, grime, and dried blood sluiced down his body. Finally, he washed his feet, peeling away the dirty, bloody rags that he was using to protect them on the road. It hurt, but the relief of finally getting those rags off was greater than the pain. In the end he was as clean as he could make himself under the circumstances and the soapy water of the washbasin was now a dull cloudy black color.

The bed was firm as a board and the blanket was thin, but to Vash it felt like featherdown and silk sheets. His eyes slid closed and he let oblivion take him. Vash slept a dreamless, exhausted sleep, and when he awoke the sunlight through the small window had turned a burnished red-gold and all the shadows had softened. Ionae stood over him with a bemused expression on her face.

“They really did a number on you, didn’t they, little brother.” She said, taking in his abused torso.

“It’s not so bad.” Vash grunted, trying to hide his surprise from having the strange woman standing over him.

“Liar.” She snorted. “How you ever got caught up in—“, she tilted her head looking at the brand on his wrist. “—Theft of Royal property and assault of a human citizen, is beyond me.”

Vash swore and moved too late to cover the brand on his arm.

Ionae laughed, “Too late for that, little brother. And don’t worry about it. Your secret is safe with us.” She placed a set of folded clothes next to him on the bed, and a pair of canvas shoes with leather soles on top of them. “Not too sure about the fit, had to guess. But if I’m too off the mark just let me know and I’ll see if I can’t find something better. Get dressed and come down to the kitchens, just follow your nose and you’ll find it, Byar’s back and he’d like to meet you.”

She turned and left without another word, leaving Vash perplexed. The pile that Ionae had left was much like the room. Simple clothes: smallclothes, trousers, shirt, and a pair of socks, all in a mishmash of shades of gray. Vash pulled them on thankfully, they were a bit large, but then he had always been slight of frame and clothes tended to hang off him. The shoes fit well, though his feet were still tender, he tied them loosely and exited the room.

The interior of the building seemed to be a series of narrow passages, dimly lit with small globes that glowed with a green-white light. Vash wondered which way the kitchens were, Ionae had not showed him when he arrived. He stood in the narrow passageway for a moment and then the smell hit him. A warm, savory smell that instantly made his mouth water. Having no better option, he decided to just follow his nose.

Passages twisted and turned, and Vash had to backtrack a few times before he found a warmly lit chamber with a hearth at one end, dominated by a long table. Ionae was lounging in one of the chairs while several other part-elves, also clad in gray, were busy tending to the various stages of cooking food. She was in conversation with a man whose back was to him, she shot him a grin when he entered and nodded to the man she was talking to. “Told you he’d find his way. When in doubt, trust a hungry stomach.”

“Yes, my dear, you’ve been right before.” The man said, with the tone of one who has said the same thing many times. “It would have been faster if you had waited and brought the poor fellow yourself.”

“What fun would that be?” Ionae asked, mock affronted.

The man turned to face Vash. He was older, though like all part-elves he had an ageless quality that made it hard to guess a true age. His iron-gray hair was pulled back in a loose tail, which exposed the small tips to his ears. Likely he was several generations removed from his elvish sire, enough that he likely could pass in human society if he wanted to. The man rose and approached Vash. “Liellovash McMartin, it is very nice to meet you, I am Byar Andrasius.”

There were a few snickers from the others. Byar did not move. “It is his name. You will show respect to a guest under our roof. Remember when you were all strangers, not so long ago.”

Murmurs of apology followed, though the look on Byar’s face intimated there would be a discussion in store later. “My apologies, they are young and some of them have forgotten what brought them to our door in the first place.”

“There’s no need for an apology.” Vash said, not wanting to upset anyone. “I didn’t even know what my name meant until Ionae told me. I am very grateful for your hospitality.”

Byar smiled. “Well, we try to help others like us. It is not an easy rod to Sothsford, especially when you’re different.” He said with emphasis, tapping his own ear-tip. “Come and have a seat, the brothers will get you something to eat. Won’t you, boys?”

There was a chorus of “Yes, Byar” from the young men who were all keeping their eyes on their task. Byar gave them a satisfied nod and pulled out a chair next to him, across from Ionae. Vash took the proffered seat, trying to remain as unobtrusive as possible.

“So, Vash, that is what you prefer, correct?” Byar asked. Vash responded with a nod. Byar considered this for a moment. “It will seem slightly unusual in the Wood, but outside no one will bat an eye.” He shrugged. “Anyways, Vash, Ruel brought you in from the Silver Road, is that right?”

“He gave me a ride in the last few miles.” Vash nodded.

“Ruel’s a good man, hard-headed and stubborn, but a good man.” Byar said. One of the youths in gray brought him a glass and filled it with a dark purple wine, to which Byar nodded in appreciation. “Silver Road doesn’t have much more than monsters and bandits these days. So, which are you, my boy?”

“Brand marks him a bandit.” Ionae remarked, snagging a loaf from one of the boys as he passed by, he started to protest but she made a face at him and he scuttled away. “Lucky he was with Ruel, might have lost a hand at least.”

“I would prefer that the boy speak for himself, Ionae, if that’s all right with you?” Byar chided. The young woman held up her hands in mock-submission and tore into her bread. “Are you a bandit, Vash?”

“Not really. It was all Nyx’s idea—" Vash began.

“Nyx?” Byar asked, turning to Ionae. “Do we know a Nyx?”

“Now you want me to talk?” Ionae asked around a mouthful of bread.

“Anyxus Raynor.” Vash supplied. “Maybe he was a bandit, I don’t know, I met him doing deliveries to the Knight and Kettle up in Durron’s Ford.”

Byar made a face. “Name sounds familiar, but I can’t for the life of me place it.”

“Ran the Shadow Foxes for Kip in the Paturel Barony. Word is Kip’s furious since he’s on his way to Kas Molag for killing a taxman.” Ionae said accepting her own glass. “Something went way sideways on that one.”

“Oh yes, now I remember.” Byar nodded. “More balls than brains, sounds like.”

Vash stayed silent. Let everyone come to their own conclusions, he thought.

“So, you got a king’s brand and several very good reasons to get out of the barony.” Byar said, turning back to Vash. “You do know that most of the major cities, that if a guardsman caught sight of that brand, they’d be within their rights to take the hand above it? With you being a part-blood, it makes it even easier for them.”

“Really?” Vash asked, swallowing hard.

“Oh yes.” Byar nodded, somberly. “They do it to deter ‘criminality’ in the major cities. Though if you look around, you’ll find criminals everywhere. Not sure how much deterrence they’re actually doing.”

“It’s a laugh.” Ionae said. “Take a walk down the river and I can point out six gangs, each with their own specialty carved out. Sothsford is rotten with thievery, intimidation, and murder. At least outside of Temple Square.”

“Then they just have other people do it to keep the blood off their gloves.” Said a younger part-elf with sandy hair, he appeared more than a bit younger than Vash, maybe twelve or thirteen. “Give me an honest thief any day, at least you know where you stand.”

“Thank you for your input, Ionae, Jakus. Anyways, Vash, it was lucky we found you first.”

“And I appreciate it.” Vash said slowly. “But no one has told me what and who you are.”

Byar gave him a sly smile. The other young men deposited the food on the table and took their places at various seats. “Let’s eat first, there will be plenty of time to discuss those particulars after dinner.”

“Jakus.” Ionae said, turning to the boy settling next to her. “It’s your turn to say the blessing. Keep it short, we’re hungry.”

Laughs and mutters of agreement rippled around the table. Jakus shifted in his seat and folded his hands. “Lord of the Hunt and Hunters hear your servants. We give thanks for the prey you lead to us, and the will you gave us to take what is needed.”

Vash began to feel uneasy. He had never heard a blessing like this one, never heard of a Lord of Hunts and Hunters. Around the table all the others had hands folded and eyes lowered.

“Let us follow the trails we are given, watch for our prey with keen eyes and clear minds, and give us the strength to do what must be done.” Jakus said with an air of finality. “In your name, Lord of Hunts and Hunters.”

“Lord of the Quick and Silent.” Ionae intoned.

“Lord of Fang and Claw.” Byar completed the prayer. “All right, let’s eat.”

Covers were lifted and platters of food were exposed. It was relatively simple fare. A roasted ham, mashed turnips in butter, peas and carrots in a honey sauce, and loaves of a crusty brown bread. Everyone dug in at once, grabbing portions for themselves. Vash hesitated, though his stomach grumbled.

Jakus looked at him from across the table. “You’d best take some, brother, if you don’t, I can guarantee the rest of us won’t leave anything but crusts and bones.”

“If that!” A taller, ruddy-faced boy at the other end of the table called.

Vash needed no further prompting, tearing ham and scooping turnip mash onto his plate. His eagerness prompted cheerful laughs and encouragement from the others. For a short time, he lost himself in the food, not hearing the conversations around him, just enjoying the first hot meal he’d had in a week.

“Lyssa stopped by this afternoon.” Ionae said when the first rush of plating and eating was finished, and a lull came in the ribbing that the youths were giving one-another. “Seems like Nolas is having some trouble with his operation in Riverside.”

The comment seemed innocuous, but Vash heard the boys go silent and all eyes swiveled to Byar. The older man chewed thoughtfully and took a drink of his wine. “What sort of trouble, did she say?”

“Some vandalism, he’s taken a few beatings.” Ionae shrugged.

“Was blood spilled?” Byar asked, casually.

“If there was, it wasn’t much.” Ionae grimaced. “Sounded like they were just roughing him up a bit, trying to push him back to the Wood.”

“Any idea who?” Byar asked, again it was a casual question, but there was a tension in the room that was growing.

“Heard it was the Redcaps.” Ionae said, taking another bite of her dinner.

“They broke off from the Pike Boys, didn’t they?” Byar took another sip of wine.

Vash couldn’t help looking around. It was like they were speaking some other language that he didn’t understand, but it seemed to have dire meaning to the boys around the table. Jakus glanced across the table, and gave Vash a slight, encouraging grin. A look that said: Just wait, it’s coming.

“They did indeed.” Ionae grabbed another loaf and tore it open, slathering a piece with butter.

“Osmund Pike knew the rules, is it likely he forgot to tell these wayward children?” Byar mused.

“Possible.” Ionae chewed thoughtfully. “But not bloody likely.”

“Hmmmm.” The older part-elf frowned and seemed to be looking for answers in his wine glass. “This may be a good way for our new friend to learn a bit about us, don’t you think?”

“It may be.” Ionae grinned with her mouth full.

“After dinner why don’t you and Jakus take him out and let him see what we do for the community.” Byar nodded, giving Vash a winning smile.

“What’s going on?” Vash asked.

“Don’t worry, little brother,” Ionae said with a wolfish grin, “we’ll take care of you out there.”

***

After dinner Vash found himself following Ionae and Jakus out into the night. The two of them seemed perfectly at ease with the idea of ‘dealing’ with the Redcaps who had been giving someone trouble. Jakus seemed to be bursting with excitement.

“You’re so lucky that you get to go out your first time with Ionae.” He gushed. “She’s the best I’ve ever seen.”

“Best what?” Vash said, for what felt like the thousandth time. “No one’s told me anything. Ruel just said that you’d give me a place to stay tonight.”

“And we will, don’t worry about that.” Ionae turned a kindly smile on Vash. “We are a temple, with a holy duty. Followers of and aspect of Lord Kyrinos.”

“The elf tree god?” Vash asked, falling back on what he’d been taught at the temple in Durron’s Ford, which wasn’t much on the gods that weren’t part of the Great Temple of the Light itself.

“In one aspect.” Ionae said, wrinkling her nose. “He’s lord of the forest and keeper of deep secrets. That’s how the Vanan worship him for the most part. However, what most of the round-ears don’t know or don’t understand is that the elvish religion has a duality to it.”

“Sunlight and moonlight.” Jakus piped up.

“Right. So, the sunlight aspect is deep woodland glades, mysteries of nature, and other such things. The moonlight aspect is the one we serve. The Lord of Hunts and Hunters. The wolf who tracks prey to feed her cubs. The bear who attacks the intruder to her den. Nature red in tooth and claw, but not without purpose, not without a reason.” Ionae said, enthusiastically. “We stand up for other part-bloods, feed them, clothe them, and protect them from those that would wish them harm.”

“We hunt those that would harm the Wood.” Jakus said eagerly.

“Hunt? But I barely escaped the noose because I was simply there when a man was killed!” Vash exclaimed, stopping and backing away. He couldn’t get involved in—whatever they were talking about— he’d barely survived this far. What had he fallen into?

“Hunt is a strong term, Jakus.” Ionae said, soothingly. She looked around quickly, then leaned in close so that her voice only carried to Vash. “We’re not murderers, Vash, but we protect our own. The Redcaps are beating a part-elf like us, threatening him and his family to push him back into his place, simply because he’s daring to try and make a better life for himself.”

“Maybe the guards—” Vash began but cut off at a snort from Jakus.

“Did the guards ever do anything when the other boys beat you at home, did anyone ever stand up and tell them to leave you alone?” Jakus asked, knowing the answer.

Vash’s mind flashed to Corwin for a moment. Brawls with the other village boys, Corwin had had his back, for a time at least. “No, not really.”

“Exactly.” Ionae said. “We protect our own. If this sort of thing isn’t for you, then you’re welcome to leave in the morning. We will even help you find what to do next, a place to stay or a job. Before you leave we like to give newcomers a chance to see what we do and what we’re about. Byar wants to show you what it’s like to live without fear.”

Vash hesitated, to live without fear? What would that be like? Ionae, and even Jakus seemed to walk the streets with an easy comfort. Looking around the Wood the other part-elves had lived and worked in seeming comfort. He had even seen point-eared children playing in the streets when Ruel had brought him in. “All right, I’ll see what you have to show me.”

Ionae grinned. “I had a feeling about you. C’mon, the Redcaps will likely be drinking at the Sodden Sail.”

The three of them quickened their steps. Vash could feel an excitement radiating off Ionae and Jakus. They passed quickly through the Wood. The few part-elves that were still out and about, mostly men heading home from late work or from one of the taverns, would carefully let their eyes slide off the three gray-clad youths. It wasn’t like they were ignoring them, rather they were going out of their way not to see them. Ruel’s words came back to him then: Oh, he’s not my friend, just a fellow I know.

They passed out of the Wood and across the bridge to the Riverside district. This area of town was busier as barges still floated down the river no matter what time of night it was. The three of them still didn’t cause many looks. Those that looked at them at all gave them a quick, disapproving frown before turning back to their own business. Ionae lead her little group almost the length of Riverside. As they got closer and closer to the lake’s edge the neighborhood grew rougher. More warehouses and flophouses, less businesses and clean storefronts. Drunken sailors brawled in alleyways, and a few whores were plying their trade under the streetlamps. There were more taverns though, dim crowded places, Vash could hear shouts and laughter coming out of the cramped, smoke-filled rooms.

“There it is.” Ionae said at last. “The Sodden Sail.” She pointed at a small tavern that looked like a converted shed rather than a real building. “It’s a dump, but they seem to like it. Ready, Jakus?”

Jakus nodded. “Ready.”

Ionae undid the gray robe she wore and slid it off. Underneath she wore leathers that had seen some hard use but had been oiled and cared for. Thick leather panels protected her chest and back. Straps across her chest held a dozen throwing knives and two wickedly curved short swords were strapped to her thighs. She tossed the robe to Vash. “Hold that for me while we sort this out, would you?”

Jakus had done the same, though his leathers and weapons seemed more patchwork and hand-me-downs. He grinned at Vash and tossed him his robe. “You’ll get to have some fun next time.”

The two of them headed for the door of the Sodden Sail, Vash hesitated, then followed unsure of what exactly Ionae and Jakus were going to do.

The Sodden Sail wasn’t full, but it was lively. A dozen or so patrons bellied up to the bar or sat at tables cobbled together from boards balanced on rope coils. A good half of them wore caps that could charitably be called red. Ionae and Jakus strode into the room like they owned the place.

“Right, so which one of you assholes runs your piece of shit gang.” Ionae said, clapping her hands together and giving them a broad smile.

Conversation died and all eyes turned towards them. Some frowned in confusion, others took on the thunderous look of dangerous men rousing to anger. The men in red caps exchanged glances, then as one they began laughing. A few turned back to their drinks while one, obviously drunker than the rest, tottered out from the group at the bar. “And who the fuck is asking?”

“We’re friends of Nolas and Lyssa, was hoping to have a word?” Ionae said, smile fixed in place.

The drunk screwed up his face in confusion. “Who?”

“Tree-fucker trying to set up shop near Colman’s Quay.” Another, less drunk, Redcap called. “And we’ll tell you, what we told him, fuck off before we get mad and really hurt you.”

“No need for epithets, you motherless shitbag.” Ionae said, all innocence. “Just we need to work some things out.”

Vash tried to step back, the mood was turning decidedly hostile. Jakus took him gently by the arm and held him in place, giving him a reassuring nod. They seemed comfortable, almost at ease, Vash couldn’t understand why.

The other Redcap, a tall, burly man—though calling him a man was generous, like all the Redcaps he seemed barely in his twenties—came out from the group and strode towards Ionae. He wore a dirty quilted jacket and had a long dirk on one hip. Since his face didn’t seem equipped to grow a full beard yet, he had settled for unruly muttonchops on either side of his face. He loomed over Ionae and put a finger in her face. “Tell you what, you get your scrawny ass out of here now and me and my boys won’t take you out back and break you open like a wishbone, savvy?”

“That mean we can’t come to an agreement about Nolas’ shop?” Ionae asked, sweetly.

Muttonchops flushed red. “You can tell that little shit-blood that if he sets foot on the Quay again and I’ll gut him personally and keep those pointy fucking ears of his to make a coin purse.”

“Did Pike not tell you about us, or were you too busy fucking goats to get firm grasp about the way things are done with folk from the Wood?” Ionae asked, her smile fading, her eyes going hard, but still retaining a kind of light, and excitement.

“Pike?” Muttonchops barked a sharp, mirthless laugh. “That old man doesn’t have the balls to run Riverside. Why the fuck should I care what deals he set up in the long ago?”

Vash tensed, seeing Muttonchops’ hand resting on his dirk, the rest of the Redcaps were stirring themselves, reaching for weapons. The other patrons either discretely moved their drinks or tensed to see what Muttonchops was going to do to the slight elvish girl. Vash looked over at Jakus for reassurance only to discover that he had vanished. The boy was nowhere in sight.

“He didn’t warn you not to fuck with the Wood?” Ionae asked. “Tell you that you can mess with elves all you dare, but the part-bloods were off limits?”

There were a few mumbles from the Redcaps, but Muttonchops stood up straighter. “He said a lot of things, but that shit was just daft. Let part-bloods start running around like they the equals of the pure races? Nah, that’s bullshit.”

“Oh good.” Ionae sighed. “Pike did his job, but you’re just an idiot, that makes things so much easier.”

“She’s looking for a little action!” The drunk Redcap cackled. “Let’s give it to her, eh?”

Muttonchops grunted in agreement, then freed his dirk with a lightning fast backhanded slash intended to cut Ionae across the face. It would have, had she been there to receive it. Inexplicably, Ionae was half a step to Muttonchops’ side, her own short sword clearing its scabbard in an arcing blow that sliced through the back of Muttonchops’ knee. The big man screamed and toppled as his leg folded beneath him. Ionae continued forward without pausing.

It took a moment for the others to realize what had happened. That was one moment too many. Jakus seemed to melt out of the shadows at the back of the tavern. He took down two men with as many strikes, one each to the back of the legs, just as Ionae had done. One Redcap whirled and stabbed across the bar at Jakus. The elf boy stepped out of the way and brought his blade down between the two bones in the man’s forearm, pinning him to the bar. The Redcap shrieked, Jakus drew another blade and kept moving.

Ionae moved like a wraith through the tavern, making precise movements, Vash could see why Jakus had been in awe of her. Every strike landed, precise moves that left her opponent howling on the floor. One Redcap she sliced precisely behind the kneecap, then twisted her blade and Vash could see the bone pop out against the man’s trousers. Another she made a quick stab with her blade and removed the man’s eye, flicking it off the point of her weapon before moving on.

It was over almost as quickly as it began. In the course of a dozen heartbeats all the men in Redcaps were on the floor, most screaming in agony. Vash was amazed, they hadn’t killed anyone, not a single one of the Redcaps had been killed. Crippled, yes, mutilated, yes, but not killed.

Ionae looked slightly disappointed when the carnage was done. She walked back to Muttonchops and knelt before him. “Get yourself to a healer, a good one, and pay him a lot of money and maybe you’ll walk again.” She said. “But it’s going to hurt like a bitch every time it rains, I guarantee it. Every time it does let it remind you: part-bloods belong to the Wood, and the Wood belongs to the Eth Mitaan. You do not hunt what does not belong to you, or we hunt you. Savvy?”

Muttonchops nodded, terrified and in pain.

Ionae nodded, satisfied, then turned to Vash. “Can I have my robe, little brother?” She asked, holding out her hand.

Vash handed over the gray cloth silently and the three of them left the tavern, whose remaining denizens quickly made way for the part-elf youths.

***

They made their way back to the Wood in silence. Ionae and Jakus seemed to be reveling in a sort of afterglow. Vash was trying to process what he had just seen. As they neared the bridge into the Wood he finally spoke up. “You could have killed them all.”

“More than likely.” Ionae said, casually. “They were drunk, and weak of spirit, that kind of prey is always vulnerable.”

“But you didn’t?” Vash continued.

“Ah, noticed that, did you?” Ionae said with a wink. “Ae sodla eyat su’nothlin.”

“Ruel said that before, what’s it mean?”

“It doesn’t translate very well.” Ionae frowned. “Literally it means ‘in blood one sees a true face’. It’s a Vanan concept, that one is defined by their actions, and how one reacts to others. Those pieces of shit roughed up Nolas, caused him pain and humiliation, but they didn’t kill him. As Eth Mitaan we deliver like for like. Now we did ratchet up the pain and humiliation to teach those boys a lesson, but they’ll survive to learn the lesson. Make sense?”

Vash pondered this as they crossed the bridge. “And what does Nolas owe you in return?”

Ionae seemed confused and startled by the question. “Nothing. Why would he owe us anything?”

“You saved him, made it possible for him to expand his business. What kind of gang wouldn’t want something in return?” Vash asked.

“Gang?” Ionae blinked in surprise. “We are a Temple. Nolas is of the Wood, and the Wood is ours to protect in the name of the Lord of Hunts and Hunters. No one else watches for our kind, not the Blood of Elan, not the true-blooded Vanan, just us. We’re not some criminal enterprise bent on dominating our territory. We’re the only help that our people can rely on.”

Vash mulled this as they passed through the quiet, clean streets of the Wood. The simple homes and quietly prosperous businesses. They passed another trio of youths in gray robes, Ionae waved at them and they waved back before disappearing into the night.

“Night is our time.” Ionae said, quietly. “We can move and hunt freely. It’s not an easy life, but it’s a good one, and rewarding.”

She watched them for a time, there was a look of yearning on her face. Vash could tell that she wanted to run out again, doff that gray robe and hunt again. Jakus let her stand there for a few moments before breaking the spell.

“Byar will be expecting us.” Jakus said. “And this one.”

Ionae sighed. “The demands of responsibilities. Well, little brothers, let’s not keep the Old Man waiting.”

They returned to the Temple and made their way through the narrow passages back to the kitchen. Byar was seated in one of the chairs, alone, lit by the banked fire in the hearth. The older man was leafing through a small book. The cover had a strange flowing script embossed in the leather. Vash, Ionae, and Jakus stopped at the doorway, waiting to be acknowledged. Without looking up Byar waved them over. They sat across from Byar, Vash fidgeted, wondering what came next. He had seen Ionae and Jakus commit quick and severe violence. No matter what they said it was an act of retribution, one gang against another. But it was also an act of protection, part-bloods defending part-bloods. He had never seen or heard of anything like that.

Byar closed the book and looked up. He held up the book so that Vash could see it. “Does this mean anything to you?” Vash shook his head, not recognizing the cover or the script. “This is a very difficult document to obtain. It is the prayers and ceremonies of the Eth Mitaan. Do you know what they are?”

“Ionae called your…your group by that name.” Vash replied.

“Just so.” Byar nodded. “It is an order, a very old order, from before Old Malconia, from when the Elan sodla were just tribes wandering the plains to the east. Back when the Vanan held dominion over the lands to the west, beyond the Shield Mountains. These days the Eth Mitaan are largely forgotten, and what is remembered of them is not kind.” Byar frowned at this and placed the book on the table. “The Eth Mitaan were the followers of the moonlight aspect of Kyrinos, do you know what that is?”

“They told me, yes. Hunts and Hunters.” Vash said.

“Just so. Now, what few know is that the Eth Mitaan were tasked by the old Vanan empire to root out evil and protect the people. If the elves acknowledge them at all these days, it is as assassins and murderers. Which is entirely possible, as the empire fell into decline…well a group of well-trained fighters isn’t likely to get left on the sidelines in any power struggle.” Byar shrugged.

“That’s very interesting, sir.” Vash said, cautiously. “But I don’t see what that has to do with me.”

Byar laughed, his eyes crinkling in a fatherly manner. “I do tend to go into lecture mode, forgive me, I spent time as an educator before I got involved in all this. I wanted to explain that everything here is not precisely what it seems. I trust that the Redcaps have learned their lesson, Ionae?”

“They were taught.” Ionae said. “It’s up to them if they remember or not.”

“Was blood spilled?” Byar asked, in a tone that felt very close to ritual.

“It was, but no lives were taken.” Ionae said.

“And thus you have seen one aspect of our duties.” Byar returned his attention to Vash. “Yes, we do violence, but only against those who would harm our people. We also act charitably, providing for those less fortunate. Taking in strays, such as yourself.”

Vash carefully kept his expression neutral and nodded.

“The Vanan see us as impure, a dilution of elvish stock. Doesn’t stop their rangers from knocking up every milkmaid and farmgirl from Sothsford to Palisade.” Byar grumbled, a touch of bitterness creeping into his tone. “The humans see us as monstrosities, half-breeds. Strange and threatening to their way of life, somehow. So, in the end, we can only look out for one another in this world. That is why we showed you what we did tonight. Our numbers are small, you can see that most of our members are quite young. The life beyond, in the Wood, a family, a profession, fitting in, that’s a strong lure. We often need new acolytes to aid in our work. We would like you to stay with us for a time, learn a bit about our ways, and if it does not suit you, then you are free to go with our blessings. But, give us a chance, you could make a home with us, if you want.”

Byar pushed the small book across the table until it sat in front of Vash. He looked down at it. “I…I don’t read.”

“Don’t worry.” Byar chuckled. “It’s in Vanan anyways, but Jakus is an excellent teacher. He’ll soon have you on par with the scholars at Osterlan. Take it, it’s a gift, even if you leave us in the morning, something to remember us by.”

Vash picked up the small book. “Thank you. I don’t know what to think of all this, I really don’t. If I’m being honest.” He hesitated, Byar remained silent as did Ionae and Jakus. They let him speak in his own time, something he was unused to. The moment stretched and Vash took a long steadying breath. “But I-I have rarely seen anyone fight for us. Never knew there was a community like this. It’s a lot to take in, but it’s something I’m interested in learning more about. It is just going to take time, I think.”

The three Eth Mitaan broke into wide smiles. Byar leaned forward. “Luckily, since we’re elf-blood, time is definitely on our side.”