Games of Chance

Chapter 1- Heartstrings

Someone bumped into her as they ran by. Biting back a yell, she continued walking, carrying the burden that was to be stored away with the rest of her family's supplies for the spring. Another ran by, and another. Only after she heard normally soft voices become louder did she choose to focus on what was going on around her. Her keen eyes settled on the commotion at the edge of the clearing. Where the thick forest began, there was a small path that led into the community, and as she watched, the most recent hunting party came through, one by one. Elders first, carrying the wrapped kills, and youngers second, hauling bags and weaponry that had been taken on the trip out. They'd only been gone a week, which meant that the mammals were resurfacing as the temperatures slowly climbed.

Rising temperatures also meant that summer was quickly approaching. The season would last for at least four months before it began to cool down again. It was her favorite time of year. The forests came to life again, and it became warm enough that she could wear just one layer, and not the three or four that winter's frigid temperatures forced. The birds spoke in complicated but beautiful songs, the days were longer, and her people were in their highest spirits. The ladies would adorn themselves and their homes with exotic flowers, the children would wear brightly colored, flowing clothes, and the hunters would dye their hair to match the forest. Shades of dark green and brown would be mixed in with the naturally light shades that her people were born with.

One particular hunter caught her eye as he passed through the forest path and into the clearing. He was young, but a good decade older than the ones who followed him in. He still had his naturally silver-toned hair pulled back into a high tail to keep out of his eyes, though pieces were hanging in his face anyway. His eyes were bright green, and she could almost make out the blue edges they had from where she stood. This young hunter exuded charisma, and Kallana couldn't take her eyes off of him as he casually dropped his bag into the waiting hands of another, and grinned at something one of the elders had said to him. That smile made her breath catch in her throat.

“Stare anymore and he'll be turned to stone!”

Kallana visually flinched and turned to glare at her friend. Li'Sarien, or Lis for short, had been with her since she could remember, and unfortunately could read her like a book.

“I wasn't -”

“Don't start. I caught you fair and square.” Li'Sarien said, using her hand to shield her eyes as she looked as well. “They're back huh? Kind of early.”

Kallana nodded and mused on that as well. Her blue eyes shifted back to the hunter, Kaellel, but she remembered her friend’s words and forced them back again. Instead, she chose to study her. Li’Sarien was as tall as she, nearly six feet, but more beautiful by elven standards. At least Kallana thought so. While she had the typical yellow-blonde hair, and deep blue eyes, Li'Sarien was blessed with very light green eyes, and very long reddish blonde hair. All of her kind had soft features, light colored hair and eyes, and slender figures, but some were blessed with such splashes of color that turned the eyes of the rest. Kaellel and Li'Sarien were just two perfect examples of that.

Of course, Li'Sarien would argue that Kallana posessed a beauty of her own, but in her own eyes, she was not up to standards. If she was ...

She let her eyes rest again on Kaellel, and indulged again in the sly grin he sent to another companion.

If she was, he would give her more than a glance.

“Strike two!” Li'Sarien laughed.

Kallana scowled and turned on her heel, forcing her mind back on her original task.

“Oh come on Kalla!” Li’Sarien cried, and caught up to her in a few long strides. “I'm sorry.” she said in a lower tone.

Kallanna shrugged and decided to change the subject. “Did they send you your assignment yet?”

“No, you?”

She shook her head. “I think I'll be on forest watch this year.”

“You think so? Do you think your father will allow that?” Li'Sarien asked, knowing Kallana's father would not approve of it. He still had a mind that she was a child, and children weren't to be doing more than chores. Unfortunately for him, his own daughter was blessed with eyesight that outdid most of the elders, and would be more than fit for the role of Watcher.

The blue eyed girl shrugged, dropping the basket at her feet to give her arms a rest for a moment. “He'll have to allow it if any of the elders request it. We are to take rank within the next few years anyway,” Kallana leaned her head back and ran her hands through her mid-length blonde hair. “Besides, I'm not so sure he is able to count. If he were, he'd be able to figure out that I'm not a youngling anymore.”

“Badmouthing your sire on open land, Win'kin?”

Kallana's head snapped back up when that too-smooth voice reached her. How she loved that voice, and how she hated that nickname. It was a play on “Wing Kin”, which was the rank that Kallana was obviously headed for. Her keen eyesight was only the beginning of her talents, which included conversing with birds of many species'.

“Oh, and you're such a respectful son, Kae?” Li’Sarien was quick to cover, as always. Kallana just didn't have the quick wit that either of the two did.

“Oh, I'm getting along just fine with my family.” He smirked at the other girl and walked off, flipping a short knife in his hand with so much ease that it almost made Kallana jealous. Had he not been so alluring, she might have been jealous.

“Ugh, how can you be attracted to him?” Li'Sarien picked up the basket for her and started walking again. Her pace was hard and fast, and Kallana knew she was upset by his obvious reference. The girl and her mother had lived alone together for some time. In their community, it was very rare for a family to have one parent, unless the other had met an untimely death. In this case, her father had left. Rumors still flew, and Li'Sarien had developed a sharp tongue and a hard right hook in order to keep the taunts at bay. It wasn't every day an elf was accused of adultery, and it was especially scandalous that her father in particular had apparently left to live in a human establishment.

In their world, every other race was far below the elven race. There were the loud and rowdy small folk that were thought of as rambunctious animals. Sprites and fairies who flitted too long in their own musical world, and were even more territorial than the elves. They were beautiful beings, but not very intelligent. Humans were thought to be messy, crude, and weak in their own ways. They were thieves and killers, wasteful beings that took down forests to build their bulky establishments. Closest to their own kind, but equally disliked were the Night Elves. Sometimes called Shadow Elves or Moon Elves, they were very similar, except that they were primarily nocturnal, and had much darker features. They often had black and brown hair, dark eyes, and skin that had a tendency to blend with its surroundings. Stories were told to children about the ghostly abilities that their dark kin had, and they were warned against going into the forests at night. 'Dark Stalkers will get you!' They'd say, and tell a scary tale from their past.

The basket thudded to the ground in front of Kallana's home, and Li'Sarien gave her friend a baleful look. “You need to stop with the daydreaming. How do you expect to be Watcher if you keep floating off?” she made a face at her and skipped off a few feet. “I'll be back after sundown! Maybe we'll catch something this time” The green eyed girl winked and turned to trot back off towards her home.

Kallana bit her lip and shook her head once before lifting the basket on her own. She loaded it onto a pulley and yanked at the soft (but impossibly strong) rope and let her thoughts wander as she watched the basket rise up into the tree. When nights became warmer, she and Li'Sarien would often go out into the woods. Of course, the elders could never find out, but it was always an adventure. Especially because Kallana knew what her friend had been hinting at. When the hunters were in attendance, the youngers often took joy trips at night. They were mostly male, and used the time to let their hair out. It was almost a rebellious act. After days, and sometimes weeks under the constant eye of their elders, it was a time for them to feel free.

Kallana and Li'Sarien had followed many groups out into the woods, giggling at their antics and sometimes setting traps for them to fall into. It was thrilling to be in those woods at night, against the rules of their parents, and making sure they weren't caught by the hunters.

She grinned suddenly, and pushed swing the basket into the crevice in the huge tree.

- - - - - - - - - - -

“We will have to speak with Tillaenen about this.”

“It's a fine post, especially for someone of her age.”

“Exactly, someone of her age should not be wandering about the forest after sundown”

Kallana swallowed heavily, wondering if the gods were against her pre-planned trip as she listened to her parents speak in low tones. Apparently she had received her assignment.

“Cael, we cannot hold her back any longer. She is of age.” her mother said. As always, she spoke in a soft, calming tone. A tone which seemed to have all of the right effects on her high strung father.

She heard him scoff and the signature scraping of the seat on the floor.

“Kallana, come in here. If you're going to listen, we'd like to look upon you.”

Blue eyes went wide, and she schooled her face as best she could before rounding the corner and facing her parents. Her father had the same blonde hair and blue eyes she boasted, and how she wished to take after her mother. Like Kaellel, she had a silver tone to her hair, and it was thick and impossibly long. Her eyes were blue, but so light that they seemed to be colored glass. Her demeanor was a match for her soft features.

“You received your assignments today, and they'll have you on night watch in the East woods,” she said, shifting her gaze to her mate, knowing he would have a thing or twelve to say about the event.

“Night watch, Kallana. In the East woods. Do you hear that?” he asked, standing and looking at her incredulously, as if she'd arranged the entire thing. “That section flanks closest to our borders, and they want you out there on watch. After dusk!”

Kallana's eyes were wide now, and she realized that he did have a point. Not only did they give her watch duty, but they wanted her out there at night. It was strange for them to put such a youngling out on watch after dark, but to put an un-ranked trainee? She had no words in response to her father’s rant.

“I'm speaking to Tillaenen about this,” he said with finality, and left the room.

She gave her mother a look that spoke a shrug. Neither knew what to do but wait until he returned, so she settled for chewing on a piece of fruit. Finally, he entered again, looking completely defeated.

“You'll report in a week,” he nearly sighed it out. “He even had the gall to remind me that she has her own quarters now!” he was speaking solely to her mother, and that was an obvious sign to leave.

“He does have a point,” her mother continued in the same soft tone. Kallana moved out of the main room and through the doorways that lead to her previously spoken of quarters. Five years ago she had technically come of age, and true to tradition, was given her own space separate from her family. Some parents went so far as to send their children to other towns, but most had extentions built to their own houses, for elves were still considered young long after they came of age.

Her quarters were not too large, but she loved them. Her family's home sat on the edge of a large patch of woods that lead into the thicker forest area. It made for a clean escape on nights when she wanted out. It also kept her close to the avian friends whom had been visiting more often since they discovered her ability to speak with them. One in particular was a young eagle. He was very large, but still growing into his adult form. His feathers were a rare color, nearly all black, with some brown markings around his beak and chest. Since she had began speaking with him, he had remained loyal to her, even accepting the name she had given him.

“Chance! Hello little boy.” She crooned at him and ran her fingers lightly over his head. His eyes close slightly at the touch, but he was sure to remind her that he wasn't fond of being called a little boy. As always, Chance was perched near the open window on a wooden stand she had made for him months ago.

“I'll be on night watch next week!” She said as she laid heavily on her bedding, bringing her hands up behind her head. “That's something I didn't expect.” Her voice came softer now, but she knew he still heard. Something in her power made it possible for the eagle to understand her. He understood most beings, it was just not often that the beings spoke back. Kallana herself was still not sure how she was born with such an ability, but kept her faith that the gods set it that way. Just as they gave the hunters their skill, they often gave the other kin the ability to communicate with their animals. Animal kin were rare in her area, but not unheard of.

“Of course you'll come with me!” She said and focused on the shiny black feathers, which were ruffled at the moment. Chance was taking this time to preen as she spoke to him.

“I saw him again today,” she admitted, turning onto herside. Kallana knew that Chance was not very understanding when it came to most things. His answer to her 'problem' with Kaellel was simply “mate with him”. As if it could ever be that easy. A blush rose to her cheeks again as he suggested it.

With a wave of her hand, she quieted him, and herself. Slowly she drifted off, wondering if those blue-green eyes would ever look at her with more than a passing regard, and if that voice would ever call her by her real name.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Chance made a low, throaty sound to wake Kallana up. She had taught him early that the loud screeching call was not necessary, since she had excelled hearing as well. Her excelled hearing had apparently not picked up on the knocking at her window.

Li'Sarien was ready to go, and the look on her face told Kallana that she had been ready to go for quite some time.

“Dreaming sweet things, hmmm?” her friend taunted as Kallana slipped out of the window.

She eyed Chance's gliding form above them and smiled. He enjoyed these outings just as much, if not more than she did. “I was.” Kallana admitted.

“Well don't worry, I happened to see who went out on the trail tonight, and your hunter was among them,” she whispered now, following a path into the forest that they knew well. Their footfalls were silent, and the sound of their shifting garments was covered by the insects that dared to come out in the waning cold.

“He's not 'my hunter',” Kallana said, almost dejectedly. “I got my assignment today,” she spoke up a few moments later, changing the subject quickly.

“Me too! I got duty at the stables again!” Li’Sarien was obviously happy with her assignment. She got along well with the horses. Though she had no kinship to them, she seemed to have a simple love for the equine species.

“I got night watch.” Kallana said, keeping her eyes on the trail and waiting for the surprise to come from her friend.

“Say that again?” Li'Sarien asked, stopping in her tracks and forcing Kallana to do the same.

“I don't know why! My father nearly drove himself insane over it, and I'm not sure how I got it, but I did,” she said, beginning to walk again when her friend did. “I'm kind of excited about it.”

Li'Sarien laughed in a short breath. “I don't doubt it. And I figured it would only be so long before they'd start using your talents.”

Kallana held up her hand and slowed down as she heard another throaty sound that she knew to be Chance's call, a warning that there were others ahead of them. The eagle was well used to this game his friend played, and he played his part to the mark. Both females lowered their stances and narrowed their eyes. Li'Sarien eventually turned her gaze to Kallana, who nodded forward. They stayed in the brush at the side of the path, and stopped on their path whenever the handful of males got silent. They were not easy prey, for they were used to forest tracking and any stray sound could throw them off. However, they were in good spirits, and had most likely consumed some as well. So the females had the advantage. When the group began again, their whispers and low chuckles became louder, the females continued pursuit.

Either Li’Sarien or Kallana made a noise. They did not have time to discern who before the group of males stopped and began looking around. They spoke aloud, as if they assumed they were being stalked by a beast.

“I heard it again Kae! I swear.”

“Yeah, I heard it this time too.”

“Every time we come out here one of you thinks we're being stalked,” said the voice that caressed Kallana's ears every time she heard it. So he had come out. “The Dark Stalkers are going to get ussssss...” he mocked. He did sound funny when he was trying to be smart.

“Seriously.”

“Yeah, I think we should check it out.”

“Fine. Split up. Formation... what would they pick. There are five of us. Ok, formation C.” Kaellel said.

“Yes, oh fearless leader!” another voice mocked his attempt at authority.

Despite their mocking tones, they apparently listened, because two were headed right for Li'Sarien and Kallana's hiding spot. Kallana closed her eyes and mouthed prayers that Chance was still around.

A snapping branch from above was her saving grace. He was still around, and he clearly understood his friend's distress. The branch caught all five males' attention, and their slow stalking turned in the opposite direction. Kallana made rough hand signals that Li'Sarien understood and stood slowly, reaching around the large trunk of the tree in front of her. In a few fast, silent motions, she was in the tree laying on a branch, concealed by smaller budding branches, but able to see the 'hunters' very well.

Li'Sarien was likely still on the ground, but in a better area for hiding.

Kallana smirked when she watched Kaellel trying to sneak up on another of his companions. Enjoying the view a bit too much, she had to cover her mouth when he did surprise his friend with a quick jab in the back. He laughed a bit too loud for his own good, and Kallana had to stop herself from groaning when she felt Chance's talons in the back of her leg. She waved her arm around wildly, reminding him silently that the fleshy parts of her were not good for landing, and that the bracers on her forearms were.

He complied.

Sighing, she watched as the males moved off further down the path. When they were a good distance away, she shifted. Chance took off silently, and she dropped from the branch into the middle of the path.

“Do we follow?” Li'Sarien inquired as she stepped out to meet her. The two eyed the retreating forms of the males curiously.

Kallana nodded. “Just a bit longer.”

Both stuck to the path this time, and slowed when they realized that the males had actually started a fire in a clearing some ways from the path. The light gave them an obvious beacon as to where they were.

“They're obviously a little over-spirited.” Li'Sarien commented dryly, and Kallana could only nod. One moment they were worried about being stalked, now they had a fire going in the middle of the darkened woods. Not exactly something they teach in hunter's training.

As the two approached the 'camp', Kallana put her eyes to use. With the light of the fire, it was easy to make out the details. Especially when the details were as obvious as the addition of four more bodies. The males had met up with four females, as had apparently been planned, for the girls had their hair done extravagantly, and were wearing thin garments that were meant purely for showcasing.

Kallana took a solid step back when she focused on Kaellel. He held his thick cloak around one of them, and was whispering in her ear. Was he whispering? Not with his tongue. She took a sharp breath and spun on her heal, shaking her head vigorously. Li'Sarien had seen what she had, and met Kallana's pace as she hurried back down the path. “Liel and her group. I'm not surprised.”

The fact didn't do a thing to quell the emotions that were running through Kallana's mind.

“Kalla, don't let it bug you, he got into the spirits. I wouldn't doubt it if Liel provided them” She said, her voice tilting towards disdain at the mention of the haughty female.

“I'm fine.” She whispered. “Let's just go home. This isn't like it used to be.”

Silence from Li'Sarien, proving that Kallana had made a point. It wasn't the same anymore. They were in a new stage of life now, and neither of the two were sure they wanted to be involved at all.

- - - - - -