Anya managed to stand after a moment of struggling, and leaned down to shake Metheron's hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Metheron." She moved over to the back of the wagon, preparing to get down.

Metis jumpped down from the wagon and came around the back to help her down.

Anya accepted Metis's help with some gratitude. She found that her movements were a bit less graceful with the baby to weigh her down, though she tried to do all things she had before.

One of the Clerics came over then to greet them, she was the only woman in the troup, and one of the few elves.

"Metis," she said with a smile, "it has been many years. Last I saw you you did not yet reach my shouler. You have grown much."

"I hope the light has guided your path," he said with much respect and formality, "I hope that you have been well these years, Mother."

"Just as I remember you," she commented, "and I have faired quite well in our Lord's service."

"Anya," Metis said then, "this is Mother Theralee, she was one of the first people I met at the temple I was raised in."

There was no sign of the woman's age in her face, but there was an untold wisdome in here eyes and a keen intellagence and kindness about her. Her long blue and white robes covered her from the neck down and though she woar no armor she was not unarmed. Crossed on her back were long fighting knives, so long as to be almost short swords and a bow was over her shoulders. The Clerics of Mithesious were no more pasafests than His Knights. It may be noted also that she has the same color hair as Metis.

"May the radiance, Light, and wisdome of Mithesious always shine on you," she said with a brilliant smile, "a friend of Metis is an honered aquaintence to make."

Anya gave a nod of greeting to the Elven lady. "Likewise. He has told me of your kindness to him... I am glad that we may meet at last." Something in the woman's face reminded her vaguely of Mother Margaret. Anya could see why Metis held her in such high regard.

Camp was set up in short order, several tents in a circle around a fire. Brfore long there were a couple desart hairs roastung and a large pot of delishous smelling vegtables stewing.

"How far along are you?" Theralee asked taking a seat beside her, "These are dangerous lands for a mother with child to travel threw."

"Eight months... and six days," Anya answered, having calculated it. "I... thought it was time for me to move on. The revered mother gave me leave." She offered the hint of a smile to Theralee. "You remind me of her."

She nodded, "Reveared Mothers are the same everywhere, it takes a special kind of soul to instill that sort of faith and hope in others."

Anya looked over to Metis who was in deep conversation with the other knights and clerics. "As you have done for Metis..." She wore a wistful expression as she said that, her hand coming to rest, unconsciously, on her belly.

"As you will do of your child," Theralee said reasuringly. She had not missed the look that Anya gave Metis... she was certin the child was not his, as for one they were not wed and she doubted Metis could.

"I am not sure I am able," Anya admitted softly. "I had not expected to have a child... and under the circumstances..." She closed her eyes and shook her head.

Theralee gave her a kind look.

"It is a diffacult burden," she said softly, "but I do believe," she glanced to Metis and then back, "that you will not have to bare it alone. Metis is a kind soul with a heart immeasurabul. He hay have diffaculties... but all he really needs is time and understanding, and above all paitence."

"He has been a true friend to me," Anya answered softly, "beyond what I have seen in most other men. I see now that I was... doomed the moment I met him." She managed a tiny smile. "I had given up on life and retreated from the world after Vedren... died. I see that now. It was Metis who drew me back into wishing to live life."

She gave a soft smile, "Metis can have that affect on people."

"I have noticed," Anya answered with a soft smile. "He would take on the whole of the world for another." She looked down. "He... rescued me."

"Metis is as ture a Knight as they come," she said softly, "he was ment to rescue and protect people."

"He has a good soul," Anya answered softly.

Theralee gave her a soft smile about the time Metis came over with a dish for Anya.

"They are much better cooks than I," he said with a touch of humor in his voice.

Anya managed a genuine smile, and even laughed. "I daresay that they are, but one cannot be gifted in all ways."

Metis gave her a bright smile that lit up his eyes, "Indeed."

Anya accepted the bowl, still smiling, though it lessened in intensity. "It must be comforting to be back among your brothers..."

Metis gave a nod, "Yes, I have been away too long. It is hard to walk this path alone, so few understand it."

"I knew you missed those of your own order... Even in your patience with me, you have been restless to return to your homeland," Anya answered, gesturing to the empty space beside her to sit.

Metis took the offered seat, "I am always restless when I am inactive, but yes... I have wished to return home."

"You seem much more at ease."

"I am," he said gently taking a spoonfull from his bowl.

Anya gave him a soft smile.

They camped fronn newn threw the night. The time went with much singing, laughter, and story telling, until eventually they set up a watch rotation and most headed off to sleep... Save the elves who meditated for a few hours before taking the watch to alows the others a good night's sleep.

The next day before sunrise the camp was buzzing with Knights and Clerics breaking camp. Metis was up likewise repacking their cart.

"We should head off as the sun breaks," Metis said to Anya.

Anya had listened carefully to the stories that the knights and clerics told, most especially the tale that Metheron had of what trials he had faced recently when his wife was stolen away from him. Despite it all, he had managed to complete his stint as the comrade of a knightly princess and only now did he go to chase his wife. It was a taste, Anya thought, of the total commitment that being a holy knight entailed, and the patience that the wife of such a knight must have. So too must that wife be strong, as Metheron's wife seemed to be. Anya knew she could be strong, even if, right now, she felt overly weak and clumsy. In time, she would regain her bearings... Perhaps she would train... not to kill, but to protect.

These thoughts were buzzing around in her brain as they all worked to break camp.

"We should head off as the sun breaks," Metis said to Anya.

Anya blinked and turned her head to him, taking a moment to process what he had just said before nodding. "Yes, Metis. I suppose we should." She looked around to the others, especially Theralee and Metheron whom had had only a short time to speak with the night before. She truly wished she might talk longer, to hear more of Cathros and Metis's life there...

As Metis and most of the others went about breaking camp, Metheron came over to Anya.

"I have seen Metis care for few so greatly as you," he said sitting across from her.

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