The warm rays from the sun called to Addie though the window next to her bed in this old, drafty farmhouse; though the group had taken precautions to cover each window in order to keep those that hunted them from seeing in, the light managed to find a way through a small crack, tempting her to come outside. She and Neth had both managed to escape the safe house the night before by turning the stretcher invention that Masin had created into a makeshift rolling cot. Now that it was a new day, the others had once again left to attend to their own daily business and since Addie did not wish to go drinking with Neth and Rathvald, she was alone. As she looked toward the stretchers, a mischievous twinkle gleamed in her eyes and it did not take her long to pull them toward her and strap them together again. She was getting better at steering this rolling raft and managed to get outside without adding too many more scrapes to the walls or doorframes- they really should learn by now not to leave her unattended.
The sky this morning was a dreary, washed-out grey color, one that was characteristic of winter mornings; even so, Addie still had to blink several times as her eyes adjusted to the harsh contrast between the dimly lit house and the sunlight. She was not normally one for colder weather, but today she was happy to be outside, breathing in the crisp, dust free air. She whistled for Lily, her steed, and carefully perched herself sideways on the saddle; the joy of being able to ride, even though it was side saddle- a way Addie would never ride normally-, brought life back to her soul. A genuine, bright smile formed on her face as she trotted Lily down to the stream on the edge of Masin’s property. The wind in her hair brought back fond remembrances of the times she would sneak away with her father from under her mother’s tyrannical hand, he had gifted Lily to her for this very purpose; in this moment she could feel his spirit with her again, riding next to her.
As she settled down on the grass next to the stream, she heard a familiar voice calling her name. She turned around and smiled toward Masin, but quickly noted the worried tone in his voice. This tone and the look that accompanied it in his eyes had become all too common from her friends. She apologized and agreed to leave a note next time, but knew that even then, they would worry over her.
The two talked for a while of trivial and personal matters as they also listened to the soft babbling of the stream. It was then that Addie finally decided to ask Masin a question she had been pondering for weeks now, “What was the meaning behind the carving of the fox and rabbit that you gifted me?” The story that he told next would confirm what she had come to know:
“When the fox and the hare were babies, the hare let the baby fox hide from hunters in its burrow. In return, the fox swore to protect the hare. Over and over the fox would appear at just the right moment and save the little rabbit. They would play in the fields chasing each other and cuddle up together at night and hide from the hunters in the rabbit’s burrow or the foxes den… That image is what I recall from the book of the pair, the fox’s tail keeping his friend safe and warm… And you remind me of the hare, taking others in to help them. You took this fox in and I will always do my best to protect you.”
Addie was the hare even though she wished to be more like the fox. She was thankful that the friends she had were willing to protect her, but she needed to learn to fight, and soon. Even so, she did like hearing that she was able to help Masin; perhaps she was not completely useless, after all, it was her desire to help as many as she could. As the sun set, the two made their way back to the farmhouse where an elf was already inside, waiting on them to return; and that is where the day took a turn for the worst.
The strange elf, Duindos, that had come seeking Neth and Rath a few days prior, was stretched out on one of the beds, waiting to inform someone of his cloak situation- he had been looking for his cloak for days and had finally come to the conclusion that he had never actually owned one. It was this kind of behavior that had caused Xanderian to label him a “fool.” Fool or not, he apparently held command over Neth and Rath, something neither of them wanted any longer. Addie sought to help remedy this obligation her friends had to him, and the opportunity presented itself just moments later.
The sound of the front door opening could be heard from the bedroom and a few seconds later, Ahmo came into the room with them, bearing a book that Xanderian had requested she retrieve from one called Garon, a dark sorcerer of Angmar. The book looked to be coded in some way and even Ahmo admitted that she could not make heads or tails of what it said. Addie was curious of this mystery, but so was the strange elf; she noticed the look in his eyes when she took the small, leather-bound book and opened it to peruse the pages- his thirst for knowledge could be the key to setting both Neth and Rath free.
Addie closed the book and held it out toward the elf, asking him if he would like to see it. He quickly, and eagerly, indicated that he wished to. With a smirk now on her face, Addie pulled the book back to herself and presented her conditions; she would allow for him to see the book if he released both Rath and Neth of any future obligations. The elf did not take much time to consider the deal and almost bounded out of the bed to snatch the book from her; however, before fully taking it, he looked her in the eyes and said, “I will not release them for nothing, I want something from you.” Addie raised a brow in question. “I wish to see the fire.” Her face paled, she knew exactly what he was speaking of and she agreed.
The elf took the book and sat back on the bed; the deal had been made now, and soon afterwards Xanderian came into the room carrying a tipsy Nethrida. Xanderian immediately noticed the book that the strange elf was holding and demanded it, an argument ensued. The strange one handed over the book and then promptly stood to announce that due to a deal he had made, Nethrida had been released of any further contractual duty to come to the aid of Draugmir. Addie was glad in her heart that she had been able to seize the opportunity to help Neth out of that situation, but the unexpected response that came from Neth on the matter quickly wiped away all joy. Neth was not happy, but angry:
“I am capable of figuring out my own matters. You have gone behind my back and made arrangements? Only you and Rian knew, and of the two, of course you are the likely person to do something like this… You should have let me handle this on my own."
Neth’s words cut Addie to the core and brought to mind the encounter she had with Lincoln and Kithri only a few weeks prior when she had gone with Bild to the Soothery to visit Miss Kithri. Addie was surprised to find that Lincoln was there also, but she was happy to see him; however, she soon learned that Lincoln was angry at her- he blamed her for his misfortune and for trying to keep him from seeing Kithri. Of course these things were not true; Addie had done everything she knew to do to rescue Lincoln from Woodbridge and his men. She had confronted the man after Lincoln’s disappearance, she had rallied allies to help rescue Miss Kithri and Lincoln, but ultimately she had failed in getting Lincoln back. He was bitter that he was left behind and his words that night have stayed with her:
“You suppose that you stick your nose in places it does not belong? You most certainly do and you bring harm to others because of it… I don’t need your help, I don’t want your help.”
Perhaps they were right. Oh how quickly things can change in just a few hours. One moment she is being praised for helping and the next moment scolded for it. Even though she had the best of intentions, was she really helping anyone or only making matters worse for them? In this moment, she revisits Rathvald’s questions from the night before:
“Do you ever think about what we’re doing here? What’s our purpose?”
If her purpose is to help others, then, why do things keep going so wrong?
