(Note: This is not official version and may be removed in the near future. This do not reflect what is read in the podcast version, nor any other version you may encounter. I have preserved the rough form for posterity — or something like that. This novel has since been rewritten.) James didn’t hesitate. He bolted forward and leapt into the surprised arms of Triska. He embraced her, squeezing her with all his might as if afraid that she would disappear if he let go. She laughed softly, warmly. She kissed him on his cheek and tears drizzled down his face. “There there now,” she said. “Thank God you’re alive,” he said, but the words came out muffled. Then he slipped from her grasp and back to the ground. She wiped away the tears from his face and smiled. “How?” Darl said. “Well that’s quite simple. I escaped.” “That’s…” “Cowardice? Oh, no, not at all actually. You see, by escaping I was able to come here to help in the preparations for when Luthien comes. My purpose in this world is not yet fulfilled.” Pea came forward, put a hand on James’ arm. The little man looked up into Triska’s eyes and James saw there were tears there, welling up and on the brink of falling. “My dear, dear, dear woman,” Pea said, repeating the words with increased emphasis. Triska leaned down and opened her arms. Pea glanced up to James and then back at Darl, and then leapt into Triska’s arms, hugging and kissing her. “I dreaded the worst!” “We all did,” James said. When Pea released her, Triska stood to face Darl. “Never before,” Darl began, “have I been happier to see your face.” Then he too hugged her. It was a small hug, but James could see the meaning behind it clearly. There was a genuine sense of joy. “What about Gammon and his family?” James’ voice was concerned. Triska shook her head. “Dead, most likely,” Darl blurted out. “No, not likely at all. Luthien took a lot of prisoners after the wall fell. It’s possible he was captured. His family too.” “But not likely.” “It never hurts to hope,” Pea said. “Only when hope fails.” James was surprised at his words. He couldn’t believe they came from him. “That was very Darl-esque of you…” “Yes, yes it was.” He shook his head apologetically. Darl grunted. “Now, no more bad thoughts. Come, have some tea with me!” James gladly followed Triska deep into the room. Drapes hung everywhere in much the same fashion as they had in Triska’s original home. Back in Arlin City, before the city was destroyed. Yet here the colors were brighter, somewhat less earthy and more crimson and glowing. Designs were woven into everything—just as elaborate as in Arlin City and just as mysterious. He examined them. Crosses, shield knots, triquetras, all manner of designs seamlessly crafted together as pieces to a massive whole took up the space in the drapes. Beyond were large cushions, or pillows. He wasn’t sure which. They surrounded a round marble table set atop a glistening wooden base. A steaming silver pot alongside a silver tray filled the center of the table. Triska took a seat on one of the pillows, a deep red blob that bordered on imperial purple. She beckoned the rest to do the same. James took a seat on a vermilion colored pillow with dark brown embroidery. The others found seats nearby. Triska delicately poured five cups of tea. The scent of strong flowers filled the room as she did so. James let the smell permeate his body. It seemed to sooth even before Triska handed him his cup and he could actually see the amber liquid and feel the glowing warmth. He blew on it for a moment to cool it down, then sipped and instant relief poured through him. He took notice that Triska was not wearing a dress this time around. Instead she wore a pair of loose pants of a tan color and a faded red tunic. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail. “Tell me, my dear sweet woman, how did you manage to escape?” Pea gently tipped his cup, which was human size and looked completely out of place in the little mans hands. “In some ways I think I was let go.” “How do you mean?” “When the walls fell, Luthien’s armies came forward. I cast a few charms on the men, raised their spirits and such. It did them little good. The front lines fell in a wave of arrows. The first wave of Luthien’s men fell pretty quick after that, but more came and the second wave batted us down in less than an hour. We retreated farther into the city. It was a blood bath. Men were falling all around me. Arrows crashed into windows and walls, faces, shoulders, and backs. We were supposed to regroup, form a last ditch effort at the keep, but we never made it. Luthien was too fast. His men and flying beasts came down on us so fast that I can’t accurately remember all that happened.” She took a sip of her tea, closing her eyes as she did so. Then, softly she said, “The city was on fire. I don’t know how long it had been that way, but smoke and ashes came down from everywhere. I couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of me. I lost all sense of direction. Then I saw Gammon, or rather, he saw me. He came through the shadows. I thought he had died! Then something struck the building behind me and for a moment the sound and the debris threw me off balance. I fell. He came to me, but I couldn’t hear what he said. Then before I knew it he was pushing me into a nearby home. Someone had already destroyed the place, but I was in shock, stunned. Then I woke up.”
