Elrodan is an acolyte of the Goddess Este?, Zak thought with reverence. He’s been blessed. Zak smiled. “Elrodan, from what you say, I have to believe that you’ve been blessed by the goddess not tricked. Whether that belief is true or not, probably best to assume it is, I would think.”

“I’d like to believe that your encounter with the celestial has now made your trek through the Hauntwood a safer journey.” Zak looked down at his mud encrusted boots, and said with a chuckle. “Don’t think you can help me with slogging through this muck. It’s fine. I’m used to hard treks. Must be nice to fly above this boggy ground though.”

They moved along the path together in companionable silence for a few minutes before Zak inquired. “So, you’re on your way to see Kamille, eh? She told me about how you and she became friends while working together in the medical tent at the tournament.” Zak frowned when he remembered the attack she had endured. “She also told me about being injured during an altercation there. Thank the gods you were there to heal her wounds.”

“Thank you, Elrodan, …for taking care of Kamille,” Zak said with sincerity. “She’s quite special, and, …and deserves the best,” he added, a sheepish look appearing on his face at his telling words.

Up ahead, a crack sounded. Was it simply a limb falling from a tree? Or was it a beast moving in the trees? Zak stilled, his senses on alert, but he kept moving forward. “Be on guard, little one,” he whispered.

Elrodan smiled, having another person give him that hint of conviction in what he did was right and a blessing even was like a bright ray of sun piecing the clouds after a long thunderstorm. "Thank you Zak, I think you have given me the hope I needed. You are a wise one."

The thought that it was now safer for him though was a little confusing. Maybe he would be able to fight a little bit, though he really didn't feel any stronger, he gave a little curl of his arm as he looked at his bicep. No.. still as small as ever. "I once heard of some men up in the mountains where there's snow, they wear planks of wood on their feet to make it easier. But yes. I'm very glad to be able to fly, though..." he then dropped to the ground gently seeing if if would take his weight. It did not. With a squelch he flew back up, with some effort too, and looked at his rather wet muddy feet. "No.. I'm am very sure that I'm glad I can fly."

"Yes, the tournament was a fun event, even if I did miss all of the action. I don't mind, I'd miss it all a hundred times over to be able to know Kamille. I ... I guess it was lucky, but no need to thank me. She is special and you're right, she does deserve the best." he gave a brief look over Zak, "You know you're like that, you're the best too. Not everyone would catch a random person falling from a tree. Then for you to help me talk through things... Yes, blessed you should be too. Blessed to be the best, the best to be blessed." he chuntered to himself, though still at the same volume. "Will you come see her some time too? Maybe once you've done your thing with the skins you could come over too. Though I don't know how long I'll stay. I can't really just invite myself over and never leave." he chuckled to himself at that. "I'm sure she'll kick me out before the day's through! Haha, but if you can make it some time, maybe we could all have a drink together or such."

His mind then on thoughts of trying to find any berry liqueur or similar it caught him a bit off guard when Zak then spoke again. "Guard? Who? What?" giving a brief look around.

Elrodan’s words disappeared into the background as Zak strained to hear or see any movement in the trees surrounding them. After a few minutes, no more out of the ordinary sounds or movement were evident, and Zak’s concern ebbed a bit, although he didn’t relax his vigilance. Now that his focus was no longer distracted, the fairy’s words began to register.

"Will you come see her some time too? Maybe once you've done your thing with the skins you could come over too…"

....

"Guard? Who? What?"

“Never mind,” Zak said. “I thought I heard something, but it was a false alarm.”

Images of Kamille’s smile with those bright fathomless dark blue eyes appeared in Zak’s mind’s eye causing a big smile to appear on his face. “Visit Kamille?” he repeated. “I’d be most honored to see her again, as well as have a drink with you both, but, unfortunately, first I have obligations to take care of. In both Gazablaak and back in the Kingswood.”

Zak sighed. He truly wished he could accompany Elrodan all the way to Kamille’s house, and be able to see the beautiful half-elf again, but it would have to wait. Patience, Zak thought. He hoped, –no not hoped, knew– that he would have another opportunity to meet up with Kamille again. He wasn’t entirely certain when or how, but it sure had seemed to him that they had both felt the special connection between them, and Fate would not disappoint. Zak had to believe that. Someday, he thought.

“So, tell me, Elrodan,” Zak said as they continued along the path. “What made you take the long way to get to Kamille’s house? It’s not exactly the most direct route from Sol City to Moonglade.”

Elrodan, looked around when Zak said about hearing something but little more than a casual glance around.

"Oh, that's a shame. And you can't move your obligations? Can I take a message? How long do you think you will be? Have you tried berry liqueur before? What about when it's warmed up? I note have a little trick for that. Want to see?" Elrodan becomes more excited as he talks, by the end he's flying sideways that he can be looking fully at Zak with a big smile.

The talk of his route also brought a big smile to the fairy. "Trees! Back far away in my home, I'm a fairy of the forest. I find nothing more lovely than a good forest. So, before I travel back, if I can find a guide, I want to see all of them from around Charron. I've been to Kingswood and Deadwood and now, Hauntwood. Kingswood is by far the nicest. Its where I landed, and it seems like I started with the best. There's more to see. I will see them all. Probably a lot easier to do than get home... ". This time his time ended a lot more wistful and possibly tinged with more sadness than he would have wanted to convey. 

Zak chuckled at the barrage of questions the fairy shot at him. Whether to answer any of them became a problem because the topic of the conversation was a moving target. One question stood out though. “Can I take a message?” What did Zak want to say?

Not able to both pay attention to Elrodan and daydream about Kamille, Zak pulled his attention back to the fairy. As he listened, two phrases stood out, “It’s where I landed… Probably a lot easier to do than get home.”

“Kingswood’s my favorite too,” Zak said sincerely with a wide smile. “I grew up near it, calling to me my whole life.” Visions of the gray flashed in his head, his reason for returning to Kingswood on this trip. Zak had had his first visitation with the wolf as a teenager. In those days, the few times Zak had seen him, the gray would stare for a few moments and then scamper off. But over the years the visits became longer, and the wolf moved a little closer each time. Zak was convinced that the gray and he had a unique connection, and someday would become companions. Zak’s hand moved to the necklace around his neck that supposedly would allow him to communicate with the wolf. It’s time, Gray. We will journey together soon.

“Did you say you ‘landed’ in the Kingswood?” Zak asked, his curiosity getting the best of him. "Where are you from?" he added almost in a whisper.

Elrodan didn't mind people not answering his questions. He had rather become used to it over the years. It didn't stop he asking more however. "Have you seen many of forests? Where do you think I should go next? Maybe I'll cover all of moonglade first. I think the was a few here if you have any recommendations? Guess they'd no fairy woods?"

Elrodan have a smirk, it had been a while since he'd explained how he had ended up here. "Well the short story is I was out and about in Pelegrithua, that's my home where I'm from. As I understand it, it's very far away, only one person had heard of it and we would have to sail a long time to reach it. Anyway, I was out and about, when I was caught up by a big swirling wind. It was ever so scary and eventually I passed out. When I came to, I was falling and crash landed in Kingswood as I later found out it was. It wasn't all bad, it's where I met my little companion" with that he tapped on his waist.

After giving a big smile at Zak's reaction, he lifted the little the little grey pumice stone pot out of its pouch. Hovering in the air to allow Zak to see clearer, he slowly opened the lid. "Hello Sparky, don't go far, we're still in the marsh. But this is Zak! He's a nice man. He likes Kamille a lot too. Say hello Sparky.". Turning the pot, Sparky the little fire mote jumped up and out, floating around and enjoying the extra space. It flew first to Elrodan, just before his nose, the little black eyes lifting and bouncing in joy. It then flew over to Zak, did a little drop down as if investigating them flew back up and around behind Zak before finishing before the face of Zak. The Black eyes still seeming to show happiness, and a mouth appearing which sounded out a little crackle of a greeting. 

Pelegrithua? Where was that? Zak wondered. But before he could ask the fairy about his homeland, Elrodan brought out a small clay pot and released a tiny living ball of fire who the fairy introduced to Zak as ‘Sparky’. Sparky circled Zak and then hovered in front of him, chittering. “Well, hello little one,” Zak greeted the tiny fire mote. “From the Kingswood, eh? Right near my birthplace. We’re practically neighbors.” Zak quietly spoke directly to the fire mote, acknowledging its sentience with respect. What an amazing creature, he thought with a wide grin.

“You’re just a bundle of surprises, Elrodan,” Zak said with a chuckle as the fire mote flitted around them. “What else do you have up those sleeves?”

Mood sobering as Zak’s thoughts returned to the fairy’s description of how he ended up in Charon, Zak decided then and there that he would help the fairy in whatever way he could. “Elrodan,” he began. “I’m so sorry that you were ripped away from your home. Is there some way I can help you find your way back?”

When Zak spoke to Sparky about Kingswood and being neighbours, the mote focussed it's energy, the little black round eyes becoming smaller until there was a sudden release. Like a tiny volcano sparks, one by one shot up in tiny arcs around the mote a smile on its features and joy in its eyes.

Elrodan looked at his arms, lifting them slightly in confusion. "Nothing? It's just my arms. Do people sore things in the sleeves? This seems a very odd place to keep things. I guess that's how they get strong but it must get in the way, or is it only tiny things? Anyway, Sparky was in this box, in a pouch at my waist, not sleeves?!" and with that he once again brandished forth the stone box. Then with a shrug put the box back.

Yes, Zak was good, there had been another that had offered help, but he hadn't seen them for a while. Then again, they were too busy no doubt to be bothered by a little fairy. "Hmmm.. Thank you Zak. The thing is...At times I don't want to go back. There's Kamille, you, and others, all making me feel so welcome. And the elves of home... Well, I'm coming to realise, they're just mean. They boss and manipulate us fairies.". He looked a little downcast but then a hint of colour came to his cheeks. "There was one fairy I would have returned for... but she had already left before I was pulled away in the storm. I don't know where..." Elrodan gave a big sigh. "I just want to not be alone or unwanted. Maybe if I could find a nice lady to spend my days with here, I could be most happy unto the end of them." With that, Sparky came up to Elrodan's ear and gave a little crackle to which Elrodan smiled. "Thank you Sparky, though I would wish for you to be with me too."

Sparky’s joy at Zak’s words resonated through Zak as tiny sparks arced around the fire mote in joyful exuberance. What a wonderful creature, Zak thought with a broad grin. Elrodan’s confusion regarding the use of sleeves as a place to store things made Zak's grin widen even more. The fairy’s naivete and youthful enthusiasm called to the playful part of Zak. It was a refreshing change from the heaviness in most people’s demeanor, and the petty concerns they tended to dwell upon instead of embracing the joy in each moment of life.

Zak’s smile faded though as the fairy’s enthusiasm changed into a more somber mood. Thankful that Kamille and others had befriended Elrodan so he didn’t feel totally alone, Zak could tell that the fairy still felt a little lost and out of place in Charon. Hoping to cheer him up, Zak said, “Well, I guess we need to spend some time looking for a partner for you, eh? Have you met any other fairies in your travels here in Charon?” Zak chuckled. “I might know a few small humans that you might find attractive. …I assume elves are out of the question.” He paused, and then added, “Although with your friendship with Kamille, I would hope you now know that not all elves are mean. In my experience, there are good and kind people in all races.”

The proposition from Zak came as a surprise to Elrodan. He had to admit, it would seal the deal on his staying. But there was the follow up... "I think I would rather like that but... No, I've yet to see let alone meet another fairy. Maybe, but small humans? Do you mean human children?". Elrodan knew the young elves were fun but soon adopted the ways of their elders.

Elrodan had to admit, kamille really had redeemed the elves. "If they are as kind a soul as Kamille, then I reckon they may be OK. But maybe that most in Charon are of a friendly sort and the elves are not of the same mindset? And I guess there was one or two fairies who were a little rotten. Then they were very close to the elves or outspoken against them and tried to raise trouble with them. Do you really think that you could help? I mean, that we could find anyone?", he had a eager smile on his face.

Small children, Zak thought with a grin shaking his head. Misunderstandings abounded when dealing with the fairy’s naivete, but Zak didn’t mind. Elrodan was a delight, and Zak knew that the fairy was now an important part of Zak’s found family, persons that Zak had grown to care for and vowed to protect.

“Finding a partner tends to be complicated no matter who you are,” Zak said. “But, if you put the intention in your mind, often the gods manifest your desire. Perhaps the answer is to imagine, you know, visualize who you would like and they will appear when you least expect it.”

Zak’s mind instantly presented him with a picture of Kamille, her deep dark blue eyes gazing into his. A broad smile flashed across his face. “Elrodan, I believe in destiny, and I have to believe that you are destined to find the one for you.”

Elrodan listened, curious at what may be offered. "Ok, so if I think of the loveliest of people, the smartest, the cutest and happy and caring that I can think of... They may appear? In not sure it works like that... I'll try it but I mean it's not like this..." and on finishing his words he reached back between his flapping wings and pulled forth a flute.

He set the flute to his mouth and started playing. After a few notes, a change could be seen coming about Elrodan. Though his pose and the flute remained the same his appearance started to shift, most noticeably his head. It became more feminine, the hair changing colours and lengths. A face emerges that was unfamiliar to Zak before it moved on and turned to that of Kamille's, as he kept playing, it took a few seconds but then shifted to that of a one with emerald colour eyes, hair that was red but caught the light and gave back other colours while still holding a red presence, the face turned to Zak, a shy smile blushed and a few str ands of hair fell forward over the left eye, letting a slightly pointed ear poke through. "I have shown you what I imagined. Think that helps?" the voice was as delicate and gentle as Elrodan but in a higher pitch. Then it all shifted back to being Elrodan. "I hope you're right Zak." his mind and voice trailing off as he lost himself in imagination.

Zak smiled as Elrodan changed forms several times before returning to his own, trying out different ideas for his perfect mate. Kamille’s image appeared briefly tugging at Zak’s heartstrings. Zak missed the beautiful elf more than he cared to admit, often wondering if he should follow his desires and go to Kamille instead of meeting his obligations here in the Marsh Fields and the Kingswood. Zak had to believe that someday soon Fate would play its hand, and he and Kamille would find each other once again.

For now, Zak could only appreciate the companionship of their mutual friend, Elrodan, and his delightful attitude toward life. “So, we’re looking for a fairy with red hair and emerald eyes, eh? One never knows what Fate has in store. You deserve the best, my friend, and I believe someday you will find your heart’s desire. …Perhaps not exactly in the form you expect however.” Zak’s words had not been spoken nonchalantly. He meant every word. Elrodan deserved to not be alone, and Zak hoped that the gods of Charon would lift him up to experience the fullness of life here in his new home.

“So sorry little one. Today might not be the day,” Zak said with a chuckle, his green eyes sparkling with mischief. “For now unfortunately, you’re stuck with me. ...I do have emerald eyes though.”

Elrodan thought about that perfect image. Perhaps that was what he was after. "I guess so. But that's just perfection in looks but... I think I'd there was going to be something I have up from what is like, it would probably be that. It just helps. I mean, if kamille was my size, or you, so the same kindness and everything else... Hmm well maybe not quite all of you. Not for some company. You'd be a great friend and everything and I'd not want to part ways but a cold night or errr..." he snorted at his own stupidity.

"I wasn't expecting today, but then I didn't expect fate to have for me what it had today as it is. Wait... Emerald eyes?" with that Elrodan sprang close by the face of Zak staring into his eyes, one after the other. Elrodan's face went from a very intense look, through a phase of wonder and into a happy grin and chuckle. Then with a very obvious blink he moved back away. "Green is a lovely colour. Heeeee! Your no bad thing, I've had far worse company and little better".

Elrodan resumed his position as they went along. "Have you thought about creating things from the items you trade rather than just selling materials and such? What if you were a master crafter and never knew. What would you make if you could make anything?" 

Zak had never expected that his trek through the Marsh Fields to Gazablaak would turn out to be so interesting. Elrodan’s company was a blessing that he was thoroughly enjoying.

“Perfection, eh? In my opinion, never attainable. Besides, a person’s looks are so much less important than what a person is like on the inside. Are they kind? Are their intentions honorable?” Zak smiled. “Probably best to not overthink my words, my friend. I live by a few simple rules. Speak with integrity and honesty. And embrace every moment with positive intention.”

Zak pondered the fairy’s question about pursuing craftsmanship. Elrodan’s inquiries had Zak questioning himself in interesting ways. “Ya know, Elrodan. I’ve never even considered that. I’ve never been one to create mundane things. I mean, I can create lightning or fire, or even wind, but to craft something from these hides? That’s not for me I think.” Why hadn’t he considered making things? No sooner had the thought entered Zak’s mind, the answer became clear. Perhaps the material plane was not where Zak belonged. It seemed to Zak that Destiny had something else in store for him. The astral plane called to Zak, and he believed that someday he would leave this physical form, and the material world would cease to matter anymore.

“No, Elrodan,” Zak concluded. “I don’t believe that I have much to offer in that regard. Even these skins I’ve set out to trade will be my last delivery of such things. No more trading for me. I’m on my way to the Kingswood to meet up with an old friend, a gray wolf I’ve known for most of my life, that I hope will become my companion on my travels. That is my mission at the moment.” Zak shrugged. “And after that, I plan to go wherever I might be needed, helping people in need or in danger.”

“What about you, Elrodan?” Zak inquired. “You're a healer. But are you also a craftsman of some sort?”