The tournament over, Elrodan set forth for the Moonglade and searching out the invited home of a friend. First he had to get through the area that was the Hauntwood. Oh he was initially happy to go, the thought of seeing further woods or forests was now his desire before trying the long journey home. This one though, seemed as cheery as the Deadwood. 

Deciding to take a break in a tree, he looked down at the ground and sees a small young bird that seemed to be struggling. With no hesitation, he falls to besides the bird which cheeps and falls over as it tries to move away. "Hushhh little one, I am here to help you." With that he scoops up the bird and looking up spots the nest above, a quick flight and he deposits the bird back then moves away. Not wanting to be a disturbance, he then moves to another tree for his rest watching the nest. 

While he waits, a peculiar thing happens. The bird and nest turn ethereal then with a quick flash appears to take on a humanoid form and floats towards Elrodan. With confusion and a small amount of fear, Elrodan watches it approach. "Elrodan. You have proved yourself to me. I come with the blessings of the heavens and Este. If you wish to form a union with me, I will give you further powers. You can already heal well but with my essence, that will increase, more so with time. Furthermore, I will name thee an acolyte to her and your blessing will be increased further. So little fairy, what say you?"

Speechless, he continues to sit. The possibilities and consequences conflicting in his mind. He knew of warlocks who took pacts, some falling to darkness. Yet here was the offer of light. This didn't seem at all like the work of evil. And in a moment of insanity or clarity, he replies "Yes, let's do it" then gives a squeak. The being of light came closer, speaking as it did. "Do not worry, you have acted and chosen with your heart, and that is for the good of all." A smile upon it's face, it then passes into the hand of Elrodan, a tingle runs up his arm, a sudden searing sensation deep within his chest causing him to scream loudly, "AAAAHHHHH!!" then nothing. 

He breathed a long slow breath, and watched a shimmer wave through his skin. He felt dizzy with a sense of power and knowing he was now falling, tried to flutter his wings and slow his descent. 

Z’Khrta Putok trudged grumpily through the swamp. Pulling his boots out of the muck with each step, Zak couldn’t help but admit to himself that this had been a bad idea. Hoping to avoid the travelers along the main road from the coast, Zak had entered the marsh for some privacy. Privacy with a little muck thrown in, he muttered to himself, dusting off his sleeve.

Zak stilled suddenly, hearing what sounded like voices coming from the tree above. Craning his head, his view was obscured by the thick canopy of leaves, and he couldn’t see the source of the sound.

"AAAAHHHHHHH"

Zak’s jaw dropped in concern and awe, as what appeared to be a fairy began floating down from the branches above, their blue wings flapping to slow their descent. Were they falling? Did they need help? Zak wondered anxiously. The nomad had seen drawings of fey creatures during his travels, but had never encountered one before.

“Can I help you?” Zak called out in his deep bass voice, his arms reaching out prepared to catch the tiny fey if needed.

Was it the celestial knowing there would be someone below to catch him, maybe it had lied and it was a fiend trying to cause him harm  luck favouring him against such a thing, or maybe it was coincidence.

“Can I help you?”. Whatever it had been, the voice that came was encouragement enough for him to hold out his arms and reply "Catttchhh mmeeeee plleeeeassssssse!".

He tried to look at man, rather glad it wasn't some giant with mouth open wide. The moments before reaching them were too short for any real thoughts or deliberation. There was a scar on his face which although could be a bad sign, at this time didn't feel like it would be given they offered help. Time would tell, so for now, he allowed himself to trust unto them being good. 

The blue fairy came toward Zak from above with a speed that seemed improbable. Moving quickly, Zak carefully maneuvered to be directly under the fairy, his arms forming a cradle.

Zak stumbled backward a few steps as he caught the tiny fey in his arms. Looking down, he stared dumbly. He couldn’t help himself. A fairy? Looking up at him with wide red eyes. Shaking himself out of his momentary stupor, he smiled down at the creature and said in a deep bass voice, “Hello. I would say it’s a pleasure to meet you, but… awkward… …Are …Are you alright?”

Zak moved to set the fairy onto the ground. “Can you stand?”

Elrodan looked up at the man from his arms "Ahh, that was a bit too close. Thank you. Yes, I'm good thanks to you.". Elrodan's voice wasn't anywhere near as deep as the man's, but not was it done high pitch squeak. Maybe a deep woman's or higher pitch man but nothing remarkable. 

He twisted a bit to help the man set him down. Bodes well, another friendly person who wasn't living up to the warnings others had told him. He stood and turned to face the man again. "Yes, I can stand fine. I'm Elrodan by the way. A pleasure to meet you. Thank you again. It was lucky you were here. Why were you here? Don't most people advise against travelling alone? I realise I was too... But then I'm small and can fly. Normally that's enough. Oh! I hope I didn't hurt you or such when you caught me?". With that he jumped up and hovered before the man, his eyes quickly darting about over him for any such signs of injury besides the svar on his face.

Elrodan, Zak repeated silently. Where had he heard that name before? Zak stilled. Was this the same fairy that Kamille had told him about at the tournament? The one she had partnered with and had healed her wounded shoulder? Certainly there were not two fairies with the same name. Fate played funny tricks on a person sometimes. Zak had been trying to keep memories of the beautiful elf from invading his thoughts at every turn since he’d left Sol City, but it seemed as if fate had other plans. Then again, Kamille was unforgettable, he thought with a bittersweet smile.

Returning his full attention to the fairy’s words, he pondered a moment before responding. Why had he entered the marsh? It had been a whim. ...Interesting. Was he destined to meet the fey creature? Zak had heard whispers from beyond his whole life, and believed in their powers. Ginma and Ziev had both blessed him with the beginnings of a connection to elemental forces he was only now beginning to understand and harness. Certain that it was his calling to tap into those elemental forces and find his destiny, Zak believed in fate. Whether or not this fairy played a central part in his story didn’t matter. Right now in this moment, fate had intervened when the fairy had needed his assistance. Zak accepted the task willingly and with great interest. He’d never met a fairy before, and a new friend of Kamille's no less. This could prove to be quite intriguing.

“Don’t worry about me. No injuries here,” Zak replied, gesturing to his tall, lean, and muscular form. “I’m Z’Khrta Putok. …Zak to most. Good to meet ya, Elrodan,” he said with a warm smile. Zak's voice had deepened as he proudly declared his given nomadic tribal name, emphasizing the consonants with clipped, guttural sounds.

Eyeing the fairy as he hovered, Zak’s gaze rose to the branches above. “As to why I’m here… to protect you from plummeting to the ground, I suppose,” he said, dead serious in his belief it had been meant to be. He paused, not sure whether to prod any further.

Decision made, he continued. “What happened up there? I thought I heard…” his voice trailed off. What had he heard? “I mean, why were you falling?”

Elrodan tuolta his head a little as he tries to repeat the name back "Zukurta Putuk... No.. Zuxurta Putok. Umm, maybe I will call you Zak if that's OK? So many people have long and complex names around here. First there was the Godling Al.. Alabaster, then Izanami. She had a lot of names. At least then there was Kamille, she very nice, she had a crow called Mischief you know. There was a few others I met at the same time but I was a bit distracted at the time. Lots went on." then with a moments thought he carried on "It's a lovely name though... Sorry I made a mess of saying it."

Z'Khrta had replied in a way which confused Elrodan at first. Z'Khrta had been here to save him? "Did someone tell you I was going to fall...?". He then started to think about what he had been through. Maybe it made sense, if that being could come with instruction from above knowing he would be here, then it made sense they knew Z'Khrta would come this way, or could be made to. Though should he admit to having been greeted by a spirit. Warnings from others he had may rang in his mind. What could be the harm with this... Surely none. Is there?

"I... I just thought I saw something and fell... Yes, that was it. I thought I saw a bird fly at me. That makes sense right?" even he didn't believe his own words. 

Knowing that Elrodan was a friend of Kamille’s, and Mischief’s, only added to Zak’s belief that the moment was meant to be. My Ginma, he thought. Fate turns its hand. A short chuckle escaped his lips. Zak could still hear Kamille reciting those same names in the Brass Dragon. Zak shook his head in wonder.

Zak glanced up into the branches, skeptical of the truth of the fairy’s words. He doubted any bird had been involved. If Zak’s instincts were correct, something unique, and perhaps even profound, had occurred, but he wouldn’t speculate. The fairy’s story was his own.

“Well, regardless, you appear to be unharmed,” he said, casually brushing caked mud off his pants. Zak gave the blue fairy a warm smile, and stated with resolve. “We were meant to meet.” He glanced back and forth at the marsh around him, and added, “Why here? I don’t know, but… if not here…” his voice trailed off, his gaze briefly looking up again.

Returning his gaze to the blue fairy, Zak smiled. “Funny thing, Fate. We’ve also both just come from the tournament at the Capitol it seems. …Aaaand, it appears that we both have the privilege of having made the acquaintance of the amazing Kamille. ...I, I even know of some of the other names you mentioned.” Zak chuckled, shaking his head. “Sometimes I think the gods are playing with me.” He paused, his smile widening into a full grin. “No, I know they’re playing with me.”

“Where are you off to?” he asked, restraining himself from asking again what his curiosity most wanted to know. What had happened in the tree? Zak chided himself silently for his nosiness.

“I’m on my way to King’s Valley by way of Gazablaak.” ‘Gazablaak’ came out with a bit of a chuckle. Being a small group of stilted wooden huts, jutting out of the water, Zak had been surprised when it started showing up on maps. Any home needs a name, he supposed. His clan had lived in worse conditions. “I owe a lizardfolk there some skins. Perhaps we can travel together for at least part of our journey,” he said, gathering his things, preparing to be off again.

With an odd feeling of relief that the lie worked, surprise that the lie worked and a small amount of confusion the lie worked. Regardless, he wiggles in the air. "Yes, unharmed thanks to you. Why do you think we were meant to meet? Are you celestial, I mean, a guardian or guide? Wait! Are you just the incarnation of... Umm" at this point, Elrodan realised he didn't know the name of the celestial he'd just accepted into himself as well as the fact that he was just hiding this very point from the man. This is why he found it easier to just say things. Safe, trustworthy people or not. Still, there was one thing he said there that made him ask one more thing on the matter. "Do the gods talk to you then? If they play with you I guess they must right? Not much of a game of one side has no idea about things"

"I was actually on my way to see kamille. I came via the forest as I want to see all of the forests of this land before returning. Is Gaza black on the way? I'm happy to tag along though. But how do you mean with you owning a lizardfolk and skins?" with this he thinks for a moment before flying back out of arms reach. The horror stories of others now coming back to mind. Would this man who just saved him be one of those that would keep him enslaved and reveal all of his secrets to like Izanami had said would be. A look of worry came over his face as he looked at the Zak.

Elrodan’s words flowed over Zak; some making sense, while others elusive, sparking his curiosity but only leading to more questions Zak was too polite to ask. Celestial? Incarnation? Visit Kamille? …before returning where? The fairy spoke his thoughts without filter, having to halt here and there to prevent admitting to his lie. Had Elrodan met up with a celestial in that tree? Why was he taking the long way through the marsh to Kamille's? Zak scoffed, and told himself to stop speculating. All that really mattered at the moment was that suddenly at the end of the fairy’s string of words, Elrodan looked at Zak with worry in his eyes. 

Quickly Zak raised his hands, and protested the blue fairy’s misunderstanding. “No, no, Elrodan. I’m no danger to you. I, …I don’t own anyone. Or …skin them.” Pulling out the tanned hides he had in his pack, Zak held them out for the fairy’s inspection. “I trade animal skins throughout the region.”

Zak gaze met Elrodan’s, his green eyes shining with concern and kindness, “Please, Elrodan. …something’s bothering you. I, …I’m a friend, I promise I mean you no harm. Let me help.”

Elrodan looks at the hides, then at Zak. They certainly didn't seem to be a fairy or human or anything besides animal skins. "So, you are a trader... Do you have a shop? Do you hunt as well? And this is why you're going to the Gaza Black place?" Elrodan inched closer, swaying gently as he hovered.

Zak did seem friendly, his words, tone and actions all seemed to show it. Even the look on his face seemed genuinely good. He could feel his own desire to tell. The pleading silence of Zak finally got to him.

"I think I just made a pact... But it seemed like it was good. Not a fiend. So... So.. There's no use trying to trap me for secrets. I can't help you fight with extra power or err secret knowledge. I'm just a healer, and I'm sure you're tribe or folk know how to heal already." as he said his brave piece he came closer and closer as if in defiance, but on finishing, that bravery faded and he flew back, clinging onto the tree trunk like a safety blanket for a child.

As he cling there, he could feel a rattle down at his waist, the little stone box in its pouch. 

Zak opened his mouth to answer the blue fairy’s questions, only to close it again. A pact, Zak repeated to himself. He’d heard of such things, fiends and celestials convincing people to do their bidding. As far as Zak knew, he had not yet encountered anyone during his travels who had made such a pact. His heart went out to Elrodan who appeared to be quite confused and frightened by the deal.

“Elrodan, …oh my,” Zak began as he watched Elrodan fly to a tree and cling on for dear life. Zak’s concern evident on his face, he continued, “Please… I, …I don’t want any of those things from you. Listen, it’s obvious that your interaction with the… whatever it may have been, has confused and frightened you, so… now …it’s time… uh, …to reflect on it, and I, …perhaps I’m here to, you know, …help you fully grasp your new situation and move forward.”

“Come,” Zak said, motioning with his hand for the fairy to come away from the tree and join the human. “Let’s walk,” he chuckled realizing what he had just said to a being with wings. “I mean, let’s move along. I find that moving forward begins with actually moving. Emotions, as well as an overthinking mind, tend to settle down when the body is in motion.” Zak paused, debating whether to alter his plans or not. Decision made, he continued. “May I accompany you for a time on your journey?”

Elrodan watched and listened from by the tree. "You don't? Do you or those you care or answer to seek the knowledge of power? Can you give me your word to it?" he holds his sight on Zak's eyes. Were the mighty powers really watching over him, making his choices or companions those who are also good and worthy. Don't they normally give trials, challenges that test his ability to stand against evil. Maybe not always. Only those whose deeds are worthy of song to be sung through the years. 

He wavered regardless, all he could feel was honesty and compassion from Zak. He released his grip on the tree and moved to besides Zak though still not close. "Your company..." he starts, it seems Zak was right, he felt muddled. "... Perhaps that's for the best. I don't want to greet kamille in this way. Would you accept power? If you thought you could help more? Or would you think it a trap?". He didn't look at Zak, just moved along.

He tried to feel what was inside him, some premonition of intent from the celestial that had bound to him. There was only his own voice. His own thought. That was no help, or at least not yet. 

"…Do you or those you care or answer to seek the knowledge of power?...


…Would you accept power? If you thought you could help more? Or would you think it a trap?”

Zak pondered the fairy’s questions, unsure exactly how to answer. He didn’t want to alarm Elrodan. Zak had been truthful when he told Elrodan that he didn’t want anything from the fairy. But, of course Zak did seek knowledge of power. Understanding was the first step to tapping those powers, and he was determined to understand what the whispers inside him had been hinting at for years. Now, as to Elrodan’s other question; would Zak accept power from some entity who offered it to him? Of that, Zak wasn’t certain.

They began to move along through the flats, Zak’s boots making deep imprints through the bog while the fairy flew beside him. “Honestly, Elrodan. I do not know what I would do if someone offered me power. Accepting anything from anyone is either accepting a gift or beginning an exchange of some sort, a transaction. Which do you feel it was? Perhaps it’s not a trap, but to be certain something will be expected of you. I take it they were not clear?”

Elrodan tried to think back to what was said. "It... was a gift but I think it feels more like a transaction. They said I would be an acolyte. The Goddess Este is a very kind and gentle one. I just... would evil use a good name like that as a trap? No.. I don't think they were that clear. Which makes it all the harder to know. There's only one small thing I hold out hope on now we've started moving. You were right there, it does help. But I remember one small phrase a old fairy told some other elves one time at a dinner... 'Faith is required for faith, not proof'. I think... I think I understand that now... Well, if it's true that is."

The squelching and sloshing of Zak wading through the bog slowly seems into Elrodan's mind and he starts to think how to help. "Is there anything I can do to help you... as we go along, I can imagine that bog is hard work?". It seemed a shame that he couldn't repay Zak's kindness in some way. Catching his fall and now advice while trudging through that as he flew as free and easy as ever.