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Continuing the story, Lantashi's Dance (Last update for this story was Dec 10, 2021). The link to that entry is at the bottom of this log, along with a link to the Stories section.
"The Council must be warned," Lantashi said.
She and K'valak and Foxy sat around a small fire, under the protection of a small cliff. The hills rose around the two. K'valak ate the meat of a small rabbit he had cooked over the fire. The warrior did not have quite the same outlook as Lantashi, though he had once pointed out it was part of the natural order of life. Lantashi shared her berries and nuts with Foxy, a very light meal even for her.
The sky was filled with a blanket of stars, and now a chill wind was blowing from the north, once again announcing the coming of autumn.
K'valak looked up from his food.
"I agree that we must warn the village. They must prepare. But would it not be better that we head off this evil at its root? The human called Night that is responsible this time. He is dead, gone. What else, what other power could bring this evil forth?"
The wind blew through Lantashi's hair, pulling at it. She shivered involuntarily. The goosebumps rising on her arms and neck could have been the cold, or the fear she had of the suffering that the Shadows would yet bring again.
"I feel Airmed watching over us," Lantashi said quietly. "But this is not something I can do alone. I couldn't handle it last time either. Look at me... I'm a ranger, but not a warrior, not a great wizard. I have my friends," here the Sylvan gestured to teh forest around her... "but even they were corrupted. I was left with my loyal companion here, Foxy."
She reached down and stroked the fox, who happily put her head on her paws.
"You are not alone," K'valak said sternly. "You have me."
Lantashi gave him a sad smile. K'valak was a good fighter, defender of the village. But even he had been subdued. Lantashi pushed back the memory of when he had attacked her, forced her to flee. Even in his altered state, he had been formidable.
K'valak had said he remembered nothing. Lantashi had never told him.
"I know I have you," Lantashi said slowly. "And of course you can come. But I was effective, stronger, with the group of adventurers that I had found in my travels. Aynos, Bertha, Mardoth... even that little nut named Metoo!"
K'valak growled... "That Aynos is a womanizer. I don't like him around you."
Lantashi laughed, her laugh echoing through the woods. Gods, it felt good to laugh.
"I might have been the only woman *not* to fall for Aynos, and he definitely isn't interested in me. He's a very grumpy. And I'm not into Horned Ones."
The warrior continued to glower at her, and the Sylvan ranger giggled. Her giggle caused K'valak's face to soften, and then he smiled.
"You are tired," he observed. "I rarely hear you laugh anymore. It is nice."
"Yes, I'm tired," the woman admitted. "I need sleep."
"Okay, you, and..." K'valak pointed at the fox, "... your companion there, get some rest. I will take the first watch. I'll wake you in a few hours."
Lantashi nodded, and moved off to a comfortable bed of moss not too far from the fire. At one time she had complete confidence in K'valak... but his eyes! His eyes when the shadows had engulfed him, and the same danger was returning.
Could she trust him?
And, would the village believe her?
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