First Encounters
by Tal Greywolf

---

Eleria peered through the hedges at the farmhouse, looking yet not quite seeing
it.  Behind her, her mount stood quietly munching the grasses, the only sound
being the deep breathing of the mare.

She paid no attention to her horse, or anything around her.  Only the house and
it's occupant were on her thoughts.  ::He's there,:: she said to herself.
::Three months of cross country tracking, and finally I've found you.::

She watched as a door opened, and out walked a young man dressed in dusty greens
and browns.  He looked up at the sky, then shook his head and headed back
inside.

Reaching back, Eleria gripped the reins and stood up.  Her horse snorted for a
moment, then started following behind her rider.  They pushed through the
overgrowth and walked into the open.

They didn't try to sneak up, approaching instead at a slow, casual walk.  So
that just when they were close to the farmhouse, the door opened and the young
man looked out at the intrusion.  There was a brief look of startlement on his
face, then a flash of recognition in his eyes as he took in the crest on her
shoulder, then his face went to unreadable.

"Greetings, Swordsister."  His voice was warm, but she could tell the wariness
evident.  "How can this humble farmer help you?"

Eleria reached up to move an errant strand of hair from her eyes. "I am Eleria,
and I am looking for you."  She paused, then continued. "You are Lord Jadren,
and you're the reason I'm here."

The young man shook his head.  "I'm called Jad, yes.  But I'm not this Lord that
you're looking for.  I'm sorry."

Eleria made a soft snort.  "I know who I'm looking for, and it is you.  My Guild
specialty is tracking."

There was another look of surprise on his face, then a sigh of resignation came
from him.  "Tie your mount to the post and come in." He turned away back into
the house, leaving the door open.  Eleria quickly followed behind him, closing
the door.

Inside, she blinked at the furnishings.  They were what she would have expected
from a farmer living on the edge of the forest, but the look was more finished,
nothing repaired or mended.  Everything was neat and clean.

Jad sat down in one chair at a table, and motioned to the other chair.  Eleria
sat down in the other chair, taking off her helmet and gloves and placing them
on the floor.  She shook her head, letting her hair fall back in place, then
looked across at Jadren.

"So my father hired the Guild to find me."  Jad's words took Eleria by
surprised, her head nodding slightly.  "I'm not surprised.  He never knew how to
leave well enough alone."

"Why did you leave your father?"  Jadren's reactions weren't what she expected,
and she needed to find out more about him.  Something inside of her was saying
that there's more here than she was informed of.

Jadren sighed softly and shook his head.  "The usual reasons.  I wanted to be
myself for a while, live my own life without having him over me day after day.
He never could understand why I wanted to be left alone, nor would he ever
understand what I am."

The way that was phrased caught Eleria's attention.  "What are you, then?
Definitely not some spoiled Baron's son, not if you're willing to live like
this."

That got a bit of a chuckle from Jadren.  "If my father saw me right now he'd
have a fit.  Not that he didn't live this way himself.  You know he started off
as a mercenary out-country, didn't you?"

Eleria shook her head.  "No I didn't.  I knew your father was the first Baron of
Takrarh, but I didn't know how he became that."

"Ah."  Jadren leaned back, making himself a bit more comfortable. "Well, let me
give you a little history first.  Maybe that'll explain why I am the way I am.

"My father was indeed an outland mercenary.  Clawed his way up in rank rather
fast as he was both intelligent and competent.  So that he eventually came here
to Faerlisle on contract.

"There was a very nasty little incident involving a renegade who was terrorizing
the region back then.  Very nasty.  So the regional Duke requested his men to
either capture or eliminate the renegades.  Took a year, but he did capture the
leader and a number of the enemy troops.

"For his efforts Father was giving title to the borderlands, managing it as well
as he had his troops.  So much so that within another year he was given the
title Baron, and married my mother in a dual ceremony."

Eleria listened closely, nodding from time to time.  "Your mother being one of
the daughters of the Duke, right?"

Jadren nodded.  "Right.  Third daughter, very lovely.  My father and her managed
to get along nicely, so much so that I was born a year later.  Father was quite
happy over it all, except for one thing.

"See, Mother was more than just the daughter of Duke Malis.  She had certain,
well, abilities.  Abilities my father didn't get along with. Like magic.

"Father disliked most magic, thinking it was unnatural.  But he couldn't keep
Mother from using magic, particularly when she used it to heal people and
servants in the keep.  So he grudgingly allowed her to practice magic, but only
in one section where he never went into.  That was Mother's private sanctum."

Eleria frowned at that.  "Magic is common in the kingdom, so I don't know why
your father would be so against it."

"I don't know."  Jadren shrugged his shoulders.  "Maybe he had bad experiences
when he was young, maybe he wanted to be a mage and just didn't have the talent.
Whatever it was, he didn't allow any other mages to come into the keep proper,
save Mother."

Closing his eyes, Jadren sighed softly.  "Naturally, I inherited Mother's
abilities.  So much so that she had to start teaching me when I was eight on how
to control and use my magic.  Besides myself, the only other person who knew was
the Seneschal, who came to the keep with Mother.

"But that wasn't the only ability Mother had.  She had one other gift, one that
had Father known about would likely had divorced her on the spot.

"Mother could also change shapes."

Eleria looked like she was struck.  "You mother was sh'kai?"

Jadren nodded.  "Yes.  She was a shifter, sh'kai.  Father has an absolute hatred
for shapeshifters.  Mother knew about it, yet she stayed with him.  Maybe she
was trying to wait for the right time to tell him, but she never got the chance
to.  She died from childbirth about two years ago, when I was 15.

"Since then Father's been trying to meld me into being like himself. And to be
honest I don't want to be Baron.  I want to be myself the way Mother wanted me
to be.  I don't know how many fights and arguments we've had until I left.  He
never really understood Mother, how could he understand me?"

Eleria nodded softly, knowing that feeling herself.  "So you left."

"I left.  Apparently Father didn't like my sudden self-reliance, since he went
and hired you out to find me."

"Well, you didn't make it easy to find you.  Going almost totally across the
kingdom to hide."

Jadren laughed at that.  "Well, I didn't expect Father to be so stubborn in
wanting me back.  Or that he'd hire the Guild."

Eleria gave him a warm wink.  "Well, the Guild does have the best in their
ranks."  She paused, looking at him closely.  "Are you sh'kai?"

Jadren opened his mouth to answer, but a sound from outside caught both their
attention.  A shadow moved across the window, then another. Eleria unsheathed
her sword, motioning towards Jadren.  "Go into the bedroom," she hissed.  "Stay
there."

Jadren nodded, slipping quietly through the door and closing it. Eleria turned
her attention back to the entrance.  For a moment there was no sounds, then the
door flew open from a powerful kick.

"Well, if it isn't the Guild's hunting dog."  A gruff voice came from outside as
the raiders entered inside, the leader evident in his black leathers.  "Found
the Baron's whelp, did you?"

"What do you want, Tarkis?"  Eleria's voice took on a hardened tone. "You know
better than to tangle with the Guild."

Tarkis twirled his blade in his hand.  "Oh, I do.  But when it's one young girl
and a helpless brat, and 1,000 crowns for bringing his back, I'm willing to try.
Besides, I see only one of you, and there's seven of us."

A low muttering came from the other men, all hardened from a life of raiding.
Eleria glared back at them all, her blade in her hands as she watched carefully.
"I wouldn't do that," she said to one who crept closer.

Tarkis grinned.  "Bren, Kal, check the bedroom.  Brat's probably hiding in
there.  The rest of you keep our Guild dog occupied."

The two men rushed to the door.  Eleria tried to stop them, but found herself
fighting off two other bandits.  Swords clashed loudly, Eleria managing to keep
from being struck but unable to really do anything else.  One of the bandits
kicked open the door to the bedroom, then both rushed in.  Suddenly one
scrambled back out, yelling at the top of his lungs.

"Gods, there's a lion in there!"

A loud roar was heard, followed by the screams of the bandit as the lion took
care of the intruder.  The sound shocked the bandits, giving Eleria a chance.
She struck swiftly, knocking one bandit down, disarming another.  She grinned
ferally, looking at Tarkis directly.

"Bit off more than you could chew, didn't you?"

Tarkis roared in anger, swinging his sword in a high arc.  Eleria blocked it
easily, making a counterstroke that pushed Tarkis back.  Two bandits closed in
on Eleria but were suddenly knocked down as the lion leaped, growling and
swiping with claws unsheathed.

"Run!  Run!"  The remaining bandits broke out the door, leaving those who were
dying where they were.  Only Tarkis remained standing, his face a mask of rage.
"Damn you, bitch!"  He swung again at Eleria, only to find his sword knocked out
of his hands by a furry paw.  He glared at the lion, then looked back at Eleria.
"Just wait until next time, bitch."  Turning, he took off through the door, the
lion running behind him and roaring loudly.

Eleria sighed, wiping her blade clean on a bandit's shirt then sheathing it.  In
the doorway she saw the lion sitting there licking his muzzle, then his form
blurred as he took back the shape of Jadren. Coughing, he went over to the basin
and splashed his head repeatedly.

"Are you ok?"  Eleria walked slowly over towards him, stopping only when Jadren
waved her off.

"I'm fine.  Just takes a bit to recover.  Hate the taste of blood in my mouth,
that's all."  Jadren shook his head, wiping his eyes so he could see again, then
sighed.  "And I guess now you know.  Yes, I'm sh'kai like my Mother was."

"You don't have anything to be ashamed of, Jad."  Eleria gave Jadren a light
hug, surprising him.  "Sh'kai are everywhere here in the kingdom.  Even their
Royal Majesties are sh'kai.  It's required by law that at least one member of
the Royal Family is a shapeshifter."

Jadren blinked at her.  "You mean shapeshifters are accepted here? Why didn't I
know that?"

"Because of your father, I'd say.  But we'll worry about that later. Right now,
we need to ride to the local town and warn the constabulary about the raiders."

"And then?"

"And then we're going to take you home.  After we make a stop and I have a talk
with some people."

---

Guild Master Wyl looked across the table at Baron Kras through slitted eyes.
The Baron read through the document again, then set it down.  "Is this legal?"

"Quite legal, Baron."  Wyl's voice was low but carried across the room.  "Your
son has requested membership in the Guild.  By law and the fact that he is of
legal age he cannot be denied membership.  His status as a member of the peerage
is not reason for denial.  In fact it is a reason for him to be a member.  Many
ruling Lords and Barons received training in the Guild when they were younger."

Kras shook his head.  "I don't know," he said.  "I'm getting old, and Jadren is
heir."

"Another reason why he should be trained by the Guild.  Part of his training
would be in Kingdom law and customs.  He would be a more effective ruler with
this training."

Seneschal Lann leaned over.  "My lord, Jadren would be better off in the Guild.
At least that way you'd know where he was, and wouldn't worry if he was in
trouble."

Kras snorted, but nodded slowly.  "True enough."  He looked up at his son
standing behind the Guild Master silently.  "Is this really what you'd want?"

Jadren nodded.  "Father, you know I love you.  But I have to be myself for a
while.  I have to discover who I really am inside."

"Never could deny your mother when she said that."  Kras shook his head, but
with a soft smile.  "And you're very much like your mother. All right, I agree.
For now you're free to join the Guild."  He reached for a quill and signed his
name on the parchment.

Master Wyl took the parchment and nodded.  "We will keep you informed of your
son's progress, Baron.  He will be partnered with another Guild member, and
together they will represent the Guild on missions.  As well as his schooling.
With your permission."

Kras stood up and nodded.  "Good day, Master Wyl.  Good luck, son." With that,
he left the room, heading off to his chambers.  Seneschal Lann walked over to
the small group still standing.

"Master Wyl, who will Jadren be paired with?"

Wyl nodded towards Eleria.  "He'll be partnered with Swordsister Eleria.
They've already demonstrated that they can work well together, and their talents
are suited for each other."

The seneschal nodded, peering closely at Eleria.  "I would like to have a word
with the Swordsister before you all take leave.  I know you have a long ride
back to the Guildhall, but this will not take long."

Jadren and Master Wyl nodded and left, leaving Eleria alone with Lann.  He
looked closely at her again, then smiled warmly.

"So this is where you disappeared to."  Lann's tone was conversational.  "Is
Jadren worthy of your attention, your Highness?"

Eleria laughed softly.  "He is.  Kingdom law gives him the right to court me if
he wishes to, since he is royalty as well now."  Eleria relaxed, then looked at
Lann.  "How long did you know it was me?"

"Not immediately.  At least, not at first when Baron Kras hired you from the
Guild.  But when you came back with Jadren and the Guild Master in tow, I
started suspecting.  Who would have the power to bring one of the leaders of the
Guild here on a petition?  If it was anyone else, it'd be a Swordmaster at best.
But you brought one of the three most powerful men in the Guild here.  Only the
Royal Family would have that sort of influence."

"I don't like to use it that way.  But Jadren told me how his father is.  It
would take Wyl to be able to get the concession out of him."

Lann nodded.  "Especially since you have personal designs on my charge, don't
you?"  Eleria's blush made Lann chuckle softly.  "Take care of him.  You'll find
he's quite an interesting individual."

"Like myself?"  Eleria smiled softly.  "He doesn't know I'm sh'kai. And I'm not
planning to tell him yet.  I want to see how well he deals with it to start."

Lann nodded.  "A good idea.  Give him time to get used to being accepted as
sh'kai, then you can take him by surprise."

"Any messages you wish me to take back?"  She quickly changed the subject,
trying not to blush again.  "Since I'm heading back to the capitol with Jadren,
I might as well carry one from you."

"Just tell your mother I approve."  Lann pulled a small pouch out from nowhere.
"And take this with you.  Give it to Jadren and tell him to use it only if he
really needs to."

She hefted the small pouch, then nodded.  "Emergency funds?"

"Just in case."  Lann gave Princess Eleria a hug, then let her go. "Your Master
is waiting, along with Jadren."

Together they walked out of the keep into the open.  There, her horse waited,
along with the coach that Master Wyl arrived in and Jadren on his mount.  She
smiled softly at Lann, then walked down the stone steps and mounted up.

Jadren rode close by.  "Final words from Lann?"

Eleria nodded, handing the pouch to him.  "Just take care."

Nodding softly, Jadren slipped the pouch into a saddlebag, then waved good-bye.
A shout from the coachman, the cracking of a whip, and the group started off
through the main gate and back towards the capitol.

"Good-bye, Father," Jadren said only loud enough for Eleria to hear.

---

First Encounters
copyright 1996, 2015 by Tal Greywolf
all rights reserved