Free Hero's Song by Edith Pattou

of the Scathians," she said. "But we should move on. We are still a day away from Eld."
    As they set about breaking camp, taking care to obliterate all traces of their presence, Brie turned to the Ellyl. "What brings you into Eirren? It is not usual for Ellylon to travel among us."
    "My father says I am unusual for an Ellyl."
    "Really? Then do all the rest of you fly about on little gossamer wings, no bigger than the palm of my hand?" asked Talisen, kicking bracken over the sodden ashes of their campfire.
    Silien laughed, shaking his head. "I am afraid we disappoint you."
    "Not at all," he replied, "especially if you promise to teach me an Ellyl song."
    "We shall see."
    Later, when they had resumed their journey, the Ellyl on the pony with Talisen, Collun asked Brie why she had not wanted him to join them. Talisen and Silien had fallen some distance behind and were exchanging favorite riddles.
    "It is what I said before. My father told me of Ellylon, of their hatred for us. And that they have their own reasons for the things they do. They are ... changeable, he said. Like the direction of the wind on Eydon Heath."
    "I see. And are Ellyl animals also not to be trusted?" He gazed pointedly down at the faol trotting along beside the mare.
    "I have always liked animals," she replied stiffly. "I understand them better than I do people. Animals kill only to survive. Not like people." She leaned down and ran her hand along Fara's back. The faol's tail went up in pleasure.
    They continued on in silence as Collun thought about what Brie had said. They were not so different, he and Breo-Saight. As she was drawn to animals, he was drawn to plants. Though people often surprised you, a green sprout always behaved the same. If you gave it sunlight, water, and fertilizer, it grew. It bore fruit or flower. When it died, there was a cause, be it drought, frost, scavenging animals, or disease. It did not turn away from you for no reason.
    He was brought out of his reflections by the merry laughter of Talisen. He and the Ellyl had come up beside them.
    "Riddle me this riddle," Talisen challenged with a grin.
"
I come out of the earth,

I am sold in the market,

He who buys me cuts my tail,

Takes off my suit of silk,

And weeps beside me when I'm dead.
    "So, what is it?" Talisen waited a flicker of a moment before bursting out, "Why, an
onion,
of course! I have never missed a riddle yet, have I, Collun?" Collun was on the verge of refreshing Talisen's memory when Brie stopped short.
    "Look!" They had come to the top of a rise. Collun drew a deep breath. A mighty forest stretched both east and west below them, as far as the eye could see. The Forest of Eld.
    Collun felt a wave of unease as he gazed down. Perhaps they should have taken their chances on the high road after all. But the kesil had said to stay away from it, and Brie knew of a path....
    "Is it possible the Scathians also know this path of yours, Brie?" he asked.
    "It is possible," she admitted, "but not likely. It is a very old path and has fallen into disuse over the last twenty years or so. I learned of it from a woodsman who kept very much to himself. I did him a service and he repaid me thus."
    The Ellyl suddenly spoke, an alert look on his face. "You say you are being pursued by a company on horseback?"
    "Yes," answered Collun.
    "I hear them," responded Silien.
    "I don't hear anything," said Talisen.
    "Ellylon have very good ears," the Ellyl replied.
    "How far behind us?" asked Brie. "Can you tell?"
    "Some distance. But they are coming fast."
    Without another word Brie urged the mare into a run. The pony labored to keep pace as they sped down the slope of the moor.
    They kept up a steady pace, and by twilight they had reached the forest.
    "I'm afraid we will have to leave the horse and pony behind," Brie said, dismounting. "The forest is too dense. I hope they will be able to find their way back to the Traveler's Rest." Collun swung off the mare, and he and Brie began unpacking