Darin bit her tongue to keep from chastising Ridahne. It wouldn’t do much good with the warrior in the state that she was in. That didn’t change the fact that Darin was sick and tired of the Azurein coming up with new words to title the human with. Darin forced herself to ignore the form of address. Ridahne didn’t seem all there. Odds were the Elf didn’t even realize she had said it. Darin would let it go and do her best not to mention it again. The last time Darin haad found fault with how Ridahne had addressed her they had gotten in a huge fight. The human didn’t want to repeat that experience.

Darin didn’t have much time to think of it anyways. Soon they had arrived at the village that Ridahne had mentioned. She had been worried that she was going to have to go door to door in order to find help. That wasn’t the case at all. There was a group of people waiting for the little group in the town center. Unless Darin missed her guess, it was this village’s equaliventl of elders; including a mayor of some sort, a village wise person, and a healer. There were also a group of people who it was clear was just here to observe. Darin looked at them with her worry plainly evident. They all looked like Ravi and their attackers. It didn’t take a lot to realize that they were Eluri and probably had visions of some sort. Were they friends or foes? Right now Darin would just take, “willing to help for money” if it meant Ridahne got the help she needed.

The village head spoke, “I am Yarick, mayor of this town. Who are you?”

Darin took a shuddering breath, “I’m Martin, Martin Lively.” She gestured to Ridahne, “I’m her apprentice.”

Darin had no idea what type of name a good fake name for an Azurein warrior would be. Besides she didn’t think that she was believed. The mayor had raised his eyebrow at her in clear disbelief. Darin wasn’t sure what to make of that. It probably wasn’t good that she wasn’t believed. They would be less likely to help her now and at this point she wasn’t sure Ridahne would last long enough to make it back to The Farm. They needed help now. Darin wasn’t sure she cared if people believed her about her name or not. The adrenalin from earlier was wearing off and she was exhausted. She just wanted help for Ridahne and was prepared to do what she needed in order to get it.

One of the other leaders scoffed, “Try again human.”

Darin found herself losing her temper, “I am sick and tired of people assuming they know me just by looking at me. I am sick and tired of people assigning me roles I may or may not want. I am sick and tired of people wanting things from me because of something I had no control of. You clearly know who I am, but you will not make me say it out loud. Either you take the information I give you the same as you would from nother strangers or you won’t, but I refuse to play this ridiculous game with you!”

The last leader’s voice was cold, “Do not disrespect us child! We see things that you …”
Darin cut him off, “Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Visions I get that. Did it ever occur to you that you shouldn’t share that information with everyone just because they already know.”

The mayor held up his hands in a motion that was clearly meant to defuse the situation, “Everyone here knows who you are. The fact that you are distrusting is simply alarming.”

Darin began laughing hysterically, “I have been shot at by two different people and my friend is dying. Of course, I don’t trust. Especially not strangers. It’s not the human way.” Her voice was cold, “Will you help my friend or not?”

Yarick was calm, “You’ve given us no reason to.”

Darin nodded, “Fair enough.” She leaned down to rub Talbot’s flank, “Come on. Back the way we came.”

This was why The Tree was dying. No one helped because it was the right thing to do. She had told one harmless lie and now she was seen as a threat even though everyone knew it was a lie. Darin wasn’t going to argue with the town’s leaders. She just hoped she could get back to The Farm in time. Then a thought struck her. Talbot might could do it. Tsura would be faster but Talbot would have the endurance necessary to do it. The question that remained is would Talbot do it? She wasn’t sure but it would be worth a shot. Darin was about to swing off to switch spots with Ridahne when a light chuckle stopped her. It was the leader that had spoken second.

She grinned at Darin, “Humans are odd. I forget that they do not receive visions like we do. I am Konie, the village doctor. Bring your friend. Perhaps I can help her.”

None of the others stopped Konie as she pushed though the crowd and headed to a house not far from the village square. Darin didn’t take long to make up her mind and follow her. She wanted to debate the pros and cons, but Ridahne didn’t have the time for that. Konie entered a house and Darin got off Talbot and went to cut Ridahne down. Hopefully this didn’t end badly. Darin couldn’t afford for this to go badly. She couldn’t afford to lose Ridahne.