Queen Brynnya was older. She had ruled the Dark Elves for about a hundred changes of seasons, as the Dark Elves referred to a year. She was more forthcoming than the three travelers had anticipated and the dialect she preferred was easily understood by Cara and Erinnia- the priestess Knarra had difficulty only with specific descriptive words.
Brynnya spoke, “Why do you seek the Banshee΄? My people avoid the Dead Woods; nothing lives near her lair. Death claims most that approach before they ever reach her. She seeks only seclusion. Is that a bad thing? Isolation has served my people well. I have continued the wise policies of our greatest queen Businda who resurrected our society from the near destruction that it suffered in the hands of her father Cellexa. We seldom speak his name and that of his son Lexx. I will enjoy the beautiful bracelets that you have given me- silver is rare in our lands. What is available is usually forged into weapons and arrows to use against lycanthropes and other wandering monsters. I have granted my brother permission to lead you as far as the fringes of the Dead Woods. Yes, Elphis is not a scoundrel as you have probably been told. He serves as my eyes and ears in the outer world. He allows the riff-raff of Rancide to think that he is as rough and rowdy as they are. His three companions are members of my security force. They intend to impart the idea that they are brigands. Please don’t let them know that you know their secret. Your reputation has preceded you. I understand you charmed the ruffians with your Amazon. Elphis said he was rather mesmerized by her dancing. He thinks he is in love. How did you convince an Amazon to leave Dotcom? The powerful females are more reclusive than we are! Little red-hair, what is your lineage? You bear resemblance to the descriptions written in our archives of a first blood relative of our great Businda? Are you Dark Elfish?”
Cara answered for Erinnia, “You are most gracious to give us audience, Queen Brynnya. We seek the wailing witch out of necessity. She possesses something that we must have. We are not accompanied by an Amazon. Cyttia is the first born of one of my greatest allies. Erinnia is merely my bodyguard. She is not exceptional in any way.”
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