“Alright then… Tana the red,” Nykira addressed the young woman with no less amusement than Aeron. “How did you end up in there?” “I was hunting,” Tana replied, trying too hard to sound like it was a common activity for her, as she stooped down to retrieve the bow and quiver her parents had given her for her nineteenth birthday just days ago… Exactly how many days ago she didn’t know, because her time in the clutches of the lich had melded into one long nightmare. “I followed a deer trail into the hills, when a band of goblins took me by surprise. There were just too many of them… two dozen, may be more!” The companions knew she was probably over stating her foe’s number by two or three times, and Aeron decided it was better not to mention that deer would be heading for the woods this time of year not the hills, so if she had been following their trail, she was going in the wrong direction. “We had better see you home lass,” Tarl announced, grateful to have an alternative to Mithral Hall without needing to explain his reluctance to visit his home, and admiring her youthful beauty. “Well… If you need a place to rest and re-supply,” Tana replied. “You’re welcome to follow me. I do owe you for freeing me from that monster… and I’m sure my family will reward you for your efforts.” Slinging her quiver over her shoulder she started down the rocky slop, leaving the companions to follow her if they chose to. It only took a moment for Aeron to overtake her, and turn them onto a better path, which lead them to a small brook to restock their water supply, but the best they could scrounge for food was a few hands full of berries and nuts. “I was told drow are evil, and hide from the sun,” Tana inquired as she sat next to Faeryl during a brief rest. “Most are, I’m afraid,” the dark elf replied with sincerely. “My mother brought me to the surface when I was just a child, after a rival house destroyed ours in Menzoberranzan. We were given shelter at the Mouth of Song, a temple to Eilistraee in the Moon Wood, and I chose to embrace the Dark Maiden’s teachings.” She smiled warmly at the young woman; “You see I’m no different than you. I left a place of darkness to find a new home here, but still face the prejudice of those around me every day. Well, not these,” she motioned to her companions, “my friends… Who have seen past my skin and into my heart, and accept me for who I am, not who I appear to be.” “Don’t you get angry at the distrust and discrimination?” Tana asked with clear hurt in her voice. “Eilistraee teaches us to face them with understanding and patience,” Faeryl replied with true empathy for the young woman. “Well Tempus teaches us to meet every challenge with blood and fury,” Tana shot back.