• “Keep up! Step lively!” Tarson crowed, not looking back to see if his daughter was keeping up. Lamya scowled shifting the deer carcass to a more comfortable position on her back. As the sun’s last rays slipped over the mountains, the dark elves began to shuffle out of their houses, gradually filling the marketplace and the sound of good-natured bartering began.
    Trading and bartering were key points of a dark elf’s life. As an outcast race, it was often difficult to get the things they needed from the humans or light elves, so the dark elves had to be extremely crafty with their trading. Lamya had never had the skill for bartering, but her father was one of the best. Tarson could make someone drop their price by half and leave them believing they got the better deal. He was so good, in fact, that this year he had been chosen to travel to the light elves’ land and bring back goods.
    “Lamya!” a familiar voice called. Lamya turned to see her friend Acacia running toward her. As far as dark elves went, Acacia was okay-looking; her short black hair was somewhat dull, her eyes not quite so lustrous. But her smile was kind and her nose wrinkled when she laughed, and everyone in the village loved her sweet and gentle nature.
    “Hey Acacia,” Lamya smiled at her little friend. Tarson had often commented how strange it was that she and Acacia got along so well when they were, both physically and personality-wise, totally different. Acacia was small and docile, best suited for a life at home watching children, which was precisely what she strived to do. Lamya, however, with her tall and muscular stature, was more cut out for life as a hunter, running through the woods after prey and never settling down.
    But they had been friends since they were very young, and time had not broken that bond. If anything, it had strengthened it, and so as Acacia approached, Lamya dropped her deer and gave her friend a hug. “How have you been?” the taller elf asked.
    “Pretty good,” Acadia chirped. “Mother and I have been working on a blanket for Father for his birthing day. She sent me out to do some shopping. What about you?”
    “Been hunting for the last few hours,” Lamya replied, gesturing with her bow to the deer. “I could do with some shopping, though; my bowstring’s getting pretty loose.”
    “Why don’t you ask your father if you can come with me then? Then you’ll get your string and be home in time to eat your catch.”
    “Good idea. Father!” she called to Tarson, who had stopped farther ahead. “Is it alright if I go shopping with Acacia?”
    He pondered for a moment before nodding. “Alright,” he conceded. “Bring that deer here and I’ll take it home. You have money, I trust?”
    Lamya pulled out her small bag of coins. “Always. Thank you, Papi,” she said as she passed him the deer.
    He gave her a half smile. “You’re just calling me that because you got your way. No dawdling, though. You’re still in trouble about Rowan and I expect you home before midnight.”
    Lamya groaned but agreed and the two friends headed off through the market. “What about Rowan?” Acacia asked curiously.
    “I’ll tell you later,” Lamya said wryly.