• Rosealla blinked. Durned sun... Always finds a way to burn my eyes... Her teal gaze filtered through the reddish haze. She was an elf. Typically lithe, and just above five feet in height. Her black tide of hair was unkempt, but still it managed to shine in the setting sun. She stood, barefoot, on a sun-bleached rock, its warm surface comfortable to the touch. Rosealla glanced around at her surroundings. There was nothing but a tree, falling asleep under the blanket of fallen leaves. Winter was approaching quickly, like a hunter to its prey. It was the human month of November, a chilly turn of the season, and their holiday of Thanksgiving was abroad.

    "The human need for celebrating certain dates baffles me, Saipire." She turned to her companion, a golden-skinned female elf with a remarkably intimidating feline partner. A black panther sat by her master's side, basking in the vanishing sunlight. Saipire's sapphire eyes held humor in their gaze.

    "Well, Ty suggested we be at his adoptive mother's friend's celebration, and it wouldn't be polite to turn down free food, would it not?" Rosealla laughed along with her friend. Food in winter was scarce, weather was unpredictable, and it was likely that the little bunch of friends would never see each other again.

    "Come, we mustn't keep Ginger waiting!" The three rushed off down the hill, happily tumbling over each other in playful humor.

    ***

    "Oh, they'll never get here!" Ginger mumbled through her beard. Her hands squeezed the towel with the strength only a dwarf had. Her husband, a jolly sort of dwarf, glanced up from his carving from by the fireplace.

    "Oh, Ginger, ye know that Saipire and Rosealla will get here for the feast, they would never miss a beat if it includes free food." He looked back down to his handiwork. "Hmph. They never do."

    "But what if they were killed in a war?" Ginger bit her lip in worry. "Or what if they were captured?"

    "Oh, don't be silly. Saipire has Elanrae, Rosealla has her skill with the blade. They wouldn't stay captured any longer than our son can stand still!" Bergun ended with a huff. He chipped away at the piece of wood he held, his red beard muffling his words. Ginger's big cobalt eyes shimmered with anticipation as Ty, their adopted son, leaped into the kitchen, an excited expression enhancing his cheerful features.

    "I saw them, I saw them! They're coming!" Ty joyfully exclaimed. Ty was a blonde haired boy of about fourteen with large, almond-shaped blue eyes and creamy pale skin.

    "See, Ginger? I told ye they'll arrive safely." As Bergun spoke, the band of travelers tumbled into the room, giggling like little girls and tussling like two lion cubs. Saipire was first to stand, but was dragged down by Rosealla, who was laying prone on her back with an expression of playful determination on her face. As Ty was about to join in on the brawl, Rosealla extracted herself from the tangle of arms and legs. Saipire jumped to her feet as Elanrae nosed her, purring like a kitten with a new toy.

    "Hahaha! Rosealla, I didn't think you were so strong!" the out of breath elf exclaimed. Rosealla, breathing heavily, smiled sweetly and sat on the floor, exausted.

    "Neither did I! I thought you had me back there!" The two friends laughed and finally turned to the dwarf family. Ginger smiled, white teeth showing through her frizzy red beard.

    "I thought that ye wouldn't show," she gestured for the elves to sit on the nearby chairs.

    "Oh, Ginger, you aren't the warrior, you're the worrier. We made it just fine." Rosealla sat down with a little oof and pulled herself up to the table.

    "When will your friends get here?"

    "Soon, don't ye worry. Soon." Bergun muttered. The dwarves exchanged news with the travelers as they waited. Time went by and there was a knock on the door.

    "I'll get that!" Ty darted to the door, excitement stamped on his boyish face. A woman was at the door.

    "Hiya Trix!" Ty greeted her and gestured for her to join the group. She was a woman of medium build with long brown hair pulled up in a bun and deep green eyes. She carried a small tub that was warm to the touch.

    "I hope you don't mind I brought a friend," Trix said politely after greeting Rosealla and Saipire, who both turned towards the door. Saipire instantly grabbed at the hilt of her sword and Rosealla jumped out of her chair. There stood a drow at the door, her obsidian skin shining and her blood red eyes glowing faintly in the candlelight.

    "Meet Silvara."