Caleighela wondered why he seemed so nervous and refused to raise his eyes to hers. If he wanted her assistance, he could at least show her the courtesy of looking her in the face. She wondered if maybe this was the first time the stranger had dealt with Elves. She realized then that his mode of dress was not familiar; he did not appear to have come from one of the local “man” villages.
“Would you be so kind as to tell me your name and where you are from?” She asked. “Why does your child require medicine?”
After loudly clearing his throat and shuffling his feet some more, he raised his eyes so she was able to see the fear he wore there. Then, a look of relief crossed his face and she vaguely wondered what he had been so frightened of. “Wallen is my name and I am from Trandis. I’ve been traveling hard trying to get here in time to get the medicine to save my little girl. I don’t know if it will do any good, as she may already be gone. But, you understand, I have to try.” He looked as if he were about to collapse as he described his daughter’s illness.
Feeling sorrow for this stranger, Caleighela nodded and gestured for him to sit as she poured him a strong cup of tea. A variety of foods were already lain out on the table for Caleighela’s now forgotten meal, which she offered to Wallen as she excused herself and disappeared into her workroom.
Well, she thought to herself, that explains a lot. Wallen came from a region where Elves were not welcome. They were even considered outlaws. Suspicion, fear, and envy had made it impossible for the Elves and Trandians to live in harmony for as long as Caleighela could remember, and that was a very long time. The people of Trandis could benefit enormously and vastly improve their lot in life if they had not held the Elves in such disdain for so many years. Whatever wrong they felt they were dealt in some long past age, had all but been forgotten. But, the fear and prejudices remained, which she thought was a very sad state indeed. Wallen it seemed had taken a great risk to himself in traveling so far and into a forbidden region in pursuit of a desperately needed elixir. Hopefully, he would be able to return home in time to save his daughter.