Elfin Cats like most of the things one would expect cats to like.

Toys, especially when they are young.  Things to catch and chase.  Food.  Being scratched behind the ears.  And of course, confusing and bewildering people.  Cats are all individuals, especially the Elfin cats, so there is no telling just what peculiar quirks Felicia might develop, but being a Cat, she is certain to have at least one.

They stay in the riverside palace-town of Divonanta for a day.  It is the kind of place that makes people wish they could stay longer, even Theoderic,  But there are places to go, and the Swan ships await.

Swift's Boots are "on order".  Elves are known to be lax about sticking to schedules, especially older Elves, who have seen so many years go by that they stop seeing the importance of days.  (Younger Elves tend to be Human-like in their outlook, having not experienced all that time.)  But they are also honest, and Swift's boots will be ready in a few days.  Swift will not be here, but more than likely, she will be here sooner or later- or at least, she will be somewhere along the river, and the boots can be shipped.

Theoderic hasn't been shopping... just looking, at little.  Too many things on his mind.

The Swan boats depart again- Theoderic, Aelasuria, Swift, Cirrus, and their troop of mostly Elven warriors.  They sail down the great Meuse river, passing through the heart of the Elven Kingdom, with small villages and settlements, often in trees, lining the river bank.

It takes less than a day to get to their next stop- Namaco, the most "city" city of the Elves, the place where they fought the battle last winter.

There are still signs of some damage; the Elves have not fixed everything yet.

Naturally she thanks them for whatever suggestions and advice that they share. She of course has already been scratching behind Felicia's ears and tests to see if there are any other particular areas's that she loves to have scratched or petted. A ball of yarn would probably be Ideal inside her home. Out in the forest though it required something more sturdy and unlikely to trap sticks, mud, leaves and any other debris it comes into contact with!

If possible she prefers one enchanted to return on it's own when called or with magic making it easy to find should it become lost. Children tended to lose things from time to time so either magic would prove helpful. A tall reed or certain style of long plants could be used to let her chase and pounce. However as intelligent as she is Aelasuria is careful to make sure she enjoys something and Assumes nothing. A enchanted doll style mouse to chase might be ideal although not so easy to get she suspects. That option is likely a note and not a reality.

Cuddling Felicia she scratches behind her ears enjoying a little snuggle time. Then of course lets her roam the boat after warning her about the edges and the possibility of falling in the water. Cats typically have both a amazing sense of agility and balance. Plus Felicia is very intelligent even so Aelasuria is diligent about keeping a eye on the wayward child while she explores and plays. Four legs makes no difference to her at all versus two.

During the boat ride she also Cuddles with Theo when he's not busy doing something. Spending time watching the river go by and simply talking about whatever comes to mind. When it's time she serves lunch both to Theo and Felicia. Felicia likely gets fish or another healthy food that she's shown she likes. For Theo it's a regular and tasty meal although if possible she picks up some form of elvish style dessert. Perhaps blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, or other tart or dessert appropriate for the season.

"Swift if you would like to have lunch with us please feel free to join Theo and I. Also if you would like to say hello to Felicia I am sure she would enjoy getting to know you."

When They arrive at Namaco Aelasuria looks around seeing that things have yet to return to normal. She can only hope that the families here have resumed as normal a life as possible. "I hope that they won't have more damage to repair in the future Theo. It looks like they have yet to repair some of what happened from the last time. Do you have any plans on what you would like to do first while your here?"

Swift lets the boot makes know she will send for the boots. She thanks them and heads out.

She loves the Swan boats. They seem so elegant as they glide though the water. She climbs up and watch's the shore on both sides to get a feel for the area. As a scout, she likes knowing where she is and what's behind her.

she walking around the deck when she sees Aelasuria "Oh, I would be honored to have lunch with you" she looks Felicia "Hello, its nice to meet you"

When they reach Namaco, she just looks around disgusted. She remembers what it was like before the battle. "I hope they can rebuild the soon, it was so wonderful"

Their time in Namaco, if indeed they had planned to spend any time at all, is cut short, by news.  The Elves have a fairly quick communications system along the river, suing the quick Swan boats.  A few are small and fast, and designed as couriers.  It is shortly after their boat pulls in at the docks in Namaco… a smaller Swan Boat pulls along side.

An Elf on board the small craft calls out to Harlath in Elven, asking if Theoderic is present.

The Elf skipper answers in the affirmative, and gets him.

“I bring word from Lutosa,” the courier Elf reports. “From the Riverlights themselves. Salen Soulwater, and a small party, has arrived, but they are making ready to depart soon.”

“Well, of course,” Theoderic says.  “For Mos Trajectum, where we plan to rendezvous.”

“But he is not,” the courier Elf says.  “He has found a water sprite.  There are quite a few that live in the wild parts of the rivers.  This one has convinced him to go find something.  I think, the water sprite’s home.”

“Salen would not turn aside from a mission like that,” Theoderic says.  “unless, maybe, he thought… this place they are going to… is it east of the river?”

“It is,” the Elf says.  “They will cross at Lutosa and go east.  That is what the Elves with him said.”

“It must be important, then.  Salen must be thinking he can do this, and then catch up with us again, since we plan to go east from Mos Trajectum.  But he could be heading into the jaws of the enemy.  We have to catch up to him.  Can you bring a message back to Lutosa for me?  To the Riverlights?”

“That is my home, that is where I will return to,” the courier Elf says.

“I will need to catch up to Salen.  And if he has already departed when I get there, I will need to borrow a fast horse.”

He turns to Aelasuria.

"I hope you do not mind if this is a very short stop.  We might have to get your brother out of trouble.  There must be an important reason for him to turn away from our plan.  The water sprite told him something, and he's decided to investigate first, I'm sure of it."

Felicia of course regards Swift with intelligent eyes resting one paw lightly on her hand in greeting. Her tail flicks avidly as she stalks the reed Aelasuria has. Pouncing it the mighty hunter catches her pray. Tussling with it for a little while she moves off with a satisfied look. Likely she ends up for a little while in Aelasuria's lap resting and enjoying a little attention. Though swift is also a possibility if she welcomes the company.

"Your welcome. It's nice to enjoy a meal with company. It looks like we will be traveling together for a while. Tell me do you have family back in Lucimburic? Most of mine live in Geneva."

Later once they arrive at Namaco Aelasuria listens to the report from the elves. Shaking her head slightly she speaks softly. "Of course not. I will be happy to help you find my brother. I suspect Spica might be able to help with tracking him down. I can if I need to use my flight magic. This gives me a view from the sky and I imagine I will have little trouble keeping up with a horse. You didn't plan on going alone did you? Or did you intend for us to continue on till you and Salen catch up?"

"Oh no, I'm not planning to go after them on my own," Theoderic says.  "The horse is to send a message, to Mos Trajectum, or wherever we have to, with a change in plans.  If we have to.  We may not need it.  But we might.  We will go find out what your brother is up to, as a group."

After taking on supplies, the boats set sail, on a crisp, cool spring evening.  The seasons are gentle in Elven lands.  Spring evenings are time for rain, and there is a light rain from a night sky broken with clouds.

They sail up the river, between the lights of Elven tree settlements on either side of the river.   The settlements are thick, here, in the densest portion of the Kingdom of the Ardennes.  The boat captain points out the largest- Ama, Hoya, and Andenna.  These tend to be sleepy little Elven river towns.  For commerce and trade, the Elves take their boats to Namaco.

They will sail all night- these Swan Boats, being smaller than the great vessels used by the Elven royals, don't have cabins and beds.  So the crew suggests getting comfortable however possible.

"Oh! Ok Theo I understand!"

On the boat somehow she knew they couldn't use the secure cottage spell for shelter. Instead she looks into setting up some sort of umbrella or something to at least keep the rain off. She serves dinner enjoying the lovely view on the river. The Lights from the Elven homes in the tree catch her eye. As well as other things as they go. Enjoying a quiet dinner with Theo She looks up at the stars if they are visible despite the rain.

"I hope that the message gets to my brother in time. As capable as Salen is I still worry for him since there might be some sort of Hun trap. If we have to go personally I am more then happy to do so."

Swift smiles at Felicia "Even though I come from where most were's do, I have always moved around. So in some ways the world is my home and it is where ever I am. I always have a new one where ever I go. I do miss not having one place to go but sometimes I am also free not to miss anything.  I have seen so much of the world, I just love to travel" She just continued to watch, not much for a scout to do on a boat. She just kept an eye on the shore.

It is the next day when the boat arrives in Lutosa.  It is the northern border-town of both the Fourth Mark, and the Kingdom of the Ardennes. It is very different from Namaco, its much larger sister town further south.  By population size, Lutosa would be a smallish Human town- about 1800 Elves live here.  It is not nearly as well developed a trading center as Namaco to the south.

The boat captain mentions that the Riverlights, the noble Elven family that includes the lords of the Fourth Mark (this region of the Elven Kingdom of the Ardennes) are often in the town.   It's regarded as a quiet, beautiful place, and the a well known feature is the "basket homes"- rather than perch on branches, some Elven homes here hang from them, often over the river, swaying gently in the breeze.

These look exactly like giant flower baskets, and in fact each basket home is wreathed in colorful spring flowers.  The Elves work with what they have, and along the river here, they had willow trees.  Elven magic let them grow to enormous size, but the willows are not well made for the usual Elven tree homes.  So here, they learned to make homes like giant hanging baskets.

"I can appreciate that. I enjoy traveling as well Swift." She thought Perhaps there was a touch of a kindred spirit for exploration.

Later when they reach Lutosa she takes in the basket homes with interest. Her eyes flick about taking in everything. Glancing at the Boat captain with a smile. "Perhaps if there is time we will visit the Riverlights. Theo what did you have in mind for Lutosa?"

She walks around the ship, admiring the elf homes. She glances over at the Captain "Those are very interesting homes but I am not sure I would like to be in a house that sways in the wind. I am not a bird. They are fascinating but I couldn't live in one. She did wonder what they where doing here.

They cruise to the floating dock alongside...

Well, there's no real "town" here.  Lutosa is more old-school Elven in style than Namaco, and there is no dense core where they can say, this is it, we're here.  But there is a garden on the east bank which is where the boat ties up.

"When the winds blow hard, the basket-homes are lashed tight with extra rope," the boat captain says.  "But that's not often, because old magic keeps the weather under the Elven trees gentle.  Most of the time.  Sometimes, it gets through.  I imagine... it could be scary, in a storm in a house like that.  But no worse than being on the water!"

The Elven messenger, who had brought word of Salen's change of plan, comes to the dock to meet the group.

"This is where Salen was?"  Theoderic asks him.

"Yes," says the courier.  "And now he is gone to the north and east, into the forest. There was a water sprite with them.  Guiding them, I have heard."

"I could ride out and catch them," Cirrus volunteers.

Theoderic does not approve.  "The forest around the Ardennes is dangerous."

"It is," the courier agrees.  "We've fought the Huns, and we've fought monsters that seem to follow the Orcs like crows following a storm."

"But I do need to get word to Mos Trajectum that there is a change of plans," Theoderic says.

"I'll head that way next," the boat captain says.

"Then you'll stay with us," Theoderic says to Cirrus.  "Is there a place we could wash and eat something before going on?  I don't think there is a tavern here."

"No," the courier says.  "Our custom is staying with friends when traveling, or one of the trees dedicated to that purpose.  But perhaps the Riverlights would welcome you.  Koniel and Ylassi, the Marquis and Marquessa of our Ward, are not present, but their house has several trees, and Durlias, their son, is here."

The courier directs them to a giant willow tree, with four great basket-homes hanging from its enormous branches, linked by delicate looking rope bridges.

"I imagine it makes for a interest style of life living in their basket homes. Some elves can even use hammocks up in the trees. Magic can be used to make it of living vines which is a preferred choice though there are plenty of other ways to do it."

She nods slightly smiling at the boat captains explanation of the magic to help with the weather. "Yes I am guessing they get used to it. Or if there is no other choice they can always temporarily move to the ground till the weather becomes peaceful again."

Listening with a slightly concerned expression as it's clear they would have to work for it in order to catch up to her brother. "A water sprite? Huns have used prisoners as traps before. Do you think they did something to a group of fey in that forest?"

She smiles at the mention of the Riverlight family and where they might stay. Briefly she enjoys the garden next to the boat. Then when it's time moves to the Riverlight's home. If she see's Durlias she greets him with a graceful elfin gesture or greeting. She for the moment is cuddling Felicia in her arms. Although she fully intends to let her explore soon under her watchful eye so that she could burn off a bit of her abundant kitten energy. "Hello Durlias. This is my husband King Theoderic, Cirrus, Swift and my Elfin cat Felicia. I heard that your parents are out unfortunately I would have liked to have a chance to greet them. Please may we have hospitality in your home?"

She will of course discuss both her own and his families if he likes and will ask about friends as well.

Durias Riverlight greets the party, and introduces a few other friends and family, and invites the group “up” for an Elven dinner.  He sets out a small piece of fish for the Cat.

"A water sprite," Durias says as he helps with dinner. (Theoderic gently takes Aelasuria's arm, just in case she becomes tempted to help with the food.  They are guests, here.)  "I did not get a chance to meet him other than quickly.  Yes, I agree, it could be a trick.  Perhaps it was not even a real water sprite, but something changed to look like one.  I hope your brother is wise, dealing with him."

Elves can be very cold towards strangers visiting their lands, but the party members, some of them anyway, have become very well known.  Even Swift creates some recognition here, for her deeds at the battle of Namaco.

It was one of many battles, according to the Elves.  There were other, smaller battles, including one right here.  But Namaco was the big, all important battle.  If Namaco had been breached, the Elven Kingdom might have endured a terrible tragedy, with thousands of lives lost.

As they talk in the Riverlight Treehouse, Theoderic did not know the battles in this area had been as intense as Durias describes.

”I had thought the Huns north of here were mostly interested in Mos Trajectum,” he says.

”They are,” Durias agrees.  “But we are Elves, and their hatred of us is legendary.  So many of them grow tired of harassing a bridge they can not take, and come towards us, instead.  It is almost like we are relaxation for them.”

”Have you organized counterattacks?”

Durias sighs.  ”We’ve done patrols in that direction.  Our King and Queen have opposed the idea of  a larger effort.  There is no war without cost.  Even if we won, we would pay too high a price.”

”But the long, slow war you have fought… that is not without cost.”

The Elf noble nods.  “This too is true.  Were it my choice alone… it might be different.  The King and Queen have the say.   And so, we repel their attacks, we patrol, we have not tried to defeat them.”

"Do you know where the water sprite is leading them?"

"There are some places of old magic in the forest.  Many are associated with water.  There are several places I know of, but even more that I do not.  But maybe you can track them?"

"Thank you Durias." She smiles as he thoughtfully provides fish for Felicia to enjoy a meal with the rest of them. When Theo takes her arm she smiles again having a feeling it was more then simply being affectionate. While it's true she liked to get into the kitchen she decides to sit this one out.

Listening to Theo and Durias she nods slightly looking at Theo. "I hope he is as well. I certainly don't like the idea that it might not be a water sprite at all."

Eating her meal she glances at Swift curious as to what she thinks of things. "It seems we all are getting recognizable wherever we go. It's not going to be the same for us if we become so notable we can't go anywhere without being recognized. I hadn't considered this before now. I guess I should have! It might make things interesting for all of us swift once the war is over. Do you plan on going back to Lucimburic after the fighting is over or will you continue to travel?"

Hearing the talk turning towards war and other things she turns her attention back to Durias and Theo. "Durias all peoples are uniting against the Huns, Dwarves, Humans, halflings, elves and even fey have fought side by side against the Huns and their demonic masters. We should all work together to put a end to the horrors they are visiting on everyone. Your right about the Orc's hatred and they are not going to stop unless we stop them. My people originally felt the same and wished to wait things out I think. This however isn't going to work. If the Huns are not defeated they will eventually enslave or slay all elves everywhere. Given the chance hopefully we can help you persuade the king and queen that with help they can be driven away permanently. Theo has already won several battles against them in this war. If we continue to win eventually they will be defeated if we work together."

She was rather interested in the possibility of tracking them. The sooner they found her brother and had a chance to warn him the better. "I think Swift has some ability with tracking. Any help you might lend in tracking them from your people Durias would be greatly appreciated."

Swift follows the group up the tree. She greets Durias as she is introduced. She listens for a while but when she gets a chance, she adds her two cents. "Durias, I have to agree, as someone who scouts, they might just be probing you for a weakness and might soon completely attack.  Just defending only prolongs it. Even though you might lose a lot in one major fight, it might be less over the long course of what you are doing now and its ended." she couldn't understand why someone would not just end if they had a chance.

“I know it sounds strange,” Durias says.  “But the leaders among us, my parents, and the king and queen of the Ardennes.. they have been around for a very long time.  In their time, whole cities have emerged from little villages, grown, prospered, and vanished.”

He looks over at Aelasuria for a moment.  “It must be the same for your people. I have been in the Alps a few times, but the last, more than a century ago.”

Then he resumes.  “They have seen the world for so long, sometimes, they do not believe it changes.  So they hold to the ways of times past, even when perhaps they should not.  Orcs were never a great threat to us, not until a century ago, when the Huns began to rise.  So we have never faced war until recently.  It is a new thing, for a people who do not like new things.”

”It’s been what I have faced all my life,” Theoderic says.

”And you must know how brief that is for us.  When I was a child, the Franks were just a collection of tribes to the north.  But it is true, it is your whole life.  For us it is not.  But we are learning.  Especially the young Elves.  They have it harder, and they do not have the burden of years their elders do.  It is mostly they, who have joined the patrols.  And a few joined with Salen Soulwater, as I recall.”

”Do you think you can track a troop of Elves through forest?”  Theoderic asks Swift.  “If you can, you are our best hope for catching up with them quickly.”

"The Huns do seem to have a disturbing ability to overcome traditional elf style defenses if given enough time to prepare. They have used magic that makes them very resistant if not immune to our magic. They also sent goblins after a wizard known as Scolo. When I used magic on the goblins it actually caused me great pain and had little effect on them. Their iron soldiers are also a great threat to anyone human, elf, dwarf it won't matter. Although fortunately I think we were able to strike many of their iron soldiers down. What I am trying to say though is that our elders need to be aware of this fact. I am fine with honoring the old ways and I respect their wisdom. However we have to be able to adapt to new ways in order to survive the very real threat. I hope that we can persuade them to overcome the issues you described. Perhaps if Theo has a chance to speak with them they might see something new from his perspective. That or I could try if you prefer Theo."

When Theo speaks to swift Aelasuria looks at her hopping that she could indeed track elves. "I sincerely hope that you can Swift. The sooner we can be sure that they are all safe the better."

They are fortunate in having the services of a natural tracker- Swift.  When in proper form for it, Swift has an excellent nose for finding and following trails.

Picking the scent up is easy, as Salen and his group took no efforts to hide themselves while in Lutosa.

Strangely, she gets a slight hint of… Human?  There is a Human with them, it seems.

But aided by Swift’s marvelous nose, they are off, and quickly on the trail of Salen, who went north into the wilderness.  North, and then turning northeast.

Theoderic notes that northeast would be in the direction of the Huns.  Would Salen really think to do this all by himself?

Swift just smiles at Theoderic "That will not be too hard in my natural form. To track Huns, I don't even need to change" she laughed as she turned into a fox. She looked for the trail.  She picks it up and starts after the elves.

Riding Aelasuria stays close to Theo though she also keeps a eye on Cirrus if she's riding with them and not busy doing some sort of courier thing. "Good luck Swift." As a fox she likely wouldn't be seen until she came back to report something.

Aelasuria tends to Felicia making sure she's comfortable as they travel. She also keeps half a eye out for Spica knowing that a Unicorn would be as likely to find anything of interest in a forest as the most skilled ranger.

With Swift in the lead, they track down Salen and the Elves that went with him.

Swift is certain there is a Human in the mix, and... something else.  There is a track she cannot make out.  Small, delicate, but unusually large, flat feet.

The trail leads them into a land of dense, hilly forest.  Here and there, the forest thickens so as to be all but impassable- dense concentrations of brush and tangled vines.  The Elves grew these areas on purpose, Aelasuria knows.  They are living walls, part of the defenses of the kingdom.

Salen's trail leads them around and past these defenses.

After a long day of trailing, the think they are getting close... but that's hard to tell.  If the Elves stopped to make camp, it would be their way to make a well hidden camp.

But it is also their way to leave marks, identifiable by other Elves, and others trained in wood lore.  It is important, so different groups of Elves do not blunder into each other.  When hunting, and especially when at war, this can be a problem.

According to the Runes they find marking a tree, there is a camp on the hill ahead.

When they start getting close Aelasuria perks up eager to see her brother and the others safe and sound. She of course is interested in any information swift cares to share about who they are tracking. "The small tracks are probably from the water sprite... if that's what it really is. There is no telling if the Huns are involved how they might play things. Though letting a water sprite get help if they plan a ambush would work fine for them."

Once they identify where the camp is she speaks to Theo. "Theo if you want I can go first with Spica. I can fly if I need to and there is no way they would attack a Unicorn. Besides the moment my brother sees me he will know I am not a threat. Spica would be able to tell if anything evil is in the area. Though if you prefer to ride in as a group or let swift greet them that is fine."

Swift continues to go ahead of the others but makes sure she doesn't lose them She waits if they have trouble keeping up with her. She tries to see what scents she can pick up.

Swift leads them unerringly, but carefully.  One does not simply sneak up on a possibly nervous group of Elves out in dangerous wilderness.

The trail leads up a hill.  Like most of the hills in this area, it is a gentle, round hill with easy slopes, but this particular hill has an excellent view of the surrounding valleys, being located where several forested valleys meet.  Trees crown the rounded top.  It seems a likely place for Elves to make camp.

And they are right.  On the hill, they are reunited with Salen and his detachment of Elves, and they seem to haved acquired a few new members:  there is a water sprite here.  They've met water sprites before; such as Squijjit, and they all look somewhat the same- but then, maybe water sprites say the same about Humans and Elves.

There is also a human man here the others haven't met.

The groups join in a new thread:  The Water Garden.