Exton

Tannr has a puzzled look on his face as Tori walks away. “Why did she call you a bitch? And why arent you doing anything about it?”

“What? Oh...” Raina smiles. “She didnt mean it in a bad way... nowadays it isnt always an insult....”

Tannr shakes his head. He wondered why Tori wanted to show him she was no weakling. You could see that just from looking. He was used to women roughhousing and the women warriors at the Unformed Plane, the weak ones didnt last long or stick around.

Rainas thoughts are interrupted by Star coming downstairs with Mera. Tannr turns and looks from the band packing up to Star standing next to Erik holding the baby. His face goes white and Raina can feel the anguish. She leans close and says quietly, “Thats the foster daughter I told you about, remember?”

Tannr nods and closes his eyes tight for a couple seconds. The look of pain quickly hidden.

“Whats wrong? I can feel what you do, and every time you look at Star you act like you've seen a ghost. I know it isnt just the prophecy thing...” Raina whispers.

Taking a deep breath, Tannr tries to apologize. “Sorry... sometimes... I dont know, its hard to explain... and I shouldnt, in front of... I dont want to scare her...”

Star looks up and smiles at Tannr. “You wont scare me. Talk to your sister if you need to...”

Erik takes Mera while Star says good night to Rowan, Laila and Ramji. “I hope you dont mind walking. Star doesnt like to ride in cars unless she absolutely has to. Raina, come with us, since you seem to have been left to your own devices for the night. We have lots to talk about.”

Tannr collects his weapons from Monty and the group leaves the tavern. Taking the short cut through the woods the lights of Exton soon disappear from sight. Tannr is instantly worried. I need to talk to Erik about those Drow.... if they should come here looking... they could grab her and no one would even know... but I cant say anything in front of Star, that would frighten her....

After a few minutes of silence, Raina finally asks, “Okay, whats happened with you? I know it isnt just the Unformed Plane, although that alone could make a person more than a little nuts. Why did you go there in the first place? And then stay for so long?”

Slowing his pace Tannr takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “Still the nosey one..” as he looks at Raina.

“No, curious, persistent, over-protective maybe...” Raina replies.

“Maybe?!” Erik and Star say together and Tannr laughs.

Raina puts an arm around her brother. “I care... or I wouldnt bother asking, you know that.”

Tannr nods and says, “Do you remember Thora?”

“The chieftains daughter? The one he forbade you from seeing or having anything at all to do with? Yeah....” Raina looks at Erik.

Erik asks, “The one our father forbade you to see in turn? The pretty blonde girl, who was friends with Tara..”

“Yes, that would be her.” Tannr pauses collecting his thoughts. “We saw each other anyway. Any chance we could get. She ended up pregnant with my child, my son. Her father was furious. Said he would skin me alive if I came near her again. I wanted to marry her... but he said I was such a fuckup, not man enough or warrior enough... Our father had gone to sea, this was shortly after you guys had left. Mother was sympathetic but not about to go against the chieftains word. We did manage to see each other here and there. She was beautiful... and so happy...”

Tannr eyes are moist and he struggles to keep his voice even. “When the baby came... something went horribly wrong. He just wouldnt be born. The midwife sent for me thinking it would help Thora in some way. Her father pounded the shit out of me but I went anyway. When the baby finally arrived....” Tannr shakes his head... it was awful, easily the worst thing I have ever seen and trust me, you see a lot at the Unformed Plane. Thora died almost immediately. She lived long enough to see the babe and to tell me she loved me. The baby died in my arms soon after. Her father never forgave me. He wouldnt let me help build her raft... I watched it sail out to sea with her and our son on it from the cliffs. My arrow landed true and started the fire...”

The group paused in the forest, Raina and Stars eyes filled with tears. “Goddess, Tannr. I am so sorry. I had no idea it was this bad... forgive me for making you talk about it...”

“No, its all right. And better out in the open and now done with. I went to the Unformed Plane to learn to fight. Not that it matters to anyone now. I wanted to prove I could be a warrior. I have lost myself in fighting, drinking, cheap whores and not much else. Your friend, the little ones father, he would be lost in his grief if it werent for the baby. I was young and stupid, thought I could do what I wanted when I wanted. And now I have nothing.”

Raina glances at Erik, then Star, not sure what to say. She can feel the sadness Tannr still feels, but it seems to have lessened a bit with the speaking of it.

Star moves to Tannr side and gently takes his hand. “Thats not true. We are your family and you have us.”

Raina watches as Star speaks softly to Tannr, and they begin to walk down the path again. She turns to Erik, “If she starts collecting up hurt people like she does animals, you are going to have to add on some more to your house.”