Hydra sat in her room, overlooking the tiny, going bare island. She sighed and walked across the room to look at the moon dancing on the water. She turned hearing a silent swish of robes and turned with a large smile on her face, the first one in weeks. She needed to know what was happenig to her little scrap. The robed figure pulled back the hood to smile brightly back.

"Mother, i've returned; and the news is most interesting!" She unlatched the robe, letting it fall to the floor, leaving her dressed in a well fitting, leather tunic and some deep green leggins.

"Did you know it was the barbarians all this time." She laughed. "They've been living in the mountains."

Hydra looked at the rosy cheeked girl, smiling as she walked over and began to brush her thick, dark hair.

"My dear, we know it's the barbarians who got their attentions, the problem is we need to know how to survive this.

"But mother, it's that reason that makes it so ineteresting, did you know they met a strange, new type of people in those caves, and it would seem are making some sort of, agreements." She turned and looked at her mother again smiling brightly. "I think it's time the Queen sent an emissary, and maybe work out a deal with the barbarians, perhaps we can fight off those, boring people from the main land." She bounced up and stretched gazing out the window herself.

"I'll go mother, if the queen wishes. I found the barbarians interesting in their primitive ways."

"Tarah, i'm not sure if i want you involved in the politics."

"But mother, you know i can handle myself as well as any man, and kill them twice as fast. I can sneak sneakier than any ol' elf, and i have your witty charm. What more does one need to go talk with a bunch of men?"

The barbarians, i don't think i'd mind it so much, they're not the threat, but these new people, all the turmoil on that side of the island. It wouldn't be the same as you hiding, people would know who you are representing and why. They'd pick you out being so young and."

"I'll never be able to do it if you don't give me the chance." She looked to her mother smiling with that gleem. "Besides expecting another child", she went over and kissed her mother's slightly swelling belly. "You can't do it, and who else would be better able to represent our interests in this island, than we who know it so well?" She walked over to a table by the door and picked up a large, ripe fruit and began to eat it waiting for her mother's decision.

"I guess you do have to meet the world sometime, i'll establish communication with the queen." Hydra walked over and hugged her daughter. "Just promise me you'll be careful?"

"I always am, mom."