The Truth in The Sword: The Hiisi Chronicles Book 1

Chapter 2: New Moon

Artemis approached what was left of the group hoping that Saana had survived the battle. The good news? Saana was indeed alive and tending to the Captain, who lay motionless on the ground. The bad news? Levelar survived as well, and based on the look he gave her, he was equally disappointed in the Halfling's survival as well. The other members of the group weren't so lucky they lay crumpled in the field surrounded by the bodies of their enemies. Levelar, helped Saana move the Captain to the tent Artemis had been occupying before beginning the gruesome task of clearing the area of bodies. Artemis helped the best she could, gathering the personal effects of the fallen comrades to give to Levelar to sort out and send back to their respective families. Levelar nodded curtly before disappearing into his tent, closing the flap behind him.

Artemis decided to check on Saana and the Captain before going to the Hangtada river to do some fishing. She rapped gently on the tent pole and waited for Saana to respond before stepping inside.

"How is the Captain doing Saana?" The Halfling asked looking down at the still form.

"He lost some blood but he'll survive. Where is Levelar?" Saana's face was drawn as she washed the blood off her hands.

"He's in his tent. I gave him the personal effects of the other elves to sort out. Their families deserve that much." The Halfling plopped down in an open seat and handed the exhausted sorceress a canteen of water. "What will you do about your quest and the elf now?"

Saana gulped down the contents of the canteen before answering in a low voice. "Honestly? I am not sure. I will have to wait until the Captain wakes up. For now, I will allow the elf to think he has this 'silly human' fooled. I am going to ask that you not reveal what you know. He would like nothing better than to find an excuse to kill you."

Artemis chuckled for a bit before pulling a medallion out from under her tunic before continuing. It was silver with a black shield superimposed over a red wheel. ""You mean he can try."

Saana's eyes widened and her mouth opened and closed several times in shock. "You? A..."

"Artemis Moonknight. Suojelija of the Red Wheel Clan, at your service." The Halfling rose and bowed, enjoying the sight of Saana's reaction to her title.

"I knew you were more than just a wandering Halfling." The two women turned to see the Captain's bruised face staring up at them.

"You need to rest Captain," Saana replied sternly. "Artemis, will you excuse us? I need to get my patient here to rest."

"After we have that chat about the elf." The Captain replied.

Saana sighed and nodded. Artemis nodded at the two of them as she exited the tent. "Remember to keep your voices down you two. No sense in spoiling the surprise."

After gathering her fishing gear from her tent. The Halfling went down to the Hangtada river where she spent the next couple of hours fishing. After catching enough fish for dinner and trail rations, she returned to the campsite where she cleaned her catch and prepared dinner before smoking the remainder for later. Artemis didn't poison the elf's dinner although it was slightly spicier than all the rest.

After the three of them had eaten, Saana left to go check on the Captain, leaving the two of them alone at the fire.

"You are going to clean up that mess right?" The Halfling looked up at the elf standing over her with his arms crossed over what passed for his chest.

Instead of braining him with the frying pan lying next to her, she stood up and walked away, calling back. "Where I'm from you're either cooking or cleaning. And since you didn't lift a hand to help catch or prepare dinner, you get to clean up. And you might want to start with that knife over there."