At 4351 words, minus my commentary, i believe this is the longest, or one of the longest chapters of the story. Consulting the NaNoWriMo website with all of my stats, indeed, my wordiest day was on Nov 19, 2016, though it said 4292 words.maybe I added something. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ whatever

Caderik led them a little ways and through a copse of trees and there before them was a gaping entrance to a cave in the mountain. They all entered and Miryanna was greeted by the sight of a busy and efficient large group of people all working at different jobs. Miryanna was awed by the sight. This wasn't like Alarick's base at all.

"You'll probably see some things you wouldn't have seen back at Alarick's," Caderik was saying. "Here at this base, we're taking a more aggressive stand against the Vanags and their evil deeds. They're getting more bold in their actions and we have to do something to stop them. If they're getting more aggressive, we have to also." He explained vehemently.

still have no idea what the vanags actually do lol

He continued to explain the workings of the camp and soon, Miryanna and Andarin knew everything they needed to about how they operated and what roles they were to play.

The days passed and Miryanna and Andarin both adjusted to the new life. They were both homesick sometimes, but it helped to have something to do.

One day, Roric took Miryanna aside into the woods into a little clearing and tossed her a sword. She failed to catch it, but picked it back up from the ground.

"It's about time you learned a bit more about self-defense," He said to her.

"Self-defense?" She said dubiously. She had always been a lady, and while there were exceptions, ladies didn't swordfight. Or fight in general.

Roric nodded. "Unsheath your sword and I'll teach you some stuff. It'll be useful, now that you're a full time member of the Erglis and the Vanags are getting more violent." he took a swordsman's stance and Miryanna unsheathed her sword and tried to mimic.

okay i guess they're getting more violent

Roric pointed out all the flaws she was making and then taught her some moves.

The sword was heavy and Miryanna was glad she'd been strengthened somewhat from the hard climb up.

They spent an hour in the clearing and by the end, Miryanna was worn out and ready to quit. The sword felt heavy and clumsy in her hands and she wondered how Roric had become so good. The sword almost seemed like an extension of his body.

After they sheathed their swords and put them away, Miryanna started back towards the cave, eager for a drink of water, but Roric called her back.

"Miry, there's still some skills I intend to teach you,"

She groaned, "Like what?" She turned back.

He held up his bow and arrows and grinned, saying nothing.

She groaned again, "I need a drink and I'll be right back out,"

"Just don't take too long," He called after her.

She sighed, as that had been exactly what she intended to do. She got her drink and went back to Roric.

"Ready?" He asked.

She nodded.

He handed her a bow and some arrows. She figured archery couldn't be as hard as swordfighting, but she was kind of wrong, kind of right.

that is very easy to do

He first taught her how to string the bow, then how to load and aim. It wasn't as simple as she'd originally thought. When it came to drawing back the bow, she found she couldn't quite bring it all the way back.

"You're weak, Miryanna," Roric said in disdain.

shut up roric it's not like there's a weight room in the castle

She lowered the bow and resisted pointing it at him. "It's not like I was put through a tough workout regimen, now was I? I've been a lady all my life and never had to learn anything about swords and bows aside from that they were men's business and to leave it to men," She said sourly. Roric had not been very encouraging all day, constantly pointing out what she was doing wrong, occasionally scolding her, and Miryanna was sick of it. She held up the bow again, and her anger gave some extra strength, and she was able to pull the bow back full draw and let the arrow go. It missed completely, as she hadn't taken the time to aim, but she'd drawn it back. That was a victory.

But, Roric just sighed. "It's more important to have good aim than a strong draw. If you can't aim where the arrow goes, what's the point of drawing it back?" He asked rhetorically.

gOsh roric

Miryanna sighed in frustration. "I never asked to learn how to shoot and fight," She said angrily.

"Well, no, but it's better to be prepared. You heard how aggressive the Vanags are getting. What if they decide to attack us and you're still a posh lady who doesn't know which end of the sword to hold?"

oh so they attack people too

She glared at him, not about to admit that she was wrong.

Roric also sighed, "Try again. This time, try aiming and we'll work on your draw later," He aimed his own bow and pointed out some things to Miryanna, then fired. The arrow hit the target, not in the bullseye, but closer to it then Miryanna could ever hope to get at this point.

I'm not an archer so i have no authority on this subject, but i feel like you should get the strength to draw it back fully first, then you can aim easier. in case any archer wants to correct me, I only take archery critiques from beleg cuthalion. (jk, but if you know something about archery that i don't, i guess i wouldn't mind being in the know)(also if you are beleg cuthalion just talk to me. please. i love you. ;-;)

With great indignation, she raised her bow again and took special care to aim right. When she let her arrow go, it hit the target, but barely. "I aimed it right, why didn't it hit?"

i just figured out why this day was super heckin long it's because i waxed longwinded on archery training

"You were still also concentrating on s strong draw. You need to stop concerning yourself about the draw and work on your aim." He said.

She gave him a look of consternation and gave the bow the weakest draw she could and let it go as an act of sarcasm. The arrow didn't even go ten paces.

Roric laughed, "I know you don't really like this, Miry, but it will be useful. Take my word for it." He said and handed her another arrow. "Now try again."

but i do like how roric and miryanna are getting along better and joking around and stuff

She huffed and took the arrow. She aimed, being careful to aim as well as she could, then fired. The draw was too weak, and the arrow just bounced back off the target.

"Whyyy?" She yelled. Flinging her arms wide open.

Roric sighed, but chuckled, "Alright, now try a stronger draw."

wow he chuckles too

She pursed her lips, mad, and tried again. "She pulled back , aimed, and fired. It embedded itself in the target, and was nearer to the center than it had been. She smiled, satisfied with herself.

"Good," Roric was also smiling. "Now do it again,"

She groaned, "I thought the goal was to get the arrow reasonably in the target. It's reasonably in the target, can I go now?"

Roric shook his head, "You should keep practicing and improve till you can shoot and not have to think twice about aiming firing."

"Believe it or not, Roric, archery isn't my top priority," She complained.

"Well you need to be better than just being able to hit the target, I'll bet that wasn't where you were aiming when you fired," he argued.

"Well, no, but I hit the target, isn't that what matters?"

no

"What matters is that you hit your target. Not everything you'll be shooting at will be a target clearly laid out before you, and sometimes you might just have to hit a very small certain spot on your target, so you'll have to know how to aim and succeed to truly succeed as an archer." He finished and crossed his arms, waiting for Miryanna to counter.

But she didn't. She tried to think of a comeback, but decided to just try and fire again.

They continued for another half hour, then stopped for the day. Miryanna's arms were sore and she needed another drink.

While she was at the well, Andarin came by.

"Hey, Miry," He greeted cheerfully.

"Hey, Andarin," She responded tiredly.

"Man, you look hot. What were you doing?" He asked.

She sighed, "Roric was instructing me in the arts of combat," She answered.

Andarin laughed, "That explains everything. How'd it go?"

"I'm not an expert yet, if that's what you mean. Or a natural,"

"No one is at first. You just have to keep at it, keep practising. You'll get stronger, the moves more easy, and before you know it, you'll best Roric at his own game someday." He encouraged.

no andarin, some people are naturals at first, and i hate them. trying not to, but i hate them

She smiled, 'Thanks, Andarin. That means a lot,"

He smiled again, "Any time,"

Miryanna finished with her drink and they continued talking about the camp, home, their plans, and just about everything else.

Miryanna's lessons continued and by the time winter rolled around, she could hold her own in a fight. She also became pretty proficient with a bow and one of her favorite activities was hunting with Roric for the camp. On these trips and the training, they got to know each other better and became good friends. Before she knew it, a year had passed, and the anniversary of her coming to Caderik's camp. She was now eighteen, a woman by most standards. She still missed her home and family, but got frequent reports of them, since the Erglis had to concern themselves with the affairs of the royal family. It grieved her, however, that they knew nothing of her. Part of her wanted to go back to Campel and see them, but it was not to be. She was doing marvelous work at Caderik's camp and really had no practical reason to leave.

One day, she was on a walk, enjoying the autumn colors. She'd been gone awhile and was completely out of earshot of the camp. She had wanted to get away for a bit and as she wasn't busy, took the opportunity to get some alone time. It had been quite the year. She reflected back on the times before she'd known of the existence of the Erglis. Her plans for the future back then had been to marry the one she loved and become an ambassador like her father. Now, she was a full time and respected member of the Erglis. Her fashion sense had changed, she no longer went about in silks and velvets and jewels, but she found that she didn't mind. She never thought of herself as a warrior or hunter of any sort and now she knew the sword and bow quite well. She was stronger, physically and otherwise and she knew some things she never would have discovered with her pampered life at the castle. It was hard sometimes, but she'd found that it was worth it. She was overall satisfied with her life.

gosh i wish that was me

She saw something out of the corner of her eye, and by now out of reflex, snapped her head toward it, but saw nothing. She sighed with irritation, reminded of something that she was not satisfied with at all. She'd lost count of the times when she'd see a flash of pale hair, the gleam of pale eyes, or the tail of a cloak or the tip of a boot, but before she could even focus on it, it was gone. She'd obtained a reputation among the others at camp as the "Gnome Hunter", as always seemed to be on her guard about them. Others who had lived in the mountains for much longer had ceased their, what they considered, foolish pursuit of children's stories. But the legends of the Gnomes fascinated Miryanna and she liked to learn about them, though there wasn't much to learn.

She heard a twig snap behind her and she whirled around to catch the culprit, but saw none.

"Alright. I know you're out there, you've been teasing me for over a year now. Show yourself," She demanded, feeling only a little silly, still convinced that it wasn't just her imagination.

"Ah, but you have seen me," A voice seemed to come out of the very trees spoke back to her.

scoooooooore

Her brows raised, and a smile played at her lips. She felt triumphant. The voice was lovely to listen to. It reminded her vaguely of Karayan's voice, but this voice was higher, and reminded one of a laughing stream.

"Only parts of you, and glimpses at that. I want to see you fully and face to face. I feel like I deserve it at this point." She waited for an answer in silence, the only sound of the river rushing a good few paces away, and the birds singing in the trees, and the wind rustling the leaves. No answer came.

"Well?" She prompted.

To her delight and surprise and triumph, a figure stepped out of the trees.

He had pale yellow hair and ice blue eyes. He was average height, but because he was very lean, he looked taller. His face looked neither young or old. nah, he was supposed to look youthful, i just wanted to pull an elrond. He was clad in a tunic of a faint golden orange tint under a vest of leather and a scarf that looked like it'd been dyed from the autumn leaves. He had a gray cloak and trousers and tall boots. All the colors of his clothes were so that he'd blend perfectly into his surroundings; which he did quite well. He had a short bow and arrows on his back and a slender sword at his side, secured to the belt around his waist, along with a pouch.

Miryanna smiled widely. She stepped forward and offered a hand in greeting. "You probably know my name already, but I'll introduce myself to you anyways. I'm Miryanna Heolstor, member of the Erglis."

He didn't make any move to reply and introduce himself, or accept the hand that Miryanna offered. Right before the silence could get awkward, however, he grasped her hand and they shared a firm handshake.

"Iphnis," Was all he said.

They broke their handshake and Miryanna said, "I'm pleased to meet you, Iphnis,"

He made no response.

Miryanna took in every detail of his appearance, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction at finally seeing and speaking with him.

Finally, she asked, "Do you tease everyone in the way you teased me?"

"I did not tease you, I tested you. And no, I do not show myself to just anyone," He replied.

oh well excuse me

"Why not? And why me?"

"Gnomes are known for their subtlety. It would be a shame to break that tradition now."

"You speak in riddles, Iphnis,"

does he? are those riddles, miryanna? or are you just pulling an aragorn now?

"Subtlety, Miryanna," A faint grin crossed his lips.

see he gets it's

Miryanna laughed, "I'm very delighted to meet you,"

"I would have said the same when I first met you,"

"What?" Miryanna didn't understand. "I don't get it,"

He paused before answering, "I first saw you on the mountain trail and by your conversation with your companions I could tell you were Erglis. I could also tell you were a noble by your face and your posture. Bored, I decided to follow you. I learned about you, and your attempts to try and find me amused me, as did your fascination with the Gnomes," He explained. "I showed myself to you today, because you confronted me. Not many do, and some when they do, are not earnest."

aight, ya'll know how to meet a gnome. have fun

It was longest she'd heard him talk thus far, and it was the longest she'd ever hear him talk.

i'll have to keep careful track of all his appearances and dialogue to make sure that's true

"Well, I'm honored that you would reveal yourself to me, and I hope to get to know you better," She stated.

"Gnomes don't 'get to know' humans. It's not our way,"

"Why not?"

"We swore enmity with them. Some of them fear us, and some of us still feel enmity,"

"But I don't,"

"Humans are fickle and given to change. We can't be too careful,"

on one hand, he's got a point, on the other hand, are gnomes unmoving as stone or smth?

Miryannna was a bit offended at this, but saw his reasoning. "Well, will I at least see you again?" She asked, hoping he'd say yes.

This time he did grin, "Perhaps,"

There was a splash in the river and Miryanna glanced over to it, and then back to Iphnis, but he was gone. Disappeared. She wondered at this, since she'd only glanced there and back, but he's disappeared as if he'd never been there.

gnomes are also ninjas

She sighed. "Well, Gnomes are a mysterious and subtle race,"

She looked up in the sky and saw that the sun's rays were turning from yellow to red. She started walking back to camp, feeling satisfied.

Something told her to not tell of her encounter with Iphnis, so she said nothing of it. She knew that there were those in the camp that hated and feared the Gnomes. It was said that they were capable of terrible magic and could bewitch you and turn you into some sort of animal, or even a plant. When she had almost reached the camp, she encountered Andarin on the trail.

 i'll add that to the official gnome lore

"Oh, Miry, there you are. I was out to look for you," He said.

She smiled, "Well, here I am,"

He smiled back and they continued the trip back together.

As they got closer, they could hear the sounds of the bustle of camp and the fresh smells of the autumn woods were replaced with a smokier smell. They headed to one of the campfires to join Roric and get some food.

A few months passed, and one day, Caderik asked for their presence.

They all gathered in his office, and he laid out the situation. "Every year, the three leaders of the Erglis get together and discuss the current happenings around the kingdom and any recent developments. Well, it was put off until now as there was a festival in Campel and we didn't want to go there at such a busy time. Later Pathagari had some business he had to attend to and couldn't make it, which delayed it again. Well, now all of us are available and plan on conducting the meeting as soon as Pathagari and I can get to Alarick's base."

so it's an annual meeting

Miryanna, Andarin, and Roris were all a little puzzled as to why he was telling them this, but didn't interrupt.

"I know that you three all came from Alarick's place a little over a year ago and was wondering if you would like to join me, since we make it a point never to travel alone. Would you care to travel to Campel, any of you?"

Miryanna was of course overjoyed at the prospect of seeing her home again, but Roric was more dubious.

"What if someone recognizes you?" He asked.

"Roric, look at me," Miryanna gestured at herself. "My hair is shorter, I never dressed like this, and I was never this muscular. My facial features have matured and hardened also. I can wear a cloak and hood or cover my face in some way if you want me to, but I don't think it would be necessary."

"She's got a point," Andarin put in, "I know if I hadn't seen her for over a year and she'd changed this much I would barely recognize her,"

"Thanks, Andarin," She said.

"Anything for you," He replied.

Roric sighed, "Alright, if you're that set on it,"

"Hooray!" She cried happily, then turned to Caderik, "Yes, we're all going,"

Caderik smiled, "Excellent. We'll leave tomorrow morning."

That night, after Miryanna had finished packing, she sighed happily. Even if she did see any of her family, it would have to be from a distance, but she would see them. Something she hadn't done for over a year.

She awoke bright and early, before the sun was up. She dressed and went through her pack to make sure she had everything, added some things, and headed out for breakfast. No one else had risen yet, and she realized that it must be earlier than she'd thought. She started a fire and started making some breakfast. She sat by the fire, staring into the flames, when a voice startled her.

"Good luck on your journey," The voice that sounded like a laughing stream.

She looked up to see Iphnis standing there, the flames reflecting in his icy eyes. She saw that the hue of his shirt had changed from golden orange to almost white, and the autumn leaf scarf was replaced with a snow colored one. His pale yellow hair had taken on a silvery tint. It was the first she'd seen him face to face since their first encounter, but whenever she'd seen the flash of pale hair, or the gleam of pale eyes, she'd known who it was, and it gave her satisfaction. "Beware Karayan. He has way of getting close to people,"

somehow i feel like i meant to include karayan in an earlier conversation of theirs but i guess i forgot or something also how does iphnis even know who karayan is? I'd love to hear how but i'm afraid i'm a little lacking in the area of having things i want

She nodded, "I'll try to be back soon,"

"You take your time in Campel. There might be some things to learn there,"

"Miry, are you already up?" Roric's voice sounded from a few paces away.

Miryanna quickly glanced back up to where Iphnis was, but he was gone. Disappeared again. She turned back to Roric, who apparently hadn't seen anything. "Yup. I made some breakfast," She smiled.

Roric sat down across from her at the fire and raked a hand through his unruly dark hair and said nothing.

"You alright?" She asked.

He just nodded.

"Is anything wrong?" She asked.

He just shrugged, still not saying anything.

Miryanna was starting to get a little concerned. Roric was usually the first one up and had the fire up and going. He was always quiet, but he never refused to answer any of Miryanna's questions.

"Roric, I can tell something's bothering you, now what is it?"

He sighed took a deep breath and exhaled through his nose. "I can't find Yanev," He said.

Miryanna waited for him to go on.

"I was looking for her early this morning to say goodbye, and she wasn't in her usual spot right on the borders of camp. The panther was pacing nervously around and was staying right next to me the whole time. The bear and wolf were agitated too and the hawk was nowhere in sight. I looked and called for her, but she wasn't to be found." He looked up from the flames and to Miryanna, "I can't imagine that she'd run away or just leave without telling me, and she would never leave the panther. I don't know where she is, or even if she's alright," He spilled out to her.

Now Miryanna was really concerned , but entirely for Roric. She'd come to know the sweet little girl, and knew that if she hadn't answered any of Roric's calls, something was really wrong. Yanev adored her older brother, despite the significant age gap. The thing that leapt to Miryanna's mind was that she'd been kidnapped. She said so to Roric.

He nodded, "Yes, that's what I've been thinking too, but who?"

"Who did what to who?" A voice came from the darkness around the campfire. It was Kaldir, one of the other members. He came and joined them at the fire. Roric explained the situation to him.

Kaldir shook his head, "It's the Gnomes. They sacrifice children to their barbarian gods," He spat out.

i mean, no, they don't

Miryannna rolled her eyes. Kaldir was one of those who hated the Gnomes, but was too cocky to fear them. "Now, Kaldir, I've done a lot more research on Gnomes than you have and I can tell you that while Gnomes do have diverse deities and worship different ones, or none at all, none of them require child sacrifice," She stated.

"How do you know? They all disappeared ages ago. Half of what you've heard about them might not even be true,"

Miryanna nodded, "Yes, I know that, but I still don't think it was Gnomes."

Kaldir just shrugged, "Well, while you lot are gone, the rest of us here will be sure to keep an eyes out for that little sister of yours,"

Roric nodded, but didn't smile, "Thanks,"

By this time, the sun was starting to peek over the horizon. Miryanna always loved to see sunrises and excused herself from the campfire to go see this one. She stood in a place where she'd found that the sun would shine directly on her when it first came over the mountain. It was cold away from the fire, but she had her leather jacket and didn't mind it so much.

"Remember," Iphnis was suddenly beside her, "Karayan," Then before she could turn and see him, he was gone. She looked down on the thin layer of snow on the ground, but saw no footprints other than her own. She frowned, "Karayan what?" She called softly into the trees, but no answer came. She continued watching the sunrise, when an idea occurred to her. If anyone knew what had happened to Yanev, it had to be Iphnis. "What happened to Yanev?" She called into the trees, hoping no one was in earshot. No answer came. She wondered briefly if he wasn't around, but she knew he'd probably hear of her question somehow. A hawk flew overhead, and Miryanna looked up to see it glide across the sky. It looked like the one was often with Yanev, but she couldn't be sure, for it was high in the sky. She watched the sunrise again, when something fluttered down from in front of her. It landed on the ground and she picked it up. It was the tail feather of a hawk, and it was dyed blood red. She frowned, wondering if this was some freak coincidence or some kind of secret message. It was dyed completely red, not just dipped. It was dye, but it looked like blood and rubies mixed together and reminded her of something. There wasn't enough room to put it in her pocket without crushing it, so she just held it, intending to slip it into her bag before anyone else could see it.

"Miry, did you want breakfast?" Andarin's voice called to her.

"Yes," She called back, "I'm coming," She headed back to the campfire to get some breakfast. She ate and her other travel mates ate breakfast and after making last minute preparations, saddled and packed up their horses and were off. Miryanna had come to love the horse named Dustu more than even her old mare Harrod. On Harrod, she'd learned to ride and had developed a good master-horse relationship. But with Dustu, she'd learned to become more like partners with him, rather than be a master to him.

horses man :)

The sky was clear at first, but got overcast later in the day and stayed that way. As the days passed and they got closer to Campel, Miryanna got more excited, and more anxious. When they passed through the big town where she'd first traded her jewelry and clothes, she felt nostalgic, remembering how excited yet bewildered she'd felt. To be out on her own.