Precedent scene: What's The Plan Now? (https://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/whats-the-plan-now-/2935318/?p) First scene of the story-arc: Chaos and Death (https://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/chaos-and-death/2889324/?p&ca) ________________________________________ Far to the south, in the heart of the Uhudjèd clan's territory, a portal opened, taking by surprise all the wood elves that were present outside. Was it an attack ? All those who had one rose their bow, with a nocked arrow, ready to fire. The others drew their dagger or their short sword. Minalva, before raising her own bow, pushed Fiëndel behind her. The entrance of the gallery was too far to have the little girl taking cover in it. Romatzo, who was coming back from a training, was next to Minalva and firmed his grip on his axe. Suddenly three women appeared, hands up, from the portal. When they saw what was greeting them, the tallest of the two blonds, by reflex, tried to reach for her sword, but the redhead next to her grabbed her arm in a quick movement. The reason why the old magician told them to put their arms far for their weapons, before entering the portal, was clear now. Time took still for few seconds. When: " Delphine? Marina? asked Minalva not believing it. DELPHINE! MARINA!" she shouted in excitment, putting bow and arrow aside and running toward her friends, a large smile on her face, that showed her bright and perfect teeth. When she reached them, she jumped literally at Delphine's neck, making her almost fell. The laughs of Minalva and the protests of Delphine being drowned under the kisses of her friend made the tension disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Marina, who was laughing too while watching Delphine strugling against Minalva's over-friendliness, saw Romatzo approaching. He was less expansive than his wood elf significant other, but it was clear he was highly happy to see them both. She kneeled and puted a hand on his shoulder, saying nothing. He did the same in return and took her other hand in his. She had always a weird impression when having Romatzo's hands in hers, because, just by the touch, it was clear he could crushs them with no effort whatsoever, but his hold was always so gentle. In the meanwhile, Sigrid was amused too by the communicative happiness of Minalva. Although, while she was observing the silver headed elf, she couldn't help but think that something was wrong. Suddenly it hits her. The elf had a shirt and high boots coming above the knees, but she was also completely butt naked. Realising that made her jaw drop a little. Then she turned her eyes over the other elves present. If some of them were fully clothed, others were half or even completely naked! In her culture nudity was not something tabou, but nobody was walking in the streets naked, especially not in winter. Even if snow haven't came yet this far to the south, the temperature was pretty low, nevertheless it doesn't seem to bother those who were naked nor to diminish the virility of the males she could see. She couldn't prevent her face from turning red. Lost in her thoughts, Sigrid suddenly realised that somebody was observing her from underneath. It was a beautiful little child, a girl apparently, nothing more than 5 or 6 years old. Hands behind her back, she was observing her intensively with her big black eyes. " What's your name little beauty? said Sigrid to the girl, quite uncomfortable on how intensively the child was looking at her. - She won't respond to you." said a woman, who had very long silver hair, approaching. " Not that she can't talk, but she choose to not to." She took the child in her arms. "Her name is Fiëndel and I am Yalza, chief and druidess of the tribe as well as Minalva's mother. She indicated her daughter with a head movement. Minalva had now turned her attention on Marina. Unfortunately for Delphine, she was not free from an over-happy wood elf yet. Kar-Yol, the younger son of Yalza, had jumped on Delphine, whom he had a crush on, since her first stay in the clan, several months ago. " My name is Sigrid Bjornsdatter, sister of Marina." she said bowing. Hearing that, the ears of Minalva pricked. " Sister? That's your sister Marina? - Yes, she came to me because she needed my help. - Your help? For what exactly? Before Marina could respond, Fiëndel, who hadn't stopped fixing Sigrid, pointed at her and said: " E riuula nesh re rala priideri." Both Yalza and Minalva raised their eyebrows with surprise. Even Kar-Yol stopped annoying Delphine and turned his head to look at Fifi. It was so rare to ear the little girl talk. And what she said was surprising. In their language it meant, "The tall woman has big troubles." Minalva, now serious and comprehending the reason of the presence of the three women, put a hand on Sigrid's shoulder and said: "Let's go talk inside." ________________________________________ Really fun picture to make, quite painful story to write. If I'm full of motivation to create pictures these times, it's harder for me to sit and write and I have a harder time than usual to find the right words. I don't really complain, though. It's just one of these periods, it won't last forever. I just hope that my motivation to write won't came back when the one for creating pictures will fade. lol