His eyes moved over her form, drinking in the curves of her body. “You really should wear more clothes,” he said. “Your nipples are showing.”
Without considering the consequences, she slapped him across the face.
Reylin replied with laughter. “I’m only mentioning it because it seems unbecoming of a princess to expose her breasts.”
“For your information, I was sleeping when you attacked me. These are my nightclothes, and you did not have the decency to allow me to change before you dragged me away.”
“Maybe you should have asked while you were issuing orders to speak to our leader. I might have allowed it. Then again, I might like to have the both of you travel along naked.”
Lisalla tried to stand, but her waist was still roped to the tree. Danna wept into her hands, fearing what might become of her mistress.
“If you dare lay a hand on me, I will kill you.” Lisalla stared straight into Reylin’s eyes as she made the threat.
“With what?” Reylin laughed again. “Don’t worry, dear lady. I have no intention of raping you or your bawling maid. No elf would dare touch a human woman. The very thought is repulsive.” He moved over to Danna and untied her hands as well. “We’re not as evil as you’ve heard. Any elf sick enough to rape a member of his clan would be castrated and impaled at the head of the village for all to see. We don’t tolerate savagery among our own.”
Lisalla had not considered the idea of laws among the Wild Elves. In fact, she had never given them much thought at all until she was taken prisoner by them. So far, they seemed brutal and uncaring. “Your women are bigger than your men. I doubt they would be easy to subdue.”
“They are taller, for sure,” Reylin explained. “But they aren’t stronger. Meaner, maybe.” He laughed and shook his head. “Anyway, such a crime has not been committed in my lifetime. I’ve only heard stories from ages past.”
Lisalla remained silent, wondering why Reylin did not join the rest of his clan in eating and drinking. Everyone else seemed to be enjoying themselves while Reylin kept watch over two women who had no hope of escape. Even if they managed to free themselves from the rope, they would soon perish in the Wildlands. Neither of them knew anything about the woods, and both of them were underdressed for the winter conditions.
“I could use something warm to wear, as could my maid,” Lisalla said.
“I’m sure you could,” Reylin replied. “What would you have me bring you?”
“A blanket? A coat? Surely there are some spare pieces of clothing around this village.”
“Maybe, but do you really want to dress as an elf? It might get you killed in the next attack.”
“I don’t fear death,” Lisalla declared. “I would rather die warm and standing on my own two feet rather than cowering against the frozen earth.”
“Well spoken, my lady,” Reylin said with a grin. “I’ll find you something.” After a few moments, he returned with two fur blankets along with two long-sleeved leather shirts and two pairs of pants. “Enough for both of you,” he said, tossing them the garments. With a quick stroke of his knife, he released them from the rope that held them to the tree.
“Thank you,” Lisalla said. “Now turn away so we can change.”
“So you can run?”
“So we can change,” she repeated. “We’ve nowhere to run. I doubt I could make it far before an arrow found its way into my flesh.”
“No kidding,” Reylin said, removing his bow from his back. “I’ll compromise and turn my head to the side.”
Lisalla sighed, but did not argue. She handed Danna a shirt and pants and pulled her new clothes on, letting her dress drop to the ground. Instantly, she felt much warmer.
“I am grateful to you, Reylin,” she said. “You have shown yourself to be a decent man.”
“High praise indeed,” he said mockingly. “You can join me in getting something to eat.”
The women followed him to the fire pit at the center of the village. The mountain elves eyed the women curiously but said nothing. They were quick to accept anyone their kinsmen accepted.
“Tell me, Reylin,” Lisalla began as she ate. “Why are you fighting this war?”
“Because King Domren is murdering my people for their land. He wants to own everything west of Na’zora. Maybe once we’re all dead he will invade Ra’jhou.”
“He could try,” she replied, “but if I’m married to his son, I doubt he would make such a move. I have never heard anything good about King Domren. I hear he oppresses his own people, and justice is a thing of the past.”