After a few steps it became apparent that the elf-maid had twisted her ankle during her struggle with the ogre. It was at least sprained, perhaps even broken.
"Allow me," offered Soth, scooping the woman up in his arms and carrying her the rest of the way.
"Oh," the elf-maid said as she was lifted off the ground.
"It's easier this way," said Soth, trying to make light of the close contact which might or might not have been necessary.
If she had been an ugly old maid, would he have offered to carry her?
Probably, but he would have done so a lot less enthusiastically.
"Perhaps I should introduce myself," said the maiden, her voice sounding to his ears like that of a songbird.
"I was curious as to your name."
"It's Isolde," she said, putting her arms around his neck to steady herself as he stepped over a fallen tree. "Isolde Denissa."
"A lovely name," said Soth. "For a lovely elf."
She smiled at that. "So you're charming as well as brave, strong and handsome." She rested her head against his shoulder.
Soth felt warm all over and found himself firming up his grip even though there was no danger of dropping the lithe young elf.
As he stepped into the clearing however, the feeling of warmth vanished as he came under the scrutiny of his fellow knights and the elderly elf-woman.
Did she look too comfortable in his arms? Could his sudden-he tried to think of the right word-affection for her be so easily discerned from the look on his face?
"Is she all right?" asked the elf-woman, who had undoubtedly been charged with the care of the maidens.
The question jarred Soth's train of thought. Of course, with her eyes closed and her head resting upon his shoulder, she appeared to be near death in their eyes. "She's been injured, but"-he paused for a moment as a wild thought leaped forward in his mind, quelling all other thoughts-"it's nothing the healer won't be able to mend." He put her down on the ground to reunite her with her fellow travelers.
"The healer?" asked Colm Farold, looking the elf-maiden over. "She doesn't look to be in need of Istvan."
"On the outside no, but she appears to have suffered"- he hesitated slightly-"internal injuries which might be best left to the healer to remedy. She may very well heal on her own, but it's always best to be sure."
Farold gave Soth a curious look, but dared not contradict his lord twice. "Very well, milord. We can always attend the Knights' Meeting next year."
Soth raised his hand dramatically. "No," he said. "These elf-maidens were on a holy pilgrimage to Palanthas. It is your duty as a Knight of
Solamnia to see they arrive there without further harm." "Our duty?" asked Farold. "You say that as if you won't be coming with us."
"I won't," said Soth. "I will be escorting the injured elf maid back to
Dargaard Keep while you and the others continue on to Palanthas. Deliver them safely so that they may pledge themselves to Paladine, father of all that is good. Then, attend the Knights' Meeting as heroes worthy of the title Knights of Solamnia."
Farold smiled with pride and gratitude. Arriving in Palanthas escorting a group of maidens they'd rescued from ogre bandits would make the knights the talk of the entire meeting, a rare opportunity for the knights to be regarded with the highest esteem by their peers. "Thank you, milord."
Soth shrugged his shoulders. "After she is in the care of the healer,
I'll once again set out for Palanthas and join you there. You must extend my apologies to the grand master, and conduct yourselves with the utmost honor and decorum in my absence." "I will, milord," said Farold.
"We will."
Soth nodded, then turned to inform the maidens of their plans.
"My knights will be escorting you the rest of the way to Palanthas," he told the elderly elf-woman. "Meanwhile, I will be taking Isolde Denissa back to Dargaard Keep where she can receive proper aid at the hands of the keep's healer."
The elf-woman tilted her head back and looked at Soth down the length of her nose. "I've looked her over and her injuries seem to be minor.
I think she's healthy enough to continue on with us to Palanthas, but thank you very much for your most generous offer."
The elf-woman was probably several hundred years old and had likely seen a great many things in her lifetime.
She had acquired great wisdom through her years of experience and for that reason alone deserved Soth's respect. Nevertheless, he couldn't allow her to meddle with his plan.
"It's not an offer," he said plainly.
She looked at him with narrowing eyes. "You mentioned Dargaard Keep before. Who are you exactly?"
Soth realized that their first meeting had been somewhat rushed and they'd never properly introduced themselves.
"I… am Lord Loren Soth of Dargaard Keep, Knight of the Rose."
A mixture of shock, surprise and embarrassment traversed the old woman's face at the mention of his name.
Apparently she had heard of Soth at some point in her long life.
"Excuse me, milord," she said, using the word even though she was not required to do so. "I was dubious of your intentions, but now that I know who you are I have no doubt that Isolde will be safe in your care."
She finished her words by lowering her head slightly, an unmistakable sign of respect.
"You have my word as a Knight of Solamnia," said Soth.
"No harm will come to her."
The ride back to Dargaard Keep was taken at a slow pace as the bump and jostle of a hard ride might further injure the young elf-maid.
For much of the time, Soth trailed Isolde by a horse length to the left.
As they rode slowly across the plains he watched her ride, her long thin legs draped over the horse and sometimes made bare by a sudden gust of wind. The wind also played through her hair, making her dirty blond locks dance like flames in the light of the sun.
And even though Soth had never imagined that he'd be so enamored by an elf-in fact he'd never been particularly fond of the race to begin with-he somehow found himself becoming attracted to the maiden. Perhaps it was her mix of youthful innocence and womanly beauty, or perhaps it was the look of awe in her eyes when she spoke and looked at him.
Whatever it was, he was enchanted by her. Of that, there could be no doubt.
"I'm becoming weary," said Isolde. "Can we stop for a little while?"
Soth scanned the surrounding landscape. It was barren and flat and the sun beat down on them mercilessly. He would have liked to have stopped by a stand of trees or a rock formation, but he wasn't about to suggest that Isolde continue on if she didn't feel up to it.
"All right, we can stop here. But not for long."
"Thank you, milord."
"You may call me Loren."
"Very well… Loren."
They stopped on the trail and Isolde waited until Soth had dismounted and could assist her from her mount. He reached up, put his hands about her waist and eased her off the horse. Before her feet touched the ground Isolde put her arms around Soth's neck and held him close.
"I wanted to thank you for all you've done."
Soth was surprised by how tightly Isolde held onto him, or perhaps surprised that she was so at ease when there were only inches between them.
"It was nothing, really," said Soth, holding Isolde aloft because she didn't seem in any hurry to get her feet onto the ground. "I did nothing that any Knight of Solamnia wouldn't have done in a similar circumstance."
"Perhaps, but it wasn't just any Knight of Solamnia who saved me, it was you."
"But-"
His words were cut off by a kiss.
A deep soulful kiss, more passionate than mere thanks would require.
Soth hesitated at first, but quickly felt himself giving in to the moment until he returned the kiss with as much urgency as it was given.