– Your paths are under your feet. Everyone will see their own in due course, – the woman nods to Tika, noticing how desperately embarrassed the half–elf is by this simple gesture, and then walks along all the travelers. Their small group, quite by chance, according to Maldarion, found themselves on the territory of the Vapitians, and more specifically, on the territory under the control of his fiancee, had been staying in the settlement for the last three days. These were the first guests whom the Vapitians themselves willingly left in their settlement, allowing them to rest under their protection. As usual, the wild people, after Tarithirn took over the reins of government from her grandfather, had to become more open to other peoples: this was the will of the last leader, and Tarithirn tried her best to fulfill it, going so far as to allow her grandfather to sell her into a political marriage to an elf. They had not been married for 5 years: according to the traditions of the Vapitians, the status of bride and groom was supposed to go for a year before the two creatures got to know each other well enough. However, the only chance to get to know Maldarion were letters: he was occupied with the post of ambassador to King Robert, who had long since been deposed from the throne and was now gathering forces for an uprising, and Tarithirn, who had just assumed the role of tribal leader from the position of herald, was needed by his people. And yet, Mald was there: blushing furiously when she hugged him, as required by the etiquette of her tribe, and hardly saying a word to her from the moment they were brought to her room on the first day: wounded and hungry.