<b>The water was cool and soothing against Pegawen as she entered the shallow pool, the westering sun painting the sky in hues of purple and red that reflected off the surface in contrast to the slender maiden's pale golden skin. <i>This is almost perfect, </i>she thought as she waded across, the waters covering her up to mid-chest, until she reached the fall and stepped beneath it, both hiding and revealing her in turns as she ran her hands along her body. She sang as she bathed, an old elven song from her home, her voice muffled by the roar of water. <br/>
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Once she was satisfied with her scrubbing, she lay back against the water and floated along the surface, letting the current move her back towards land. When she felt the nudge of solid ground on her back, she turned over to stand and paused. Her expression flitted between surprise and embarrassment. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>I didn't know anyone was here.” She flushed as she scrambled onto dry ground, water sluicing down her skin.</b><br/><br/><br/><b>Allassiel nodded as Thorgan described his homeland, noting the hint of pride in his voice as he spoke of the main city. <i> It sounds like a good place, one that I'd like to see, </i>she thought and opened her mouth to say just that when he spoke of the strange creatures that had been attacking his people. <i>It can't be, </i>she thought, feeling cold despite the warm evening. What he described, how he said they fought. <i>'They came from the west' </i>he had said. Her fists clenched at her sides. “Orcs,” she spat out.</b>