The little creature laughed merrily and flew back to her branch.  "Rats we may be, but there are enough to take you down Sidhe!"  The large eyes narrowed as she turned to look at the odd pair again. "As to mortal's loyalty?  Easy to buy for someone like you.  Even the humans know that the bargains they make with the fae can't be trusted... How much truer is it for someone like you Sidhe?"  She giggled maniacally, the slits flaring as she did so.<br/><br/>Still at Tara's words, she settled on the branch, and leaned her head on the tiny claw and looked at the girl as if taking her more seriously than before.  Small shiftings in the woods around, had Tara's eyes flitting back and forth, unable to catch any glimpse of this supposed army.  Still could they afford to take that chance.  Her finger ached but she pressed it tight, not willing to let one more drop of her blood be offered to these... bugs.<br/><br/>"It is true Sidhe... If the woods itself showed the girl the path then it leads from something worse than us."  The little chieftan frowned as if that idea was not a good one.  The low whisperings rose from around them, the sounds of a angry swarm.  "Still!  There are laws even the Wood knows.  If you pass through our lands a price must be paid!  If you don't not wish your little mortal to pay it then you must!"  She rose to her feet, the branch waving slightly though she remained steady, her eyes gleamed brighter and those teeth were all too visible.  "In fact! I think that is a much better choice for us!  You've lived a long time Sidhe and with your power we can do more than with just hers."  The grin turned more vicious as she looked to Tara and then back to Parne, "If she carried your child we'd demand that!  A pretty changeling for us to raise!  The nose flared again and she seemed to frown momentarily.  "Pity that, not even glamored? How long will that last Sidhe?" She laughed again at her own humor.<br/><br/>Tara didn't understand much of what the little beast was hinting at, although the implications of a child were all too clear and she blushed firey red at the images that flashed through her mind, then angry at the thought of them stealing such a child.  Somehow she held her tongue realizing that her lack of knowledge could get them into a worse mess.<br/><br/>"Your price Sidhe! What will you pay? Seed? Blood? Magic?"  She sneered as if each alone wouldn't be enough to pay their toll.