Lament

“What da ya t’ink?” Marri asked Windhorn as he tried on a set of leather armor.
“I think this better not have been made from cow hide.” He said.
“No, mon. It be made of strida leada.” Marri said. “No relation to ya.”
“Good.” He said. “Well, than this is fine.” He said. Marri nodded and paid for the clothing.
“I be needin’ ta check me mail.” Marri said. Windhorn nodded and followed. Marri walked over to the mail box and found a letter inside. She opened it and read it. A smile came to her lips. “Me sista, Slenga be getting’ Married!”
“Sister?” Windhorn repeated. “I didn’t realize you had a sister.”
“She not be me real sista.” Marri said. “But she treat me like a sista since I left me tribe.”
“Ah.” Windhorn said.
“She be wantin’ me ta come meet ‘er man.” Marri said. “I send Erot’ a letta. I be tellin’ him dat I go ta see me sista in San’Jin village.”
“Alright.” Windhorn said, watching Marri write Eroth a letter. She stuffed it into the mail box and the two of them headed towards Dorotar.
“’Ave you eva been to da village?” Marri asked Windhorn as they approached. The scorpids scattered as they walked through, knowing they were no match for the Shaman and the Druid.
“No.” Windhorn said.
“Ya will be liking it.” She said. “SLENGA!” She called as they reached the edge of the village.
Out of one of the huts came a tall troll female. He fur was a greening blue. Her hair as green as grass. Her hair was long with a little pulled up in a pony tail, the rest loose. She looked at Marri and her eyes lit up. A smile graced her face. She was beautiful, as troll standards go. She wouldn’t win any alliance beauty contests, but she wasn’t hard on the eyes by any standard.
“Marri!” She called and waved. She ran over to greet Marri and gave her a hug. “It be good to see you, Marri.”
“It be good to see ya too, Slenga.” Marri said. Windhorn could hear a clear distinction between Slenga and Marri’s speech. While Slenga still had a troll accent, it wasn’t nearly as pronounced or as thick.
“Slenga, dis be Winghorn. ‘e be travelin’ wit’ me.” Marri said.
“He ya new man?” Slenga asked.
“No, no.” Marri said with a giggle. “Erot’ be busy wit’ business. ‘e not able ta come.”
“I see. Nice ta meet ya, Windhorn.” Slenga said, offering her hand.
Windhorn took her hand and shook it. “It’s nice to meet you as well, miss Slenga.”
“He be a cute one.” Slenga said with a smile. Windhorn blushed. He wasn’t sure he’s ever been more grateful to have fur.
“I be ‘earin’ ya be getting’ married.” Marri said.
“Yes. And dere be more.” Slenga said.
“What?” Marri asked.
“I be pregnant.” Slenga said. “Shhh... I not have told Nezzi yet.”
Marri smiled brightly. “Dat be wondaful!!” She placed her hand over Slenga’s stomach, which was just a little rounder than it should have been. She was barely starting to show.
“Come. Ya must meet Nezzi.” Slenga said, taking Marri by the hand and leading her and Windhorn into her hut. Sitting by a cooking pot, stirring up something Windhorn couldn’t identify was a male troll, blue/grey fur and light green hair. He was dressed as a warrior. He didn’t seem to notice them as he tasted whatever he was cooking, mumbled something to himself and added some spices.
“Nezzi. We have guests.” Slenga said.
Nezzi looked up and smiled. “Greetin’s, friends.” He stood. “Will ya be stayin’ for dinna? I can cook up more if ya are.” He said.
“Of course dey be stayin’.” Slenga said.
“Wondaful!” Nezzi said. “Me name be Nezzi. Nice ta be meetin’ ya.”
“Dis is me sista Marri. I told ya about her.” Slenga said. “And dis be her friend Windhorn. Her man not able to come, But I be sure we meet him some ot’er time.”
Nezzi smiled. He hugged Marri and gave Windhorn a hearty handshake. “Welcome.”
“It be good ta meet ya too.” Marri said happily.
“An honor, sir.” Windhorn said.
“Don’ be so formal, mon. We be family here!” Nezzi said.
Windhorn was surprised at the troll’s laid back and friendly nature. He’d had almost no exposure to trolls until he met Marri. All he knew of Trolls was what Prin and her companions said about them. He’d always believed them to be vicious war loving savages who eat their own. He thought Marri was an exception, but now... they all seemed so friendly. He was welcomed in with open arm. All Slenga needed to say was they had guests and Nezzi set about bending over backwards trying to make them feel at home. Were all trolls like this? How did they get such a horrible reputation?
Nezzi set about making more food. He stopped as if something had struck him. He turned to Windhorn. “Ya eat meat, mon?” He asked.
“Yes.” Windhorn said. “Most of my people are not vegetarians.”
“Okie-dokie, mon. I wasn’t sure.” Nezzi said. “Didn’ wanna make somethin’ you not gonna eat.”
“No, it’s fine. What is it?” Windhorn asked.
“Crocolisk Gumbo!” Nezzi said. “It be Slenga’s Favorite.”
Windhorn nodded. “I’ve never had crocolisk before.” Windhorn said.
“I learned it from me friend, Ania.” Slenga said. “But Ania won’t eat it herself. She have a pet Crocolisk.”
“Interesting.” Windhorn said.