Lanei lay restlessly in the small but comfortable bed, piled high with furs. The tent around her was dark, but she could see almost everything in it. The chest at the foot of her cot was for her personal effects, though she had put but a few things in it. A lantern was hung in the middle, high enough so that she wouldn’t hit her head on it, but could still reach it. Her surroundings, though easily recognizable, were still alien to her…which brought her back to the thoughts that had kept her awake all night. She had actually done it-she was actually here, in the heart of troll country, which for so many years-an innumerable amount-had been considered unapproachable territory. The mixed feelings of exultation, fear, excitement, anxiety and wonder that had assailed her when she first me her escorts still tumbled about in her mind, but they were slightly faded now, after a full day of meeting with the various chieftains of the troll nation. Though her command of their language was rudimentary, they respected her for learning it, and respect, she had quickly learned, was all-important in their society. Respect, pride, and honor, though important in any community, were especially emphasized in troll society.
For the umpteenth time, Lanei reviewed the day’s events in her mind. She had reached the newly assembled camp mid-morning, and was promptly shown her tent. A generously sized affair, it was circular, framed by wooden poles and covered in heavy furs. After she had a chance to examine her tent, deposit some of her things and change clothes, she was introduced to the troll chieftains. They were polite, if a little wary and somber, and much of the day was spent giving Lanei a tour around the encampment, explaining everything, giving her a few insights into troll society. Though she had studied what she could about them in her homeland, the information she sought was very limited, and even that was discovered with much effort. Luckily, her training as a Ranger proved useful, and Wildomar, the Rangers’ home, had most of the information she was able to get her hands on. While the preparations for the meeting were being taken care of, it was agreed that both Lanei and the troll chieftains would speak Common. However, when Lanei found an old book in an obscure corner of the Wildomar library that held the basics of the Troll language, she determined to learn as much as she could. Languages had always fascinated her, anyway.