by T Nisbet
Chp. 9
As if acting upon some silent cue, the lithe figures stepped fully into the light of the crystal.
Brianna dropped the canteen I had filled and let out a muted scream. McNally grunted loudly, and drew a rusty, old, marine Kbar knife from somewhere inside his jacket.
“Toby, I don’t think were in Kansas anymore!” Carla whispered, standing up as well.
They appeared to be men at first glance. They were the size of men, though the tallest was shorter than me by several inches. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the pointed ears and angular features on one whose hood had fallen back. Aside from his dark, curly hair, he looked like an elf straight out of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ movie Toby had dragged me to see. I would have been fascinated, if it weren’t so surreal and frightening. He wore an embroidered, forest green tunic and matching cloak as did the others. Several held bows at the ready, arrows notched and pointing at us. Those not holding bows had their hands upon the hilts of swords hanging on their belts.
Two of armed individuals nearest Ivy and I stepped apart, and a taller more regal elf-like creature stepped through the ring surrounding us, accompanied by a female. They both glowed amber as well, but more brightly than the others. Their clothing was similar to the rest of their group, but more richly embroidered with silver and gold thread that reflected back the light from the crystal. They pulled back their hoods as they stopped in front of us.
The female had her dark hair pulled back and a white bow secured across her back. She regarded us gravely with her golden, piercing eyes. She was shorter than the others and quite beautiful in an exotic way.
The male was as handsome as the female was beautiful. His long light brown hair flowed over his broad shoulders. Crystal blue eyes considered each of us as he tapped nervously on the jeweled pommel of the sword at his waist. He had the air of someone used to command. He was obviously the group’s leader.
“Draeni du thistlor al benari?” he said, nodding slightly at Ivy, his liquid voice filling the air.
When we didn’t respond, the female spoke, her voice higher and more musical. “Why do you bring these death drinkers into our wood mage?”
“We’re just travelers elf! Leave us be, we’ve a long journey ahead of us,” spat Coach stepping to my side.
What the hell was he doing? Didn’t he see their swords and arrows? The idiot was going to get us all killed, or worse.
The female elf scowled at Coach as she relayed his words to their leader. The leader listened to her interpretation and frowned darkly.
He pointed at Coach, sneering. “Niznail dar Grellac benari! Darthain pr suol parthkalis!”
The female didn’t bother hiding her venom as she interpreted his words.
“Dark blood, death drinker, you will show respect to your betters or die where you stand.”
Coach growled deeply like some feral beast, waving his dagger menacingly.
“Do all travelers get this kind of welcome, elf? Bows bent, hands awaiting a signal to slaughter?” he complained, his eyes bulging.
The leader blanched even before Coach’s words were repeated in his tongue, and growled out his own words to the female.
“Death drinkers are never welcomed in our lands, dark blood. It is death for you to come here. We would have killed you already had you not been in the company of mages,” she said, and then listened to the leader again. “We will not speak to you further.”
She turned to Ivy and bowed lightly. “Know this magi, it is against our laws for them to enter our wood,” she said.
Ivy returned her bow, “As repulsive as he may be, he is our guide, and the other is a friend. We only wish safe passage through your lands. Forgive us if we’ve offered offense. Time flies against us.”
I listened to Ivy speak, amazed at her put down of Coach, of her composure, more sure with each second that she was way out of my league. The elven woman relayed the message to the leader who stepped forward and bowed as well, then spoke softly for a moment with the female.
“Prince Halifor says that Death Drinkers have offered great offense to our people, thus the bane against them entering our woodland realm, even if it is just through this northern most arm of it. Please speak of this need pressing upon you, that you would allow yourself to be guided by one so lowly as him.”
“She’s not leading this mission elf, I am!” Coach McNally shouted vehemently, taking a step forward.
The leader’s gesture was insignificant, but I saw it, and I saw the bowmen behind him release his arrow. I stepped to my left and reached out in reflex catching the speeding shaft, its deadly, razor sharp crystal arrowhead less than an inch away from Coach’s unprotected chest.
“Holy shit!” Toby bellowed.
Astonished, muted gasps erupted around the clearing, at what had just happened, registered on the elves, and on my friends.
I looked at the reddish-brown arrow in my brightly glowing hand in amazement. How did I do that? I could catch arrows? What the hell? I dropped the arrow at my feet as wave of panic rushed over me. I could hardly breathe.
The Prince held up his hands immediately, eyes wide and staring. No more arrows were loosed. He whispered something to the female who bowed towards me.
“My prince begs your forgiveness, Immortal, he did not know who you were.”
I managed a nod at the woman and another to the Prince. “Either do I,” I whispered, my voice cracking in the cool night air.
Ivy’s hand gently reached out and pulled me closer. I let myself be pulled, still in shock at what I’d done, trying to control my breathing. Her arm circled my waist. It was all too much. I knew there were martial artist who caught arrows, but in seven years of doing Aikido with my father’s club, I’d never been taught to catch one.
The leader listened to the female, his eyes growing even wider at my admission. He brought a hand up and rubbed his chin in thought.
“Stay tough, Gunn, don’t loose it now! You can’t trust elves. This ain’t over,” growled Coach backing away towards Brianna.
But it was.
After considering for a moment, the elven prince made another gesture, and the elves around us lowered their bows, removed arrows from strings, and hands from the hilts of swords. Without a word, and without making a sound, they melted back into the darkness of the woods. Alone with his interpreter, the prince strode confidently across the distance separating us and smiled, then reached out slowly and placed a hand lightly on the my shoulder.
“Dauth nae prerothna mon dui clausthima,” he said with a crooked smile. “Shura waynok toj Mathonos.”
“My prince says that you are a light brought into a troubled, darkened world, Immortal, that is who you are. He says you are free to travel through our realm or even stay here if you wish,” said the female elf respectfully.
I managed a short bow, and his smile widened.
“Thank you for your kindness,” Ivy said, “But our need is great and we can not stay.”
“Then we will guide you to the edge of our realm if that is your wish, it is but two leagues away. There we will say our goodbyes. But know this, we will not allow the Death Drinkers passage back through our woods. Ever.”
Toby helped me shoulder my pack, and we followed Prince Halifor through their incredible forest. Ivy and the female elf, who said her name was Andorthil, spoke quietly as we walked. I couldn’t hear what they said, but they glanced back furtively at me several times. I didn’t really care; I was too stunned by everything that was happening. I’d been on a cosmic inner tube ride, caught an arrow, and was being guided through an amazing, but bizarre forest in a strange land by elves. That, and, oh yeah, I glowed. I was in shock.
I felt as if I were in a living dream during the six or so mile hike out of the wood. It was as if our being in the great wood was accepted now that we were accompanied by Elves. The forest around us exploded into life. Strange humming birds-like flying creatures, reflecting bright red and orange, swirled in large and small groups around t
he massive trucks of trees. Beautiful, phosphorescent, butterflies glided and dipped on unseen currents of air above our heads. Fireflies flashed lights in a whole rainbow of colors trying to signal a mate. Small animals paused to watch us, allowing the light of the crystal to touch them. It was all a part of a magical, fantastic dream, a dream I looked forward to waking up from, preferably in my own bed.
We were trooping along under the gigantic trees one minute, and then suddenly, we weren’t. Rolling, grass covered hills stretched out in front of us under a nearly full harvest moon. The elves that had surrounded us earlier, stood waiting along the edge of the forest, their eyes locked on Coach McNally as he approached. He quickly walked passed them and out into the moonlit grassland without saying a word. I hadn’t even heard them protecting our passage, but they obviously had.
Ivy thanked the Prince Halifor and Andorthil for their help and promised to return someday, if it were possible. Andorthil hugged her closely, took a necklace out from beneath her tunic, unclasped it, and placed it around Ivy’s neck. Ivy gave the elven woman her crystal necklace in the same manner.
Just like that, we left the elves behind and hurried to catch up with our grumbling, cursing guide.