by Donald White
"Thanks," Ayla blushed.
Cindy just nodded, still staring into the elf's eyes.
Galen turned away. "I require water."
Ayla hurriedly ran to fetch a pitcher.
Cindy scowled at her, suddenly realizing that she was alone with the elf.
Galen asked, "What is your name?"
"Uh, Cindy," the shy girl replied.
"I am Galen. Do not be afraid."
She noticed that her jaw was hanging down. She closed her mouth and nodded weakly. "I'm sorry, sir."
"Worry not, fair maiden. All is well."
For a moment, she just stood there, silently.
Then, Ayla rushed through the door, with a pitcher in her hands.
The elf spoke "Be careful, little one. The water drips upon the floor."
Ayla noticed the small puddle near her feet. "Oh. Sorry about that." She held the pitcher upright.
Galen picked up the cup on the table next to his bed.
Ayla filled it with water.
The elf took the glass. "You have my thanks. What is your name?"
"My name? It's... Ayla. Yeah, that's it."
He took a few sips from the glass. "I am Galen."
The girl tried to stop shaking.
Cindy asked, "Is there anything else we can do for you, sir?"
He gave a slight grin. "I cannot seem to straighten this pillow that my head is resting on. Would you assist me?"
Cindy leaned over the elf, to adjust the pillow.
Galen calmly stared at her bosom.
"Is that better?" she asked.
"Yes. All is well."
She stood up, utterly oblivious.
He lay back. "I will rest, now."
Cindy looked at Ayla, and together they left the room.
***
By early afternoon, the three Dark Hunters had happened upon a village. Sharu gestured that they should separate to continue the search. The other two Rangers nodded and set off in different directions.
The lead Hunter himself moved carefully into the shade of a nearby tree. He thought, Our search of the road has brought us here. The murderer suffered a deadly wound. This seems to be the closest place where he could find help.
Sharu noticed a few children running about in the field. Farther off, he could see villagers carrying out their daily tasks. Men led horses and carts through the village. He watched men and women walk down the street. Sharu spied a bridge off to the side. The creek's path takes it across the road. They would have to cross that bridge to bring the murderer into their midst.
He surveyed the area. There are few trees for concealment. The grass is shorter here. But there are bushes. The Dark Hunter thought for a moment. My fellow Rangers moved in opposite directions. I should proceed straight ahead, and see what can be seen. He waited patiently for the children to dash over the bridge and back into the village. Then, he crept closer. The bridge itself will provide concealment. And the flowing water shall cover the sounds of my breathing. Here I will wait. And here I will listen. The Hunter moved unseen to the water's edge.
***
As evening approached, the dark knight Sir Devaro stood, gazing out into the horizon. Darling Felicie, unburden your troubled heart, my love. Though I have sent my forces onward, I shall not accompany them. They go to do the Queen's will. But I have kept certain of their number with me. His sharp features twisted into a scowl. Would that my sword had cut you in twain, Galen. How often must we fight, before you will surrender to death's touch? Though it pained me to stab you, I would do it yet again. For my people must be avenged. He gripped the hilt of his sword, and drew it from its sheath. He studied the edge carefully. The wine glass is empty, Galen. The dance has ended. No more shall I encourage your indulgence. In the name of the Queen of elves, you must die.
Chapter 3: "Village Welcome"
Doctor Flora opened the door slowly. She quickly made her way to the bed. "Sir... Galen?"
The knight opened his eyes. "Flora."
She smiled. "I'm here to change your dressing."
"Very well." He lay back and waited.
Remaining composed, the woman proceeded to remove the bandages.
He asked, "Where are your assistants?"
"I sent them home for the evening. Don't worry. I can take care of you all by myself."
Galen nodded. He felt a sharp pain, and gave a groan.
Flora grew concerned. "Sorry. The wound is tender. The pain shouldn't last long."
"All is well." He gripped the edge of the bed, and waited for her to finish, contenting himself with the sight of her large breasts hovering over him.
When the dressing was removed, she cleansed the area surrounding the wound. "It's healing quite nicely."
The elf stared down at the cut. "It is a hideous thing. Would that there was a priestess to tend to it."
Flora sighed deeply. "You'll get better soon, Galen. Then, you can return to your people."
He looked at her. "I am grateful to you, Flora. I merely wish for a priestess to do what you cannot."
She nodded, and began applying a mixture of herbs to the wound. Then, she carefully placed fresh bandages over it. "There. All done."
He looked down at the dressing. "You are talented. Do all doctors work with such ease?"
She smiled. "Doctor Delvin trained me. He's one of the best physicians in all of Androtopia."
"Really? Then, I would like to meet him. Does your teacher reside nearby?"
She stood up. "I didn't do my apprenticeship here, Galen. I grew up in a city to the North. A place called White Falls. I came here, because this is where I was needed."
Galen surprised her with a smile. "I am fortunate that you chose to come to this place."
She took the old dressing and placed it in a wooden basket. "I'm glad I could help."
The elf reached out a hand to her.
She trembled slightly, giving him her own.
Galen kissed it. "I can feel the warmth of the Burning Blood within you."
She asked, "My blood burns?"
"It does."
Flora wondered "How?"
Galen answered, "It burns from deep within, Flora. It is in your every word and every thought. My people yearn to feel your warmth. We love man. But we also fear him, for he will take what he would have.
Flora timidly asked, "Is that why you don't come here often?"
The knight responded, "We do not wish to shed the blood of man. So we keep to our own land and do not welcome him in."
Flora shivered. "We're afraid to cross your border, Galen. I've heard that your land is strange, and yet wonderful."
The elf stared at her for a moment. "I do wish to take you there, Flora. But man poses a danger to us. And so, we have prevented him."
She nodded sadly. "I understand, Galen. But we do love your people, even though we fear them."
Once more, he smiled up at her. "All is well, woman. Your love is not in vain."
Flora heard a knocking at the front door. "Who could that be at this hour?"
Galen released her, and she left the room.
Opening the door, Flora beheld a crowd of villagers. "Do you all need my services?"
"No doctor," a portly man answered. "We've heard about the elf. We came to see him."
Flora shook her head. "Sorry Donald, my patient needs his rest. He's too weak to have visitors, right now."
A woman asked "Can't we just get a look at him?"
Flora refused. "Not tonight, Marge."
A member of the local government stepped forward. "I'd like to welcome him to our village."
The doctor said, "I will give him the message, Joe. Now please, he is sleeping. Come back later."
One of the town guards moved towards the door. "Stand aside, doctor. We need to see the elf."
She stood firm. "This is my patient. I will decide when he is well enough for visitors."
The mayor of the village intercepted the guard. "She's right, Hank. The elf is not a dan
ger while he is still injured." He turned to face her. "Doctor, we'll leave him in your care."
She smiled. "Thank you, Mayor Reilly. And thanks to all of you."
The mayor whispered in her ear. "I will post guards near the entrance, so that no one else will disturb you."
Flora nodded. Then, she waved at the crowd that was already being dispersed by the local authorities. "Good night. Good night, everyone." When they were gone, she closed the door.
No one saw the Dark Hunter watching from the shadows.
***
Flora reentered the room.
Galen stared calmly at her.
She spoke "Some of the townsfolk wanted to see you. But I sent them home."
The elf responded, "You did well to prevent them. How easily does the delight of man turn to fear."
Flora sighed. "They're just curious, Galen. We don't see elves very often."
He focused his gaze on her. "I have not often seen one of such beauty."
She giggled nervously. "I thought that female elves were known for their loveliness."
He paused for a moment. "Yes. The light, graceful beauty of the nymph is a wonder to behold. But the allure of womanhood, has a quality all its own. There is something soft and sensual there. And the warmth within, bids one to draw them close."
Her face reddened. "Naughty elf. I'm your doctor. Such discussions are inappropriate."
He cocked his head to the side and stared at her.
She grew nervous. "What?"
"Flora, you are upset. Tell me, what is the source of your disquietude?"
"I..." She sighed, "Never mind. It's not important."
Galen nodded, turning away.
Flora changed the subject. "Your wound is healing. You will soon be able to walk."
He glanced over at her. "I do weary of all this rest. I wish to move about freely."
She clasped her hands together. "I know this must be hard for you, Galen. But it is necessary for you to get better."
He looked down at the bandages on his chest. "Worry not, dear woman. All will be well."
Flora drew near to the bed and lit a small lantern. "Sleep well, Galen." She blew out the light on the table.
Galen closed his eyes. "Rest well." He was surprised when he felt her tender lips on his cheek.
Flora smiled at him, took her lantern and left the room.
Outside, the Dark Hunter slipped quietly away from the window, and vanished into the night.
***
Lady Felicie meditated, remembering happier days. Before the war… Before the pain… A quiet evening, alone with the knight who was courting her…
Sir Devaro, in clothes instead of armor, raised a glass of wine. "To your delight, dear Felicie. May your eyes be full of love, even as mine are when I am with you."
She blushed. "Oh Devaro, has the drink opened your mouth, that such words should fall out?"
"If it were the wine, then you would lay ravished upon the floor, my dear. Nay, I merely said what I wished to say."
The little nymph smiled. "Very well then, brave knight. But what is your love to me? There are those who love me, and do not look upon me as you do. Perhaps, their love is greater."
The dark knight handed her the glass. "Drink with me, Felicie. For I see what your loved ones do not."
She took a sip. "And what, dear Devaro, do you see?"
He grinned. "Your heart, my love. It is a fragile thing. But in my hands, it would be safe. For I would hold it as gingerly as a newly born chick."
The sprite stared at him: the brave knight whose affections she had mocked. She giggled.
He asked, "What amuses you milady?"
She bowed her head. "You do, Sir knight. I have a request to make of you."
He gestured for her to continue.
She raised her head just enough to see him. "Sit here with me." Lady Felicie reclined on a divan.
Sir Devaro bowed. He set down the glass and walked over to her. "Do you wish for me to seat myself upon you?"
She playfully slapped his arm. Then, the sprite slid over.
The dark knight sat down beside her. He went to put an arm around her, but she moved out of reach.
She said, "I asked you to sit with me, Devaro. Not to embrace me." The nymph gave a coy smile.
He sighed, and put his arm down. "Where are your maidservants, Felicie? I wish to indulge in something sweet."
"Delshess is teaching them a dance. My dear little ones shall return afterward. We are alone." She looked at him nervously.
He spoke. "Alone? My dear Felicie? Without even her little nymph friends around to have her attention? How intriguing."
She moved a little closer. "Someone else has my attention this evening."
His eyes lit up. "Am I familiar with your present admirer?"
She placed a finger on her chin. "Perhaps." The sprite placed a hand on his thigh.
Devaro cocked an eyebrow. "And I thought that Delshess was the saucy one."
The nymph pursed her lips. "Perhaps, I have been too oft in her company."
"Nay, little lady. It seems she has influenced you for the better."
She slid her hand up to his groin. "There are things that I taught her, brave knight."
He wrapped an arm around her. "Teach me."
Felicie opened her eyes, emerging from her reverie. She looked around the room. It is so empty. Oh, Devaro, I do not wish to be alone, my love. She gave a sigh, holding her staff close, and was soon asleep.
***
The Dark Hunter found Sharu at the appointed place. "We have found the murderer."
Turning, the Lead Ranger asked, "Where have they taken him?"
The other Hunter turned his head slowly to one side. "To a wooden building over there. A woman has tended to his wound."
Sharu looked at him. "The humans have not the ability to heal our quarry. They can only mend what was torn, and leave nature to do the rest. You must go, and inform Sir Devaro as to what you found. I shall await our fellow’s return."
A new voice could faintly be heard. "There is no need. I am here." The final Dark Hunter sat down next to them.
Sharu nodded. "The murderer has been found." He pointed in the direction the Ranger had said. Then, he turned to the one who had found the wounded elf. "Tell us what you observed."
The Hunter told about the group of humans that he had followed to the wooden structure. He mentioned the two men who had been left to guard it. "A woman tends to the pixie slayer. He has been weakened by the wound."
The third Hunter spoke. "I, too, observed the humans in this place. I heard them talking about our quarry. Many are curious about him. And some are afraid."
Sharu replied, "They are ignorant concerning our kind."
The third Ranger was indignant. "The murderer is not of our kind. He is of the Usurper's elves."
Sharu answered. "Though we are at war with them, they are still our kind. And they provoke the same fear that we do. Until the sun set this day, I hid under a bridge and listened to the humans. I moved closer and observed them. They are fearful creatures, who hasten though they have nowhere to go. Their children are restless, like pixies. But they are not as orderly as our little ones. They run to and fro, as if there were no one to watch over them. None of the humans are truly aware. And I believe this is the source of their fear."
The Ranger who had found the murderer shook his head. "To live in fear, is to be stuck in place. These creatures are trapped in a web of their own making, merely waiting to be devoured."
Sharu held up a hand. "Do not be quick to condemn them. For there is a fire inside man, that can both warm and consume. It is an intriguing quality. One we would do well not to dismiss lightly."
The other two looked at him questioningly.
Sharu turned to the one who had found their wounded foe. "Go to Sir Devaro. Inform him as to what we have seen. Return here, and wait for us."
The departing Hunter gave a nod and then crept off into the night.
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Sharu turned to the remaining one. "We shall observe the murderer and wait for a chance to strike."
The other Hunter smiled. "Very well."
Sharu looked over at the sleeping village. Then, he and the other Hunter moved on into the darkness.
***
The next morning, Flora heard a knocking at the front door. She opened it, to find one of the townspeople waiting for her. "Oh, Marge. What can I do for you?"
"Good morning to you, doctor. It's my son, Timmy. He has a stomachache."
The little boy stumbled forward. "It hurts, doctor. It really hurts."
She nodded. "Very well. Come inside, both of you."
Flora brought the boy into the room beside the one Galen was in. "Now, Timmy. Where does it hurt exactly?"
While they were talking, Marge glanced around. She listened carefully, thinking, "He's in here somewhere, I just know it." The woman went to leave the room.
"Marge?"
"Oh, yes?"
"Come here, for a moment." Flora eyed her suspiciously.
Timmy's mother held up a hand. "Don't worry about me, doctor. Take care of him. I... need to relieve myself."
The doctor beckoned her with a finger. "It will only take a moment," she assured.
The woman did as the doctor said.
Doctor Flora turned to the boy. "Wait here, Timmy, while I talk to your mom."
The boy nodded.
Marge glanced over at him, and then the two women left the room.
Doctor Flora asked, "What did he eat for breakfast this morning?"
The woman thought, "We had pancakes and ham."
"And what did he have to drink?"
The mother thought. "Juice and milk."
Doctor Flora replied, "Just as I thought." She opened the door, and Marge looked at her with a confused expression.
Little Timmy let out a timely groan as they reentered the room.
The doctor smiled, closing the door. "Well, Timmy. It appears that something you ate did not agree with you." She walked over to a cabinet. "In such cases, the best remedy is a spoonful of castor oil to clear out whatever is causing the problem." She placed the bottle on the table, noticing how the little boy gulped as she did so.