Crescent Moon

by David Partelow

  Elor shook his head as tears did start to fall. “There has to be a way,” he whispered before his sobbing stopped. An idea struck him then. “Perhaps there is,” he added as he looked down at the elf’s wrist, noticing a shiny bracelet.

  “What do you mean?” The elf asked curiously before she realized Elor’s intentions.

  Elor thrust his hands forward, snatching the bracelet off the elf’s hand. He then turned quickly and fled, holding to the bracelet for dear life and running for all that he was worth.

  The elf got to her feet quickly to give chase. “Hey, give that back!” she commanded.

  The lead Ranger, seeing this called out to the running elf. “Elizaeth! Get back here at once! That’s an order!”

  Despite the order, the one called Elizaeth continued her pursuit. Elor smiled inwardly, for his gamble had paid off. He guessed that the bracelet was of some importance to the sympathetic elf. Now he had to stay one step ahead of her until he made it back to Marin, no easy feat when being chased by an elf, much less a Ranger.

  Through the pain and fatigue, little Elor ran with purpose. He could hear the Ranger closing in on him from behind. Twice he darted out of the way, barely missing her grasping hands. Each time she regrouped and was hot on his heels once more. It was just a question of time before she did catch him. Distance and time were both his adversaries in that moment. He had too much of the former and not enough of the latter.

  “Got you!” Elor could feel the elf’s hands upon him before he heard her words. The two of them tumbled then, rolling harshly upon the ground. Elor was breathless, pained by the fall and the impact that had been wrought on his little frame. When they stopped, he found himself held down by the elf as she too caught her breath.

  Thus recovered, the young elf shook the imp once. “Now give it back,” she demanded.

  Without hesitance, Elor held up both hands, returning the bracelet to Elizaeth. “I’m sorry,” he breathed. “I just wanted your attention.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked him as she reclaimed her bracelet.

  Elor pointed weakly in the distance. “Please, just look,” he begged softly.

  Reluctantly, Elizaeth turned in the direction Elor pointed, wary of another ruse. Soon her features sharpened as her strong elf eyes took notice of the commotion up ahead. Instantly, she released Elor and procured her bow. Drawing one of her arrows, the elf rushed forward and into danger.

  “Stay behind me!” she commanded as she ran. Elor merely nodded, for with his exhausted state and shorter limbs, that wouldn’t be an issue.

  From what he could see, the torment from Elor’s former brethren had only intensified. Marin looked battered and weary from the assaults upon her and Elor had no way of knowing how much longer she could endure. His heart broke upon seeing it, yet it also renewed his purpose as he kept up with the elf Ranger. The speed of her sprint and the sureness of her steps gave Elor the hope he had been sorely lacking.

  Still a good lick away, Elizaeth began to launch arrows upon the harassing imps. Two struck the ground between the imps and Marin and another struck a sword from Midsyr’s hand. Elor could hear him barking orders as a handful of the imps headed at him and the Ranger. Elor procured some rocks from the ground as he prepared to face them.

  Their approach did not faze the young Ranger at all. She fired again, disarming an approaching imp before tripping another with quick shot from her bow. Elor let one of his stone’s fly, belting Cutley on the head and knocking him to the ground. By the Ranger’s next arrow, the remaining imps advancing upon them turned and fled.

  With the opposition before them gone, Elor and Elizaeth made their way to Marin and the remainder of the imps. Midsyr was waiting for them angrily, having the rest of the imps gathered around an exhausted and wounded Marin. Elor called out to his adopted mother. As they neared, Midsyr raised a blade against the stone troll, giving his advancing enemies pause. The Ranger held another arrow at the ready, trained squarely upon Midsyr as the two sides sized the other up.

  Still at the ready, Elizaeth raised her voice. “By order of the Rangers of Saelen, I command you to lower your weapons and cease your actions at once,” she commanded.

  Midsyr snarled at her before glaring at Elor. “We will not deny ourselves this promised and overdue revenge. We will cease when this troll is dead and that runt with you is cooking over a fire,” he retorted.

  Elizaeth shook her head. “That is not going to happen. I can have a squad of Rangers here with me with but a whistle. I suggest that you withdraw for your own sake. Do not make this end badly for you and your lot,” she said.

  Midsyr barked harshly. “You all will be dead before they arrive,” he countered.

  Elizaeth drew back further on her bow string. “Let’s see if that a chance you are willing to take, imp,” she replied sternly.

  The two sides stood off in silence then. Elor held to the stones in his hands while Elizaeth held her bow at the ready. The other imps looked between the two sides, waiting anxiously for Midsyr’s order. Elor’s focus remained squarely upon his adopted mother, ready to rush in and save her at any cost.

  At last, Midsyr smiled savagely as he held up his sword to strike. “Let’s tempt the fates,” he snarled before preparing to strike at Marin.

  “No!” Elor screamed as he rushed forward to save Marin.

  In that exact moment, a flood of water coursed down from the rocks behind Marin and the imps, striking them all harshly. The assaulted imps where toppled and he conjured restraints that held to Marin were washed off completely. Elor and Elizaeth ran forward then, with Elizaeth training her bow upon Midsyr. Elor rushed to Marin and placed his hands upon her for support as the stone troll dropped to one knee.

  With Marin safe, Elor looked up to the surrounding rocks. Instantly he saw the kelpie Kelisay from before, free and vibrant. Kelisay nodded to Elor then, for her debt to him and Marin had been paid. Elor waved at her gratefully as the kelpie flew off on a fount of water.

  With Kelisay gone, the Ranger roused Midsyr with her foot as the other imps recovered. Midsyr growled at her but did not move, for his defiance left in the rushing water with his weapon. “I think at last you will listen to reason. Tell your friends to throw down their weapons,” she ordered.

  Midsyr remained silent and defiant for several seconds before Elizaeth drew back her bow further. At last he held up a hand in defeat. “You heard her, whelps. Throw down your toys,” he snapped. Reluctantly, the imps did as they were asked. Midsyr then glared at Elor. “We will have another shot at you one day,” he added.

  “We’ll see,” said Elor as he hugged to Marin tightly.

  Elizaeth motioned for Midsyr to stand. “Leave now and take your henchman with you. And be thankful you were spared further justice,” she said.

  Slowly, Midsyr stood, never taking his eyes off the bow trained on him. He went to fetch his sword but Elizaeth shook her head. Roaring his frustration, Midsyr turned in disgust and started to run. The other imps joined him quickly, casting wary and hateful glances back in the direction of the victors and vowing revenge. For the first time in long, long moments, Elor truly breathed easy.

  Satisfied, Elizaeth lowered her bow and placed her arrow away. “That certainly was more excitement than I expected to see today,” she said.

  Elor hugged Marin again before smiling at the Ranger. “Thank you so much. I’m sorry for the deceit, but I needed you to see for yourself that I was not tricking you,” he said.

  The Ranger nodded. “I understand. And I’m sorry we ever doubted you,” she said.

  Elor then looked up at Marin. “Are you okay?”

  Marin smiled down at him as she nodded slowly. “I will be, thanks to you and this Ranger. You were very brave back there, Elor and you have made me very proud,” she said.

  Elor shook his head. “I am afraid I did very little. Elizaeth is who you should thank,” he replied softly.

  Elizaeth smiled. “Nonsense. You have my apologies, stone tro
ll. If not for this imp’s courage and persistence, I never would have made it here. I apologize that the rest of my lot did not join me. Imps are often not taken seriously for their nature,” she said.

  Marin nodded. “I understand. I think you have learned today like I did once before that Elor is no ordinary imp. He has a heart the size of a dragon’s,” she said proudly.

  “I am seeing this more and more,” said Elizaeth with a smile. Soon the grin faded as she looked back in the direction of the Great Road. “Though I fear I should return soon and face the discipline surely awaiting me.”

  “Well we need to do something about that,” said Elor before he released Marin to go fetch a cloth.

  “What are you doing, Elor?” Marin asked.

  Elor began to fetch the magical items and weapons left by the imps. With many gathered, he laid them upon the dark cloth before rolling it up and bringing it to Elizaeth. “They may not believe the story you tell them, but if you take this piece of imp clothing and these weapons, they will have no choice but to hear you out. It is the least we can do for your help today, Ranger,” he said.

  Elizaeth took the rolled-up cloth gratefully. “Thank you, Elor. This may yet help me remain with my training as a Ranger,” she said.

  Elor grinned. “If you are still only in training, then I pity the enemy that faces you when you are fully trained,” he offered earnestly.

  Elizaeth grinned at him and Marin. “Thank you again, young Elor. I am glad that I could help. I commend your valor. You put yourself at risk for someone you care about. There are few things more moving than that,” she said.

  Elor approached Elizaeth and hugged her leg. “We will never forget you, Elizaeth, and look forward to hearing of your growing exploits as a hero of the land,” he said before letting her go.

  “Good luck to you, young Ranger,” said Marin. “We shall one day repay your kindness in full.”

  Elizaeth nodded to them. “Farewell to you both,” she said before heading back toward the Great Road.

  The two watched the young Ranger for some time as she journeyed back to her group. Elor suddenly felt as exhausted as he was relieved. Marin was safe, and they would continue to live their lives together. Seark’s revenge was thwarted and Midsyr and the others had learned a harsh, valuable lesson.

  Finally, Elor looked up at Marin with a smile. “Let’s go home. You need your rest,” he said.

  Marin looked slowly and softly down at the little imp. “No,” she whispered.

  Elor was confused. “Why not?” he asked.

  Marin drew and released a slow breath. Her smile to Elor was both loving and painful. “We must leave our home now Elor and never return. With Seark’s thirst for vengeance upon us and the anger contained in your former brethren, we can never be safe here again. We must find a new way and a new place, one that frees us from the anger of both imp and unicorn alike,” she said.

  Elor lowered his head. “I understand, Marin,” he said before looking up at her. “I fear I have brought you more trouble than I am worth.”

  Marin shook her head, lovingly. “That will never be the case, my little Elor. You have brought me more life and love in my heart than I have felt in some time. You have done so many things for the right reasons and I am eternally proud of you. But this is the price we must pay for doing what is right. We must move forward and move on. If it keeps you safe and us together, then I accept such a fate gladly,” she said.

  Elor hugged her fiercely. “Thank you, Marin. Rest a bit more. I will start to gather our things,” he offered before heading toward their door.

  Marin sat softly, still looking at the Great Road before she called over her shoulder. “Elor?”

  The little imp stopped. “Yes, Marin?”

  Do you know how we once picked you a new name, one that you preferred over what you were then called?”

  “Of course,” he replied.

  Marin continued. “I would very much like to do the same. Marin suits me fine, but there is something I hope that you will call me instead,” she said.

  “What is it?” Elor asked.

  “I was hoping you would one day grow to call me, mother,” said Marin softly.

  Elor stood there for some time before approaching Marin. He looked at her silently before throwing his arms around her and squeezing her tightly. “Of course, mother,” he said before heading again to the door. “I’ll see you inside.” And then he was gone.

  At this, Marin smiled as a grateful tear fell down her cheek. It had been some years since she had felt such things, long years since tears had found her eyes. For the moment, she felt no pain, only the thankful and proud love that had been brought from her by the courage and spirit of a little imp. Such a feeling, such a love was worth any sacrifice.

  Slowly, Marin stood to join Elor in preparing for their journey.

  Seeds That are Sown

  Thorn-Ren

  In the heart of the night, a group angry Bunda-Bas weeds lead by Pyron stormed across an open field toward an approaching group of flowers from Alethia lead by Lennix. By their faces, the flowers shared the anger held by the weeds. The situation was ripe for a heated conflict. The tensions between the two little towns were perhaps finally ready to explode into full-blown chaos.

  The two squads came to a halt about three feet from one another as Lennix immediately began a tirade. “The people of Bunda-Bas have finally gone too far! I assure you there will at last be overdue consequences for your aggressions,” he bellowed, pointing an angry finger.

  Pyron balled his little hands into fists. “How dare you point the finger at us! It was your side who attacked while we attempted to subdue a trespasser! It is we who should be furious with you! The audacity of Alethia is without limit!”

  Lennix bunched his fists onto his hips. “What are you talking about? My men have been with me on patrol the entire night! Nice try, weed. Do try to conjure up a better lie than that,” he countered.

  “Ha!” Pyron laughed bitterly as he motioned to the darkness. “Only an hour ago we stumbled across a camp while pursuing our aggressor and what do we find? A flower. Do not play innocent with us. We can smell the truth through those sweet, sickening fragrances.”

  Lennix drew his weapon. His troops followed his actions. Soon Pyron and his squad did the same. “You have a prisoner? Explain yourself this instant,” ordered Lennix.

  Pyron’s eyes narrowed. “I need to explain nothing to you. Your kind will pay for your trespasses at long last,” he replied.

  Lennix nodded. “So be it then,” he said nodding. “Men, prepare for combat.”

  “Enough of this!”

  Both sides jumped back at the sound of the angry voice as well as the line of thorns that sank into the ground between them. Leaping from a nearby tree, Thorn-Ren landed in the middle of the flowers and weeds, little daggers drawn. The anger upon his face gave both sides further pause. The little weed looked between Lennix and Pyron heatedly before choosing to speak.

  “I grow weary of this ridiculous bickering, especially when none of you started the night at fault,” said Thorn-Ren.

  “What do you mean, Thorn-Ren? Explain yourself,” Pyron demanded.

  Thorn-Ren lowered his head. “The attack was my doing. That horse creature was doing you no harm and only wished to be away from this place,” he said.

  Pyron’s eyes widened. “It was you? You draw aggression upon your own kind? Bunda-Bas casts shame upon you, Thorn-Ren!”

  “Ha!” Lennix barked a laugh. “In the wrong as I suspected. I suppose the prisoner you claim to have was a lie too,” he challenged.

  Thorn-Ren’s head immediately set upon Pyron once more. “You have Calla? Where is she?” he demanded.

  “I do not need to offer such information to traitors,” replied Pyron icily.

  Thorn-Ren rushed forward in a blink, disarming Pyron before holding a dagger to the larger weed’s throat. “That flower is the best in all of us plants and was doing nothing more than waiting
for me. Where is she, Pyron? Tell me now!”

  The look in Thorn-Ren’s eyes dissolved Pyron’s bravado. “We held no prisoner. When we reached the camp, we were chased off by imps. Yet we found flower petals. I was hoping that this evidence would gain us an admission from the flowers for their treachery. It was not our fault!”

  Thorn-Ren lowered his blade and head. “Then I have truly failed her,” he said painfully.

  “It serves you right,” chuckled Lennix with bitterness. “Had you not drawn her out for a lavish picnic in the dark and dangerous wilderness, then all of this could have been avoided,” he said.

  Thorn-Ren’s head raised as he set his eyes upon Lennix. “You knew then. And you did nothing,” he growled.

  “What were we to do? You drew spiteful imps to the area. You were just asking for trouble and it found you,” spat Lennix.

  Thorn-Ren approached him quickly. As he did so he tossed one of his little thorns into Lennix’s left leg. As the flower cried out, Thorn-Ren shook his head at Lennix’s squad as he held a dagger under the chin of their commander. Using the blade, he made Lennix look him in the eye.

  “You fool!” Lennix snarled through the pain. “You have set the wheels turning for war between our people!”

  Thorn-Ren shook his head. “I have done nothing of the sort. I will happily go to your king and queen and tell them of your treachery, that you chose to do nothing for one of your own and for what? Do you really crave a war so fiercely that you would turn a blind eye to one of the most magical things to ever come from Alethia? You should wear shame heavy upon your neck, like a noose,” he said.

  “She was tainted,” blurted Lennix as he pulled the thorn from his leg. “She made her choice and colluded with the enemy. Had she obeyed the rules, she would not be in the clutches of villainy,” he added.

  Thorn-Ren shook his head. “The only villainy I see is the evil that forms when good men opt to do nothing. You have brought shame upon yourself. You may hide it in the streets of Alethia, but the truth will weigh on your soul for as long as you bloom,” he said before he looked upon Pyron and his former allies. “Shame to both sides and the blindness that still divides us all.” Thorn-Ren then put his blades away before walking from both groups.