by Victor Kloss
The driver landed with a bump near the centre of the clearing. They stepped out and Ben groaned with pleasure at the chance to stretch his legs.
“How much do we owe you?” Charlie asked.
“It’s normally fifty pounds, but I’ll give you a discount for giving me the chance to tick off those dark elves. Let’s call it forty.”
Charlie gave him the money. He thanked him and handed Charlie a small spell pellet.
“Just fire that, and I’ll come and pick you up; only from here, mind. I won’t go into the forest.”
Ben watched him fly away, until it was just the two of them alone in the clearing, surrounded by the forest.
— Chapter Twenty-Five —
Follow the Light
“Not the most welcoming of signs, is it?” Charlie said.
They were at the point the path started into the forest.
“South Trail # 1
“Danger: Do not proceed beyond this point.”
It was clear nobody had been here in a while. The forest had almost consumed the path with grass and shrubbery.
“Where did the library book say the elves had been spotted?” Ben asked.
“Most of the sightings occurred four miles down this trail.”
“Well, we’d better get going then,” Ben said, rubbing his hands together.
The forest was like no other he’d been in. The trees were mostly pine and their branches started at some height, creating a great canopy. The green light filtering through gave the place an enchanted feel and Ben half expected a unicorn to come bounding through. He could feel life radiating from the trees and it created an energy that made his skin tingle. There were all sorts of noises coming from the tree tops and other sounds deeper within the forest.
“What’s the plan?” Charlie asked.
“Simple really. We find the elves, ask them a few questions about my parents and the Floating Prison, then leave.”
“That’s not really a plan,” Charlie said, swatting a stray branch aside. “It’s just a bunch of things you want to do. What happens if we can’t find the elves? Or if we find them but they’re not friendly?”
“I’ll think of something,” Ben said, throwing Charlie a lopsided smile.
“One of these days that’s not going to work,” Charlie sighed.
Ben set a steady pace and they kept a sharp eye out for anything unusual, trying to quell any unease fuelled by Natalie’s stories. They saw a lynx, several deer and even a brown bear, which ambled across the path, but nothing more.
The path started to deteriorate as they progressed deeper into the forest and, after less than an hour, there was nothing left of it.
“Where did it go?” Charlie asked, staring at the forest floor.
Ben brushed a few branches aside. “It must have worn away over time. We’ve been heading roughly straight the whole time so if we continue we should stay on track.”
The sun was starting to set when Ben decided to stop briefly for food. The forest had changed little during their four-mile hike, but then they had only made the smallest of inroads into this vast land of trees. Even at this relative edge of the forest, Ben knew if they lost their bearings they would be completely lost.
They took out their sandwiches and settled down by the base of a giant pine tree.
“I never thought I’d say this,” said Charlie, licking his fingers as he finished off his baguette, “but I’m starting to hope we encounter these wood elves sooner rather than later. It’s getting dark and I don’t fancy sleeping here.”
They resumed their hike, a steady march through the mighty pines, but neither of them saw the slightest sign of an elf. With the rapidly fading light, spotting them was becoming less and less likely.
A sudden thump came from behind and Ben turned. Charlie had tripped over a branch and was getting to his feet, rubbing his backside.
“I can’t see where I’m going anymore,” Charlie said, as he picked himself up.
Ben rubbed his eyes. He wanted to continue, reluctant to admit defeat, but even his legs were starting to feel the long hike.
“There’s no point going on. We won’t see any wood elves like this unless we bump into one.”
They picked a spot to rest in between two large trees, with enough canopy above to protect them from rain. They talked to fend off their unease while darkness descended. Without the sunlight the forest became an ominous, daunting place. Soon Ben had to squint to see his hand in front of his face.
“Take your pouch out,” Charlie said.
As soon as the pouch left his pocket it cast a warm glow on their little camp, fighting back the darkness. Ben and Charlie placed their pouches in the middle creating a pseudo camp fire.
“How did you know they did that?”
“Natalie told me.” Charlie stared at the small glow. “I hope she still has hers. I bet it’s really dark in prison.”
Eventually tiredness crept in. They agreed to rotate a shift so that someone was always on guard throughout the night. Charlie volunteered to go first, insisting sleep was impossible here. Ben had no such problems; with his back against the trunk, he closed his eyes and almost immediately started drifting off.
A whooshing noise cut through the air. Ben opened his eyes just as an arrow thudded into the tree an inch above his head. At the same time another arrow thunked into Charlie’s tree.
There was a moment’s shock as they looked at the arrows. They scrambled to their feet.
“Stay put,” Ben hissed. He could see the fear in Charlie’s jittery movements. Ben searched for the intruder, but the light from the pouches didn’t extend far.
A hollow voice floated into the clearing. “You are trespassing. The arrows are the only warning you will get. Leave now.”
Ben saw no one. The voice was impossible to trace; it seemed to come from everywhere.
“We should go,” Charlie said, fighting for calm.
“No.” Ben cupped his hands to his mouth to create a little megaphone. “My name is Ben Greenwood,” he shouted. “You might know my parents.”
A pause. Silence.
“You are trespassing,” the voice repeated. “The arrows are the only warning you will get. Leave now.”
Charlie rubbed his forehead. “I don’t think that helped, Ben.”
But Ben shook his head, a glint in his eye. “They didn’t deny it.”
“You are trespassing. The arrows are the only warning you will get. Leave now.”
“No,” Charlie admitted, “but it sounds like a stuck record player.”
“Please,” Ben said, speaking to the forest. “I’m trying to find my parents. Just tell me if they were here.”
Further silence. Ben’s heart sounded like a beating drum counting the seconds.
A small figure stepped into the clearing. He was an elf child. There was a glow surrounding him that gave the elf an angelic look.
“You were given a warning, but you chose to ignore it.”
“Shall we run?” Charlie whispered. The fear had gone from his voice. It was hard to be truly scared when faced with a child elf no taller than your waist.
“No.” Ben turned to the elf. “Listen, we just—”
You will join your Institute friends. The child’s voice resonated inside his head. They too ignored our warning. You will work for us, rebuilding the forest your people damaged.
The voice was soft, reasonable, but compelling. Ben wanted to ignore it and repeat his call for help, but instead he found himself listening.
Your name is no longer important. Whatever purpose you had is no longer important. When we feel you have paid your due, we will release you.
Ben was vaguely aware that Charlie was listening in rapt attention. His eyes were starting to glaze.
Follow the green light. It will direct you to your new home.
The light came from behind them. It was as if someone was aiming a powerful filtered torch into the clearing.
Follow the light.
/> The child elf stared at them with a pleasant smile. Ben shook himself, trying to get the voice out of his head, but it kept repeating – patient, calm, but impossibly insistent.
You will forget your name. You will forget your purpose. Follow the light.
The urge to listen was overwhelming. His mind felt sluggish. He took a step towards the green light.
Charlie had disappeared from the clearing. Ben could just make out his shadowy figure in the distance, following the green light. Ben wanted to call out, but his vocal chords weren’t working. He was losing control of his body. His mind started to blank. Summoning the very last remnants of determinism, he suppressed the voice inside his head enough to think.
His name was Ben Greenwood. He was here to find his parents.
His parents. Their smiling faces floated into his mind. Ben locked every ounce of his focus on to them, softening the power of the voice.
He turned away from the green light and toward the child elf, who was still smiling pleasantly.
Ben took a step forward. Some unknown force grabbed the back of his jacket and one step forward became two steps back. Ben grit his teeth and lifted a leg. It hovered in the air and swung as if he were going to step back again.
There was no force pulling him back. It was all in his head. Ben screamed in defiance and managed a tiny shuffle forward. His head exploded with pain. Ben took another step forward. The pain intensified, but the elf was now almost within reach.
Colours exploded in front of Ben’s face and the world seemed to sway. He managed to stay on his feet, but he could no longer see properly. In his mind’s eye he visualised the elf’s position. One more step and he reached out, his hands grasping the soft fabric of the elf’s shirt. He yanked it towards him, lifting the elf off his feet, so those big, green eyes were inches from his own.
“Stop whatever you are doing,” Ben said, in a husky whisper, “or I’ll break your little neck.”
There was no fear in the elf’s eyes, just serenity, and perhaps a hint of amusement.
“Very good, human,” the elf said, in his child voice.
Ben sensed movement behind a second before he felt the pain. Something hit him on his head and he blacked out.
— Chapter Twenty-Six —
Wood Elves
Ben woke to the smell of fresh grass with absolutely no recollection of where he was. His enchanted jacket was still dry, but his trousers were damp from dew. He moved his hand slowly to the back of his head and he felt a little bump, which hurt to touch.
Pain brought the memories flooding back.
The wood elves. The green light.
Ben’s eyes shot open. Daylight was flooding through the tall trees. The birds were chirping and the forest seemed normal.
He got to his feet, feeling a little sore. His stomach rumbled. He was so hungry; it felt like he hadn’t eaten for a week. Distracted by his empty belly, it took him a second to realise he wasn’t alone. Far from it.
He was surrounded by wood elves. They were standing in a perfect circle around the trees Ben and Charlie had set camp in. His initial reaction was panic, remembering the mental war with the child elf the previous night, but reason stopped him from fleeing. The elves had clearly been here some time. If they wanted to get rid of him, they could have done so while he was sleeping.
They all had faint auras like the child last night, though some of the elves seemed to glow more than others. The combined effect was a halo that enclosed him and the trees. The elves wore green and brown clothes, blending in with the forest, but the elf right in front of him stood out with gold trim on his shirt and breeches.
“Good morning, Ben Greenwood,” the elf said. There was a warmth in his face that Ben found reassuring. His voice was soft and had a peculiar echo to it.
“Who are you?” Ben asked.
“Why don’t we do introductions after your friend has woken?” the elf said.
Ben had been so glued to the elves he hadn’t noticed Charlie sleeping nearby. Last night he had been hypnotised by the green light and disappeared into the forest. Had the elves brought him back or had he recovered?
“Charlie,” Ben whispered, giving him a nudge.
Charlie was slow to wake until he saw the wood elves, at which point he scrambled to his feet.
“My name is Lantis,” the elf said. “I am, in your language, the 'lord’ of this forest. After your commendable show of strength, Ben Greenwood, my advice was sought. As soon as they mentioned your name, I came directly.”
The way Lantis spoke, the manner in which he responded to Ben’s name and the warmth in his voice were all good signs. But Ben still felt nervous when he asked his next question – there was so much riding on it.
“Do you know my parents?”
Lantis smiled. “I know them well, your father especially. They were here last week.”
“Last week?” Ben turned, sharing his excitement with Charlie. “Do you know where they went?”
“I don’t. But they never tell me where they are heading.”
Ben felt deflated, but only a little. His parents had been here! Last week. He looked around with a funny smile, as if they were still hidden somewhere in the trees.
“What were they doing here?” Charlie asked, seeing that Ben was busy revelling in the news.
“They were resting. Suktar keeps them on their toes and this is one of the few places he cannot easily reach.”
The news sobered Ben. “Why do they keep running and hiding? Why don’t they go to the Institute for protection?”
He didn’t ask the questions he really wanted answered. Why did they leave him in the first place? Why don’t they come back home?
Lantis sensed Ben’s doubts and placed a hand on his shoulder. “They aren’t hiding, Ben, I promise you that.”
“What are they doing then?”
“I swore an oath to your parents not to say. I am sorry.”
Ben’s mind went back to the hidden memory so recently revealed at the Institute and he spoke softly.
“My dad said he was going to search for someone.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Lantis’ face and Ben knew he had something. Charlie saw it too; his eyes widened and he pointed a finger at Lantis.
“That’s it, isn’t it? That’s the key to all this. Who are Ben’s parents searching for?”
Lantis stared intently at each of them.
“Yes, they are searching. But more than that I will not say.”
“Why though? They have Elizabeth’s legacy. Isn’t that what Suktar wants?” Ben asked.
Lantis did not answer.
“Can you at least tell us what Elizabeth’s legacy is?” Charlie pleaded.
“That I can tell you. Have you heard of Elizabeth’s Armour?”
Ben shook his head, but to his surprise saw Charlie nodding.
“Natalie told me about it. Queen Elizabeth wore a silver suit of armour during her great conquests of the Unseen Kingdoms. It was said to bring her luck because she never lost. The armour was buried with her when she died,” Charlie said.
“Very good. That is exactly the story everyone is told.”
“But not the true story?”
“No. Your Institute had conquered or allied with many of the kingdoms with little resistance, until they landed on the shores of Erellia.”
“King Suktar’s realm,” Charlie said, giving Ben a glance.
“That’s right. Suktar was planning a mighty invasion and it was on those shores the Institute suffered their first defeat. Over the next decade Erellia conquered many kingdoms with shocking brutality and the Institute was forced to retreat. Elizabeth realised the danger Erellia posed not only to the kingdoms but also to the British Empire. So she took her case to the High Council.”
“The High Council?”
“A society consisting of twenty-four of the most powerful wizards. I do not know how Elizabeth found their headquarters or how she convinced them, but she returned with a suit of
armour powerful enough to combat the threat of Suktar’s army. To this day, it remains the only thing Suktar truly fears. The armour is Elizabeth’s legacy.”
The revelation caused a momentary silence. Ben was vaguely aware that his mouth was hanging open.
“What about the spell on me?” he asked eventually.
“Your parents came straight here after the dark elves raided their house. They convinced us to cast a spell that harnesses the power from Elizabeth’s Armour in order to protect you.”
Ben exchanged a meaningful glance with Charlie. So that was why the dark elf mentioned Elizabeth’s legacy when his spell was deflected.
“What does it do other than deflect spells?” Ben asked.
“The spell relies on the qualities of the Armour, which are largely unknown. I can tell you it is only effective against dark elves.”
Ben felt the mystery finally becoming clear, but Charlie’s intense stare indicated he still wasn’t done.
“How did Ben’s parents get Elizabeth’s Armour in the first place?”
“On this I am also sworn to secrecy,” Lantis said. “Indeed, you already know far more than the Institute.”
“Did they steal it?”
Ben directed the question at Lantis with such intent he thought for a moment he was going to get an answer. But Lantis remained silent.
“I don’t think the way they got it is important right now,” Charlie said.
“It’s important to me,” Ben said with a hint of anger. He sighed and ruffled his hair. “I need to know.”
“Do you trust your parents?” Lantis asked.
“Of course.”
“As do I. They are two of the best humans I know. Do not worry about how they obtained the Armour.”
Ben wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.
“You’re right. I shouldn’t doubt their motives. I just wish I understood them more.”
“You will in time,” Lantis said softly.
The moment was broken by an almighty rumble coming from Charlie’s stomach.
“Sorry,” he said with a cringe. “I’m not usually this hungry in the morning.”