by MJ Schutte
‘Protect Erostagnos,’ she said.
‘That is not the only reason,’ Adri smiled.
Brighton looked at Adri, the question in his eyes. She looked at Lance and smiled.
‘Someone is very happy for the company,’ she said cryptically.
Brighton immediately understood what she was talking about.
Lance glanced at Adri and stuttered, ‘Uh…well…yes, I enjoy talking to Carlia about the elves. I’m learning a lot about my ancestors.’
‘If you say so, Lance,’ Adri smiled.
Brighton mounted the horse and asked, ‘Ready?’
Lance also mounted his horse and set off in a southerly direction, Brighton and Carlia following. They travelled for a short while before Lance said, ‘Have you noticed how the plants seem less alive than a bit further north?’
Brighton had to look closely to see what Lance was referring to.
‘Lance, you have a good eye! I almost missed it,’ Brighton replied.
‘Let’s go further south. Perhaps we should follow the signs the forest is giving us to find the evil,’ Lance suggested.
‘Yes, that sounds like a good idea,’ Brighton agreed.
The three travellers made their way south for the next six days. Brighton used his sense often but could not detect any elves or humans. He did notice subtle differences in the energy around him the further south they went. On the seventh day, they came across a road leading from east to west.
‘That’s odd,’ Lance mumbled.
Carlia turned her hands up in a questioning gesture.
‘Brighton cannot sense any life close to us, but it looks like this road is being used often. There are no plants growing over it and you can still see faint wagon tracks. Someone passed here less than two days ago,’ he answered.
Brighton cast his sense wide. On the edge of his sense to the west, there was a great concentration of people.
Pointing at a mountain in the distance, he said, ‘That’s where we need to go. It seems like it is the edge of the forest. There is no life beyond it.’
He smiled when he felt a familiar presence not far from them.
‘I did not think Mischief would have stayed away for much longer,’ he whispered to himself.
‘I think we should follow the road,’ Lance suggested.
‘Good idea, but let us camp here for the night,’ Brighton replied.
He wanted to give Mischief a chance to catch up. From experience, he knew that the panther always showed up just before they walked into danger.
Brighton cast his sense out again.
‘Quick, hide behind those bushes,’ he snapped.
They scrambled to get behind some dead berry bushes and got the horses to lie down. The three travellers watched from their hiding spot as five wagons passed.
‘Not much to hide us. It’s a good thing the moon is not out yet,’ Lance whispered.
As soon as the last wagon was out of sight, they straightened up. Brighton looked around in the gloomy light.
‘That’s interesting,’ he said.
‘What?’
‘I have seen a few farms in my life and it looks like we are standing in the middle of what used to be one,’ Brighton answered.
‘How do you know that?’ Lance frowned.
‘Follow the line of these dead bushes,’ Brighton said.
Although he could not see much, Lance did as Brighton said. There was just enough light to notice that the bushes were standing in a straight row.
‘Strange how these bushes grew in a row like that,’ Lance commented.
‘They were planted that way. If there was a bit more light, you would probably see that they form a square,’ Brighton said.
‘I see! This used to be a field where crops were grown,’ Lance exclaimed.
‘That would be my guess,’ Brighton nodded.
‘But why would anyone grow crops here? Nobody lives anywhere nearby,’ Lance frowned.
‘The mountain and the concentration of people I sensed is no more than half a days travel from here. Those wagons we saw are most likely on their way to fetch food for them,’ Brighton replied.
Carlia asked why Brighton wanted them to hide from the wagon drivers.
‘There is something bad going on here. The energy does not feel right. I want to get close to the people I sensed to have a look before we reveal ourselves,’ Brighton answered.
‘That sounds like a good plan, but how will we know whether these people are the evil that is poisoning the forest,’ Lance replied.
Brighton’s eyes snapped to Lance.
‘There might be a way,’ he mumbled.
‘How? We can’t see what people are thinking,’ Lance argued.
‘We might not be able to, but I know someone who can,’ Brighton smiled.
‘Adri,’ Carlia guessed.
‘Adri? Can she read minds?’ Lance gasped.
‘Not exactly, but something like that. I am going back to fetch her. We need more provisions anyway since there is almost nothing to be foraged or hunted here,’ Brighton replied.
‘Why don’t we all go back?’ Lance asked.
‘Because your horses will not be able to keep up with mine,’ Brighton answered.
Lance frowned at the cryptic answer.
Brighton mounted the horse and said, ‘Move further away from the road. Stay hidden until I return.’
The horse ran like there was a demon behind it. In a way, it was true since Mischief followed close on its tail. Brighton did not use the road. He travelled far north before turning east towards the house.
When he got to the house, he called Clarissa.
‘Make sure this horse drinks a lot of water and eats enough. It might die, but I hope not,’ he said to her.
He quickly took the saddle off and put it on another horse.
‘Adri, come out here please,’ he called towards the house.
‘Did you find something?’ Adri asked hopefully, as she came outside.
‘I think so, but I will need your help. Please pack some food and water into the saddle bags for us,’ Brighton replied.
Adri rushed off to do what Brighton had asked while he was saddling up another horse. A few moments later, she came out of the house carrying the overloaded saddle bags.
‘That was fast,’ Brighton smiled.
‘These were already packed in case you needed it. I just added some more food quickly,’ Adri replied.
They mounted their horses and set off. Brighton set an easier pace for fear that Adri might fall off the horse and hurt herself and the baby. A few days later, they rejoined Carlia and Lance.
‘You’re back quicker than I thought,’ Lance commented.
Carlia quickly folded up a blanket that they where sleeping on. Brighton noticed that there did not seem to be another sleeping place, but did not say anything.
‘Have you seen anymore wagons on the road?’ he asked.
‘Yes, and I think I know what is going on. Three days ago, we went to have a look at the concentration of people you sensed. It seems to be a prison camp where people are forced to dig tunnels into the mountain. The wagons are transporting food into the camp and something else out,’ Lance answered.
‘I’m assuming you were not spotted,’ Brighton said.
‘Nobody saw us,’ Lance confirmed.
‘Why are the prisoners forced to dig into the mountain?’ Brighton wondered.
‘I think they are mining for gold or silver,’ Lance answered.
Brighton thought about it for a moment.
‘It could be. I once heard a rumour that half elves are forced to work as slaves,’ he said.
‘This must be the place. It looks like there are at least two thousand elves guarding the camp,’ Lance said.
‘Well, now that Adri is here, we can go and see what they are doing.’ Brighton suggested.
The group travelled parallel to the road until they were close to the camp.
‘Adri and I are going to
sneak as close to the camp as possible so she can have a look at the people,’ Brighton said.
‘We don’t need to. I can see a black cloud hanging over the camp. This is a very evil place,’ Adri replied.
‘It seems we have found what we were looking for. What do we do now?’ Lance asked.
‘I’m not really certain,’ Brighton admitted.
‘Why don’t you just use your magic and destroy the camp?’ Lance asked.
‘There could be innocent people there. No, first we need to see what is really going on before we do anything. We are relying on rumours and guess work at the moment,’ Brighton replied.
‘We can’t just stroll into the camp and ask the first elf we come across,’ Lance exclaimed.
‘You’re right. We need to separate one of the elves from the others and ask him,’ Brighton suggested.
‘I will take care of that,’ Lance smiled.
Lance crawled forward in the darkness, his eyes fixed on the lone elf a few paces in front of him. The guard was more concerned about people getting out of the camp than anybody getting in, so he did not notice the danger behind him. Lance rose silently, clamped his hand over the elf’s mouth and pressed a knife to his throat.
‘Make a sound and you die,’ he hissed into the elf’s ear.
The elf’s hand went for his own sword, but Lance pressed the knife harder to his throat, breaking the skin and drawing blood. The elf understood the threat and slowly lifted his hands.
‘Good, now unbuckle the sword from your belt and drop it on the ground,’ Lance whispered.
Slowly the elf did as he was instructed.
‘I am going to remove my hand from your mouth. Scream and you die,’ Lance hissed.
The elf nodded slowly. Lance pulled a thin piece of wire from his pocket. It had a wooden handle attached to the one side and a loop on the other. He placed the loop over the elf’s head and pulled the wire tight around his neck. The elf needed no explanation of what would happen if he tried to run or raise the alarm. Lance guided him back to the others.
The elf shot nervous glances at Mischief sitting at Brighton’s side.
‘This is Erostagnos, the great wizard. He will ask you some questions. If I think you are lying, I will end your life. Keep your hands in front of you and use your voice to answer. Do not look at anybody but him,’ Lance said to the prisoner.
Brighton let a small energy ball float above his hand for light. The elf’s eyes went big.
‘What is going on in this camp?’ Brighton asked.
‘Mine gold,’ the elf answered.
Adri gave Lance a small nod.
‘Who are the prisoners?’
‘Hudetis,’
Adri shook her head. Lance yanked on the wire.
‘Hudetis, humans, elves, moon people,’ the elf quickly corrected.
Brighton did not know what moon people were, but decided not to ask.
‘What do you do with the gold?’
‘Trade for food,’
Adri shook her head again.
Lance pulled the wire so tight it started cutting into the elf’s neck. Drops of blood ran down his skin.
‘Trade for slaves, weapons, food,’ the elf croaked.
‘One more lie and you’re dead,’ Lance hissed at him.
‘Who do you trade with?’
The elf remained quiet and shrugged his shoulders. Adri nodded. He did not know the answer.
‘Who is in charge of this camp?’
‘Danyl.’
‘How many guards are in the camp?’
‘Two thousand, slightly more.’
Brighton turned away, but thought of something else.
‘Did Jaclyn know about this?’
‘Yes. Danyl sent slaves to build palace, exchange for protection,’ the man answered.
Brighton gave Lance a nod. The elf’s life ended instantly.
Lance wiped the blood from the wire as he said, ‘That confirms our suspicions. What now?’
‘I could try my little wizard act on them. Maybe it will scare them away,’ Brighton suggested.
‘Perhaps, but we need to have another plan in case they do not fall for it. Can you kill two thousand elves with your magic?’ Lance asked.
‘I honestly don’t know. If I tried to drain their energy, the strain would be too much for my body. I could kill them with energy bolts, but again, it might be more than I can handle,’ Brighton replied.
Carlia made some gestures and said, ‘Clareton.’
‘Yes, that could work. I will try the wizard act, the Clareton tactic will be our other option,’ Brighton agreed.
‘What happened in Clareton?’ Lance asked.
‘A thousand elves defeated more than six thousand of your troops by being clever,’ Brighton answered.
Lance grimaced.
‘I wondered what happened to those troops,’ he said softly.
‘Sorry,’ Carlia said carefully.
‘It was a time of war and we had no business attacking you. I am the one who is sorry. Can you forgive me?’ he said softly.
‘Oh, she has done that already and much more,’ Adri smiled.
‘What do you mean?’ Lance frowned.
Carlia shook her head urgently at Adri.
‘You’ll find out,’ Adri smiled.
She pulled the elf woman closer and whispered, ‘He feels the same.’
Brighton hardly heard any of this.
‘Does anybody know what moon people are?’ he asked.
Everybody shook their heads.
Chapter 18
BRIGHTON STROLLED DOWN the road, walking stick in his hand.
The four guards spotted him and came closer, swords ready.
Brighton stopped and said, ‘I am Erostagnos, the great wizard. I demand entry into this camp.’
The elves looked at each other.
‘Danyl,’ the one said as he rushed off.
‘Stay, commander Danyl coming.’
‘Good, then he can explain what is going on here,’ Brighton replied.
He only had to wait a short while. A tall, fierce looking elf came walking from the camp.
‘Danyl,’ he said as he touched his cheek.
‘Erostagnos,’ Brighton replied.
‘Prove,’ Danyl demanded.
Brighton made the cane float away from him.
‘Small trick, no proof,’ Danyl spat as he drew his sword.
A bolt of energy struck the blade, knocking it out of his hand.
‘Do not anger me,’ Brighton said as he plucked the walking stick out of the air.
‘No one enters, Jaclyn ordered,’ Danyl growled.
‘Jaclyn is dead because she opposed me. Are you going to make the same mistake?’ Brighton said.
‘Lie!’ Danyl shouted as he pulled a throwing knife from his belt.
The knife whistled through the air, heading straight for Brighton’s throat. At the last possible moment, the knife deflected, missing Brighton by the smallest of margins.
‘Try that again and I will end your life,’ Brighton threatened.
Danyl made a hand gesture towards the camp. Brighton felt numerous arrows speeding towards him. As the arrows reached him, they also deflected like the throwing knife did.
Three arrows came from behind Brighton. He guided them to their targets and three elves dropped to the ground.
Danyl picked up his sword and charged forward. Steel and oak collided. Danyl swung viciously at Brighton a few times, but could not get past the walking stick.
Brighton saw an opening. The oak cane struck Danyl just under his left arm. Ribs shattered, piercing the elf’s lung and heart. He sank to the ground, coughing up blood. Slowly, the life drained out of his eyes.
The one remaining elf quickly dashed off into the camp. Lance, Adri and Carlia came out of the dead bushes.
‘What happened? You were not supposed to kill him,’ Lance complained.
‘I know. It seems I struck him a bit hard. Let’s retreat be
fore that elf brings all his friends back here,’ Brighton sighed.
The group ran back to their horses and retreated deep into the dead woods. Brighton was deep in thought.
‘It would seem that we will need to use the Clareton tactic now,’ Lance commented.
‘There are about a thousand elves coming this way. They seem to know exactly where we are,’ Brighton replied.
‘How is that possible?’ Lance gasped.
‘They either have a good tracker or someone who can sense us,’ Brighton replied.
He felt a single strange energy between the elves.
‘What do we do now? Run or fight?’ Lance asked.
‘We do what we planned in the first place. We employ the Clareton tactic. The three of you go left and circle around. Attack from behind, kill a few, turn tail and then wait for another opportunity to repeat this,’ Brighton quickly explained.
‘What are you going to do?’ Adri asked.
‘Draw their attention to give you a better chance,’ Brighton replied.
He took Mischief’s big head in his hands.
‘Go and protect our friends, boy,’ he said to the panther.
The group split up and vanished into the bushes. Brighton was glad that the elves seemed to ignore the others and were following him. It was as if the strange energy he felt between the elves, was focused on him.
‘Good, keep chasing me,’ he whispered to himself.
The chase lasted through the night. As the sun came up, Brighton hid his energy like Erostagnos had taught him and changed course. He smiled when he noticed that the elves did not follow him anymore. Circling around them, he joined up with the others again.
‘We got nearly a hundred,’ Adri reported.
‘These two women know how to use a bow,’ Lance commented.
‘And I’ve never seen anyone better with two swords,’ Adri replied.
‘Thank you. When I was very small, I realised that I was able to use both my hands for most things, unlike the other kids who seemed to prefer one hand. I taught myself to fight with two swords at the same time,’ Lance smiled.
Carlia gestured to Brighton.
‘They are quite far that way, searching for me,’ he answered as he pointed north.
‘Do you think they have a tracker with them that will pick up your trail?’ Lance asked.