Elf Mastery

by Bryant Reil

  Marik ran his fingers over the hilt of his sword. “Schmoozing is going to win this war.”

  Dunkin coughed. A bubble of blood burst from his mouth and ran down his chin. He wiped it with his sleeve. “We'll see.”

  Marik spotted Linkin in the corner. He was rocking back and forth and muttering about how he was going to prove himself to Erebus. His sanity disappeared a little each day. No matter. Marik could find a use for the oaf.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Trial of Error

  Light on. Light off. Light on. Light off.

  Aura regretted buying the light orb for Kyla, who now lay on her bed, tapping it on and off. It was a logical gift as Aura's breeze kept extinguishing her candles. Kyla had been planning to buy a lantern but Aura thought a light orb would be both safer and classier. It could even hover in the air wherever it was placed. Kyla adored it. She adored it so much she wouldn't stop playing with it. Aura didn't mind sleeping in the light, but the constant change from light to dark and back again was making it difficult.

  “Kyla? Could you please stop doing that?”

  “Oh, sorry.” The light went off and stayed off.

  There was a pause.

  “Aura?”

  Aura grunted. She had almost fallen asleep. “Yes?”

  “Thanks for the orb.”

  “You're welcome.”

  There was another pause.

  “Aura?”

  Aura grunted again. “I'm trying to sleep.”

  “Oh. Sorry. Thanks for saving me from Dunkin though.”

  “You're welcome. Now may I please get to sleep?”

  “Yeah. Sure.”

  Aura settled into her mattress and closed her eyes. She could feel her mind drifting away into sleep. Unlike flesh creatures, whose minds stayed occupied with images and memories during their sleep, air spirits enjoyed a serene state of dreamless slumber, uninterrupted by...

  A faint sob from the other side of the room drew Aura back into consciousness.

  “Kyla, I have an early class tomorrow.”

  The reply came through another sob. “Sorry.”

  Aura sighed and sat up. “What's wrong?”

  “He was going to kill me! Because of a rock!”

  Aura wasn't sure what to do. “I-well, we stopped him. It's over now.”

  “Yeah.” Kyla didn't sound convinced. “It's just that he's still out there.”

  “They set up wards around campus. He can't come onto the grounds without setting off an alarm.”

  “So I'm trapped here?”

  Aura hadn't thought of that. Equinox had become Kyla's prison. “They'll catch him soon.” She didn't even know if anyone was looking for him, but she trusted Denzig was handling it. “I'm sure if you go to sleep you'll feel better in the morning.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Good night, Kyla.”

  “Yeah. Good night.”

  ***

  Aspen sensed someone lurking outside her oak tree. She suspected it might be Eunoe or Ach'vach but to be safe she slipped out the back of the tree and peeked around.

  Kyla was standing at the side of the walkway. There was a strange orb of light hovering over her head, and she was fiddling with the yo-yo she had gotten in Whitehall. Aspen had seen her walking around campus with it lately. She was getting better at it now. She could get a good five or six consecutive tosses before the disc bounced and dropped to the end of the thread. Then she would roll the string back around the disc and start over.

  “Kyla?”

  Kyla squealed and jumped and turned in the air, ready to throw the disc at Aspen.

  “I didn't mean to alarm you. Do you need something?”

  She was now clutching at her chest and breathing heavily. “No. Oh, you scared the pine nuts outta me.”

  “But you know I'm always here at night.”

  “Yeah. That's why I'm here.”

  “But not to see me?”

  Kyla looked at the ground. “I just don't want to be alone.”

  “Is Aura away?”

  “No, she's sleeping. I was keeping her awake. I figured Eunoe was probably asleep too. But you don't sleep, right? So I thought I'd hang out here.”

  “Oh.” Aspen could see Kyla had been crying, and more for fear than sadness.

  “That orb is new,” Aspen observed. “It's like a little sun.”

  “Yeah, that's what I said! You can turn it on and off by tapping it. Aura gave it to me. They use them in Aeolis because all the wind, you know, makes it hard to use candles and torches.”

  Aspen gave it a few taps to see it flicker. It hovered where Kyla had placed it. “Lovely. Light without fire. Like in Whitehall.” The humans had similar orbs but those orbs had all been fastened in place. This one was conveniently mobile.

  Aspen's attention turned to the yo-yo tied to Kyla's finger. “You got that from Kyle, right?”

  “No. I bought it from some other boy. Kyle taught me how to use it. The boy who owned it could do a bunch of cool tricks. I'm just learning up and down.”

  “Are you going to go back?”

  Kyla shrugged. “I hear his family might not be too happy to see us again.”

  “Maybe not.”

  Kyla made another attempt with the disc. She managed to make it do five up-and-downs before it came up halfway, spun, and dropped down again. “It takes practice,” she mumbled.

  “Can I try?”

  “Oh! Sure. This loop just goes over your finger like this. Hold it with your palm up, flick your wrist, and turn your hand to catch it when it comes back up.”

  Aspen tried, and the disc dropped to the end of the string and spun. She pulled her hand up to get it to return but it just bounced on the string and soon came to a rest. “I think I broke it.”

  “No, it just takes practice. Here, let me show you again.”

  It was amusing to learn from Kyla, as she clearly knew little about how to use the yo-yo, but the little she did know she taught with enthusiasm. They spent some time at this, and Aspen was happy to see Kyla forget her troubles for a while.

  “I'd better get to bed,” Kyla finally said with a smile. It was weaker than her old smiles, but it was good to see.

  “Thank you, Kyla. That was fun.” Aspen turned to meld back with the oak tree. Then she turned around. “Let me know if you need anything else. Any time. I mean it.”

  ***

  The following day Aspen was sitting by the hickory grove next to the stream. Ach'vach had brought the seeds of an ichthim flower, a rare anemone loved by orcs, so they could plant one together. Kyla, looking disheveled, had lost her smile from last night. That meant she hadn't slept enough and was a little grumpy.

  “I want you to teach me how to fight.”

  “I don't really know how to fight, Kyla. That whole thing with the staff was just because I was using bonded wood.”

  “Not you, Aspen. I mean Vock.”

  “Oh. Of course.”

  Ach'vach planted the ichthim seed and swept the loose soil overtop. Ichthim was a purple flower held in high regard by the orcs. It didn't grow locally but Aspen and Ach'vach had learned a Song of Sprouting used to help plants in difficult environments. He patted the ground and started to sing. Kyla sat on the grass and watched as the orc's surprisingly high singing voice guided a small green sprout through the surface. Slowly it grew and stretched toward the sun. Leaves uncoiled and a small bud formed at the end of the stem, and Ach'vach stopped.

  “I mustn't help it further,” he explained. “If I don't allow it to bloom on its own, it won't have the strength to survive. We shall make it blossom together.” He looked up at Kyla. “Why do you want to learn to fight?”

  “Didn't you hear what happened?”

  “Yes. I don't think fighting would have helped. Aspen told me the story. The dwarf sounded very strong.”

  “Yeah, but being helpless is pretty useless too.”

  “Fighting takes years of training and practice to master. And there are many styles.
I suppose I can still show you a few things. Stand up.”

  Ach'vach and Kyla rose to their feet. The orc stood a full foot taller and was much broader and more muscular. Kyla looked like a child next to him.

  “If I were to attack you, what do you think you could do?”

  “I dunno. That's why I asked you.”

  “When the dwarf attacked you, what did he do?”

  “He grabbed my leg and dragged me out from under a bush.”

  “That's right. And how did you defend yourself then? You did escape, right?”

  “Yeah. Aura saved me.”

  “And if I attacked you now, do you suppose Aspen would sit by and do nothing?”

  Kyla looked at Aspen. Aspen shook her head. “You know I wouldn't!”

  Kyla gave a weak grin. “I know, Aspen. I've seen you kick this orc's tush already.”

  Ach'vach smiled. “That's right. Aspen told me the story. The dwarf lured you outside before he attacked you. He got you alone. You have friends, Kyla. They are your greatest protection. We orcs prize physical prowess, and we hold many competitions to show our skills in fighting. But that is only sport. In battle, we value our allies. Now matter how strong a warrior is, he depends on other soldiers. They are a team.”

  “Yeah, but they can't be around all the time.” Kyla had tried following Aura around, but the air spirit was often invisible or flying which made her hard to follow.

  “No. But they are your greatest defense. Don't forget your friends.”

  “I think you don't understand. I want to be bigger. Stronger. I need exercise and training. I can't sit around and let people take care of me all the time!”

  “Do not worry about being bigger and stronger. Stop focusing on what you are not. Focus on what you are. Strength did not give Aura victory over the dwarf. She knew herself and what she could do. She was not trained in battle, yet she was victorious.”

  “She can fly! She can turn invisible! She controls the wind! I can't do anything!” Kyla was almost shouting now.

  Ach'vach remained calm. “Even the mightiest warriors can fall. Great power does not assure victory. You need to conquer your mind. Right now you are controlled by fear. Control that fear. That is the most crucial step to survival.”

  “That's what I want! Tell me how to fight so I won't need to be afraid!”

  “You should be afraid. Lack of fear leads to recklessness. Every battle or fight could be your last. Accept this. Do not remove your fear, but learn to act in spite of it. If you keep a level head, you have that much advantage over an opponent.”

  Kyla did not look happy with Ach'vach's advice. She was looking around, agitated. Aspen stood up and grabbed her hands.

  “I think we can teach you a few things just to make you feel more confident,” she suggested, looking at Kyla but directing her voice at Ach'vach.

  “Of course.” The orc stood tall and put his hands on his waist. “Kyla, if you had to strike me, where would you aim?”

  Kyla motioned toward his face with a slow punch, then down at his groin.

  “No.” Ach'vach grabbed her arm. “Punch for the throat. It is weak on most people. Yet this wouldn't work as well on the dwarf; their necks are stout and thick. Eyes are almost always weak. You can gouge a thumb in there and any enemy will let you go long enough for you to escape.” The orc paused. “Except lizard folk. They have a protective layer over their eyes.”

  “Yeah,” Kyla nodded. “This is the stuff I need to learn.”

  “Fine. I can show you some defense techniques. Just be careful not to become overconfident. In a real fight there is no guarantee of success. First let me check your instincts. Here, I will attack you. I will not hurt you but I will do all I can to bring you down. See if you can defend yourself.”

  Ach'vach took a few steps back and charged Kyla. He was tall, and muscular, and she panicked, closed her eyes, and kicked blindly. Her foot caught the inside of Ach'vach's kneecap and pushed it to the outside of his leg. There was a sickening pop and Ach'vach dropped to the ground. He groaned and grasped his hands around his right shin. Aspen scrambled over to him.

  “Are you alright?” she asked. His knee was protruding from the side of his leg. “Get a doctor!” she shouted to Kyla, who was standing over Ach'vach with a terrified look on her face. Kyla nodded, but Ach'vach sat up, grabbed his kneecap, and popped it back in place. The sound made Aspen's stomach turn.

  “I'm so sorry!” Kyla kneeled next to him and put her hand on his thigh. “I didn't mean to do that!”

  Ach'vach grinned through a grimace. “Anything that works is a good move!”

  Chapter Twenty

  The Shadow's Face

  Eunoe spread out on the grass next to Kyla in the square by the administration building. She had invited Aspen and Aura as well, but Aspen was at the theater with Vock and Aura was attending a seminar on mistrals.

  She felt responsible for what happened to Kyla at the Halloween party. She should have been watching her more carefully. She had let those boys distract her in the kitchen. They were in a strange environment, with people they had never met, and Eunoe should have kept everyone together. She was the eldest in the group. It was her job to take care of them.

  “That's Grim the Beastmaster.” She pointed to the lower east part of the sky. “See those five stars? And up there is Amerile the Water-Spirit. And the Menagerie of Botemis.”

  Kyla looked unimpressed. “Yeah. My dad told me about all those when I was a kid.”

  “Which is the star you went to?” Eunoe asked.

  “I don't remember. I think it was that one.”

  “Is that Sulafat?”

  Kyla shrugged. “Maybe.”

  “I used to stay up all night and look at the stars. I didn't know what they were, then, but I learned the constellations and all their stories. The other nymphs used to run around and drink and dance with the satyrs, so most of the time it was just me.”

  “Oh.”

  Eunoe had expected a follow-up question. Though Kyla didn't ask, Eunoe decided to answer it.

  “This was before Aspen. Aspen changed my life. I didn't know how to live for someone else before our souls got tied together.”

  “You still don't.”

  Ouch. “Maybe not, but I'm better than I was. To be honest I've been having a real hard time. I got so used to having Aspen around I became jealous that she was spending so much time with Vock. And do you know what the worst part is?”

  “No, I do not.” Kyla said this curtly. Eunoe sensed she didn't want to listen but she continued anyway.

  “I like Vock. A lot. I didn't at first. It took a couple weeks but I've really started to like him. He's noble, honest, and has a good heart. How many people like that have I turned away because I thought none of the guys trying to talk to me were good enough?”

  “You have a problem. I told you that before.”

  “I know. It's just now I feel like I'm losing Aspen to Vock.”

  Eunoe could feel Kyla looking at her. “You two have been stuck together for years. Don't you need a break?”

  Eunoe sighed. “Yes. And no. We do get tired of each other sometimes. I still want to have her around. It's strange.”

  “Yeah. I have a family. It's kinda the same thing. They get annoying sometimes but I still love 'em”.

  Eunoe was silent. Nymphs seldom had real families.

  Something in the sky blinked. Eunoe sat up. It took her a moment to realize what happened.

  “Kyla! That star just went out! Acubens!” Eunoe pointed out where the star had been just a moment ago. “Now there! Another one!” Eunoe blinked again as a third one went out. And a fourth. “They're all burning out!”

  Kyla looked up and murmured. “Oh, crab-apples. I'd better not have to deliver all those filaments.”

  ***

  Kyla's heart pounded. The alarm was sounding, and she could hear someone calling her name. Everyone was in a panic that all the stars had gone out during the night, but Kyla was mor
e concerned with the letter she had just received. The language and spelling were jumbled and confusing, but the last line caught her attention: 'Meet me in Kildath if you want your familie to be safe come alone.' She couldn't tell if it was a threat or a warning. It was signed 'A freind' but Kyla was doubtful.

  The Kildath was a clearing in the Montgrelle Forest, about a half-hour south of Equinox. A large battle had taken place there once. She didn't know the details but it was the setting for The Tale of Sumir Antela. Sumir died at the end of the story. Kyla was afraid she might meet the same end.

  Kyla peeked out from her corner. No Saul, no Aura, no Aspen, no Eunoe. No one to stop her. The campus grounds were loud and busy as everyone rushed to the emergency assembly. Doubtless they were going to find out what happened to the stars. Kyla wanted to find out as well.

  But the letter. This was more urgent. Maybe the author was holding her family hostage. She had to leave the safety of the grounds. She would be alone. It was probably a trap. Should she tell someone? She couldn't chance the author finding out. Kyla sprang up, staying in the shadows as best she could lest Aura happen to fly overhead. She could hear the Daughter of the Air's voice calling her name, and occasional shouts from Eunoe. Once convinced they wouldn't be able to see her, Kyla started running.

  If there was one thing she had taken from Vock it was to understand she might die at any time, and to master that fear. And she was afraid, yet fear for her family overshadowed the fear for herself, and so she ran. She had never been considered a fast runner, at least not by elf standards. But now she had motivation.

  Someone was trying to hurt her family.

  Branches whipped Kyla's face as she rushed through, but she felt no pain. While she normally would have stumbled over tree roots and fallen branches she deftly wove through the trees with a strange focus and drive.

  The Kildath was easy to find. Kyla burst between two blackberry bushes, scaring off a bear that had been snacking from the other side. Scratched, bleeding, and exhausted, she walked into the clearing. A stone monument in the center marked it as an ancient battle site. It was less impressive than she had imagined. She leaned over with her hands on her legs, panting heavily as she glanced around. There was no one here.