“She’s going to come back,” Grace whimpered. “She is, and she’s going to kill all these assholes.”
She slowly plucked an arrow from the dirt, eyeing the tip with a scowl while trying to stop her tears. Her guardians remained quiet behind her, both watching as the child was struggling to keep her anger controlled which was something she often had trouble doing. After a while Grace slowly breathed out and started walking off.
“I’m… going to go for a little walk around here,” she said before glancing back to the elves. “Can you collect my arrows for me? I want to practice again when I come back.”
“Of course,” her guardian replied with a nod.
“If I may make a suggestion, Grace,” the other hesitantly replied. “Perhaps… next time you should try firing just one arrow. Just to start with of course. I’m positive even Clover just started with one.”
Grace looked to the arrow in her hand for a moment then nodded as she started walking away.
“Sure. I’ll give it a shot.”
The young elf walked off into the woods while her guardians began collecting the many arrows that were scattered about. As Grace rounded a tree she stopped and looked back, watching the two women gathering the bolts and placing them in her quiver. She glanced to the arrow she held with her bow then showed a determined expression. Without pause she dashed off into the woods, vanishing into the canopy in haste.
“Hopefully that little suggestion will help her,” one of the elves spoke with a weak smile. She picked up a cluster of arrows and set them in the quiver then scratched her head. “Now to somehow convince her not to carry such an excessive amount of arrows with her. Honestly, she’s way too headstrong for her own good.”
“She really is,” the other mentioned. Her companion took notice of the elf staring off into the woods with a focused look.
“What’s wrong?”
“Grace went for a walk that way, didn’t she?” the guardian questioned pointing ahead.
The two looked over to where the young elf had vanished then to each other with a jump.
“Dammit, she wouldn’t-”
“I’m thinking she would,” the other quickly replied as they ran off after the girl.
*****
The elven village of Green Haven lay nestled within a large, lush forest that stretched out near the rocky bluffs that rested to the far east. The tall trees served as homes to the many monsters who built their dwellings on the sides of the timbers high above the ground. On the forest floor they had dirt roads scattered throughout the village, stables for their horses, clearings that served as archery ranges, and fire pits that could be used to light their village at night or have cookouts with their sisters. Their homes which could be accessed by rope ladders, ramps leading up to the walkways that were strung between the large timbers, and stairwells in some of the trees that were hollowed out, were finely constructed and had a peaceful forest flair to them with their moss-covered shingles to the rounded wooden beams that lined the walls.
And towards the center of the expansive settlement was a unique sight. An elegantly crafted temple of smooth sandstone and ancient timber was built into the top of a towering tree. Its slanted roof was shadowed by the branches over it while water was constantly running down it on either side, water that was coming from a wide open gateway made of golden and ebony steel which was held above the temple by thick harnesses strapped to the larger branches. It was of course magic, as water didn’t naturally fall from nowhere. It was also the secret to Green Haven’s healthy forest despite being so close to the wastelands nearby. The shimmering water fell from the circular gateway in a constant waterfall, splashing down and splitting across the roof before falling down the tree on both sides in twin falls that glittered in the sunlight. The water fell into small pools at the base of the timber, with a few streams leading off into the village in all directions while providing the forest and its inhabitants with plenty of fresh water. It also helped with growing healthy food in their home which the elves were quite skilled at, along with providing lots of vegetation to attract animals of which to hunt.
Overlooking the western side of the village the temple had large glass windows adoring its front, offering a beautiful view of the elven home and the forest ahead of it from within. If one were to stand against it and look around they would have seen a vibrant home and elves living their lives in comfort below them. Now however the sight was quite different, at least as it was being seen through the masks of two newcomers to the forest.
“I wasn’t expecting this,” Jovian mused as she and her sister stood by the window together. “I’m not sure if I’m happy or disappointed about this turn of events.”
“I’m a little disappointed actually,” Jacqueline pouted.
“Yeah, I think I am too,” Jovian sighed. “This wasn’t what I had hoped for.”
The two looked behind them at the gathering of monsters in the temple chamber. While having all the elegant touches such as flora woven quilts hanging from the walls to delicate vases with colorful flowers adorning small tables there was also a large oak table that had a fine red cloth covering and a few elves seated around it. Those at the sides wore typical elven clothing along with silver shoulder covers and white cowls that were draped behind them. At the head of the table was an elf dressed not in a tunic but rather a green and white dress, the long flowing robes complimenting the white heels she wore, the green and golden arm sleeves she had on, the necklace of gold and silver draped over her bust, and her long blonde hair that had flowers woven into the locks. Of course despite her graceful and beautiful appearance she was an elf, something that was evident by her long pointed ears, her scowling expression, and her glaring hazel eyes. Standing around the elves were gremlins, trolls, and a sand wraith who was nervously watching Jovian and Jacqueline.
Felucia glanced back to the doorway of the meeting hall, seeing two other monsters standing guard there that she dared not get closer to. They resembled reptile girls however there were a few noticeable differences. For one their scales were slick and smooth, the colors shifting from black to a deep crimson while covering their legs, arms and chests. They were barefoot, with their white talons being seen scratching the floor while worn around their waists were dark leather skirts that were cut into slits, just barely covering their naked flesh underneath that seemed to radiate with heat just as they did. Their long tails had a rugged line of brown scales protruding up along them, the same that went up their backs to between their shoulders. They wore no shirts or shawls, rather they left their scaly breasts exposed with only necklaces and burnt pendants adorning their chests. Dark leather bracers were worn on each arm while their nails were seen to be clearly sharp, the mere flick of their fingers invoking cinders and sparks to come forth from the monsters. Long black hair, with one having it tied in a ponytail while the other let it loose down around her shoulders, and bright orange eyes that gave a small hint of the fiery power they had within. That and the smoke that occasionally came from simply exhaling, something that drew more fear from Felucia the more she saw these two monsters keeping their eyes locked onto her. One even showed a cold smile at the wraith, revealing her sharpened teeth along with a fleeting wisp of fire that slipped between them.
“Salamander women,” Felucia breathed out. “I can’t tell which is worse. Them, or… those two.”
Turning back she saw Jovian and Jacqueline walking over to the table and standing before it, both of them watching the elven leader scoffing at them before she finally lost her patience.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” she snapped waving her hand at them. “We have been nothing but accommodating to you since you barged into our home uninvited. We let you drag your filthy friends into our forest and haven’t raised a single arrow against you. You ungrateful cows have been helping yourselves to our food and horses, both of which do not belong to you but apparently we’re being forced into becoming gracious hosts and giving them to you anyway. What more do
you fucking bitches expect from us?”
“You know,” Jovian mentioned with a raised eyebrow. “For a priestess of nature and life and all that shit, you sure do have a foul mouth.”
“Seems right on par for an elf though,” Jacqueline giggled.
“What do you want from us?” the priestess demanded. “Why are you here?”
“I thought that was made clear,” Jovian mused with a finger held to her chin. “That’s so odd. I thought our friend over there explained everything to you.”
The monsters looked over to see another elf leaning back against the wall out of the sunlight. With a brief smirk she stood up and came closer to the priestess’ side, something that only seemed to anger the woman even more.
“I thought I was clear as well,” Sivil reasoned with a shrug. “Celine-”
“That’s High Priestess to you,” Celine snapped. “Especially when we’re being forced into bargaining for our lives with the invaders you led here.”
“They’re not invaders,” Sivil assured holding a hand up. “High Priestess, I believe it’s obvious what they are. They are our saviors.”
“Saviors?” Celine shouted back. “How can you say such a thing? They’ve threatened our people!”
“You still don’t see,” Sivil scoffed. “High Priestess, I’ve been your trusted advisor for many years. I’ve always helped you guide our people towards a better future. I’ve placed the lives of every elf and child in this forest before my own. These new friends of ours can give us a better life, protection, even men without having to pretend to be weak little bitches to bait them in. I would think you would trust me a bit more with this after all I’ve done for you.”
“Trust you?” Celine bitterly replied as she stood up to glare at the elf. “Your contributions towards the forest have not been as grand as you would like to think. You have never used your own arrows to protect our kind. You have always focused on your own benefit first when considering which path to guide us in. And just to be clear I do not trust you, Sivil. No more now than when I last saw you.”
“Um…” Felucia slowly said, the monsters turning to her as she watched Sivil with a puzzled look. “I’m sorry, but… how are you the priestess’ advisor if she hates your guts?”
“I was going to ask that myself,” Jovian added as the gemini turned to the elf in question.
“Sivil?” Jacqueline wondered. “Is this true? Were you lying to us?”
“I am your advisor,” Sivil argued with a stern look. “I was your advisor before that outcast came here and blinded your judgment.”
“And yet that ‘outcast’ is more revered than you’ll ever be,” Celine quipped.
“She is not!” Sivil yelled slamming her fist onto the table. “That reject never belonged here to begin with! I’m the one who kept our forest safe, I’m the one who trained our finest archers, and I’m the one who has been by your side doing everything you wanted for our people even though you had no fucking clue how to rule in the first place!”
“Who exactly are you talking about?” Jovian asked.
“Clover,” Celine answered with a sly grin at Sivil. “You always were jealous of her, weren’t you? Yes, it’s true you were my advisor before she came along, though as you learned very quickly she is far more capable of protecting our people and doing what is right than you were. That’s why you were replaced. Or have you forgotten?”
“I was not replaced!” Sivil shouted in anger. “She never belonged here! She hated talking to anyone! The only reason you wanted her around was because she was a good shot, that’s it!”
“You mean a perfect shot,” Celine retorted. “She’s far better with a bow than even I.”
“Okay,” Jovian sighed stepping over to them. “I’m getting bored now. Honestly I don’t care who is in charge, I really don’t. All we want is for your archers to come with us for a little party. That’s all. We don’t give a damn about your forest or who rules it.”
“I am in charge here,” Celine sternly told her. “Although my ex-advisor and soon to be outcast herself claimed otherwise, she has no say in what our people do.”
“Yes I do,” Sivil coldly told her. “Like I said, I trained all our finest archers. I am their superior, this you know very well. The fighters of Green Haven will do as I say, especially when my word is the only one that won’t get them slaughtered just as the centaurs were for defying our new friends.”
“You are not in charge of them,” another elf argued.
“Clover was given command of our guard,” another sneered at Sivil.
“You may have trained them but they do not belong to you,” the third added.
“Clover didn’t give a fuck about them!” Sivil yelled out. “She didn’t care about anyone here! She even refused that position you foolishly tried to give her, she wanted nothing to do with any of us! I was the one who helped our archers become the finest ones in Eden. I was the one who trained them to not be weak little bitches but strong warriors. Whether you want to admit it or not they are mine and will do as I say. They know I will not lead them astray, they believe in what I say and do, unlike the High Priestess here.”
“Where is this Clover you keep talking about?” Jovian asked looking around.
“Yeah,” Jacqueline said walking around the other elves. “If she’s such a good shot like you say we should have her join us for the party.”
“She’s not here,” Celine scoffed at them. “She left Green Haven on a special mission for me. She has not returned since.”
“Special mission?” Jovian repeated.
“So… when’s she coming back?” Jacqueline asked with a shrug.
“She’s never coming back,” Sivil snapped with a glare at the priestess. “She’s long dead by now.”
“No she isn’t!” Grace shouted out. Everyone turned to see the young elf standing behind the salamander women. The girl ran past them over to Sivil while the other monsters watched her curiously. “She’s not dead! She’s coming back soon and when she does she’s going to kick your fucking ass!”
“Grace,” Celine gasped. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be with your guardians outside of the village.”
“Grace?” Jovian asked as she walked up to the child. Grace forced a stern expression while clutching her bow and arrow close to her chest, watching as the woman slowly knelt down before the girl with a curious smile.
“Grace,” Jovian repeated with a nod. “Yes, I remember that name now. That’s your mother over there, isn’t it? That’s right. You’re her darling little daughter.”
“Grace, what are you doing here?” Celine demanded.
Jovian grabbed the girl by the hand and pulled her closer as she stood up, the young elf thrashing around in her grip while the gemini looked to the priestess with a smirk.
“I was curious where your daughter was. After all I knew she had to be here somewhere, Sivil told me so. And she’s not a liar, right?”
Celine glared at Sivil with fury while Jovian chuckled and led Grace over to the window along with her sister.
“Alright,” Jovian said before tapping on the glass. She looked over her shoulder to see everyone watching her, with Celine and her maidens showing nervous expressions from seeing Grace in the grip of the gemini. “Now, we’re still bored. Very much so. Can you guess why?”
“Why?” Celine carefully asked.
“Because you elves let us down,” Jovian softly said, turning to face the woman with a frown while keeping Grace at her side. “See, we know the truth about your kind. You’re not some dainty race of women who are helpless and love to have sex with trees or whatever it is you sluts do out here. You elves are actually fierce fighters, deadly with your arrows that you wield with more skill than anyone else in the world. Your archers are the best in the world, no question, something we had taken an interest in. But now…”
“This is just sad,” Jacqueline whined. “You elves are so weak and pathetic. It’s disgusting.”
; “What are you talking about?” Celine asked. “I don’t understand, we’ve done everything you said. We let you into our home, we’ve given you our food, if we had men here we would have given them to you as well. What have we done wrong?”
“For one we were told you would defy us from the start,” Jovian remarked. “Sivil told us that you would stand against us coming here, yet you did the opposite. You took one look at us and then gave up, made your subjects allow us entry without so much as a complaint, and then invited us in here to talk. It was very disappointing.”
“Sivil said that?” Celine questioned glancing to the elf.
“I wasn’t expecting you to give in to their demands so easily,” Sivil admitted with a shrug.
“I wasn’t expecting you to bring back an army to overthrow me,” Celine shot back.
Jovian sighed then shoved Grace’s head back against the window, cracking the glass slightly while Celine and her maidens gasped at the sight. Grace cried out and tried to pull the gemini’s hand off her head while Jovian slowly shook her head at the elves.
“Back to the point, we were expecting more of a fight coming in here than this,” Jovian explained before banging Grace against the window again, cracking the glass more while the child screamed in pain. “I mean we were expecting to have arrows drawn on us, threats made, for someone to call Sivil a traitor in broad daylight.”
“You bitches just rolled over and gave up,” Jacqueline pouted. “You let us in and then you invited us into your little treehouse to talk. It was… too easy. And boring. Very boring.”
“I agree,” Jovian said smacking Grace against the window, a few shards now dropping out the other side while Grace whimpered and struggled to keep standing.
“Stop!” Celine begged while holding her hand out. “Please don’t hurt my daughter!”
“You see?” Jovian complained waving to her. “You’re still doing nothing. For crying out loud, I’m banging your stupid daughter’s head against this window and you’re doing nothing to stop me. This is pathetic.”
Chronicles of Eden - Act X Page 16