by Ed Montalvo
“Perhaps it was a distracting attack?”
“Father…” Mirehnah said. The king ignored her.
“With respect father, you are reaching as if a witch hunt. Mages’ are deliberate with casting!”
“Lehoneh,” Mirehnah reminded.
His sister’s warning reminded him who he spoke to, “Forgive me father, I meant no disrespect.”
The king studied his son. He knew the prince has no love for the Dark Elves, yet he defends him, why? He wondered. “Very well then, find him and pray he neutralizes their black art.”
“Nad hoped as you father… I believe he will,” Lehoneh commented.
“I am confident he will,” the princess added.
“What secures your belief in this Dark Elf?” the king asked.
“Before Lehoneh found us, they aided me… I saw his eyes.” The king was reminded of her gift for seeing the truth in all things. “He will not stray.”
“I pray you saw true and that your confidence in him is just. Our priestess’s life is in his hands…,” he said gently. Lehoneh and Mirehnah felt the heavy burden of another life in their hands.
The weight of his decisions crushed him. Like his sister, he felt alone. He quietly bowed and departed from his father. Blindly the prince walked the City from one tree ear to another questioning himself. As he crossed a number of linking limbs the prince came upon the youngest of the Elven tree of life, seventy-nine hundred years old. It overshadowed tree canopies of the forests and wondered aloud, “Dear gods of life and heaven how to find him? How to convince him to return with me?” he shook his head, realizing his prayer, “What is wrong with me, why do I side with a Drouwen?” as he glimpsed the night sky.
Just beyond the canopy, he saw the snowcapped mountains and studied them for a moment. They were incredibly beautiful at any time of the year, though he prefers the winter season. Then he recalled the dinner conversation, “Well now, the mountains are where you head…,” he whispered.
Mirehnah watched her brother. He stared at the tree of life and threw his head back. She knew by the way he moved and gazed at the mountains he was praying for guidance. “I will join you when you go,” she gently interrupted.
He glanced over his shoulder and found his little sister smiling at him, “Mireh.”
She stepped beside him, “Forgive my disturbance, but I will join you,” then hugged him.
“You disturb me not little one.”
“Good…. With me beside you, should help convince him.”
He faced her with a smile, returning a warm hug. “You cannot come.”
“Of course I can,” she pressed her cheek against his shoulder.
“Think, if we both go who is to stop another from pushing father, into executing the Drouwen? I need you to shield him, just in case,” Lehoneh argued.
His logic was sound, she couldn’t go even if she wanted to. Fear of the Dark Elf would infect her people against him. Mirehnah knew Lehoneh saw things clearly, “Be careful,” she conceded, kissed his cheek.
He tried to comfort her, “I need to travel light and fast if I am to catch him by morning.” Without a word, she came away. The prince watched her. She’s all grown up, he thought.
Lehoneh made his way back to his brethren’s and chose three of the best for their fast trek. The prince prayed for no obstructions in their path. “I want no repetition. No one is to raise a finger against the Dark Elf,” he explained, “In fact once found, you are to return home, I will follow shortly. Let us depart with great haste.”
With their gear gathered they rode quickly to where they last saw the party. The stone gave them a short delay. With care, a scout began searching the area. All evidence displayed the party didn’t go anywhere, they simply disappeared.
The prince pondered the information his scout discovered. The pathfinder continued searching. He believed something was missing. Lehoneh threw his head back in frustration staring into the night sky when he noticed some broken new growing limbs and leaves. With careful scrutiny, he studied the tracks and the little details of the tree. His calm excitement caught the others' attention. They stood back watching as the prince continue looking up and down.
“My prince…” he fell silent when Lehoneh raised a hand.
He glanced between the ground and the canopy a few more times, “Oh, it cannot be possible…,” Lehoneh thought aloud. He circled the footprints when he realized the prints were facing the mountains. “By the everlasting forest…” again he glanced between the prints and the canopy.
“Prince,” the same Grey Elf ventured.
“They took flight,” he finally said.
The Elves looked surprised, “How?” said the same Elf.
“I know not, but he is a mage… somehow he conjured the power for them all. How else do you explain no further tracks?” They studied what their prince discovered. “They head to the snowcap mountains,” he continued, then mounted his steed and signaled them to follow.
When they broke to rest, Lehoneh exposed the small empty flask of poison. He questioned his actions as he studied the crude hard leather bottle. After their short break, they continued riding for the mountain along a known trail. Not long into the path, he decided to travel as the crow flies, to close the distance.
***
Seeker recovered three of her four daggers. Why did the Grey Elves attack us, she wondered? Her question was on her face.
Tatiana replayed what happened in her mind, and nothing made sense. Why did they attack, she pondered? Her position as a monarchy and Ayrian complicated matters. Their attack on Dregous, was an attack on her as far as she was concerned. Protocol, dictated her actions and will follow it to keep the piece.
Tuke prayed for answers. He studied the others and sensed their confusion. Something was different with Dregous. He sensed a conflict within, then noticed an expression that clued a wave of disguised anger.
The Dark Elf stared intensely at the ground with from where he sat. Why bother, no one will accept or give me the chance. I try to no avail… I am so tired… so tired of trying, he thought. Falling into a fit of self-pity must be avoided at all costs. He resisted the urge to sigh deeply, then realized his soreness. It helped distract his thoughts.
Rem didn’t hide his anger, “I like to know one damn thing,” he said. Tuke looked at him and waited.
“That is?” the princess sounded a bit hoarse.
“Why the hell the Elves attacked us?” Everyone addressed him. Dregous contemplated his actions and wondered why he continued trying.
Tatiana straightened, he had a valid point. Tuke followed suit. “I know not, though the arrow did hit me,” she slumped back on her stump beside Dregous.
“You were not the target,” Seeker’s whisper went unnoticed.
Tuke addressed Tatiana, “When it happened, I saw the prince. Lehoneh looked surprised,” he explained, “Did anyone noticed anything else?”
“I did, hence I tried to shield Dregous from the arrow.”
Tatiana addressed Seeker, “And you said nothing?”
“There was no time…” she started.
“He was still hit?” the princess said.
“Princess…, she did what any of us would have done,” Tuke stepped in.
Tatiana studied Seeker, “So what do they want….”
Seeker felt guilty, in trying to save Dregous, they nearly killed him. “They target you not.”
Tatiana paced, then faced Seeker. “But the arrow hit me… …I stood before him… hence my armor deflected it.”
“I guarded him…,” the women explained their versions of what happened. Tuke added his view as well.
Rem listened, trying to glean some information that may aid them. But he came away with nothing. “No surprise they are after him, but why,” Rem said.
“They have to go through me if they want him,” Tatiana declared. “They risk our people’s long-time peace.”
The Dark Elf mage listened to their conversation and expecte
d to hear the word Drouwen. He shifted on the log he sat on, “You would be surprised what generations of hate will do,” Dregous broke his silence. His morbid, but logical deduction surprised the group.
“My friend, you do not know that for certain,” Tuke assured. Tatiana knew in her heart Dregous was correct. In Riverdale, she had seen what blind hatred had done. They hurt her Dregous.
“Now we know… now what?” Rem asked. “Do we turn back and find out why or keep going and forget them?”
“We should continue,” Seeker voiced her concerns.
Tuke glanced at her, then addressed Tatiana, “I agree with Angelique. Normally I would say, let us return and learn the reason for the offense. Blind hate is difficult to talk through,” he peeped at Dregous. “His safety is paramount.”
Tatiana looked between them as a warm smile escaped her. “Well-spoken dear Tuke.” She addressed Rem, “What say you?”
“I say, we should get the flying hell out of here,” he raised his hands, “Not literately,” correcting himself.
She giggled at his remark. She leaned over and gently hugged him. “I can fly us out of here once we…” she started.
Rem interrupted with wide eyes, “Oh no no no little lady… Let us not go there,” he rambled, “that is the last thing I need right now.” He paced complaining, “First the Elves, then flight here, followed by a fight with the hulking thing from hell and now she wants my little blue ass in the air again… Ooh no.”
Tatiana giggled aloud as Rem sauntered. Tuke and Seeker laughed. The priest didn’t lecture the Half-Elf, they all had a trying day and sympathized with him. Dregous held a knowing smile, focused on the princess.
They swallowed their convictions to continue and not return and call it a night. Dregous took the first watch. He observed the party resting. He studied Seeker in pretended sleep beside Tuke. Moments later he retrieved his magical tomes to study. Hours later he switched to review the undead witch’s diary.
The group rose with the sun. Seeker stretched then huddled by the fire to absorb its warmth. She signed Dregous, ‘My lord.’ He acknowledged her as he stretched his arms out. The princess’s bottom was against the small of his back. Dregous hid within his cloak, “Cold last night?” she smirked.
“Cold…!” he paused as Tuke glanced at him while stretching. “It was colder than a mine digger’s…”
“Rem!” Tuke said aloud with wide eyes. He tolerated his earlier comments, but this was too much.
Rem chuckled, “I tease… truly,” Rem shot back.
Seeker addressed him, “There was room by the fire.”
Rem wrapped his blanket tighter, “I was… until I dreamt I burned alive… you know the rest.”
Seeker grinned, “Big baby.” She wasn’t alone recalling that dreadful day when they were hit with the inferno spell. It was a wonder they survived at all.
Tuke looked about while wrapping his blanket tight, “Greetings lady Angelique,” he nodded to her, then addressed Rem, “Greetings,”
Tatiana brushed her backside as she sat up beside him, “Pardon,” she whispered. “Good day,” she hugged against the cold. “Ooh, this chill is wretched, would you not agree?”
Dregous hoped to lose himself in his studies. He thought about the Elven king and their assault. Not returning to the Elves was a plaguing doubt. In the back of his mind, he heard a voice hum, trying to gain his attention. He wasn’t going to allow her say. Not returning filled him with dread as though death loomed ahead. He knew what she wanted from him without hearing her out. And he agreed, “We must return,” Dregous finally confessed to the group.
“Return?” Seekers’ surprised tone mimicked the party’s expression.
Tatiana faced him, “Are you mad? You saw what they did. If we return, they may kill you!”
“Um, Dreg, I think you may have bumped your head in our last bout, seriously,” Rem said.
Tatiana glanced over her shoulder, “Did he?” she wondered.
Tuke stepped beside the princess and gently touched her shoulder, “He jests my lady.”
Seeker rushed to Dregous, “You cannot, you know what will happen.”
“I must agree,” Tuke said as he discretely studied the princess.
Tatiana addressed Dregous, “What are you thinking?”
“I must return.”
“Oh no, I will not allow that…!” she argued. Returning to the Elves would be a mistake. Rem watched and listened. His own predicament danced in his head.
Seeker didn’t understand his reason to return, “Why?”
“I am uncertain myself. What I know, I must return,” he said.
“Very well,” Tatiana crossed in front of him, “We will go back.”
“All of us?” Rem asked.
Tatiana glanced at him, “We must show the Grey Elves our unity,” then address the others, “None of us will stand alone.” She glanced at the mage. “Besides, we are friends and friends stand together,” and gave Dregous a bright smile. He shied away with a blush. Seeker noted his discoloration and mused.
Rem slightly shook his head, recalling the pack Dregous made with the demon to save the party. He’s done a lot for them and the princess. The guilt was plaguing, “As you say,” he whispered.
Tuke heard Rem, “Well put friend.”
He glanced Tuke with a bland expression. If he knew what I did, they would turn on me, Rem thought.
The Half Elf stepped back with Tuke beside him. “We stand together. However, if we do not collect what we left behind, it may not be there when we do go…” Tatiana said.
“Angel…”
Tatiana interrupted, “We promised Tuke,” she said firmly, “You reminded me.”
He studied her near-white eyes, so Drouwen like, he thought. She was set on having her way. He didn’t have the heart to argue, “As you say princess.”
Tatiana’s childish grin lightened his spirit, “Good, it is settled. Let us break our fast and be on our way.” Rem wolfed his meal while Tuke brightened their moods with a cheery tune.
With camp lifted, Rem cleared the area, making it seem as though no one had been there. With him on point, they made their way to the mountain. They traveled for hours. The sun reached its height, reflecting light from the bit of snow highlighting the trees and ground. Bird songs filled the woods.
The day was brisk and chillier than the morning. They settled in a clearing. Dregous gather firewood while Seeker cut into the earth with her dagger. Tuke collected rocks for the firepit. Rem and Tatiana on opposites kept watch.
The mage exercised his culinary skills for their noon meal. They discussed the hidden wealth back in the mountain. It was more than they can carry their first trip.
Moments later the Dark Elf prince gazed at the mountain where they almost lost their lives. The women noticed his silence. Tatiana observed him for a moment, “Dregous… are you well?” she stepped behind him.
Her lovely voice brought him back, “Huh… um, I am well….”
Seeker watched Rem as he took point. An oppressive presence came over her and thought it odd. She wasn’t alone regarding the Half Elf.
The ranger moved ahead thirty meters scouting for any signs of intruders. When out of sight of the others he glanced at the demonic artifact. The brass page turned, revealing a different name. “Oh hell, I have done nothing,” he groaned gently.
“Oh, but you have…” said a soft voice in the breeze.
Startled, Rem panted scanning about, “Who are you?” he hissed, realizing who it was.
“Why… I am your conscious,” the breeze whispered.
“You are not my conscious…” he muttered, spinning about.
“Perhaps not, but at least you led me to the priestess.”
“Oh, gods, what have I done… what have I done?” he groaned. The wind snickered then laughed. “Please leave me alone.”
“I cannot,” it lied, “Even if I wanted to, I cannot,” it continued, “That is not how the game is played. I continue
to play with you until you die or go mad.”
“Gods I need help,” he prayed to a god he ignored for years.
“Waste not your prayer… he will not hear you…, you are mine,” he lied again.
“No… it cannot be…”
“Oh, but it is.”
“Stop!” Rem hissed.
“Stop what?” said a clear voice behind him.
Rem whirled ready to fight, “Tuke.”
Tuke saw fear in his eyes and stepped closer with a smile, “You expect someone else?” he asked. Rem studied the priest with a weak smirk. “Are you well?”
“Just a little spooked,” he explained.
“I feel the same… perhaps it is this area?” Tuke replied as they made their way back. “Does anyone else…” he started.
“I think we all do,” Tatiana said.
The conversation dropped as quickly as it started. They continued their trek towards the mountain in relative silence. The south side of the mountain broke through the tree line. A trail barely covered in the snow led to the mountain base. They were a few kilometers from the outpost when they came across a band of goblins in the company of a human. “Oh hell,” Rem declared.
“Rem please,” Tuke whispered.
“Where did they come from? I thought they fled,” Tatiana added.
“Apparently, these did not,” Dregous said.
To be Continued on book II
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