Walking togetherCAIVANThe one I've been waiting for has finally arrived. Saelyna and Cryan came into my room."There's Gylen too," Cryan said to himself, then Gylen told him to sit by his side while Saelyna sat next to me."Why are you all here? Are you having a little meeting?" Saelyna asked with a half-raised eyebrow in surprise."No, we're just having a little discussion," I replied, standing in for Gylen.While Saelyna just nodded in understanding. "What about when you met Prince Charles? What did you talk about?" Saelyna suddenly remembered and asked me and Gylen."I'll explain it to you, but first I have to ask you," I grumbled as I looked at Saelyna from the side, then I picked up a map and some notes we had made because it would be useful for Saelyna and we didn't have to go too far in explaining it. It was all done by Gylen before the two of them came to my room."Everything is summarised here. I'll explain later. But where are you going?" I said, wondering when I saw that
Caught in the crossfire SAELYNAQuain let out a long sigh, he was very curious, but, seeing how I answered, he thought he didn't want to disturb my concentration. I tried to concentrate as I thought about the sentences I had read from Gylen's writing.The sound of the door opening made Quain and I turn our heads. Caivan had just come out in the clothes he had changed into."Quain," Caivan called, causing Quain to raise half an eyebrow in surprise. "Me, Saelyna, Cryan, and Gylen are leaving. I trust you to take care of the others. Stay alert and keep an eye on the surroundings. Don't trust anyone except Prince Charles. I'll be back in a little over an hour, but if we're not back in an hour, I authorize you to take the others with you. Caivan gave Quain a message, then reached for me. "Leave the stone the queen gave to Quain, so he can access it if anything happens to us."I immediately nodded in understanding, it was only fitting that Caivan became an Alpha, famous for his ruthless wa
With the amulet clutched tightly in his hand, Caivan rejoined Saelyna and Gylen, his expression determined. “I’ve found it,” he declared, his voice filled with a mix of hope and determination.As Cyran continued to engage the witch in a fierce battle, Saelyna stepped forward, her eyes meeting Caivan’s. “Give me the amulet, Caivan. It will amplify my magic and weaken her grip on the Queen.”Caivan nodded, passing the amulet to Saelyna with care. “Use it well, Saelyna. We’re counting on you.”Saelyna held the amulet close to her chest, feeling its power resonate within her. She took a deep breath, channeling her courage, her determination, and the collective strength of her friends.In that moment, time seemed to stand still. The air crackled with anticipation as Saelyna prepared to confront the witch head-on, armed with the ancient incantation and the newfound power of the amulet. The final battle was about to begin, and Saelyna was ready to seize their chance at victory.The room puls
Their progress was slow, and the constant motion did little to lessen the stress that weighed heavily on their hearts. Each minute brought them closer to the witch, closer to the woman who threatened the safety of the people of Eriu and their future. Every inch took them further away from home, further away from their families and their friends. Time was running short, and soon enough they would be forced to make a choice. Either they could save their Kingdom or die trying.They had lost track of the number of times they had narrowly escaped the clutches of the witches; yet, none of them gave up hope. A feeling of uneasiness settled inside of them, an uncertainty that they were approaching the center of the witch’s domain.Finally, the group reached an intersection, and all eyes turned in unison towards the hallway that split down the middle, one path leading to freedom and the other to destruction. The Queen raised a trembling hand towards the rightmost passage, taking a deep breath,
Reflections Their progress was slow, and the constant motion did little to lessen the stress that weighed heavily on their hearts. Each minute brought them closer to the witch, closer to the woman who threatened the safety of the people of Eriu and their future. Every inch took them further away from home, further away from their families and their friends. Time was running short, and soon enough they would be forced to make a choice. Either they could save their Kingdom or die trying. They had lost track of the number of times they had narrowly escaped the clutches of the witches; yet, none of them gave up hope. A feeling of uneasiness settled inside of them, an uncertainty that they were approaching the center of the witch’s domain. Finally, the group reached an intersection, and all eyes turned in unison towards the hallway that split down the middle, one path leading to freedom and the other to destruction. The Queen raised a trembling hand towards the rightmost passage, ta
'Elf'.The hissed words jolt me out of my reverie, and I look up at the contemptuous face of the line man. He's tall, heavily bearded and his nose is scrunched up as he examines me. No surprises there. I'm used to it.I step forward and raise my arms as usual. He starts from my neck, then down my back, down my sides, across my legs. I recall the first time I was to out up with that. The lineman on duty that day got a bit excited, and I reacted quickly. And painfully too. My knuckles hurt for days, but I don't compare it with the broken nose he had to deal with.I feel that queasiness return, as the man doubles back, and his arms rove up my side again. I try to be still, and hope he doesn't notice my beating heart or my droopy eyelids.He doesn't. He steps back with a grunt. 'Go on, elf'. For some stupid reason, I blurt, 'It's Saelyna'. He turns sharply at that. 'What did you say, elf?' he snarls, eyes glinting. Right. He's a moose-genn. I definitely should have kept shut. 'A slip, tha
SAELYNASilver Stallion is the more popular of the two bars in the village. It is a short distance from our house, and that's where I'm headed.When I step into the semi-dark room, I notice there are fewer people than there usually is. Then I recall most of them haven't returned from the Glade. They would anyway, anytime soon. And the last thing I want is Derrick Marwell talking again about how I had gotten drunk and danced off with Elwyn, so I must hurry about my business and get home soon.I don't necessarily like drinking. Not really. It's the escape it offers, the temporary zone of stillness that baits me. Or baited me. Elves don't generally get drunk; the magic in our system is too strong, it dilutes it; but there are certain conditions that beg to differ.Like when the magic in your body is weak and the drink in question, is Halden mead. It had happened, during the Fall Festival last year. I still hate thinking about that night with Elwyn. The memories alone should keep me off t
Hunting is a remedy of its own. The adrenaline coursing through your veins as you pull the string, the focus of all the senses on the creature about to be snuffed out, the dire hope that the arrow will strike its target. It's what I turn to when I don't want to think. Or at least, it was.Saelyna had been gone thirty minutes before I realized we were running low on meat. I found it a pleasant excuse to go into the woods, and that is exactly what sets me on the knoll overlooking the village, and cutting around the King's Forest.It wasn't always called that. Before the Rebellion, it was Halden Woods, named after the village. If the elves of this village were not the spearhead of the attack on the state, well, the forest would have remained what it was; a space for all. And my parents would still be alive.I begin my descent into the first from the south side, where I'm sure few of the guards would be. Tales spun by village folk about dead and vengeful spirits hiding out in these parts