“Yo, lazy ass, wake up.” Were the
words accompanying the sharp prodding I felt in my ribs, waking me from
possibly the worst nightmare I had in my life.
“Ugh, do you really have to poke me
that hard?” I managed blurt out before yawning loudly.
“Dude, I’ve been at this for a good
twenty minutes, it was like you were possessed! You were squirming and calling
out for people to hold the gate and to protect the king. Are you feeling alright?”
The voice said.
I rubbed my eyes and stretched. “Of
course I’m alright. It was just a dream, don’t worry about it. What’s for
breakfast then David?” I said as I knelt down for my blade. It didn’t pay to be
unprepared in foreign lands, regardless of the ruler’s affiliation.
“If you say so, I’ll believe you.” He said
with his head half in the knapsack he was rummaging in. “Well, we have some
mutton and half a loaf of bread, we could probably scrounge up some eggs from
the trees nearby too, what do you think?”
“Sounds good. You get the fire going
and ill find us some bits.”
The
morning air was cool and relaxed me some after last night’s episode. The forest
we had camped in lay to the east of the kingdom, and was partially governed by
an Elven family. After the battle our forces had become scattered, and I wasn’t
entirely sure that the king had made it out. Curse our stupidity. Curse MY
stupidity. I had been so foolish to fall for the ploy. I was so sure it was Erzoth
though! I hit the tree with the blunt edge of my blade and several small birds
flew from the branches. Deftly I clambered up the trunk to reach the branches
closer to the top, where the birds’ nests were. Groping around, I found four
small speckled eggs; I called David over and tossed them down, before dropping
to the ground myself. Then we went back to the fire and prepared breakfast.
We
were almost finished when we heard a faint laughing from nearby.
“Who goes there?” David called, mouth
half full of bread.
“Oh, nothing but us shrubs” Came a
whisper faintly on the wind.
“Don’t try to trick us; we are
respected men of Halsdorm!” I called out.
“Oh, make no mistake, oh wise men of
Halsdorm, we do not wish to trick you, merely to... test you.” Replied the
whisper.
“A test? What kind of test?” David
said after swallowing his bread.
“A test to simply prove you are who
you say you are. If you are truly men of the elder king Halsdorm, you shall lay
your weapons by your feet and utter the oath.” The whisper said.
David looked puzzled and was about to
say something when I drew my blade and placed it on the floor.
“What are you doing!?” He cried. “They
could be agents of Erzoth for all we know!”
“I think not my friend. If they know
of the oath then they must be close to the king. Now come, place your blade
down and recite with me.” I said.
Reluctantly, he did the same and we
sat cross legged by the fire and recited the Kings Oath.
“Very good men of Halsdorm, you have
done as I wished, and I shall now reveal myself to you.” Came the whisper once
more, closer than before. With a rustle of a nearby bush, out popped a forest
sprite, a friend of elves. “My name is Lucinda; I come as a messenger from my
lord master Eleanor of the Southern kingdoms. She heard of the plight of your
kingdom and wishes to repay the kindness you and your king showed to us in our
time of need.”
“You mean to say the Elves know of
what happened already, even though it happened last eve? And what has become of
King Tyrule? Why is it that his daughter is leading the fair southern elves?” I
quizzed.
“Of course. The elves are the first to
know everything in this world. You should know this! They have eyes and ears in
many places of this world. Not much can be hidden from the elves. As for your
second question, King Tyrule fell sick many years ago, and his son Isemburd was
slain in battle against a recently quelled second coming of the Kul’Ermayne,
leaving only Eleanor to lead her people.” She replied.
“I see...” I said slowly. Me and David
had much to think about.
“If you are ready and willing, I shall
have transport for your journey to Faxenglade ready within the hour, brave
knights of Halsdorm.” And with that, Lucinda whizzed off between the trees.
“Doesn’t seem like we have much choice
in the matter.” Muttered David.
“You are right. Elves rarely like to
leave things to other races. We shall just have to trust their judgement.
Mayhap they found King Halsdorm, and we may be able to regroup to take the
fight back to Erzoth.” I replied.
“I suppose so. Doesn’t sit well with
me though, I know you have history with them, but I just can’t trust them, what
with their eyes everywhere. You heard Lucinda; they could be working for Erzoth!”
“Nay, I wouldn’t think that for a
minute. The Elves are worthy of your trust my friend, you have my word on this.
Come, we need to get ready for our journey.”
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