Reign of the Dark Elves Read online

  “How would you have known the wraith was there if I had not told you?” Liana asked looking up at the sky through the branches of the trees to see if she could spot the sun.

  “They almost always follow those with magic, and as such we have ways of dealing with the threat. I would have spotted it eventually.”

  Although Liana didn’t exactly doubt those words, she wasn’t certain that Brenion was just playing down the seriousness of the situation they now found themselves in.

  With the sun passing over them in the sky, Liana was glad when Brenion finally called a halt and suggested they rest for a while. As using her skills while walking was difficult, as soon as was possible for her to do so Liana sat and calmed her thoughts. However, it was not to check the position of the wraith or whether it was still following them, but to see if she could sense Ari. Unsure of how far she could detect, Laina was somewhat disappointed when at just a few hundred paces there was nothing visible. She supposed everything had its limits, and while she could indeed sense the dark mass of evil that had been tailing them all morning, Ari was beyond her scope of vision.

  “We will rest here and eat, then move on until dark. I don’t want to be in here when night falls,” Brenion told her.

  “What about Ari? If we leave the forest how will he keep track of us?”

  Brenion looked at her as if deciding on his next words carefully, “We won’t move too far away from the forest. We will be camping out tonight, and I’ll make sure he has some way of spotting us.”

  Liana nodded, and while she wasn’t sure exactly how Brenion planned to do that, the answer he gave was sufficient enough to calm her fears they were ditching Ari and leaving him behind.

  Liana opened up her pack she had been carrying and for the first time since leaving Denfort actually looked at what she had been given. Aside from the water bottle, she had been drinking from, and the obvious rolled blanket that sat atop of the pack, there were a number of other items. As well as several separate packages of food, all of varying types, and a flint for lighting fires, although she doubted they would need that due to Brenion’s particular ability. There was also a cup, bowl and spoon as well a spare pair of socks and another shirt. Plenty, Liana thought for someone to survive out in the wild for quite a few days without having to struggle; something else that put her mind at rest regarding Ari. Although she knew he was probably smart enough to take care of himself anyway, knowing Ari had the same supplies as she carried was comforting to her.

  With the day dragging on, and Liana’s legs starting to ache, the pair of them eventually stepped out of the forest into a far different kind of environment. Gone were the rolling meadows and fields she had seen earlier that morning, replaced now by rolling hills and gorse bushes.

  “Does anybody live around here,” she asked turning her head and scanning the area to see if she could see any signs of life.

  “A few smaller villages. The soil is not so good around here, so it is much less populated,” Brenion explained suggesting they go a bit further yet, before setting up camp. Before continuing any further, Liana closed her eyes for a moment just to see what her inner senses could detect. The wraith was still behind them, little more than a hundred paces away, unseen just on the edge of the treeline. She sighed heavily as Ari did not show and although wanting to wait for him to catch up, knew this was all part of Brenion’s greater plan.

  Chapter 7.

  With the last of the daylight fading fast, Brenion guided them over to an area he seemingly knew well, suggesting to Liana that he had travelled this way and stayed here before. At the base of a steep incline were several large pieces of stone, which he informed her were once part of a great wall that had stood around the base of the hill to protect the town that had grown up on top of it. However, even this town had long since passed from the landscape before the Dark Elves had arrived, its demise apparently just time itself. Over the centuries the people had moved away to farm better lands, and the timber homes on the hill fell and rotted away back into the ground. The wall had just fallen foul of neglect and the elements, and while some of it still stood, most was now little more than piles of rubble, similar to where they were making camp.

  The pair started to set camp, picking a spot that Brenion assured them would keep them better protected, not only from the elements but anything else that might decide to wander past. With the steep incline at their backs and several large stones left and right, Brenion had seemingly picked a good spot. However, while she started gathering a few sticks and bits of dry gorse to start a fire, she paused and watched Brenion. The mage, or sorcerer whichever he was supposed to be, lifted his hands moving them palms out from side to side as if smearing something on an invisible wall. Moreover, she could hear him mumbling the same words over and over, though she could not make out what it was he was supposed to be saying.

  Brenion turned and noticed he was being glared at, “A little precautionary measure,” he said answering the question she was about to ask. “It will give us a little protection should anything decide to sneak up on us in the darkness,” he added although did not state how.

  Liana was more concerned about Ari, “What happens if Ari tried to get back to us?”

  “Ari has a job to do first. He knows what needs to be done, if and when he returns I’ll remove the spell, so it does not hurt him.”

  Liana glared Brenion’s direction for a while holding his stare, before relenting and deciding to continue collecting the wood needed to start a fire.

  Placing several smaller stones and putting them in a circle, Liana watched as Brenion put a little dried-gorse and a few small sticks in the centre. Then with a click of his fingers and without the aid of any flint, they burst into flame. After adding a few of the larger sticks she had collected, Brenion then sat back and opened his pack before laying his blanket out on the ground. Deciding she should probably do likewise, Liana mirrored his actions although made sure her blanket was the other side of the small fire they had lit.

  With darkness falling and the light from the fire becoming more prominent, Liana glanced out into the open space and beyond. In the distance was the forest they had travelled, and while she hoped to see Ari walking her way, she knew he was probably still doing the task Brenion had set for him. Although she knew Ari was to travel much further behind them, the actual purpose or reasoning behind it had not been fully explained to her. If he was to trail the wraith, how would he be able to see it? Surely if the being stopped, Ari would merely walk on by and not even know it was there. Perhaps the creature may take its true form and sneak up behind Ari; a thought that suddenly had Liana filled with dread.

  “Check for the wraith please,” Brenion asked as he opened up one of his food parcels to reveal a piece of cheese and a bread roll. Liana wondered if she had the same in her pack, although thought it best to do as was asked first. Sitting on her blanket, Liana closed her eyes, and concentrated on the area around her, something that she was fast becoming used to. Each time she used her inner senses, as Brenion referred to them, the easier it was for her to do so. Starting as she always did, using herself as the point of origin Liana slowly looked beyond. There was Brenion of course immediately beside her, and a few small wild animals scurrying about in the darkness just a few paces from the other side of the rocks that hemmed them in.

  Liana gasped as she found a being she did not recognise, yet despite its shape and size, she knew it was the wraith. The same feeling of evil and darkness emitted from it, but now covered by the darkness, it had revealed its true form; a development she immediately passed on to Brenion.

  “Good. I knew it must be close to exhaustion. It will need to keep that shape for several hours before it has regenerated enough power to change again.”

  Moreover, Brenion warned her that they needed to stay calm, and if something happened, he did not want her acting as she had the previous day in the forest.

  “I do not have another potion with which to revive your energy, so plea
se don’t do anything foolish. Promise me?” Brenion asked.

  “What if Ari is in danger and I need to help?” she asked again putting the young man foremost in her thoughts.

  “Leave that to me. Now, promise me!”

  Liana sighed and realising Brenion had not let her down thus far, knew she had little option but to agree.

  Ari, as Brenion had requested, stayed crouched down just on the edge of the forest. The sorcerer had warned him not to stay the night in among the trees, no matter the circumstances. Having followed the signs left for him, Ari had stopped about half a mile away from where he could see the campfire. Flickering in the blackness of night it had been easy to spot, and a signal for him to wait. At first, he was not sure what it was he was supposed to be waiting for, but when it had revealed itself, he almost choked on the mouthful of water he had been swallowing at the time. Seemingly out of nowhere a strange figure had appeared, a dark shape to small to be a man, and yet too wide to be a child. Staying as calm and quiet as he could, he watched this dark figure move around as if it were pacing from side to side waiting impatiently for something.

  Doing as Brenion had instructed him, Ari stayed awake even though he felt tired and exhausted from the long day’s travel. Though the thought of that man being alone with Liana did not sit well with him, he kept reassuring himself it was just his mind coming up with foolish and jealous notions. Surely Liana would not be interested in a man who must be nearly twice her age and probably almost old enough to be her father. With heavy eyes, Ari watched dutifully on, knowing he was doing this for Liana’s sake and that by staying awake he would be helping her. Just as he was beginning to think the strange oddly shaped little beast was going to do nothing but pace back and forth, it suddenly darted forward much quicker and heading towards the small campfire.

  As quickly as he could, Ari got to his feet, although trying to remain quiet while running was not as easy as he thought. Thankfully, the Wraith seemed fully focused on what was ahead rather than any clatter he was making behind. For a small creature, the wraith certainly covered the open ground much quicker than Ari had anticipated and only pushing his legs as hard as he could did he make up any ground. The wraith was almost at the site of the campfire when it suddenly cried out and stopped in its tracks. A piercing, high pitched cry reverberated around the place as Ari pulled his sword free from its scabbard and charged headlong towards to the stunned creature.

  Ari spotted Liana sitting up from the ground, silhouetted against the light of the campfire and Brenion doing likewise just a short distance away from her. Without giving it any thought, Ari thrust the blade of his sword forward piercing through the back of the wraith and did not stop until the point protruded through the other side. The beast let out a loud howl and cry as its arms flailed wildly before suddenly stopping and going limp. With his heart racing and the adrenaline pumping, Ari pulled the blade free and kicked the beast to the ground.

  Brenion waved away his magical protection allowing Liana to run over and greet Ari before the lad had a chance to come the other way.

  “Oh, thank goodness you’re safe!” Liana said leaping over and wrapping her arms around his neck. Ari merely stood there with his arms hanging at his side and sword still in hand. Although happy for Liana to be so close to him, Ari was feeling very weary and tired. Liana, meanwhile, slowly withdrew her arms when she realised that perhaps she had been a little hasty and was maybe being a little too forward.

  “Well done lad!” Brenion said patting Ari on the shoulder, before poking the wraith with the toe end of his boot. “Get some rest I’ll dispose of this.”

  Ari nodded, and although Liana seemed to have a million questions for him to answer, he took up a position next to hers besides the fire. After laying out his blanket roll he lay down and closed his eyes, but then felt Liana beside him and placing her arm across his chest. The day may have been a long and tiring one, but it was certainly worth it.

  Brenion grabbed the strange looking creature by one of its elongated arms and dragged it away from their camp, its dark leathery skin was cold to the touch despite only being dead no more than a few minutes. Letting go of the beast, Brenion lifted the palm of his hand and sent down a blast of flame, setting the body of the wraith on fire to dispose of the corpse. Happy the flames had taken hold, and by morning time the carcass would be little more than ash and bone, Brenion headed back over to the camp. Noticing Liana and Ari together beside the fire he afforded a smile before turning around and replacing the magical enchantments that would give them protection, should any more strange creatures come wandering by.

  Brenion placed a little more wood on the dwindling fire before settling down on his own bedroll. Both Ari and Liana, he thought would make excellent additions to the numbers of the Free-Folk, and that perhaps those living in the villages and towns under the control of the Dark Elves were not yet a lost cause. Having seen so many people just resign themselves to a life of slavery and subservience, Brenion was beginning to think the will of men had waned and died, forever to live in the shadows of their oppressors. Yet here in this young man and woman he thought that hope still lingered for a brighter and better future. With that satisfying thought in mind, the sorcerer settled down, closed his eyes and went to sleep.

  After what had seemed no more than a few moments, Liana opened her eyes and realised it was nearly dawn. The sky was already starting to lighten, and although she thought of waking Ari still lying beside her in the same position as they had been when going to sleep, she decided to let him rest a little longer. After carefully and quietly sitting up, she stretched out her aching muscles before leaning over and picking up a few sticks to put on the dying embers of their fire. She was startled as she looked over to Brenion and his eyes suddenly flickered open as if he knew she was looking. Noticing she was struggling to get the flames to take the sorcerer duly obliged in assisting, reaching his hand over and flicking his fingers just slightly causing the flames to rise up just a little.

  “Think we’ll have a hot drink to start the day off,” Brenion said keeping his voice low so not to wake Ari.

  “Is he still sleeping?”

  Liana nodded that was indeed the case.

  “Okay, but we can not afford to give him too long. Perhaps another half hour, then we need to think about moving on,” Brenion told her. Liana watched as the man reached into his pack and took out a metal pan which he then filled with water from his bottle, before placing it carefully on the fire. Brenion then took out a small tin, and after unscrewing the lid tipped whatever was inside into the water. Noticing her somewhat confused look Brenion grinned, “Its coffee,” he told her. “Helps get you going in the morning,” he added, chuckling to himself at the thought that she had never seen it before. In a way, he considered it a sad thing, that Liana and probably Ari and thousands of others like them had not been given a chance to savour even the smallest luxuries in life.

  Liana had searched through her own pack and having found an apple of all things inside, had decided that would be more than sufficient for her breakfast. She watched on with some intrigue as Brenion waited for the water to boil, then after wrapping part of his sleeve around his hand took the pan off the fire. Suddenly a thought occurred to her, and although now may not have been the time for such questions she asked it anyway.

  “If you can produce fire with your hands, why do you need to wrap something around them to stop them from burning when picking up the hot pan?”

  Brenion looked up from what he was doing, “Pass me your cup, oh and get Ari’s from his pack while you're at it,” Brenion said not answering what she had asked.

  Liana did as was instructed, and with an expectant look on her face, Brenion knew she wanted an answer.

  Although the light was still poor, he put his hand forward for her to see. Liana gasped as she noticed the skin was red and sore looking as if it had been burned.

  “When I produce fire it still burns my hands. Like I told you before, magic always
comes at a price. Yes it is sore, and my flames don’t burn me as much as they would another person, but I’m kind of used to it now and so long as I don’t overdo things it seems to heal quite quickly.”

  Liana nodded, as she watched Brenion move his hand away understanding now that magic was not the gift she had first envisaged it to be.

  Brenion passed her cup back over towards her, now containing the strange drink he had been making. After holding it up to her face just a little, she inhaled the aroma coming from it. “Smells so good,” she said taking in another deep breath. Ari started stirring next to her, and after opening his eyes to see Liana and Brenion already awake thought he best do likewise.

  “What is that smell?” he asked catching a whiff of the coffee.

  “A drink Brenion made us. Here you have one too,” Liana answered picking his cup up from beside the fire and handing it to him. Brenion chuckled as both Liana and Ari both pulled faces as they tried coffee for the first time.

  “It smells nice, but the taste is…well, I’m not sure really,” Liana said unable to think of a word to describe what she thought.

  “Tastes like dirt!” Ari added although that did not stop him taking a few more sips from his cup.