Walking the giant forest, with my elven companions, it was a silent trek to the village. Thankfully, it didn't take long for us to reach the ten feet high wall of the elven village. Strangely enough, the wall was made from stone with vines growing all over it and entwined the stones, I wondered if they gave the wall an extra layer of protection? Seeing stone walls in the middle of a tight forest, however, was a little jarring, but it was built for practicality over looks and, I couldn't fault them for that.
The first thing I noticed was the guards who stood atop it, they were all young, the same age as the boy that met us in the forest. It was another glaring issue that was gnawing at my brain, but I just had to swallow my curiosity for now, as I doubt anyone would be willing to answer any questions.
However, seeing the group of elves approaching, the guards on top gave a signal for the gates to open for them but gave me a look filled with both hostility and suspicion as their eyes landed on me.
Inside the walls, I saw a village like any other. However, the wood and stone used by some of the houses seem to glow in parts from luminescent moss. Each house had their own herb patch or vegetable garden, that seemed to be overgrown slightly with weeds, here and there. Which made this village seem like one giant garden than an actual village.
But the biggest thing I noticed was the lack of people and it wasn't because they were hiding, as I would have seen the curtains twitch, or movement coming from inside. In a village that was just below the size of a typical town, I had only seen a few dozen people as we journeyed deeper into the village. Which meant that there was something serious at play. Something that had to do with the population, which was concerning, seeing as elves were the race that had the least number of in comparison with the other races.
I would have thought that the recently released elves would have wanted to rush on home. However, they did not and instead followed us towards a large house that sat far in the back of the village.
It wasn't an impressive looking house. It was large, plain and looked more like a military barracks than a home. But then the elves aren't one for lavish things and it made sense that the Lord of this land would live in something that looked like a military installation, considering the elves ideology.
Being met at the entrance of this large building by more guards. This time however, they weren't children playing soldier, they were old and judging by their pure white hair, in their twilight years, men and women, who stood in loosely fitting guard uniforms.
They greeted the elves in my party with gentle looks, but me they treated with curiosity. 'I suppose it's better than hostility.' I mused as I stood silently and let Zale do all the talking.
It wasn't long before we were let into the building. The interior was plain, clean and had the faint smell of cleaning chemicals which seemed out of place. Even clinics or houses of healing smelt less chemically than this house did.
But as an outsider, who didn't have the authority to ask questions, let alone walk the corridors myself, I kept quiet and walked on.
We soon came to a large set of ornate doors, each of the dark wooden doors, had been delicately carved and was the only fancy looking thing I had seen since entering the building.
Zale knocked solidly onto the doors and stood to attention as she waited for an answer. A few moments passed before a tired man's voice called out. "Enter." It was a single word, but the extent of the arrogance and snobbishness contained in that one word was impressive.
Opening the door as soon as she heard the voice, as to not leave her lord waiting. Everyone filtered through the door, and I was the second to last one to enter, as the boy soldier insisted for me to enter before him. I sighed and entered.
The room was an office, if the large desk was anything to go by. The elven man that sat behind said desk had short blonde-white hair and an unmistakable self-important air to him. He sat at the immaculate desk with a glass of red wine, half emptied as he looked out of the window that overlooked the village.
"Zale, you have returned, and with a guest." The snobbish elf said, with a slight raised eyebrow as he turned to look at us.
"Yes, my lord. I have returned with an update regarding my mission." Zale spoke, while stood to attention.
"I can see that you have indeed made some progress." He replied, looking at the three dishevelled elves, who stood with their heads bowed.
"Then, make your report." He added, leaning back in his chair and giving Zale his full attention.
"Yes, my lord." Zale said, as she took a moment to compose herself.
"I followed the traces left by the trespassers through the forest. However, as soon as the traces left the forest, I couldn't follow them any further. So, I used the information and maps that I was given and decided to head to the nearest city to gather information, as I concluded that I would find someone who knew something about illegal trades in the city." She started to explain. I too was curious to hear how the beginning of the tale started.
"I see. Then, is this the human who you found?" The lord asked, indicating that I was the black-market peddler. I will admit that I felt slightly offended.
"No, my lord. The man who I met directed me towards a suspicious man, who resided at a nearby inn. Upon arrival, I found that the door to the room was ajar, as I headed inside, that was when I met this man. He was also investigating the suspicious man I was after." Zale quickly explained before any misunderstandings could take hold. Though, I found it amusing that she glossed over the circumstances of our meeting, but that would probably cause more problems that it's worth.
"I see. Then, if I might ask, why is he here?" The lord asked, interrupting Zale once more. I was starting to wonder whether he liked the sound of his own voice, or whether he thought he was the smartest person in the room. Either way, he was starting to grate on me.
"Because he has made a pledge with me and our house to help return the captured elves and to eliminate those responsible." Zale replied. She seemed to be the same as she was when entered this room. However, I noticed a slight change in her voice. I would have guessed that she too found the repeat interruptions to be annoying.
"Hmm, I see. Then, as the current head of house Mauilin, I recognise your honour and release you from your pledge." The lord's voice was filled with a haughty tone and a dismissive attitude. I saw that Zale clenched her hands into a ball but bit her tongue as she couldn't speak out against her lord. Even when he was pissing all over the pledge and my honour.
"I refuse." I spoke plainly. My annoyance had reached its peak and couldn't hold back any longer.
"How dare you!" The young elf behind me yelled, his voice filled with anger and hostility. I could see that he was reaching for the sword hilt that rested on his hip.
"A pledge was made, with mine and my families honour on the line. While you are the current head of house Mauilin, you are but one party involved in the pledge. So, you do not hold the authority to dismiss my honour so flippantly." I spoke in a calm and clear voice. However, the displeasure dripped from each word I spoke.
"Y-You filthy human! How dare you speak to the lord in such a disrespectful manner!" having reached the peak of his anger. The young elf hissed out his anger and went to unsheathe his weapon.
However, before he could pull the blade out a few inches, I had spun on my heels and pushed onto the hilt, blocking him from pulling it out any further.
"I wouldn't if I were you, boy. A blade drawn against another can only be sheathed when drenched in blood." My voice was low and menacing, as I stared straight into his eyes.
"Then, what do you want in return? I heard that humans like to get paid for their service. How much would it cost for you to dissolve this pledge?" The haughty elf asked, sitting in his chair looking mildly disinterested.
My irritation grew at his remark into full blown anger. The air around me began to ripple and the heat in the room grew by several degrees.
"What a pitiful excuse for a lord." My voice was quiet, but everyone in the room heard my voice and stood stock still, completely flabbergasted by my words. Even the pompous elf behind the desk was in shock.