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She inclined her head, “We, as the Council of Elders, offer our apologies for doubting you, and for our disparaging thoughts that were directed at you.”
General Jakarah rose to her feet, “We hereby bestow upon you the rank of Ranger, along with all honors and privileges thereby associated. If there is anything we can provide, please, just let us know. We will assign messengers to stand vigil outside your abode. Should your services be needed, we will send word. We believe the forces of Kartha will take time to recover, but we will call upon you when next she makes her move. Please, take your leave for now and relax and prepare for the next time that duty calls.”
Tavorwen squeezed my hand and we bowed, then Tavorwen used my hand to lead me from the amphitheater. Creadean took my other hand with a smile and the two matrons led me to my home, where the rest of my household waited, anxious to hear what had made their sister matrons so excited.
~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile….
A shadow elf soldier trembled as she lay prostrate on her knees. The obsidian stone floor was as cold as the eyes of the she-elf who sat enthroned before her, on an immense and ornate throne. Snakes encircled the throne, snakes formed the armrests and a giant snake formed the back with a fan of other snakes to each side. Each snake’s mouth was open and drops of poison were visible on the fangs of the serpents.
“Forgive me, Captain,” The cold voice of the enthroned elf bit into the ears of the quivering she-elf, “but I could have sworn you just told me my soldiers were completely thwarted, and sent running… by a series of mysterious deaths?” Her breath made her large breasts rise and fall as she glared at the fearful being before her, and her large hips filled her throne.
“Yes, Queen. There was a ringing crack and then death was immediate.” The fearful captain stuttered.
“AI’VAIA!” The queen shouted, rising to her feet and pointing at the trembling captain.
The prostrated elf jerked upright, a scream torn from her throat, blood began dripping from her eyes and her veins pulsed black. Then she fell backward, stiff as with rigor mortis as though she had been dead for some time.
Kathra, Queen of the Shadow Elves, sat fuming. “Get rid of this trash.” She ordered with a snap. Two younger females rushed in and pulled the corpse from the room.
She drummed her fingers on the arm of the throne, “Where is Gla’dir?” She snapped.Copyright by Nôv/elDrama.Org.
“I am here, my queen.” A male voice acknowledged.
“What is this tool the forest bitches have brought against us?” Kathra demanded of her advisor.
The man stroked his hairless chin. “I can come to but one conclusion. Our soldiers guard the Temple of Fate, but it is possible, if not likely that Audriul was able to get a representative into the temple and the summoning was performed before we learned of their acquisition of the summoning crystal and their intent, then moved to block it.”
“Impossible. It is a four day journey on foot from their precious forest to the Temple of Fate and you assure me that teleportation to the temple was impossible.” Kathra raged at her advisor.
“You are correct. For most, the trip would be a four day journey. The magical ley lines of the temple render it impervious to may such magics and we found out about the summoning crystal within moments of the Wood Elves acquiring it, thanks to our seers, and we had a dozen mages watching for any long range teleportation magics, that they might divert such attempts to the center of the mountain volcano.” Gla’dir declared. “However, it is possible that an elite and well selected elf might have made the journey by pushing herself harder than most can. If this were the case…” He cocked his head, “For example, if she were able to reach the temple in two days, she could have arrived just before our soldiers and perhaps performed the summoning escaping with her summon just before our soldiers arrived.”
Kathra’s face contorted into a sneer, “An elf so strong she could travel at double the speed of any of her sisters? You believe they possess such soldiers? Why have they not made their effect on the battlefield?”
Gla’dir shook his head. “Oh? And have our most elite forces take part in every battle we have ever fought? No. Such soldiers must be used sparingly, else there is risk of your most valuable soldiers being wasted. No, I think that is the most reasonable assumption as there is no evidence of magic in the description given by our former Captain. There was no reference to sounds of incantations, no light, and no warning. Simply a cracking noise and the victim falling dead. You know as well as I that any target of magic must hear the incantation in order to be affected. That is why we conjure fire. Conjuring fire and throwing the fire allows us to exceed the range of our voices with our magic. When Uluthir tried to rally our forces, she never tried to activate her amulet of magic repulsion, which she could easily do before an incantation was completed, but she fell dead with no warning.”
He began to pace. “No, we are dealing with something new and dangerous. And I can think of but one explanation. The wood elves were able to complete their summon and their summon has revealed at least one of their abilities. We must be very cautious.”
Kathra slammed her hand on her throne. “Damn them all to the Eleven Hells! Gla’dir… go to my chambers. I will come to you when I am ready and your performance had better be better this time. I know you are simply a weak, worthless man, but surely you can at least satisfy me. Your intelligence among the worthless males is your only value to me as I try to finally bear a child worth raising to take my place one day. Perhaps a man with your brain will be able to sire a child worth their food.”
Kathra’s gaze fell on a female kneeling on the hard stone to her left. A white sigil circled her neck and the emotionless gaze of the girl flinched at reference to a worthless child.
“All of you, leave me!” Kathra snapped.
Gla’dri, the sigil-bearing maiden and a dozen servants hiding behind the columns.
Kathra screamed her frustration once the room was empty. She stood and walked behind her throne, where a statue of a glowing blue she-elf stood.
“Oh, great Ya’av! Mother of my people! Guide me as I seek vengeance on those who cast us out.” She proclaimed, raising her arms to the statue. The statue’s eyes glowed and Kathra smiled, prepared to hear the will of her Goddess.