Chapter 4
“Unseen Enemies”
Aylith and Twaylee traversed the rocky, forested hills and valleys. Coming to a creek, the greater nymph leaned against a tree and panted, “We must rest.” She sat, drank from her flask and told her companion, “Hard travel after a hard fight... saps what little strength remains.”
Twaylee warned, “The goblins in these woods shall soon be after us.”
“I know, but I am too weary. Twaylee..., I must rest.”
The littler nymph nodded. She drank from her own flask and then praised, “You slew so many. Even their greater fays were no match for you!”
“I surprised them.”
Twaylee shrugged, “You won.”
“Twaylee, never celebrate the death of another. Should we revel in bloodshed then we shall be no better than our enemies.”
“You always say that.”
“Yes, and I have never lied to you.”
“The dark elves began this war. They deserve to die.”
Aylith spat juice. “Twaylee! Their little ones are not so different from you!” The sprite shook her head. “Yes! They trust those greater than themselves to be wise and just. The evil they serve is not their own.”
Twaylee reminded, “You kill them. You kill many of them!”
“Sadly, I must. They are loyal and obedient to those who mean us harm.”
“They should not obey.”
“They believe they are doing right!”
Twaylee shrugged.
Aylith claimed, “Under the same tutelage as they, you would hate me as your enemy.”
“I would not!”
“Yes, Twaylee. For better or for worse, morality is bestowed upon the lesser by the greater. Why else would disobedience be naughtiness?”
The littler elf insisted, “I decide for myself what is right.”
“Yes. It is our will for you to do so... as it is the will of the enemy for those lesser to believe and obey.”
Twaylee sulked. She did not like Aylith saying such hurtful things!
The companions continued on, scurrying through the forest, splashing across a shallow brook and scaling a cliff. They rested then hurried on, up, over and through the rugged landscape. Twaylee warned, “Our haste is leaving an easier trail to follow.”
“That is why we scaled the cliff. Let them climb if they wish to find us.”
“I thought you were weary!”
“I am.”
Twaylee was too proud to say it, but she was weary trying to keep up with Aylith!
They eventually stopped and pulled out their food and flasks for lunch. As they ate, Twaylee wondered, “Is it true the dark elves do not honor their dead?”
“Do not judge them as if our culture is theirs.”
“I am not! That is why I am asking.”
Aylith explained, “They think, feel and act as one. To them, their success is the success of them all, thus, their fallen are to be honored with victory.”
“No prayers or burial?”
“Prayers, perhaps, but only burial if they must. They believe it foolish for the living to toil for the dead.”
“You killed so many. What will they do with the bodies?”
“Load them onto wagons then dump them in the wilderness.”
“How cold!”
“Twaylee, be mindful that their culture is not ours. Though you do not see it, there is wisdom in their ways: What does it matter to the dead to be buried or not?”
“To show that you loved them!”
“To the dark elves, victory honors and avenges all who have fallen. They show their love... but in their own way.”
Twaylee snorted. Aylith always wanted to think and speak well of everyone– even the dark elves.
After lunch and a long moment of rest, the companions continued on. Twaylee hoped, “May we go slower?” Aylith chuckled and nodded. Embarrassed, the sprite defended, “My legs are not as long as yours!”
The greater fay kissed the lesser and assured, “You are doing quite well, my dedicated companion. We should go slower... so as to leave shallower tracks.”
“Thank you!”
As evening approached, Aylith and Twaylee nestled atop a rocky ledge and ate supper. The little nymph asked, “Are we to camp here?”
“Yes.”
Twaylee went off to relieve herself. When she returned, she found Aylith already sleeping. “You were as weary as you claimed.” Twaylee lied next to her big companion, kissed her and snuggled up to her.
“Twaylee?” Aylith uttered without waking.
Twaylee giggled. She liked questing with Aylith... and she enjoyed these calm, simple moments the best.
The Sylvan Army, the army of the wood elves, was the largest of the Blessed Court, but it was one without fortresses or barracks. Its soldiers were spread out across the wilderness, ever ready to bring their numbers together when called to do so by the Good Mothers.
Most elves were sprites and most sprites were nymphs, as were most elfin soldiers. The Sylvan Army was no different. Dryads were their little nymphs and by their vast numbers, they were the true strength of their people.
A dryad’s long, auburn hair was braided into pigtails, so as to lessen the need for washing and grooming. She was naked, so as to be as nimble as she could be. She wielded a spear-sword, for she was a soldier in the Sylvan Army of the Blessed Court.
Twaylee asked her, “Why are you not camouflaged?”
The wood nymph answered, “I am to march on patrol, not raid nor ambush.”
“Yes, but should you not be unseen as you patrol?”
“No,” another dryad, one wielding a bow, answered. “One who is clearly seen is unlikely to be struck by a friendly arrow.”
Twaylee laughed, “An arrow that strikes you is not your friend!”
Twaylee awoke believing she was still a soldier in the Royal Army, posted in Fay Dendria– thus she was surprised to find herself staring into the smiling face of a greater nymph! “Good morning, Twaylee.”
“Aylith?” the sprite remembered.
“Yes. You were enjoying amusing memories to giggle so often as you did.”
“Did I wake you?”
“No. I slept well. I simply enjoyed watching your lively countenance. You are so cute as you rest.”
Twaylee rolled her eyes. Was she nothing but silly to Aylith? She explained, “I was remembering when I was posted in Fay Dendria. I was asking a soldier in the Sylvan Army why she was not camouflaged.”
Aylith noted, “Our soldiers are seldom camouflaged.”
“Yes, but we are not wood elves!”
“What does it matter? Only scouts, messengers or raiding parties among them paint themselves camouflaged.”
“I know. I was asking her why.”
“What did she tell you?”
“She did not want to be shot by a ‘friendly’ arrow.”
“Such an arrow is not friendly.”
“I know! That is what I told her.”
After doing their stretches, the companions ate breakfast.
“Aylith?”
“Yes, Twaylee.”
“Do you like bringing me with you on your adventures?”
“Our quests are to serve the common good. We do not adventure for the fun of it.” The greater fay considered the lesser’s feelings, “I enjoy your company whether on a quest or not. I am always glad you are with me.”
“Do I help you?”
“Yes! Twaylee, you are much better at dealing with locks and traps than I am. There were doors I could not breach, but never when you were with me.”
“What do you do when you cannot unlock a door?”
“When something must be done, find a way, even if it proves out of the way.”
Twaylee compared, “Like we did on this quest.”
“Yes; and as we have oft done before.”
Twaylee giggled, “More often than not!”
&
nbsp; The two soon climbed down from the ledge and continued on. They again passed up and over hills and through valleys of this beautiful yet rugged land. The rocks and forest were their friends, hiding them, but could easily turn against them and become the invisibility of the enemy. Twaylee wondered, “How many goblins live in this region?”
“Perhaps thousands.”
“Thousands?”
“Perhaps. Be wary: though unseen, they could be anywhere.”
“I know.”
The companions of the Eye and Ear passed under the cool shade of a rocky gorge. Twaylee remarked, “Dwarves would like this part of our trek.”
“Not likely. There is nothing precious to be found in these rocks.”
“How do you know?”
Aylith did not answer.
Twaylee wondered, “Are the dwarves comfortable living underground?”
“Yes. Their cities, though deep in the earth, are lit and warmed by daylight and the air is always fresh.”
“How?”
“Shafts. Though they live underground, they are not buried alive!”
“Aylith, should you ever return to their kingdoms, please bring me with you.”
“I will.”
The elves were delighted to return to the warm, fragrant forest. Twaylee uttered, “I know the dwarves and gnomes mine for precious metals and stones, but do they want to live underground?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Aylith explained, “Our kind love the forest, but to a dwarf, a tree is nothing but lumber.”
“What about the gnomes?”
“Gnomes are fascinated by everything. Though they all live underground, some of them are as fond of trees as we are.”
“Interesting. What about the trolls? Did you meet any?”
“Yes. Of all the races that dwell within the earth, trolls are the most polite. They are so polite that it is easy to be fond of them... yet never truly know them.”
The two stopped to eat a light lunch then continued on. Twaylee giggled then commented, “My friends in the army would be amazed to know I have already seen battle.”
“Never tell them.”
“I shall not!”
Aylith neither glimpsed movement nor heard a noise, yet she felt... uneasy. She raised her hand to warn Twaylee... but Twaylee was gone! Aylith drew her sword and hid.
A goblin archer relaxed his pull as the tall elf ducked out of his view. Where had the littler one gone? Suddenly he was grabbed over the mouth, pressed down and stabbed!
Twaylee held the struggling goblin down and twisted her knife... unnoticing that another was nearby and aiming at her!
Aylith heard an arrow zip into something soft. Twaylee? Twaylee?! Aylith wanted to call out to her!
Aylith glimpsed and dodged an arrow zipping towards her head! She rolled away and scurried to new cover. She looked about but could not find her attacker... or attackers. She crawled on, mindful not to leave the initiative to the enemy. A form disappeared ahead of her. Was it a goblin? Whatever it was, it was hidden and awaiting her. Aylith crawled about, changing directions readily so as not to be flanked. She heard rustling behind her! She took cover behind a tree and waited. Only stillness.
The menace, whether one, few or many, was goblin. No mere elfin conscript ever proved so stealthy. Oh, Aylith would rather contend with fierce orcs and mighty ogres than a sneaky little goblin! She could not find them yet they were ever upon her!
In one stark instant, Aylith peered into the bright blue eyes of a goblin behind his drawn arrow. He loosed! The arrow zipped past Aylith’s ear and sunk into the tree behind her!
The goblin was again unseen and unheard... yet his chilling presence remained.
Twaylee dared open her eye: as she had hoped, her attacker believed her dead and left her where she lay. Now he was after Aylith! Twaylee removed her pouch; the one skewered and pinned to the ground by the arrow meant for her. She crawled away, hoping to find and kill the one who nearly killed her!
Aylith knew she was not eluding these goblins– they were merely awaiting a clear shot! She was doomed if she hoped to fight them their way. Aylith glimpsed movement. She charged towards it! She flinched, evading an arrow; and finding the goblin! Aylith ran him through, making him grunt and wince!
Twaylee followed the rustling of foliage and the sound of running footfalls. She found Aylith! The greater nymph, her blade already wet with blood, was charging an unseen enemy. A goblin rose and aimed... only to be hacked down! Aylith stabbed the fallen creature, twisting her blade for good measure.
“Psst!”
“Twaylee?” Aylith spotted her.
They had killed three goblins this day. If there were others, they did not attack nor could they be found. Aylith and Twaylee hastily moved on.
The Palace of Shadows: Morganna and her friends and underlings, Vivien, Lady of Enticement and Gledriss, Lady of Assassins, sat on a carpet together, holding hands and facing each other. “Tell me.”
Vivien bowed her head before saying, “Fortress Broad Hill was violated.” Morganna said nothing nor did her countenance change. Did she already know? Vivien resumed, “The seeing crystal we sent... has been destroyed.”
“Assume it was gazed upon and do what you must.”
“Milady, what must be done is being done.”
Morganna nodded.
Gledriss uttered, “It was Aylith... and her underling.”
Vivien nodded.
Morganna smirked. She told Gledriss, “You hope I shall send you to kill her, but I shall not.”
“But, milady...!”
“Peace, my dear Gledriss. Wisdom, not passion, must guide us.”
“It would be wise to kill Aylith!”
“Yes, but you shall not stalk her within the camp of the enemy. We must lure her onto favorable ground. When she comes, it is you who shall slay her.”
“By my own hand?”
“If you so wish it.”
“I wish it!”
Morganna smiled and looked over at Vivien, “Our beloved Gledriss is ever the huntress.”
“She is the Lady of Assassins.”
“Yes.”
Aylith knew Lord Vellizar could see and hear her... but not with his eyes nor ears; she had not yet entered his chamber. Coming into his quiet room, she found him sitting with his legs folded and his eyes closed. She knelt and bowed before him. His rich, resonant voice told her, “Your success may very well save many lives.”
“Thank you, milord.”
“Sadly, it may cost you your own.”
“Milord, one does not join the Eye and Ear and shy away from danger.”
“I must warn you, my dear: The Lady of Assassins herself has ventured into Avalon and shed blood. She may very well return and hunt you.” The gray elf waited before offering, “Aylith, I may conceal you that the enemy shall never find you.”
“Milord, what if I reside within this fortress? Am I right to believe it has never been violated?”
“Yes, but the Lady of Assassins would know where to wait for you.”
“Milord, shall I still be sent on quests?”
“If you wish it.”
“May I still meet with Franklin and Aggitha?”
“No.”
“Twaylee?”
“If she so chooses, Twaylee may be hidden with you.”
Aylith realized, “But she would leave her friends with no word to them as to where or why.”
“Yes.”
“Milord, I shall endure the danger. Should the Lady of Assassins hunt me here in Avalon, then she must step into peril. Perhaps I may be the bait to kill or even capture her.”
“Yes.” The wise gray elf laughed.
“Milord?”
“Morganna is no fool. It is doubtful she would send her Lady of Assassins to hunt you here, where the Eye and Ear is strongest.”
“Milord, why do you tell me of
danger that is unlikely?”
“Wisdom is oft bested by foolishness. Be vigilant lest you be taken unawares.”
“Yes, milord.”
As Aylith and Twaylee were leaving together, the greater nymph stopped the lesser and told her, “The Lady of Assassins herself may seek us out.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” The sprite gleamed, obviously proud of herself. “Twaylee, we are now in danger, even here in Avalon! We may die in our very homes; perhaps even before the eyes of our beloved friends!”
“We will not.”
“Twaylee! A good agent is ever mindful of danger.”
“I am mindful!”
Aylith told her, “Our Lord Vellizar offers to hide us.”
“Shall we still quest for the Eye and Ear?”
“Yes.”
“What of our friends?”
“We shall not see them, so long as there is a War of Shadows.”
Twaylee thought before deciding, “I shall not hide. You should not hide either, Aylith. We should live together and protect each other. No one can best us when we are together!”
“Twaylee...”
“Aylith, we are soldiers. It is our duty to be in the midst of danger! Let it come.”
“Twaylee...”
“Let it come! The Lady of Assassins herself is no match for you, Aylith! I hope she comes for us!”
Twaylee was serious! How could the little fool brazenly hope to be hunted by the Lady of Assassins herself?! Twaylee was not afraid. Perhaps there was wisdom in such foolishness. Aylith laughed, envious of the blissful naivety.
The littler nymph wondered, “Where are we going?”
“I am going to lunch. Twaylee, will join me?”
“Yes! I was hoping you were hungry.”
“Where would you like to go?”
Twaylee shrugged.
The companions were soldiers of the Eye and Ear, risking their lives that others may live in peace and safety. Sadly for Twaylee, none but themselves were to know. Still, she very much enjoyed her adventures with Aylith... and their friendship.
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