Elf Wars
by Patrick E.



Chapter 2

  Alos awoke early to find that the sun was just coming over the mountains that surrounded his home in the great elven city of Sherma. Loren lay next to him in his large, and very comfortable bed on the fourth and top floor of his tower. He frowned at the thought of leaving that most beautiful maiden, but today he had to meet with the elven council about sending a scouting party to find a nearby elven patrol party in the area.
   Elves rarely sleep, and unless they are ill or badly injured. Instead they have revelry, where they just kind of go into a sort of semi-unconsciousness type relaxation to get needed energy. Some elves enjoy sleep and prefer it when they are home relaxing or with a companion. Not all elves do, most despise it and thing of it as something that weaker races have as a curse instead of a blessing.
  With a great sigh he slipped out of the bed and pulled on his customary white and brown leathers without a sound. The large carpet that covered the rooms floor made his retreat out the door that much easier.
  Dressed in his usual white leathers and black accessories, he made his way to the basement where his kitchen is. Already up and making breakfast was his trusted and dearest friend Colin who was a halfling that he had rescued from a goblin raid. Colin ruled the kitchen and had everything in perfect order, only he himself was allowed to make meals, for he had a big fit if anyone else tried to. No one does since he was the best cook around, and good at throwing knives and daggers too.
  �Where is the beautiful ranger?� Colin asked with a grin when Alos sat at the small wooden table in the center of the kitchen.
  �She looked to peaceful to wake at this hour,� Alos replied with a small smile thinking of times that the two have shared in the last few days sense her return home.
  Colin gracefully, as graceful as a halfling can get while caring a bowl as big as himself, walked over and set a bowl of the stew that he was cooking in front of the noble young elf. Alos looked down at the dark, brown stew with a questioning look. Then asked, �Stew? For breakfast?�
   �Unthankful elf, if I wasn�t here yah wouldn�t have meat on yer bones,� Colin muttered turning to a large wooden door on the opposite side that Alos had come in at. The door led into a portal that would take the person into a small, ever frozen cave. The halfling opened it and walked through still shaking his head.
   Alos just laughed at the sight of his small friend before taking to the warm stew as if he hadn�t eaten in days.
   Colin came back through the portal carrying two good size fish and laid them on a cutting board near the stew. He took a large knife out and started gutting it out.
   The elf looked up from his stew to look at the halfling cook who had his back turned to him. Fish was a luxury for the elves who lived a good distance away from any large bodies of water that were inhabited with large fish.
   �And who is this gourmet dinner to be for?� inquired the elf raising an eyebrow.
   �For the beautiful ranger who you left in bed. I figured after being left by someone who isn�t even to her standards needs to be cheered up somehow,� the little cook replied never looking back at the stunned elf.
   Alos finished his meal and departed without another word to his halfling servant who he knew would let Loren know about his important meeting today.
  The elf then left his tower into the cool, crisp spring morning not bothering to pull his cape around him to block the cold breezes off the mountains nearby. He made his way across a mile or so of desert before reaching the gates of Sherma, a large elven city inhabited by mostly pure gold elves and very few of any other race or even type of elf.
  The guards let him in at the gates without a word, for they recognized him as their supreme commander. As he was going through he went past a caravan of green elves (slang name for elves who live in the woods and a wild society outside the valley) who were just coming in. For some reason the elves seemed strange to him, probably because they all had silver or white hair, Alos didn�t know much about the wild elves, but he did know that silver and white hair was a rare thing among the light colored elves. He didn�t have time to ponder on these things for he was going to be late if he didn�t hurry.
  The city was made mostly of white or pale stone and a few wooden structures that had been shaped into large trees or elegant mansions. Most buildings in the city were about three stories tall and had walkways across the roofs that allowed for travel not only on the stone streets but across the top part of city too. For being this early in the morning many elves were already out on the streets shopping and talking to friends. The city was a peaceful and nice place to live a merry life. Alos often wondered what the dark elf city of Tierra was like compared to Sherma.
  Alos quickly made his way straight to the large stone palace that was carved out completely by high magic and was an elegant structure that appealed to the elves sense of beauty. The palace was probably the hardest place to break into for it had three legions of elite elven warriors living in within its walls. Then someone would have to get past all the magic that guarded the inner sanctums of the palace.
  No one even said a word to Alos as he made his way through the outer gates, inner gates and then through the inner sanctum of the palace where the royal family slept and important meetings were held. He would have to have a talk to the palace guard captain about not questioning and checking everyone who came through those gates, even the general of all armed forces.
  When Alos walked into the meeting room of the Sherma ruling council, all six members were already there and seated awaiting his arrival. The room was plain and had walls, floor, and ceiling that were pure white. The only furnishings were the large oval table and the seats around it. Gold elves that headed noble houses took the three seats on each side of the rectangular table while King Camor sat at its head that left him the seat across the table.
  Alos quietly slid into his seat as all eyes were on him. The room then went into a sky blue color, which meant that some of the most powerful wards possible had come alive with his sitting.
  �A little late, are we?� inquired Shierra Nightshine, the only female on the council and one of the best fighters in the city. She also headed one of the largest and most influential houses of Sherma. She also had a great dislike for Alos.
  Shierra was quite a beauty and many men wouldn�t mind sharing time with her no matter how mean she was to most males. She had golden eyes, the pale skin of her family, and the beautiful long raven black hair. At the moment she wore a dark blue gown that was embroidered with gold lace near the edges. Often it was not when someone would see her wearing something besides her worn plate armor and plain leathers of a warrior.
  �Thank Lady Reena (referring to the goddess of Beauty and Music) that I even showed up. I had the beautiful Loren Crawlnober in my bed and I somehow drug myself to this meeting,� Alos retorted getting chuckles and nods of agreements from the others present, and even a nod from King Camor.
  �Stupid males� she murmured under her breath, which everyone�s keen ears were able to pick up.
  King Camor stood up then. �Can we get down to business now that you two have finished your,� the paused for a moment as if he was thinking of the right word, �conversation?� the king of elves asked. At that everyone quieted down to hear the king�s words. �Now we are gathered here to discuss the sightings of more and more dark elf patrols near the mountain areas surrounding our fair city. Just a few days ago Alos here,� the king motioned across the table at the general, �battled back a powerful dark elf spell sword at the arena.� He finished by waving to the elf on his right and took his seat.
  The gold elf that stood as the city�s arch wizard and the king�s second hand man stood up at the motion. Without a word he made a few hand gestures threw some white powder into the air and whispered an arcane word that made the powder disappear. An illusion of the city and the surrounding valley came to being on the table. With another arcane word from the wizard, a black circle came into being in the mountain area behind the city.
  The arch wizard spoke then, �This black dot is the position of a dark elf patrol team led by Dio Lightbane, who we all know to be a most powerful foe. He has with him, five elite warriors and one female wizard who has a great aura of power surrounding her.� Albar bowed slightly and took his seat.
  The Camor spoke up then as the illusion disappeared from the table, �Alos, we have agreed to allow you to go after the patrol with one of your own. We also grant you any warrior to take with you, but one of them has to be Shierra.�
  �What!? Do you really expect me to go with him?� Shierra practically yelled at the king�s statement.
  Alos just sat there smiling at the thought of having Shierra under her command when she was skilled enough and probably even deserved to have her own party.
  �Unless you would like to be exiled from the city or if Alos turns down the honor of being party leader, you are under his command,� king Camor told her with a touch of amusement in his voice.   
With a sigh she nodded her agreement and slouched down in her chair with defeat. Alos just smiled at her and started to get up.
  �One more thing you might want to know before you go general,� Camor told him.
   Alos just went back to his seat, face impassive, and stared into the hard emerald eyes of the elven king. He really wanted to get his business done in town early, but he has some other things he must deal with after this before heading home.
   �You might want to go down into the palace dungeon about a new and unusual prisoner,� the King then dismisses him with a smile and takes his seat.
   The gold elf general suppresses a sigh before slipping out of his seat again and turns to leave. He waits by the still glowing wall when he hears Shierra�s chair moves away from the table and her swift and quiet movements take her next to him. Alos speaks a few arcane words and an oak door appears in front of him. He moves out the door and down the hall with Lady Nightshine close behind.
   When Alos and Shierra reach the large wooden doors leading down into the dungeon, the guards let them through with only a curt nod. The two elven guards that stand by the doors wear light blue, steel breastplates with the large falcon and serpent insignia across the front. Each guard wears two long swords on either side, as well as a pouch of potions. The two are among the elite soldier battalion that only numbers to a little over thirty.
   The dungeon wasn�t really dungeon at all; it is even beautiful compared to most human dwellings. It is jut a wide, low ceiling hall that has doors off to the sides. Past the doors are very clean white rooms, with no windows, and chains on the walls. The main hall is well lit with a single ever-vigilant earth elemental guard that patrols in the stone under it. If any of the side doors are opened by someone with an evil intent a silent alarm will be set off and a group of guards will be dispatched.
   The two noble elves go straight to the end of the hall where a large steel door is placed. Behind the door is a large room made for torturing and also serves as the dungeon overseer�s office.
   In large, square, office the overseer was mixing some potion or another on his desk to the right of the door, while a brown haired human lad hung by his wrists to the left. This room had a skylight that covered the whole ceiling where it magically saw the outdoors. On the wall across from the door were many racks that contained all sorts of torturing tools.
   �Come to see the new prisoner have you?� the overseer asked looking up from his work.
   �We have and I would appreciate it if you would kindly leave the room,� Alos replied with a cheerful voice looking over at the human who kept its head down.
   �Okay, but only for a short time while I go and speak to the council.� The short and old overseer said after a short pause.
   �My thanks dear overseer,� Shierra told him as he left.
   �This one is quite small,� Alos observed gesturing to the human hanging on the wall with his right hand. The human was probably a head taller than the two elves, but they were short compared to an average human.
   �Yes, many of the hairy beasts are nearly as tall as the ceiling. Maybe we are dealing with a new kind.� Shierra said moving over to the overseer�s desk to look at two short slender blades on his desk.
   The two swords were about two feet in length not counting the hilt. The weapons had the same silver kind of handle but different pommels; one was made of an emerald and the other of an amber stone that Alos did not recognize. Both the elves noticed that magic was clearly flowing through it and may have protections. The two stepped back to the human wondering if those beautiful weapons, which rivaled that of elven weapons, were his.
   �Like my swords do you elves,� the human asked in the elven tongue and keeping his head down and voice low.
   Alos and Shierra looked at each other in shock that this dirty human spoke their ancient language and forgetting about the swords all together. What elf would teach a human how to speak the elf language, what elf would teach a human anything for that matter?
   �Who taught you to speak the language of the fair folk?� Shierra yelled at him, disgusted at his knowledge. Alos just looked at the human with new respect.
   �My master and tutor,� was all that he replied keeping to the elven language.
   �Who is this master of yours?� Alos asked keeping calm unlike his companion in arms.
   �He told me not to give out his name, but instead to say that �he is a pure white skinned elf who has mastered the blade with no equal.��
   Alos knew right away from legends that were taught in the academy about a white skinned elf that carried a silver flaming long sword and guarded the palace. It was hard to believe for the elf in the legends disappeared nearly two centuries before. Alos was undecided in the matter, but he knew by the anger and disbelief on Shierra�s face that she thought it a lie.
   �You lie human beast!� Shierra screamed at him.
   At this time the human looked up, �I would not, I can not. These chains are magically enchanted to glow and give me a jolt of lightning if I were two lie.�
  The human�s face was fair, his eyes were a light sky blue color that showed wisdom and kindness that the elves did not normally see when looking upon most human captives. Even though scars showed beneath his torn clothing he showed no pain and his light, slightly tanned face stayed calm.
  �How did you know that about the chains?� Alos asked holding a hand up to keep Shierra from out bursting again. To tell the truth, Alos was quite intrigued by the intelligence and calm of the young human that was far from any of his kind.
  �When I was first put into the chains I could sense the magic in them and used my ring of identification to tell me what they did. For some reason the overseer must have thought it unimportant and allowed me to keep it but took all of my other magical items.� The human laid his head back down when he finished.
  �What other magical items were you carrying?� Alos asked.
  �I had an amulet of non-detection, a ring of regeneration, bracers of fire resistance, an earring that allowed me to see in the dark as if it were a night with a bright full moon, and two potions of haste.� The human confessed taking a little time to think of what did what as if he was unfamiliar with them.
  �What is your name human?� Shierra asked after regaining her calm. Then it occurred to Alos that he never asked the human what his name was.
  �I go by the name of Pacys Kulod.� The human answered looking up at Shierra.
  "How and why are you here, Pacys?� Alos asked wondering what such an intelligent human who probably ruled over other humans was doing in the middle of a desert valley with over 4,000 elves that despised him.
  �I was sent by my master with my brother Gunner to see the world and find out how his fabled elven city was fairing. We were also to learn more in the ways of magic and fighting, plus we needed the experience for later adventures.� The human seemed sad, but only for a second, after saying this, almost as if it struck a painful memory.
  �Something happened on this journey, didn�t it?� Alos asked, trying to learn more about this strange human, and to satisfy his curiosity about him. Shierra had gone over to the table near the blades and was rummaging through the humans items and pack.
  �Yes, but I do not wish to talk about it, if you would be so kind elf,� Pacys answered keeping his voice flat.
  �I do not wish the whole story, only the fate of thy brother and what had attacked you and your brother.�
  With a long sigh the human started, �My brother and I were coming across the mountain when we made camp. I awoke to find that my brother was grabbing his halberd and was engaging a few dark elves. I flipped out of my back and pulled forth my two swords and engaged one who carried a sword as black as the night itself. The Elf who I fought was very good and was starting to get an advantage over me and my brother was about to dispatch the last one he was battling. A short, silver haired, dark elf appeared behind him wearing purple and silver robes. She quickly cast a spell and opened a gate beneath my brother and he fell through to a place that was of impenetrable darkness. I then pulled into my own magical ability to enhance my speed and skill to quickly defeat my foe without letting my rage escape and getting myself killed. But with this magic I was still only as fast as the dark elf and the wizard started an incantation. I knew all was lost and used my ring to create a gate to escape. I appeared a mile from your city and stumbled into the grasps of an elven patrol. Now I am here.� Pacys finished and looked up to find Alos listening intently and even Shierra turned to hear the story.
  �That elf you fought is one of the greatest warriors among the dark elves and is not one to mess with,� Alos told him after a short period of thinking about the human�s story.
  �Your brother I suspect is in a place where the elves will torture him for many years to come.� Shierra put in moving back to where the human was chained.
  Pacys looked up at the two elves with sadness and sorrow in his eyes. Alos felt quite sorry for the human then and he truly hoped that this human got his revenge on Dio. At this thought an idea struck Alos like a flying boulder.
  �Come Shierra, we must speak to the council immediately,� Alos said as he turned and nearly ran out the door.
  �But I am part of the council!� Shierra yelled after him sticking her head out the door. With one last look at the human she pulled up her gown and ran after the general.

* * * * *

  Dio was not surprised to find a summons from the queen. In fact he was almost expecting it. She had sent a summons to him for a request to visit the house Nightflower three times this week. He was eager to reply the summons, for it gave an elf good reputation to be the chosen of the queen. He was surprised to find that the summons had come to him in the form of a projected image of Lara herself.
  Dio quickly left his room by leaping from his stone balcony, on the second floor, to land lightly in the dark street below. Being cloaked in the darkness of night and the cool wind of spring, he ran off to one of the grandest houses in the entire city.
  When the dark elf reached the gates to the house of Nightflower he was met by the illusionary image of the queen yet a second time that night. Dio felt honored indeed.
  The Nightflower house was huge and majestic as it sat atop small rise on the eastern part of the city. It was walled by a large white stonewall that went around the grounds that was nearly a mile across. Within the walls was a barracks that held nearly a thousands soldiers and a small temple where three high priestess lived. The nobles lived on the fifth and top floor of the house. Many other places were in that mansion, but Dio has never been allowed to even glimpse at them.
  The image took him past the three lines of sentries before they reached the huge arched doors that were elaborately decorated out wood. Once inside she led him past the large lobby to a wall. At the wall the image but her hand on the wall called out a mystic line of words and they started to float up and through the ceiling. Dio had never gotten used to the odd feeling of becoming transparent and invisible to then float through the next four floors before stopping in a familiar furnished room light by a magic glowing sphere. The image stepped away through the wall on his right when the real Lara Nightflower appeared from the door behind him.
  �How is the great blademaster Dio doing this evening?� she asked walking past him with a look delight.
  Dio bowed low before replying, �I am fine my queen, and honored to be a guest in your presence.�
  Her face suddenly changed to that of impassive and she spoke with formality, �The hated gold elves have been preparing small war parties to patrol areas near here. I don�t like it, and they have already taken out two of your own patrols near the mountains east of their city. I need your help.�
  Dio smiled at that, �But I am but a lowly male, how can I be of help to the great queen of Tierra?�
  �You are going to be in an elite war party as my consort. You are the best warrior we have and know our light colored kin better than any dark elf. Plus you are one of the best lovers I have ever had in my young life of 215 winters,� she said with a slight grin and waving him to a cushion on the floor in front of her. She took a seat across from him.
  �I would be honored to accept such a task from the great Lara Nightflower,� Dio answered take a seat from the shorter queen who could easily blast him to pieces with the wave of her hand.
  �That is what is accepted of you as a male and of the lower houses,� she said with a frown and pulling off her black boots. �I want to know what you really think about this task, for I need someone who will be loyal and will not betray me.�
  Dio just looked at the younger queen who was struggling to take her own boots off with aw. Never does a high ranking noble female, especially the queen, ever ask for a male�s opinion, definitely not one of a low ranking house such as his. He also knew that very few dark elves were loyal and even less that could yield something as important as a blade or the art of magic where he could do both.
  Dio finally whispered a soft, �I would truly be honored my dear lady.�
  The queen smiled at this as she magically teleported her boots over to sit next to the door. She knew by his look and voice that he would be loyal to her till the end and that is exactly what she had expected of him.
  �One question, mistress Nightflower.� Dio asked as much as stated.
  Lara�s face expression went back to impassive as she waved him to ask away.
  �Who will be joining us in this party?�
  �I shall be leading it with you as my consort, we shall have three of my elite warriors and a high priestess of Numa,� Lara answered as she counted off on her fingers. When she finished she still had one finger up and she looked him in the eye. �This next one is a secret. Do you know of my brother Morayic Nightflower?� Dio thought for a second before shaking his head no.
  �He was my mothers first child and favorite. He had become a great blademaster with skill enough to rival even yours, but that wasn�t enough for my brother, he wanted more. My brother then became an accomplished wizard as well as the greatest warrior in the city. Soon he became fascinated with the undead and created a servant who was a vampire made from a human woman that he bought. He found that she was more magically enhanced and much stronger when she became a vampire. My brother wanted that power.�
  �So he became a vampire himself so that he could become even more powerful,� Dio finished.
  �Yes, but it wasn�t that simple. Somehow he was able to keep part of his soul and only become half elf half vampire. He had the strength and power of a vampire that could drink the power of a person by his bite. Normal vampires are not allowed to go out into the daylight, but he was able to and he kept his fine looks and speed as an elf. His thirst for blood was not so powerful that he only had to eat once every fortnight. He was thought of as too powerful and the high circle of priestess of Numa banished him and his evil from the city,� Lara finished holding up that last finger and then pulling it slowly down with her other finger.
  �You are going to have your brother join our party?� Dio asked with shock. �Do even know where he is or even if he is still alive or if he would even join the people that banished him?� Dio quickly clamped his mouth shut realizing that he had just doubted and even yelled at the queen of Tierra.
  Luckily she ignored the outburst and motioned to a dark corner behind her that wasn�t light by her magic glow sphere. Out of that shadow came a tall, slender dark elf with silver hair and long fangs.
  The elf that came out of the shadows could only be Morayic Nightflower, Lara�s half undead older brother. Any dark elf could easily tell who he was, for it was a rare occurrence that an elf had silver hair in the shiny form that the Nightflowers had it. Another thing was that it wasn�t everyday you saw a dark elf with fangs or any elf for that matter. The slender elf wore pure black all the way down to his worn black boots and black leather scabbard where he kept his scimitar.
  �So the legends are true?� Dio asked feeling quite afraid and kind of curious at what he was seeing. At the moment he wanted to pull his blade free and run the perversion of life through to end its pitiful existence.
  �I see you have brought me a snack dear sister?� Morayic asked, coming towards Dio with a grin that showed off his pearly white fangs.
  �No, this is my consort. Your lunch will be here shortly to bring Dio�s and mine,� Lara told her brother with a dismissive wave of her ebony hand.