Curse of the Oak

Chapter Twenty-Two

Des started to stir, her mind escaping from the consciousness of darkness. Her entire body shook in pain. She felt like she was run over by a truck. Her body quivered as she tried to move her fingers. They ached and stung as she moved her stiff joints. The blood flow seemed to stop when she fell to the shadows.

Finally, opening her eyes, she found herself still in the Windsor Forest. The once green and thriving trees were silenced in dusk. More gloom was beginning to show than the life living inside.

The silence spread throughout the forest. The life that was once living inside it was now hidden in the shadows. Hiding from the poison making its way to every living thing. The trees were beginning to darken. Roots of the nature was starting to weaken as the shade rotted into the core. Death was striving the silence. Even the slightest sound may draw Urwik and his dark magic to the innocent. Destroying the source.

Des tried to stand, but discovered her arms and legs trapped. Her body felt the bitter chill of an arctic bite around her wrist. She discovered chains bared around her wrists and ankles, anchoring her like a ship. Trying to pull again the chain, they began to tighten around her.

She began looking around for her weapons, hoping they would be in reach. But they were nowhere in sight. Calming herself, Des sunk into the dark soil under her, making sure to have enough slack for some attempt to get away. If there was a chance. This was no time to panic.

She heard a muffle of voices across from her. She saw a group of men walking toward her. The strides were large and wicked. As they came closer, she noticed the point of their ears and the darkened skin.

Dark elves.

Des knew the creatures were tricksters. However, she was curious to see why they were the ones hanging around Urwik. Even Lord Khadar seemed smarter than to make company with the dark art master.

Des quickly closed her eyes, pretending to appear unconscious. She didn't want them to know she was awake yet.

The ground was quaking beneath their feet. Des heard them stop a couple of feet away from her.

"Is the weakling up yet?" a high screeched voice asked.

"Does it look like she's up yet?" a deep hoarse replied. "I swear, you're as dumb as a screecher."

"Why you!" The first voice flared his voice toned with anger.

"Enough!" confident booming voice said. "We don't have time for this. Besides, she is not a weakling. She's smarter than she looks. Right Desiree?"

Des held her breath as he mentioned her name. The way her name rolled off the elf's tongue sent shivers down her spine. Being caught, she forced her eyes open, and discovered raging green eyes staring back at her.

The ones that were so familiar.

"You're-" she started.

"The one who'll lead to your destruction," he replied sharply, smiling wickedly.

"But Orthorien, Urwik said we wasn't to harm her," the high pitched elf added.

Orthorien let out a sigh of frustration. He clenched his fist and walked over to his comrade. "He also said to never mention names, you idiot."

"Oops," the elf replied.

The hoarse one chuckled.

"Is something funny?" Orthorien asked, sizing up his other follower.

The elf didn't respond. Des took this opportunity to discover more.

"You're the one who beat me when I was in the Realm of the Dark Elves," Des accused, her voice singed with revenge.