The Call Of Shadows

Chapter Five

Hejli awoke in the early afternoon hours of a frigid and dreary rain. She wondered how long it would last, and how long she and Lewtren must stay here in the village as he healed. Vertoss had charged her with looking after Lewtren until Bagaeth and he returned from the Veiled Forests to find out for themselves what was going on. It was the beginning of winter anyway, and they all knew that within two weeks time most of the Elven Step would become impassable. It was a dangerous time under normal circumstances- mountain passes filled with several feet of snow, spilling into the valleys below them. And in the southern part of the step nearer River Forge's eastern edge, the rain became relentless, flooding much of the caves that housed that territory's population. The Elven Step had some of the most varied weather in all the lands, but drought was the one thing that they would never have to contend with.

Stretching her weary limbs, Hejli grabbed her cloak and boots and convinced herself to go on a run. She needed to stay in shape, and with Salwein and Caldern already beginning what would be a very long journey to man's border, she needed to be ready to protect Lewtren at whatever cost necessary until he was healed. She grimaced at the memory of his near lifeless body being taken into the healer's cabin. It had been four days since the surgery, and while he had regained his color he still spent much time sleeping. It took 26 stitches and no small amount of salve to close up his wounds so that they would heal properly. She looked back at him once more, gently placing two fingers on his forehead, and left.

As she entered into the forest surrounding the outskirts of the town she picked up the pace from a slow jog to a full out sprint. Anger fueled her speed as she remembered what Lewtren had said. "It wasn't a beast...it was an elf." "Elves don't betray one another!" She thought to herself, clenching her fists. This was madness, the whole damned lot of it. The stories of an elf in a golden cloak haunted her vision behind the backs of her closed eyelids every time she went to sleep and she was sick and tired of speculation. She needed answers! It couldn't be one of their own...Vertoss would have known. But then again, maybe not.

"Bagaeth, we need to talk." Vertoss came up behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder as he kneeled by Lewtren's bed. He had yet to wake, but there were still matters to attend to. "What is it?" Bagaeth asked in a low voice, not bothering to turn around. Vertoss hesitated before he spoke. "The other elf...the one who Lewtren couldn't save? It was Kadake." Bagaeth went rigid all at once and his head shot up, looking back at Vertoss. "What?! Are you positive? This is important!" Vertoss looked a little taken aback by the sudden change in his demeanor. "Yes, I am positive. Why?" Bagaeth stood up and growled, "Because we have a traitor in our midst!" He whirled around and threw one of the spears at the nearest wall, nearly shattering a jar of ointment in the process.

"Kadake was supposed to retrieve the river drone!" He sobbed, dropping to his knees. "He was due back a few days ago- I thought he had been delayed by the weather." Vertoss swallowed hard and sat down on a stool near his old friend. "You think he discovered something." Bagaeth could only nod in agreement. In the span of three days his entire world had shattered. One of his best elves had nearly died, and now the only reason one of his soldiers had perished was because there was a traitor among the diplomats. This was unheard of!

Hejli was jolted out of her thoughts by a sharp pain in her side. She had been at a dead sprint for nearly 20 minutes and had made quite a trail through the woods. The rain had let up by now but thin trails of water still dripped off the treetops. She hunched over and let the pain bring her back to the present. Just behind her, the sharp crack of twigs snapping underfoot made her twirl around, dagger at the ready. "What do you expect to do with that toothpick?" The healer teased lightly. She instantly relaxed knowing that there was no need to fear among friends. "What are you doing out here? I thought you were due to change Lewtren's dressing? That's why I left actually- not sure my stomach can take much more of it."