Slave To Savage

Chapter Nine

Birds chirping filled the forest with their beautiful songs, the wind swaying the trees that hung overhead, causing leaves to fall to the ground. The sound of water became louder as Alphea wandered the forest not too far from the cottage. She was out looking for things she could bring back home, herbs, mushrooms, pretty flowers for her growing garden, perhaps an animal she could serve up for her lover.

The commander has been very occupied for the past two months, going back and forth to the palace. He and the king were planning for battle since word spread that enemies were on their way with an army, and a big one at that. So, she has been held up at home, tending to the duties that she now had to do on her own, not that it wasn't something she couldn't handle. In fact, she quite liked it, being in charge and taking care of Silas.

As much as she enjoyed it, she couldn't help but grow anxious about the brewing war. From what Silas had told her, it seemed like it would be a bloodbath, which didn't soothe her nerves.
Alphea had asked him if she could fight too, but he immediately shot her down. It was clear that he had no faith in her skills, so she had been keeping up with her training, and meeting Khala to work on her core. She said Alphea was definitely making progress, but now it seemed like it was stuck, no matter how hard they tried, it wouldn't grow any further.

That didn't stop her, she kept at it constantly, using a method Khala taught her. This method made her strengthen her core, even if she wasn't specifically focusing on it. She could go about her day and keep her core circulating, even in her sleep.

Alphea's train of thought came to a halt when she saw a deer drinking water nearby. Slowly and quietly she armed and drew her bow, locking the animal in her sights. She took in a deep breath, holding it in for a moment, but just as she was about to release, a sound behind her broke her concentration, making her jump. The sound had also scared off the prey.

She turned around, her gaze meeting a pair of icy cold eyes staring down at her. Instinctively, she backed away and drew her bow, aiming it at the stranger. The man had a cloak on, casting a gloomy shadow over his face. "Who are you? What do you want?" she asked, not taking her sights off the man. He held up his hands in surrender and slowly pulled back his hood, revealing a pale face with white hair and elf ears, just like Alphea.

"I mean you no harm... I was sent by the Elven Queen, my orders are to bring you to her majesty." he explained briefly, only confusing her even more. She didn't lower her weapon, still unsure of the stranger. "Why? I have no business with the queen, I wasn't even raised in your kingdom." she said annoyed, not buying his story at the slightest.
"I cannot tell you why, and whether or not you were raised by our kind, you are still an elf, and you belong in the elven kingdom."

"You can't tell me... why I'm being forced... to go to a queen that I know nothing of?" she said, confused that he wouldn't give her any context. He nodded, not catching on that she was being sarcastic, which only annoyed Alphea even more. "You can't, as in you won't or you don't know?"
"The latter. It is confidential, so I am not aware of the reasons. You needn't know the reason, either. Just come with me." The girl scoffed and rolled her eyes at the man.

"Are you mad?! I suggest you leave, otherwise I will be forced to shoot an arrow right through your thick skull." She pulled back the arrow even further as a warning. Alas, her warning meant nothing to the odd man, he just stood there, staring. Throwing a threatening glare his way, her gaze shooting daggers, she put her bow down and pulled out her sword, pointing it to his throat.
"Are you dense? I said leave."

The man put his hands up. "Fine, I'll leave."
She backed up a bit, not saying a word. He turned around and took a few steps, but then stopped again. "Just a word of advise... The people you surround yourself with, I recommend you don't trust them so easily. There will be an occurrence, and you will think of my warning. When that happens, go North, there is where your family is, the people you can trust."

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