The Kingdom of Voine was home to the Elven people. The city of Icefalcon, half a kilometre from Silverfjord, was the trade capitol of the world. It was here that the people of Kûfkillion came to bargain for their treasures. A small hunting party was out in the nearby forest collecting meat to sell. The tallest member of the group drew his bow in silence, waiting for his mark to line up so he could take the shot. He was just about to fire when he heard a rustling. He hesitated for but a moment and the prey was lost to the noise. "Núuata!" He cursed. He scanned the area to locate the source of the noise but could not. Using his keen sense of hearing he found a noise he did recognize; the low hum of the wind against a leaf. "Show yourself or you will be shot." He commanded. At once the humming stopped. "As his lordship commands." The voice said. A dark figure stepped out of the shadows, light filtering in from above the tree line to illuminate his host. She stood with her arms folded across her chest and cocked an eyebrow in assumption that her captors should have recognized her. They stared at one another for countless minutes in complete silence before finally, the bowman whispered: "Alys?" The figure smiled warmly at her old friend.
The Matriarchal figurehead of an old family line, Alys Morely was well respected. She stood 5"5' and was of a slender build. A deep purple riding cloak hid her athletic shoulders, as good with a blade as she was with a bow, her preferred weapon of choice were the twin blades that slept beneath her bracers. She wore a tightly fit tunic of bright gold, sheer leggings of the same colour and heels made of metal that came up to her thighs. She wore her hair long and wild, the ebony strands neatly woven into a crown atop her gentle head while the mane fell softly upon her shoulders and meandered down the length her elbows stopping at the top of her hips. Her eyes were said to have been fashioned from a rainbow, as they never seemed to settle on one colour for even a short amount of time. Her lips were ruby red and had a sort of fullness to them that made her face seem kindly. She toyed with a lock of hair and seemed to be idly staring at the ground as though waiting for the next question. The other members of the group seemed to be staring between the two acquaintances in disbelief.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a tall elven warrior stepped forth. The complete opposite of Alys she seemed to have a permanent scowl fixed upon her long narrow face. Her hair was blonde and short. The spikes in her fringe making a sort of cave around her pointy ears. She looked her up and down slowly as she walked around her in a circle. She seemed to disapprove of the woman, almost as if she disliked her on principal, just for being a human.
"If you hate a person based on their race, you aren't likely to make many friends." Alys said coarsely. "And you mustn't stare at your commanding officer...that is, unless you'd like to be confined to a cell."
"You forget your place, human. I am the overseer of safety at the Aerie, General of the army of Icefalcon and the daughter of-"
"I know who you are, Merys. Need I remind you that it was I who saved the King's life during the battle of Silverford, not you. Or that it was I who found Makepiece when the question of leadership was brought about? If you need a lesson in respect, I suggest you start now by apologising to your betters. Not to me, but my dear Nathaniel...your better half. He has been the longest and truest friend I have even known and he is much deserving of a equally matched partner."
Astounded by the woman's knowledge, her voice failed her half way through the thought. She fell silent and hung her head in shame. "I'm sorry my love, I have failed you." She whispered to Nathaniel. She knelt in front of her companion. "My apologies, Swift-foot, in my haste I spoke without thought. Please forgive me. I give you my blade as a peace offering. Never again shall I consult without first knowing whom it is that I speak to." She stood and placed the sword in her hands, then turned to her intended and spoke in hushed tones. "I shall return to my father, we have a most intriguing guest and we will of course observe the proper formalities."
As she dashed off into the distance Alys took a moment to admire the beautiful gift Merys had so graciously given her. The blade was thin like a razor's edge and made of Nalirien steel. It was embossed with strange elven markings, the likes of which she had not seen for some years. The fuller was encrusted with all manner of jewels. The guard and grip were made of dragon bone. Jade-stone laid into the grip wound around it in the shape of a drake's tail and took the form of a drake holding the pommel in its claws. The drake's eyes were the deepest sapphire.
So in awe was she of the craftsmanship of the weapon that she seemed to be struck dumb by the gesture. Nathaniel watched her closely for quite some time as she turned it over and over in her hands, marvelling at the quality. When he could not decipher her emotions he nudged her shoulder gently and motioned for her to walk with him, she looked puzzled for a moment but quickly took her feet. The others followed behind but at a distance so they could speak in private. Picking up their pace, they got ahead of the main group and veered off to the left, into a secluded clearing.
Nathaniel looked her directly in the eye. "Swiftrunner. where have you been? And why have you returned now? I thought you set out to seek a great warrior and yet you came to us alone?"
"I have something I have to show you, but it must stay between us. In my travels I have heard rumours of a human boy, raised by Unicorns, who can alter the weather with just his thoughts. He cut down the King's men 3 nights past; in Blood-Thorne Forest. I have been summoned to Winddale to appear before His Royal Majesty, but before then I have been summoned by your King. There is much we need to discuss; meet me by the Ever-Changing Tower when the moon in highest in the sky, tonight." She turned and disappeared into the forest without a sound.
Nathaniel's mind was reeling. What was the mysterious object she had found? Why could she not simply tell me in person? Why did the King of Winddale seek an audience with her? Before he could follow her path, one of the hunters caught up to him.
"My Lord, it is our job to ensure your safety. How would the King punish us if we had left something happen to you? We need to return to the castle before you are missed."
"Of course Lothario." Nathaniel smiled, turning back to the path leading back to the Kingdom.
YOU ARE READING
Skûlvlakhia
FantasyIn the far off Kingdom of An-Draolath, a baby is found abandoned in the forest. He is brought up in the way of the forest, and taught to use a bow and arrow. He became a fearsome warrior, but was known to only a few. This is the story of how the boy...
