New Power

Ch 30

As soon as Quinton hit the ground, he knew he had to run. He scrambled to his feet, the oppressive darkness of whatever this planet was seeming to shrink on him. It was almost too dark to be able to see, even with his enhanced vision.

Quinton nearly ran into a tree, tall and foreboding in the darkness, his shoulder scraping on it and slightly tearing his tunic. Roots jutted out and threatened to trip him with every step he took as he fled as quick as he could from the drop-off zone.

He had never tasted fear this real. Fear for his life, fear of how long he was going to stay here and how he'd survive.

Quinton couldn't hear anyone coming up behind him, or couldn't hear a ship following him. He slowed down to a stop and frantically looked about, seeing if he was being followed. It was silent, only the quiet chirps of insects could be heard over his heavy breathing. Then he heard footsteps. Quinton held a hand over his mouth to muffle his breathing and hoped that whoever it was would pass. The footsteps were cautious, meaning they must have heard him. Quinton looked about, trying to find the person coming closer and closer to him.

Quinton pressed his back to a tree that he was just in front of. He listened for the footsteps, but they had stopped. He decided to take the opportunity to get further away and sprinted. He heard the shuffle of leaves and then a quick crunch as the person pursued him. Quinton used the Force to enhance his speed, hoping he the Force would guide him and he wouldn't splat on a tree. The other person also sped up, seemingly Force-sensitive as well. Quinton swore under his breath and kept running.

He suddenly stopped at a huge, towering grey stone wall. Quinton placed his hands on it to feel how thick it was. It was multiple metres thick. His stomach sank and he broke off into a run again, scaling the wall and hoping he'd find a way in. This place, whatever it was, should give him shelter for the rest of the night and then in the day he'd have a proper look around. Quinton hadn't been able to hear the footsteps for a while now, since he got close to the wall. He stopped running and walked with his hand on the wall. It was still way too dark to be able to see properly.

A faint light shone far in the distance. Quinton felt relief surge over him, but cautiously made his way over. He heard the footsteps again, this time right next to him. He froze and looked around. Whoever it was were really good at blending in; Quinton couldn't see them. He tentatively took a few steps closer to the light.

"I wouldn't enter it if I were you," a man said, warning lacing their voice. Quinton froze and turned toward them. "You're better off living with the other one. You have our King and Queen's support, but you must not go into the city." Quinton still couldn't see them clearly, but the could make out the shape of them. They were tall and muscular, with a sort of grace that surrounded them that screamed unnatural.

"Other one?" Quinton asked. He reached for his lightsaber, and was bewildered when he found it. He thought the Hunters would have taken it off him. Quinton held it in front of him and ignited it. The man was slightly dazed by the sudden indigo light, blinking and shielding his eyes. He also made no move to back away, slightly irritating Quinton.

"Get that thing out of my face." The man slightly bared his teeth, the long canines an obvious sign that they weren't human. Not Elvish either, as the canines were too long.

"I don't think I will." Quinton raised his lightsaber in a Form 3 position, ready to attack. "I will go in there, unless you can give me a damn good reason not to."

"The War of Erita." The man stared him down.

"I- I don't follow." Quinton had no idea what this war was. He didn't let down his guard.

"You don't know it? I thought every Elf would." They shrugged. "The war between the Fey and Elves. All we did was seek refuge as our King and Queen Crawford weren't stepping down from their throne to give it to their eldest son, Raven Crawford."