Sallitia: Age of War

8

Years had slipped by like shadows, leaving king Eburon colder and more distant than ever. Grief had carved deep lines into his once-vibrant face, and the spark that Laralythia had ignited in his heart had long since dimmed. Among elves, love was an eternal flame; even in death, it never ceased to burn. Eburon’s sorrow was a constant presence, his memories of Laralythia haunting his every waking moment and lending an icy edge to his reign.

His children had grown in the intervening years, each becoming a testament to their lineage. Alvanar, now a brave and skilled prince, took his place at the head of Hisidore’s royal guard, leading patrols through the ancient, sprawling forests that surrounded their kingdom. Every day, he walked the lands his mother had loved so dearly, defending them with a fierce dedication that honored her memory.

Faelyn, on the other hand, had blossomed into a beautiful young elf, her mother’s likeness made flesh. Her hair was a cascade of fiery red, and her eyes held the same gentle warmth and wisdom that Laralythia’s had. But though she longed to explore the world beyond Hisidore, her father’s protectiveness kept her firmly within its borders. To him, she was a reminder of everything he had lost, and he would not risk losing her too.

Meanwhile, grief had taken hold of the human kingdom of Rohan as well. The orcs, once thought banished from Sallitia, had returned with a vengeance, their raids ravaging villages and destroying farmland. In a brutal counterattack, king Caspian had fallen, leaving young prince Sebastian without a father and the kingdom under the guidance of the king's advisors until he came of age. Though only a boy, Sebastian bore the weight of his people’s suffering on his shoulders, and he trained with fierce determination, hoping to one day reclaim his kingdom from the darkness.

One crisp autumn day, Sebastian ventured into the wilderness on a solitary hunting trip. The forest stretched endlessly before him, a vast expanse of ancient trees untouched by human hands. He marveled at the lush beauty surrounding him—leaves that shimmered with hues of gold and amber, the air thick with the scent of moss and pine. It was unlike any place he’d known.

But then, from the undergrowth, came a rustling sound. He froze, his senses sharp. Slowly, he cocked his bow, drawing it back with practiced precision, his gaze fixed on the bushes. A beautiful young doe emerged, her coat as soft as the evening mist, her eyes wide and serene as she began to graze.

Just as he steadied his aim, a swift shadow dropped from the trees above. Before he could react, the bow was knocked from his hands, and he found himself shoved roughly against a tree. The doe darted away, startled, disappearing into the depths of the forest.

As Sebastian’s vision cleared, he looked up, only to be rendered speechless. The figure before him was not a man, but a young woman—no, not even that. Her fiery red hair framed a delicate, determined face, and her piercing brown eyes fixed on him with a ferocity he’d never encountered. She wore a simple, flowing light-blue dress, yet her pointed ears and the silver arrows in her quiver marked her unmistakably as an elf. And she was holding a bow threateningly in one hand, her other hand hovering over her quiver.

Her voice cut through the air, cool and sharp as she leveled her bow at him again. “Don’t think I won’t kill you, human. It would be my pleasure. How dare you set foot in our forest and hunt our creatures.”

Sebastian swallowed, his voice caught in his throat for a moment before he managed to speak. “Look… I don’t hunt for sport. My people are starving. We can barely grow crops because of the orc attacks. I didn’t even realize I’d crossed into elven territory.” he said, his gaze steady. “I mean no harm—to you or your people.”

Her gaze softened a fraction, though she did not lower her bow completely. “Who are you?” she demanded, her voice less biting but still wary.

“Prince Sebastian of Rohan.” he replied, a touch of pride in his voice as he met her gaze. “And… may I know the name of my captor?”

She studied him for a moment, as if debating whether to reveal her identity. Finally, she spoke. “I am Princess Faelyn of Hisidore.”

His eyes widened as he realized who stood before him. “An elven princess…” Quickly, he dropped to one knee and bowed deeply. “Your majesty.”

Faelyn laughed softly, a sound like music drifting through the trees. “There’s no need for such formality, prince Sebastian. You’re lucky you ran into me, though. Had it been my ada, you’d have a lot more to worry about.”

Sebastian raised his head, a flicker of intrigue sparking in his gaze. “Your ada?”

“My father. A rather… protective fellow.” Faelyn replied with a wry smile. “He has little patience for humans, especially those who wander into our lands.”

As she spoke, she reached into a small pouch slung over her shoulder, retrieving a neatly wrapped package. She unfolded the cloth to reveal a square of thick, golden-brown bread etched with a small cross in the middle. “Here.” she said, extending it to him. “If what you’ve said is true, then you must be hungry too.”

Sebastian took it carefully, looking up at her in surprise. “What is it?”

“It’s lambas.” she explained, her expression softening as she watched him. “Elvish traveling bread. A single bite is enough to fill a grown man’s stomach. It stays fresh for ages if kept wrapped.”

Curious, Sebastian bit off a small piece, and the rich, slightly sweet flavor spread over his tongue. Instantly, he felt his hunger recede, his body invigorated by the unusual bread. He looked at Faelyn in amazement. “It’s… delicious. And truly filling. Thank you.”