The Familiar

Part 6: The Elves

The elven city was only a day and a half journey from the Troll's village. During that time of loneliness, he tried not to think about his experiences in the Nightmare. He couldn't. It would eat at him until he snapped completely. He distracted himself by trying to figure out how many different species of birds were cooing nearby, or how many trees he'd passed. Once, he'd counted almost two thousand, but he lost count and had to start over.

Before the city even came into sight, Aster was stopped by one of the Elves. He appeared to be a ranger of sorts. The ranger knew Aster was a familiar. As a magical being, he gave off an immense aura of power. Even his fur shimmered with a faint hint of blue that supplies over his silvery coat. Only an imbecile could miss the fact he was not actually a wolf.

"Who are you to tread upon Elven lands?" The Elf clearly had no trust for him. Aster could understand that.

Cautiously, he linked his mind to the Elf.

I am Aster. I'm looking for the witches.

"Are you out here by yourself?" As the Elf asked this, he peered around as though searching for someone hidden in the underbrush. Aster knew what he really meant by that question. He was asking where his Witch was.

I'm alone.

"Ah. I won't pry too much. Follow me." The Elf began to move off, in the direction Aster was originally going.

"I'm Castien, by the way," he said as they went. Aster replied with a simple nice to meet you. He wasn't up for much talking, but apparently that wasn't on the Elf's agenda.

"So, Aster. What do you want with the witches?"

Don't you know? The treefolk have spoken of a gathering. I came to lend my aid in anyway possible.

"Yes, I figured that was why. But I don't like to assume things, you know? I like to deal in certainties."

Aster could understand that, or he'd like to think so anyways. The elf continued talking, though.

"I've heard that there is a Human army nestled along the foothills in the West. Gawaine went to take care of them, though." Castien grinned. "Of course, we're still waiting for the Dragon's return to confirm this."

Just as he said this, a large shadow passed overhead. Since the canopy here was practically nonexistent, Aster could see Gawaine. Right before she disappeared beyond his sight, Aster caught glimpse of charred scales.

This meant that the Demon's visions were true. A flicker of panic sparked to life in Aster's chest as he turned to Castien.

Your people are in grave danger. Aster was so caught up in the moment, he wasn't even sure how he was going to explain this.

"Well. I think we all are with a possible army looming on our doorstep."

Gawaine's back. It was scorched. That means everything I saw after will likely happen... There is an army, Castien, and they're going to burn your city.

Castien stood there and just blinked, processing that information for a moment. "So you're saying you saw all this? Where? A crystal ball?" The elf didn't seem to really believe Aster. Perhaps because he only believed in absolutes, or Aster sounded like a nutcase. Who knows? Perhaps it was both.

For a moment, Aster debated if he should actually tell the truth. He figured that he might as well. The worst it could do is make him sound crazier.

As they continued walking, Aster explained. Despite having no real idea about Castien, Aster decided he could at least be trusted with all the details. He seemed as honorable as they come.