Lich-El: Lich Lord Wars book 1

Chapter 2

"Our scouts report contact."

"Very good, Keshen. Did they see any more traces of Aguerian scouts in the forest?"

"No, it seems our sources are true; Lord Aguerius keeps scouts on the border of the forest but not in it — not that we can see."

"Excellent. Let's go see if we can draw out this forest spirit and have a visit with him. Just be sure to remember Lich-el's orders concerning the boy."

"I'll remember alright, Tornal, but you know accidents happen sometimes."

"Take care none do or you'll be the one to explain it to Lich-el."

Teaneas heard his visitors before he saw them. Not that they were loud. Compared to most humans they were quite stealthy.

Born an elf prince, Teaneas lived much of his life as a warrior and as a champion for the gods that had created Mundial, their world. He was also one of the great heroes of the War of Destruction. Now he spent his days here in this forest, with but one common title given by his children, living with but three people -- when two of them weren't away up north -- and he couldn't imagine being happier.

The last hundred years of living in this forest had been the happiest years of his life. He had often wished that things could always remain the same, yet in his heart he knew it was an impossible wish.

He wasn't sure why, but these were the thoughts that came to him as his guests came into view, these thoughts along with a feeling of foreboding.

The first of his guests was Gidon Aguerius. While humans where creatures of chaos, of all the humans Teaneas knew, Gidon was one not unlike himself. He was a man of many titles, and a man who fought for and loved his people with all his heart. Most of all he was a man who valued the title given to him by his family the most: The title of father.

His companion was his eldest son, Cree Tanis Aguerius, nicknamed Creetan by his younger brother Almas, which had caught on with the rest of the family. At age 16 the boy seemed to have reached his man's height. Both had visited before so it wasn't their arrival that brought the feeling of foreboding but the quickness and the tension in their walk. They also had their weapons and armor, although they often did while they were training. Gidon had on his leather armor along with his bow, broadsword, shield, and although he couldn't see them, Teaneas was sure he had at least a half dozen other weapons hidden on his person. His son, on the other hand, only had on his leather armor, bow and a dagger.

Behold the mightiest warrior the human race has to offer. If I had a body, I'd die laughing, came a voice to Teaneas' mind.

Teaneas didn't even glance at the ring on his right index finger as he thought back, It was thinking like that, that led to the death of your previous owner.

The response came, He died at your hands. At least you're of elvish blood, which is a step up from human blood, although still a far cry from the blood of the desert kin.

Just remember that the desert kin are gone now thanks to inferior elves and humans, using an inferior human's battle plan.

And a traitor, the voice grumbled as Teaneas felt the voice withdraw into the ring.

By this time Teaneas and his two visitors had closed the distance between them and Teaneas asked, "Is something wrong?"

Gidon smiled and responded, "I hope not; two of my scouts watching the southeastern border of the forest are missing. I wondered if you knew where the kids are. Cady said Seacra went looking for them since the boys weren't where they said they were going to be. I'd like to know where they are until we sort this out."