The Lonely City

A Lost Tomb

The next day they did not wake up early once again, but instead found themselves awaking from a deep slumber nearer to the afternoon. When Allethan awoke he found Nembor and Loirin already packing their supplies.

"What are you doing?", Allethan asked, still coming round.

"We have to leave, it's noon already", Nembor replied swinging the quiver of arrows onto his back.

"What? Noon?!", Allethan exclaimed. He grabbed his sword and shook Thilhan awake. 

"Wha-?", Thilhan mumbled, taking his greatsword off Allethan and putting it on his lap. Nembor raised his bow and pulled the string back, testing it. Loirin put on his chainmail and attatched his hammer to his belt. Nembor exited the tent first, followed by Allethan. The air felt much warmer today in this part of the forest, and it was a welcome relief from the cold they had felt for the three days previous. Around them the elves were making preparations to leave. Glorfimir was overseeing the operation.

"Why are you leaving?", Allethan asked as he approached him. Glorfimir turned.

"We don't stay in the same place for any longer than we have to. Those goblins you encountered were not the first to come to this forest", he told him.

"Why are they so far from home?"

"We do not know, we guess that some darker power has pushed them from their home down south".

"Anyway, thank you for letting us stay here through the night. We much appreciate it", Allethan told him. Glorfimir smiled and nodded. "We must be going now", Allethan continued, "we must at least reach the borders of the forest before nightfall. Which doesn't seem all too likely given the circumstances".

"Do not fear, we can supply you with transport", he pointed to the enclosure where they kept the ferags. Most were sleeping.

"Thank you", Allethan said. Nembor joined them from the tent.

"We're ready to leave when you're ready!", he told Allethan.

"What path will you take?", Glorfimir asked them.

"We okan to make for Mooncaster, then we will continue south", Allethan told him.

"South to what? Exactly?", Glorfimir asked.

"The city of Caelthor", Allethan told him.

"Ahh, Caelthor! The crown jewel of Windmouth's eastern elf population! But what brings you to such a dead, lonely place?" Allethan and Nembor looked at eachother.

"It's purely academical..." Nembor told him before Allethan could reveal the true nature of their quest.

"Ahh right, of course", Glorfimir said. "Well, Mooncaster is just in that direction", he pointed west of the camp. "It's around 60 miles away, but these ferags will do that in good time", Glorfimir told them. By this time Loirin and Thilhan had left the tent, both disgruntled at having to get up once again. Glorfimir signalled for an elf to bring three ferags. The ferags were brought and given armour and supplies. Thilhan and Nembor both got on separate ferags, but Allethan and Loirin were made to share due to the dwarfs small height. With that they said their goodbyes and raced off into the woods...

It was around 4 hours into their journey when they came across a large hole. Nembor, who was leading, signalled for the others to stop. Nembor jumped down and walked over to Allethan and Loirin's ferag. Loirin jumped down and stretched.

"Remember to buy some saddles before we decide to sit on one of them for a bloody age!", he moaned. Nembor signalled for him to be quiet.

"I think this may be a goblin camp!", he whispered, "I wonder what may lay inside, if not Goblins..." He glanced down into the hole and back to Allethan.

"If there is any chance of there being treasure we could use then I say we go in." He said.

"We could Thilhan out here to keep watch", Nembor suggested. Allethan nodded in return.

"Thilhan! Keep watch while we go into this hole!", Thilhan nodded half-heartedly before swinging himself off his ferag and sitting on the floor. "We shouldn't be long!", Allethan told him before leading the group into the hole.

About 100 metres into the hole darkness engulfed them. Although it wasn't a massive change to the outside would, it was certainly dark enough to have the three feeling the walls in attempt to keep their heading. Allethan's hand brushed against his left wall, feeling nothing except bare rock until he caught something. A torch holder. It was rusted but there was indeed a stick of wood placed in it. He strained his eyes forwards, trying to see anything ahead of them. He saw a faint light coming from the ceiling far ahead. As they neared the light he saw that it illuminated a large room. As they entered the room he noticed that the light came from a small hole in the ceiling. Scattered around the room lay rusted swords and axes. On the wall were mounted sets of armour. Allethan went over and grabbed a helmet from the wall. It was heavy in his hand, probable made of a steel of some sort.

"This must be an ancient human camp!", Nembor told them, picking up a sword and looking at it.

"No... This is something else", Allethan told him as he walked over to a large stone box. He brushed a large amount of dust off it, revealing letters engraved into the rock. Nembor walked up behind him and looked at the stone.

"A tomb?", Nembor asked, somewhat rhetorically.

"Yes, but for who I can't understand", Allethan replied, walking away from the coffin as he did so. "Come now, we must get going". 

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Authors Note

I've reached a point in the story where I'm contemplating continuing to write it. I've put a lot of work into writing this story and planning the next in the series. I would really appreciate some feedback from people who have read the story so far on what I could do to improve. Thank you!