Tearha: The Number 139

Chapter Twenty-Four: Sword of the Shadows

With his hood up and scarf covering the bottom half of his face, Nadier followed Nintarin through the streets towards the barracks. He had forgotten much about the culture of dark elves in his time in exile. Unlike the human world above, the elven city was not bustling from minute to minute. No seller of meat constantly screaming for attention; No bright coloured flowers arranged out on stands for effect. The moody grey atmosphere, lit by the glistening cave moss, felt like a perpetual midnight.

Even though they were technically 'buildings', the main construction of the barracks were actually carved into the side of the stone walls. The 'L' shaped structure, with windows within the natural stone, extended out into an open courtyard that was fenced with walls of stone thrice their heights.

Nintarin said, "I suppose you'll be able to enter the compound yourself? I doubt I'll be able to let you in through the gates."

"Of course," Nadier replied. Though he was still wary of the reason for her wanting to bring him to a location potentially crawling with soldiers, he relented to the prospect of information.

"Very well. I will meet you inside." She walked straight off towards the guarded gates.

He turned into the nearest alley beside him, where a thick dwarven building was partnered with a wooden elven one. He lined himself at an angle from the stone wall and with a running start, rushed towards it without hesitation. He jumped, kicked against the stone, turned, and grabbed onto a wooden ledge that marked the foundation for the second floor of the elven structure. With the strain of his upper body's muscles, he pulled himself up, kicking off against the wall with his legs, and reached for the window sill above.

With a grip on the sill and a foothold on the ledge, he turned to gauge his path. The dwarven stone work was smooth and without creases, preventing any holds. He would have to make the last jump up to the rooftop in one take.

Taking a peek into the elven building to make sure no one was watching, he reached out and grabbed the head of the frame, climbing fully onto the window with his feet. He squatted, and with a push from his legs and pull from his arm, launched himself further up the elven wall. His feet found a landing on the window head and, using gravity to angle himself back, he launched away from the window and grabbed the edge of the roof of the dwarven building. Taking a short moment to catch his breath, he finally pulled himself onto the empty rooftop.

The elf walked over the edge and watched as Nintarin was allowed into the compound without question. The Ha'Lof paused at the door, turned, and seemingly looked towards Nadier's position. Even with their eyesight, with him completely dressed in dark clothes, it should have been impossible for her to have seen him. He felt a chill down his spine as he thought that and Nintarin walked into the compound.

Without wasting time on that shiver, Nadier backed up on the roof as far as he could. Calmly, without hesitation, he sprinted towards the opposite ledge that faced the compound. Launching himself off the parapet, he soared across the street. On his descent, he grabbed the hem of his coat and pulled them open as if they were a pair of wings. He did not glide, but it slowed him enough that when he landed, the momentum did not break his legs.

Being elven meant he was lighter more spry, but that did not excused him from gravity. He rolled forward, redirecting all his momentum away from the ground to the front. He ended with a jump to his feet, still in the pace of a light jog, pushing even more kinetic force up and away from his legs.

As he slowed, he looked up and was brought face-to-face with Nintarin.

She told him, "Impressive."

"How did you know I would land here?" As far as he knew, a seer's ability to predict the future was restricted, and not something that could be activated as-and-when.