Sunk

2

“Master!”Someone called out, so I turned to see who it was. The boy looked familiar. He was about my age with long, dark, brown hair and piercing blue eyes. I’m not entirely sure of his name, but he is indeed from a lower class elven clan by the shape of his ears. When he stopped a few meters away from me, I tried to recall his name, but it did not come to me.

“May I help you?” I kindly asked, scanning his face for anything that might remind me of his name.

“I’m sorry sir, I should introduce myself” he smiled, holding out a hand. “My name is Larhly Krizak. Your father sent me to be your guard, sir.”

“You look familiar,” I mused, rubbing my neck.

“I use to be a mere servant,” he explained. “Now I am a guard.”

“I see,” I muttered, shaking his hand. 

“I’ve been sent to get you,” Larhly informed. “Your father wishes to speak with you, sir.”

“Of course he does,” I sighed, wishing my father would just leave me alone and realize I am a failure.

“Do you not like your father, sir?” Larhly questioned. Of course I don’t. He deserts me, and then he spontaneously appears when he needs me.

“I don’t know him very well.” It’s close enough to the truth. Besides, I don’t know if I can trust this ‘Larhly Krizak’. He could be working for my father to test me further.

We walked in silence. The gravel crunched under our feet, while the scar on my cheek seemed to burn from memories of yesterday. I’m not a good fighter. I prove this time and time again when it comes to the final test. What of Larhly though? How is he as a fighter? As an elf, he should have some skill even without training.

“Krizak,” I addressed, giving him a sideways glance. “How are you with a sword? As an elf, you should have skill.”

“A misconception,” he laughed. “My sword skills aren’t exceptional. My skill with a bow and arrow however are substantial. My true mastery lies with sorcery, sir.”

“A mage,” I summed up. “I hope it is not blood magic.”

“I have no desire to deal with such unspeakably powerful magic,” he assured me. “Elemental and healing magic is what I practice, sir.”

“Please,” I said, “desist with the ‘sir’ and ‘master’ when it is just us. I get enough of it from the other servants.”

“As you wish,” he nodded.

“So, why are you here?” I asked, “Working as a mere servant?”

“My family has served your family for your past six generations, and three of ours” Larhly answered. “We know of nothing else. I was told to serve you as a child.”

“Did you ever have any wish to leave?” 

“Of course, all the time. But where would I go? What would I do? I know of no other clans nearby that would accept my kind. I’m a mere Forest Elf. The Nightstalker Elves are the closest, but our two kinds have never been ones to mix.”

“An ancient quarrel?”

“Nothing of the likes,” Larhly laughed. “They move at night when the moon lights their way. We move during the day when the sun is at its highest point to touch everything with a golden glow.”

“You seem to know much of the elves,” I noted.

“My mother told me stories,” he recalled, with a distant grin. “I would listen intently, hoping one day I could explore the world. She was the one who also taught me magic.”

“Well, you shall be exploring soon,” I replied. We stopped in front of the back door to my home. My father would be waiting inside for me. Whatever he has to say, I don’t think I’m ready. 

I’ve yet to come close to even passing his tests. 

And now he sends me into the field.

Every part of my body is saying he is trying to kill me.

I have no reason to doubt that.