Elves of Wood and Storm (Book one of The Guardians series)

Multiplying the Count

X stood pulling on warm layers of clothing, he grabbed his weapons, then raced out the door. Meditation forgotten he hurried down the path, following the trail Heidi would have taken, he had to make sure she made it out. Made it past the hunter stalking the valley, past Lucas. It was late night but he didn't slow, just followed the most efficient route to the gaurd. He knew it was the same path Heidi would take when she delivered his letter.

X jogged down the path cursing himself, if she died because of him it would be the second death linked to himself. He soon reached the same place on the path where Lucas had jumped on him so long ago. He paused to look around and froze as his trained gaze picked out the signs. Heidi had stood here, and there several feet way someone had leaped from a tree, and followed the path Heidi made as she ran. X knew what had happened she saw him and fled, Lucas saw her and followed.

Anger overcoming intelligent thought X started to follow the fading trail.
*~*~*~*
Lucas restrained himself with difficulty, despite his fatigue he was itching to kill. Unfortunately he couldn't target the man pacing past him, no matter how much he wanted to. To engage in combat with the man before him would be suicide. Lucas thought of it for only a moment, before he returned to his earlier conclusion that he should wait. So he let X walk by focused on the trail he had left while chasing the she-elf.

He passed by quickly, but Lucas waited for several minutes before continuing his own path back to the village. He was going to kill as many elves as he could, leave a mark on history. And, he smiled to himself, obtain revenge for his exile.
He was still a few hours away from the village if he were to walk, but should he manage to continue his run Lucas knew he could arrive in under an hour. He wondered if it would be worth it, sure he would be there faster but what would he be able do once he arrived.

Mind made up he began to walk.
~~~
Hours later Lucas saw the outermost hut in the village. Barely pausing he drew his bow and strung it, pulling the yew wood experimentally. He had been forced to create a new one due to X's actions before and has not yet had a chance to test it. His breath and heart rate had slowed in his long walk, and once quivering legs still and strong. His mind went numb, thoughts slowing to a silly halt. Lucas held a single image in his mind, Elsa telling him to leave. He replayed the scene over and over again, he was sent away. They told him he was different, he didn't belong. Now Lucas would show them, he would show the what would happen to those who turned him away.

The first hut grew larger and larger as he approached it. Lifting a single hand Lucas knocked, a young man opened the door smiling. His face fell as he registered the dark hair and gray eyes. Fear flitted across his features and the elf tried to slam the door, but Lucas didn't give him the chance. He kicked out throwing the door open, he watched impassively as the younger elf scrambled for a weapon. The elf grabbed a small kitchen knife, and turned back to the door just in time for an arrow to enter his chest.

Gasping the young man fell backwards hands clutching at the slim wooden shaft. Lucas stepped over the twitching body and entered the next room, there he saw the edge of a dress peeking from below the small bed. Grimacing at the poor hiding spot he grabbed the dress and pulled. Surprisingly it was just a dress, there was a small shift and something hit the back of Lucas's head. With little force behind the blow he simply growled and turned confronting a female wielding a frying pan. Her wide green eyes grew wider under long blond hair as Lucas glared into her eyes. Grasping the knife he stabbed forward in a sharp lunge, if possible the eyes grew even more. Wiping the knife casually Lucas left, leaving a screaming baby in a crib. He would not kill the innocent, Lucas promised himself this trying to provide some measure of atonement for his actions.

The next hovel was not far away, again Lucas pulled an arrow to the string, again he knocked. This time no one answered, so he opened it himself. No one. Frustrated Lucas looked around wondering how to make a mark. An idea grew slowly in his mind and he grinned. Slinging the bow over his shoulder Lucas rummaged through drawers searching for a tinderbox. As he searched the feeling of being watched come over him, slowly he closed the drawer and turned around.

A young boy was standing there. He couldn't have been more than six or seven, a shock of red hair was brushed carefully over a small forehead. Green eyes looked up at him, a tiny finger hooked on his lower lip. Sensing no additional danger Lucas smiled, "Well hello there young man," the boys chest swelled in pride at being called a man, "do you think you can help me?" The child nodded excitedly, "wha you wan?" Lucas smiled, "I need something to make a fire with."

The boy looked confused, "Why you need tha?" Lucas opened his mouth trying to think of an alternative answer than his true intention, but as he looked at the innocent child he knew he didn't need one, "Why to make a fire silly!" He added a false giggle at the end of his sentence and was rewarded with a childlike laugh emanating from the boy. "I can help you!" Lucas grinned darkly and watched as the child scampered into the next room, then his heart dropped as he heard the excited question.

"Mommy I need something to make a fire with! Where can I find something?" So the child wasn't alone, Lucas sighed he supposed it wasn't surprising. Disappointed he started to grab his blade but then the boy came racing back in proffering a tinderbox, "Mommy says I can't use it unless an adult is watching." Lucas marveled at the trust the hidden mother placed in her son giving him a tinderbox. "I'm an adult, let's make a fire." The boy clapped his hand, Lucas looked around measuring the exits in the house. "Why don't you go stand over there and I'll stand over here."

Lucas directed the boy away from the door and positioned himself by the entrance. He set up a small pile of wood in the middle of the floor, worried the boy raised a hand "Um won't the house burn of you start the fire there?" Lucas shook his head quickly, "Nope, by the way. What's your name?" The boy, dissuaded from his worries was eager in his reply, "Kyler!" Lucas finished setting up his fire, "Well Kyler, you are in for a show." With that Lucas sent several sparks onto the pile, creating a fire.

He looked up to see the dancing flames in the boys eyes, remorseless he then reached for magic. "Fier!" With a rush of blazing heat fire reared up its head and began to devour the dry wood constructing the small home. The boy shrieked, and in the next room Lucas could hear a thump and a second scream, high and feminine. He stepped back from the door, away from the heat drying his lips, and away from the young child betrayed. Already forgetting the promise he had made.

Around him wooden cottages grew closer as they approached the village center, deciding what he would do next was easy for Lucas. He took a torch, fashioned from pine sap and a stout branch, from someone's yard. Then he held it into the first blaze, ignoring the cries of those trapped inside. As soon as it caught Lucas began to run from house to house, allowing the licked get flames to grab the roof or wall of each one. Where it was unwilling he shouted "Fier!" Around him elves were running and shrieking. But most were peaceful fools who avoided him rather than confront him.

Several ran into the streets clutching bundles or children, Lucas bowled them over as he ran by. He started to laugh, dancing about surrounded by flame. Then he saw the council, they were gathering a resistance around them. Lucas measured the numbers and knew they were to many, so he dropped his torch and slipped into the crowd.