by Jordan Cramm
“Well,” Ravenshade began at last, “I could tell you what I know. You don’t really think that the child of a God would have chosen to reveal all of his dark plans to me do you? I am merely a pawn to him.”
“In that case,” Wolflen responded, “what do I need to free you for?”
Ravenshade was quick to answer this time.
“Because I can tell you a few secrets about getting into Castle Helkar, tell you of some of its layout, but more importantly, I can tell you about one of the gateways to the portal he may open.”
Without another word, Wolflen considered carefully. He left the cell at once, thinking the whole thing over in his mind. Katrina and Jakarta could both read his expression once he left the cell. They knew that Wolflen was considering a request to free Ravenshade in exchange for information. But neither of them wanted to do that. Jakarta shook his head sideways in disbelief while Katrina addressed Wolflen’s thoughts verbally.
“No Wolflen…you can’t. She tried to kill you!...”
Wolflen looked back at her and put a hand over his chin and mouth.
“I know,” he said wiping his hand away as though he was mentally stressed out, “and she killed Elves in the forest. That can’t be ignored I know but…” Wolflen trailed off.
“Then what,” Katrina retorted insistently, “are you even considering it for?”
Wolflen’s eyes snapped toward Jakarta at once. He had known that in the times of War Mages of the past, their words were always like orders to be followed, and they were normally considered the Captains of war during their time. As an Izenian, the Elves were not likely bound to those rules now, but Wolflen was starting to think that maybe they still were.
“Jakarta you have taught me well. And there is more to learn still and time is so short I know…”
Jakarta took a deep breath and responded.
“But?” he asked.
“But,” Wolflen replied, “Ravenshade may have information worthy of her life. We all know that sooner or later I have to face Mortican right? And granted I need more training, but if we can somehow stop whatever he is planning to do with this portal, then he can’t bring the armies here from the Nexulous moon. If he opens the portal, the world is in chaos. But if we ensure that the portals never open, then we win without a worldwide fight.”
Jakarta took a deep breath, sighing as he considered Wolflen’s heavy words.
“Tell me you aren’t listening to this or taking it seriously?” Katrina pleaded with Jakarta. “She killed several Elves. She tried to kill the one I love! She is a Shadow Knight and an abomination to the Elven people!” she continued.
Jakarta nodded.
“But you know the laws of our people. If the War Mage asks it of us…” Jakarta paused as he looked back at Wolflen and held his gaze, “then we must let her live. The War Mage must make his decision.”
Wolflen realized that both Elves were staring at him intently now. In that moment, he understood just how much responsibility was actually on his shoulders and he knew he had to decide what to do with it.
“The truth is,” Wolflen began, “I think we need her alive. In my time among your city, I have learned many things about the Elven people, including the way they disdain the Night Elves. But what if she is the key to stopping the coming war before it starts? How can we ignore such an opportunity?”
Katrina shook her head.
“I don’t trust this Wolflen. You should order her execution.”
Wolflen looked at Jakarta, his teacher, clearly to try and read what Jakarta’s thoughts on the matter were.
“In the case of your indecision, you can of course listen to whatever counsel you wish. In absence of our King, we will follow your orders. I might point out however, that our King may shed light upon our own interpretations of the law, and may revoke the notion that all Elven hands salute the War Mage authority now that the War Mage is not Elven. In other words Wolflen, if you wish to let her go, you may wish to do so soon. Because when King Janureen arrives, he may override your authority here and have Ravenshade executed.”
Wolflen nodded his head, still not satisfied by Jakarta’s explanation.
“But what would you do in my shoes Jakarta?” Jakarta swallowed and took a deep breath, shifting his eyes to meet the eyes of Katrina before answering. He was slow to answer, and he spoke firmly and delicately when he responded.
“I am Jakarta, First Knight of Orenty. My first duty above all others is to protect the Elven royal family and the Elven kingdom. If sparing Ravenshade and even helping the Night Elves along will save the lives of many Elven soldiers, then I cannot ignore that chance. My Princess here does have valid points about this woman. I do not trust Ravenshade myself. Yet, the chance to avoid the war and chaos to come is a worthy goal. So in the interest of the kingdom, I would overlook the Elves she has killed. They would be proud to have died for such a cause if they had known. So if it were me, I would take Ravenshade’s offer. I would set her free, but under constant guard at least until she fulfills her end of the bargain.”
Wolflen nodded at once, soaking in everything he was hearing.
“Well then,” Katrina added smoothly, “what’s it to be Wolflen?”
Wolflen straightened himself and then took a deep breath before turning. He returned at once to the cell that held his prisoner. He looked upon her a moment with true pity, but he also knew better than to underestimate her.
“You have your freedom Shadow Knight…”
Ravenshade stood at once, immediately shocked by the news. Wolflen however was not finished with his explanation.
“You are free as I said, but conditionally. Firstly, you will remain here in this city under the supervision of Elven guards. Secondly, you will provide us with the location in of the portals you know of in Mortican’s plan. You will disclose all that you know about his whereabouts, his territory, his castle and any other information about him we seek. In addition to this, you will also reveal the location to the Night Elves.”
Ravenshade was shocked by the last part of Wolflen’s request. She questioned it at once.
“Think of it as a show of faith. If we are to trust you, then you must earn that trust. We will send messengers to your people and tell them to come here at once. If our messengers find the Night Elves where you say they are, we will know you were not lying to us. And if the messengers return with Night Elves behind them, we will know that you were honest and that your people do want to be integrated back into Elven society. If however the messengers do not return, we will know that your people are too violent to rejoin the Elven population. Now do we have a deal or not Ravenshade?”
Ravenshade was slow to answer. She looked Wolflen directly in the eyes and weighed her options carefully.
“Your terms are…acceptable War Mage.”
Wolflen spoke again quickly. “Your treachery against the Elven people and against me must be done Ravenshade. If you are caught engaging in acts against us once more, your life will not be spared a second time. Be warned we will be watching.”
Ravenshade gritted her teeth, not liking the concept of being threatened. But, she also knew her freedom, her very life was at stake. Not only that, but if she agreed to Wolflen’s terms, she knew that the Night Elves would once more walk in Elven lands, and that was something Ravenshade could not ignore.
As agreed, Ravenshade was allowed to walk freely (with Elven escort) through the Elven city. Of course, nowhere in Wolflen’s deal were there any terms mentioned about Elves having to like the fact that a Night Elf was in their city and roaming relatively freely. However, they followed the orders of their Princess and First Knight, even if they secretly questioned them. Ravenshade was also given her own house within the city, which was something that she was surprised at entirely. Not only that, but her weapons and other belongings had been returned to her, and as she pushed the door open to her new house for the first time she took a moment to really think about what was happening. Wolflen’s influence had in f
act spared her life, but also given to her a life she had not known in her many years; a life among the Elves. She felt her fingers twitch in nervousness.
Wolflen and Katrina were the first to pay a visit, and it was the day after Ravenshade had settled in the home. Wolflen and Katrina both had ridden on Sespa’s back until they reached Ravenshade’s new place, and then both dismounted quickly. After objecting to the whole thing once more, Katrina waited as Wolflen wrapped on the door. Ravenshade was still in the main part of the home and yelled back to whoever was at the door, telling them it was open. Wolflen turned the handle and at once he entered the home, followed by Katrina.
Ravenshade stood expressionless as her eyes still scanned the fully furnished home. Elven fineries everywhere. Oak tables with fancy etchings and engravings; arched doorways, a fancy bedroom, a fancy common room, and so much more. It was quite a sight for Ravenshade to take in all at once, and behind the house, a very large and elegant garden.
“I trust the courtesy of the Elves is satisfactory?”
Wolflen asked rhetorically. When he spoke, Katrina almost gawked at him, surprised at how much he had matured in the short time he had been among the Elves. In Haven he had been a young adult at most. Now though, he had become a warrior, and even apparently, a diplomat of sorts. It was amazing for Katrina to see. Too her it was like watching a flower start to bloom.
“Indeed,” Ravenshade said at once noticing her guests and bowing her head in the presence of Katrina. “I confess it is more than I expected.”
Katrina smiled sheepishly and had a dark thought but kept it to herself. She still did not trust or like Ravenshade.
“My beloved here has become quite influential now. He asked that you be given quarters that we would be honored to give to one of our own.” Katrina remarked.
Ravenshade bowed lower for a moment, not locking eyes with the Elven Princess.
“Thank you your majesty. I know that you must think the most awful things about me, and I don’t blame you. So this is likely hard for you. Please understand that everything I have done has been for my people. For that reason, I cannot apologize for my actions.”
Katrina grit her teeth tightly and Wolflen observed the tension while Ravenshade still had her head bowed.
“Ravenshade maybe it is best that we move forward,” Wolflen suggested, “and perhaps the best place to start will be with the information you promised us.”
Ravenshade straightened and stared at Wolflen before answering.
The details were long and intricate, but Ravenshade fulfilled her end of the bargain that day. She told Wolflen and Katrina the location of the Night Elf cities, and shared her knowledge of Mortican’s plans, including what she knew of Castle Helkar on the Tendra Isle, and what she knew of his plans and location of the portal he had been working on. It was quite a bit of information to take down, and Wolflen in fact did end up scribing the information on parchment so that he and Katrina could go over the details without forgetting half of them.
Katrina was satisfied as well, except she also made it a point to interject on the point of the Night Elves.
“Understand this Shadow Knight, we will send messengers as Wolflen has asked. However, I can only vouch for their acceptance within this city alone. All other Elven cities are under the rule of my father or brother, so when they arrive we may visit the issue once more. But know this, no matter where your people are accepted, I hope you do not think that integration will be an easy task.”
Ravenshade merely nodded. She knew that her people would not soon be trusted by their racial ancestors. Just the same, Ravenshade knew she had to take the chance to try. If the Elves and even Izenians would call the Night Elves enemies no more, than perhaps they would one day be able to walk in the light. Besides, the Night Elves didn’t have strong ties with the other evil races anyway. They really were an outcast race, but maybe, just maybe Ravenshade’s efforts could change all that. Maybe they could find a home with their ancient ancestors.
Wolflen and Katrina had left the house around twilight. After that, another week went by and Wolflen resumed his training vigorously, knowing time was crucial. They visited Ravenshade once more after that, telling her that the Elven messengers had been dispatched to find Night Elves. Then, he left the home once more and found Katrina waiting outside, petting Sespa and talking to her sweetly.
“I trust you to take care of him you know,” she said and Sespa turned her head as if to acknowledge what was said.
Outside the home, Wolflen stretched and yawned. Katrina asked him if he was tired and Wolflen nodded. He told her that he had been swinging swords in training for many days despite his recent injuries and that the days seemed to be getting longer even though they also seemed to be running short on time. She asked him how his magical studies were coming along, and he explained that his normal practices came at night after supper meal, and that he had learned a few new things and had been practicing, but that he wasn’t allowing himself much more than about three to four hours of sleep each night at the Hall of Emerald Shielding.
“If it means anything sweetie,” Katrina began with a smile and red warmth filling her face, “I think in your time among us your skills have grown exponentially and I have noticed you are bulking up nicely…but maybe you need a vacation.”
Wolflen grinned.
“Back home,” he began, “we would sometimes go out and hunt the frosty tundras. Ayvock and I would weather the harsh conditions together, do some hunting and camping. I guess it has been a while. Of course out here we are sort of far away from the snowy hills and large mammoths.”
Katrina wondered if she was hearing regret in his voice when he spoke. She knew he had originally planned to be a Ranger and not become a War Mage.
“It’s too bad,” Katrina said at once, “that there aren’t any spells for teleportation. Rumor has it that in the days of legends long passed, such spells did exist. Maybe the War Mage spellbooks have something like that.”
Wolflen gazed down at her with a slight grin.
“Actually, yes they do. My books reference them and even explain how to accomplish the spell. According to the histories I have been able to read here thus far, the transportation spell will take the caster, and anything or person the caster focuses upon to any location that the caster can mentally focus on. The texts are hard to understand, but maybe the caster has to have once been to the location they wish to visit in order to do it?”
Wolflen’s expression told Katrina that he himself was not sure about what he was explaining to her.
“So why haven’t you tried the spell then?” Katrina asked.
Wolflen swallowed hard and then answered slowly.
“Well,” he began, “firstly, it requires a great deal of focus. It could drain the caster of all energy and drop them unconscious for a while from what I have read. Plus, since it is a matter of focus, the caster must also focus intently on telephoning anyone else the spell is cast for. And since it is untested, what if I tried to teleport to Akartha for instance? What if I could only get it to work once? Then what? I would have another long trek from there back to here, and waste more precious time. So for now the spell is one I hope to one day learn, but can’t see any practical way to practice it at the moment.”
“Really,” Katrina smirked, “that is too bad. Because I will be in my home this evening when the stars are up tonight. I thought maybe after you dropped me off at home you could take this information to Jakarta at once, and after reporting to him, you could teleport to my home and pay me a visit. But I understand if you have other plans…”
Wolflen smiled widely and realized that Katrina made an interesting point and an irresistible offer. He hadn’t thought about it before, but he could safely practice his teleportation spell within the city he was in. He chastised himself in his mind for not thinking of the idea himself.
Chapter 20: Visitors
It took Wolflen only about a week and a half to figure out the concept of teleportation,
at least for short distances for himself. He had some varied results at first as was to be expected, but soon learned to master the technique; at least within the short distances.
“I am telling you sweetie it was amazing,” he began excitedly, “I stood still and at first it was a blur. I pictured where I wanted to be, and I could see this place in my mind. It was like looking at a painting of this place in my mind. I tried to walk toward it at first, and I stumbled and fell, hitting my face on the ground, which hurt, but when I stood up and tried again I applied a different tactic. I pictured the place again and waited until the picture itself enveloped me like a wave of water crashing over me. And then poof, I was standing on your walkway suddenly. It was amazing.”
Katrina smiled, pleased to hear of his progress.
“Well,” she remarked, “that is good news. Now you can get around more quickly than before if you practice it. I am sure it will be a valuable skill cutting out some travel times. Just don’t get too lazy with it. Remember that magic may not always be an option for whatever reasons. Learn workarounds when you can, so you know them when you need them. Remember the water bowl in the wild and how we filtered and purified it?”
Wolflen grinned as he caught his breath.
“I know…I won’t forget that. I will practice workarounds when I can. Just imagine it though, I could be here in a heartbeat any time!”
Katrina blushed and lowered her gaze to the ground.
“Then Wolflen I am glad you have discovered this gift. I have missed you lately.”
Before they could join in a warm embrace, the both of them heard the loud blasts of horns blowing from within the city. The horns Katrina knew, signaled the arrival of visitors. She whispered as much to Wolflen when his face showed a puzzled look.
“Daddy!” she said with mixed excitement.
Wolflen took a deep breath and tugged slightly on his armor at the belly.
“Well,” he said, “time to meet your father then…”
