Elf Lords: 01 - Pearls of the Elf Lords

by Richard Saunders

  Later that afternoon Jareel called them to a halt. “We are near the end of the Smuggler’s Road. About a mile ahead of us we will cross a shallow creek and travel onto the property belonging to the Shayel Monastery. We will come through the cemetery run by the monks of the monastery to reach the road.”

  Petra looked at him, “The Monks of Death?”

  “That is one of the names for them,” Jaylen said to her, “They are officially known as the Monks of Mercy. They were established by the Temple of Jahan when the plague swept through the region nearly a century ago. Many villages were decimated by the plague and the monks cared for those who were dying and cleared out the abandoned villages of the dead and burned the buildings to the ground. They buried the dead and continued caring for everyone until the plagues had passed; since then the monks have cared for lepers or anyone else suffering from conditions that cause them to be run out from their villages or towns.”

  Konik looked appalled, “They buried plague victims instead of burning them?”

  “So the story claims,” Jareel answered his uncle, “and that is part of what aids the Smuggler’s Road with secrecy. No one goes anywhere near that cemetery, and most people do not want to go near the monastery. We can travel through without fear of being seen.”

  “What about the monks and the sentry?” Eric asked, “Surly they must see people traveling through.”

  “Correct, but they allow us to pass. Jahan sends some financial support to them, but the monks are mostly left to support themselves. They raise their own food and most of them fish. And they do receive funds from wealthier families who need to commit a loved one to their care. But this does not cover everything, so the monks have found ways to supplement their income by making and selling ale and other things. And they accept payment to ensure that only approved guides enter or leave the Smuggler’s Road on this end.”

  “Everyone has to make a living.” Konik said.

  Jareel pointed to the sun. “We do not have much daylight left. I can secure lodging at the monastery for the night, or we can camp here and leave in the morning. Or you can choose ride on and camp somewhere along the road to Listol.”

  “Why would we want to stay in a place filled with lepers?” Jordan asked.

  “The monks do not share the same quarters as the lepers. They have an entirely different building that is very nice. The monks and guards stay there and they offer accommodations to the few travelers who choose to stay, for a fee of course. It is mostly those of us who travel the Smuggler’s Road who choose to stay there.”

  “I would not mind sleeping in a bed in a warm and safe place.” Petra suggested.

  “I will have to ride ahead and make the arrangements.” Jareel said. “Wait here until I return.”

  Jareel rode off as the remainder of the party climbed down from their horses to await his return. Petra unenthusiastically approached Eric as the Prince brushed his horse. “Eric, I believe that we need to talk.”

  “Talk then.” Eric answered.

  “In private: You, me and Landis.”

  Eric put his brush back into the saddlebag. “Very well, it would be better to get this over with.”

  Petra called to Landis, and the trio walked a good distance away from everyone until coming to a clearing opposite a row of evergreen bushes that provided a visual barrier from the others to ensure a measure of privacy.

  “I am sorry about what has happened.” Petra began explaining to Eric.

  The Prince held up his hand. “Do not say anything more, Petra. I would like to say something first. What is going on between you and Landis is your own business. I just do not want to be strung along on the pretense that we are betrothed when you are secretly sneaking off with someone else.”

  “We were not sneaking off,” Landis explained. “Last night was the first time, and it was not planned.”

  Petra found it difficult to look Eric in the eyes. “Look, Eric. We have been friends for years and I know that you feel about the same as I do about our engagement. I will go through with this arranged marriage if it is necessary, but I do not love you and do not believe that you love me. I am sorry if I hurt you…”

  “Hurt me,” Eric interrupted, “Petra, I am not hurt by you. I admit to being disappointed and even embarrassed at how this has turned out. I do not enjoy looking like a fool in front of everyone. But you are right that we are not in love and neither of us want to marry. In truth, I have been more concerned all day about how to break this news to my father and your grandfather without creating an international incident.”

  “I had not thought of that.” Petra said.

  “Look, Petra. I have been thinking this over all day. In truth you have given me the reason I need to break our engagement. For that I owe you and Landis thanks. Do not get me wrong. I have nothing against you, Petra. But you are right that we should not get married no matter what others have planned for us. And my father will willingly accept my refusal when he learns about you and Landis.”

  “You would not humiliate Petra that way.” Landis pressed.

  “No, I will not be that cruel. I promise not to say anything until after you have been named the official heir to the throne. I will tell my father upon returning to Birhirm why we cannot marry. He will not say anything publicly either. You will become Queen and we will both be free to pursue whomever we please.”

  Petra stepped forward to embrace the Prince. “You are a true friend, Eric.”

  When she released him, Eric and Landis grasped hands. “No hard feelings.” Eric told the half-elf, “but I cannot promise the same from my father.”

  Chapter 21

  It was dusk when Jareel returned with positive assurance that they could stay the night at the monastery. He immediately noted the change that had already been observed by everyone else; Landis, Eric and Petra were chatting in a friendly manner as if nothing was wrong. “We will have a hot meal as well as clean beds.” He informed everyone, “They have other guests, but we have been promised a secluded area so that we do not have to associate with anyone.”

  “Good.” Eric commented, “No need to risk having anyone recognize Petra.”

  They mounted up and followed Jareel down the narrow path in single file, riding in silence most of the way. Darkness was fully upon them by the time they exited the woods. With only the moonlight to guide them, they rode out of the trees into an open field marked with stones and other objects indicating that this was the cemetery Jareel had spoken of. The woods spread out around both sides of the cemetery and there were a few thickets that had sprung up throughout the mostly unmarked graves. In the distance ahead they could clearly see the rear wall of the monastery. Its tall, dark-gray, stone walls looked black in the darkness. The tops of two large buildings could be seen over the walls, but they could make out no light or windows coming from the building. In the distance it appeared abandoned. They rode somewhat reluctantly through the murky graveyard. There was no sign of the roadway on the opposite side of the monastery. It was easy to see how the entrance to the Smuggler’s Road was kept so secure under such conditions, with this massive walled building nestled at the foothills hiding the narrow entrance to the valley beyond. They continued heading towards the monastery, anxious to get inside stone walls for a change. Jaylen rode point along with Jareel. The big man was so used to the grave yard that he paid it no mind as his horse trotted over the remains of those who had succumbed to plagues or other diseases. But Jaylen was not feeling as comfortable as the plainsman. Something was nagging at the elf as they passed through the cemetery. Then his ears picked up a feint snapping sound and the elf reacted on impulse. “Archers!” He called out in warning.

  Arrows came at them from both sides. Jaylen was struck in the right thigh by one of the first arrows as they landed about them. “Ride!” He shouted as he leaned against his horse’s neck and kicked his heals into the animal’s side. Behind him, the others did the same.

  Landis looked to his right and caught movemen
t coming out of the thickets. “Orcs!” He cried out in warning as his night-vision enabled him to see about a dozen of the creatures coming out of the brush. Hearing a commotion from his left, he spun his head about and saw another half-dozen coming from the nearby bushes on that side of the cemetery. Several orcs on both sides were armed with bows and arrows. “Cover Petra!” He ordered as an arrow struck his horse’s neck, causing it to stumble and fall.

  Landis rolled free of the dying horse. He grabbed the green staff that hung off the side of his saddle, along with his bow and quiver of arrows and the knapsack containing the bracelet and broken staff and he ran on foot. Eric saw the half-elf rushing about and turned his horse back. “Keep going!” He yelled to the others as he rode back after Landis, who handed his bow and quiver of arrows to Eric and swung up onto the horse behind the Prince. “Thanks.” He said as he slung the quiver over his shoulder, removing the arrow with his right hand as he secured the bow with his left and began shooting at the oncoming orcs.

  “Don’t mention it.” Eric said as he kicked his horse forward.

  Petra hesitated as Landis fell. She stopped her horse until seeing that Eric was returning for him. Then Trevor Kahn rode by and slapped the rear of the animal to start it running again. “Keep her moving!” He yelled to Jordan who was on the other side of the Princess. Jordan steered his horse closer to Petra as if to shield her from archers on her right. Seeing an arrow strike the horse only inches behind his leg he jumped up and placed his feet onto the saddle. Once secure, Jordan leaped onto the back of Petra’s horse as his own began to stumble as a result of being struck by an arrow. The Princess was startled at the sudden arrival of Jordan onto her horse. Jordan unceremoniously pushed Petra down so that she hugged the horse’s neck as he took the reins from her. Petra heard Jordan grunt twice but kept her eyes forward as they raced towards the monastery.

  Eric continued to kick his horse as fast as it could run as Landis shot arrows at the oncoming orcs. They were the last of the riders and he prayed that Landis’ bow would buy them enough time to reach the safety of the walls. Eric watched as Jordan leapt onto Petra’s horse after his horse began to stagger about. Then he watched in horror as two arrows struck Jordan from behind. Had the Squire not been there they would have hit Petra.

  A horn blasted from up ahead of them. Eric feared that this marked the arrival of more forces trying to capture or kill them. But to his relief, he saw the darkened shapes of armed bowmen standing atop the walls of the monastery. They shot arrows into the oncoming orcs on either side, causing the beasts to falter long enough for the riders to gain distance. The rear gate along the back wall of the monastery opened and a handful of bow armed soldiers rushed out, taking up position on either side of the gate to provide cover fire for the approaching riders. Safety was now in view.

  Jaylen and Trevor swung their horses around to the right while Konik went left, and all three of them rode back towards Jordan and Petra as Jareel reached the safety of the gate and entered the courtyard beyond. Trevor and Konik flanked Petra’s horse and rode escort while Jaylen, still with the orc arrow sticking out of his right thigh, rode to join Eric and Landis. The enraged orcs still chased after them, but the riders rode through the gate and the guards retreated inside, pulling the gate closed behind them while the archers on the wall held the orcs at bay. The archers continued firing at them as the orcs fled to the safety of the trees after failing to capture their intended prey.

  “Are you alright?” Landis asked his father as he leaped down from Eric’s horse.

  “Do not worry about me. It is Jordan who is hurt the worst.”

  Petra screamed when she realized that Jordan was leaning against her unconscious. Looking over her shoulder could see the arrows in him.

  “Easy, Petra.” Konik said as he bounded down from his horse and pulled Jordan’s limp body down. Jordan had one arrow in his left shoulder and another in his lower back.

  “They are probably poisoned.” Trevor informed them.

  Four brown-robed monks ran out of the nearest building to join them. Two of the monks rushed to Konik and Jordan while the other pair ran to Jaylen. “Follow us.” One of the monks told Konik as they began escorting the big man, who was still carrying Jordan, inside. One of the monks who reached Jaylen called out, “Is anyone else injured?”

  Everyone looked about seeing that no one else was harmed. Landis helped his father down and the two monks took him on either side and helped him to limp inside. As the monks led his father away, Landis turned to face Jareel, “Did you bother to scout the area before you came back to get us?”

  Jareel had climbed down from his horse and was visibly shaken by the night’s events. “I swear to you, Landis that I saw no sign of orcs when I was here earlier.”

  “Nor did we; and we monitor our surroundings very well.” An elderly monk who was dressed in the same brown robes as the previous four said as he approached the group. He was a gentle looking man with sagging eyes and short white hair. “Why are these orcs chasing you, Jareel?”

  Jareel was not sure what to tell the monk. Before he could summon up the words to attempt even the feeblest of excuses, they were all startled by the image of the white snow-elf as Zenon appeared in their midst. “You should have accepted my offer, Landis. Now all of you will die unless you surrender the pearls to me.”

  Landis headed for Eric’s horse to retrieve his bow and arrows as Zenon turned to the monk. “If you release these people and their belongings to me I will leave your monastery alone.”

  The monk looked at the elf quizzically. “I do not know how you are doing this, but it is obvious that you are not real and can do us no harm inside these walls. These people are here seeking sanctuary and I will not put them out.”

  “Then you will die with them?” Zenon threatened.

  Turning to where Landis was readying his bow in his direction he said, “I think I had better leave now.” He vanished from sight as the last word left his lips.

  “What is going on?” The monk demanded.

  Jareel spoke, “I will let my friends explain, but first, please allow me to introduce Jehu. He is in charge of this monastery.

  Landis tilted his head in the monk’s direction. “Thank your for both your hospitality and for the aid of your archers. I fear that we would have suffered more losses had they not intervened.”

  “Jahan has placed us here to serve.” Jehu responded simplistically.

  “I will try to explain as best I can,” Landis offered, “but can you first take us to our friends.”

  The monk motioned for them to follow. Landis directed Trevor and Konik to care for the horses and then bring their needed belongings inside, which the two knew meant the Pearls of the Elf Lords more than anything else. Then he left with Eric and Petra to follow Jehu. Landis attempted to enlighten Jehu with as much information as he deemed appropriate, without saying anything specific about the Pearls or revealing Petra’s identity. Feeling oddly trusting of the elder monk, Landis revealed more than he normally would have with anyone else. Jehu listened intently as they walked, but became more inquisitive when the half-elf began discussing Zenon. “What is so important about the pearls he demanded from you? I cannot imagine a snow-elf using such magic to project himself here and command orcs in a simple attempt at robbery.”

  Landis understood that he would have to explain further. “We do not know Zenon’s intentions, but the pearls contain magical powers that he desires and he has been trying to track us for some time now.”

  “How dangerous do you think he is?” Jehu asked.

  Landis shook his head, “I really do not know. So far he has only appeared in visions. This is actually the first time that anyone other than I have seen him. And he has not physically attacked us before.”

  Jehu showed them to a door, “Here is where your friends have been taken.”

  They entered the room, finding two monks working over Jordan. The Squire lay face down on a table, his clothing cut away as
they labored over him. There was an open wound just below his left shoulder and another in his lower back where the arrows had been. Petra attempted to rush to his side and had to be restrained Eric and Landis to prevent her from interfering with the monk’s efforts. Jaylen lay on a nearby table with his leg heavily wrapped.

  “The arrows were poisoned.” One of the monks said to Jehu. “It is a common poison used by orcs. We have antidotes, but we do not have the one specifically for this poison. We are using what we have but I do not know if we can completely counteract the poison. At least the arrows missed any vital organs in the boy. But I do not know what other internal injuries he may have.”

  Jehu encouraged the healing monks to continue before turning back to Landis. “Our antidote supply is low. We sold most of it to Alexonian soldiers before the autumn set in, as they were encountering bands of orcs along the southern front of the war.”

  Landis nodded. “I am sure that your healers will do their best.”

  Petra was openly weeping. “He cannot die.”

  Jehu put his hand on Petra’s back. “Our monks are very skilled and they will do everything they can to save the young man. Perhaps I should take you to your rooms. You should also get something to eat.”

  “I do not feel like eating.” Petra said, still looking to where Jordan lay on the table. “He has saved my life three times now. How can I eat while he fights for his life?”

  “Will your starvation do anything to save him?” Landis asked. “Look Petra, we all want for Jordan to live. But we must care of our own bodies as well. You must eat and you must rest. You will do Jordan no good by suffering. Should you fail to care for yourself and somehow die as a result then his suffering is worthless.”

  Petra hugged Landis, sobbing against his chest.

  “Who else do you have staying here?” Landis asked Jehu as he held Petra in his arms.

  “I am sorry, the privacy of our guestsis very important. We do have a common room that you are welcome to visit. Anyone who goes there gives up their privacy while present. Other than that we do not share any information.”