While Ari still did not understand exactly what was going on, he kept the fact that Brenion had implied that Liana was in some way magical to himself. Whether true or not he thought it was probably best left to the sorcerer as he referred to himself, to explain it, knowing that if he mentioned anything, Liana would only fire off a plethora of questions he had no hope of answering. Despite so much going on and all the danger they had experienced, Ari felt a tinge of excitement about it all. His reaping was over and done with, village life as he knew it had also gone, and he looked to be heading for new adventures.
The sun was just sitting low in the sky when Brenion led them out of the forest. Although they had stopped only briefly to take on water, neither Ari nor Liana had eaten since their meagre breakfast at first light that morning.
“See that village over there?” Brenion said pointing to a huddle of buildings a mile or so further on. “Well, that’s where we’re heading,” he added not letting either of them answer the first question.
Ari rolled his eyes back, “Come on,” he said to Liana, “Not much further to go.” As they headed off, Ari could not help but notice one of the buildings appeared much larger than most he had ever seen, and suitably intrigued pushed on that bit quicker.
They had barely travelled half the distance across a wild meadow when Brenion stopped again, to issue them with a stern warning.
“When we get there, speak to no one. Act normal and stay close to me. Understand?” He said looking directly at both.
Ari and Liana both nodded their heads to say they understood, before following on once more.
The village was small, Liana thought probably even more so than the one she had left the previous day. The people all appeared just as miserable and forlorn as those in any other village, a sign that the oppression of the Dark Elves was as widespread as she had thought. All the buildings appeared to be just as dingy and unwelcoming, all that was except the larger one they had seen from further away. Standing near the centre of the village was a much bigger stone building, that had a tall tower at one end, quite unlike any she had seen before. Liana’s first thoughts were that it must be used by Dark Elves, but it was that very building Brenion now led them towards.
Liana noticed a man standing off to their left, lurking in the shadow of a doorway, seemingly paying them much more attention than one would typically expect. Then she noticed Brenion giving a signal to the man, just a wave of his finger; slight it might have been, but it was definitely there. Moreso, after that signal the man quickly hurried from the doorway and darted across the street to another building. All this seemed very suspicious, so much so, Liana slowed up just a little, causing Ari to do likewise.
“What’s up?” Ari Whispered.
“Something’s going on here,” she whispered back. “I’m not sure we should follow him in there,” she added nodding her head towards the stone building just ahead of them.
Ari had no doubts that Liana was truly unsure and could tell just by the look on her face. However, Brenion had led them this far, aided their escape, even saved their lives and therefore had no reason to doubt him. Feeling his loyalty torn between the girl who was standing beside him or the man that had helped them, Ari knew he needed to react quickly or risk causing a scene.
“We’ll be fine. Trust me,” he said trying to get Liana to pick the pace up a little, so they did not fall too far behind Brenion. Liana glanced over at the young man, and although everything about what she was doing screamed danger, she accepted his decision to proceed as they were.
The stone building had a set of large wooden doors at the entrance, and hanging about halfway up was a large iron ring which Brenion lifted up and slammed down on to the timber to make a loud thudding sound. They waited barely a few seconds when one of the two doors opened just a little, and a man’s head appeared in the gap. Whoever it was seemingly recognised Brenion’s face, and quickly opened the door a little further to allow them all in. No sooner had Ari and Liana crossed the threshold than the man slammed the door shut again.
Still staying close to Brenion, both Ari and Liana gazed around the vast room they now found themselves in. A row of small windows high up on the one wall let the last of the day’s light inside, giving them enough to see where they were going. This was certainly larger than any building either had been in before, and both were obviously confused as to its use. Ari glanced over his shoulder and spotted the man who had open and closed the door for them scuttle off across the other side of the room towards a smaller side door.
Brenion led them to the far end of the building to a stone archway, which in turn led down a series of stone steps. As no sunlight penetrated this far in, the light was given off by several torches held on the wall by metal brackets. As the steps curved around, they narrowed slightly meaning they were no longer wide enough for Ari and Liana to walk side by side. Somewhat reluctantly Liana unlinked her arm from Ari’s and let him lead the way before she kept close behind. The steps came to an abrupt end as the floor levelled out and they found themselves faced with another door, although much smaller than the main door they had entered through. This time Brenion did not knock but instead lifted a metal catch that was used to hold it shut and pushed it open.
The hinges creaked slightly as the door opened and they duly stepped on through into what was another large but well-lit room. Whereas the one upstairs appeared empty and bereft of any furniture, or at least as either of them could tell, this room was anything but. Before them, was a table with chairs placed neatly around it and a large dresser against one wall. There was a large stone hearth, although there was no fire lit within it and a large colourful picture hanging on the wall above it.
“What is this place?” Liana gasped. Not waiting for an answer she wandered over to peer behind a large hanging curtain to see what was behind and spotted four beds all in a line.
Liana turned her head quickly as she heard another door opening from across the other side of the room and noticed an elderly lady carrying a tray in her hands and duly placing it down on the table. Liana didn’t need to see to know what was upon it as the aroma had already reached her. “Food!” she said hurrying back towards the others, as her stomach started rumbling, just to give her a timely reminder it needed feeding.
“Come on, sit down and eat,” the lady said placing bowls out on the table. Ari waited for Liana to sit first, which was just as well because that was her intention anyway. As nice as she thought Ari was, an opportunity to fill her belly did not often come along and hence took priority.
“Is this meat?” she gasped looking into the content of her bowl.
“Bit of beef stew, my Dear. Come on eat up, or it’ll get cold,” the old lady said with a smile. Liana did not need a second Invitation and picking the wooden spoon up from the table she took and savoured the first mouthful. Where this woman had got the food from she did not care, and things got even better as the lady put a whole loaf of bread on the table and broke off a large chunk before handing it to Liana.
“Thanks,” she said trying to speak and eat at the same time.
“I’ll assume you two are hungry?” Brenion chuckled, eating far more slowly and somehow in a much more dignified manner than his two guests.
“Take your time, we’ll rest up here tonight and move out at first light,” Brenion told them as he picked up a chunk of bread for himself.
“Where we going?” Ari asked. “Not sure we can go back to our villages?”
“Somewhere safe,” Brenion said but not giving a specific name to a place.
Chapter 5.
Brenion let them both have their fill of food before explaining where here was and what his intentions were. While Liana for one, would have liked to have kept eating her stomach would not allow any more, and what she had eaten already felt like it might be vomited back up. Instead, she wrapped her hands around a cup of water and sat back in her seat listening to what Brenion had to say.
The village they were in was a place
called Denfort and apparently had been a much larger town before the Dark Elves had made an appearance. The building in which they now sat had been built before that time and had once been the local Lord’s residence. Designed for both living and working in, it had been one of the last places to fall to the enemy because of its strong defensive walls. Allegedly those within had held out for sometime before eventually surrendering when it was realised all was lost. While the building had initially been earmarked for Elven use, and hence not destroyed like so much of the town around it, for whatever reason, it was never occupied.
For the past fifty years, it had been used by those that classed themselves as Free-Humans.
“They do Exist?” Liana said excitedly almost jumping out of her seat.
Brenion laughed at her reaction, but held out a hand as if to say ‘Let me explain.’
“Sorry,” Liana replied giving a wry smile and sitting back down in her seat, just casting a quick glance over the table to check Ari’s reaction to her little outburst.
The village and those that dwell within it are all aware of its importance, and although they still work the land as others do, to keep up the quotas demanded by the Dark Elves, extra food was secretly transported there to keep them well fed. Secrecy and having things look as they should do were the key factors in Denfort remaining as it did, and not having people drawing unnecessary attention to themselves.
“Hence the rather sullen looking folk we saw outside,” Ari said intrigued and captivated by what Brenion was telling them. The man just nodded that was indeed the case, but the people here had more to eat than most, and it was therefore in their interests to at least give the appearance this village was no different to any other.
As for the location of the Free-Humans, or Free-Folk as some referred to them, that was somewhat less known. If the Dark Elves ever knew it even existed, they would surely muster up an army to quash any resistance once and for all. Brenion also explained that although he possessed magic, it was a skill that was extremely rare. Moreover, the Dark Elves hunted such people as they above all others were deemed a threat.
“May I ask a question?” Ari asked.
Feeling as this was a good a point as any to allow them, Brenion gestured with his hand to proceed.
“If you are magical, and obviously you were captured, why did the Dark Elves not kill you?”
“A good question,” Brenion said in reply.
Liana smiled as she looked at Ari and how focused he appeared when listening to Brenion’s explanation.
Apparently, the Dark Elves also had those who could wield the forces of magic. In fact, it had been such a person that had instigated the invasion of the human lands over two hundred years ago, and it was that Dark Elf’s ancestor who still ruled. Residing in Gashek, this Dark Elf was something called a warlock, just like Saedor, the original oppressor and had even taken the same name. Warlock’s used a different kind of magic to others, which often involved draining the life force of others.
“I let myself be captured, knowing they would not kill me. I was too precious and knew that Saedor would want to drain my life.”
Draining a typical human merely replenished a warlock’s own magical energy. However, draining the life force of another who could wield magic, would increase the warlock’s power and abilities substantially.
“Why would you want to let yourself get captured?” Ari asked.
Brenion chuckled, “I do it every now and then, usually around the time of the reaping. That way I can get new recruits to our cause. Those with young, uncorrupted minds, and more willing to fight for the cause of freedom than those who have already accepted a life of subservience.”
“So we are your new recruits?” Liana added thinking this was all so very exciting. Perhaps the future was not so bleak as she had thought just a day or so before. So much was changing in her life it was as if everything was happening at once, but yet nothing was more so astonishing as to hear she was also blessed with magic.
Brenion tapped his fingers, somewhat annoyingly as far as Liana was concerned, as he spoke. He believed from what little he had seen that she possessed some kind of druidic powers.
“Being able to leap so far, as a cat might do. Knocking the Elf off his mount and squeezing so hard you obliterated his neck showed you had the strength of a bear.”
Liana looked on somewhat doubtful of what she was being told.
“No, it’s true Liana. I have never seen anyone do what you did,” Ari told her.
Although Brenion did admit that he was only guessing as to her apparent show of magical ability, he believed it would reveal itself more over the next few days and weeks. For now she would have to be careful not to exert herself too much for risk of further physical exhaustion; apparently the flaw in using magical powers.
“If Saedor learns of your ability, you, much like myself will be high on his list of prime targets. Magic is the one thing the Dark Elves fear most, and Saedor will do everything he can to remove any human who possesses it.”
Liana exhaled loudly, “Lucky we have you then,” she said feeling as if her stomach had settled from her earlier gorging. Thinking Brenion had finished explaining for now at least, Liana shoved her chair back and was about to stand before the man started speaking again. Stifling a yawn, and feeling the events of the past day or so getting the best of her, Liana remained seated and forced her eyes to stay open and listen.
As a druid, Liana would be just one of only three that Brenion knew of, although he did admit there were still many places he had never been and there was a chance of others. As a result, Liana would be very precious to the Free-Folk and would need to be protected.
“I’ll do it!” Ari shouted out interrupting Brenion mid-sentence.
“I know I don’t know much about fighting, but you can teach me how to use a sword…” The young lad asked looking over to Brenion before turning his gaze to Liana.
It was evidently clear that Brenion was not so sure of the offer, although he did not dismiss it entirely, merely suggesting that perhaps someone with a little more experience may be better suited to the roll.
“Anyway, that is something we can sort out at a later date. For now find yourself a bed over there and get your heads down. We have several days travelling to do before we get where we need to be,” Brenion said shoving his own chair back and getting to his feet.
Liana let out a loud yawn as if her timing could not have been more apt, and slowly got to her feet. With a loud sigh, she trundled over to where she had seen the beds on the far side of the room behind the curtain. Kicking her shoes off her feet, she let herself drop down on the mattress and let her head sink into the soft pillow and closed her eyes. So much to think about, yet her mind was so tired and could make no sense of any of it.
When next Liana opened her eyes, she noticed she was alone in the room. The bed next to hers had clearly been slept in, presumably by Ari, but neither he nor Brenion were anywhere to be seen. The room was quite dark, and only two of the torches on the walls still burned. Without any natural light, Liana had no idea of what time it could be and was beginning to think that the other two had left her there by herself.
After stretching and yawning quite loudly, Liana swung her feet over the side of the bed and slipped her feet into her shoes, still on the floor where she had taken them off before sleeping. Feeling much better than she had, she stood up and wandered over towards the table they had sat and eaten their meal at. All the dishes had been cleared away, and all that remained on the table was a jug of water and a few upturned cups. Feeling her mouth was quite dry, Liana helped herself to a little water before looking around. As there was no sign of life, she headed for the steps they had descended and as she neared thought she could hear a clacking sound. Unsure as to what it was, it at least told her there was somebody up the steps, and not wanting to sit on her own ventured back up them. The noise grew louder as she climbed the steps, and could hear voices, one of which she recognised immediatel
y. ”Ari,” she said to herself, affording a smile as the image of his face entered her mind.
After going through the doorway at the top of the stone steps, Liana remained in the entranceway and watched, rather than disturb the two men before her. Brenion and Ari appeared to be practising, although not using swords but pieces of wood. While it was quickly evident that Brenion was by far the better swordsman, Ari seemed to be doing well in fending off his attacks when they came.
“Good, and again!” Brenion said loudly as he backed away a couple of paces, before lunging forward again with a series of attacks. Liana was impressed by the way the young man moved, at least that was until he spotted her watching and lost all concentration and getting a whack across his knuckles for his troubles.
“Don’t be distracted!” Brenion shouted, although not in an angry way, but one that suggested the importance of what they were doing.
“You wanted to learn. Now focus!” the man added, renewing the series of relentless attacks.
Liana watched for a good twenty minutes or more when she heard footsteps behind her and turned to see the elderly lady that had served them dinner on their arrival, coming up the steps behind her.
“You want to come back down, my dear. I’m just getting some breakfast ready for you, will only be a few minutes more. Leave the boys to their fighting,” she added with a wrinkled smile. Liana glanced Ari’s direction once more, hoping perhaps to catch his eye, but he seemed focused on the task at hand to notice her. Liana slowly ventured back downstairs and headed over to the table and went to sit back down. However, before she could do so, another lady beckoned her over to where the curtain was pulled over beside the beds. Somewhat intrigued as to what she could want, Liana duly ambled over her direction.
Reign of the Dark Elves Page 4
