by B. J. Smash
“She’d whine!” I yelled. Okay, I might have an onset of delirium setting in. I was definitely holding a conversation with myself. I believe it had to do with the height I was now approaching. My head really hurt now and I was thirsty.
I stuck out my tongue for some rain water. It didn’t taste too bad. Soon, I’d had enough to drink and everything on me was sopping wet. My braid felt like a weight and I couldn’t release either of my hands to wring it out. It wouldn’t help anyway; I was drenched to the core.
I looked around to see if there was anywhere to gain shelter. The only thing I could find through the grey wispy clouds, was a narrow ledge about twenty feet over. Slowly, I started to make my way over to it. One tippy toe after another and the ledge was finally about five feet away. I bent my knees and jumped. Unfortunately, the rocks were now quite slippery and I lost my foot holding. I thought for sure that I’d miss the ledge altogether, but out of nowhere a gust of wind clipped me in the side and seemed to push me onto the protruding rock where I landed on the edge with my stomach. A whoosh of air escaped my lungs as I struggled to pull myself up. I thought for sure that I wasn’t going to make it, and if I fell, I would never survive. I was desperate. I clambered around with my hands and feet, trying to find anything to help me up and while doing so, my bag opened up and half the contents spilled out.
Finally, my hand landed on a sharp rock and I struggled and pulled with all my might. The rock cut through my hand and by the time I was sitting on the narrow ledge, my hand was bleeding. I scooted back on the flat surface—my sliver of safety—and watched the blood trickle down to my elbow. I had no idea what I’d just lost out of my bag but I was out of jackfruit chips anyway.
And there I was, in the middle of nowhere, nestled into the cliffside with nothing to eat and no one to help me. I lay down with my back to the rock wall and was tempted to sleep but if I even moved and inch, I would roll off the ledge and to my death. Buckets of rain continued to pour down over me but at least I was able to rest my arms.
I felt like this would never end and I longed to be back at my Gran’s or even Izadora’s. I don’t know how long I lay there; maybe an hour? My arms were covered in goose bumps and I shivered uncontrollably. I looked to my elven stone and found that it was still dark. I couldn’t stay here any longer. I had to try and reach the top.
Soon, I found myself climbing once again. The rain was relentless. It would not stop. “Stupid rain!” I yelled. But I should have kept my mouth shut. Sure enough, it started to hail.
“Holy Cow! Really?! You’re going to hail on me now?” I tried to continue talking but I was smacked in the face with a nice big ice pellet.
“OW!” I screamed into my arm as a welt formed on my cheek.
Then came the laughter. I was most certainly losing it. However, I continued to climb. And as I did so, the wet, sleek rocks became even more slippery and treacherous. I continued to laugh at my circumstances. Yup…I was on the brink of hysterics.
But it wouldn’t end there. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, it thundered loud, and lightning struck the rock wall about thirty feet below me. At first I was scared stiff as I watched the rocks tumble down beneath me, and the smell of burnt tar rolled up to my nostrils.
“Bahahaaa!” I laughed, all the while my hands and arms were shaking. I was on my tip-toes but the rocks beneath them held steady. Several moments later, I heard the loud thud of the rocks landing on the ground. Yup…I was up high.
Surprisingly enough, I saw something light up on my chest. My Elven stone. “At least my stone is shiny now,” I said, chuckling.
Feeling confused, I tried to focus my thoughts. What can I do with my shiny stone? There is something I can do. Then I remembered that I could call lightening to me. Maximus had taught me that. So, why couldn’t I reverse it and push it away?
“Yeah! That’s it. I can push it away,” I said, as the ice pelted my arms.
I summoned what energy I had left. I could feel it stem from my gut and glide its way up to my hands. When I thought I had enough, I focused on the stone and drew its energy toward my right hand.
“Get outta here you stupid clouds!” I briefly opened my right hand and pushed the energy out and returned my hand to the rocks. I thought I saw a difference in the clouds but it was so brief that I might have imagined it.
Steadying my tired toes on the rocks, I tried again. But this time, I meant business.
“I command you to go!” I screamed, and then again, “I command you to go!” As soon as I said it, a light shot forth from my hand and penetrated the clouds. I now had a slim ray of sunshine hitting my face, and man it felt good. The heat steadied my nerves. But I was spent. I couldn’t do it again.
Giving up, I called out, “Someone, please…please help me! Anyone!” I begged. I had to beg…I was about to collapse. If something didn’t happen within the next two minutes, I was going to slide down this cliff and drop to my death. And I still didn’t know where the top of this cliff was! For all I knew, it was another thousand feet above me.
Somehow, the pellets of ice stopped and the rain turned to a drizzle, and the dark clouds above me dispersed enough for me to see the top of the cliff. It was amazing and not my doing. I was sure of it. Someone had heard my request and made the rain stop. However, how was I going to finish the remainder of this climb without any strength left?
“Help,” I whispered, and I shut my eyes.
And then, like the voice of an angel, I heard, “Ivy?”
Opening my eyes; I couldn’t believe it. It was no angel, but perhaps a dark angel. The Dark Elf stood on the edge of the cliff.
“Ladriant?” I called.
My legs stiffened even more, if that were even possible. He was either going to help me; or kill me. With Dark Elf history, I had to hope it wasn’t the latter. Then he did something strange…he lay on his stomach and brought out a long whip. This whip looked familiar, like one of Whip Man’s whips. I relaxed a bit.
Ladriant the Dark Elf, had also stolen one of whip man’s whips? He wrapped the end around his hand several times and then chanted some words. The whip lengthened to a comfortable length for me to grab. I wrapped my hand around it several times and grabbed it with my other hand just as the little ledge below my foot began to crumble.
Ladriant pulled. I couldn’t help but think how strong he had to be. He must have the strength of two men. I watched as his shoulder muscles bulged and soon he had me at arm’s length. He reached down and took my free hand and hauled me up over the side.
I stepped away from the edge, as I never wanted to see that cliff again. I felt like I had somehow failed myself. I should have been able to climb the mountain without anyone’s help. All the same, I was so glad he had been there to help me.
Ladriant stood a head taller than me and I couldn’t help but stare at the tribal tattoos that scrolled up his arms and to his neck. His skin was tinged bluish green and he wore nothing but dark brown leather pants, similar to my own. Around his neck, he wore a black cord with a stone in the center. The stone was a unique dark blue. It had to be another type of elven stone.
He scanned my body, probably checking for injuries, and then his eyes stopped at my chest but he quickly looked away. I looked down to see that my ratty tatty shirt was soaking wet, and my black bra could easily be seen.
Sighing, I said, “It’s okay. I’m nearly flat chested anyway.” Did I really just say that? And to a Dark Elf? But I didn’t stop there. I said, “My sister is the one with the boobs.”
He ignored my comments entirely; possibly I had embarrassed him. I felt lightheaded and I was clearly out of it.
“I’m sorry. It’s the um…the height.” I leaned over and puked green bile onto a rock. This gesture got a snicker out of him.
“Just calm down,” he said with a slight upturn of his lips.
I was still shaking and I rubbed my arms trying to warm myself. I was having a surreal moment. Had Ladriant really just helped me? A Dark
Elf had saved my life…
What was he doing at the top of this cliff? And where was his horse? I peered around and didn’t see any signs of his horse. Just more and more forest straight ahead.
“Where did you get that magic whip? And where is your horse?” Above all else, I was curious about this.
“Ah. Stupid tubby man and his whips. I stole it. He found out it was me and ended up chasing my horse over a cliff.” Ladriant frowned but avoided eye contact.
“I’m sorry that happened…” This really made me mad, and I informed him of whip man’s destiny.
His face softened a bit and I thought I saw a glimmer of satisfaction spread over his face, but his words confused me. “It’s alright. I can replace a horse.”
I thought that to be rude, and I changed the subject.
“Hey, did you somehow clear up the weather?” I asked.
He still avoided my eyes but stared up into the sky. “It doesn’t matter…”
“Uh…yeah it does. If you can clear the sky…that is some serious magic.”
He didn’t seem to want to answer my question but this time he looked me in the eyes. “I said, it doesn’t matter. What really matters is that I’ve been waiting for you to catch up to me.”
“Catch up? How could you know I’d be coming this way?” I asked. Had he been tracking me and checking out the grounds before me? And why would he do me any favors?
“I just knew, that’s all. This would be the most plausible way to come. I knew an elven girl like you would figure it out. Even if you are a half breed,” he said in a snotty way.
This stung a little and my top lip twitched, but I decided to let it go. He had, after all, just saved me. He certainly had some arrogance swimming around in his veins; that much was clear. I was used to arrogance and so I said, “Yeah, yeah, anyway, for real, how did you know I’d be coming this way? I didn’t even know I was coming this way…if it weren’t for the pixies I’d still be on the other path with everyone else.”
He snickered and said, “I listen. I have excellent hearing, and couldn’t help but hear the pixie’s gossip about you.” His voice was deep and his eyes dark. “I heard them talk of the secret pixie path…the shortcut. I couldn’t resist trying it out for myself.”
I felt that he was telling the truth but I had some obvious questions. I still couldn’t believe I was talking to an actual Dark Elf. “How then, did you make it across the pixie lake? Did they make you dance over the lily pads?”
He began to walk into the trees and I followed. He had long lean, muscular legs, and strong arms and back. “I don’t dance. That’s not something Dark Elven are familiar with. They saw me coming and they fled to their hiding places. I didn’t cross over the lily pads; I swam.”
I waited for him to proceed with the story but he stopped. I prodded him with more questions. “You swam? But there are mermen in that lake with long sharp nails and vampire teeth.”
“One of them came after me. I stabbed him in the shoulder with my knife and head-butted him. He let me pass.”
Ladriant walked on at a brisk pace and I assumed that I was supposed to follow him. “Seriously?” I asked. However, I knew he was telling the truth. I remembered seeing a deep gash in the merman’s chest. I had no doubt that Ladriant seemed to be able to take care of himself. A rogue of all trades.
He didn’t answer. I assumed that meant, “yes.”
“How…uh…did you fare in the Death by Depression forest?” I knew I should be asking him questions about the race and where we were headed but I had to know how he was able to pass through the forest without curling up into a ball and dying. It had been a trying task for me and a part of me wanted to know how he was able to accomplish it.
He stopped abruptly, causing me to jump back. If I had to fight him, it was possible that I’d lose. He looked me in the eyes, and said, “When I first saw the darkened forest, I knew that it was enchanted with lies. I did see some things that I didn’t like. But I used something that you might not know about. I used my brain. It’s called: mind over matter.” He turned and walked on.
I could have charged him and barreled him to the ground. What a pig-headed jerk? Personally, I think he had more of a hard time in that forest than he was letting me believe. I decided not to follow him and ran in a slightly different direction to the east. I’d make my own way.
Unfortunately, Ladriant wouldn’t have it. He matched my speed and was soon by my side. “Stop letting my comments get to you. I’m not a very pleasant elven but I can help you.”
“I don’t need your help. I have my own brain,” I said. We’d just met and I already hated the guy.
“He’s here, you know,” Ladriant said.
A surge of energy flew up my back. As we pummeled through the forest, jumping over fallen logs, and cracking limbs beneath our feet, I admitted to myself that he’d caught my attention.
“Who is ‘he’?” I asked. Goosebumps flew up my arms. What if he was talking about an Unseelie Fighter Fae? They were horrible creatures. I’d fought them plenty in the past and they were tough to beat. And so I was not prepared for what Ladriant would tell me next.
“Drumm,” he spat.
It was my turn to stop abruptly. I held onto a tree limb, steadying myself. My heart thudded like a race horse. “What did you say? Don’t you play games with me, Mister.” I wagged my finger at him like a scolding parent.
He snorted and rolled his eyes, “Females. They think because they are pretty, that I’ll always help them. I’m not the chivalrous type. I’m only trying to help you because I have an iota of respect for your mother. The soon to be queen of the elven.”
I stared into the black eyes of this mysterious Dark Elf. What game was he playing? I knew he was trying to belittle me and make me cower to him by using insults. Manipulation. That was his game. He was trying to make me believe that I needed his assistance. The sucky part about it was…maybe I did. On the contrary, telling lies about my mother and Drumm would get him nowhere. How could Drumm possibly be here in the disappearing town? I’d seen him disappear to the other side of the veil—in Hunter’s Hollow. Well…sort of. He kind of lingered in mid-air for a while. He was probably at Izadora’s now. Plus, my mother’s father was in perfect health the last time I saw him.
“My mother won’t be queen for eons. My grandfather is still king in case you haven’t noticed.”
“He’s dying,” Ladriant said as he rubbed his eyes with his fists. He was getting impatient and I could tell that he was having a hard time talking to me…like I was beneath him.
“Dying? You’re a fool.” This Dark Elf was a liar with mind games on his agenda. I sorely wished that I had not accepted his help on the cliff. I think I would have rather fallen to my doom. I sneered at him and sped away but I could instantly feel that something was not right in the forest. I sensed some imminent danger ahead of me but my eyesight was blurred with pulsating anger. While pushing branches out of the way, I heard him say, “Watch out!”
None-the-less, it was too late. I had sensed it and ignored my own inner warning. A loud iron clanking noise sounded and my ankle was in a trap. I fell to the ground in excruciating pain that shot up my leg and even my arms. Immediately I felt the poisonous effects. For I was highly allergic to iron. All elven were. It was like Superman’s kryptonite to us.
Ladriant walked over and knelt beside me. A curl of his long black hair stuck to his face with beads of sweat. His jaw muscles clenched as he stared into my eyes. Up close he was attractive. This was the type of guy my sister would go bonkers for. But not me.
“I don’t need your help,” I said as mean as I could.
I expected him to tell me what a stupid and naïve girl I was to let this happen. Instead, he said, “Look. I think we’ve hit it off on the wrong foot. Let us start over. I truly am here to help.”
I wanted to deny his help but my stomach began to clench up in pain, and my limbs ached as though I had the flu. Iron was not a good thing, and the f
act that the iron trap had broken my skin and made its way into a vein…was extremely bad. I leaned forward and gripped the metal edges, and pulled. No such luck. The iron casing did not budge.
I tried to think of a spell but at this point I was too lightheaded. “Bengo, releaso,” I said, only stating part of a command that I’d learned from Izadora. She’d be disappointed with me for letting this happen. How many times had we gone over lessons about emotion? Anger was the worst. It always led to misfortune.
Ladriant rolled his eyes as I swayed. He reached down, grabbed the metal trap and pulled with tremendous strength. Gritting his teeth, he groaned as he spread the iron claws apart. For he, too, was deathly allergic to iron. Even the Dark Elves had this curse upon their heads.
It took a few minutes but he pulled the trap apart and tossed it aside. His hands were bloody and blistered, and the smell of blood wafted in the air. He lay back for a moment, while I searched my bag for Izadora’s famous healing salve. It was nowhere to be found and I must have lost it out of my bag when it had opened up on the cliff.
I opted for sitting by a tree. I didn’t plan on sitting here long enough to heal myself. Only long enough to ease the pain in my ankle. I wasn’t able to focus and link myself with the energies as well as I normally could, but it alleviated the pain.
I asked Ladriant why he didn’t sit at a tree and heal himself, or allow me to help. I didn’t like the guy but I couldn’t stand to see him suffer. I was stunned to find out that the Dark Elves didn’t practice this technique.
“We are stone dwellers. We live in deep, dark caverns in the Earth. We rarely come out into the sun. Being in the sun is something I am forced to do. Living aboveground is nothing we Dark Elven prefer. If I were to heal myself, I’d need a stone buried in the Earth, and we would become one. And still, we are unable to heal as quickly and fully as you Light Elven.” He nearly spat his last two words.
I, myself, had never met a Dark Elf nor had I learned much about them. Izadora said they kept to themselves and that their way of life was different than that of a Light Elf. They were mean and sometimes downright nasty. She never elaborated and I was left in the dark about their ways. Even Drumm had little to say about them; just that they were an enemy because they preferred the dark arts and had no mercy for their enemies. I didn’t care about that right now. What I did care about was Drumm.
