A Secret Ally

Damien did not often venture out into the forest with his father. For the last few weeks, he had begged Elijah to teach him to hunt. Though Damien was rather young for such adventures, Elijah finally consented. By midday, they were quite far from Eldar, a port town on the Eastern shores of Karanthor.

They started with easy kills: a few quail, a rabbit, and even a grouse. They collected fruits and herbs for Damien’s mother to prepare at home. Before they could finish packing their spoils, they heard a crash in the distance. It sounded as if a carriage had been overturned. Fearing someone might have needed aid, Elijah headed towards the sound.

“Stay here, I will be back right back. Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to Damien, petting his head gently before dashing off.

On a beaten path lay a carriage. It had indeed become overturned and beside it stood an elf. Under the horse lay the driver, begging for help. It was a slave carriage. The elven slave trade had become rampant in Karantor as of late and Eldar was a major point on the trade route.

“It hurts...help me,” the man said, strained as the pressure from the beast crushed him.

“I am certain it does. No more than the whips you used on me,” said the elf. Elijah looked a little closer. The elf stood about 6 feet high with skin like the mahogany tree. His hair was the color of moondust and seawater and was braided down his back. Upon closer look, he could see welts all along his skin over a tribal marking.

The man groaned and coughed up blood. He reached out, digging his claws into the ground, trying to crawl from underneath the horse.

The elf rubbed onto his wrists. Though the fall had let loose the floor and freed the chains from the bottom of the carriage, he had not managed to get the shackles off. He picked up something off the ground just out of Elijah’s line of sight. It was a small black book. The elf flipped through the pages, pacing to and fro in front of the crushed driver. There were maps of all the acceptable “hunting grounds” for the elves. Numbers, names as well as the major slave ports were inside.

“So this is how it is?” he hummed over the man’s cries for help. When he was satisfied, he placed the book in his tunic.

The man cried, albeit weakly. The elf went to him and grabbed him by his hair, making sure that their eyes met.

“I warned you to leave me in peace. This is retribution for what you did to my clan. May Gaia grant you peace in the next life,” he said before a sharp crack resounded against the trees. The driver lay motionless and after a short prayer, the elf reached into the man’s tunic. Around his neck, rested a key and the elf took it before rising. He released his shackles and stretched out.

“I mean you no harm if you mean none by me,” he said with vigor and looked to Elijah’s direction. He emerged and came to the path.

“Will you avenge thy fellow human?” the elf said with measured tone, though his golden eyes said he was prepared to fight.

“I will not,” Elijah said at last. “I mean you no harm. There would be nothing good to come from me saving nor avenging him.” Elijah said smoothly.

The elf smirked and nodded before picking and prodding around the carriage for anything he could carry. He found some clothes and food in a satchel.

“That’s very interesting to hear from any human in Karanthor,” he said, slinging the satchel over his shoulder.

“I hail from the south where slaves are merely things of ancient times,” Elijah said. “You are Theodas, son of Eldrin, are you not?” he said. He had barely gotten the words out before he found himself slammed against a tree.

“How do you know of me?” Theodas said.

“My mate is your kin. She’s told me tales of you,”

Theodas’s eyes narrowed. He drew a small symbol above Elijah’s head on the tree and it glowed a bright red. Roots sprung up and held Elijah firmly against the tree. This was the most he could do. He was weak and had not been fed for many days now.

“You’re mate? Or your bed slave?” Theodas said as he took a few paces back, trying to catch his breath.

“I keep no bed slave. I mean to help the Twilight Elves out of servitude though the most I can do is offer protection in my home or safe travel to those I meet. Again, I mean you no harm,” Elijah said, trying to steady his breath. He did not want an altercation and the resistance could not afford to lose Theodas but the look in the elf’s eye didn’t leave room for many options.

“I don’t believe you,” Theodas said, reaching his free hand towards Elijah’s throat.

“Wait! Don’t hurt my father. It’s true what he said!” a small voice called. The two of them looked over to where Damien emerged from the trees. Damien was a halfling and had the magical ability of both humans and elves. He could hear everything despite the distance and had rushed over. Theodas looked down at the child.

“Stay back, youngling. I do not want to have to hurt you,”

“Please. I can prove it's true,” Damien said.

“Well you had best prove it fast, boy,” Theodas said. Damien sat on the ground and drew a small symbol before closing his eyes hard. Theodas looked on, a mix of amusement and curiosity. The boy did not appear as if he had a speck of elf in him.

They were all still for a moment. Damien shook his head, trying to concentrate. A soft glow covered the spot and after a few moments, a letter appeared in its place.

“It’s true. Please read this. Mother said to give it to you should we ever meet,” Damien said. Theodas thought for a moment. The parent was engulfed in the tree and he doubted a youngling would do him much harm. He reached for the letter. It was in Elvish and after a moment or two, Theodas released the binding of the symbol. The roots retreated back to the Earth and Elijah landed gracefully on the ground.

“Alright then. On the word of your mother, I will believe you,” he said gruffly before gathering the rest of his own spoils.

Elijah dug into his pocket and took out a coin purse. He tossed it to the ground near the elf who looked at it briefly before scooping it up. It was filled with a few gold pieces, silver and bronze. A small fortune. The elf looked up.

“What do you mean by this?” he asked.

“She urged me to help you should we ever cross paths. You’ll need safe passage, lodging, and bribery to make it through this country. A few men to aid you on your way. This main road leads to Eldar so avoid it. Take the western road to Ularyia. They welcome all and you’ll be safe there. I have an ally, Benjamin, who can be of aid to you.” Elijah said.

Theodas looked at the purse for a few more moments.

“Who are you?”

“Elijah of Dacius, son of Raymon. Human born and supporter of the resistance. This is my son Damien,” Elijah said.

“You have my thanks, Elijah and Damien.” Theodas said before taking his things and heading off to the forest.

“What will you do with that notebook?” Elijah called out. He couldn’t help his curiosity.

“This will turn the tide for our side. With the knowledge listed in these pages, justice and peace may come for all the clans of the Twilight Elves. Be careful Elijah of Dacius. Mayhaps, the next time you see me, I’ll be with my army. But, I will not forget you.” Theodas said at last before leaving the two of them behind.