Liz looked up. For the first time she noticed someone standing next to Gavin. She shined just like Gavin with a dim light. She had dark brown hair and brown eyes. "Who are you?" she asked. "I’m Kore." she said. "And you are Lizeren." "You’re both Angles," Liz said. They nodded. "She is pure of heart," Kore said to Gavin. Gavin nodded. Then he turned to Liz. "You’re going to help us rebuild the city, right," "Of course,"
"I should rest now," I said Renethon nodded. "In case I don't see you tomorrow, well... Good luck." "Thanks," I half smiled at him. He nodded, then left the room without another word. I kicked off my hunting boots, then changed out of my hunting clothes into some more casual clothes. Then I sat on the bed. I knew I should get some rest, but I was too worried about both the journey to Trebis, and the future of Erram and Soroth. Then I realized how hungry I was. There was little I could do about it. I had missed dinner, and I'm sure the servants had more important things to worry about. I would get something in the morning, and some extra food for the journey. I started wondering how I would travel: on foot, on horseback, or in the air. Then I started wondering if I would come across and Arlem soldiers. They could strike at any time...
iZ turned, shrugging Rika's arm off. "I think the palace is this way." he said. Rika followed the sound of iZ's footsteps. "What are you hiding?" Rika asked. iZ stopped and Rika bumped into him. "What?" he turned to face Rika. "I thought it was a simple question," she replied, "what are you hiding?" "I’m not hiding anything," he raised his voice. "Then why are you so secretive?" "Because.. There are certain things I don't want to talk about." He started walking again, this time faster. But Rika easily kept up with him. "Not everyone is out to get you. Bye the way your acting, it looks like that's what you think."
Lyn and Dash were at the doors of the palace. They saw the blood smeared on the doors. "Let’s go," Dash said. They ran in, to the end of the hall, into the throne room. Then they heard footsteps. From the left hallway came Arrabella. "Arabella," Lyn said, relieved. She and Dash and bowed in the traditional way. "Good, your back. As you can see, we have a lot of work to do," "We'll get started as soon as we can," said Lyn. "Good. For tonight, you may rest in the palace. We'll begin in the morning." "What are the plans?" Lyn asked. "War. We will not let Arlem get away with this." "Do we have enough soldiers?" Dash said. "I said this to Irin and I will say this to you. We may have been the only city hit. The people of Soroth are Loyal. They WILL fight" "What if Arlem attacked the other cities?"Dash said. "That is a possibility that I will not explore. We are going to fight for this land. And we are going to win." There was much determination in her voice. Dash nodded. He didn't think that it would be possible to win this war. But Arabella was hard to argue with. "So you spoke to Irin?" Lyn said "Yes. She should be resting on the fourth floor. I'm sending her to ask for the Dwarves aid. Their participation is vital if we are to win this war." "And we'll rebuild the city?"Lyn asked "And make it stronger. I will not let an event like this occur in the future." Arabella said. "You should rest now. We have much work to do. We'll start early in the morning." Lyn and Dash bowed again, then started to walk down the left hall.
"No... Maybe... I'm not sure. That's why I’m always looking behind me. Always careful to turn the next corner. I don't know what's out there." "You have friends... They'll watch your back. Have you told them?" "Those weren't my friends. I don't even know them. One doesn't like me, and I'm sure the rest just felt bad for me. Why else would they stick me with you?" Rika stopped in her tracks. "And is that such a bad thing!" "Umm... Forget I said that." Rika started walking again, but she sounded mad when she said, "one thing to remember about Nekos is that they don't forget so easily,"
Liz stood. She knew the healer would take care of the soldier, now that he had a chance to survive. "We should go to the palace. The others should be there." "Who else?" Asked Gavin. "Dash, Lyn, Irin, and maybe iZ and Rika." "I’ve heard of the first three before. Not of the second two." said Kore. "We just met Rika at the gate. She's a Neko. We picked up iZ in the forest. The dim-wit was traveling alone during a full moon." The Gavin and Kore nodded. "Then let's get going." Gavin said. He looked around. "We're going to have a lot of work to do."
Okay. I'd hate to give anything away, but this next part won't make sense unless you read this. Yes it's more of that boring book written by the nameless guy. Hey, it's not my fault he sucked at writing. Assassins: humans that read this might think assassins are spies of sort, which is true. There only purpose is to kill. They were made After the Battle of the red river by a Magic master of Soroth named Bernok. His plan was to create a powerful being to help win the war. His Calculations were wrong and he ended up creating a creature more powerful than he had planned. He named these creatures, Assassins because he ordered these creatures to kill important elves on the opposing side. Eventually the creation killed the creator. It is rumored that some Assassins went to Arlem, but others remain here, out of sight.
It was dark in my room. I shouldn't have had a problem getting to sleep... But I did. It was... Terrifying to know that Arlem had hurt us so badly, and that they could again. But I must have fallen asleep somehow, because the next thing I remember, something woke me up. It was a soft noise. One I was barely able to hear. I sat up and looked around. I was able to see my hunting boots... But wait... One had been knocked over. Could it have just... Fallen on its own...? I heard footsteps. They were soft, but I knew they hadn't come from the hallway. I panicked as I realized’ I was not alone. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I was able to see... Something...someone...with a hood. Oh no... It was an Assassin. An assassin attacked me once, years ago... Could it be the same one? I jumped out of bed and grabbed the first thing I could to use as a weapon. My boot... Perfect... I Threw the boot at the assassin.., and MISSED! Oh this was great! Alright... It was time to bring out the real stuff. I flicked my hand. The glass in the Display case shattered, and my sword fell into my hand. The assassin drew his blade. This was going to be a longer night then I expected. I know what you’re thinking. Just call for help! Assassins are strong, swift, powerful... A living nightmare. I wouldn't put another innocent person in harm’s way. I would fight alone. Fight to death, be it his death or mine. I charged at him, and he easily blocked the blow and returned it. I dodged out of the way, then kicked him in the face. He stepped back slightly, but not enough. Then he threw a punch. I was hit in the face. I tasted blood in my mouth. I tried to stab him with my sword, but he blocked the blow again. Then his blade caught my knee. I held in a yelp of pain.
Just as they were heading upstairs, Lyn and Dash herd the palace door open. "We should see who it is," Dash said. They went back to the throne room and saw Liz, along with two other people. "Liz, your back, good," Arabella said. "And I see you've met some friends." "My lady, this is Gavin and Kore, two Angles I met on my way here." Gavin smiled. "She knows us. We were here earlier," Liz looked at the queen. "Yes, I do know them." Arabella confirmed. "I have a job for you, and Gavin and Kore are going to help." "Can we help too?" Dash said. "If I don't need you elsewhere." "Cool," Dash said. "What do you need us to do?" "Draw some plans to rebuild the city. Make sure everything is strong and sturdy. We don't need a repeat of what happened today. You can start in the morning." "I'll start now." She bowed, then left, followed by Gavin, Kore, Lyn, and Dash. "We can use the meeting room to plan it out," Lyn said. "Good Idea," answered Liz. They climbed the stairs to the next floor, then entered the room. It was Dark. Gavin and Kore snapped their fingers. In the palm of their hands, they held an orb of light, much like the one used in the Nemeran forest, but smaller. Lyn and Dash did the same, but their light was slightly dimmer.
I tried to steady myself quickly. Then our swords clashed again. I walked him back, then he walked me back. It went on like this for awhile. I'm not sure how long. Bye then I had lost the concept of time. Finally, I knocked the sword out of his hand. But my victory was short-lived. In the next second he lunged at me, knocking me off my feet. Memory fell out of my hand. I lost my breath for a moment. He pinned me, and took out a knife, then started to bring it to my throat. I grabbed his hands, fighting against him. But it was getting closer... And closer... Closer..
"There should be some candles in here," Liz said. "Over there," Lyn spotted them. She walked over, then handed a candle to Liz. "Thanks." Liz waved her hand over the candle, and muttered, "flamrous," She lit a few more candles and set them around the room. Lyn, Dash, Kore, and Gavin extinguished their hand lights. "Let’s get to work," Kore said. "We need some parchment, and some ink, and a quill," Dash said. "There's always some in the drawer," Liz said. Gavin, who was closest to the table, opened the drawer. "She’s right," He started taking out the supplies, then everyone sat around the table.
Rika and iZ walked in silence into the throne room. No one else was there. "I smell blood," Rika said. iZ looked down. "There are a couple soldiers here from Arlem. Dead.""Where are your friends," she asked. "I told you. They're not my friends." "Whatever. Where are they?" Rika asked again. "I dunno." "What’s that?" Rika asked. She turned around. "What?" "Shhh," she said harshly. "I hear something," "What?" iZ whispered. "It sounds like... Footsteps," "Who are you?" iZ whirled around. An Elvin man stood. He held a sword, ready to attack. Rika stepped toward the voice. "I am Rika. this is iZ. We are friends of Erram. Who are you?" "My name is Renethon, also friend to Erram. What is your purpose here?" he did not lower his sword as he stepped closer." "We seek our friend..." "Irin," iZ finished when Rika could not remember her name. Renethon stood there for a moment, thinking. He lowered his sword. "I’ll take you to her. But if I find you are lying I will cut your throat!" he started walking. iZ gulped nervously, but followed. Rika touched iZ's ankle with her tail so she could follow.
Liz dipped the feather in her inkwell. "We should make the walls taller," she started to sketch it out. "We should probably enforce it with magic," Lyn said. "But it already was enforced with magic," Dash said. "But only after the wall was finished. Lyn’s right. It would be stronger if we used magic while it was being built." "Good idea. We should probably use the same methods everywhere else too." Liz said. "We should prioritize the buildings too." Gavin said. "The Barracks should be first, along with the wall of course." "The blacksmiths too, so they can make weapons." Kore said. "And the Healers homes." Lyn said. Liz wrote this down and sighed. "This might take longer than I thought."
At that moment I was ready to accept death. But something wouldn't let me let go. I remember talking to myself inside my head. "Irin, you’re not going to let him get the best of you. I won't let it happen." "Would you look at him? He's on top of me holding a knife to my throat! I think he already got the best of me!" "no he didn't. You’re still alive, aren’t you?" “I dunno. Is talking to yourself a sign of death?" "How would I know? I'm not dead, and neither are you! Come on look at this guy! You can take him!" "You’re annoying. If I keep fighting will you shut the hell up!?!?" I didn't get a response. Thank goodness! Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. Something along the lines of, "You’re crazy Irin!" Am I right? Well, maybe I am. But I don't care, because that got me back on track. I gathered all of my strength and threw the assassin off of me. The knife flew out of his hands. I quickly reached for Memory, rolled over, pinned him, and held the sword to his throat. His hood fell off, and I saw the horrid, twisting, evil face of.... Wait a minute! "You’re not an Assassin!" I yelled. "What?" said the man in front of me. "You thought I was an assassin? Was I really that good?" "What are you doing here?" "Failing to escape," he said. "Well, at least you know it. Canraás!" I said, summoning a candle. It floated to me and I snatched out of the air. "Flamrous." the candle illuminated the air in a soft glow. I looked at him again, and I was angered. We wore red armor, and the crest of Arlem. "What are you doing here?" I asked again. "I want answers!" "You’re not going to get them." "I could hand you over to the General," I said, "Or you can tell me now, and save yourself some pain." "You’re bluffing," "Do you really want to take that chance?" I asked, holding the sword closer to his throat. I stood and yanked him up. I put him in front of me and walked him toward the door. I held my sword with one hand and set the candle on a nearby table with the other, then opened the door. "Where are you taking me." "Around," I answered, smirking.
Renethon led iZ and Rika up 4 flights of stairs. Then he started walking down the hallway, but stopped. "Stop struggling," He herd someone whisper. Renethon turned around to iZ and Rika and put his finger to his lips. "Quiet, and get your weapons out." iZ and Rika did so. "We turn the corner on 3. 1...2...3!"
I led him out the door and down the hallway. My plan was to take the intruder to Arrabella, who I was sure would be in the meeting room...or maybe the throne room. But then... Renethon jumped out with iZ and Rika. They held their weapons out ready for attack. "Wait... Irin?" "Renethon, Rika, iZ...what's wrong?" Wow! What a stupid question on my part. But they all looked hilarious standing there, swords in the air, mouths hanging open. I had to laugh... I must’ve looked like an idiot. But I had a right to. After all I did just have a near-death experience. "That’s a question we should be asking you." Rika said, unable to see what was going on. "We got ourselves an intruder," I said. "What happened?" iZ asked "He was in my room trying to kill me." I said. "Not true!" said the intruder. "I was trying to escape. You just got in the way." I ignored him. "I was taking him to Arrabella. What are you doing up here?" "They were looking for you," Renethon pointed to iZ and Rika. "I wasn't going to let unfamiliar faces roam the palace, unescorted," "They’re on our side." I said. I felt like I was lying. I was pretty sure Rika was on our side...but... I wasn't sure of anything that concerned iZ. For all I know, he could have been a spy, and my running into him would’ve been part of the plan. But that's not what I thought. I noticed iZ was staring at Renethon, like...like he knew him or something. I would ask him about it later. "Let’s take him to Arrabella. She’ll know how to deal with him," I said. We started walking.
Liz looked up as the double doors of the meeting room burst open. "Irin?" "Is Arrabella here?" I said "No," Lyn answered. "Is something wrong?" I walked the Arlem soldier forward so we could be seen in the candle light. "We have an intruder. I need to see Arabella,” I said. Behind me Rika, iZ, and Renethon walked into the room. Dash stood. "How did you find him?” "I caught him trying to escape. Now where is Arabella?" I said. "She was in the Throne room the last time we saw her." Gavin said. But as always, Arrabella had good timing. She seems to sense when people need her, the same way I sense someone's intentions. "I’m here" she said behind me. I turned around to face her. "An intruder, I see?" I nodded. "I caught him trying to escape," I said again. Next time, I'll wait until everyone's in the room before I start explaining. "We will deal with him in the morning. You can escort him to the dungeon. The General can question him in the morning." I nodded. And started walking him forward. I walked down one flight of stairs so I was on ground level, then another flight so I was below ground. I threw him into a cell, then used magic to lock the cell. I know what you’re thinking, your thinking, one, that I know what you’re thinking a lot, (it's a natural ability for elves to be able to read human thoughts, but it's harder to read the thoughts of other elves). You’re also thinking that he can just use magic to unlock the cell. Not true. There are certain spells that are protect them, so only certain people can use them. You just have to know the secret word, which you have to think, not say. It's a little complicated, but there's a certain science to magic that enables us elves to channel energy into magic. More on that later. But anyway, the cell was locked. As I started up the stairs I ran into Renethon. Again. "Good, I want to talk to you." I told him. "Me too." I went ahead before he could say anything else. "Do you know iZ?" I asked. "I don't know. If I do, then he's changed. It seemed like he knew me" "Do you think...that maybe..." "I don't know. I'm not sure. But... Maybe he is. Either way, we have time to find out...but still." "Could it even be possible?" I asked. "The name would fit. But why hiding all this time..." "There are too many unanswered questions. We should worry about this later," Renethon nodded.
I started walking again, then turned around. "What was it you wanted to talk about?" "Nothing that can't wait. You should rest," I nodded again, then walked away. Minutes later I returned to my room. I summoned the candle then lit it again. At my feet lay the dagger that almost slit my throat. I picked it up. Red handle. Jagged edges. Sharp point. It was strange. I almost never got a good look at the weapon that was used against me. I laid the dagger carefully on a table. Then I looked at the floor. Shattered glass. The display case. Memory. His sword was near the double doors to the balcony. I took a step forward, and stepped on my hunting boot. I was re-living the fight. I couldn't handle this right now. I didn't know what I was doing, but I knew I couldn't stay in that room much longer. It was too much. It reminded me of so many other occasions. I had to leave. I changed into my travel clothes, put memory into its sheath, put on my hunting boots, slung my bow and arrows over my back, tied Memory and my Dagger onto my belt, then I looked in the mirror. A scarlet liquid trickled down my right leg. A wound, reopened. Flashbacks. I turned away from my reflection. The wound would heal itself in time. I walked over to a chest along the wall, and opened it. I took out a cloak, dark green. Then I took out a sack, and put the cloak in there, with my wand. I knew I wouldn't use the wand- I liked hand magic better- but it was there if I needed it. I walked to my door, broken glass crunching under my feet. Then, I walked to the kitchen. I filled a smaller sack with food, then put it into the larger one. Then, I started walking to the throne room, passing the meeting room on the way. The doors were still open, and instead of leaving unnoticed like I had hoped... Liz saw me. And she just HAD to say my name. Everyone looked up. "I’m leaving now." I said. "I should be back within 10 days." "Shouldn’t you rest," said Dash. "I’ve rested enough. It will be dawn in a few hours. I must be on my way," "But,-" Lyn started. I cut her off. "I should go. Goodbye," "Good luck," Kore said. "Thank you," I said. I started walking. As I left I heard Gavin say, "Think she’ll be okay? She might run into Arlem spies." "She’ll be fine. She can see their guilt," Lyn said. Hearing that, I smiled to myself.
Arabella was standing in the throne room. I bowed. "Before you go, take this letter. It will help you if the dwarves are unsure where their loyalties lie." she handed me a piece of parchment, folded and sealed. I put it in my sack. She nodded; I bowed, then started down the hallway. But I stopped when Arabella spoke again. "Irin?" I turned to face her. "Be careful." I nodded. Then I left the palace. I hurried down the streets of Erram, hoping that when I returned the city would be back to its former glory. I looked up. The smoke had vanished, but the stars were still not visible. The moon that had haunted the sky only a night before was gone. Never had the sky seemed so lonely. I stood at the broken gate. I took a deep breath, and reminded myself that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I took that step. There would be no turning back now. I walked slowly away from Erram.
Liz opened her eyes. Sunlight streamed through the window. Where was she? After a moment, memories came flooding back. Forest, canoe, water, river, drowning, walking, broken gates, blood, death, helping, planning, intruder, falling asleep on the table... Liz stretched then yawned. The others had fallen asleep like her. iZ and Rika took a seat by Dash when Irin brought the intruder down here. Renethon... wasn't there, and Arabella was probably in her own room. She looked at the table. Apparently during the night an inkwell had been knocked over. Ink was splattered all over the table. Great. All over the plans. Simply perfect! Liz walked out of the room, and walked down a flight of stairs to the kitchen. She grabbed something quick to eat, then left the palace. The city didn't look as bad in the bright, cheery sunlight. The weather would have been perfect for a morning flight. But there were more important things to do. She walked around, trying not to notice the blood on the streets. There was so much work to do that it was overwhelming. Liz went back into the palace to wake the others. The wind tossed my hair around. Ahead of me, the sun was rising, turning the sky into a brilliant gold. The clouds had disappeared, and the day looked cheery. I smiled, then I broke into a run. Two more days of travel, maybe one and a half if I was quick and I would be at Trebis. There I planned to buy some more food, and maybe a horse to get me to the mountains faster. If not, maybe I would fly. I started thinking about yesterday. I remembered the canoe. Was that really only yesterday? I was still hoeing to wake up in that clearing in the forest. I wanted this to be a dream. But I quickly gave up that hope. Then I remembered the intruder. Last night, I was horrified. Nor at the Arlem soldier, but how similar that battle was to the ones I fought before. During the Red River war, so many years ago. I was nearly killed that day. Attacked by an assassin. I was in a room. It was dark. I didn't notice him until the last second when he pulled a sword and slashed at me. I moved out of the way just in time, but his blade caught my knee. Eventually, someone knocked over a mirror. We both lost our swords. He pulled his knife. Stabbed me in the soldier. Footsteps were coming. He ran, jumped out the window. I had lost so much blood. To this day, I’m still afraid that the assassin will come looking for me. Come to finish my off. I will never forget that night. I shuddered at the memory, then tried to think of something else. I remembered Renethon. Of anyone had a hard life, it was him. His parents died when he was young. He had to other brothers, and of the three of them, Renethon was the oldest. He raised his brothers the best he could. But the second oldest brother didn't think it was good enough. One night, he sorta kidnapped the youngest brother, and ran across the border, into Arlem. Last night, Renethon could have been fighting his brother. But I doubt it. They were probably killed. But I've heard rumors, that one brother became powerful. Too powerful. I've heard that his loyalties lie with Arlem, who gave him that power. But... It's only a rumor.