《Yellow》 Prologue ¡°Hold this,¡± Hegess said, planting the box of dust into Oriyan¡¯s arms. ¡°It isn¡¯t heavy for you?¡± Oriyan strained slightly. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Can you carry another?¡± Her eyes widened a bit. ¡°I can try.¡± Hegess grabbed another box from the cart, giving it to the girl. ¡°Good?¡± She grunted, clearly struggling. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± The bearded man was not buying it. ¡°Do you want me to take it off for you?¡± ¡°N¡ª no, it¡¯s fine. Don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°If you want me to take it, I can take it. I don¡¯t want any dust coming out of these things.¡± ¡°I can handle it,¡± Oriyan stated. Hegess sighed. ¡°Just watch your step. Sandals on a pebble beach in the dark isn¡¯t exactly ideal.¡± He grabbed a spear from the cart, holding a smaller box in one hand. ¡°Come on.¡± The two moved over the beach. Oriyan found herself eyeing constantly further into shore, half-expecting a garrison of Elves to be patrolling over the beach. She still minded her step, the rocks and pebbles below gently illuminated by the million lights in the sky. It had only been a week since she joined with the Banner. Hoping, like so many others, to oust the Elves off of Witaenal. All she had done since then was all the menial work; clean the weapons, keep the rats out of the grain. This may have been as menial as them, but at least she was able to do it in the fresh air. Oriyan now gazed to the ocean, hoping to find something in the distance. The sea was at an odd calm, the violent waves she was too familiar with had seemed to have regressed this night. ¡°Who are we looking out for?¡± She asked. ¡°Friends of ours. Should be coming in from a boat.¡± ¡°Where are they from?¡± ¡°I have no clue, to be honest.¡± He scratched his beard. ¡°Somewhere eastwards. Probably Krensk, maybe further.¡± ¡°Maybe they¡¯re Jade?¡± ¡°Doubt they¡¯d be that far. Honestly, it doesn¡¯t really matter where they¡¯re coming from. They¡¯ve probably been the best thing to happen to us in a long time.¡± ¡°How so?¡± Oriyan asked. Hegess stopped in his tracks as a roar came from the side. Loudening as it came ever closer. A bright light soon flashed from the sea, burning into Oriyan¡¯s eyes and causing her to fall over. ¡°Dammit, girl!¡± He exclaimed moving towards her. One of the crates broke upon her fall, the breeze sifting the golden powder into the air. She got up, finding herself rubbing her eyes constantly. Hegess pulled up the broken box, plugging any cracks and holes with his arms. The light finally arrived, outshining the stars and moon in the sky. An accented voice suddenly came. ¡°Flash!¡± ¡°Oh gods,¡± Hegess muttered to himself. ¡°Err¡­ thunder? No, lightning!¡± Oriyan pulled herself up, shielding her eyes. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± ¡°Stay quiet, let me handle this,¡± he lowly said to her, before going back to the light. ¡°I apologise, but our supply seems to have been damaged!¡± The voice came again, ordering, ¡°Take your hoods down, show us your ears!¡± ¡°Show them your ears,¡± Hegess repeated to Oriyan, dropping the spear and box, and then taking down his own hood. Some chatter came from the light. A figure suddenly stepped onto the flat tide. ¡°How many of you are there?¡± His voice wasn¡¯t accented, quite similar to Oriyan¡¯s Cardai accent. ¡°Just the two of us.¡± The tone of the figure grew concerned. ¡°Is that it?¡± ¡°Erm¡­ yes?¡± Hegess felt as if he had no stake in the situation. The figure stepped closer, revealing himself in the light. An odd chill came over the two. He seemed Human, yet there appeared to be something missing from him, something vital that they just couldn¡¯t explain. His dark clothing was unusual, as if stolen off a clothesline, yet that wasn¡¯t what irked them. ¡°I was expecting a bit more of a red carpet from someone like your boss,¡± he said, stepping closer. The two kept their distance, getting a concerned look from the man. He took a good look at the rebels. ¡°How old are you?¡± He asked Oriyan. ¡°Old enough to fight,¡± she said, trying her best to look determined. There was an audible sigh from the man. ¡°I was hoping to¡¯ve had a proper chauffeur along the way, but I guess we¡¯ll make do.¡± He then said to the others behind the light, ¡°Grab the supply, lads. Vadim, pass me the arms.¡± A few more figures stepped onto the shore. Something around their mouths stuck out, Oriyan thought at first they were demons or such. They wore masks. Not made of cloth, perhaps a sort of leather? The rest of their clothing was unusual too, starkly different to the man¡¯s. ¡°Keep your distance,¡± one of the figures ordered the rebels, their accented voice muffled behind their masks. Like the man, something was off about them. That same cold chill came over the two. The girl felt like running before anything abysmal would have happened. ¡°Don¡¯t mind them,¡± the man said, unloading a few large bags. ¡°Not inoculated like me and Vadim.¡± A bald figure, wearing similar clothing to the man, stepped off, likely this ¡®Vadim¡¯ person. Hegess had seen many low faces like his. Many battles, many harrowing sights had made their mark on his eyes. They briefly made contact with the rebel¡¯s, to which he averted his gaze. A few bags were passed to the two. ¡°How much can the girl carry?¡± The man, Penn, asked them. Oriyan said, ¡°As many as you¡ª¡± She was quickly cut off by Hegess. ¡°Pass them to me.¡± ¡°Fine,¡± Penn said. As Hegess began to pick the bags off the floor, he then warned him, ¡°Careful with those, by the way. Our stock of those things are decades old, might go off.¡± Oriyan picked up Hegess¡¯ spear, assuming she was demoted to lookout. ¡°What are we taking?¡± Penn overheard her. ¡°Doesn¡¯t she know?¡± ¡°I apologise. She¡¯s new to the Banner,¡± Hegess replied, a bag wrapped around his back. Penn placed a bag down, gesturing for the girl to come over. Oriyan stepped forward as the bag was opened. The man pulled something out. A blend of wood and carefully carved metal was what she was met with, shaped like an imitation of a northern rune, save for the more detailed shaping on its various parts. She was allowed to hold it, almost dropping it once its weight was known to her. The metal felt cold against her skin, as if she was holding the embodiment of death itself. ¡°What is it?¡± Oriyan uttered. ¡°The full name of it is the Avtomat Kalashnikova,¡± Penn said, his smile present in the light. ¡°Where I¡¯m from, most simply call it the AK-47.¡±
Comfortable was probably the closest Daifan could accurately describe it. Still on the twilight between the material and spiritual. Visually, it was as if his mortal mind was basking in a painting of infinity, barely comprehendible, but with an odd beauty like no other. There was a warmth to it, like every worry, every fear, just disappeared. He reached an understanding of sorts, something that he quite couldn¡¯t place into thought. It felt as if he was journeying somewhere in the Bind, drifting along the waves. Throughout, it seemed as if all of time flashed in front of him a thousand times over. Stars came and went, plants grew and shrivelled, cities built and demolished. The deeper he floated into the Bind, the less he seemed on the twilight with the material world. The borders of the Null and Dark realms were visible to him, almost within the reach of his fingertips. Eventually, Daifan came to a halt. At least, he thought it was a halt. The waves were, and that warmth dissipated away. Something here clearly didn¡¯t tolerate him. The beauty of infinity¡¯s painting was no longer there, something much less grand took its place. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. He felt stiff, a heavy breath took over with his hairs standing on end. All instincts now favoured survival. Anything the boy felt was out to get him remained invisible to his mind¡¯s eye, or were instead incomprehensible. He knew there was something lurking about. Daifan was cold now, completely vulnerable, as if he was ripped straight out of all aspects of the Bind - here and in the material world. His eyes darted around as everything became ever darker. That twilight seemed long gone now, his mind was fully stuck here. The sounds of a million cries suddenly screeched all around him. He covered his ears, but the laws of the physical didn¡¯t apply so well here. It only ended as something grabbed his arm. The dark went away, and the oak of his home blurred back into focus. He looked to the side, there was a Human boy, a few years older than him, crouching by. Cheap armoured and tired eyes. It was Arral. ¡°You okay?¡± He asked Daifan. The boy¡¯s breath was still heavy. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°Calm down, calm down.¡± Arral placed his hand on Daifan¡¯s forehead, moist in cold sweat. ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve come down with a fever. Come on.¡± He helped him up onto a chair. Daifan looked around, something was missing. ¡°Where¡¯s Master Alanus?¡± ¡°Whilst you were sitting in this¡­ whatever it is, I gave him a message, and he disappeared off to Antalm.¡± ¡°Why Antalm?¡± ¡°No idea. He seemed in a hurry to get there though. So now, I¡¯m stuck here looking after you.¡± Arral began to browse through the cupboards, hoping to find something for Daifan to eat. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be working?¡± ¡°Worry about yourself for the moment.¡± The boy¡¯s head continued to throb. ¡°Did he¡­ Alanus, he went through the Bindgate didn¡¯t he - that wooden arch in the other room?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t keep track of all the things you two get up to. There was something shining there, I guess.¡± He picked out an odd-looking jar, taking a whiff of it. ¡°Why is there dung in here?¡± Daifan eyed up. ¡°It¡¯s for an ¡®experiment¡¯.¡± ¡°It seems more like the Elf didn¡¯t have time to go to the outhouse.¡± He wanted to laugh, but that feeling his Master was here silenced the urge. ¡°Look in the cupboards on the far right.¡± ¡°Would be nice if you labelled everything. I really am not in the mood to grow a third eye in my next meal. I mean¡ª¡± He looked around the whole room, packed with what he could only describe as a collection of magical junk, ¡°¡ªIt¡¯s a maze in here. I don¡¯t know how you people find anything.¡± ¡°We have a system.¡± ¡°Not a very good one it seems.¡± He took two jars out the cupboard. ¡°You don¡¯t have anything for illnesses do you?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know where my Master keeps them. In his room somewhere, I think.¡± The young guard took a peek into Alanus¡¯ room, before stepping away. ¡°I¡¯m there¡¯s a chance I¡¯d turn into a frog if I touched something in there,¡± Arral remarked. ¡°Right, I¡¯m going to make you some soup instead. Hopefully should sort out your fever. You want me to add anything to it?¡± Daifan groaned as his head began to throb more, before telling him, ¡°Add what you want.¡± Arral grabbed a pot, filled it with some rainwater from a barrel, and hung it over the fireplace. Multiple herbs he hoped were edible were sprinkled in alongside a bit of salt, and already he just decided to wait until the pot boiled. It wasn¡¯t the greatest meal in the world, but he was starving and the boy seemed like he was going to collapse. He sat adjacent to Daifan at the table. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± The boy¡¯s face was now dug into his arms. ¡°I feel like my head¡¯s on fire.¡± ¡°What exactly were you sitting on the ground for?¡± He looked over where the boy was sitting back on the floor, dark-yellow powder still remained on the floor. ¡°Master Alanus wants me to access the Bind. It¡¯s¡­¡± Daifan was too tired to get any words out. ¡°It¡¯s the only way anybody can¡ª¡± ¡°Access magic, I know the stories. I¡¯m assuming it isn¡¯t going so well?¡± ¡°It¡¯s getting better¡­ kinda.¡± ¡°You look half-dead, Daifan.¡± He chuckled a bit, not really grasping why. ¡°This is¡­ no, this is nothing.¡± Arral sighed. ¡°Be honest.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a fever, Arral. I¡¯m fine.¡± This was probably the fifth attempt at accessing the Bind, compared to what he went through the other four times, an illness was nothing. To him, it only meant he endured the worst that came from it. ¡°What do you even see in there anyway? Does a spirit come up to you and suddenly decide you should come down with a plague?¡± ¡°It¡¯s like¡­¡± Daifan tried to find the words. ¡°It¡¯s like you¡¯re floating, far above anything bothering you. You¡¯re just staring at the bigger picture.¡± ¡°And you get a fever, why exactly?¡± ¡°When you¡¯re there long enough, if your mind can¡¯t¡­ connect properly, it sees you more as a¡­¡± His headache spiked causing him to clutch the side of his head, just about answering the young soldier¡¯s question. ¡°All right, you need to lie down.¡± Arral helped him off the chair, carrying him into his room and onto the bed. The boy barely seemed awake, only digging himself into the fabric. ¡°One of these days, you¡¯re going to go down a hole I or anyone else won¡¯t be able to pull you out from. When Alanus comes back, for your own sake, set a line somewhere.¡± There was just silence from Daifan, and then snoring. He probably didn¡¯t hear what Arral said, and he likely wouldn¡¯t have listened to him if he did.
Hani wasn¡¯t listening. None of what was going on in the chamber was getting into her head. All she was able to muster for the moment was politics, strategy, the usual on Elvish might. It was meant to be an education session for her, instead it was an excuse to stare off into the stars for an indefinite amount of time. Of all places across Iera, of every bit of land her family could¡¯ve governed, it had to be here. Why did it have to be here? It rained nonstop, the rivers smelled like manure, and the locals all looked like they each crawled out of a cave. Honestly, Hani felt as if she was better off getting sentenced to a hanging. It was fine back home in Omano. Nice and sunny. Lovely people. But instead, her father took up the opportunity to pull his whole family into some dead end campaign here. She vaguely agreed with the idea of Humans being brought to heel, but did it have to be them? Her mother explained it was an honour for their bloodline, but it was more of a damnation. Her attention halfway brought her back to the present. No reason why, was there nothing else for her to daydream about? ¡°Of course,¡± General Tarrenorf said, pointing to a map of Witaenal, ¡°We have the southern regions completely pacified, all below the Cardai river. The status quo for the past few years, your predecessor had been quite lenient in his position.¡± Governor Amrez leaned on the table. ¡°A bit too lenient, it seems. What reason would he have to remain below the river? Nothing but petty Human tribes above it.¡± ¡°Truthfully, those matters were his alone. I¡¯m grateful the Emperor saw otherwise. Elvish dominance should not have been held back for so long on these isles." ¡°Agreed. So, what do we understand about the Human lands?¡± ¡°Like you said, petty Humans tribes.¡± He pointed to the middle of the largest island. ¡°Breorm and Antalm appears to be the closest ¡®civilised¡¯ realms here, though that boundary remains low. A simple land of merchants, their coal deposits have made them quite the treasure.¡± Tarrenorf continued to point to different locations. ¡°Around here are simple farming kingdoms. None worth the heavy might. Westwards is a land of valleys. The people are mere herdsmen. Rumoured to fornicate with their cattle. Strategically, I¡¯d suggest we save them for last. The more north we go, however, that is where we would have the most issue¡ª¡± The sound of yawning silenced the briefing. All in the room looked to the corner, finding Hani clearly dying of boredom. ¡°Cover your mouth when you yawn, Hani,¡± Amrez said to her. ¡°Sorry,¡± she uttered without a care. ¡°Is it wise to keep your daughter here, Amrez?¡± Tarrenorf questioned. ¡°I do believe it is best for her to observe a meeting like this, allow her to get a better understanding of our work here.¡± ¡°She seems to be getting quite the education then,¡± the General said sarcastically. ¡°A more practical education seems to work better with her. May we continue?¡± He sighed. ¡°I understand traditions have¡­ loosened on the mainland. But I still believe that this is no place for a girl to observe. If anything, I expect her to be picking a dress for her own wedding.¡± Hani¡¯s attention was finally fully raised. ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°Well, you clearly have no interest being here. You may as well be doing your expected duties.¡± The Governor stared at Tarrenorf silencing his comments, before speaking plainly, ¡°May. We. Continue?¡± Tarrenorf pulled back. ¡°Of course.¡± And just like that, Hani stopped listening until the meeting was over. As she left the chamber, her father held her shoulder. ¡°How was that?¡± ¡°You let him say that about me?!¡± She complained, turning to face him. ¡°It was not a place for opinions on individual matters, I made sure Tarrenorf remained in line.¡± ¡°I expect an apology at the least!¡± ¡°And you will get one. I agree, what the General said was not his place. But for the moment, I do not want to strain my allies before my inauguration.¡± ¡°So you place politics before me?!¡± ¡°Nothing comes before family, duckling.¡± Her father continued to lecture her on familial love, she rolled her eyes, groaned, and stormed off. Hani passed her mother, Peva, along the way. She gave a frustrated glare at her husband. ¡°What the hell did you do now?¡± Amrez found himself defeated. ¡°Something I¡¯ll try to deal with later.¡± Hani stormed into her room, collapsed onto the bed and stared at the cracks high up on her ceiling. She let out a long sigh, allowing her mind to go blank for the moment. The sun rays that recently brightened the room were soon replaced by patters of rain, as if the Gods were taunting her. ¡°Another politics lecture, was it?¡± The soft voice of Frinis, a friend of her¡¯s, suddenly popped up. Hani pulled herself up, staring at the well-dressed woman only a few years above her standing at the door. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°In the area, I thought you would fancy a walk.¡± She looked around, realising there was nothing else to do. ¡°Fine.¡± It was only the marble halls of the Cardai Palaces they ventured through, chattering all the while. Frinis was one of the few friends Hani made since coming here, having been the daughter of one of the head clerks. She wasn¡¯t of the mainland like most of her fellow Elves here, having been born in Witaenal, but somehow she could still blend in as one. ¡°He said what to you?¡± Frinis laughed. ¡°Oh Gods. I mean we all know Tarrenorf is a living dungpile, but he has certainly fallen here. Did your father say anything?!¡± ¡°Nothing. He just tried to get him to move on! I didn¡¯t get an apology at all!¡± ¡°That is disgusting.¡± ¡°It is!¡± Hani said. ¡°Father¡¯s excuse was that he didn¡¯t want to ¡®strain his allies¡¯, as if he forgot I was his daughter!¡± ¡°Strain his allies? Your father¡¯s being paranoid. This isn¡¯t the Imperial Court, the most he would possibly get is some bickering behind his back.¡± ¡°Trust me, back in Omano, he treated every little thing he did as part of some sort of strategy - part of some wider¡­ thing. I don¡¯t know, he seemed to stress over everything.¡± ¡°It sounds like he needs to remember that this isn¡¯t Omano.¡± Hani scoffed. ¡°Tell that to him.¡± ¡°At least your father has something with him,¡± Frinis sighed. ¡°You can¡¯t even have a proper conversation with mine. He¡¯s stuck in his own mind too much of the time.¡± They found themselves at the edge of one of the belvederes, staring over the central area of Cardai. It was bustling bellow, people - mostly Elves - getting on with their day-to-day lives. Some admiring the statues built on the side of the roads. Essentially, it was an imitation of Elvish dominance. A caricature of home. The structures were accurate, but compared to what was on the mainland, much seemed lacking. Maybe its aura, maybe its people. In the distance, they could eye the rest of the city, just north of the Cardai River. Not as grandeur as the shining architecture right in front of them. With wood, straw, and what was probably the smell of dead animal carcasses ever so obvious, even from this distance. ¡°How does it feel now that your family is in charge of all of this?¡± Frinis asked. The gods decided to answer for her as rain suddenly poured down. Hani stayed silent. ¡°It won¡¯t be awful. Trust me, a lot of girls I know would give up so much to be in your position.¡± Hani snorted, leaning on the edge. ¡°Are those girls working in brothels? Because otherwise I would question if all is well in their heads. I mean, look at this place!¡± ¡°Oh it isn¡¯t that bad!¡± Frinis looked out to the now drenched city. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen the sun in days. I would sell my soul just to see it again.¡± Frinis scoffed. ¡°You are going to regret saying that when Summer comes around. I bet you¡¯ll be begging for the rain.¡± Dust ONE MONTH AGO Comfortable was probably the closest Daifan could accurately describe it. Still on the twilight between the material and spiritual. Visually, it was as if his mortal mind was basking in a painting of infinity, barely comprehendible, but with an odd beauty like no other. There was a warmth to it, like every worry, every fear, just disappeared. He reached an understanding of sorts, something that he quite couldn¡¯t place into thought. It felt as if he was journeying somewhere in the Bind, drifting along the waves. Throughout, it seemed as if all of time flashed in front of him a thousand times over. Stars came and went, plants grew and shrivelled, cities built and demolished. The deeper he floated into the Bind, the less he seemed on the twilight with the material world. The borders of the Null and Dark realms were visible to him, almost within the reach of his fingertips. Eventually, Daifan came to a halt. At least, he thought it was a halt. The waves were, and that warmth dissipated away. Something here clearly didn¡¯t tolerate him. The beauty of infinity¡¯s painting was no longer there, something much less grand took its place. He felt stiff, a heavy breath took over with his hairs standing on end. All instincts now favoured survival. Anything the boy felt was out to get him remained invisible to his mind¡¯s eye, or were instead incomprehensible. He knew there was something lurking about. Daifan was cold now, completely vulnerable, as if he was ripped straight out of all aspects of the Bind - here and in the material world. His eyes darted around as everything became ever darker. That twilight seemed long gone now, his mind was fully stuck here. The sounds of a million cries suddenly screeched all around him. He covered his ears, but the laws of the physical didn¡¯t apply so well here. It only ended as something grabbed his arm. The dark went away, and the oak of his home blurred back into focus. He looked to the side, there was a Human boy, a few years older than him, crouching by. Cheap armoured and tired eyes. It was Arral. ¡°You okay?¡± He asked Daifan. The boy¡¯s breath was still heavy. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°Calm down, calm down.¡± Arral placed his hand on Daifan¡¯s forehead, moist in cold sweat. ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve come down with a fever. Come on.¡± He helped him up onto a chair. Daifan looked around, something was missing. ¡°Where¡¯s Master Alanus?¡± ¡°Whilst you were sitting in this¡­ whatever it is, I gave him a message, and he disappeared off to Antalm.¡± ¡°Why Antalm?¡± ¡°No idea. He seemed in a hurry to get there though. So now, I¡¯m stuck here looking after you.¡± Arral began to browse through the cupboards, hoping to find something for Daifan to eat. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be working?¡± ¡°Worry about yourself for the moment.¡± The boy¡¯s head continued to throb. ¡°Did he¡­ Alanus, he went through the Bindgate didn¡¯t he - that wooden arch in the other room?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t keep track of all the things you two get up to. There was something shining there, I guess.¡± He picked out an odd-looking jar, taking a whiff of it. ¡°Why is there dung in here?¡± Daifan eyed up. ¡°It¡¯s for an ¡®experiment¡¯.¡± ¡°It seems more like the Elf didn¡¯t have time to go to the outhouse.¡± He wanted to laugh, but that feeling his Master was here silenced the urge. ¡°Look in the cupboards on the far right.¡± ¡°Would be nice if you labelled everything. I really am not in the mood to grow a third eye in my next meal. I mean¡ª¡± He looked around the whole room, packed with what he could only describe as a collection of magical junk, ¡°¡ªIt¡¯s a maze in here. I don¡¯t know how you people find anything.¡± ¡°We have a system.¡± ¡°Not a very good one it seems.¡± He took two jars out the cupboard. ¡°You don¡¯t have anything for illnesses do you?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know where my Master keeps them. In his room somewhere, I think.¡± The young guard took a peek into Alanus¡¯ room, before stepping away. ¡°I¡¯m there¡¯s a chance I¡¯d turn into a frog if I touched something in there,¡± Arral remarked. ¡°Right, I¡¯m going to make you some soup instead. Hopefully should sort out your fever. You want me to add anything to it?¡± Daifan groaned as his head began to throb more, before telling him, ¡°Add what you want.¡± Arral grabbed a pot, filled it with some rainwater from a barrel, and hung it over the fireplace. Multiple herbs he hoped were edible were sprinkled in alongside a bit of salt, and already he just decided to wait until the pot boiled. It wasn¡¯t the greatest meal in the world, but he was starving and the boy seemed like he was going to collapse. He sat adjacent to Daifan at the table. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± The boy¡¯s face was now dug into his arms. ¡°I feel like my head¡¯s on fire.¡± ¡°What exactly were you sitting on the ground for?¡± He looked over where the boy was sitting earlier; dark-yellow powder still remained on the floor. ¡°Master Alanus wants me to access the Bind. It¡¯s¡­¡± Daifan was too tired to get any words out. ¡°It¡¯s the only way anybody can¡ª¡± ¡°Access magic, I know the stories. I¡¯m assuming it isn¡¯t going so well?¡±This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. ¡°It¡¯s getting better¡­ kinda.¡± ¡°You look half-dead, Daifan.¡± He chuckled a bit, not really grasping why. ¡°This is¡­ no, this is nothing.¡± Arral sighed. ¡°Be honest.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a fever, Arral. I¡¯m fine.¡± This was probably the fifth attempt at accessing the Bind, compared to what he went through the other four times, an illness was nothing. To him, it only meant he endured the worst that came from it. ¡°What do you even see in there anyway? Does a spirit come up to you and suddenly decide you should come down with a plague?¡± ¡°It¡¯s like¡­¡± Daifan tried to find the words. ¡°It¡¯s like you¡¯re floating, far above anything bothering you. You¡¯re just staring at the bigger picture.¡± ¡°And you get a fever, why exactly?¡± ¡°When you¡¯re there long enough, if your mind can¡¯t¡­ connect properly, it sees you more as a¡­¡± His headache spiked causing him to clutch the side of his head, just about answering the young soldier¡¯s question. ¡°All right, you need to lie down.¡± Arral helped him off the chair, carrying him into his room and onto the bed. The boy barely seemed awake, only digging himself into the fabric. ¡°One of these days, you¡¯re going to go down a hole I or anyone else won¡¯t be able to pull you out from. When Alanus comes back, for your own sake, set a line somewhere.¡± There was just silence from Daifan, and then snoring. He probably didn¡¯t hear what Arral said, and he likely wouldn¡¯t have listened to him if he did.
¡°Hold this,¡± Hegess said, planting the box of dust into Oriyan¡¯s arms. ¡°It isn¡¯t heavy for you?¡± Oriyan strained slightly. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Can you carry another?¡± Her eyes widened a bit. ¡°I can try.¡± Hegess grabbed another box from the cart, giving it to the girl. ¡°Good?¡± She grunted, clearly struggling. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± The bearded man was not buying it. ¡°Do you want me to take it off for you?¡± ¡°N¡ª no, it¡¯s fine. Don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°If you want me to take it, I can take it. I don¡¯t want any dust coming out of these things.¡± ¡°I can handle it,¡± Oriyan stated. Hegess sighed. ¡°Just watch your step. Sandals on a pebble beach in the dark isn¡¯t exactly ideal.¡± He grabbed a spear from the cart, holding a smaller box in one hand. ¡°Come on.¡± The two moved over the beach. Oriyan found herself eyeing constantly further into shore, half-expecting a garrison of Elves to be patrolling over the beach. She still minded her step, the rocks and pebbles below gently illuminated by the million lights in the sky. It had only been a week since she joined with the Banner. Hoping, like so many others, to oust the Elves off of Witaenal. All she had done since then was all the menial work; clean the weapons, keep the rats out of the grain. This may have been as menial as them, but at least she was able to do it in the fresh air. Oriyan now gazed to the ocean, hoping to find something in the distance. The sea was at an odd calm, the violent waves she was too familiar with had seemed to have regressed this night. ¡°Who are we looking out for?¡± She asked. ¡°Friends of ours. Should be coming in from a boat.¡± ¡°Where are they from?¡± ¡°I have no clue, to be honest.¡± He scratched his beard. ¡°Somewhere eastwards. Probably Krensk, maybe further.¡± ¡°Maybe they¡¯re Jade?¡± ¡°Doubt they¡¯d be that far. Honestly, it doesn¡¯t really matter where they¡¯re coming from. They¡¯ve probably been the best thing to happen to us in a long time.¡± ¡°How so?¡± Oriyan asked. Hegess stopped in his tracks as a roar came from the side. Loudening as it came ever closer. A bright light soon flashed from the sea, burning into Oriyan¡¯s eyes and causing her to fall over. ¡°Dammit, girl!¡± He exclaimed moving towards her. One of the crates broke upon her fall, the breeze sifting the golden powder into the air. She got up, finding herself rubbing her eyes constantly. Hegess pulled up the broken box, plugging any cracks and holes with his arms. The light finally arrived, outshining the stars and moon in the sky. An accented voice suddenly came. ¡°Flash!¡± ¡°Oh gods,¡± Hegess muttered to himself. ¡°Err¡­ thunder? No, lightning!¡± Oriyan pulled herself up, shielding her eyes. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± ¡°Stay quiet, let me handle this,¡± he lowly said to her, before going back to the light. ¡°I apologise, but our supply seems to have been damaged!¡± The voice came again, ordering, ¡°Take your hoods down, show us your ears!¡± ¡°Show them your ears,¡± Hegess repeated to Oriyan, dropping the spear and box, and then taking down his own hood. Some chatter came from the light. A figure suddenly stepped onto the flat tide. ¡°How many of you are there?¡± His voice wasn¡¯t accented, quite similar to Oriyan¡¯s Cardai accent. ¡°Just the two of us.¡± The tone of the figure grew concerned. ¡°Is that it?¡± ¡°Erm¡­ yes?¡± Hegess felt as if he had no stake in the situation. The figure stepped closer, revealing himself in the light. An odd chill came over the two. He seemed Human, yet there appeared to be something missing from him, something vital that they just couldn¡¯t explain. His dark clothing was unusual, as if stolen off a clothesline, yet that wasn¡¯t what irked them. ¡°I was expecting a bit more of a red carpet from someone like your boss,¡± he said, stepping closer. The two kept their distance, getting a concerned look from the man. He took a good look at the rebels. ¡°How old are you?¡± He asked Oriyan. ¡°Old enough to fight,¡± she said, trying her best to look determined. There was an audible sigh from the man. ¡°Not the youngest I¡¯ve seen groups like yours but fine. I was hoping to¡¯ve had a proper chauffeur along the way, I guess we¡¯ll have to make do with you lot. I go by Penn, by the way.¡± He then said to the others behind the light, ¡°Grab the supply, lads. Vadim, pass me the arms.¡± He noticed the broken crate on the ground. ¡°Leave one bag on board.¡± Hegess went pale. ¡°We haven¡¯t lost much.¡± ¡°Not to you, but a few grams of this stuff could afford us to arm a dozen more of your men. Our terms with your boss were simple.¡± ¡°We can get it out of the sand.¡± Penn scoffed. ¡°No.¡± A few more figures stepped onto the shore. Something around their mouths stuck out, Oriyan thought at first they were demons or such. They wore masks. Not made of cloth, perhaps a sort of leather? The rest of their clothing was unusual too, starkly different to the man¡¯s. ¡°Keep your distance,¡± one of the figures ordered the rebels, their accented voice muffled behind their masks. Like the man, something was off about them. That same cold chill came over the two. The girl felt like running before anything abysmal would have happened. ¡°Don¡¯t mind them,¡± the man said, unloading a few large bags. ¡°Not inoculated like me and Vadim. Last thing we want is another pandemic.¡± A bald figure, wearing similar clothing to the man, stepped off, likely this ¡®Vadim¡¯ person. Hegess had seen many low faces like his. Many battles, many harrowing sights had made their mark on his eyes. They briefly made contact with the rebel¡¯s, to which he averted his gaze. A few bags were passed to the two. ¡°How much can the girl carry?¡± The man asked them. Oriyan said, ¡°As many as you¡ª¡± She was quickly cut off by Hegess. ¡°Pass them to me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a lot of bags, mate,¡± Penn said. Hegess ignored him and began to pick the bags off the floor. Penn then warned him, ¡°Careful with those, by the way. Our stock of those things are decades old, might go off.¡± Oriyan picked up Hegess¡¯ spear, assuming she was demoted to lookout. ¡°What are we taking?¡± Penn overheard her. ¡°Doesn¡¯t she know?¡± ¡°I apologise. She¡¯s new to the Banner,¡± Hegess replied, a bag wrapped around his back. Penn placed a bag down, gesturing for the girl to come over. Oriyan stepped forward as the bag was opened. The man pulled something out. A blend of wood and carefully carved metal was what she was met with, shaped like an imitation of a northern rune, save for the more detailed shaping on its various parts. She was allowed to hold it, almost dropping it once its weight was known to her. The metal felt cold against her skin, as if she was holding the embodiment of death itself. ¡°What is it?¡± Oriyan uttered. ¡°Thirty rounds in a magazine, possessing the ability to fire about¡­ six-hundred rounds a minute. Could shred a whole platoon of Elves if you get your aim right. The full name of it is the Avtomat Kalashnikova.¡± Penn said, his smile shining in the light. ¡°Where I¡¯m from, most simply call it the AK-47.¡± 50 Shades of Emerald ¡°Is it the ears?¡± Helmen asked. Ibel was chewing on a bread roll. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Is that why the Elves think they¡¯re better than us? I mean really, there¡¯s not really much difference between us and them.¡± Ibel swallowed. ¡°I can think of a lot of differences between us and them.¡± ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°Flexibility. Have you seen some of their archers?¡± ¡°Oh, any Human could be like that.¡± Helmen leaned on his spear. ¡°Seriously?¡± ¡°Well, you chow down on thirty bread rolls a day, so don¡¯t moan to me if you can¡¯t do a handstand.¡± ¡°Yeah, but it can¡¯t be the ears, though,¡± Ibel said, before looking at his mate. ¡°Can it?¡± ¡°I mean look at us; round ears. We have utterly nothing going on around here. Pointy ears, however. It¡¯s just¡­ I don¡¯t know, I¡¯d much rather have pointy ears.¡± Ibel raised an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯re saying you would rather be an Elf.¡± ¡°I mean the only difference it would make would be a little more cash in my pouch. And maybe most of this island wanting to hang my head on their front door.¡± ¡°But you would still get pointy ears.¡± ¡°Probably the only win about it.¡± ¡°Do you reckon they can scratch themselves with them? Like if they had an itch on their shoulder they can¡¯t reach or something like that. You know, like¡­¡± Ibel tried rubbing the side of his helmet over his shoulder. ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± Helmen said. Ibel stopped. ¡°It¡¯s been a long morning.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been in the garrison for ages, you don¡¯t have the right to start moaning now.¡± Ibel¡¯s gaze briefly glanced the other way. ¡°I mean¡ª wait.¡± He looked back. There was a figure in the distance, just on the outskirts of the village. Helmen squinted as the figure stumbled closer. ¡°Get the healer.¡± ¡°Nell¡¯s not in Penalm. On a pilgrimage up north.¡± ¡°What? Oh for the Heaven¡¯s sake.¡± He thought for a moment. ¡°Is that Elf¡­ what was his name? Alanus. Is Alanus still here?¡± ¡°I can check, but I think he¡¯s gone too.¡± ¡°Since when?!¡± ¡°Do you ever pay attention to what¡¯s happening in this village?¡± ¡°Just check. Or at least find someone, you arse!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go, I¡¯ll go.¡± Ibel quickly made his way off. Helmen ran over. The figure was a man - a soldier - drenched in a great amount of blood. His armour was greatly damaged, dents and cracks now engraved with the rest of its markings. He fell to his knees once Helmen arrived closer. ¡°Hey, hey, who did this to you?¡± The guard crouched down. The man didn¡¯t respond, but the half-open eyes and laboured breathing told him everything. ¡°Right,¡± Helmen spoke softly. ¡°I¡¯m going to pick you up now. Think you can still walk for a bit more?¡±
It took three knocks to wake Arral up. And it took another three knocks to have him consider dragging himself off the chair. He pulled himself to the door, edging it open. ¡°Ibel?¡± He said groggily. ¡°Why are you in the Elf¡¯s house?¡± Ibel asked. The young guard stepped outside, closing the door behind him. ¡°Looking after Daifan.¡± ¡°You aren¡¯t paid to babysit, you know.¡± ¡°Just tell me what you want,¡± Arral snapped. ¡°Is Alanus here?¡± ¡°I wouldn''t be here if he was. Ran off to Antalm.¡± Ibel groaned. ¡°Seriously? When will he be back?¡± ¡°Hell if I know. Trust me, I¡¯m as mad about it as you are.¡± Ibel glanced behind and back at Arral. ¡°Can his boy help?¡± ¡°He¡¯s come down with a fever or something. Why, what¡¯s happened?¡± They marched back to the garrison shortly after with a random assortment of bottles from Daifan¡¯s home. Neither of them knew what they did, but they better have done something. The small garrison building was just up ahead, marked by a shoddily-made blue flag hanging above the entrance. They barged through the doors. A paling man was lying bloodied and poorly-bandaged on a hay pile. ¡°Gods,¡± Arral said. ¡°Where have you been?¡± Merinn, the head guard, asked him as he dabbed at the man¡¯s wounds. ¡°Not now.¡± Arral dumped the things from the house onto a table. ¡°Was Alanus not home?¡± Helmen asked. ¡°Went off to Antalm yesterday,¡± Ibel said. ¡°Is there anyone in Penalm that hasn¡¯t left yet?¡± ¡°Shut it,¡± Merinn told them, moving over to the table. ¡°What have we got?¡± ¡°I was hoping you would know?¡± Arral said, now realising how stupid that sounded out loud. ¡°Do I look like my ears have been trimmed?!The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°You¡¯re right, fine. Let¡¯s just have a look. If Alanus almost keeps killing Daifan every other day, he has to have something to make sure he doesn¡¯t go overboard.¡± Helmen stared. ¡°Sorry, did I miss something? The Elf¡¯s torturing the boy?¡± ¡°By the Gods!¡± Merinn shouted. ¡°A man is dying! Stop sodding blabbering and sort through the bottles!¡± Ironically, it was more blabbering for the next few moments. Each guard was searching blind, of course. Anything they could have used would probably have either saved him or killed off half of the island. Helmen had the idea to mix a few of the fluids together. No, he didn¡¯t figure it out. He just stirred them based on how nice they smelled. Arral looked at the man. He was barely breathing, sort of holding onto something that was slowly withering away. None of this was his job. None of this was anyone¡¯s job. ¡°Did we find out anything about him?¡± He asked. Merinn told him, ¡°I don¡¯t know if you noticed but he isn¡¯t exactly in the state to speak.¡± ¡°I meant on his belongings or anything.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll look after, ask him yourself if we¡¯re lucky,¡± Helmen remarked. He held up a mixed bottle. ¡°Think this will work?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think anyone here has the answer to that,¡± Ibel replied. There was a sudden jolt. The man began shaking monstrously. Merinn ran over as empty gasps began to cry out. Eventually, it all stopped. ¡°Don¡¯t bother with the Elf¡¯s things,¡± Merinn said. ¡°Get me something to cover him.¡±
Arral just sat for a while outside the garrison, staring at his rusting helmet. They never gave guards like him anything decent to protect themselves with. There wasn¡¯t really anything to give them aside from what the corpses of other real armies had. Plus, it was Penalm. Nobody cared for some small town in the middle of a wet island. The iron in his hands had probably served countless souls before him in countless battles. He never really fought, none of them have. The most he had done was shout at a thief in the market. No glory or honour had been seen by this helmet when he wore it. Before today, Arral never even saw a man die. Not like this. He went back inside at some point. The others were going through the dead man¡¯s things. Well, they were just complimenting them if anything. The blood-ridden armour was in pieces on the table. Delicately engraved and coated in a green steel. ¡°I mean is there really a point to this?¡± Helmen said. ¡°It looks nice,¡± Ibel said. ¡°Looks nice? It¡¯s too much effort. The whole point of armour is to protect the wearer. The hell are some fancy words going to do?¡± ¡°Southern culture or something. People down there can just be full of themselves, you know?¡± Arral sat down. ¡°Find anything?¡± ¡°Not yet,¡± Ibel said before taking a sip of ale. ¡°Anyone else think he died a bit too quickly?¡± ¡°What makes you say that?¡± Arral asked. ¡°He was good enough to walk when he got here. The bleeding Merinn managed to get under control. And all of a sudden his body just gave up?¡± ¡°You think there¡¯s more to it?¡± ¡°There might be. Or it was a sort of delayed reaction with it. Maybe he processed all his injuries and realised he was better off dead.¡± Arral just grunted in affirmation. ¡°Did he say anything to you?¡± Ibel questioned. ¡°He could barely walk. I was basically dragging him.¡± The young guard gazed over the belongings. There wasn¡¯t much on the man beside the clothes on his back. Didn¡¯t say a word when he got here. There was a pouch next to a broken dagger. It wasn¡¯t opened. But knowing Helmen and Ibel, that wasn¡¯t much of a surprise. He pulled it over to him and opened it, something glowed. ¡°I found something,¡± he said. He tilted the pouch, there was something¡­ weird inside. ¡°Well?¡± Helmen said. Arral showed him the pouch. Shades of emerald appeared on the older guard¡¯s eyes. The young guard¡¯s voice grew concerned. ¡°What do we do?¡± Helmen reached into the pouch, out he grabbed a small, green orb. He stared in awe, as if he was holding the eye of a god itself. ¡°Is that safe to hold?¡± Ibel asked. Helmen continued to stare in silence. ¡°Helmen?¡± Ibel said. ¡°Helmen. For Heaven¡¯s sake.¡± He snatched the orb out of his hands. It felt oddly fluffy against his fingers. There was no hair on it, it looked as smooth as a baby¡¯s skin. He wrapped it in a napkin before it might have turned him into ashes. ¡°Right, sorry, sorry.¡± Helmen gained his bearings. ¡°What else was in the pouch? Might tell us what it is.¡± Arral found some wrinkled papers inside. He unfolded them. ¡°I think they¡¯re letters.¡± ¡°Read them out then.¡± Arral held them out. ¡°You know I can¡¯t read.¡± ¡°Yes you can!¡± ¡°Not things like this, though.¡± ¡°Oh hell. Pass.¡± Helmen snatched it from his hands and began to read. ¡°We have a name, messenger called ¡®Wexet¡¯.¡± ¡°His armour¡¯s a bit too fancy to be a messenger,¡± Ibel said. ¡°He¡¯s a lieutenant, that¡¯s why. Member of the Fyrsi Army - a mercenary group. Doesn¡¯t say anything on the orb, just that it was stolen.¡± Helmen¡¯s eyes scoured the pages further, soon widening. ¡°Ibel, go to the beacon.¡± Ibel glared at Helmen. ¡°What, ignite the fire?¡± ¡°Yes, ignite it.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°Do it!¡± Ibel didn¡¯t say anything else. He got up, and ran out of the garrison.
¡°Invasion,¡± Merinn stated, clearly in doubt. Helmen dumped the letters in front of him. ¡°All here. Elves are moving northwards.¡± Merinn sighed. ¡°We have been in detente with their empire for a year. All lands north of the Cardai River are not to be forcefully impeded on. Their governor agreed to the treaty, I don¡¯t see why they would go against it.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not even going to read the letters?!¡± Arral said. The commander gave up, and unfolded one of the papers, murmuring the text to himself. He read the other two, before concluding, ¡°These don¡¯t say anything.¡± ¡°It literally mentions how towns have been attacked,¡± Helmen protested. ¡°Firhen and Adasol are¡ª were Banner strongholds. They¡¯re rebels - bandits - if anything. As far as we¡¯re concerned, the Elves were looking out for their own lands. Beside, if there was a proper invasion, we would be the first hit with refugees. Anyone could¡¯ve stabbed a mercenary.¡± Arral unwrapped the orb from the napkin. ¡°The Fyrsi had this on him.¡± ¡°What the hell?!¡± Merinn shot up from his chair, his doubt faded. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t really know,¡± Helmen said. ¡°It was stolen from the Elves, never figured what it was, who it was for.¡± The commander¡¯s finger rapidly tapped on the table. He cursed to himself. ¡°They¡¯ll be on our doorstep soon enough. Whatever this thing is, they¡¯ll want it.¡± ¡°What are we going to do about it?¡± Arral asked. Merinn didn¡¯t want to say this. ¡°Give it back to them. Last thing we want is a confrontation.¡± ¡°Giving into the pointies are we?¡± Helmen said. ¡°Oh, sure. Have all¡­ what, six of us in the village with cheap armour and blades go up against a whole platoon of one of the realm¡¯s largest armies. I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll do perfectly.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just saying, been a while since we¡¯ve had an actual counterattack.¡± ¡°We¡¯re giving the marble back to them, that is final, Helmen. Where¡¯s Ibel?¡± ¡°I erm¡­¡± Helmen stammered. ¡°I told him to ignite the beacon.¡± Merinn¡¯s eyes extended, as if the whole village was gutted in front of him. ¡°You didn¡¯t think to consult me first?¡± ¡°The earlier they¡¯re warned, the better! If things go poorly, which they will, Merinn, I would much rather have a good amount of reinforcements on my side!¡± ¡°You have just set the grounds for a diplomatic disaster!¡± ¡°As if they¡¯re considering diplomacy in the first place.¡± ¡°Arral!¡± Helmen turned to the young guard. ¡°Stop that melon with legs before the whole village gets into a panic!¡±
Ibel already ignited it. There were murmurs everywhere. No panic yet, good, Arral still had time before Merinn chewed him out. One of the villagers, Mella, Helmen¡¯s cousin, stopped him. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a false alarm,¡± he told her, before shouting to everyone else. ¡°It¡¯s a false alarm, everyone!¡± That sort of calmed everything down, but it would take a bit for it to stretch to the rest of Penalm. Did he agree this was the best course of action? No. Not at all. Helmen had a point, the Elves were coming, Merinn even agreed with that. Six guards was not going to cut it. Then again, he did like eating. It was not the most rational mindset, but if Merinn told him to do something, he would much like to have kept his job. The beacon was up on the highest point of Penalm Hill. The black smoke wasn¡¯t rising yet, so he still had time. Arral legged it, climbing up the dirt path, using his spear as support once his limbs began to ache. The beacon was now in his sights, completely unlit. Good, he wasn¡¯t too late. Where was Ibel, though? Arral began to walk around. Maybe he went for a wee? Weird timing, but that was the only possibility he could think of. He froze in place, all of a sudden. Staring. His heart raced. He couldn¡¯t focus on anything else around him. Ibel was on the ground. His throat was slit. The torch was in his hand, he didn¡¯t have time to even light the thing. The man¡¯s blood edged closer to Arral¡¯s feet, painting the old stone below him. The thick red collided with his boots soon enough. They were here. They had to have been here already. Arral ran, back down the hill. Something grabbed him, yanking him into the woods off the path. A thin-gloved hand covered his mouth as all that stood in front of him was a hooded, lanky figure, with green eyes piercing into him. He tried to scream out, yet his voice was muffled. The figure spoke in an accented voice, ¡°Shame. So young too.¡± Arral eyed a small blade in the figure¡¯s other hand. He felt something enter his abdomen through one of the many exposed parts in his armour. It hurt. It hurt a lot. Everything went red. Those green eyes soon went. No Artificial Preservatives Anywhere would have been more comfortable for Oriyan to sit. Absolutely anywhere. A manure cart, a dungeon, the fiery pits of the dark realm would have been paradise compared to here. She didn¡¯t understand what her issue was. But she knew Penn and that quiet man, Vadim, was the source of it. The feeling with them was just¡­ cold. It was like living in the bliss of Heaven all her life, and suddenly catching a glimpse of Hell. Oriyan could tell Hegess was feeling it at the front of the cart. The horse too, she was trotting completely on edge. The moment a word came out of Penn¡¯s mouth, she jumped. ¡°So, what caused you to join this rebellion, then?¡± ¡°Erm¡­¡± Oriyan didn¡¯t know what to say. She knew the answer, she was sort of comfortable with telling people the answer. But there was just something that made her feel the need to keep to herself. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to talk about it, it¡¯s fine. Just trying to make conversation,¡± Penn said, before looking to the front of the cart. ¡°How about you, what was your name? Hegess. Why¡¯d you sign up then?¡± Hegess stayed silent for a bit. ¡°I was with the Banner when they first started. My parents lived in the Kingdom of Jessenam, they called it Cardai when the Elves came. It¡¯s simple, really. Witaenal was ours first, and the Elves just do not stop trying to take this island.¡± ¡°Right. The whole ¡®liberation war¡¯ story. Knew a load of people like that,¡± Penn replied. ¡°Armed them.¡± ¡°Did they succeed?¡± ¡°Some did¡­ for a little bit. They either turned on each other or some other army decided to take advantage of the situation. There have been times where something was achieved but erm¡­ yeah. Don¡¯t get me wrong, we¡¯re very confident in your lot.¡± ¡°How so?¡± ¡°My¡ª¡± Penn glanced at Vadim. ¡°Our employer doesn¡¯t make poor investments. We rendered swords and things obsolete centuries ago, only fair you lot should do the same.¡± Vadim pulled a little box out. Something thin and small, white and orange, stuck out. He put it in his mouth, covering it as a light popped in. ¡°Do you have to do that now?¡± Penn lowly asked. ¡°I have not had a smoke since the boat,¡± Vadim told him. His voice had an accent to it, wasn¡¯t Cardai like Penn. She thought it sounded like somewhere on Iera, but this was something else. ¡°We¡¯re going to be covered in crap and dirt for the next few months without a shower. I don¡¯t want to add nicotine to that bundle. Kill your lungs in your own time.¡± ¡°Tough.¡± He inhaled the white stick-thing. Oriyan assumed this was Vadim¡¯s equivalent of smoking a pipe. Hegess looked back. ¡°Everything good there?¡± ¡°Keep your eyes on the road, mate. Don¡¯t worry about us,¡± Penn said. There was a military checkpoint soon. The white and purple banner made its presence clear on the torch-lit road. Three soldiers laid up ahead, ready to proceed. All the cargo was hidden inside compartments within the cart. Hegess readied his travel permits. Oriyan simply sat silently. Penn and Vadim were not so alert. Vadim seemed to have been holding onto something within his cloak. ¡°Papers,¡± the mainland Ieran accent of the Elf requested, holding a lantern in hand. His armour was green, well-engraved, probably a commander or such. Hegess held them out. The ink was scoured over quickly and the order was given to search the cart. ¡°This is simply a safety precaution, as you must understand,¡± the Elf told them. Vadim and Penn stepped off, allowing the soldiers to climb on for the search. Sacks were opened, only junk was inside them, they were only decoys. The actual cargo was never in their sights. A soldier, a female Elf, looked at Oriyan. Oriyan then kept here head down. ¡°Is this some sort of family caravan?¡± She asked Hegess. ¡°Yes. That¡¯s my daughter¡­ Nemal,¡± he told them. ¡°My brothers¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m Mulder,¡± Penn said, ¡°This is Scully.¡± Vadim gave him a disappointed look. Penn gestured with his eyes to keep up the act. ¡°The girl¡¯s mother?¡± ¡°She¡¯s¡­ gone,¡± Oriyan said, poorly pretending to act somber. ¡°Winter took her this year.¡± Hegess looked back with a staged frown. The Elves didn¡¯t say anything, getting on with their duties. One soldier eyed something, probably through the gaps in the wooden boards. ¡°Look under the cart,¡± he said. Hegess went pale. ¡°I- I don¡¯t believe there is any need for that.¡± The first soldier that asked for the papers readied his spear. ¡°And why would that be?¡± ¡°Oh for Christ¡¯s sake,¡± Penn said. He pulled something black and metal out from his cloak, Vadim did the same. Within a few moments, the sound of quick wind ensued, all three Elves had been on the ground. The two rebels stared. Oriyan wanted to feel horrified, but at the same time, they were Elves. This was part of her job. The armour remained entirely intact, save for a few holes in their chests. Not even the finest blades on the island could have pierced them so quickly. ¡°Put a few more rounds in their heads,¡± Penn told Vadim. ¡°Last thing I want are bloody zombies., can¡¯t be too careful.¡± Whatever they were using made more holes through the corpses. ¡°You¡¯ve just complicated things,¡± Hegess said, just about suppressing his fear. ¡°Chill out. They might have magic but I doubt they¡¯ve got a good forensics team. Nobody¡¯ll know it was us!¡± He smiled, before climbing back onto the cart. Oriyan shifted further away from Penn on her seat. She didn''t say anything, second she glanced at Penn in the eyes she averted them like the plague. ¡°You know,¡± Penn said, Oriyan looked back, he was talking to Vadim, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect them to be French. The Elves, I mean. Are they all French? Think I heard one with a Spanish accent, but still. Would all Humans be English here?¡± ¡°I do not question it,¡± Vadim said, inspecting his metal contraption. Something was forced out and replaced with the sound of a click. Oriyan climbed to the front. Hegess didn¡¯t protest.
By sunrise, they were¡­ somewhere. Oriyan just woke up. The horse was still in front of her eating the grass off the ground. Part of her was wondering whether last night was a dream. She pulled herself up, sunbeams glittered over the large lake beside them. Something warm suddenly tickled her nostrils. ¡°Up for breakfast?¡± Penn¡¯s voice said. She looked to the side, a fire was already lit, the others were surrounding it. Oriyan sat on the sand. The usual two were eating out of a small cask. She picked up one of the unopened ones. Penn intervened. ¡°Nope, no. Don¡¯t have that,¡± he said, mouth still full. Oriyan quickly put it down. ¡°Not trying to make you starve, I just don¡¯t think your body can take artificial preservatives.¡± ¡°My body can¡¯t take what?¡± She asked. ¡°A lot of what¡¯s in here¡¯s basically poison to you lot.¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Hegess offered her some chicken on a stick, finished roasting over a fire. ¡°So.¡± Penn swallowed his food. ¡°How long till we¡¯re at your humble abode?¡± ¡°Before noon,¡± Hegess said. ¡°Patrols are less common further in Elven territory. We should be able to get through without any further¡­ mishaps.¡± ¡°Look, that bit at the checkpoint was a favour if you¡¯re still thinking about that. If we weren¡¯t here, both of you would be on the chopping block.¡± Hegess sighed. ¡°I¡¯m grateful for what you both did, believe me. But three soldiers are dead. I don¡¯t know what sort of idea you have about this place, but it¡¯s risking us further. They¡¯ll be upping the patrols because of this, think of what happens once they catch wind of our operations.¡± Penn paused for a few moments. ¡°Fair point. We should¡¯ve hidden the bodies. Rushed off too quickly.¡± ¡°I¡ª no, that isn¡¯t what I¡¯m saying.¡± ¡°Hegess was it? Listen, I¡¯ve been briefed on just about everything to look out for here. I¡¯ve dealt with worse. Border control, airport security, toll booths, armed law enforcement. Bunch of bleeding cosplayers with fancy sticks and kitchen knives don¡¯t compare. I get that you¡¯re just looking out for your own people.¡± He glanced at Oriyan. ¡°But I think you should start getting used to things like this. Besides, I¡¯m sure your people will learn quick. By the end of the year, the Elves won¡¯t have any troops without holes in them to put on shift.¡± Oriyan could tell Hegess was holding back a lot. He likely wanted to call them reckless. But, they were reliant on them. The whole of the Banner, the whole of Witaenal were.
The base was far off any of the main roads. Penn was slightly worried those ¡®Kalashnikovs¡¯ would suddenly go off from the bumpy pathways. The sunbeams were no more, covered quickly by the grey clouds. Oriyan eyed up in the trees, figures in the branches gave her and Hegess a wave. Their home was an old mine, dating back to when the Elves ruled the entirety of Witaenal, not just the south. Most of those living there were peasants, disgruntled refugees, bitter soldiers from long-gone armies. They climbed off the cart, began unloading the cargo. Penn and Vadim helped out, though they seemed to be focussed on their own belongings. Everyone took interest in the new people. Helping out with the bags and boxes. Oriyan looked to the gaping entrance of the mine. An armoured man, his helmet covering his face, began to march up to them. Jigam, the Banner¡¯s leader. His voice was rough speaking, Oriyan knew it all too well. ¡°I assume you must be our new instructors.¡± Penn smiled, placing a bag down to hold out his arm. ¡°Penn. Nathaniel Penn. My colleague here is Vadim Antonov.¡± Jigam took his hand. There was a strange movement from him, as if he experienced that same cold feeling. He maintained himself, surprisingly. ¡°Commander Jigam, I am the leader of the Banner. I trust your journey went well?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve had better road trips, but we¡¯re alive aren¡¯t we?¡± Jigam stared blankly at Hegess. ¡°Was all well?¡± He still asked Penn. ¡°Had to deal with some of your pointy-eared friends, but it was all fine.¡± ¡°I see. May I show you around?¡± ¡°Be my guest.¡± Jigam raised a cracked eyebrow. ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°Sorry,¡± Penn said, ¡°Did that translate properly? I don¡¯t know how that whole thing works here. It means go ahead.¡± The two were sent off, Oriyan felt a bit more comfortable now.
¡°Four-hundred guys?¡± Penn repeated. ¡°Each of us hold anger toward Iera¡¯s oppression.¡± Jigam poured the ale into his cup. ¡°The free realms may be at peace, but the rest of us here under the Elven boot struggle each day.¡± ¡°Yeah, I wasn¡¯t complimenting the number, mate.¡± He took the drink. ¡°Cheers.¡± He tried to down it, before the taste hit him. Penn pulled out a small glass bottle, filling it with his own drink. ¡°The Banner¡¯s strength is not in its core numbers but in its allies.¡± Jigam chuckled, leaning his elbow on the table. ¡°We have many parties backing us: Fyrsi, the Valley Legion. Their assets are at our disposal. Many of our operations are taking place right now, from Jessenam to Morralm.¡± ¡°It isn¡¯t a matter of who¡¯s joined the club¡ª actually, no it is. From what I gather, you¡¯re very¡­ rag-tag. But even then, rag-tag groups have had success. The two that took me here, Hegess and that girl, Oriyan, I think? Nearly had themselves sent to the gallows if it weren¡¯t for me and Vadim. Think of all the other cases that are happening around the place, not everyone¡¯s got a Beretta in their hands.¡± Jigam looked down to some of the papers on his desk. ¡°They must have increased the checkpoints.¡± ¡°Well, one less. You¡¯re welcome by the way.¡± ¡°Our numbers still remain strong, at least.: ¡°I was just getting to that. Say you¡¯ve got a few hundred guys, added with the other two you mentioned, make it a thousand, few thousand.¡± Penn eyed a map of Witaenal pinned on the cave wall. He was jarred at first, it looked too much like his home island. The whole southeast of Witaenal had been marked as Elven territory. ¡°How are you going to hold all of that? We can arm you our weapons, but then it comes to the point of logistics, who will keep the peace? What are you going to do about the fifty odd countries in the north?¡± ¡°Do you understand how many Humans are disgruntled with their conditions, Penn? Once they understand that the Elves may be kicked back to Iera, we¡¯ll have all the volunteers we need.¡± Penn took another, more satisfying sip of his ale. ¡°Yeah, yeah, class consciousness. The workers will rise up against their masters and all that bollocks. You¡¯re forgetting the vast amount of people who really, really don¡¯t give a shit. They might not be a fan of the Elves, but how many of them are actually going to stand up and fight? You need a proper foundation, a proper army. A popular front sounds nice, but you need something to do a lot of the heavy lifting.¡± Jigam¡¯s fingers tapped on the desk for a bit. ¡°What do you suggest?¡± ¡°Well, you have me and Vadim. Added with a few dozen AKs, grenades at the moment, and a lot more along the way. Keep the product flowing to my employer, you might be ready to rule this whole island within the decade.¡±
A while passed. Oriyan was back to cleaning armour, she didn¡¯t even have a proper chance to take a rest. She took a break at one point, reading out of one of the books from a raid, some typical story of a hero that was beloved by everyone. Oriyan was pretty sure a quarter of the way through this whole book was for Elvish children. Either that, or everyone on the mainland had no idea how the real world worked. The others were making their way out to the main part of the mine, apparently some demonstration was taking place, likely Penn and Vadim. She put the book down, and went to see what all the ruckus was in the main cavern. Her instincts were correct, it was the two visitors. One of the practice dummies were pulled out of storage. Vadim was holding - preparing - one of those ¡®AK-47s¡¯ she saw back on the beach. Probably most of the base had gathered. Commander Jigam was standing in the corner, arms folded. Penn walked out to the front, holding an AK-47 of his own. He patted Vadim on the back before speaking. ¡°Welcome, ladies, gentlemen, and anyone in-between. Don¡¯t know if you have the latter here. For those of you who don¡¯t know who I am, I¡¯m Nathaniel Penn, this is Vadim Antonov, we will be demonstrating the weapons you will be using for the next¡­ well, hopefully till you¡¯re all rocking on a chair in an occupied Elven capital.¡± That got some people¡¯s full attention. Penn began to examine the mesh of wood and metal in his arms. ¡°This beauty is the Avtomat Kalashnikova 47, commonly known as the AK-47, or just the AK. Where I¡¯m from this is the go-to weapon in so many different conflicts. So easy to use even children use it, and they do! In case any kids in the crowd feel left out. It rarely jams, easily repairable (with our guidance, obviously), it can be crapped out of a dragon¡¯s arsehole and still have enough bits to wipe out a whole platoon of those pointy-eared pricks you lot seem to love.¡± Some weren''t so convinced. One shouted, ¡°How can it do that?!¡± Penn didn¡¯t seem happy. ¡°I¡¯m getting to that bit. Show a bit of patience, yeah?¡± He turned to Vadim and back to the audience. ¡°Now, check out what you¡¯ll be working¡ª I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s ruined the timing. Vadim, just shoot the thing.¡± Vadim held the weapon up, just below his eye. With a thundering bang, the practice dummy was utterly shredded. A few more bangs and it was no longer upright. Oriyan¡¯s eyes widened, everyone¡¯s were. It took a bit to realise everyone was nearly deaf. ¡°Right.¡± Penn¡¯s voice was muffled by the ringing in the collective of ears. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a bit to recover.¡± Eventually, it all calmed down, some people moaned. ¡°Yes, yes. It¡¯s loud, I get that. Lost my hearing in one ears ages ago. Anyways, what did we think? Shocked?¡± He paused, more groaned. ¡°Thought so. These babies have been circulating across conflicts all around the world for sixty, maybe seventy years. They¡¯ve been killing since before most of you were even born! Soviets in Afghanistan, Islamists in the Middle East, the invasion of Ukraine, the Nile War, the West African Collapse, the American Civil War. And now, you guys!¡± About half of the audience barely listened to those last few sentences. Even so, nobody would have been impressed any more than the demonstration with the dummy. ¡°For my last act,¡± Penn said. ¡°Bring out Leonard Nimoy!¡± One of the Banner soldiers had dragged a bloodied Elf out into the open. Oriyan recognised her from the few cells they had far down in the mine. Penn suddenly began to walk up to Oriyan herself. ¡°I was going to ask for a volunteer, but this young lady here, I saw how she was looking at these things.¡± He held out the AK in his hand. ¡°Come on up here!¡± Oriyan didn¡¯t know what to do. About fifty sets of eyes were set towards her. One person behind her nudged her forward. Her heart raced, she was probably the first person in Witaenal to use one of these. Her mind couldn¡¯t make up whether it was an honour or a curse. A few more nudged her forward. She didn¡¯t realise how many in the cavern were captivated by this weapon. Eventually, she gave into the pressure. Penn taught her how to properly hold the rifle. The cold metal returned to her touch. It felt heavy, yet empty. ¡°To put it simply,¡± Penn spoke to the audience, ¡°It works like a crossbow. You pull the trigger, it fires a tiny flaming bit of metal at the speed of sound. As you already know, it fires multiple at a time, one magazine contains thirty rounds. There are two modes, Vadim had automatic, for the girl¡¯s sake, we¡¯ll keep it single fire.¡± ¡°Oh gods,¡± Oriyan whispered to herself. She already knew what was going to happen. The prisoner was already on her knees, bloodshot eyes staring into her. Penn moved closer to her. ¡°Right, you see that bit sticking up at the end of the gun? That¡¯s the sight. You look down that to aim, align it with whatever part of Mr Spock you wish to over there.¡± Oriyan gave him a confused glance. ¡°Mr Spock?¡± ¡°The Elf, sorry.¡± She lowered her gaze. ¡°I- I don¡¯t know.¡± Penn rolled his eyes behind her back, he crouched down. ¡°I know, it¡¯s difficult taking a life at first. My first one was on accident. I know how you¡¯re feeling, but it gets easier. It¡¯s like riding a bike. Well, maybe a horse. I¡¯ve never ridden one so¡­ this isn¡¯t helping.¡± ¡°She¡¯s just so helpless there.¡± ¡°If the circumstances were different that little bitch there would happily put your head in an oven. She¡¯s probably done it before, loads of people, didn¡¯t matter what they did. This is the whole point of your group. That¡¯s why you joined isn¡¯t it? To get rid of people like her?¡± Oriyan stayed silent. ¡°Just aim, and squeeze the trigger. It¡¯ll be over soon. Don¡¯t have to do it again, you can go back to¡­ replacing bog roles. Whatever it is you do.¡± Whether she liked it or not, Penn had a point. She hated these people, everyone around her taught her to hate them. It¡¯s why she ran from Cardai. But Oriyan didn¡¯t feel it. She believed in the ideals, but now, she didn''t know how to act. Last night, she wanted to be more than the girl that scrubbed people¡¯s armour, and her wish was on the brink of coming true. Everyone was still staring at her. A few people cheered on. She saw Hegess in the corner with his arms folded with a blank glare. Oriyan¡¯s arms were shaking. The Elf was right in front of her, tears rolling down its eyes. She shut her¡¯s. She squeezed the trigger.