[Raeslyn's Story] 2.17: Assault on Overwatch Keep

   The Palisade loomed over the nearby natural flora, looking just as I remembered it. It had just been completed not long before I and my mentor had found out about the Aelfwar's treachery. In their fight against the Wanton hordes, we'd raised a massive fortress to the north. At the time I hadn't been so concerned, but I did wonder now how I couldn't see that the Palisade was unnatural. It had taken them a quarter of the time to build it then they would normally have, and the whole thing just gave off the feel of otherworldly. Fae. Also at the time, I'd been happy that we had a fortress so close to Quicksilver to help protect the people there from the uprising of Maelforge's followers but now I realize that Hylas had intended the Palisade as an easy position to attack the towns and outposts of Silverwood with. If that was where Marshal Rowen was holed up, that was where I needed go.

     The fortress was nearly impenetrable on a good day, but it obviously hadn't had a good day in some time. From the cover of some rocky outcroppings near the entrance I watched as goblin hordes threw themselves at the walls and door of the Palisade, trying to overcome the Aelfwar station by sheer number and strength. Some carried torches to set fire to anything that wasn't completely green, causing the satyrs and other Fae minions that the Aelfwar employed to leap from place to place to cover the weak spots. Aelfwar archers and rangers rained arrows down on the goblins, but for every one they slew, three more took its place. The goblins were crude and unintelligent, but they had the advantage of numbers and apparently time, as they didn't seem to be alarmed by their lack of real progress on the fortress. They just kept mindlessly attacking. Or maybe that was just it. I'd killed their leader and taken the talon of Maelforge after all. Maybe they really were just mindless, crazed creatures right now, with no driving force behind them to direct their actions anymore. And this was all to our benefit. As long as the Aelfwar was suitably distracted by the goblin pests, they wouldn't be able to concentrate too fully on what the Guardians were doing. Or so I hoped.

     It was actually relatively easy to sneak into the fortress undetected. Everyone was too busy fighting each other to notice little old me. And hey, I look Aelfwar enough from a distance, I could pass as one of them. I did learn the hard way that up close, I gave off some kind of planar aura that let everyone know I was touched with the Vigil's gift. A bit inconvenient, but I could manage.

     A spellcaster ran by, shouting for reinforcements on the north gate, as I crept through the shadows looking for Marshal Rowan. If it was me, I'd take the highest position so I could oversee everything and also to remind the rest of my rank. I'm pretty sure that's a mentality anyone in authority had, so I looked for any high towers or lookout posts along the Palisade. Obviously Prince Hylas knew that he couldn't defeat the goblins by just throwing men and magic at them. They were being directed by the dragon of fire after all, so hopefully the Marshal would have clues as to what Hylas's plan was. Near the back of the Palisade, a short hill protruded out of the wall. A well worn path wound up the side of the hill in a spiral, with crude, wooden huts situated along the path. Satyrs and pixies relaxed in the shade of the huts, polishing their horns or fluttering their wings respectively. I cringed as I crept past the creatures. They had no right in my forest. Warping it and destroying it to suit their own fickle desires. It made me furious. But killing a few Fae wouldn't solve the bigger problem so I focused on my task and soon reached the top of the hill.

     I found Marshal Rowan seated at a desk on a wooden platform. Hylas's most trusted commander. Once someone I admired. In what seems like a different life. I shook my head in dry amusement. Technically it was another life. The old me has gone and left this divine hand of justice behind. Steeling myself, I clambered up on the platform. As I drew closer, hoping to remain undetected as long as possible, I realized that Marshal Rowan looked different from what I remembered. He had grotesque horns growing out of his head and a dark aura of planar magic seemed to pulse around him. I wonder what he'd given up in order to reap the benefits of such potent magics. Have I mentioned before that I hate magic? All it does is corrupt and warp those it comes in contact with. I'm absolutely disgusted that our beloved prince would have ever consorted with beings of planar power.

     I must have made some noise, however small, because Marshal Rowan stiffened and stood up, eyes searching the darkness. Feeling that attempting to remain hidden would be pointless before too long anyway, I revealed myself, stepping out of the shadows. I stiffened my spine and met the man's eyes. I saw nothing there of the kind and intelligent officer I used to know. He gazed at me, not with recognition or realization, but with blind hatred and fanaticism.

     "What? Who are you and what are you doing here!" He cried angrily, striding toward me as if intent on grabbing me and shaking the answers out of me. I easily danced out of reach, my reflexes far superior to the warrior, even before my Ascension.  The marshal narrowed his eyes as he studied me and I resisted the urge to fidget. He used to give that same look to us during training exercises, back when it was my life's dream to become one of Hylas's royal personal guard. Not any more.

    "...Ascended?! Here? How dare you, fool! Prince Hylas will unleash the consuming magic of Greenscale and you can't stop him! So have at it, but know you have already lost!" He cackled, an evil, dark sound, raising the hairs on my neck. He's not the same person anymore, I reminded myself, unsheathing my daggers and preparing for a fight. Obviously he wasn't going to listen to reason or hand over the artifact and I felt a pang of naïve regret go through me, surprised to find I'd been hoping for just that.

     He lunged at me, pulling a sword seemingly from thin air that was nearly as long as I was. We clashed and spun in a deadly dance, and if I was still mortal and lacking my abilities I'd have been slain in the first few minutes. But I was not, and was able to trade blow for blow, even scoring several hits with my shorter blades. What I lacked in strength and stamina, I made up with my superior agility, lightning reflexes, and Ascended given abilities of teleporting across spaces and augmenting my blades with flames. Soon Rowan was cursing and being backed into a corner, despite the advantage of his longer blade. He made a wrong move and my foot swept out, knocking him on his back. The sword clattered to the wooden flooring and I stepped on the tang before he could retrieve it. He glared at me from his back, daring me to strike. I hesitated, dagger raised. Should I? Would I? Was I the kind of person who could kill in cold blood and be ok with that? I wasn't sure, and I didn't want to be that person even if I could. With a note of finality, I sheathed my daggers, but kept my guard up, bending down to rifle through his vest in search of the artifact I was sent to retrieve.

     "Big bad Ascended can't even bring herself to kill her enemies?" Rowan sneered nastily as I searched for the token. I wasn't really sure what it looked like, but I thought it might be a talon like Maelforge's token. I couldn't stop my hands from shaking, from what I wasn't going to think about, but I steadfastly ignored Rowan's attempt to get a rise out of me. Eventually I found the artifact, and it wasn't a talon. At least I didn't think it was. It was a strange, leaf shaped crystal with something encased inside. I could feel the strong pulses of chaotic, wild energy pulsing from within it the second I touched the thing, and quickly stepped back away from the marshal, wrapping up the artifact and stowing it in my pack. I turned on my heel, intent on walking away, since my mission was essentially complete, but apparently Marshal Rowan couldn't just let it be. I heard a clatter from behind me, the telltale sound of him retrieving his lost weapon, and my shoulders slumped. Feeling resigned, and with the sound of someone snarling behind me as he lunged for my unprotected back, I drew my dagger, spun, and threw it all in the blink of an eye. The dagger flew true and embedded itself in the marshal's throat. Eyes wide and bulging, he clutched at the wound and toppled to the side, gurgling. I stared, schooling my face into an expression of blankness, until he breathed his last, then turned and silently made my way back down the hill, a heaviness in my heart that I didn't know how to lift.

    I was able to leave the Palisade just as easily as I entered, although there was a flurry of chaotic activity as I exited the gate as someone no doubt discovered Marshal Rowan's lifeless body and the artifact missing. Remembering the artifact, I gingerly pulled it out, making sure not to touch it. I studied the leaf shaped thing and realized the item in the center was actually a ring. Squinting, I could even make out writing with my improved eyesight. What did that say? I tried spelling it out in my head. 'Kon...geeg....on? Kongeegon? What did that mean? I shrugged. Professor Bedstraw was the professor of nature for a reason after all. He should know what it means.

     "Kongeegon? Oh this is terrible Raeslyn!" Bedstraw looked pale as he handed the wrapped artifact to an assistant to be analyzed.

     "Why? What does it mean?" I asked, feeling exhausted from the events of the day. Bedstaw grabbed me about the shoulders, not noticing or not caring how uncomfortable that made me. I really don't like being touched. I jerked away from him and he gazed at me earnestly instead.

     "Kongeegon is a powerful treant demon from the Plane of Life. We don't know much about him since our research into the Plane of Life is rudimentary at best, but we do know that he is known as one of Greenscale's most prominent harbingers of the wild. By the Vigil! We must act quickly! This must be Hylas's end game! He plans to summon Kongeegon and allow the demon to overtake Silverwood with planar life magic." He rubbed at his beard, clearly agitated and yet a dawning understanding overtaking his form.
     "It all makes sense now! The reason for the ritual artifacts, the sense of quiet that has surrounded Overwatch, the lack of any real attack or threat from the Aelfwar. They are preparing even now to unleash Kongeegon! Quickly Raeslyn, we need to let Brougan Groute know of this news so he can mobilize forces against Overwatch! Kongeegon cannot be allowed onto Telara!"

     In his frantic haste, Bedstraw gave me a shove in the direction of the mayor's house and I glared at him. He gave me an apologetic look but still gestured. "Quickly Ascended!" My heart began to pick up its beat as his panic spread to me and I quickly turned and ran in the direction of Mayor Groute's offices as fast as I could. The walls of Quicksilver blurred by, as did the houses and merchants stands in Argent Glade. I darted down the main road through Argent, skillfully avoiding any travelers on the road. An Ascended woman astride a large black horse called something out to me in concern but I paid her no heed, although I briefly considered asking her for help. But so far I'd been successful by myself and I was loathe to drag someone else into my own problems. I considered Silverwood my forest to protect.

     In one breath I explained what we'd learned about Hylas and his plans to Brougan Groute, who looked shocked and dismayed at the news. "Kongeegon you say? I've not heard the name, but I believe you. Prince Hylas must be mad to involve himself with such powerful planar magic, yet it would explain much of the Aelfwar's recent activity." He hesitated, considering the fence lining his office as he thought.

     "We are at a crossroads, Ascended. What we do next could decide Silverwood's fate. Hylas plans to use this treant demon...this Kongeegon, to destroy all civilization in Silverwood. We need to put a stop to this, but I fear that if all our forces are focused on laying siege to Overwatch, we won't be able to enter and stop him in time. Overwatch Keep can withstand any siege. There are several Ascended in Argent who would gladly offer their services to the cause, which will speed up the process, but we still need to find a faster way to get inside and stop Hylas before he can complete the ritual. The second he knows that we are attacking, he will summon the demon."

     Instantly I knew what I had to do. I knew many ways into Overwatch, having lived there for some time before my death, so it shouldn't be too difficult to find a way into the Keep and finding a way to stop the ritual, although the idea made me a bit anxious. I'd no doubt be confronting Hylas himself in this, my prince of a thousand years...here I'd been frustrated at the lack of progress we were making in nullifying the threat to the woods and now things were veritably galloping along and I was hard pressed to keep up. But I hadn't the time to deal with my mixed feelings and dread, we needed to act swiftly indeed to counter Hylas's treachery. Who knows when he will start the ritual? Bedstraw had told me it was an involved ritual and would take some time, but I doubt we had even a day to respond. We needed to act now.

     "I'll infiltrate Overwatch and find a way to stop the ritual while your men and the other Ascended assault the Keep from without and keep the Aelfwar's attention focused there." I said decisively, although I felt a twist in my insides. I can do this. Groute gave me a hard, searching look, frowning. I gave him back my best cool, confident, assassin look, and he blinked.

     "Very well, you have been successful at all your tasks thus far, so it will be the most ideal situation. Go swiftly and may you be successful. Contact the leader of my forces, Loras Tivan, at our Guardian foothold southwest of Overwatch Keep. He's been keeping me abreast of the latest Aelfwar activity and you can co ordinate your efforts with him as he'll be leading the siege against Overwtach." I nodded.

     I sat in the shade of one of the many trees in Argent Glade to eat a light lunch as hunger had been a shadow in the background of my mind that I'd put aside to attend to more pressing matters and I felt much more alert and confident after I'd eaten. Not knowing what I'd need for the infiltration, I purchased quite a few accoutrements from one of the kindly merchants in Argent. He jokingly asked if I was going to war and gave him a cool look, to which he paled. Glancing out over the trees, I could see the spires and towers that made up Overwatch Keep, the most prominent point of pride and strength that the High Elves had in all of Telara, built many, many years ago as a seat of council for us. Oh how far we have surely fallen in the eyes of the gods. I swiveled to glance in the direction of Sanctum and could just make out the shadow of the gates from here, idly wishing I'd kept Naesa with me so it would be a faster journey. Oh well. I gave a few stretched to remove any stiffness and kinks in the muscle, then set out for Overwatch. Brougan had said the Guardian foothold was to the southwest so as I gained distance over the next half hour, I veered in that general direction, knowing I'd see signs of the outpost to give me a better direction as I got closer.

     This was it, the final assault against the Aelfwar and the Fae. Once we nullify Hylas's threat to Silverwood, then what? Well, I still needed to investigate the origins of the goblins and why they had invaded Silverwood to begin with. I don't want them to cause more problems in the future. I wonder what would become of Hylas? Would he surrender? Would we allow him to surrender? I shook my head. Best not to think of such things. Focus on disrupting the ritual and preventing that treant demon from destroying my home.

[Raeslyn's Story] 2.15: Scotty's Empowerment

     Cerys Amare was outside on the Inn steps talking to a man when I walked up. The man turned, gave me a cursory glance, than walked away. It took me a few seconds to realize he was an Ascended. I nearly shouted after him, but I wouldn't have had anything to say anyway. But the idea of talking to another Ascended settled inside of me and I realized that although I had the entire Guardian faction at my beck and call, I was lonely. I felt apart from everyone because of my new status and it would be nice to have more Ascended to talk to and communicate with. I clamped down on this desire, not wanting to look foolish, but the yearning was still there. Perhaps I could join one of the many unique guilds that had sprang up since the Shade Wars. I'd heard that a lot of the licensed guilds were Ascended specific. Although that brought with it's own unique challenges as I'm sure a guild would expect me to play my part in the group and I still liked the idea of having the freedom to make my own choices. Something to think about then.

     The Spirit Guide honored you, Raeslyn!" Cerys cried delightedly when I'd explained what had happened at the Mirror of Ages and showed her the tiny seed pod that had been left for me. I nearly winced at Cerys's exuberance. "This seedling though...it's not of this world I'm certain. It is steeped in the magic of the Fae, the Plane of Life. Where Greenscale draws his power from. We need to investigate this and see how far Greenscale's magic has spread in Silverwood!" She handed the seedling back to me and I stored it away in a pouch on my belt, nodding. I already knew as much. Cerys fidgeted, glancing after the retreating male Ascended with a distracted air of worry, and I finally sighed, annoyed with her lack of attention.

     "You seem distracted, is something wrong?" I asked finally when she looked over again. Cerys blinked, looking startled, then smiled at me with the look of someone who just came up with a fantastic idea. I braced myself.

     "Actually, Raeslyn, there is a bit of trouble." I nodded, encouraging her to go on, although inside I was thinking 'aha, I knew it!'. Cerys clasped her hands together. "If you wouldn't mind, could you venture out toward the Untamed Copse to check on something for me before following up this Fae lead? My last duty was to see off a caravan of Quicksilver College researchers heading there but my sources-" here she glanced again at the retreating Ascended man, "-tell me that they never arrived. I would investigate it myself but we're stretched thin as it is and well, you are so much stronger then us if something has gone wrong." She wrung her hands with worry as she gazed at me, pleading. I scowled. If this caravan hasn't checked in by now, everyone is obviously dead, I knew that, and likely Cerys knew that, but I could understand wanting to be sure. Those at Quicksilver were so foolish, so enamored by their research and findings that they forgot the world was a big, dangerous place. Finally I sighed.
     "Alright, I'll go take a look, but you have to expect the worst." I warned. Cerys' face lit up like a Fae Yule tree and she bowed. "Thank you Ascended!" She exclaimed in loud delight and I winced, glancing around. A random citizen passing by stopped and stared in awe at us. I sighed in aggravation.
     "Where did your report say they were last?" I asked Cerys, wanting to get this over with. She gave instructions and I nodded, waving at her and taking off to the north for the Untamed Copse, a section of forest that was notorious for its dangerous attributes. About half an hour's quick dash from the college I found signs of the caravan. Or what was left of it. Burned debris and chunks of wood lay scattered among the trees, and casks of spilled supplies were scattered around. The remains of a campfire in the center allowed me to test how old the site was, but the embers were cold.

    "Thank the Vigil you found me!" The loud exclamation had me jumping about a mile in the air. Before the intruder could even blink, I had a dagger to his throat, tensely eyeing the undergrowth for any other threats. The man who'd been speaking froze, looking at me wide eyed. Eventually I relaxed my guard and tucked away my daggers and the man rubbed his neck, still gazing at me wide eyed. "You were saying?" I asked him sharply.

     The man took a deep breath, still looking shaky. "I-It was horrible, Ascended lady! The Aelfwar came in the night. My friends were slaughtered mercilessly." He clutched his throat again, looking around in fright.

     "It's ok. It's fine, your safe now." I said awkwardly to assure him. Obviously he wasn't buying it though. "What uh, exactly were you researching way out here anyway?" I asked, just to distract him from the horrors he'd witnessed. The man blinked at me, then seemed to remember.

     "Oh! We were investigating the Wrath Weeds. Well, we don't know what they are actually called, but we call them Wrath Weeds. They are a strange new plant that has been seen here in the Copse. They seem to grow in abundance around this area for some reason and they contain a strange dark aura. We were studying these plants when the Aelfwar jumped us. In fact...the Aelfwar had the same dark energy feel as the plants did. I wonder if there is a connection there..." the man trailed off in distraction, the allure of a new puzzle making him momentarily forget his predicament. I coughed to bring him back to the here and now.

     "I don't think it's a good idea for you to be out here right now. Head back to the college where you can be safe and forget about your silly research." I told him sharply as I looked around the debris of the destroyed caravan. I wrinkled my nose in disgust but otherwise remained silent as I came across a butchered body behind a tree. Best not to alarm the guy any more than he already was. The man nodded, grabbed a few items from the wreckage, and set out in the direction of Quicksilver college after a hesitant glance at me.

     "What fools." I muttered to myself as I ventured further into the copse looking for clues. I came across another body a few minutes from the initial site. This body was mostly skeletal, causing me to cover my nose. By the Vigil! If I had to guess, I'd say that they had been unknowingly led further from the path into Aelfwar territory by the goblins, horrid creatures, and the Aelfwar had attacked the caravan, feeling threatened. I continued further and nearly ran into a satyr that had been standing alertly near a fallen log. Whoa, that was close. I backed up slowly and silently, praying he wouldn't notice me. Satyrs were large, solidly build creatures with a good head of horns. I did not want to mess with one if I could help it. I backed up and then turned and quickly walked back to the site of the destroyed caravan. I could see now the plants that the researcher was going on about. Large, red, strange looking ferns were growing all over the place now that I was paying attention. The spikey ferns were unnatural and seemed to have a sinister aura about them. I knew just the person in Quicksilver who would be able to tell me more about what they were doing here. Careful to avoid actually touching the plant, I plucked a few stems up and wrapped them in a stray cloth I found under some wood. I also found a few bottles of light colored wine unharmed among the wreckage and grabbed them up too, shrugging with amusement. No sense letting good wine go to waste, was there? After studying the bottles, I was doubly amused to realize that it was the finest Galena wine in Silverwood, an alcoholic beverage that was quite popular in Argent Glade. In fact, these had the stamp of the Blunted Quill on them. I tucked the bottles away into my packs, putting cloth around them so they wouldn't break. If they were able to survive all this, they deserved to be brought back with me, I reasoned to myself with a grin.

     Back in Argent Glade, I gave a simplified version of what had happened to the caravan to Cerys, who looked so saddened and horrified that I wisely didn't mention the state of the second corpse I'd found. She nodded and headed back inside the Inn. I gave her the bottles of wine I'd saved and told her to return them to barkeep while she was at it and she gazed at me with a mystified expression.

     "What?" I asked sharply, crossing my arms. She just looked at me and I turned and left without another word. Whatever.

     I found Professor Thellium Bedstraw, my old professor of nature, discussing the importance of learning survival techniques to a group of attentive students, a mix of elves and humans, with one dwarf. That reminded me of my fondness for Scotty and I wondered what he was up to lately. I hadn't seen him in over a week as I ran errands for the Guardians and investigated Hylas's treachery and I was looking forward to seeing the little guy again. Little. Ha. I snickered as I waited silently for Bedstraw to finish up his lecture. After the students wandered off to practice their lesson, I showed the professor the strange spikey plant and explained where I'd found it. He took his cue from me and didn't touch it directly, instead eyeing it from the side and rubbing it with the cloth thoughtfully. I stood patiently, knowing my old teacher well enough not to interrupt him.

     "These weeds are bursting with planar energy." He finally said, looking at me with concern. I nodded, having suspected as much. "It comes from the Untamed Copse, you say? This magic is stronger then even Hylas should be playing with. Something terrible has come to Silverwood, my dear, and I'm afraid these weeds are only the beginning of it." I slumped.

     "I was afraid you'd say that." I muttered, grimacing. Now what should I do? We needed to find a way to prevent these weeds from strangling the natural flora of Silverwood, but we also needed to continue keeping the goblins at bay, as well as find out what Hylas was up to lately, being holed up in his keep the whole time meant that he had some scheme in mind no doubt. So much to get done. Not for the first time I felt frustrated, feeling like I was the only one able to do anything effective around here. It was obvious that the Guardians had their hands full fighting off the Defiant and keeping other threats out of the wood, but that wasn't enough. We needed to get to the heart of the problem. We needed to launch an attack on this Realm of the Fae and deal with that problem, and attack Overwatch Keep and deal with Hylas. I felt like things were quickly coming to a head here and I couldn't keep up.

     Bedstraw seemed to sense my mounting frustration, for he lay a gentle hand on my shoulder, drawing my attention back to him. "One thing at a time, yes?" He said, eyes filled with understanding. It was weird seeing my old teacher looking at me with a look like that. Usually I just earned looks of disappointment and exasperation while I was in school. On the days that I didn't skip anyway. I took a breath and nodded.

     "Well I started off by trying to get rid of the goblin threat, so there is that. But I don't know what to do to make them leave. They're like cockroaches!" I said, feeling frustration fill me again.

    "I can help with that," Bedstraw commented. "There are rumors of the goblin leader, named Gutter, being holed up in the north. I've heard tell that he carries something of immense planar power. I'd say that he's carrying around a token of Maelforge, as the dragon of fire is the goblin patron. Goblins only ever respond to displays of power and I bet that's how Gutter is keeping them here in Silverwood. They usually prefer dark, dank recesses of the world, not our sunny forest. If we can remove Gutter from the picture, it should drive the goblins out of the wood." I tapped my dagger handles thoughtfully. That seemed sound. And I'd have to tackle the goblins sooner or later anyway. I might as well get this threat out of the way. But no way would I be able to tackle a goblin leader without backup. I nodded at Bedstraw and headed back into Argent. As I was leaving the college grounds, I kept an eye out for Scotty. Strangely, I didn't see him in his usual spot, but I did see Fiona and her crew. She seemed to be arguing with a dwarf that looked from this distance to be Scotty's cousin, what was his name again? I walked up.

     "Hey, is there a problem here?" I asked as I approached the group. Fiona scowled at me and I raised an eyebrow at her. Bring it on little girl. Scotty's cousin turned pleading eyes on me. "Yes! Fiona is up to her dirty tricks again! She sent Scotty on some stupid crusade to save some squirrels. Only it's just a prank and they got him into some real danger!" The dwarf glared accusingly at Fiona, who made a show of buffing her nails. "Ha, it's not my fault the fool is so gullible. Even for a freshman!" I made a noise of irritation and glared at Fiona. "I thought you learned your lesson last time Fiona? Where is he?" She pouted a little, but eventually told me where to find the poor dwarf.

     I can't believe these young students, pulling these kinds of pranks on their fellows. Silverwood was in a state of flux right now and we needed the next generation to be smart and sensible, and here we have people pulling pranks on other students. Where were their teachers, for goddess sake? I mumbled the whole way down to the riverside, where Fiona had told me she'd sent Scotty. As I got closer, I could see the little dwarf crouched at the water's edge, intently staring at something. I felt relief. At least he looked ok.

     "Scotty? Hey Scotty!" I called out as I got closer so I didn't startle him. I always hate it when people startle me. Scotty looked over his shoulder and his face lit up. "Lady Raeslyn!" He exclaimed in happy innocence. He was clutching some kind of strange wooden whistle with runes on the side. Beside him stood an ancient wooden shrine covered in similar runes. It wasn't anything I could understand. Distantly, I wondered what it was for. The shrine seemed ancient. Like Age of Legends ancient.  Scotty waited until I'd come up to him.

    "Hello, Raeslyn Ascended. I bet your here to help me save the squirrels!" He held up the wooden whistle like it was the answer to all his troubles. "What is that thing?" I asked. "Where did you get it?" Scotty looked it over proudly. "Oh wait," I answered myself. "Don't tell me, Fiona gave it to you?" Scotty nodded, oblivious to my sarcasm.

     "Isn't it great?" He asked happily. "I've always been worried about the animals of the forest, they seem so scarce lately." Obviously I thought darkly, the Fae probably either ate them or scared them off. But I didn't want to scare Scotty so I kept silent, just nodded. "And Fiona offered to give this to me so I could help the squirrels find happiness and have baby squirrels!" I rubbed my nose. "Seriously Scotty? You believe her? She's just setting you up to--hey wait!" I tried reaching out for him but it was too late, Scotty blew the whistle and I groaned. "Scotty! Don't you have any common sense!" I glared at him. He gave me a hurt look. "Come on Scotty, you can't be that naïve. Fiona just wanted to humiliate you. Give me that!" I snatched the whistle from the dwarf and placed it in a pocket. Scotty glanced around expectantly, as if waiting for dozens of squirrels to start coming out of the woodwork. I sighed at him. Suddenly, the water rippled behind him. I slowly reached out and tugged Scotty back.

    "Uh...I don't think this is the best way to get my geomancy degree." I heard Scotty mutter forlornly from next to me as the world's ugliest fish suddenly exploded out of the water. I shoved Scotty out of the way and dived in the other direction as it lunged at us. Even though the creature had arms and legs, it seemed reluctant to leave the water, instead lunging as far as it could at us jagged rows of teeth snapping and snarling in a frenzy.

    "Oh, I bet that's a Siltreaver!" Came Scotty's unhelpful voice from the other side of the thing. The creature swung it's head toward the dwarf and I quickly jabbed it with a dagger to keep it's attention. Poor Scotty had no defense. The Siltreaver, or whatever it was, roared in fury and reared up onto land. A long whip like tail lashed out and I heard a grunt from Scotty. I hope he was ok, but I didn't have time to check. I had my hands full of fish. The creature was clumsy and awkward on land, but it was large and strong. It got in a good hit on my leg before I could get out of reach, clawing up my thigh and ripping my leathers. It crashed down on its stomach with its face pretty much in my lap and I frantically tried to keep the jaws from closing around my face. In desperation, I punched it with the hilt of a dagger. One beady eye stared right into me. With the weight of the creature trapping my legs, I couldn't move or maneuver, so I did what I could. I stabbed the fish creature in the eye, burying my dagger to the hilt in desperation seconds before it could bite my face off. The stench of rotten fish engulfed me as the creature suddenly slumped, pinning me down fully with its scaly weight. I let myself lay there for a moment, stunned. Dark, salty liquid oozed from the creature's eye onto my chest and I grimaced. That is disgusting. After gaining my breath back, I managed to get my arms under the body and heave it off me with a grunt. The large creature slid bonelessly to a stop at the edge of the riverbank. As my heartbeat slowed to a normal pace, the sting in my thigh announced itself and I reached down and touched the ragged rips gently. The blood was already slowing thanks to my accelerated healing rate, but it still hurt something fierce and I had half a mind to do the same thing to Fiona. I gasped. Scotty!

     I rolled to my feet, feeling a bit shaky at first, and glanced around to where I'd last seen the young dwarf. Scotty was face down in the mud, pale, and my heart leapt into my throat again. Oh gods, was he dead? I scrambled over to his prone form and before I could reach out to him, the dwarf moaned and muttered something in his own dialect. He slowly got to his knees and shook his head woozily. "Ouch, that beast packed a mean punch. I don't think anything is broken..." He finally muttered. I relaxed and chuckled. "Sucker punched by a fish eh?" I teased, relieved. Scotty gave me a reproachful glance, before grinning too. "Ya, I guess so. Looks like those hooligans fooled me again, huh? I'll get my revenge sometime." He turned and inspected my handiwork. The creature lay like some dead mutated fish that had been out in the sun for a week and Scotty turned pale again, this time from sickness. "That thing's disgusting." He remarked into the silence.

     I helped Scotty up the river bank and we trudged back into town both feeling tired and covered in mud. Scotty went back to his dorm at the college and I headed for the Inn for a quick bath. After that, I purchased a new set of clothing and sold my old leather trousers for whatever I could get. I guess that was a good excuse to get new armor. After I'd had myself measured for the tailor to get working on crafting my armor, I put on some plain clothes and headed back to the college to give Fiona a piece of my mind. My wet hair curled around my ears and my thigh still twanged slightly from the pain it had experienced earlier, though the wound was mostly healed now. Just long pink lines where the creature's claws had raked me. I entered the college grounds just as a young woman went running past, shrieking bloody murder.

    "Fiona?" I asked to thin air as she rushed by. Ok, that was weird. Peering in the direction she'd come from, I was quite surprised indeed to see a gigantic Scotty bearing toward me. I hastily leaped out of the way and watched with bemusement as Scotty chased the now tiny Fiona around the college grounds. I looked around to see what the professors thought of this, only to see them nodding with approval. Huh, so even they knew about the hard time Scotty was having fitting in. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Scotty's cousin approach. What was his name again? Murbo?

     "Fiona's latest prank really made Scotty mad. Not because he could have been killed, but because he felt she'd put innocent animals in danger." The dwarf supplied to me as he stood beside me watching Scotty chase Fiona. It looked like a giant cat playing with a mouse. I raised an eyebrow at Murbo. He nodded at my expression. "Yup, that's Scotty for you. So he got one Professor Brightridge to make him a wand of empowerment, and then he got another student to enchant it to make him super big, and..well, there ya go." I chuckled. That was actually rather clever. Maybe Scotty will make it here after all. Turning serious, Murbo laid his hand on my leg, the closest thing the shorter man could reach.

    "I'd like to thank you for all you've done for Scotty, Lady Raeslyn." I made to protest and he raised a hand. "I know you didn't have to do it. You're a busy member of the Guardians after all, tracking down killers and helping to protect Silverwood from the Aelfwar. Ya, I know about them. I keep my ears open. But anyway, Scotty considers you a good friend of his, and I do too. Scotty and I wish you the best in your travels. Stay safe and if you ever want to join the college, we'll let you copy our notes!" Murbo grinned at my look of disapproval and scampered away before I could find a reply. His words had more of an impact on me than I'd care to admit and I inconspicuously wiped a bit of wetness at my eyes. I'd never had anyone call me a friend before. It felt good.

[Lore] XIV: The Aelfwar

 

     The High Elves were ruled by Prince Hylas for thousands of years. He and his beloved, Shyla Starhearth, looked after the wilds of Telara, forever in love. Protectors of life, balance, and nature, the High Elves revered their leaders. Those of the noble families and protectors of the Prince became known collectively as House Aelfwar, and answered solely to Prince Hylas. They were his devoted entourage, following him loyally and without question. House Aelfwar was legendary, above reproach. These elves were respectful and reverent of nature and worshiped Tavril gladly. They followed the Covenant and upheld their oaths, even when Tavril joined with the other gods to become the Vigil.

     For many, many years, House Aelfwar led the High Elves in prosperity and happiness. And than civil war broke out in the Mathosian Empire. King Aedraxis, the mad tyrant, threatened all that the Elves stood for. He brutally murdered and pillaged his way through his own kingdom, power hungry and eager for destruction. In order to fight him and bring an end to his tyranny, Prince Zareph, Aedraxis's own brother, formed an army of his own. He came to Silverwood and presented an impassioned plea before the High Elf ruling council, begging for aid from his High Elven allies. Hylas refused. He stated that he would not endanger any of the High Elves for a cause that did not concern them. Prince Hylas firmly believed that it was not the Elves' way to interfere in the doings of the other mortal races. But Shyla, his lover, argued against it. She knew that they needed to help Prince Zareph fight off Aedraxis, or a worse evil would befall the land. She believed that when one land suffered, all of Telara suffered. She led the High Elves in a vote. To go and fight alongside the Mathosians against Aedraxis, or to refuse aid and stay in Silverwood until the war was over. Most of the Elves, moved by Shyla's pleas, agreed to go with her to aid Prince Zareph, but those belonging to Prince Hylas, namely the nobles of House Aelfwar, refused. Instead, they chose to stay behind in Silverwood with their liege and watch over the forests of Telara as they'd always done. Shyla pleaded with Hylas to come with her, but he would have none of it. He said he would await their return.

     All of the Elves who went with Shyla to fight Aedraxis were slain, but were resurrected as Ascended beings, beyond mortal. They were god-touched, holding power beyond comprehension. When the survivors, after rebirth, came back to Silverwood to greet their loved ones, they found that those who had stayed behind had changed. The atmosphere of the wood itself had changed. Prince Hylas was distant, wary, and suspicious. He wanted nothing to do with Shyla, saying she was an abomination. Shyla was devastated. And then rumors started. About strange music in the wood. About the scent of Fae magic, of strange beings. Hylas and his Aelfwar grew more distant and distrustful, eventually retreating to their fortress of Overwatch Keep. Their devotion to the wilds of Telara had grown out of control. House Aelfwar were now fanatically driven to uphold the laws of nature. They no longer saw reason, believing in survival of the fittest and in the savagery of nature. Shyla tried explaining to Prince Hylas that she was Ascended, blessed by the gods. Blessed by Tavril herself, but this meant nothing to him and to the rest of the House Aelfwar. They had found a new god to worship. One who embodied everything that Hylas imagined the Elves stood for. Nature, at it's most fierce and competitive. The violent, wild heart of the world called to him.

     House Aelfwar rejected the gentle and guiding light of Tavril and the Vigil. Instead they found a new god, the bloodthirsty and terrifying Greenscale, of the Blood Storm. Falling into the allure and promise that Greenscale offered, House Aelfwar was forever tarnished, descending into madness. They now seek to tear down civilization and return the world to the wild savage nature, where only those who are strongest survive.

     With a new goal in mind, House Aelfwar seek to spread their influence over all of Telara, bringing life rifts into play and destroying any touch of rationalization and order that nature has.

     This degeneration into madness started with but a whisper. The Fae Lord Twyl planted the suggestion of a savage world in Prince Hylas's mind. Over time, Hylas's will weakened, and he was overcome by the promise of power. Twyl taught him the mastery of life magic and the commandments of Greenscale. Twyl saw the prince as a simple pawn to be used in his ambitious goal to serve Greenscale, but Prince Hylas saw Twyl only as a useless fool. So over time, Hylas became more powerful and savage, seeking to prove himself the better to Greenscale, and his loyal House Aelfwar followed in his steps, growing more powerful and influential. Soon, they eclipsed the power and hold that the Fae had, and Greenscale watched with approval as House Aelfwar became the prominent order following Greenscale, destroying what remained of the old order, who none even remember the name of any more.

     Prince Hylas is indeed a very capable and intelligent leader. With Greenscale's guidance, he has branched out from Silverwood like a ravenous tide, seeking to turn Telara into a savage fight for survival, setting monstrous creatures loose in villages and tearing down outposts where he can. He seeks to bring Telara back to the time of it's wild youth, and to ride at the head of his own savage and wild army like the horned kings of old. The ferocity and speed at which Hylas and his Aelfwar move is horrifying, as is their lack of feeling and compassion.

     Where once House Aelfwar was a noble order, the epitome of hope, balance, natural order and tranquility, now they are nothing but savage thugs, mindless in their hunger for the wild, untamed chaos of Greenscale. Their minds have been corrupted, tainted by the savagery of the dragon of the Plane of Life.



References: Most of the information I gathered for this came from http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/lifes-betrayal-the-lore-of-rifts-house-aelfwar/, which was quite an interesting read! I also remembered quite a few things from doing quests around Telara and what other people have said on the subject. And yes, my character Raeslyn is an Aelfwar. Former Aelfwar, actually. Obviously I bent the lore a little bit for this to happen, but I wanted her to have a bit of a different story then your average Ascended.

[Raeslyn's Story] 2.14: The Mirror of Ages

Since it had been getting dark as I headed back to Argent Glade, I found myself traveling under the night sky and was surprised to find that it wasn't nearly as dangerous or alarming as I imagined in this precarious time. For one thing, to my surprise I realized that my eyes seemed to adjust perfectly to the near darkness of night, catching and reflecting the small light that the moon offered. It was a neat trick and it took me a few minutes to realize that it must be something that comes with my Ascended package. Huh, nifty! Another reason was I'd just kicked a bunch of Aelfwar and Fae butt, so I was feeling just a bit confident that I could take on anything that tried to threaten a lone traveler at night. In fact, I was looking forward to beating up anything that attacked me along the road. Help keep the roads clear and all. But nothing jumped out at me as I made my way back to Argent Glade and soon I found myself strolling down the main path that led to the Blunted Quill, Argent's only Inn. After inquiring of the Innkeeper where I could find a Cerys Amare, I found the petite elf seated at one of the far tables facing the exit. Good, at least she had proper sense.

     I walked up to her and waited for her to acknowledge me. She glanced up when a shadow fell over and raised an eyebrow in enquiry.

     "Hello, name's Raeslyn. I'm the newest Ascended around here and I've just come from Highglade Lookout. Tristan Alecourt sent me to find you and report what I'd found there." I said by way of greeting, not wanting to waste any time about it. The woman's expression changed as I spoke, finally settling on awed surprise, a facial expression I'd come to know very well lately.

    "You! You're an Ascended?" She seemed to hold her breath, sweeping her eyes up and down my body and I resisted the urge to cover my front or fold my arms, instead tapping my foot. Cerys eventually blinked, shaking herself out of her self induced shock at seeing an Ascended up close. Honestly, I'd just like to be treated like everyone else for once, instead of this godlike being. I didn't feel very godlike, just another person doing what they could to protect their homeland who happened to have an edge that others didn't. That's all.

     "Wait. Tristan sent you?" The woman finally spoke again. Her elfin features gave her stunning eyes and slender fingers, which she drummed on the table as she watched me. "Please sit down and tell me what's happened." She said politely, indicating the chair opposite hers. I glanced around, then huffed and sprawled out in the chair, deliberately being as opposite her demure behavior as possible. This made her smile, which annoyed me more. This is why I liked working alone. I told her what I'd seen and discovered at the hedgegrow maze up at Highglade and explained my suspicions.

     Cerys shook her head sadly. "I'm glad Tristan sent you to me. He must have known I'd need help. News of Hylas's betrayal is shocking, true, but we are also faced with Rifts and the spread of strange planar magic throughout the forest. Now that I know that this planar unrest is the result of the Fae tampering with the natural order of the forest, we need to find a way to stop this." She rubbed her perfectly formed lips thoughtfully, then snapped her fingers.

     "I think I know what we need to do! There may be a way to commune with the Vigil directly, to understand Prince Hylas's madness. As an Ascended, you are favored by the gods. Perhaps they will bless you with a vision." I snorted and shook my head. Cerys frowned at me. "What?" She asked sharply.
     "No way am I doing another vision quest. Been there, done that, no thanks." I said abruptly, feeling ready to just leave and find my own way. Cerys waved her hand. "Fine then, but we can at least go to the sacred Mirror of Ages. If we meditate at the altar of Tavra, we should receive an answer from the Vigil." I raised an eyebrow skeptically. And what's with all this "we" stuff she kept spouting? If she thought for a second she was coming with me, she'd better forget it. I work alone.

     "There's no we. I work alone lady Cerys." I said with finality. The woman opened her mouth as if to argue, then sighed and relented. "Alright." She said finally. "I just feel like I could be contributing more then just relaying information back and forth among the Guardian forces. It's not as exciting as being out in the field, risking life and limb to protect the forest!" I raised both eyebrows at her impassioned speech. Exciting? Obviously she's heard way too many adventure stories. But I ignored this and concentrated on the important thing here.

     "So you're sure this is the best idea? Try to contact the Vigil at the Mirror of Ages?" I'd heard of the Mirror of course. Every Elf had. It was the heart of our people. Our most sacred site. It's where the real power of Tavril was concentrated the most. High Elves often completed pilgrimages to the Mirror back before the joining of the Guardians. I'd never gone of course, preferring my interdependence, but I'd had friends who'd gone. All of  this "trying to understand Hylas's treachery" stuff was rather aggravating though. Do we really need to know why he did it? He's obviously lost to us, and while that is something we should mourn, for Hylas was our beloved prince, we were wasting valuable time trying to investigate irrelevant issues. It was frustrating that Ascended or not, I was still subject to the laws of the Guardians and the Vigil, having to follow their ways. I would never in a million years break my faith with the Guardians, but at times like this, I felt like there should be allowances for certain measures.

     "Yes, I feel that this is the correct path." Cerys replied simply, staring at me steadily. I nodded reluctantly and she gave me a radiant smile. I nearly rolled my eyes.

     After leaving Cerys to her own devices, I requested a room at the Blunted Quill and spent the remainder of the night going over the information I'd gathered on the Aelfwar and the Fae so far. As soon as I'd dealt with the threat to Silverwood, I needed to find a way to get into this 'Realm of the Fae' that Tristan had mentioned. I needed to put a stop to the Fae for good so they wouldn't come back and threaten Silverwood again in the future.

    Dawn came too quickly and I stumbled out of bed with my eyes feeling gritty. I gulped down a hot breakfast at the Inn and set out on my quest to the Mirror of Ages. Ironic that I'd resisted my own pilgrimage there only to end up going anyway after my resurrection. Life is just full of twists I suppose.

     The Mirror of Ages was deep into the forest of Silverwood, away from any towns or villages, because it represented the wild and free spirited love that Tavril had for the land and its protectors. It was a sight that until recently could only be found by those worthy of Tavril's blessings. Now that things had changed and the High Elves had joined with the new Guardians, the Mirror was available to any that swore themselves to the Vigil. I'll admit that made me a little annoyed.

     My first look at the Mirror of Ages was shaded with horror. The place was swarming with Aelfwar soldiers and priests. My skin prickled at their presence. How dare these pretenders get anywhere near this sacred site! I hid in the shadows and observed their movements. The Aelfwar were systematically violating the holy space. They were conducting some kind of profane ritual at the altars and butchering the well known sacred rites we usually spoke to the goddess. Anger began to burn hotly inside of me. How dare they. Had they no respect for Tavril? My fingers itched to launch daggers at these sacrilegious pretenders. First things first, I needed to clear a path to the main altar, located inside an ancient and beautiful heartwood tree at the center of the Mirror. The tree was surrounded by pools of beautiful, mirror-smooth water, blessed by Tavril herself. Around the ancient and powerful tree were several lesser altars, all having been built in dedication to Tavril and with her blessing. As I crept past one such altar, I felt heat rush through me at the desecration that had been done to it. Now this fight was beginning to become all too personal. I'd been pushing my personal feelings about the Aelfwar to the side as I fought against them and thwarted their rituals, but this, such deliberate sacrilege against Tavril herself, was the last straw. The Aelfwar could not be redeemed. A small part of me mourned this, mourned what should have been....what could have been, if only circumstances had happened differently. But I couldn't dwell on that now. I needed to find a way to commune with the Vigil here. I knew this was key. I could practically feel the focus of the gods on my back. They knew I was here and they had a message to show me.

     When one of the Aelfwar priests ventured too close to my hiding spot I took great satisfaction in slitting her throat. She dropped without a sound and I hid the body in the tall grasses surrounding the mirror pools. It wouldn't stay undiscovered for long, but hopefully long enough to for me to gain access to the central altar and commune with the gods. Although how I was going to do that and keep on the defensive against any other enemy was beyond me.

     Two more Aelfwar met their end at my blades before I made it to the central altar itself. It was magnificent. I had no words to describe the majesty and beauty and mystery that seemed to surround the interior of the giant tree. The roots of the tree were so large I didn't think I'd be able to get my arms around the smallest one and they reared up out of the earth like majestic sentinels defending their liege. I felt so small in the sheltering embrace of the giant tree and hardly dared breath loudly. As I moved beneath the sheltering roots of the tree, it was as if the outside world fell away. The sounds of the Aelfwar betrayers as they continued their desecrations seemed to fall away, as well as any worries I'd had. The tension fell off my shoulders and I felt like crying for some reason. Taking soft, quiet breaths, I knelt in front of the beautiful altar and whispered a simple prayer to Tavril.

     Slowly, light flared along the edges of the altar and took form in front of me. I backed up a step, hesitant. The light coalesced into the form of the familiar Spirit Guide doe and I blinked at her in shock.

     "I'm glad to see you here, Raeslyn." The doe said. Although I didn't actually hear any words. They just seemed to form in my mind. It reminded me somewhat of the way the Messengers of the Vigil communicated. I nodded my head at the doe in return. "I have grave news, I'm afraid." The doe continued and I nodded grimly. "The Aelfwar have turned from the gods. In their fervor, they have allowed a seed of disease to sprout within them, ruining all they touch. My shrines are being corrupted one by one and as Hylas's power grows, my light in these woods fades." I gasped, feeling horror creep into my eyes and the doe stared deep into my soul with liquid anguished eyes. I knew it pained Tavril deeply to lose any of her children and the Aelfwar were those closest to her, the first ones to pledge to her Covenant all those eons ago.

     "But never fear, Raeslyn, for as long as their are believers in this world, there is still hope. Prince Hylas, in exchange for the loyalty of the House Aelfwar, received a powerful gift from Fae Lord Twyl. Such a gift was not meant for the fickle hands of that treacherous elf. Take this token, it may reveal the truth of Hylas's fall. Remember child, we are all beloved, even those who have fallen from the path. Deliver this token to the one known as Cerys, she will know what to do." The doe bent her head and grazed the earthen floor that the altar rested on. When she lifted her head, a tiny, vibrant green seedling could be seen. I gawked at it. Wow, a gift from the gods! Well technically, from a Spirit Guide, but they worked for Tavril so in essence...

     Reverently, I knelt and cupped the tiny seedling in my palm. I stared up at the doe from my kneeling position. The soft, intelligent eyes stared into mine, filled with the weight and knowledge of the world. I swallowed, suddenly feeling parched. The doe pawed the ground slightly, then tossed her head. And disappeared. My eyes automatically adjusted to the sudden loss of the light and I glanced around, stunned to realize that it was now midday. Had I really spent the better part of the morning inside this sacred tree? I stood and stretched, feeling my muscles protest at the stiffness. I said another simple prayer of thanks towards the altar and ducked out from underneath the roots.

     "What? Who are you!" Too late I realized I hadn't cloaked myself in shadows and swore, jerking swiftly to the side as an Aelfwar soldier glared at me suspiciously. I unsheathed my daggers and stuck my tongue out. So it was a bit immature, but it wasn't as if trying to reason with him was going to work, now was it? The man's face turned red in anger and he lunged at me, sword raised. I swiftly sidestepped his obvious lunge, easily avoiding the thrust and slicing along his side just under the arm as I went. I'd learned to exploit any weakness your opponent gave you. The man hissed in pain and anger and I glanced around, hoping we wouldn't catch the attention of anyone else. The man swished his sword in front of him in a fancy pattern but I wasn't that impressed. He obviously knew how to perform the moves, but not how to actually fight. This was further evidenced when he rushed me again, sword leading. He was holding it too high and leaving himself completely open so I leaned into the attack, narrowly avoiding the sword but managing to score several cuts along his chest before darting out of the way. I smirked and the man bellowed in anger, whirling to glare hatefully at me.

    "Fool Guardian. You are too late to do anything here! Hylas will have Silverwood and we shall return to the old ways, like we were meant to be." The man taunted me and I glared but kept silent. There wasn't any use arguing, this fanatic obviously wholeheartedly threw his lot in with Hylas.

     The prickling sensation on the back of my neck was my only warning before the ground just in front of me violently erupted in a shower of dirt and sparks. I admit I nearly fell over backwards in my scramble to get away from it. One look at the soldier confirmed that he hadn't done that so I scanned the area. There was a robed Aelfwar priest standing on a rock, staff held at a sharp angle and hand still held out in the motions of a spell cast. Uh oh. The cold sneer on the spell caster's face spelled certain disaster and I glanced between the panting soldier and the priest, trying to think of the best strategy. That's when movement alerted me to yet another priest, come up behind the soldier. The woman placed a hand on the soldier's wrist and a green glow surrounded where their flesh joined. Now I was definitely in trouble. Uneasily, I glanced between the three of them. No way would I be able to take out all three without gaining some injuries in return. No doubt severe injuries. Time to make myself scarce. Like a true rogue, I quickly dived behind a nearby outstretched root just as another sizzling bolt of magic struck the spot I'd just been standing in. I felt the leather soles of my shoes melt slightly from the intensity and swore again. I needed to get out of here. A warrior or other risk-taking individual may have stayed and battled it out, but I was just a rogue, Ascended or not, and wasn't used to taking on others head on, especially multiple targets. I was more adept at quiet, shadowy assassinations and daggers in the dark. Keeping low, I skirted the edge of the root and glanced around. A few more Aelfwar were looking this way, obviously curious as to what all the commotion was about. I needed to make my break for it before they all came to realization that there was an enemy in the camp. Throwing caution to the wind, I concentrated on my ability and forced myself to use the unique ability that allowed me to shift through the spaces in the air, teleporting yards away from my current position. In fact, I was now on the outskirts of the small clearing that the Mirror of Ages rested in. Without waiting for anyone to react to my sudden appearance, I ducked my head low and rolled sideways into a nearby bush, hoping it wasn't poisonous or would otherwise adversely affect me. There were lots of such undergrowth in Silverwood if one wasn't wary.

     The whole way back to Argent Glade I criticized myself for getting caught in such a situation that almost tested my immortality. That was close and I couldn't believe I'd been stupid enough to let my guard down and forget my surroundings. "Always be aware of where you are!" My mentor's voice came back to me, scolding me in my head. Soothing waves rippled through my mind, no doubt from the other souls that inhabited my body, but I ignored the sensation. I'd rather not have a reminder of my unnatural state just now. It was just another hint that I should have been paying more attention. I was Ascended now and I should have known better. The sacredness of the grove must have gotten to me, was my only consolation. I wouldn't let it happen again.

[Raeslyn's Story] 2.13: Among the hedges

 

   The next morning the smell of cooking and soft voices woke me up. The chill of early morning was just leaving the air and I shivered as I clawed my way out of my borrowed blankets, making a mental note to add heavier clothing to my list of supplies as I did. Tristan was seated on a tree stump holding a metal dish full of steaming broth. My stomach protested being empty. I may be an immortal Ascended but it seems I could still starve to death. Funny. I allowed myself a moment of indulgence wondering if I could actually starve to death as an Ascended and what would happen after that. Morbid thoughts. I shook them away and stretched, going through my morning ritual of limbering up and getting my blood circulation going good. I stopped as I saw everyone in the camp was staring at me.

     "What?" I asked, somewhat sharply. I really hate being stared at. Tristan chuckled and shook his head. "Nothing, we are just unused to seeing such a powerful being in our midst, and doing something so mundane as stretching!" I scowled at him. I'm just like everyone else, I wanted to argue, feeling my hackles rise. I don't want the attention that my new status gives me, I just want to free Silverwood from the evils plaguing it and go on my merry way. To where, I wasn't sure yet, but somewhere isolated and peaceful sounds awfully tempting right now.

     "Ok Alecourt, tell me what you know about this Lord Twyl and how I can take down that maze up there. The longer we delay, the stronger the hold that the realm of the Fae has over Silverwood." I settled down a few feet from everyone and accepted a dish of broth that a woman named Mila Darina gave me. I nodded at her as she introduced herself, muttering my name in response when she continued to watch me. Tristan nodded, wiping some juice off his chin with one hand.

     "From what we've been able to gather so far, it seems that the Fae here are being led by a powerful and malignant faerie named Makirn. He is a favored minion of Lord Twyl, the leader of the Fae, and he's been suspiciously absent for several days. He has a small patch of the maze to himself at the top of the hill leading into the mountains, and he hasn't left it. Some nights we can see a strange green glow from his position. He's definitely up to something sinister, but we haven't the strength or ability to get to him through the maze and the many Fae roaming it. They steal children and even grown men in the night, torturing them for amusement, but when we venture in to rescue them, the maze just twists and confuses us, forcing us to stay back." Tristan's fingers clenched into fists as he said this, impotent fury in his eyes. I nodded.

     "I'm quite positive that if we were to take out Makirn, it would gain Lord Twyl's attention. From there, we might be able to find out something of their plan here in Highglade and even a hint of their overall reason for being here in Silverwood. It's no doubt something horrifying. An Ascended should have no problem navigating the maze because of your attunement to planar energy and your blessings from the gods." I nodded again, this time more slowly as I turned and studied the maze with new eyes. Yeah, I'm sure I could do it. And I knew in my heart that this is what the Vigil would want me to do, to free Silverwood of the clutches of the Fae. I stood up, checking my knives and various weapons as I did so. Everyone watched me with hopeful, shining eyes, making my skin prickle. Rogues do not like attention. At all. I almost snapped at them to stop gawking at me, but held in my temper. I asked the man who had made the meal to pack me up some of it, then gathered up the rest of my packs. Climbing up a slight hill, I was able to see the maze better. It seemed to breathe, a shimmering energy of planar power expelling with each "breath". The shrubbery and flora shivered in a breeze that I couldn't feel and strange creatures moved among the leaves. Taking a deep breath and praying to the gods that I wouldn't get killed, I moved closer. After walking along the maze wall and studying it closely, I found an opening and slipped into the maze itself.

  To say it was confusing and misleading was an understatement. There seemed to be something in the air that prevented one from thinking clearly and remembering a path. I shook my head in an effort to dispel the feeling, calling up my Ascended gifts to shield me from the planar influence. Concentrating, I blended into the natural shadows and foliage, becoming invisible to the eyes of the Fae crawling all over the maze. There were dozens of the tiny, fragile looking creatures and I wrinkled my nose in disgust. Horrid, evil, disgusting things. They did not belong in Telara and certainly did not belong in my beloved Silverwood. I'd drive out the corrupted beings if it was the last thing I did. But I had a mission to complete. It amused me to stealthily approach and bypass the Fae that roamed the mazes. Some of them, the more powerful ones, seemed to have a suspicion I was there, sniffing the air and scanning the area, but my abilities kept me well hidden from their life-touched sight.

     I heard sobbing eventually as I crept down one long pathway. Tall green walls towered on either side, effectively blocking out any sunlight except a few slivers that leaked through the branches. The longer I was in the maze, the more tense and jumpy I became. Rounding a corner, I saw a small boxed in clearing. In the center was a large green cage. It was made entirely of planar life magic, twisting tendrils of Fae plants woven together to form an intricate, but disturbing bower. Inside, a dirty and grey-faced man knelt, weeping. His clothes were torn and dirty and he looked gaunt, like he'd gone days without food. My mind conjured images of a woman back at camp who'd been wailing about her husband to one of the guards, demanding that they search for him as he'd been missing for days. I wondered if this was him. I glanced around cautiously, before bringing my eyes back to the man, hesitating as I considered. I couldn't just leave the poor man here to be faerie amusement, or worse. But I did need to be quick before I was discovered. Not to mention, I had this feeling that things were moving faster now and I needed to get ahead of the Aelfwar and the Fae before they did something that couldn't be undone. I just knew that something big and disasterous was coming. I crouched, wavering in my decision.

     Finally, with an elven curse, I crept forward and moved around the cage, studying it from all angles. It didn't appear to have a door, so I'd have to just break the twining vines that made up the bars of the prison. They had to be tougher then they appeared though, since the man was trapped in there and wasn't able to get out himself. Then I noticed a small, leaf shaped indent in one of the bars which was wider then the others. I studying the design for a moment, before sweeping my eyes over the faeiries and satyrs that loitered around the cleaning. They didn't seem to be paying attention to the wailing mortal so I surmised that indeed he had been here for a while, enough that the novelty of him had worn off on the Fae. One of the satyrs standing nearby shifted as he whittled away at a strange chunk of wood and I saw a small metal disk attached to his hip by a chain. It was the exact size and dimension of the design on the cage. Aha. Feeling smug, I silently approached the satyr. The creatures made me uneasy. They were among the tallest of the Fae races and were the most unpredictable. They could be almost friendly to the mortal races, and in a blink of an eye go from sharing a drink with you to skewering you through the ribcage, for no reason at all. Or so I've always heard. Careful not to draw attention, I reached out and unhooked the chain, being as slow as I dared so I didn't cause a disturbance. I wasn't sure if my invisibility would hold while interacting with something so this was a bit of a risk. My fingers trembled and I held my breath as the chain came loose. The moment the chain was attached to me fully, it became invisible like everything else about my person and I breathed a sigh of relief. The satyr whipped his head around, eyes darting around sharply, and I skipped back hastily as he swung his chunk of wood in my direction. When he met nothing but air, he continued to look for a moment, before mumbling something I couldn't understand and turning back around. That was close...

   Running quickly back to the cage, I moved to the other side of it so it was between me and the Fae.
     "Psst. Hey, you in the cage. Can you hear me?" I whispered urgently. The man immediately jerked his head up and glanced around wildly. The movement drew the eye of a young, beautiful looking pixie. Her gossamer wings beat the air lazily behind her as she plucked petals off a large flower. "Don't draw attention to yourself, fool!" I whispered harshly at the man, keeping an eye on the pixie. The man looked chagrined and dropped his head again. I thrust the leaf shaped disk through the cage and tossed it at his feet. "That's the key to your cage. When you have the chance, when they aren't paying as much attention, or if they leave, use it and escape! I can't stay and help you, I have something important I need to do." I stayed still a moment as the man reverently snatched up the key and glanced around again, this time less obviously. Fresh tears grew in his eyes as he hugged the key to his chest and whispered a soft, fervent thank you. I nodded, forgetting he couldn't see me, and turned to go. "Just be careful and don't get caught again! If you head due south and keep the light of the sun at that angle, you'll make it to the outer wall of the maze. Get out and get to Tristan Alecourt and his camp. They can help you." I wasn't actually confident in his ability to escape and get free of the maze successfully, but I had given him the means to do it and that was all I had time to do. The feeling that something dark and powerful was coming was pressing down on me.

     The smell of otherworldly creatures and planar energy hung heavy in the air as I moved through the maze. Eventually the strain of holding myself invisible became too much and I hid behind a tall shrub, relaxing my steel grip on the ability. My head began to pound in time with my heartbeat, no doubt a side effect of using my planar Ascended powers. I rested a moment, drank some water from my provisions, and scanned the area again. I knew where I was in the maze and I could pinpoint the way out easily, but it was still frustratingly confusing. I didn't know where exactly Makirn would be, or how to get to him. My gaze wandered over a slight hill to the left and I caught a strange green light flashing from over the top of it. Green light? Didn't Tristan say that Makirn was known to be meddling with something that caused green light after dark? I swiftly jumped up, new determination causing me to forget my exhaustion. The adrenaline allowed me to again cloak myself in shadows and I carefully crept forward, avoiding the Fae as much as possible.
 

  I did end up having to kill one pixie who saw through my cloak of inivibility when I was too tired to maintain it for a few seconds. As I cut her narrow throat, I avoided looking into the child-like face. The Fae looked too much like innocent children for me to think about. Swallowing any irrational twinge of guilt that wanted to spring up over murdering something so ethereal and tiny, I moved up the path. The path wound around the hill and was nearly overgrown with wild planar magic. Grimly, I avoided touching any of the planar flora. This is what all of Silverwood would look like if they weren't stopped.

     As I'd suspected, I found who I knew had to be Makirn at the top of the hill. His back was to me and he was bent over a strange brazier that fel-green light was emanating from. The brazier seemed to be surrounded by strong fae magic, and Makirn was chanting something as he stirred a cauldron that sat next to it. A few feet away rested the torn up body of a man and I winced, knowing this had to be some poor sod that the fae had gotten their hands on. The fury of seeing the man's needless death overcame my other thoughts and I found myself lunging forward across the distance, crossing it in the blink of an eye. With an expert twist, I planted my dagger in the faerie's back, right at the top of the spinal cord. He stiffened in surprise, before going limp without a sound, effectively dead. I slit his throat as he lay on the ground. A spray of blood coated the brazier and green flames eagerly leapt upward. I stepped back cautiously, not expecting that. The flames rose higher, and wove themselves into the image of a large and beautiful looking male fearie. He looked like no other Fae I'd seen yet, with large, golden colored wings that were twice as large as his lithe frame. A crown of wood and flowers sat on his head and he carried a thick oaken staff. Even though I knew it was just an image, I stepped backward, clutching my daggers and shifting into a defensive stance. The faerie man glanced around, annoyance twisting his fine features.

     "Makirn!" The Faerie growled furiously, tapping his staff. The green flames flared up slightly, distorting the image. "I told you, for the last time, No!" He narrowed his eyes, and seemed to notice Makirn's still body on the ground at his feet. "What's this?" He didn't look particularly concerned over his loyal subject's demise, just irritated and confused. His eyes lifted and bore into mine and I gulped at the planar power swirling in the depths. "Oh, I see now. Makirn was a useless brigand anyway. You're in over your head here, little Ascended. I've made a new friend, and you will not stop our plans for this forest! Hylas and I shall unleash the magic of Greenscale and your last breath will be stifled by the vines of the wilderness!" He glared at me a moment more, before scoffing and waving his hand. "It's a shame I am not actually there. I'd show you a true Fae lord's power. Ta ta for now!" The green flames suddenly flared brighter, growing in height and breadth and I gasped, stepping back further. Suddenly the flames died completely, and the image of the Faerie disppapeared along with it. I shakily picked up a dropped dagger and sheathed all my weapons. I think I'd just met Lord Twyl. Thank the Vigil it wasn't in person. Eventually I was able to shake off the chill that had clutched at me. The heat of the maze pressed in on me, but nevertheless, my arm hairs remained raised and I could still feel chill in my bones.

     Now that I'd found my goal, it was an easy task to get myself out of the maze and back down to Tristan and the others. They smiled at me with radiant, surprised faces, no doubt amazed that I'd survived the evil maze of doom. I marched up to Tristan and explained what had happened. Tristan looked alarmed. "Great sun, you actually saw Lord Twyl? I didn't think it would work." At my glower, he chuckled. "Uh, I mean, you did great, Ascended! We need to inform Cerys about Prince Hylas's alliance with Lord Twyl immediately!" I tilted my head. Cerys? The name sounded familiar....an image came to me of a woman in Argent Glade who'd helped me with a paper on the Mirror of Ages once when I was still enrollled at Quicksilver.

     "You can find Cerys at the Blunted Quill in Argent Glade. At least, that's where she was at the time of our last correspondence, last week. I doubt she's moved since. She mentioned wanting to be close to the action. For a historian, she likes to live rather dangerously." Tristan shook his head, as if the idea of someone embracing danger for knowledge was foreign to him. No doubt the reason why he was still safe at Highglade and not locked up somewhere in the maze. Or worse. Which reminded me.

     "Hey, did a dirty, skinny guy come out of the maze at all while I was gone?" I asked, glancing around the camp. Tristan raised an eyebrow, his face clearing. "Actually, yes! He wasn't really making much sense. Seemed half mad with starvation and torture. Poor man couldn't even remember his wife. Thank you for rescuing him, Ascended." Tristan smiled at me. I snorted.

     "I didn't really do any rescuing, I just threw the key at him and let him find his own way. I'm actually surprised he made it." Tristan's smile melted somewhat as he searched my eyes for any hint I was jesting. I stared back cooly. "I...see." Tristan finally said. "Well, you'd better hurry and inform Cerys of this. I have a bad feeling." I nodded in agreement.

     Off in a corner I spotted the poor man who'd been a prisoner, sitting vacantly on the grass and staring at nothing. A beautiful elf in blue leathers knelt at his side, petting his hair and crooning to him. The wife, I imagine. I walked over and watched them silently a moment. The woman looked up, tears in her eyes. "Thank you for freeing my husband! I know it was you, Ascended. No other would or could have done it! Now I just need to see if there is a priestess or someone who can clear his mind and help him remember who he was." The woman choked on a sob as she finished, turning to look down at her husband again. I mentioned that perhaps Shyla Starhearth would help and the woman gave me a wide eyed, grateful look.

     I headed back to Argent Glade, thinking over what the Fae Lord had said and considering what move Hylas would make next.

[Raeslyn's Story] 2.9: Ties to Greenscale

     It didn't take me very long to find more Aelfwar. There were several mages-apparent by their long blue robes and hoods-as well as more scouts like the ones I'd encountered on my way here. I frowned as I studied their movements from the safety of a tree by the bank. Not far from my position, the land abruptly dropped off, into a sharp decline toward the seas. There was a moderate swath of beach, met by the froth of the water. From my position, I could just make out more Aelfwar men and women down on the beach, doing who knows what. I've no doubt whatever they were up to wasn't going to be good for the community. I've always known, or had the deep suspicion, that my noble house was involved in the evil and corruption of one of the Blood Storm brood, but of course, that's hard to prove when you're just one person. My mentor believed me, but he required proof of their treachery; proof that we had received that fateful day when we'd decided to relay our information to Shyla Starhearth, on the Mathosian fields. If only we'd...but no, no sense thinking that.

     Shaking my head firmly to remove any lingering distractions, I concentrated on my inner power like I'd done earlier, enabling myself to vanish for a short period of time. The benefits of my new unique status were endless! Using my newly adapted skill, I snuck up behind one of the unsuspecting Aelfwar scouts and slit his throat. He fell without a sound, which is just what I was going for, as I so didn't want the rest of the camp to be alerted to my presence. I stared down at the Aelfwar scout for a few mournful moments. He could have been my age, he looked so young. In fact, that could have been me, if I'd stayed with the Aelfwar. I bent down swiftly and rifled through his belongings. I know that seems cold, but I'm not one to let goods go to waste. He'd been carrying a small, slightly wrinkled apple in one pocket, which I left. Who knows if it's tainted with life-magic or not. He also had a few coins that I added to my own pouch. Ascended I may be, but that did not make me rich. I had to earn my coin like any other citizen of Telara. As I was standing up, something winked in the sunlight and caught my eye.

     "What have we here?" I murmured to myself, bending down again. Tied around the dead scout's neck was a thick silver chain. I tugged the chain out of his tunic and examined it. Dangling from the end was an odd, icicle-shaped chunk of emerald colored Sourcestone. I blinked. Here was proof. The Aelfwar were utilizing planar life-magic to increase their power, using Faetouched shards. Perhaps if I could gather enough of these shards, I could get a better idea of what Prince Hylas is plotting. Feeling a tremor of excitement and dread work its way through me, I quickly stood, glancing around reflexively. Seeing as the nearby scouts and conjurers hadn't noticed anything amiss yet, I stuffed the necklace with its glaring evidence in my pack and moved away, effortlessly blending with the shadows and background colors of the wood around Silver Landing.

     With a soft ring of metal on flesh, another Aelfwar fell, soundlessly slain without warning. I again bent down and inspected the contents of this one's pockets, happy to find this one had even more coin. This one also had a Faetouched shard on a necklace. My hands shook as I lifted it off the scout and stood. Now, finally, I can help bring about the downfall of House Aelfwar, who had stood for everything we Elves believed in but now teem with twisted, unnatural power and a horrid disregard for nature.

     I was now much closer to the edge of the woodland, where it met the Silver Coast. To my right I could see a well-worn path that led down the escarpment to the beachhead. Down there was Commander Falem, the man I needed to confront. None of the Aelfwar should be allowed to have such a powerful talisman such as the one he had in his clutches. Who knows what terrible feat he could accomplish with that thorn. It was time I confronted him and took it back. I smirked. With a last inspection of my arsenal of weapons, I headed toward the path that led to the beach. There was a conjurer pacing along the path that led downward, gazing about warily and fingering her staff. I'd rather not fight a mage of that caliber unless I had to, but I again focused on my powers, immediately flashing invisible. It wasn't that I was afraid of magic-users. Indeed, I'd killed them before. I'd just rather not fight one unless I had no choice. They could be nasty with their magics and I had no desire to test the resiliency of my Ascended body. I carefully crept around the blue-clad individual, holding my breath in the off chance that she'd be able to hear it. Mages had sharp senses, being so attuned to the ley lines and magic of the world. I quickly made it past the conjurer and paced down the rest of the path toward the beach. The further down the bank I went, the more it became apparent that the sea was right there. Firm, grassy soil gradually gave ground to a fine, sparkling sand. Less vegetation grew down at the waterline as well. The air also grew suddenly sharper, colder, cleaner. The tang of salt and sea life also became immediately stronger, like opening a door. I knew I couldn't maintain my stealth trick for long, but I couldn't help pausing to gaze out over the wide expanse of deep, blue water. It looked so mysterious, so beautiful. So terrifying. I couldn't imagine being in a ship way out there, with no way to defend yourself against nature if the seas and winds became unmanageable. I shivered.

     Commander Falem was right where Isilwyn said he would be and I couldn't help a small, satisfied smirk as I saw him. He looked like a pompous, noble fool. He was dressed in many layers of fine cloth, all color-coordinated, and carried himself tall and straight. His expression was one of perpetual disdain, as if he knew he was better than his followers and wanted them to know it too. He was the sort of noble blood that set my teeth on edge. We were all equal under the gods, but a few of the Aelfwar House believed themselves better than the rest, to be above the younger, untrained generation. Thankfully, because of his sense of self-importance, he paced alone on a small, covered platform. It would be absurdly easy to catch him alone without risk of incurring the wrath of his followers. I didn't want to have to fight multiple Aelfwar if I could help it.

     In moments I'd teleported up the platform, into a corner where he wouldn't be able to readily detect me. I sized up my opponent, automatically inspecting weaknesses and points to exploit. He was much taller than me and looked physically stronger as well. But I was Ascended, so blows that would have broken my arm before would just leave a bruise now. And I'd gained in skill since my resurrection. I felt more confident in my abilities now. A chime in my head alerted me to the fact that my cloak of invisibility had faded. Commander Falem, alerted to some danger, whirled around to face me, holding aloft a long, crooked and malicious looking sword. I quickly ducked the long reach of the sword, pacing to the side. Falem scowled at me, but didn't look startled at my presence. Of course, he had to know that eventually the Guardians would send someone to deal with the problem. He eyed me up and down and sneered, dismissing my small, slight body as not much of a threat. I smirked inwardly. First mistake. I darted in, daggers leading, only to have them harmlessly deflected by the flat of his sword. I bared me teeth at him.

     "We will destroy those weak Guardian pretenders and restore Prince Hylas to the throne!" Commander Falem's voice was full of the eager fanaticism that I'd become accustomed to hearing from the Aelfwar of late. I felt my face go blank, my lips thinning. Instead of responding, I just pressed my attacks, a flurry of blades and whirling daggers. Commander Falem was hard-pressed to keep the daggers from scoring a hit and his expression eventually morphed into a frustrated scowl as he realized I was more of a threat that he originally thought. I snorted. Men were always underestimating me. As the fight wore on, I felt my muscles becoming a bit sore, Ascended or not. But I knew that Falem must be feeling it worse. He was but an ordinary mortal, hopped up on power or not. In fact, I could see the thorn dangling from his, like some obscene bloated tick. It even seemed to be pulsing as he swung his weapon. It was horrific, how far and how quickly the House of Aelfwar had fallen. A burning fire along my arm alerted me to the fact that I'd let me mind wander. Falem stepped back with a satisfied grin and I glanced downward. There was a long line of red along my inner arm. As I stared at it, the pain suddenly flared brighter. I wondered absently why that was. The pain always seemed more distant, disconnected, until you looked at the wound. A trickle of bright red blood made a trail down my arm. I flexed my hand, testing the wound and found that it wasn't nearly as bad as I'd first feared. Just a shallow slice. Or perhaps my body was repairing the damage already. Regardless, it was a sign that I needed to focus better and pay more attention to the real threat. I flicked my hand out, sending small droplets of blood away and crouched into a ready stance. Falem sneered at my lack of reaction to the wound. He was becoming a bit desperate. Although I had yet to score a hit on him, he was indeed tiring and it would only be a matter of time. He no doubt would have fled by now but for his arrogance and sense of importance. He didn't want his underlings to know he'd fled from a girl. He'd rather die than have that humiliation. Which was what I was betting on. But just in case, I softly moved to the left, putting my back to the platform's stairs and effectively blocking his escape.
     Falem charged me, sword high. In fact, he held it a bit too high. I grinned, the grin of a feline who senses weakness, and dove forward. As he lifted his arms to strike, Falem left a wide opening, leaving his unprotected middle for my blades. Taking full advantage of this, I slashed along his ribs and side with both daggers, dragging the blades up with a sharp twist of the wrist. The Aelfwar man staggered and choked, suddenly unable to draw breath. He stumbled past me, dropping his deadly sword and falling to the floor. I turned and gazed out at the sea while he struggled behind me. Eventually, it was still, and I turned back to stare into his glassy eyes. I was satisfied, but I didn't feel elation at the killing. Just a weary sense of a duty accomplished. I wish, of course, that it wasn't like this. I wish that the Aelfwar still were the same. I wish that Prince Hylas hadn't stayed behind in Silverwood while his lover went to war with Prince Zareph. Or perhaps I wished that Shyla Starhearth had stayed. Either way, I didn't want things to be as they were now. But they were and I had to right the wrongs that the Aelfwar were committing. If that meant slaying even Prince Hylas himself, I would do it. I trembled at that, as I searched Commander Falem. Mechanics aside, could I even bring myself to slay my longtime Prince? If it came to that? I'd spent so long admiring and looking up to him. I quickly clamped down on that thought, forcing it from my mind. I'd rather not think about that right now, or ever if I had a say in the matter. Just focus on the here and now.

     Commander Falem also had coin aplenty that went into my pouch, along with a few odds and ends I might find handy later. The last thing I removed from his lifeless body was the bracelet with the thorn on it. I wrapped it in a piece of cloth from my pack before putting it away, loathe to have it touch any of my own possessions. As I placed it in my pack, I took a deep breath, feeling the salty tang of the sea burn my nostrils. Hopefully, with the thorn and those Faetouched shards I'd found on the other Aelfwar, I'd have proof of their ties to Greenscale and of their sinister plot in Silverwood. It was only a matter of time before the House put their plans into motion and I needed to figure out what they were planning before that, to be able to stop them.

After I'd dealt with the Aelfwar commander, I glanced around cautiously. Blair had said that the shipwreck was off the coast, south of Silver Landing. That put it right around here, no doubt offshore. But hopefully not too far offshore, because I didn't have much desire to go for a long swim. Although it was my duty as a High Elf sworn to the Covenant to investigate such matters, I wasn't a fan of water and I was not looking forward to getting my armor wet. Leather was so uncomfortable when wet. I sighed, feeling vexed. Not to mention the shore was crawling with Aelfwar scouts and I didn't want to have any more run ins with them. I thought I'd feel justified and content to kill them, vengeance for what they'd done, for what we'd done, but I only felt sorrow for each of their deaths. If only I could have done something more!

     I shook my head to rid myself of such thoughts. Foolish to think of the what ifs now, when it's too late to do anything about it. Summoning my inner power to my command, I cloaked myself in shadows once again and stealthily made my way down the beach. I was silent and quick and the Aelfwar were none the wiser that I moved among them. I loved the feeling of being invisible. Like I could do anything. Unfortunately, the ability never lasted long, as maintaining the invisibility drained my mind.

     Eventually I stopped at one sandy point, staring out to sea. By shading my eyes, I could just make out what looked like the outline of a ship, though at an odd angle. No doubt that must be the wreck of the Galena. The odd angle explained its position, snug against a small rocky island. I wondered why the ship was so close to shore. Surely they'd know that the waters would be shallow this close in? And didn't they have a navigator? Usually one strong in water magic helped direct the ship and navigate it around shoals and shallow areas. Something sinister must have happened, the elf woman was right. I could sense a tingling down my neck staring at the ship's outline. Well, nothing for it; I'd have to swim out there to further investigate the ship. It was too far for me to make anything out from here. I quickly searched through my pack and belongings, making sure everything was secure and wouldn't be ruined from my excursion into the water. When that was over with, I couldn't find another reason to delay anymore and balefully glared at the innocent looking waves, calmly lapping at the sand. I hate water. The longer I stared, the faster my heart beat. Finally I took a deep breath, knowing I had to get this over with. With my eyes fixed on the ship's outline, I plunged into the water. I braced myself, expecting it to be icy cold. After all, it was getting on toward fall. To my shock, the water was quite pleasant. It wasn't warm, by any means, but it wasn't biting cold either. It also became deep very quickly and I soon found myself moving my arms and legs to stay afloat. Knowing that if I stopped to think about it, I'd most likely become alarmed, I quickly swam toward the distant shipwreck. Have I mentioned that I hate water? Or perhaps it would be better to say that I'm...afraid of it. Which is silly I know, it's just water. But I can't help but imagine all kinds of horrible things down in the depths, eyeing me hungrily while I flounder around on the surface. And I've seen the kind of things that make the deep waters their home, so my fears aren't unfounded either. None of which was helping me right now of course...

     With one eye on the waters around me and one on the looming shipwreck, it seemed like I reached the small island in record time. Once I realized that I could feel solid ground beneath my feet again, I scrambled out of the water, flinging droplets everywhere. Only to gasp when I came face to face with an Aelfwar Elf. I backpedaled, clawing my dagger out of its sheath. The Aelfwar sneered, although he looked just as startled as I did. Before he could react I smashed him in the face with my butt of my dagger and then slashed his throat when he reeled sideways. As the man fell soundlessly, I leaned over to catch my breath. What were Aelfwar doing on the island? Did they have something to do with the wreck? What's the connection? The questions spun through my mind as I glanced around. The island was small, could easily be walked in under five minutes. At the far side, facing seaward, the large shell of the ship lay like a beached sea creature. The sails were in tatters, the hull was smashed, and there were bodies everywhere. Debris lay strewn about the island and floated in the eddies around the island. I shook my head. I needed to find Blair's scout, the one she sent to investigate this disaster to begin with. Although from the look of things, I'd say that the scout is dead. I stood up straighter and glanced around cautiously.

     There were a few more Aelfwar going through various flotsam around the island's edge. If I was careful, I looked enough like them to avoid detection. I'd try to find the scout, figure out what the hell happened here, and get back to mainland. Sounded like a good plan. Keeping alert, I strode further onto the island. It took me several minutes to notice a most disturbing thing. All of the bodies that lay strewn about seemed to be tangled up in some kind of exotic looking red root or vine. It was a thick vine, covered in sharp thorns that seemed to jut from the island itself, which is odd because I've never seen it anywhere else. I didn't want to look too suspicious, so I didn't linger over the corpses too long, but I did get a good enough look to remember to describe them later. They reminded me of Commander Falem's thorn bracelet. Same color and appearance. Maybe it's all connected.

    Finally, I found what I was looking for, although I wasn't happy about it. Blair's scout was easily distinguished by her clothing and weapon. Like I'd suspected, the poor woman was dead. The vines also covered her torso and legs like the others and I wondered if they were sentient things. I glanced around before casually kneeling down by the body. Hopefully, like a good scout, this one had written down what she'd seen, even if she never got to report it. I was in luck, finding a bloodstained piece of parchment in her front tunic. I quickly snuck the dispatch notes into my pack and stood, gazing sadly at the body. The poor woman. I sent a quick prayer to the Vigil to guide her soul home, before turning. I felt a sort of strong fury take hold of me. How dare they? The Aelfwar think they are above our laws? Our vows? That they can rewrite their actions? Just because the Vigil hadn't communicated directly since the Ward doesn't mean they aren't here. It doesn't mean we should forsake our duty. The Aelfwar would destroy our beloved Telara if given the chance. I clenched my hands so hard I cut crescent shaped marks into my palm and watched, distracted, as my Ascended powers healed the marks before my eyes. Right, I was Ascended. It's my duty to see justice done.

     Immediately, almost without being consciously aware of it, I turned and teleported through space, my daggers a whirlwind of death. The Aelfwar I'd targeted fell without making a sound, instantly slain. I took a deep breath to calm myself down, knowing that allowing myself to just run rampant through their ranks would just foolishly endanger myself and I needed to get the information I'd discovered back to Silver Landing as quickly and safely as possible. I couldn't become sidetracked by a desire for vengeance as much as I wished to. I could still see the crumpled body of that poor scout, her face frozen in fear. It's so hard to comprehend that my own people had fallen so far into shadow.

     The wreck of the Galena loomed large and sinister in the waning afternoon light, painting monstrous shadows across the small rocky island. It wasn't that cold, being mid summer, but I found myself shivering regardless and wrapped my leather tunic more tightly about my frame. I'd found what I needed here, time to make myself scarce. I smirked as I cleaned my daggers on the dead Aelfwar at my feet. That's one less to cause trouble. Although they would just keep coming until we dealt with the main problem. I have a serious desire to confront Prince Hylas himself and demand an explanation. Why would he do this? What changed? What evil insinuated itself into his mind that he would sanction this kind of violation of the Covenant? Focusing inward in my natural rogue talents, I was able to camouflage myself and stealth back through the milling camp of Aelfwar, turning my nose up with scorn at them. Like sheep, following the shepherd. Except that this shepherd had strayed off the path and was now trying to destroy everything that the rest of us held dear.

     I splashed back ashore onto mainland, more grateful than I can explain to be among the beautiful trees of the Silverwood. I took a deep breath and stopped once I'd gotten off the beach. Slowly I turned and gazed back out to see. The sinking sun lined the Galena in a pearlescent glow. It was a beautiful ship, that was obvious from the shape. I wondered idly what had brought it's crew here. I wonder what their destination had been, and who had been on that ship? Something about it seems quite odd. I shrugged absently as I turned away and stepped purposely in the direction of Silver Landing. I know the fate of the scout that Blair Rheese had sent me, and was all that my mission asked for. Something poked into my hip as I walked and I reached in my pack to investigate. Seeing the Thorn inside reminded me of my other task from Isilwyn and I hurried my pace, wanting to inform him of my findings and my suspicions.
      Isilwyn and Blair were having a heated discussion when I walked up, but both stopped upon sighting me and turned with expectant looks.

     "You all look so happy to see me!" I called with a lopsided smirk. Blair frowned and Isilwyn cracked a slight smile. I leaped up the stairs to the balcony and addressed Isilwyn first.
      "You were right, there is something else going on among the Aelfwar. I found this Thorn on the commander just like you said. It has a resonance about it like Life magic. I don't like the feel of it." I handed said object over to Isilwyn as I spoke. He frowned and silently looked the small object over. Finally he glanced up and his eyes held untold worry. I felt my heart sink. It can't be anything good...

     "This Faetouched thorn seems to be a very strong artifact of the dread dragon Greenscale. I have no idea how Commander Fallem came to possess this, but this is very bad news indeed. I will have to send this to be analyzed by the experts in Sanctum and hopefully they can figure out a way to undo this virulent magic." He looked into my eyes and some warmth seeped into his face. "Excellent work Raeslyn, I'm quite grateful for your skills." I felt my face and ears heat up and glanced at my leather boots, waving a hand absently.

     "Nonsense, it is my duty to the Guardians and to the Vigil to ensure that our world is protected and I'll do what I must to stop the Aelfwar from fulfilling their plans. I may not feel worthy of the gift that the gods bestowed upon me, but I'll make sure I live up to their expectations." I balled my hand into a fist as I finished and nodded sharply. Isilwyn eyed me with renewed interest and respect and nodded back. "Well said, Ascended."

     "Did you find anything about Indra? What happened?" Blair's worried voice drew me to glance at the woman, noting her worried expression. I felt my shoulders sag a little as I remembered the poor scout, lying dead by the wreck. I shook my head at Blair slowly and breathed out, launching into my explanation of what I'd seen and done at the wreck.
     "The area was crawling with Aelfwar? Poor Indra, she was only there because of me! I was curious about the wreck and I wanted information....the note that you found on her body, may I see it?" I quietly handed over the bloodstained dispatch, being careful not to smudge the ink. Blair read the letter silently, eyes darting over the page. When she was finished she lowered her hand and there was fury in her eyes. It reminded me of my own brief anger when I'd first seen Indra's body. I wasn't sure what to do or say to comfort Blair, so I just gazed at her, hoping that my feelings shone clearly in my eyes. Mouth tight, Blair glanced between Isilwyn and I and shook her head.

     "This just proves beyond a doubt that my suspicions were correct. What you've discovered here and what Isilwyn has found out can only mean one thing. House Aelfwar has indeed turned down the path of corruption. There can be no redeeming them. They must pay for what they've done to our beloved Silverwood!" She focused on me, as if daring me to refute her comment. I nodded, keeping silent. Despite my own mixed feelings and hesitation, I knew Blair was right. House Aelfwar and Prince Hylas mustn't be allowed to continue their plans. And the horrible thing was that they actually thought they were in the right, that what they were doing was in the best interest of Telara.