Original Submissions by Elvenchipmunk of type 'Stories'
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Last Chance
Added on Feb 2, 2005A tribal elf comes of age, and learns of what life means in Zalanthas.
The deep red sun rose up into the pale pink, cloudless sky. The birds were chirping, the trees waving in the wind. Down on the ground, it was the start of a fresh new day for the village of Elrohir.
In the small, wooden house at which the elven child Isirin dwelled, fresh pastries, meat, beverages and other delicious elven food was being served for breakfast. Both Isirin and his father came to the table to eat. "Father, you do know what day it is don't you?" asked Isirin, the child of the family. All of the elves of Elrohir were required to learn both the language of the elves, Allundean, and the human tongue, Sirihish.
"Of course Isirin, how could a father forget when his son reaches adulthood. I have arranged for a ceremony tonight at the banquet hall to initiate you fully into the tribe," replied Khalin, Isirin's father, and most cherished relative.
"Did you get me a present father? You were gone for a few days last week, did you get me a present while you were away?" asked Isirin excitedly.
"You will have to wait and see, my son. I can tell you though that I have also arranged for a special trip for you and me into the woods after the ceremony tonight."
"Into the woods?" a grin spread across Isirin's pale face. "We're going hunting!"
Khalin couldn't help but let out a broad smile as he saw how happy he had made his son. "That's right Isirin, hunting. Now that you're an adult, I think you can take on the responsibility of hunting with me to be able to contribute to tribe." There was only Isirin and Khalin who were left in their family, as his mother was taken away by human raiders a while back, and Isirin was an only son. Because of this, the whole tribe contributed food, and by this way, the whole tribe was treated equally and given the same amount of food and equipment.
As they were finishing up their first meal of the day, Khalin said "Isirin, hurry up and finish your breakfast, we've a long day ahead of us. I must finish setting up the banquet hall for your initiation. I need you to go play with Havin, so there are no surprises that will be ruined for you."
"Yes father. I can't wait to tell Havin that I'm going to be going on a hunting trip," said Isirin proudly.
"Have a good time, Isirin," said Khalin as his 14 year-old son left the hut.
As Isirin was walking down the pebble-strewn road, he couldn't stop thinking about the hunt, and his present! What could it be? He wondered. The thought left his mind as he saw Havin, his best friend, playing out in his yard.
"Havin! Havin! Guess what? For my birthday, father's taking me out on a hunt! I'm gonna use a bow an' everything!"
"Really Isirin? You're so lucky. My birthday isn't until a long time from now. I wish I could go out on a hunt."
"You will when you're 14, you've still only got a year until you are. That's not too long."
"Ya, I guess you're right Isirin. Anyway, I got a few neat figurines that we can play with. Do you want to go and play with them?"
"Sure Havin. I haven't anything better to do until the initiation."
"Great! Let's go as soon as I get them from my room. One minute."
Once Havin came out of his straw-hued hut, a small bag in his hand, Isirin and him started on their way. After a little while, the pebble road gradually turned into a dirt path, and once they came to the place where they usually played, a small field, it was but a path of long grass.
"Let's get some to set them up on," suggested Isirin. Havin nodded his head and off they went around the field, picking up branches that had fairly flat ends. When they had both decided they had enough, they went back to where they started and began setting up the stands. Once he had fitted together his first stand, Isirin pulled a slingshot out of his jacket. "Hey Havin, put a figurine on that stand, and I'll try to shoot it."
"Alright, but if you miss, it's my turn."
"Alright, just load it up."
Having put the small wooden figure of a gith with a sword in hand inside, and set it gently onto the flat end of a piece of wood. Isirin picked up a few rocks, loaded one into his slingshot, steadied himself, pulled back on the string until it couldn't go any further, and let go.
Smack. The rock hit the figurine dead on, putting a large dent in it. Isirin watched satisfyingly as the figurine flipped off the wood, hitting the ground softly. He smiled at Havin.
"Okay, I get the next one", said Havin as he released an uncontrollable grin to Isirin. They did this for a few hours until Isirin's dad came down the path. "Isirin, have you not been watching the sun? It's time for your initiation", said Khalin with a hidden hint of happiness.
Smiling, Isirin said, "Alright, Havin, you're coming?"
"Yes, I wouldn't miss something like this."
"Alright then, follow me," said Khalin as he began on his way back up the path.
When they got into the banquet hall, a large building made from wood and bark, they went in through the two front doors, and in front of them was a big room filled with tables and tables of food. As they entered, all of the elves sitting at the tables, nearly all the elves in the village were clapping. They made their way to the front table, except for Havin who went to sit with his family.
Isirin's father started his speech. "Elves of Elrohir, tonight, we celebrate the 14th birthday of my son, Isirin." Khalin gave Isirin a quick smile before returning to his speech. "Now this is no ordinary birthday, because it is his fourteenth, he is now a man, but not officially, that is why we are here tonight." A series of hands clapping were heard, then all was silent as Khalin continued. "After tonight, Isirin will have been blessed by the gods of old, and he will be officially, a man!" More clapping non-stop, then Khalin gave the sign and all of the elves got up and headed over to the food.
At the front of the line, Isirin took all kinds of different food that had been made by different elves in the village. He started off by getting some steaming hot vegetables, delicious ginka pie, and a large steak of tandu. He finished off his plate by getting some honey-glazed horta fruit for dessert. He then headed back to his table and took his seat.
Once everyone had completed their plates, Khalin stood up, said a prayer, then the feast began.
Elves are not sloppy eaters at all, so there were forks, knives and spoons laid out at each spot, all made out of wood. After the eating was done, and the talking ceased, which took a while, as elves are not quick eaters due to their cleanliness, Khalin once again rose from his tree-carved wooden chair and cleared his throat. "Now that everyone has filled their stomachs, I would like to commence the initiation. Isirin, stand up please." After a slight hesitation, Isirin rose from his chair, nodding to his father. "Now, if everyone could bow their heads as I speak the initiation prayer." Everyone's faces pointed to the ground, including Isirin's, but not Khalin's. Khalin drew his scimitar, a finely crafted obsidian weapon with the symbol of a tree engraved into the blade. He placed it on Isirin's shoulders.
"Isirin, you are now adult, you now have many responsibilities. Do you promise to hunt for the tribe, to do your share in the thriving of this village of Elrohir?" Isirin nodded his head.
"Do you promise to not betray, steal from, or hurt anyone else in the village?" Another nod from Isirin.
"And you will respect your elders, whether you like their decisions or not?" Again, Isirin nodded his head slowly.
"Then, by the power of the gods of Elrohir, I hereby declare you a hunter of the village Elrohir!" said Khalin, his voice rising from beginning to end. All of the elves rose their heads and began clapping and cheering, Isirin rose as well, unleashing an uncontrollable smile. "Thank you father," he whispered to Khalin. Khalin ruffled his hair in return. "Isirin, I have a present for you when we get back to the house."
They entered the hut, Khalin hurrying to the lamps to light them, as it was pitch-black outside, only his lantern was helping them see. As Isirin entered, he saw, in the corner, a polished length of curved wood with a tight string attached, and a long bag made of animal skin with a strap on it. Smiling, Isirin said "A bow and a quiver! Thank you father! Will we try it out soon?"
"I've arranged for us to go hunting in the morning, Isirin. I've also arranged for you to be given your very own blade, and swordbelt."
"Thank you father. I can't wait!"
"Well, maybe go to sleep now, and we'll go test out your bow and scimitar in the morning."
Isirin ran as quickly as he could into his room, removing his clothing until he had only a pair of old shorts on, then climbed into his bed, a pile of animal furs on top with animal skins stuffed with feathers on the bottom. He was too excited to fall asleep right away, so he tried to stay up. The longer he did this though, the quicker he got tired and eventually fell asleep.
The next morning, Isirin awoke with a start. As he looked up, there was his father, all dressed in his hunting gear, a green cloak with his bow slung across his back, and his scimitar sheathed in his belt. "Isirin, get up, it's time to go." Isirin jumped out of bed, got on his cloak that was given to him the past night, along with some other hunting gear, and went to get his bow and quiver full of arrows. He grabbed a few pieces of bread and a cup of water, wolfed them down, and then followed his father out the door.
On the way to the hut where Isirin's new scimitar was being kept, he slung his bow across his back like his father, and strapped his quiver to his back as well. When they got to the hut, they picked up the scimitar from the rack where it was being kept, and it was given to Isirin, who sheathed it proudly on his belt after having looked it over admirably.
They left the hut, and made for the village gates, which were no more than ten cords tall and were fashioned into spikes at the top. The four guards there nodded to Isirin and his father on their way out, opening up the tall gates. When they were past the gates, they closed from the other side with a loud thud, and ahead of them, lay the forest.
The leaves on the tall trees of the forest ruffled in the wind, the light from the slowly rising sun reflecting off the shining surface of them. They entered the forest, following an old path deeper in. They were moving along the path slowly, keeping to the cover of bushes, their green cloaks camouflaging them.
"Over there", whispered Khalin, pointing just off to the right of the old, worn-down path. Isirin looked over slowly, nodding to his father as he spotted the four-hoofed mammal, a tandu, its brown hide shining in the morning sunlight. Khalin pulled an arrow from his leather quiver and nocked it onto his bow, as did Isirin. They slowly rose from their position behind the bush, now standing up to their full height, both of them aiming steadily at the tandu. Two arrows whistled as they flew through air at the tandu, killing it instantly as one of them hit its neck, and the other its body. Khalin smiled at Isirin as he said, "Good shot Isirin, that shot would've nearly killed him by itself". Isirin flashed a smile back at him.
They slung their bows across their back as they walked over to the body. Khalin drew a small knife, and then another, handing one over to Isirin. "Here, you start by cutting out the meat by its back." Khalin drew his scimitar, cutting off the tandu's head, blood spilling from it for a while. When it was stopped, he used his knife to cut off the hide carefully, and finished off by getting out the rest of the meat that Isirin missed. Khalin took all of the body parts on the ground, and tossed them into a large bag, which he threw across his back. "Let's get one more, then we'll set up camp for the night".
After looking for a few hours, they found a large tandu, shooting it down like the first. Again they walked over to the body, skinning and cleaning it up. When this was done, it had been a while since they had set out, and it was dusk. "We'll set up a small fire and tent here, Isirin". Isirin set up the tent as Khalin went around finding branches, starting a small fire once he was done.
Once the fire was ablaze, Khalin got out a couple of pieces of tandu, setting them on sticks. He gave one to Isirin who set it over the fire, as did Khalin, cooking it. "This is good, the others will be pleased when they see what we brought back", said Khalin after taking a large bite out of his piece of meat. "I didn't think there was so much meat on a tandu, father, I am glad we only need to kill a couple to last us a while", said Isirin as he too took a bite out of his meat.
"Yes, it is quite good for nature that we only need to kill two. Right now though, you need to get some rest", said Khalin, smiling at Isirin as he licked his greasy fingers.
"Good night father." Isirin climbed into the tent, snugly underneath his blanket. Khalin climbed in after the fire was out, did up the tent, and fell asleep beside his son.
The next morning, just after dawn, Khalin woke his son. "Isirin, time to head back. Are you hungry?" Isirin shook his head. "Alright then, let's pack everything up and leave", said Khalin as he left the tent, beginning to take it down. Isirin stepped out of the tent, rubbing his blue eyes. Once everything was rolled up and packed away, they began walking slowly in the direction of their village.
As they reached the edge of the forest, thick smoke could be seen rising up over the trees and into the morning sky. "Father! What is that?" exclaimed Isirin, in an almost panicked voice. "I'm not sure son. Follow me, quickly, we'll go see what this is about".
They reached the outside of the forest, and widened their eyes at what lay before them. The whole village was on fire, or already burned to the ground. The remains of bodies littered around the broken gates. Isirin collapsed to the ground, kneeling as he put his dirt-covered hands to his crying face. "Father, who would do such a thing?" said Isirin, tears beginning to trickle down his face. Khalin shook his head, dumbstruck.
"Isirin, we must gather our things from the house, and never come back here. Do you understand?"
"Yes father", said Isirin, nodding.
"Good, let's go in, but be careful, and try not to be seen, there could still be enemies within the village".
They entered the village gates, again under the cover of their cloaks. They quickly made their way into their hut, which was burned, but not badly. Isirin tripped on the body of an elf, putting a hand to his mouth and covering it to prevent vomiting. He quickly rose back to his feet and entered the hut behind his father.
They grabbed a few bags of meat, fruit, and several waterskins full to the brim. "Isirin, let's leave, we must head into the city of Tuluk, and maybe we can stay there for the night before heading elsewhere". Isirin nodded agreeably, still a little shocked by the sight around him. Dead bodies of elves he had known littered everywhere. Here and there, he could see the body of a human, their throat cut, or their body with a gaping hole in it, bearing the symbol of a blazing sun on their red and white uniform. Somewhere nearby, he could here moaning. "I..si..r..in..", said the voice, sounding quite scared. "Who is that? Where are you?" said Isirin, looking around him.
"Ov..er.he..re.. I..sir.in".
Isirin looked in the direction of the voice, and there was Havin, lying under the debris of a burned hut. "Havin! Hang on, father and I will get you out!" Isirin and Khalin moved over to where Havin lay, and slowly removed the debris from on top of him. Once it was all off, it was clear that Havin had been pierced by a sword in his chest. Thinking quickly, Khalin tore a piece of cloth from Havin's already torn, dirty shirt, and placed it on Havin's chest, covering up the wound. "There, it should heal in time, but there may be a scar there for a while", said Khalin, as he stood back to his feet.
"Havin", started Khalin, "Isirin and I were about to leave for the roundear city of Tuluk, it will be safe there for the night. Do you wish to accompany us?"
"Yes, I will go with you. I do not see much other choice", said Havin weakly as he rose from his position.
"Good, then let's go."
Just then a sword fell on Khalin, cutting him at the shoulder. "Father!" yelled Isirin, turning as he drew his scimitar just in time to block a blow from a human Tuluki soldier. The force from the blow knocked him off his feet though, and he had to jump back up quickly before the next blow fell. He raised his scimitar above his head, faking a swing to the right as he twirled around, cutting into the soldier's waist from the other side. His bone sword fell to the ground as the soldier of Tuluk collapsed, bright red blood pouring from his side and mixing with the brown dirt. Isirin finished him by cutting off his head, breathing heavily as he stuck his scimitar into the ground, his eyes filled with rage. He moved over to where the lifeless corpse of his father lay, a pool of blood circling around it. "Father..." Isirin fell to the ground, whimpering softly as he shut his eyes, dozing off into a deep sleep.
He woke later that night, opening his eyes quickly as he looked around him. Nobody was to be seen, and he was now under a pile of leaves just on the edge of the forest. He rose to his feet, looking around once more. This time though, he noticed Havin, sleeping peacefully underneath another pile of leaves, his injured chest relaxed. Isirin walked sleepily over to Havin, shaking him. Havin woke with a start, backing away before he realized it was Isirin standing overtop of him. Havin, we must head to Tuluk and seek shelter there".
"Isirin, the ones that attacked the village, who were they? I have seen them before, marching out in the wilderness."
"They were." begun Isirin begun, pausing for a moment before continuing, "I'm not sure who they were, but we best avoid any others, in case they wish to kill us."
Havin nodded, standing up. "Yes, we must go to Tuluk, I have heard that elves are welcome there, from my father". Havin slumped next to a large tree, shaking his head as he held back tears. "If only he were here now".
"If only this had never happened", said Isirin as he sat down beside his friend.
Hours passed as they sat there, alone, under the night sky. Isirin woke the next morning, standing up quickly as he moved over to a small bush, hiding behind it. He peered up over it, in the direction of the village. There he saw a pair of humans, rummaging through the corpses of the elves and men alike, taking what they please. What's wrong with them? Why do they not honor the dead? thought Isirin, slowly walking over to where Havin lay.
"Havin, wake up", whispered Isirin. "There's a pair of roundears going through the bodies of the dead, what should we do?"
Havin sat up, looking into Isirin's eyes. "Isirin, you must make a decision, do you want to be a killer? And take from them what they took from our elders? Or do you want to flee to Tuluk, and never come back. The decision is yours not mine."
Isirin grinned as he drew his scimitar, then his father's which he had taken to honor him, and keep something from him to remember him by. "I choose the path of the killer, and I will spill the blood of those that dared challenge our elders. Havin, will you join me?"
Nodding, Havin drew his swords he had picked up off the ground. "Yes, I will help."
They crept slowly across the forest floor, stalking the raiders' every move. Once they were close enough, Isirin unslung his bow from his back, and handed his father's over to Havin, as well as a few arrows. They both nocked an arrow, taking aim at the raiders who had now taken a seat beside the village walls. The arrows sung as they flew in the direction of the raiders, both of them hitting one of the raiders in the back, he fell to the ground. The other one turned around, seeing his dead partner, looking behind him as two tall figures in green cloaks rushed out of the forest, weapons drawn. He spat out the ale he had in his mouth, drawing his one longsword and picking up a small dagger from the ground.
Isirin charged to the right and Havin to the left, the raider nervously bracing himself as the two elves screamed, slashing at him. He didn't even have enough time to scream before his head was cut off and a large hole was cut into his body. He fell to the ground, beside the rotting body of his friend, a large pool of blood forming around them. The two elves sheathed their weapons, Isirin exhaling heavily as Havin sat down on the blood-soaked ground. "Now, we must go to the city, before a whole group of roundears come and kill us", said Isirin, riding to his feet.
They began heading in the direction of the city of Tuluk, and soon set foot inside the Harzen gates, just before early afternoon. "Halt, what is your business here in Tuluk, newcomers?" asked a large human with jet-black hair as he moved out into the middle of the road, blocking their path.
"My business is." Isirin paused as he saw the red and white armor that the soldier displayed, widening his eyes as he noticed a blazing sun etched into them. He turned to face Havin. "Havin, we need to get out of here, it's not safe". Havin nodded, and they turned around.
"Hey! You two! Stop! What is your business here in Tuluk! If you leave without giving an answer you will be killed!" Isirin and Havin kept walking.
"Guards! Grab them!" yelled the soldier, but the two elves had already left the gates. He walked over to the gates; the elves were not to be seen. Just as he turned his back, two arrows flew in from the forest, striking down one of the gate guards, and another two flew in and killed the soldier that had questioned them, piercing his neck as he collapsed to the ground.
At the edge of the forest, concealed behind a bush, Isirin and Havin ran west, eventually finding a hole in the ground of suitable size for the night. They both climbed in. After having unrolled the tent and entering it, their furs laid out across the ground, Isirin said, "Havin, what are we to do now? How will we get revenge on the roundears?"
"Isirin, we must seek aid from other tribes, unite as one, and maybe then we can challenge the roundears".
"Yes, we shall set out to find another tribe in the morning. Good night Havin".
"Good night Isirin".
They awoke next morning to the sight of a lizard, roughly one quarter their size, standing overtop of them, its chitin carapace dulled in the blackness of the hole. Isirin pat Havin on the back. "Havin, what is that?" asked Isirin, pointing to the lizard.
"Uh, I think it's a skeet, my father used to hunt them for their chitin. Yes, it's a skeet".
"Are they dangerous, Havin?"
Havin shook his head.
Nodding, Isirin rose from his spot in the tent, shooing the skeet out. With a grunt, Havin rose as well, clutching his chest. "Well, at least the bleeding has stopped, and I think it's being healed quite nicely", he said.
Isirin helped him up, then left the tent, rolling and packing it up. They left the skeet hole, continuing north until they found themselves on a white stone road. "The North Road", said Isirin, looking around. "My father told me about it. To the east, it leads into the city, and to the west, it leads into an area called the Tablelands, where another elven tribe lies. That is where we must go."
They left west, running along the road at a steady pace. They encountered a few skeet on the way, which they just left. They also saw a human riding upon a grey kank, whom they just ran right by, without saying a word. Once they came to the intersection where another road started, Isirin pointed down its length. "There, Havin. Down that road is where the tribe is. Are you ready? They may not help us".
"After what we've been through Isirin? I'm ready". They ran down this road, stopping when they came to the gates of an outpost. They walks inside, the elves around them staring. Isirin walked up to one and said, "Might you tell me where your chief is?"
The elf pointed to the north, where a large building lay. "Thank you", offered Isirin as he and Havin continued into the tavern. Once inside, Isirin asked again where the chief was. One of the elves pointed to the east, where a curtain lead into a small room filled with cushions. They walked into it, and there they found a large elf, with a hat made of feathers. As they neared him, Isirin dipped his head, and, after seeing Isirin, so did Havin. As he neared the chief, Isirin said, "My name is Isirin, and I am a child of the Elrohir. Our village." he paused for a moment, "our village was burned to the ground by soldiers of Tuluk. Now, we seek aid from you, and hope that you will gather your warriors and challenge the city with us".
A long pause went by, then, the chief spoke, "I have just spoken with the elders of my tribe using the Way, and, we have agreed to help you, and may there be peace between our tribes for years to come", said the chief, smiling faintly. Whatever of our tribe is left, thought Isirin. Havin turned to Isirin, smiling. "We will begin gathering our warriors, we will meet you at the northern gates of the outpost at dawn". Isirin and Havin dipped their heads before leaving the building, walking over to the gates, where they set up their tent.
At first light, Isirin and Havin were set, and so left their tent. Outside of it there were gathered over a hundred good warriors, all suited up for war. The leader of their army, an elderly elf with grey hair and green, brown and yellow warpaint, walked over to Isirin, dipping his head. "I am Karil of the Leaping Sands, chief of the army before you. You are Isirin are you not?"
"Yes, that is me. Are the warriors ready to leave chief?"
Nodding, the chief said, "Yes, we're all ready, shall we go now?" Isirin gave him a quick nod. "Leaping Sands!" Karil shouted, "you have been summoned here today to help a tribe in trouble! The evil roundears have burned their village! Killing their children, wives, brothers, fathers, sisters and mothers! This will not be tolerated! And so today, we leave the outpost for war! Let's go!" A series of cheers went up as they began the journey down the road, the clinking of bone armor sounding as they went.
Once they came to the North Road, Isirin, who as in the front, spotted a human riding a kank just north of there, coming towards them. He motioned for Karil to stop as he unslung his longbow from his back. He pulled an arrow from his quiver, nocking it as he aimed north. The arrow flew straight, knocking him off his kank as it his body. The man looked up just in time to see a face filled with rage, then his world went black. Standing over top of the headless body, Isirin sheathed his scimitar, unstrapping the kank. The kank, once turned free, ran off into the wilderness. The elven army soon moved up to where Isirin was, Karil nodding to him as he arrived. They continued on their way.
Tuluk was in sight, the gates crawling with soldiers armed and ready for battle. Isirin halted the army, turning around. "Elven brothers! Are you ready?!" he yelled.
A series of cheers went up as Isirin turned back to face the city. "FOR THE ELROHIR!!!!" he yelled as he charged at the city, his elven brethren following him. Havin at his side, he arrived at the gates, followed by over a hundred others. There the two armies clashed, Isirin at the front of the elves, and a few Templars at the front of the Tuluki's. Ducking as a Tuluki soldier swung a sword at Isirin's neck, he quickly leapt back up slashing at the soldier's neck, slicing right through it, his other scimitar cutting off the soldier's arm.
He looked around him, the elves were putting up a good fight, they might just win the battle. Then as he looked just to the right of him, there lay the body of Havin, twisted and mangled beyond recovery. Furious, he swung around his scimitar, cutting into the flesh of an unsuspecting Tuluki, who fell back, and was trampled by the sheer number of people. Twirling around, Isirin killed many soldiers, and was by now exhausted.
Up on the towers were now archers, firing at them unchallenged. An arrow hit Isirin, and blood began to spill from his chest where the arrow had struck. A soldier was advancing on him, his sword raised. He looked around him again, only this time all he could see were a few elves, and soldiers swarming in around them. Another arrows struck him, this time in his thigh. He grunted, that soldier was getting ever nearer. Then, he was pulled away from the soldier, who flew back as an arrow hit him in the face. He looked behind him; there was Karil, holding onto him by the arm. Behind Karil was a unit of twenty or so elves, bows unslung from their backs, firing with near-perfect aim every shot. The Tuluki soldiers around him were being cut down now, but the elves were reduced greatly in numbers, and so the soldiers fought on.
Karil pulled Isirin away from the battle where he lay beside the archers as Karil rushed back in, cutting ferociously with his bastard sword until he too, was cut to pieces by the Tuluki's onslaught. The soldiers then charged the archers, the last remains of the elves. They drew their swords, bracing themselves.
The soldiers hit them like water on rock, cutting them apart in nearly thirty seconds. There were around thre units of Tuluki soldiers left now, most of them wounded. They were now going around, looting the bodies. Isirin rose, walking over to the nearest soldier, and killing him in one, swift blow to the neck. This drew the attention of others, who rushed at Isirin. He dodged, blocked and parried with all his remaining strength, but he was exhausted. He collapsed to one knee, slicing at a nearby soldier's waist, inflicting a grievous wound. He raised his remaining scimitar up over his head, looking up towards the cloudless, night sky, the thin breeze in the air catching his air and swirling it around. He looked back down towards the soldier charging him, everything else fading away. A smile spread across his dirtied face. Then his vision failed, turning into blackness; his next words were never heard by a living being.
The deep red sun rose up into the pale pink, cloudless sky. The birds were chirping, the trees waving in the wind. Down on the ground, it was the start of a fresh new day for the village of Elrohir.
In the small, wooden house at which the elven child Isirin dwelled, fresh pastries, meat,...
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