Chapter 11: The Promised Vengeance
The bright sun filtered through the green canopies of Runewood. Its rays casting gentle glows over the winding roots and vibrant green moss below. Jeis’s hut, carved into the side of a thick, ancient tree, stood alone like a lonely mushroom.
That peace, however, shattered the moment Mathes arrived.
Jeis had yet to make up her mind about the unexpected arrival of the three humans when a storm of whispers rippled through the woods. Mere seconds after Mathes’s arrival, members of the elven tribes began appearing one by one, drawn by the unmistakable magical aura clinging to the Elven Queen’s aide like a second skin. They knew that if Mathes was here, something important was unfolding.
Within minutes, more and more elves gathered outside Jeis’s sanctuary.
From the treetops, sharp-eyed and elegant Goldhair elves perched like silent watchers. Their golden eyes shimmered beneath their flowing blond hair and their pale skin gleamed under the sunlight.
From the south, Dark Elves emerged from shadowed paths with daggers and bows slung over their backs, eyes glinting with caution and disdain as they eyed the humans coldly.
From the stone patch, brown-skinned elves, led by Kardel of the Sylvan’thir tribe, strode while mounted on enchanted deer-like creatures but with faces of a tiger. Their thorny antlers etched with runic letters glowing faintly with magic powers. The elves wore leather armor infused with elven tech runes, their glowing magical weapons holstered but ready.
"Humans again? Here?" Kardel hissed, his eyes narrowing at the three humans standing by the door. "Their heads are mine," he muttered with venom.
Rhiki, the infamous dark-blue-skinned leader of the Velka’Dar—the Dark Elves—stepped forward, sneering. His sharp ears twitched as he sensed the child within. He then turned to the dark elf that welcomed them.
"You dare bring more outsiders into our sacred lands? Have you forgotten the Last Accord, Jeis? You broke it once, and now you’re breaking it again. Have you lost your mind?" Rhiki growled, unsheathing his twin dark daggers.
Robert and Marissa instinctively moved to shield young Rin, who peeked from behind his blanket, clutching a wooden leaf-carved toy Jeis had given him. Jeis’s daughter also sensed the growing tension, hiding behind her mother.