Chapter 29: Ambush In Inferna Hollow
Near the southern border of the Runewood, Elven Queen Elarya stood before a massive, ancient tree unlike any other in the forest.
Its gnarled bark glowed like molten rock, pulsing with a lava-like sheen. Its leaves shimmered a deep, ember-red—flickering like tongues of fire in the wind.
From a distance, the tree looked as though it were ablaze, defying the lush greenery that surrounded it. Not a single plant or tree grew within thirty meters of it; the intense heat radiating from the bark incinerated anything that dared to get close. Only Elarya, with her natural hightened resistance to elemental forces, could stand in its presence without harm.
This was the Emberwood Tree, a forbidden place watched under the strictest secrecy. No elf was allowed to trespass near it. By her decree, it was off-limits—not just because of the searing danger, but because of the secret it held.
Queen Elarya’s elegant figure stood still, her emerald cloak billowing slightly in the hot wind. Her brows were furrowed, her eyes narrow with unease. She knew something was wrong.
"...Strange," she muttered, her voice as soft as wind through leaves. "I don’t recall allowing anyone near here."
As she surveyed the scorched earth, her senses stretched outward. It didn’t take long for her to notice faint depressions in the ground—footprints. Not one, but several. Most would have missed them entirely, but Elarya had activated Forest Eye, her personal skill of observation. Even the most well-hidden trails could not escape her gaze.
Her frown deepened.
"These aren’t mine," she said under her breath. "But... how did they avoid my detection?"
No one had ever breached the inner sanctums of the Runewood without her knowing. Ever. Her authority over the ancient forest’s watchful magic was absolute. For someone—or several—to move unseen meant something had failed. Or someone had interfered using a special skill that hides their presence.
There was only one way to be certain and to follow their tracks.