I could hear the battle somewhere off to my left though I had yet to see it. Justin and I had stayed to the forest paths that were invisible to me until we were on them. There was so much I needed to learn. For starters, how did he know where all these trails went, let alone how to find them in the first place.
Justin moved with a grace I hadn’t seen elsewhere. He made little more than a sound as he slipped between dangling vines, over layers of fallen leaves, and through patches of thorns.
I, on the other hand, was anything but quiet. It seemed every twig in existence found its way under my boots. I don’t know how many spiderwebs I met with my face. And I’m pretty certain someone attacked bells to my clothing, though I hadn’t found them. Believe me I checked.
Out of nowhere, I noticed we were standing in a clearing just off the road. It took some squinting and maneuvering around the trees but I was seeing flashes of red, blue, and gray ahead and to the left. From the sound, I knew that was where the battle was taking place. This part of it anyway. There were several others in the distance.
I followed Justin around the bend and onto another hidden path. We were just off the road. It suddenly seemed darker. Like somehow the sun refused to illuminate the area despite it being plainly visible above the eastern tree line. Even in the odd darkness, I had no idea how the enemy forces couldn’t see us. I could see them plain as day and many were looking straight at us. I had to search myself to make sure I wasn’t accidently using one of my abilities. It had happened before, though I’m pleased to say this was not one of those times. It just so happened that Justin had keen knowledge of the surrounding forest and placed us in the perfect position to see out without being seen ourselves.
He knelt beside me and leaned over to speak just above a whisper. “In just a moment we’re going to rush out and eliminate as many of them as possible. If you get hit just keep track. If you die, go to the tavern. That’s our respawn point.”
I nodded, not knowing if I could speak quiet enough. My heart was racing. I could feel the mixture of anxiety and adrenaline pumping within my veins. I’d been in a few large scale fights before. Fighter practice typically consisted of at least one ditch battle, line battle, or all out ‘this side against that side’ battle. All things considered’ I’d done fairly well during them. At most I died maybe twice. On the surface this didn’t look any different.
Brian, Chris, and Chad were beating the hell out of what I considered the best looking dark elves I’d ever seen. I assumed they were dark elves anyway. Their skin was painted midnight black and many had long white hair, though not all. Their ears were pointed and they moved with a grace even Justin seemed to be lacking. There were nineteen of them in this one skirmish and somehow our guys were holding their own. Though I can’t say they didn’t have a little help. There were three others who’d been in the fight before our guys showed up and one of them was waiting at the tavern respawn point.
I caught a flash of movement put the corner of my eye but when I looked nothing was there. I’d gotten used seeing things that way. That’s how magic was usually seen until you’d trained yourself to look without looking. Still, whatever I’d seen was clearly gone now.
Justin gave a subtle gesture, telling me it was almost time.
An interesting sounding horn echoed all around me and suddenly I realized we weren’t alone. Elves, or people dressed as elves anyway, sprung up from the vegetation and began firing on the dark elves. There was no way I could get an accurate count with the immediate chaos but the fight was easily tilted in our favor.
Justin kicked a vine wrapped gate over and charged out behind enemy lines. He was fluidly hacking and sashing into their number before I realized that was the signal.
I drew my own ‘borrowed’ swords and charged after him. I felt inspired. The anxiety left me. It was nothing but the thrill of battle pounding in my chest. I easily dodged the enemy strikes, rolled to avoid a stray spear tip, spun, deflected, jumped, ducked, and fought my way into their ranks like a man possessed. I couldn’t explain what was happening to me. I’d never felt it before but it felt amazing.
In no time, the combined effort of the Drueslayers, as the camp atop the hill called themselves, and the elves of Evinwood eradicated the enemy forces and they fled into Shadgull territory, elven arrows chasing them as they ran.
“An’ remember what ‘appens when ye mess with the Dreuslayers, ye black-sinned bastards!” Brian shouted after them, slipping into character.
I hadn’t learned much about his character yet but he played on a deep seeded hatred for dreu, as they’d been called. His character’s family had supposedly been slaughtered by them and he swore to hunt down every last one.
Apparently that wasn’t an overly difficult promise to keep since they weren’t typically a common race to play, but from what I’d heard around the camp fight the night before, this new group requested to play them simply for the reputation Brian and the guys had earned.
“You know, it’s that sort of talk that gets you guys targeted.” Aldulrien said.
I jumped. I had no idea when the elven king had arrived there but that didn’t stop him from being right beside up.
“You try telling him. I’ve talked until I’m blue in the face. It just makes him want to antagonize them more.” Justin retorted, seeming undisturbed by the man—elf suddenly in our presence.
“I suppose we all have our flaws.” The elven king surveyed our surroundings, settling on me for a moment. I felt as if I should bow or cower, or something. He simply smiled at me and looked away, scanning the distance. “My scouts tell me they’re holding ground in Beggar’s Cove just west of Fender’s Spear. We’re going to head the river road. I understand Remle’s Heroes will be hitting the west entrance. Do you think you’re guys can hit the east. If we can flank them we may yet prevent another Dreu War.”
“I don’t see any reason we can’t make that happen. We’ll need to coordinate with Remle though. It won’t do any good to hit at random. We need to strike in unison.”
“I agree. That’s why I’ve already sent missive. When your people are in position give the Bushwacker call. We’ll strike together.
I expected some kind of acknowledgment but none came. I glanced around only to find all the elves, including their king, absent. “I need to learn that.”
“What?” Justin turned to me as if he’d forgotten I was right there.
“The disappearing without a trace thing.”
“Oh? It’s easier than it—”
Justin was gone.