Revenge of the Elven

Chapter 11

Taeril woke suddenly from his nightmares and looked around at the people to see if he had disturbed anyone but it seemed his distress did not transfer to his body as everyone was still sound asleep. He stood and looked around the space pleased they all slept so peacefully, and his then mind wandered to Yathalin and how she had been kind enough to allow them all in this space she had claimed as her sanctuary and now she was forced to share it with a dozen other elves in hiding. This space of hers had become far less safe now there were more people occupying it; he was sure this thought had crossed her mind too. He was very grateful to her and only wished he could think of a way to pay her back one day. Taeril took his collar and placed it around his neck so that he could step outside the safety of their tunnels and try to determine what time of day it was and if it was too early to walk to the grander parts of the city and knock on Varrell’s door. As he walked towards the exit he heard a shuffle behind him and turned to see Yathalin peering out of an opening he had passed, a doorway even.

“Are you aright, Taeril?” she asked him.

“I… I am sorry, did I wake you?” he asked her, and she smiled warmly shaking her head.

“I do not sleep too well, even now I am safe, for we are never really safe, are we, Taeril?” she replied, and he felt a heaviness within his chest; she was right of course.

“Yes, I have nightmares… almost every night,” he said feeling uncomfortable at having just admitted that. He felt a little embarrassed.

“I am not surprised, given what you must have gone through,” she said and stepped out to meet him more directly. “Were you going to see that human?” she asked him.

“I… she said about giving us some more supplies, we could only carry so much with us last night,” he replied.

“I will keep an eye on your clan,” she said and he smiled. Taeril proceeded outside and saw that it was bright and hopefully bright enough that Varrell would have risen and is willing to receive him; he did not plan to remain at hers for long of course, he did not wish to impose. The closer he got to the richer parts of the city the more he felt threatened and just as he came to the gates to get in the guards there stopped him.

“Elf, why are you entering this part of the city? What is your business?” one of the human guards demanded from him. Taeril could feel his heart race and sweat began to break on his skin. He also felt a tremendous urge to use his powers in self defence but he was fighting it with all of his strength. He tried to think of something as fast as he could.

“Well?” one of the guards asked.

“I… I…” he froze up and felt like he was about to be arrested. His mind drew a blank.

“I think he might be simple minded or slow witted or something,” one of the guards said.

“I was… going to my mistress,” he muttered.

“Do you know what hour it is, elf? Why are you not with your mistress?” one asked.

“I… got lost but… I usually find my way back it just… took me all night,” Taeril said and the guards exchanged looked.

“I was right, slow witted and simple minded,” they moved out of his way but then called for him as he passed. “Who is your mistress?”

“Varrell,” he decided to say.

“Defender of our city? Varrell what?”

“I… she is just mistress Varrell… I do not… remember her family name,”

“Her family is famous in this city how can you not remember the family name?”

“I…” Taeril began to feel panicked and he broke into a run towards Varrell’s home and the guards pursued him, he would be easily rid of them if only he could use his powers but he could not let on that the collar he wore was fake.

“Stop elf!” one called but he refused to obey panicking and he managed to get to Varrell’s door and began pounding on it.

“Mistress Varrell! Mistress Varrell!” he called but the guards caught up as the door did not open fast enough and one of them grabbed him by the arm pulling him away and throwing him to the ground. The door to Varrell manor finally opened and she stood wearing only her nightgown. She saw the guards and then she saw Taeril on the ground.

“What is going on?” she demanded.

“Is this your elf?” one asked and Taeril looked at her from where he was on the ground; his eyes pleading with her.

“Yes,” she replied understanding the desperation in his eyes.

“Next time he gets lost, report it!” one of the guards hissed and they left. Varrell moved to offer her hand but Taeril refused it and pulled himself off the ground and she directed him inside.

“What happened?” she asked him and he pulled off his collar tossing it aside violently.

“I had not anticipated such resistance since I was wearing that!” he yelled and then he looked to her and realised her nightgown was fairly revealing. It was long but also had a split and seemed to show as much up to her thigh and the sheer fabric showed her curves and her elegant shoulders. He could feel his cheeks burning. “Would you mind… getting dressed?” he asked her awkwardly and she looked down at her attire and realised it was a little inappropriate to be seen in this and she agreed disappearing to dress for the day. Taeril stood awkwardly waiting for her to return.