Revenge of the Elven

Chapter 3

The sick had all been treated, Varrell and Arlan had avoided one another the whole time awkwardly trying not to bump into the other whilst preparing tonics and seeing to patients. Now it was just the three of them and Kessa’s aide who was now told she could go home. Varrell glared at Arlan waiting for him to leave too but he just rested against a table and folded his arms. Varrell rolled her eyes and went to proceed but Kessa interrupted her before she could even get her first word out.

“Arlan already told me you were approached by a handsome elf-“

“I did not say he was handsome!” Arlan snapped.

“Oh, come on, most elves are quite beautiful am I right?” she looked to Varrell who shrugged, “anyway, he already told me about the whole thing, I assume that’s what you are here for?” Kessa asked.

“Yes, I am aware this could be some sort of trap, I do not know, or trick, same thing, sort of. I know where Arlan stands on the whole situation, but I wanted to know your thoughts?” she asked.

“Do I think it could be a trap? Possibly so, yes, you are going because he told you of innocents being hurt, that is something you can never ignore. He has done his research and he went to the right person. I think he needs your help; I do not think it is a trap but it is dangerous. You should help him.” Kessa said.

“Right, I don’t even know where to find him or… I suppose he will find me again, won’t he?”

“I have changed my mind about not helping you, if it is a trap then I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you,” Arlan finally spoke to her. Varrell sighed.

“Thank you Arlan, I was worried if I helped this elf that I might lose you as a friend,” she said.

“That would never happen, Varrell, I care for you too much. I was just worried about you; I think he is dangerous. He has no collar, has free range of his elven powers and I sensed something… off about him, something dark,” Arlan said.

“Oh shush, you’re just threatened by this handsome stranger that has suddenly come along,” Kessa teased.

“He was not handsome! He was just an elf, reckless and dangerous and free of those mandatory collars. I could report to the guard but for now… I suppose we can go and see what he was talking about, if there really is an injustice happening or he was simply being dramatic,” Arlan ranted. Varrell and Kessa exchanged grins.

“Alright, Kessa, I would like you to join me on this mission, in case we end up having to fight witches and warlock”

“fighting criminal witches and warlocks is one thing, but I do not know if what they are doing would be considered against the law since elves have next to now rights. That’s… breaking the law, even you are not completely above the law,” Kessa said.

“I know, but if they really are torturing and experimenting on Taeril’s elven people then I believe they are criminals, it is an injustice and I believe the guard and the council will be convinced if I need to stand in defence of my actions. Not even witches and warlocks are above the law,” Varrell reiterated.

“Right, I see your point,”

“One thing to enslave a people, of which I do not agree with but can do nothing about, it is quite another to actively hurt them,” Varrell said and Kessa looked at her a moment.

“Slavery is hurtful,” Kessa said. “They are miserable and not all masters treat their slaves well,”

“Right, you have a good point,”

“Not known for your brains, are you, just your beauty and your heroism,” Kessa said and Arlan could not help but smile at this. “Its rather endearing my sweet but try and pay attention to the world around you and consider things a bit more,”

“The enslavement of the elves was necessary to protect everyone else!” Arlan argued.

“Come now, sweet Arlan, we need not have this argument again,” Kessa said silencing him, she was older and wiser, and it seemed her and Arlan differed in their ideas surrounding what happened to the elves.

“I must go,” Varrell said and she left intending to go back to the tavern to speak with Decan now they had all rested and were sober.

“I shall accompany you,” Arlan said and she felt a little annoyed that he would do so, but she knew it was out of a sense of protectiveness and they headed out. “Varrell, I am saddened that we disagree on this, I am only worried for you but that is why I must be there when you go,” he said.

“I know, Arlan, you are a good friend and I appreciate your concern but… I do not want this to get in the way of our friendship. A man came to me asking for my help, I will not refuse him even if he is elven,” she said.

“I know, you cannot help yourself when it comes to helping people,” he said but with a smile. They entered a dark ally which would then lead to the stairs to reach the higher parts of the city when he appeared to them again. Taeril stepped out from some shadows; only beggars were here, and they would not care that he was elven. Arlan tensed at the elf’s approach, Varrell felt she could even sense his bristles go up like a cat. Taeril also glared at him; his golden eyes filled with hatred.

“You keep questionable company, human,” he said to Varrell. “A witch and a warlock?”

“You’ve been spying on me?” Varrell asked, “It is I who should distrust you, not the other way around for if you did not trust me then why would you ask for my help?” she replied.

“Desperation and you are the defender of innocents. You may not see my people as innocent, but they are, perhaps one day I will find the proof to that but for now, I simply work to free them,” he said. “Tell the warlock to leave,” Taeril said as though ordering her. What is a former enslaved elf doing making orders?

“He stays, Arlan is coming with us when we rescue your people,” she said.

“No. Then I will deal with you no longer,” Taeril replied, “I will find a way to help my people without you, I should have known better,” he said and turned to walk away but Varrell hurried after him taking his arm, but he swiftly pulled it away and stepped back an appalled expression on his face that she dare touch him. “You are too familiar, human, how dare you!” he barked.

“You will really not do this unless Arlan goes? Magic against magic is useful. We have fought break away witches and warlocks ones who have found themselves in criminal organisations rather than the government one, and he has come in useful.” she explained. Taeril looked from her to Arlan. “And the witch is not against your kind,”

“If this turns into treachery and my people are caught and trapped, I will kill you, all of you!” he growled.

“I want to ask you something, how did you get your collar off?” Arlan asked but the elf just scoffed.

“We meet at sundown, upon Heaven’s Reach at the narrow bend near the top. You will know it if you have ever climbed that far. There is a cave around there, my people are being kept in it,” he said and then disappeared. Varrell looked around to Arlan.

“He is strange and quite intense,” she said and Arlan smiled.