Sarah had taken the children, along with Robert, to the cabin. However, the woman, with growing concern etched into her velvet eyes, soon after left for the town. She told Steven and the others that she would be going to get help for Mr. Bollock. Right now, the man was lying asleep in Arthur’s mattress after having downed nearly a gallon of water and eaten a larger than welcomed portion of fruits, which Sarah had brought from her market trip.

As it stood now, Steven, Arthur and Maria sat awkwardly around the table. Arthur eagerly scoured through the book, having given up on Maria, who refused to disclose any information to the two boys. But Steven hadn’t lost hope in his sister. He was determined to let her tell him everything. Or at least something that would explain the forest people and why he could see them while Arthur could not.

But before Steven could even speak, Maria left the kitchen and went outside. She gestured for Steven to follow and so he did.

“You said you could see them?” Maria asked immediately as Steven walked through the door.

“Yes,” he replied. “Can you?” he asked.

Maria placed a hand over her forehead. “Only those who possess magic can see the Elven. That’s what Sarah told me anyways.”

“Elven?” Steven asked. “Who are they?”

Maria removed her hand as her eyes thinned fiercely, a sure sign that this situation very much annoyed her. But not in her usual, bratty fashion. No, not at all. For Steven, having known the girl for his entire conscious life, could tell that she was worried about something. “They’re ancient beings that have been imprisoned in the forest for crimes committed long ago.” She paused and turned to Steven. “They’re dangerous. You and Arthur should stay away from the forest, got that?”

Steven nodded, he chose not to mention his encounter with Teya. He then asked. “You said only those with magic can see the Elven. Does that mean I have magic?”

Maria looked forward again, staring at nothing as Steven turned to her. “I don’t know.”

Steven asked another question “Then does that mean you have magic?”

Maria glared at him, a sure sign to cease the questions. But at the same time, it only confirmed that it was true. Maria had magic, Steven was sure of that. Though, of course, he didn’t know exactly what having magic meant itself. And if Maria had it, then did Sarah have it as well? Why were Maria and Sarah at that strange building? Could there have been more ‘magicians’ amongst them? Steven didn’t know and from Maria’s verbal cues, he could tell that she wouldn’t answer any more questions. So he turned around and went back inside, leaving Maria to her thoughts.

~

Steven could see the stairs, the buildings and even the people. Did that mean that he had magic? Maria couldn’t tell for sure. It could have been that or it could have been a sign of the spell weakening. After all, that was what she’d been training her ability for – to fix the protective barrier that kept the spell active and trapped the Elves inside the forest.

But she couldn’t do it. She wouldn’t be able to master her power before the next full moon. If she tried now, she’d probably end up destroying the barrier as she did with those flowers. Maria glanced inside, Arthur was still looking through that book. It was probably because of it that they had found the village. She wondered what else secrets were written inside.

But simply taking it from them would just arouse suspicion. Not to mention that Arthur wouldn’t even let her touch it. She’d have to wait until Sarah came back to deal with that problem. As of now, all she could do was wait.

Maria returned her attention and faced the blue open skies. Not a single cloud in sight today. Just wide open space running for miles. She closed her eyes and allowed for the winds to race against her fair face. She’d deal with all of these problems later. Right now, she just wanted to relax.

~

Arthur had enough. He wanted answers. He had collected the sketches from his room and now lined them the various pieces of paper along the table. In addition to the forest, there were a few other locations that caught Arthur’s eye. The forest was highlighted in blue but these locations were in red, a contrast to the forest. One such location was near to the market. Another was on the edge of the town, far to the east side. One more was placed somewhere in the center of the town. Many others scattered throughout the land and other surrounding settlements. What were these places? And how did Robert find them? He wished he could ask Robert himself but the poor man was fast asleep.

But luckily, the book did have a great deal of information. Though, it was quite frustrating to have to decipher anagrams for every word. But from what Arthur gathered, there was a strange group of creatures trapped within the forest. And, for some reason they couldn’t leave. The book didn’t say why. And to add, Robert suggested that there were a group of persons that were supposed to keep the forest dwellers contained. Robert stated that a friend of his, a baker named Dave, was a member of this group. And through several stakeouts, Robert had followed the man to the locations highlighted and the forest itself. The book also had an interesting paragraph about the forest dwellers written by Robert as such:

At first, I thought that I was mad. Suddenly, he would vanish into thin air and appear somewhere else. However, it would seem that the distance was limited. Dave would go to strange places in the town. I followed him everywhere. This all started when I saw him leaving his house one night. He went into the forest, snuck on to the trees and looked at something. I didn’t see anything. I kept coming back, following Dave unknowingly. Every night, the same thing happened. Dave looked at something while I saw nothing but a clear open space in the forest. But one night, when the moon was full, I saw everything.

Robert then went on to describe the forest people, their tall slender forms, fair skin, silver hair, blue eyes and pointy ears. It was all so interesting to Arthur. He wondered if Maria and Sarah were part of this secret group that trapped these people. He looked outside, where Maria and Steven were talking. Did Steven know? Arthur pondered that as Steven came back inside and sat beside him. He supposed asking would be the best way to find out.

“What were you talking about?” Arthur asked.

“Nothing.” Steven replied and then laid his head on to the table.

“Not you too.” Arthur complained, still flipping through pages of his book. “You’re hiding something too, aren’t you?”

“Like what?” Steven mumbled, his face braced against the wooden table.

“Like what Maria was telling you.” Arthur stated, bitter about being the only left out of the loop.

“She didn’t tell me anything.” Steven retorted.

It would seem that not even Steven would tell him anything. Perhaps everyone just thought him too foolish? He supposed he was a bit eccentric when it came to such events. He knew that he’d always take things out of proportion. But in this case, how could he not? Strange forest people? Hidden societies? What did all these things mean? Arthur needed to find out so he did the only thing he could at the moment. He flipped through pages, deciphered many words and hoped he’d find something worthwhile.

~

The news was urgent, Sarah had told Roon that. And now she was being lead to that man’s personal quarters upstairs. Roon stopped at the door and knocked, he then stepped aside and bowed Sarah forward. And so she did, she walked in to see the robed man gawking below at the women walking about the market place. How typical of him? Idiotic pervert. How did he ever become an elite?

“Robert Bollock has been found.” Sarah was blunt and straight to the point.

The robed man turned around sharply, however, he no longer wore his robe or even covered his face. It was pointless since both Roon and Sarah knew his identity. And they were the only ones allowed entry to his room. Sarah eyed him with disappointment as he sat cross legged in his chair. If not for his handsome face, green eyes and long hair, she would not have been able to tolerate his presence.

“What? Who’s Robert Bollock?” he asked. The damn fool didn’t know anything. He hadn’t even noticed that a man was missing. Or that the same man had been spreading news of their existence. Sarah had been the one to take care of those matters. Though, she thought that since Robert was considered a ‘madman’, no one would believe him. So she had just let the man be. As long as he didn’t know everything, he wouldn’t be a problem. Not to mention that disposing of him would only make the people more suspicious. But then the man had gone and disappeared by himself. It was a pain and this so called ‘Elite’ didn’t know anything.

Sarah sighed, her hand braced against her forehead. “You really are useless.”

The man smiled. “I suppose I am.” He said as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his head. “Care to enlighten me?” he asked, patting his hand on the empty chair beside him.

Sarah reluctantly walked forward and sat down. This would take a while to explain, especially when she had to stare at his annoyingly handsome face.

“Rion” Sarah began.

“Yes dear.” He replied, still smiling idiotically.

“You’re an idiot.” Elite or not, Sarah couldn’t help saying that. After which, she promptly began explaining the situation.

~

Bring him here. Rion had ordered Sarah to bring Robert to the base situated at the edge of town, Far East. Bringing him to the encampment in the market place would cause a commotion. It wasn’t often that a man thought dead came back to life. So Sarah made her way back to the cabin, along with Roon and a young man about eighteen years of age, barely old enough to be called an adult.

As they arrived at the front of the little cabin, Sarah signaled the two men to cease their steps. “I’ll go get Robert. You two stay here.” Roon nodded and the two men back away. They were only here to provide assistance if Robert chose to resist. But that much wouldn’t be a problem. Honestly, she could take care of this herself. It was Rion that insisted she bring along some help to greet the so called madman. But of course, Sarah herself didn’t intend on scaring or hurting the poor man. He had been through enough already. Assuming, he didn’t try to blurt anything to the public, things would go well for him. As well as would be allowed, anyways.

Sarah entered the cabin, noticing Maria braced against the wall beside her but choosing to leave her alone. Steven was sitting in the kitchen alone, they were drawings lined along the tabletop. It was a map. The woman figured it was Arthur’s doing. And probably the reason why Arthur and Steven ended up in the forest. She would have to take those too, along with the book itself. Just the thought of trying to take it from Arthur made Sarah sigh with frustration.

“Where’s Arthur?” Sarah asked Steven.

He replied, his face sideways and lying on the table “In our room with Robert.”

Sarah walked towards the door facing her front and pushed it open. Arthur was sitting on the ground beside the sleeping Robert, the book rested on his lap. He glared towards Sarah as she entered and defensively, he clutched the book while shifting his body closer to Robert. This wouldn’t be too easy. Well, it could be. But being the boy’s mother and all made it difficult for Sarah to even consider hurting him.

“Arthur…” Sarah began as she walked into the room.

“No.” Arthur stated bluntly.

“Arthur. That was quite rude.” Sarah’s voice became sterner, her arms braced on her sides like a vase’s handles.

“I’m not going to let you take him or the book.” Arthur stood up. How he had grown in these past years. He now stood a few inches taller than her and she was sure he’d get even taller with the passing of time.

“Arthur, please.” Sarah pleaded, her eyes weary and her hand stretched towards him.

Arthur backed away. “What are you?” he asked. “Who do you work for?” he continued.

“I can’t tell you that.” Sarah had given up on pleading. He wouldn’t listen. Why did he have to be such a stubborn boy? “Give that to me.” She demanded, gesturing to the book.

“And what are you going to do if I don’t?” Arthur asked, his eyes grew thinner and focused.

Fine, he’d have it his way. Sarah whispered a spell, her eyes glowed red as she blew a wind of soft melody towards Arthur. “What was that?” he asked as she swayed from side to side, his mind getting dizzy. Round and round he went, struggling to make his way to the door. Probably hoping that he could run away with the book. But instead, he ended up falling into Sarah’s arm. She strained to keep him from slamming on to the wooden floor. Indeed, he was quite heavy, built like an accumulated fortune of stone bricks. With great effort, Sarah dragged him along and dropped the boy into Steven’s bed. She then picked up the book that had fallen the ground. Now, all she had to do was wake Robert. And she could be on her way.

She walked towards Arthur’s bed and knelt down. Surely Robert had gotten enough rest to be able to make the trip across town. He could sleep again once they were there. Sarah raised her hand to gently pat him on the shoulder. But before she could make contact, Robert’s eyes sprung open. He grabbed her hand and swung her to the ground. After which he got up and made a dash through the window to continue racing away. Sarah got up and looked outside. The man spun around the cabin, not daring to go anywhere near the forest. But immediately after banking the turn, he scrambled his feet around, nearly falling in the process and ran for the other side of the cabin instead. Sarah figured that Roon and that young man had been there.

“Stop him!” Sarah yelled. But Roon was already on the matter. As a matter of fact, he was already on Robert. Pressing the broken man down on the muddy ground, Roon bending Robert’s arm back and forcing it downwards. Robert screamed and yelled. “Let me go! Let me go! Please…” The man broke out in tears.

Sarah jumped the window and went to Robert, stooping down next to him. “Robert, we’re not going to hurt you. Really, we aren’t.”

Robert sniffled. “You aren’t? You’re not going to kill me?” he asked desperately.

“No, we’re not.” Sarah stood up. “But you are going to have to come with us.” she then called for the young man. What was his name again? Jake?

“It’s Jaiken.” He spoke, seeing Sarah’s frustration. The young one then helped Roon with Robert. And together, they escorted him towards the direction of the town

Sarah then jumped back into the cabin through the window, picked up the book, then went to the kitchen and gathered the map drawings. She didn’t make eye contact with Steven. He would definitely ask questions. After that, she left through the front door. Robert, Roon and Jaiken awaited her. Maria was still looking into the sky, now lying under a tree.

“Let’s go.” She commanded and walked forward. The three men followed, Roon in front of Robert with Jaiken behind. And as such, off they went to another hideout of the Guardians.

~

Steven had heard the commotion. He walked into his room and saw Arthur sleeping in his bed. What happened? He shook Arthur. No response. Arthur just continued snoring. After a few minutes of trying, he gave up on trying to wake Arthur. Steven made his way outside of the cabin, through the front door. This side overlooked the town, Maria was staring at the skies while lying flat on the grass under a tree. She probably understood what happened more than he did. But she wouldn’t tell him. Steven walked up to his sister, lied down next to her and closed his eyes. Secrets or not, she was still his sister. Steven wanted her to know that, this was his way of showing it. And besides, it had been a long day. A short nap wouldn’t hurt.

~

They had arrived. This hideout was a lot less conspicuous. It was but a simple house amongst others, built with both stone and wood. Sarah opened the door and entered inside. This was the living room. There was a dining table and the kitchen was right behind it, a counter separating it from the current room. And seated on a stool beside a window was Rion, dressed in the robe and staring at a group of women chatting at a café down the street. Pervert.

Sarah and Roon stepped aside and gestured for Robert to walk forward. “We’re here.” Sarah broke Rion’s gaze from outside. He turned and saw Robert standing in front of him. He didn’t look very surprised. He just smiled and looked outside again. Sarah walked forward and closed the curtains. She looked fiercely down at Rion who glanced at her, his face probably written with nonchalance.

“Aren’t you going to say something? You were the one who told me to bring him here.” Sarah continued glaring at Rion, her red eyes lit with fire.

Rion got up and walked towards Robert, he stood about a quarter foot taller than the frail madman. “And so you did.”

“So now what?” Sarah asked.

“Isn’t that simple?” Rion turned around and met her glare, his deep, thoughtful eyes stared into her soul but were hidden by the hood. “He now has a choice.” Rion returned his attention to Robert, who shivered in fear. “You’re going to continue on as you always did. Tell the town your crazy stories about something amazing. Though I would appreciate it if you made it about giants or demons rather than what you actually saw and experienced.”

“So I really can just go?” Robert asked, his hands held together and shivering.

“Yes.”

“Thank you.” Robert bowed, sweat dripped from his forehead. He wiped it off with the back of his hand as he rose up.

“But before that, there’s something I want you to tell me.” Rion straightened his legs and brought his torso forward, his glare now intimidating and fierce despite Sarah not being able to meet his eyes. “What happened to Dave?”

Robert eyes widened and his face grew pale. He spoke, but his voice was softer. “He was killed by one of those men. He tried to save me. And because of that…because of me…he…he” Robert broke out in tears before he finished.

“I’ll need more detail than that.” Rion said coldly.

Robert bowed his head and began explaining. Over the course of several weeks, Robert had been trailing Dave around town. And like this, along with careful deduction, he had determined the rough location of three hideouts. In addition, he also located the village in the forest. Though, he didn’t know that it had been a village until the night of the full moon. And the night after that, which Sarah knew was when the Elves were weakest, Dave assassinated someone. Robert only saw the blood, and all it took after that was the accidental mashing of a twig to alert the invisible Elves. Dave was flawless in his act but Robert gave him away. After that, the Elves attacked Robert furiously. He though he was going to die, but Dave took his place. Fallen on the ground behind him, Robert recalled seeing Dave appear in front of him, an invisible object piercing through his heart. Blood sprayed from his back where it splattered on to Robert’s face and into his eyes.

Robert would have died after that. But a man stopped the Elves. Tall and handsome. with flowing hair that glowed like a glistening diamonds. Seeing that Robert could describe the men, Sarah theorized the blood of one blessed with magic gave him that temporary ability. Robert was then taken prisoner for about two weeks with no one even knowing where he had been. He was tortured and interrogated, the Elves thought that he had been a Guardian. And one of value after seeing Dave protect him. They wanted answers from him.

Everyday a man called Reiler would bruise him, cut his body and even go beyond that, burning and shocking Robert with powers he did not comprehend. They thought him strong and withholding but Robert really didn’t know anything. And he was like that until Arthur and Steven found him.

“I apologize for not searching for you. We didn’t know that you were following Dave.” Rion erupted a nervous half chuckle that quickly grew back into a frown. “It would seem that not even Dave knew that. You’re quite an excellent trailer.” Rion complimented, getting up. “That would be all. Remember speak to no one of this or we’ll make you see a worse fate than what you experienced.” Rion then gestured to Roon and Jaiken to take the man away. Sarah was left alone with Rion. She could tell that despite his antics, that he was worried. They had until the next full moon to do something about the Elves. Maria wouldn’t be able to fix the barrier and they were severely under manned to fight the Elves. Not to mention, the town would become a battlefield. Thousands of years of hiding and keeping secrets would become obsolete.

“Do you think they have a replacement Elf to break the barrier?” Rion asked, once again looking through the window after removing the curtains.

“Even if they didn’t, they would only need another full moon to break the barrier. That would mean Dave brought us a month.” Sarah crossed her arms. “But we should still prepare for battle. The Elves more than likely have at least one spare.”

“And do you think we would win that battle?” Rion asked.

Sarah doubted that. It would be a slaughter. They had about twenty or so capable of using magic. Only five of which were natural users who had abilities. While the village had a little under a hundred Elves, more than half of which were men and women capable of fighting and using magic. There would be at least a few with abilities and all of them would possess the creation skill of the Elves. “No, I don’t think we will.” Sarah was quick and blunt to the point. “Perhaps you could call reinforcements. After all, aren’t you an Elite now?” she asked.

“I doubt that any would come in time. Regardless I’ve already sent for them. If Dave really did buy us another month, then they would reach here in time. But if he didn’t, we’re done for.”

“Then let us hope that to be true.” Sarah left. What more could she say to him? On the next full moon, they would make ready to fight. Hopefully, there would be no need to.