“I told you we cannot trust them,” Felgourn started.

Oh, here we go again, Terandriell thought, as he entered the tent. Inside, Arianna and the rest of the StormBlades were standing around a large table. They had just set up camp after the first stretch of their journey towards the Southern Kingdom.

“It was a genuine mistake, one of which the Queen deeply regrets. Nothing has changed. Our mission is still the same,” Terandriell retorted.

“You are too naïve, Terandriell,” he argued back.

“I'm naïve? You saw what we all saw, hundreds of thousands of those beasts. You think the two hundred of us can beat them alone?”

Felgourn stuttered and stammered, before finally grunting as he stormed out of the tent.

“He really does hate humans,” Jared stated.

“Do you really blame him?” Yuri asked them all. Everyone fell silent for a few seconds, contemplating the question.

Arianna jumped to their defence. “You have to remember, they are but children to us. This Queen is what? Twenty? Twenty-five?” Terandriell is the youngest one of us here at over two hundred. What were you all like at that age?”

Terandriell was grateful for the help. He hadn't known her long, but she always seemed to see things the way he did. It was refreshing to have someone at his back.

~

They had travelled onwards for seven days and nights, resting as little as possible, but they were exhausted.

Terandriell banged his boots together, trying to remove clumps of snow from them as Arianna was building a tent nearby. From what the Queen had told them it hadn’t ever snowed this far south. It was supposed to be a warm country, but the snow smothered everything like a white blanket.

“Have you noticed how the men are warier of us now than when they thought we were mercenaries?” Arianna asked Terandriell.

“I hadn't, but now that you mention it, I believe you are right.” He looked around the camp, many of the guards were looking more towards them than at any potential threat outside their boundary. Terandriell perked his ears, trying to listen more intently to everything going on around them. He noticed a group of guards sitting tightly together in a circle, the yelps of a small animal in distress coming from within.

“Terandriell, don't,” begged Arianna, as she saw him stand up to investigate.

“I won't let them torture the poor creature. How would you feel if it was your own child?” he replied.

“They aren't your children. You can't save every animal you see.”

“I also can't save every human from the minotaurs. Does that mean I should let the rest of them die?” She didn't know how to respond to that, he was right, and she knew it.

He walked over to the eight guards, they were all stabbing their dagger at the ground, around a small white rabbit, barely noticeable in the snow. The tiny creature was getting tired and had stumbled on its paw causing it to begin limping and trying its best to avoid certain death.

“Stop it!” he shouted. The guards turned their attention to him. He could feel most of the eyes in the encampment watching, but that wasn’t going to stop him. He could smell the stench of ale, noticing a few of them were way past their limit. The rabbit took the distraction and dashed in between two of the closest guards and up towards Terandriell, sensing the safety in him.

He quickly scooped it up and held it in his hand. His hand vibrated as it trembled, looking up at him with its dark brown eyes, before wiggling its nose deep into his hand to thank him.

“Hey, give it back!” one of the drunken guards shouted, his words barely audible.

Terandriell scoffed. “I will do no such thing. I will not watch you torture the poor creature.”

“Give it back, pointy ears!” another man shouted.

“Or what?” he asked sarcastically. His lips twitched slightly, making him look almost feral.

The two guards who initially spoke, stood and drew their weapons, quickly followed by the other men with them. Terandriell laughed at the sight of them, still enraged by the harm inflicted on the small bunny.

“You think you can take me? Three of you will be dead before you reach me. Two more will be killed before you even use your weapons. The rest of you will be killed within another ten seconds,” he threatened with confidence. The men looked at each other, waiting for the others to attack first. Terandriell stood, waiting, his weapons still sheathed.

“What is the meaning of this?” Jason strolled up in his dark silver armour, the last sketches of light reflecting the golden etching onto the ground around him.

“He threatened us,” one of the soldiers muttered.

“He took our entertainment,” another said.

“Well? Which is it?” Jason asked. “He isn't the one with his sword unsheathed.” He looked at the ground between the soldiers, noticing the knife wounds in the snow and then noticing the small bunny in the elf’s hands. “We don't torture people or animals in this army. Pack your things and leave, go home,” Jason ordered, knowing full well an argument with Aredd would come at a later date.

Terandriell smirked ever so slightly at the situation. One of the drunk men saw this and ran towards him with his weapon, ready to strike. Jason simply outstretched his foot, and the man tripped over, landing face-first into the snow. Laughter consumed the camp as he tried to stand up, revealing his completely white face as the snow falling off in clumps to the ground.

“Embarrassing,” Jason simply stated. “The eight of you have until morning to leave, and I will be reporting this to Aredd.” With that, he strode off. Terandriell's eyes quickly traced his figure before returning to the men before him. They seemed utterly disinterested in him, so he left the camp and walked into the wilderness, still clutching the bunny in his hand.

He placed the white ball of fluff onto the ground, which was barely noticeable due to the deepening snow and knelt beside it. He placed his palm on the creatures back, allowing his magic to flow through and heal its wounds. The rabbit stared at him, tilted its head and then bounced off as fast as it could into the thicket ahead. Terandriell smiled, his anger dissipating. This was his purpose in life, protecting the natural world.

Watcher of the forest.

“I am sorry about that.” Jason’s voice startled him. He wasn't sure how he had managed to sneak up on him.

“It's okay, we always knew we wouldn't receive the warmest welcome and now that everyone knows it makes things a bit more difficult for all.”

“I saw what you just did with the rabbit,” Jason replied, ignoring the previous comment. “You care about all life, not just humans or elves. It is somewhat, inspiring,” he said.

“No life has any more or any less value than another.”

“I couldn't agree more.”

Terandriell looked to him and then to his armour. How could a battle seasoned warrior say that he knows all life is valued the same? He must have killed hundreds of people in his time as the Queen’s guard or champion.

Jason spoke like he read the elf’s mind. “I haven't killed many people. Most of the ones I have gone up against have either threatened the Queen or come after her politically and I arrest them. Others are usually hired but are useless warriors so disarmed. Believe it or not, I have only killed four people.” Jason sat down on the ground next to him now. Terandriell was glad of the company, though he felt a little uneasy around him though.

“What about you?” Jason asked curiously.

“Two. Both were minotaurs, around two weeks ago.” He sat waiting for some judgement, minotaurs aren't real, or some other stupid comment.

“They are real then? Queen Elspeth mentioned them to me. I guess I struggle to comprehend what I cannot see.”

Terandriell smiled at him, a learned man. He wasn't like the rest of the brutes in this army. “Would you like to?” he asked Jason. “I can show you.” A moment passed as Terandriell debated showing him or not, and Jason whether he wanted to see.

“I would,” he finally agreed.

“Close your eyes and clear your mind.” Terandriell placed his index and middle finger onto Jason's left temple, his skin was soft to the touch. He felt a small spark of energy run through his body, making him smile.

“Just focus, it will take a little time.”

“I don't s...” Jason trailed off. The vision cleared, and he was standing in what appeared to be Terandriell's body. He couldn't move or speak, but he could see through the elf’s eyes. He saw the world more richly and vibrantly, darker with more prominent greens and blues, the way the light streamed from the sky above. He could see clearly for miles in any direction. First was the fortress they were constructing around the destroyed temple. The vision then swirled to the two minotaurs that Terandriell killed, both towering before him. He saw their thick black impenetrable armour. He could smell the horrible heavy scent emanating from the creatures. He imagined the scene would have been much more vivid in Terandriell’s memory than if he was standing there himself.

He saw Terandriell and Arianna hit both beasts with all their might and barely make a scratch on their armour. He watched Terandriell kill both with his enchanted bow and them both drop down dead instantly. The memory ended just as Jason thought about Terandriell and there he was, his younger self standing in his forge in the city of Athaldris. Terandriell quickly removed his fingers from Jason's head.

“How did you do that?” he said, jumping to his feet.

“Do what?”

“You entered my mind.”

“I don't know, I was just thinking about...” He trailed off, looking towards the ground. Terandriell was curious but was more worried about how Jason managed to get into his head.

“Do you possess magic?”

“Me?” Jason laughed, “Of course not.”

“You know that for sure? Or you have never tried?” Jason was caught off guard at this again, he paused to think about it, every kid wanted magic when they were younger. Few possess the gift, and the order of mages approaches every child with it. No one had ever approached him.

“The order would have approached me if I possessed magic,” Jason stated confidently.

“The order?” Terandriell said, sitting back down next to Jason. He was sure that it was just an accident now. Jason looked freezing, his skin was pale, and his lips began turning blue. Terandriell forgot how humans could feel the weather differently than elves could. He knew it was cold, but he couldn't feel it, his elvish blood kept him warm when it was cold and kept him cool when it was hot.

“The order of mages, they keep tabs on everyone with magical abilities and recruit them at the age of seven.”

“You should go back to camp, you are almost turning blue,” Terandriell flicked his wrist. Jason felt warmer already.

“I don't feel cold,” he screwed his face up. He was sure he felt cold a second ago but couldn't remember. “You are right, though, I best be heading back, it is getting late, and I need some rest.” Jason stood up and started leaving

“Thank you,” muttered Terandriell.

“For what?”

“Earlier,” he smiled.

Jason nodded to him and left.

Jason reaching into his mind gave Terandriell an idea. He knelt, sitting on his legs, his hands clasped together on his lap. He focused on what he wanted to achieve and to start with nothing happened. And then it happened, a terrifying presence attacked back, the Elder had received his attempts to communicate, but wasn't entirely happy about it.

“Stop it,” Terandriell grunted. “I just want to talk.” His head felt like it was going to explode. Terandriell groaned, the presence wrapped around him, squeezing with every inch of strength it could muster. The pain was almost unbearable.

“How dare you!” the voice said. He was furious. The grip on him lightened slightly but was still agonizing.

“So, you can do this to me, but you don't like it when people do it back?” Terandriell snapped through gritted teeth. The attack on his mind ceased, but the presence was all around him, circling like a vulture.

“Come home.” The same phrase he had heard every time he slept for the past two weeks.

“What do you want with me?” Terandriell asked. He could feel his grip on the connection

slipping and lunged at the presence around him to get its attention.

“Come home.”

“Is that all you can say?” Terandriell shouted.

“Come home.” The connection had almost failed now. He sighed. He knew he would get no answers.

“I will soon, but there are things I must do first.” The presence of the Elder was infused with joy at that moment, but then the connection slipped and ended. Terandriell was just about to open his eyes when he felt the Elder's spirit appear again for a second, giving him a few words of advice.

“Magic is being reborn in the land, things that once were not, now are. Beware the shadows in the dark.” The connection now severed completely.

He tried to reconnect, to ask what he meant, but he couldn't, he felt no trace of it. What did he mean by that? Terandriell thought. The shadows in the dark? He was sitting alone, quite far from camp and at night. He instantly felt uneasy and drew his blade while jogging back to his tent. Every noise in the woodland around him made him anxious. He ran towards the encampment as fast as his legs would allow him and reached it in mere minutes.

“What's wrong, Terandriell?” Kira asked.

He ran past her and into the command tent where Arianna was sleeping. His entrance awoke her from her light sleep as she pulled her own blade in response. Kira ran in behind him.

“What on earth is going on?” Arianna shouted, still half asleep. Terandriell looked paler than usual. She noted the scared expression and watched his body tremble slightly.

“Watcher?” Kira asked again, this time her voice was full of worry.

His hand wiped the snow off his face and neck before he started speaking. “I…” He paused. Not knowing what to say. “I entered the mind of the Elder,” he said in disbelief, as the reality of what he done settled in.

“You did what!?” Felgourn shouted after hearing the commotion. “You entered the mind of the most powerful elf alive, are you insane? He kills anyone who enters his mind, fool!”

Well clearly not, was the thought that crossed Terandriell's mind, but he thought better than to say it aloud.

Arianna moved closer to him. “Why on earth would you do that?”

“He needs me for something, I don't know. That's not the point, though! He gave me a warning.” Most of the StormBlades had entered the tent, wondering what was going on.

“Well, what did he say?” Jared asked.

“He said: ‘Magic is being reborn in the land, things that once were not, now are. Beware the shadows in the dark.’”

“That could literally mean anything,” Jared said bewildered.

Felgourn looked on, intrigued. “You enter his mind, and he doesn't kill you. He needs you for something, and he issues this warning. That warning was his exact words?”

“Yes,” Terandriell responded, calming down. “What does it mean?”

“I have no idea,” Felgourn replied, smiling. Everyone expected him to have the answer, something obvious that they had missed but were surprised that he had no clue what was going on, just like the rest of them.

“We should stay on guard. Don't take this threat lightly, especially if it’s the Elder giving it.” Felgourn continued. Everyone agreed with that part at least. Some of them stayed to talk for a little before returning to bed, they would be moving out in a few hours on the final trek of their journey and would need the rest. It was only Arianna and Terandriell who were left in the tent now.

“I saw the human come after you when you ran into the woods,” Arianna said.

“Yeah.”

“What did he want?”

“I'm not sure actually,” Terandriell said, trying to think of why he came.

“Something the Elder said though. Magic is returning. I performed a memory transfer on Jason to show him what we were facing. He then entered my mind for a few seconds, unknowingly. He ended up in a memory of my childhood I thought was locked away.”

Arianna looked at him, concerned. “He has no magic, I checked everyone here. This doesn't make sense.”

“Magic has been reborn in the land. Things that once were not, now are. Beware the shadows in the dark.” They both sat together, contemplating the meanings of what was said, yet they had no idea what to expect. After the agony Terandriell experienced trying to enter the Elder's mind, he didn't want to try that again, at least for a while.

“It's late,” he stated before getting up to go to his tent. He knew he wasn't going to be able to sleep, not with everything that had been said.

“Good night,” he said before leaving.

“Good night, Terandriell.”

He exited the command tent and began to head towards his own. The snow was already up past the height of his boots, although the flow of it from the clouds above had almost ceased. It was no more than a slight flurry.

He could see Jason outside the Queen’s tent, guarding it alongside three other men. He smiled at him before entering his own tent. He lay on his bed, trying his best to relax but had his hand firmly planted on the hilt of his sword. Every time the wind howled, or other noises like a patrol returning the weapon was drawn, ready to pounce on any foe stupid enough to come near.

The thoughts of the Elder kept him awake. He had to know what he meant. He tried looking at is literally and figuratively, but nothing made sense. Although most of the things the Elder said to him made no sense. He eventually gave up and attempted to sleep. Every time he got close to drifting off, some sound or movement startled him, and he had to go through the whole process again.

Hours passed by as tiredness made his very soul ache. He wanted nothing more than to just fall asleep for a few hours before they moved out. Light from the fires outside made it into the tent as the flap opened, he quickly drew his dagger. Standing before him was Jason.

“That's no way to treat me.” Jason laughed.

He sheathed his dagger but didn't say anything else. He continued to lay on the bed, the sheets covering his body.

“The Queen is looking for you.”

“Tell her that I'm tired,” he said, laying back onto his bed.

Jason wasn't used to getting a no answer from anyone, especially when it came to the Queen. He was a little hesitant on how to continue. “It’s uhm, about King Theradres.”

“Fine.” he sighed. “I’ll get dressed and be over in a few minutes.” Jason nodded and left the tent.

Terandriell stood up, still covered in the bedsheets as he looked for his tunic and armour. He quickly dressed, sheathing one of his daggers at his side and walked into the outside world.

The camp was mostly quiet. Only a couple fires were lit, most of the men currently sleeping in whatever tent they brought with them.

He walked through the camp, every man watching him closely as he passed. It wasn’t long until he set eyes on the large pavilion in the centre of the encampment.

He entered the queens living quarters. She had rugs decorating the ground and a set of table and chairs in the middle of the room with her makeshift bed at the side. A few candles decorated the table, lighting the place up rather poorly. It was still homely considering the circumstances

“Thank you, Jason.” The Queen said, her attention now turning to Terandriell. “I will cut to the chase. There are some things you need to hear before we arrive. This Kingdom is built quite heavily on slaves. I heard what happened earlier with the bunny. I know you are not a fan of torture or any form of cruelty. But that is what we are marching into.”

“Slaves?” he asked, not familiar with the word. The Queen was astonished, not sure if this was a joke or not. Jason acted similarly before they both remembered this wasn’t his native language, and such a thing probably didn’t exist in the elvish lands.

“They use other humans to do whatever they want, by force or other means. The people are effectively owned by the 'elite' of the city.”

“What?” Terandriell asked, still somewhat unsure.

The Queen paused, trying her best to find a way to describe it. “The people have no free will. They are merely seen as property. The same way you would own a table or a desk.”

“What? We need to stop this!” Terandriell said, barely scratching the surface of what it truly meant.

“I agree, but we need their soldiers. We can stop this together after the war. You just have to be patient. Please.” The Queen was almost pleading with him.

“You have my word,” he answered. “I best get some rest before we leave.”

“You should. You look dreadful.” The Queen smiled sweetly. He managed a forced laugh before leaving the tent. Jason watched him go, his eyes following up until he was out of sight.

~

Terandriell woke up as the camp hustled with activity. He was pleasantly surprised that the Elder hadn't approached him in his dreams, like every night prior for weeks. Although, this also made him worry. Perhaps the Elder had given up on him after Terandriell forced himself into his mind. He had only slept for three hours and was already dreading the journey ahead.

Back home, they had no worries, they would wake up when they wanted, do what they wanted and be whatever they wanted. Here, around humans, everyone was a slave to time. He smiled to himself at the use of the new word he learned. He already had his tunic on, he had fallen asleep like that last night. He knew he should change to a fresh one, but he just wanted to get outside already, so his armour was placed above moments later. The snow had already partially made its way into the tent as he made his way out. The bright light temporarily blinding him.

“Ahh, you are awake at last.” Arianna smiled.

“Right lads, mount up and let’s move out!” Jason shouted over the top of everyone.

“Well looks like you wouldn't have slept much longer anyway.” Arianna laughed. Terandriell could tell she hadn't slept much either. Perhaps what he told her last night kept her awake, but he didn't want to intrude in case it wasn't.

“Let's head out before he shouts again,” Terandriell smirked. The pair of them were the last to mount up as the camp was already dissembled, the snow was much deeper this morning than it was last night.

“Aren't you forgetting something Watcher?” Kira said, drawing up near them.

“I don't think so.”

“Your tent?” Kira raised her eyebrow at him. It was the only tent left standing. The Queen had hers packed away, and she was mounted ready to leave. Terandriell didn't want to go back down to pack it all up, he was tired and lazy.

“It's a good thing I have magic then, isn't it?” He flicked his wrist, aiming towards where the tent was, and it came flying towards him, folding itself in mid-air and landing in his arms.

“Show off.” Kira laughed. Silence overcame the army as the knights all looked on disgusted. Human magic would have struggled to do something so sophisticated, they could shoot a bolt of fire or ice, or put up a magical barrier. Something simple and with one purpose.

Magic cost the humans to perform, whereas the elves could use it at will. Most of a human’s power came from objects they carried, a magical ring, a staff, sometimes the very armour they wore. Very few humans possessed the capability of conjuring magic from the power of their blood like the elves could.

“They look scared,” Arianna stated at seeing the faces around them.

“I thought they were angry at first. I can see it in their eyes now, they fear us,” Jared replied.

“It was only a tent.” Terandriell laughed. “It’s not like I summoned lightning… Actually, maybe that would make things better?”

Arianna stifled a giggle. “As amusing as it would be, I wouldn’t suggest doing it.”

“Move out!” shouted Jason. It took the knights some time for the command to kick in as they began moving onwards. He stayed at the side of the army as it moved forward on the last stretch of their journey. He started moving forward with the group just next to Terandriell.

“Terandriell, please try and not use magic like that in front of the men, it makes them uneasy. They already struggle to comprehend your magic, it scares them. Magic has a price. It is a weapon, and many a good man has died or killed others by accident while wielding it,” Jason said, hoping he wouldn't offend any of the elves he was around.

“Magic is not a weapon. It's so much more than that. It is the very essence of our souls,” Arianna interjected. “It is a way of life for our people, and we do not use it to destroy, we use it to create and nourish.”

“We will not hide who we are to fit in.” Kara had come over to join in. Jason, now feeling outnumbered simply nodded and headed back towards the Queen’s side.

~

They could see the city gates in the distance, with the surrounding land mostly covered in snow. It was a wonder how they managed to survive in such horrendous conditions. The surrounding farmland mainly lay in ruin. There was no livestock in the area, people didn't even wander around. The city would have looked wholly deserted if it wasn't for the smoke rising up, into the endless dark cloud above.

They had reached the dark walls ahead of them. The portcullis of the gate had been lowered barring them access. The Queen had raised the hood on her cloak to blend in better with the men by covering her blonde hair. Jason rode up to the fore of the unit, towards the gate itself.

“Hello,” he shouted, his voice echoing all around them. There was no reply. He looked back towards the Queen and the knights.

“Hello!” he shouted again, this time a little louder. There was a response, and one they half expected. A small army poured out of the two closest gates to them, one to the East, and another to the West. Before long, the soldiers had surrounded them completely. A stout bald man stepped out of the black array of shields around them.

“What business do you have at Summerhold.”

“We seek an audience with your king.”

“No one may pass, return home,” the bald man replied. The army around him growing still. There was a small stand-off, no one daring to move or even to speak. The two armies stared each other down, ready to act at a moment’s notice.

The Queen rode up to the man and removed her hood. “I am Queen Elspeth, and I desire an audience to see your King.” This was no mere ask. She commanded them, and like everyone else she dealt with, she hoped they would obey.

An evil grin stretched over the man's face. His hand dropped to the hilt of the sword; his name would be sung throughout history if he were the one to kill her. He stood staring at her, and she stared right back at him, unwavering. “You may see him alone,” he said as he went to grab her horse’s reins.

“My men will be allowed in the city.”

“Hmm,” he grunted, before disappearing out of sight. They were quickly surrounded by two thousand pikemen, their backs up against the castle wall. They could do nothing but wait to see what happened.

Fifteen minutes past and the only thing to change was the growing army of birds in the sky, expecting a meal sometime soon. The Queen, still mounted, towered over the men in front of her. She hated every second of it but knew she had to appear powerful in the face of adversity or she would not be taken seriously, here of all places.

“Open the gates,” the bald man shouted as he walked down the main road of the capital. “The King will see you now.”