The Fall of Alister

Rania looked to him as he spoke that he had no intentions of what happened coming to light. She gazed up to the sun, she could feel its warmth peaking through the canopy of the trees above them. The tips of the trees swayed with the cool fall breeze. She looked to him, she could tell that he was uncomfortable. “Dustin.” She spoke, a smirk upon her lips. “You were only trying to help. I see that.” She turned her eyes back ahead. When he broke the stick she raised her brow and glanced to him once more. “I was quite warm, so your gesture was one that helped.” She let out a slight laugh. “You’ll have to forgive me, I’m still...” She drew in a long breath. The young elf seemed to try to think of the proper way to put her feeling into words. “I’ve not grown to trust humans yet. I do want to. Really.” She looked to him, her brows furrowed slightly. “You’re the first human that I have met that I’ve actually let any of my defenses down around. Look at me.” She motioned, she didn’t have the hood of her cloak pulled up. She chuckled lightly and shook her head. “Oh and I slept with you around, that wouldn’t have happened with anyone else, I can assure you of that. But for some reason...” She shook her head then.

The young elf smirked to him, “For some reason I’ve told you things that I’m not even certain I’ve told anyone but Malrose. I’ve divulged very well kept secrets with you without even a second thought.” She reached over and pulled the broken twig pieces from his hands. Rania held the two together and her eyes glowed slightly. Mending the branch. She smirked to him and handed it back. “I’ve not showed my magic to anyone, yet here I am….unafraid.” She shook her head. “Malrose would call me a fool.” She shrugged slightly. “But do not beat yourself up over your gesture. Just….” She thought a moment and then smiled to him. “Warn me next time, so that I do not accidentally um….” She paused once again. “Hurt you with my magic, or even stab you with a dagger. You’re lucky that I came to my senses quick enough. Who knows what could have happened.” She grinned to him then, a bit playful to lighten the mood.

Rania gazed back ahead as she wrapped her arms around herself a bit more. “So...is there a town that we will pass through? For those furs? I’ve got plenty of coin, I can purchase you and I warmer clothing for the fast approaching winter. I fear that our quest may be thwarted by the snow itself.” She looked up to the grey clouds that scattered through the skies. “It seems to early for snow, and yet...I can feel it in the air.” She breathed and a plume of steam came from her mouth. “It’s rather cold for this time of year, and the air feels heavy….doesn’t it?” She glanced to him. There was a wooshing sound then. Rania was quick to move. Her movements placed her with her arms wrapped around Dustin as something pierced into her side. The young elf grit her teeth. An arrow was lodged into her mid back. Groaned slightly as she gripped onto Dustin. She released him and took a step as another arrow flew through the air, narrowly missing her.

Three hooded men stepped from the brush, crossbows aimed in on the two. Rania grit her teeth as she looked to them. “Let us pass.” She ordered.

“Get on your knees elf!” A man stood in the middle of the path. “And you! Harboring an elf! You should be ashamed!” He snarled. “On your knees.”

Rania closed her eyes a moment, she could feel her own blood trickling from the puncture of the arrow down her back. "No." She spoke simply. "We will not." Her eyes began to glow and the world around the two began to slow. She called back to the man in elvish tongue. The ground began to rumble beneath them and roots reached up from the ground, wrapping around their ankles. The elf staggered slightly, "Dustin..." She groaned. "We must move, quickly...we must make it to your friend's....I can only pray to the gods that we are safe there..." She reached to her back and ripped the arrow from her flesh. As she did this an immense amount of pain overwhelmed her then. She nearly fell as she staggered once again. She used the horse to steady herself.

Rania gripped onto Dustin, her teeth grit. “No...” Rania cried as he easily tossed her small frame onto the back of the horse. Before she knew it the horse was rushing forward at a canter. One of the three men leaped to the side out of the way. Another arrow flew by her shoulder. Rania gripped the horn of the saddle and leaned forward heavily. Her mouth had filled with the metallic flavor of her own blood. She cursed in elvish as the pain burned like a fire through her body. She shouldn’t have been so foolish as to rip the arrow out. It must have had a barbed head.

As the horse rushed on the young elf leaned further forward, blood dripped from her nose and mouth. She choked slightly as she fought to breathe. Her vision began to tunnel and her grip began to loosen. Rania could hear her heart beating heavily within her ears, the warmth of her blood running down her back began to make everything around her feel cold as ice. She began to lose track of time as her eyes would close and the thunder of the horse’s hooves would fade away.

Suddenly the horse came to a stop. Rania tried to grip the saddle but her hands failed her, she slipped off the back of the horse and landed heavily on her back. The air that was in her lungs was forced out and she gasped for air as she rolled to her injured side. She blinked several times as she fought to breathe, shadows shrouded her vision. She closed her eyes as she let out a soft whimper. She could feel something cold on her feet, almost like ice. She opened her eyes to see the gentle flow of the river, her shins and feet had landed in the water from her fall. Rania tried to call out, but nothing came over her lips as her head lay back upon the damp dirt of the river bank. The sound of the rushing water sounded almost like static to her, a strange fuzzy sound. Though her breathing seemed to echo in her ears.

Rania couldn’t move, darkness consumed her. She felt the warmth of hands upon her shoulders. Pain racked her body as someone shook her. Muffled words pushed into her mind. Her eyes fluttered open, but the figure before her eyes was a blur. She felt the hands slip beneath her back. Rania lifted her hand and pushed against the person, but the strength that she had wouldn’t have been able to push away even the smallest of creatures. Her vision faded once again as she felt her back leave the ground as the figure lifted her.

The echo of gasps filled the darkness. Rania’s eyes cracked open. The pain was so immense she could hardly move. “Rania.” Malrose knelt over her, her brows furrowed. “I told you not to trust the human.” She grit her teeth as she cupped the young elf’s cheek.

“No...Mal...rose...” Rania’s voice was small, weak even. “It...was an ambush...bandits...” Blood leaked from her nose.

Malrose took in a shaken breath, “You will live.” She brushed the blood away. “You must live, Rania. You cannot fall because of their hate.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her tipped ear. “The boy you sent. He is so young, so sweet.” Malrose held Rania’s hand. “He reminds me a lot of Ilawen.” She gazed into the young elf’s eyes. Rania’s eyes began to flutter once again. Malrose shook her gently. “Stay with me, Rania, just a bit longer. Just focus on my voice.”

Rania’s eyes opened once again, tears rolled over her cheeks. “Like...Ilawen...” She spoke weakly, a slight smile curved up her lips.

Malrose nodded, “Yes, just like his mother.” She traced along Rania’s cheek and jaw as she whispered in elvish, a spell of strength. “You must live, Rania.”

Was it hours? Minutes? Days? Rania’s eyes opened. Her nostrils filled with the sweet scent of baked bread. She lay upon a bed with a warm blanket tucked neatly around her. Her emerald eyes fought to focus as she looked around the small home. It looked much like a hutch. Stoney walls of the mountain. A fire burned in a fireplace, filling the home with heat. Her eyes slipped closed once more. She heard the jingle of glass vials. Footsteps filled her ears. Her eyes fluttered open once more and she gazed up to a figure above her, her vision was blurred and once again she could not make out the features well. But...it appeared to be a woman.

“Ah very good. You’re awake.” A woman’s voice spoke. “I was beginning to wonder if saving you was worth my time, that was a nasty wound you had. There are a lot of bandits in these woods. I’d recommend being more careful.” The woman spoke as she took a seat upon the edge of the bed. Rania’s vision began to clear. “You were just a thread away from death when I found you, lying in your own pool of blood.” She tilted her head slightly. The woman had blonde hair that held many different braids, she had furs upon her shoulders and intricate leather armor that looked both light and protective. Rania made to sit up then. The woman placed her hand in the center of Rania’s chest. “Not just yet. You rip those stitches and I’ll let you bleed out.” She gave a bit of a smile. “Now, drink this.” She helped Rania drink a tea from a mug by gently lifting her and placing the mug to her lips. “So an elf, hm?” The woman walked away then. “I’ve not seen an elf in many years.”

Rania had a horrible taste left in her mouth from the medicine. She closed her eyes as she drew in a breath. “Yes.” She replied, her voice soft. “There are not many left.”

“I can only imagine, Penn’s soldiers hunt your kind like the trappers hunt their wolves for pelts.” She scoffed as she stirred something that was in the pot over the fire. “You were alone?” She asked then as she lifted her eyes to Rania.

“No...” Rania replied, “No I was not alone...” She immediately thought of Dustin.

The woman grinned then. “I thought as much.” She spoke, “I’m sure your friend will find us, you left quite the trail of blood. And the horse left enough imprints. Nice horse by the way.” She stepped across the home. “You’ll recover, soon enough, young elf.” A large wolf stood from the corner and nuzzled her hand. “This is Ruger, no need to worry, he doesn’t bite unless I tell him to.” She smiled as she stepped into the other room.

Rania closed her eyes, she didn’t have the strength to sit up. She drew in a long breath as she tried to focus upon her magic. Dustin... She tried to will her magic to speak to him, but she was weak. She had no idea if she could even reach out to a human’s mind...

Rania’s eyes fluttered open as she heard the growl of the wolf. She took in a shaken breath as she heard the movement outside of the room. “Dustin...” Her brows furrowed slightly, she recognized his voice. She listened to their voices, they were a bit muffled and she couldn’t fully understand each word. But she did hear him ask about her. To her surprise. The elf heard the woman speak of Dustin’s wounds. She moved slightly and rolled to the side. The elf grit her teeth as the fire of pain raced through her body.

**

Tyr looked over Dustin and carefully, “You’ve gotten yourself into worse.” She chuckled lightly as she began cleaning his wounds. “Remember the first time we met?” She asked as she dabbed the wounds with a clean cloth, she went through several, soaking them in a clean water and alcohol solution before cleaning the wounds with it. “I found you down by the river.” She spoke as she began sewing up the wounds. “You had run through the night, it was the full moon.” She gave a light chuckle and shook her head. “You’d really gotten yourself into some trouble.” She then fell quiet as she bandaged his wounds.

Several minutes passed and Tyr gave a squeeze to his shoulder. “There you are.” She gave a gentle smile as she grasped the bowl of dirtied rags. “Dustin, you do realize the full moon is tomorrow night?” She spoke as she began putting items away. There was a crash from the other room. Tyr turned toward the cracked door, “This elf….” She groaned under her breath as she rushed to the other room. “What are you doing?” Tyr questioned as she moved swiftly to the side of Rania.

The elf lay on the floor on her side, she had tried to stand and had failed miserably. “I...just...wanted to see if...you needed help with him...it’s my fault...” She choked out. Rania had never been so weak, so frail.

Tyr grumbled something to herself and sighed heavily. “Young elf, come on.” She scooped her up and placed her upon the bed. “There was poison in your wound, dear. Those bandits play dirty tricks, hm?” She lifted up Rania’s shirt and rolled her slightly. A groan came over Tyr’s lips. “Now, didn’t I tell you not to rip your stitches?” She sighed heavily as she moved to the other room where Dustin was to gather her supplies once again. “I don’t know where you found this elf, Dustin.” She huffed as she grasped her small leather bag. “She’s almost as stubborn as you.” She let out a chuckle. “Come, she fell because she wanted to check on you.” She winked to Dustin and then returned to the small room.

“Apologies.” Rania spoke through grit teeth. “I...”

“Shh.” Tyr lifted up the elf’s shirt once again. “Just relax, would you? Could you just relax? Hm?” She spoke as she began cleaning the wound. She ran the stitches through Rania’s skin and carefully cleaned the blood away from her skin. “Now then.” Tyr straightened. She pulled Rania’s tunic back down. “I won’t fix them again...” She looked to Dustin. “What’s your friend’s name by the way? I never caught it.” She grinned to him as she set her supply bag down on the shelf by the door.

Rania watched the two as Tyr spoke with Dustin in such a familiar manner. She knew, without anyone telling her that this was indeed his friend in the woods that he spoke of. How lucky that they were so close when they were attacked. She watched as the woman slipped away and she listened to the sound of the front door of the cabin as it opened and closed. Her emerald hues moved once again to Dustin, her brows furrowed slightly. “You...you’re hurt...” She tried to sit up again and grit her teeth as she drew in quick breaths. Rania lay back and closed her eyes tightly for a moment. How long would it take her to recover from such an injury? Her healing magic...she’d never been able to use it upon herself and even then...her healing magic wasn’t that strong. She didn’t have the same powers as Malrose, but the elder elf told her that the reason her magic was so weak was because of the relic that King Penn used against her people. She’d become a much stronger mage once she released the magic from the relic.

“I’m so sorry Dustin...it was stupid of me...I should have been wearing my hood up...I shouldn’t have become so comfortable. It was foolish.” Rania spoke after several moments of silence. She grit her teeth again as pain raced through the wound. “I shouldn’t have let my guard down.” She breathed as she held her hand over her side. The young elf shuddered slightly, “I...could have gotten us both killed...and then...everything that I have done...the sacrifices that you’ve made to aid me.” Her elvish accent was thick as she spoke, all fronts had collapsed. She didn’t try to soften her accent as she normally did. She didn’t hold the usual smirk upon her lips. No, her expression was of pain. Her eyes fluttered slightly and she took in a shaken breath. “No...” She could feel the tug on her mind. “Not...now...” She let out a breath as her body fell limp, she was too weak to fight against it.

**

Rania sat up slowly in a dark space, shadows surrounded her. She held her side as she stood and gazed around. “Malrose?” She questioned. Her voice echoed back to her. “Hello?” Once again her voice came back as an answer. She took a few steps forward and a bright flash of light filled the room.

“Young elf.” A voice echoed from before her. “You’ve spent years prepping for this moment. I have watched from afar with high hopes.” The voice was old and wise. “But one small mistake and you’ve nearly cost Alister everything.” Before her eyes stood a huge white dragon with amber eyes. The dragon leaned its head down to inspect her. “You travel with a human that holds the blood of my kind.” He breathed upon her, his breath was warm like a freshly kindled fire. “There is so much, young elf, that you have yet to understand. Yet to learn.” A chuckle came over the dragon’s lips.

“What is it that I don’t understand?” Rania questioned, she gripped her side as pain began to stab at her harshly. She could feel her blood trickling down her side.

The dragon only laughed as a response. His amber eyes gazed to her. “So many things. You’re so young. You don’t even see opportunity when it is before your eyes.” He breathed again, his breath seemed to be filled with magic, it cascaded over her and she was wrapped in a silvery glow. Her feet lifted from the ground slightly as the dragon continued to syphon his magic into her. After a moment her feet touched the ground again. “You are destined for greatness, Rania. The gods will it. Do not let me down.” The dragon vanished into the shadows then and Rania was left in a pitch black room.

Rania’s hands formed into fists as she had the vision, her breathing quickened. She let out a groan as she fought against it. But the dragon’s pull upon the elf was so strong that she hadn’t stood a chance. She’d never met such a dragon before, she’d never been contacted by one. Perhaps he was a spirit. Rania’s eyes opened as she sucked in a quick breath, her emerald hues glowed the same silvery color that the dragon had breathed into her. She tried to move and let out a whimper as she was roughly reminded of her predicament.

“How many times do I need to tell you to just relax?” Tyr made it back from the river with a pale of water. Her brows furrowed as she looked to the girl. She glanced to Dustin and without a word beckoned him into the other room. She crossed her arms over her chest as she pulled the door closed and she looked up to him. “Dustin.” She pulled her brows together. “Tell me how you came to travel with this elf...” She crossed her arms over her chest for a moment before she went to stoke the fire. “I’m not sure if she’ll allow me to keep an eye on her, I can barely keep her laying in that bed.” She scoffed slightly before she looked to him with a bit of a smirk. “You know.” She stood her eyes focused on him. “That’s a special kind of elf. You do know that right?” Tyr had a knowing look in her wise eyes. “You saw the glow too, I presume...I’ve only seen that once, years ago. In the eyes of a dragon mage. Not every elf can communicate to dragons.” She seemed to be drumming up an idea. “She might be able to solve your little….” She paused and grinned, “Problem.” She winked then before she poured herself a cup of fresh water and took a drink from it. She then shrugged. “But what do I know.”