The young prince with blood from a fresh punch in the face, realizes he can’t fight off the guards dragging how across the walkways between the trees. Especially not in this state where he is still healing from the unknown poison or infection inside.
“I will join you willingly!”, he shouts at his captors, but not a single guard even reacts. Nanthal feels his bare feet hitting wood, bark, leaves and suddenly the soft forest soil start to give him some relief.
The guards stops after a few feet. He cannot follow the elven words, but realises they are addressing someone higher in the pecking order than them. He slowly turns to see who it is. A brunette blond man, with a strong beard stands with a large gnarled staff and is now matching Nanthal’s gaze. A beautiful green and gold motif on his leather armour, cloak and tabard sets him apart from the rest.
A change of emotion in his voice and suddenly he walks past the guards and to the young prisoner.
“So this is what has been keeping my daughter busy”, Lastihl says as he paces. “She has certainly improved with her healing drinks”, he says as he sits on his haunches. A beautiful green and white light emanates from his hand as he moves across his body.
He suddenly retakes his previous stance. Still in elvish he says with concern, “There is a dark test besetting his soul, we cannot help him. This is for Salanirth to decide.” He walks in front of the guards and beckones them to follow, “The council is meeting, bring him with.”
They move with purpose, bringing their prisoner with their grove leader. Following him as he greats the council and presenting the young prince. “On your knees human!”, the lead guards says in the common tongue.
The young prince has dined with the H’irth elves, with the clan leaders of the mountain kingdoms, even with the blessed chiefs of the orcs. He knew not to fight against orders, customs or demands when he has no bargaining chip.
“Elves of the forest…”, he tries to plead before, Lastihl moves his one hand deftly with a magical glow and the prince finds he voice quickly fading away. His lips kept moving as the prince felt quite confused. “First my daughter has to defend her actions, you will get your chance young human. ” , the druid leader commands.
A case for good
She hesitates as she stands up, barely meeting her father’s eyes, before he walks to his seat in the middle. “Council and servants of the spirit of Salanirth”, she postulates as she slowly circles to face every face in the area. “I have been keeping a secret from you, keeping a human in our midst, but not without reason. Just without permission.”
“I was patrolling the edges of our ranges, when I a heard the sounds of war. As per our agreements with the nations and laws of Alhandria, I kept at a distance.”, she continues as more of the local populous joins the meeting.
“The evil caster, a dark perversion of a druid, was fighting with 13 humans. I heard horses being slaughtered and people crying for help. Wailing as some left their mortal coils. This prisoner before you was their leader and he fought valiantly. Trying to stop the blight druid, while still trying to keep his troops safe”, she now for the first time acknowledge him, but touching his shoulder.
“He did take pay a grave price to restore peace. He lost a lot of soldiers and the wound he sustained was not normal. There is dark magic inside. I tried to keep it at bay…”, she said with emotion, before being interrupted by her father.
“That is all good and well, but now we sit with a stranger not blessed by Salanirth and with an unknown tainted magic inside his body. This could be a danger for our people and the great Bolgart’h forest.”, Lastihl announced aloud.
“The rules we live by is simple and states he must be left outside. Either he gains the blessing of Salanirth or find his way out of the forest”, stalling as he gets up. “The council could perhaps find another option.”
“The spirits that live in this continent knows better than we do and who are we to place judgement. If my daughter’s testimony is to be believed, we must keep those that fight for good alive, but then she will have to guide him on this quest. A smile softly finds him as he sees the renewed hope in Adnilia’s eyes.
Time to test yourself
With those words, Lastihl removes the enchantment from the young prince. “Now are you willing to be testing by the ways of the forest?”, he says as he takes his seat and meets the focused intent eyes of the young human.
“My lord, if I may address you as such, I seek only forgiveness for breaking laws I did not know. For the young maiden is the only reason I still draw breath. I will follow your law, for I need to heal and I need to reach my people again.”, Nanthal pleads diplomatically and with flair.
“Release him from his bounds, your healing will be achieved by your quest to learn and gain the blessing of the grove and of the forest spirit, Salanirth.”, he commands.
As the guards remove the bonds and pull him up, the grove leader gives him one last bit of advice, “Give this your all young man. Know that if the dark taint inside you grows any more, we will place the forest, the creatures and the spirits well-being, above your life.”
“Thank you lords and ladies.”, the prince says. Before his next words starts to form, Adnilia interrupts, “Thank you council, I will take this upon me and if he turns for the worse, I will become his judge. We will take our leave now.”, she turns to him and whisper, “Let’s bow and go, before they change their minds.”
They both bow and as they leave, Adnilia hears in elvish, “Let’s turn to the rest of business, we have much to discuss…”, the voices fade away as the two travel back towards her home.
