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krwordgazer wrote: A journey Standing true to who you are An argument or fight Leadership/someone who rules over many Craziness A shocking choice “So this is what it’s come to,” Foxhair said gripping her sword, the shield strapped to the other arm, causing a strange sense of equilibrium. “War with the humans.” “We have always been at war with them,” Moonsong said, her white hair and blue eyes, sparkling beneath the dual moons that watched from above, for which she was named after. “Only this time, one way or the other, I believe it ends.” Treerunner emerged from the brush, broken branches entwined within his brown mane of hair. “The other humans have gathered at the clearing.” “How many of them?” Shadow asked, melting out of the very darkness. “Thirty humans,” Treerunner stated grimly. “To our ten human allies and seven of us,” Shadow looked at the others. “The odds are against us, Chief,” Vineweaver said, approaching, spear and shield in hand. “They out number us and they’re waiting in a clearing. That black hearted Blackstar probably told them of our methods. They have every advantage.” Shadow’s eyes went over those who would join him on this battle field – Foxhair, his love mate; Moonsong and Treerunner, soul mates and lovers of peace; Vineweaver and Stillbreeze, recently new parents to their infant Sunsword; Stream, the healer; and Skyshade. More females than males would fight. But that’s because there were more females than males within the tribe. Sungazer approached Shadow, placing his hand on his shoulder. “Let me come with you. If you lose, if you do not return…” “Then you do what I told you,” Shadow said. “You take the cubs, Sunsword, Echo, and Windfetcher and get far from here. Because that black hearted Blackstar won’t rest until we’re all dead. I know that now. Unless you’d like to take this moment to challenge my choice as Chief?” “Of course not,” Sungazer said, bowing his head. “I just can’t bare the thought of…” “Then don’t,” Shadow said. “Believe we will win this… somehow. That’s what I need from you. Your strength. Your hope.” “It is yours, my chief,” Sungazer said, taking Sunsword, who had been named after his own cub, Suncaller, who had been murdered by Blackheart. He held the child dearly in his hands, remembering when his own soul mate, Rosethorn had birthed their son. He gathered Echo and Windfetcher and returned back to the Holt. Shadow stood and faced his tribe. “I can’t ask any of you to come through with this – although you have all picked up a weapon and shield. I want you to know, if you want no part of this, if you want to be with Sungazer, or your cubs,” his eyes drifted to Moonsong and Treerunner, then over to Vineweaver and Stillbreeze, “I would think no less of you. I can’t imagine the terror that you must feel in your hearts… or the desire to be there to protect your cubs if things go wrong here…” “We are with you chief,” Vineweaver said, with his arm around Stillbreeze, as he planted his spear firmly into the ground. “We are the pack that hunts together, howls together, and fights together,” Moonsong smiled. Her smile was as beautiful as the work she had done with leathers and furs. Shadow was silent for a moment, his face showing no emotion. “Then let’s do this,” he said as he picked up his sword and slung his shield over his shoulder. Shadow led the seven members of his tribe, along side with the ten humans who had rallied against the Bone Dancer. Superstition was a powerful weapon; and the Bone Dancer had used that against the tribe. Even those who despised the Bone Dancer had sided with him, for fear of the magics he controlled and that they would accrue Grethen’s wrath from the heavens. Shadow led them into the clearing, where he saw the Bone Dancer hiding behind the army of thirty foot soldiers that the Bone Dancer had coerced to fight for him. Behind the Bone Dancer, Shadow’s eyes locked on Blackstar. Bone Dancer began dancing about, chanting in the human tongue, apparently blessing the weapons of “Grethen’s Warriors.” Wurik, Chief of the Humans, who stood against the Bone Dancer, and next to Shadow, shouted, “My tribesman! Listen to me! What the Bone Dancer has whispered in your ears is lies! He claims that I have allied myself with the ‘demons’ – but do you not see that he has one of these ‘demons’ as his ally as well? The ‘demon’ that sides with him murdered a gentle spirit, a lover of the sun, a lover of the grass, a lover of the trees, a lover of life! These people,” he gestured to the side of him, “are not the demons we have always believed them to be! It’s true! I have spoken with this one that is named Shadow! It’s true! I have sought for years, to make peace between them and us! It’s true! They simply wish to exist as we do – in peace! But we have misunderstood one another for so many generations that we have forgotten why we hate! Why we have killed each other!” Bone Dancer marched back and forth, like a devil on their shoulders, whispering, “Do not believe his lies! Look how more follow me! Only the foolish would side with him…” Shadow’s eyes never left Blackstar, and Blackstar knew it. He could feel it, like a relentless onslaught of invisible daggers piercing his mind. ** We end this tonight, ** Shadow sent. ** And when I watch you die on my blade, I will whisper your soul name and you will know every ounce of hate and vengeance I – we! – harbor for you…** ** How? ** Blackstar sent back, feeling ill, tasting the intensity of Shadow’s hate and vengeance in his mouth. ** Echo, ** Shadow smiled. ** He saw the past – he touched Suncaller’s spirit – he learned your soul name and told me – told me what you did. And by the High Ones, I will see to it that you pay. ** Blackstar jumped down from the rock and approached Bone Dancer, whispering something. Bone Dancer looked confused, almost concerned, but then waved Blackstar away. There was no time to show signs of weakness. Bone Dancer called for the charge. Shadow sent to his tribe, ** Remember, kill as little as you can! Only Bone Dancer and Blackstar are to die this night – if at all possible!** ** But they mean to kill us chief, ** Skyshade said, holding her spear tight as the humans advanced, yelling and screaming. ** Defend yourself, but try to do so without killing. If it’s them or you, then do what you must to live – but many of them are here out of fear, not out of loyalty for the Bone Dancer… ** Then it happened. The clash of weapons and shields. The humans that had charged had seen the strange circular things the elves had been holding – but knew not what they were or what they could do. It was an unexpected surprise. It didn’t take long before the field seems to saturate itself in blood. The command was to kill as few as they could – but these humans were so driven by their fear that Bone Dancer had put in their minds – they were in a battle frenzy. Wurik shouted over the battle cries, “For every one of us that falls, whether loyal to me or you, Bone Dancer – you murdered! Not us! For every one of us we strike down with out hands and swords, it is your bare hands and your lying tongue that will be held responsible for their death!” The battle was rapidly turning against Shadow and his tribe and allies. Foxhair had taken an arrow to the shoulder, from fifteen or so humans that had been just beyond the clearing that they had not seen. Moonsong had been stabbed in the abdomen, and was being healed by Stream, who dropped her weapons; all the while Treerunner was keeping the circling humans at bay from finishing off his soul mate or striking their healer. Vineweaver had used his plant shaping to entwine the feet and arms of the archers; but the clearing provided little for his plant shaping abilities to manipulate. Stillbreeze, his soul mate, was nursing a gaping wound to her shoulder, but still trying to fight without a shield to help defend herself. Skyshade had taken an arrow to the leg and was barely able to stand and defend herself. This was how it ended. Shadow closed his eyes, ** Sungazer, get the cubs away from here…** But at that moment, he heard an all too familiar young voice, “Ayyyoooah!” And there she was. Springing into combat with her sword. “Windfetcher!” Shadow screamed. The young cub was swinging wildly at the human closest to Skyshade. Windfetcher was young – only eight turns of the season – and with her wild, fire red hair and earthen brown eyes – she had often told Shadow she would be the next chief! She was wild, vibrant, so full of life; so defiant. She had pushed herself to constantly prove herself to Shadow, as well as herself. He should have known she wouldn’t be contained. But if she was here – where was Echo? Where was Sungazer? Where was Suncaller? Were they all here? His concentration broke. And that’s was all they needed. Three arrows landed into Shadow’s body. One in the shoulder, forcing him to drop his weapon; one in the abdomen; one in the leg, sending him to the ground. “Shadow!” Windfetcher screamed. His name being called out drew the attention of the other elves. “Son of motherless wolf cub,” Vineweaver snapped. His mind went back to when he had been tortured by the Bone Dancer (1)… “I am sorry my chief,” Vineweaver whispered. “But I can’t sit back and let this happen.” Suddenly the vines that had proven difficult to the archers just beyond the clearing, by constantly entangling their hands and feet – suddenly became far more violent. With the speed of a mongoose, the vines wrapped themselves around their legs, bodies, and even their necks, constricting with unnatural strength; snapping necks, bones, and destroying their lives. Most never had a chance to scream, shocked by the vines sudden speed and violent movements. The few that had managed to scream, caught the attention of the Bone Dancer, who stepped deeper into the clearing, to ensure he would not be snared and destroyed as the archer had been. “See!” The Bone Dancer shouted to his soldiers, “See how they twist nature to do their deeds! They’re unnatural!” ** The battle is lost, Chief, ** Treerunner sent. He was battered, bleeding all over. Some of the blood had been his; most had; but some had been that of the humans he had been forced to cut down. ** Let us retreat and get you healed… Stream can… ** ** No! ** Shadow put his hand on the ground, and forced himself up. He wavered for a moment, and Skyshade offered her hand – he refused it – and stood. His leathers were decorated in blood. His. He was losing blood quickly. The world was fading. ** I end this, ** he said. ** I gave my word… ** He tilted his back for his final howl. Then looked at the humans who paused – hearing the terrifying howl that was more beast than man. Shadow pointed his blade at Bone Dancer. “He dies tonight,” Shadow muttered through clenched teeth. Inspired by the strength of their chief, the rest joined in a universal howl. Sungazer was nowhere in sight. He must have taken Echo and Sunsword. Shadow looked at Windfetcher. “Tonight, you will live and die as a chieftess.” Windfetcher, though young, knew this was the end. They were out numbered. Beaten. Broken. But they would fight on. They would fight until each and every one of them took their last breath. They were the pack that hunted together, howled together, fought together… and died together. They raised their weapons and charged. In the middle of their charge – there came another sound – from behind the humans. Did they have more reinforcements? Had the humans held back for a second wave? Fresh new warriors to slaughter the elves? “You sons of bitches,” came a deep, guttural voice. Wait. Shadow recognized the voice. “For every elf you have killed,” the voice shouted. Shadow couldn’t see them. The humans were a cluster in front of him. “We strike you down for driving us to the ground,” the voice shouted, other voices cheering. “And I strike you down for Purespring.” Trollforge. Son of a bitch. The trolls were helping the elves. They had sprung out of one of their many holes in the ground to help. The humans suddenly found themselves outflanked, out numbered, encircled, against trolls who were fresh and ready for the kill. Droves of trolls poured out following Trollforge into combat. Experienced with the swords they forged, the shields they crafted – the trolls began slaughtering the humans who had sided with the Bone Dancer. Forgetting his wounds, inspired by the trolls, Shadow cut through the humans and sprung himself onto the Bone Dancer. He placed his sword on the Bone Dancer’s neck. “{Where is he?}” Shadow growled in the human tongue. “{Who?}” Bone Dancer gulped. “{Oh! Yes! Yes! You mean the one who is one of you demons! Yes! Yes!}” Bone Dancer’s eyes narrowed. “{Let me go, and I will tell you.}” Shadow stared at the Bone Dancer. “{The longer the delay the greater the danger, I promise you,}” Bone Dancer grinned, feeling as though he had the upper hand. “{Agreed,}” Shadow finally said. “{No elf shall strike you down. Now where did he go?}” “{He said he was going after the cubs,}” Bone Dancer said. “{Now let me go and go after your kin!}” Shadow stepped off Bone Dancer and helped him up. “No elf shall strike down the Bone Dancer,” Shadow shouted. “You can’t be serious!” Vineweaver shouted as he combated a human. “I made a deal,” Shadow said. Bone Dancer smiled. “No Elf,” Shadow said. He turned, “Trollforge, you’re no elf.” Bone Dancer’s eyes widened, just in time to see Trollforge’s blade come across his throat and decapitate him. “I kept my word,” Shadow said. The humans who had sided with the Bone Dancer ceased their warfare, seeing their “leader” fallen. “The cubs,” Foxhair said, limping next to Shadow. “They’re fine,” Shadow smiled. “Trust me.” Elsewhere… Blackstar made his way through the woods. He was going to murder the cubs – especially Echo – just as he had murdered his lover, Suncaller. Seething hatred poured through his very body, almost capable of tainting the very ground he stepped on. Throwing open the leather door that had been high in the treetops – where the cubs were always told to escape to if danger came. “Empty?” “Not quite,” came a voice that stepped out of the shadow. “Sungazer, you old fool,” Blackstar snarled. “You dare stand between me and the cubs? You should have died with the others on the battlefield, coward.” “Coward,” Sungazer smiled. “I think not. You would only know a coward if you saw yourself in the water’s reflection, Blackstar.” Suddenly Blackstar saw it. Something. Someone behind Sungazer. But it was impossible. “Suncaller?” he whispered. His eyes widened. He took an uncertain step backwards. “You can’t be … here.” But he was there. Alive? Impossible. He died. “You wouldn’t understand,” Blackstar said, taking another step back. A step that wasn’t there. Blackstar’s horrifying scream filled the forest – as his body snapped and broke, colliding with branches that he frantically grasped for before hitting the bottom, so far below. Sungazer stared at the broken body below. He closed his eyes. He felt his son there. And he felt his son leave. His journey was complete now. He was finally at peace. “Until we meet again, my son,” Sungazer said. “Keep your mother company until I can be with you both.” EPILOGUE Shadow felt his flesh twist and contort, seeking to close the gaping wounds in his body. “You’re exhausted,” Shadow whispered. “Yes,” Stream admitted. “But your stubbornness would not be healed until the others were seen to first. Where would we be without our chief?” Shadow looked at Windfetcher who was sitting close by, watching her chief, whom she admired and adored. “Oh,” he said with a smile, “I am sure the next chieftess would have been more than ready to lead you.” Stream looked up at Windfetcher. “Yes, be that as it may, we would like you to be around a little longer. After all, our chieftess needs someone to continue to defy, doesn’t she?” She looked at Windfetcher and winked. “So how did the trolls know?” Shadow asked, “Where we were?” “Sungazer sent Echo with Sunblade, to the troll caves,” Windfetcher explained. “Told him to ask for Trollforge, and tell him about how we had been out numbered. And how the Bone Dancer was there – the one responsible for truly getting your sister…” Shadow nodded. He didn’t need to hear more. “He knew what to say to get the trolls involved,” Shadow said. “Is my entire tribe out to defy me?” “I thought you might be thankful,” Sungazer said, coming into Shadow’s stone den. “And I think Trollforge can feel a little more at ease, since he had… an interest in our chief’s sister when she was still with us.” “Indeed,” Shadow said, flinching. He looked at Sungazer. “What happened up there? In the trees?” Sungazer smiled. “He saw my son. And my son showed him the same fate that Blackstar had dealt him.” Shadow nodded, just as Wurik entered. “My thanks to you little chief.” “We had a common enemy,” Shadow shrugged. “We both rid one another of something that was infecting our tribes from within.” “Yes, well, my thanks are still yours,” Wurik said. After a moment, he paused. “We’re leaving.” “We will speak again,” Shadow said, with a smile. “I’m afraid not,” Wurik said. “We’re leaving these woods. There must be others of our kind out there… We want to find them. Our tribe has been divided, cut, and so many lost. We hope to find others of our kind out there. Perhaps merge our tribes.” Wurik extended his hand and Shadow took it, shaking it. “Then I wish you well, Wurik,” Shadow said. “As I do you,” Wurik returned. “As I do you all.” He left, closing the leather door behind him. Stream looked at Shadow, “Do you think…” “That there’s other elves,” Shadow finished her sentence. They sat in silence for a moment. Considering the idea. The moons hid away on the distant horizon as the two sat in their shared silence.