Young Writers Society

Chapter #1 is on this forum somewhere....


Chapter #2 - Hunting Trip

By FantasyTeen

The were called and they assembled in the chamber, as more and more arrived Eleske began to feel more and more trapped as the sisters moved closer to the Treeling. At Rotiderian’s request she told the sister’s her story, then she answered many, many questions from them, many of the sisters seem frightened of her, others seem on edge as if ready to attack her at the slightest movement.
Then Malask stood and addressed the sisters.
"I say that we should send her on a short mission with myself or Oriacana” said Malask, “We should be the judges of her merit.”
“Well then,” said Rotiderian, “All in favor of letting Eleske go on a short mission with Malask or Oriacana?”
Of the one hundred and fifty sisters present, ninety-seven raised their hands. Rotiderian nodded in recognition and dismissed the sisters. They slowly trickled out, finally Profel pulled the immense doors shut and the council resumed its discussion.

Malask offered to take her on a hunting trip in the Mârian Wastelands. Oriacana also offered to take her on a similar mission in the Allecian lands. Rotiderian suggested retiring for the day and asking the Lord of the stars for guidance, the council agreed and they retired for the day. Eleske was led back to the room from the previous night; Rowen brought her the dusk meal and the left. Only then did Eleske discover that she was being held captive in this room, the door had no knob or latch on the inside. For the rest of evening Eleske ran laps around the room, trying to keep up her endurance, she ran, on, on and on, thinking over the last couple of years of her life.

Ever since she was eight years old she had wanted to escape the cruelty and evil nature of her people. She has been on a training mission with her younger brother Eluke and sister Eluk; they were assigned the mission of stealing an Mârian boat and sailing across the unnamed sea. There they would steal a mages cloak and return to Por Mortal, it seemed simple enough to them and Eluke had been insulted that his mother believed that all three of them would be required to complete the task.

As they neared the opposite shore of the unnamed sea they discussed the best way to find the mages home. They had finally decided to disguise themselves as Elves and ask around in the city when a wave capsized the small boat and the three Treeling were thrown into the water, the boat was lost so they swam into shore. Eluke and Eluk climbed up on shore together; Eleske had been pulled farther down the coast and climbed up in the city it self. An old women had found her laying on the shore and had led her into her house, Eleske had hit her head on a rock and wasn’t quite aware of where she was, the old women dressed her wound and gave her some food.

This was Eleske’s first interaction positive interaction with Men; she had never seen them act kindly. They had always chased her and her siblings out of town with swords, never had they helped them or given them food. Eleske was surprised and stayed with the old women for the remainder of the night. The following morning she woke before her and was surprised to see that she was in fact in the bottom of the great mages home. She quickly climbed the winding stairs and grabbed his cloak for its place in the hall, then she returned to the lower level and left through the door that ran right along the coast. She called out to her siblings and they quickly responded and met her there, they were surprised and glad to see her for they had thought that she had drowned.

She showed them the cloak and her brother and sister agreed that it was the mages, so they stole another boat, larger this time and sailed to the opposite side of the unnamed sea.
Quickly returning to Por Mortal their mother was please that they had completed the task so quickly. But the kindness of the Mârian women kept tugging at her memory; every time she ventured out of Treeling land she watched the peoples and noticed that they were only cruel to the Treelings, and only in self defense. During the winters she would spend her days training and in the library. Here were the texts that spoke of the different cultures; she learned their laws and customs, trying to decide which one would be the most accepting of her. She was part woodland Elf so she thought that perhaps they would take her, but not their laws were too rigid, perhaps the western Elves, but no, they did not get along well with the woodland Elves. Then she looked into the races of Men. She started with the Allecian’s, their laws were relaxed and she thought that perhaps they would take her in remembrance of her grandmother, who had lived over 3000 years ago.

So she began to plan, to become an adult in the Treeling race, a youngling must complete many difficult test and trials to prove that they are loyal to the race. The first of these trials is when Eleske planned to escape, she would be sent out in to the southern Mârian lands, she would have three days to capture another creature and bring it to the council circle, three days. That is all the head start she would need to get over the Great Mountains and let her trail get cold. She was the best tracker in the Treeling nation and she knew how to pass through an area so that none would be able to track her. So she planned and studied and trained, living with the beatings and torture that she and her siblings have to endure. She performed everything perfectly but her mother or one of the Elders would find something wrong from the way she had hidden her emotions to the way that she had tied her boots. She hated them, hated the way that they treated her and the way that they treated the Mârian’s.

Raids were sent out on a regular basis to attack the small Mârian villages and bring back their women and Men to work in the elite Treelings homes. The children were always killed; the Treelings considered them inferior for they often did not live past their second birthdays.

Eleske stopped running as the door opened, she had not noticed the faint light trickling in through the high windows. Rowen stepped in followed by Malask.
“Are you alright,” the tall Elf asked her voice full of concern, “You look tired”
“I’ve been running all night,” Eleske explained taking a sip from the cup on the tray offered to her. “I have to keep up my strength” Rowen nodded in understanding and gestured to Malask.
“Malask will be taking you on a hunting trip, you leave this afternoon.” Rowen smiled at the Treeling as she hurriedly ate the sparse meal, then she left.

Malask approached and stood over the gray-blonde haired head of the Treeling.
“From this point on you will obey me unconditionally” he stated not waiting for a response. “You will come with me to the practice field and show me what you know.” He walked out the door. Eleske finished her meal and then followed him. He led her down the narrow hall to a brighter wider one. From here they turned right and left back and forth till he showed her through a small door into an open aired room.
“This is the practice room.” He said sitting on the bench at the side of room and removing his heavy tunic underneath he wore a linen shirt leather vest and leggings. Dark heavy leather boots clung to his feet as he pulled out Eleske’s scimitar from under the bench.
“You know how to fight with this?” he asked looking up at Eleske as she surveyed the room.
“Of course” replied Eleske as she reached for the blade, Malask let her take it and watch her strap it on her left side. The scabbard was black leather with a silver swirling pattern down the side. Eleske drew the blade and it shone a deep black in the morning light. Malask sighed and drew his own sword.
“We shall fight to first touch,” Eleske nodded and attacked, Malask was surprised at her speed and talent as he blocked blow after blow, each time their blades touched the Mârian’s arm shook with the force of the blow. After only a few minutes Eleske gently touched the blade to Malask’s neck.
“Dead” she said as she sheathed her blade. Malask shook his head and sheathed his own; her talent surpassed his in this but what about archery.
“Retrieve our bows from under the bench” She obliged and brought him the long bow, Elven it was and it was beautiful with dark wood and a blue string. Eleske’s was also a long bow but Treeling make and darker than his.

“See those targets?” said Malask, “See how many you can hit in the center.” Eleske looked at him as if amused and then slung her quiver over her shoulder, she quickly cocked and fired ten arrows all of them hit squarely in the center of the target. She looked over at Malask, a bright light danced in the back of her eyes, but she said nothing and went down to the end of the room to retrieve her arrows. She returned to see that Malask had returned his bow to its case and had stripped down to just his britches. In his hand he held two staves. Each about six feet long and made of sapwood. Eleske took one from him and removed her leather vest and boots. Malask silently drew a circle in the sand and without a word to her jumped into action, Eleske was surprised at how slow the Mârian appeared, his large frame giving him a distinct disadvantage.

She quickly blocked several blows and gave a few of her own soon she had him tired out and he raised his hand in surrender, returning to the bench he cursed as he saw the splinters embedded in his hand. He rubbed at them and was surprised to see them disappear. He looked up at Eleske to see her sitting there on the bench beside him her eyes closed and lips moving, speaking in a strange tongue. He shook his head and slipped the line shirt over his head, fastening the leather vest around his chest. He motioned for her to follow him and they left the room quickly walking along the wide hall.
Malask led her to a small room on the opposite side of the mountain. This was the weapons room; he dug through the many piles of spears, sword, bows and arrows. He finally straightened and handed Eleske a broad sword, the blocky blade was heavy in her hand and the scabbard was old and scratched.
“You won’t be using your scimitar,” said Malask, handing her an Elven longbow, “nor your Treeling bow either.” Eleske nodded and strapped scabbard beside her own.
“Meet me by the rear gate in the fourth sentil of the afternoon.” He looked her over, and then turned and walked back down the hall, Eleske waited a moment and then followed returning to her quarters, she sat on the soft mat on the stone floor. She took off her scimitar and drew it from the scabbard, the black metal shone in the dim light, reminding her of the long afternoons spent fighting with her brother Eluke, trying to best him, trying to get him to give in before she tiered. She slid the curved blade back in the scabbard and took out her new one. If she was going to survive her, among the Elves and Men, she would need to give up her old ways and memories, this was her family now, she just had to prove that they wanted her.

Just after the fourth sentil Eleske ran up to the rear gate, she was dressed in her traveling gear, leather vest over a green tunic with high leather boots and strong canvas leggings. Malask was standing there in leather jacket and leggings with tall leather boots, A long broad sword hung at his side, and a short bow was slung across his back along with a quiver of arrows. As soon as she came to the door he opened it, nodding to the doorman, Fudica, and walked on through a large dark cave, to their left was a large underground lake, the water shimmering in the light that came through the large stone gate. As it closed Malask reached under his jacket and drew out a small lantern, lighting it he led her along the small ledge that rimmed the lake, through many passages along an underground river and out through the cave opening.
Eleske found her self on the eastern edge of the Great Mountains; a tall cliff lay at her feet giving her a breath taking view of the surrounding land. She looked over at Malask and saw him tying rope to a large rock at the top of the cliff.
“What is that for?” Eleske asked motioning towards the rope. Malask gave her a withering look.
“To descend the cliff of course, what do you think we’re going to do, jump down?” He shook his head and finished tying the rope. Eleske looked puzzled as she watched him climb over the edge and use the rope to slowly descend the cliff face. After Malask was a good way down he motioned for her to follow him. She shook her head.
“What?” Malask asked mocking her, “to scared to use the rope?” Eleske shook her head and jumped over the edge, she quickly caught a small ledge and then leapt again down and down and down always landing lightly only a few feet below where she had started. Malask looked at her in amazement as she reached the bottom. He quickly lowered himself to the bottom of the cliff. Eleske stood at the bottom examining the forest that she now stood in.

A small bird sprang up out of the brush followed by a larger hawk. Malask raised his bow, but Eleske quickly put a hand on it,
“Watch,” she said quietly her eyes never leaving the battle before her. The smaller bird was quick and dove to and fro between the branches, the larger hawk had trouble following because of its larger size. Soon the small bird ran out of cover and was forced out into an open meadow where the hawk quickly caught the bird.
“See,” said Eleske, “that is how we need to be, biding our time in the thicket till the prey runs out into the open.”

Then she quietly stepped in the bushes at the edge of the clearing. She sat there watching. Malask shook his head and walked out into the middle of the clearing and sat still as a pole waiting.
Eleske sighed and turned to far side of the meadow, would these Men never learn, he would never catch anything that way.
At the edge of the clearing something moved, Malask’s back was turned so he did not notice but Eleske immediately sensed the movement and cocked an arrow, the Elvish long bow was lighter then her old one, the wood much smoother, it sat comfortingly in her hand.
A large buck walked out into the clearing, confident and proud as it marched across, but then it stiffened, Eleske cursed as she realized that the deer could smell Malask. The buck stood frozen for a moment and then ran. Eleske followed it with her eyes and then released the arrow. It sang through the air and hit the buck in the chest, he fell to the ground with a thud, only then did Malask turn, seeing the buck laying there an arrow in his side he shook his head and walked over to it. Cutting its neck he removed the arrow and prepared to butcher the large buck.

Eleske approached and watched Malask work. His strong hands quickly dressed the large animal, and then wrapped it in cloth and prepared to carry it back to the mountain.
“That was well shot,” said Malask, carefully setting a pack of the raw meat on his back. “I never saw him”
Eleske also picked up a pack of the meat and prepared to carry it back to the cliff.
“How did you now he was there?” asked Malask as they struggled through the bramble with the heavy load on their backs.
“I can see all that happens,” said Eleske, “Every movement jumps out at me, every leaf that rustles every branch that snaps.” She shifted the meat on her back and approached the cliff, finally free of the clinging brambles. She lifted her self up on the cliff face, carefully balancing the meat on her shoulder.

Malask watched as she climbed the cliff, foot by foot, quickly yet carefully placed, always balanced. She climbed over the lip of the cliff and Malask tied his pack to the rope and called up for her to haul it up. She did with ease, as if it was not a pack of meat but a small feather tied to the end of the rope. She slung the large parcel up on top of the cliff and dropped the meat back down, and then she pulled Malask up, much to his astonishment. He carefully climbed over the lip of the cliff and took up his burden through the cave, Eleske led this time, without lantern or candle to lead her, as they entered the second cavern a movement caught her eye to their left. She quickly dropped the weight and drew her sword, a tall slim figure jumped down upon her, his sword out he quickly began to attack, Eleske easily blocked each blow as she motioned for Malask to continue on. Malask did as she said and quickly reached the door. He set his parcel inside and then ran back to the fight. Eleske had the strangers back up against the edge of the water, the waves were slapping against the edge just under the strangers feet. She pulled back her arm but Malask caught it and helped the stranger to his feet. Eleske looked at Malask puzzled.

The stranger just smiled and pulled off the hood that covered his distinguished face, Oriacana stood before her, dressed in old rags and wielding an Orcish sword he looked the part.
“Well fought,” he said, sticking out his hand, “I was wondering whether or not Malask was coming back.” He sheathed his blade and walked back towards the door. Eleske stood there confused.
“So you ambushed me?” she asked, her voice firm. Malask turned,
“Yes,” he said motioning to the pack of meat that lay on the stone ledge, Eleske shouldered it and carried it into the mountain. She was greeted by Rotiderian and Rowen, who helped Oriacana out of his Orcish garb. Eleske looked them over and then turned to take the meat to the kitchen.

Profel sat in the small kitchen peeling potatoes, the Menial task was one of his favorites in the kitchen because it allowed him time to sit and think. He finished up another pot of potatoes and put them on the fire to begin cooking. Walking into the pantry to retrieve another pot he heard a thump in the kitchen, he returned to see Eleske with two parcels of raw meat lying on the stone table in the middle of the counter.
She was untying the rough fabric, he set the pot down on the table and she glanced up.
“This is the meat from the hunting trip.” She said looking back down at her work.
“You’ve done well then,” he said, “Didn’t you just leave this afternoon?” Eleske nodded as she finished untying the first parcel, she shifted around the table and began on the second. Profel walked over and began to look over the cuts of meat.
“How many animals did you slay?” he asked, his voice a mere whisper.
“Only one,” replied Eleske, concentrating on a particularly difficult knot. “It was a large buck, walked right into the clearing, I got it before it could run.”

Profel looked at her in admiration, all this meat from one animal. Eleske gave up on the knot and whispered a few short words in a language that Profel didn’t understand, the knot fell open and she quickly undid the other knots. Sliding back the fabric she left.
Profel was left in the kitchen to sit and wonder how such a beast could be brushed off so. But he quickly remembered the potatoes that were cooking on the fire and tended to them and then began to prepare the venison for dinner.

Eleske went back to her chamber, careful not to shut the door, and sat on her bed; they had ambushed her and then brushed it off like a game of some sort. She was so confused, why would they ambush her? Why dress in Orcish armor? Why? Eleske sat there till Rowen asked her to come to dinner; she grabbed up her scimitar and quickly exchanged it for the heavier more awkward Allecian blade. Rowen eyed the sword but said nothing, as they entered the room Eleske noticed the wonderful aroma or roast venison in the air, great platters of it were set on each of the four tables and the wonderful smell was almost too much for the young Treelings empty stomach. She was shown to a seat the high table, next to Rowen near the foot. Rotiderian stood after a moment and led them in a prayer the meal began. Eleske was the last to be served but it was worth the wait Profel had out done him self on this roast it was delicious Eleske could not quench her hunger for it. Neither could several of the members of the council it appeared for soon the large platter was empty and another replaced. Along with the venison she was served, wine, bread and potatoes with other mixed vegetables. Everything was so flavorful like nothing she had ever tasted. As the meal drew to a close Rotiderian stood again and led the gathered sisters in a closing prayer, then he led the council members in to their chamber, and Rowen motioned for Eleske to follow them.

The chamber was cooler than the great hall and Eleske tugged down the long sleeves of her tunic. As the members made their way to their seats she sat by the door on a long wooden bench. After a moment Rotiderian called over one of the servants and she hurriedly placed a chair in the middle of the room and motioned for Eleske to sit there. Eleske sat in the chair, surprised by the warmth that flowed from the dark wood. Rotiderian smiled at the obvious surprise on her face and then stood and spoke to the council.

“Dear council members,” he said his voice echoing through the chamber. “I am sure that you have heard of Eleske wonderful performance on the hunting trip this afternoon, and if you have not you have at least enjoyed the fruits of it, for the succulent venison that was have just eaten was brought down by this young girl before us. Malask, would you like to account the events?” Malask nodded and stood he wore a long black tunic was red leggings and tall black boots.

“Eleske and I left during the fourth sentil and I led her through the cave out to the cliff on the eastern side of the Great Mountains. Then I began to tie a rope to descend the cliff and she asked me what the rope was for, I scoffed at her say ‘what? Do you expect us to jump down the cliff’ this seemed to quiet her for a moment. I started to lower myself down the cliff using the rope. Once I was about half way down I told her to follow me. She nodded and disappeared from view. I waited a moment in case she would need any help, only to be scared out of my wits when she came jumping over the edge. I thought that she had surely gone mad, but no, she landed lightly on a ledge about twenty feet below and then jumped again. She repeated this all the way down the cliff with the utmost ease, as if she had done it many times.” Malask stopped and looked at Eleske.

“I have never seen such devilry in all my days, even an Elf could have never done that, she must have used some kind of magic. Such as she had used earlier in the day when she removed some splinters from my hand.” Malask stopped again and looked over the council members, some of them looked Eleske over with awe others with worry. Magic was an elvish tool, not Dwarf or man had ever possessed it. Any that tried were quickly silenced. If this Treeling knew magic strong enough to help her descend a cliff without ropes she would be a stronger mage then Rotiderian himself.

“After I finished descending the cliff we went off into the woods. I sat in the middle of a clearing in the usual manner, while Eleske sat in the thicket on the other side. I paid her no mind and had my back turned to her when I heard a mighty thud, I turned around only to see a great buck the biggest that I had ever seen lying there in the grass, an arrow firmly planted in his chest. Eleske stood in the brambles her bow in her hand, only later did it occur to me that she couldn’t have killed that buck with a regular arrow, she must have again used magic,”

Here Eleske drowned out Malask’s lie and began to look more closely at the council members. They’re going to believe him anyway. She thought why fight it? She let her mind wander, back to before she had learned to fight, back when her life seemed so simple, playing with Eluke and Eluk, running through the palace, chasing the animals…

Rotiderian’s voice broke through to Eleske, she started, though not visibly and looked at the Elven leader.

“Eleske,” he asked his voice giving away that he had asked her several times already “What is this that Malask says about you using magic?” his face was stern

“All younglings are trained in magic,” she looked up into his deep eyes and winced all the kindness was gone from their depths. “I do not know much sir, just simple spells, like untying knots and healing small wounds, things that would be useful if I were captured.

“But what of this killing of animals and jumping down cliffs, those are not simple spells and they take much energy to use. You did both of them in a short amount of time.” Rotiderian looked at her, his eyes pleading for a reason. Eleske simply shook her head.

“I did not use magic for those things, I have been trained well by my mother and her captains. I have known how to leap down and up cliffs since I was seven. It is not hard to do; you simply need to know where to land. As for the buck it was moving slowly and was at close range, surely any of your fine archers would have been able to kill the fine beast.” Eleske tried to stand but found herself held in place by an invisible hand. Twery’s twisted face gave away the concentration that it must be taking him to hold her in place for so long.

Rotiderian looked her over and then spoke,
“Profel,” the large doors opened and Profel entered. “Please take Eleske back to her chambers, we have something that we need to discuss in private.” Profel nodded and walked over to Eleske. He nodded to Twery and relief rushed over his face and he released her from the spell. Profel led Eleske down the hall and in to the chamber.

“I heard the angry murmurs,” he said, “What is wrong?” Eleske did not answer him but began to run around the perimeter of the room. Profel sat on the mat, watching her pace around and around and around; her eyes nearly closed her face empty of expression. We can both play that game, He said shifting his weight to get more comfortable.