Hamertia: The Elven Folly

“So, what are we supposed to do with it?” Elluin asked after he and Folwin made their way down to the forest floor and found the body.

Folwin sighed. “We’re gonna have to see if Kellam knows how to handle something like this. All the talk about the cycle of life and nature; he should know what to do with a dead body.”

Elluin nodded and grabbed hold of one of the troll’s legs while Folwin grabbed the other. They dragged the body into the bushes, steering clear of the main pathways.

“Do you even know where he is?” Elluin asked. “He could be anywhere out here.”

“He has a favorite spot where he likes to sleep,” Folwin replied. “It’s in the middle of all these plants. He likes to be as far off the beaten path as possible to avoid bumping into any low-borns that wander up here after dark. Let’s just hope he’s there tonight.”

Folwin led the way to Kellam’s secret sleeping place. Just as they had hoped, they found him lying on the ground with is faithful companion. They dropped the body on the ground behind a bush, not wanting it to startle him before they could explain the situation. Folwin walked up to the sleeping elf and gently shook his shoulders.

Squee!

“Calm down, Puff,” he whispered. “Not so loud…”

“Wha…what’s going on?” Kellam said as he slowly lifted his head. “What are you guys doing here?”

“Alright Kellam, don’t freak out,” Folwin began, trying to find the right words. “We just kinda need to know…what do you do with a dead body?”

“A what?” Kellam replied in a groggy voice, still not fully awake. “What would make you think of that.”

“Just tell him,” Elluin said.

“Ummm…”

Elluin sighed. “Kellam, we killed the troll and need to know what to do with the body. We figured if anyone would know what to do, it’d be you?”

“What?” Kellam blurted out, suddenly becoming fully alert. “You killed somebody?”

“Not somebody,” Elluin retorted. “A troll. A worthless troll who treated us like slaves. You know about nature, the cycle of life, and all that. Can you help us or not?”

“Nature?” Kellam replied, disgusted by what he was being told. “There’s nothing natural about killing anyone…or anything! Either way, I can’t help you.”

“Can’t we just bury it here or something?” Elluin asked. “Out of sight, out of mind, right?”

“You’re not burying anything in my forest!” Kellam yelled at him. “Go talk to the inhabitants of the south. I’m sure they’re much more versed in this sort of thing. I really can’t believe you two would do something like this…”

“I saved everyone in this forest!” Elluin shouted, becoming rather combative now. “It’s not like we killed anybody who didn’t deserve it! Just go back to sleep if you’re not gonna help!”

Kellam shook his head as he tried to comfort Puff, who was clearly opposed to any form of confrontation. As he and his bird lie back down on their pile of fern leaves, Elluin and Folwin walked back to retrieve the body.

“So now what are we supposed to do?” Elluin asked, wishing they hadn’t wasted time seeking out Kellam. “I’m not asking any low-borns for help, especially at night.”

“What about Jastra?” Folwin suggested. “I’m sure she knows all about the low-borns’ ways of doing things, and she won’t try to rip our heads off when we approach her.”

Elluin nodded. “Alright, let’s go look for her. She should be in her room; even she wouldn’t be lurking around the southern forest after dark.”

The boys grabbed the troll and started heading back toward home. They left the body hidden in some bushes along the path right outside the ramps leading up to the elven dwelling. Quickly and quietly making their way up the tree, they arrived outside Jastra’s room.

“What do you mean they killed him?” Rydel asked. “Ath, are you absolutely sure?”

“Yeah, Ry,” Athtar replied. “Ellie told me himself. He’s dead.”

Rydel sat in bed shaking his head, truly shocked by the news. “I can’t believe they would actually do that; actually kill someone. I know what the troll did to us was wrong but…killing can’t be the answer.”

“Well it’s all over now, Ry,” Athtar said. “We can just move forward now. It’ll be alright! We’re free now, Ry! Just think about it! I know killing isn’t right, but now we can just do whatever we want all the time! You just have to look at it like that.”

“There’s other ways we could have done that, Ath,” peering into his friend’s eyes. “Violence is never the answer, it only brings worse stuff when everybody thinks it’s ok. I just don’t want anything bad to happen…”

Athtar leaned in closer on the bed and hugged him. “It’ll all be alright, Ry. We can get some sleep tonight and then do whatever you want tomorrow! We won’t have duties anymore, it’ll be like that every day! I love you, Ry. Everything will be fine.”

Elluin was first to knock on the door, but got no response. After waiting a moment, Folwin knocked again, this time a little harder; still no response. They exchanged a nervous look before deciding what to do.

“We could probably just go in,” Folwin suggested. “I’m sure she’ll understand once we explain the situation.”

“Or she won’t recognize us in the dark and snap our necks as soon as we step inside,” Elluin retorted. “But I don’t see what other options we have.”

Folwin agreed and slowly turned the knob. He carefully pushed the door open and led the way inside. Rather than being greeted by an irate maiden snapping their necks, they simply found Jastra asleep in her bed.

“Are you gonna do it?” Folwin asked.

“Do what?”

“Wake her up!”

“I’m not going anywhere near her!” Elluin responded, laughing nervously. “You do it!”

Folwin sighed and walked over to the sleeping female elf. He hesitated for a long moment before carefully tapping her shoulder.

“Hey, Jastra,” he whispered. “Jastra, wake up.”

Before he could process what happened, Folwin was on the floor with a dagger at his throat. Elluin could only stand in the doorway, shocked at the sudden turn of events.

“Who are you?” she shouted. “Answer in the next half second or die!”

“It’s Folwin!” he managed to get out, avoiding having his throat slit. “We’re sorry for sneaking in here, but it’s really important.”

Jastra removed the dagger from his neck and climbed off of him. She then looked over at Elluin, who was much too startled to speak.

“You’re both lucky you’re not dead,” she said after regaining her composure. “What made you think it would be a good idea to sneak in here like that?”

“We killed the troll and need to know what to do with the body,” Elluin responded, his composure now regained as well. “Did you ever learn how to do that from…you know…the low-borns?”

A grin appeared on Jastra’s face. “So, you little elves finally decided to do something about that thing. Didn’t think you had it in you. Yeah, I can take care of a body. Where is it anyway?”

“It’s outside in some bushes,” Folwin replied. “So you can actually help us?”

“You got it,” she said. “I’m actually kinda proud of you guys for going through with it. All any of the others did was whine. Tell you what, you guys go get some sleep and we’ll take care of it first thing in the morning. We’ll need to go see the fire mages. The body will be fine until then.”

The boys left to go to their rooms as Jastra returned to bed. They arrived at Folwin’s room and stood outside the door for a moment before parting ways.

“Did she really say fire mages?” Elluin asked. “The elven fire mages? Don’t they kill anyone they come across?”

“I don’t know how many of those rumors are true,” Folwin replied. “But it still doesn’t sound like a good idea.”

“Well considering what she did to you, I’m sure she’ll protect us,” Elluin laughed. “By the way, you alright, buddy?”

Folwin returned the smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s just get some rest for the night and worry about everything tomorrow.”

“Alright, Folwin. Goodnight.”

“’Night, El.”

The sun was just barely over the horizon when a ball of fire surged through the air, hitting the trunk of a tree before dissipating.

“Need to work on your aim, Druin,” one of the elves called out. “Best not to waste fire on trees.”

“At least I can create fire,” Druin replied. “Besides, I wasn’t even aiming for anything. Tell me, Jharyn, how does an elf who can’t create fire become a fire mage?”

“I may not be able to make fire, but I can control it better than any of you,” Jharyn retorted. “That makes me the best in battle. I’m not the one with scars on my face and neck.”

“My scars are battle wounds!” he barked. “They make me look fierce! And you’re useless in battle if there’s no one there to create fire for you.”

“Not as fierce as Dakath,” Jharyn scoffed. “Just look at those fangs and long red hair. Not to mention he’s been in more battles than you and doesn’t have any scars.”

Dakath looked over at them and snarled, revealing two fangs on either side of his mouth among his regular teeth. “Dakath could annihilate all of you in a second,” he said coldly.

“Will you three shut up!” a black-haired elf shouted, conjuring a blue flame in his palm. “This bickering is ridiculous. Besides, my fire burns hotter than any of yours, which is why I’m your leader.”

“Oh, stop acting all full of yourself, Connak,” Druin said. “The rest of us are the ones with red hair and orange eyes, the true markings of an elven fire mage. Just because you’re a freak of nature who happened to be born with the ability to shoot blue fire from your palms doesn’t make you special.”

“That’s exactly what makes me special!” Connak yelled, shooting him a nasty glare. “As well as superior! Now shut your mouths before I turn you all to ash!

“Calm down, Connak,” Jharyn said. “At least we respect you more than Feno. Your blue fire is a better asset than that little freak’s blue hair.”

“At least he creates regular fire,” Druin mumbled under his breath.

“Damn right it is,” Connak said, ignoring Druin’s comment. “Where is the little bastard anyway?”

“Probably down by the stream talking to Nealey,” Druin responded. “He’s the only elf in the whole southern forest who’s pathetic enough to go near that freak. But I guess they figure they have a lot in common…”

“Dakath isn’t going near that stream,” Dakath said. “If that abhorrent little elf offers him one more riddle, Dakath will burn him alive!”

“Dakath, I would think you two would get along better,” Jharyn laughed. “You both refer to yourselves in the third person.”

“Third person?” Druin repeated. “What are you going on about? There’s only one of him!”

“It means he says he instead of I,” Jharyn explained, shaking his head. “How ’bout you try reading a book?”

“And just where would I get one of those?” Druin replied defensively. “Raid the high-borns’ library? And don’t you dare tell me you’ve ever read one yourself.”

“Fine,” Jharyn admitted. “But I did learn it from Jastra. I would say I’m surprised she never taught you any of this, but then I’d be lying. She obviously likes me more.”

“Jastra has no interest in a fire mage who can’t even make fire!” Druin shouted, suddenly becoming defensive. “She’s attracted to strength, which my scars represent. If she likes any of us, it’s most certainly me.”

“I’m the leader of you gang of brutes!” Connak yelled, rejoining the conversation. “Jastra is mine! And if any of you try to stand in my way, I’ll hang you upside down and shoot a stream of blue flames at your face!”

Dakath suddenly made a downward motion with his fists, causing a wall of frames to erupt from the ground around him.

“Elven fire mages’ loyalty is to the flame, not some high-born maiden,” he said after the flames dissipated. “Come on, we must find Feno.”

Elluin, Folwin, and Jastra had just descended from the forest trees when they encountered Rychell, who was accompanied by his companion Jorie.

“Hey Jastra!” he exclaimed. “Me and Jorie were wondering if you wanted to hang out with us today. We saw the fire mages out together and we didn’t want to bump into them if we were alone.”

“Maybe later,” Jastra replied. “I’m on some important business right now. Why don’t you two go run along. Just stay away from them and I’m sure they won’t bother you.”

“Rychell,” Folwin said as delicately as possible. “I know we said you could come visit us on the forest floor, but that didn’t mean you could bring anyone else with you.”

“Jorie’s my friend,” Rychell replied curtly. “And he never tries to tell me where I can and can’t go. So, if I’m allowed up here, then he has to be too.

Before Folwin could say anything further, Elluin nudged him with his arm, signaling for him to drop it.

“What kinda business are you doing anyway?” Rychell asked, returning his attention to Jastra. “You seem to always be on some kind of business whenever I ask you to hang out with us.”

“It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with,” Jastra insisted. “Now please just go run along. I’ll catch up with you in a bit.”

Rychell let out a long sigh before exchanging a look with Jorie. The two decided to admit defeat and started walking back in the direction they had come.

“El, we can’t let him bring that green-haired kid up here again,” Folwin said once the boys were out of sight, clearly not willing to let the issue go. “I don’t really care if Rychell comes up north every once and awhile, but we don’t even know this Jorie kid.”

“He seems perfectly fine,” Elluin replied. “And Rychell helped us save Athtar. I’ve been thinking…maybe he is right when he says the whole high-born, low-born thing is stupid. We killed the troll, Folwin. Don’t you see this means we can shape our society in any way we want now? Sure, keep the lowlifes in the southern forest, but why not let the good ones like Rychell just live up here with us? It would make so much more sense!”

Folwin solemnly shook his head and sighed. “It’s not that simple, El. What happens when the lowlifes see we’re letting low-borns live up here? Once we tell them that they’re not welcome, things will get really ugly. You have to think these things through. Rychell is a great kid, but you gotta look at the bigger picture.”

Elluin looked to Jastra, hoping she might have something insightful to add to the debate.

“What are you looking at me for?” she smirked. “I think all social structure is stupid. That’s why I’m in the southern forest more than I am up here. I don’t care what you guys do with yourselves. As long as I stay left alone, you can do whatever you want.”

“Let’s save this for when we don’t have a dead body to get rid of,” Folwin said, bringing the conversation to a temporary halt. “Jastra, what exactly are we doing with it?”

“Like I said last night, we have to take it to the fire mages. I’m sure they’ll be happy to take it from there.

Nealey was at his usual spot, sitting atop a rock in the middle of the stream. At the water’s edge sat an elf with shoulder length light blue hair. He wore only dark green shorts and stockings of a slightly lighter hue. He was preoccupied at the moment with the small flame he had conjured at the tips of his first two fingers. This ability of his was the only thing that ever gave him a sense of purpose or a reason for having even the slightest sense of self-worth. An elf of his stature and physical attributes would never fare well in the southern forest otherwise.

“Why is it that a fire mage would visit Nealey?” Nealey asked in his usual drawn-out manner of speaking. “Does Feno not have anything to be burning with his friends?”

“I told you before, Nealey,” Feno sighed. “Those guys aren’t exactly nice to me. I’d honestly much rather hang out with you.”

“Nealey is not complaining of course. He just always found it a bit…curious.”

No longer wanting to discuss his life choices with the eccentric elf, Feno moved the conversation along. “Do you want to go do something? There’s no reason you have to sit on that rock all day, every day, you know.”

“Oh, but what else is there to do?” Nealey responded. “A life spent on a rock is as good a life as any, Nealey always says. You should try it for yourself…if you can find your own rock, that is.”

Once again, Feno sighed. “That’s alright. I’ll just sit here and singe some grass.”

At that moment, a voice called out. “Feno! Feno! Stop talking to that little freak friend of yours and come on! We got stuff to burn!”

“Wonderful,” Feno murmured as he pulled himself to his feet. “Well, see you later, Nealey.”

“But Nealey sees you right now!”

Feno shook his head and Nealey snickered. By the time their pleasantries were exchanged, the fire mages had arrived at the stream.

“You need to stop wandering off to come see...that,” Connak said sternly, pointing at Nealey. “We’re getting sick of chasing after you.”

“Then why bother?” Feno replied defensively. “You guys don’t even like me. Why do you care where I am?”

“Because you’re a fire mage,” Jharyn said. “Any elf that can make…or control fire is a fire mage and belongs to our brotherhood. That doesn’t mean we can’t still think you’re a little runt.”

“Any elf that can make fire is a fire mage,” Druin interjected. “Which is why even Feno ranks higher than you in my eyes, Jharyn.”

“Enough Druin!” Connak shouted, stepping in before the situation escalated to an all-out brawl. “Jharyn is just as much a fire mage as you. Creation and control; those are the requirements. As long as one of them are meant, the elf carries the title of fire mage, while the blue flame wielder is leader. Is that clear?”

Druin snarled and nodded his head while Jharyn leered at him.

“Alright, now that this bit of nonsense is settled, let’s get headed out,” Connak said. “Lots of burning to do today.”

The elven fire mages left the stream, heading deeper into the southern forest, looking for anything available to shoot their flames at.