Chapter 129:

Verona stood at the prow of The Snowberry, staring silently into the thick mist that completely encompassed the ship. Ever since dawn mist had descended and greatly hampered their vision. Kal stood next to her, perfectly still, staring into the mist through her mask.

“You’re thinking about something naughty again.” Kal continued to stare into the thick mist. “I can tell by the way your body moves.”

Verona laughed, leaning her back against the wooden rung. “Anton said that you can read people’s expressions very easily.”

“I didn’t look. You just told me you were.”

Verona raised her hand, letting her drop. “Right. And you accuse Anton of being sneaky.”

“He is. But not right now.” Kal sighed. “We’re being split too much. I hope we can actually do this.”

Verona sighed. “Me too. Me too. Though I don’t know if Anton can actually be much help here, apart from healing the Dark Elves. Until we figure out what’s happening with his…, I don’t think he should be killing too many Goblins or Ghlotsm.”

“Hopefully killing people doesn’t add to that.” Kal murmured.

Ceccitol and Tuccac approached, their weapons ready. Verona felt a little jealous upon looking at the Dark Elves, of any of the Dark Elves but Ceccitol especially. She didn’t have Verona’s curves but there was an air of maturity about her that she lacked; her face and the way she carried herself. And her height.

“How much longer?” Verona asked.

“Very soon.” Ceccitol stood next to Verona. She pointed into the water, rows of stones rose out of the water. “These are only near the coast of The Shadow Isles. Another reason why only the Dark Elves sail here.”

Verona looked to Wilford. Four Dark Elf warriors directed him through the mist.

“Without Anton is this possible?” Tuccac asked. “I do not mean to be rude-”

Verona smiled. “Kal and I will be more than enough. We probably won’t be able to destroy those bridges but don’t think you’ve seen everything that we can do.”

Tuccac silently looked deep into the mist. Verona sighed, Anton was the most obvious source of power but Verona was undoubtedly stronger in close range. A wall of blood shards would render anything down to a pulp. The Dark Elves would never have seen anything like it. Verona smiled at the thought of demonstrating their strength, the looks on their surprised faces.

“Land!” A Dark Elf yelled. “I see the Lighthouse.”

“A what?” Verona asked.

“A lighthouse.” Ceccitol pointed to a faint purple light seeping through the mist. “Think of it as a tall marker that guides us in.”

“Is it magical?” Verona strained to see through the mist.

“Normally no. But this is, though I don’t know how it works.” Ceccitol pointed into the sea and more lines of rocks. “We still have to do all the work.”

The Snowberry, with its frightened human sailors, slowly ploughed deeper and deeper into the mist. Slowly the mist darkened, Verona was about to speak when she realised it was land. Small orange lights permeated through the haze until the mist suddenly vanished.

“Wow.” Verona murmured.

A tear ran down Ceccitol’s cheek. “It’s so good to be back.”

The Snowberry approached a large jetty made from a very dark stone with small torches illuminating the otherwise near invisible stone. Verona saw the lighthouse, a giant tower with a bright purple light standing on a nearby cliff. The dock itself looked almost like Rusaddir but with an obvious Dark Elven flair. The buildings were made from the same black and red marbled wood as their bows. Dark slate covered the sharply pointed roofs which flared out at the bottom, on the corner were strange little ornaments that appeared to allow water to drain off the roof. A faint orange light emanated from the windows, flickering as people moved about inside.

A small band of twenty Dark Elves ran along the stone jetty. Ceccitol and Tuccac tensed. Thankfully they weren’t immediately hostile and took the ropes thrown by the nervous human sailors.

The lead Dark Elf boarded the ship. This Dark Elf looked older than those they travelled with, a few creases on his face but he lacked a beard.

“Ceccitol. I’m so glad to see you’re back.”

“I wish I didn’t have to go either, father.” Ceccitol hugged him tight, one heartily returned. Small tears ran down his face.

He looked barely to be thirty winters, perhaps a little older than Anton.

If Ceccitol has three kids, and she can only do that once a year, that makes her father something like sixty or eighty? I hope we look half as good when we’re that old.

“I’m sorry it took so long. The journey was longer than we thought. But we found what we were looking for.”

Her father held her shoulders tight. “You found what you saw in your vision. What Stratos showed you?”

“Yes, we did. Not an army, but hopefully enough to turn the tide.”

Her father glanced at Verona and Kal then to Wilford and the human sailors. “Is…Is this it? Just one ship?”

Ceccitol sighed. “Not the ship. They have to leave soon. But four people that-”

“Four?” He was utterly flabbergasted. “Four people? You and your warriors have been gone for over a month, and this is what you come back with?”

Ceccitol winced underneath his words. Tuccac remained resolute but Verona saw his hands trembling in anger. Verona wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. At least nothing that wouldn’t inflame the situation. Her father took a deep breath and calmed himself.

“Forgive me, Ceccitol.” Her father held her shoulders again, gently tapping them as she closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. “I was beginning to think that you weren’t coming back. Not that you’d run, but that something terrible had happened in the human lands. The situation has hardly improved since you’ve left.”

“You’ll need to tell me later.” Ceccitol moved to the side. “These are two of the people that we found. Verona, a Blood Berserker, and Kal,” Verona leant close and whispered. “A Half-breed Feline Beast-kin blessed with Tethra’s power.”

“Really?” His eyes raked over her, one that didn’t make Verona’s skin crawl. “I’ll have to see this for myself…My name is Gerin, Lord of the DuskReavers. You must forgive my previous outburst. Things have been very stressful for us all. For a long time.”

“Ceccitol explained the situation.” Verona began. “We came as quickly as we possibly could. It’s not exactly a quick journey.”

“I was surprised that someone still lived in the fallen Kar Kingdom. Ceccitol said there were four?”

“My-Our husband and his bodyguard are currently away.” Verona raised her hand to cut off Gerin’s surprise and bubbling anger. “But he will be coming once the situation allows.”

“And how is he supposed to reach The Shadow Isles? Only the Dark Elves know how to navigate the mists and hidden rocks.”

“We have a way,” Kal said. “I can assure you that it’s not an issue.”

“I’ll have to see that for myself.”

At least he doesn’t seem to care that she’s a Beast-kin, a Half Breed at that.

“Wilford?” Verona shouted to the helm. “Once we’re off you can head towards Bebbezzar and find the nearest large port. We’ll have Anton buy a warehouse and establish another portal. After that head to The Dwarven Isles.”

“How will I get out of here without running into the rocks?” Wilford shouted back.

“A Dark Elf will stay with you until you’re clear of the mist,” Ceccitol said. “Once you are clear they will head through the portal and return to The Shadow Isles. Kal, do you have another one ready?”

Kal nodded towards a small bag at her feet. “The other’s already set up back home. We’ll set this up as soon as we can find somewhere safe and secure.”

Wilford gave a nod and began shouting orders to the sailors. They were glad to be leaving.

Verona looked to the Dark Elf. “Ceccitol. Can you make sure that the Dwarves return to the ship? For protection. And so they can safely dock in Dwarven lands with a human ship.”

Ceccitol glanced at a nearby Dark Elf. They bowed and hurried towards Wiflord’s side. He was very unsettled by their serious and near unmoving attitude.

“Dwarves too?” Gerin looked at the human sailors and shook his head. “Perhaps that’s possible. Now, we need to return to the mansion. We can discuss what’s happened since you’ve left.”

“How bad is it?” Ceccitol followed her father as he walked off the ship.

“Bad.”

---[]---

Verona waited on the jetty until The Snowberry disappeared into the mist. A strange feeling washed over her, they were truly alone in this land. Just her and Kal in an unknown land with people they really didn’t know. Verona inhaled deeply and straightened her back. No one could know of her insecurity. Kal didn’t look much better, a hand idly reached for her mask. Verona made sure that no one was watching before she gave Kal’s hand a squeeze. It shook a little but calmed almost instantly.

“Our mansion is just beyond the city,” Ceccitol said to Verona and Kal. “Near the lighthouse. We’ll be able to collect our thoughts and plan our next move.”

“I wonder what sort of beds you have there,” Verona mumbled. Kal sighed and bumped her shoulder. “What? We need one, and if the Dark Elves’ is better than the one in Graterious why shouldn’t we buy one?”

“I…” Kal sighed. “Never mind.”

The Dark Elves briskly walked along the stone jetty. When Verona looked down she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. It didn’t look like a normal giant slab of stone or even stone brick like Rusaddir. The stone looked like it had melted; light bounced and refracted strangely through the stone though she couldn’t see the bottom. Verona slowed to get a better look but a Dark Elf nearly ran into her. Verona picked up her pace while holding back an awkward smile to Kal. A small swarm of Dark Elves emerged from their buildings and homes to gawk at the new arrivals. They seemed nervous, the children hidden by their parents, and were not willing to approach with their warrior escorts. These civilians didn’t wear the heavy black leather and padded armour of the warriors, they wore more traditional clothing. The men wore traditional pants and shirts but made from a very dark cotton-like material while women wore something akin to a dress designed to show off a good portion of their legs. Something bothered Verona. As they left the jetty it hit her; the men were either old or very young. Those that couldn’t fight. What Ceccitol and Tuccac feared had come true.

But there are still some ‘fighters’ here. Even if they’re only good for fodder.

Verona pushed such thoughts aside and followed the Dark Elves in complete silence. Kal’s keen eyes took in everything but she didn’t want to distract her just now. A smell of fish lingered in the air. Small racks perfectly aligned into rows as fish dried in the weak sun. The mist, though incredibly thin at ground level, blocked out some of the light and heat. Verona’s bare skin barely felt any of the sun’s rays despite winter still being some time away. Again the fish on display looked somewhat meagre and sad, just like the people. Stall owners moved to hawk their wares but backed away upon seeing Gerin. They bowed respectfully and backed away.

The city streets were arranged rather chaotically, unlike the rigid organisation of Seocuria and Danafra. There were more Dark Elves roaming these streets but very few weren’t young or old, and those looked wounded and walked with a dejected limp. Everyone bowed to Gerin. A few even whispered that Ceccitol had returned, some were derisive but most were eager. Eager to hear what she had found. Verona hoped they would be good enough.

Once free of the port city they entered a strange forest. Tall, dark trees rose into the sky and blocked out the weak sun. The leaves were large and very dark while the bark had the red marbled streaks endemic to all Dark Elven wood. Grasses and shrubs were equally dark leaved, it was quite difficult to see anything in this light level.

A small dirt path deviated from the main stone road towards the lighthouse and a mansion lying before it. A large wall, made from the same stone as the jetty, surrounded a mansion larger than Duchess Belinda’s. Unlike hers this was irregular, an amalgamation of small buildings randomly joined together with no regard for aesthetics. Verona liked it, though she was sure Anton would have words with their designers. So too would the Dwarves.

Metal gates opened and three small children ran towards them, making a beeline for Ceccitol. She burst into tears as they collided together. The children cried as she pulled them off the ground and into her chest.

They look as old as Shawn and Jocelyn! How young are they really though? My age? I don’t think Anton would like someone that young. You really were desperate.

“Where did you go?” A young female Dark Elf asked.

“You were gone for so long!” The other girl cried.

The young boy didn’t say a word, simply crying as he held his mother with all his might.

“I’m so sorry that I had to go.” Ceccitol placed them down. “But you know that mommy had to leave.”

“Are staying?” The boy asked.

“I am.” Ceccitol waved Tuccac forward. “For now, though. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stay but I’ll make sure every moment counts…Tuccac. Come on.”

“I…”

Verona stifled a laugh as Tuccac struggled to bond with his children, at least she was sure they were his children. Tuccac forced himself forward and knelt down. His children didn’t show any of his hesitation and leapt into his chest. A moment passed before tears started to run down his face. He loved them, even if he had trouble expressing that feeling.

“I’m glad you three are safe.” Tuccac pulled them tight.

“We never doubted that you would come back, dad.” The first girl said. “There’s no way dad would fail.”

Tuccac chuckled and gave a final squeeze. “Verona, Kal. These are our children. Our two girls are Seti and Seva. And our son, Banik.”

The children gave Verona and Kal a wave, which they returned.

Verona smiled. “Hello. Have you three been keeping this place safe while your parents have been away?”

Banik nodded furiously, pointing to the stone wall. A dead creature, some sort of large black cat the size of an adult wolf, was draped over the side peppered with Dark Elf arrows.

“I saw that this morning,” Banik said proudly. “It was trying to get inside and eat the chickens. But I told the guards and they killed it before it gets to any of them.”

“That’s wonderful.” Tuccac ruffled his hair before standing up. “And you two?”

“Seti has been skipping on training.” The dark Elf girl with short hair, Seva, smiled at her sister, whose long hair was tied up in a ponytail that reached below her back. “Again.”

“No, I have not!”

Ceccitol chuckled. “Nothing’s changed.”

The girls held Ceccitol’s hand while Tuccac’s his son. He still looked a little nervous to touch them, to even hold their hands, something that caused a light-hearted snigger amongst the other Dark Elves. Tuccac didn’t show any concern. He was overjoyed to be with his children.

A large garden spilt out from the main door of the mansion to the walls, filled with flowers and plants that Verona had never seen before. These were clearly not what Anton knew from Earth nor anywhere on the continent, he had tried his best to describe them but it was a difficult task at the best of times. These plants held an array of bright large flowers, Verona reasoned they would be easy to see in the darkness for the birds and insects, but some moved as they passed. The flowers retracted into their main body while others produced large feelers, the action almost brought Verona to laugh. A small bug landed on a feeler. It struggled to fly but couldn’t break free from a sticky mucus that covered its legs. In a few moments of struggling the bug had completely covered itself in a sticky sap, not even its wing cases could open. The feeler pulled the insect back into the flower, trapping the insect within.

“A carnivorous plant,” Ceccitol explained. “They catch insects and someone’s even small birds to feed.”

“I’ve seen some in Seocuria.” Kal leant close, though she kept her hands knit tightly behind her back. “But only near the Deweth Clans. They did the same thing as this.”

“They aren’t that uncommon, but are prolific in The Shadow Isles.” Ceccitol continued walking towards the mansion. “Please, come. There’ll be time to explore once everything has been settled.”

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Verona and Kal quickly re-joined the Dark Elf group as they approached the main door to the mansion. Two Dark Elves, wearing warrior’s armour, stood at attention waiting to open the door. No butler and a dozen maids to serve them this time.

“Master Gerin.” A warrior bowed as he opened the door.

“Has anything happened while I’ve been away? I’m expecting a representative from those stupid Mist Walkers soon.”

“Thankfully they have not arrived.” The warrior smiled. “The roads are…treacherous at times.”

Oh?

“Good. But I get the feeling that we’ll be leaving for the front soon.”

The warrior glumly nodded and completely opened the door. Dark Elf maids, dressed very similar to the women in the port, hurried to ensure everything was clean, the whole scene reminded her of Duchess Belinda’s mansion. Heads of large animals rested along the red marbled dark wood, no paintings but many ceremonial swords and bows. It was the home of a proud family of warriors, not an opulent merchant or lord. That gave Verona a little hope that the DuskReavers were the clan to back.

“I’ll send out the messengers.” Gerin began. “The rest of the clan will arrive sometime around mid-day. We can discuss things further then.”

“Thank you, father.”

Ceccitol bowed, so too did her children and Tuccac. Verona didn’t know if she was supposed to so she and Kal bowed their heads. If Gerin took any offence he didn’t show it and left the room flanked by two older Dark Elf warriors. When the door clicked closed Ceccitol breathed a sigh of relief.

“That could have gone worse.”

“Your father didn’t believe in your vision?” Kal asked.

Ceccitol chuckled. “No. Absolutely not. The only reason he let me go was that I threatened to leave the DuskReavers if I didn’t go. I’m his only child, you see.”

“I’m sure that’d mess with the inheritance.” Verona sighed.

“Not really. But there’s not much we can do until everyone’s gathered. And I would like to spend some time with my children.” Ceccitol caught the attention of a maid. “Could you please show them to a room? A good one. And please provide them with food and the opportunity for a bath.”

“Of course, my lady.” The maid, a pretty young Dark Elf, motioned towards a large door on the far side. “If you will please follow me.”

Verona and Kal gave a final nod to Ceccitol and Tuccac, Verona winked at their children, eliciting a giggle and wave, before following the maid.

“Just a bit of practice.” Verona smiled at Kal.

Kal nodded seriously. “I just hope that I’ll be good enough to raise them right.”

“We will Kal.” Verona smiled. “I know we all will.”

The maid led them through a twisting set of corridors before showing them to a large bedroom. Verona instantly knew that she wanted this place back in Atros: a large soft bed, heaps of space for clothes and a large sliding door leading to an area outside.

“Is that…” Kal pointed to a gazebo structure just outside their room.

“A hot spring.” The maid smiled ever so faintly. “It is known for its restorative properties. The spring is obscured from the rest of the mansion to ensure complete privacy. Not even the guards patrolling the walls are able to see in.”

Verona saw the high wall of shrubbery. There shouldn’t be a way to look through without some sort of magical trickery.

The maid waved to a large plate of fruit on a table at the foot of the bed. “We have a selection of fruits and dried meats for you as well. If you require anything else do not hesitate to call on us.”

“Thank you very much.” Verona bowed lightly.

The maid returned the polite bow and left the room.

“Kal? Your hand please.” Verona drew her blade, twirling it in her fingers.

“Are you worried something’s going to happen?”

“Best be prepared. Just in case.”

Verona cut a tiny nick into Kal’s hand. Her eyes scrunched lightly at the pain, it was odd that Anton could easily just dismiss such pain. Why was that? When Verona had a pot’s worth of blood she deactivated her power. Kal chanted a healing prayer, the tiny cut quickly faded away to nothing.

“So much more useful,” Verona grumbled.

“Not so much for combat.” Kal ruffled her hair whilst freeing her tail. Though it was somewhat protected from the spray of the sea, the salt had caused it to turn stiff and coarse. It was a shame to leave it in such a poor state.

“Should we actually have a dip?” Kal asked, her eyes eagerly looking towards the hot spring.

“I am.” Verona chuckled. “We might as well since I think we’ll be on the move pretty soon.”

“Right…”

Kal began to strip, placing her clothes in an extremely neat pile on the bed while Verona tossed hers in a mess onto the bed. Kal sighed and picked up Verona’s clothes and neatly stacked them.

“You really should do better.” Kal hovered a digitigrade foot, at least that’s what Anton called it, over the slightly steaming water. “This seems pretty hot.”

Verona dipped her finger into the water. “It’s not that bad. Come on, before we get called.”

A faint gasp escaped Verona’s lips as the hot water rolled over her body. At first, it was quite a surprise but that soon gave way to a gentle relaxing sensation flowing through her body. The hot spring’s water only reached their necks when they sat on the hot rocks, not that Verona minded.

“This…” Verona turned to Kal, a giddy smile on her face. “We need this in Atros.”

Kal dove her head underneath the water before throwing it back up, sending hot water droplets everywhere. Her tail slinked through the water like an eel. Verona pointed to it as something white dissolved out of her fur. “Looks like the salt doesn’t like the hot spring.”

“I don’t like the salt either.” Verona splashed water over her head before giving her arms a rough scrub. “Do you think we should tell Anton that we’re in this wonderful spring?”

“Of course.” Kal scratched her ear. “He’ll want to know we made it safely. But why did salt make you think of him.”

“All that stuff he was speaking with Cetina about food. You know, that really good food…that we should have gotten in Seocuria. Or at least see if we could. Better than just salted meat.”

“I don’t want to give the Seocurian’s any more of our money than we have to,” Kal said adamantly. “Besides, it’d be Beast-kin who have to load the ship. And I don’t want to contribute to their suffering.”

“Yeah…But it still would have been nice. Guess we’ll just have to get it next time we’re in Bebbezzar.” Verona slinked lower into the hot water.

“I’m going to talk to Anton now,” Kal said.

“Right. Right.”

Verona wrapped her hand around her wedding ring.

“Anton?” Verona spoke into the ring. “Are you there? Now I know why you hate saying it like that.”

“At least I heard it,” Kal mumbled.

“Hey, Verona.” Anton’s voice echoed through her head. “Are you in The Shadow Isles? Is Kal with you? Are you both okay?”

“I’m fine.” Kal smiled and slinked deeper into the water. “Hearing your voice in my head is kind of strange. I wish I could see you in the flesh instead. How are things going in Qaiviel?”

“We haven’t reached Maxill yet. But we’re making good progress. There have been a few small skirmishes with the Green Goblins but nothing too serious. Just a dozen or so at a time so Belinda’s bodyguard could probably take care of them, no sweat. Cetina’s doing well too.”

“Hello.” Cetina’s voice, slightly shaky and awkward, floated through the ring. “How are you two?”

“We’re doing fine.” Verona splashed her hand into the water to gently grab Kal’s fan tail. “Right now we’re in a hot spring waiting for the Dark Elves to hurry things up.”

“A hot spring?” Anton asked. “They have something like that in The Shadow Isles?”

“Yeah. And it’s incredible. I can’t wait until we get one of these back in Atros.”

“You could make this,” Verona said to Kal.

“I probably could. But I’m sure Anton would say that it’s a bad use of our magic.” Kal chuckled. “At least for now. Though my shoulders feel a lot better.”

Verona looked at her breasts floating in the water. Though it felt good to have the weight lifted off her shoulders she would have preferred for Anton to do the lifting.

“Lucky for you two then.” Anton laughed. “Right now it’s raining. Not much but enough that everything’s getting soaked.”

“The horses aren’t enjoying it much either,” Cetina added dryly.

“Do you want me to come there?” Verona asked. “I could do the blood umbrella thing again. Keep the water off you?”

“Thanks but we’ll be fine. It’s already starting to lighten, give it a bit and we should be in the clear. So how bad are things in The Shadow Isles?”

“From what we’ve seen it’s not good.” Kal scratched her arms. “Most of the people that could serve as warriors have already gone. The port is filled with the young and old.”

“Terrible. Please do your best to keep things from falling apart. We’ll try to be there as soon as we can but I can’t promise anything.”

Verona looked to Kal, both girls nodded. “Absolutely. But we’re not going to do anything stupid. As you said, you’d prefer to have us both back alive at the end of this.”

“That I would. If you need anything don’t hesitate to call…contact us. If there’s a lull in the battle we could move either way to help out.”

“Okay. Be safe Anton.” Verona smiled, knowing that four people were involved in the conversation. “We love you.”

A faint groan came through the ring. Anton laughed as Cetina mumbled something.

“Oh, Cetina,” Verona interjected. “You remember what we talked about, right? Don’t forget it.”

“I won’t.”

Verona couldn’t tell if she was being serious or not, so she chose to believe the former.

“What did you two do to her anyway?” Anton asked.

“Nothing.” Kal smiled at Verona. “Just Verona doing what she does best.”

“I wonder what that could be.” Anton laughed again. “I guess I’m going to find out soon enough, won’t I?”

“Who knows?” Verona teased. “But please, both of you, stay safe.”

“We will. I love you both, I’ll talk to you soon.”

Verona removed her hand and breathed a sigh of relief. She dived her head underneath the water. Warmth travelled through her skull and into her mind. When she couldn’t wait any longer she burst through the water, scattering water droplets everywhere.

“I’m glad that they’re safe.” Verona scratched her chest. “But we’re probably going to be alone for this, aren’t we?”

Kal nodded. “Probably. Anton needs to focus on keeping Atros safe. And to do that he needs to focus, I don’t think we should be bothering him unless it is absolutely necessary. I know he’ll be doing the same.”

Verona sighed. “I know.” She pulled both her hands into fists. “So we just need to do the best we can. And not mess this up.”

Kal’s brows furrowed. “We will. We will do it right. But I wonder how bad things really are?” Kal looked at the ceiling. “How much don’t we know?”

---[]---

Verona and Kal were dressed and thoroughly refreshed before the maid returned. While they weren’t told to take their weapons Verona thought it would be best. Verona didn’t think she would need the blood but Anton always told her to be prepared no matter what. The Cold Stone rattled ever so slightly at the bottom of the pot.

The mansion was far busier than before. Dark Elf warriors, all equipped with a fearsome array of weapons, stood in small groups, whispering and chatting amongst themselves in the mansion. The open door revealed even more waiting outside. An elf took a second look as Verona and Kal emerged.

My skin is extremely white. Well, at least half of it is. I’m probably the lightest person they’ve seen in their lives if they’ve never left these Islands.

Verona felt her skin crawl as the men’s gaze fell on her chest and rear. Thankfully their cloaks hid their true curves but it still felt a little odd. A few harsh whispers and the gazes stopped; their commanders, like Ceccitol, had great control over their subordinates.

The maid bowed to the guards waiting on the door Gerin had entered. She motioned for them to enter but clearly wasn’t allowed in herself. Verona took a deep breath, Kal forced herself to remain calm and composed. Inside lay a large open room with a map on the far wall with dozens of Dark Elves, many not wearing armour but rather more casual, but still expensive, clothes. Verona once again hated her lack of height. The Dark Elves were all quite tall, though far more slender than her. She spied Ceccitol speaking with Gerin, both pointed to the north of the map with a worried expression.

“Come on,” Verona whispered to Kal.

They slowly pushed through the Dark Elves but quickly found themselves to be the centre of attention. Verona returned their questioning gazes with smiles until a hand reached out for her shoulder. She jumped to the side and stared at the Dark Elf as he stood still with his hand outstretched. He didn’t know what to do, doubly so as the crowd focused their attention on him. Verona bowed her head and continued to push through.

“There you are.” Ceccitol’s face relaxed. “The maid certainly took her time to get you.”

“We were just taking a bit of a refresher.” Verona chuckled, nudging Kal’s side. “It was perfect. We feel a lot better now.”

“What is the purpose of this gathering?” Kal asked. She stepped closer to Gerin and Ceccitol. “Is this all the soldiers you have left on your island?”

Gerin sighed. “Essentially, yes. Several are still guarding the cities and towns but they need to remain here. Everyone else is on the front. But we can discuss that in a minute.”

Something in Verona’s mind clicked.

“What did you just say?” Verona asked. “That word you just used. What was it?”

“Minute?” Gerin raised his brow. “What about it?”

“Right. But what does it mean?” Verona forced her hand to remain still.

“It’s a unit of time that Dark Elves use.” Gerin rubbed his chin. “Now that I think about it I don’t know why we call it that.”

“Is there something called…” Verona scrunched her eyes tight. “An hour?”

“Yes. A larger unit of time. We have Sand Timers that we use to determine how long it takes for an hour to pass.” Gerin shared a glance with Ceccitol. “Why do you ask? It is a strange thing to be talking about now. Ceccitol?”

Ceccitol shrugged. “I never brought it up because the humans on the continent don’t use it. I didn’t think you did either so…Is there a problem?”

Verona’s mind spun at the implications of just a few words.

Anton’s always making those slips, even if he doesn’t want to. I mean that’s one of the reasons that he’s with Kal after all. But it’s here! Does that mean that someone else from his world has been here before him? One that gave them their measurement of time?

Verona looked at the worried faces of the Dark Elves.

We can’t worry about that right now, even though I know that Anton would want to know more. At least he would know what sort of questions to ask.

“Another time.” Verona smiled. “If we aren’t leaving right away we’d like to talk more about it. I know that’s will be of great interest for Anton.”

“Very well.” Gerin folded his arms. “We’d better get started then.”

Gerin loudly clapped his hands. “Everyone! Please take your seats! We will begin the meeting.”

“Follow me.” Ceccitol gently tapped their shoulders and pushed them towards the door.

For a moment Verona thought they were about to be ejected. The Dark Elves assembled themselves in two lines on either side of the room with Gerin standing in front of the giant map. Verona saw some sort of arrangement but couldn’t understand it beyond those wearing the civilian clothes, probably the leaders, were closest to the centre while those in armour stood behind them in. Verona was more than a little miffed they were standing behind Ceccitol and Tuccac but let it slide. Verona glanced at Kal, both were worried that they had no idea of the protocol when everyone sat simultaneously. While Verona was glad to be off her feet she noticed a large number of the people on the opposite side judging her very harshly. Unlike her and Kal, who sat with their legs crossed, impossible if they wore a skirt, the others sat in very odd positions. The women with both their legs to the right while the men sat almost the same as Verona but their ankles barely crossed one another. During their travels, the Dark Elves hadn’t sat like this. Formal meetings perhaps? Regardless Verona nor Kal had been told about this. Ceccitol and Tuccac glanced back but said nothing.

“Thank you all for joining us on such short notice,” Gerin spoke gently but with an authority that silenced any hint of noise. “Let us get to the point. The Goblin horde continues to push south. And our strength is nearly spent. However, my daughter has returned.”

Many Dark Elves murmured under their breaths.

“I know that many of you doubted her but it appears her journey has been successful.”

Ceccitol rose up, she clenched her fingers tight underneath the silent scrutiny thrown at her. “My vision was not delusion. Though I do not return with an army I bring some very powerful mages to help us.” Ceccitol stood forward and motioned towards them. “Verona is a Blood Berserker of incredible power and Kal, a Half-Breed Beast-kin can use Tethra’s power, an ability that we have thought lost to the world.”

“Is this it?” A Dark Elf asked. Verona groaned internally, it was the same one that reached for her hand.

“No. There is also an extremely powerful mage that can harness Stratos’s, Esperit’s and Tethra’s powers. And a swordsman of some skill.”

You just haven’t seen Cetina fight yet. Then you’ll know that she could probably take you all out when she falls into that trance.

A murmur that quickly grew into a shouting match was silenced as Gerin raised his hand. “Regardless of what you might think this is the best help that we have. Quite possibly the only help that we have now. No one else in this room has found any additional help. So…Unless you have something better this is all we have.”

Only the shuffling of feet responded.

“I thought not. Now, we will be leaving for the front this afternoon. What forces do you have?”

Verona kept her face flat as the Dark Elf representatives detailed their forces. Her heart twisted to hear such pathetic numbers. No one had more than a hundred warriors to send. Verona’s mind wandered to the people at the dock.

Gerin nodded solemnly as he listened to the numbers.

“Everything we have left.” Gerin sighed. “But, hopefully, we can win now. Especially if these mages are as powerful as you say.”

“They are,” Ceccitol said, her voice devoid of emotion.

Gerin scrunched his hands. “If we don’t move soon the Mist Walkers will return and simply take everyone. And we don’t have the strength to resist them.”

The room fell silent.

“At least we may have a chance now.” Gerin rose up first, the other Dark Elves followed. “We leave in an hour. Make sure that you’re ready.”

The Dark Elves murmured as they slowly began to file out. Verona and Kal took a step back, some Dark Elves threw them odd looks but nothing too serious. When most had left Verona breathed a little easier. Ceccitol hurriedly moved to Gerin’s side, gently holding his hand.

“My mind is clouded these days.” Gerin sighed. “Knowing that our clan is on the verge of destruction while those idiotic Mist Walkers and their lackeys hide behind our warriors so they can enjoy a life of luxury.”

“It won’t last,” Verona said. “If you do fall then they’re going to have to fight. But I’m sure they’ll find a way to blame you for that.”

“Hmm…True.” Gerin gently rubbed his hands. “Can you ride a Jaguar Mount? Dark Elves can run much faster than humans and we cannot delay our departure.”

“We know how to ride horses.” Verona glanced at Kal. “But I have no idea about a Jaguar, whatever that is.”

“We’ll make sure that you get some of the more gentle beasts,” Gerin said. “You were talking about minutes and hours before.”

“Yes…I-We’d really like to know more,” Verona said, hoping the intensity in her voice didn’t put him off.

“We don’t have much information about that.” Gerin frowned. “Most of the artefacts are kept in the Mist Walkers main fortress, which is our destination. I’m sure they will be able to explain this better. To be honest I don’t know why we call it that.”

“You-You mentioned something about a Sand Timer,” Verona said. “Could we have a look please?”

Gerin glanced at Ceccitol. “I suppose so. But there’s little to see. Ceccitol, could you please show them? Oh, and give them some better cloaks. Theirs will just attract the wild Jaguars and other beasts. They smell wrong too.”

Kal raised a brow and sniffed at the hem.

“I will, father.”

Gerin nodded and left the room. Tuccac, who remained in his original position gently walked across the silent room.

Ceccitol gently held Verona’s shoulder. “Now you see bad things really are. I just wish that we had Anton with us as well.”

“So do I.” Verona smiled. “He could have just shown off a few dozen fireballs and everyone would have been happy. My power tends to scare people a bit more. And Kal’s is a little harder to really demonstrate.”

“At least without someone wounded,” Kal added.

“I’ll get the cloaks,” Tuccac said.

“Thanks.” Ceccitol pecked him on the cheek. “We won’t be long.”

---[]---

“Is this it?” Verona tapped the strange item. “I thought it would have been a little grander than this. It’s just a glass tube with some sand in it.”

“But it flows at a regular rate.” Kal leant close, her horizontal cat-slit eyes studied the thin glass neck intently. “See?”

Verona’s eyes were almost hypnotised by the slow but constant stream of yellow sand, slowly building at the base.

“Yeah.” She touched the top but Ceccitol stepped forward.

“Please be very careful with it.” Ceccitol delicately pushed Verona’s hand away. “It has been in our family for generations. It’s very valuable, there are only a few of the original ones left.”

Verona kept her hands behind her back as she studied the markings on the top of the Sand Timer. It was clearly a language but one that Verona hadn’t seen in a very long time. During the first few days after Anton’s arrival, he didn’t know how to write their language, like Verona still couldn’t very well, he could still speak properly. Which was very odd. Anton’s designs all had notes written in his language. No one could read them so if someone stole them it would be essentially useless. And those looked almost identical to the letters hammered into the metal band protecting the top of the Sand Timer.

I don’t think Kal’s seen his language before. Maybe a few scraps…

“Do you understand what it says?” Kal asked.

“No. I don’t.” Verona flashed Kal a look, Anton would know.

Ceccitol tapped the top of the Sand Timer. “This is one of the few artefacts left from the United Empire. When it ruled almost all the world, including these islands and beyond. At least that’s what my father said.”

“Does he know anything about its history?” Verona asked. “I know that Anton would really like to hear about it.”

“Possibly. But most of the history has been lost to us. I know that the rule of the United Empire was not good for our people. The Mist Walkers might know more but that might be a little difficult.”

“I just know that Anton’s going to be really excited to hear this.” Verona sighed. “Just not right now. If we tell him he’ll be distracted. And he wouldn’t do that for us.”

Ceccitol motioned for them to leave her father’s study room. “The journey will take us some time so it might be something to discuss. Gerin might know more.”

“Thanks, Ceccitol.” Verona happily clapped her hands, smiling at Kal. “Now, what are these Jaguar Mounts really going to look like?”