“Pardon?” Glade stammered, the shock of Riya’s statement throwing him off balance.
“I’m not sure how you define the act where you come from, but taking someone against their will is a clear definition of kidnapping,” Riya said, giving him a genuine look of curiosity. She was certainly calm for one who was accusing him of kidnapping her. “Not that it's totally unheard of among my kind. After all, the Banished Elves are still exiled to the grasslands, which creates opportunity for slavers and bounty hunters to get their hands on one of the long lived. Still, I’d prefer to know what your intentions are.”
“Now, hold on just a moment,” Glade began. He had purposefully brought Riya with them so she could have a better chance at survival. That statement had even been in the quest he’d been given! How on earth could she even think he was kidnapping her? He readied himself to explain that fact, but was cut short as Riya talked over him.
“Do you intend to hold me for ransom? If so, it would be good to know that my people are not wealthy. With that being said, I’m certain my father would come to some arrangement for my safe return.”
Glade quickly started shaking his head and waving his hands, “No, you’re mistaken…”
“No? Then are you holding me in the hopes of forcing my father to give you my hand in marriage? I’ve read of such plots before, where human men believe that by forcing a marriage between themselves and an elvish First Daughter that they would somehow become the successor of a noble house. If that’s your plan, then let me tell you now that it would fail. First, my father is a level 27 Noble Ranger and would likely kill you on the spot. Also, I may be the First Daughter, but my younger sister has been named as heir because of her brands. Of course, my father would likely reinstate me if Bei’Kedryn was the one seeking my hand, but that would be as ridiculous as the moons rising in harmony.”
“It's nothing like that at all!” Glade cried. Kedryn could barely keep from laughing at his commander’s predicament until Riya’s last comment. He then began coughing violently the moment she mentioned his name and marriage.
“If it's not the first two, then I can only assume you plan to sell me into slavery. I guess that makes sense. My celestial attunement and long life span makes me quite valuable and should ensure I am sold into a good home…”
Glade’s visage immediately hardened at Riya’s last comment. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he locked his gaze onto hers.
“You are severely mistaken,” he said with an intensity that made Riya flinch. “I would never do any of those things. My job before coming here was to stop criminals from doing that in my world.” Glade growled.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Seeing as he had a moment to explain, he pushed forward.
“When we arrived at that paradise in the clouds, I was given a choice. To allow you to return to whatever place you were taken from or bring you with me. It was the Adjudicators who explained your chances of survival were far better with me than without. That is why I chose to bring you with me, just like the quest said.”
Riya stared at him in absolute confusion.
“This makes no sense. No sense at all. I am of the Ab’Ligare, the broken promise. No one helps my kind. Ever! There has to be something in this for you that I can’t see,” Riya cried, the first real emotion the poor girl had exhibited since Glade had met her.
“There are no other ulterior motives,” Glade said as gently as he could. Carefully, he removed his hands from her shoulders.
“But why?” She whispered, stepping away from him and Kedryn, her arms wrapped tightly around her chest like a lost girl. Her eyes pleaded with him for hope. He had seen that look too many times in his life. Usually by innocents he had been ordered to leave behind. Orders he had broken more times than he could count, which had ultimately led to his reassignment to a team that didn’t deal with refugees or fallout from war.
“Because you needed help,” Glade said with a shrug. “Do I need to have another reason?”
A deep silence followed as Riya’s face became a battlefield of emotions, each one fighting the other for dominance.
After searching his eyes for an unknown amount of time, Riya’s face settled into what he would call tentative hope.
“By the Overseer’s will, I place my future into your hands,” she whispered, the look of hope solidifying into resolution. A feeling of weight settled onto his soul as the words resonated from within. “To salvation, or destruction, the choice lies with thee. Let it be witnessed.”
“I so witness,” Kedryn declared in what Glade could only assume was his best - I’m an important person, so pay attention to me - voice. He was even trying to strike a pose for goodness sake!
Glade fought hard not to roll his eyes seeing as this was an important moment for Riya. The comment might have actually sounded impressive if the Kid didn’t look like a teenager playing pretend with his father’s larping gear.
Glade’s thoughts cut off the moment horns blared in his ears as a notification appeared.
Attention! Da’Riya Ki’Loshere has granted her approval to name you her protector, allowing you to proceed with your quest: Bring her Home I. This oath has been witnessed by the Royal Elf, Bei’Kedryn Serevlir, of the royal house of Serevlir. By having a royal elf of his station witness such a bond you are hereby granted the title, Sah’eld, a royally appointed protector of House Loshere’s First Daughter.
Da’Riya Ki’Loshere has been separated from her people, the Banished Elves. Including her as part of your boon has significantly increased her odds of survival. As with all endeavors, a journey begins with the first step. Will you escort Da’Riya Ki’Loshere to the surface?
This quest has already been accepted and cannot be declined.
Glade stared at the prompt, at a complete loss for words.
“What’s this about a quest?” Kedryn asked.