I struggled to pull away, as my body slammed into the trees. Aella threw a crescent that drained me further to cut the vine, but failed. I saw my death literally approaching. Then the silhouette of the woman appeared in front of me. She was still a few feet away and was wearing a mask but I was sure she wore a carnivorous smile on her face which widened as I approached.

When I fell to the ground suddenly.

The vine had been severed.

"When I'm done with them, we'll have things to talk about." Endar said without looking at me. By the tone of his voice, I felt his anger, towards me and towards my attackers.

“Dalanne will never change, sending his best assassins against a child. What is she thinking!” he said angrily

The woman did not answer him, she looked at her cut vine before materializing another and launched herself at Endar.

I was always amazed when I watched my teacher fight.

He walked without stopping, while the vines tried to hit him. He seemed to be walking through a park, his dodges invisible to the naked eye, even to an elf. The woman redoubled her attempts when suddenly Endar disappeared and reappeared in front of her with a hand around her neck.

"May you be reincarnated into a more peaceful life," he said before snapping her neck.

Endar put the woman's body gently on the ground and watched with a pained look, suddenly a mass hit him and dragged his body into the woods. The trees crashing in their path made a deafening noise.

Suddenly, the last assassin appeared in front of me. He had the same uniform as his partner, but was much more imposing. His height reminded me of my father's. He raised his hand.

Slowly a hatchet entirely composed of wind materialized in his hands.

I was exhausted, I had used my magic to its limit and Aella sensing my distress placed herself between my attacker and me. Even if the spirit launched an attack, without a heavy influx of magic, it wouldn't even leave a scratch. But Aella remained motionless.

The man raised his ax to deal the killing blow, and I saw the weapon approach me with maddening speed, the wind it carried with it whistling in my ears.

" I do not think so. »

Suddenly, Endar was standing in front of the axe, locking it in his hands.

I read surprise in the assassin's eyes and perhaps for the first time, fear. He put more force into his attack, but Endar did not move. Sensing the danger, the assassin dissipated the weapon. He watched Endar for a moment, then disappeared into the woods.

"You're not going to catch him? I asked

"I don't like unnecessary deaths, and I have more important things to do." he said before turning to me.

This elf was terrifying.

I limped toward the village with my head down. Endar hadn't said anything yet, but the silence weighed more than words. The villagers eyed us curiously, then quickly moved away. I sighed internally.

When we arrived at the inn, the innkeeper looked at us with fear.

I sat up on my bed without waiting, grimacing heavily. I had forgotten how painful acceleration could be. If Endar hadn't found me so quickly, I wouldn't have been here anymore.

"What got into you?" he finally asked, I heard anger in his voice, and behind all that anger, concern.

“I just wanted to practice for a while. There are not many training grounds in a village.” I explained

“And this training couldn’t wait, until I come back? »

I remained silent.

“You put your life in danger, because you were impatient. What a good joke. These assassins were seconds away from succeeding. Do you really want to give Dalanne his victory? I DIDN'T SPEND FIVE YEARS TRAINING YOU TO FAIL BECAUSE OF YOUR TEENAGE WHIMS! »

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“You won't be with me forever, Endar. »

“No more solo workouts. Is that clear ? »

I rolled my eyes but nodded.

The following weeks were extremely boring. Endar spent his time with the mayor. I had only been able to train twice in the week. Endar did not wish to explain to me the reason for his many absences.

One evening, I confronted him.

“Why do you go so often to see the mayor? »

Endar sighed at my question.

“The mayor wants me to do something for him. But it is extremely dangerous. »

"Even for you?" I asked surprised. He was the man who destroyed monsters and assassins in seconds. What could he be so afraid of.

When I asked him the question, he fell silent.

In order not to stay twiddling my thumbs in the room, I ended up walking in the village. There was nothing exciting about this half-elf village. It was during one of my walks that I saw a scene that bothered me.

Two adult half-elves were attacking a child. They pushed him to the ground and laughed at him.

" What are you going to do? Stay where you are with the worms." one of them said.

But the boy tried to get up before being pushed again.

Passers-by watched the scene for a moment and then went on their way, indifferent.

"Tell me where she is!" Where is my sister? Where did you take her?" cried the child

It was then that I realized the victim had a weaker spark. He wore shabby clothes and held a red ribbon in one hand.

"What's the use of knowing where she is?" It must certainly be in the hands of a nice owner. Forget her, get ready instead, in a few years it will be you in her place. said one of the half-elves with a mocking smile.

I watched shock appear on the boy's features, shock that quickly turned to rage.

" No !!! Give it to me!! Give me back my sister! cried the child before rushing towards his attackers. He was throwing punches, but his small size didn't help much and the hand of one of them landed on his head and roughly pushed him away. His head hit a rock in the muddy ground and blood gushed from the wound.

I had seen enough.

“What do you think you are doing? Leave it! I cried, approaching them quickly.

They seemed irritated at being interrupted and turned to me. Horror then formed on their faces and quickly bowed.

“Sir, please forgive our impudence.” one of them said.

They kept their heads down as they backed away. When they were far enough away, they ran away.

I then turned to the child and held out a hand, which he violently pushed away.

"I don't want an elf's help." he cried, his face full of hatred

He straightened up slowly, his face bloody.

“You need healing. I said, handing him a handkerchief.

He looked at my hand but didn't take it. I sighed and lowered my arm.

“An elf has nothing I desire. You never give anything for free, especially to a half-elf." he said staring at me

I frowned. Those eyes were familiar to me.

“I think I have something you want. » I say slowly

"Do you know where my sister is?"

I was sure there was a connection, but I had to make sure.

"Does she have purple eyes like yours?" I asked

I saw hope enter his eyes at those words. So I was not mistaken.

"Yes, have you seen him? he exclaimed before grabbing my hand vigorously.

“She was captured by slave traders. »

"Impossible... they were telling the truth." he muttered in shock before pulling away from me.

“But she must be free now. »

“Does it amuse you to make fun of people. Do you take me for an idiot. he exclaimed, surely thinking I looked like his attackers.

“She must be free, if she drank the poison I gave her. »

The child trembled with rage.

" What did you do ? he exclaimed

“I gave him poison. »

“You killed my sister? he said in disbelief.

“The poison is not so strong.” I said

He now looked confused.

“It is a poison that will slow her vital functions and put her in stasis. I finally explained

“And how will that help her? he exclaimed, she will be helpless! »

"What do the half-elves do when one of you dies?" I asked

He looked at me like I was an idiot now.

"We bury them under a tree, like the elves." he said

“The effect of the poison lasts for three days. She will have no pulse, her skin as cold as death. They will bury her without knowing that she is still alive. It will be his only chance. If you want to find your sister you should find out which road this cart took. I said

He looked at me with doubtful eyes.

" Why ? why help him? You are an elf. Elves hate half-elves. »

"Because I could." I said simply, handing him the handkerchief again. But my answer seemed to be enough for him. He took the handkerchief this time and put it on his wound.

" Thank you ! Thank you ! My name is Callan, my sister and I are indebted to you. One day we will pay it back. I promise you." He said with a smile on his face before running off.

I hope he finds his sister, I thought before heading back to the inn.

When I entered the room, Endar was packing his backpack. He seemed agitated.

"Are we leaving? I asked

“No, you stay here, you keep a low profile, I'll be back soon. »

I was surprised, it was the first time that he did not take me with him.

" What's going on ? Why can't I accompany you? »

" It's too risky." he said before closing his bag.

"Won't you tell me more? »

“The forest is in danger, I have a mission to accomplish. No, he said seeing me open my mouth, you'll stay here. If in a week I am not back, you will immediately return to the castle and tell your father to contact the mayor of Lignia immediately. Is that clear ? »

I hesitated, before nodding my head.

“Be careful of yourself. I can't help you this time." he said before closing the door behind him

Two weeks had passed, and Endar had not returned from his mission.