21

My mother seemed disturbed by this news. It didn't really surprise me. Half-elves were not well liked by pure elves. However for the first time since my reincarnation, I was a little disappointed with my mother. I knew she wasn't perfect. Perfection did not exist. However, I had thought her more tolerant. Was it hate or just fear, I couldn't tell. But of course, my curiosity was aroused by this news. Where did they come from and how did they get to Woodskin. I had only vague memories of the past month, but I remembered a soft voice. I would have liked to meet these half-elves immediately, but my mother expressly refused to allow me to leave the bed and Endar had welcomed these elves into his house. I didn't think he had a spare room, but he must have arranged it.

Of course, a few hours after I woke up a cannonball entered my room and crushed me with all its weight, my father certainly had not changed either.

Despite my frustration at the idea of staying in bed indefinitely, I was happy to be home.

I had not yet heard from the Duchess, but I was convinced that she was aware of my presence within these walls. She would have less chance of trying to assassinate me.

Over the days to fight against boredom, I watched my mother. She was a good comedian, certainly a talent she had acquired during her career as an assassin. But I could see that something was bothering her.

So one evening when we had just finished a vegetable soup that I decided to question him.

"What's going on mother, something is bothering you, I'm sure. »

Her eyes widened in surprise, she certainly didn't expect me to confront her like this.

“You have grown well. Before, you wouldn't have noticed. I am proud to see how strong you have become. But also saddened, to know that you had to grow up so fast. Well, I can't hide anything from you. In a month your half-brother will try again to summon a spirit. This time a spirit of the earth. He tried twice to summon an air spirit, and your father got tired of his failures and told him he wouldn't pay for that type of spirit again. He will therefore have to fall back on a spirit of the earth. But the invocation will be overseen by the Duchess' first son and their grandfather. This means that we will both be at risk. With his army nearby and his son revered by the court, Dalanne will have all the advantages. If she has to do anything against us it will be during this invocation. But I don't know what she's up to. She's been quiet since you left, but I don't think she's given up. We must remain on our guard. »

I had never seen my mother be so serious about the Duchess. She was really worried. The spirit of the fire to which I was linked, was certainly strong enough that we did not worry, alas it had not given sign of life since.

Do you know when he will wake up Aella?

No, but it is better that he continues to sleep, so that your core can become strong enough to contain him. You were lucky he made that decision. He lowered his energy as much as he could but it wasn't enough. You're alive because he's sleeping, so don't be in too much of a rush to see him wake up.

I know, you already told me. But you heard my mother, we are in danger and if I could use this spirit, Dalanne would not dare to touch us.

You'll have to find a solution that doesn't end up killing you.

Since our last adventure Aella seemed drier to me. She was not someone who opened easily and if she easily answered my questions, she had a hard time talking about herself. I didn't know if she ever had a summoner for example. I wanted to be close to my spirit, but she put barriers between us.

A week later. The first snowflakes fell and covered the trees to create a blanket of snow. The Horned Forest offered a completely different image during this season. She seemed dead to me, waiting to come back to life in the spring that never came quickly enough. I hated winter with a passion.

“Why this sulky look." my mother asked as I sat by a window in the small living room.

“Do you really need to ask me that question. You know very well that I hate winter. I said in a dry tone that immediately made me feel guilty.

“I learned over the years that you developed a grumpy character during this period. But you never explained to me. I hope one day you will tell me why."

I watched the snowflakes fall as if with one look I could melt them.

" Maybe one day… "

It wasn't a happy story and I wasn't ready to dwell on that part of my previous life.

"You should go see Endar" said my mother

I looked at her in surprise

"I thought you didn't want me to leave the tower, until the summoning. »

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My mother then sighed.

“You are no longer the little boy I longed to protect. Make no mistake, I would give my life for you, you are my son and I love you. But I know I can't keep you here forever. Especially in this period. You need to have distractions. Endar has wanted to see you since your return and I am running out of excuses."

" Mother ! "

A soft laugh escaped her lips.

“Go ahead my little elf, before I change my mind."

I didn't wait any longer and rushed to my room to put on my coat, scarf and boots.

The winter was mild in the Horned Forest but that didn't stop me from grimacing every time I was forced into the snow.

“Stupid winter, stupid snow." I grumbled

Suddenly I saw something move towards me and dove to the ground. I was now covered in snow.

I saw something next to me that made me freeze. It was an arrow. Did Dalanne decide the wait was too painful and send me another assassin?

"Leave us alone, we will soon leave your sacred groves!" I heard a female voice shout.

I looked around me in confusion. If the person who just shot me was here I would find them. However, I was confused as to what she had just said.

I scanned the surrounding forest. When suddenly another arrow grazed my cheek and scratched me.

I was now angry. Who took the liberty of attacking me here. my thoughts were again interrupted not by one arrow, but three. The first falls to my right, the second to my left and the third between my legs.

Oh no… I thought horrified

I got up and quickly hid behind a tree to try to spot my attacker again to no avail. She was hiding well.

But I was better trained.

I took snow from the ground and threw it.

I got you, I thought when I saw something shining instead. It was the end of an arrow of that I was sure.

Within moments and with the help of a little air magic, I found myself behind my attacker who was hiding in a tree. She turned sharply to me, bow in hand and ready to fire.

Without waiting I rushed towards her and dragged her to the ground with me.

I heard a moan of pain, then my head flew to the side with the force of the punch that had just been landed on me. It was then that a struggle between my adversary and me began. She was not short of dirty tricks. Snow in the face, knees that tried to mutilate my masculinity. When at last I had mastered my attacker. I held his arms above his head against a tree, ready to defend myself when I met amethyst eyes again.

She looked at me in surprise.

" It's you ? " she says. I live wonder, replace anger, then guilt

“Oh no! I'm sorry!" she declared quickly.

Even though the anger had subsided a little, I held her against the tree.

" What are you doing here ?" I asked, had she followed me?

“My brother and I accompanied Endar, when he brought you back to the castle."

When Endar's name crossed her lips, I realized she was one of the half-elves my mother had been talking about. I released her and watched her massage her aching wrists with a hint of guilt that disappeared when I remembered that she was the one who attacked me.

But I thought she would already be far from the horned forest.

“So you managed to free yourself from your chains. But why didn't you run away? It is not good to be a half-elf in this forest."

“When I came out of stasis, I thought about where I could escape. I knew I had to go back for my brother, but just as I was thinking of sneaking into the village, he found me. Callan told me you helped him find me. I wanted to thank you. One of my acquaintances in the village told me that you had left the village and where you were heading. We have followed in your footsteps. That's when we found you passed out under a tree near Endar. I tried to take care of you as best I could but your fever wasn't going down. Fortunately your master woke up shortly afterwards or you would no longer be of this world. We wanted to leave you with your master, but he was also hurt. We ended up following him here unfortunately." she finished in an irritated tone

" Thanks for helping me. I didn't expect to see you again. But why do you shoot arrows at strangers." I asked a little puzzled

"When you're surrounded by enemies, you don't really have a choice." she said before retrieving her bow and walking towards Endar's house.

Enemies?

I followed her quickly.

“What enemies?"

She kept walking as if she hadn't heard me.

“The elves are protected by the duke, the half-elves by no one. The only reason they didn't kick us out is because Endar is protecting us. The elves have a lot of respect for him. But it can't always be there. A few days ago some boys accosted my brother, they told him they wanted to play with him. But Callan is not naive. You can't be when you're a half-elf. He refused and they chased him to Endar's house. But that didn't stop them from throwing stones at the windows. It wasn't until Endar arrived that they realized their mistake. He dragged them to their parents. But I can't sit idle when my brother's life is in danger. I saw your coat and thought they were back."

I felt angry for her. She hadn't chosen to be a half-elf, and I thought there was nothing wrong with that. But elves could actually be narrow-minded when it came to sharing their spark of immortality.

Before I could answer him the trees gave way to the clearing and Endar's house. How long had passed since I came here. I remembered the first time I tried to absorb energy and the fear I felt when I saw Endar for the first time. A nostalgic smile formed on my lips.

“Evanya!! I heard a shout before seeing Callan running towards his sister.

So that was his first name.

"Evanya where were you?" Endar is furious. said Callan

“This grumpy old man is never happy. Does he think I'm going to sit around all day listening to him talk about his prowess as a teacher. And Callan you know very well that I prefer to be called Vanya. So stop acting like you don't know. »

"But that's the name father gave you," he muttered.

“Did you see our father somewhere, did he save me from those slave traders. He just gave us his spark and left our mother behind." she insisted

Callan lowered his head at his words. This girl…was intense, the burn on my cheek was a good example of that.

“Let’s go see that grumpy old man, before he calls us." she finally said

“Who are you calling grumpy, little girl. »

Endar was standing in the doorway of his house, a cane in his hand. When he saw me his face lit up.

“Kid, you have finally decided to play your role as a student. I thought your mother was going to keep you with her until spring. Considering the number of excuses she gave me. »

I approached him and put my hand on his arm. He looked at me, and I didn't need to say more. We were both relieved to be alive. He nodded to thank me, but said no more. He didn't need to speak for me to understand him. But now that that moment of vulnerability had passed, I expected the worst.

“Now that you have managed to escape from your castle, I can finally ask you one thing. WHAT MADE YOU DO THIS? ARE YOU AN IDIOT, KID? »

I grimaced knowing that the training he would reserve for me as punishment would be hell, but I smiled at the thought that I had managed to protect my mentor. The road was long but little by little I was getting stronger.