Heading towards the Forest, I patrolled around the camp to see if there are enemies who are watching us. After finishing a circuit, I headed to where the Rangers are waiting to report what transpired since I last reported to them. Deeper into the Forest I went, passing a few forest wildlife along the way. How I missed being in the forest, running atop the tree branches, watching the forest critters run about with no care in the world, guarding the Sacred Forest from those who are stupid enough to desecrate these lands. I don't even care of the people trying to curry favor from being the captain of the Rangers or as a daughter of one of the most prominent House in the Elven Kingdom. I just like being out here in the wild, enjoying being one with nature.
The life that I lived for centuries now seem to be a distant memories. Gone after a blunder that I was forced to take responsibility for.
The forest was quiet but I can sense there are multiple figures watching at the tree branches. I focused my senses and scoured the trees until I find the one I was looking for. But after a few seconds, I find that she is not here.
"Nindr, I know you're there. Show yourself." I yelled as I point on one of the trees where I felt the strongest presence.
A male figure appeared from behind the tree and stood upon the branch looking down on me. "It is good to see that the former Captain of the Rangers still have her skills at the very least, if not her pride." He was looking smug as he crosses his arms in utter showing of his arrogance.
"You are not particularly hard to find with your sloppy attempt in hiding your presence. I always told you for hundreds of years to practice on that. I guess my advice fell on deaf ears. I advise you to hone your skills more, if you don't want to smear the "Pride" of the Rangers. I've seen a human not even a tenth of your age who have better skills than you." I retorted. I remember him as one of the scions of the House Nightwood. As their last ditch effort to straighten their prodigal brother from dragging their family's name through mud, they sent him to be one of the Rangers in hope the training will rein him in. It totally backfired as it only inflated his ego more. Oh how far the apple fell from the tree.
Seething in anger, which is another of his flaws, he replied. "Don't think you can lecture me! You are no longer our Captain. You are nothing! Nobody! A shame to our kind! If not for your sister, I would've slit your throat as soon as I saw you took step within the Elven Forest."
"You are free to try." I put my hands on my waist before giving him a challenging glance. "But let me tell you this. You are a millennia too early to challenge me 'boy'."
Seeing him struggle to contain his emotion gives me a little satisfaction. If it is only me, I wouldn't bother with this puffed up startup but this not only about me. If I back down, it will also affect my sister's honor claiming that a Silverleaf is afraid of him.
With deep breaths, he tried to calm himself before speaking. "I will forgive your impudence this once in respect for the Captain. But don't expect for my mercy to be forever. Step out of the line one more time and I will crush you!" I guess he does have a brain after all. Although I wouldn't want Eleanor to lose a subordinate, I wouldn't lose sleep from killing this snot nose brat.
"I thank you for your leniency." Pushing him further will make me seem petty so I will drop this insult for now. "By the way, where is the Captain? I have something to report to her."
"The Captain went forth to chase after the ones you let slip away. If only someone did their job correctly, we would now have the location of their base. But since she is now the best tracker and you can do nothing right, your sister, the Captain, have to pick up your slack." He declared with a fake look of outrage. "Don't even make excuse that you are not allowed to use Elven magic. You broke that oath already by using Blood Seal on that filthy Void-touched." He said in disgust.
If there was another way in hand to seal the Void energy I wouldn't have to resort to Blood Seal. Who in the world would want to be linked with a Void-touched. But I don't have any choice if I don't want for his energy to continue rampaging through the forest, sending the wildlife into rampage.
Too tired to argue with the idiot, I said. "This is why I am here. We found a way to locate their base."
He raised an eyebrow "Oh? You did, didn't you? Go ahead, tell me. If I find it worthwhile I will forward it to the Captain once she returns."
"No thanks. I will just wait for the Captain." I replied.
"Hmph! I don't think you realize what you're into 'Alora'. You don't get to decline. I am a Ranger and you're just an expendable Exile that we happen to have use of. We could just get rid of you and interrogate your new friends to find out what you're hiding and then take get rid of them once they are of no more use to us. Then we no longer have need of you and you can go back to being a disgraced has be---" Before he can complete what he is about to say, I casted grasping vines to wrap around and shut up the arrogant brat.
I can feel my anger swell as I fight the urge to squeeze the life out of the insufferable fool. Not giving any care about the dozens of arrows pointing at me, I can't contain my anger and growled. "Little boy. I don't care if you badmouth me. I get it. I failed a mission and suffered the consequences. I was stripped of my rank. I was humiliated. Forced away from our land, far away from everything I have ever known. I have to learn new things, to adapt to life outside our kingdom. If not for the mercy of others I wouldn't even have the chance to be back here." He struggles to get free, imbuing his body with more Mana to break free from my vines. But I wouldn't let him. I put more pressure on the brat as he squirmed in pain. "I can endure every mockery you throw at me. I deserve it for botching a mission. But say one more word about my companions, or Gods forbid, do harm unto them. Damn the Oaths, I will kill you with my own two hands."
After I gave him a piece of my mind, I canceled my spell and let him fall to his knees, grasping for air.
"All of you! Kill her! You've seen what she did! She harmed me, a Sergeant of the Rangers! Kill her! Shoot her!" I don't even bother putting up a defense. I just stood there as the other Rangers hesitates to listen to their dumbass Sergeant or to stay their hands. After seeing that no one is listening to him, he jumped to the nearest Ranger and shouts. "Follow my orders damn it! With the Captain gone, I am the highest ranking officer here! Obey my commands and shoot that disgrace of an Elf!"
But before anyone could do anything else, a voice filled with cold fury could be heard. "Indeed. You are the highest ranking officer without the Captain. But now I am here. Everybody stay your hands or answer to me."
I look up and saw my sister, the current Captain of the Rangers, Eleanor Silverleaf. Wearing her brown leather armor and Silver hair reaching her hips, flowing in the wind, she sauntered towards Nindr. The other elves quickly jumped down the branches and offered a salute to my sister, with only Nindr staying atop the tree branch.
After a few seconds of waiting, she spoke once more, this time with a commanding voice. "Why are you still there Nindr? Are you not going to offer your respect to your commanding officer or do you enjoy looking down on me up there on the tree top?" Each of her words are piercing.
After realizing his blunder, Nindr quickly jumped down and offer a salute to my sister. "I wouldn't dream about disrespecting you Captain. I was just surprised that you came back quickly. How did you fare in tracking those escapees? I reckon you already found their base." He bowed deeply as he try to worm his way out of trouble.
My sister just huffed, not even bothering to look at the man and continued to take a sit on a chair that one of the rangers assemble for her. "I wasn't able to track them. That Wind mage is tricky. She hid their trail with fog and probably flew high up in the clouds so that they would not be followed. I bet even my sister here wouldn't be able to track her after all that." She chuckled before adding. "What a meticulous human." Indeed. Even I wouldn't be able to track her after all she did.
Tense seconds have passed, but everyone stays quiet. My sister then look at me and asked. "I suppose the reason you are here is that you have something to report?"
"I do." I started. "I am here to report that we have found a way to find the Organization's hideout."
"That's good news. Could you tell us how?" She said with a slight smile on her face.
"We have a device that tracks one of our companions---" Before I could finish Nindr cut me off.
"What does a device that is used to track your filthy human companions possibly help us?" He asked.
Eleanor glared at Nindr and when he felt the piercing glare of my sister, he clammed up. She then turned back her gaze at me and spoke "Continue."
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
I nodded and continued. "One of our companions was kidnapped. He is in a possession of a collar which can be tracked by the Orb Ortho created. Since the leader of the first group that attacked us clearly intend to take both the Void-touched and our mage companion back to their base, we are positive that the Orb will lead us to where they took our companion Mark which is most probably their base. Also, even if it does not point to their base, we would still find other members of the Organization to interrogate. There is nothing for us to lose and all to gain by following the Orb." I tried my best to convince them.
"Tch! What load of nonsense. If only you took care of the person you captured, we would've already found their base of operation." He argued. "Also if you do have a device to track your 'comrade' why don't you just hand it over to us so we can take care of the rest without you and your ragtag group of filthy adventurers ruining everything for us?"
"We can be of use Captain. They want the Void-touched. The Higher up of the Organization will surely come if they think they can capture him, making sure that they wouldn't escape at the first sign of trouble. We can make the Organization focus on us while you surround them with your troops and take them all out in one fell swoop. Trust us. We can do it." I plead with my sister.
Before my sister could reply, Nindr tried to argue against my plan. "Even if your party will be useful in this mission, which I don't believe you are, we still have to get rid of them soon for they now know a lot about the Void, so how about it Captain? Why don't you send me and some of my boys to take that orb of theirs while also taking care of her little friends? It would be quick and painful. Their just rewards for daring to step foot on our Sacred Forest."
I can feel my sister is getting angry as her Aura flares up and engulfed everyone in the vicinity. "Nindr. This is the last time I remind you. You are not to speak when not spoken to. If you didn't learn manners from your parents, I will be the one to teach you. I promise you, it will not be pretty."
As if he learned nothing he still tried to argue "B-but, I am your Sergeant. Don't I have a say in this mission?" He stammers as he tries to find excuse. Wrong move. I know my sister. If there is one thing she cannot stand, is someone who questions her authority.
A loud smack can be heard as Nindr was sent flying after a slap from my sister. "Don't you dare question me. You may be a Sergeant. But that is on name only." She then steps over the body of Nindr and pressed him down. "If not for your sibling pulling strings, you wouldn't even be here, bringing me headache after headache. You wouldn't even pass being a servant under our House."
"I am a Noble from the house Nightwood! Will you really side with this disgraced 'Exile' of a sister of yours over me?!" He shouts.
Even the other Rangers could sense the volatile atmosphere and took steps back, away from my sister.
"Indeed. She is 'Exiled'." She pulled Nindr by his lapel and forced him to look her in the eyes. "But she is still of House Silverleaf and an insult to her is an insult to my Family. So unless you want my father to learn about how you insulted our family and demand to have your head as payment, you better stand there like a good little boy and shut your mouth!" He unleashed her Aura which forced Nindr to quiver like a child before throwing him against a tree.
"Melgar, Phyrra, Sheara, and Aleah." The Elves stepped forward as soon as their names were called. "Go and patrol around the camp. You will cover 10 kilometers each from North, East, South, and West respectively. Make sure to inform us if you see another group from the Organization." My sister ordered which the Rangers followed in a heartbeat as they quickly jumped from branch to branch to their respective area. "Usunaar, Keishara, Phantyni, and Saeya. You go and guard the camp where the party members of Alora are staying. Make sure nothing will disturb or harm them until they find the Hideout of the Organization."
"I don't think that will be necessary Captain." I tried to reason with her.
She then glared at me "You shut up. I am the one in charge here. Don't think being a Silverleaf will save you from following me. So either follow my orders or get the hell out of the Sacred Forest." She then turns back to the four Rangers in front of her. "Go!" After the Rangers went their way, she addressed the woman standing beside her, Irithiel, her handmaid since birth. "Irithiel, go and send a message to the other Ranger Squads. Tell them it is time."
"Yes my lady." She answered before she too fades in the shadow.
After her handmaid was gone she spoke to the remaining Rangers. "The rest of you, go back to your posts and leave us. I need to speak with the 'Exiled'. Make sure no one disturbs us or face my wrath. Dismissed!" As soon as she finished, every Ranger leave, jumping from tree branch to tree branch. Someone even carried Nindr on their shoulder and bowed to my sister before scurrying off.
After all of the Rangers are gone, my sister sighed. "Your Rangers are such a handful. You should've been strict to them. Instead, you just run around, doing whatever you please. Look at them, they are so ill disciplined that they have the nerve to talk back to their superior." She sighed before looking at me. "Look where it got you." She spoke, her voice was cold.
"I am sorry Eleanor, I couldn't be the sister you wish I could be. I am sorry I dirtied our Family's name. I am such a disgrace. I don't deserve to be your sister." I feel my emotions well up. I didn't even have time to say goodbye to my family before I received the letter stamped by the Council ordering my Exile. I imagine how it hurt my father to see his colleagues decides to chase me away from my homeland. How it broke my mother's heart to know she may never see her daughter again. How I disappointed my little sister who looked up to me. "I am sorry." Finally my tears fell as I couldn't fight my emotions anymore and I sobbed like a little girl.
As my tears continue to fall, I was surprised when she brushed her hand on my face. "Don't cry silly. You didn't disappoint anyone, most of all me. I know the Councilmen, with the exemption of father and Uncle Kyneric, made you their fall guy when the business with the Human Rebels went sour after they failed to use the spell we gave them correctly. As we speak, father and Uncle are working their butts off to overturn the Council's decision to Exile you. You are one of the strongest and most skilled in our generation. Given a few millennia, you will surely become one if not the strongest of our Race. They would be blind if they don't see the benefits of getting you back." After hearing her words, the tears slow down as hope starts to fill my heart. "That's it my sister. Don't worry. Mother is also waiting for you to come back home. When we complete this mission, I will report that you were a big part of its success. That will surely shine a new light on your importance to our race."
The news should've raised my spirits more, but something in my heart makes me feel sad. "What about my companions?" I asked. "What will happen to them?"
Eleanor just huffed before replying. "They will be taken care of, of course. Just like that bloke Nindr said, they know too much. All the knowledge about the void must be forgotten. All the ones who knew about it outside our Kind must be erased. This is to ensure that the tragedy from the past will never be repeated again."
I started to panic as I realize my sister doesn't plan to spare them. "They don't know anything. I made sure that they don't discover about the Void. True we have a Void-touched in our midst, but they chalk up his energy as nothing but sinister, just like a curse or the energy the necromancers expel. They are clueless. We don't need to kill them."
"You know that we can't do that." She replied.
"Please! I will watch over them. If they do anything that is related to the Void," I paused. "I will deal with them myself. So please. Spare them." I kneeled in front of Eleanor.
"From the short months that we didn't see each other, you seemed to have changed a lot. Before, you don't care of people other than us, your family. Why are you going to such lengths? Are you not ashamed of kneeling in front of your sister? What lead you to this change?" She was shocked by my sudden action.
"They are my friends." I answered. Seeing that she wasn't satisfied with my answer, I continued. "During the lowest time of my life, when I was wishing to die just to save myself from the humiliation, they were there to support me. When I felt that I was alone, being the only Elf in the midst of a sea of strangers, they never left my side, they made me feel like I belong. Whenever I made a blunder or made a mistake resulting the failure of a mission, they don't scold or blame me then throwing me away like trash, they help me overcome my weakness and help me become a better me. We make up for each other's shortcoming and push each other to better ourselves. They are not only my companions, they are my friends."
"So, you finally found friends huh. To be frank, I am quite jealous." She murmured before becoming silent again. Moments passed and I can't read what my sister is thinking. She is always like that. Calculative. But if she have a weakness, it is her family. All of a sudden, she sighed. It looks like she finally decided on what to do. "If it is up to me, I will grant your request. But let me send a message to father about your dilemma. He might find a way. Look, I am not promising anything. So don't keep your hopes up. But for the mean time, I will make sure to keep your companions safe."
"Thank you so much Eleanor, I will not forget this. I owe you." I bowed once more.
"Get up silly." She pulled me up. "Don't worry about it. We're family. Just don't go acting familiar with the other Rangers around. I don't want them challenging my authority and follow orders without questions or I will whip them to shape once more. How do you work with these guys?" she chuckled.
"To be honest, I don't really know. When I was in your position, I am kind of just winging it. Don't worry. I know you will manage. I can see it. In just a few short months you've become a better Captain than I did for centuries." I patted her in the shoulder. "You make me proud little sister."
She then hugged me, the first time she did after I got exiled. "You have no idea how happy I am to hear that from you Big Sister. I just wish were not in this situation." She then pushed me back and wiped a tear from her eye. "Now go. I don't want the others see me like this."
"Don't worry little sister. I don't think they would dare to even think ill of you after you gave a demonstration of what they will experience if they do." I chuckled at the memory of Nindr getting his comeuppance.
"Okay, no more jokes. Go back to your camp so that they will not be suspicious of how long you've been gone. When you go out tomorrow, we will follow you in a distance. Once you discover their hideout, don't go rushing in. Report to me first so that I can command the Rangers to their positions to make sure none of the members of the Organization escapes. Keep the Void-touched away from their hands. Once we rush in, you can lead your friends to safety. We will do the rest." Just like mother, she continued to remind me.
"Don't worry. We can handle it. Once we save our kidnapped companion, you and your men are free to do what you do best. But I hope you don't mind me putting an arrow or two between the eyes of a few members of the Organization okay? I owe them that much for almost blowing us to bits." I gave my sister one last hug before I started to walk back to camp.
After the long months of heartache, now I feel like the weight on my shoulders have been lifted. My family was not disappointed in me. In fact, they are waiting for me to come home. I just hope they don't mind if I bring a friend or four along to visit.