Elron blinked slowly, his vision blurred as he opened his eyes. Instinctively, he brought his hands to his face, flipping them over, inspecting them. Something felt off. He pushed himself up from the bed, and the first face he saw after all this time was one he hadn’t seen in over a year.
“Marcella?” he asked, surprised.
Throwing the covers aside, Elron walked over to her and hugged her. As he pulled back, he said with a playful grin, “When did you get so short?”
Marcella smiled back, teasingly. “Long time no see, friend. I’m not short—you’re a High Elf now.”
Elron clenched his fist, feeling the strength surge through him. “Oh, yeah. I can feel it.”
“You’ve grown so strong since the last time I saw you,” she said, marveling. “It’s incredible.”
Elron looked around the room, noticing Slyra, Kael, and Maris in their own beds, resting. They all looked a little different, yet still so familiar.
Just then, Lord Moon entered the room, gesturing for Elron. “Glad to see you awake. If you’re feeling up to it, we should talk in the next room.”
Elron nodded, taking one last glance at his resting comrades before following Lord Moon and Marcella to a small office. Marcella and Elron sat across from Lord Moon, who perched atop his desk with a sharp and serious gaze.
“I know a lot has happened,” Lord Moon began, his tone grave. “First, let me thank you for saving one of my major cities. The people here will remember your name for generations.”
“I—I don’t even know how it all happened,” Elron admitted. “It was—”
Lord Moon raised his hand, cutting him off gently. “The details don’t matter. Not now. What does matter is this…” He paused, his eyes darkening. “I believe someone is trying to kill you, my prince.”
Elron frowned. “Yes, I know.”
“What?!” Marcella bursted out, incredulously. “You say that like you’ve known for a while!”
Lord Moon tapped his daughter’s head with a finger to quiet her, then turned to Elron. “Why haven’t you told anyone? This is a serious matter—you could be the next heir to the kingdom.”
Elron shrugged, nonchalantly. “I never felt like bringing it up to my father, and after the first attempt, the attacks seemed to stop.”
“Arrogance!” Lord Moon barked, his frustration evident. He exhaled slowly, calming himself. “Listen... there have been several attempts on your life already, and those are just the ones I know about.”
Elron’s expression hardened as he looked to Marcella for confirmation. The grief in her eyes told him it was true. Turning away, he bit the inside of his cheek.
“I don’t want my father’s help,” Elron said flatly.
Lord Moon’s face tightened, annoyance creeping into his voice. “I’ve sent word to the king about this multiple times. Lately, I’m not sure what actually reaches his ear. I may have to go and speak with him directly.”
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Elron sat up abruptly. “Don’t! He’ll lock me up in the citadel, and I’ll lose the life I’ve worked so hard to build.”
Lord Moon puffed out his cheeks in frustration. “That might be best for you…” He paused, then nodded, conceding. “But I support you, my prince. If that’s what you wish, then so be it.”
Marcella jumped from her seat, protesting. “Dad, you can’t just let him go like that!”
Her father remained calm, turning to Elron. “Would you consider another option?”
Elron tilted his head. “What are you suggesting?”
“Leave the kingdom,” Lord Moon proposed. “Take a new name. The old queen has half the kingdom in her pocket, but the northern empire? They hold no such sway. Even the city-states to the south would be safer.”
Elron scratched his head, thinking. The situation was dire, and it was clear the assassination attempts wouldn’t stop. He needed to act, and suddenly an idea struck him.
“I’ll enlist as a nobody,” Elron declared.
Lord Moon chuckled, impressed, while Marcella shook her head in disbelief. “You’re going to get yourself killed,” she warned.
Elron met her gaze with great resolve. “It’s the only way forward. I’ll grow stronger without worrying about a knife in my back.”
Lord Moon nodded. “It may work, at least for a time, until things settle down.”
Elron grinned. “I’m glad you think so.” He clasped his hands together while looking at the floor, then added, “I do have some questions about my status, though, before I leave.”
Lord Moon’s expression turned stern. “Marcella, step out for a bit please.”
“What? Why?” she asked, surprised.
Lord Moon shot her a sharp look. “You know counsel like this is meant only for an elder and—”
“It’s fine,” Elron interrupted. “I’ve never cared for those traditional customs.”
Lord Moon raised an eyebrow, tightening his folded arms. “Very well. What’s your question?”
Elron bit his thumb and extended it to Lord Moon. The elder knew what he was asking. He pressed his thumb to Elron’s, and their spirits connected briefly, revealing Elron’s status to the both of them.
Status
Name: Elron Malfar
Race: Half-High Elf
Age: 36
Class: Spellblade - level 20, Hexblade - level 5
Level: 25
Attributes:
Strength - 18
Dexterity - 13
Constitution - 12
Intelligence - 15
Wisdom - 13
Charisma - 12
Racial abilities: Dark vision, lessor leap, lessor restoration, keen sense, minor resistance to elemental damage, minor resistance to poisons.
Class abilities: Lessor blade mastery, mana conduit, minor resistance to curses, swing surge, versatile edge.
Spells: Chain lightning, Create light, Create object, counterspell, curse of agony, curse of slowness, curse of vulnerability, elemental absorption, energy drain, haste, flare, fireball, mana step, self image, shield, thunderboom, void strike.
Lord Moon scrunched his face before pulling his thumb away. “Your attributes are normal for a High Elf, and your abilities seem appropriate. I’m not sure what your question is.”
Elron crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. “You know what I’m asking.”
Lord Moon’s eyes flicked to the door, and he gestured at Marcella.
“No way, you said I could stay!” she protested.
“Not for this conversation. Leave,” he said firmly.
Reluctantly, Marcella left the room, her lips pursed into a pout. As she shut the door behind her, she caught a glimpse of Elron drawing his sword while her father examined it coldly. The door closed with a soft click as Lord Moon waved his hand.
“No fair,” she muttered under her breath.