Chapter 64 – Leone’s Recollection
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The traveling carriage that is mounted on the back of a centipede rested within an oasis. The Oasis has an area of about 140 acres. It is quite big as a park so the carriage was able to get inside the oasis. In the oasis, there is a huge pool of water. There is vegetation near the water area. Berries can be seen on the bushes of sitting on the banks of the pool. The people are camping near the water. Making campfire, putting up raw meat to roast that they intend to feast at, the ground was entirely covered up by folks.
On one of the campfire, Ramiel and Leone joined in. And even though the two joined in, it was just Leone dragging Ramiel’s drunken ass to the campfire. The campfire is made of non-humans that also got locked in the city of Tinople. To them, Leone is a fine addition to their campfire. But Ramiel, the drunk one that is lost in his own world wasn’t that welcome in the eyes of the non-humans.
Not because of discrimination, but simply because humans are kind of xenophobic to them as of lately. Thinking that the non-humans are barbarians just like the ones in the northern border, it can be said that the human supremacist that lives in the north isn’t really giving them a good opinion about the humans. So seeing a human joined them made them wary as if it was a natural thing to do.
Leone noticed their wariness so he appeased them by saying:
“Don’t worry, this guy looks at us if we aren’t real, his eyes would spark and then go back to that fish-eyed stare he always does; meaning to say his neutral.”
As Leone was saying that, Ramiel opened his eyes for a bit, pointed at the long-beard man and said.
“Oh, a dwarf, manly beard, I rate it 9 over 10.Zzzzzzzzzz”
Ramiel went back to sleep as he said that to the baffled dwarf. He was quite surprised at the way he suddenly talked like that.
“See? Neutral, and is quite a fool.”
“Or just drunk?”
“I know right?”
Two halflings said as they observed Ramiel.
“Yeah, I guess you weren’t lying with the sparkling eyes.”
The Dwarf folded his arms as he nodded in agreement to what Leone said.
“Told you...” Leone took a sip of his water gourd. The elven that has silver long hair gazed at Leone, she raised her brows for a moment before saying.
“So what did an elven ranger do to be locked in Tinople?”
“Excuse me?” Leone asked.
“You, you are an elven guardian, right? I never noticed it until now but you smell like one.”
“I was...”
“Mind if you tell us?” said the Elven. “It would be a good way to pass the time. Besides, normally we would be so uptight that being able to venture out our damn forest that we nearly talk.”
“I know.” The Halflings agreed.
“How about it Elven?” The Dwarf said. “The Night is long, and we can also tell our stories, but not our names though, that would be bad luck.”
“Fine...” Leone smiled thinly.
He then told his story.
...
“It all started in the forest of the Elven. Bathed in green, the elven forest is composed of ungodly tall trees. Vines grow out of the trees, making it possible for the Rangers guarding the forest to maneuver.”
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“Ah, I heard it before but is it true that you can use the vines as grapples?” said the silver-haired elven
“Ah yes, we are blessed by the forest, hence the yellow-green hair of mine.” Leone replied.
“Hmm, I heard that the elven rangers are much swifter since you are blessed by Faeria herself, but to think it is true.” The Dwarf commented.
“It is true. Hence, we are called the guardians of the elven forest. We are fully told to become its prime guardian, doing nothing but to take care of the elven and nothing more than that.” Leone said.
“No wonder I could not see you at all in the elven capitals. And yet here I thought I know everyone.” said the silver-haired elven.
“So were you a spymaster?”
“Was, but you know how that end up for me.”
“I see...but like I was saying, I was one of the guardians of the forest.” Leone continued. “So all I did was kill for the forest, make it safe from anyone who trespasses it. And knowing that the elven forest also covers the border of the elven kingdom, it could be said that we are nothing but overworked border guards.”
“I see...” said the dwarf.
“We cover the forest’s back and likewise it covers for us too. So, anyone that stands a mile away from the forest, we are always notified. With that, we could rush to where the intruder is and prepare for an ambush. We only asked thrice, and after that, it depends on the agreement of us all if the subject is allowed entry or die. It was always our jobs to do so, and because of that when the western humans started to send their diplomats...we got a bit ‘troubled’. Their demands were outrageous and finally, the relations broke and we were told to stop any humans at all cost. Because of that, war broke out and we got ourselves in a siege against the western humans.”
“Why were they so rude?” asked the Halfling.
“We don’t know, the queen and king of the Elven Kingdom told us that it maybe is a just an excuse to start a war against us. The western humans are quite innovative and imperialistic, and seeing the great resources of the forest, and the eldium ore veins the Kingdom have...it could be said that they are after it for a reason.”
“So greed huh?” said the dwarf.
“No, that is too subjective. Like us Elven, we too want to take their lands, since it is part of the elven homeland. And even some of the higher ups were deliberately provoking the western humans through tariffs.”
“I see.” said the Halfling.
“But you see, with the humans quite at odds against us. The dark elvens also pursue their goals. They went out and started their campaign against the humans, provoking them even further. I still remember the day we slaughtered the humans on sight, but who knew that such incident would bite us out later...”
“Oh, that...” the silver-haired elven said.
“What do you mean?” said the dwarf.
“It was at that time that ‘he’ appeared. Wearing an all black outfit, a duster longcoat, and a tricorn hat and cleaver sword on his waist, that monster of a human changed the tides...and he was pissed.” Leone recalled the terror he felt the moment the reaper himself appeared.