Elvina awoke to the stiffness of her body, a testament to the uncomfortable sleep on the rocky surface beneath the open sky. With a stretch, she felt her bones crack, yearning for the comfort of a more forgiving bed. The memory of the previous day's chase and evasion from assailants resurfaced in her mind.
Then she sit at nearby and pull out her journal then she began to write what happen yesterday.
Utilizing the aid of the wind, they had managed to outwit their pursuers, playing a game of hide and seek until the danger had passed. Emerging from their concealed refuge, the old man took the lead, guiding them towards the eastern wooden walls, towering at an imposing 60 meters. An insurmountable obstacle for ordinary humans, yet the old man appeared to be an exception among his kind.
At the base of the colossal wall, the old man grasped the young man's armpit and exchanged a glance with Elvina, gesturing towards their destination. Understanding the unspoken plan, Elvina nodded in agreement. Stepping back, the old man propelled himself into a graceful jump, reaching halfway up the wall before utilizing the wooden surface as a stepping stone for another leap to the other side.
Elvina whispered an incantation, summoning the wind to swirl around her feet. With a leap, she ascended gracefully, the wind cradling her like an invisible force carrying her effortlessly to the other side. As she descended, her eyes lingered on the towering wooden wall.
The duo, already in motion, beckoned her to follow, and she joined them
-
In front of the mines, the trio prepared for the daunting exploration that awaited them. Yet, the expressions on the faces of the duo were far from optimistic; grimness painted their features, a reflection of the seriousness of their mission. The events of the previous day had confirmed their suspicions: this was no ordinary assassination attempt.
With a sense of determination, Elvina carefully stowed her journal in her small bag and rose to her feet. The trio entered the mouth of the mine.
-
The old man deftly produced a flint and ignited the torch, piercing the oppressive darkness within the mine. Elvina's keen eyes scanned their surroundings, revealing the signs of long abandonment through cobwebs clinging to the ceilings and worn-out remnants scattered around. The path ahead seemed straightforward until they reached a point of divergence, where two routes diverged. Without hesitation, the old man chose one, leading the trio deeper into the cavernous labyrinth.
As they delved further, bats swooped overhead, their wings creating a soft rustle in the cavern's stillness. The crackle of the torch and the rhythmic beat of their footsteps were the sole sounds echoing through the cave, underscoring the eerie atmosphere of the abandoned depths.
Soon, what started as an adventurous walk turned into hours of monotony. Apart from encountering a pack of bats and large mice, which hardly qualified as monsters, they hadn't come across any significant challenges or creatures. Elvina felt a wave of boredom creeping over her as they continued their seemingly endless journey through the dark cavern.
Just as Elvina was about to express her weariness, the old man abruptly halted. She stopped and gazed ahead to see a small gate. The old man handed the torch to the young man and approached the gate, extracting a key from his pocket. With a skilled twist, the lock surrendered, and the gate swung open.
Elvina watched in awe, realizing how the key was meant to be used. After the gate opened, the old man gestured for them to enter. Once inside, he skillfully locked the gate behind them. Resuming their journey, the old man led them through the labyrinthine passages until they reached another door.
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Upon entering, Elvina was met with a flood of light, and a gentle breeze touched her face. The exit lay before them.
-
After emerging from the mine, Elvina laid eyes on a town not far from their location. This town, in contrast to the last, was surrounded by thick gray walls. The fortifications appeared much sturdier than the previous ones, but the trio didn't halt their journey.
Approaching the gate, Elvina marveled at its size. Gray walls towered around them, and soldiers clad in gleaming metal armor, armed with crossbows, stood guard with a vigilant gaze. Their scrutiy shifted to the old man.
One of the soldiers shouted.
Upon recognizing the old man, the soldiers swiftly operated the mechanisms, and the massive gate creaked open. Elvina observed the intricate workings of the gate, fascinated by the engineering that allowed such a colossal structure to move with such precision. As the gate swung wide, the trio enter the town.
-
(Sebastian pov)
“Lord Sebastian”
“Disperse the ceremony, ready my horse and give me the available troops, I need to head to the Raven manor immediately.”
“Yes, sire”
The soldier immediately left with urgency.
The command echoed in the corridors as soldiers dispersed from a ceremony, scrambling to ready his horse and summon available troops. The urgency in the air was palpable, a sense of imminent action hanging thick.
Sebastian settled into his office chair, exhaling a sigh of relief as the hustle and bustle continued outside. His attention, however, remained tethered to the weighty matters at hand.
"Is there anything you need, sire?" a voice inquired from behind him.
"Accommodate my guest and provide her with whatever she requires," he responded, his gaze fixed on the responsibilities he had yet to discharge.
"Understood," a woman entered, her crimson hair cascading down like a waterfall. Her eyes held a fierce intensity, and the presence of beast-like ears marked her origin from the beast tribe. Her gaze fell to her sire's feet, a silent worry etched on her features.
"I'm fine," Sebastian reassured, then, after a moment of contemplation, he added, "By the way..." The old man hesitated before divulging the circumstances surrounding the girl.
"I see..." Mira absorbed the information, her expression shifting to one of understanding.
"Mira, I will leave everything to you," Sebastian declared.
"Understood."
A knock echoed, and the previous soldier reentered. "Everything is ready, sire."
"Excellent.”
-
Elvina perched on the rooftop of the mansion, her emerald eyes tracking the departing squadron of soldiers led by Sebastian until their shadows vanished beyond the gates.
"Seems trouble," she mused, a perceptiveness gleaming in her eyes. The recent events had sharpened her instincts.
"A human conflict," she concluded, realizing the intricate web of political and personal matters woven into the situation. The last thing she desired was to become entangled in the complexities of human affairs.
"Should I just go?" she pondered momentarily before shaking her head. "I need to learn their language so I can understand them more clearly. Without it, I'll make a fool of myself."
A subtle presence approached, prompting Elvina to stand and face the figure. A woman in a maid outfit emerged before her, their eyes silently locking in acknowledgment.
"Welcome to Hollow town," the woman spoke as she bow, her voice carrying the rhythm of the eleven language. Elvina was momentarily taken aback, hearing their language spoken by someone other than an elf. However, she quickly recovered and responded with an enthusiastic wave.
"Hello," Elvina greeted with a bright smile.
-
They traversed the grand manor, Mira serving as a reluctant guide, and Elvina, the curious visitor, bombarding her with question after question. At first, Mira found satisfaction in accommodating the guest, but soon her joy turned to horror as she realized the elf seemed incapable of stopping her incessant inquiries, ranging from the simplest to the most complicated matters. Eventually, Mira conceded, leading Elvina to the library as per her relentless request.
"This is our lord's library; everything you need will be here," Mira announced with a vigilant expression.
Upon entering the library, Elvina's eyes sparkled with fascination. Her gaze shifted eagerly between the towering shelves of books and the vast expanse of knowledge laid out before her. Turning to Mira, she asked with a fervent expression, "Can you show me where I can learn the human language?"
Mira, after a moment of contemplation, left Elvina's side. She meticulously searched the corner sections of the library, checking the contents of various books until she found what she sought. It was a thick tome, containing glossaries and the alphabet of the human realm—a standard used by nobles in education. Mira also found another book designed for children, suitable for an elf just beginning to learn the intricacies of the human language.
Approaching Elvina, Mira handed her the books, saying, "Please, use these well and take care of them."
Elvina puffed out her non-existent chest and thumped it confidently. "You can trust me!" she declared with determination, ready to embark on the journey of unraveling the intricacies of the human language.