Tinesi hated leaving anything left undone. She always tried to follow any trail left behind after eliminating a dark mage. This included locating their camp. Truth be told, Tinesi had lost a few friends within the organization because they weren’t thorough in their investigation. Killing was only part of their responsibility.
Familiar with the traces of magic left behind by the necromancer, Tinesi began backtracking where they had come from. She smelled it before reaching the highest concentration of magic, where she saw piles of bodies strewn about the small campsite. An altar stood prominently in the center, equally covered in blood as the prior one. There were two spots on the ground where the mages slept.
“So, they were working together. Well, maybe not, but collaborating to some extent.”
Refusing to let her preconception cloud her judgment, she bent low and focused on the traces of magic until she determined only two sources. The very ones she killed that day.
With her investigation satisfied, Tinesi prepared to hunt for that mystery Ranger.
The Rangers were a joint venture put together through a collaboration among the various clans. In the beginning, the core founding members were the survivors of a magical beast stampede that tore into several villages.
Unknown to the community, the fight between her people and the dark mages had become fierce. After her organization cornered the leader, the dark mage caused their mana core to explode, killing most of his pursuers while setting off a cascade of dark energy that forced all his followers linked to him to mutate. The sudden violent change fracturing of their personality, leaving behind a wild beast. Many perished quelling the rampaging beasts.
Forced to admit the average village defender wasn’t enough to face a threat this severe, the survivors rallied those of similar prowess and called themselves Rangers. The survivors rebuilt one of the smaller villages and turned it into the base of operations for the Rangers.
From then on, whenever there was a dangerous foe that threatened the community, the Rangers would be the ones sent to put it down. Plenty of would-be heroes tried joining, only to be turned away. Unless a current member in good standing recommended them, they would find it difficult finding their way into the elite force.
Because of their work, her organization followed the Rangers' movements to help track the dark mages, creating the monsters. This area wasn’t close to their base, but there was a friendly village nearby that offered the Rangers a place to rest and deploy their forces in the immediate area and recruit.
If her mystery new dark mage had joined the Rangers, then Timberwood village would be her destination. Tinesi had a contact in the village. Someone from the organization that was stationed there to relay information from the Rangers.
Against her better judgment, Tinesi circled back toward Sobi, despite having no reason to. Hidden up in a tree, her aura compressed to that of a small animal, she observed.
“Check again. I want to make sure we rounded up all the animals and burned them. No, I don’t know where that elf who brought Ves in went."
The two defenders nearby said, “Yes, sir,” then ran off.
“What do you mean, someone escorted Ves to her home? I was still out in the forest fighting.”
Lyra stepped into view with her head crooked at an angle in confusion. “I'm the one who escorted Ves from the other town. I left her safe nearby in the forest during the fight. Who was this other elf?”
The elf left behind said, “We appreciate the help. I don’t know who the other elf was. She ran off into the forest after helping us get the upper hand on the final few animals.”
Eyes darting around trying to find something, Lyra said, “I see. Thank you.”
When Lyra's gaze turned in her direction, Tinesi melted back into the forest. Of course, she could sense the aura and recognize that the area should be devoid of most wildlife. She has faced dark mages and their creations before, even if she doesn’t understand the true scope of the situation.
“I got to admit it, she would have made an excellent member of my organization,” Tinesi mused. Her thoughts drifted toward what-ifs, but she crushed them immediately.
Leave recruitment to your betters. It’s none of your concern. Focus on the dark mage who helped kill his family, not some prodigy who chose the quiet life and lost everything, leaving a broken woman.
On the third day of travel, Tinesi came across a merchant traveling with a few guards. On closer inspection, they had an armband with the Ranger insignia on them. About to move on unnoticed, she froze. Warning signals blaring in her head. A dark menacing aura was coming toward the merchant and there wasn’t much time left.
Leaping down in front of the merchant's cart, she held up her hand and said, “I'm not your enemy Rangers. Can’t you feel its presence? A magical beast will be here soon, and you’re its target,” she exclaimed urgently.
Weaving compulsion into her words, she said, “I'm helping you take it down.” Not waiting for a reply, she looked at the merchant and pointed.
“Move your cart over there and stay hidden. Let us handle it.”
“Of course.”
The ground trembled, trees vibrating from the passing of the beast charging their way. Tinesi couldn't understand how such a deadly threat got so close to a settlement housing Rangers, but that was a problem to be dealt with later.
“This is Paeral and I'm his sister, Keya. We have been fighting together since we could hold a stick. Keep Orist safe and let us do our job.”
Nodding, she pulled her sword and braced for battle.
Guess my compulsion wasn’t strong enough to break past their conviction. It doesn’t matter. They didn’t tell me not to help, so I will take it.
What crashed through the forest, uprooting a tree, was an enlarged deer multiple times bigger than it should be. If its twelve-point antlers could uproot a tree, what could it do to a person?
Snapping out of her musing, Tinesi powered up a wind strike and released it at the front leg of the beast, cutting deep into its joint and causing it to crash headfirst into the ground before the other two could act first.
Keya used a buff spell to light her brother's twin blades aflame, then pulled her bow off her shoulder and reached for an arrow. Tinesi offered her a buff, increasing Paeral's movement with a wind spell.
Adjusting quickly to his increased speed, the Ranger leaped up in the air past the antlers, both flaming blades slashing across the back of the beast's neck, pushing off in time to avoid being skewered as they thrashed about trying to get back up.
Keya knocked an arrow, set the tip ablaze with a flame, and let it loose with a wind spell behind it. True to her aim, her shot pierced the creature's left eye, the tail feathers the only part now visible. Roaring in pain, a single blood-red eye stared down at the elves.
The siblings didn’t stay idle. As the brother darted around the bucking creature, avoiding its antlers, the other would pepper it with arrows. This allowed Tinesi to scale a tree and align herself above, waiting for her time to strike.
She had to admit, the pair could have handled the creature on their own, but who knows if the merchant would have survived the initial encounter? Either way, she had made her choice.
Head stuck between two trees after its latest attempt at impaling Paeral, Tinesi dove.
Closing in, she landed on its back and rolled forward, avoiding the antlers, and drove her sword deep into its neck where the Ranger had previously slashed it and set the flame rune off while she twisted the blade and yanked it out. Leaping backward, she pushed away from the dying creature.
Two flame-lit swords thrust up under its jaw, holding it still long enough for Keya's arrow to split the one embedded in the monster's eye down the middle, driving both further in. No longer resisting, the two Rangers backed away, letting the beast collapse, and checked in on the merchant.
“You there, Orist? It’s over now.”
Crawling out from under his cart, the elf stood up, dusted himself off, and said, “Thank you. We should get moving and report this to the others.”
The siblings glanced over at Tinesi and nodded.
Keya said, “Thanks for the support. If you are headed toward Timberwood, you can join us.”
Shaking her head, Tinesi said, “I am, but I plan on disposing of the magical beast first. If you leave it alone, other animals will eat it and absorb the magic that turned it into a monster.”
“Try not to burn down the forest when you do,” Paeral teased, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.
Unable to stop laughing, Tinesi shook her head.
“I won’t. I can promise you that, Paeral. Oh, Keya, can you let Elora, the village liaison for the Rangers, know I want to see her when I get to town? We are old acquaintances, and I wanted to ketch up with her.”
“Your friends with the wife of Timberwood's captain?”
Hand whipping to smack the back of her brother's head, Keya glared at Paeral and said, “I apologize. He doesn’t know when to keep quiet. I will let her know.”
Watching the merchant and the sibling Rangers leave, Tinesi gathered her power before using her wind magic to clear away the foliage and fallen trees around the corpse. Taking advantage of the flame rune on her sword, she burned it. Careful to keep any stray embers away from the brush with her magic. Nothing she hadn’t done before.
Satisfied, she cut the antlers off and used a wind spell to lift them off the ground and carry them next to her. It will prove to be a great trophy for the Rangers.
The village of Timberwood was unique. When they rebuilt it after the stampede, they divided it into two sections, allowing everyone to evacuate behind the inner wall if the outer defense had failed. Both walls circled the village with three staggered entry points each.
Captain Reptar and his defenders handled the village security, which included maintaining who had access to the inner circle where Teriani, the head of Timberwood lived and worked along with the main headquarters for the Rangers where Kellam, and his second-in-command Gorre, maintained the branches operations. Everyone else important enough had a home inside this area. This is also where she would find Elora. Tinesi never actually met her in town, but from their previous conversations, she knew enough about the village.
Tinesi made her way towards one of the entry points into Timberwood, the floating antlers from the magical beast beside her. She could see the Ranger facility built nearby. When the town had grown, they provided the Rangers with a place to rest and train without interfering with Timberwood's citizens. Haera oversaw the testing and training along with leading the newest of their order on their first magical beast hunt.
If she couldn’t get any answers from Elora, she might try visiting Haera, but that was difficult since they rarely ever allowed anyone in who wasn’t a Ranger or approved to test. Perhaps Elora could get her a pass. For now, though, she would stick with her original plan. Meet up with her contact and present the Rangers with the trophy.
Two guards blocked her way to the gate. Eyes looking between her and the floating antlers.
“What brings you to Timberwood, and why do you have that?”
“Hello. I am here to meet up with my friend, Elora. As for the antlers, it came from a magical beast I helped take down with two Rangers. I wanted to present this as a trophy,” Tinesi responded. Her posture relaxed with a smile to ease the two guards.
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The guard turned to his partner and said, “Nindrol, contact Gorre and ask what he wants to do with her gift.” Looking back at her, he said, “You must be the elf that Orist mentioned when he arrived earlier. Thank you. As for your other business, you will need to talk to the guards inside for that.”
Nindrol returned and reported, “Gorre was busy talking to Elora. His assistant requested Haera hold on to it until someone could verify that it wouldn't endanger the citizens.
Turning toward the Ranger facility, Tinesi said, “I will be back.”
The Ranger stationed at the entrance eyed her suspiciously. He had watched her progress, walking toward the village before turning toward him. Interrupted before he could address her, his head snapped behind him at the sudden outburst.
“It's you! Is that the antlers from the beast we killed? Wait, you didn’t burn the forest down, right?”
The guard looked back and forth between Tinesi and Paeral. Shaking his head with an exasperated sigh, he pointed at her and said, “You can vouch for this one?”
“Of course. She can hold her own. She detected the magical beast before either my sister or I could and warned us.”
“Thank you, Paeral. Since you’re here. Go inform Haera about our guest.”
Before he added to his request, Paeral said, “You can count on me,” already running toward the main building.
Tinesi smiled, amused by the elves' antics. She told the guard, “These antlers are a gift for Kellem.
“Makes sense. You can tell that to Haera when she arrives.”
“Tell me what, exactly, Luthais.”
Shock and fear quickly vanished as he stood at attention. The guard saluted Haera and said, “This elf was the one who aided the Rangers who were escorting the merchant, Orist. She is here to drop off this gift for the boss.”
“That was quick,” Tinesi said, with a hint of curiosity behind her words.
Haera looked at Tinesi; her aura and natural presence were forces to be reckoned with. The elf knew how to handle the powerful warriors placed in her care if the Ranger at the gate was anything to go by.
Ignoring Tinesi’s unasked question, the elf said, “Gift for Kellam? I’m sure he would appreciate mounting such a prize on the wall. Though Gorre would be a bit more obtuse about it being inside the town. He takes his job and the security of Timberwood seriously.”
After a moment of studying the antlers, Haera said, “You can leave them here and I will get someone to bring them in.”
Without another word, Haera vanished. Only now did Tinesi sense the magic.
Following the request, Tinesi lowered the antlers to the ground near the entrance so no one would accidentally poke themselves.
Luthais said, “Thank you. You should go before Paeral comes back. He doesn’t know how to stop talking once he gets started.”
For the third time that day, she got to watch the guard react, surprised to someone walking up behind him.
How can a Ranger be so oblivious to his surroundings? Is this why he is stuck guarding the entrance?
“You don’t have to worry about my brother, Luthais. Haera put him to work on the training field after he barged in on her conversation with me.”
Shifting over to Tinesi, she said, “I have a report to deliver. Do you mind if I join you? I’m sure it will speed up the process. Plus, I don’t know if Elora received the message yet. I hear she has been busy.”
The contrast between Keya and her brother was like night and day. How the two could work so well together impressed Tinesi. At ease around Keya, she wouldn’t turn down an escort.
“You may.”
The two began walking toward the village gate.
“Hey Tinesi, can I ask a question?”
Curious about what she wanted to know, Tinesi said, “I can’t promise I will answer, but sure.”
“You seem to know a lot about Timberwood and who runs it. If your old acquaintances, then how?” Keya asked, her posture relaxed.
Tinesi’s mind raced, trying to come up with a plausible answer that wouldn’t reveal her true occupation.
“I grew up with Elora before she moved to Timberwood. We have kept in touch, even if our work meant we couldn’t meet in person.”
“What kind of work?” Keya started, but Tinesi interrupted, her magic compulsion amplifying every word. “Please help me find Elora.”
Caught off-guard, Keya’s eyes glazed over temporarily before focusing again and nodded.
“Of course, follow me.”
They continued into Timberwood, past the guards, without further issue. Her previous encounter and her Ranger escort guaranteed that. There were merchants lined up against the outer wall next to their wagons selling different wares. Tinesi met Orist’s gaze, already set up by his cart. He waved at her, and she replied with a nod. Keya waved back at the joyful elf.
“Thanks again for helping us out back in the forest. How were you able to detect that creature before us?”
Biting her lip, she sighed and said, “Like you, I specialize in hunting. One of my skills is detecting the aura that living beings give off.” Seeing Keya’s expression, she paused and asked, “You know about aura, right?”
Shaking her head, Keya said, “No.”
“You don’t? Then how do you track the creatures you hunt?” she asked the Ranger, worry etched in her voice.
“Most of the time, my team uses standard tracking methods and reports from survivors. Our training emphasizes saving our magic for the fight. So, how do you sense an aura?” Eyes focused on Tinesi; Keya waited for her answer.
Pulling the ranger over to the side, she stood in front of Keya and said, “It would be easier to show you.”
Gathering more mana from around her, Tinesi condensed it and channeled the magic into her aura, directing it toward Keya, who squirmed. When the Ranger backed away, Tinesi let the extra mana dissipate back into the air and relaxed her control over her aura.
Sweat rolling down Keya’s face, the Ranger said, “That was intense. I rarely felt that scared unless I was up against a powerful beast on a hunt. How did you do that?”
“If you can control your aura, it becomes harder for others who know how to sense it to find you. That includes increasing its presence and directing it. I rarely use it to intimidate, but it's possible.”
Pointing toward the inner gate nearby, Keya got the hint, and they continued walking. Calmed down, Keya said, “I wonder why this wasn’t something they would train us in to hunt more efficiently.”
The leaders of my organization must have had a hand in this.
“If I had to guess since the Rangers recruit new members who are already strong enough to face magical beasts, they focus on refining the skills you already have,” Tinesi said, offering Keya a safe answer instead of her true thoughts.
Eyes already looking around the crowded street, Keya said, “I guess so,” with no conviction behind her words. A young elf ran up to the Ranger, arms outstretched, squeezing with glee. Keya kneeled and hugged the little girl.
Her previous cheerful personality back, she said, “Irma! How are you doing?”
Keya's chest muffled the girl's answer. Another elf nearby eyed Tinesi with mild suspicion.
Tinesi tapped on Keya's shoulder and looked at her expectantly. When the Ranger didn’t react, Tinesi sighed, and said, “Are you helping me or not?”
Back on her feet, Keya rubbed Irma's hair and then waved at the other elf nearby. “Sorry, I promised my new friend here that I would help her meet an old acquaintance.”
Irma scrunched her eyebrows in clear irritation, but she ran back to the other elf without further complaint.
“If you rather,” began Tinesi, only to be interrupted by Keya.
“No, you were right to remind me. I made you a promise and I have that report to deliver. Gorre can be a stickler if he knows you took your time delivering reports." She leaned in close and said, “And if you thought his reprimand was scary, once Haera learns about it.” She shuttered, her words trailing off left unsaid.
The two reached the inner gate with no other interference, though plenty waved or said hello to Keya as she passed them by. Keya approached the guard and said, “Goren, I have a report to deliver.” Pointing in Tinesi's direction, she continued, “And she would like to speak with Elora. I can vouch for her. She helped me fight a magical beast on our way back to Timberwood.”
A smile crept up Tinesi's face when two elves approached the gate from the other side. One was a welcome sight while the other placed a hand on the guard's shoulder and said, “I will take care of this. Stand down.”
“Yes, sir!”
Stepping back, the guard left enough room for the mystery elf and her friend Elora to walk through. Meanwhile, Keya saluted to the elf.
“Ranger Keya reporting in, sir.”
Focused on the Ranger, he let his gaze linger before addressing Tinesi, hand out for a handshake.
“My name is Gorre. You are acquainted with Keya. Can I assume you are the mystery elf I have been hearing about ever since Orist got back?”
Tinesi took his hand and shook it, grip held firm. She wouldn’t back down from the obvious challenge.
“I care not what rumors you may have heard. You have no authority over me.” Keya and the guard nearby gasped at her proclamation. Elora chuckled softly in the background. “Did I assist your Rangers? Yes. Did I bring its antlers as a gift? True. Other than that, is of no concern to me. I’m here to catch up with my friend, not play power games with you.”
The strength of Gorre’s grip increased clear anger at the disregard of his station in Timberwood. Before anyone could do something uncouth, Elora stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Gorre's shoulder.
“I apologize on behalf of my friend. That’s just who she is. Let it go.”
Tinesi could sense the magic lacing her words. The compulsion refined to a point. While Elora may not be deployed in the thick of things, Tinesi's training was also given to her before she was sent to Timberwood.
She stepped away from Gorre and shrugged. “If you want to know more about me, I'm sure the report Keya has for you will be enlightening.”
Attention back on the Ranger, Tinesi scooted over to her friend and hugged Elora. Face up against her ear, she said, “I'm seeking a new shadow who fancies himself a Ranger.”
Message received, Elora took her hand and began leading her away from the gate and the Rangers. Her friend led her to a sturdy two-story building built up against the inner wall. A steady stream of elves was coming and going from the establishment. The aroma wafting from the entrance was a clear giveaway that they provided meals there.
I believe people were calling them taverns. They offer food and a place to eat and socialize on the first floor and offer rooms for guests to sleep at night.
They walked in and Elora led her into the back corner, away from the crowd where they could have their conversation. An elf came by and offered them a drink and two meals. Soup with chunks of meat in it and an assortment of fruit on the side. Left alone, they ate, Tinesi taking breaks to share her report.
“The elf has lost a few fingers but has found new ones.”
“The newest finger offered his own as tribute.”
Elora focused on her meal, nodding to Tinesi as if their conversation was anything but a report from a hidden organization fighting the darkness out of the spotlight.
“The elf sent a new pet but left one alone as a witness.”
“A shadow hunts, but for who and for what?”
Utensil placed down on the table, Elora said, “Do you have a name?”
“Lyra witnessed the shadow's betrayal. If I had to guess, they want to recruit her.”
They finished the meal in silence. Elora stood up and said, “I should have an answer by tomorrow.”
An elf entered the tavern, silencing the crowd for a moment before they returned to their conversations. When he saw Elora, he turned toward her and the two embraced.
Right. She is married to Captain Reptar.
Turning toward her, Reptar looked her over with a discerning eye and said, “I don’t think we are acquainted. How do you know my wife?”
“You could say we are childhood friends. The last time we met in person was before she moved here.”
Still looking at her skeptically, he said, “If you say so.” Turning back to Elora, his voice softened. “Will your friend be staying long?”
“Yes. You won’t object to her sleeping at our place tonight. Right?” Her compulsion once more snuck into her conversation at the right moment to lead the person in the right direction. A needle to Tinesi's hammer.
“Of course she can. Teriani wants to have a meeting to discuss the recent magical beast attack so close to Timberwood. I came to get you.”
Standing up herself, Tinesi hugged Elora and said, “I will enjoy the sights and meet up with you later.”
Tinesi watched the two leave, her mind pondering all she had witnessed so far, when Kindroth reached out.
Change of plans. You are to meet me outside of Timberwood. Be swift.
Yes, sir. On my way now.
There was no reason to be more specific. She could find his magical signature in her sleep if he wanted her to. As promised, she made her way out of Timberwood without any of the fanfare from before.
What surprised her was another aura next to Kindroth. Kailu had returned from his assignment.
He was an elf of little words and even less in his desire to speak to anyone but Kindroth. Covered head to toe in black, leaving only his eyes and hands visible, he excelled in stealth and reconnaissance. Do not let his appearance fool you, though. Kailua was a master of the twin-blade fighting style that would put Paeral to shame. He could imbue his swords with fire and ice interchangeably without the use of a rune.
Kindroth looked at Kailu when she arrived and said, “Bring it out.”
Following his orders, her silent comrade brought out an item wrapped in cloth and held it out to Tinesi.
“One of the less than questionable experiments our brethren back at headquarters have been working on has shown promising results at great cost. A pregnant mother about to lose her baby offered her child to the cause, her own life the fuel to perform the spell.”
Unwrapping it enough to reveal its contents, Tinesi looked at a dagger with a few runes etched on it. Kindroth pointed them out.
“There are three different runes here. Metal-shaping allows the user to change the shape of the blade, while the wood-shaping rune does the same to the shaft or handle. That leaves the rune of absorption attuned to life energy.”
Shocked at the depths her people would take to gain power, she said, “That means…” trailing off into silence.
“Yes, that means the unborn child’s life energy is the source powering the runes, allowing it to take any shape the wielder can imagine.”
Hearing an undertone that there was more to it, she said, “But?”
“But it’s incomplete. To reach true sentience, the weapon requires a willing sacrifice. The elf you have been trailing lost her family and is now on a self-destructive path that will lead to her death, even if it’s in the defense of others.”
Knowing where this was headed, she asked, “So?”
“I need you to convince her to join our cause and present the weapon to her. I won’t ask you to lie to her. We aren’t like them. If she agrees, explain that we are hunting those who killed her family. Offer her a chance to face the dark mage responsible. We only ask for her eternal cooperation facing the darkness so that she can help prevent a tragedy like the one she went through far into the future.”
Kindroth signaled Kailu, who quickly wrapped the weapon and handed it over to her. Silent as ever.
“Do not touch it unless you are willing to take her place. The child’s life energy will tether to the next person who wields it.” His grip on her shoulder amplified his words. “Get her to join our cause and stay by her side. You will be her partner. Watch over her and if the experiment fails, retrieve the weapon. It can’t find its way into the hands of our enemy. If they knew what we have done, they would take it and force others to become weapons of war.”
The weight of his words followed her back to Timberwood. The guards let her through with a wave of their hand. Elora found her in the tavern tucked in the corner, the weapon lying on the table.
Breaking the silence, Elora held out her hand and said, “It’s getting late. Follow me back home.”
Grabbing her burden, Tinesi took her friend's hand and let Elora guide her into the village's inner sanctum. Reptar greeted them at the door, letting Tinesi enter. The three had a quiet meal that ended with Elora asking her husband to give the two of them space so they could talk.
“Talk about what?”
Hand on her hip, Elora gave him a look that shut the elf down without a fight. When they were alone, Elora said, “I have a lead on our new shadow, but I need more time to be sure. What about you?”
Hand placed on top of the wrapped magical weapon, Tinesi was blunt and said, “They want me to turn Lyra into a living weapon.”
Tinesi expressed what she could not say the best she could before curling up around the bundle on the floor and falling asleep.
That day, she faced a test of her faith in the cause. Conviction unbroken, she would not falter. Kindroth wished to turn Lyra into a sentient weapon, and it was up to her to make it happen.
Silvertree, forgive me for what I am about to do.