Three figures stood quietly, without drawing attention to themselves, watching the incoming carriages outside of the main gate of Silifran. Two gnomes contemplated the frantic pace of those waiting to enter the city, while a third being towered over them. The early morning light illuminated their faces as their eyes darted at the incoming transports, surveying each one set in a row at the gates awaiting entrance. The trio wore hoods on their heads, blending in with the locals lined up to enter the city.
One of the short creatures raised her head, pointing to a recent arrival.
“K’bula’s thugs are here,” she said.
“Sagage has come,” added the tall being among them.
“Sae’gez,” corrected the third short figure.
“What?”
“Sae’gez, Ekk’s. K’bula’s group,” said the male gnome.
“Unpronounceable crap.”
“You’d have to be a salamanyd to say it right, and not that it matters. Pronounce the name of the soon-to-be-dead as you like.”
“Now, that, Mau, was profound. You do know a lot about this trite stuff,” commented X.
“I told you, didn’t I? I know my shit.”
Silence fell as the trio watched closely the crowded gate.
“Have you ever been with a salamanyd female?” inquired Mau out of the blue.
“I haven’t had the displeasure,” replied X. He only knew one salamanyd, K’bula, but if the females of his kind were like him, X was confident in declining their advances with ease.
“Well, not my proudest fuck... but not my worst either,” continued Mau.
“Do you ever wonder if you have any decency about you?” asked Nila.
“Any what?”
“Descendants,” interjected X.
Nila glanced at the redheaded elf but remained silent.
“Oh, that... Maybe. Who knows? I didn’t stay long with them,” replied Mau.
“Salamanyds didn’t attract you to form your army?” inquired X.
“That stint was before my realization of my life’s crowning achievement.”
“Huh...” Returning to the matters at hands, X pulled his hood down over his face, concealing it better. “These freaks are really going to do it in plain sight.”
“I told you, this is where they do it, in front of the gates. They don’t give a fuck,” said Nila.
“It is strange...”
“Maybe Lanaen’s Band is really spread deep in Silifran’s structure,” commented Nila.
“Maybe, though I’m not entirely sure about that. This is different. But I’ll figure it out, regardless. This disregard for form will be their undoing. You both know what to do,” said X, exchanging glances with both gnomes.
Nila approached Lanaen’s Band caravan, while Mau veered towards the Sae’gez one. Nila reached them first and lowered her hood, then addressed the baakin feralis guarding it.
“Are you Grae’rler?”
The baakin turned around, his gaze piercing her. “Whooo the fuck are yooou?”
“You don’t remember me? I’m one of the recent recruits, Lucida. I served under Dalnen’s command until our squad was wiped out.”
“Oooh, you’re the gnome thaaat survived.” The feralis scrutinized her. “So, whaaat are you doing heeere? I dooon’t recall you beeeing transfered to our teaaam.”
“There’s new intel, and it’s crucial. The boss warns to be cautious with the Sae’gez. Something’s amiss, they’re not to be trusted.”
At that moment, Mau strolled calmly around the Sae’gez carriages and stopped beside the last of the three wooden transports. He approached an orc leaning against it.
“Are you K’bula’s underlings?” he asked.
“Eh?” The orc faced the short creature before him, surprised by the sudden interrogation.
“Don’t feign ignorance, you mere empty skulls, numb to your own intelligence deficit!” shouted Mau, ensuring every Sae’gez member could hear. “Ah, but you’ll learn! The Lanaen Band is the greatest and only bandit group that’ll endure! The Lanaen Band’s boss sends his regards!” Mau promptly launched two steel spheres into the carriage and then uttered the elven trigger words.
A thunderous explosion rocked the line of carriages, sending several chunks of flesh and debris soaring into the air, only to rain down upon zone zero. Shouts and panic swept through the area as every sentient and non-sentient creature fled from the blast. At the entrance, the guards stood frozen in place, momentarily paralyzed by the unfolding chaos.
“What the hell was that?” exclaimed the feralis beside Nila.
“War!” she shouted.
At the Sae’gez side, the surviving members of K’bulas criminal group regrouped.
“What the in the devil happened?” asked a dwarf.
From the smoke surfaced a hooded figure, tall and lanky, shouting at them. “Lanaen’s Band has gone hostile! Kill them all!” X produced two firebolt scrolls and hurled them into the air, speaking elven words that triggered the magic within. Both spells ignited simultaneously, targeting Lanaen’s Band middle carriage. “Attack!”
One firebolt struck near Lanaen’s Band central carriage, while the other pierced through its window, igniting the flammable interior of their caravan’s first carriage.
On the opposing side, Lanaen’s Band members stood still, not comprehending the significance of the unfolding events. Without hesitation, all of Sae’gez’s members surged forward against their adversaries.
“Whyyy the fuck is Sae’gez aaattaking us?” questioned the puzzled feralis.
“Don’t you get it, baakin numskull? They’re here for us! This is war!” Nila urged the creatures around her. “This is treason! Attack! Defend yourselves, retards!”
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Sae’gez descended upon them, and a fierce fight erupted. Amidst the shouts, blood, and dislodged chunks of meat, Silifran’s gatekeepers sprinted towards the assailants and joined the melee. In the chaos, Del’vhario’s trio of snakes slithered under the carriages, shedding their covering clothes and blending into the fleeing innocent creatures until they disappeared in the distance.
*
An olive-skinned, black-bearded man, adorned with a peculiar hat atop his head, held Marika’s left hand as they stood in line to enter Silifran’s inner ring. The elves scrutinized the slim and tall figure, for a human, and the fae accompanying him. Both elven soldiers’ demeanor spiked: after the chaos at the main gate and subsequent fight that broke out between criminals, word spread within Silifran’s circles, leaving them crankier than usual.
“A human male and a fae...” A low-ranked soldier eyed the pair before him with a hint of disgust on his face.
“Name, purpose and papers,” asked the captain of the inner gate, carefully observing the beings before him.
“I’m Lord Jarailo Jarileo of the Dublon House, and she is my niece. Introduce yourself, darling,” the bearded man’s eyes met Marika’s.
“I’m Marika, the bard of Herlinin Dil at your service,” she bowed.
Both elven soldiers watched their every movement, studying their manners and their eyes.
“Papers,” demanded the captain.
Lord Jarailo retrieved two rolled-up parchments from his bag and handed them to the captain, who calmly perused them.
“What brings a human male and his fae niece here?” asked the low-ranking guard.
“I’m a bard, well-known back in Herlinin Dil, and I have brought my show here to Silifran,” stated Marika.
“We have a half-elf, member of the Merchant Guild of Silifran, as our sponsor. Apart from that, there’s someone waiting for us in the inner ring. My niece is to be contracted for a show in a week from now. And we’re here to have a look at the venue and talk to its owner,” Lord Jarailo handed the captain the letter of invitation. “You’ll find the details there.”
The captain studied the document and, after careful consideration, addressed the two beings. “You spoke with Deli’re Fein?”
“Not personally, it was through a mutual acquaintance that saw me perform once,” explained Marika. “The half-elf Ferd’inan. He liked my music and told me if I would be willing to travel to the Elven Kingdom to perform. He was the one who talked to Deli’re Fein. So, answering your question, I’ve not met Deli’re Fein personally.”
“And that’s partly why we’re here. To meet the venue’s owner in person, and she’ll perform for him, and... God willing, we’ll sign the contract,” added Lord Jarailo.
“Show us what you have on your bag,” ordered the elven captain.
Marika set down the bag she carried on her back and opened it up. “This is my harp.”
After a final glance at the documents, the captain returned them. “Everything appears to be in order. Proceed. And do conduct yourselves appropiately.”
“Thank you.” Jarailo and Marika nodded.
“If you have the time, maybe you’d enjoy attending my performance,” suggested Marika with a smile directed at the two guards, who remained silent. The elven soldiers allowed them to pass. “Next!” And they resumed their monotonous duties.
Once inside, uncle and niece consulted the directions outlined in the letter and eventually reached a sizable structure nestled within an even larger and denser tree. The streets within the inner ring were unusually deserted. Recent events at Silifran’s main gate had put the city on edge. What they did observe was and increased soldier presence patrolling the streets.
The shaded brown housing appeared inconspicuous in this area, amidst a landscape of mundane architecture and the elves’ notably underwhelming designs. They reached a small marble staircase, and upon ascending five steps, they knocked on the grand double doors of the imposing edifice. Presently, a portly elf answered the door.
*
First-contact day arrived amidst strong winds, which carried with them a fresh wave of heat and humidity to the region. With the concert approved and a date set, Jarailo and Marika found themselves working day and night. Their previous preparations finally paid off, primarily involving substantial expenditures in gold coins. They also traversed, in numerous occasions, the feralis bore tunnels, and made deals with a variety of beings, including elves, from all walks of life.
Unsurprisingly, most elves harbored a disdainful attitude toward the human and the half-fae. While they tolerated their presence, the elves made no effort to hide their contempt. The key to open most doors remained the same wherever the pair went: gold.
The venue chosen for the concert was an open-air amphitheater constructed from peculiar, low-glowing rocks and adorned with masterful decorations depicting elven history and religion. The elves embraced the opportunity to indulge in their aspirations towards a higher culture, reveling on the harmonious voices of the singers—masters of their craft—and immersing themselves in an evening of visions and magic.
The proprietor of the amphitheater fulfilled his obligations by extensively promoting the concert, and the turnout on the day itself was a testament to his efforts. Every entrance was sold out, with elves gathered around small round tables designed to enhance the reach of the singers’ voice. Various races, with gnomes notably among them, served the elven audience with beverages and delicacies, including finely crafted sweets made from a plant indigenous to the Indir’a Lakes.
And what a spectacle Marika presented. Music, voice, ambiance, lights and the magic emanating from her voice gave birth to ethereal dancers who performed around the elves. The music transported the elves to higher planes of existence, immersing them in a dreamlike state of reality. Never before had they encountered such captivating visions and experiences. Lost in their half-dreams and visions, both young and old surrendered themselves to her art. Backstage, Lord Jarailo smiled, reassured by the certainty of success and impressed by the sway of Marika’s voice on the elves.
To thunderous applause and resounding acclaim—an unusual occurrence within elven society—the elves paid homage to the master of her art. It was a resounding success for all involved, but particularly for Del’vhario. While Del’vhario’s leader held no appreciation for the music being played, finding it, in his own words, ‘decrepit,’ the foundational work being laid, compensated for any shortcomings.
The tea served as part of the performance was laced with Purple Haze, a concoction Del’vhario had devised after savoring the vawykins’ gourmet food. X knew that while the dusts they sold in the outer ring brought decent gold, the grand potential of the inner rings remained untapped. He needed to cultivate an entirely new class of consumers—ones with wealth and discretionary gold to spend, who would eagerly give and receive, and then, after sobering up, clamor to the heavens for more.
Convincing Marika proved to be a lengthy process: she sought swift results, the death of many. After numerous heated discussions, X finally broke through to her, assuring her that although change withing elven society would be gradual, it would be inevitable. Rather ascending to a higher state of being, she would witness their descent into decadence from the front row. From the highest echelons to the lowest elves, both young and old would ultimately beg for salvation from them. And they would deliver, giving them everything they wanted and more.
For Marika, this marked the beginning of her revenge. But X thought of it, as he always had, as giving sentient beings what they wanted: a way out from the curse of consciousness.
*
After enduring several weeks of weather-imposed containment, Del’vhario embarked on a relentless campaign, driving their plan to every conceivable corner. In the subsequent months, Del’vhario proved to be exceedingly industrious, carving out their rightful place in this world through sweat and blood.
Functioning like busy bees, the trio toiled ceaselessly to spread their influence throughout Silifran, with a particular emphasis on securing their share of the pie. Nila had joined Lanaen’s Band, swiftly ingratiating herself and supplying Del’vhario with a steady stream of invaluable intelligence. Under the guise of a willing and dependable recruit, she utilized her spare moments to clandestinely gather information within Lanaen’s band territory, both within the sewers and beyond. Her meticulous records detailed everything from names and dates to shipments and recruitment numbers. Initially, navigating Lanaen’s Band’s ranks proved relatively straightforward. A prevailing lack of motivation, frequent indulgence in substances, and a pervasive absence of discipline, from the leadership down to the lowest member, facilitated her efforts. However, as she delved deeper into the organization’s hierarchy. the risks grew exponentially. Nevertheless, she remained steadfast in her commitment to relaying vital information to Mau and X.
While the heat continued to rise outside, Lanaen’s Band found itself unraveling from within. Fabricating documents, falsifying orders, eliminating loyal and diligent members, and actively sabotaging shipments constituted a fraction of Nila’s clandestine activities, all of which she took great pleasure in executing. In truth, she preferred the contained nature of the sewers to the vawykin-infested ruins and their repugnant excretions. Yet, in the eyes of X, she simply changed one kind of excretions for another.
Following X’s directives, Del’vhario quickly achieved parity with Lanaen’s Band. While refraining from direct confrontation, their covert operations aimed at destabilizing their rivals proceeded unabated. It became evident nothing could salvage Lanaen’s Band; their time at the top had come and gone. The emergence of a new, evolved organization would command terror and reverence, reshaping the landscape of this realm for generations to come.