“I’ve heard even the dark elves are searching for the one called Ekk’s,” remarked Viceregent Val’lay.
“He nearly tore up our treaty with them,” replied Commander Dylien Galei, the most recent appointee sent from deep within the Elven Kingdom, following the passing of his predecessor.
“What?” exclaimed Val’lay, jumping out of his seat. He almost toppled the chair but swiftly steadied it and sat back down.
Seated in the commander’s office in the inner ring, second floor of the Legazz barracks, the two high-ranking elves conversed in their ancient and peculiar language.
“I happened to overhear a particular conversation before coming here,” stated the commander.
“Damn it, that could’ve meant a potential war with the dark elves.”
“War with the dark elves... As if we didn’t have enough troubles already,” pondered the commander aloud. “The individuals discussing this didn’t delve into further details, but the tone suggested a complicated issue—serious enough for the dark elves to request passage for their own soldiers into the Elven Kingdom.”
“What was the response of the High Court.”
“After days of deliberation, they permitted passage, albeit under strict regulations. Given our shortage of elfpower, we might as well accept their assistance—not that we openly call it that. Nonetheless, we welcome it.”
“What could that redheaded elf have done to provoke such a reaction from the dark elves?” inquired Val’lay.
“That part, I do not know.”
Both fell silent, contemplating the gravity of the recent events.
“How are your contacts in the Triyds?” asked the commander.
“In dark-elf country? Rusty at best,” answered Val’lay, somewhat uncomfortable with the question. He preferred to have nothing to do with the dark elves, unwilling to revisit his history with them—a past he would rather forget, or at least make everyone else forget about it, especially his childhood friend.
“Bring them out now. Find out what you can.”
“If there’s no other option, I will do it— wait, if a dark elf delegation and soldiers are coming, does it mean that...?
“Yes, she is coming too, the second princess— excuse me, half-dark, half-princess at best.” The commander corrected himself. “We only have one true High Princess.”
“Our High Princess wouldn’t appreciate you referring to her half-sister like that,” said Val’lay, taking the commander’s comments seriously.
“Oh, I forgot, the High Princess is your childhood friend.”
“I consider myself lucky to have known her for so long.”
“How is she, anyway?”
“Better now. I can’t visit her as often as I’d like, but she has a strong character and is recovering her health... to lead us all one day.”
The commander observed the viceregent, sensing a heart already taken.
“For the High King!”
“For the Elven Kingdom!”
*
“Where are we headed?”
“I told you it was a secret,” replied a soft-spoken male voice.
Ferd’inan and Dinea journeyed beyond the gates of Silifran.
Dinea’s gaze swept across the horizon as she reclined comfortably inside the carriage, which took them away from the border city and into savage territory.
“These roads are dangerous...” she said, a light smile playing on her lips. Despite the risks, taking a break from work and everything elven calmed her soul. She wore a simple yet elegant dress, an unusual sight for her, as she, without fail, covered herself with layers of armor.
“Are you afraid?” asked Ferd’inan, seated across from her, his eyes feasting on her form, her light eyes, her wheat-colored hair pulled back. He found himself captivated by her elegant and subtly curved physique. Despite her serious demeanor and obligations to duty, a delicate and refined female elf monopolized the half-elf’s attention.
“I believe the only danger here... is you,” replied Dinea.
Ferd’inan smiled without reservation. “You’re not wrong.”
“Ah, so you acknowledge it, Mr. Bandit.”
“You’ve caught me. Actually, I’m the leader of Del’vhario.”
She studied him, her serious gaze assessing every aspect of his countenance. “You can’t be. He’s an elf, through and through.”
“You speak as if you know him,” remarked Ferd’inan.
“I met him once—no, twice. I didn’t know he was the leader of that criminal organization back then. He didn’t appear dangerous at all, especially being an elf...”
“Dinea, you don’t need to justify yourself to me. We may see faces and appearances, but their hearts... their hearts we simply can’t know until it’s often too late.”
She placed her left hand on his, their fingers intertwining. “I have seen yours...”
“You’ve really seen it. And let me tell you, I’m proud of my big friend down there—”
“Your heart, you silly...”
Fer’dinan smiled. “I know... for I have seen yours too. Your heart, I mean.”
A couple of hours later, the lovers lay on a blanket spread over a bed of grass atop a hill, overlooking a field of flowers. Having indulged in select luxurious food and several glasses of wine, they now rested in each other’s embrace.
“Have you ever considered changing your... smuggling career?” asked Dinea.
The half-elf fell silent and closed his eyes.
“I’m not saying that you... Are you alright?” she said, his sudden silence troubled her.
“My eyes... I suddenly saw double,” said Fer’dinan, gritting his teeth.
“You do appear tired. Should we return?”
“I felt dizzy for a moment there,” stated the half-elf, still regaining his composure.
“Experiencing a headache?”
“Yes, but I’m fine now.” Ferd’inan remained quiet for a while longer, attempting to push aside the pain that came in waves—a sensation not unfamiliar to the half-elf.
He observed the elven female nestled in his embrace, his fingers gently trailing through her smooth hair.
“I know you have some gold saved,” remarked Dinea. “I mean, after all those cargoes... You could cease this line of work. You’re smart and... a rather handsome half-elf. You could pursue something different, start over.”
“You know, they once said I couldn’t do it, that I didn’t have it in me. They even cursed me as they tried to chase away my dream. Now, they can wallow in jealousy. I have gold, I have the elven female of my dreams...”
She turned to him and kissed his lips.
“But start over? Where?” Ferd’inan continued. “The Elven Kingdom regards me as less, much less than any of you, almost at the level of a dreg. And I ain’t venturing into human lands. Aside from that, there’s nowhere else to go, at least not here, in the in-between. This region that you know so well—the savagery, the law of the strongest, the smarter, the wilder. And here, I am something, I am someone.”
Dinea stared into his light blue eyes. His gentle features glimmered in the fading light of the setting sun on the horizon. She grasped his words with familiarity, for she was intimately acquainted with the world he spoke of—the one she perpetually encountered as Gate Captain of Silifran. In her hands lay the fate of many: some criminals, others merely striving to survive. While she understood their hardships, she hadn’t endured such struggles herself. As the eldest daughter of the Fylse’la Lanarli family, she had always luxuriated in the finest indulgences her family name and wealth could provide. Though not a High Elf, nor situated at the apex of common elven society, her entire family savored the pristine comforts of the inner ring of the city and all the privileges it bestowed upon them.
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“We... could...” Dinea’s voice faltered, her heart harboring a proposition, an idea, an ideal—the culmination of countless sleepless nights.
“What is it?”
“We could... you know... I mean...” But the words remained elusive, refusing to materialize and realign reality according to her wishes. Perhaps her fear of those dreams coming to fruition, and the prospect of dealing with her idealized future, held her back. “Nothing. Just... be careful out there.” Not today, but soon, when she could summon the courage to confront her own fears.
“I always am... the sanest of all beings beneath the stars,” responded Ferd’inan, his gaze fixed upon the horizon.
*
After hours, in the quiet of an empty theater within Silifran’s inner ring, two figures converged. Seated amidst the cavernous expanse, a human Lord occupied a spot in the fifth row, where he noticed the seats were fashioned for a strange kind of comfort—solid rock, and cold.
“And here I thought you were really inviting me to witness a play,” remarked Lord Jarailo.
A female elf walked onto the stage of the theater.
“Plays are not... my forte,” replied Lai’Seili.
“Nor mine, but I can’t help but wonder... We always meet where there are no prying eyes; might as well not meet at all.”
“Are you upset?”
“I understand why you do it. If someone saw us... what would become of your reputation?”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
“Very well... Now, what is the purpose of this summons?”
“There are two matters at hand. First, I must inform you that my continued patronage of your endeavors has hit a snag.”
“Has it now?”
“I requested something good, something great... something to elevate my family’s status.”
“And haven’t I delivered? Your general has garnered accolade from your peers, lauded as a hero to the city.”
“You’re well-informed, I see. And still... it could be better, couldn’t it?”
Lord Jaralio rose from his seat and strode toward the edge of stage, halting to gaze upward. Lai’Seili, suddenly flustered, stepped back, her hands instinctively smoothing her skirt against her thighs.
“What are you...?” she questioned, still adjusting her skirt to cover herself.
“Pardon me. I have been caught,” replied Lord Jarailo, his gaze fixed at her.
“You won’t deny it?”
“I’ll deny it if you want me to, or not if you don’t want me to...”
“Such a...” She unconsciously bit her bottom lip. “What of the information.”
Lord Jarailo leveled his gaze. “Alright... have it your way.” With that, he made his way towards the exit.
“You’re leaving? Have I offended you?”
“No, I’m just looking for the stairs up.” He soon located them and ascended the stage. “Now, we are on even ground. Equal.” The human strolled towards her. “Here, where we see nothing but each other’s eyes. That is, unless someone wants to really change perspectives and witness a glimpse of paradise.”
Lai’Seili sighed and subtly shook her head. “With you, Lord Jarailo... I must tread carefully. Your words... you always infuse them with other meanings.”
“Once again, you’ve caught me.”
“And once more, you don’t deny it.”
The human Lord glanced around the stage, noticing the props from some bygone play still lingering like shadows from the past—trees, a castle, and various other items he couldn’t quite make out.
“What kind of plays do they perform here?” inquired Lord Jarailo.
“Mostly mythical ones, about legends and history, from the days of our creation to the rise and fall of all elven royal dynasties.”
“Huh... no offense, but that is not my cup of tea.”
“I prefer music myself... music and dance,” stated Lai’Seili.
“You’re full of surprises. I thought you were the serious type.”
“But I am.”
“No... someone who likes music and dance... they need fire in their hearts. Even an ember is enough.”
She met his gaze with a soft, silent stare.
“And yes... I’ve been tirelessly searching for what you want,” Lord Jarailo finally broke the silence.
“We need Del’vhario, we need its leader.”
“The elf?”
Lai’Seili frowned, an uncomfortable state of mind taking hold of her. “Yes... one of our own. Our kin.”
“And here I thought all elves were well-behaved.”
She arched both brows before softening her features. “Another misconception. There are many elves who... deviate from the expected path. They misbehave. Not as extreme as that particular elf, but they do... crime.”
“I’m happy to hear that—”
“You what?” Once again, her expression twisted into a scowl.
“Allow me to finish. I’m happy to learn that some of your kind misbehave, and I don’t mean anything pertaining crime, no. Just that... let’s say that there’s an opportunity there.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“That there’s an opportunity to misbehave together,” replied Lord Jarailo with a light grin, as he playfully gestured, alternately pointing a finger towards himself and then towards her.
“You, Lord— What exactly are you insinuating?” Her flushed cheeks and fidgety demeanor betrayed more than mere irritation.
“You mentioned your fondness for music and dance—to dance to music, to enjoy tea and wine until the wee hours of the night, to be friends, a human and an elf. What were you imagining?”
She offered a nervous smile. “No... You truly didn’t mean it that way,” she said, her index finger moving from side to side.
Silence fell between them.
“You won’t deny it?” she finally asked.
Lord Jarailo chuckled, staring at the elegant and comely elven female before him. Most elves, save those of advanced age, possessed fine features, delicate curves, and a grace inherent to their kind.
“I understand what you want,” stated Lord Jarailo solemnly.
“Which is?”
“Information. You seek a specific individual, and I’ll give you that. I’ll do my best.”
She sighed, partly relieved that he steered the conversation away from its previous intensity, yet also somewhat disappointed by the shift. “You had better... I put my trust in you.”
“Have I disappointed you?”
“Not yet. And let’s keep it that way.”
Composing herself into a more serious demeanor, reverting to her usual self that she presented to the world, she stood resolutely before the human.
“And now... The second matter for which I summoned you here. I’ll leave you with others who wish to have a word with you,” stated the elven female. “And this is no ambush,” she quickly added.
“Eh?” The Lord observed three figures emerging from the shadows behind the columns and the scenery on the stage.
Lai’Seili and the three newcomers conversed in elven, after which Lai’Seili excused herself and retired for the night. Only Lord Jarailo and the three dark elves, who had requested an audience with the human through Lai’Seili, remained on-stage.
*
In the midst of these turbulent times, X predominantly divided his time between his lair and Silifran. While he ventured into various elven border cities, already scheming their takeover, he noticed that these locales teemed with their own underground ecosystems. Dominant factions exerted their influence over the clandestine affairs of the cities. Within elven territories, a mixture of prominent and minor factions vied for supremacy.
In stark contrast, human territories were monopolized by human criminal groups, with the Saints reigning supreme in numerous urban centers. The borderless region between human and elven lands lacked any sort of organized criminal enterprises, drawing minimal interest except from bandits, who only cared about the travelers journeying through this interstitial expanse.
Like a king surveying his realm, X found the existing criminal structures indispensable. From the feralis-bore tunnels facilitating access to multiple cities, to the system of roads interconnecting towns and settlements within the in-between region. This no-man’s land slowly morphed into Del’vhario’s domain, imprinting its influence upon the inhabitants who became increasingly entwined with the economic web spun by Del’vhario’s enterprises. This region burgeoned into a lucrative hub for Del’vhario, serving not only as a recruiting ground for foot soldiers, farmers, and producers, but also as a marketplace catering to impoverished yet loyal clientele.
X possessed an acute comprehension of lawless regions and appreciated their intrinsic value, favoring their rugged allure over the polished facade of neighboring cities. Immersed in this realm, Del’vhario, guided by the redheaded elf’s stewardship, delved into the lore of traditional flora, fauna, minerals, and substances that the sentient creatures of this world employed in their dusts and inebriating blends. Drawing upon this knowledge, Del’vhario expanded their reach across the borderless expanse, incentivizing local farmers to cultivate these coveted ‘special’ plants, thus causing a surge in production. Subsequently, numerous Del’vhario teams mobilized to procure, process, and package these bounties, ensuring their readiness for widespread consumption.
During his travels, X also briefly explored the adjacent human territories, which proved more challenging to infiltrate due to the complicated relation between humans and kinhayas. Nevertheless, with the enactment of new laws and the gradual improvement in the treatment of slaves, the status quo began to shift. Assisted by his associates, X endeavored to establish connections with the human criminal factions, navigating through layers of distrust and encountering formidable obstacles throughout the whole enterprise.
Secrecy and mystery shrouded the upper echelons of Del’vhario’s leadership. Deliberately disseminating misinformation, they propagated false rumors concerning events and individuals, always keeping one step ahead of their rivals and the authorities, particularly elven officers. With an ever-increasing body count, Del’vhario commanded both admiration and fear from many. Yet, jealousy simmered among those who would yearn to witness their downfall, keenly aware that Del’vhario’s growing power and influence would inevitably demand retribution for all debts owed. Whether paid in gold, submission, or blood, the reckoning was imminent.
Over time, the region became inundated with Del’vhario’s legions, individuals willing to undertake any task. The criminal group discovered fertile ground for their seeds, alongside a multitude of sentient beings wishing to retreat from the world into a dreamlike state of pure wonder and joy. As beings from all races and walks of life congregated around the raging inferno, which they mistook for a bonfire, the great nations, kingdoms, and millennial cultures remained blind to the brewing turmoil beneath their gaze. However, in due course, everyone would bear witness to the legend and myth, to X and his vision, to the rise of his empire.