Chapter 5: An Elf’s Ambition

  Melvarion Var Toth was furious. These human’s disgusted him. He looked around the small completely inadequate quarters he had been given from where he sat behind the massive oak desk. The wood had been polished to a sheen with ornate carvings surrounding each of the legs.

  He turned from the desk in disgust. “How barbaric,”he murmured. To think humans had to harm the Great Mother for comfort. It appalled him. Elves could grow furniture right out of the ground while keeping it still alive. He sighed, just another way these humans were inferior to his own race. His eyes scanned the room again is had a massive four poster bed with drapes that could be used for privacy a plush woolen rug that felt soft under his feet and wine colored drapes that hung around the room in an admittedly elegant style. The bed rough stone walls and the one glass door that went out to a balcony didn’t impress but the cabinet at the back of the room filled with expensive wine was a good touch.

  One such bottle sat in front of him now a crystal glass filled with dark crimson liquid was in his right hand and he couldn’t complain about the taste. He also didn’t understand what the Toth council of Elders were thinking. How could a threat come from these weak willed humans? He didn’t care what the seers said. He sat in the disgusting leather backed chair that sat behind the desk thinking of how he was going to deal with the question of this so called prince.

  He had been defiant in his stand against his guards a defiance he couldn’t let stand. But that wasn’t all the more he thought about it the more he realized that the King and his entire court had been deflecting in their deliberations. He had come under the guise of receiving long over due tribute but they had argued over the amount and method of delivery all day. Almost like they were… his thoughts trailed off as the realization that King and the whole court had been stalling him rolled through his mind.

  This was unacceptable, it seemed as if these up jumped monkeys had forgotten their place in the fifty odd years since tribute had been collected last.

  Just then there was a soft knock on his door and he flexed his mana sense to see who would dare bother him. After noticing who it was he waved his hand dismissively. He knew they could see him. After all this palace had no wards or magic defenses of any kind. The door opened a lithe elf clad in green and gold armor strode in before kneeling hurriedly in front of his desk. He clasped his hand to his chest palm flat in a greeting gesture to the other elf. The other elf did the same from his kneeling position.

  Melvarion had to admit the armorer had done a great job with his retinues armor. The gold interlocking plates shaped like leaves no bigger than his thumb made up most of it but emerald green plates covered the chest back and both shoulders the greaves were stylized and engraved with forest motifs as were the gauntlets. An elegantly curved sword hung at his side its sheathe glinting in the torch light.

  He had been skeptical when the Elders had told him about the armor change and more importantly why. What could a change in dress actually achieve? How could it help them improve the negations with the humans? But… he sighed inwardly to himself he had to admit the armor had seemed to do the trick. The human guards wouldn’t even look his guards in the eyes and as the result of such an eye catching display no one recognized his guards outside their armor. As long as they covered their ears of course.

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  “What do you have to report Iltar?” He asked sharply. They guard and his friend didn’t need to be told twice.

  “They are keeping the Prince by the name of Julien close to that Academy of theirs they won’t let him out of their sight.”

  “How uncommonly wise of them,” Melvarion chuckled. They know better than to let me see him again. He raised his glass and took another deep sip savoring the taste before continuing. “Anything else?” Iltar seemed to hesitate before replying.

  “Yes ambassador, the young prince is being sent out on a patrol mission in the morning with some of the town guards to the countryside. Patrolling against the apex beasts in the area.” Melvarion felt his eyebrows raise.

  “This is good news why hesitate to share it with me?”

  The other elf shuddered slightly but continued. “I think it is likely a trap,” he said. Melvarion frowned. Iltar was not only his friend but the best information gatherer at his disposal if he believed the humans were setting up a trap he believed him. He felt his anger rise at this notion.

  Did these humans actually believe they could kill him or any elf for that matter? It had truly been too long since these humans had had elven guidance. He resolved right then and there to find the elf responsible for the records of this area and have words. But first he needed to put these humans back in their place. And what better way to do that then to show that not even their royalty was beyond their reach.

  He took another sip of his wine and stood up looking at the still kneeling elf.

  “I would expect that you have already acquired the services of those we would need?” He asked. He didn’t need to know the details actually he preferred it if he didn’t. The sharp nod was more than enough confirmation. He nodded to himself as he felt a grin break out across his face.

  “Iltar you are always so reliable my friend. This time though you will also take a personal hand. Go with your,” he wrinkled his nose. “Men, and make sure the Prince and all those with him die by your hand.

  But!” He held up a finger as the elf eyes shot up to meet his own in surprise. He couldn’t blame his old friend he never got involved directly with this sort of task.

  “Let one or two of the guards survive. Don’t let them see your face but I want there being no doubt that the human Prince was killed. Melvarion could see the question in Iltar’s eyes but he waited letting him ask it anyway.

  “Why take the risk Melvarion? If this is a trap then why spring it?” Melvarion waited as the other elf stood their formalities dismissed.

  “Because I want to reiterate just how powerless they are,” he stated. “I want them to know two things. Defiance will not be tolerated and not even royalty can defy us.” The answer seemed to mollify Iltar since he just nodded. Melvarion flicked his wrist dismissing his friend and the elf turned and left quickly shutting the door with a soft click.

  Melvarion turned from the door to see the bed on the other side of the room. He was tired. He reached down picking up his glass of wine and draining it in one go before he headed for the massive bed. As he walked he waved his hand and all the torches in the room were snuffed out at once. Darkness enveloped the room but his eyes adjusted quickly. He knew humans would have a hard time seeing in that level of darkness but I was just another advantage his elven blood gave him. He reached the bed and laid out on it. Normally he would never go to sleep so early but tonight was different. He smiled to himself he would after all have a big day tomorrow.