When Elves Die : Episode One by Richard Poche Page A

etched into their minds forever.

    Sweat drenched Kelroar's tunic as he patted
down the fresh grave with the back end of the shovel. He looked out
into the horizon and stretched his back.
    "Anyone want to say anything?" the barbarian
asked.
    "I'm not religious," Zinna said, turning her head
away. "I don't believe in that Pegasin stuff about life after
death."
    Jamben looked up at her and whimpered.
    Xavian pursed his lips for a moment. He tilted his
head as if deep in thought and then stood up on his feet.
    "We mark this grave," he said. "To show that the
great elves who perished here lived lives that mattered. They were
all important to someone, somewhere and will forever be in our
hearts. I knew only one of them. Yenward. I was a year older than
him. He was always happy to see me. I was lonely before he came to
the orphanage. We used to run and race through the fields. Swim in
the ponds of Graceonna on summer days. And we would fish and camp
out.”
    Xavian fought back a tear forming in his eye,
remembering his dreams of youth.
    "He was my friend" he said. “And we had fun.”
    Looking at Zinna, he could read the apology in her
face.
     

CHAPTER 10
     
    The castle of Wandacove anchored the horizon as the
elves of Graceonna welcomed visitors from other tribes. During
festival week, they held various events like jousting and horse
racing. Elves filed in from several different tribes as the
festivities began.
    The Dark Queen arrived with Tholan at the edge of
town. She could smell the herbs, spices and meats being cooked. The
sounds of celebratory horns and laughter from the village set
Ravalynn on edge. She couldn't wait to bring misery into the lives
of the elves.
    Ravalynn dismounted from her horse and tethered it
to a tree just outside the village.
    “Do you see that window?” A ferocious grin split the
Dark Queen's face. “The one at the very top? I am going to hang
Carella by her own silk sheets and dangle her dead body for all to
see.”
    Ravalynn checked to make sure she had a dagger
hidden in her boots. Pulling out a vial from the pouch on her
horse's saddle, she held the potion to the sunlight.
    Mouthing soundless words over the vial, she kissed
it and placed the potion in her pocket.
    Dead leaves followed her feet as she made her way to
the village of elves.

    The two elves guarding the gate greeted everyone
with an airy cheerfulness. Dressed in a halter top which showed off
her cleavage and flat belly, Ravalynn caught the attention of the
young guards as soon as she stepped in line.
    “Hi,” the guard said, handing Ravalynn a parchment
paper.
    “Hi yourself,” she said. “This is my first visit to
your fine village. I was wondering if either of you can show me
around?”
    Both elves looked in awe at Ravalynn, taken by her
beauty.
    “Well,” the taller one stammered. “We really cannot
leave our posts. And the map is on the parchment I gave you.”
    “But maybe we can make an exception,” the shorter
one said.
    “That won't be necessary,” Ricmorn called out.
    The cleric leered at Ravalynn's cleavage as he
interjected himself between the two young elves. “Welcome to
Graceonna! I will gladly show you around town.”
    “Well, that would be just grand,” Ravalynn said,
winking at the cleric.
    Thinking opportunity lost, the shorter elf kicked
the dirt in frustration as he watched the raven haired beauty walk
away, arm in arm, with the cleric.
     
    “Some of the elves bring their own dishes. Some are
prepared in the castle.” Ricmorn shot glances at Ravalynn's breasts
whenever he could. “The festival doesn't really start in full bloom
until mid-week. It ends on Sunday, with a jousting tournament.
There will be hundreds of elves here.”
    “I was wondering if you could show me around the
castle?”
    “I don't know,” he said. “Only a few are really
allowed in. With the way things have been with the attacks, you
know. We have had to make certain restrictions.”
    “I understand.” Ravalynn