When Elves Die : Episode One by Richard Poche Page B

rubbed his arm. “I just
thought that we could be alone together and you can tell me more
about the town. And yourself.”
    Ricmorn blushed. “I suppose we can look around the
castle a little bit.”

    Two robust looking elves paced in front of the
castle entrance.
    “This is Gratil and Orogeon, two of our finest
guards,” said Ricmorn.
    They stood silent as the cleric led Ravalynn through
the door.
    The Dark Queen studied every detail of the castle's
architecture. Multi-colored shafts of light shined through
stained-glass windows. Ornate wooden chairs sat in the corners of
the foyer.
    Her eyes squinted as she gazed upon the rainbow of
colors that adorned the castle walls into an artist's palette of
hues.
    Ravalynn needed darkness.
    The paintings on the wall featured elves in various
battle scenes. A portrait of Carella stood as the center piece. She
fought back an urge to spit on the painting.
    “As you may know there are a great many artists in
the Kevfire tribe. I myself have painted a little,” he said, ogling
Ravalynn's derriere as she turned her back on him. “I like to
combine art with spirituality.”
    The cleric swallowed hard as he caught a glimpse of
the raven tattoo on the Dark Queen's lower back.
    “Very nice,” she said as she took in a painting of a
dragon attacking some elves.
    “Indeed.” Sweat beaded on Ricmorn's forehead. “Like
I said, I have dabbled in painting myself. I would love to have you
as a subject.”
    “I would be honored.”
    They entered the kitchen pantry area. A pair of
elves kneading dough nodded their heads in greeting.
    “Our two finest chefs,” Ricmorn said. “Pandak and
Arathon. They will prepare rare beef, vegetables and fruits. And we
have some eel as well. Our fishermen got lucky this past
weekend.”
    “And upstairs?”
    “Upstairs is forbidden, I'm afraid,” he said.
    “The princess' quarters?”
    Ricmorn nodded.
    “Do you have a bathroom?” she asked.
    “There is an antechamber down the hall and to the
right,” he said. “But I'm afraid the moat has not been cleaned out
in some time. I have to give you fair warning. It may be wise to
hold your breath when you enter.”

    Ravalynn made the right turn down the hall but
opened a door that led to the side stairs.
    She ascended the steps with excitement, reaching the
top level. She opened another door which revealed a long, dusty
corridor. Lined with statues, the Dark Queen knew that the
figurines represented the warrior elves of Graceonna's past. Their
eyes seemed to follow her as she walked down the hall.
    Withdrawing her dagger, she reached a large door in
front of the main stairwell.
    Carella's bedroom.
    Inside, she found a bed and little else. A painting
of a cat framed the center wall. She rummaged through a drawer,
hoping to find the book of Arcanscape.
     
    Ricmorn waited in the castle foyer, pacing back and
forth. He plotted what his next move would be with the raven haired
beauty. There would be a feast later that day and he would invite
her to dine with him. If he kept her wine glass full throughout the
evening, then maybe...
    A commotion coming from the castle entrance
interrupted his lustful pattern of thought. Gratil and Orogeon
stepped into the foyer, carrying a bloodied elf.
    “What happened?”
    “This man has escaped from the prison near Shaian,”
Gratil said.
    “So what are you bringing him in here for?” Ricmorn
said. “Send him back to jail.”
    “Everyone in the jail is dead,” the prisoner
said.
    “What?”
    “The Killtooths. They massacred everyone. Every
guard. Every prisoner. Their throats ripped open. I was in the
pantry at the time of the attacks. There was this old elf in there
who told me about a loose floorboard. I hid underneath until it was
over.”
    “If we find out you're lying,” Orogeon said.
    “Visit the prison yourself. You will find a chamber
of horrors that you will never forget. They showed no mercy. The
Dark Queen came with them.”
    “The Dark Queen?”