Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

The next morning snow began to fall. Gently, at first,but by midday it was well on its way to becoming a full-blownblizzard.

Millet shivered. “If this gets much worse, I'mafraid we will freeze to death long before we reach Manisalia.”

Malstisos nodded in agreement and glanced back atMaybell, who was slumped in her saddle with her coat and a blanketwrapped tightly around her.

They trudged on for several hours, until they werevirtually frozen. About an hour before dark Malstisos motioned foreveryone to stop.

“There is a large group of humans ahead,”said Malstisos. “They have many horses and wagons.”

“Could be a merchant caravan,” suggestedMillet.

“Or soldiers,” said Jacob.

Malstisos slid out of his saddle. “Wait here.”With that, he disappeared into the brush.

“I'm hoping for merchants,” said Maybell,rubbing her arms. “We can barter for a place by a fire.”

Millet nodded in agreement.

By the time Malstisos returned, the snow was coming downin earnest. “Merchants,” he announced. “Ten wagonsstrong. And something else…” His face wore a strangeexpression.

“What is it?” asked Millet.

“There are elves among them. I didn't notice theirpresence until I was nearly upon them, but there is no mistake.”

“What difference does that make?” askedJacob. “At least you don't have to hide.”

“You don't understand,” said Malstisos. “Inthe west, there are places we have dealings with humans. But as faras I know, no such alliances exist here.”

“Did they know you were there?” askedMillet.

“I don't think so. But I cannot be certain.”

“What should we do?” asked Maybell.

Malstisos shrugged. “What choice do we have?Winter has come early, and we are not prepared for this type ofweather. If we don't seek shelter we will freeze to death.”

Millet sighed heavily and urged his horse forward. Thecaravan was camped a quarter of a mile away in a large clearing onthe north side of the road. Several large canvas tents stood in asemi-circle, and a half dozen cooking fires flickered in the center.At least three dozen men and women, wrapped in thick coats, were busypreparing the evening meal. As they came closer, two cloaked figureswalked towards them. They were tall, lean, and wrapped in heavy woolblankets.

“Elves,” said Malstisos under his breath,and looked to Jacob. “Do not speak until we know why they arehere.”

Jacob scowled. “I'm not stupid.”

“I did not say you were.” The elf turned hisattention to his approaching kin. He jumped down from his horse andraised his right hand in greeting. The other two elves returned thegesture.

“Greetings brother,” said the elf on theleft. His voice was deep and rough, unlike the elf voices Millet andMaybell had heard before. “I am Grentos and this is Vadnaltis.”

Malstisos took a step forward. “Greetings.”

The two pushed back the blankets from her heads,revealing their features. Both had honey blond hair, pulled tight ina long braid that disappeared into the folds of the wool. Their skinwas ivory pale and flawless.

“I see you are from the Northwestern Steppes,”remarked Malstisos. “I have not seen those of your tribe inmany years. I am Malstisos of the Finsoulos clan. What brings youhere?”

“It has been long since we have had dealings withour southern kin,” said Grentos. “What brings us to thisfrozen land is a discussion to be had over a hot meal and good wine.You must be near death in this frigid cold.”

“We were hoping to take shelter with the caravan,”admitted Malstisos. “But I did not expect to find elves amonghumans.”

“Nor did we expect to see the same.” Grentossmiled broadly. “But you need not fear. The humans here arefrom the shores of the Abyss. Elves are not unknown to them, nor dothey fear us. A tent has been erected to shelter the horses near thetree line. Vadnaltis will show you the way. I'll prepare a meal and aplace for you and your friends to rest.”

Malstisos bowed low. “I thank you.” Hemotioned for the others to dismount. They followed Vadnaltis aroundthe outskirts of the camp to the horse tent. Two boys sat next to afire near the entrance. They sprang to their feet and took theirmounts. Millet gave both boys a copper and their eyes lit up.

“I promise they'll be well tended sir,” saidthe older boy, a dark haired, scraggly youth, barely eleven yearsold.

Once they removed their packs, Vadnaltis led themthrough the heart of the camp to the far end of a large, red tent.Smoke rose from a small opening at the top. A few people had turnedto see the newcomers, but most ignored them. Vadnaltis held open thetent flap and allowed Malstisos and the others to enter.

The interior of the tent was simple. Six bedrollssurrounded a small fire in the center. A small lantern in each cornercombined with the firelight to give the tent a cheery glow. Grentoswas at the far end, pouring hot stew from a large pot into six bowls.

“Please, choose a place to sleep,” saidVadnaltis. His voice was rough compared to his comrade, though justas deep. “It matters not where.”

Grentos passed out the bowls and retrieved a large jugof wine and cups from his pack. “First we eat,” announcedGrentos. “Then we talk.”

Malstisos and the others gratefully accepted the foodand wine, but as Grentos and Vadnaltis did not speak, the others keptsilent while they ate. The stew was unlike anything Millet, Maybell,or Jacob had ever tasted. Each smiled with delight after their firstbite. Malstisos seemed to be more accustomed to the taste and gave noreaction other than a slight nod of approval. Once their meal wascomplete, Vadnaltis collected the dishes and left the tent. The coldair chilled them when the flap opened, and a wisp of snow blew insideto remind them how close to death they had come.

“I hope you are satisfied with our poor fare,”said Grentos.

“It was the best stew I've ever tasted,”said Millet.

Maybell and Jacob agreed enthusiastically.

Grentos smiled and bowed his head. “You are tookind. But now that we have eaten, I believe you have questions… asdo we.”

“Should we wait for Vadnaltis?” askedMaybell.

“That will not be necessary,” Grentosreplied. “As your host, I will have you ask of me what youwill. I expect he shall return before you are finished.”

“In that case I'll be direct,” Malstisosbegan. “How is it you are here, and in the company of humans? Iwas not aware your tribe had started relations with them.”

“Only a few of us have,” said Grentos. “Wehave heard of the progress made in the coastal cities with elf/humanrelations, and it has inspired some of us to do the same. We realizethe world is getting smaller. We need to learn to live in this worldalongside mankind or face destruction. The old hatreds must be leftin the past.”

“I agree,” said Malstisos thoughtfully. “Butthat does not explain your presence here.”

“We are here to gain intelligence on the gatheringpower in Angraal,” said Grentos. “Unfortunatelywe were only able to get as far as Hazrah. We were unable to find aclear way further north, at least not one we could pass unnoticed.They have every inch of ground well-guarded. We gained passage withthis caravan in Althetas, so that we might travel without drawingattention.”

“So you are returning home?” askedMalstisos.

“Yes,” he replied. “We will stay withthe humans until we reach the Western Abyss. Then we head north backto our people.”

“Have you learned anything?” asked Millet.

“Sadly, no.” Grentos sighed. “At leastnothing we didn't already know. The armies of the north aregathering. For what purpose, we can only guess.”

“Don't be a fool,” said Jacob. “Youknow why they gather.”