The Falcon Elves
Odysseus and what remained of his crew were relieved to find land. After dealing with the sirens and Scylla, they needed to recuperate. They washed ashore on a desert island, surrounded by cliffs except one beach where they were. HE and his crew desperately needed better food than salted fish and water.
Odysseus started walking, leaving his crew to set up a fire with the driftwood. HE soon found a dead mongoose, lying on the ground with strange coins next to it. He picked up the coins, and the mongoose, carrying it back to the men.
"There are mongooses here, plenty of them." Odysseus said. "o am going to hunt," He said.
There was a large group of mongoose milling about. Odysseus stalked up to one, and when he was just a couple of feet away an arrow whizzed past his ear, burying itself deep in the animal's chest. HE turned quickly and looked for the archer.
There was no one there.
Odysseus looked around confusedly, until a short person with long
ears had a knife to his throat, "What are you doing in Iria, Human?"
"We're just passing through." Odysseus said.
"Just passing through? I find that hard to believe." The Person said,
"Who are you?"
"I am Odysseus, son of Leartes." Odysseus said.
"Well, Odysseus, I think you need to see our leader." The elf said, forcing Odysseus to walk.
Odysseus as led to a tall woman with orange eyes, and discussed
where his loyalties might end up. Apparently many humans who came to
Filia joined the elves.
Odysseus didn't join the elves.
He was curious about the elves' ways, and was invited to bring his
crew.
He walked back to the ship and told is whole crew to come with him.
Once they arrive back in Filia, the elves' city, sentries took them up in
The mountains behind the leader's house, to the elven version of a hostel. It
was big enough for a crew twice their size.
As the crew wandered Filia in their separate groups, many elves stood
in dark corners, barely visible, talking about them.
One of the more arrogant elves pounced on them while they were in
the town square. His clothes seemed to be stuffed with feathers. He jumped
down in front of Odysseus, drawing his bow. The tip of the arrow had
hostile looking light.
Castanea, the elf leader, appeared in between them.
"Deon, you are not to harm this human, or his crew." She said, getting in the way
of his bow.
Deon lowered his bow, "He looks like a giant-follower."
"But he isn't." Castanea said.
"And how do you know that!?" Deon exclaimed, "I see no indication
of him following us!"
"He doesn't fight for either faction."
A crowd had gathered now, staring at Odysseus.
"Odysseus, Son of Laertes," Castanea said, "My people do not seem
to be welcoming to you."
"I can understand that," Odysseus said, "My crew and I have
recuperated, we can go now."
"That," said Castanea," Is probably a good idea. I shall supply you
And your men with enough fresh meat and salted meat to last at least a
season."
"Thank you." Odysseus said.
Later that day they loaded the hold with food, and cast off, heading for home.