Chapter Four
The Night of Transition
The Night of Blood
The Night of Change
Nathan, Marie, and Dustin stood at the abandoned construction site near their house. No one knew exactly what was to be constructed there. Dustin seemed to remember something about a tower, but whatever the steel girders and bolts had been intended for; they stood now as a dark, dreary, depressing graveyard of steel. The full moon gave off a feeble light, though it didn't comfort any of them.
Dustin sat on a steel girder, his feet dangling about half a foot off the ground. Marie stood impatiently, arms crossed, a bored look on her face. Nathan stood off, apart from the others, planning. Or, that's what he justified it as. The worried looks of his two friends instead said 'brooding.' Paladine had told him he was to be the leader, that only he had the power to lead this group and keep them alive.
Nathan had refused then. He had refused, saying that he would not impede the free will of others. Paladine had given him a grave look, and told him that in this, there was no free will. They had been chosen, and this was one of the few times that the gods were going to force something on someone. He told them to meet him at the old construction site. And then the old man had left, and Nathan had slipped out of school undetected. Marie knew he had been here since he'd left school, brooding.
He didn't want to lead. He didn't think he was capable enough of leading people into danger. She also knew about a part of his life he'd never shared with anyone before.
Nathan had, at one point, been depressed and suicidal. He was younger then, and cared more about things, but that was the truth. There were times when he looked as if he would fall back into that blackness. This, she decided, was the worst she'd seen it. She imagined him standing on the edge of a cliff, the very, bitter edge, and all below him was darkness. If he fell, they would all be doomed. If not. . .then time would tell. She shook her head, clearing the vision away.
"Hey, what're you guys doing here," called a voice. Nathan was up immediately, and a knife slid out of his sleeve. The blade of the knife was at the throat of the speaker almost before anyone noticed. "W-what the hell is your problem," Liam Mason, a sophomore whose goal in life was to be a professional skater, squeaked. Nathan grunted and removed his knife, and it vanished into his sleeve with a flash.
Marie stormed over to him and pushed him backwards. "Why the knife, Nathan? Why the knife?"
"If I'd been unarmed, and he was one of Takhisis' goons, what do you think would've happened?"
"This," Liam replied, and raised his hand, a black, scaled hand. He began to chant something, but didn't get the chance to finish. Nathan was on him swiftly, and he mercilessly raised his knife and brought it down hard, penetrating the boy's neck. He leapt off the boy, spun, grabbed Marie and Dustin by the arms, and dove behind a ditch, dragging them with him. As he expected, the boy blew up, sending his knife flying out of sight. He stood up and brushed himself off.
"He was one of Takhisis' goons. You think I'm so paranoid now?"
"He blew himself up," Marie yelped. Nathan shook his head.
"No. When you kill them, some of them blow up. Some of them turn to stone. Others do other things, depends on what kind you get. That part always confused me."
"You knew Liam. . .that thing was going to blow up," Marie said.
"No I didn't. I was guessing."
"You jumped on that thing without even knowing whether it would blow up or get all statue-like or spit acid or NOT DIE AT ALL?!"
"That's about the size of it, yeah."
"DO YOU HAVE A DEATH WISH," Marie screamed at him. Nathan's face crumpled, his eyes closed in pain. Marie instantly regretted saying it.
"Nathan-," she began, finding her apology being cut off by the appearance of an oval of milky, color changing, space.
"I think we should get going," Nathan said quietly. He gestured for Marie to go first, and then Dustin. Nathan stood a moment longer, gazing at this world that had nearly ripped his soul apart, and then calmly turned and strode into the oval. It snapped out of existence behind him. ....................................
Nathan stepped out of whatever odd tunnel he'd been in, stepped out into what once must have been a forest. A beautiful forest, where there dwelt a peaceful race, which wanted no more than to live in peace with their beloved forest. Tears streamed openly down his face as he gazed at the land now. Rotting tree stumps were all that was left of the beautiful trees. Deep holes had been dug into the ground. A huge skeleton, a draconic skeleton much too monstrous to be from Krynn, lay near them, on ground that had recently been covered with water. Nathan gazed at the land that had once been Qualinost, and he cried. Dustin was incredibly confused, and Marie was trying to comfort him.
Suddenly, sharp voices rose, and Marie and Dustin froze. Nathan, however, did not. He spun and watched, as two Dark Knights of Neraka strode into view. He snarled and leapt on the one on the right, tackling the man to the ground easily despite his larger height and muscle mass. Nathan ripped off the man's helmet and spat on his face, and then began bludgeoning the Dark Knight with his own helmet. His friend drew his sword and attempted to hold it at Nathan's throat, but the boy rolled off, already having beaten the other Dark Knight beyond recognition. In his hand was the prone Dark Knight's sword. "Come at me, scum, and taste righteous justice," he growled.
"Listen to the child, boasting like he is a man," the Dark Knight, replied kicking the leg of his partner to emphasize his joke. Nathan's lip curled into a sadistic smile.
"You'll find that your friend is currently. . .unavailable," he said. The Dark Knight looked down at his partner's face and gasped.
"You killed him!" He looked up, fire in his eyes. "That man was my brother, child! I will kill you for this!"
"You will try," Nathan shot back, dodging a wild thrust from the Dark Knight. "And you will fail!" He blocked a downward slash. "I will take revenge on all of you for what you've done to this sacred land!" He delivered a thrust of his own, cutting open the left side of the Dark Knight's ribs. "You will feel the pain of the Qualinesti elves!" He spun and swished his sword in a low horizontal arc. It lopped off both of the man's legs. The man opened his mouth to scream in pain, but Nathan's hand was there, covering it. "Tell me, were there any prisoners taken when you conquered this land?" The Knight didn't respond. "Tell me, or you will envy this blasted land!" The Knight gave a sharp nod. "I will uncover your mouth, and you will speak. If you scream, I will cut your vocal cords out. Do we understand each other?" The Knight gave another swift nod, and Nathan removed his hand.
"The elves attempted to regain this land soon after the War of Souls. Many were killed. We took the King, his wife, and his daughter prisoner. The King and his wife fell ill, but the daughter lives on."
"Gilthas is. . .you're lucky I don't believe in cannibalism, or I would feed you to demonspawn. Now, tell me, how many of the elves survived?"
"About. . .eighteen-hundred. . .can I sleep now?"
"Draw me two maps. One showing me the entire land of Qualinesti, all your little bases and changes you Dark Knights have made, and mark off where we are with an X. Then mark off where the elves are kept with a triangle. After that, draw me a map of the building they are being kept in. Then you can sleep, though you deserve worse." ....................................
The Dark Knight had finally gotten his sleep, and Nathan had gotten his maps. They had rested for about two hours, and now Nathan was buckling on the sword belt of the Dark Knight he'd bludgeoned to death, looking quite determined. Dustin stood shaking his head in disbelief at what he'd just watched. Marie, however, wanted an explanation. She tapped him on the shoulder, to no reaction. She knew he was listening, however, and so she started talking. "Nathan, I don't know what that was about, but it was very, very wrong. Those men didn't deserve to die."
"You'd think differently if I told you how they treated the elven women they've captured. They rape and torture them, I'm sure. Treat them like animals." He gestured to the scenery around them. "They've done it to this land. It used to be beautiful. I used to dream about coming here, and just thinking. I would always be nearly napping, back propped up against one of the beautiful trees, when a beautiful elven maiden would come and wake me up. We'd smile at each other, and then I would wake up, with the most profound sense of loss I've ever felt. Now I know why. I see this barren land before me, I hear the screams of the men and women trapped here, and I can't help but be angry. Angry enough to do something, something that the pitiful, pathetic humans of this world DON'T."
"What's that," Marie asked softly. These words were so passionate, so hot, so intense. . .she knew what the answer to her question was going to be.
"CARE. The humans of this world don't give a damn about the land, or the elves. Oh, they do when it's convenient for them. For instance, when they need help. Then they care a great deal about the elves. But afterwards, they never repay the favor." He pushed himself off the tree he was leaning against, sword securely fastened to his hip. "Well, I'm changing that. I'm not from this world, and thereby cannot be lumped into that category."
Dustin nodded. "I'm with you." He looked around at the land that had obviously once been beautiful and sighed. "This isn't right." Marie gave an exasperated sigh.
"Lead on, fearless leader."
He shook his head. "You guys are staying here. The only reason I know how to use a sword is because I've been training with one almost from diapers. You two have no idea what you're doing." He handed Dustin the other Dark Knight's sword. "If you're discovered, use this." Marie shot him a look and he shrugged ruefully. "You've always been sort of a pacifist, Marie. You wouldn't draw the sword. And here, if you don't draw your sword, you die. Simple as that. And besides, I'm not sexist, and you know it." He turned and took off, not waiting for another comment. Marie shook her head.
"He's so impulsive. . . ."
"I hope that doesn't end up getting him killed," Dustin replied. ....................................
Nathan ran, and ran hard. The front of his wide legged pants were clinging to his legs, the back flaying out, the tatters going in all directions. He saw the guards at the gates of what could only be described as a concentration camp for elves and drew his sword, not even bothering to stop as he slashed one across his stomach. The other began to give chase, but Nathan spun on his heel, swinging his sword out and slicing neatly across the man's unguarded neck. He continued to spin until he was facing his destination, and then continued to run. Elves peered out of their doors to gaze at this boy, this boy that was acting much more like a man. Or, in truth, much like a demon from the Abyss. He never stopped running, never stopped fighting. Dark Knight after Dark Knight fell to his sword. He screamed like a banshee, and some of the Dark Knights turned and fled at the sound. He was cutting a swath directly to the Princess's house, or cell, as she called it. ....................................
Silvara Half-Elven (she was so named for the heroic silver dragon that had fallen in love with her great uncle, and had taken her grandfather's last name as a tribute to him) was startled to hear the screaming coming from outside, and even more startled to see her door fall in and a young human man charge in. She herself was young for her race, only seventy years old. She had dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. A narrow waist and long legs complemented a generous chest. Her curly hair stretched to her upper back. She'd had many men, both human and elven, attempt to charm her. So why she found herself attracted to this human boy, she didn't know. He was strangely dressed, and the glistening steel he held in his hand was bloodied. There was a hard look in his eyes, but those eyes also spoke of gentleness, softness, and a great deal of sensitivity and caring. He was a well-muscled boy, especially for his age, which couldn't have been more than sixteen or seventeen years old. "My Princess, I am here to save you. Please, come with me, and gather your people. I'm leading you out of the clutches of these Dark Knights, even if it kills me." The though of this young boy dieing, this young boy so ready to die for a cause, saddened her. She again looked into those eyes, and she saw buried deep within pain, a great deal of it. And, for some reason, she had the sudden desire to go to him, to hold him, to try and take away that pain. "Please, my Princess, there isn't much time. Sooner or later the Dark Knights will find out about this, and I would prefer to be as far away from here as possible before then." He smiled slightly, a warm smile. "I know I am oddly dressed, and I know my appearance is sudden and unexplained, but please trust me. I would explain it all on the way, if you would like." Silvara smiled.
"You are a brave man. What is your name?"
"Nathan Daystorm, my Princess, at your service." He bowed, putting one knee on the ground, his left hand on his sword, and his right hand on his heart. She gestured for him to get up.
"Please, you have already proven yourself loyal. I only ask one thing of you, Sir Daystorm."
"Anything, my Princess, but I am not a Knight, and please, call me Nathan." She smiled. If he weren't a Knight already, he would be.
"Could you turn around for a moment? I don't think my nightgown would be the most appropriate thing to wear on an occasion like this." His face reddened and he spun, walked to the doorway, and stood there.
"I will stand guard here." Silvara let out a soft chuckle and headed into her bedroom to change into something more appropriate for an escape from a Dark Knight prison. ....................................
The other elves saw the boy standing guard at the Princess's doorway, and suddenly realized what he was doing. "He is liberating us," a young male cried, a huge smile spreading across his face.
"He is taking us to safety," another roared, this one an elder with gray in his hair.
"Why would a human do such a thing for us," wondered an elf in her middle years, two children hugging her legs, staring in awe at what was going on around them. At that, the boy raised a hand for silence.
"Why would a human do such a thing," he repeated, and then went on, "Because all humans are not uncaring and selfish, that's why. Because some care more about others than themselves. Because some know what it's like to live in the bitter-black hell that you live in now. For whatever reason, I will not stop until you are all freed from the clutches of evil!" The Princess stood about three feet behind him, letting only a silhouette of herself show to her people. "What has been done to you is the most vile of wrongs, and I will see it righted, if it costs me my life!" He paused, apparently to think about something, and then continued. "I may not have as fancy words as bard or a poet, but I can promise you one simple truth: Freedom. That I can promise you. The freedom to choose where you live your life, the freedom to enjoy your life, and most of all, the freedom to LIVE that life. I can't make any other promises, but that one, that one I will keep, even at the cost of my own life." Silvara seemed to glide over to him, wearing a chain mail shirt that covered her torso, leaving her arms bear except for silver shoulder pads. She wore a green skirt to match the tunic she wore under the chain mail, and leather boots that stretched to her knees. On her left hip was a rapier, and on her right hip a quiver bristling with arrows hung. A bow was slung over her shoulder. She placed her hand on his arm.
"This is Nathan Daystorm," she said, speaking to all of her people. "He says he is not a Knight, but I do not believe him. Even if he is not a Knight, what he does here tonight is brave enough for an entire army of them." She smiled at him warmly and then turned back to face her people. "We elves are rumored to have a notoriously short memory when it comes to the good deeds humans do for us." She paused, letting her words sink in. "Let us never forget what THIS human has done for us this day, and from now on, let us recognize THIS human as one of us! For by liberating us from the clutches of the Dark Knights of Neraka, he truly makes us a people again. We are elves once more, thanks to him!" A soft cheer went up through the elves, and they all disappeared into their cells to get ready for the escape. Silvara turned to Nathan and smiled. "I believe you have a way with both words and people." Nathan replied with a humorous laugh, and then grew serious.
"My Princess, where did you get your gear? Somehow, I don't think the Dark Knights would let you have them."
"After the War of Souls, the Solamnics finally realized the value of spies. They don't have that many, but at least they use them now. They almost always have one within the ranks of the Dark Knights, and that's where I learned the sword and bow." Nathan nodded.
"That makes sense. Hey, um. . .do you have a map?"
"Of the compound? Of course." She began to walk back towards her bedroom to retrieve it.
"Of the world, or at least the continent."
"You don't have a map," she asked.
"Not really. Listen, my Princess, this is going to sound kind of strange, but. . .I just got here. Here, as in, in this world." She sighed.
"So then my dream was true." Nathan gave her a questioning look. "E'li came to me in a dream. He told me that something strange would happen soon, and to keep my eyes and mind open." A warm smile lit up her face. "I'm glad I did." Nathan nodded, and a warm smile graced his face, as well.
"So am I." And then his face got serious again. "But we have to work out a plan. I want to get out of Dark Knight controlled territory as fast as possible." Silvara nodded.
"So do we. So do we." She nodded again, and then went to see about a map. She came back out about four minutes later, holding a rolled up piece of paper. "I think this is it." Nathan nodded.
"I've been thinking. Maybe Solace would be a good place to go? There's a garrison there, so I don't think your Solamnic would mind it. It's out of Dark Knight controlled territory, and I'm sure there are people there that would help us." He smiled. "Do you know whether the Majere's still run the Inn of the Last Home?" Silvara nodded.
"I was there once, when I was very young. They did then, but that was some time ago." Nathan didn't ask her age, as he was a firm believer in the statement, "Never ask a lady her age." Nathan nodded.
"So, we'll go there. Hopefully the Dark Knights won't suspect anything, at least not for a while." He considered something quickly. "Do you have any trained scouts here?"
"Quite a few, actually."
"Send some of them out in the opposite direction. Tell them to make it look like we went that way, while the rest of us try NOT to show any sign of our move towards Solace." Silvara nodded.
"That's a good plan." She squinted her eyes. "Are you sure you're not a Knight?" He nodded.
"Positive."
"So. . .to Solace, then," Silvara said.
"To Solace," Nathan replied.
Nathan, Marie, and Dustin stood at the abandoned construction site near their house. No one knew exactly what was to be constructed there. Dustin seemed to remember something about a tower, but whatever the steel girders and bolts had been intended for; they stood now as a dark, dreary, depressing graveyard of steel. The full moon gave off a feeble light, though it didn't comfort any of them.
Dustin sat on a steel girder, his feet dangling about half a foot off the ground. Marie stood impatiently, arms crossed, a bored look on her face. Nathan stood off, apart from the others, planning. Or, that's what he justified it as. The worried looks of his two friends instead said 'brooding.' Paladine had told him he was to be the leader, that only he had the power to lead this group and keep them alive.
Nathan had refused then. He had refused, saying that he would not impede the free will of others. Paladine had given him a grave look, and told him that in this, there was no free will. They had been chosen, and this was one of the few times that the gods were going to force something on someone. He told them to meet him at the old construction site. And then the old man had left, and Nathan had slipped out of school undetected. Marie knew he had been here since he'd left school, brooding.
He didn't want to lead. He didn't think he was capable enough of leading people into danger. She also knew about a part of his life he'd never shared with anyone before.
Nathan had, at one point, been depressed and suicidal. He was younger then, and cared more about things, but that was the truth. There were times when he looked as if he would fall back into that blackness. This, she decided, was the worst she'd seen it. She imagined him standing on the edge of a cliff, the very, bitter edge, and all below him was darkness. If he fell, they would all be doomed. If not. . .then time would tell. She shook her head, clearing the vision away.
"Hey, what're you guys doing here," called a voice. Nathan was up immediately, and a knife slid out of his sleeve. The blade of the knife was at the throat of the speaker almost before anyone noticed. "W-what the hell is your problem," Liam Mason, a sophomore whose goal in life was to be a professional skater, squeaked. Nathan grunted and removed his knife, and it vanished into his sleeve with a flash.
Marie stormed over to him and pushed him backwards. "Why the knife, Nathan? Why the knife?"
"If I'd been unarmed, and he was one of Takhisis' goons, what do you think would've happened?"
"This," Liam replied, and raised his hand, a black, scaled hand. He began to chant something, but didn't get the chance to finish. Nathan was on him swiftly, and he mercilessly raised his knife and brought it down hard, penetrating the boy's neck. He leapt off the boy, spun, grabbed Marie and Dustin by the arms, and dove behind a ditch, dragging them with him. As he expected, the boy blew up, sending his knife flying out of sight. He stood up and brushed himself off.
"He was one of Takhisis' goons. You think I'm so paranoid now?"
"He blew himself up," Marie yelped. Nathan shook his head.
"No. When you kill them, some of them blow up. Some of them turn to stone. Others do other things, depends on what kind you get. That part always confused me."
"You knew Liam. . .that thing was going to blow up," Marie said.
"No I didn't. I was guessing."
"You jumped on that thing without even knowing whether it would blow up or get all statue-like or spit acid or NOT DIE AT ALL?!"
"That's about the size of it, yeah."
"DO YOU HAVE A DEATH WISH," Marie screamed at him. Nathan's face crumpled, his eyes closed in pain. Marie instantly regretted saying it.
"Nathan-," she began, finding her apology being cut off by the appearance of an oval of milky, color changing, space.
"I think we should get going," Nathan said quietly. He gestured for Marie to go first, and then Dustin. Nathan stood a moment longer, gazing at this world that had nearly ripped his soul apart, and then calmly turned and strode into the oval. It snapped out of existence behind him. ....................................
Nathan stepped out of whatever odd tunnel he'd been in, stepped out into what once must have been a forest. A beautiful forest, where there dwelt a peaceful race, which wanted no more than to live in peace with their beloved forest. Tears streamed openly down his face as he gazed at the land now. Rotting tree stumps were all that was left of the beautiful trees. Deep holes had been dug into the ground. A huge skeleton, a draconic skeleton much too monstrous to be from Krynn, lay near them, on ground that had recently been covered with water. Nathan gazed at the land that had once been Qualinost, and he cried. Dustin was incredibly confused, and Marie was trying to comfort him.
Suddenly, sharp voices rose, and Marie and Dustin froze. Nathan, however, did not. He spun and watched, as two Dark Knights of Neraka strode into view. He snarled and leapt on the one on the right, tackling the man to the ground easily despite his larger height and muscle mass. Nathan ripped off the man's helmet and spat on his face, and then began bludgeoning the Dark Knight with his own helmet. His friend drew his sword and attempted to hold it at Nathan's throat, but the boy rolled off, already having beaten the other Dark Knight beyond recognition. In his hand was the prone Dark Knight's sword. "Come at me, scum, and taste righteous justice," he growled.
"Listen to the child, boasting like he is a man," the Dark Knight, replied kicking the leg of his partner to emphasize his joke. Nathan's lip curled into a sadistic smile.
"You'll find that your friend is currently. . .unavailable," he said. The Dark Knight looked down at his partner's face and gasped.
"You killed him!" He looked up, fire in his eyes. "That man was my brother, child! I will kill you for this!"
"You will try," Nathan shot back, dodging a wild thrust from the Dark Knight. "And you will fail!" He blocked a downward slash. "I will take revenge on all of you for what you've done to this sacred land!" He delivered a thrust of his own, cutting open the left side of the Dark Knight's ribs. "You will feel the pain of the Qualinesti elves!" He spun and swished his sword in a low horizontal arc. It lopped off both of the man's legs. The man opened his mouth to scream in pain, but Nathan's hand was there, covering it. "Tell me, were there any prisoners taken when you conquered this land?" The Knight didn't respond. "Tell me, or you will envy this blasted land!" The Knight gave a sharp nod. "I will uncover your mouth, and you will speak. If you scream, I will cut your vocal cords out. Do we understand each other?" The Knight gave another swift nod, and Nathan removed his hand.
"The elves attempted to regain this land soon after the War of Souls. Many were killed. We took the King, his wife, and his daughter prisoner. The King and his wife fell ill, but the daughter lives on."
"Gilthas is. . .you're lucky I don't believe in cannibalism, or I would feed you to demonspawn. Now, tell me, how many of the elves survived?"
"About. . .eighteen-hundred. . .can I sleep now?"
"Draw me two maps. One showing me the entire land of Qualinesti, all your little bases and changes you Dark Knights have made, and mark off where we are with an X. Then mark off where the elves are kept with a triangle. After that, draw me a map of the building they are being kept in. Then you can sleep, though you deserve worse." ....................................
The Dark Knight had finally gotten his sleep, and Nathan had gotten his maps. They had rested for about two hours, and now Nathan was buckling on the sword belt of the Dark Knight he'd bludgeoned to death, looking quite determined. Dustin stood shaking his head in disbelief at what he'd just watched. Marie, however, wanted an explanation. She tapped him on the shoulder, to no reaction. She knew he was listening, however, and so she started talking. "Nathan, I don't know what that was about, but it was very, very wrong. Those men didn't deserve to die."
"You'd think differently if I told you how they treated the elven women they've captured. They rape and torture them, I'm sure. Treat them like animals." He gestured to the scenery around them. "They've done it to this land. It used to be beautiful. I used to dream about coming here, and just thinking. I would always be nearly napping, back propped up against one of the beautiful trees, when a beautiful elven maiden would come and wake me up. We'd smile at each other, and then I would wake up, with the most profound sense of loss I've ever felt. Now I know why. I see this barren land before me, I hear the screams of the men and women trapped here, and I can't help but be angry. Angry enough to do something, something that the pitiful, pathetic humans of this world DON'T."
"What's that," Marie asked softly. These words were so passionate, so hot, so intense. . .she knew what the answer to her question was going to be.
"CARE. The humans of this world don't give a damn about the land, or the elves. Oh, they do when it's convenient for them. For instance, when they need help. Then they care a great deal about the elves. But afterwards, they never repay the favor." He pushed himself off the tree he was leaning against, sword securely fastened to his hip. "Well, I'm changing that. I'm not from this world, and thereby cannot be lumped into that category."
Dustin nodded. "I'm with you." He looked around at the land that had obviously once been beautiful and sighed. "This isn't right." Marie gave an exasperated sigh.
"Lead on, fearless leader."
He shook his head. "You guys are staying here. The only reason I know how to use a sword is because I've been training with one almost from diapers. You two have no idea what you're doing." He handed Dustin the other Dark Knight's sword. "If you're discovered, use this." Marie shot him a look and he shrugged ruefully. "You've always been sort of a pacifist, Marie. You wouldn't draw the sword. And here, if you don't draw your sword, you die. Simple as that. And besides, I'm not sexist, and you know it." He turned and took off, not waiting for another comment. Marie shook her head.
"He's so impulsive. . . ."
"I hope that doesn't end up getting him killed," Dustin replied. ....................................
Nathan ran, and ran hard. The front of his wide legged pants were clinging to his legs, the back flaying out, the tatters going in all directions. He saw the guards at the gates of what could only be described as a concentration camp for elves and drew his sword, not even bothering to stop as he slashed one across his stomach. The other began to give chase, but Nathan spun on his heel, swinging his sword out and slicing neatly across the man's unguarded neck. He continued to spin until he was facing his destination, and then continued to run. Elves peered out of their doors to gaze at this boy, this boy that was acting much more like a man. Or, in truth, much like a demon from the Abyss. He never stopped running, never stopped fighting. Dark Knight after Dark Knight fell to his sword. He screamed like a banshee, and some of the Dark Knights turned and fled at the sound. He was cutting a swath directly to the Princess's house, or cell, as she called it. ....................................
Silvara Half-Elven (she was so named for the heroic silver dragon that had fallen in love with her great uncle, and had taken her grandfather's last name as a tribute to him) was startled to hear the screaming coming from outside, and even more startled to see her door fall in and a young human man charge in. She herself was young for her race, only seventy years old. She had dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. A narrow waist and long legs complemented a generous chest. Her curly hair stretched to her upper back. She'd had many men, both human and elven, attempt to charm her. So why she found herself attracted to this human boy, she didn't know. He was strangely dressed, and the glistening steel he held in his hand was bloodied. There was a hard look in his eyes, but those eyes also spoke of gentleness, softness, and a great deal of sensitivity and caring. He was a well-muscled boy, especially for his age, which couldn't have been more than sixteen or seventeen years old. "My Princess, I am here to save you. Please, come with me, and gather your people. I'm leading you out of the clutches of these Dark Knights, even if it kills me." The though of this young boy dieing, this young boy so ready to die for a cause, saddened her. She again looked into those eyes, and she saw buried deep within pain, a great deal of it. And, for some reason, she had the sudden desire to go to him, to hold him, to try and take away that pain. "Please, my Princess, there isn't much time. Sooner or later the Dark Knights will find out about this, and I would prefer to be as far away from here as possible before then." He smiled slightly, a warm smile. "I know I am oddly dressed, and I know my appearance is sudden and unexplained, but please trust me. I would explain it all on the way, if you would like." Silvara smiled.
"You are a brave man. What is your name?"
"Nathan Daystorm, my Princess, at your service." He bowed, putting one knee on the ground, his left hand on his sword, and his right hand on his heart. She gestured for him to get up.
"Please, you have already proven yourself loyal. I only ask one thing of you, Sir Daystorm."
"Anything, my Princess, but I am not a Knight, and please, call me Nathan." She smiled. If he weren't a Knight already, he would be.
"Could you turn around for a moment? I don't think my nightgown would be the most appropriate thing to wear on an occasion like this." His face reddened and he spun, walked to the doorway, and stood there.
"I will stand guard here." Silvara let out a soft chuckle and headed into her bedroom to change into something more appropriate for an escape from a Dark Knight prison. ....................................
The other elves saw the boy standing guard at the Princess's doorway, and suddenly realized what he was doing. "He is liberating us," a young male cried, a huge smile spreading across his face.
"He is taking us to safety," another roared, this one an elder with gray in his hair.
"Why would a human do such a thing for us," wondered an elf in her middle years, two children hugging her legs, staring in awe at what was going on around them. At that, the boy raised a hand for silence.
"Why would a human do such a thing," he repeated, and then went on, "Because all humans are not uncaring and selfish, that's why. Because some care more about others than themselves. Because some know what it's like to live in the bitter-black hell that you live in now. For whatever reason, I will not stop until you are all freed from the clutches of evil!" The Princess stood about three feet behind him, letting only a silhouette of herself show to her people. "What has been done to you is the most vile of wrongs, and I will see it righted, if it costs me my life!" He paused, apparently to think about something, and then continued. "I may not have as fancy words as bard or a poet, but I can promise you one simple truth: Freedom. That I can promise you. The freedom to choose where you live your life, the freedom to enjoy your life, and most of all, the freedom to LIVE that life. I can't make any other promises, but that one, that one I will keep, even at the cost of my own life." Silvara seemed to glide over to him, wearing a chain mail shirt that covered her torso, leaving her arms bear except for silver shoulder pads. She wore a green skirt to match the tunic she wore under the chain mail, and leather boots that stretched to her knees. On her left hip was a rapier, and on her right hip a quiver bristling with arrows hung. A bow was slung over her shoulder. She placed her hand on his arm.
"This is Nathan Daystorm," she said, speaking to all of her people. "He says he is not a Knight, but I do not believe him. Even if he is not a Knight, what he does here tonight is brave enough for an entire army of them." She smiled at him warmly and then turned back to face her people. "We elves are rumored to have a notoriously short memory when it comes to the good deeds humans do for us." She paused, letting her words sink in. "Let us never forget what THIS human has done for us this day, and from now on, let us recognize THIS human as one of us! For by liberating us from the clutches of the Dark Knights of Neraka, he truly makes us a people again. We are elves once more, thanks to him!" A soft cheer went up through the elves, and they all disappeared into their cells to get ready for the escape. Silvara turned to Nathan and smiled. "I believe you have a way with both words and people." Nathan replied with a humorous laugh, and then grew serious.
"My Princess, where did you get your gear? Somehow, I don't think the Dark Knights would let you have them."
"After the War of Souls, the Solamnics finally realized the value of spies. They don't have that many, but at least they use them now. They almost always have one within the ranks of the Dark Knights, and that's where I learned the sword and bow." Nathan nodded.
"That makes sense. Hey, um. . .do you have a map?"
"Of the compound? Of course." She began to walk back towards her bedroom to retrieve it.
"Of the world, or at least the continent."
"You don't have a map," she asked.
"Not really. Listen, my Princess, this is going to sound kind of strange, but. . .I just got here. Here, as in, in this world." She sighed.
"So then my dream was true." Nathan gave her a questioning look. "E'li came to me in a dream. He told me that something strange would happen soon, and to keep my eyes and mind open." A warm smile lit up her face. "I'm glad I did." Nathan nodded, and a warm smile graced his face, as well.
"So am I." And then his face got serious again. "But we have to work out a plan. I want to get out of Dark Knight controlled territory as fast as possible." Silvara nodded.
"So do we. So do we." She nodded again, and then went to see about a map. She came back out about four minutes later, holding a rolled up piece of paper. "I think this is it." Nathan nodded.
"I've been thinking. Maybe Solace would be a good place to go? There's a garrison there, so I don't think your Solamnic would mind it. It's out of Dark Knight controlled territory, and I'm sure there are people there that would help us." He smiled. "Do you know whether the Majere's still run the Inn of the Last Home?" Silvara nodded.
"I was there once, when I was very young. They did then, but that was some time ago." Nathan didn't ask her age, as he was a firm believer in the statement, "Never ask a lady her age." Nathan nodded.
"So, we'll go there. Hopefully the Dark Knights won't suspect anything, at least not for a while." He considered something quickly. "Do you have any trained scouts here?"
"Quite a few, actually."
"Send some of them out in the opposite direction. Tell them to make it look like we went that way, while the rest of us try NOT to show any sign of our move towards Solace." Silvara nodded.
"That's a good plan." She squinted her eyes. "Are you sure you're not a Knight?" He nodded.
"Positive."
"So. . .to Solace, then," Silvara said.
"To Solace," Nathan replied.