The Shrouded One: What Must I Sacrifice?

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Come in, a calm voice answered to Parn's knock, and the branches swung gently out of his way. Beyond them, was a room similar to that in which he had recently shared tea with Deedlit's family. There were only two chairs in this room, one on either side of a small table. In one chair, sat a woman, her face obscured by a black cowled cloak. She turned and seemed to study him from beneath it for a moment. I thought someone might be coming soon. However, I had not expected to see the great Free Knight of Lodoss. Welcome to my home, Sir Parn. I am very glad to see you.

Parn was startled. You know who I am?

How could I not? I have seen you many times. It is part of the Shrouded One's office to see, young man. To see, but not be seen, that is my office. A pale hand appeared from beneath the cloak and gestured towards the remaining chair. Sit down. I do not have many visitors, but you are truly welcome. Your presence gives me hope.

Are you Lady Deirolya? he asked nervously. You're the Shrouded One?

I have been called that, she replied evenly. What is it you wanted, Sir Parn?

I came to find out about the Darkness, Parn told her, as he took a seat. He peered into the darkness of her cowl. He liked to see people's faces when he talked to them. This shadowy visage made him distinctly uncomfortable. He couldn't see her expression or, more importantly, her eyes.

Of course, you did. Know then that the Darkness is a sort of magic, a sort of poison, a pollution of all that is the Forest. It entered this Forest a few weeks ago. I do not know where it came from, only that it came. It has corrupted the Forest's heart and is killing it slowly. The Forest's heart is like a deep well of magic, ancient magic, and this other magic has gone straight to this heart. It twists and corrupts it, before destroying it. It eats away at the Forest, and all of the High Elves, who are a part of it. Her voice was melodic with a faint, familiar cadence that caught Parn's attention. He listened with fascination, as she continued. And so the Forest is dying, and all the High Elves die with it. The High Elves will die and the Darkness will gain power from the fall of such beauty and Light. Unless, of course, I, or someone else, can stop this poison and heal the Forest.

Do you know how to do it? Parn asked eagerly. Can you save the Forest?

You sound anxious, my young friend. Why would a human be so concerned with the Forest's fate? There was a slightly sardonic hint to the voice that might or might not have been feigned.

Parn's gaze shifted to his hands. Well, for a lot of reasons, I suppose. I don't like to see Darkness triumph, ever. I fight it, like I always have. And then . . . there's Deedlit. He paused briefly over this difficult point, then continued. I don't want her to die. I swore to save her. I don't break oaths either, not if there's any way to avoid it. Besides, just because I'm human doesn't mean that I don't care about the elves' fate. He stopped again, before repeating the primary reason, this time with more certainty. I can't let Deed die.

You're a very brave man, Parn. The voice spoke again with a certain degree of amusement, and Parn looked up at the Shrouded One again, still trying to stare into the depths of her cowled face. But then I would expect no less of the Free Knight of Lodoss. You have saved Deedlit before, haven't you? You care for her.

Of course, I do, he said brightly, projecting a simplicity into the issue that wasn't there. She's my companion. We've been through a lot together.

If you want to save her, you'll have to learn to be honest with yourself, Parn. The voice coming from beneath the cowl was certain. You care for her. Don't deny it. There is a word for your feelings for her. Are you too afraid to say it?

he snapped. There, are you happy now? Yes, I love Deedlit. How can I not? She's beautiful, she's an Elf, she's clever, she's wise, she's good with a sword, she's a powerful shamanist. She's perfect. What isn't too love about her? Of course, I'd give my life or anything else for her! Will you stop this?

The cowled woman chuckled softly. You did not need much pushing to admit your feelings to a strange woman, yet you haven't said these things to her yet. Why?

Of course, I haven't, he answered bluntly. She's all those things I said and immortal. What can a human warrior offer to her? I may not be the most clever man on this earth, but I do know when a woman is too good for me.

Perhaps you underestimate yourself, and perhaps you do not. That is immaterial. The dark gaze beneath the cowl held him still. He wished he could see her eyes. So you will indeed give anything for that one elven woman?

he answered without question.

she said softly. I will hold you to that promise. She moved her head slightly, and a single beam of light hit something beneath the cowl, something that glittered red as the eye of a ruby.

Several things came together in Parn's mind then, and he leapt smoothly to his feet with a gasp of recognition. His hand found his sword's hilt.

The woman laughed again and reached up to remove the cowl. You aren't so dense as I had thought, boy. A pale elven face looked back at him, delicately featured and silver-eyed, framed by equally silver hair. It would have been a beautiful face, if not for the complete coldness and lack of expression in it. On her forehead rested the familiar circlet that contained the consciouness of Karla. The rubies set in it shone red in the sunlight, for that was indeed what he had glimpsed beneath the cowl. You are right. I am Karla. I hadn't expected you to know me before I revealed myself to you.

What are you doing here? Parn demanded coldly. Where is Woodchuck?

In a prison in Allania, I expect. I left him in a small town in Allania. Knowing what I do of him, he has likely been apprehended for thievery again. I will relate the story, if you like. Karla looked at the young warrior with something that resembled amusement. That amusement was, Parn thought, as close to human as she ever came.

Go on, Parn said, not sitting down and not removing his hand from his sword hilt.

Karla began, speaking slowly and calmly, as if relating something that had happened to someone else entirely, which in a way, it had. It began two weeks ago when an elf collapsed at my feet, if you must know. A High Elf. He was dying. I used magic to give him strength, and I listened to his story. He told me that something was wrong in the Forest of Light, that it was dying. He had been sent by Lady Deirolya, the Shrouded One, to find a Marfa cleric who might be able to heal the Forest. The Marfa cleric had listened to his story, and told him that saving the Forest was beyond her power. So the elf had begun his journey back to the Forest with the sad news for Lady Deirolya. He would not have thought so, but in finding me he had indeed found the help he had been sent for. I was of course concerned by his news. I have told you before about the importance of balance?

Parn nodded solemnly.

Karla continued, You should know, then. The destruction of the High Elves would give too much power to the Dark Elves. This cannot be permitted. I would prefer to attempt to save the High Elves than to destroy the Dark Elves. I moved to the body of the elf, leaving your friend Woodchuck behind. In that body I came to the Forest in secret, reported the Marfa cleric's message to Deirolya and changed bodies again. The custom of the Shrouded One's cowl was quite convenient, and I had made use of it once before when it was necessary to watch the High Elves secretly. She stopped. That is nearly the end of my story. I came here, but unfortunately, by the time I fully understood the nature of the Darkness, I was in this elven body and too weakened to deal with it myself.

I know better than that, Karla, Parn said impatiently. If you choose not to save the elves, it is because it has some part of your schemes. You play with the continent of Lodoss as if it were a giant chessboard. In your eyes, we're all your pawns. I know that, too. What do you want with me, Karla?

Clever boy, she said with a slight smile. Haven't you figured it out yet, my friend?

I'm not very clever, Parn admitted. I can't figure out your riddles, Karla, so you'll have to explain it to me.

Very well. She stood and faced him eye to eye. What I said was true. While I am in this elven body, I am too weak to save the Forest of the High Elves, and that is indeed my wish. That gives us something in common, doesn't it?

Parn didn't answer, but watched her out of his fathomless blue eyes. Her own silver eyes were cold and somehow gave the impression of being a deep violet color. Yet, they were undeniably silver. It was almost like staring into a mirror. Her eyes showed nothing of her thoughts, and everything of his own reflected back at him.

Stupid boy! I don't want Darkness to be the sole power in Lodoss, and you know it! Balance. There must be balance, or there will be a repeat of the fall of the kingdom of Kastuul. I will not allow that. The loss of the High Elves would threaten that balance. The impatience vanished from her voice. I do not need to defend my actions to you, young man. All you need to know is this: I can save the Forest of Light, but only if I have the strength.

Go on, Parn said, but he was beginning to see what she might be thinking. He clenched his fist tighter about his sword-hilt and waited. If it was what he thought it was . . . . He shuddered.

Her eyes continued to scan his. I think you may already guess. I need a different body. A human body, unaffected by the Darkness in the Forest. Any human body will do.

Parn looked at her with disgust, his worst suspiscions verified. You want me to become Karla!

she replied. Yes, with your human body and youthful strength, I could destroy this Darkness and heal the Forest. That's what you want, isn't it? To save the Forest? To save the Forest and Deedlit? She finished with a coldly triumphant smile.

Parn stepped back from her as if struck. Karla had long ago learned the power of truth. False words could sting, but true ones could burrow deep into the heart for lasting reactions.

You said you would do anything to save her life? Well, did you mean that or was it just words? The smile was still there, terrifying in its distance.

Parn stared back at her, still somehow shocked. This had been the last thing he had expected this journey to come to.

He thought of Deedlit. He had first met the beautiful elf in Kanon before the start of the war. She had been fighting several ruffians, and he had tried to help her, help that she hadn't really needed. He remembered her smile when she thanked him, also the way his face had turned brilliant crimson. Ghim had said he had made goo-goo eyes. He probably had. He remembered the meeting had ended with the two of them laughing together, before going to an inn for dinner. He'd made a fool of himself then too, so nervous he'd drunk more than he should have.

So many memories came back to him of the fair-haired elf. Deedlit smiling and opening the way to the Forest. Deedlit, sword in hand, fighting a Dark Elf. Deedlit subtly pushing Etoh and Fianna together. Deedlit, arms about his waist at the end of a battle, sobbing at Ghim's death. Deedlit, eyes sparkling, as they spoke. Deedlit, unconscious in his arms after his battle to save her from the dark wizard Wagnard. Deedlit, laughing as he helped her down from his horse. Deedlit, Deedlit, Deed.

Yes, he loved the elf, and his life was the least of the things he would give for her. Alright, Karla, he said to the elven figure before him. I'll do it.

She nodded, not the least bit surprised. She had known how he would react to this test od his devotion. She lifted a hand to her forehead, removing the circlet and placing it upon his brow. Darkness swallowed him, and his last thought was,

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cue end of episode cliffhanger music Alright, time for a few notes! First, no, this isn't the end, so don't worry. I've got one more section coming, and second, I'm now committed to finish it. Even I am not so cruel as to leave a story unfinished at this stage. Besides, after writing the second chapter, it started picking up momentum, and I'm ready to finish it. Thirdly, a few things about continuity. I won't even pretend to be following the OAV storyline anymore, though this obviously isn't Heroic Knight (I have issues with Heroic Knight, and one of these days, I'll air them.). As far as this story is concerned, follow the manga from the beginning (including the first portion of Lady of Pharis, to which I make some references) to the end of the The Grey Witch, then switch over to the OAV for the battles with Shooting Star and Wagnard. This means Parn didn't meet Deedlit at his village, but later in Kanon as I described it. (Note that there are still a few incontinuities, such as the nature of the Forest of Light/No Return/Never Return. Poetic License.) So, stay tuned for the next and final chapter A High Elf's Love: Don't Leave Me Alone!

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