Part7/Epilogue

For a moment, all was still. Then Kalamia rushed over to Lanari, exclaiming her amazement at how events had turned out. Nari simply grinned at her friend, turning her new weapon this way and that, examining it under every possible light. The shadowknight seemed to have grown somehow since before the fight, as if killing Azdalin had provided her with experience never to be forgotten.

"We did it Kal!" exulted Lanari. "We really did it!"

"I think you should just put that down and walk away from here."

The two Dark Elves spun at the words, spoken in Common, in a soft, yet menacing voice. Unseen and unheard, the chainmail-clad Wood Elf had approached them, swords unsheathed, blue eyes filled with hatred.

Lanari smirked, and raised her Wurmslayer.

"Or what, Fier'Dal? You think you could defeat me? I fought a wurm and won!"

"Only with the help of a High Elf!" retorted the ranger.

"Aly… please…"

The pale cleric who had healed Lanari had come forward, and placed a hand on her companions shoulder. The gaze she turned on the Teir'Dal held some measure of hatred, yet also contained some unidentifiable emotion.

"I've done what I was to do. It's over. Please, let's just go."

Alyindar stared, open-mouthed at Eala.

"You can't be serious. You mean we're meant to let these beasts have such a powerful weapon?"

The cleric smiled sadly, and nodded.

Lanari and Kalamia watched this exchange warily. Kal had no magic left to defend herself, but she held her dagger threateningly, and Nari had not relaxed her posture one bit.

Eala looked at the two of them, and shook her head, pity in her eyes.

"There will be no need for further violence today. The Wurmslayer is yours."

Alyindar turned and stalked off, cursing under his breath. Glancing once more at the Dark Elves, Ealandariel turned to follow him.

"Wait, High Elf," called Lanari.

Eala turned back towards Nari, confusion etched on her features. Further up the hill, Alyindar also halted, an arrow nocked, and pointed towards the Shadowknight.

"I… I owe you my life," said Lanari, haltingly. "For that, you shall be permitted to live today. Should our paths cross again, I will kill you as readily as any other."

The cleric looked at Lanari for a moment, then nodded. Without a word, she turned and continued to walk up the hill. She caught up with Alyindar, and together they disappeared from view.

"What did you do that for!" exclaimed Kalamia. "So she saved your life, more fool her! We should have killed them regardless!"

Lanari shook her head.

"I don't know why I said that Kalamia. It just seemed the right thing to do, somehow."

She looked at her Wurmslayer, then towards the point where the cleric and ranger had vanished, her purple eyes thoughtful.

"I feel," she said softly, "That we have not seen the last of them."

Turning to Kalamia, she smiled, flourishing the weapon.

"Shall we go and get your illusion spell, my friend?"

Kal's red eyes were still slightly troubled, but she brightened at those words.

"It's about bloody time!"

Laughing, the pair headed off in the opposite direction to Aly and Eala. Behing them, the sun was setting, casting shadows on the huge corpse of Azdalin. Lanari cast one last glance towards the clearing where so much had happened. Their adventure was over… for now.