City by the Young Mountain
Off in the distance, distorted by the dusty red sand, the silhouette of a small mountain was barely visible.
"You must travel there," muttered Delhödr, still aboard the mónelk. "The city of Marna lies against the mountainside. I've never ventured there myself, but I believe it is a city composed mainly of gathered nomads from the Hadarac desert."
Corban and the others jumped off the mónelk, preparing for the rest of the day's journey southeastward.
"We cannot thank you enough, gracious mónelk." Corban said, patting the great animal's hide.
"I must leave you now," said Delhödr. "But I will spread the news of Vadrian and your journey." He nudged the mónelk in the side, prompting it to turn around back into Du Weldenvarden. Corban and the remaining elves began walking off across the grassland when Delhödr yelled, "Corban, do not forget about the tigerseye cameo. Keep it with you at all times, and only use it when necessary!"
He looked down to his chest at the coruscating amulet and held it at eye level, analyzing its spectacular detail depicting a leaping tiger. The cameo itself seemed to be radiating in a brilliant golden hue, suddenly invigorating Corban and relieving him of the day's stress.
The elves bid their last farewell to Delhödr and began their trek towards the city of Marna.
As the day waned and the sun dipped under the horizon, the night air came as a wonderful relief from the relentless heat of the afternoon. Darkness fell as they neared the city, now dotted with flickering torches. Tough, grainy, reddish-brown sand replaced the previous olive-colored grasslands. The landscape looked rugged and dreary, far from Du Weldenvarden's lush plant life and stupendous evergreen trees. But perhaps the most noticeable climate change was the forceful winds, whipping across the land forming broad and sleek sand dunes.
At midnight the company had reached the walls of Marna. Two guards stood watch, wearing mustard yellow tunics lined with red linen. Underneath was thin chain mail, complete with large leather shoulder guards tipped with steel. Atop their heard was an unusual cap, cylindrical in shape, but covered in intricate gold and crimson designs.
Corban spoke to his companions silently, "Put on your cloaks, I would rather them no not that we are elves, but especially my appearance." Cloaked and hooded, the elves approached the guards who were armed with long halberds.
"Why are you men out so late, 'tis pitch-black outside," questioned one of the guards.
"We have just arrived from a long journey," replied Eduril.
"What's yer business 'ere?" Asked the other guard.
"Merely for food and a night's rest."
"An' where you be comin' from?"
"We are travelers, sir."
"Ah, 'course y'are." The guards moved away from the wrought iron gate as it slowly opened, creaking at the hinges.
Corban and the elves quickly entered the city. Eduril turned around and asked the guards, "Do you know a good inn to sleep?"
"Sure do! The 'Oasis Tavern' has a few rooms upstairs I think. Not too far from 'ere either. Just head down this main road a bit an' you'll see."
"Thank you," replied Eduril.
Soon thereafter, the elves entered the Oasis Tavern, a dirty old place, but safer than spending the night outside. They handed a few coins to the store owner who showed them up to their cramped room. The three of them laid on the moth-eaten mattresses and fell asleep instantly.
Bright desert sunlight streamed through the glass window, waking the elves from their peaceful slumber.
Corban stood up first, stretching his arms and legs after yesterday's arduous trek.
"We must get going. Vadrian may well be at Helgrind by now. He's got a day's head start."
"But can't we eat first? We didn't stop for lunch or dinner yesterday. We'll need energy if we want to travel again." Said Eduril, slowly waking. Súndvar said nothing as he hopped out of bed, ready for the day.
Corban peered out the window, seeing merchants and townspeople already bustling about. "Alright. We'll grab a quick meal at a local market shop selling food. Then we must continue tracking Vadrian."
The elves walked out of the tavern as the gusty wind blew on their faces. They quickly put up their hoods and headed toward the marketplace.
Walking along side the elves were many humans wrapped in a loose white tunic that would help keep them cool as the day grew hotter. With them were strange and extrodinary creatures. Giant horned lizards, iguanas and cobras followed their owners obediantly. The only reason the monstrous animals didn't attack was because of a powerful spell that prevented them from doing so, and in effect, made them great pets.
A local merchant had a variety of fruits and vegtables on display. Contrary to most elven practice, the elves of Delvan were not vegetarian, and preferred raw or cooked meat, just like the cats they mimicked. After eventually finding a meat vendor, the elves ate viciously, refueling their bodies' energy.
Just then a strong wind roared through the city streets, blowing off the hoods covering their faces. Everyone noticed them, but especially Corban's menancing tiger head.
The guards sounded the alarm and cried out "Catch them!" from the city walls above.
"Why are we wanted?" said Eduril frightened.
"I don't know." replied Corban, as he looked both ways down the street to see guards quickly coming after them.
"We must run. Now!" exclaimed Súndvar.
Tugging at Corban's shirt was a small boy with bright green eyes and thin black pupils.
"Follow me." said the boy, as he dashed off into an alley.
The elves turned to each other wondering whether they should trust this person. They had no other option.
The boy led them through small buildings, streets and alleyways, jumping around people, and silently sprinting past unsuspecting guards. After a five minute race, the boy opened a small door and entered an unsuspecting house.
"Quickly." The boy said as he ushered in the elves. He quickly shut the door, and closed the window curtains. There was an eerie silence, the little boy's green eyes glowing in the dark.
A candle was soon lit, providing the only light in the dark room.
"Who are you?" asked Corban.
"I think the real question is, who are you?"
Corban told him about the elves of Delvan, explained who Vadrian was, and their purpose for tracking him. The boy listened without interrupting. When Corban finished the boy furrowed his brow, then looked at Corban's necklace.
"Let me see that amulet strung around your neck," said the boy impatiently. Corban cautiously offered it to him, remembering Delhödr's words.
"This is incredible." The boy was moving the tigerseye so it glistened from the candlelight. "Where did you manage to find this?"
"I did not find it, it was given to me," replied Corban.
"Hopefully the person who gave it to you understood what he was giving up! This is the tigerseye cameo formed by the ancient Grey Folk!"
Corban stared in bewilderment. The Grey Folk? he wondered in disbelief. Impossible, they were the race to form the Ancient Language itself!
As if reading Corban's thoughts, the boy said, "Yes. It's true. This is the tigerseye cameo that eventually created what I am today."
"What?" asked Corban, still wondering who this strange little boy was.
"I am a werecat. My name is Bern if you must know."
At that moment the boy leaped onto the table as a black and orange cat, with bright green eyes.
Before any of the elves could ask a question, Bern began to speak to them in their minds.
Many centuries ago, before the time of the Shur'tugal, there was an ancient race who called themselves the 'Grey Folk.' They were immortal creatures, unless fatally wounded by weapons or magic. However their sense of magic was primitive, to say the least. It was very hard to control, and very few could actually use its immense power. They began to search for the largest gemstone in all of Alagaësia for their secret project. A project that would change the future forever...
This was during the time of the first dwarves, who were perfect for mining. With their short but incredibly strong bodies, they were able to make hundreds of tunnels in the mountains, excavating many gemstones.
News soon spread about the largest gemstone ever found, even larger than the Isidar Mithrim, and the Grey Folk were greedy to get their hands on it.
Eventually they did, and instilled within it a monumental amount of energy. Enough energy to change magic itself.
As you well know, the Grey Folk created the Ancient Language that is spoken today, which is able to manipulate magic by merely muttering a few words. They didn't realize the tremendous and catastrophic effects of this. Now any creature who could speak was dangerous.
The Grey Folk mysteriously disappeared after creating the Ancient Language, many say because they didn't want to take responsibility for what they had unleashed.
However, it is rumored that the Grey Folk are not gone. That they instilled within a secret gemstone the power to change into something else that wouldn't have to face the doom of Alagaësia by fighting in miserable wars.
They changed into cats.
Some believe that werecats themselves are the true descendents, but it is still speculation.
Make what I said what you will, for it may not be true at all. But what lies around your neck may be more powerful than you had ever imagined.