"ELVES!" The officer bellowed. The two remaining guards turned to run when they each received arrows of their own. The smaller man was hit in the chest and the side of the neck. A gurgling sound emanated from him as he clawed at his throat for several seconds, flailing on the ground. His movements slowed and stopped as he fell silent. His superior, the officer, fell to one knee as an arrow pierced his left calf. His back now facing Tristan, a second arrow came from his front side, catching his right shoulder. An animal like scream left the man's lips as he hollered at the sky.
Against his better judgment, Tristan decided to wait and see how things would unfold. He watched on in silence as three elves emerged, seemingly out of nowhere. Two came from behind and a third from directly in front where the officer was still facing, panting heavily in obvious pain. The elves were wearing leathers and leaves that had been expertly sewn together to create a superfluous camouflage. They carried full quivers on their backs and held ornate Elvin longbows at their sides.
The third elf stood in front of the kneeling officer. His audible whimpers had no visible effect on the coldhearted elf.
"State your name" the elf ordered in a detached tone.
"Sir Lauder" the officer said before spitting blood off to the side.
The gesture seemed to disgust the elf. His eyes narrowed as he leaned his face closer to Sir Lauder's. "And what business does a knight of the kingdom of Excel have in the forest of Languin?"
"We were only here to execute a prisoner and…"
His words were cut short as the elf grabbed hold of the arrow sticking out from his shoulder. The elf raised his left foot and placed it hard against Lauder's chest. Now the two were face to face. "I did not ask what you were doing. Your intentions were quite obvious. I asked what business you have entering this forest. Executions can be carried out within the walls of Excel. Why venture so far from home? Does the evil within this man run so deep that you fear his blood will taint your land; or did you think defiling our forest would be amusing?"
"If you kill me the king will seek revenge."
The elf's eyes lit with a fury and a snarl grew across his face. Clutching the arrow, he pushed against Lauder's chest with his boot, pulling the arrow free. Shrieking like a banshee, Lauder fell backwards onto the dirt. Thin tears began streaming down his cheeks. Loose meat hung from the bloodied arrow's head. "Tempt me again and I will gut you where you lie!" The elf no longer held back his true emotions. "Why did you bring this mortal here to be killed?"
Still sobbing, Lauder slowly choked out his reply. "King Haroc asked for discretion. He asked for secrecy. That traitor committed treason against the king himself. The execution was to remain unknown to the citizens of Excel."
Regaining his composure, the elf 's voice became monotonous again. "Why?"
"The king asked it be handled this way."
Grabbing Lauder by the collar, the elf lifted him to his knees once again. Circling the bleeding man the elf stepped cruelly on his leg, just below the knee and above the lodged arrow. Grabbing the wooden shaft of the arrow he raised his voice once again. "Why!"
Tristan leaned forward; he too wanted to know why. Lauder's words seemed familiar, but like those from a dream. Treason was a serious crime. One which he did not remember committing.
"I don't know! I swear! Please, no more!"
The elf considered his words for a moment and sighed softly. "You will warn young Haroc to never enter this forest without permission. Yes?"
"Yes, of course. But… what of the prisoner?"
"He is no longer your concern. He stands in Languin forest and is therefore not subject to Haroc's laws."
"Haroc will try to follow…"
In one swift motion the arrow was pulled free from the wounded leg. Another series of obscenities escaped the knight's mouth.
"I said he is no longer your concern."