The Fall of the Elves by J. J. Thompson

Author:J. J. Thompson [Thompson, J. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2019-05-24T06:00:00+00:00

The group appeared on the edge of the forest just in sight of Alderthal. Diane looked at her companions and smiled at their surprised expressions. Even Fiad was looking at her in amazement.

“I didn't want to Gate into the middle of town,” she told them. “If you are correct, Keeper, and I believe that you are, we mustn't alert Kallistra to our suspicions.”

“Good point,” Ethmira replied approvingly. “If she is indeed the source of the corruption, she may still be able to control the ley energies. Which means that she could summon a portal and escape if we give her reason to do so.”

“My thought exactly,” Diane agreed. “If necessary, I should be able to stop her from doing that, but I can't guarantee it.”

Ethmira slipped her bow off of her back and looked at it.

“This will stop her if you cannot, Diane,” she said harshly. “I do not wish to harm any elf, but if Kallistra has turned to evil, then I will not hesitate to defend my people against her.”

Chase also readied her bow and Malfiess looked at both of them, his expression tinged with sadness.

“That it should come to this,” he said with a shake of his head. “Elf turning against elf. Why would Kallistra do such a thing in the first place?”

“I'd like to know how she did it, rather than just why,” Diane told him. “What was that infestation that we saw outside of Othallis? Did Kallistra cause that? How? And if she did, how did she cause the ley lines to fail? Those are the main questions that I have.”

“Then let us go and find some answers, shall we?” Ethmira suggested. “Follow me.”

She moved ahead of the others and strode toward the village, with Chase striding closely behind her.

“Stay alert, Councilor,” Diane told Malfiess. “And you too, Keeper. We do not know how Kallistra will react when we confront her.”

“I am ready,” Malfiess replied grimly, his knuckles white as he gripped his staff with his right hand.

Fiad remained silent, but he nodded once as a sharp gust of wind blew his fine hair across his face.

The three of them followed the rangers across the grassy clearing toward Alderthal. In this part of the world, the sun was still high and birds were singing merrily from the trees all around them. Malfiess found it hard to believe that evil could be lurking ahead when life itself seemed to be thriving and healthy.

As they passed the outermost houses of the village, Ethmira abruptly held up a hand and everyone stopped moving immediately.

“What is it?” Diane asked in a hushed voice.

“Listen,” the ranger hissed. “Do you hear that?”

All of them listened intently. Except for the bird song though, Alderthal was eerily silent.

“I don't hear anything,” Malfiess said with a frown. “What's wrong?”

“That is the point,” Ethmira told him as she turned her head slowly, scanning the area ahead. “Where are the sounds of the children? Where are the people who should be out working or socializing? We've been away for no more than an hour or so and yet the village looks deserted.

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