70

70
Princess Elowen Starfire.

The next day dawned.
When I opened my eyes and sat up, I looked at a part of the tent that was slightly open.
I blinked a few times until my vision stopped blurring from the brightness. Then I could see clearly.
The sun had already risen, casting a faint yellow light across the sky.
When I looked around, I realized how quiet it was, as if the entire forest was too calm, invisible.
I narrowed my eyes, finding it strange.
I was on alert now; something was wrong; I was sure of it. I got up and called the guards. Then I went to get changed and tied my hair in a ponytail. Next, I left the tent with the soldiers.
As I walked outside, I felt a cold wind pass through my body; the surrounding air was freezing.
There was a table in front of me, filled with treats. Fresh bread, fruit, tea, coffee.
I sat down and we started eating breakfast. Render was by my side, as always.
We had a hearty breakfast, something hot, prepared by the servants who accompanied us.
My stomach protested, tight with anxiety, but I needed to eat. I needed to be strong. We all did. The mission that awaited us was not only dangerous; it was personal.
I drank my tea while looking at everyone, who were on alert, not talking, just eating.
I ate some bread; I had to be strong, prepared, and determined for what was to come. I finished my tea and left the cup on the table.
When I turned my face, I heard paws on the lawn; it was the wolves. I looked in their direction as they approached me.
The wolves returned just before the sun reached its peak, their imposing silhouettes emerging from the moss-covered trees and mist. Their eyes shone with urgency.
I stood up, approaching them, curious.
“What did you find?” I asked, already walking towards the beta, Theron, who bowed his head in respect before speaking.
“There were two tracks,” he replied. ‘One of them returned to the field where we fought last night. But the other leads to the western side of the forest. A discreet trail, covered with corrupted elven magic, it's not recent.’ He spoke to me mentally.
My heart raced. Corrupted elven magic. It was a sign of kidnapping, of binding spells... and most likely, of Aeloria's presence. That was where I needed to go.
My eyes widened, and then I spoke, my voice firm.
“Let's follow the second trail,” I announced. ''I feel like we're on the right track.”
The troops didn't question it. Render nodded silently, and even Aric remained silent... for a while. He looked confused; I was sure he wanted to know why the wolves were with me. Well, he would find out in due time, but now was not the right time for him to know.
We prepared everything for departure.
The servants stored the food, and the tents had already been packed away.
The servants stayed there, along with some elven soldiers. They had to stay safe.
As soon as everyone was ready, we moved forward.
I led the way, with some elven soldiers in front of me for protection. The rest marched around me.
We advanced through the forest for hours, the horses' hooves muffled by the damp ground, the dense vegetation obscuring our vision. The tension was almost palpable, the landscape changing subtly as we advanced, the tree trunks becoming more twisted, the air heavier, impregnated with something... impure. As if the forest were sick.
“We need to analyze this carefully,” Aric said, approaching me. His voice was low but firm. ''We're getting closer; the smell of blood is stronger. If there's a base here, there may be traps or well-prepared patrols. They have magic, and strong magic can be more dangerous than we imagine, Elowen.'' He spoke, looking around carefully.
“We don't have time for this,” I replied. “If we stop too long, we'll lose our advantage.”
“I'm not saying we should stop,” he replied, his eyes fixed on mine. “But think, Elowen. They have your sister; you won't save her if you're killed by the first trap that comes along.” He was serious. I met his eyes and let out a long sigh.
His words, as sensible as they were, irritated me. Not because of their content. But because of their tone. Because of the way he could be so cold, so strategic... while I felt my soul burning inside.
“I think you're forgetting that I have my magic too,” I retorted. ‘I'm more powerful than they are; I know the pulse of corrupted magic; I don't need you telling me what to do.’ I said, looking away and walking on.
The alpha fell silent at the same moment, but I saw the muscle in his jaw tense. And for a second, I wished he would say something. Anything. That he would yell, that he would confront me. That he would show that he cared about what was happening—about me, about Aeloria. But all I got was that stifled silence.
Just ahead, one of the wolves stopped abruptly and growled.
“There,” he said. ”The entrance is hidden under that vegetation. There's a smell of dark magic. And the presence of blood.”
I walked over to the spot, carefully pushing aside the dry branches and slime. And then I saw it: a hidden stone hatch with ancient inscriptions that were almost faded but still legible. The entrance to the enemy base.
“Let's go in,'' I declared.
“Without reconnaissance? Without even scouting the surroundings?” Aric asked, his voice now harsher.
“We don't have time for precautions, Aric,” I said firmly, perhaps a little harshly. ”Aeloria could be in there right now. Alone. With monsters all around her.”
He took a step forward, standing face-to-face with me, his eyes staring at me with frustration.
“You're not thinking; you're acting with your heart; that's not how you win a war.”
“And you're acting as if you don't have one.” I glared at him, getting angry.
The tension between us intensified, my breathing quickened, and my chest tightened. I wanted to hate him for making me feel this way for running away that night, as if what we had been through meant nothing.
But I couldn't ignore that he was right, even so… I made my decision.
I asked the other Elven soldiers to stand there, we needed a surprise element, told them to come right behind me with my signal. That would be my cry or the howls of wolves.
I descended the narrow staircase, followed by two elven warriors and three wolves. Render came right behind me, and Aric… he hesitated for a second before following as well.
The smell inside the tunnel was suffocating. Dampness, blood, and something rotten, our footsteps echoed muffled by the stone walls, and the light spells cast by Render created huge shadows that gave away our position. We advanced cautiously, but it was useless.
The trap was set.
Screams rose from the shadows, not ours, but those of our enemies. Orcs emerged from side passages, roaring, their dirty swords cutting through the air. Human warriors also appeared, armed with bows and spears. We were surrounded.
“Take your positions!” I shouted, drawing my sword.
Because of my recklessness, we were surrounded by enemies, and the sounds of battle began once again, another battle.
But I'm not sure if we'll emerge victorious this time. We were few against all of them; only two elven warriors were with me, three wolves, and Render. Aric was there with only a few wolves. We were outnumbered.
But I didn't retreat. I gritted my teeth and looked at them, feeling the adrenaline rise.
I pointed my sword forward and prepared myself for any enemy who dared to fight me.