Encounter With Elves

Yaz starts to split from the rest of the party as Colin grabs Darius by the collar in order to stop him doing something stupid.

However, after just a few paces in the direction of the village the air is suddenly filled with the sound of bow strings and the shriek of arrows in flight. All of the arrows, five in total, land a foot in front of where Yaz is standing, embedding themselves in the soft ground to form a barrier.

A voice cries out from above. They all look in the direction of the voice to see who is there. However, the owner of the voice has cleverly positioned himself so that the noon sunlight is streaming straight in the party's faces as they try to look at him, so they can see no-one. They look around in other directions to see if they can see anyone else hiding in the trees. However, the foliage around them is dense and it is impossible to see from where the arrows came.

The voice is in elven. Maire' simultaneously translates for the rest of the party who do not understand the elven tongue.

'HALT!' says the voice sternly. 'THROW DOWN YOUR WEAPONS AND STATE YOUR BUSINESS HERE. WE HAVE YOU COMPLETELY SURROUNDED, SO RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.'

There is a slight pause after both Yaz and Maire' have spoken to the elves. Then, shielding their eyes from the bright sunlight, the party can see a crude rope made from twisted vines fall from the tree. A form then descends down the rope.

Coming out of sunlight they see a figure dressed in a hooded cloak of dark green. The hood is pulled down over his face making it difficult to see his features. His right hand rests upon the hilt of a short sword in a leather scabbard. His left hand holds a longbow.

The party can see that he is observing them all very carefully, especially Xavier and Darius. After another short pause he speaks. There is a definite change in his tone of voice from his last command. He now sounds to be a little confused and somewhat nervous.

'So, you are no friends of the Nyemetz?' he asks inquiringly.

'Who are you all?'

' What brings you here, walking through the forests of Shumava, far off the traveled paths?'

'If you are trying to avoid contact with the Nyemetz, then why do you have a goblin with you?'

The elf listens for answers to the questions before proceeding.

'If you are willing to move on, forgetting that you ever came across our village, then I shall let you pass without hindrance.'

Gentle words from both Maire' and Winnacer manage to comfort Xavier somewhat, with the result that he re-sheathes his sword. Seeing that Xavier's immediate threat is negated, the elf moves his hand away from the hilt of his sword, tucking his right hand into his belt.

He listens intently as Yaz answers his questions. Like a good poker player, the elf keeps his emotions to himself so that it is difficult to know whether Yaz's answers to the questions are making the elf more relaxed or more upset.

The elf is silent after hearing Yaz's reply to his last question. They all can tell that he is not entirely sure as to what his next action should be. Eventually, he decides to act.

'ELALIEN' the elf cries 'SUMMON MERARRIL AND THE OTHERS.'

As Maire' tells those who cannot speak elven what the elf has said, everyone starts to feel nervous again. Everyone hopes that the fact that the elf seems to be unprepared for imminent battle is a sign that those called will not have hostile intent.

For an instant, everyone believes that they hear the cry of a dove. However, the sight of an arrow screaming towards the village from amongst the foliage tells them that it is only the sound of a signal arrow.

For a couple of seconds, nothing happen. Then the sky is filled with the form of two giant owls calling as they swoop overhead with their talons outstretched. The sight of the surprising arrival of the two huge birds panics everyone. Darius, Maire', Corrow and Heimlin all throw themselves to the ground. The others crouch down quickly and go to draw their weapons.

As he sees them do so, the elf lets out a birdlike cry and the giant owls swoop upwards, coming to perch on some high branches. They fold their wings and fix the party with their large unblinking eyes.

With hearts pounding, everyone lifts themselves up from the ground and re-sheathes their weapons. All look at the elf to see if he is going to offer some form of explanation or apology, but he continues to look at the party with a blank expression.

They suddenly notice that they are now surrounded by elves. There appears to be nine of them in total, all but one of them holding spears which are pointing in the party's direction. They are wearing leather armor. All notice their milk-white complexions and deep brown eyes - countenances that none of them have seen before. Behind them stands a slightly older elf, dressed in ring mail. He has a longsword in his hand.

The sudden arrival of these armed elves brings more panic among the party, particularly Xavier who draws his sword completely.

'Relax Sinilael' said the first elf to the new arrival dressed in ring mail. 'They mean us no harm...I think.'

As he says so, the elf in ring mail sheathes his sword and tells those armed with spears to relax. As Xavier sees the other elves relax their weapons, he too re-sheathes his weapon. Although he would feel much happier with the Saxon steel in his hands, he is sensible enough to realize that it would be highly detrimental to the situation.

From the village comes another elf. He is older than all of the others, although he is only just approaching middle age. He is armed with a longsword but wears no armor. Following him is a large dog which seemed to merge from the undergrowth as if it were an enchantment. As the dog comes closer, everyone sees that it is not as a result of witchcraft, but a result of the dog's green fur giving it incredible natural camouflage.

The elf and the dog slowly walk over to where the first elf is standing. For a couple of minutes the two whisper to each other. Yaz tries to overhear their conversation, but cannot hear what they are saying.

The elven elder turns to the party and calmly starts to speak. They are all somewhat surprised and relieved to hear that he is speaking Bohavian, although poorly, as if it is a language that has not passed his lips in many long years.

'Think I better me speak Bohavia though poor be tongue I'

'Lirnal' he says, nodding towards the first elf ' say I that blessing and curse you here be. Blessing be it that no friend of Nyemz be you and you did they destroy. Curse it be that our home found you. Now we must more move on less than two moons past our be here.'

'But what is is and not you know that our home be.'

He looks at Yaz.

'Good servant of Prirodna must you be for see our home and we no hurt good servant of Prirodna though half human kind be he and human goblin gnome friends he be.'

'Elven food please give to you will I be. Prirodna much good with bounty has been and plenty share we have. Home cannot I show to you. Already wish I less you know. Not want I you know how many of us here they be lest Nyemz get. Help though can I give to Prirodna friend. Ask what want you and I try to give.'

He listens as Yaz starts to talk of the Nyemetz and tries to ask for their help in forming a resistance movement.

'We not have no mistress than Prirodna. Not we servants of Bohavia in past, not present, not future. Leave not forests of Shumava never. Not all elf same be. Elfkind of woods we be. Elfkind of Budyeyovitz, Tabor and Pilzen cousins be, not brothers. If elven help you want speak they not us. If Nyemz in Prirodna demesne do come, we will them harm, though Nyemz many and our kindred few. But leave Shumava will we not.'

Yaz asks for some assistance in helping the party on its journey. Heimlin tries to explain to them where the party is going as they do not know where Dvur Kralovye is.

'On edge of Prirodna court be we. No way to go to gnome home through Shumava be. You must go north and east for gnome home. Prirodna court end just two hours that way. Yarovit court that be. Leave court of Prirodna no choice you have.'

'See that no enemy of our kindred be you. Mark of friend may I give to you but nothing means to elf cousins, only elf brothers.'

Yaz replies to Merarril, leader of the elves:

"Merarril, you and your people are no different from me. I serve Prirodna and no other. But there is a larger cycle involved here, and isolation will not stop it. The Nyemetz, they are powerful, and heedless of what is truly important in this world. They will overcome your forest -- all they need is a reason, and it doesn't even have to be a good one.

"My grove was utterly destroyed, my crops, my hut... the trees... Prirodna helped me, but she could not stop it, because it is the cycle approaching its zenith, and she is part of it. We all are. The Nyemetz will come, Merarril. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But soon.

"What I'm saying is this: When I return, with a strong band of rebels, with good hearts and a solid plan, I will ask for your help in throwing down the reign of the tree-killers. You need not agree now -- but know that Shumava's time is waning, because the days are evil."

Everyone becomes aware of a great sadness in Merraril's eyes as he listens to Yaz. It is obvious that he knows what Yaz is saying is inevitable and that he probably realizes that blind faith in the power of Prirodna alone will not be sufficient for the elves to protect their homelands.

He is silent for an agonizing few minutes and then he speaks:

'Time with human no harm your heart or mind' he says looking towards Yaz 'Spirit of Prirodna have you strong. Help to you would like I give. But world without Shumava we know not. Warriors here are we but few. Young and woman protect they must. But...'

He trails off and seems to be deep in thought, seemingly racked by inner turmoil.

'... all help I have I give. You are but few and Nyemz many are. If more help gain you then our kind will you help too. Us and our brothers few there be. Cousins who dwell in cities are there many. Leave Shumava did they past to overthrow human tyranny. Leave once more to overthrow Nyemz think I will they. Quest go with gnome home now. Then return I ambassador to cousin elves will be. Help get you I try.'

He stops again and thinks for a while.

'Elalien, come to me please' calls Merraril in elvish.

From behind them, another vine rope descends from a tree. A young elf glides down the rope and comes to Merarril's side.

'Please demonstrate how we send messages back to the village' he continues.

The young elf takes his bow and takes and arrow and nocks it into the bow. Drawing the bowstring back, he lets the arrow fly in a high arc in the direction of the village.

The air is filled seemingly with the loud cry of a dove, caused by the arrow.

'Give me your bow and all of your signal arrows' Merarril says to Elalien. The young elf obeys without questioning.

To you I this give' says Merarril and hands Yaz the elf's bow and a small quiver of eight arrows.

Yaz studies both the bow and the arrows. The bow is very ornate with many runes etched into the wood. Yaz tries to decipher the runes but they are hard going, but seem to be in devotion to Prirodna. The arrows are interesting. Where the arrowhead should be there is a small, intricately carved whistle, which is what made the sound of the dove.

'Find us again no easy will be. Lucky were you our camp to find. Camp move now must we, but travel far will we not. To find me fire arrows. Find you will we. Arrows sound tell brothers that friends you be. Cousins arrows no they use. Your token this be.'

Merraril agrees to Yaz's suggestion of a meal. He does not invite anyone into the village, but sends one of the elves to run to the village in order to get a 'takeaway'.

For half an hour there is no talking. Merraril seems to be locked in thought. Just as the embarrassing silence is getting too much to bear, a group of seven elven youngsters and women arrive laden with earthenware containers and beakers.

'Sit, eat' says Merraril to everyone.

The meal is served - it's a mixture of berries and honey with mead to drink. For Yaz, this is the most delicious food that he can remember tasting since his mother was taken. The others are not so impressed, finding the meal far too sweet and delicate for their palates. Darius, in particular, is not at all impressed, shouting 'MEAT, MEAT, MEAT' as if it were a chant. A combination of a swift kick from Colin and gentle advice from Maire' manage to shut him up before Yaz kills him.

As they all eat, Yaz brings up the subject of trying to hide the trail.

'Village move will we. Nyemz no us find. Hide trail we will. Nyemz track your steps will not. Small group Nyemz will die if trespass in Prirodna court.'

As regarding the possibility of using the giant owls as flying mounts, Merraril shakes his head.

'Big birds our friends not our servants. None of Prirodna's creatures are here to serve another'

At this, Merraril looks at Giselle tethered to the cart, but doesn't make a big deal out of it.

'Prirodna give us legs to walk. Use Prirodna's gift should we'

At Yaz's offer of assistance, or money, Merraril raises his hands.

'Kind you are half man, but Prirodna gives all we could for to ask. We want for naught. I want not your coin nor your services. Do what can you to free Shumava of Nyemz. Naught more desire we.'

Yaz asks for more information about the court of Yarovit, but Heimlin interjects.

'Yarovit - she's the Goddess o' Agriculture. What our elf friend means is that we's gotta go back into the 'uman lands in order to get back to Dvur Kralovye. This bit o' Shumava is jus' a small outcrop that escaped the deforestation that went on in most of the central area.'

Merraril nods in sad agreement.

Yaz asks for a guide.

'Lirnal go with you edge of Prirodna court' Merraril says, nodding to the first elf you met. 'Very close is. Two hours journey no more it be.'

The party is growing restless at being in the company of the elves for such a long time. Darius, in particular, cannot be kept under control any longer. Everyone starts to hear him murmur:

'Horrid pointy-ears, die, die, die. I kill you all. Ha! Ha! Ha!’

He repeats this mantra over and over again, getting louder each time. Luckily none of the elves other than Merraril can understand Bohavian, and it would probably be difficult for him to understand Darius’ words given his heavily accented Bohavian. Still, Yaz decides that it is now time to wrap the meeting up before Darius does something REALLY stupid.

As Yaz is about to say his farewell to Merraril, Maire’ interrupts speaking to Merraril in elven. She politely asks Merraril whether he would have any medicinal herbs to trade.

A hint of a smile breaks upon Merraril’s face at hearing the young girl speaking fluent elven, the first time that he has shown any emotion. He replies in elven:

‘I am pleased to hear that some humans have taken the trouble to learn our tongue. To my knowledge it is only the most enlightened humans who have undertaken the long study necessary to master our language. It brings a little hope to my heart that relations between our kind and yours could one day be much improved.’

‘As for the herbs, I would be happy to provide you with all of the herbs that you will require and will ask no payment for them. The task that you are undertaking will bring much danger to you, and this is our meager contribution.’

He whispers to one of the elven spearmen who runs back into the village. Several minutes later, he returns with an elven maiden accompanying him. The maiden is carrying a basket. Looking in it, Maire’ sees that the basket is overflowing with fine examples of all of the healing herbs that are required in her medicinal compounds. Even at the fast rate that she has been using herbs, this supply will be enough to last her for several months.

The spearman has returned carrying what appear to be several large bales of some kind of material, with some 4’ poles under his arms. He deposits them at Yaz’s feet. Yaz looks at them rather confused.

‘Final gift have I for you’ says Merraril, returning to speaking his broken Bohavian. He looks to the sky for a second.

‘Prirodna smile less, cry more. Many journey will have you. Sleep in Prirodna’s court will you much. Prirodna’s tears will not you wet.’

Curious, Heimlin comes up and takes a look at the material.

‘Blimey’ the gnome says ‘This is ‘oney leather. Looks like there are four two-man tents ‘ere in total. This ‘oney leather is bleedin’ good stuff, totally waterproof. The amount o’ it that we’s got ‘ere is worth several ‘undred gold if we wants to sell it.’

Yaz thanks Merraril for his gift and loads the tents onto the cart. He then goes back to say his final farewell to Merraril. He thanks the elf for all of his kindness, but Merraril says that it is nothing. He wishes Yaz the best of luck and says that he hopes to see them all again at some time in the future.

The party then carries on its journey, accompanied by the first elven bowman that they encountered, Lirnal. As the party gets on its way, they see that the elves are getting to work at hiding the tracks that have been made by the cart. They all see Merraril heading back to the village.

Lirnal is totally silent as he accompanies the party. After a couple of hours travel, they notice that the woods are starting to thin out. As they do so, Lirnal starts to become more and more nervous as the party gets closer and closer to the forest’s edge.

‘This is as far as I go’ he says to Yaz in elven. ‘I have never left Prirodna’s realm before and I have no desire to. Go now alone on your way.’

Yaz thanks Lirnal for his help, but gets no answer from the elf. Yaz shrugs his shoulders as the elf turns his back and runs back in the direction of the village.

The party moves up to the very fringe of the forest and peer out. Once again, everyone sees the rolling plains of Central Bohavia, but nothing more. Cautiously they carry on their journey. It is already 4.00pm when they leave the forest, but Heimlin urges all onwards in order to make up for time lost meeting with the elves.

They carry on for another three hours, following minor paths. By now, they are starting to get a little tired and decide that it is time to find somewhere to rest for the night. Ahead of them in the distance, they see a village. Their first reaction is to try and avoid the village, but Colin says that it seems to be deserted. Cautiously, they move up towards the village to take a closer look. As they get closer, they see that the village is on a major road in a North/South direction. They see a signpost giving the village’s name as Nasavrky, but see no signs of life.

‘Bohavia’s now full o’ ghost towns like this ‘un’ explains Heimlin, sadly. ‘I’m sure it used to be a thrivin’ community, but then there was some sort o’ resistance to the Nyemetz which resulted in ‘em massacrin’ the ‘ole village to set an’ example to others ‘oo may ‘ave the same ideas.’

There is some debate in the party as to whether to spend a night in the village or whether to avoid it. Eventually a compromise is reached whereby the party will stay in the village but in lodgings as far from the center, and the road, as possible.

All have a very eerie feeling as they walk through the village. There is trash in the streets and graffiti written in Nyemetz daubed on the walls, but otherwise nothing has changed since the village was abandoned. Eventually they sight a small house on the outskirts of the village that seems to suit their purposes being out of sight from the road and easily defensible. Inside the house is secure but a bit of a mess. Obviously the house has been ransacked at some time in the past and there is nothing valuable within. More Nyemetz graffiti is daubed on the walls. All of the furniture is, however, intact. They settle in to the most comfortable accommodation that they have had since the second night on the road at the farmer’s house. The night is without incidence.