The Crimson Elf

"Now back to my inability to sense orenda. My mother had an accident while she was pregnant with me, it led to complications with the pregnancy, and I wasn't supposed to survived, but I somehow did. Almost didn't survive childhood too, because I was a very sickly child, spending most of my time indoors with books as my only companion.

"It took a lot for my parents to treat me and give me a relatively normal life, but it was discovered that my glabella was destroyed, meaning I could never sense orenda or absorb it."

 Silax recalled his childhood, all the time he spent pouring over his father's books, or any book he could get his hands on. That was a time when he wasn't bothered by the fact he couldn't sense orenda, learning something new every day excited him more.

"If your parents were able to treat you, but not able to heal your glabella, what makes you think you can find a solution?"

Callon's question brought him out of his thoughts.

"I have no other choice, it's important to me that I attain strength. Also, my parents did find a way for me to get stronger, but they didn't tell me about it. Their reason was I wouldn't be an actual spiritualist, but just an imitation of one. Personally, I didn't care, getting stronger is what's important to me."

Callon couldn't help but wonder what he meant by an imitation of a spiritualist.

"Did you try to find the way they were referring to?"

"Yes, I spent a long time pursuing that avenue, but I didn't get substantial results. All I know is, it was a different way of attaining power that didn't rely on orenda, and that it was suggested by a human. Apparently there was an elf who had successfully used this method. Who or where the human or the elf was, I couldn't find out." 

He had gotten up from the bed and was standing in front of the closet.

"My parents' issue with it was that I wouldn't have the traditional abilities that came with inscribing a sigil, to them it was better I remained powerless than gain strength that wasn't inherently elvish. It didn't matter one way or another to me, unfortunately they wouldn't tell me how to get in touch with either the elf or the human."

He took out his weapons and armor from the closet and turned to Callon.

"Wait for me outside."

Callon still had more questions, but he knew Silax wouldn't talk when he didn't wish to. He got up and left the cabin, shutting the door behind him. As he stepped out, a dark shadow moved across the room, leaving through the door before it got shut.

A few minutes later Silax stepped out of his cabin, he was clad in practical hunting gear, designed for both stealth and agility.

A leather armor that was supple and quiet, allowing for freedom of movement. Its brown color blended well with the bark of the trees.

Leggings made from a similar brown leather, the leggings hugged his calves and thighs, allowing for easy movement through brush and undergrowth.

A long, hooded cloak of a light shade of green was worn over the armor. The hood could be pulled up to obscure his face if needed.

Finally, boots made from soft, treated leather that provided good traction on the forest floor.

At his waist hung a dirk, a short, single-edged blade perfect for close-quarters combat. Tucked discreetly behind him into his belt was a dagger, its hilt carved from polished bone.

As a final touch, strapped to his thigh was a set of throwing knives that he favored for their balanced weight and deadly accuracy, useful for silent takedowns.

A light pack, filled with provisions and other essentials, rested on his back. Tucked into his belt pouch were various tools essential for wilderness survival: flint and tinder for fire, a flask filled with water, and a collection of healing herbs wrapped in weathered leaves.

"I'm going to meet up with Jack's people now, I don't know how long this journey to the ruins will take or what it will entail, but I've made all the preparations I can make. I want you to stay in my cabin till I return, there is enough food to last a month in there, do not leave the vicinity of this cabin unless it is an emergency."

Callon couldn't understand why Silax would ask him to stay in his cabin and not even allow him to go into the village, but he nodded his head in accedence to the instruction.

- - -

In a room with the darkness pressing in from all sides, the only source of light was a single lamp with its flames flickering and casting long and dancing shadows on the wall. The furniture in the room was distorted by the uneven illumination, their surfaces glinted with reflected candlelight. Every object seemed to hold a secret; their true form hidden in the shadows. The scene was both peaceful and unsettling.

A man sat in a heavy armchair, unmoving as if waiting for something. A few moments later a shadow stirred in the corner of the room, prompting the man to speak.

"What were you able to find out?"

A voice sounded from the corner of the room; it was muffled like the speaker had something obstructing their mouth.

"Still not certain what he wants to use the items for, but it involves elvish sorcery. As for the ruins, the likelihood of it being linked to what we are searching for is slim, he spoke about needing something to obtain the ability to cultivate. He might be able to get through the sealed door."

The man rapped his fingers against the wooden armrest of his chair, contemplating the information he just received.

"Is that all?"

The shadow lingered before answering.

"I also suspect he's of noble descent. He mentioned light-elves living high up in trees, and only the nobles among them live high in the trees."

The man recalled the report given to him a few weeks earlier and all the time and effort he had put into this project. 

"If he is really searching for a way to get stronger, then we need him alive. If not you could have gotten more information from him with less difficulty. Hopefully the elves on Kal's team are right" 

The man thought back to all his interactions he'd had with Silax, he was certain there was something different about him. The elf seemed to be very sensitive to those around him, especially whenever his ability got triggered, it was like the elf could tell that he had given something away.

He had not been completely honest with the elf when they met earlier, only one of his men had returned from the ruins, the elf that will be accompany them was a new addition to the team, and her services didn't come cheap.

"That will be all."

The shadow of the bed at the corner of the room seemed to fade a little soon after.