[Axxaer]

Chapter 6
Nowhere to be Seen
18 Velstrom, 14074

Kelkharn gradually drifted back to consciousness as Ilrûn gently poured water over his face. Startled by the bright dawn light, Kelkharn attempted to sit up, but all the blood suddenly left his head and he fell back to the ground.

“You need much rest,” said Ilrûn, “Your frail Terreve bodies are not used to such healing techniques as we fire Avalen employ.”

Reluctantly, Kelkharn closed his eyes and slipped effortlessly into heavy, dreamless sleep. Meanwhile, Ilrûn wandered off into the forest which surrounded the clearing which they were in. He was surprised at how few creatures he saw. Apart from the odd hibernating Gechling, the forest appeared empty. Something or someone must have scared them off.

As Ilrûn ventured further in, he caught the smell of a burnt out fire. He followed the ashy scent until he reached another clearing, only slightly smaller than the one Kelkharn lay. In the centre of the clearing were the remains of a fire. Ilrûn could tell that it had been lit within the last few hours.

He walked around the fire and a bright glint in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He span his head towards the flash and was surprised to see, nestled within the long blades of lush green grass a fist-sized shard of crystal. Upon examining the brilliant blue crystal, he discovered that straw-sized veins of air formed an intricate web throughout it. From the red stained vessels he discerned that something, most likely blood, once flowed steadily throughout the crystal shard. The shard was obviously part of something much, much larger.

Ilrûn turned and sprinted from the clearing, aiming for the clearing in which Kelkharn lay defenceless. He ran onward, heedless of the prickly undergrowth tearing at his legs. He slowed as he approached the clearing and crouched in the leafy bushes. He stayed completely still and silent until he could be absolutely certain that nothing was alive in the clearing, then walked over to the empty Kelkharn had been on. In place of the injured Terreve was a collection of tiny pebble-sized crystals.

Ilrûn turned to face an area on the edge of the clearing where the undergrowth was flattened completely. He walked over to it and looked at the tracks on the ground – two sets of Evoraldan boots, one of which was dragging something, Kelkharn’s body.

Ilrûn followed the trail of footprints and crushed plants until the harsh noon sun sun was high overhead. Ilrûn headed slightly off the trail to get a drink from a nearby stream. He knelt beside the beautifully clear estuary and drank from cupped hands. He glanced up and saw two large humanoid figures walking away in the forest across the river from him.

Ilrûn ran carelessly across the shallow waterbed in pursuit of Kelkharn’s kidnappers, and Kelkharn. He ran faster than ever through the forest despite his scratched, bruised, wet legs. He came within twenty metres of them before they spun around, shocked to see him. Ilrûn stopped dead in his tracks; rage would be an understatement of his state.

“Release the Terreve.” He demanded. They remained unmoving.

“Release the Terreve or burn in the fires of Belthor.”

“You don’t seem to be aware of who we are.” Replied Survulen.

“Do not toy with me, fools. I am an Arcane Avalen firewarrior and I will use Belthor’s power to slay you like Alkhor.” Ilrûn snapped fiercely.

The pair looked at each other, then at Ilrûn. Survulen was sneering at the typical fire Avalen arrogance.

Suddenly, with trained speed and precision, the two icewarriors leapt up into the air and launched hundreds of ice balls at Ilrûn in rapid succession. Ilrûn didn’t budge. When the pair landed, Ilrûn was buried under several layers of ice.

“Quick,” Growled Survulen at his companion, he continued in an unusual mix of common and Avalen, “Gelu the forest Erruih.”

The two icewarriors turned and fled deeper into the densely populated forest of grand oaks, leaving the unconscious Kelkharn lying facedown in the dirt. Ignoring the injured Terreve, Ilrûn began mindlessly firing balls of flame after the fleeing Avalen duo.

“Ukhar losh kur!” he cursed in the Avalen native tongue. The forest burst into flames from the blazing fire, but the icewarriors were nowhere to be seen. Ilrûn and Kelkharn were almost encircled by magically enchanted fire in seconds. Ilrûn carelessly slung Kelkharn over his shoulder and made a hasty escape back to the river.

* * *

Elur and Marbakkar were hot on the trail of their escaped slaves. They had spent much of the morning following the path made by the enormous beast and his companion.

After quite some time travelling, they came across a small clearing littered with tiny shards of crystal. Hot ashes were carelessly covered over with grey dirt and several blackened logs lay strewn about the site.

The trail ceased here, but another less obvious one began across the clearing. This one bearing West towards the Ulkan Delta some half-Ilnaad’s travel away. This track was more inconspicuous and consisted only of two poorly covered sets of footprints. The spirit must have expired.

Elur was relieved and set out again, a fresh sense of determination found him travelling even faster than he had so far. He was going to catch those lying traitors, and they would pay.

“Uh, sir,” panted Marbakkar unconfidently, “Maybe we should stop and rest for a while. My legs are tired.”

Elur continued on, heedless of his complaining companion.

By the time bright afternoon sun was teasing the horizon, Elur and Marbakkar were almost at the edge of the majestic forest. Marbakkar had been unceasingly complaining since the pair had entered the immense sea of green.

“I don’t understand.” Marbakkar whined, “Why are we even chasing them?”

Elur ignored him, so he continued.

“You can just get some more slaves. It’s not like the world’s ending.”

“Isn’t it?” Elur finally responded, the acid in his voice startling Marbakkar slightly, “Nobody lies to Elur. Nobody deceives Elur, Nobody destroys Elur. And most importantly; nobody escapes Elur’s wrath.”

They travelled on in silence until they left the forest and saw the dark, starry sky. Dull moonlight sifted down through the canopy of leaves they had just left and settled gently on the silent empty ground. Elur decided they would set up camp for the night, much to Marbakkar’s delight. Elur lit a small fire and began planning the following day, whilst Marbakkar slipped uncomfortably into sleep on a bed of rock and dirt.