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Elf Noir

Keep or Kill

Keep or Kill

Jun 29, 2023

"Enturi here," Lynae says, gesturing toward him, "is a sorcerer of some ability. He also was a part of Jet's revenge team, so I've seen him in action. He is adept at manipulation and has an eldritch ability both to persuade and to frighten. I thought he might be helpful in our upcoming meetings with the other ward bosses."

"Those skills would be useful," allows Rien. "Do you think he can be trusted?"

Lynae laughs. "I don't think anyone can be trusted," she says. Especially not you, you filthy rat, I think. "But he was loyal to Jet. And like a good enforcer, he isolated himself in service to Jet and his band, who the humans have now eradicated. He is cut adrift and in danger. If we provide him with haven, I believe he will see the wisdom of loyalty to our purpose and the value of our work in time."

Rien nods. "I can see that."

Enturi bows his head submissively, and then looks up inquisitively.

"What is the purpose of these meetings with the other ward bosses? What do you hope to accomplish, and how might my talents assist you?"

If I wasn't chained to a wall and probably about to die, I would laugh. Looks like there will still be plenty of opportunities for Enturi's annoying bootlicking, starting right now. Damn pretty boy.

Raichon looks to Rien, who nods.

"It's like this," explains the necromancer. "We are too few to make sure every elf in Elftown learns about the escape and is directed to the path out of here. Building an organization capable of that just isn't possible. It would take time, and incredibly good luck to recruit only those who could be trusted. So our plan is to approach the ward bosses the night before we are ready to move. Convince them to help us, to use their forces to gather as many of the elves in their wards together as they can at the beginning of the night. Some of us would address each of the gathered ward groups, telling them about the exodus and helping them to escape."

"We have what we believe to be a compelling argument to convince the ward bosses to help us. We will tell them that Jet was just the first to be taken down and that the humans are bringing the red tide to every one of our organizations. Fear can be a  powerful motivator. But nothing is certain, and some of the bosses may not believe that. They may be intransigent or simply disinterested. They may be skeptical of our intent. They may not believe that we are capable of carrying out our plan. If you could use your power to persuade to assist us in convincing them to do what we want, it would be very helpful. And save many lives. Without the help of the ward bosses, we can only rescue a small portion of the elves here. That is not what we want. We want to leave no one behind."

I have to admit, it sounds like the perfect job for Enturi and his creepy power. Except his power to persuade is not creepy, I have to remind myself with my newfound insight. It is most likely a common elven enchantment, a form of charming.

Enturi agrees. He nods his head slowly. "I could do that."

The three elves in front of us seem satisfied. Rien turns to me. 

"And this other one? This Arq?"

Lynae shrugs.

"His talents are more mundane but may yet be useful. He is a killer, ruthless and efficient. His melee fighting skills are impressive. He can function in a team. We could use him as well on the night that is coming. He could be a deadly addition to our strike and cover force."

Raichon stares at me with narrowed eyes. Does he still suspect that I am the one who invaded his tunnel and killed his apprentice? I stare back, unflinching.

"And his trustworthiness?" he asks. "You think this one is worth the risk as well?"

"I'm not sure," Lynae admits, flashing me a brief apologetic look. "I like him. But he is volatile, unpredictable. He also was loyal to Jet, but he had a tendency to do things on his own, outside the scope of his authority. I want to believe he would be trustworthy. But as I stand here right now, I lack the confidence to vouch for him on that score. We could use his skills, certainly. But at this stage, any risk of disclosure is too great."

"Oh, really?" I say to Lynae. "You have an opinion on whether I am a betrayer? Nice."

I want to remind her of how she threw me to the human guards. How she betrayed Enturi and me earlier this very night. But I decide, belatedly, to keep my mouth shut and not antagonize her further. She has the grace to look away, embarrassed. But she doesn't retract her opinion.

"I say death," says Raichon. "Not worth the risk."

Rien considers. Then he nods. "We are in agreement then. Keep the sorcerer, kill the killer. Lynae?"

She unsheathes her rapier and moves forward, smiling sadly. 

"I really do regret this, Arquë," she says. "But our work here is almost done and we cannot jeopardize it."
rebcon
A. Harris Lanning

Creator

Looks like it's Keep for Enturi and Kill for Arq. So long, buddy.

Any thoughts on who should be the new narrator?

#elf #noir #Keep_or_Kill #Dystopia #gangland #captives #dungeon #life_or_death

Comments (26)

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JeeJeeCheeks
JeeJeeCheeks

Top comment

Oh no you don't, not this time, not yet. I can't believe this is it for Arq. Nope, I refuse to believe it🙅. So Arq should continue to narrate. He's done a great job so far!
...
Just in case though... Enturi can take over, I guess 😌.

3

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Elf Noir
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As an enforcer for Jet, a petty elven crime boss, Arq has it better than most in Elftown, the prisoner of war slum of a human city. It's violent work, but it provides him with a little more money than he needs to survive, a little status, and a little free time.

When a prostitute under Jet's protection is brutally murdered, Jet sends Arq and a team of enforcers - including his creepy, ambitious rival; Jet's dangerously alluring girlfriend; and a chatty dwarf-of-all-trades - to find the killer and make an example of him. But when they uncover the dark reason for the murder, the delicate balance of power in Elftown begins to crumble.

To avenge a friend's murder, Arq must contend with betrayal, warring crime bosses, deadly monsters, underworld plots, and forbidden magic that, if discovered by the humans, will send a red tide of death through Elftown. His greatest challenges, though, will be grappling with his own bitter, violent nature, and trying to figure out what it means to be an elf in a place where the humans have taken away everything that makes life worth living for elvenkind.

Author: A. Harris Lanning
Cover Art: Xavier Ward
(c)2016, 2023

Updates Tuesday, Thursday, and SaturdayRead more
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115 episodes

  • Exploration
    Episode 61 Exploration
  • The Watchers In The Tower     (with bonus art by Emalie!)
    Episode 62 The Watchers In The Tower (with bonus art by Emalie!)
  • Aftermath
    Episode 63 Aftermath
  • Red Tide Reprisal
    Episode 64 Red Tide Reprisal
  • The Shattered Hideout
    Episode 65 The Shattered Hideout
  • Cut Adrift
    Episode 66 Cut Adrift
  • Going To Ground
    Episode 67 Going To Ground
  • The Yew Tree
    Episode 68 The Yew Tree
  • Shared And Unshared Knowledge
    Episode 69 Shared And Unshared Knowledge
  • Sanctuary
    Episode 70 Sanctuary
  • Treacherous Ruins
    Episode 71 Treacherous Ruins
  • Enturi's Secret
    Episode 72 Enturi's Secret
  • Arquë's Secret
    Episode 73 Arquë's Secret
  • Elven Attraction
    Episode 74 Elven Attraction
  • Lynae's Secret
    Episode 75 Lynae's Secret
  • Keep or Kill
    Episode 76 Keep or Kill
  • Enturi Steps Up
    Episode 77 Enturi Steps Up
  • Bonus Episode: Bread
    Episode 78 Bonus Episode: Bread
  • Back Alley Herbseller
    Episode 79 Back Alley Herbseller
  • Playing With Fire
    Episode 80 Playing With Fire
Ep. 76 Keep or Kill

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Keep or Kill

Keep or Kill

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