The wagon speeds through the night, with Arjana fast asleep beside Izzimar. Unfortunately, her rest is short-lived as she plunges into the abyss. Once more, Arjana awakens in the pitch darkness of her own mind. However, this occasion is distinct, as the statue depicting her rescue by her brother casts light into the darkness.
"Did I... collapse again?" she murmurs, scanning her surroundings.
"No..."
The previous goddess materializes, kneeling beside Arjana, causing her to startle. She hadn't been there moments ago.
"Were you waiting for me?"
"No... I'm simply... here... Come on, we must go on," the goddess commands, rising and lifting Arjana to her feet without awaiting a reply. She pulls on Arjana, urging her forward. After a trek through the darkness, they halt before a statue depicting a girl taking refuge behind her brother from a throng of men.
"Monoko... This is from when Papa took us to the Thyge Empire. He had an audience with the king, so Monoko and I headed to the market to purchase food... We were unaware of the kingdom's dangers for women... A group of men encircled us, attempting to pull me away from my brother. It was horrifying, being grabbed and clawed at by so many... I can't don't understand... I was only seven then..."
As with her earlier recollection, another statue materialized, depicting a man standing before the throng, flanked by two soldiers safeguarding the children.
"Papa left his meeting early to arrive with his men. They cut down all the men to reach us first. It was the first time I witnessed Papa take a life—I was scared, still, those men appeared monstrous at that moment. The King of Thyge, furious with Papa, demanded his head for killing men. But Papa outsmarted him, proposing a deal: Monoko would battle the Thygian King's three sons. If Monoko were defeated, Papa would die, but if Monoko won, the Thygian King would be executed instead. The enemy king's sons were skilled, but Monoko beat them with ease, as they lacked discipline in combat. In a final act to humiliate the king, Papa chose to pardon him before his entire kingdom. I remember marveling at Papa and Monoko's strength—I miss them both dearly."
Arjana gazed at her father's statue, awestruck by his display of strength and ferocity. She harbored no fear of him, for she knew him to be a kind and honorable man at home.
"Ma'am... why am I here?" she inquires.
"We are here because you are beginning to remember," the goddess replies simply.
"Remember what? I... I still don't know how I became separated from the Emperor's family in Brymshire," she laments.
The goddess pauses, causing Arjana to almost collide with her. She utters a peculiar incantation, clutching Arjana's hand firmly, before looking down at her.
"Do you know a young elf named Izzimar?" she asks abruptly.
Arjana freezes, her anxiety mounting with the sudden shift in topic. How could she be aware of Izzimar? Is it possible he sees her as well? Is she a presence in his life too? With hesitation, she responds.
"Yes... I know him... he's my friend... Why?"
"....Seek him out for guidance through the darkness... before you come to me... For if you fail to..."
As she speaks, a force tugs at Arjana, threatening to whisk her away once more. Yet, before the pull can take her from her dream, the goddess draws Arjana close, locking eyes with her. Her gaze turns fiery red, her expression twisting into a fierce snarl.
"You will succumb to Chaos..."
******
After her peculiar dream, Arjana awoke covered in what seemed to be purple flowers and bright yellow leaves.
"Did I collapse again?" she asked as she rose to survey her surroundings.
Her gaze swept the room, revealing a small wooden chamber. It was so cramped, she doubted anyone could enter through the door. Moreover, there were no windows; the only light seeped through the cracks in the walls. Feeling trapped, she called out.
"Birger!? Izzimar!?" she inquired, wondering about the whereabouts of her friends.
Birger entered, his eyes showing a lack of sleep, with light streaming in behind him. He yawned expansively, displaying his large canines and wide-open mouth. Arjana recoiled; she had not known elves possessed wolf-like fangs, nor how closely they resembled animals.
"Oh, good, you're awake," he expressed, ruffling her hair with a sense of relief.
"Where are we? And where's Izzimar?" she questioned as Birger checked her eyes and face for any signs of illness.
"He's with Avvian, searching for food."
"Why are they looking for food? I thought we had gathered enough from the village?"
"Yes, what they collected was enough for us. But we need to gather enough for the rest of the elves as well."
"Other elves?!" Arjana exclaimed, prompting Birger to sigh in frustration at the missed opportunity to examine her ears.
"Yes, come follow me," Birger said with a sigh.
He helped her out of bed and led her outside. As she stepped into the warm sunlight, she was astonished to find herself in a small village. The village was filled with makeshift homes crafted from tree bark and wood, most of which appeared to be assembled haphazardly. Observing the villagers going about their daily tasks, she realized they were all elves, but her heart sank at the sight of their frail and weakened forms.
"Where are we?" Arjana inquired as a small elven child passed by with a bowl, heading to a long queue.
"We're in a modest elven settlement called Autumn Bud. I discovered it some time ago. I'm relieved to see it's still here."
Looking around, Arjana noticed the diversity among the elves. Many had horns, others bore birthmarks on their faces. Some had wings drooping from malnutrition, while others sported floral appendages on their bodies, now withering. Birger had mentioned that the elves had gone years without food, but these elves looked as if they might not survive another week.
"I thought you said the elves lived in Tir Na Nog?"
"They do. But some are searching for the promised land, venturing beyond the realm to find it," Birger explains solemnly.
"Why are we stopping here? I thought you were going to help me find my way home."
Birger hesitated, a behavior she hadn't observed in him for some time. Arjana recognized the signs of his apprehension, which had been present since he disclosed his elf identity to her. She had hoped that with his revelation, there would be no more secrets between them. Yet, it seems this is not the case, as there is still more he hasn't shared. His silence and the careful selection of his words suggest that Birger is concealing something from her once more.
"Last night, I wasn't comfortable continuing our journey. So, I decided to stop here to provide you with proper shelter," he stated simply.
Arjana surveyed the scene, observing the elves as they endeavored to eke out a living. She noted the gauntness of many and the queues for scant food distributions. In an effort to maintain order, some elves were armed with spears to enforce the rationing. Amidst her observation, an elf caught sight of her.
"A human!"
"Where? Where's the human?"
Murmurs escalated into pandemonium as a group of elves encircled her and Birger. With his worn sword, he managed to fend off the desperate crowd.
"Enough, you guys, she's just a child!" Birger yelled, shielding Arjana behind him.
Many of the elves had began to beg and plead for Birger to hand over Arjana, the only human in this small settlement of elves.
"We don't need much! Just let her plant seeds in the soil! That should suffice for a year!" an elf exclaimed.
"Arm her with a bow and arrows, teach her hunting, or how to set traps!" another suggested.
"A stream nearby teems with fish. She could surely catch some for us," an elven mother, clutching her child's hand, offered.
"QUIET!" Birger erupted, bringing a momentary hush, punctuated only by the sobs of desperate elves.
"We're merely passing through tonight. After that, we are leaving," he declared.
"How can you be so heartless!?" someone wailed.
"We seek the Promised Land, we know that we are almost there, we just need more time! Can't you spare just a little bit of the human's time to aid our quest?" another elf implored.
With a sigh, Birger pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I understand what you're going through, but we face greater issues. You see—"
Before he could finish, Izzimar and Avvian emerged from the forest. Emptyhanded.
"Izzimar? Mr. Thornbush?" Arjana greeted them, despite the situation they are in.
"At last, we've found you. Where the hell have you two been?!" Birger demanded.
"We bring great news! There's a human settlement just ahead!" Avvian exclaimed.
The elves were wary; they understood the risks of raiding a human settlement with their limited numbers. But, Avvian pressed on, sensing their hesitation.
"I know you're wary, but there's more. The village is inhabited solely by women and children!"
Initially, there is silence, followed by a burst of cheers from the elves. Arjana surveys her surroundings, feeling uneasy about the possibility of the elves rushing into the village to take away the women and children. She recognizes the elves' need for food, yet she cannot shake off her concern regarding the intentions of some elves. Surely, there must be another solution, .....right?
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