Ghosts Of Alfhaven (Book 2) (2 page)

The elf's blade dropped for a moment. Sawain allowed a fleeting feeling of hope pass into his heart. It was vanquished when the cold flat of the elf's blade struck him hard on the cheek. Sawain spat out blood from the puncture wound in his mouth and looked up at the elf with the growing fire of rage in his eyes. Red filled his vision and clouded his judgment. He began growling like a feral beast at the elf. The elf hummed to himself.

“Interesting. Very well, man-elf. You want to be treated fairly? You are hereby under arrest by the authority of the Triumvirate on the charges of trespassing and taking aggressive posture against rangers of the Alfhaven border. You will appear before the Triumvirate to plead your case. Get on your feet, you're coming with us.”

Chapter 2

Sawain planted his right foot firmly in the earth and kicked off, launching himself at the leader of the elves. He knocked the blade away from him with his right arm and threw a punch at the elf with his left fist. His punch missed as the elf shifted away from the assault. Sharp pain shot from the back of Sawain's skull and his vision went dark.

Sawain opened his eyes. He was moving. The back of his head ached. He saw streaks of pale glowing light dart into and out of his vision. His sight regained focus and he noticed the dark outlines of trees rushing past him on either side. He was jostled roughly, like the time Syd tried to teach him to ride a horse.

He realized he was being carried as his senses returned to him. He was slung across someone's shoulder, but he could not see his captor. His wrists were tightly bound together by some sort of rope. He began to struggle in a panic. The one carrying him halted and skidded to a stop. Sawain was tossed to the ground. He hit the hard surface on his back. It took his eyes a moment to adjust to the murky darkness of the forest.

His captor was one of the elven rangers. His eyes glowed menacingly in the phosphorescent glow of the fungi growing on the trees around them. Sawain tried to get to his feet, but his ankles were bound by the same cords that bound his wrists. He tried to shuffle away from the ranger, but did not get far before he reached the edge of the platform they were on.

He felt the mossy wood against his palms as he stared into the dark abyss beyond the edge of the massive tree bough he was on. He heard the ranger's voice cut through the darkness like a knife.

“
Better watch your step, man-elf. It's quite a drop to the forest floor from up here.”

Sawain heard rustling in the trees around him and the sounds of boots on the wooden surface. The familiar voice of the cloaked ranger captain reached Sawain as he was lifted off of the ground and set on his feet.

“That was a stupid stunt you pulled back there, man-elf. I doubted your intelligence, since you were stupid enough to enter the forest of your own accord, but attacking the captain of the Border Rangers? I did not imagine you were insane.”

Sawain pivoted on his heels once the strong hand let go of his collar. He came face to face with the captain. At this proximity, he could easily make out the elf's features. His face was chiseled and angular. His eyes flashed a turquoise glare in the forest's dim natural glow. A patch of dark hair covered his chin in a neatly trimmed goatee. Sawain found his ability to speak again.

“I am not stupid, nor am I insane. I came to the forest for help and was greeted with aggressive force. My mother always spoke of the pride of our people and their kindness. Things must have really changed around here since she left.”

The captain scowled, “More than you can imagine, man-elf.”

Sawain's temper flared at being called 'man-elf'.

“
Stop calling me that! I am Sawain, son of Skalda. I am a hero of Anvilheim and demand to be treated as such!”

The elf's eyes narrowed on him, “You want to be treated as a hero of Anvilheim, Sawain, son of Skalda?”

The ranger captain moved so fast, Sawain barely had time to flinch. The air rushed from Sawain's lungs as the elf's fist slammed into his diaphragm. The loss of air and sharp pain of the blow sent Sawain to his knees. He hit the bough's surface and the elf lashed out with a deft kick to the side of Sawain's face.

The dark forest spun around him as the force of the kick knocked him backwards. He bounced along the bough, finally stopping at the edge of the drop-off. He had to will his senses to return to him. He struggled to get on his hands and knees, but even that was a challenge as his loss of equilibrium caused his head to swim.

He was lifted off the surface again, this time by his throat. The captain's powerful hand gripped him tight, cutting off his ability to breath. He choked and gasped for air, but  to no avail. His body flew backwards and slammed into the trunk of the tree. The shock of the impact nearly knocked him senseless again, but his rage built up, fueled by his sheer will to not be made into a weakling in front of these savage creatures.

He forced his eyes open. His vision was slightly tinted crimson. He was surprised by the clarity in which he could see the captain. Through the lens of rage, Sawain's eyes were sharpened. He could see the anger in his assailant's eyes. The captain's palm was pressing hard against Sawain's chest and his blade was at Sawain's throat. Sawain growled at the ranger and spat in his face, allowing his fury to stoke higher.

The ranger's own countenance intensified from Sawain's defiance, “You filthy dog! You are an abomination! You are a disgrace! I should kill you here and leave your corpse for the Crawlers!”

One of the other rangers broke in. His voice was wary.

“Captain, we have to let the Triumvirate deal with him. You're speaking of murder. Please sir, be reasonable.”

The subordinate's words seemed to be effective on the outraged captain. Sawain felt his grip slacken. The blade slid harmlessly away from its prey.

“You're right. As much as I would love to skin this pup here and now, these are not war times anymore. You're lucky, man-elf.”

Sawain grinned at the captain with a defiant gleam in his eyes. The captain's flashing eyes returned the cruel smile. He moved with such swiftness that Sawain did not have time to react. Pain shot through his temple and blinded him. He felt himself falling, unable to command any of his muscles. He slipped into unconsciousness again.

When he awoke, he was in complete darkness. He blinked his eyes. Searing pain shot through his skull. He groaned and sat up. He was on a cold, hard slab. It felt like polished stone, but he could still not see anything in the darkness that surrounded him. He realized that his feet were unbound, though his hands were still tied together.

He slowly rose to his feet, hoping he would not fall over. He shuffled forward slowly, with his hands held out ahead of him. It did not take him long to find a wall. He followed it slowly until he found a corner. He was relieved to discover he was in some sort of cell, and not left stranded in some tree.

“Hello? Is anyone in here? Can anyone here me?”

The sound of metal scraping against metal pierced the silence and the familiar orange glow of lantern light spilled into the room, revealing it to be completely made of wood. He silently thanked Turin that his vision was still intact as a voice called out.

“You awake finally?”

Sawain moved to the source of the light. It and the voice came from a small barred window on the wall to his right. He could make out the upper face of a guard with distinctive elven features. Sawain squinted and came close to the window.

“Where am I? What's going on?”

The guard responded in a cheerful tone, “You are in Deepglade Prison, safest prison in Alfhaven! You are here on trespassing charges and because you requested a trial before the Triumvirate. You woke up just in time, too, friend! Thought I was going to have to soak you to bring you back to your senses. You'll have to forgive Captain Nerelis for being so rough on you. He's not very fond of outsiders. That's understandable, of course, given the way things are now.”

Sawain gently touched the bruise on his face and snorted, “Yeah, well, I may be an outsider, but my mother was not. This is a fine treatment I've had so far.”

The guard's voice was sympathetic as he cooed to Sawain through the bars, “Ooh, that is too bad. I'm so sorry for your discomfort, but you are a criminal, you know. You did attack a ranger captain after setting foot on forbidden grounds.”

Sawain's ire was rising, “I didn't know I was on forbidden grounds, and he put a blade against my throat! I wasn't going to let him kill me!”

The guard chuckled, “Oh, he wouldn't kill you, man-elf. He is bound to the same law we all are. Speaking of that law, it's time for your appearance before the Triumvirate. Are you ready to see something amazing, outsider?”

Sawain grit his teeth as the foul nickname filled his ears, “Stop calling me man-elf. My name is Sawain. Yes, I am ready to see your Triumvirate.”

The guard closed the barred window, leaving Sawain in complete darkness for a moment before the sound of locks clicking and metal grinding filled the room. The door swung slowly open, giving Sawain time to step back. He could now see the guard in full view.

He wore a black vest of hardened leather with spiraling knot patterns trimming the edges of his shoulder plates and the edges around the neck and belt line. More leather plates overlapped each other on his legs, coming down to his knees. Sawain saw gray fabric between the leg plates and the high boots that stretched over his shins. A curved longsword was bound to his left hip and a brass lantern was in his right hand. This elf had a friendly demeanor. His eyes were a brilliant blue and a black mustache clung to his upper lip. His hair was black as well. It was wild, like the hair of the others. It was cut shorter, but still stuck out in clumps.

“
Well, Sawain, let's get you to your trial.”

He motioned for Sawain to follow him. He began walking away. Sawain stood in the doorway, stunned at the lack of binding or force this elf used. He glanced down the opposite hallway to see if there were other guards. The one who opened his cell turned and smiled coyly at Sawain.

“Not thinking of running, are you? That would make you look awful guilty in the Triumvirate's eyes. Besides, if you did make a break for it, the Arborgard would cut you down in a heartbeat. I can tell you, none of them would loose any sleep over it, either.”

Sawain eyed him warily, second guessing his own train of thought. The guard was right, he was here to prove his innocence, and he did need the support of the Triumvirate to save Anvilheim.

“I thought elves didn't sleep anyway,” Sawain remarked snidely as he walked toward the guard.

The guard chuckled and turned back around, heading down a wide spiraling hallway that sloped downward, “That's a ridiculous myth.”

Sawain followed the guard in silence as they made their way down the hallway. Sawain noticed that the entire hallway was made of wood.

“
Are we in a giant tree?”

The guard glanced over his shoulder and flashed Sawain a smile, “Something like that. The buildings in Alfhaven are as alive as you and I. They are made from the forest itself, bent by the will of the druids into halls and houses. Deepglade is actually a dozen great oaks twisted together by the druids. It's a beautiful place, for a prison, at least, on the outside. It's still filled with dangerous criminals on the inside.”

Sawain let the idea of being inside a living building process in his mind as the guard stopped at a wooden door that looked like it was made of iron vines woven tightly together. He produced a key from around his neck and slid it into a keyhole in the door. When he turned the key, there was a click and the iron vines unraveled themselves, creating a passageway.

“
Quickly now, before the door closes.”

The guard stepped into the adjoining hallway and Sawain followed suit. When he stepped through, the iron vines rewove themselves over the passage. Sawain was shocked at the display.

“Did you do that?”

The guard smiled and shook his head, “No, not me. I don't have a drop of magic blood in my body. That's more of the Druid's handy work. If you think that's impressive, wait til you see the Arborhart.”

Sawain was curious, so he had to ask, “Arborhart?”

The guard nodded as he led him down a straight hallway of twisted vines, “Aye, it's more commonly called the Heart of the Forest. It's a beautiful citadel magicked up from the largest tree in the forest. The city of Alfhaven is built around it. It's quite a sight. I could tell you about it, but you'll see it yourself soon enough.”

The guard led Sawain through a series of labyrinthine hallways and stairs. Eventually, they stepped into a large open room in the base of one of the great oaks. There were guards in similar armor as Sawain's guard going in and out. The ones coming in were mostly dragging unconscious criminals with them.

Sawain shot the guard a glare, “I see that I wasn't the only one who was treated unfairly.”

The guard quipped back, “If everyone is being treated the same as you, what makes it unfair?”

Sawain did not have a good answer to the inquiry, so he shut his mouth and fumed to himself. When they stepped through the doors on the far side of the room, Sawain found himself outside again. He second guessed himself when he looked around, though.

He stood on a street of woven vines that flowed in three directions. He was surrounded by buildings that were made of wood. Leafy boughs protruded from the tops of some of the buildings. Sawain could see a massive bridge that wound its way in a loose spiral up a tree that branched off in several directions, each of its boughs connecting to other trees, forming suspended highways above the lower city. He looked up and noticed a massive dome of woven thorns that towered hundreds of yards above the city and stretched out as far as he could see. Millions of glowing fungi clung to the thorny dome, giving it the appearance of a starry night sky. To his left, something out of his vision was giving off a bright white glow that brightened most of the city.

He stood in amazement, with his jaw slack as he took in the beauty of the city. The guard pulled at his arm.