A great rumbling filled the valley. An exhausted Evie allowed her eyes to open, and quickly she shook Veryyn awake. “Veryyn, Something’s happening!” Evie said nervously. Together they crawled out of their inconspicuous shelter. The sun was already rising high in the sky. “We slept too well Evie.” Veryyn said. His dreams had come too quickly and his few hours of rest had not refreshed him. Barron circled nervously outside the shelter. Against the low rumbling, a clatter and commotion rose up. Veryyn gave Evie a quick glance. There was much fear in her eyes, and swiftly he took a low walk to the edge of the jutting rocky outcropping that overlooked the valley below. Like a snake, he crawled along his belly and looked upon the encampment. What he saw confirmed the worst of his fears.
In the valley, there was a swarm of activity. Many of the buildings that they had seen glowing warm in the night were now fully ablaze. There was hardly a clearing that was not full of shining armor. As he looked over the village in terror, the battle seemed to have already ended. Overwhelming force had wiped every trace of the Uite people from their valley. For every man, woman, and child that had once lived in the village, there now stood four armor-clad soldiers and half as many horses in full regalia. “Why?” Veryyn whispered, to himself alone. Crawling back from the edge, he reported to Evie what he had seen.
“By the stone!” Evie exclaimed loudly. Stealth was not her strongest quality. With a motion, Veryyn signaled to her to keep quiet. “We have to go, now.” Veryyn said, and with haste they stripped down their camp. With a pull from their canteens, and a quick bite in hand, they departed for the mountain pass. “What has happened. This is going to mean war!” Evie said, as soon as they had put some of the winding footpath behind them. Their packs now felt burdensome as they made the winding climb. “That didn’t look like war. That was a slaughter. They won’t be far behind us. Surely they will be checking for survivors. We must make haste.” Veryyn spoke quietly, and with urgency in his voice. “And what war would the tree elves make with the men from Nearborne. Every village around pays tribute to the city. The Uite were not soldiers, but farmers.” “True enough.” Evie replied.
They approached the pass in just a few quick hours. The quickened pace has taken a great toll on Evie. Content most days to tend to her mushrooms and roots, Evie was struggling to keep pace. “How about a rest here, I need to rest my feet.” Evie said, laying her pack down. “We really ought to keep going. I’m sure they will have found that trail by now.” Veryyn said, reluctant to rest while still so near the great slaughter. ”Veryyn, I’m tired.” Evie said softly. For the first time, Veryyn looked upon he and noticed her years showing. There were lines upon her face that he did not recognize, and there were touches of grey mixing in her amber hair.
Veryyn took a moment to reflect. “Of course, but let us at least leave the road. Evie picked up her heavy pack and gave Veryyn a breathless acknowledgment. They ventured for a few minutes through the steep woods off the beaten path and found a relatively flat space between two trees. With familiar movements, camp was set, and Evie crawled underneath the cover seeking shade and rest. “Rest up. I’m going to fill my canteen. Maybe I can find some of these white hares that you keep bringing home.” Veryyn said. He released the crossbow that had been hanging from his pack and set off. Barron followed as he set off along a high ridge line.
In the quiet moments as he hiked along the thick trees, Veryyn was in deep thought concerning his partner. Together they had weathered over one hundred and twenty years. But beforehand, both of them had lived entire lifetimes, with Evie being in ripe middle age for a dwarf of nearly two hundred years old the day they met. Veryyn, however, had lost count of the years since he was a boy. He had watched the forest they inhabited grow from a single seed. His people existed before the words of man had landed on this continent. His exaggerated elven features were far more prominent than the lowly city elves, proof of his ancient heritage. Even the wild Uite band and those like them, had strayed their heritage and tradition, preferring human styled homes and culture. In only a few short generations, their lifespan had been trimmed down to little more than a man.
Veryyn took a single hare with a quick release from his crossbow. The crossbow was merely for sport, and if needed, Veryyn could have taken it with his bare hands. The fluidity of the large dark-skinned elf was quite in contrast to his companion. Veryyn moved on all four when stalking his prey, hugging to the ground in a manner that would terrify most. “I do enjoy these human toys Barron, but it almost seems like it is not proper. No respect.” Veryyn said, swiftly removing the bolt and wiping it clean. He grabbed the hare by its small hindquarters and expertly removed the entrails with a fluid motion of his dagger. Around him, the forest swayed in the cool breeze.
Taking the quick walk back to their makeshift campsite, a noise from far off reached Veryyn’s ears. Barking dogs, several of them from the far side of the mountain. “Evie, we need to go!” Veryyn said. “Now!” Evie roused, slowly at first. “Quickly, or they will be upon us!” He exclaimed, as Barron growled lowly outside of their tent. The handlers could be heard now. Veryyn listened to their far off voices, and counted four of them, with as many dogs. Crawling out of the tent, Evie came wordless. With a glance back, they left their packs behind. Time was of the essence now, and they left their belongings behind. They made their way back to the winding path and ran at a full dwarven sprint down the mountain.
Within a mile, they had started to put some ground between themselves and their pursuers. The dogs seemed farther off, and Veryyn guessed that they had stopped to investigate the makeshift campsite. Evie stopped for a moment, regaining her wind. “Go on ahead Evie. We won’t make the hollow before they catch us.” Veryyn said. Evie looked entirely beaten. Perspiration ran down her aged face and tears hung heavy in her eyes. “What do you intend to do? You are just one!” She exclaimed. She acknowledged to herself that he was correct, and a feeling of hopelessness washed over her. “If nothing else, I can lead them away.” Veryyn said. “Please, go. I’ll be right behind. You have my word. Bar the door, and if I am not back within a day, you must make for the shore west of the Nearborne. The fishermen there are kind and would be sympathetic to a wanderer.” Veryyn said. “Even an old dwarf maiden.” He added, with a touch of his usual pointed humor.
Evie’s eyes narrowed for just a second. Soon her expression softened. “I’ll hold you to your word. Find me in one piece, pointy.” Evie said, and with a parting embrace, the two went separate ways. Evie hurried down the path, and Veryyn took to the brush. Barron stayed with Veryyn, as was his nature.
Ricky Hurlich Shorts 