The journey to Halospring, initially smooth, began to deteriorate as the terrain grew increasingly rugged. The wheels of their cart, strained by the uneven ground, finally succumbed, splintering and collapsing. Vannis pulled the weary horse to the side of the rocky path, unharnessing it with a sigh.

  "We go on foot now," he announced. "This road used to be maintained, but after the last war with the kingdom, the elves abandoned it."

  "So, we're heading into Halospring from the east," Gray deduced, studying the surrounding landscape.

  "Yes," Vannis confirmed. "If we took the main road, either the Elven Knights or the Royal Guard would find us. And I dread to think that, with what's happening at the moment, the elves' paranoia would probably have them kill us on sight."

  Lyra and Kael exchanged uneasy glances.

  "They'd simply kill anyone?" Kael asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

  "Depends," Vannis replied. "They'd probably kill Gray and me. After all, Gray was one of the elite court wizards. The Pyromancer is famous… or infamous, depending on who you ask, of course." He chuckled dryly.

  "Not to mention Vannis the Sanguine," Gray added, his tone laced with a hint of irony.

  Vannis froze, his gaze momentarily distant, then sighed. "Indeed," he said, his voice heavy. "Who could forget me? In all my years as a soldier, not once did I consider my own reputation, not when the reputations of those around me in the Royal Guard overshadowed my own. Lord Commander Garrett is the worst, leading us, but also in the way he destroys his enemies… it's monstrous." A flicker of guilt crossed his face.

  "He got worse?" Gray asked, his tone laced with concern.

  "Much," Vannis confirmed. "Three months ago, the king ordered us to subdue a village. Apparently, these people didn't pay tribute or taxes and were starting to spread rumors that they were taxed to death. Garrett didn't care, of course. He just wanted to hurt people. We arrived, and the village gathered, hoping to plead for mercy. With a single swipe of his sword, he cut everyone down. We returned, and his praises were sung by the king. There was no 'why did you disobey our king?' or anything of the sort. It was simply dismount, draw sword, and swing." Vannis was visibly disturbed, his voice trembling slightly.

  Suddenly, a chorus of guttural screams shattered the silence. Shambling figures, their flesh covered in grotesque blisters, emerged from the dense undergrowth.

  "What the hell?" Vannis asked, drawing his estoc.

  "Mutated humans," Kaelen replied, his hands shaking as he drew his short sword.

  "Mutated? Are they easy to kill?" Vannis asked, his eyes narrowing.

  "Very," Lyra said, "but don't let them bite you. They spread their disease that way."

  Gray conjured flames into his hands, preparing for any potential ambushes.

  Vannis smiled, a predatory gleam in his eyes. He dashed forward, his estoc a blur of motion, penetrating the soft flesh of the nearest creature's head. With a swift twist, he split the creature's skull, sending it tumbling to the ground. The creature's body shriveled and decayed rapidly.

  More of the mutated humans emerged, their screams echoing through the forest. Vannis danced among them, his blade a storm of stabbing knives, each strike finding its mark. The creatures fell one by one, their blood seeping into Vannis's estoc. He paused, shaking himself, a look of exhilaration on his face. He felt a combat rush he hadn’t felt in a long time.

  "What's wrong with his sword?" Kaelen asked, his eyes wide.

  "It's called a Blood Drinking sword," Gray explained. "Every enemy he cuts or kills, the blood is drawn into the blade. It makes Vannis a dangerous opponent to fight. He can simply convert the blood into healing magic and heal himself throughout an encounter." Gray’s eyes narrowed, not the first time he had seen such a weapon, but to see it in action once again was, for him at least, a chilling reminder of the dark arts or simply a cursed weapon.

  Vannis, his estoc dripping with the ichor of the fallen creatures, returned to Gray, Lyra, and Kael. Gray, having extinguished his flames, scanned the surrounding forest, his senses on high alert. It was Vannis, however, who first detected the approaching danger.

  "Hoofbeats," he said quickly, sheathing his sword. "Fast too." He paused, his expression grim. "Elven horses. Damn. Thought we had enough time." He sat down abruptly, signaling the others to do the same.

  Moments later, a group of Elven Knights emerged from the trees, their armor gleaming in the sunlight. A mage among them erected a shimmering magical shield, providing a safe haven as their leader dismounted, removing his helm.

  "Four people, one mage, one… Royal Guard, and two whelps," the knight said, his voice sharp and precise. "Tell me, Vannis, should I execute you here? Or drag you in front of my queen? Quickly now, my choices are rather limited when it comes to you."

  Vannis looked away, his face etched with a mixture of shame and resignation. The knight's gaze shifted to Gray. "And we cannot forget you, Pyromancer. Did you kidnap these two adventurers, or are you recruiting?"

  "We are the last of the Silverhaven Adventurers Guild," Kaelen said, his voice trembling slightly. "Our home was destroyed." Lyra placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

  "Silverhaven?" The knight paused, his expression thoughtful. "Then Bolt is dead? Damn. For a human, he was one of the good ones." He tsked softly. "Stand. We'll escort you to the queen. She can then decide what to do with you." He replaced his helm and began walking alongside his horse. After a moment, he turned back to Lyra and Kael.

  "What is your story, young ones? Are you seeking revenge against those who destroyed your home?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

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  Kaelen's heart burned with a desire for vengeance. The image of the burning city, the screams of the dying, fueled his rage. He wanted to see those responsible brought to justice, to make them suffer as he had suffered.

  Lyra, however, shook her head. "Vengeance leads to self-destruction," she said, her voice firm. "Revenge leads to self-hatred. Even if you exact your revenge, in the end, it still leaves you empty. No, I don't want revenge. I want justice."

  Kaelen felt a pang of shame, realizing that Lyra possessed a wisdom and level-headedness that he lacked. He yearned for vengeance, but couldn't bring himself to voice his desires.

  "You have a kinder heart than most, young lady," the Elven knight said, a faint smile gracing his lips. "What are your names?"

  "Lyra," she replied, smiling back. "This is Kael."

  The knight's keen eyes noticed the forced nature of their smiles, recognizing the deep pain that lay beneath. "I am Lord Eladrin," he said, "First Knight of the Silver Lances." He gestured towards his companions. "The Silver Lances are the first and only line of defense in Halospring." There was pride in his voice, but the past wars with humanity had taught them a valuable lesson: never underestimate the will of a human.

  As they continued their journey, the sprawling kingdom of Halospring came into view. Massive walkways and intricate highways intertwined among the towering trees, a testament to the Elven mastery of nature and architecture. The Halospring Forest, a vast expanse that dwarfed any human kingdom, stretched as far as the eye could see.

  "I never realized you lived in trees," Kaelen said, his eyes wide with wonder.

  "This is the border city of Kalladin'ir," Eladrin explained. "The city we are heading to is Illir'kir, the capital of our kingdom, where our queen resides. The heart of the forest, if you will. We'll need to take a tram. Going on foot is not advised."

  He led them to a large wooden platform, where he spoke a command in the Elven tongue: "Ch'ilahn, Shuxaon Tzaryhn Vengh, Neeahnshi. Hyarohji, Xilaon Dzayhn, Reeangh." The captain of the knights snapped a salute and led his riders through the intricate byways, while the others stepped onto the platform.

  The platform began to rise, and a tram, resembling a large, ornate carriage, approached and stopped. Eladrin motioned them to climb aboard. "It will take four hours to get to Illir'kir," he said, removing his helm and relaxing into a seat. "So relax."

  Illir'kir, the heart of the Elven empire, rose into view, its spires piercing the sky, a testament to Elven artistry and mastery of their environment. Kaelen and Lyra, their eyes wide with wonder, gazed upon the city, a place of breathtaking beauty and vibrant life. The stark contrast between Illir'kir's serenity and the ravaged ruins of Silverhaven was a jarring reminder of the world's fragility. Kaelen shook his head, attempting to dispel the rising tide of bitterness within him.

  Their party was met by a group of knights clad in sleek, black-silver armor. Eladrin and the leader of this group exchanged heated words in the Elven tongue.

  "Eladrin, V'ash'i T'zuhl'ahn H'yeeahn D'zayhn K'eeahn, Neeahnsh'i R'eeahn?" the black-armored warrior asked, his voice sharp and accusatory.

  Lyra, her brow furrowed, turned to Gray. "What did he say?" she asked.

  "Word for word, I'm not sure," Gray replied, "but the elf in black was asking why he'd bring enemies into the heart of the Elven kingdom. By 'enemies,' he was referring to Vannis and me. Something to that effect, in any case."

  "If I were to bring our real enemies here," Eladrin retorted, his voice laced with sarcasm, "you'd think my own unit would allow me to live?"

  The black-armored warrior's expression softened slightly. "Very well," he said. "Come with me. Humans, I suggest you be courteous with the queen. She is not in a very… nice mood this day." He paused, his gaze lingering on Gray and Vannis. "My name is Skir'va, First Knight of the Black Eagles." He nodded curtly and motioned for them to follow.

  The palace, even more magnificent up close, left Kaelen and Lyra awestruck. They marveled at the intricate architecture, the massive ballistae and magical cannons that lined the walls, capable of breaking a siege before it began. The mother-of-pearl floors echoed with their footsteps, the open halls filled with the gentle murmur of wind. A crystal-clear river flowed beneath the floor, its waters weaving through the very roots of the ancient trees.

  "How is there so much water here?" Lyra asked, her voice filled with wonder.

  "The trees in our kingdom produce an overabundance of water," Skir'va explained, his voice filled with pride, though laced with a hint of arrogance. "Eld Trees, they are called. This entire land used to be covered in water, a marshland. But when our ancestors claimed this land, they funneled the water to our fountains and wells, ensuring we would never run dry. Even if we were to deplete our reservoirs, we would still last an entire human kingdom's rise and fall."

  They continued their journey, Skir'va leading them into the queen's throne room. Empress Celena sat upon her throne, radiant and beautiful, her presence commanding attention. Kaelen, momentarily captivated by her beauty, was gently pulled down into a bow by Lyra and Gray. Vannis bowed respectfully, while Eladrin and Skir'va offered formal greetings.

  "My dear Eladrin," Celena said, her voice melodic, "your report is somewhat late, but I expect it in person, of course. My dear Skir'va, please return to your post."

  Skir'va clicked his heels together and departed, leaving Eladrin to deliver his report. When he finished, Celena sighed, her gaze sweeping over the group.

  "Vannis the Impaler and the Pyromancer," she said, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. "Long had I considered you two to be enemies of mine, to my empire and to my people. And these two humans, who are merely children to us."

  She rose from her throne, her movements as graceful as a whisper of wind. Barefoot, she approached Lyra and Kaelen. First, she gently lifted Kaelen's head.

  "Look at me, child," she said, her voice soft and soothing, like a mother comforting her child. "So much loss for one so young. I can see the hatred in your eyes. It would not avail you." She kissed his forehead, and Kaelen fell unconscious.

  She then cupped Lyra's chin, a warm smile gracing her lips. Celena's long, blonde hair cascaded down her simple but elegant silver dress. "And you, my dear," she said, her voice filled with admiration, "stronger than you realize, seeking justice for the innocent. But I fear you may have to make a choice: seek out justice or abandon your best friend." She kissed Lyra's forehead, and Lyra fell unconscious.

  Celena turned to Gray, her gaze piercing. "As for you, exile," she said, her voice sharp. "I could punish you for bringing him here." She gestured towards Vannis. "But you are not here to bring fire and ruin to my kingdom. You could have done that at range. So tell me, is it true that mutated humans are roaming the countryside, destroying what little people have?"

  "Brightlode Forest was a vibrant place," Gray replied, his voice somber. "According to Lyra and Kaelen, it started the day they went on their last adventure for Silverhaven. Their friend Eldrin was killed, the forest came alive and tore him to pieces. Had I been quicker, I might have been able to save him, but I was returning from the Green Cap Mountains after burning the side of the mountain of some corrupted growths. Seems in my absent-mindedness, I failed to foresee Silverhaven's burning."

  "And you, Impaler?" Celena asked, her eyes turning to Vannis, who stood almost trembling.

  "I had enough of Garrett's greedy and murderous ways," Vannis said, his voice firm. "The Royal Guard no longer stands for peace and justice. Now it's coin and power. I'm not about that kind of life."

  Celena smiled. "Very well," she said. "You will lodge here tonight. Food will be brought to your chambers. I'll have these younglings brought to more private chambers. But do not leave my kingdom, you two. If I suspect any goings-on, I will bring my full magical might to bear. Understand?"

  They both nodded. Celena clapped her hands, and several warriors stepped forward. "Escort my guests to their quarters," she commanded. "And these two are to be treated carefully." The guards saluted, and Kaelen and Lyra were taken to a double room with a breathtaking view, while Vannis and Gray were escorted to separate rooms, each guarded by a silent warrior.

  In the morning however, Halospring was burning.