That’s not even half of them; I’ve already forgotten the names of the others. Some regard me as nothing more than filth, like a scurrying rat invading their home and ready to steal what’s theirs.
Next to speak is a man who happily hides in the shadows, a scarf remains around his neck, hiding most of his face.
“Ronan,” he grunts. His expression is hidden, but his eyes remain guarded.
“As you can guess, Ronan is not much of a talker but piss him off and he’ll let you know. He’s been with us about six years now, I think?” Caelan looks at Ronan for confirmation, and Ronan shrugs, unwilling to give any more to the conversation.
After the last of them introduces themselves, the room slips into a silence, and my eyes droop. I haven’t slept properly in so long, I fear I’ll pass out where I sit.
Caelan nudges me. “Arel will show you where you can rest. Tomorrow we’ll start the trials to test your skills, if you truly wish to join us, that is.”
I sleepily smile and nod at the invitation. Arel leads me to a small hut with ivy growing up the sides and along the roof, easily disguised from above if needed. I stumble after him, lacking the energy to stay upright. Inside is modest: a bed, a sink, a chest of drawers, and a chair with a small window to the left.
“This is you. Sleep well, I’ll bring some food later in the evening.” Arel bows his head and closes the door. I fall onto the bed, unable to remove my clothes or shoes, falling into a slumber before my head hits the pillow.
My stomach wakes me in the morning, grumbling loud enough to alert the entire village. Guess I slept through the evening meal delivery.
I lift my throbbing head and splash cold water on my face, the vile smell stemming from me is enough to make an ogre turn his nose in disgust. Opening the door for some fresh air to drive out the stench, I find a small basket with some clean clothes and the elf strolling along the path that leads to my little hut.
“You sleep like the dead. I was banging on the door for an age. Holy…” He gags, wafting his nose. “Let me introduce you to the springs. You can walk behind me, otherwise I will vomit.”
Are all elves as abrupt as he is? He is the first I’ve ever met, so I have nothing to go on. I follow behind him, my unpleasant aroma sailing downwind.
The hot springs are the best thing about Nu’cov.
Hidden in the mountain caves, with a stream of new liquid and a crack in the corner that drains old, filthy water, replacing it with clean hot bubbles. Rocks protrude from the stone walls, containing a variety of natural soaps. Scrubbing my skin raw, letting the bubbles wash over me, the perfumed aroma relaxes my aching muscles, having been idle for too long. Elana would lose her mind at this. My heart drops in my chest with guilt. How shitty am I for feeling a smidgen of relief while soaking in this paradise?
A clattering of rocks disturbs my quiet. Arel mentioned mountain gnomes that dwell in the crevices, small harmless creatures that Caelan found and accommodated some years ago. They like to busy themselves by keeping the village clean and tidy, using any scraps they find for their quarters.
Drying myself off, I quickly dress in the new clothes: beige tunic and black trousers with heavy black boots—the uniform for Nu’cov I presume. I toss the old ones to the side. If the gnomes want them, they can have them, or they can be burned for all I care.
The chat with Caelan replays in my head while I walk back down the winding rocky track. Did he say something about tests, or did I dream that? The debate went on for so long, I’m surprised I didn’t doze off.
Heading down the path, I scan around me for an exit I could use to slip away into the night. But surrounding this small town is nothing but mountains and trees. I don’t have time for tests and training. Nia and Elana are gone, trapped. I need to get to them. I need to find a way out.
Arel sits hunched over on a broken log outside of my temporary hut, intrigued by whatever is in his hands. I’m awestruck being in such proximity to one of the legendary elves, having spent a lot of my childhood immersed in tales of the elf wars, learning the history of the battle between the light and dark elves. He is just as I imagined an elf being: tall and slender, with strong, sharp facial features, and long blonde—almost silver hair framing his bright golden eyes.
Beside him sits a basket of food and water, which I take gladly. Arel looks up from a small piece of wood he is carving, as I slump down beside him, munching on salted crackers.
“What’re you making?” I ask curiously, pointing to the wood.
“I’m not sure yet.”
“I used to carve wood too, my… uh… dad taught me how.” A smile spreads on my face, remembering the time we spent whittling together. “Haven’t done it since he died.” I shake off the despondency that begins to settle, thanking him for the food.
“Let me show you around,” he says, indicating for me to follow him.
The village is quite large; they have made a proper town here. Huts were set up as bakeries, blacksmiths, and a temple for those who pray to the gods. All the huts are the same, ivy-coated, concealing them as part of the landscape.
In a fenced-off field to the far right, men, women, and children participate in training, with both weapons and hand-to-hand combat. It's hypnotic watching them move with grace and skill.
Tall trees surround the village, the perfect hidden hideaway. Unlucky for me, I’ve yet to find a way out. I’d hoped with this little tour I could suss out the terrain, instead, all I have deciphered is that I’m trapped.
Fucking dammit.
“There are only two accessible exits out of here, through the way you came and through the tree and across the pond. Neither of which will get you very far without being seen,” Arel says woefully. “I shouldn’t be telling you this, so if Caelan asks, you know nothing. He has already sent out scouts to locate your family. He reckons they’re being taken to Zury.”
The tour continues, Arel indicates a wooden building, covered with a green plant–climbing hydrangea. Can’t say I’m one for plants; they all look the same to me, the only one I can name is Ivy, and that’s only from Nia’s cottage. I’m told this building is where everyone eats together as a family, and that I should start joining them for meals.
