The Crystal Scimitars

Chapter 2

Atlantis Calmcar peered around the corner of merchants' wagon at the swiftly departing figure. Absently brushing away at a lock of silver hair, he followed the cloaked elf with his inquisitive black eyes. Who was this stranger? This elf from the wasteland that dared to enter the city limits? Slipping a piece of fruit off the wagon and into his shabby cloak, he ambled down the dusty road, blending with surrounding peasants easily. A city guard knocked the boy over as he brushed by on his way to where a rumored elf had been fighting. The guard cast him a disdainful look before continuing down the road to join the handful of soldiers who struggled to keep rank in the growing throng of people. His sharp eyes didn't follow the soldier in a hateful glare the way most villagers' did yet instead he whirled around to locate his swiftly departing prey. Easily spotting the tall, dark figure he sprinted to catch up.

Past the merchants and shopkeepers they raced, dust stinging their eyes and sweat beading their brows. The elf's hurried pace made the boy wonder if he knew he was being followed. Knowing what he did about elves, it sounded more than a little plausible. The boy however watched the scene played out in his mind, in his mind; this was an elf and he was but a boy. He might never catch up this way.

Ducking around a different bend he raced on light feet through a crowded street. He could see the banners of his king flapping in the wind. Almost there!

Skidding to a halt he drew the hood of his cloak low over his eyes; it wouldn’t do to be turned back here, not when he was so close.

*

A tall sentinel, armor shining in the early morning light, scanned the hordes of people milling in and out of the city. His comrades leaned against the stone walls, bored with their appointed task. His armor was hot and heavy, the sword was already pulled at his belt and he hungered for much needed sleep. He turned his gaze heavenward, watching the banners come alive in the swift breezes, radiant colors drawing the gaze of the sun.

He shifted his feet restlessly, just another hour. He noted a tall figure slowly walking through the gates into the early morning light. Another, smaller figure followed not but a few steps behind. He seemed familiar, but the memory was elusive and he let it pass. Stepping aside he let them pass, they were harmless peasants after all. A father and son most likely- probably the boy’s first time in the city.

*

Outside the city gates at last, Atlantis breathed the free air and let his hood fall to his shoulders. He would have to be back soon though; his father would miss him.

He stayed close to the tall strange elf that still hadn’t removed his hood. The throng of people dispersed as they reached different paths, some in plane sight while others seemed to follow only a path that they could see. With no cover to hide within but the free flying dust, Atlantis gradually slowed his pace. The elf, however, walked steadily for a while until reaching a less traveled road. He took it, unveiling himself to the shade of the forest.

They entered the Forest Endoros. It was said that a long forgotten canopy of magic still hung there. But who believed in magic anymore? Especially now that the elves, mages, and magic was forbidden to Arthen-Gäla.

"What would you have on me, stranger? You have followed me from the city, and now I wish to know the name of my company" a soft silky voice asked behind him.

Jumping slightly Atlantis whirled to face the elf who was casually leaning against a tree, fiddling idly with a fierce dagger.

"I am Atlantis, I-" he faltered. Why exactly did he follow the elf in the first place? Now that it was done, he wished it wasn’t. "I followed you because I wondered why and elf had left the wastelands?" He swallowed uneasily when he saw the feral gleam in the wistful gray eyes.

The elf observed him for a moment, weighing him with his eyes. The feral look diminished and was instead replaces with a glint of amusement.

"And tell me, man-prince, why would royalty question first? I believe your brother was more partial to blood shed first and question later"

"How-? How did you know I am a prince?"

"That mark on your face for one, and your hair. All the royal family has a tattoo of some sort, and the famed silver hair of the youngest Calmcar is known through out the land. Some say, even, that he is the son of an elf princess, and instead of risking war with the elf-kind the king would rather banish all magic from the lands of Arthen-Gäla." The elf sheathed his dagger and crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes at the now nervous prince. "The latter of that tale is true. But the former has provided much entertainment for bards and gossiping old women that work at the looms."

Atlantis stared owlishly at the elf for a moment. "I have not heard this tale of an elfish princess"

"You wouldn’t, young princeling, not if your father had anything to say about it"

"Why were you in the city? Who are you?"

"The first question I cannot answer little prince, but the second I would be glad to. Sephriathol Drag’loring, at your service. Well, I would be, but you see there is this law, passed down by your father. So, indeed, I am at my own service" The elf bowed his head, his ebony tresses falling over his shoulders.

The elf uncrossed his arms and advanced toward the prince, towering over the younger human. "Now…now that I have you under my alleged power, what to do with you?" he mused aloud.

"Could I go with you?" he asked hopefully. "They won’t miss me much anyway. Samados gets all the attention because he’s the firstborn. I’m just Atlantis the lute player."

"Why? Why would a prince who can have anything he desires, want to travel with a rogue elf? And outlaw, as it were."

"Because you know how to fight! I was learning how to fight but the masters lost hope in my skill and sent me to do trivial things. All I have is a dagger, and I’m no good at that much either."

The elf smiled a little, wondering at the strange young man-prince. "And what is in it for me I wonder? My travels being weighed down with a youngster, a prince at that as well! What should happen if I wander through a town and someone recognizes you? My head would be on a pike, and my body dragged through town by a horse before being burnt? Nay, little prince! I see no advantage to me"

"I can be just as stealthy as an elf, and you imply that my age means I am slow? Have no fear! I am that swifter of any in the land, save yourself master elf, but isn’t that to be expected? And where would you have to go so quick? Advantage indeed! But take heed! You must be quick in your decision because the sun grows hot and they will miss me soon! So pray, master elf, what is your answer?"

"Ah, little prince, you want to learn the arts of war? Knowledge of fighting and of the elfish skill in battle is indeed what you seek? My, you are a strange little man-prince, that much is true indeed!" The elf studied Atlantis for a moment. If indeed he was caught and killed for a crime he surely did not commit, it would be far better than banishment in the Wastelands. He sighed heavily, tearing his gaze away to glance up at the sun, hidden behind the canopy. He smiled, then chuckled a little. It was quite absurd, after all! Who ever heard of a man-child traveling with an exiled elf? An outlaw! He narrowed his eyes and studied the face of the young human.

"Speak! What is your answer then master elf?"

"Alright, little prince, you may travel with me, and learn my arts. But now it is my turn to question you." His face became stern and a glimmer of uncertainty peered from within the depths of his silver eyes. "Are you certain? Once this is done, you cannot go back. You will be bound to me until a time when your training is complete, or death takes my breath. So now tell me, little prince, what is your answer?"

"If that is your question and your proposition, then I except! Now tell me, master elf, where shall we travel?"

The elf sighed and shook his head, sable tresses dancing in the sunbeams. What a strange little man-prince. "Did you not listen, little prince? I am a rogue; I go where I will, using the secret dark paths of thieves and vagabonds. You would do well to keep your dagger ready" The elf turned on his heel and slowly walked off into the murky forest, his voice ringing back to the prince, "Are you coming, little prince? This forest does not take kindly to those of man’s descent."

Silently wondering what he had gotten himself into, Atlantis fingered the hilt of his dagger thoughtfully for a moment before taking off again for the swiftly departing elf.

EDITED: Thank you, Wootang, for the corrections! This is actually part of six part story. I’ll have to run through those too, and see about getting those uploaded. The stories are all tied into each other and it can get confusing. o.O * cackles *