Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Farewell to the Elf Lands 2
"I see."
She did not seem to believe him.
She helped him towards the healer’s quarters while Ayan provided more detail, and Saira and Adnan embellished on the events of the day until Mira was certain that Arin had performed some kind of acrobatic stunt involving the entire forest.
Eldran arrived in the evening, and listened carefully to the tale of the creature and the tunnels beneath the forest. His expression darkened as Arin recounted the bones that had littered the chamber.
"We suspected that the threats had come from something dangerous," Eldran said. "We didn’t think it was on this scale."
"The creature was responsible for some of the disappearances," Arin said. "I can’t say what happened to everyone whose remains were in the cavern, but it had inhabited the tunnels long before I arrived."
"We’ll send a team of our best warriors after the creature and recover what we can. You have done enough."
"I also received a message from Caelan,"
Eldran stiffened.
Arin recited it for him.
The chief was silent for a long time.
"That man continues to be inscrutable."
"He’s probably enjoying it,"
"Most likely. In any case, don’t mistake his invitation for an opportunity. If he intends to meet with you, there is no reason for you to believe that the odds will be in your favour."
"I have no intention of meeting him."
"Good."
Eldran settled into a chair.
"Arin, I believe it is time for you and your companions to move on."
Arin cast a glance at him.
"You want us to leave?"
"No. I suggest that you consider your options. Your stay here has given you answers, but it has also put you in the company of people whose intentions are unknown to us. I can’t promise your safety if Caelan decides to bring his business here."
"Then maybe it would be best if we went."
"That is what I mean to suggest. You see, your stay with us has yielded results for us as well. We know more about Caelan, and we have uncovered information regarding the ancient Dungeon Master. I wish that circumstances were different, because I don’t want to see another attack on the elves."
"Neither do I."
Arin knew what Eldran was suggesting. The elves had given them food, shelter and healing, and information that had helped them track down Caelan.
Arin did not want to endanger them by staying.
Besides, he had more pressing concerns than the strange man. Eldran’s words reminded him that the elves still needed protection. It would not be difficult to acquire more experience, new abilities and more information on the ten Authorities, the System or the young man named Elias that had appeared out of nowhere.
He needed to travel, see more of the world outside the Elf Lands and learn more about himself.
The elven chief was right to suggest that he leave, but before Arin could say as much, he felt a presence approaching from the opposite direction.
"Arin?"
Zarl’s voice was tinged with concern.
Arin turned, and was unsurprised to see Garul behind him, watching the scene with calculating eyes.
"Arin, I believe that it is time for us to return to the sanctum."
Arin smiled.
"Not soon enough."
Zarl’s grip on his collar tightened.
"Come, now. The roads are dangerous at this time of year."
Arin turned to face him.
"Are they?"
The man’s expression was carefully arranged, but Arin could see the fear in his eyes.
"You have no idea what’s out there, do you?"
Zarl’s fingers curled into the coarse fabric of Arin’s shirt.
"We don’t want any trouble," he said. "You saw firsthand what can happen when people come looking for us. You don’t know what kind of things live out here."
Arin chuckled.
"No, I suppose I don’t."
He reached up and pried the man’s hand away from him, wincing as the fabric tore beneath Zarl’s grip.
"You know what I learned out here, don’t you?"
Zarl’s mouth tightened.
"That monsters live in the world outside of cities and villages," he said. "That they come for people, just like you and your kind do."
Arin nodded.
"That’s right. And you’re going to learn the same lesson. One way or another."
He turned on his heel and rejoined his friends.
"Let’s go home."
The elves watched them leave. Mira bid them a long farewell, but Eldran merely inclined his head in acknowledgment.
"You and your companions have done much for us," he said. "I wish our hospitality was offered under better circumstances."
Arin smiled.
Considering the events of the day, he thought that they had done pretty well.
---
Three days later, Arin stood outside the gates of the elven sanctuary with his company. His body felt much better, although Ayan still worried that he was exerting too much energy. Arin did not disagree, although he made it perfectly clear that he had no intention of listening to another lecture on the dangers of reckless behaviour for at least the next half day.
Mira adjusted her pack as Adnan pored over the map that Eldran had given them. Saira looked back at the settlement, her expression unreadable.
Arin did not ask what she was thinking.
He remembered what she had told him about growing up among the elves and he remembered the things that she had not said. He did not think that she was ready to relive those memories, and he had no intention of giving her reason to do so.
Ayan was the last to arrive, armed with the supplies that the elves had prepared for their journey. He presented them with a smile.
"Everything’s ready."
Arin glanced at the settlement one last time.
He had arrived injured, carrying the knowledge that he was a Dungeon Master and armed with no real understanding of what that entailed. He was leaving with new abilities, more questions about the ancient history of his kind and a message from a man who obviously wanted to turn him into an experiment.
It could have been worse.
It wasn’t peace, but it was probably the closest thing to it that he had felt in a long time.
"Let’s go,"
They passed through the gates and headed west along the road that would lead away from the elves and towards the nearest trading town.
Arin did not look back.
He had people to protect, powers to perfect and a long journey ahead of him. Caelan wanted to meet with him, but Arin would decide when that meeting took place.
For now, the road beckoned, winding its way beyond the horizon and into a world full of possibilities.
Some of which he was planning to explore.