War Of The Wildlands(4)

Reylin paused for a moment and thought. “That’s actually a good idea, Sis,” he said. “We can attack one of their farming villages from the tree line and you and your girls can be waiting on the other side. Nothing sends a message to your enemy like slaughtering a village full of fleeing cowards.”

“It’s no less than they’ve done to us. Entire clans have been wiped out. Every week new elves are finding their way here to join up with us. There are no clans now within a day’s walk of Na’zora.”

“If we can manage to win this war there won’t be a Na’zora. I’d like to see that king’s head mounted above my hut.” Reylin’s tone was serious. He hated the Na’zorans as well as all other humans. They were responsible for the death of his parents along with countless other elves. His kinsmen were constantly being pushed deeper into the Wildlands and away from their traditional homes. The humans did not care whether they were able to adapt. They would prefer if all elves were wiped out permanently.

“I’ll gather some of the women so we can start planning,” Reylana said before hurrying away. She glanced back at her brother, who had gone over to speak with his troops. He was a hothead for sure, but she knew his actions were carried out with the best intent. He had only gone to Enald to frighten its citizens and let them know that the elves of the woods would fight back to protect their homes. They were sick of being bullied by Na’zora’s king, and they would do whatever was necessary to defend their right to exist.

Seated on a log bench at the center of town was Essa, the leader of the Oak Leaf Clan’s sword maidens. “Essa,” Reylana called as she spotted the dark-haired elf. “I need to talk with you.”

Essa had been busy polishing the blade of her broadsword when Reylana approached. She put the blade away and eyed her cautiously. “What are you up to?” she asked suspiciously.

Reylana laughed and said, “You know me. When have I ever been up to anything bad? Come with me. We’re going to discuss plans to attack one of the human farming villages.”

Essa joined her friend as they walked back to Reylin’s small hut. Several men were already inside, noisily sharing their ideas.

“Ok, everybody shut up,” Reylin said loudly as his sister entered. “Let’s see what the ladies have to say.”

“Nothing much, really,” Reylana began. “Essa leads the sword maidens for our clan, so I’ll let her do the talking.”

“First of all,” Essa said, “I want to know what village and when. Secondly, I want to know why you went out today without consulting me? We’d have been happy to come along and chop a few heads.”

“It was just a small scare tactic, Essa,” Reylin said, rolling his hazel eyes. “Don’t act so left out. You’re as bad as my sister. Sometimes you should just let the men handle it.”

“You can handle it all you want,” Essa remarked. “But when it comes to fighting, you should let the women take charge. We know attack plans better than those who hide in the trees. We’re at the front of the line. You men are just our backup.”

Men began shouting and arguing at her words. They were offended by her comment, and they wanted to let her know it. Wild Elf men generally stand a head shorter than the women, allowing them greater stealth when moving through the trees. Neither sex, however, is any less fierce than the other.

“Quiet!” Reylin shouted. “She’s just trying to get under our skin. She’s ticked that we didn’t let Her Majesty come with us. We’re big boys, Essa. We do what we want. Next time, we’ll work together, ok?”

Essa nodded and took a seat at the small dining table at the back of the room. Reylin and Reylana both sat as well. A small hand-drawn map of the area was laid out on the table. From this map, they would determine which village had the best layout for them to attack with stealth. The women would need to be concealed until the men could force the villagers in their direction. Then, when there was no chance of escape, the women would attack. No one would be left alive. Domren’s men had been ruthless in their attacks on the elves. No elf had been spared for any reason, and the elves were most willing to retaliate in the same fashion. The time for small skirmishes was coming to an end. A war was about to begin.





Chapter 3




King Domren shifted anxiously on his horse as he peered deep into the woods. “Do you think Aelryk’s men are in position?” he asked.

“Until Mi’tal makes his way here, we have no way of knowing,” General Luca replied. His gray eyes were stern, his passion for battle ever-present on his face.