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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7062028" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Chapter 11</p><p></p><p>As soon as Bredan realized they were under attack, he shouted a warning to his companions and reached for his sword. He didn’t panic, but as he tried to unfasten his baldric and swing the weapon around it got caught up in the straps of his pack. He tried to swing the pack off but that got caught too as the crossbow attached to the back became tangled in his coat.</p><p></p><p>Cursing, he looked up and realized two things: first that the unseen archer still hadn’t revealed himself, and second that he was the only one still standing out in the open.</p><p></p><p>Kosk might have laughed as he watched the smith’s idiotic antics, except for that fact that the boy was about to get himself killed. Whoever had shot at Quellan had not revealed himself, but there could easily be a dozen enemies hidden among the trees that flanked their route. The dwarf was well-protected behind a protruding stone, while Quellan had likewise found good cover a bit further down the slope. But he heard a clatter of rocks from further back and knew that the girl was probably about to do something stupid to save her idiot friend, like charge blindly into the ambush. That might be why they hadn’t shot the boy yet, and were waiting for someone to come to his aid.</p><p></p><p>Growling, the dwarf grabbed hold of his quarterstaff and leapt over the rock, poised to charge into the trees.</p><p></p><p>But he didn’t get a chance to cover more than a few steps when a loud voice cried, “Hold! We mean you no harm!”</p><p></p><p><em>Then why’d you shoot a bloody arrow at us?</em> Kosk almost shouted back, but instead he said, “Show yourself!”</p><p></p><p>A figure appeared from the cover of the trees. The muscles in Kosk’s arms twitched when he saw that it was an elf. He carried a bow that he held over his head in one hand, the other held out to show it was empty. There were a few subtle motions behind him to suggest he wasn’t alone.</p><p></p><p>“I apologize for the attack,” the elf said. “I am Calevas, eldritch knight of the Order of the Il’duir. We are from the Silent Wood, and we are here tracking a party of orcs.” He gestured toward Quellan as if to explain the nature of the mistake.</p><p></p><p>The cleric rose slowly up out of cover. “No harm was done,” he said. “We haven’t come upon any sign of such a party, though we have only been in the hills for a day and a half.”</p><p></p><p>“You are a priest?” the elf asked, nodding toward Quellan’s holy symbol.</p><p></p><p>“I serve the god of knowledge,” Quellan said. “We’re from Crosspath, heading toward the Godstones.”</p><p></p><p>“You got some friends back there?” Kosk asked. He knew Quellan would chatter all day if given the chance, and he still wasn’t all that sure whether the elf was just trying to draw them out to give his friends a better shot. He glanced back and saw that the smith had finally managed to get his sword out, though he was smart enough to keep it in its scabbard. The girl was standing at his shoulder, her own bow at the ready with an arrow at the string but pointed at the ground.</p><p></p><p>Calevas slowly raised his free hand and four more elves emerged from the trees. Kosk recognized them as wood elves, dressed for the hunt in swirls of pale colors that blended with the landscape. They looked rather wild, with streaks of pigments darkening their faces and bits of foliage woven into their hair. That was one reason why humans sometimes called the residents of the Silent Wood “wild elves,” in contrast to the southern elves of Tal Nalesh or the Spiralspire. That was just like humans, to judge everyone against their own standards of what they thought civilization should be like. Kosk thought he could pick out the one who’d made the shot; he stood a bit back from the others and didn’t quite meet their eyes.</p><p></p><p>“The Silent Wood’s a long way away,” Quellan said. “You have been tracking these orcs for a long time?”</p><p></p><p>“Since they entered the forest a week ago,” Calevas said. “The ones we chase are just the survivors of that intrusion, numbering perhaps a score. They left more than a hundred of their brethren dead behind them.”</p><p></p><p>“That’s not much of a war band,” Kosk said. “Sounds like they were either stupid or desperate, to enter the Wood like that.”</p><p></p><p>“They paid for their mistake,” the elf said simply.</p><p></p><p>“I hope that you find them,” Quellan said. “Believe me, I know full well that their kind are capable of.”</p><p></p><p>Calevas stared at him for a long moment before nodding. “If you should find them before us, the elves of the Silent Wood will pay a bounty for proof of kills.”</p><p></p><p>“Proof?” Glori asked.</p><p></p><p>“Usually taking the ears is the easiest way,” Kosk said. The girl didn’t say anything, but her lips twisted in disgust or disapproval.</p><p></p><p>“It grows late,” Quellan said. “Perhaps you would like to share camp with us?”</p><p></p><p>The elf leader shook his head. “No. We still have a great deal of terrain to cover. You are certain it is clear to the south?”</p><p></p><p>“We said we didn’t see anything,” Kosk said.</p><p></p><p>“Very well. Safe travels.” Without waiting for a response he turned and vanished back into the trees at a sprint, his companions falling in behind him. The elf that had almost shot Quellan shot them one last look that might have meant anything before he, too, was gone.</p><p></p><p>“Well now, that was a bit of excitement,” Quellan said.</p><p></p><p>“Do they really cut off ears as trophies?” Glori said.</p><p></p><p>“If you saw what an orc raiding party could do, you’d be less squeamish,” Kosk said.</p><p></p><p>“The enmity between the elves of the northern woods and the orc tribes of the mountains is a deep one,” Quellan said. “We’re not in a position to judge them.”</p><p></p><p>“They didn’t seem that interested in what we are doing in the Dry Hills,” Glori noted.</p><p></p><p>“I doubt they care,” Kosk said. “The wood elves generally prefer to stay in their forests. That they’d come this far south testifies to the grudge they bear.”</p><p></p><p>“Let’s just hope we don’t run into these orcs,” Bredan said. He still looked a bit sheepish from his earlier misadventure.</p><p></p><p>Kosk shot him a hard look, but finally nodded. “We’d better start looking for someplace secure to bed down for the night. Hopefully them elves will clear the immediate area for us, but you never know what you’ll find in a place like this.”</p><p></p><p>“With luck, this encounter will be enough adventure for one day,” Quellan said.</p><p></p><p>As they prepared to resume their march, Glori went over to Quellan and said, “You were pretty mild to that elf who nearly shot you.”</p><p></p><p>“An honest mistake,” Quellan said. “I wish I could say it was the first time something like that had ever happened.”</p><p></p><p>“Don’t worry, that elf’ll be in trouble when he gets back home,” Kosk said.</p><p></p><p>“Why?” Glori asked. “Because he almost shot a priest of Hosrenu?”</p><p></p><p>The dwarf shook his head. “No. Because he missed such an easy shot.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 7062028, member: 143"] Chapter 11 As soon as Bredan realized they were under attack, he shouted a warning to his companions and reached for his sword. He didn’t panic, but as he tried to unfasten his baldric and swing the weapon around it got caught up in the straps of his pack. He tried to swing the pack off but that got caught too as the crossbow attached to the back became tangled in his coat. Cursing, he looked up and realized two things: first that the unseen archer still hadn’t revealed himself, and second that he was the only one still standing out in the open. Kosk might have laughed as he watched the smith’s idiotic antics, except for that fact that the boy was about to get himself killed. Whoever had shot at Quellan had not revealed himself, but there could easily be a dozen enemies hidden among the trees that flanked their route. The dwarf was well-protected behind a protruding stone, while Quellan had likewise found good cover a bit further down the slope. But he heard a clatter of rocks from further back and knew that the girl was probably about to do something stupid to save her idiot friend, like charge blindly into the ambush. That might be why they hadn’t shot the boy yet, and were waiting for someone to come to his aid. Growling, the dwarf grabbed hold of his quarterstaff and leapt over the rock, poised to charge into the trees. But he didn’t get a chance to cover more than a few steps when a loud voice cried, “Hold! We mean you no harm!” [i]Then why’d you shoot a bloody arrow at us?[/i] Kosk almost shouted back, but instead he said, “Show yourself!” A figure appeared from the cover of the trees. The muscles in Kosk’s arms twitched when he saw that it was an elf. He carried a bow that he held over his head in one hand, the other held out to show it was empty. There were a few subtle motions behind him to suggest he wasn’t alone. “I apologize for the attack,” the elf said. “I am Calevas, eldritch knight of the Order of the Il’duir. We are from the Silent Wood, and we are here tracking a party of orcs.” He gestured toward Quellan as if to explain the nature of the mistake. The cleric rose slowly up out of cover. “No harm was done,” he said. “We haven’t come upon any sign of such a party, though we have only been in the hills for a day and a half.” “You are a priest?” the elf asked, nodding toward Quellan’s holy symbol. “I serve the god of knowledge,” Quellan said. “We’re from Crosspath, heading toward the Godstones.” “You got some friends back there?” Kosk asked. He knew Quellan would chatter all day if given the chance, and he still wasn’t all that sure whether the elf was just trying to draw them out to give his friends a better shot. He glanced back and saw that the smith had finally managed to get his sword out, though he was smart enough to keep it in its scabbard. The girl was standing at his shoulder, her own bow at the ready with an arrow at the string but pointed at the ground. Calevas slowly raised his free hand and four more elves emerged from the trees. Kosk recognized them as wood elves, dressed for the hunt in swirls of pale colors that blended with the landscape. They looked rather wild, with streaks of pigments darkening their faces and bits of foliage woven into their hair. That was one reason why humans sometimes called the residents of the Silent Wood “wild elves,” in contrast to the southern elves of Tal Nalesh or the Spiralspire. That was just like humans, to judge everyone against their own standards of what they thought civilization should be like. Kosk thought he could pick out the one who’d made the shot; he stood a bit back from the others and didn’t quite meet their eyes. “The Silent Wood’s a long way away,” Quellan said. “You have been tracking these orcs for a long time?” “Since they entered the forest a week ago,” Calevas said. “The ones we chase are just the survivors of that intrusion, numbering perhaps a score. They left more than a hundred of their brethren dead behind them.” “That’s not much of a war band,” Kosk said. “Sounds like they were either stupid or desperate, to enter the Wood like that.” “They paid for their mistake,” the elf said simply. “I hope that you find them,” Quellan said. “Believe me, I know full well that their kind are capable of.” Calevas stared at him for a long moment before nodding. “If you should find them before us, the elves of the Silent Wood will pay a bounty for proof of kills.” “Proof?” Glori asked. “Usually taking the ears is the easiest way,” Kosk said. The girl didn’t say anything, but her lips twisted in disgust or disapproval. “It grows late,” Quellan said. “Perhaps you would like to share camp with us?” The elf leader shook his head. “No. We still have a great deal of terrain to cover. You are certain it is clear to the south?” “We said we didn’t see anything,” Kosk said. “Very well. Safe travels.” Without waiting for a response he turned and vanished back into the trees at a sprint, his companions falling in behind him. The elf that had almost shot Quellan shot them one last look that might have meant anything before he, too, was gone. “Well now, that was a bit of excitement,” Quellan said. “Do they really cut off ears as trophies?” Glori said. “If you saw what an orc raiding party could do, you’d be less squeamish,” Kosk said. “The enmity between the elves of the northern woods and the orc tribes of the mountains is a deep one,” Quellan said. “We’re not in a position to judge them.” “They didn’t seem that interested in what we are doing in the Dry Hills,” Glori noted. “I doubt they care,” Kosk said. “The wood elves generally prefer to stay in their forests. That they’d come this far south testifies to the grudge they bear.” “Let’s just hope we don’t run into these orcs,” Bredan said. He still looked a bit sheepish from his earlier misadventure. Kosk shot him a hard look, but finally nodded. “We’d better start looking for someplace secure to bed down for the night. Hopefully them elves will clear the immediate area for us, but you never know what you’ll find in a place like this.” “With luck, this encounter will be enough adventure for one day,” Quellan said. As they prepared to resume their march, Glori went over to Quellan and said, “You were pretty mild to that elf who nearly shot you.” “An honest mistake,” Quellan said. “I wish I could say it was the first time something like that had ever happened.” “Don’t worry, that elf’ll be in trouble when he gets back home,” Kosk said. “Why?” Glori asked. “Because he almost shot a priest of Hosrenu?” The dwarf shook his head. “No. Because he missed such an easy shot.” [/QUOTE]
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