First draft

It was already dark when they'd come back to their camp. Their new home was a cave, located almost at the top of the mountain, six thousand feet above sea level. The slope was steep, and the travois and the carcasses they carried along slowed them down, making the entire endeavor even more complex and dangerous. All along, Lithoniel feared someone would make the wrong step and fall, but luckily, none of that happened. Still, it was a relief when they finally reached the cave and sought refuge inside its walls.

Jandar sighed, "That was tiring."

Lithoniel nodded, wiping the sweat from her forehead, "This place is easy to defend, but I can't believe we have to do this every time."

"You'll get used to it. "Jandar smiled, his pristine white teeth in stark contrast with the complexion of his skin, "But you're right, it's uncomfortable. Before the humans..." He trailed off, unable to continue.

"Before you had to leave." Lithoniel softly said, tactfully helping him out.

Jandar gave her a grateful look, "Our village was thousands of feet down, halfway between the mountains and the Ebonwood. We used this cave only during the winter. Usually, we didn't have to leave this often."

Lithoniel grimaced, "Or go hunting."

Jandar nodded, "Right."

The ember crystal's iridescent light welcomed them as they entered, revealing the cave's main hall, a huge room the lava dug in the rock, big enough to accommodate both tribes. Yet, the glow springing from the crystals was feeble, like it was about to die off. It had been a long time, maybe hundreds of years since the volcano had erupted last time. Now, most of the cave was cold.

Lithoniel saw many elves curling up by the fire as they tried to stay warm. Yet, there were just a dozen fires or so, and there were thousands of them. Most of the elves were underdressed, the thin fabric of their clothes completely insufficient to protect them from the frost.

The climate was frigid, but up there, on the Asp Ridge, this was just the beginning. Maybe it was because their circumstances were someway similar and both tribes had been forced to run away from their homes, but in the dark, Lithoniel couldn't distinguish between the people of her tribe and their new allies.

Jandar followed her gaze, "I wish we could be of more help, Zarukslayer, but..."

"It's not your fault, Jandar. You have done enough already. And it's not my people, but our people." She gently scolded him.

Jandar smiled, bowing deferentially like she'd said something worthy of praise, "Of course, Zarukslayer."

Lithoniel gave him a dirty look, but Jandar just blinked at her. She shook her head and let it go, well aware it was a losing battle to begin it.

She cleared her throat, "What about Liara?"

"I ordered your hunters to carry her to my tent. I hope it's alright."

"Of course. When can I visit her?"

Jandar bobbed his head, "Tomorrow morning."

"And her leg...?" Lithoniel tensed, waiting for his answer.

Jandar propped his chin on his hand, thinking about it for a bit, "That will take longer, weeks probably. But we were on time. If we are lucky and the fairies favor her, she'll heal completely."

Lithoniel smiled at him, "Thank you, Jandar."

The medicine man bowed, putting his right fist over his heart, "It's my duty, Zarukslayer."

Lithoniel scratched her nose, avoiding his gaze. "Please, call me Lithoniel." 

Jandar's mouth curved as once again he flaunted that dazzling smile of his, "Of course, Lithoniel."

She slid him a guarded look. The medicine man was too handsome for his own good, "If there is nothing else..."

"Actually, there is." He scratched his head, "It's about the elections."

She tensed, and he gave her a sympathetic smile, "I'm sorry, but we can't delay any longer. The elders of our tribe are pushing to hold them as soon as possible."

Lithoniel nibbled on her bottom lips, "It's too soon." She objected, "Our tribes aren't ready yet."

"I understand your point of view." He answered, his tone accommodating, "but this situation is unprecedented. Our tribes are living together, but we don't have a clear chain of command. The elders are worried, and frankly, I'm too. The situation was unstable before, but it's been weeks since..."

"The situation is still unstable." She pointed out.

"Perhaps. Nevertheless, it's dangerous to leave things unsettled for too long. Our tribes need stability. We need a shared and clear hierarchy, and the three major castes need leaders." He looked at her, the corner of his mouth turning up, "Well, two of them at least."

Lithoniel frowned, "Two? What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the Nighstalker, of course." His face looked serious as usual, but his eyes were laughing at her, "Your people elected you, and you don't have to worry about our tribe. We've already accepted you."

Lithoniel couldn't help but wince.

"The slayer of the Zaruk." She shook her head, laughing at herself, "I think your tribe is making a mistake. I was just lucky."

"Don't" He warned, "Don't belittle this. The Zaruk killed hundreds, maybe thousands of us over the years. It was the terror of these mountains, the evil spirit haunting our nightmares. Even the bravest of us didn't dare to face it, and you defeated it." He sounded deadly serious.

"I didn't do it alone."

His eyebrows rose, "Maybe not, but it was you who killed it."

Lithoniel opened her mouth, and then slowly closed it. She couldn't deny that.

"I'm not who you think I am." She said quietly.

"I think you are." He said and stared at her with such intensity, such faith, he made her skin crawl. She shuffled her feet, unable to find a way to retreat.

Luckily, one of Jandar's men came to her rescue.

"Zarukslayer" He bowed to her before glancing at Jandar. "You're finally back. Some woodcarvers are injured..."

Lithoniel sighed with relief, seizing the opportunity to escape. She was on her way back to her tent when she saw Erilee, one of the few survivors of the Zaruk's slaughter.

The elf looked taller, her features sharper, but the change wasn't just physical. She seemed more mature, completely different from the fledgling hunter she had been just a few months ago. Yet, not all change was good. Her brown eyes looked a bit sunken, her posture hunched like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders.

"Nighstalker." Erilee saluted, but her voice was odd: not downright rude but a bit bleak.

"Urilee, you returned." Lithoniel greeted back, but Erilee didn't answer right away.

She stared at her from head to toe, her mouth twisting a bit like she was smelling something foul, "Yes, last night."

Lithoniel knitted her brow, "And...? How did it go?"

Urilee narrowed her eyes, a hint of anger showing on her face, "We lost two more men. Feris and Maelovan." She said like it should mean something to her.

Lithoniel's mouth fell open, "Feris and Melovan? The twins?"

"Yes, the twins." She spat, "They weren't ready to join a hunt, Nighstalker. I know we need more food, but..."

Lithoniel raised her hand, "Wait. Do you think I have something to do with this?"

She put her hands on her hips, "Who else? They are casteless, and you are the Nighstalker. Only you have the authority to..."

"Urilee, calm down. Try to think. Who gave you the order?"

Urilee looked at her with suspicion, "It was Fennan, I mean...the Master of Woodcarvers."

Damn you, Fennan!

"He said they needed more experience, so you decided to..." Urilee looked at her face and faltered, "You...didn't know."

"I didn't." She confirmed.

Urilee opened her mouth wide, but no sound came out.

"How...how is that possible?" She managed to say at the end. She sounded shocked, her voice as brittle as glass.

"It's possible because we don't have a clear hierarchy." Lithoniel said bitterly. She was starting to believe Jandar was right.

Urilee kept shaking her head, her chest rising and falling with rapid breaths, "But...he can't do that!" She looked outraged, "He is not getting away with this." She swore, "I will..."

"You will do nothing." Lithoniel warned, "I will deal with Fennan."

Urilee stilled, "But..."

"No, no but. This is not your fault, but mine. I have to deal with it." Lithoniel's eyes bore into her, "However, in future, take orders only from me. Don't listen to anyone else. Do you understand?"

Urilee swallowed before nodding.

"Good, now get some rest." Her voice softened a bit.

The young elf stared at her for a long minute before nodding. Then she left.

Only then Lithoniel turned, looking up at that tent on the far edge of the cave, the place Fennan claimed as his. She headed there, her knuckles going white as she clenched her fists.

You have a lot to answer for, Fennan.