Dark Elf's Chosen: Season 1 Episode 8

Chapter 1 - SAVANNAH

Ican’t bear to see Gustav like this, such a thoughtful and kind creature who saw nothing but good in this vile world. To witness him bound and dragged into the cold night air strikes a dagger in my soul. What will they do to him?

I turn again to Julius. He has to help. He must. “Julius, whatever these people are thinking, it doesn’t look good. We must get Gustav to safety. He’d already agreed to help me escape. We can’t just do nothing?”

“I weep for the poor creature, Savannah, but we must save ourselves. Things rarely go according to plan in this life, and we must adjust to the universe as it turns,” Julius tells me.

“What? You would just leave him in the hands of these monsters?” Savannah says.

“What would you have me do? I can’t risk losing you again, Savannah.” Julius says, and I understand his point of view, but, well, but.

“He was going to help us, Julius. Risk everything that he has built so that our love would survive,” I tell him.

I watch Julius closely. His eyes dart from me and back again to the hideous sight before our eyes. I watch in horror as poor Gustav is dragged toward the edge of the cliff as the dark elves chant for his demise.

I look at the dark sight that unfolds before my eyes as poor Gustav is forced to his knees, and the elves gather around him.

Julius suddenly rises like the person I know him to be, a proud and selfless elf, ready to battle those who would take pleasure in the suffering of others.

“Stop,” Julius shouts. The elves turn and stare at him.

I feel them gather themselves and assess the situation.

“Stop?” Orin says, turning and holding his torch to see who is causing the disturbance.

“Think about what you are doing?” Julius asks, stepping forward with caution.

“How dare he!” one of the elves aks.

“Who is this beatnik?” another shouts.

Olrin steps forward and says, “We are making the world a better place, imposter.”

“Fornicator!” another calls out.

Julius turns to Mara, “Mara, think of the dishes that will die also.”

Mara looks at Julius and lowers her head, “It is the way we do things around here.”

“Just like the old days!” one of the old elves shouts.

“Daman straight, here’s to the old days!” Amos begins to chant, “Old days, old days!” the other elves join in, and a chorus of “Old days, old days” echoes through the night.

Julius turns his attention to Gustav. “For pity's sake, orc, fight. You could wipe this lot out with one swipe. '

Gustav stands up proudly and says, “I don’t fight.”

I can no longer bear watching this horror show play out from the wings. I leap from my hiding spot behind a bush and rush towards Gustav.

“Let him go, you monsters!” I scream as several try to grab me, but I dodge them until I reach Gustav and try to loosen the ropes around him. I feel hands upon me, pulling me back.

I look at Gustav, his sad eyes breaking my heart. “Remember Savannah. Follow, and it will lead. Head to woods and listen closely. They will tell you where to go.”

“Unhand her, you beasts,” I hear Julius shout as they drag me away from Gustav. Julius rushes over to me, but one of the old elves sticks his foot out, Julius trips and falls at my feet.

“Don’t move,” Amos barks as he produces a dagger from his belt. “The both of you.”

I fall to my knees beside a confused Julius. All, it seems, is lost.

“Send the beast to the wind!” Orin calls out, and the elves cheer as they drag Gustav toward the cliff.

“Leap, leap, leap, leap!” the elves cry as they gather behind Gustav. With a yell, they heave themselves forward and collectively push Gustav over the edge of the cliff. Several seconds later, a loud thud reaches my ears, and with that, Gustav is gone.

The old elves cheer; some do little dances, and others pat each other on the back.

“No,” I mutter, unable to manage more than that.

Julius looks at me, dazed from his fall, “What happened?”

“The worst of all things,” I reply.

“I’m sorry,” Julius says. “I should have done more.”

“You tried your best, Julius, don’t blame yourself,” I tell him.

“We have to get outta here,” Julius says. “Leave it to me.”

I watch as Julius composes himself and stands. The old elves eye him up and down. Heaven knows what fate they have in store for us.

“Listen, I’m on to the lot of you. I know what you’re up to, and I am sure the officials in Orthani would be interested in hearing about the little smuggling operation you have going on here. Fingers in all sorts of dirty little holes that I assume don’t involve paying tax.” Julius states and nods at me, looking pleased with himself.

“What did he say?” one old elf lady asks.

“He said we are smugglers,” another replies.

“Are we?” the old elf lady says.

“Importers, exporters, dear,” Amos says.

“Enough,” Julius shouts, “Let us walk away, and we shall say no more on the matter. Deal?”

I watch the old elves as they whisper among themselves, how dare they be the judge of us. I can feel the anger begin to swell inside of me. A storm gathers in my soul at the thought of what they did to Gustav.

Orin steps forward and coughs before speaking, “We have decided to throw you both off the cliff,” he announces.

“Over my dead body,” Julius says, and I watch as he starts to strain and puff loudly. Suddenly, a small bolt of magic shoots from him, hitting the old elf lady in the forehead. She drops to the ground, dead.

“He killed Ethel!” one of the old elves shouts.

I jump up as the old elves begin approaching us, their faces bursting with anger and revenge.

I watch Julius once again strain and puff as he tries to summon his magic. Okay, if Julius can, so can I. And I think of Gustav, I think of his cruel fate, I think about Julius and me dead, too, at the bottom of a cliff.

Then it happens, I feel a rush through me. I feel its power lift me from my body as a mighty bolt of magic launches itself from me and explores before the feet of the advancing old elves.

Its power sends several of them into the air, and they fall like sacks of burgonas over the cliff—the rest drop to the ground in disarray.

“Run!” Julius shouts at me, grabbing my hand as he passes and pulling me along with him.

“Head to the woods, Juluis,” I shout, remembering Gustav’s words.

We rush to the back of the hotel at leads towards the woods. As we pass the staff quarters I notice Gustav’s hat sitting on the chair on which he would rest after a busy night.

“Wait,” I tell Julius.

“What for?” Julius asks in a panic.

I dart over to the chair and pick up Gustav’s hat. I clutch it tightly as we rush away, leaving the hotel behind us and heading for the woods beyond.