Chapter 17
In the Verdant Forest, Lilith frowned at the scene before her.
The native creatures were tall and graceful, each with a pair of sharply pointed ears.
They wore light garments woven from leaves, vines, and other plant fibers, leaving much of their skin bare. Every one of them carried a longbow, a quiver strapped across the back or hip.
Elves.
Bonnie had mentioned once that Wood Elves lived somewhere within the Verdant Forest, but Lilith had never crossed paths with them.
This was no time to admire them.
Dozens had gathered around Verdant Spire, and their formation looked anything but casual. Just as Bonnie had warned, someone had come for the Wonder.
Lilith readied herself for battle.
One detail didn't fit, though.
Bonnie and Blaise stood near the Wonder, both unharmed. They didn't look restrained or threatened, even with the elves surrounding them.
Why hadn't Bonnie explained that in her message? Perhaps the elves had forced them to lure Lilith and Auriel here.
Lilith studied the formation.
Most of the elves read as Recruit Rank. If this was an ambush, she could strike before they reacted.
Waltz of Ashes appeared in her hand.
Before she could move, a clear female voice carried through the trees.
"You may both come out. The Wood Elves seek peace. We did not come here to fight you."
The speaker stood at the head of the elven company.
She was tall, with long golden hair, azure eyes, and a longbow slung across her back. Everything about her bearing marked her as the patrol's leader.
Lilith froze.
She was still a good distance from Verdant Spire.
How had the elf detected her?
A racial ability?
With her position already exposed, hiding served no purpose.
Lilith dismissed Waltz of Ashes and stepped out of the trees.
On the far side of the clearing, Auriel dropped silently from a branch.
Her white hair stirred around her shoulders as she landed. Her expression gave nothing away, but she had clearly been watching for some time.
Auriel had arrived first.
The elven leader had deliberately waited until both Lords were present before speaking.
Bonnie and Blaise hurried over at once.
Lilith wasn't the only one confused. Auriel turned to Blaise, waiting for an explanation.
"The elves aren't the ones after the Wonder," Blaise said quickly. "They showed up after I sent you the warning."
Bonnie nodded.
"They know a lot about Lords, Lili. I tried to message you again, but they wouldn't let me."
Lilith traded a glance with Auriel.
The elves were an unexpected third party.
Someone else wanted Verdant Spire.
Since Bonnie and Blaise were unharmed and the elves had shown no hostility, Lilith eased off slightly.
Which only raised another question.
Why had the Wood Elves been waiting here for them?
The answer came before either Lord could ask.
The golden-haired woman stepped forward.
"Greetings, Lords. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Elowen, and I am an elder of the Wood Elf Clan."
Her voice was calm and refined.
"Our common enemy is the Orcs. The Howling Tusk Tribe—the Orc tribe nearest the Verdant Forest—has united the surrounding clans and is preparing to conquer this region."
Blaise nodded immediately.
"That's right. The enemies Bonnie and I found were Orcs."
Lilith understood Elowen's purpose.
The Orcs were preparing to invade the Verdant Forest. To protect their homeland, the Wood Elves wanted Lilith and Auriel in the defense.
But why would a native race seek help from two newly arrived Lords?
Elowen seemed to read their doubts.
"Orc society worships strength above all else. Their tribes are usually fractured, and they spend most of their time warring on one another."
Her expression hardened.
"When one tribe unites the others under a single leader, that internal conflict ends. Then they expand—either by absorbing more Orc tribes or by invading the lands of other races."
"The Howling Tusk Tribe has completed that unification. The Verdant Forest is the nearest territory worth taking, which makes us their first target."
"Orc warriors are powerful, disciplined, and destructive. They will burn settlements, strip the land, and kill anything that resists. This war will not end unless their army is decisively broken."
Disgust sharpened Elowen's blue eyes.
"Why come to us?" Lilith asked.
"You are not the only ones we have approached. The Wood Elf Clan has already secured agreements with several other races and creatures of the Verdant Forest."
Elowen glanced up at the towering Wonder.
"And neither of you intends to abandon Verdant Spire. Do you?"
The four Lords went still.
The Wood Elves knew about Wonders.
Elowen continued before suspicion could take hold.
"Verdant Spire once belonged to the Wood Elves. We chose not to contest your claim because our people value peace more than possession."
"Our Clan also holds all intelligent races as equals. Whether you are Lords, outsiders, or members of another race makes no difference to us."
Then she added something none of them expected.
"You may verify that through your System."
She knew about the System's inspection function.
Lilith's expression tightened.
Since they stood within the Wonder's auxiliary territory, her Lord privileges were still active.
She opened Elowen's profile.
[Race: Wood Elf]
[Rank: Tier 2 Elite]
[Attributes: 521]
[Potential: Champion]
[Overview: A highly intelligent child of nature. Wood Elves value peace and racial equality and possess exceptional talent in archery.]
The description matched everything Elowen had claimed.
The Wood Elves truly did prize peace and coexistence.
Then Lilith's eyes went back to the Rank.
They widened.
"Wait."
She stared at Elowen.
"You're an Elite?"