Chapter 1 #2
Amazed at how mirror-like her reflection was in the falling water, she glanced at herself.
There she was with her pale skin and a smattering of freckles across her nose; her skin had grown paler, and the intensity of her freckles muted from her life spent mostly indoors as a temple guard.
The change was remarkably different from her upbringing in the forest, where the sun forever kissed her skin.
She gazed up at her light blue-gray eyes and at her hair, a light shade of brown, which she liked to keep up in a high ponytail. Light brown was considered the darkest hair color for Light Elves, as most were fair-haired in shades of blonde and silver, like Lindana .
She also wore the off-white uniform of a temple guard, complete with a tunic and belt.
Two golden stars were embroidered on the breast, one on each side, to represent the Starsun.
But what she liked best about the outfit was the silver short sword at her side, it being the weapon she chose when she took the position of personal guard to the high priestess.
Most temple guards carried a wooden staff or polearm, but Aelrie preferred the short sword; it was lightweight and easy for her to use in combat as she did not have the muscle mass needed to lift the heavier, two-handed longswords.
She always found having to use both hands to grip the longsword impractical, even though it gave greater reach in combat.
But the advantages of the short sword, its light weight, accessibility, and freeing up the use of her other hand, helped her become fast and proficient at its use.
The bow, her actual favorite weapon and one which she had mastered at a young age, absent from her person now, was only carried when outside in the wilds.
Unlike the longsword, she was a master of the longbow, even though it was heavier than the short bow.
The benefits of her upbringing in Emerald Forest.
At the end of the corridor of falling water was the entrance to Lindana’s bedchamber.
She blushed involuntarily. What did the priestess want with her? Whatever it was, it was important enough to bring her here.
Lindana was not allowed visitors to her bedchamber as she took a vow of chastity before her ascension.
Every high priestess had to undertake this vow, no matter if they were a maiden before or not, because ascension meant a lifetime of servitude to the celebration of the Starsun and daily prayers to the Flame of Neverending Light, and nothing else in their life should equal it in importance after that.
Lindana turned to her. “I know you must be wondering why I’ve led you here. This is the only place we can talk alone without prying ears. Do not worry, no one knows you’re here. I won’t get you into trouble.” Her silver eyes then searched Aelrie’s. “I need your help.”
“I would do anything for you, my lady.”
Lindana smiled again and it made her heart flutter. The high priestess chose her as a personal guard despite being urged to choose someone with more experience.
She promised from that day on never to let Lindana down.
A sound came from behind her, as if a light pattering of footsteps on a smooth stone floor.
Aelrie whipped her body around but was met with only darkness from the corridor and the sound of gently falling water from the mirrors.
But she did not trust the emptiness. None of the other guards or priestesses would enter this place or would have announced themselves beforehand, as entrance to the corridor was permitted by the high priestess alone.
“Get inside,” she told Lindana, “and keep the door locked.”
“What is it? Is someone there?”
“I don’t know.” She turned around but still saw nothing. “I will check it out. Stay in your room. I’ll let you know when it’s safe.”
Lindana looked like she wanted to protest, but nodded her head in agreement. She turned to open her chamber door in the same way, by raising her hand to the stone.
Aelrie faced the open corridor and removed her short sword, one foot in front of the other, and her knees slightly bent. She heard the stone door slide open behind her, and her heart lightened, knowing Lindana was going to be safe on the other side of its wall.
Her stance broke when a dark cloud blinded her vision, followed by a sharp pain at her side. She staggered and fell forward. The room was spinning.
Poison.
Bile rose up in her throat, threatening to spill her simple breakfast that morning of cheese and bread across the stone floor.
“Aelrie!” Lindana called from behind her. The door was still open.
No, not safe. Go back.
She wanted to say this, but the words couldn’t form on her lips.
On her hands and knees, she wheezed labored breaths, unable to stand back up.
There was a whoosh of wind as something brushed by her.
Lindana gasped. Then came the sound she dreaded, the soft thump of something hitting the floor that sounded too much like a body.
No. No. Please, no.
Drawing ragged breaths, fighting her urge to go unconscious, she maneuvered herself using her elbows to face the chamber. Her vision was blurry, but she forced her eyes to focus.
Lindana was on the floor with her white robes splayed around her, eyes open and unblinking, staring at the ceiling. A pool of blood formed around her.
From where the priestess lay motionless, a dark figure towered above. Her eyes fell at first to the twin daggers he held, dripping with blood, and horror built as they trailed further up. He was looking right at her. His crimson eyes pierced hers.
A Dark Elf!