Chapter five

                                        Old man where are you?
 

    A smiling elf made his way through the streets. Other elves looked at him strangely but only for a moment as their gaze returned quickly to the Silver tree. It's leaves were now a blood red and the branches seemed to droop. Some of the elves could be heard saying

" Doom has fallen on us. We are all lost. "

    This did not phase the smiling elf that seemed ignorant of what was happening to his beloved town. He simply kept walking. He did notice that it was getting harder to get to the palace, but simply squirmed his way through the crowds and was able to get finally inside. He made his way to the council chamber where people crowded around the trees base. He found a spot by the door to lean for a moment. Then looked at the elves around him. None looked back. He spied a chair nearby and jumped on top of it.

Ari-n - " Listen to me brethren! " He held out his open hands towards the crowd.

 All in the room turned away from the root. Astonished that someone would be so bold to speak, during this sad time. Some were outwardly angry. This did not seen to phase the smiling elf who did notice that they were unpleased. He continued now that he had their attention.

Ari-n - " I understand your heavy hearts, but there is an army approaching here! Without the council or the royal family to guide us we still owe it to ourselves to guard our homes and our lives. Our families are at stake. And our beloved tree. Please I beg of you... Stand before your town falls like mine did. "

    He pulls out a gold medallion that resembles a palm tree. The audience gasps. Even the angry elves softened. They all know that to be the Caraba. Only the king of the Palm tree elves would wear that amulet.

( Editors note. Ari-n is pronounced Like Airy en )

Ari-n - " I am indeed  Ari-n  Sted-ser. My father handed me Caraba before he died. He sent me to warn you of this oncoming scourge. Sadly I was to late to save your royals and your council... I had friends amongst them. However we can not afford to give our grief  it's due if you wish to save your families. "

There was a murmur in the crowd. Sterlith stepped forward and spoke

Sterlith - " I am Sterlith the last remaining senior officer. I am sworn by my soul to protect my people, my lords and...  the Silvertree. I have failed in protecting my lords twice now. You have my promise I will not fail my people. Please give me council. Will you join me at the gate to help prepare our defense? "

Ari-n - " Gladly Sterlith! " He looks over the crowd. " Is there anyone else here who wishes to help us?! "

There is a loud cheer from most of the room. Ari-n motions for Sterlith to lead the way. Sterlith nods and leads Ari-n and most of the room back to the gate.

As they approach the gate Ari-n walked side my side with Sterlith and asked

Ari-n - " What are your defense plans so far? "

Sterlith - " There is but one plan. We just close the gates and ambush  the army in the wood to the south. "

Ari-n - " What have the scouts told you about the enemy? "

Sterlith- " Very little. Just that there are hundreds of people encamped north of your lands. "

Ari-n - " They are not people. They are monsters. Taylor made to destroy elves in particular. How far away were they? "

Sterlith- " About two days travel on foot. We should see them on the horizon tomorrow afternoon. "

Ari-n - " So long as they don't see us. "

Sterlith - "Ah! We have arrived and it looks like more scouts have returned with word. "

Luka one of the scouts sees Sterlith and runs to meet mim. The other scouts close behind. They all pour into the room.

Luka -" They are monsters Sterlith! Giant.... Hair balls. "

Sterlith snickers at the description. The scouts don't look amused.

Luka - " I swear to you Sterlith they killed two other scouts.  They are like fat sea urchins but fast and lethal. They are covered in spikes and wet matted hair. They roll on the ground and spear anything near it. They  make this terrible noise. Look Tifids ears are still bleeding from being to close to them. "

Tifid stepped forward to show his left ear. Still bleeding and starting to cake.

Tifid - " There are other creatures too. Like insects. Evil vile things that paralyze you if you meet their gaze. Then they cut you to ribbons or carry you away! "

Ari-n - " To eat later. "

Luka - " Sir! They are only one day away! "

Ari-n - "Then there is not much time to loose. The creatures are large and we know deadly. Can we trap them? Say in a pit? "

Sterlith - " All of them? Maybe a trench. "

He paces the room briskly. Ari-n watches smiling.

Sterlith - " Yes. Yes! A trench would work. Anything that large would certainly be trapped. We can ambush them before the first rise. We kill as many as we can and withdraw over a covered trench. Perhaps. Let us go inside. I will show you our map we can devise the location and send out every elf that's able to dig. "

Ari-n - " I would suggest making a stand near the trench so we might herd and stray monsters into it. Once all of the furry creatures are trapped. We can charge in and desroy the insects!"

Tifid did not recognize Ari-n and found it odd that he was talking like he was in charge, but decided to hold his tongue.

Ari-n - " I will follow your lead. "

Ari-n smirked as he followed behind Sterlith.

To Chapter 6