Chapter 26: Refugee

Hours turned into days.
Days became a tenday.

Fae no longer had any conception of what day it was, for how long she had been traveling already. She lost her count a few moons ago, no longer bothering with keeping track. She wasn’t even sure if she was going in the right direction. All she knew was that the place she was looking for was a few days of travel away from her home and into the West. She had never been at that place. She could only orientate herself on the tales of her father, who often had to visit their Sister Tribe, to keep the alliance strong. But that was all she got …

She realized that finishing your Mha’eso was by any means, no proof that you can survive in this world. It had simply been a test to level your skills. Living by yourself, for a tenday long, in an area you knew because you were born there, was more then different then trying to find your way to a Tribe you didn’t know the location of and in the meantime keeping yourself alive. Fae didn’t know this region. She didn’t know the forest or what creatures were residing here. In the past days, she had been on edge, thinking that every breaking branch was a creature that wanted to kill her. On top of that, a slumbering fear had nestled itself in her heart. A fear for the murderers of her Tribe. If they would come back and hunt her, as the last surviving member of her family. It had kept her awake at night and made her skittish.

Fatigue was creeping in her limbs and the rest of her body. Her empty stomach, for she wasn’t able to catch or find food everyday, was growling and the pinching feeling made her nauseous. The slippery idea of giving up had been spooking inside her mind. Why even try? For who were you fighting? She was alone after all …

For many moments, she had just wanted to lay herself down and stay there. Yet each time her body tried to give in, the vision of her murdered tribe flashed before her eyes. It brought back that spark of hate in her chest and flared up that flame. She could not give up. She could not let her family down! She had to seek revenge!!

Her skin was dirty, just as her clothing. Her hair was tangled for not brushing it any longer. Her face stood tired, her eyes starting to become dull. At the moment she really started to think that she would never find the Tribe... they found her…

The rustling leaves had warned her, the flashing shadows, but her body was too weak to react. Their whispers reached her ears and on the moment she looked up to take notice, she saw several warriors, males and females stand around her, their spears and bows aimed at her. 

“State your name and purpose!” One of the warriors asked in the language of the Night Elves. 

Fae tightened her grip around her father's necklace and held it in front of her for the rest to see.

“I am Fae’Kalyn Lae’ethdhar, daughter of Akthan Fa’Hadir Lae’ethdhar of the Ghalad Ithil Tribe. I seek sanctuary.”

It seemed some of the warriors were somewhat surprised that the girl before them replied back in fluent Night Elvish. When their eyes laid rest on the symbol she held in her hand, the unrest seemed to walk away. Many lowered their spears and relaxed their bows. A few whispers rose, but Fae didn’t pay attention to them. Her golden eyes were focused on the warrior that stood closest to her. 

His eyes went over the symbol, before they rested on the girl again. 

“We will guide you to the Tribe.” The male said before barking a few commands. The group of warriors closed the ranks, flanking Fae by her sides. Under their guidance, the young girl was led to the Tribe grounds. 

Fae had always thought that her home was big. But when she caught sight of the Tribe that was before her, she was breath taken. This Tribe was easily 5 times bigger than hers and much more complex. Huts were going far up into the treetops, combined with bridges that were heavily decorated with flowers and moss. Their huts seemed to be of a better construction as well. The outer rings were having outposts every few trees with guards standing, watching over the skyline. Down on the ground, they had several fields that were growing crops. Fae had no idea what they were growing, but it looked like food in her eyes. On the multiple training fields, she saw young recruits train with more experienced fighters while on several places, women were learning their daughters about herbs, healing and magic.  

In the center of the Tribe there was a pedestal, made of a white glimmering stone that seemed to be veined with silver lines. On top of it, there was a similar silver plate like they had at home that held their fire. 

Fae breathed in the scent of the fire, that was mixed with herbs that were dropped in it each night. It brought her some peace, knowing that she was safe. The skittish feeling that had haunted her for days, was slowly ebbing away.

Around the center fire, there was a small group. Six elders, of which four were males, the other two females were sitting behind a male, a somewhat older looking man that had a similar attire like her father. Fae only had to look once to realize that he was the Akthan of this Tribe. 

“Honoured Akthan.” The male who had acted as the leader of the group said with a bow, before taking a step away to clear the sight.

“Fae’Kalyn Lae’ethdhar of the Ghalad Ithil Tribe.”

The Akthan looked up. Fae could see the age in his eyes. This man had been honoured with the title of Akthan for many years, if not centuries. His silver eyes went over her body, looking at her from top to toe. And while he was observing her, Fae noticed that several other Tribe Members had come to watch. Visitors were always a good occasion to gather. A few voices rose as she could see how some started to whisper to each other.

“So dark …”

“... looks strange ...?”

“Who is she?”

Fae swallowed when she heard the whispers. It somehow made her feel uneasy, like she was a jewel that had to be inspected to see if it had any value.

“Lae’ethdhar?” The Akthan repeated after a few seconds, frowning his brows.

“You are the daughter of Fa’Hadir?”

Fae nodded. “Yes, I am, mighty Akthan.” And upon her reply, she handed over the Akthan symbol of her father. The leader took the necklace, taking a look at it, letting his fingers trail over the jewel before raising his eyes up to the girl. The shock in his eyes revealed that he had noticed the red stains.

“What happened?” He said when he pointed towards one of the with fur covered seats.

Fae sat down, folding her legs. She took a deep breath, feeling how her body started to calm down. The fear of being attacked every second was fading. For the first time in days, she could relax.

“My Tribe was attacked.” The girl started, trying to find the right words. While the fear was slowly ebbing away, the feeling of sadness or hopelessness was still there.

“By Drow …”

A sudden waterfall of whispers, chirps, gaps and shouts fell over the gathered group. Fae could hear different opinions rise. That it was not true, a lie. Others became worried, starting to speak about having extra guards up. 

“Are you certain, child?” One of the Elders asked. Fae looked up to the man. No elf really looked old, it was like age could never catch up. But just like with the Akthan, you could see his age in his eyes. The wisdom he had gathered. 

“Yes, I have seen the weapons with my own eyes. And my mother confirmed it.” 

Fae swallowed when she talked about her mother. The image of her lying in her arms, the large wound across her abdomen. But still with that smile on her face, happy for the fact that she was able to see her daughter before her death. Knowing that she was alive. 

“Your mother?” The Akthan repeated.

“If my memory serves me correctly, your mother is Ly’Kalyn Ah’ghasyr.”

Fae looked up, maybe a bit surprised, but she figured that he would know the name of the Imha’Akthan of their sister Tribe. They were allies after all. 

“Yes, mighty Akthan.”

Before asking another question, the Akthan leaned in to one of the standing guards, whispering something before the guard nodded to leave the group.

“Your mother was born in this Tribe, dear girl. It was your father’s eyes that fell on her when he was on a visit. But that is not important right now. Where is your mother?”

“Dead.” Fae said, lowering her eyes to the ground. “No one in my Tribe has survived. At least not that I know of. They killed everyone. My father, my brother, our Elders, children, …”

Fae clasped her fists together, feeling her nails dig into her own skin, while she clenched her teeth. What monsters killed creatures that were too young or too old to defend themselves? 

“Yet you did?” One of the other Elders asked. Her question was said in a curious tone, not accusing her of anything.

“I was on my Mha’eso. The attack happened during my last night. I found my Tribe …” Fae took a deep breath, collecting her feelings. “Dead when I returned by the morning. It were my mother’s last words to come here.”

“Why would Drow attack such a Tribe? There was no activity in that region.” One of the Elders said, more as a constatation towards the rest than an actual question.

“They were looking for something.” Fae replied however. All eyes suddenly landed back on her.

“They were searching for something? What then?”

Fae swallowed, looking up again. “I … I don’t know. It was all my mother could give me before … before she …”

The Akthan raised his hand, signing that it was not needed for her to finish that sentence. Fae was glad, for she could feel the tears well up in her eyes..

“I would be a fool … and a cruel Akthan if I did not grant you sanctuary in our Tribe. Yet I can not grant you the same rights you had at home. Here you are no Akthan’s daughter. “

Fae shook her head.

“I do not want to be.” She said firmly. “I only ask that I am allowed to train with your fighters. That I am allowed to hunt with your hunters and learn from your healers.”

The Akthan slowly nodded, frowning his brows when he heard her request.

“And what is it you aim with these teachings?”

The young girl looked up, suddenly showing a fire in her eyes that had not been there before. Her fists were still clenched together, while she straightened her back.

“Once I have gathered this knowledge, I want to go out. To find those who have done this, who have murdered my family. Find the reason why, what they were looking for. And when The Lady of the Moon has my back, kill the ones responsible for this redundant massacre.”

“Those are strong claims, dear girl.” The Akthan said, leaning a bit forward. “Are you certain this is what you want? You can have a safe life here, a good life. You completed your trial, you are an adult. You can learn any profession you want. Find a mate, have a family. Would you give that all up for revenge?”

The flame in Fae’s eyes kept burning. Her mind was set.

“My mother suffered hours to stay alive, to give me that information. I do not want to let it go to waste and live day by day, knowing that I could find the answers my mind is looking for.”

The Akthan nodded, leaning again backwards.

“So be it then.”

“Akthan.” A voice said. It was the guard that had left the center a few minutes before. He had returned, followed by an elven woman.

“I brought you Lady Ah’ghasyr.”

The Akthan looked up when the guard took a step aside. And so did Fae. When her eyes landed on the elven woman that had followed the guard, her breath stocked in her throat. For a small second, she thought she was looking at her mother. The same dark ash grey skin, the long white hair. Yet when Fae looked closer, she saw the differences. It was not her mother …

“May’Kalyn Ah’ghasyr.” The Akthan said before the woman bowed her head.

“You asked for me, mighty Akthan?” She asked politely.

“Yes, I did. This is Fae’Kalyn. The daughter of your sister.”

Only then the woman looked aside, to Fae. And when their eyes crossed, Fae could see the shocked but also worried expression in her eyes. Almost like she had seen a ghost.

“May’Kalyn? You are my aunt?!” Fae got up from the ground. She could clearly see the resemblance with her own mother. The fact that they were sisters was hard to deny. But while her mother was always smiling, having joy in her eyes, her aunt seemed to be more serious, more … reserved.

“Why is she here?” May’Kalyn asked and not towards Fae, but to her Akthan. Fae got the feeling that she tried to avoid her. Like she wasn’t there.

“Your sister’s Tribe was attacked. By Drow.”

Fae could swear that she saw fear running over her aunt’s face. But in some way she could hardly believe that she was actually surprised to hear that news. Nonetheless, the shocked expression quickly made room for a more serene one. She lowered her eyes while she tried to take in the news.

“Fae is the only survivor.” Their leader already replied before the question was even asked. May’Kalyn took a deep breath, reforming herself before she looked up again. This time she looked at Fae. She saw her eyes running over her body, taking her in. But the distant feeling didn’t leave. It was like she hardly got any compassion from her aunt. Fae would almost think that she didn’t even want her to be here.

“As she is your closest relative, may I ask that you take her into your household?”

Hearing the request, May looked back towards the Akthan. She shifted for a second, like she wanted to refuse. It gave Fae a real itching feeling. The feeling of being unwanted. But eventually her aunt seemed to relax.

“Of course I will.” She said, a bit more open and welcoming then her expression from a few seconds before. Fae could only give her a sleek smile and bowed in respect and gratitude. After a few more formalities, Fae was allowed to leave and with her aunt leading, she followed her to her new home. Yet Fae knew that she would never be able to see this place as her home. It would never be. Her home was destroyed, ripped apart, splattered with blood. And no matter what would come on her path, she had made up her mind. Her goal was set. She would find the damned Drow that had murdered her family, her Tribe.

And she would kill them!