Chapter 15: Lost realm

A couple of days and I was feeling better. I had a feeling, almost like something was pulling me north towards Dawn’s Step. Aveline did not say anything when we turned north as soon as we were out of the marsh. We crossed the north plains without seeing any foul ones. I hesitated when we reached the river and the marsh around Dawn’s Step.

I let Aveline lead even though I could see the way now. Unlike the other marsh I could see the images of dead elves under the water. I could not see the wounds and it almost looked like they were asleep. Each of the two nights we slept in the trees. I should say rested because I did not sleep. The rest of the way after we came out of the marsh was silent, as if something was waiting.

By the time we reached the city the pull I felt was stronger. The bodies we had left before were only bones now. When Aveline slowed and started to go towards where we had camped I reached out and caught her arm. I was looking towards the pillars and the glowing golden line and pulled on her, “Hold my arm and whatever happens do not let go.”

She slipped her arm through mine, “What do you feel?”

I started for the pillars, “Something is pulling me.”

I shouldered my bow as we got closer to the pillars. When we stepped between the pillars it felt as if a storm was near. Our hair stood up and a shimmer appeared behind us between the pillars. I hesitated before moving towards the white rock in the center of the grassy area. As we got close a whirl of white sprang up and then cleared to show someplace else.

Aveline hissed as I slowly moved closer, “That is...”

Suddenly it felt as if we were spinning and the world around us vanished. I squeezed my arm against my side to keep Aveline’s arm on me. I staggered a moment later and clutched her hand as she let go and went to her knees. I looked around us and saw a huge grassy area with a set of large pillars.

The golden line was gone as if it had never been. We had stepped out from between the pillars and the pull I had felt was gone. I pulled Aveline up and started walking towards the distant trees, “You know where we are?”

She whispered, “Our home.”

I looked at her as she looked around, “Elvenhome.”

I hesitated before removing my bow, “We were brought here for a reason.”

She looked at me before nodding and taking her bow off her shoulder. When we reached the trees on the edge of the grassy area I saw the tracks and stopped, “That is a troll.”

Aveline growled as she followed the direction of the tracks. I looked around before I began to follow the tracks, “We find the lair and then set traps.”

The smaller trees gave way to huge trees like those around Dawn’s Step, only when I look up into the trees I saw houses. It was an hour before the tracks were very fresh. I knew the troll would be close and stopped to look around. While the huge trees were in rows the brush around us was overgrown.

I could see where one of the huge trees had fallen and the tracks went in that direction. I gestured to another tree, “Lets climb up and see if we can see it.”

Aveline walked towards the tree and shouldered her bow. She slowly walked around the trunk before caressing a spot. She pulled and a section of the bark opened to show a narrow set of stairs. I blinked and followed as she stepped in. I turned and pulled the bark door closed before starting up the stairs after her.

The landing we stepped out onto was white with age. I moved past Aveline and tested every step as I made my way through the large tree house. I stepped out onto an elegant porch and looked over the rail. I saw where the troll was hiding right away. The tree that had fallen was broken into many pieces.

Something, maybe even the troll had built a large shelter where the tree house had shattered. Aveline stopped beside me and whispered, “None have been here in over ten millennium.”

I nodded and pointed, “If we can find the cord we can use two large saplings.”

She looked and nodded before looking at the sky, “It will be night soon.”

We stayed on the porch and sat to eat rations. Once it was night and the two moons rose I stood and looked down and saw the troll emerge. If anything it was slimmer and larger than any I had seen before. The features were different, more refined and it even moved differently. It headed away towards a faint glow I could see in the distance through the trees.

I hesitated before turning and walking towards the stairs. Aveline walked after me, “You are not going to wait until morning?”

I started down, “The pull is back and I think it is coming from that glow.”

When we emerged I waited for Aveline to close the door before heading towards the glow. It almost seemed to be more urgent and I began to move faster. I nocked an arrow as Aveline trotted beside me and we broke out into a large stone covered area. In the center were two blackened pillars with a bright swirling mass between them.

Large orcs were all around and in front of what I realized was the swirling gate to another world and there was a huge cage. Inside were a dozen white snarling wolves. I did not hesitate and began aiming and firing into the orcs with Aveline. There were easily a couple of hundred and they milled around in confusion before charging.

We emptied our quivers and tossed the bows and our packs before I pulled Reaper. I glanced to one side as the huge troll suddenly charged out not to far away. It held a huge tree limb and began swinging at orcs as I stepped into the pattern. I brought my sword around and down at an angle and slashed through an orc from shoulder to opposite hip.

I brought it back and across to almost slice another in half. I wove across Aveline’s pattern and stabbed an orc in the throat. We continued to move and kill orcs and I had to wish the huge troll had the giant sword I had taken from the orc commander. I cut out and to the side when I saw an orc with some type of ancient spear.