Heirot

As Carnthir finished his last bite, he stretched back in his chair. "I think I'm going to turn in for the night." He looked over at Thomas. "Are you ready to be shown your room? If not I'm sure someone here will show you later."

Thomas had finished right around the same time. He looked over at Carnthir, "Certainly. I'm sort of tired myself."

Carnthir stood up from his seat and said his farewells. "I will catch up with you tomorrow," he told Coia. "Maybe the Mori will stay at home and give it a break."

Thomas simply waited and stood to the side. He'd certainly say goodbye to them before they left. Not doing so was dishonorable and impolite in his eyes. However, he'd wait for Carnthir to start walking out. That was just his way.

The elf said his final goodbyes and walked out the door that they had entered. He waited outside for Thomas. To follow him.

Thomas bowed and said, "Goodnight, everyone." Then he turned and followed Carnthir out the door. The elves were nice considering he was the first human they had seen in many years. Some of the elves he had met before treated him like they were superior.

Carnthir showed Thomas where he would be staying, then went to his own room. Something about the night didn't feel right. There was a slight chill in the air that worried him. He shrugged off the thought.

He laid down in his four-post bed and glanced out the side window. The stars outside were slightly hazed by dreary clouds. A cold wind blew through the porthole. He heard someone running down the hall and he quickly got up, equipping his sword and bow. The footsteps were light and soft on the palace floor. He knew it was one of his kindred.

Carnthir poked his head out of the doorway and found Coia standing there. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Coia stared at him worriedly. He spoke in a calm, professional voice. "Sir," he bowed slightly. "There is an army of Mori Quessir about two leagues from the city. They are moving swiftly."

Carnthir grabbed him by the shoulder. "Ready the men. I must warn my father." Coia nodded and left quickly. Carnthir turned and rushed to his father's bedchamber.

Thomas was having nightmares, ones of things he didn't understand. People were screaming and running, as dark figures came at them, slashing and stabbing at them with glee. Thomas couldn't understand what was happening.

Then there were different figures, ones made of light, who fought against the darkness. He mentally cheered them in their dream, hoping they would win. But the light figures were surrounded, and their numbers dwindled quickly.

Thomas shouted, "Leave them alone!" His hands reached up and suddenly all the dark figures were assaulted by blue pillars of light coming from the heavens, stabbing through them and obliterating the figures from sight. He stared at his own hands, blue runes running around his hands and fingers.

He awoke with a start, sweat on his face. He shook his head, looking at his hands. The runes were gone. He decided to get up and walk about a bit. As he passed by a mirror, he was shocked to see there were runes on his face. They weren't glowing, and looked more like tattoos at the moment. "...How did those get there?"

Carnthir approached Coia and the small unit of Silinde. Coia had gathered about 70 soldiers. "Good," Carnthir said. "How many drow are there?"

"A few over a hundred," he answered. "But there were two warlocks spotted also." He hesitated then added. "And they were moving ahead of the army."

Carnthir pondered the news, and how they should go about it. He scanned his men as he played his strategy through his head. He didn't like hearing that warlocks were among them. They would not be so easily killed.

Thomas heard the rush of footsteps outside the door, quiet as they were, the young rogue's keen ears picked them up. He peeked out the door and the multitude of soldiers that were gathering, about 70 in all. grabbing his gear and pulling his hood down, he tried to find Carnthir, and upon finding him, he asked, "Carnthir, what's going on?"

Carnthir looked scanned Thomas and noticed he had his gear on. "You're not going anywhere," he said. His voice was not as kind as it was earlier. He found himself a bit agitated and couldn't afford Thomas trying to escape during the ruckus. He stepped away and spoke quietly to one of his soldiers.

After a moment of conversing with Carnthir, the elf walked over to Thomas. "If you would come with me?" he said.

Thomas was being lead away by the elven guard. "No, I'm going to help. I don't care what he says." He suddenly escaped the elf's grasp and was out of his reach before he could react. Thomas confronted Carnthir and said, "Listen, Carnthir. You led me to this city, gave me food and bed, when you could've just thrown me into a cell and left me there until I wanted to talk or tried to escape. But you didn't, and I'm going to repay that kindness. I want to help." He waited to see what Carnthir would do.

Carnthir turned around to the approaching human. "You were not invited here, boy," his eyes were cold and piercing. "You were forced here by our law and you're prisoner. Not a warrior." He turned back to his troops. "I'd suggest you cooperate with our laws. Your pleasant stay may very well change."

The wind whistled through the trees, causing an uneasiness in the air.

Thomas stood his guard, "If there are 70 armed elven guards assembled out here ready to defend the city at a moment's notice, my pleasant stay has already changed. And don't make the mistake of thinking I'm a mere novice in the field of combat, because I'm not." Thomas didn't want to argue with Carnthir, not after all that he had done.

Carnthir turned around again. His face was stern and solid. "Fine," he said. "But mark my word, human. You will be watched, and if you try and escape you're life will be cut short."

He walked down the sparkling streets and as his troops followed close behind.