Chapter 70 – Recovery and waiting

  The distraction team and the elves were the first to arrive at the camp. Jasper was waiting for them, moving to greet them as they arrived. The elves approached the camp cautiously, helped along by Sylvian and Rayne. Reynard separated from the group upon arrival, fading into the environment as though he was never there. Something that only made the elves more nervous.

  “Welcome back,” Jasper said.

  “Did anything happen while we were gone?” Daniel asked.

  “Nothing,” Jasper said. “Been quiet here.”

  “That’s good,” Bryant said. “isn’t it.”

  “It is,” Jasper agreed. “I’ve just been fiddling with the Settlement interface. Seeing all that is available. Coming up with ideas.”

  “You find anything out?” Reuf asked.

  “Few things,” Jasper said. “The most noteworthy is that it is growing fast. Not sure if that is the power of the crystal or the environment, but it should reach the next level soon. Maybe a few days.”

  “Is that?” Alzona asked. She was staring at the silver tree holding the Foundation Crystal. “It can’t be.”

  “That is one of the things we need to discuss,” Sylvian explained nervously. “But there is not a lot we are able to say on the matter.”

  “But how?” Alzona asked.

  “We have some theories,” Sylvian said. “But before we can talk more on that, we should take you to a place. You’ll understand better that way.”

  “You want her to undergo it as well?” Rayne asked.

  “At least her,” Sylvian said. “I’m not sure about all the others, but she should. That is the best way we’ll be able to discuss the issues it will present.”

  “What are you talking about?” Alzona asked. “Why can’t you speak about it?”

  “We tell you what we can,” Rayne sighed. “But for now. Yes, it is what you think, and we need to keep it a secret for as long as possible.”

  The other elves were starting to take notice and gasp at the sight. They crowded around the sapling trying to get closer to it.

  “Five-foot radius,” Jasper yelled, jumping between them. “It isn’t going anywhere. Leave some space, and no touching the Foundation crystal.”

  “We should do that soon,” Sylvian said.

  “Bring the others over to the tree beds,” Rayne said. “We can explain what has been happening there. Help the elves get settled while we wait for the rest of our group to join us, and it will help Jasper not get too agitated.”

  Sylvian nodded. She pulled Alzona along who was still transfixed by the sight of the tree. “Come along. Food, water, rest, and we can talk at the same time.”

  “But…”

  “Yes,” Sylvian said. “As Jasper said. It isn’t going anywhere.”

  Between the two of them, they managed to get the elves to leave the tree alone. They set them up with food and water but decided to leave most of the explanations for after everyone was rested. For now, they only gave them a quick explanation of how they had escaped the camp before and met all the others. Once they were done, they found the elves a place to sleep or relax for the time.

  Most of them found a place to sit and wait. Sleep wasn’t on a lot of their minds right now. There was a silent tenseness that filled the air as they waited. From their position, they could watch the Wenduags’ camp across the jungle. Smoke continued to rise from the camp as several fires not yet put out continued to burn.

  A few hours later, three more people came running out of the jungle.

  “Were there any issues?” Teresa asked Rayne as they rejoined the camp.

  “We are still waiting on the rescue team and a few more elves,” Rayne answered. “But we managed to get everyone else back.”

  “That’s a relief,” Victor said.

  “Hah, told you they’d make it,” Savgar said. He went over to the campfire, crashing to the ground almost immediately.

  “I never said they wouldn’t,” Victor said.

  “Still, owe me that beer,” Savgar grunted.

  “If you find any, then you better save some for me,” Teresa groaned. She joined him by the fire, stretching her back as she sat down. “I could really go for a cold one.”

  “Cold beer?” the dwarf scoffed. “Who drinks cold beer?”

  “What?” Bryant asked. “You drink beer warm?”

  “They don’t have refrigeration in Methal,” Victor said.

  “Isn’t there like a few hundred forges in that city?” Daniel asked.

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  “Yep,” Victor said. “The city where the fire never goes out.”

  “Enough prattling,” Savgar said. “Do we know what happened to the rescue team?”

  “I’m not sure,” Daniel said. “I would’ve thought they would have been back before you three.”

  “They had to make a detour,” Teresa explained. “A few more of the elves were kept in another place.”

  “I hope that is all,” Reuf said.

  “We should have gone with them,” Teresa muttered, looking at the jungle anxiously.

  “Would have only been a liability,” Savgar sighed. “We burned through too much of our Stamina and Mana during that fight. At least they were fresh. Just have to trust them.”

  “Should someone go and try to find them?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Not yet,” Daniel said. “We still aren’t sure there is an issue, and if they had to make a detour, then they might have taken a different path. Perhaps Zephyr? Has anyone seen her?”

  “I saw her back at the Wenduags’ camp,” Savgar said. “Told her to go help the rescue team.”

  “I thought that might be the case,” Daniel said. “I haven’t sensed any issue with my connection to her, but I was worried. Let’s wait a little while longer.”

  They continued to sit around waiting, busying themselves with different tasks. Most spent their time recovering. Even with their wounds healed, the battle had been exhausting and very little could help recover mental energy.

  Elizabeth started making more arrows, mostly to keep herself busy. She was joined by Reuf and Bryant. Sia went to recover nearby. Daniel spent the time carving enchantment diagrams into the arrowheads. He said it was a tedious and wasteful process and without something to put into the diagram it wouldn’t even do anything, but it gave him something to distract him. Victor started cleaning his weapon and armor, as Savgar inspected several of the Wenduag’s armor he picked up during the fight.

  “Enchanted,” Savgar commented. He turned to Daniel and handed him the armor. “Have you ever seen these enchantments?”

  Daniel inspected the equipment for several minutes before answering. “It’s an increased toughness enchantment, but instead of working on the armor, it affects the person wearing it. That explains a lot.”

  “How did he get a hold of something like this?” Savgar asked.

  “No idea,” Daniel muttered. “He had to find someone that knew enchanting to get these made. Maybe one of the elves?”

  After a while, Rayne and Sylvian finished helping the elves and joined them at the campfire.

  “How are they doing?” Bryant asked.

  “Confused,” Sylvian said. “But better now.”

  “We tried to explain what we could,” Rayne said. “There is a lot that we couldn’t talk about, but I think they understand the important parts.”

  “It is a lot to take in,” Daniel nodded. “At least now they are free. We just need to give them time.”

  “Are they going to stay?” Reuf asked.

  “I don’t think leaving is an option now,” Rayne said glancing at the sapling. “Not after seeing…”

  “The elves have a special connection to that tree,” Sylvian explained.

  “We are planning to stay,” Alzona said in Elven, coming up to join them. “That is If we are allowed to. Can they understand me?”

  “Some of them can,” Rayne confirmed.

  “I can set up a translation aura,” Jasper offered.

  “I didn’t know you could do that,” Sylvian said.

  “It’s limited,” Jasper said. “It only works for languages Jack is fluent in,” Jasper said. “It’s one of the abilities I got from bonding with him. Right now, that would be only three languages, but Elven is one of them.”

  A bubble of energy expanded from Jasper, covering a small area and the people within.

  “Did it work?” Bryant asked.

  “It did,” Alzona said. “I wanted to thank you all for your help in rescuing our people.”

  “We were in a similar situation not long ago,” Victor said. “Glad we could help you out. And of course you’re welcomed to stay.”

  “Rayne and I already agreed to stay and become a part of this Settlement,” Sylvian said, “on the stipulation that our people would be welcome to stay as well.”

  “You wish for us to join this human Settlement?” Alzona asked. “Even with the tree, are you sure about that? How compatible can we really be?”

  “There is more to it,” Rayne said. “But perhaps it will make more sense if you saw.”

  Jasper made a few gestures, and a screen appeared in Alzona’s vision. She read it over several times, making sure she saw it correctly.

  “But how?” Alzona asked.

  “It is part of what we aren’t able to talk about,” Rayne said.

  “So many domains! And the elves and dwarves together?” Alzona looked at the Rayne question.

  “I know,” Rayne said understanding. “But we think it’s worth trying.”

  “You have a problem with the dwarves?” Savgar asked.

  “Of course not,” Alzona said bowing slightly to Savgar. “I am thankful to the Ironbreath clan for their assistance. But I am confused.”

  “The Ironbreaths are not a part of this,” Savgar said. “Not yet, but I’ll be going back to get more of my clansmen to join us here eventually. Non-negotiable.”

  “What about the…”

  “Non-negotiable,” Savgar repeated louder, interrupting her. “We have an agreement. That is all that needs to be said on the subject.”

  “You two know each other?” Rayne asked.

  “We met a few times over the years,” Alzona said. “I have respect for Savgar Ironbreath of the Steel Vanguard, but this is the last place I would’ve thought to see you, or any dwarf.”

  “Blame the humans on that,” Savgar grunted.

  Alzona looked to Rayne who shrugged. “He is trustworthy.”

  “I know,” Alzona said, then turned back to the dwarf. “I see, we have a lot to discuss.”

  “Another time,” Savgar said. ““Never knew your name was Alzona though.”

  “I introduced myself several times over the decades,” Alzona said.

  Savgar grunted at that. “Aye, I believe you did. But you were only referred to by your title among the dwarves. The sniper of Vendalis. Disrespectful to call you anything else. You’d have to tell me how you became the leader of this group.”

  “I thank you,” Alzona muttered. “I didn’t know I earned a title among the dwarves. I didn’t even know I was known.”

  Savgar only nodded but didn’t comment more.

  “Sniper of Vendalis?” Rayne asked.

  “That was a long time ago,” Alzona said. “Before I joined the Azure sect.”

  They continued to chat, as they waited. It was later in the day that Zajowle and Elaine appeared carrying the three remaining elves in their arms. They were still unconscious, and Reuf and Sylvian created a quick hospice to lay the elves in. Alzona and Reuf tried to wake them, but nothing they did had any effect. All they could do was try to make them comfortable and watch over them.

  “They are still alive,” Reuf assured her. “Whatever is preventing them from waking is probably related to the markings on their skin.”

  “These were not there before,” Alzona said, tracing the tattoos with her fingers.

  “They look like ritual markings,” Daniel said. “Clayton must have performed his ritual on them.”

  “What does that mean?” Victor asked.

  “Can they be saved?” Alzona asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Daniel said. “I’ll need to study it, but it might take some time.”

  “What happened to the boy?” Savgar asked. “He was with you.”

  “Clayton sent his elites after us,” Zajowle said. “Jack stayed to give us time to escape. Zephyr and Ciao were with him”

  “He shouldn’t have been far behind us,” Elaine said. “We should go back out and make sure he managed to escape them.”

  “We don’t know where he led them away to,” Zajowle said.

  “My bond with Jack hasn’t disappeared,” Jasper assured them. “That is something at least.”

  “If Zephyr is with him, I might be able to get a sense if he is close,” Daniel said. He reached out with his Mana to touch on the bond he shared with the Familiar. “She is far away. That is if they are still together.”

  “I don’t mind going to look,” Reynard offered. “If he is safe then I’ll bring him back. If he is in trouble, depending on what it is, I can come get the rest of you.”