The Mechanics of Peace

Chapter 4 - The Mission

by David "Lord Davidian", posted on April 17th, 2001

Prologue - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 -
Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8

       Somewhere deep within the pristine, undisturbed natural beauty that was Benlith Forest crouched Delvun Oakwood; as still and silent at this moment as the Forest was itself. As was expected of any good Elven hunter; his breathing was done through the nostrils--even and controlled to pick up the slightest scent of possible prey, his eyes were relaxed but focused for the widest possible field of view, his sensitive Elven ears were poised to twitch in the direction of the slightest sound--the snapping of a twig or perhaps
the sampling of a tasty leaf from a nearby bush and, most importantly, his carefully crafted (and very unique) bow was at the ready--steel tipped oak arrow nestled in the notch of the bow and supported by the coarse pocket between Delvun's thumb and forefinger.
Delvun could think of no better place he would rather be at this moment than here, among the majestic ancient trees, thick green bushes and colorful fragrant flowers which made up most of Benlith Forest. It was his home; his reason for being and this was his claimed hunting spot, just as the great oak tree under which he was birthed was his claimed sanctuary. Still, he couldn't help but feel that something was missing; something he just couldn't seem to put his finger on. It was a feeling he had for as long as he could remember. It wasn't a longing for love or acceptance; he learned long ago to do very well without such distractions. It certainly wasn't a desire for wealth and comfort; everything he needed, Kyra provided for in nature. Perhaps it was a yearning for adventure beyond the confines of Benlith Forest. "Stop thinking such forbidden thoughts!" he scolded himself. "The Elders would never allow a Kindred to explore beyond the safety of this Forest. Still, every day the desire grows; gnawing at my very soul. Gnawing...a deer! There's a full grown deer gnawing at that bush!" He suddenly realized, cursing himself for letting his impossible desires distract him from the important task at hand.

       Delvun's prey stood in front of a large, leafy bush just to the left of his current position which was behind an equally large, leafy bush. Luckily for Delvun, the deer hadn't noticed him yet. Slowly and with great care not to make the slightest sound, he lifted his bow to the level of his right eye while tightly closing his left one. He then tilted his head slightly to the left and pulled back on the taut bow string, keeping his prey well within his unwavering sights. He withdrew a slow, even breath and...

       "Delvun, I knew you would be here." Delvun jumped in surprise as did his prey. The voice was calm, but loud enough to scare off the deer he had waited patiently for a long time to get in his sights. It scampered away, lucky enough to live yet another day.

       "What is it!?!" Delvun huffed in anger, before turning to face an annoyed Tatsun! "Oh! Please forgive me Elder Tatsun. I did not know it was you."

       "Come! Chief Elder Balrun wishes to have words with you." The look of annoyance did not leave Tatsun's aged face and neither did he give any indication of forgiveness for Delvun's disrespectful words. Tatsun was one of many Kindred who treated Delvun with indignation simply because he was not a 'true' Kindred Elf. Delvun followed Tatsun's lead, half expecting to be in some sort of trouble. "It looks like this going to be a really bad day," he somberly admitted to himself.

       "You...wanted to speak with me, Chief Elder Balrun?" Delvun asked, standing nervously just outside the meeting tent entrance as Tatsun walk away to go about his daily business.

       "Yes, Delvun. Please, come in and sit down for a moment."

       Delvun took a seat next to Balrun and looked at him expectantly. Judging by Balrun's pleasant tone of voice, Delvun now knew he was not in trouble.

Still, he was curious as to why he was sent for.

       Balrun folded his arms across his chest and drew in a long breath, deeply inhaling the still-burning incense next to him. "Delvun, I'm afraid the meeting I just had did not go well at all," he began matter-of-factly. "A Dwarf by the name of Mr. Gangril Thundersmith came in place of the acting Mayor of Copperville. His intentions were less than honorable. Rather than offering to extend the deadline of the treaty we have all come to depend on for survival, he wished to purchase our sacred land and do Kyra knows what with it. He then offered to relocate our tribe to another Forest; as if he had any knowledge of what was best for Elven Kindred! Only Kyra can grant such vision. He claimed that I was misinformed regarding his intentions for meeting with me, but I believe him to be nothing more than a deceiving opportunist."

       Delvun was shocked, concerned and puzzled; all at the same time. "That is truly upsetting and disturbing, but what does it all have to do with me specifically?"

       Balrun took another deep breath before answering. "Well, I have a difficult mission for you Delvun. One that, if successful, could very well save our village from ruin. I need you to go to Copperville and find out what you can about Mr. Thundersmith's interest in our Forest..."

       Delvun could not believe his pointed Elven ears. He was shocked that Balrun, the Chief Elder, suggested he go to Copperville--a place any other Kindred would be forbidden to go. At the same time, he was thrilled at the prospect of fulfilling his desire to experience life outside the confines of his Forest home.

       "...All I know about him is that he runs a business called 'The Thundersmith Copper Exchange' and he is very well groomed and mannered. He is accompanied by an attractive blond-haired woman by the name of Angelica Goodwyn. Be careful of her. She is armed and has a short temperament. Also with Mr. Thundersmith are two Half-Orcs by the names of Grog and Gorg. They look to be identical twins so you should easily recognize them. Mr. Thundersmith claims they are his 'business associates', but they look to me to be more in the capacity of his bodyguards. Be wary of any Half-Orcs you meet, Delvun; they tend to be an unpredictable race. Of course, I can't force you to take on this dangerous mission..."

       "I will do whatever is necessary to preserve the sanctity of this land and the safety of my fellow Kindred!" Delvun bellowed with much bravado, uncommon though it was for any Elf.

       "Excellent! It does my heart proud to hear you say that, Delvun."

       "Thank you Chief Elder Balrun. If I may inquire, though, why have you chosen me for this assignment?"

       "Good question and one that deserves a good answer. You see Delvun, Copperville has one very strict law; no one who is capable of using the art of magick is allowed to enter the city for reasons of safety and control. Apparently there have been too many incidents of magick abuse and misuse in the past. I have learned from reliable sources that Copperville has an unusual machine at its entrance. Part of this machine is a portal which acts as the city's entranceway and which displays the aura colors of anyone passing through it. Those who are capable of magick use would display a red aura if they passed through the portal. Since you are the only Kindred with no innate magick capability, only you can safely enter the city and carry out this important mission. You are strong, clever and self-reliant. Because of these rare traits, my confidence in you swells within me."

       "I shall endeavor not to disappoint you, Chief Elder Balrun" Delvun said reassuringly but not sure if he was really up to the task.

       "I know this to be true." Balrun poured two fresh cups of the green tea from the still hot teapot. "Now, have some tea. I have much to teach you about what to expect in the city before I can let you go..."