Chapter 11 – Shadows of the Human Army
Dusk crept slowly across the forest, painting the canopy in shades of fire. In the village hall, elders and warriors gathered, their faces grim beneath the flickering firelight.
A young scout stood before them, still breathless from his run.
"I saw human soldiers," he reported. "Their numbers… around a hundred, perhaps a hundred and fifty. They're moving south and have set up camp near the forest's border."
A murmur of panic rippled through the elves.
"One hundred fifty?" Elder Elrond muttered darkly. "That is no simple patrol. They march with purpose."
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Among them stood Valdyn Thalorian, now seventeen. His tall frame and longbow at his back gave him the air of a warrior, while his emerald eyes gleamed with calm authority.
"Panic won't help us," he said evenly. His voice, though young, carried weight that silenced the room.
"Humans don't march this deep just to hunt. They seek something. We must learn what it is—before they find us."
A young warrior frowned nervously. "And if they discover our village?"
Valdyn met his gaze. "Then before that happens, I will uncover their purpose. We cannot survive by hiding alone."
His mother, Queen Serenea, turned sharply. "Valdyn! It's too dangerous."
Valdyn's lips curved in a faint smile. "Mother… for too long we've lived waiting for destruction to come. If I do not act, our people will rot away in the shadows. Trust me—I will return."
The hall fell silent. For the first time, the elders saw not merely a boy, but a leader in the making.
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Night descended swiftly. Beneath the pale glow of the moon, Valdyn donned a dark cloak, hiding his golden hair beneath its hood. His longbow rested across his back, a quiver of enchanted arrows at his side.
Two loyal guards accompanied him, but in his heart Valdyn knew this was his own trial.
They moved quietly through the woods, following the large footprints pressed deep into the earth. The forest whispered around them—owls, crickets, the crack of branches.
At last, distant light glimmered through the trees. Harsh voices echoed: laughter, curses, the clash of metal.
Valdyn crouched low, breath steady, and peered through the undergrowth.
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In a clearing stood rows of rough tents and roaring campfires. Men gathered around, eating, drinking, sharpening steel. The air was thick with sweat, smoke, and confidence.
Above them flew a crimson banner, emblazoned with the golden lion.
Valdyn narrowed his eyes. "The Kingdom of Eisenhardt… I know that crest."
One of his guards swallowed. "An elite detachment… if they find us, our people are doomed."
Valdyn raised a hand for silence. His mind raced. What are you seeking here, humans…?
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Then, suddenly, Valdyn felt it—an unfamiliar aura. Not human, but sharp, deliberate. He turned swiftly.
From the shadows, a pair of silver eyes gazed back at him.
Valdyn's muscles tensed, his hand reaching instinctively for his bow. But the figure raised a finger to her lips: silence.
She stepped into the moonlight. A young elf—slender, dressed in hunter's garb of deep green. Her long black hair was tied back, and a bow rested easily in her grip.
Her silver eyes glinted, wary yet confident.
Valdyn's breath caught. An elf… from beyond our village?
The young woman lowered her voice, firm but quiet.
"Don't be a fool. The humans will hear you. If you want to know what they're after… follow me."
---
Valdyn hesitated only a moment, then nodded. He signaled his guards to remain calm.
The silver-eyed elf moved swiftly between the trees, her steps light as shadows. Valdyn followed, curiosity burning in his chest.
Who is she? And why does an elf wander so close to a human encampment?
---
In the darkness of the forest, fate stirred.
Valdyn Thalorian, Arcane Archer and heir of prophecy, had just crossed paths with a mysterious elf—one who would alter the course of his life forever.
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