The gleaming white horses and their riders had borne his Girlwithsword away. Orden bowed his head, but it didn’t ease the throbbing where the townspeople had clubbed him. They had taken his sword and now two men in leather armor guarded him. Not that he knew which way to follow the riders even if he was free.
"What have we here?" A female stopped in front of him. Her dark gown brushed against the dirt of the road.
"The townspeople said he came with the elf that brought the moblins, Lady Agmaraa," one of the guards answered.
"Indeed." She crouched down to be head level with Orden. "But this is no elf. What’s your name?"
Orden looked at her face. She spent little time in the sun, and her black hair had streaks of grey fanning out at her temples. But the skin around her green eye and her silver eye was supple. Her expression held no malice. "My name is Orden Larksphere. My companion and I had nothing to do with the moblins. We were traveling and decided to stop here for the night."
"They saw the ears," a guard sneered.
"She’s not human, but she’s not an elf either. And we are both enemies of moblins."
"Then why would she ride off with the elves?" The other guard asked.
"The lead rider seized her. That’s being carried away, not riding off." Orden gritted his teeth to hold in his anger.
Agmaraa noticed Orden’s empty scabbard. "You fought the moblins?"
"Is that a crime too? They attacked this village, and the people living here are not trained warriors of any sort. We were trying to help."
She nodded and stood up. "Come, we need to see Lord Saria." Orden scrambled to his feet and the guards followed beside him as she led him to a group of armored men.
"My lord, the keep must be extended to protect Saria-Town. It is too vulnerable to attacks as it is." The speaker broke off as they approached and gained the attention of the oldest man present, a sparse man with a bony face and at ease with command.
His expression did not change. "Is that the elf, Lady Agmaraa?"
"His name is Orden Larksphere and he fought the moblins. He is no elf. His companion was mistaken to be an elf and was kidnapped by the elves that rode into the battle."
"What the elves take is never returned," another armored man muttered. Orden’s heart lurched.
Agmaraa glanced back at Orden before continuing. "Lord Saria, he is not safe here. The townspeople restrained from killing him only because of your arrival."
Saria pulled at his beard. "What do you want, lad?"
Orden lifted his chin. "To save my companion. Can you spare aid in tracking the riders?"
The rest of the group gasped and muttered. Saria smiled wryly. "If you lot had half the guts this lad has, the elves wouldn’t find us such easy prey. There is no way to track them. They live under the hills and the entrances are enchanted. Your companion is buried."
"Perhaps he’d relish the chance to keep the same fate from another," Agmaraa said.
"The elves have designs on my daughter, Zeldra. She is rebellious and does not understand their devious natures. She needs constant protection, and mayhaps you could make her understand the threat. What say you?"
If the elves were after this young lady, it may be his only opportunity to flush one out and demand information on Zoe. "I accept the charge, Lord Saria."
"Good, Lady Agmaraa, please take him back to the keep."
Orden’s sword was given back to him, and Agmaraa led them to a carriage. "Be not fooled by their talk of burials and death. The elves only take those who are willing to go. They offer what cannot be found here above ground."
"Zoe would want nothing that is theirs."
"You speak so confidently, what do you offer her to return to?" Agmaraa’s eyes bored into his. "Love? Why did you not call her your wife?" She laughed and climbed into the carriage without aid. "If she has nay married you, what makes you so certain that another man cannot woe her away? Especially one with magical skills."
Orden frowned and climbed into the carriage.
"I understand what you feel. You are all alone, among people who are not your people." Her smile was compassionate. "They are good people, and need aid to reach their final destiny. Make up your own mind, Orden Larksphere, but I hope you will decide to help me help them. It is better to mend a heart by doing good."
"I’m willing to help for now." Orden said. "No one knows the future."
Agmaraa smiled slightly, but didn’t reply. The carriage started down the road.
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