Captured

     Almost like a howl, but lower. there were a chorus of them. They sounded big... and close. Von froze. There were grunts and barks closing in as though a small pack of animals were closing in on the large glade. He was more curious then he was afraid, and stood waiting, listening and looking at the edge of the clearing. Finally they broke out of the tree line in four different locations, but almost in unison. They were not wolves. They were something different. Giant... goats? but claws and tusks ruled that out. Von realized with relief, he would get his dying wish. He closed his eyes and held out his hands in a surrendering gesture. Rather then the attack he believed imminent he heard yelps and grunts, as well as the sound of something big tumbling. Cracking open an eye he scarcely had a moment to take in the view. Spears and arrows were raining down on his would be attackers, ensuring their demise. Before he had a chance to turn toward the source, something wrapped around his legs bringing him down and net engulfing him. He heard a sing-song language spoken by male voices chattering and laughing casually.

      They hung him from a tree branch near the game they had just brought down, granting him a better view of his new captors. Fair complexions and features as well as very long vertical ears only brought to mind one thing; Elves. That however is where the resemblance ended. They all sported either some sort of mullet, some with braid(s), some without, or Others with long and feathered hair. To make matters more puzzling, was their manner of dress. The wore faded flannel style shirts with short frayed sleeves tucked into kilts, Mostly uncolored grey or off-white, as well as faded blues and reds. Most had primitive, brutish spears and thick clumsy bows, save a handful of them. These had long bows intricately carved from a very dark wood. They were completely out of place, but were the only things that even remotely fit the preconceptions of 'elfen'. 

      He watched them drain the beasts into large water skins. Up close, these beasts were massive, almost the size of horses. They gutted the beasts, tied them to carrying spits with all due haste (as well as myself), and took off as if expecting company, trotting single file. He managed to squirm from the uncomfortable position on his back to a sort of sitting position to see better.

     After about 5 minutes of rapid travel, the woods began to shift more to hard wood. Occasionally distant roars were heard, and at one point an elephantine beast was using massive claws to pull down branches it would stabilize with its trunk like appendage. It's front legs were disproportionately long and thick. Although it ignored them, there were some speaking between the captors, perhaps debating on extending their hunt. A wall of green was ahead among the trees but only about 15 ft high, while the trees grew to terrible proportions, both in width and height. As they drew closer a dark recess became visible, a door to a tunnel. The foliage was thick with thorns and spikes dripping a clear liquid. It wasn't long after that, perhaps another 5 minutes, Von thought, that the terrible stench began. Occasionally a splash was heard and it became evident they were on a raised path through a swamp. They arrived at an enormous tree cleared of the poisonous vegetation at it's base with other paths at about every 15 to 20 feet.

      Von jumped when a horn went off behind him. Craning his neck to see, one of the elves were blowing on an beautifully made horn, long and curved. It was red, marble like and webbed with veins of silvery gold. It didn't have intricate carvings, but it was incredible and the sound that issued from it was clear and loud. Von held his hands over his ears, then noticed everyone else was, as well. 

     From somewhere above a sort of rope ladder fell, probably about 15 feet wide with more of a webbing pattern then a grid. With surprising agility they ascended, using poles or nets between them to hoist the loads they brought with them, including Von. 

     Far above the forest floor was a city. The tops of the giant trees still towering far above were brush like, having vertical frond leaves and allowing plenty of light to fall on the platforms. The platforms were held up by brackets that looked as if the massive trees had grown them naturally, yet were far too symmetrical. The buildings were artistically made of sweeping vertical curves, elegant stairways, and soaring terraced towers. All the buildings were made seemingly of aged meerschaum that, like the horn from earlier, was veined with gold. 

      And yet, it looked as though these people were just camping there, with furnishings of rough wood and leather. The walkways and surfaces were covered in fronds with some areas having gathered enough dirt to grow moss or grass. Strange 4 legged chicken looking critters wondered about, nesting beneath original benches made of the same dark wood as the walkways and railings. Most of the buildings were missing doors and had been replaced by leather curtains. 

     Von was tossed into one of the few buildings with a remaining door. It was intricately carved with a field of flowers and a setting or dawning sun. Inside was dark save for a pale light in a corner where a hole had been sloppily chopped into the floor and drom some high, narrow windows far above. Broken and splintered wood was gathered in a corner and he could see where someone had tried to build a wooden loft but many years previous and had failed miserably. there were others here, barely seen silhouettes sitting against the walls. Attempts at communication failed although he could tell that there were different languages in here. 2 in addition to the sing song elfen language. When someone squatted over the hole in the corner to relieve them-self, Von realized why the swamp below stunk so bad and perhaps what had made the splashes he had heard. The big room had stacks of rough woven blankets and he grabbed one of them to cover himself. Dinner, when it came, consisted of stew, surprisingly tasty, served in poorly made square wooden bowls. There were enough blankets for everyone there to have several, and they were needed. The night was cold and his sleep was hard coming. However it was inevitable.