The “great” escape.

Well, so apparently my mother did know some English, some of the ancients were probably from the United States or some other country that spoke it, her letter in case of disaster was a bit confusing with a –lol- at the end, maybe through the years it has change its meaning. What I know is that the best districts of the capital were burning as we were leaving.

Now I do have the strangest “hero” party that one could ask for, my cousin from my father’s side, Pax who was supposed to protect me and serve me from today which I guess he is doing; my dear cranky maid Helena who is going with the flow instead of running on her own, and my butler Klaus who suddenly doesn’t seem as old as usual and myself, I tried bringing as much clothes as possible .

“Young Pax, which path of the forest we should follow to reach our destination?” asks the old man, he brought a two-handed sword just in case. “My uncle is supposed to be hiding at the depth of this so-called Soul Forest, once we reach a 3-path intersection I will signal so that he knows we are his kin”. “So, we do have a rebel uncle living in the forest, is his name Robin by any chance?”. “No, my prince, I told you already my mother’s name is Rala, that is your aunt, and our uncle is called Retor”. “Don’t call me like that, you are my cuz, cuz”. “I won’t call you my prince but don’t call me cuz please...”.

My father was Rauro and his siblings are Rala and Retor. Rala is just a normal citizen who never left her birthplace, while her big brother Rauro got kidnapped and sold as a slave and that’s how his life started to become quite a tale. Retor did leave their village to try and find his brother, he became a well-known mercenary leader with no real combat skills, he started as a porter and when he did give strategy advice in the middle of fights people were dumbfounded by his quick wit.

He did not find his brother until news of a new baron reached his company; after knowing the name of the new baron he traveled to his territory. The two brothers' reunion was short, but he offered to help him in any way since he’s company was already big enough to be considered a small army.

Rauro did want to stop the slave trafficking ring that belonged to Mathias van Vogel, one of the bigger names in the Septem Imperium. They were able to bring him down, but the imperial army could not ignore their insurrection. My father took all the blame and was executed, while his brother and his mercenaries run away from their trials just in case they wanted more blood.

“Here it should be, 3 paths that don’t belong to the main road. Oh, shadow flame hear my call, I am but a servant of your power, burn as the suns, explode as reflection; ATER INFERNO” A black flame comes out of the magic circle that formed right in front of Pax hand, that he directs to the sky; it ends up exploding in the sky as a twin-explosion that seems to mimic the moons of this world. Let’s hope they saw that, it’s already the second day since we left and it is night, I don’t think that could be seen well.

“Becoming a rebel and coming to see the most infamous mercenary company in the imperium wasn't’ on my plans, I will charge you as much as possible once everything goes back to normal” Helena tired of waiting starts biting, I can’t think anything will come to normal, but oh well let’s pray. “Helena, I promise you that I will pay you as much as I can, I told you already but I’m sorry about you coming with us” “Don’t be sorry, it’s my decision and still better than going back home to be courted by some big fat noble” She really is athletic to be able to do the travel we have done while smoking on the way.

From the back of the forest appears a middle-aged man accompanied by a high elf, she is a real beauty with silky red hair, she’s got two braids that fall from each side of her fames covering the beginning of her pointy ears. The man is kind of simple; he is average in stature and has a beard missing only the moustache. His hair is kept short, black with some white hairs, he’s got an eyepatch covering his right eye, the other one looks sharp.

“So, it seems we are welcoming an imperial prince to this humble forest. This is one of the few places in the country that doesn’t really belong to the imperium even though it’s but a few days apart from the capital. It’s Elfhellion territory, and the great elf I am coming with is none other than Eralas, daughter to the patriarch of the Soul Forest”. “Welcome to the entrance of the Soul Forest, just behind me there is a magic wall that prevents most from being able to enter and leaves them wandering; We will hear about your troubles tomorrow since you are kinsmen to our counselor and war chief”.

“Wahaha such a great show this is, your uncle seems to be well trained for a non-combatant, and being war chief to elves is great”. Klaus analyses carefully the strangers, he seems ready to jump at them. Please calm down. “Pardon our intrusion, I am Pax son of Rala, and beside me we have third imperial prince Adikemas and the rest are his servants”. “Sup’ uncle, how is the food here? I don’t care much about politics and shit, but I haven’t eaten much these days”.

Eralas alternates between looking at Retor and me, it seems she is shocked by my lack of etiquette. I don’t think my uncle should be much better considering his background but maybe I should keep my slum talk in check.

“Boy, every time we have discussed what could happen for you to come here and do the signal I agreed with your mother, we really though you would be... different. But that is a small matter, we have some insight about what is going in the capital thanks to our spies; we will talk about it in the morning, first come we will show you quarters for you and your people”.

As we walk beside them, we end in a place totally different from the rest of the forest; this is how an elf city should look like. Big gaudy houses built around the biggest and most thick trees I have ever seen. I want to kick a rock to see if I it can reach the top of the tallest one, but maybe they will put me into jail for being a danger to their people.

We are accommodated in one of the shortest trees, probably for the shock not to be that big the next morning. As I rest in the leaf suspended bed I start thinking about my mother, I haven’t really sleep ever since the night we started our escape. I don’t understand why they would kill her in the night before my birthday, my uncle probably will know better. As I think about it, I am embraced by sweet sweet sleep.