Shadows of Hope

Leyade stopped dead.

She spun around, searching every corner of the tunnel of vines.

There was no one there.

She stood still for a few moments, listening closely.

Silence.

She frowned slightly.

“Again... What is this forest up to now?” She stopped singing and set off again, keeping her guard up. Her eyes moved constantly over the walls of vines, the roots and every dark corner of the passage.

She had barely taken a few steps when the same laugh rang out again.

This time to her right.

Leyade reacted at once, turning on her heels.

Nothing.

Not the slightest movement.

It was beginning to make her nervous.

Without taking her eyes off the place where she had heard the laugh, she took the bow from her back and drew an arrow from her quiver.

She slowly nocked it and drew back the string.

Then she saw it.

Just a few yards ahead, on the wall of vines to her left, an enormous grin full of sharp fangs appeared, seeming to gleam among the shadows.

Leyade turned swiftly and aimed straight at it.

But it had vanished.

Another burst of laughter rang out behind her.

The ranger turned again.

The grin had now appeared on the opposite wall.

Without a second thought, she released the string. The arrow whistled through the passage and buried itself among the vines, exactly where that mocking mouth had been.

“Hey, easy, girl! You could hurt yourself with that.”

The voice echoed throughout the tunnel.

Leyade immediately nocked another arrow and looked up, searching for its source.

Suddenly, two enormous yellow eyes opened among the vines growing above her head.

She took a step back, aiming at them.

“Who are you? Come out of there!” she ordered forcefully, closing one eye to take better aim.

“Well, well... You want to know who I am?” The voice laughed again.

The eyes vanished once more.

An instant later, they appeared in the ground, right in front of her boots.

Leyade swung the bow down and drew it back again, aiming at this new apparition.

“I’ll tell you... but you’ll have to stop pointing that at me,” the voice offered, as though proposing a bargain.

Leyade remained motionless, the bowstring fully drawn.

“What’s the matter?” the voice laughed. “Aren’t you curious to find out what I am?”

After a few moments of hesitation, the ranger slowly began to lower her bow, though she did not ease the string.

“That’s it... Very good... A little lower...”

Leyade obeyed slowly, never taking her eyes off the shadows.

“That’s much better.” The voice sounded closer and closer.

She was still ready to shoot at any moment.

“I suppose asking you to relax the bowstring would be too much, wouldn’t it?” the voice sighed with feigned resignation, though it never lost its mocking tone.

Then the shadows began to stir. Little by little, they gathered on the ground until they formed a single dark silhouette.

First came four small paws, then slender claws, long ears, a large, fluffy tail and, finally, a long, narrow muzzle.

The last of the darkness peeled away from the figure like smoke carried off by the wind. Before Leyade sat a small fox with reddish fur. His chest, the tips of his ears and the end of his tail were completely white. He sat with his back straight, watching her with bright golden eyes while a mischievous smile played across his muzzle.

And he seemed thoroughly amused by the whole situation.

Leyade stared at him in astonishment, blinking several times before she managed to speak.

“Are you...?”

“Yes, I know,” the fox interrupted, grinning from ear to ear. “I’m amazing.”

It took the elf a moment to react.

“That wasn’t quite the word...” she muttered to herself.

“Yes, I tend to have that effect. People often find themselves at a loss for words to describe me.” The little fox placed a paw against his chest with a look of pride.

Leyade continued watching him, trying to take in what stood before her.

“I see...” she murmured thoughtfully. “Who are you?”

The fox clicked his tongue and slowly shook his head.

“How disappointing. I was under the impression that elves were much better mannered.”

The ranger tilted her head slightly.

“What do you mean?” She narrowed her eyes in confusion.

The fox let out a long sigh, as though he were about to explain something painfully obvious.

“Let’s see...” he began, raising a paw. “When the time comes for introductions, you introduce yourself first, and then you ask the other person’s name.” He marked each part of the sentence with small movements of his paw, exaggerating every syllable as though teaching a small child. “Do you understand?”

Leyade frowned.

“I think that rule stops applying when you’ve spent quite some time hiding in the shadows, stalking someone.” She raised an eyebrow.

“Bah... Trifles.” The fox waved a dismissive paw. “Manners are the foundation of all civilisation, girl. If we stopped being polite... what would set us apart from...?” He slowly looked her up and down with a wicked smile. “Well... you know.”

Leyade raised an eyebrow. He had just insulted her in three different ways in a single sentence.

She closed her eyes for a moment, took a deep breath and decided not to rise to the bait.

“My name is Leyade Tíanladastra,” she replied with a slight bow of her head. “Now it’s your turn.”

“Aaah... Leyade Tíanladastra...” The fox repeated the name as though trying to remember it.

“Yes... I think I’ll call you Leya.” He considered it for a few seconds.

“No... Wait. Yade. Yes, I like Yade better.” He nodded firmly. “Your name is far too long.”

“Far too long...” she repeated in disbelief, raising an eyebrow again. “You still haven’t answered. Who are you?”

“That isn’t terribly important right now.” He waved a paw, brushing the matter aside.

“What really interests me, Yade...” The ranger sighed in resignation at hearing the nickname again. “...is what a sun elf like you is doing in the forest of Kalneria.” He pointed his paw straight at her. “And don’t even think of giving me an answer like ‘I’m lost’ or ‘I was just out for a stroll.’”

He mimicked a high, exaggeratedly innocent voice, swaying his head from side to side. “Because I won’t believe you.”

For the first time, his mocking smile disappeared.

His golden eyes fixed on Leyade’s.

“The forest doesn’t let just anyone in for just any reason.”

Leyade remained silent for a few moments, weighing how much she should tell him.

The fox did not take his eyes off her. He sat perfectly at ease, his large tail swaying slowly from side to side.

However eccentric he might be, he seemed to know this forest far better than she did.

She narrowed her eyes and toyed with the edge of her cloak for a few moments before replying.

“I’ve come looking for someone,” she said at last.

The fox nodded with an innocent expression.

“Aaah... So you’re looking for someone...”

He brought a paw to his chin and pretended to think deeply.

Suddenly, his eyes widened.

“I know who you’re looking for!”

Leyade tilted her head slightly.

“Oh, do you?” she asked, trying to hide her surprise.

“Of course I do, Yade.” He pointed straight at Kalindra. “You’re looking for someone who can teach you to use that sword.”

The elf could not help showing a little surprise.

“How did you...?”

“How do I know?” he interrupted with a proud smile. “I already told you. I’m a-ma-zing.” He drew out each syllable, tapping his chest with his paw. “Come on, one only has to look at you.”

Leyade watched him in silence.

“You’re pointing a bow at me, but you have a sword at your belt.” He pointed to Kalindra again. “A sword which, by the way, you’re carrying wrapped in a piece of cloth.”

The fox tilted his head.

“Who carries a sword without a scabbard? An old piece of cloth? Really?”

He slowly shook his head with a look of utter disdain. “Besides...” He paused, looking at Kalindra again. “You’re not even wearing it on the correct side.”

Leyade instinctively glanced down at the sword.

“So either you’ve only just acquired it... or you don’t know how to use it yet,” he concluded with a satisfied smile.

Leyade felt her cheeks beginning to grow warm. She did not know which embarrassed her more.

That she had failed to notice something so obvious, that a fox had just called her a beggar in the politest way possible, or that an intelligent fox was giving her a lesson.

“Yes... Well... Perhaps it was rather obvious...” she admitted, looking away as she brought a hand to Kalindra, as though trying to hide it.

The fox burst into amused laughter.

“Oh dear, Yade... You are funny.” Still laughing, he pointed a paw at her again. “Then tell me something.” His smile softened. “Why do you need to cross Kalneria to find this person?”

He tilted his head slightly.

“Is there no one in the human kingdom who knows how to handle a sword?” He considered this for a few seconds. “Well... I know they’re a little barbaric, and manners aren’t exactly their strong point.” He shrugged. “But I understand they’re fairly capable with bladed weapons.”

Leyade frowned again. She did not like the dismissive way he spoke about everyone.

“I don’t think they could teach me to use this sword. I was advised to come here to find the right person,” she explained, choosing her words carefully.

“I see...” The fox gave a slight shrug. “I suppose their knowledge of swords isn’t much to boast about either.”

He sighed. “Anyway, Yade...”

All trace of mockery suddenly left his expression.

He raised a paw and pointed straight at her.

“As much as I’d like to tell you that you’ve been given the right directions...” He paused briefly. “...I’m afraid someone’s been having you on.”

“No. No one’s been having me on.”

Leyade shook her head firmly.

The fox let out a long sigh.

“My dear Yade...”

“Leyade,” she corrected, in a much sharper tone than before.

The fox was silent for a moment.

Then he nodded.

“Leyade.” For the first time, he said her name correctly.

And, for the first time, all mockery vanished from his voice as well.

“I don’t know who sent you here...” His golden eyes fixed on hers. “...but there’s no one here who can teach you to use that sword.”

For a few moments, she remained silent.

What if the fox was right?

Although he had spent all that time making fun of her, he did not seem to be lying. Perhaps Kiany had been telling the truth, and there had once been someone who could have taught her. But spirits lived for a very long time. What if that person was no longer alive?

Disappointment washed over the elf, and she lowered her gaze to the ground.

If that were true... she would not be able to save her people. The faces of her family and friends, along with the landscapes of her home, appeared in her mind. Then those images gave way to the sight of that infernal hand laying waste to everything.

Fire.

Smoke.

Ashes.

‘Have I failed?’ she thought.

Leyade gripped Kalindra’s hilt tightly.

A resounding ‘no’ rang through her mind.

She could not give up. She was all they had. She was the last hope of her people, of her village. She could not abandon them. That was all there was to it.

She raised her head and looked straight into the fox’s golden eyes.

“No,” she declared. “She hasn’t lied to me. Perhaps you don’t know this person, or perhaps you’re right, but either way, I’m not giving up. I have a very important mission.”

The fox watched her in silence, listening closely. Then he shook his head with a small laugh.

“You are stubborn...” he sighed. “Very well. Let me ask you a few questions. Who sent you here?” He lifted his head to look at her and began walking slowly around her.

“Kiany, the spirit of small animals, sent me,” the ranger replied confidently.

“Kiany?” the fox asked in disbelief.

“Yes, Kiany,” Leyade repeated.

The animal continued circling her, swishing his tail ingratiatingly as one ear drooped in puzzlement.

“How did you manage to speak to a spirit like Kiany? As far as I know, only he...” The fox trailed off, muttering to himself.

“Who?” asked the white-haired elf.

“Nothing, just thinking aloud.” He waved a paw. “Tell me, how did you manage to speak to Kiany?” The fox stopped and sat down in front of her again.

“I happened to find her injured in the forest,” Leyade explained. “I looked after her until she could move again.” Leyade pulled a face. “So technically, she managed to speak to me.”

The fox nodded, considering the situation.

“I see... Spirits tend to reward acts of pure kindness,” he explained, tilting his head. “I don’t understand that code myself, but who am I to judge a spirit?”

He gave a small, indifferent shrug. “In any case...”

He stood up and slowly approached Kalindra.

“What sort of sword is this, that she can’t send you to the human city?” he asked curiously, sniffing the weapon.

Leyade instinctively stepped to one side and moved the sword away.

The fox looked at her and laughed.

“Don’t worry, Yade. I’m not going to take it from you.” He raised his front paws in a gesture of innocence.

“Swordsmanship isn’t my art. I prefer other arts.”

The elf laughed a little nervously. She had reacted instinctively to a fox who did not even have hands to wield a weapon.

The animal’s eyes gleamed with curiosity, and a sly smile appeared on his face.

“Show me the sword,” he ordered, holding out a paw.

Seeing his expression, Leyade hesitated at the request.

“Show me,” he insisted.

The elf watched him for a few moments, trying to fathom his intentions. Finally, she gave in. If she wanted answers, she would have to take a risk.

She took hold of Kalindra, undid the leather tie securing the cloth, removed the safety pin and carefully slid the covering along the blade until the polished steel lay exposed, beautiful and sharp.

Leyade gazed at the sword for a moment.

‘I could have sworn it was glowing just now...’ she thought, narrowing her eyes in puzzlement.

“This is...”

The fox’s voice drew her attention back to him.

The animal examined the weapon for a few moments and gave a surprised laugh.

“Interesting...”

Leyade looked at him expectantly.

The fox’s eyes gleamed. His ears swept back, and he stroked the blade with one paw, taking the utmost care. His expression was one of...

Surprise?

And perhaps... admiration?

For a few seconds, he remained completely still.

“How wonderful... I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Leyade watched him, holding her breath, waiting for him to react and tell her something.

“What is it?” she asked at last.

“Oh, forgive me!”

The fox reacted as though he had just been pulled out of a trance and stepped sharply away from the sword. “Works of art absorb me completely,” he added, recovering his usual mocking smile.

She watched him for a few moments with a slight frown, unconvinced. Something about his reaction, and about everything that was happening, struck her as very strange.

Still, she simply nodded, narrowing her eyes.

“Well...?” she asked impatiently.

“Now I understand why you were sent here,” the fox replied with an air of importance.

“Oh, do you?” Leyade asked hopefully.

The fox nodded.

“Of course! A human wouldn’t have the faintest hope of understanding this weapon!” he exclaimed, pointing at it. “This sword is an extraordinary work of art, both in its forging and its design.”

“Oh...” she replied, a little disappointed. “I’d already guessed that.”

She looked at the sword. It truly was a jewel, but that did not help her much. “Can’t you tell me anything else?”

The fox tilted his head.

“Anything else? This weapon is special, Yade.”

“I know. It was given to me by a spirit,” she replied, lowering the sword.

“No,” the fox replied as he stood up. “You don’t understand, Yade. This weapon is special.”

He fell silent for a few moments, gazing at the sword again.

“Tell me... It has a name, doesn’t it?” he asked with a smile.

Leyade nodded.

“Yes, it does. Its name is Kali...”

The fox raised a paw, silencing her.

“No. Don’t say it,” he ordered. His gaze had become intense and serious. This time, he was not joking. “A weapon’s name holds great power. Never speak it in vain. Do you hear me?”

Somewhat surprised, the white-haired elf closed her mouth and nodded.

The fox turned his gaze back to the sword.

“This weapon carries a magical enchantment that gives it unique properties,” he explained. “It seems to contain magic from the schools of evocation and conjuration.” He looked up as he finished speaking. Seeing Leyade’s confused expression, he sighed and shook his head. “Tell me you at least know there are different schools of magic.”

Leyade nodded. She did not know how to use magic, but she knew that much. Elves were taught the basics of certain aspects of it.

“Good,” the fox replied with exaggerated relief. “I’ll explain it in a way you can understand.” He adopted that ridiculous high voice again and slowed his speech to an exaggerated degree.

“Imagine I cast a spell and suddenly, poof! A frog appears.” With a great deal of theatrical flair, he made several gestures with his paws as though casting a spell. The shadows stirred beneath him, slipping gently up from the ground and gathering into the shape of a little frog, which began to hop about. “That, my dear, is conjuration. Are you following?”

He looked at her intently, raising one ear.

Leyade nodded, both surprised and offended by his condescending explanation, though she had to admit the demonstration had caught her by surprise.

“Now, if I cast another spell and suddenly... zap!” The fox made another exaggerated movement with his paws. A burst of energy sprang up before him and struck the frog, knocking it a few inches away. “That is evocation,” he declared proudly. “Fascinating, isn’t it?” His smile gleamed in the shadows.

Leyade nodded slowly.

“I see... And how does that magic affect my sword?” she asked, intrigued.

With an elegant gesture, the fox dismissed the frog and, in the same manner, directed the shadows towards Kalindra.

It immediately began to glow in shades of gold. The light pouring from the blade was so intense that looking straight at it could be blinding. It shone like daylight.

The rays pierced the shadows, making them gradually disappear.

It was as though the shadows themselves were fleeing from it.

Leyade watched Kalindra gleam like the morning sun. The light was warm, giving off a pleasant, soothing feeling.

“This feeling...” she murmured to herself. “It’s just as Kiany said...”

Leyade raised the sword and watched it shine. There was not a single shadow around her; it was as though it were clearing the clouds from an overcast sky.

“Oooh, how sweet,” said the fox. “Look how excited she gets over a light... Like a moth.” He watched her with his head resting on one paw.

Hearing that, Leyade laughed a little and turned to look at him.

“I’m not as knowledgeable as you,” she replied politely, as though addressing a noble. “I’m sure someone as magnificent as you has seen many like this.”

She paused, lifting Kalindra. “Haven’t you?”

The fox was gazing at the sword in fascination, but at her words, he nodded and closed his eyes.

“Of course, Yade. Who do you take me for?” he replied, bringing a paw to his chest. “This isn’t the first time I’ve seen an object that lights up the darkness and drives away shadows.”

He smiled arrogantly, but something in his eyes told her that was not entirely true. Though with this fox, who knew what was real?

“If you draw the sword in dark places, it will give you light. If there is darkness, it will drive it away. It has other properties, but it is the work of the gods, and I... I don’t understand such things,” he explained, getting up again. “I’m not particularly religious. Let’s say my nature is more pragmatic, so I can’t tell you any more.”

The elf looked at him as she lowered Kalindra. She tilted her head and watched him closely with a questioning expression.

The fox noticed her gaze.

“Why are you looking at me like that, Yade?”

He began to walk around her, brushing his tail against her legs.

The young white-haired elf looked at the sword, then at the fox, and finally spoke.

“Why are you helping me?” she asked, a little embarrassed by the question.

Although he was a terribly rude and mocking fox, he had helped her in the end, and he had been honest.

“Seeing that sword in the hands of someone so...” He paused, narrowing his eyes as he made a deliberate effort to find the right word. “...inexperienced. It burned me up inside.”

Leyade smiled at his answer. She had expected nothing less.

“You’re right,” she replied. “This sword needs capable hands, worthy of wielding it.”

The fox nodded proudly.

“I couldn’t let someone carrying that sword pass through my territory and simply walk away.” He smiled wickedly. “You’re lucky I like you. Otherwise, I would have devoured you.”

Leyade laughed with him.

Though she could not help wondering: was that another of his jokes, or might it be true? Whatever the answer, she chose to believe it was a joke.

A companionable silence settled between them. The fox watched her with his head tilted, his tail moving slowly and a smile on his muzzle.

“In any case...” Leyade bowed. “Thank you very much for helping me, nameless fox.”

The fox laughed in amusement.

“Ha, you’re welcome. Don’t let my lessons go to waste, will you?”

Leyade gave him a broad smile and nodded firmly.

“Of course,” she said, placing a hand against her chest.

The fox seemed pleased. With a great show of theatricality, he walked over to stand beside Leyade and, raising his paws, conjured a small fox made of shadows.

“Follow him, and he’ll lead you out,” he said, gesturing towards it with his head.

Leyade nodded again.

“All right. Thank you very much. I will.”

And so, with Kalindra in her hand, the elf set off after the little shadow fox, gradually leaving the mocking fox behind.

“Leyade.”

The elf stopped and turned to look at him, tilting her head slightly.

“Be careful,” he warned her.

Leyade smiled and nodded with determination, raising a hand in farewell. Then she turned and walked away, her cloak billowing and Kalindra held in her hand like a beacon.