powerful beings because they are allies to no one. They believe themselves to be vastly superior to every living thing in Tuwa.
'It was also shown to us that this inept High Council would convict the two of us based on antiquated laws. The Seda informed us of what we would need to do to save the elven race from certain annihilation,' the general said confidently. He was enjoying this feeling of knowing more than these high and mighty elves.
At this point, it dawned on King Ciel what these conspirators were playing at. He did not like what he thought they were about to do. His ability to reads minds did not work on his daughter or the general for some reason. However, he was able to read the effect that the general was having on the minds of the council members. He was able to deduce that they were plotting treasonous acts. The elven kingdom had stood for countless millennia united in the common cause of caring for Tuwa, and he was not going to allow these two to ruin that. He realized that he would not be able to stop what was about to happen without force. He readied himself to command his guard to seize the traitors and to execute Yukio immediately while forcibly ejecting Kira once she was restrained. He, just like the council, did not think of the consequences of such rash actions.
'You may think that we will allow you to carry out the assigned punishments, but you could not be more wrong. We have been planning to leave for some time now, and today was designated to be the day we leave the main body of the elves, as foretold by the Seda. We will not depart alone either… ' Princess Kira said boldly. She could not wait another moment; she had waited too long for this day to arrive.
'We will be accompanied by no less than one-third of the entire elven nation!' the general exclaimed triumphantly.
The astonished looks on the faces of those seated around the table made all of their planning worthwhile. The council had had no inkling that they were so out of touch with their own people. The weighty significance of this mass dissension was beginning to sink in. No one spoke because they were all too dazed and confused with what was happening. The elves had always considered themselves above such selfish motives; the lesser races were the ones who fought among themselves, not the enlightened elves.
With a mischievous grin, the princess cast her hand down toward the ground where an explosion of fire erupted violently and shot upward so that the flames licked the polished marble ceiling. Everyone had directed their attention toward the roof and did not notice that the rebels had vanished completely. General Yukio and Princess Kira had left the council with flare and style that would be remembered for years. The king immediately called for his guard to search for the convicts. Both of my daughters are dead to me! They will soon find out what happens to traitors! He was going to make it clear to his subjects that those who dissent and leave the magical realm of the elves would suffer the consequences.
While the king's guard searched for the treacherous pair, a massive number of elves were leaving the Black Forest with all of their possessions. They were heading north toward Mount Konane and Mount Quang. They were making their way to their new homes in the mountains. The king would not be able to stop them in time; they were no longer his subjects, and they were out of the reach of his guard. They had established themselves a queen who was truly enlightened and did not fear change. They would follow her wherever she led them. They felt peace and happiness in their hearts about the prospect of a new life outside the woodland. They had lost that feeling many years ago when the elves turned to isolationism and their government became so corrupt that they would no longer listen to the people. Now they would have a new beginning, a new hope in the mountains of the north.
CHAPTER 2
General Yukio Ibreshri sat silently on his horse early in the morning surveying the vast golden canyons of his homeland Nairi. Today was going to be like every other day. He would lead a small group of soldiers to the mouth of the Blaine River and begin another week long patrol. They always followed the river, which ran right through the heart of the land of Tuwa and was a source of life for many of its creatures. This massive body of water had many roads running along either bank. These thoroughfares provided safe passage for travelers and merchants alike because of the military presence Yukio and his men provided. There was always a chance that the cavalry would meet someone new during their daily travels. It was truly a melting pot for the different races and varied beasts of Tuwa and was always full of surprises. That was why so many Nairians volunteered for this assignment.
As the general sat pondering the splendor of this particularly peaceful morning, he had an ominous feeling come over him. He had the impression that today would be one to remember … he simply could not identify the source of this unusual feeling. Maybe it was another dignitary or even a member of a race he did not yet know of. This day was filled with the promise of great adventure and risk; he just knew it. As a man of war, he could hope for nothing more. Patrolling the trade routes along the Blaine River had grown mundane and wearisome over the years. Why do I keep vol- unteeringfor this assignment? Maybe my premonition will bring along some danger with it to break up the monotony. Still, this does beat sitting in the queen's throne room all day doing nothing.
His horse began to paw at the ground nervously as the morning mist clung to them. The general could tell that the beast was anxious to begin their daily patrol. General Yukio did not like the cramped dark spaces of the canyon lands and yearned to ride in the open spaces along the Blaine River. The stunning black coat and mane shined magnificently as a few rays of sunlight broke through the swirling mist. The horse had a noble look to him that caused the other horses to keep their distance. He was, in fact, the lord of all black stallions. It had been said that he was the swiftest four-legged animal in all of Tuwa. The other horses began to scratch at the ground to show their eagerness to get moving. Both the men and their steeds were longing to be outside the confines of the canyons.
'Men, enough of this hanging about; let's move out,' the general commanded. He was anxious to get this day started. He thought that no one else in their right mind would be up this early, so they should be able to enjoy an open road. Let's see what this day brings.
As the squad began to move out, the mist about them began to dissipate as the temperature climbed. They were only a few minutes away from the mouth of the river and the vast open spaces, so they spurred their horses into a gallop. Both man and beast thirsted for the wide-open plains and the beauty of the black oak trees of the Renshaw Forest. The main reason most of them signed on for this patrol was because they detested the mundane lifestyle of Nairi. Others just wanted to get away from the responsibilities of family life. Every single one of them silently believed that this was going to be an adventurous day, one that would help them forget what they had left behind. Then again they always felt this way when starting a week long patrol.
The Nairian guard patrolled the trade routes along the Blaine River as part of a commerce deal between Nairi and the other friendly races of Tuwa. Queen Daria Thejar was the sovereign ruler of the Nairi Canyon lands who was both kind and just. The canyons provided plentiful resources in the way of precious ores and metals, but they lacked basic necessities of life. While the land was not particularly pleasing to the eye, the people did benefit from the vast richness of its soil through trade with their neighbors. The queen did not tax the people at all because their laws make it clear that the monarchy had to support its own through means other than taxation. So, the throne usually went to one of the rich ore or mineral mining families. As a result of this form of rule, her subjects remained fiercely loyal to Daria's leadership. They could not find such freedom under the reign of King Leroy Ishrafle or King Derek Udrugi, who were kings of the other lands of men.
The morning fog burned off completely as the sun continued to climb in the sky. It was going to be another blistering hot day on the road. They were able to see the beautiful green plains on the east side of the river now that the mist was gone. They heard the sounds of birds singing from the forest that ran parallel to the banks of the Blaine River as they slowed to a trot. The water moved steadily south while making soft rushing sounds as it rolled over rocks and other debris. A squirrel ran across their path heading toward the cover of the nearby woods. Then that same furry rodent ran back into their path toward the river as though it were on fire. A small red fox burst out from the tree line toward the defenseless creature. The fox came up short when it caught sight of Yukio and his men. At least we were here to protect this helpless fur ball. The general was growing weary of the lack of anything exciting happening. What I wouldn tgive to have a battle or even a decent hunt. Maybe we will run into some filthy ores further south; that will help get the blood flowing.
By midday, General Yukio and his men were ready to take a break from their arduous trek south. The
