“Mhmm,” he replied. “I mean, of course.”
“Yes,” Eldana said.
“That I have never heard of,” D’rmas said. “I have heard of and seen people who act out of control due to magic, but not this.”
“One of the numerous quirks of being a being of Balance and Chaos,” Hermon said.
“Even for a being of Balance and Chaos,” D’rmas said, “this is enormous.”
They could all feel it. Eldana was different from the other beings of Balance and Chaos they had heard in their stories, who went obediently to be slaughtered. She had more strength of will.
“Well, I think what is enormous at this point is us pestering Eldana with so much chatter. She needs some quiet so she can rest.” Siem said.
Turning to Eldana, she told her:
“Meko sends her sympathies and a heartfelt apology at what befell you in the stream. He thinks it is his fault.”
“No, it is not…” Eldana paused, and she furrowed her brows. “How did he know about the stream?”
“Kochob.” Siem replied.
“Kochob?” Eldana questioned. She was not getting it. “But Kochob was not with me.”
“You forget, Eldana, that he is a telepath,” Hermon said.
Eldana groaned. “Of course.” She said, remembering when he must have made mental contact with her during the fight. I need to give more thought towards building walls around my mind, Eldana thought. I cannot have Kochob snooping into my mind whenever he wants to, nor anyone else!
Just then, it occurred to Eldana to enquire about their hosts and how they were faring.
“How about the elves?” Eldana asked.
Siem sighed. “They sustained losses.” She said. “About seven of their own were among the bodies lying in the field. The orcs were ferocious and strong, but we could have finished them without procuring this many casualties if magic had worked on them. Every spell we threw at them was impotent.”
“I know,” Eldana replied. “How is Fraweyni taking it?”
“Exactly as any mother would. She is in deep pain. Even the radiance that usually attends her has dulled.” Siem replied.
Just then an idea dropped into Eldana’s mind. “Our location and the location of the elves were supposed to be a secret,” Eldana said.
“Yes, it was,” Siem replied.
“Then how did the orcs get here?” Eldana asked.
Hermon, Mikko, and D’rmas exchanged looks. Eldana spotted them, and quickly got the sensation that there was something they were not telling her.
“What are you guys not telling me?” she asked warily.
“We should tell her,” D’rmas told Siem.
“Tell me what?” Eldana asked. Nobody replied. “Tell me what, Siem?” Eldana asked again.
Siem looked at Eldana. “Uhm...one of the dead orcs reanimated,” Siem said, ignoring her friend’s question.
“What do you mean by reanimated?” Eldana asked, the look of puzzlement on her face.
“What Siem is trying to say”, Mikko said, “is that one of the dead orcs came back to life.”
“Okay. Is that even possible?” Eldana asked.
“It is,” Siem and Mikko replied simultaneously.
Eldana gazed at them.
“I thought that kind of magic was forbidden?” Hermon questioned.
“I know of someone in particular who practices forbidden magic with impunity,” Mikko said. “There are a few of them, but this magic, in particular, is nasty.”
“How nasty?” Eldana asked.
“You’ll see,” Siem replied.
“What!” Eldana exclaimed astonishment splashed on her face. “You mean the orc is still there?”
“A living corpse. Not breathing, and bloody.” D’rmas said.
“How long have I been out?” Eldana asked.
“I was about to say seven hours,” D’rmas said.
Eldana’s eyes widened with surprise. “Whoever is holding the hex on the orc is very strong and experienced in the forbidden arts. But the elves are beginning to fear that the orc is going to decompose. Already he is beginning to smell. The elves request your presence so whoever is behind the orc will pass across his message, and they can dispose of the body.” Hermon said.
“But Fraweyni understands your current condition and is worried about your healing. She wants you to stay and get as much rest as you would like...” Siem said.
“I want to see,” Eldana said after a while.
“But Eldana, you are not completely healed.” Siem protested. “Meko could not complete your healing, because the effort might have killed you. What you need now is rest.”
“I think I have had enough rest,” Eldana said. “I should get the message the orc has for me. It could be very urgent. And you said it yourself. It wants me.”
Siem saw the steel in Eldana’s eyes and knew that she was resolved. There was no talking her out of it. “When you are ready.” She told Eldana.
“Good,” Eldana said. “Help me up.”
Hermon rushed to her other side, while Siem took Eldana by the arm gently. Eldana winced and hissed as she sat up.
“Easy, easy.” Siem soothed.
Eldana was still in her old clothes – encrusted with dried blood, torn to tatters at some places. However, Eldana was insistent on heading straight to see the orc. As she got to her feet, her eyes picked up the rows of beds that led from hers up to the infirmary’s entrance. They were all filled with elves, all of whom had bandages all over their bodies.
“These are all the injured?” She asked.
“There is a few more outback,” Hermon replied. “Those needed critical attention. Severed limbs, and the like.”
Eldana nodded, as Hermon stepped closer, allowing Eldana’s arm to rest on his shoulder.
Eldana’s other arm was bandaged along her chest, so she could not lift it. Instead, Siem placed her hand gently on the arm to support Eldana as they walked.
As they came out of the infirmary, Eldana noticed that it was fully dark. There were globes of light in the air, but the lack of elven merriment that usually characterized the nights gave the atmosphere a touch of gravity. The elves Eldana, and her comrades passed, were of such dull countenances that Eldana could not help feeling sorry for them.
“I cannot imagine what it must feel like for them.” She said. “Having to lose their own over and over again.”
“If there is any race that has been so maltreated
