Alaric let the voice wash over his senses. He took a few steadying breaths and looked at Caleb, his eyes blurred by tears he forced back. Crying would get him nowhere. He needed to focus. Those men were the reason his original soul had faded. He could feel its presence melded into his own soul but it doesn't change the fact that he died. They were one now and he must seek justice.
"I was out patrolling the forest. Every few years we do a large scale sweep of the forest to maintain it and make sure each tribe is thriving. I had never headed the patrol on my own but this year I was old enough to fulfill this role," Alaric paused momentarily. He weighed how much he could say cycling through the flashes he saw, his breath catching as a memory surfaced... There was something wrong with the forest... he had to go home... he needed to tell his parents...
"Prince Alaric!" Caleb squeezed his shoulders gently.
The sudden shout pulled Alaric from his panicked state. He shook his head and spoke, "I was at the edge of the forest. I wanted to check the parameter since a few tribes reported missing children. I ventured a bit far when I found suspicious tracks and found a few men with an unconscious elven child. I don't remember what happened next."
Caleb frowned slightly. He took in the information and pieced together what must've happened next. Someone had taken the opportunity to incapacitate and capture the high elf. It would have been an irresistible opportunity for those bastards. There was no limit on greed.
"The captured children...." Alaric fixed Caleb with a sharp gaze. "Were they recovered?"
Caleb was mildly amused by the myriad of emotions the little elf had shown in such a short time. It was a far cry from the apathetic image he had of elven royalty. He kept his amusement to himself though, keeping his tone serious as he answered the prince, "We managed to recover the ones that passed through the last auction. We are currently trying to find the others. Those bastards kept a surprisingly extensive record but some of the transactions were with other kingdoms. The information is being sorted as we speak."
Alaric's expression lost some of its severity, "I want to see them."
Caleb noded slightly. He expected this response, "They are in a compound nearby. We can make our way there whenever you are ready."
Alaric closed his eyes for a long second and rested against the headboard, his thoughts a loud buzzing cluster.
Caleb watched the Alaric quietly. He knew the prince had alot on his mind and kept quiet. A soft knock at the door drew his attention and he quickly got up to answer before it disturbed the elf.
Alaric was trying to sort his thoughts. He could recall that the forest was in danger but the reason was unclear. He combed through his memories and frowned deeply.
The forest's protection was shrinking.
Before, humans were seldom permitted entry to the forest. The fact that humans had the opportunity to steal their kin... either a denizen of the forest had betrayed them or they forests protection had weakened.
Alaric was almost certain it was the latter but he had to hurry back to the forest to check.