Craig returned to the stone forest with the horses and tied them to a rock upon arrival. Then he looked around until he found Maeli; seated atop a flat stone in the lotus position with her eyes closed. "Are you okay?" He asked as he got near.
Maeli opened a single eye for just a second before closing it shut. "I'm fine. The wound on my waist from this morning got opened up because of all the strain. I'm fine though, no need to worry." She replied.
Only then did Craig remember that she was actually injured by one of the orcs. She had recovered so quickly after taking the antidote that he had completely forgotten about it.
What she was doing right now was circulating her mana through the wound to speed up the healing process. It wasn't the same as healing magic though, just a trick one could use due to the special properties of mana.
"Where's Greymont?" Craig asked.
Maeli pointed at the big rock without opening her eyes.
Craig looked at the peak of the big rock and could vaguely make out something lying on top of it. If one didn't look hard enough, the darkness would make it look like one whole item.
Craig had some more questions for Maeli but he decided to not disturb her. Since Greymont seemed to be asleep he didn't seek him out either. Instead, he found a comfortable rock to lean on and sat at it's base whilst looking at the sky.
The peaceful quiet night, the beautiful starry sky, the cool breeze ever so often... before he knew it he had dozed off into a beautiful sleep.
___
Tweet! Tweet!
The chirping of birds in the morning was a sweet melody played by nature. As the break of dawn brought the first signs of daylight they sang praises to the heavens.
Craig's eyes slowly opened as he woke up from some unknown dream. He stood up and did a few stretches to fully wake his body.
"Grrrrr."
As he expected, his stomach suddenly began complaining about his lack of provision. "I'm so hungry I could eat a wolf." He muttered.
"Is that how you repay your benefactors, by eating them?" Greymont's voice came from behind.
Craig turned around in surprise and laughed awkwardly. "Heh, Don't worry, wolf doesn't taste really good."
Greymont's face actually made a frown. He looked at Craig and shook his head helplessly. "Down that way has a few fruit trees you can eat from. Just don't eat the blackberry, it's poisonous to humans. Your lover can eat it however, it's actually healthy for elves.
"For the last time we're not a couple." This time it was Maeli's voice that came from behind.
Craig turned to look at her only to be stunned by how clean and enchanting she looked. How did she look as if she just took a bath and did her hair? "Did you bathe in your dreams?" Craig asked in bewilderment.
Maeli did not respond, instead it was Greymont who answered. "There's a stream not to far away from the fruit trees. You should take a bath as well. It would even be better if you take ten baths. You stink." He criticised harshly.
A week of not bathing... who wouldn't stink? A wolf's nose was very sensitive. It couldn't have been easy for Greymont to inhale, being so close to Craig.
"Clean yourself up, else the next time you climb on top of me I might die." Maeli remarked.
Greymont's jaw fell open. "The two of you mated last night?" He asked.
Maeli realised that her words carried a deeper meaning and quickly defended herself. "No no no, it's not what you think. He's just always trying to protect me and ends up diving on top of me."
Greymont laughed mischievously. "I understand. He's always on top of you." He said teasingly.
Maeli realised that Greymont was teasing her so she flung her cloak and walked away embarrassedly. "Even as an animal a man is still a man." She remarked as she left.
Craig could only laugh at her behaviour and looked at Greymont in a new light. He actually had a playful side to him this big, bad wolf. From his behaviour last night it didn't seem like he could be so casual.
Craig then made his way to the location pointed out by Greymont and filled his belly with fruit. Then he took a bath in the nearby stream and returned to the location of the horses.
Maeli was standing beside her horse and as soon she saw him coming she mounted it in advance. After all, they were in a hurry and couldn't waste too much time idling around. They now only had eleven days left to complete their mission.
As soon as Craig arrived he also mounted his horse. Then they bid Greymont farewell and left in a rush.
As they left, Greymont looked at their disappearing silhouettes. "Such an interesting pair. I wonder, will the elves accept such a relationship?" He mused to himself.
And so, the journey continued. The route they had taken so far was a shortcut to get to the elf kingdom faster, which was the reason they ended up in a forest they weren't familiar with. This time they decided to head to the main road used to get around the continent.
They were currently rushing through the orc Kingdom since it was located between the human and the elven kingdoms. The path they were using however, ran near the outskirts of the orc kingdom, making their journey much safer.
Since Maeli was more familiar with this route, she was the one leading the way. Every now and then she would go off the beaten path to avoid orc camps and military units.
The journey so far was as smooth as polished Jade. In no time the sun had set, but they continued on due to the wide open area they were passing through. It was a large expanse of barren land where nothing wanted to grow. Only a few cactuses could be seen every now and then.
By the early hours of the following day they had arrived at yet another forest. This one however was much more lush with greenery and filled with very tall trees. The most common tree was a type called eldenwood. Eldenwood trees were very tall and their stem and branches had a golden tint to them.
"So this is the mysterious Eldenwood forest." Craig said in awe as he studied the expanse of trees before him. In his thirty years of living, he had mostly moved around the human and orc kingdoms. This was his first time travelling as far he did. This was one of the main reasons why he decided to go on this journey.
"This forest itself is more ancient than our civilization. It is the territory of the woodlings. They are quite a handful to deal with when they're angry or displeased." Maeli explained, then she looked at Craig gravely. "It's never been a problem for us elves to pass through here since the woodlings are our allies. But ever since the falling out between your people and mine, humans haven't been allowed in this forest. If they discover you, the Woodlings will not hesitate to kill you."
Craig already knew this would be the case. It had been several hundred years since the falling out between the humans and the elves. For these past several hundred years, the different races mostly kept to themselves. There hadn't been a lot of interaction between them for a long time. Only small conflicts would surface every now and then however it would be put out in quick fashion. No one wanted a war to break out due the casualties that would ensue.
Craig had heard and read many stories of the past. Stories of how the woodlings had massacred any human trespasser was a common historical topic in the human kingdom. There weren't many humans who could say that they'd seen a woodling or been to the Eldenwood Forest but it scared them nonetheless. In fact many people had never even left the human kingdom in fear of the orcs. Though Craig had been on many a expedition, it was mostly in the human kingdom and a few in the orcs territory.
"Tell me they aren't as scary as the stories describe?" Craig gave Maeli a concerned look.
"They hate your people for what you did to them and they also hate your people for what you did to us. I promise you the stories aren't lying. While we elves might not hate humanity as much as our ancestors did, the Woodlings are a different story." Maeli explained.
Suddenly, Craig regretted coming on this journey just a little.
Maeli placed her palm on Craig's shoulder and softly said, "Conceal."
A transparent layer of energy covered Craig's body and disappeared.
"This should hide your scent and aura for a few hours. Your presence is now similar to an elf. Keep a low profile as we pass through and if anything happens let me do the talking. Whatever you do, don't reveal that you're a human or this will end badly."
"Alright. But won't these black cloaks draw suspicion though?"
"I've got us covered." Maeli replied.
"What do you mean?"
"Just follow me."
They then disappeared into the forest, leaving the horses untied. Andre had trained them to graze around the area they were left and await their master's return.
***
In a magnificent looking hallway, a tough looking, bald headed man in golden armour took large strides towards a big wooden door. Two guards also dressed in golden armour stood to the left and right of the door. When the man got close enough to them, the guards saluted and stomped their feet, coming to attention.
"General Lius Sir!" They said in unison.
General Lius nodded and spoke in a calm but sharp tone. "The king has requested my presence."
The guards immediately opened the door and let him through.
General Lius walked into a majestic looking chamber built with quartz walls and a marble floor. It was exquisitely designed with purple velvet curtains hanging at the windows. There were also several beautifully designed furniture placed around randomly.
As soon as General Lius entered the room, his eyes fell on the large purple coloured bed with red velvet curtains draped around it.
On the bed was a man wearing a crown on his head. He was leaned against the bedhead with half of his body covered by a purple bedsheet. His power filled eyes locked onto Lius as soon as he entered the room. With a joyful smile he welcomed Lius with a Nod. This was the King of the human kingdom, Mitris Victor Oswald.
General Lius half knelt and bowed to the king. "Your majesty."
The king; Mitris, gestured with his hand. "Please stand Lius. I've told you so many times you need not bow every time you visit me." Although his face was cheery his voice sounded weak and slightly forced.
Cough! Cough! Cough!
Mitris coughed a few times into his hand.
Lius was about to rush over but the king stopped him with a wave of his hand. "I'm fine, no need to worry too much."
Lius slowly walked over and stood next to the bed with his left hand on the hilt of his sword. A frown appeared on his face as he looked at the king. 'His condition hasn't improved since that doctor treated him'. He thought worriedly.
"Lius." The king said suddenly. "If I don't get professional medical attention, I'm afraid I won't last more than a year. With the state of affairs between the races it's highly unlikely that they'd be willing to help me, even for a high price." He explained.
Lius nodded. "What are you suggesting then? Do we kidnap a doctor and force him to help us?" He suggested.
The king chuckled meaningfully. "I know you're willing to do anything for the better of our kingdom and its people, but we don't have to resort to such underhanded methods so soon."
"Then... I can't think of any option left that isn't underhanded. Forgive my lack of intellect." Lius said with a bow.
"Actually there is one thing we haven't tried as yet." The king said as he rubbed his beard.
Lius waited expectantly for the king's suggestion.
"Asclepius should be able to help me don't you think?" He asked.
"Asclepius?" Lius was startled by the King's suggestion. "Your majesty you aren't serious are you? Do you truly want to request the assistance of the banished traitor who put you in this condition? Yes, he was the greatest doctor in Craigavon but certainly you can't put your trust in him after what happened?" Lius was fully against the idea.
The king sighed deeply and raised his hand to stop Lius from speaking. "Asclepius had sworn on his life that he didn't plot against me. I would like to use this opportunity to prove if he was speaking the truth."
Lius frowned with a disapproving expression on his face. "May I speak your majesty."
"Go ahead."
"It is true that we had minimal evidence against Asclepius himself but the same can't be said for his two sons. Especially that Craigavon Stormfrost who was working with the bandit brigade. Don't forget that he was present when they stormed the castle to rescue Asclepius after we arrested him. Please think this over your majesty. Don't let time cloud your judgement." Lius opposed strongly.
The king pondered briefly, then he said. "It's not only time clouding my judgment but also illness. I've thought about this day and night over the years and I feel some things don't quite add up." Then he looked at Lius with a piercing gaze. "I've already made up my mind. You are to find Asclepius and invite him over immediately. Will you disobey my order?" He asked at the end.
"Never, my king, I live only to serve you!" Lius replied solemnly. "I will do as you bid and return with Asclepius as soon as possible." With that, Lius bowed and left immediately.
The king slouched into his bed and let out a soft sigh. "I hope you're still alive, old friend. I also hope you turn out to be just that... a friend."