The rapids carry the rafts in the Great Anisia River with momentum. Quickly, the elves make their escape, abandoning the Lorekelim Forest.
Kara, the Elf Princess, didn't hesitate to burn their birth forest to the ground using what remains of their Molotov. As a strategic move solely on her considerations, she feels a subtle hint of fear as to whether she did the right thing or not.
"Out there should be a place for us…"
The swaying of the raft is annoying, but not so much for an elf, like Kara. Elves have a naturally good sense of balance, and enduring the rapids of the Great Anisia River is a small matter for her. In the same raft she is staying is the Elf King who is still sleeping.
According to Allenwood, the King is in a peculiar state of suspended animation and is suffering from a fluctuating coma. The times the King will be sleeping is unknown, and the times he will be waking up will be random. In fact, there are instances already the King is awake but suddenly falls asleep.
At this rate, Kara cannot rely on the Elf King…
The water of the river is splashing from the raft bringing the cold temperature to Kara's space. Being damp is especially unlikable. Kara hates the cold and is eager for this migration to be done with. But that is not how migration works.
In the Great Anisia River, there is a great lack of settlements or villages which seems bizarre at first glance. If there is a water source, it is only logical for people to exploit it, but that is not the case for the Great Anisia River.
No settlements or villages of the sort dare come near the Great Anisia River.
That is because this river is adjacent to the Dark Forest, a terrible place, where all sorts of dangerous monsters exist. The magical species in the Ezelea Continent are not so prevalent that they will cause 'certain death', but they do exist, and while it might not be certain, it still can be a 'possible' death.
None particularly knows how the population of magical species works, but different intelligent races are capable of dealing with the monsters in their own unique signatory ways. Humanity in particular has a very violent approach to this with metal weapons, number superiority, and organized militaristic hunting. For elves, they just run at the sight of any monsters.
Kara can still remember how easily the older elves evacuate their people at the sight of a stray monster from the Dark Forest. This gives Kara a daring idea.
The Great Migration Plan is Elf King Arthram's requirement of her for the transition of power. In order for Kara to lead, she has to first have a 'great feat' first so that she can assert power. The elves are unlike humans.
Elves don't understand persuasion. While elves are easy to talk with, it is quite difficult to persuade them with 'benefits' like how most humans do it. It is also impossible to force an elf to do something they don't want to do unless Kara takes hostage of their emotions.
To move an elf means that Kara should take control of their 'hearts' which is the only method that she can use so that she can claim the title of 'Ruler' and 'Princess' to the elves… If Kara wishes to shed the title of 'Princess' one day, she can only prove to herself in this 'Great Migration Plan' that she is deserving of the title of 'Elf Queen'.
In essence, the Great Migration Plan is the stage that the Elf King wishes for Kara to produce, direct, and act as its main character just by herself. A performance such as this demands a lot of Kara's abilities.
"We are here, princess…" Yirlung, her Guardian Tree, uses a wooden pole to halt the raft they are riding. The rapids are strong, but Yirlug easily goes against it with technique and a little bit of brute.
Far ahead among the series of rafts is the leading raft carrying Trudviar. The Elf General gestures with his hands that everything should be fine. The first phase of the migration is a success. Kara scrutinizes the elves around her ensuring that there is no mistake.
"Yirlung, gather the stronger elves… Tell those who just returned from the war to rest. They hide it well but they are already on their last legs." Kara gives her instruction to Yirlung with a single breath.
With no time to waste, Kara searches for Allenwood. "Old alchemist, how is it?"
"Bad," Allenwood who comes from another raft is checking up on the Elf King. "The Berserker Potion is really a wondrous drug, but it is as much a menace. His majesty's blood vessels are fine, but the others aren't."
After the elves' short celebration, they immediately escape with haste. That is why Allenwood didn't have enough time to check up on the returning elves. Though he is an adequate physician, he doesn't specialize in the art of healing and medicine.
"It is like a joke how the others have it worse than the King. Though his majesty might appear the frailest and might die any moment, he will heal on time obvious to the weird almost supernatural vitality surging on him, but the others… though they might make it, I fear plenty of them will end up having disabilities…" Allenwood is reluctant to admit it, but these are facts. In the worst-case scenario, someone might really die.
No.
Someone will really die.
"Are you crazy!?"
"You want us to go there?"
"I don't want to die!"
A commotion rises from a clique of elves. It is understandable. From the river, there are two places they can get off to… And it is no coincidence that they are now standing on the lands of the Dark Forest.
Trudviar albeit pale and seems to be a bit weaker now, didn't lose any of his ferocity prior to the war. "The princess has already given her word! If you don't wish to follow us, then you can only die." Lifting his sword, he threatens the trouble-making elves.
The elves in general no longer have a place to go. They must know it in their hearts. There must be a wild hunt going out there just beyond the forest.
Kara doesn't dare ignore the commotion. "Grandpa Yirlung, can I sit on your shoulder?"
Yirlung didn't even need to think twice as he carries Kara on his shoulder giving Kara the necessary height for her to look below to the other elves. This way, she can see all of them.
Recalling the many acting and speech lessons she has with the Elf King, Kara dons her almost perfect poker face. "We are now a Kingdom away from the Beyronald Kingdom. Behind me is the Dark Forest, and on the opposite side is the Jamar Forest."
Kara has her own way of doing things. If the Elf King Arthram's style is to evoke his listener's emotions through flowery speech, glaring contradictions, and the sort, then Kara's style is one that highlights the facts.
"The Jamar Forest is within the territory of the Empire's vassal state, the Jamar Principality, formerly the Jamar Kingdom. As you all know, the Empire has a pro-demi-human stance. Those who wish to abandon the ideals of the 'Elf King', you may go. For those who are brave enough to stay true to their selves, please stay…"
In a clear-cut manner, Kara makes her stance not even bothering to try convincing the elves. This is fine too as Kara doesn't need to negotiate with her subjects. As a ruler, it is her responsibility to assert her rule in a way that there will be continuing stability and possibly, a chance for prosperity.
Kara doesn't need an inferior elf for the future Elf Empire.
In the end, not a single elf chooses to 'abandon the Elf King's ideals', resulting in a unified front that Kara didn't expect. From there, the migration proceeds methodologically expanding.
Kara opens her little notebook. It is a different one from the usual notebook she reads over and over again. In her little hands is a 'Planner', and inside it is her step-by-step plan for the migration.
The 'Planner' is an item that the Elf King also uses. It is an item that has a very convenient system with a splendid organization of long-term and short-term goals. Its advantage is purely on the preciseness of the task's completion whether it is by day, week, month, and year.
Instead of days, seasons, and cycles, the Elves' calendar system will be by day, week, month, and year. As the Elf King isn't an astronomer, the accuracy of this calendar system will have its flaws, but since they are starting with this, it won't be so difficult to modify it in the future.
The habits of the Elf King are rubbing on her, which Kara doesn't like by all means. It might seem immature, but Kara doesn't wish to end up as the Elf King's inferior imitation.
"My proud elves! From henceforth shall be a new beginning!"