The clouds broke above the two young warriors dashing across the uneven grassy slope. Shielding their heads with their arms, they scurried from tree to tree trying to avoid the rain. Leif, the smaller of the two, jumped over a rock, but when he landed, he found his feet stuck in the sticky mud. The other warrior, a little fairy-maiden with leather armor, rushed on ahead, not aware of her companion’s plight. Leif concentrated on his feet and used his elementary magic skills to cause two mushrooms to grow up beneath his feet freeing him. That being done, he kept running, being sure to avoid mud thereafter.
Leif was the last to push open the immense carved wooden doors leading to one of the many meeting halls within the castle. His companion had removed her armor and taken her place in the circle of chairs. Leif tried to go unnoticed, but his helmet clanked to the ground as he placed it with the rest of his soggy leather armor. Leif shook his head, water spraying from his jet-black hair.
“Welcome Leif, you’re just in time. We’re about to begin,” announced a tall man with a grey beard who was sitting in the largest and most ornate chair in the room. There were about seven other people seated in a large circle, a small table filled with refreshments placed next to each chair.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” bowed Leif, taking his spot in the tiny chair designed for him. Leif was elfin, not to be confused with the tall, elegant elves. He was two feet tall, thin—not pudgy like the dwarves—and miniature in every other respect. In human years, he would be about seventeen, although his elfin years reached 250.
“I appreciate the presence of every creature in this hall. Your company declares your deep loyalty and courage,” began the King in a deep, reverberating tone. “I am positive I can count on each and every one of you to work to your utmost ability and strength. And from the depths of my heart, I thank you.”
Whispers circulated the room regarding the recent kidnapping of Princess Laena from the royal gardens outside the palace.
“You will be leaving on this dangerous quest soon, the quest to rescue my daughter from the evil Assim and the dark lord who rules them. So before you go, I want you to pledge that you will carry out all of my instructions with no hesitation.” All echoed in agreement. “That being said, I send you out, my brave warriors and loyal friends. May you accomplish what you set out to do!”
The warriors, now called The Company, raised their flasks of wine in a toast, calling exuberantly to one another. The adventure was about to begin.
Leif finished strapping his saddle pack on the back of his small dappled pony. He had received a couple of laughs from some of the Company at the size of his mount. He shook off their comments lightly. It was far too soon to take any of them seriously. They were all strangers to him—well, all except Aura Demitria, the fairy. The two had known each other for years, and since they were approximately the same size, they understood each other better.
“Hurry up there boy, we’re leaving in five minutes,” chided a tall elf with long blonde hair. He was the leader of the Company and none too kind to Leif. The elf’s name was Osver. He was known for his cunning and his exceptional archery skills. He was a born leader and an obvious choice as head of the journey. He was strict but tried to relate with his followers, though due to his species, usually failed. The elf would never let Leif forget that he was a last-minute addition, mostly because of his scouting and mapping abilities. Leif had not been in the original Company. But that didn’t worry Leif. He would earn his place with these people in no time.
The caravan of horses, mules, and ponies crossed a suspended bridge over roaring rapids. This bridge would lead them to the mountain pass they would take for two days before crossing the desert that would ultimately lead them to the Assim kingdom. The Assim were the King’s arch enemies who inhabited the kingdom to the East. They were known for their brutality in warfare and their opposition to any form of treaty or alliance. There were the creatures who took captive the daughter of the king.
Leif’s pony stepped carefully onto the wobbly bridge. The riders took their mounts over one at a time to not risk the collapse of the ancient crossway. Aura was riding a palomino pony just up ahead. Leif spurred his mount to catch up.
“How have you been? Enjoying the ride?” he asked.
“Of course!” she laughed, her curly orange hair bouncing around her face. “I’m just so excited!” she squealed. Some people called her flighty and immature, but she was an important part of the Company because of her shape-shifting abilities. “I can’t wait until I can fool all those Assim. And Princess Laena will be so happy to see us. I can just imagine—“ Her words were cut off by a tremendous splash behind them. Both heads turned. There was a pause and then a shout.
“Run!” yelled a dark man with a bushy beard whom Leif had not noticed before. “River sprites!”
Leif and Aura glanced at each other before urging their ponies into a gallop. Evading bushes and rocks, they attempted to follow the narrow path side by side, but failed. Leif’s pony’s hoof caught in a vine, sending the dapple to her knees.
“Leif!” cried Aura.
“It’s okay, go on ahead. I’ll catch up!” he replied, standing to untangle his mare. Aura gave him a concerned glance as she disappeared from sight.
Leif pushed his mare from the front to stand her up again, then began to ease the vine off her leg. There was more crashing, and two more riders from the Company came galloping through without more than a glance at Leif. After them there came a rustling.
“Leif,” came an eerie echoing voice. “Leif, we know you’re there.”
“River sprites!” whispered Leif fumbling with the reins.
“You know you’ll never be a part of them. You’re too small, too insignificant,” the voice said coming closer. Leif still could not see anyone. “They think you’re a nuisance, that you won’t pull your load. You know you don’t belong there,” coerced the echo.
Leif had finally untangled the reins and mounted his pony again.
“Come, Leif,” a woman’s figure emerged from the woods. She was transparent as if made of glass. He only noticed her when she moved and bent the light rays around her. “It’s obvious you’re the runt of the team. They will never take you seriously.” Her voice sounded like a harmony of a thousand voices combined into one. She spun a little, making her transparent dress flare out. ” Something about her tone made him believe her as if she were voicing his very own thoughts. “Join us,” she pleaded. “Stay with us and do not follow those people who hate you.”
Just then Leif thought of Aura. Aura didn’t hate him, and surely the others couldn’t. At least not yet.
“Be off with you!” he screamed. “I don’t care what you have to say! I’m following the King’s orders, and I will not stray from his commands. Leave!” He spurred his pony and headed off in a gallop. Ducking under low-hanging branches and dodging vines, he finally saw the rest of the Company gathered in a clearing ahead. They were waving, but he couldn’t hear them. Slowing to a trot, he approached.
“Glad you made it!” said one of the Company jovially. He was a dwarf with a curly red beard, taller than Leif but shorter than the elf. “That was enough excitement to last me all day.” He pulled a turkey leg from his saddle bag and began munching on it happily.
“I agree,” replied the elf. “From now on we must be more careful.”
Just then there was a whizzing sound. The elf ducked just in time as a spear shot over his head and embedded itself in a tree behind him. The dwarf looked over at Leif.
“Watch ou—“ he yelled.
But it was too late. Another spear burst through the air and hit Leif in his left shoulder, knocking him backwards off his mount.
