“Femnor, think fast!” A snowball hits me in the back and I turn to face the thrower.
“I don’t know why you always try to pick a losing battle with me,” I smile as I hold out my hand.
“Hey! Magic’s cheating.”
“Snow, blow true and bury those before me!” The snow at my feet lifts and levitates around me before relentlessly pelting the young Elf standing behind me as he yells for me to stop. It’s low level magic. Single line incantation. I know it would never hurt him, or I would never use it on a dear friend.
“Undah. Have you learned your lesson yet, or do I need to keep burying you?”
He laughs loudly, “You’re such a poor sport, you know that?”
“Yes, you say it every time you lose.” I smile cockily.
We Elves make our home far to the North among the mountain ranges. In a number of small villages, each with an elder who protects the residence. The largest Village, Hilew, lies at the west base of the Weeping Summit. The red molten rock contrasts the blues and whites of the snowy range that surround it.
Undah smiles as he pulls himself out of the small pile of snow he’s been encased in, “Did you hear? A group of travelers arrived at the village this morning. I managed to steal a glimpse of them while they were talking to Elder Enrerth. They’re all beast-people.”
“A group made it this far? That’s impressive. I’ve heard traveling between the Summit and the edge of the frozen circle can be quite dangerous.”
The Frozen circle is what we call the barren area that surrounds the Weeping Summit. While the volcano grants us the ability to live this far north, the vast empty spaces surrounding us are rather inhospitable to life; it’s the reason all the villages are spread around the base of it.
“I guess all that hair helps keep them warm.” Undah shrugs.
I laugh, “I never thought about it like that, but you may be on to something.”
“Come on, they should still be by the Elder’s home.”
It’s a short walk to the center of the village. Word of the visitors traveled quickly as others gathered around as well. Visitors are extremely rare, so they tend to draw a crowd whenever one shows up. I have to weave through the crowd that has formed to make my way to the front before I can see anything–one of the many downsides to being small for so long.
There are four of them, each towering over the elder with their enormous stature; large sharp fangs, and clawed hands. They all look to be of Canine bloodline, and the only way to really tell them apart is by the color of their fur. The two largest males are wearing frost covered plate armor each with large two-handed weapons on their backs. One of them has fur that is dark brown while the other is a smoky grey. The smallest male is equipped with thick leather armor with a short blade on his left hip. His fur is black as the night sky, making the snowflakes that cling to it look like stars. Finally, the female looks to be a mage, her large staff is a dead giveaway of that. Her fur is pure white and she doesn’t seem to be wearing much in defensive armor, I doubt she spends much time at the front of any battle.
“As you can see, it's a big deal when we get visitors. Nearly the whole village has arrived to see the group of travelers.” Elder Enrerth chuckles.
Brown fur laughs so loudly I can hear it echo back off the Summit, “I suppose Elves really are just like the rest of us. Everyone in the village, gathering to catch a glimpse of something exciting. It reminds me of when I was young and our fathers would return from hunting with their catch.”
“Hey, yeah.” White fur smiles at this, “Everyone would stop what they were doing to gather around and see what was caught.”
Brown fur nods his head with a nostalgic smile.
“What brings you so far from home?” A voice from the circle of Elves says, though I don’t catch who asks the question.
Black fur smiles, “Curiosity, more than anything.”
“Curious about what?” I speak up and all four sets of visitor eyes land on me.
“Oh, you know. How is it that a whole race can make their home in a place where no others would.” Smoky fur replies.
“Exactly, it’s so cold up here. I hardly feel my coat is doing anything.” Black fur shivers visibly causing a round of laughter to pass through the crowd.
This opens up a Q and A between the villagers and the guests, who seem more than willing to answer any questions with a smile.
Eventually Undah and I get bored of watching the visitors answer questions and decide to leave the village to play a game in the snow. Undah prides himself on the tunnel system he dug through large piles in the snow surrounding our homes. With a little help from my magic, we had made a secret fort in the largest pile in the area. It was mostly hollow, with a few windows for looking outside. Detecting intruders was a key feature in the design when we came up with the idea. Running through the tunnels and hiding in the snow fort was how we spent most of our days, and there was no reason for today to be any exception.
Hours passed as we played our silly games of make believe. Sometimes we ran back to base before a sudden cold snap that would have killed us instantly, others we ran out to vantage point to secure the perimeter. I’d cast basic magic on imaginary enemies, while Undah charged into battle with the practice sword he kept on him at all times. We made an unstoppable team. We always protected the fort, and ultimately the village from the constant threats we’d thought up.
“So what now?” A voice I don’t recognize comes from behind us.
We duck low and try to remain hidden for no reason other than it was part of the game we’re playing. Undah slowly creeps through the tunnel to where he could peek over and see who is out there. When he turns to me he mouths the words, It’s the visitors to me. This makes me smile, as they surely don’t know we are hiding in the snow.
“We’ll be leaving soon enough. Hopefully we can make it home without too much trouble.” Another voice says.
I didn’t really pay attention to which voice belonged to which visitor, but it’s easy enough to tell they aren’t Elven voices. There’s more gruff in how they spoke, as well as a heavy accent.
“Onda flami tadip von alarys?” The change in language catches my attention, and I close my eyes to focus on my hearing.
“Kam, taye dun ikisani noont.”
“They’re sniffing the air…” Undah turns to me and whispers. I’d heard that those of the beast-kin races have a heightened sense of smell. From the books I’ve read, they use their noses for hunting much like their beast ancestors.
I slowly make my way over to the small viewing spot Undah is looking through and take a peek out. When I look I see Smoky fur lower his nose and look in our direction, before pointing and saying something else in their language.
It's odd. I’m surprised they are leaving the village so soon after arriving. It doesn’t make much sense to me. Then again, none of the villagers are with them so it can’t be that strange, right?
The four beast people start walking in our direction and Undah immediately stands, “Hey,” He shouts, “Be careful. One of our defense trenches is just in front of you.”
They look surprised by the sudden announcement, but seem relieved when they look towards their feet and see the small path dug out in the snow. Eventually they laugh before Black fur says, “Thank you for that.”
Undah waves with a smile on his face, “No problem, it’s pretty deep so I wouldn’t want visitors falling in and getting hurt.”
Smiles cross their faces as they look at the child sized trench they’ve been warned about and one even attempts to cover a chuckle. Brown fur shouts back, “That’s very thoughtful of you.” Then the group makes a small leap and lands on the other side on the dug out snow and begins walking towards us. “The Elder said the next Elven Village was this way, is that correct?”
I raise and stand next to Undah as we watch them approach, “Kind of, though if you just walk straight you’re likely to get hurt.” I scan each of their faces as they get closer.
“Hurt? How so?” White fur asks with a genuinely confused look.
“The Lava fields are that way,” Undah responds.
“The ground isn’t always the most stable in the fields and it's possible to break through the thin layer of hardened rock and into the molten center.” I add for clarification.
By this point they are now close enough that we no longer need to shout to communicate, “Is there a path around the lava?” Brown fur speaks again.
“Of course, it’s just over there.” Undah points behind us though I’m sure to them it looks like he’s just pointing arbitrarily to snow.
Each of them looks in the direction he’s pointing before confirming my suspicion, “I’m afraid I don’t see this path you speak of. To be honest I’m not sure how you Elves can tell where anything is with all this snow around.” Smoky fur laughs.
“Do you think you two brave lads can show us to the route? Make sure we’re at least heading in the right direction?” White fur steps forward before kneeling down so her head is at our level.
Undah and I look at each other for a moment. We really aren’t supposed to venture too far from the village, at least, not without someone to accompany us.
“It is dangerous for those who don’t know what is around here…” Undah says and I can tell he’s in the process of rationalizing playing escort.
“We won't be able to take you very far, otherwise we’ll get in trouble.” I turn to face the four beast-kin once more.
“Hey, any bit of help is better than none.” Black fur says while he shrugs.
Undah looks at me once again with a glimmer of determination in his eyes. It’s not everyday we get to actually help someone, let alone aid those of another race make it through the harsh terrain that is our home.
“Alright, we’ll take you as far as we can. Follow us.” Undah smiles and turns as he leads the group through the rest of the fort grounds and out to the vast snow plains and distant mountain ranges that span as far as the eye can see.
Undah fills the silence with anything he can think of about living under the Weeping Summit while we walk. The Beast-kin seem interested in what he has to say, and they are keen to ask questions when they don’t understand something. I mostly remain quiet, only really speaking when Undah says something that is partially or completely incorrect. Our village is still in sight when I stop walking and the group continues past me a little before anyone notices I’ve stopped.
“We shouldn’t go any farther. The elder doesn’t like it when we wander too far.” I speak up and every head turns to face me.
The four guests look at each other slightly confused, before Undah comes and stands beside me, “Femnor’s right. Sorry we can’t take you any farther.” He points in the direction we’ve been walking, “If you keep going that way you’ll see Logneth, the next village, before too long.”
“You sure you can’t take us any farther?” White fur looks at us with what I can only assume is worry on her face.
Undah looks at me, but I shake my head firmly. “No, we’ve already taken you farther than we should have. I’m afraid you’ll be on your own from here.”
She looks taken aback by how stern my voice is, but I’m not a fan of being guilted into doing things. They knew we couldn’t take them far, therefore this isn’t up for discussion. I’m not interested in touring them around the Summit. As far as I'm concerned, the novelty of having guests has already worn off. There is no need for us to entertain them anymore than we already have.
Smoky fur burst out laughing, and it seems to catch the others off guard as well as myself, “I like this kid. He reminds me of you, when you were a pup.” He looks at Brown fur who snarls slightly. “Headstrong.”
White fur moves and my eyes follow her as she crosses in front of the two in heavy armor, “Come on, don’t insult the poor child by comparing him to that brute. Though, it is odd to hear you actually say you like someone.”
They all begin to move and suddenly I feel as if we’re caught in a predator's den. This was a mistake. We need to get back to the village. I reach over to grab Undahs sleeve when Brown fur’s eyes dart around us before letting out a sigh, “I was hoping to be farther out, but whatever. Here is fine.” Then he pulls the large battle axe off his back.
“Undah, run!” I shout as I push him back towards the village. I’m surprised when I turn and slam into the body of one of them, who snuck around us while we weren’t paying attention.
“Too late, little Elves.” Black fur smiles down at us after we make contact with him.
He swings his short sword in our direction, but I push Undah to the ground and jump back before it can make contact with either of us. I can hear the blade slicing through the air as it barely misses my head and retreating arms.
I land on my back in the snow and look towards the sky. Quickly my hand raises and I shout as loud as I can, “Burst of light, fly high and shine bright!” A luminated orb instantly forms above my palm before it launches straight up into the air.
“You didn’t say this kid’s a mage.” White fur shouts as the three of them move around us quickly.
“I didn’t know,” One of the males speaks but I don’t know which one. “Quick, we don’t have a lot of time.” His voice is frantic, as I can tell they are second guessing their choices.
I shift my weight and roll onto my stomach so I can push myself up, but Black fur’s foot pins me to the ground before I can make it to my feet. It’s heavy and it feels like it might press straight through my chest.
“Oh spirits of ice–” I start the incantation but the foot on my back presses into me harder.
“Oh no. I’m not going to let you get off another spell.” There is a slight growl under his words.
“Come on, we need to get the blood before more of them show up.” One of the voices that’s around Undah says, and I can hear them move closer to him.
Blood? What would they need that for?
That's when I hear Undah cry out in pain. I turn my head to see he’s surrounded by the three Beast-kin. Through the spaces between their torsos, as they overwhelm him, I can see Undah trying to fight them off. The brown fur male drops down to all four and brings his snout to Undah as the others hold him to the ground. I can see blood, but I can’t make out where Undah’s has been hurt.
“Get away from him.” I scream as loud as I can as I watch brown fur’s snout make contact with the wound and I watch him lap up the dripping blood.
“Doesn’t taste any different from other blood.” Brown fur stands, “How do we know it’ll do what they say?”
Smoky fur takes his place and lowers himself for a taste of blood, “I don’t know how we’ll know, but I’m not letting you be the only one who tries.”
Undah screams in pain again as I shout from them to get off of him.
“Oh spirits of ice, come forth and lend me your power. Create shards of bitter cold that will pierce my enemies skin–” The voice is soft, near a whisper.
“Someone's close!” Black fur shouts from above me, and I know the incantation I hear isn’t just in my imagination.
Guide them now, and clear my path. Icicle shards.”
I recognize this voice and I know what is about to follow.
The sound of tearing flesh comes from above me followed by the sudden warmth of blood dripping onto my back. The weight pressing me down lifts as Black fur’s body falls next to me, deep blue ice spires protruding from his back.
“Quick, get out of here!” White fur shouts loudly as the sound of their footsteps fleeing surrounds me. Much like Black fur, I doubt they’ll be making the trek through the frozen circle a second time.
When I get to my feet I rush over to Undah who is clenching his mid thigh trying to stop the blood from pouring out of the deep slice. I pull my coat off and press a part not covered in Black fur’s blood to it before I wrap my other arm around him as tightly as I can, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Undah. They were too fast.” There is nothing I can do to stop the tears rolling down my face.
We both sob uncontrollably as the sound of familiar Elven footsteps surround us.
***
“Femnor, think fast!” A snowball hits my back and I turn to see Undah limping towards me with a smile on his face.
By reflex my hand raises and I begin my incantation: “Snow, blow true and–” The walking stick in his off hand catches my eye and my words fade away with the wind. The image of those beasts lapping at his wounded leg plays in my head again, I feel my face scrunch and head shake to try to forcibly remove it from my mind's eye.
“Come on, I haven’t seen you in a month. Don't give me that look.” He shakes his head with disapproval.
There is a slight pause as I stumble over my next thought, “How are you doing?”
He shrugs, “Alright, I guess. Elder Enrerth says I might have to walk with this thing for a while.” He holds out the walking stick as if I hadn’t noticed it.
“I see…” I lower my head and think back to the events that lead to his injuries. “I should have done more. I know I could have stopped them if I–”
Undah takes a few steps and nudges me with his shoulder, “You did all you could, trust me. I’ve had a lot of time to think about that day. If you didn’t stop us when you did, or manage to get that flare spell off, we’d likely both be dead now.” He turns his body slightly and I notice the metal blade that has replaced his practice sword. I recognize it instantly, it’s the one Black fur swung at us.
“A beast-kin blade?”
He smiles and says, “I’ll make sure if we ever end up in a situation like that again, I’m prepared.”
A single chuckle escapes as I study the Wolf head design on the sword’s guard, “Isn’t it a little dark to use the blade of your attackers as your own?”
Undah lets out a hardy laugh, as if what I’ve just said is foolish, “Elder knew you’d say that and told me to tell you: What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
“A little cliche, don’t you think?”
Undah smiles and I feel a second nudge, “Come on. I may be a little slower, but I can still defend the fort.”
I look up and into his eyes for a moment and see the joy my friend always has when we play, “Alright, but how about you let my magic do most of the work for a while.”
Undah scoffs as he walks towards the edge of the village, “If you can get those slow spells off fast enough, I'll consider it.”
“Hey! They may be slow but they’re better than anything you can do right now.” I shout as I follow behind him with a smile on my face.
*****
Note from the Author:
Femnor is a character I came up with at the beginning of 2024. While my original story idea of his has changed, I quickly decided I enjoy writing about him. I feel he will make a great YA fantasy protagonist, and I hope you all enjoy him as much as I do. My goal is to create a series where the reader will get to see Femnor at various points in his long life as he travels the world. This short piece is much earlier in his story than I’ve planned any of the future novels to take part in, but I thought it was a fun introduction to a very young Femnor at his original home in the far secluded North.
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