Free A Story Of River by Lana Axe Page A

minions. It's time for another raid.”

Chapter 15

 
    The midday sun baked down on Duana's
marketplace as Mel and Thinal casually browsed the local wares. One booth in
particular caught Thinal's eye. The merchants were selling metal and glass
jewelry along with various trinkets and baubles.
    Browsing inside the booth, she noticed a
hairpin adorned with a brightly colored glass butterfly. She picked it up and
twirled it with her fingers. She smiled shyly at Mel.
    “That's very pretty,” he said.
    “It is,” she replied.
    “And it would look lovely on you,” he
added.
    Mel did not carry many of the coins used
for trade in Na'zora. Occasionally, he would trade wares for a small amount of
them, but they were virtually worthless among the Wild Elves. Today, however,
he did have a few of them on his person.
    “How much?” Thinal asked, holding the pin
up towards the merchant.
    “Ten coppers,” he replied, “but for
someone as lovely as yourself, I'll make it five.”
    Mel fiddled in the small bag he wore on
his belt and counted out five coppers. Handing them to the merchant, he said,
“Thank you.”
    “Thank you, young sir,” he replied
pocketing the coins.
    Thinal quickly removed the small leather
strap that was holding back her ponytail and began twisting her hair up and
tucking in the ends. She stuffed the pin into her twisted hair and turned her
head side to side so that Mel might observe how the glass caught the light.
    “You look lovely,” he said, kissing her
cheek.
    “Thank you, Mel.”
    Thinal took his arm, and they continued
through the marketplace. They passed a booth full of fine silks which an elf
could scarcely hope to afford. Thinal brushed a hand lightly over a pale orange
fabric and commented on its softness.
    As they walked, they became aware that
some of Duana's citizens were observing them curiously. Very few Wild Elves
ever visited this far north in Na'zora. More southern villages such as Enald
were used to the elven presence, but here they were something of a curiosity.
The children seemed the most interested and did not turn their heads when the
two elves looked in their direction. For the most part, the adults were polite,
although they seemed a little distrusting. That was to be expected, however, as
elves were not generally quick to trust humans either.
    One bold little boy finally found the
courage to approach them. “Are you elves?” he asked.
    “Yes, we are,” Thinal replied, smiling.
    “Is that why your ears are pointy?”
    “Yes, just as yours are round because
you're human.”
    “Why is he so short?” the child asked,
pointing at Mel.
    “Because I didn't eat all my vegetables,”
Mel barked.
    “My Daddy says it's eating meat that will
make me tall,” the little boy replied matter-of-factly, his hands on his hips.
    “Mel is only teasing you,” Thinal said,
laughing. “Among our kind, men are generally a bit shorter than the ladies. It
makes it easier to hunt and hide in the thick forests. They're also the best
archers in all of Nōl'Deron.”
    “I've heard about that,” the boy said
eagerly. “I've heard the girls are good with swords too!”
    “You're right we are. We carry long, broad
swords that require both hands to use.”
    The child's eyes went wide with amazement
as Thinal drew her blade and knelt down for the child to observe it. The
shining blade was etched with runes that resembled leaves on a vine. He touched
his hand to the green and black stones that decorated the hilt.
    All of a sudden, a terrified scream
pierced the air. It was quickly followed by more screaming and people running
towards the market.
    “Run! Hide!” Thinal yelled to the boy, who
promptly took her advice.
    Mel drew his bow, and together they ran
towards the source of the screaming. The city guard was only a few hundred feet
behind them, their weapons drawn. Terrified townspeople were fleeing through
the city. Something was coming from the Wildlands.
    Mel quickly climbed to the top