Elf-Soldier: That wink 🙂 .
Another: "I just saved you again."
---
Elva falls flat on her butt.
Elva: Ow.
Garrun: (Approaching) Even after all these years, you still aren't a match for me.
Elva: [You think 😏?] (Wipes mouth with backhand) Then I guess I have to train more.
Garrun: (Lethal) If you'll ever get the chance.
His glare lingers on her for a few seconds, then they burst out laughing.
Garrun: (Helping her up) You still haven't changed.
Elva: (Dusting herself off) Neither have you.
Princess Raina: They know each other? Just what type of rookie life has Lady Elva lived?
Garrun: (To Elva, arms open) I haven't? You told us all to lay low until you returned, and trust me, my hands are aching to slay someone.
Elva: [Quiet, dummy, the Elflord is here 😅.]
Princess Raina: (Approaching) A carriage will soon arrive to—
Elva: I won't go with you.
Princess Raina: Why?
Elva: (Glances at Garrun) I have important matters to attend to.
Garrun: (Smirks).
---
About an hour passes.
Down a lonely path travels the official carriage of Alf and Raina. An armed assassin stands firmly in its way.
Coachman: Hm? Are you a thief?
Assassin: What type of victim asks that?
Coach Guard: [Fool, the Imperial Knights are secretly stationed at every corner for the Elflord's safety.]
Coachman: (Unconcerned) Hah, I suppose you are. Please politely step aside.
Assassin: You're quite calm for someone being hijacked. I'll leave if you satisfy my demand.
Coach Guard: And what might that be?
Assassin: Every valuable thing in that coach of yours.
Inside the carriage—
Princess Raina: (Snorts) Let me handle it, Your Majesty.
But Alf catches her wrist just in time and gently guides her back to her seat. Then he calmly begins tracing the lines on her palm.
Coach Guard: You're just one elf, whom I can handle.
Assassin: You sure about that?
Two more assassins appear behind the first.
Coach Guard: 😌 (About to step down)
Gothic Ælfen: (Running toward them) Wait! (Stands before the carriage) My brothers are nothing but fools. I beg pardon in their stead.
Coach Guard: But they tried to—
Gothic Ælfen: (Quickly scoops up a passing Yër) We are here for our pet.
She walks to the first assassin and smacks him on the head, whispering—
Gothic Ælfen: Fool! The Masked Thief told us not to sabotage anything until her global return. (To Coach Guard) We will trouble you no further. (Salutes).
They depart.
---
NOTE:
A Yër is a creature resembling a rabbit, with cute features and chubby cheeks. Its fur is often mixed-coloured depending on region, and it has a fluffy elastic tail.
---
At Cross Hill Country—a place of mixed civilisation and, unknowingly, a branch hideout for criminals.
Beneath a ravine lies the hideout.
As Elva enters, she is respectfully handed smith's wear and led into a blacksmith workshop.
Elva: Hss, I haven't worked in a while now.
An Elf: At least it's something decent this time.
Elva: (Bringing out a branch of the Fæ-Qykõi) I got this from a river in the Secret Paths and Passages.
NOTE:
The Fæ-Qykõi is a rare mystical and legendary tree that holds the Life Essence of the river beneath which it grows.
---
Elandor: You returned, yet you didn't come to see me.
He taps her right shoulder while walking past, but stops when he notices something.
Elandor: Elvÿ… why is the glow of your Chastity Line dim?
Elva: The line has been cut off.
Other Elves: (Gasp)
Elandor: Oh, oh—WHAT?!
Other Elves: Shush!
Elandor: (Heartbroken panic).
Elva: (Unbothered) Calm down. It was only the Chastity Line that was detached. I remain untouched.
Elandor: (Deep sigh) Ah… then that means I still have a chance.
Elva pauses.
Elandor hurriedly changes his words—
Elandor: Ah—ha! Not what I meant. I meant… a chance to court you.
Garrun: What do you want to carve?
Elva: One of the weapons I've never made before. It'll be for future purposes.
---
While the Fæ-Qykõi branch soaks in heated water, Elva lights the furnace and begins blacksmithing.
A day later, she stands at the storage room entrance with several ruffians behind her.
Ruffians: (Mesmerised by the bow and arrows she made from the branch of the Fæ-Qykõi.)
Elva: None of you should steal it or you'll be doomed by it. (Laughs, then stops) No really—don't defy me.
Grathorn: You want me to accompany you to the Knight Castle?
Elva: Mm.
Grathorn: (Sighs) I brought what you asked for.
He hands her a wooden box. Inside is fake hair made from the soft fur of a Düpwe.
NOTE:
A Düpwe is a four-legged animal with soft, fluffy, pure fur. Its face and paw colours vary. Its ears can expand and vibrate to send distress signals or messages to its kind.
She checks the male clothes inside.
They journey for eight days and finally reach Xarath'Vhaloryn, a country located between the continents of Veil Village and The Red Valley.
At a pond, Elva puts on her disguise.
She takes the form of Cendric Zagaba'd—a charming lad with platinum-blonde hair, hazel eyes, and a captivating aura.
Cendric (Elva) adjusts his fake hair while staring at his reflection. As Grathorn approaches, Cendric turns, leaving him stunned.
Grathorn: Even with the disguise, you are… (indifferent) …still so ugly.
Cendric: (Walks past, ignoring him)
---
EXTRA
Cendric: Hey, narrator.
Yeah?
Cendric: You weren't supposed to reveal my appearance till the next chapter.
Oh… well, too late for that 😁.
---