Excerpts of "The Elves of Valantria" #1

The man was shouting, swords were crashing around him as he ran.  The man looked around frantically, “Malladryl!  Malladryl where are you?” He thought, men raced all around him, “Oh dear Lord, give her speed,” He prayed quickly, he ran towards the pile of rubble that provided little coverage for the men behind fighting for their lives.  He glanced through the men, hoping she was with them.   “Swords draw your swords they are coming!” A man shouted, “Cirindiel, where are they?” The man shouting orders asked, Cirindiel shook his head and drew the staff from behind his back in a ready fighting stance, his hooded cape blowing in the light breeze, several men came out of the barracks that surrounded the camp, there were more boys then men in the group.  He continued searching for her, everything started speeding up, men raced past him from behind, evil looking men, and with swords so long they were almost unbearable to carry.  “Defend the tower! Defend it with your lives!”  The general shouted to the men, the boys, barely 14, were shaking so hard, their swords were too heavy and could barely be lifted.  Everything slowed down again.  Cirindiel and the boys fought hard, at that moment a Horn blew.  He spun around and stared, and then a cry rose up from the men in line guarding the tower, “The Elves of Valantria! They have not forgotten us! We are saved!” they cried.  A palomino horse galloped in, Malladryl somersaulted off as the horse stopped its gallop.  She was clad in scarlet and gold armor and a gold crown.  She had brought with her an army, sages, knights, archers, Lore-Masters, and rune keepers, the evil men turned and fled before them.  Disposing of one of the men in her way she walked over to him, “Worried about me Cirindiel? How charming,” She smiled flicking some lint off the young mans shoulder, Cirindiel smiled and hugged her, “Greetings Malladryl, I was worried sick, for I thought you had perished,” He replied as elves ran past him in pursuit of the evil men, “Perished? An elf hardly perishes,” She said laughing.  “I know things weren’t always like this, were they?” He asked remembering back, “You’re still a runaway?” She replied smiling.