Snippet #891494

A crescent knife whirled through the air right on target for the mid section of one of the few Rooks remaining in the clearing. The Rook smashed against a tree, its spine and body completely severed in two by the crescent knife. The two pieces slowly slid down the rough bark of the large tree as the Elf retrieved his knife.

Now those are some useful spells. Slow to warm up but quick to finish I see. Perhaps these are the ones I am looking for.

Climbing down to the base of the tree he had been stalking Rooks from, Kyvian felt a short tug on the back of his coat.

People shouldn’t be able to sneak up on me.

"Mister Leprechaun sir, can I have my rooks back? The man said I needed them so I could save my mommy. I need them back pretty please? If you give me my rooks back I promise something really good will happen to you soon." Without turning the Elf addressed the girl as he slowly began to remove his Top Hat. “Well my dear, I’m afraid that I make my own luck, and tend to distrust little girls wandering dangerous and enchanted forests at night without showing the slightest signs of fear. That is unless on the inside they aren’t really a little girl. But I would be more than happy to discuss the release of my hostages in exchange for some information. Who are you? Until I have an answer to that question I think that Bob, Fred and George will stay right where they are.”

Suddenly the Elf dropped the Top Hat from its raised position and as the Top Hat fell towards the ground the Elf disappeared bit by bit inside. The Top Hat started to rise off the ground again as the Elf reappeared holding a single Rook. “Bob here is very happy with his current accommodations, lots of food, shiny stuff, colorful stuff and of course, Lady Rooks. I just wanted to show you that your Rooks are perfectly fine and will remain so until I we can come to an agreement. That agreement of course will depend mostly on you.” Kyvian carefully placed the Rook back inside the Top Hat and started to walk out of the shadows of the Forest and into the clearing towards the others. “You’re welcome to accompany me until we can reach some sort of arrangement. After all, I would be very interested in having you meet some people I am about to introduce myself to.”

Things just keep getting more interesting. No choice now but to see how deep the rabbit hole goes.

The Elf strode into the clearing at a quick pace and upon noting the others eyes upon him, he slowed, took a slight bow and introduced himself. “Hello my fellow travelers! Kyvian Bernes at your service. Well done! Quite superb! You all handled yourselves quite well under such dire circumstances. Although I must say that even for me your tour de force seems a bit excessive. But you get lots of points for style! Even you Gramps! Say Old Man, you mind letting me have swig or two from your bottomless tap over there? Whiskey if you have it, made from grain? Any year will get the job done. You would really be helping me out."

"Anyway to the point, seeing as you fine adventurers have the look of steeled veterans about you, I was hoping to make you a proposition. I need to get to the Darkling Crevices Gorge, to collect some samples. By chance would such a strong and motivated group have any interest in earning some coin by escorting there? Also that little girl in the clearing could use some travelling companions as well.”

The Elf motioned towards the darkened forest at the edge of the clearing, the tiny silhouette of a little girl stood out against the darkness as she edged a step closer. “Payment would not necessarily have to be money.” The Elf removed his Top Hat and shoved his arm inside up to the shoulder. He continued digging around the Top Hat. “Now I know I have some rare magical items in here somewhere.” Finally his arm stopped digging in its circular pattern and was pulled free from the Top Hat, launching several flaming logs into the air. “Oops!" The Elf caught the logs one by one and flipped them back into the air, finally landing back inside the Top Hat. "My mistake. But I assure you I have a few top quality items you might be interested in as a trade for your services. Old Man could I interest you in a walking stick? Perhaps a nice warm blanket for the cold or some magical fiber to help keep you regular in exchange for that Whiskey?”