Elaria rode closer to Renjiro, murmuring softly, "Your Majesty, these humans... they don't seem frightened of us."
Renjiro glanced at the onlookers, his expression unreadable. "In some places of the continent, Elves are seen as legends – holy, noble, beautiful beings. We are so rarely encountered that human curiosity often outweighs their fear."
A flicker of coldness entered Elaria's eyes. "It's that lack of fear, Your Majesty, that emboldens greedy human nobles to hunt and capture our kin!"
A faint, almost chilling smile touched Renjiro's lips. "They will learn soon enough. They will learn just how fearsome the Elves can truly be."
Elaria nodded, her resolve hardening.
She had absolute faith that under Renjiro's command, the Elves were destined to reclaim their former glory.
….
The Mountains.
It was a vast, jagged range stretching nearly a hundred kilometers, a stark grey scar upon the land.
