"Hey Etin." Magnus spoke, hiding in a bush with Etin next to him.
"Hmm?"
"They really want us dead, there's more than 200 people I can sense nearby." he said, glancing at the map in the corner of his vision.
"Of course they want us dead, we eliminated a company's worth of knights."
'I know we've killed a lot of them, but isn't this too much?!' he complained in his mind.
While looking for ways to make their escape, he noticed an oddity.
Most of the knights were stationed along a specific path, and 20 of them were moving slowly. In front of those 20, a yellow light marked a creature.
'They're not mounted?'
"Say, why would there be 20 of them grouped up?" he turned to Etin.
"Hmm... From what I remember about them, that is most likely a hunting squad that's out for our blood."
"They're not mounted."
"Ah? How weird. Then maybe they are transporting something?' a thoughtful look appeared in the elf's eyes," Coud we go there to investigate?"
"It's going to be troublesome, but okay."
Making their way through the snowstorm, they eliminated another 2 patrols, before they came across the 20 Knights.
Ten on each side, they formed two protective lines for the object in the middle. In front of them, three horses were pulling something.
A large, human sized something, as big as a man and covered by a cloth.
Turning to look towards Etin for answers, he only shook his head.
'He doesn't know either, huh.'
Gazing at the 20 Knights, they noticed the snow storm was picking up in strength.
'Let's move!' Etin signalled, and Magnus followed.
They carefully made their way to the back of the procession, making sure not to make any noise.
The howls of the wind became stronger, and the 20 knights died without a sound, their blood coloring the snow crimson.
Magnus and Etin panted, staring at the mysterious object.
Etin gestured Magnus to stay back, and took down the cloth covering the object.
A large crystal ball was revealed, the bright orange radiance shining like the morning sun. The temperature also seemed to slightly rise, as the snow around it started melting.
"This is-"
"A fire crystal." Etin answered, confusion apparent on his face, "Why would they transport something so valuable here- in the middle of nowhere?"
"How valuable is it?"
Etin thought for a second, rubbing his chin, "Enough to become a noble. Enough to get you into any wizard tower or knight academy. Simply... Enough."
"That's... What's its use then?"
"Depends. Mages can strengthen their fire and magic affinity, breaking through the ranks. Knights can use it for enchanted weapons and armor. Some even for body strengthening."
"Then let's take it away!"
Etin looked at him, confused, "How do you plan to carry this thing?"
"Uh... Nevermind. Then destroy it?"
"Absolutely not! If it gets destroyed, everything on this side of the mountain will be burnt to a crisp!"
"How do we delay them then, since they're transporting it, and if it's late they will know something is off."
Looking at the cart carrying the the crystal, Etin pulled out his blades.
After a few swings, wood splintered, and the cart was destroyed beyond recognition.
"This is how." he nodded, turning to look at Magnus.
"Hmm... Should buy some time, so sure. To the village?"
"Yeah. We need to report this thing here as well. It seems the third prince got something nasty up his sleeve."
"Then let's go, they're moving towards us.", he said, before they both got on the horse.
'At least we can rest a bit.' he thought.
With Etin leading the way to the village, Magnus only needed to change their course occasionally.
Having fought the entire day, the exhausted and tired pair arrived in the vicinity of the village.
Glancing at the map, Magnus's hair stood on end.
'Red as far as the eye can see!'
Dense red dots covered the entire north side of the map, stretching beyond his maps reveal range.
'A thousand? No-More, definitely more!'
"Magnus?" Etin turned to look at him.
"Wha- What is it?" Magnus stammered, turning to look at him.
"What's with your expression?"
"Uh..." he stammered, before asking. "Say, Etin. How many elves are there in your village?"
"Around 2000, why?"
"And can all of them fight?" Magnus asked, clenching his fist.
'Please tell me that all of them can fight!'
"Hmm... Around half can fight, the rest are either craftsmen or the young and old. Why do you ask?"
"Ther- theres more than a thousand of them. Of the knights..."
His expression turned grave, "That's not a funny joke, Magnus!"
"Go in this direction-" Magnus pointed towards their right.
Soon, the horse and both of them arrived at a cliff side.
Their expressions soured, as they gazed at the armada before them. Having cut down the forest, the siege camp stretched for more than a kilometres, countless people moving about busily inside.
Turning his head to the side, Magnus saw the elven village.
A single tree stood tall, hundreds of meters tall, a wide canopy casting a shadow aa big as the knight army. Small buildings were spread throughout the trees and the ground, barely visible.
'Thats the elven village huh? They even seem to have a barrier so they should be-'
"Oh Blessed Mother!" Etin was dumbstruck, trying to regain his composure.
"Wait, what's that?" Magnus pointed in the distance, and as he saw the object Magnus pointed at, his expression turned darker.
"A dwarven siege cannon! We must evacuate the village -"
His words were interrupted.
The vertical 'pillar' started leaning to the side, supported by four smaller pillars.
"No-" Etin looked on in despair.
The middle pillar, or cannon barrel, aimed directly at the large tree in the distance.
"No, STOP!" Etins desperately shout rang out.
Diiiiiiiiing.
The sound of a bell.
A flash of light shot out of the cannon, hurling towards the elven village.
"NOOOOOO-"
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
The explosion seemed to shake the world, sending Magnus and Etin flying.
The knights on the ground did not fare any better, and most of the collapsed as well.
Getting up from the ground, Magnus turned to look at the elven village, blood flowing from his ears.
Crack. Crack. Crack.
The sound of glass shattering rang out, as barrier pieces kept falling one by one, dissolving into specks of light.
And the backdrop of a raging inferno engulfing the large tree shook him to his very core.
The buildings he once saw were now charred remains, the only color left was black.
Soon, the snowstorm would engulf the fire, leaving nothing but charred remains behind.
A shadow flashed past, and Magnus was about to defend himself.
Only to see Etin charging down the cliff, into the army of knights.
Magnus reached out, but Etin was already beyond his reach- beyond saving.
One knight fell, then another. The third barely yelled, before being decapitated.
A sword danced through the air, felling one knight after another, the previous elegance replaced by hatred.
10... 20...
A cut sent his arm flying, yet Etin kept fighting, tears streaming down his twisted face.
"I'LL CUT YOU ALL DOWN!"
His shout attracted even more attention, and soon, the sounds of battle ceased.
A ache spread through Magnus heart. Rolling, he lay on his back, tears streaming down his face.
'Why-Ah. You need to be alive for revenge, and you threw your life away.'
"Are you and your little companion the ones who have been a nuisance." A raspy old voice startled him.
Turning his head to look, he saw an old knight with scars on his face. Accompanying him were 20 elite knights, each one glaring daggers at him.
"I... I was yeah." he wiped his tears, before standing up. His body however, refused to obey, and he fell down to the ground again.
"Hoh. Tracking you proved very difficult due to the snowstorm, but thank you for attacking the convoy. Made my job easier." he mocked, before his expression turned serious, as he seized Magnus up.
"What was that crystal for even?" Magnus asked, absent mindedly.
"Another 10 shots for the cannon. The barrier didn't survive even one, so it was just a waste." Bastil replied.
"Do knights have honor?" Magnus suddenly asked, managing to stand up.
"Child, are you insulting me?!" his shout created a shock wave, almost forcing Magnus to his knees.
"I'm not. I am asking a genuine question."
"Knights live and die by their oath! Their honor! And their pride!"
'Then...'
"Let me fight one of your followers. If I win, let me go. If I lose, do whatever you want."
'A desperate gamble, please...'
"There's nothing to gain from you. A bug that needs squashing-that is all you are."
"True, but are you going to refuse the offer and tarnish your honor?"
"Hahahaha!" Bastils laughter rang out, "Funny, very funny. Having honor doesn't make someone an idiot, you barbarian."
'Damn it...'
"But I will entertain you. Tyrus is my weakest warrior, so you shall face him." A mocking smirk crept on Bastils face.
"Yes, lord Bastil!" one of the knights dismounted, before charging at Magnus.
Raising his sword, he tried to guard against the knight.
CLANG!
A wide swing destroyed his sword, sending half the blade flying.
'What-'
The knight stabbed towards him, the sword whistling.
'Move-' he forced his worn body to move, jumping to the side.
Yet he wasn't fast enough, a cut appearing on his side.
The next blow came from above, and he swung his broken sword with all his might.
CLANG!
He deflected it, before stabbing towards the knight.
Only to have the knight catch the blade with his hand, and pull it out of his grip.
He punched the knight, his fist hitting solid metal. Blood splashed, and his knuckles ware torn.
The knight shook his head, before piercing towards him.
'Is this it-' he eyed the blade as it came closer.
"Halt!" A shout interrupted.
The blade stopped a hairs breath from his head.