Caught In The Wood

“Zander.” Evangeline whispered and Melian tensed up at the sound of his name.

“Mr. Rocheveron?” Melian’s voice echoed and Luan smacked her shoulders lightly.

“Slow down your voice.” He muttered.

Evangeline started forward, but Luan caught her hand. He pulled her toward him. “Not yet.” He hissed under his breath. Luan’s other hands gripped his glaive tightly that his knuckle went white.

Evangeline stiffened at the sight Zander getting hit by a raven-haired man. “Just let me get close them, I’ll tear his chest apart and take his heart out.” Said Evangeline.

Melian narrowed her green eyes, and she gasped in surprise. “I know that bearded man.” She said in a low voice, and Evangeline turned to look at her. “He is Elridge Knightwalker. He is known as a ruthless torturer and he enjoys seeing people getting hurt.”

Elridge held a rope of thorns and commenced it to bind Zander to the tree trunk. The thorns cut into Zander’s wrists and ankles. Blood welled from the lacerations where the thorn bindings cut into Zander’s skins. His shirt torn and bloods splayed all over the fabric. Zander slumped his body inertly, his eyes half-lidded.

Evangeline tensed and Luan held on to her. Elridge ran his knife on Zander’s throat and blood seeped out from it. His head fallen back against the trunk of the tree. There were bruises on his pale skin and cheek. Evangeline bit down the urge of vomiting.

“Evangeline,” Luan whispered. He touched her face lightly, and turned her to face him. “Don’t look.” He said and held her gaze for a moment. Luan looked at the chaos ahead of him and Evangeline could see his blue eyes were flat, glittering. She could see ruthlessness swirling inside it, but it was not meant for her. It was meant for Elridge.

There was a commotion rose atop the pavilion, and single blast shattered in the air and the murmuring voices quiet down instantly. The elves looked up and a tall figure appeared beside the throne. He wore black silk and black and white gauntlet: a mismatch gauntlet. His hair was light-brown and grizzly. He had his helmet off under his arm.

Evangeline exhaled. “The Erlking.” The Erlking turned, bringing his face into full view and she could see his profile. The Erlking had asymmetrical features that hold a roguish charm. His eyes were gold-blue eyes. There was a sword at the side of his hip. The hilt was made of an antler and Evangeline just noticed The Erlking was very tall. Probably seven feet tall and his physical presence suggested agility and grace. He reminded her of a tiger.

Zander was bounded to the tree, and he looked at The Erlking’s face once before turning his head away. His tangled silver hair fell to hide his eyes and his chin dropped. Elridge hurried toward the pavilion, joining the Erlking’s side.

“We need to help Zander.” Evangeline whispered and she was breathing hard.

“Let’s wait to hear what The Erlking says.” Luan whispered back.

As if on cue, The Erlking spoke. His voice was thunderous. “Zander Rocheveron,” he said. “You are here because you are convicted of the murder of my people. You slew them with your blade, here in the Dark Forest.”

A murmur ran through the crowd.

“I can release you from being my prisoner.” Said the Erlking. A wide smile stretched across his face. “Only if you trade yourself with Princess Evangeline.”

Evangeline froze. It was as if time had stopped and everything around her seemed to freeze along with her. Even the smirk on The Erlking’s face froze too. Me? The Erlking wants me? She thought.

“There is no such thing as trading my life with Princess Evangeline.” Said Zander. He clamped down on his voice so it would not tremble.

Something touched Evangeline’s shoulders. It was Luan’s hand, the one that wasn’t hold his glaive. She looked at Luan in surprise, but Luan kept his gaze fixed toward the clearing. Suddenly loud footfalls boomed in the woods and Melian threw her hand defensively.

“Evangeline, stay behind me.” Luan said and this time the catch in his voice was alarm. He moved toward her, drawing Evangeline behind him. His hand in hers. They stumbled together into the centre of the woods just as a contingent of elves guards burst from the trees.

They were led by Elridge and confusion struck Evangeline seeing Elridge stood right in front of them. She was sure Elridge was with The Erlking before he came here a few moments ago.

His sandy hair was tousled and his grin slightly maniac. “Princess Evangeline.” He said and the guards surrounded Melian, Evangeline, and Luan. “How delighted The Erlking to see you.” Elridge’s gold eyes latched on Luan and his grin widened. “And you too Lord of The Selene.”

Luan had his hand on his glaive. He spoke flatly. “That’s surprising. I don’t think The Erlking is delighted to see me.”

“Apparently, yes. Seeing the situation occur in the Nefeli Land was because of you.” Said Elridge.

Luan’s glaive flashed out. He lunged at Elridge, who leaped back. He snapped an order to the guards and they swarmed forward. Evangeline barely had time to swing her sword forward. Instead, she threw her pocket knife, slicing a long cut across the chest of a guard with green striking hair.

Melian and Luan were fighting together, Melian with a sword in hand and Luan with a glaive in his hand. They were both steadily fast, and deadly. Several guards fell, shouting in pain, and Evangeline added two more to the pile of wounded guards. As much as they were fighting brilliantly, the guards were far too many of them.

Evangeline could see Elridge lounging against the trunk of tree, eyeing his nails. As she caught his eyes, Elridge grinned and he looked at the guards before shouting. “Get Princess Evangeline!” He called. “The Erlking want’s the Princess for questioning. Do not harm her.”

“Evangeline!” Luan shouted as three guards had grabbed Princess Evangeline. She was struggling as they twisted her arms behind her back. Melian threw her pocket knife into one of the guards’ shoulder and pushed his falling body toward Evangeline.

Evangeline’s eyes met Luan’s and he shook his head at her frantically, shouting through the clamour. “Let her go!” Luan said and several of The Erlking’s guards dashed toward him.

“Stop.” Elridge cried out and the guards stopped on their tracks. “Let them free and let them go to the Erlking on their own.” Said Elridge.