1

 slight breeze ruffled the leaves of the tall majestic trees in the extensive forest surrounding the entrance to the Dark Elvan kingdom of Demons Dark Deepening. Bright sunlight shone through the green canopy illuminating the leaf littered grass beneath with dappled light. Multi coloured birds and insects buzzed or flew around seeking the various blossoms and flowers they particularly liked, from which to harvest the pollen. In the centre of this largish clearing was an ancient stone framed doorway set into a hillock and this was the entrance to Demons Dark Deepening.

Dark Elves being a secretive race normally shun contact with all other races and are on the most part content to stay within the boundaries of their own kingdom. In fact Dark Elvan parents often told their offspring similar bogey man stories to those that mothers of the children of men did to scare their children into staying home and not leaving the safety of the underground kingdom. Standing alongside the stone supports of the entrance portal feeling the sun’s warmth on his almost naked body, was one exception to the statement ‘most part content to stay within their own boundaries’. He was Din Endal Elsanar, tall for the Dark Elf race, extremely good looking with a muscular body. Din looked to be about 17 years old and was carrying a leather bag containing food and additional clothing, including a fur trimmed cloak. He was wearing a scimitar shaped sword in a black leather scabbard. The sword had belonged to his grandfather and had been passed to Din on his last birthing day as tradition dictated. The sword was revered by the Dark Elf race. Stepping into the sunlight Din turned and looked back at the entrance to his subterranean home and remembered the almost violent argument he and his elder brother Eol had, the previous evening. The argument started when Din said that he wanted to explore the world of men outside his own kingdom. Eol had become very angry and it was the closest his brother had come to hitting him. Both brothers loved each other and Eol had left Din’s chamber in a rage. The brothers had not spoken to each other for the remainder of the night. Din had awoken early that morning and after packing some food and additional clothing he had sneaked past the palace guards and left Demons Dark Deepening. He was about to walk into the forest when a voice said “Din, where are you going, it’s dangerous out here”.

Turing around Din saw his long time friend Beren standing on the steps of the portal looking at him.

“I want to explore this world of men out here Beren, I am sick of living like a blind mole” Din replied.

“But Din, you are a prince; your life is so much better than some others lives, even mine. Your parents the king and queen love you; your brother Eol loves you more than his life. My older brother uses every excuse to thrash me. Please Din give up this foolishness” Beren asked.

“No Beren I will not, as my mind is made up. Return to the safety of the underground then” Din said petulantly.

“No my prince I will not, I had better come with you, as you must be protected and besides my life needs a change. Please my prince let me join you” Beren said going down on one knee.

“Beren get up, you have no need to do that to me. We have been friends since I was born. Yes you may come and I appreciate your company. Go and get some food and clothing and I will sit by that large tree over there and wait for you. Do not let anyone see you” Din said smiling.

Beren raced back through the portal and ran to his house to collect some food and clothing, he took his brothers fur trimmed cloak and sneaked carefully out of the house leaving his parents and elder sibling snoring in a deep sleep. Going out the door he grabbed his bow and quiver of arrows. Beren was an excellent marksman with the elvan bow. Whilst Beren was doing this Din was leaning against the tree fidgeting with impatience for the adventure to begin.

A short distance away across the clearing a shape moved against a pine tree and looked at the near naked Dark Elf appraising what it saw. The shape was a magically created Tautarian. A blue lizard man magically changed to have chameleon like characteristics by the black wizard Ramascus. The creature had the ability to blend into its surroundings, just like the smaller lizard the Chameleon. The creature was humanoid in appearance with fine scales; it had no tail and was six foot in height. He was naked as the Tautarians could not wear clothes whilst working as the clothes would give them away. The creatures name was Setae and he had been sent to watch the comings and goings from the Dark Elf kingdom by his master Ramascus, the Black Wizard of Monmouth Castle. Setae moved closer to the Dark Elf and looked longingly at the boy’s perfect body. Blue Lizard men lust after young good looking males and this trait had remained when Ramascus had created the Tautarian race. Ramascus often rewarded his Tautarians with young males he had either had kidnapped from their villages or he had brought from one of the many slavers that abounded in Demons Deep Port.

Din leaning against the tree felt that he was being watched. Dark Elves have keen eyesight and Din looked around but saw nothing. He shrugged off the feeling and looked around the clearing at the towering tress and the patches of blossom and the ground covered in grass and flowers marvelling at the colours. Whilst the plants in his underground home were of different colours they were not as bright as these in the outside world as they grew with out any sun and were on the most part myriad species of fungus and moss. A movement caught Din’s eye and looking across the clearing he saw a small fairly like figure sitting on a large stump watching him. The creature looked at Din and in a thin voice it asked “Where are you going Prince Din Endal Elsanar”?

“I, I am going to explore the world of men, sprite” Din replied arrogantly.

“Do you know what dangers there are out here in this world of men, you impetuous youth? No of course you don’t, well prince let me tell you some things for your protection. In case you have not noticed it, you are a Dark Elf and most you meet in the world of men will hate you at the worst and distrust you at the least. They see your race as evil elvan magic users. You can not speak the languages of the world of men; you have no money, which are silver and gold coins that those in the world of men use to procure things like food and shelter. You are young and good looking and some in the world of men will want to use your body or make you a slave to satisfy the needs of others. Well my impatient prince what say you to what I have just told you?” the sprite asked.

“I still wish to explore the world of men and sprite I am not afraid” Din replied petulantly.

“Very well, for a price I can help you and your companion Beren survive in the world of men” the sprite replied.

“What is the price sprite” Din asked hesitantly?

“You and your companion must spend the night with my mistress Flava. She will supply you with maps and money and give you the ability to speak and understand the languages used in the world of men” the sprite said hovering in front of Din’s face.

“Very well sprite we will do this as we are not afraid of this Flava, she is after all only a female magic user” Din replied arrogantly.

Beren returned and joined Din looking at the sprite hovering in front of his friends face, noting the perfectly formed miniature body. The sprite turned and looked at Beren then said “So Beren you intend to accompany Din Endal here into the dangerous world of men. I think you had better follow me, to visit my mistress Flava so she can prepare you both for the experience”.

“I will go where my friend goes sprite, as I have sworn to protect him with my life if required” Beren said seriously.

“Very well my impetuous elves, it is two day travelling to the cave of my mistress and her companion Arias. So let us get started and we will follow a pathway through Demons Dark Forest, a singular unpleasant place” the sprite said laughing at the looks of trepidation on elves faces.

The Tautarian Setae watched the three move off deeper into the forest and after allowing the three to move away some distance he sprinted off in the direction of the village of Risdon’s Cove on the coast near Demons Deep Port, where he was staying at a hostelry called the Vulpian House. The Hostelry was used to renting rooms to non humans, it being located near the thriving sea port of Demons Deep, where the crews of the various trade vessels were of mixed races.

The sprite and the dark elves walked deeper into the forest and the elves noted that the foliage had become thicker and the sun was having difficulty penetrating the thick canopy, making the forest cold and gloomy. Both near naked elves shivered and the sprite told them to don their cloaks. A couple of hours later the sprite led the two into a largish clearing and suggested that the two take a break and eat and drink something as there were still three hours of light left before full darkness fell. He said “You both need to rest here and eat something; we will only take a short break as I must find somewhere safe to spend the night as you do not want to be out in this cursed forest after dark. I know of a tower we can use, it is not more than two and a half hours away”.

“Very well sprite we will do as you suggest, this forest is very strange” Din replied taking a drink from his water flask and passing it to Beren.

Meanwhile in his room at the Vulpian House, Setae took of his cloak and hung it on a hook. The Tautarian was naked as clothes interfered with the creature’s ability to blend into its surroundings. Setae walked to the looking glass mounted on the wall and addressed it in a strange hissing language that caused the mirror to become misty with blue flame crackling across its surface, the looking glass cleared and the face of the powerful black wizard Ramascus of the kingdom of Raikes and the creator of the Tautarians appeared. “Tell me what you have seen Setae” the vision asked?

“Master I observed the young prince Din Endal and his companion Beren leave the dark elvan kingdom accompanied by a sprite that is taking the two elves to the cave of Flava” Setae replied bowing.

“You have done well Setae, in the morning travel to the cave of this Flava and see where they go from there I will send your brother Beta to assist you” Ramascus replied.

Setae bowed and the looking glass resumed its normal form. Putting on his cloak Setae left the room to seek refreshment and enjoyment.

In the chamber of Balthazar the high priest of the dark elvan kingdom, who was preparing a potion for one of the courtiers to assist the man to gain the love of the person whom he lusted after. A movement in his looking glass caught his attention and he walked to the glass and gestured, seeing the face of Ramascus looking back at him.

“Greetings Ramascus, what news have you for me” Balthazar asked.

“The younger prince has left your kingdom with another elf named Beren. They are being taken by a sprite to the cave of Flava. My Tautarians will continue to watch and report to me” Ramascus replied.

“I thank you Ramascus, keep me informed. I do wonder why though Flava is involved” Balthazar said puzzled.

2

n the chamber normally occupied by Din Endal, Eol and a guard were looking for Din as he had not joined the family for breakfast.

“He does not appear to be here my prince” the guard said.

“We argued last night, when he said he wanted to explore the world of men and I nearly hit him. I have never done that before, but he made me so very angry. Search the palace and the house of his friend Beren” Eol ordered.

“Immediately my prince, I shall do as you order” the guard said.

“Very good, report to me in my chamber” Eol replied.

Whilst the search was being conducted for Din, he and Beren were following the sprite through Demons Dark Forest. The further they went into the forest the thicker the foliage was and the darker it got as the sun could not penetrate the canopy and the forest had taken on a gloomy malevolent air. The three continued until the sprite stopped the elves and told them to take a break as he wanted to check the pathway for any dangers. The two sat down on a mossy log and the sprite flitted away down the overgrown pathway. Setae leaned against a tree and watched the two elves on the log and the sprite checking the pathway for a fair distance. A short time later the sprite returned and told the elves that the path was safe and they should continue so as to reach shelter before night fall. Setae smiled to him self and thought ‘I could make them both safe’. He smiled again and continued to follow the three unobserved.

At the palace in Demons Dark Deepening the guard who had conducted the search was reporting to Eol in the prince’s chamber, he was saying “my prince, your brother is nowhere in the palace and neither is his friend in his house. I woke his parents and elder brother and they have not seen either of the boys. I believe that Beren has gone with Prince Din Endal. I have my men searching the city, but I do feel that they have left the kingdom. I am sorry my prince”.

Eol swore a foul elvish oath and then said “I must report this to my father the King, tell no one that my brother has gone”.

“As you command my prince” the guard said leaving the chamber.

Eol walked to the throne room and entered, he was pleased to see that his father was alone. Approaching the throne he bowed and then said “father I bring disturbing news, my brother is missing. I believe he and his friend Beren have left the kingdom to explore the world of men”.

“How long has he been missing for Eol” king Duvoled thundered.

“Not yet a day Father” Eol replied.

“Did you, know of his wish to leave” Duvoled asked harshly?

“He mentioned it last night father, we argued and I almost hit him, he would not see reason that the quest was pure foolishness. I thought that when I left him somewhat angry with him, he would see sense and give up the foolish idea. Father I need to find him and bring him back, he could be hurt out there” Eol said.

“No my son I think we will wait for a day or so as he may return on his own. I will however, summon my friend Wulfur the wood elf tracker. If he fails then Eol you must find him and bring him back before thirty days elapses or he will be banished and marked for death. I do not like this; it is so out of character for your brother, there is evil at work here. Din Endal has, I believe, been made to do this foolish and stupid thing. I am sorry I spoke harshly to you my son, I know you love your brother” Duvoled said rising from his throne and placing his hand on Eol’s shoulder.

“Thank You sire. If I have to find him father, then I will. Now I better tell our mother the queen” Eol said bowing and leaving the throne room.

Whilst Eol was telling Queen Idril the news about Din being missing, the King had sent one of his trusted servants to the wood elf kingdom with an urgent message for Wulfur the tracker. The Dark Elves and the Wood Elves maintained limited contact as they occasionally traded with each other; the Dark Elves for bows and arrows and the Wood Elves for the metal to make the arrow heads from the Dark Elf mines.

The sprite led the two elves to an old vine and moss covered tower built of blackish stone, he told the elves to open the ornate door, which had runes and esoteric carvings in its face. Both elves strained and pushed the door open with a loud squeal coming from its rusty hinges. Once the door was open sufficiently for them to gain entry, the sprite flew through and gestured at each torch in its ornate sconce on the wall of the largish chamber, causing them to light and cast a yellowish glow over the dusty furniture. The two elves put their bags down and looked around the dusty area.

“Close the door and bolt it my wandering elves, we do not want anything from the cursed forest in here with us” the sprite ordered.

“What is this tower sprite, who lived here” Din asked?

“It was the tower of a very powerful wizard, young prince and he populated the forest with all manner of fearsome beasts and hideous misshapen creatures, some of which used to be men he had found wandering in the forest. His name was Balasarius and he just disappeared one stormy night. You are both safe here as nothing can get in unless you foolishly ask it to. Now my wanderers I suggest you eat and then get some sleep, I will light a fire for your warmth” the sprite said hovering in front of the fire place and speaking in a strange language. He gestured and the fire lit and burnt brightly warming the cold chamber.

“We better eat something Din and then try to sleep. Thank you sprite for your assistance” Beren said.

As the two elves ate sitting in front of the fire they heard growls and squeals coming from the forest outside the tower. Both elves looked at each other and shrugged deeper into their fur lined cloaks.

Earlier in the day Wulfur the wood elf tracker had arrived at Demons Dark Deepening and he was scouring the area outside the entry portal for tracks of the two boys. He soon found the boys tracks but he was puzzled at the third track that he had found which appeared to be following the boys some distance behind them, using the trees and foliage to hide its presence. Still puzzled Wulfur followed the tracks deeper into the forest unaware he was being followed by another Tautarian named Beta. Beta had been sent by his master Ramascus to assist his brother Setae in tracking the two elves. Wulfur followed the boy’s tracks to the tower of the wizard Balasarius and seeing the lower chamber illuminated he assumed that the boys were inside sheltering and safe for the night. Finding a large tree the elf climbed to the higher branches to spend the night safe from the creatures starting to prowl the towers precincts and the forest below. After making himself comfortable and pulling his greenish cloak around him self he looked down and watched a pair of dark furred werewolves following a scent to an adjacent large tree. Looking at the base of the tree he thought that he detected a movement from out of the corner of his eye. Putting his hand inside the satchel that he was carrying, Wulfur took out a reddish stone the size of his fist. Putting the stone to his eye he saw through the reddish glow the Tautarian hiding at the base of the large tree, to which the werewolves were heading.

‘You are a strange Blue Lizard man; you are like the Chameleon and can blend into your surroundings unseen. You better start to climb that tree before those werewolves get close enough to see you with their weresight’ Wulfur thought watching the werewolves and the Tautarian.

The werewolves were getting closer to the base of the tree that the Tautarian was hiding behind and the lizard man started to climb the trunk making for the higher branches. He only just made the safety of the higher branches when the two werewolves crashed through the bracken and foliage and ran to the base of tree looking for their prey. Both werewolves seeing nothing sniffed the air walking around the tree growling confused as to where their prey had gone. Neither of the creatures looked up and finally in disgust they howled and moved away to prowl the forest looking to find easier prey.

Inside the tower of Balasarius the two dark elves were trying to sleep but were disturbed by noises emanating from the upper levels of the tower. Beren got up and bolted the door leading to the staircase. He returned to Din and lay back down in front of the fire. Din said “this tower is populated by something that does not sleep, my friend”.

“Yes Din that is why I bolted the door, whatever it is can stay out side. Do you think that in the morning we should return to Demons Dark Deepening” Beren said looking at the doorway.

“No Beren, I intend to explore the world of men” Din replied somewhat automatically his friend Beren thought.

Both elves finally drifted off to sleep in the warmth of the fire.

The sprite had flown to the cave of Flava and he found her in her private chamber with a huge hairy black spider, named Arias who was Flava’s companion. Looking at the sprite Flava asked “what do you have to report to us sprite”?

“Mistress, Prince Din Endal and his companion Beren are on the way here. The prince wants to explore the world of men. He is rather petulant and somewhat arrogant mistress. He refers to you as just a female magic user. I have shown them to the tower of Balasarius, they will be safe for the night” the sprite replied.

“Did this petulant prince actually say that my love is just a female magic user, sprite” Arias asked angrily looking at the sprite.

“Yes my lord Arias he actually used those words, I would not tell either of you an untruth, I can not do that” the sprite replied seriously looking at the large spider.

“My nephew is under some form of enchantment, he is not normally like this. I sense an evil purpose at work here Arias, do not be angry just yet. Tell us sprite, do those at the place know that my nephew has left the kingdom” Flava asked stroking the spiders large head lovingly, causing the spider to caress her with his long hairy foreleg.

“I can not say mistress as I did not enter into Demons Dark Deepening” the sprite replied.

“Arias contact your spies within the palace and see what they have heard” Flava asked?

“I shall do as you request my love,” Arias replied releasing Flava.

Arias’s large body started to vibrate and a low humming sound was heard as the giant arachnid put himself into a telepathic trance to contact his spies at the palace of King Duvoled. The hum got louder and Flava smiled and led the sprite to the other side of the chamber where she sat down on a comfortable couch. Looking at the sprite she said “you have done well sprite, come love me” and with that she gestured and the sprite assumed the form of a handsome youth. Naked he walked into Flava’s arms and the two sank back onto the couch kissing.

In the palace of King Duvoled, the spiders running around the walls stopped still and started to vibrate making a low humming sound.

“This is your master Arias, what have you heard in relation to prince Din Endal wanting to leave the kingdom. Tell me what you all know” Arias in the cave of Flava projected to his spies in the palace.

“My lord, I was in the chamber of Din Endal and I heard him arguing with his brother. Din Endal was saying that he wanted to leave and explore the world of men. His brother Eol was very angry and they nearly came to blows. That master is strange as the two brothers have never said a cross word to each other before. Eol left Din Endal’s chamber in a rage” one spider projected.

“Master I was in the throne room and I heard the king react harshly when Eol informed him that his younger brother had gone. The king sent a messenger to contact Wulfur the wood elf tracker and to ask Wulfur to find the young prince. The king was very angry at Eol” another spider projected in reply.

“What has been heard from the chambers of Balthazar” Arias projected.

“Balthazar knows nothing of this matter” a spider said offered rather too quickly.

“You are lying to me, I will destroy you fool” Arias projected angrily.

“No I am not and you do not scare me Arias” the spider projected arrogantly.

Arias’s large body increased its vibrations and the low hum became high pitched and was directed against the lying spider. On the wall of the high priests chamber the spider that had lied shook uncontrollably and then disintegrated. As the body hit the floor another spider took its place and smaller spiders ran from the corners and removed the broken body. Balthazar was not in his chamber when this all occurred, so he would not know the spider that he had enchanted had been destroyed as all the spiders in the palace were identical.

“You have all done well, keep listening and I will contact you all again soon” Arias projected to the other spiders. Arias looked at the two lovers on the couch, stopped humming and moved closer to the pair saying “when you have finished my love and you are satisfied, I have some news for you. You should be thankful that I do not get jealous of your suitors”.

“Rolling the youth onto his side Flava looked at Arias and replied “Arias my darling you know that you are my only love, these suitors as you call them, merely satisfy my other needs. Now my love, tell we what you have found out”.

“My spies tell me that the young prince and his brother argued over the younger prince wanting to explore the world of men. My spy said this was out of character as the brothers had never argued in the past. The king was told of his younger sons’ disappearance and he was very angry with Eol. The king has sought the assistance of Wulfur the wood elf tracker to find his son. The spy in the high priests chamber lied to me, he had been enchanted, so I destroyed him and he has been replaced my love” Arias said stroking Flava with his long black hairy foreleg.

“Well arias there is something going on here that is worrying. I will see what I feel when I see my handsome nephew. I have always said I would not interfere with things outside my realm, I did in fact promise my brother Duvoled I would never interfere with him or his realm or take a hand in his affairs. I will however, protect my nephew and his friend as much as possible. I have a feeling of dread my love” Flava said quietly.

Early the next morning the elves awoke and looked around the lower floor of the tower, seeing nothing of interest they were about to climb the dusty staircase to the higher floors when the sprite reappeared and said “No my wandering elves, it is not safe for you to explore further. I suggest that you eat and we will continue on our journey to the cave of my mistress”.

Outside the tower Wulfur using his reddish stone watched the Tautarian climb down from the tree in which the creature had spent the night. The lizard man looked in Wulfur direction but saw nothing as Wulfur wrapped in his greenish cloak was completely camouflaged from the Tautarians sight. Once on the ground the lizard man moved quietly towards the tower. Wulfur continued to watch as a second lizard man joined the other. Wulfur from his camouflaged position listened to the two talking to each other.

“Setae, where did you spend the night, I had to climb a tree as two werewolves smelt me I think” Beta said hugging his brother.

Beta my brother I spent the night at Risdon’s Cove and ran here early this morning. What have you seen” Setae asked hugging his brother in return.

“I followed a wood elf to this spot but he has disappeared, he was following the dark elves. They are handsome specimens my brother. I think the wood elf has been asked by the king to find his youngest son. We better tell our master Ramascus of this development” Beta replied.

“I have reported to our master that the elves are journeying to the cave of Flava. Our master would have passed on that knowledge to Balthazar the elvan high priest. I know of a shorter route to the cave of Flava so we can hunt and if the elves get in front of us we will soon find them again and easily catch up with them” Setae said looking at his brother.

“Agreed brother, but we must notify our master of this wood elf and seek his instructions. There has to be a looking glass in the tower of Balasarius. We can go in when the elves leave” Beta suggested receiving a nod of agreement from Setae.

‘Now that is an interesting piece of information, the Black Wizard Ramascus is involved and working with Balthazar. Why is this so? I must notify the king of this as soon as I can” Wulfur thought.

Inside the tower the two elves had eaten and repacked their bags and were ready to leave to continue their journey to Flava’s cave. Din unbolted the door and he and Beren stepped outside and looked around the forest slowly being illuminated by the rising sun. The sprite told the elves to follow him and the three moved off following an indistinct trail deeper into the forest. Wulfur watched the three move off and slowly climbed down from the tree he had spent the night in. He was in two minds, should he warn the king of what he had overheard, or should he continue to follow the two elves. He continued to follow the elves whilst trying to decide on his course of action.

Setae and Beta went to the tower and slipped inside. They searched the lower floor until they found a looking glass on the wall of a small chamber. Beta cleaned the glass with a piece of dusty cloth and Setae recited a strange incantation in a hissing language. The looking glass went misty and when it cleared the face of Ramascus asked “what do you have to report Setae”.

“My master my brother Beta has joined me and he has told me a wood elf is also following the elves. We believe that this wood elf has been sent by the elvan king to find the younger son. What would you have us do master” Setae asked.

“I will contact Balthazar and ask him what he wants us to do. Stay in the tower of Balasarius until I contact you with instructions” Ramascus said as the looking glass returned to normal.

In the chamber of Balthazar the new spider spy was sitting on his web in the corner watching and listening whilst Balthazar worked on an old scroll trying to unlock its secrets. The looking glass on the wall glowed and Balthazar saw Ramascus’s face appear looking at him. He walked to the glass and said “greetings Ramascus, what do you have for me”.

“Balthazar, my two Tautarians have discovered a wood elf following the two dark elves. One of my Tautarians believes the wood elf has been asked by the king to find his younger son. What would you like me to tell my servants to do with this wood elf” Ramascus asked.

“I know of this wood elf, his name is Wulfur and he carries a stone which will allow him to see your Tautarians, despite their chameleon like abilities. If he can see them then he may have heard them discussing our involvement. Ask your servants to capture the wood elf and find out what he knows, and then you had better have them kill him. The king must not know that I am involved or he would have me killed” Balthazar said.

“You should be aware that this additional task and the killing will cost you extra. I see that if we do this you will be safe, I shall decide what my recompense will be and let you know when we next speak” Ramascus said laughing evilly as his image faded.

The looking glass in the tower turned blue and then Ramascus’s face appeared. He said “you are to capture the wood elf and find out what he knows. Be wary my children as he has a stone of seeing that will allow him to see you both. When you are satisfied that you have all he knows, you may kill him. How you do that is of little consequence to me. Report back when you have his knowledge. Beneath you is a torture chamber that you may utilise” when Ramascus had finished speaking the glass returned to normal.

“As you command master” the Tautarians said bowing.

“Come my brother Beta, let us find this wood elf and make him talk to us. We will no doubt enjoy this, it is a pity that he will not” Setae said smiling.

“How much further is it to the cave of this magic user sprite” Din asked.

“We are about half way there my impatient elf, we will rest soon in a safe place where you may collect water and pick some berries. Young prince, take heed of my words, you will need to show a little more respect for my mistress or you may be punished. She and her companion are very powerful” the sprite said looking at Din seriously.

“Why sprite, I am a prince, who is this Flava, she is only a female magic user” Din replied arrogantly.

“Din, that is not like you. Flava is very powerful. Beware my friend” Beren said looking at Din amazed at his friends arrogant attitude.

Further into the forest the sprite led the way to a rocky gully, with a crystal clear stream running through it. On the banks of the stream were small trees and vines loaded with succulent berries. The sprite told the elves to take a break and collect food and water.

Wulfur the tracker was following the two elves a short distance behind them. He looked at the tracks puzzled that there were no evident tracks of the two lizard men. He thought that this was strange and he may have missed the lizard men’s tracks so he backtracked a way to see if he could cut across the other tracks.

Beta and Setae were standing alongside two towering trees watching the trackers consternation at not being able to find their tracks. The two watched Wulfur get closer totally unaware of their presence. The elf walked between the two trees and the two let him pass. Beta hit Wulfur over the head with a piece of branch knocking the elf out. The two lizard men picked up the elf effortlessly and carried him back to the tower of Balasarius. Once inside the two carried the unconscious elf to the chamber on the lower level. The chamber contained a small forge and various implements of torture. Setae recited an incantation causing the forge to light and the torches in their scones to light filling the room with a yellowish glow. Carefully and almost lovingly the two Tautarians stripped their captive and chained him spread-eagled upright and naked to the shackles already in place. Beta went through Wulfur’s satchel and found the reddish stone of looking and showed this to his brother who was placing small pokers and pincers into the forge.

“Let us enjoy the elf whilst these get hot my brother, the other two are of no concern as we know where they are travelling to” he suggested. Both moved to the unconscious elf smiling in anticipation.

At the stream the two dark elves had collected berries and filled their water bottles and were sitting at the streams edge. Beren out of the blue asked “why do you want to explore the world of men”.

“I have to do it Beren, I was suffocating underground. I need to be free” Din replied automatically.

“Your brother will be so worried about you Din, he loves you” Beren replied.

“No he won’t Beren; Eol only worries about himself, as do my parents. They will not even miss me” Din replied again somewhat automatically.

Beren looked at his friend and thought ‘what has happened to you Din you are not normal as you love your brother and your family love you. I hope Flava can help you’.

“Come my wandering elves, let us continue as we will soon be there” the sprite said.

In the torture chamber of Belisarius’s tower, Wulfur had regained consciousness and was looking at the two lizard men who had resumed their normal bluish tint. “What do you want from me” he asked testing his shackles.

“We want only information, wood elf” Beta said twisting Wulfur’s nipples and causing the elf to scream in pain.

“Tell us why you are following the dark elves” Setae asked touching a red hot poker to the elves buttocks causing him to scream in pain again.

“I will not tell you, you will kill me first” Wulfur said through his pain.

“Oh but you will elf, you will tell us” Beta said running his hands lovingly over the elf’s body.

“Come on elf, talk to us we really don’t want to hurt you. Tell us what we want to know and we will release you” Setae said soothingly.

Wulfur shook his head and Setae smiled and applied a red hot poker to the elf’s back and buttocks soliciting a scream of pain. The two Tautarians tortured the elf for two hours solid until Wulfur broke down sobbing in pain; his body covered with burns and bruises, and agreed to tell the two lizard men what he knew.

“Why are you following those two dark elves” Setae asked?

“My friend the king of the dark elves asked me to find his youngest son” Wulfur replied through his pain.

“When you were watching us with that stone of seeing, did you hear us discuss our master Ramascus and his assistance to the Elvan priest Balthazar” Beta asked.

“Yes I heard you talking about that. What is this all about” Wulfur replied in considerable pain.

“You need not worry about that brave elf, you need to relax now. Drink this special potion it will remove all your pain and relax you. We did not want to have to cause you pain but we must obey our master. Drink this now Wulfur and let the pain be banished” Setae said almost lovingly holding the beaker of greenish liquid to the elf’s lips.

Wulfur gulped the sweetish liquid down thirstily and slowly slipped into unconsciousness. Smiling the two lizard men enjoyed the elf’s youthful body until both satisfied they looked at the elf and Setae said “we have what he knows my brother, so now he must die”.

“Let me try his bow as he is a good target, five arrows each and I shall be first” Beta said picking up the elvan bow and notching an arrow.

When the lizard men had finished and had gone upstairs to report to their master Ramascus, the elf’s body was hanging limply from the chains with ten arrows in the body. Even the elf’s genitals had been pierced by two arrows.

Setae walked to the mirror and recited his incantation causing the mirror to go misty. When the mist cleared Ramascus asked “what did you find out my servants”?

“You were right master, the king had tasked him to find his younger son and as you suspected he heard us discussing you and the elvan high priest. He will never tell anyone, as he is dead” Setae said bowing.

“You have done well my children. Continue to follow the dark elves when they leave the cave of Flava. I will report your success to Balthazar and demand recompense” Ramascus said as the glass returned to its normal form.