Chapter 3 - Proper Etiquette when Meeting an Elf

The sun climbed higher into the sky, its warmth caressing his worn-out form. Suddenly, the sound of hooves echoed in the distance, gradually growing louder. A caravan of travellers spotted the unconscious figure. 

Intrigued, they drew closer. 

The caravan was a party of many at the lead was a robust, sturdy man, his burly figure perched atop a massive steed of dappled grey. His piercing eyes, nestled beneath a thick furrowed brow, looked ahead with an air of stoic authority. A dense beard covered much of his face, masking his expressions. His garb was a mix of worn leather and chainmail, the metal glinting under the sun's rays as he directed the caravan with a firm hand.

Right behind him, three women sat on a large wagon drawn by a pair of formidable brown horses.

The three women seated on the wagon presented a captivating sight. Two of them, undoubtedly a daughter and a mother, were of the Elven race. Both had hair as dark as raven's wings, cascading down in glossy waves to their waists. Their porcelain-like skin was almost luminescent under the sun, highlighting their high cheekbones and slender, graceful necks. Their eyes were almond-shaped, shimmering emeralds that held a touch of the wild forest within. In their hands, they held intricately woven baskets filled with ripe berries and medicinal herbs, their nimble Elven fingers working dexterously.

The third woman, contrasting starkly against the Elven sisters, was a Dwarf maiden. She had a robust and sturdy figure. Her fiery red hair was tugged back into a tight braid, showcasing a round face with twinkling blue eyes and a jovial smile. Her skin, ruddy and sun-kissed, bore the mark of countless hours spent in the heat of the forge, making her seem as if she were carved out of the very earth. Clad in practical trousers and a loose, earth-toned tunic, she was a stark contrast to the ethereal beauty of the Elven sisters, yet held a charm.

Following the wagon was a group of men, varying in age, size and race but all bearing a similar hardened look of those who'd spent their lives under the open sky. Their attire was functional, made of earth-toned fabrics and sturdy leathers that had seen better days. They had broad shoulders and muscled arms, testaments to their laborious existence. Even though their postures sagged under the weight of their backpacks, they moved with a certain rhythm, each step in sync with the other. Their faces were painted with resilience, akin to rocks weathered by torrential downpours.

At the tail end of the caravan, a lanky youth held the reins of a donkey laden with supplies. He didn't have the ruggedness of the older men or the serene authority of the leading figure. His hair was a tousled mess, his eyes wide with the curiosity of the inexperienced. He was clad in an oversized tunic, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His face was still soft, not yet hardened by the trials of the road.

As the caravan moved along the winding path, the lead rider noticed a body lying on the ground around 100 yards in front.

"Everyone stop!" He shouted.

The shout echoed across the valley, reverberating off the surrounding hills and causing a flock of nearby birds to take flight in a flurry of feathers. Startled, the men reigned in their horses, their hardened faces etching into masks of grave concern.

"Men, ready yourselves!" The lead rider, a grizzled man named Eamon barked. His gaze scanned over his group, his face as unreadable as a stone. Silence fell onto the caravan as they watched him dismount, his movements precise and calculated. "I will check on the body. Gerold, Haldon, come with me. The rest of you, stay alert."

Both men, seasoned adventurers of formidable stature, stood before each other. One, an Orc warrior, and the other, a Dragonborn, exchanged a knowing nod of acknowledgment. Their eyes met, and in a silent exchange of understanding, they followed Eamon's lead.

Eamon crouched beside the body of Li Wei. His weathered fingers felt for a pulse, his countenance softening with relief as he discovered the faint but steady throb of life. 

"He's alive," Eamon announced, his voice carrying weight and relief. He signalled to one of the men, "Haldon, fetch a blanket and some water." The man nodded, quickly retrieving the requested items. 

As Haldon busied himself with the task, Gerold turned to Eamon, his brow furrowed in concern. "What would a lone man be doing in this desolate area? And how did he come to be unconscious?" His voice echoed the collective concern of the group.

Eamon sighed heavily, shaking his head, "I don't have the answers, Gerold." He looked back at the unconscious man, his eyes reflecting the dying light of the setting sun. "But we need to help him recover first, we can ask questions later."

"Gerold get this man on the carriage, don't wake him before time. He seems to be in a recovering coma." Eamon ordered.

"Men be vigilant! This man does not seem to have any wounds that would say he was ambushed but we can't be too careful."

Eamon rose, turning to address the rest of the group. His voice was calm but firm, his authoritative tone slicing through the quiet evening. "Stay alert everyone. Keep your eyes open for any signs of danger. We might not be alone out here." 

He then swept his gaze to Gerold and Haldon, adding in a commanding voice, "Gerold, Haldon, once you've made sure our guest is comfortable, I want both of you on guard duty. Nothing and no one gets past you without my knowledge." 

"Yes, sir," they said in unison, before getting back to their tasks. The air was charged with a newfound intensity as Eamon's words settled in, his orders bringing a heightened sense of urgency to the group.

As Eamon's orders reverberated through the crowd, the previously idle men sprang into action, their movements infused with a palpable sense of urgency. They swiftly repositioned themselves, adopting a formation that enhanced their vigilance and expanded their field of vision, enabling them to detect potential threats with greater promptness.

Murmurs of concern and curiosity filled the air. After all, they didn't know who the person they were helping was.

The three women in the carriage observed their new company lying on the floor of the carriage. They laid some blankets underneath him so that the rattling of the carriage wouldn't disturb him too much.

"Have either of you noticed," began the senior elven woman, eyes twinkling with mischief as she glanced at the unconscious man, "that our mysterious guest is quite... handsome?" 

The youngest, an elven girl with bright eyes, blushed at the comment. "Mother! You can't just...I mean...we should be more worried about his health!"

"But Lirelia," chimed in the third woman, a wry grin on her face as she leaned back against the carriage wall, "it never hurts to appreciate beauty where we find it. And our guest," she gestured towards the unconscious man, "quite inadvertently, has brought some with him."

The older woman laughed, her voice rich and warm. "Well, Gutrud, I see you have an eye for beauty. But Lirelia," she turned to the younger girl who was still blushing, "take note. No harm saying a man is handsome... especially when he can't hear you."

The carriage was filled with their laughter, a moment of lightness amid the uncertain tension surrounding them. The three women found a way to lighten the mood, bringing a touch of normalcy to an otherwise unusual situation.

As their laughter subsided, Gudrun reached out to check the man's forehead for any signs of fever. With an exaggerated swoon, she declared, "Ladies, it seems our handsome guest is also quite warm!" 

Lirelia, still feeling embarrassed, chastised her company, "Gudrun! That's not the point. It could mean he's seriously ill!"

Gudrun, ever the cheeky one, just winked at her and chuckled, "Well, you're right. It could indeed mean he has a fever... or perhaps, he's just naturally hot!" She was promptly rewarded with another round of laughter, even Lirelia couldn't help but join in. 

"Oh, Gudrun! You're incorrigible!" Lirelia finally managed to say, wiping a tear from her eye. "But we must worry about our guest's health, not his...temperature."

Just then, the carriage rattled over a bump, shaking them back into serious matters. The unconscious man stirred, groaning softly as he shifted in his makeshift bed. This prompted a sudden quiet in the carriage. 

Lirelia, quickly recovering her composure, knelt beside him, taking one of his hands in hers. "Ladies, let's settle down." She cast a stern look at Gudrun, who replied with a sheepish grin. 

"Of course, Lirelia. You're right," The older Elven woman spoke.

While they were murmuring amongst each other Li Wei's eyelids twitched before parting. The first thing he saw was a peerless beauty who would shock anyone he would be lucky enough to see her back in his world.

Lirelia's gentle gaze met Li Wei's confused eyes, offering comfort. "Hello there," she greeted, her voice soft like a lullaby. "You've had a rough time, haven't you?"

Li Wei's brow furrowed, his memories coming back in fragments. "Where am I?" His voice was hoarse, barely a whisper. Before Lirelia could answer, Gudrun piped up, "In a carriage, dearie, with three lovely ladies to keep you company." She winked at him.

Lirelia felt awkward as she quickly explained "We found you next to the entrance to Enchanted Whispering Pines. We were just passing by when we noticed you lying there, unconscious."

Li Way sat up still muddle-headed when he felt warmth gripping his hand, he looked to see Lirelia holding his hand, "I am thankful but do you mind letting go of my hand first?"

Lirelia's cheeks flushed a rosy hue as she realised she was still holding onto Li Wei's hand. She quickly withdrew her hand, placing it delicately in her lap. "Apologies," she stammered, a hint of embarrassment tingling her voice. Her heart fluttered oddly as she avoided meeting Li Wei's eyes, instead choosing to gaze out of the carriage window at the passing scenery. Gudrun and the other women exchanged amused glances, a ripple of laughter echoing softly within the carriage.

Li Wei sat in stunned silence, his mind whirling as he tried to comprehend his current predicament. He was in an unknown world, surrounded by women who were reminiscent of characters from the damned book that teleported him here.

His mind was in deep thought. He had to first establish trust with the natives, using their help to navigate would help him. Following this course seemed like a logical choice for Li Wei. He took a deep breath, making a mental note.

Didn't the first chapter of the book discuss the appropriate etiquette when interacting with elves?