Chapter 21 - Evacuation

The tribe was filled with urgency as the news of the fall of Fort Gasden spread.

It was only a matter of time until the humans began invading the elven lands, therefore they had to evacuate behind the walls of the capital.

Vregdornor was the capital of the elven coalition and was where the Royal Clan foundations are located.

It is the oldest and most fortified elven city in which thousands of years of continuous advancement, investment on the cities defences has made it the most secure location in the elven lands.

Their only hope now was to trust the Royal Clans ability to defend the city from the encroaching humans.

Her Father and the others, an assortment of powerful elves from the Evergreen clan and elves from other tribes, some of which have joined have on the way here are in a rush to get to the capital city to recoup with the Royal Clan.

They had ended up passing through their tribe since it was on the way to the capital city and her Father was considered decently strong among the group, therefore they did him a favour by allowing him an opportunity to warn the tribe.

The preparations was quick, the tribe quickly gathered any valuables, resources that was a necessity for the trip like food and water.

Some members of the tribe has prepared large wagons, unwilling to leave anything of value behind, her Father had to inform them their group was moving with haste and they would have to leave them behind to find their own way if they choose to do so.

These stubborn individuals wouldn't change their stance and it was decided they would travel separately.

It was the first time she saw any form of conflict in her tribe with them ignoring her Fathers warnings, she believed it maybe to do with them living in peace for far too long, they did not seem to fully grasp the threat the humans would possess if they do not reach the capital in time.

It seemed even the elves were not perfect, these elves were senior to her Father and believe they knew better despite him being chief, to them the memory of humans was lowly.

Their previous encounters with humans was just filled with memories of their inferiority to the elves in just about everything apart from planting their seed around.

Soon enough it was time to leave. Hoatan was ready to follow her Fathers orders, however there was a problem with old man Arwen.

Approaching her Father with an intense light in his eyes, Arwen said, "Your making a mistake trusting a high clansman, throwing yourself in with the Royal Clan, you'll be dependent on them for the rest of your lives, it might be best for you, but for her, it will be throwing her into a prison without escape."

Arwens words shook the elves who stood nearby.

Until now he was known as the wise, secluded old healer in the tribe, however the way he was speaking about the Royal Clan now was treasonous.

No elf would dare speak of them like that, unity was viewed with great importance among them, additionally the credit to their peaceful community was down to the Royal Clan and the high clans protections and formations which clouded the land against the barbaric humans.

Her Father attitude towards Arwen took an instant shift, he replied, "I respect you greatly for the service you have done this tribe, Arwen, but the language your speaking right now is pure delusion."

Arwen face turned somber, a feeling of sadness as he looked towards her and said, "You should trust me, you don't know them like I did, they are not the virtuous leaders you are lead to believe."

Knowing it would take more than that to gain their trust, Arwen revealed a badge to the crowd of elves who instantly realised what it meant.

"A High Druid?" An elf muttered.

"What is a member of the Druidic order doing here and why would he dare shun the Royal Clan who he serves?" Another elf said seriously.

Her Fathers face turned to one of doubt when he realised who Arwen was as he seriously contemplated for the first time if the old man's words were to be taken as truth.

In the end he loved his daughter and wife more than anything, if he were to risk them…

At that moment a loud 'hmph' sounded as wave of pressure emerged silencing the chattering elves.

All eyes turned towards the origin of the pressure taking a gasp as they felt the pure elemental Qi radiating from them.

Although the crowd of elves were unable to fully grasp his cultivation, it was obvious this elf was a Mage in the later tiers of the first realm.

"You a coward, who had forsaken your duties under the Royal Clan, to the elven people have no right to corrupt the minds of everyone present." The elf said sharply.

"Is that Kais Evergreen the head of clan Evergreen?" An elf said.

"It sure is, served under him, if he said that about Arwen there must be some truth to it. Kais is truthful, partial. And an elf who would do that is no elf who should be respected even if he was formerly a member of that order." Another elf replied.

Kais Evergreen took that moment to smirk as he noticed the shift in the crowds moods, those who were a bit swayed instead now glared at Arwen with skepticism from his words.

Her Father took that opportunity to say, "Sorry Arwen, you done a lot for the tribe since your arrival, but I won't risk my daughters and wives livelihood all because you have some vendetta against the Royal Clan."

Arwen with Althaea alongside him took that moment to look around the crowd seeing their distrustful faces of the elves he knew that he would not be able to convince anyone no matter what he said.

Arwen let out a light chuckle, looks like thousands of years of influence can't be unchanged even if he formed a positive impression living here a number of years.

Kais grinned triumphantly seeing the elves dismiss Arwen so easy.

He needed to make up for losing Fort Gasden which disrupted the formations protecting any human from entering.

Now they had a horde of angry humans approaching them, he was still confident the capital will hold them out no matter what nefarious scheme the human emperor made, but he needed to bring a bunch of good seedlings to the Royal Clan to appease them, starting with the daughter of one of the tribal chiefs his clan ruled over.

Just looking at her made his eyes light up in greed, he had only seen those features on the most valuable seedlings at the Royal Clan, she was sure to be worth a fortune to them.

Arwen took that moment to speak again, "I won't force you nor will I steal her from her family, I hope you won't regret your choice here today, I really do."

After that Arwen turned to leave, not before giving her one last look before doing so at that moment she felt a foreign voice enter her mind.

'I regretfully must leave you my disciple. I hope my fears turn out to not be the truth, but if you ever find yourself needing someone to turn to, head towards Rarmose Academy within the human lands, news of the outside world is suppressed here, but elves live on the outside and are welcome at the Academy, it is neutral and will take any student regardless of race, you will be safe there, mention to the headmaster if you run into any problems, we are old friends.' Arwen voice cryptically spoke into her mind.

Instinctively turning her head around to see if anyone noticed him talking to her she found no one seemed to move or pay attention at all, not even the Evergreen clansman seemed to be any wiser.

'A delicate use of mental energy, what great control, it shows even in a lower realm you can't underestimate all the locals…' Cense choose that moment to speak in her mind.

'What was that?' Ava asked.

'Oh? Just a basic mental transmission skill, just was impressive how he managed to do it right under the nose of all those mages. You'll be able to do it easy enough with some training, all mages can learn it regardless of their elemental affinity.' Cense replied.

Ava nodded, as everyone watched Arwen leave. Ava felt saddened by it, she wasn't sure if the old man was completely sane or reliable, but she knew he cared for her and treated her whole heartily as his apprentice.

At that moment she felt the elf named Kais Evergreen approach her and her Father.

A bright smile was on his beautiful features as he patted her Fathers back joyfully, "Well done friend, it's best we get a move on, but I can assure you made the right choice, your daughter will receive the best treatment from the Royal Clan, there her limitless potential will be truly realised!"

Her Father at that moment choose to look down at her with a smile for some reason Ava couldn't find herself to smile back.