Pandora
The elf was unknown to Artemis. He was thus far only been exposed to humans and no more. He was also yet to meet any beastmen which hampered his knowledge on both races.
What he learns about the elves according to the MTF that infiltrated the Theocracy has is that elves has the most life-span than all of the races.
What he heard in histories, Elves are also endanger species because many have perish since the second great war 1000 years ago. Unlike humans that has to learn magic, all Elves already born with magic and went to peak of C-grade immediately in a terms of magic without proper training. Like any fantasy stories he heard, elves has spiritual arts, or spiritual magic, magic that could manipulate the elements in their environment like fire, water, earth, and wind, etc. Unlike the humans who needs much training, they can do it against their will and easily cast it without casting which makes them very powerful.
There is also another type of spiritual magic that could summon a spirit with dozens of different elements. Which is kinda rare but humans could also do spiritual magic if they can learn it but will be not that easy, which is extremely rare in Fordalt.
Unfortunately, that type of spiritual magic was one of the forgotten arts after the second great war, scholars knew that spiritual magic existed but they forgotten how to start to learn it and how to begin with.
Artemis stood guard throughout the rest of the night. There were bound to be other parties that would be dispatched in search of the party of knights that had failed to return.
Wart himself was exhausted. Despite this, however, he would regularly check on the elf's vitals and apply further healing magic for maximum effect.
"You can heal people with your magic?" Artemis asked.
"Yes, my boy. You see, my magic is special. Dwarves don't have any magic, that's why they develope their technology very quick, unlike my other kin, I was the only dwarf who was born with special magic, its not either an attack nor an defense but healing magic actually. And I have been using it for many years to heal the sick, it's a wondrous gift," Wart said.
"But a wondrous gift will always attract envious eyes," Artemis said.
Wart faced the ceiling upon hearing Artemis' words and sighed.
"Indeed, you speak the truth. You may be wondering, why I'm all alone in the uncharted forest that I claim to own," Wart asked.
"At first, I did. But now, I have an idea," Artemis said.
"Which is?" Wart asked.
"You've been exiled. As simple as that," Artemis answered.
"Hm, you're a smart boy. Indeed, I have been exiled by the very own emperor I had sworn allegiance to. Just because I refused to heal his son," Wart said.
Artemis was surprised by his answer.
"Why did you refuse to heal the emperor's son?" Artemis asked.
"Simple, he only has a simple cold that could be healed easily by most healing spells, but that arrogant prince just accused me of treason. Then he killed my daughter as punishment," Wart said.
Wart was level-headed even after telling his newfound vassal the death of his daughter. Artemis knew he had stepped into murky waters but there was no turning back, he needed as much information as he could get from Wart.
"Where is this place again?" Artemis asked. Artemis walked to a window and leaned over. The rain had become weaker than before.
"We're in the Western Region, more specifically, in the Forest of Death," Wart said.
"Tell me more about it" Artemis asked.
"This forest is infested with magical beasts. They have overrun the native wildlife, only the fish in the lake remain," Wart explained.
This explain to Artemis why there weren't any animals around the lake. Since this body of fresh water would surely attract animals from kilometers away.
So, magical beasts don't need water, only magic? Artemis thought.
That meant he couldn't just thirst the monsters to death if he wanted to.
Judging by how magic is deeply engraved into this world's structure, it wasn't really that unheard of that magical beasts only needed magic instead of the usual.
The night ended without further intrusions. There were no other parties looking for the runaway elf maid and so everything was clear, for now.
When the morning sun finally started rising over the horizon, the elf was waking up.
Wart was fast asleep against the wall while Artemis was keeping an eye on her.
The elf slowly opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was the ceiling above her. Her eyes traveled around the room until they came across Artemis, standing by a window.
At first, she was scared. But Artemis gave her a nod as a way of telling her that he meant no harm.
"Milord, the elf is awake," Artemis said.
Wart coughed himself awake after hearing Artemis and stood up.
"My goodness! You are awake," He stumbled to her side.
"Tell me, how do you feel?" Wart asked her.
The elf then looked at her body.
"I feel... alright.." The elf said.
"Thank goodness, those knights did a number on you but my retainer over there took care of them so you don't have to worry," Wart said.
The elf then looked at both of them simultaneously.
Soon after, her eyes were engulfed with her tears and she started crying.
"Shhh," Wart gently grabbed the back of her head and she cried on his chest.
"The nightmare is over, the nightmare is over," Wart said over and over.
"My liege, I believe she is hungry," Artemis said. He had noticed a few hours prior that she was slightly malnourished. Her body was thinner than what would be considered normal.
"Ah yes, young lady. I will go fetch you something to eat, you must rest further," Wart said. The elf nodded and let go of Wart. Wart then stood up but before walking out, he asked the elf.
"What is your name?"
"Pandora... I'm Pandora.." The elf answered.
Her voice is nice, Artemis thought.
He raised his right eyebrow unintentionally, a move that the elf noticed. Her eyes gleamed with fear.
Artemis then gave her another nod to show that he in fact did not have any I'll intentions or anything against elves.
Yet.
Wart went away to get her some food, probably some more mushroom soup.
Silence befell the room right after Wart left. Artemis and Pandora basically stared at each other for a good minute before Artemis started a conversation.
"I am Erik. I am Milord's retainer and mind you, I just got hired yesterday," Artemis said.
"Oh.. uh.. pleased to meet you, Erik," Pandora said.
And with that, the conversation died.
Okay, communicating with this woman is going to take a while, Artemis thought.
They both started staring at each other for another good minute before Pandora started to somewhat blush which utterly confused Artemis.
Am I being insulted right now? Is there something funny? Artemis thought. He mistook her blushing as someone holding up her immense laughter.
In reality, however, Pandora was remembering what happened last night.
Although the memory was fuzzy and chaotic, she also saw those eyes that shined in the darkness amid the rain. The screams of her pursuers the moment his blades went through their chests and the muffled shrieks they exuded before Wart carried her away.
She never felt happier than that night, when she was saved.