Twilight Intrigue

Chapter 4

The camp was quieter now with the echoes of the light elf's screams fading into the night. Soldiers and other attendant encampment residents were preparing to get their night's rest with the exception of night watchers and some group of scouts. Arden stepped out of the tent, feeling the cold night air on his face, a refreshing feeling he relished after Ninloth ruined the interrogation he had just started to enjoy. Yet, he was content that at least he had broken him enough to sing like a gold-tailed sparrow.

As he walked through the camp, Arden couldn't help but notice the wary glances from the soldiers. They feared him, and rightly so. He reveled in that fear; it gave him power and kept them in line. Whenever his glance met one of the soldiers', they quickly looked away to avoid his wrath. This made Arden's snarky smile widen with a mocking curl. He watched a male felinar walk past him with the quiet steps of a big cat, carrying a bundle of straw sleeping mats. It was indeed time for a good sleep. Even though Arden's mind was already racing ahead to his next mission, he knew he first needed a good night's rest before he set out for that journey.

As he walked towards his tent, he saw General Ninloth leave Berdine's tent to make his way to the command one. Arden had thought the general would have gotten intimate enough with the cat lady Berdine to sleep in her tent by now. Yet apparently the righteous, ever-triumphant general had failed to do that. Arden snickered inwardly, and when the general looked up to meet his gaze, he gave him a cold nod which the general did not return. Arden's grin did not falter. So the general was still mad at him for using shadow magic which was funny.

He walked to his tent which was a modest structure compared to the grandeur of the command tent. Inside, he found a female dark elf sitting on his duck feather bed with only her leather underwear on. Her white hair and striking red eyes stand out from her light gray skin. She smiled upon seeing him. ''Hello, my love,'' she said with a low, seductive tone. She stood up and attempted to wrap her arms around him which Arden stopped by grabbing both of her wrists and he lightly pushed her away. ''Not now,'' he said as he walked to the small chest where he kept his weapons and gear. 

The woman looked disappointed and slightly furious but she couldn't dare act on those feelings. Instead, she gave him a side look and turned her attention to the weapons he was checking. ''I thought you just returned from a mission,'' she said, resentment could be heard in her voice.

Arden checked a pair of ornate daggers which were honed to a deadly edge, gleaming under the light of the small oil lamp. ''And I will be off for another soon,'' he replied as he went on to inspect his armor, making sure every strap was secure and every piece intact. ''This mission is crucial,'' he went on but the woman cut in on him.

''It's that healer cat sending you away again, isn't it?'' she said, now that slight anger was obvious in her voice. ''Apparently what she says is always…'' she paused for a moment and let out a low sneer ''...crucial.''

Arden turned to her narrowing his amber eyes. ''Are you trying to test my patience?'' he said in a low, threatening manner. ''I said not now, Ravana. Now, get out.''

Ravana's face darkened but she complied without further protest, picking up her robe, she quickly put it on and left the tent without saying anything, her footsteps barely making a sound. Arden returned to his preparations, Ravana's insignificant breaking out already fading from his mind. His mind was racing ahead as he checked his gear, planning, anticipating, and strategizing. 

As he changed his current armor with his sleeping clothes which were a loose, dark brown cloth top and pants, his thoughts wandered to the traitor Sergeant Atkins. Arden had always known that betrayal was inevitable in war, but Atkins' treachery was especially disturbing as it involved the light elves. He hated light elves, who were the ancient enemies of his kind, even more than any other dark elf.

He lay down on his bed, staring at the tent's ceiling. He closed his eyes, readying himself to sleep yet his mind was restless, filled with tens or maybe hundreds of different ways to kill Atkins. Everything depended on the report the scouts would bring though. Once he had found the traitor's location, he would plan his hunt accordingly. For a moment, he considered taking a healer with himself as he didn't know how many guards Atkins and his light elf friends would have with them. Berdine would have been a good choice with her expertise as a field healer but he doubted Ninloth would let his master healer walk into such danger with him.

A soft rustling outside his tent drew Arden's attention and his eyes shot open. He tensed, his hand reaching instinctively for the dagger under his pillow. Then a knock at his tent flap told him that this was certainly one of the camp residents. ''Enter,'' he commanded, his voice low and steady. 

A shadowy figure moved the tent flap, the dim light revealing the anxious face of a human soldier. Lieutenant Varis saluted Arden briskly once he stepped into the tent. ''Sir,'' he said looking at the dagger in Arden's hand momentarily.

Arden's eyes narrowed. ''What is it, Lieutenant?''

Varis quickly put himself in order looking directly at Arden's face now. ''Sir, General Ninloth requests your presence in the command tent immediately,'' he stammered. 

Arden's grip on his dagger loosened letting it drop on the bed. The Lieutenant seemed immediately more relaxed once he saw it fall. Arden stood up and walked to pick up the belt with his weapon sheaths. So the scouts had returned with the necessary intelligence, he assumed as he put on the belt and placed his daggers in their sheaths. What else could the general want at this hour? ''Very well,'' then he said. ''Lead the way.'' 

The walk to the command tent was uneventful, the camp eerily quiet. Lieutenant Varis led him to the entrance and stopped right there immediately. ''He said he'd see you alone, sir,'' he added. Arden gave him a curt nod before he left then pushed the flap aside and stepped inside, his eyes quickly adjusting to the dim light. 

General Ninloth stood at a table covered in maps and documents, his expression grim. He looked up as Arden entered, his eyes narrowing. ''Arden,'' he said, his voice low and serious ''We have found out where Atkins will meet the light elves,'' he held out a rolled parchment across the table.

 Arden stepped closer and took the paper, opening it. The contents of the parchment made him smirk. ''Eldergloom Cavern,'' he said recognizing the place. He couldn't believe Sergeant Atkins was actually stupid enough to choose that location. Caves were perfect places for dark elves to ambush. ''This will be easy then. I'll be there at the exact time and cut his throat or maybe…'' Like he always enjoyed doing, he pretended to think over ''...maybe a dagger to his back will do. He doesn't deserve an honorable death.'' 

Ninloth raised his eyebrows. ''Since when do you care about somebody's honor or… well… about honor in general?'' he asked sarcastically. 

Arden shrugged. 

''Hold your horses though,'' Ninloth went on, picking a map from the table. ''Royalty from the elves will be there, as well. I want you to capture at least one of them. And if royalty is there…''

''There will be guards, as well. Yes, I know.'' Arden completed his sentence. 

''Good,'' Ninloth said. ''You know what to do then.''

Arden gave Ninloth a curt nod and was about to leave the tent when the general spoke again. ''Also… Berdine wishes to join you.''

Arden halted and turned back to the general with a smirk. ''And you agreed to that?''

The general frowned. ''She is adamant,'' he said, clearly displeased. ''You know how she can be when she sets her mind to something. She believes her skills will be crucial in extracting any additional information from the elves. And… she has the queen's support on this. The queen deemed it necessary that you have a healer's support. And of course, Berdine stepped out.''

Arden chuckled softly. ''Well, well, this mission just got more interesting. I suppose I won't have to worry about tending to my wounds then.''

Ninloth's expression darkened. ''Do not let anything happen to her, Arden. The queen will have our heads if she is harmed.''

Arden nodded, still smirking. ''I will ensure she returns safely, General. You have my word.''

Ninloth gave him a sharp look, not entirely trusting the assassin but he had no other choice. ''Very well.'' He stared at the sleepwear on Arden. ''Gather your things and meet Berdine at the stables. You leave at dawn.''

Arden saluted the general, then turned on his heel and left the command tent, heading back to his own to finish his preparations. Walking through the camp, he thought about Berdine joining the mission. Her presence would complicate things, but it could also be an advantage. Her healing abilities were unmatched and she had a keen mind for strategy with the necessary skills to protect herself. This mission might turn out to be more enjoyable than he initially thought.

Once he returned to his tent, he quickly rechecked his gear and finished packing it, making sure he had everything he needed for the journey ahead. The night was still, and the camp was silent except for the distant sounds of night guards patrolling the perimeter. 

He lay down on his bed, his mind racing with plans and strategies for the upcoming mission. Sleep came slowly, but eventually, exhaustion overtook him, and he drifted into a light, restless sleep. 

At dawn, he was up and ready, his black leather armor carefully strapped to his agile body and his weapons, four daggers in his belt, and two short swords on his back ready to strike any moment. He made his way to the stables where Berdine was already waiting with two horses. She wore black cloth armor that tightly covered her sleek body lines, along with a long black cape of which hood she used to hide her large cat ears. She looked up as he approached, her lavender eyes meeting his with a mixture of determination and curiosity. 

''Good morning, Arden,'' she said, her voice steady. ''Are you ready for this?''

Arden smirked. ''Always. Are you sure you want to come along? This will not be a pleasant journey.''

Berdine's eyes flashed with resolve. ''I am certain. We need to gather as much information as possible, and my skills will be necessary. Besides,'' she added with a small smile, ''I can keep an eye on you and make sure you don't cause much trouble. Remember, we need to capture the elves alive.''

Arden chuckled. ''Very well then, let's get going.''

They mounted their horses and set off, riding out of the camp and into the forest. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden glow over the trees and lighting their path. As they rode, Arden couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation. This mission promised danger, intrigue, and the chance to finally deal with Sergeant Atkins. And with Berdine by his side, it would certainly be an adventure worth remembering.

As they rode deeper into the forest, the terrain grew more challenging. The trees became denser, their branches intertwining overhead and casting long shadows across the forest floor. Arden led the way, his senses alert for any sign of danger. Berdine followed closely, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a practiced gaze.

Hours passed in silence, the only sounds being the soft thud of their horses' hooves and the occasional rustle of leaves. They traveled swiftly, knowing that time was of the essence. Eldergloom Cavern was still a few days' ride away, and they couldn't afford to waste any time.

As the sun began to set, casting a fiery glow across the sky, they decided to make camp for the night. Arden found a small clearing near a stream, and they dismounted, tying their horses to nearby trees. He set about gathering firewood while Berdine unpacked their supplies.

''We'll need to keep the fire low,'' Arden said as he stacked the wood. ''We don't want to draw any unwanted attention.''

Berdine nodded, her hands deftly working to set up a small cooking pot over the fire. ''Agreed. We should also take turns keeping watch.''

''I'll take the first watch,'' Arden offered, lighting the fire with a flint. The flames flickered to life, casting a warm glow over the clearing.

Berdine smiled. ''Thank you. I'll get some rest then.'' She lay down on her bedroll, pulling a blanket over herself. ''Wake me if anything happens.''

Arden nodded, his eyes scanning the darkening forest as Berdine closed her eyes. The night was quiet, save for the gentle babble of the stream and the occasional hoot of an owl. Arden's thoughts drifted to the mission ahead. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of reception they would find at Eldergloom Cavern. Would Atkins be prepared for them, or would he be caught off guard? And what about the light elf royalty? Capturing one of them would be a significant coup, but it would also be dangerous.

As the hours passed, Arden's mind remained sharp and focused. He listened to the sounds of the forest, his senses attuned to any hint of danger. The night wore on, and eventually, it was time to wake Berdine for her watch.

''Your turn,'' he said softly, gently shaking her shoulder.

Berdine stirred, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. ''Anything to report?''

Arden shook his head. ''All quiet. Let's hope it stays that way.''

Berdine nodded and took her place by the fire, her eyes scanning the darkness. Arden lay down on his bedroll, closing his eyes and letting himself drift off to sleep. The forest was peaceful, and despite the tension of the mission, he found himself relaxing in the tranquility of the night.

The next morning, they broke camp early and continued their journey. The forest gave way to rocky hills and steep ravines as they approached the outskirts of Eldergloom Cavern. The air grew colder, and a sense of foreboding settled over them.

''We're getting close,'' Arden said, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the rocky landscape. ''Keep your guard up.''

Berdine nodded, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger. ''I'm ready.''

They rode on, the path becoming more treacherous with each step. As they neared the cavern, Arden signaled for Berdine to dismount. They tied their horses to a tree and approached the entrance on foot, moving silently through the underbrush.

The mouth of Eldergloom Cavern loomed before them, a dark, gaping maw in the side of a rocky cliff. Arden crouched behind a boulder, his eyes scanning the entrance for any signs of movement. Berdine knelt beside him, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the shadows within the cavern.

''Do you see anything?'' she whispered.

Arden shook his head. ''Not yet. But that doesn't mean they're not there. We need to be careful.''

Berdine nodded, and together they crept closer to the entrance. The air was cool and damp, and the sound of dripping water echoed from within the depths of the cavern. Arden motioned for Berdine to stay close as they slipped inside, their footsteps silent on the stone floor.

The interior of the cavern was dark and winding, with narrow passages leading deeper into the earth. Arden led the way, his hand on the hilt of his dagger as he moved cautiously through the shadows. Berdine followed closely, her senses alert for any sign of danger.

As they ventured deeper into the cavern, voices reached their ears. Arden paused, straining to hear the conversation. It was faint, but he could make out the distinct tones of a heated argument.

''Sounds like we've found them,'' he whispered to Berdine.

She nodded, her eyes narrowing. ''Let's get closer.''

They moved silently through the darkness, their footsteps barely a whisper on the stone floor. The voices grew louder, and soon they could make out the figures of three guards. They carefully watched the guards' positions, Arden's mind already strategizing how to finish them quickly.