The Desert Elf

The streets of the buzzling Fish Market are packed with different villagers- from mighty dwarves to the very few faes; it was indeed an amazing sight to see. In the mornings, the well-known market across the realm is often targeted by bandits- notorious thieves at that, because of travelling rich merchants who are there to trade goods and even crystals. Various accidents and even murders have happened throughout the years, which is why it is now protected by the knights of the kingdom that’s known as Canrias. Though it is a relief to the upper land of the Fish Market, the underground of the neighboring town, Timber Hill, is in chaos. “One of the bandits were caught by the knights! Our resources have been reduced even more!” One man panicked as he received the letter. “Our site in the country of Valhamma has been raided! If this continues, not only will we lose our goods but also our crystals!” “At this point, the Guild will no longer be able to sustain its people nor its power. Our enemies could easily take us down at any moment now.” “Is this the end?”    Just at the end of the crowded halls of the dark room, only lit by the torches attached to the walls, sits the leader of the Guild- Shui Na’Lan. He is notorious for being a merciless king of the underworld. Shui was once a noble whose privileges were robbed off of him by his younger brother, Lin. He was humiliated, accused as a scum by his own townspeople until he was exiled. If he can’t have the power to govern his own people, he swore to build his own empire that will rival against theirs- and he will start from the very bottom. Shui became well-known in far away lands. His wits and guts rivalled against the wisest of men in nearby countries. Like an orchid himself, his underground empire then sprouted beautifully. And so, Timber Hill became his own empire, a beautiful flower to mask its pests- for Shui doesn’t intend to rule over a small town- no. He wants to wrap his fingers around the neck of Valhamma and take it from the sleazy old King. For years, he had to put up a mask but little do they know the plans of his. He shall not let these insects be in his way, he won’t let them take away the power he has once again.    He is seen to be calmly closing his eyes, listening to the rants of these annoying pests. Whining and complaining like dogs with their tails hidden between their hindlegs. Such cowards. He thought to himself before sighing. “Connor, what do you think is the best way to get out of this situation?” Shui softly said but the whole room fell silent for they do not want to interrupt the leader himself. “The Kingdom is starting to get curious of how you govern this village Sir, one more step on this village, they will sniff out all our activities. Our men will be thrown away, the whole village will be gone. Sir, you will face even harsher consequences,” Connor gulped before continuing, “I think the best way to get out of this is for you to conceive a child, Sir.” Shui furrowed his brows and sternly looked at his counsellor for saying such nonsense. “If this is a way of yours so I’ll get married to your daughter then you’re deeply wrong.” His voice became rugged as he said those words. “Choose your next words wisely, or I’ll cut your throat in a blink.” He warned in a low yet threatening voice which made Connor panic. “S-Sir! Oh no! I do not wish for you to get married to my daughter, it would be an honor but if you wish to refuse the offer then I understand.” He bowed his head as he apologized to the enraged Shui. “But Sir. Sooner or later and your empire you worked hard building on will crumble. We need a distraction where the nobles won’t have a say with it. If they found out that you were taking care of a maiden, a reason of your absence in the surface, they will understand your situation. The nobles and the royal family always put their family first before anything. If the one who governs the village of Timber Hill was absent during the raids of our resources in other sites, they have every reason to have you as their suspect.” He then looked at Shui, hopeful that he will consider his offer. “But if they knew you were settling down after a long while, they will let you go, Sir.”  “Besides, Sir. You are not getting any younger. You need to find yourself an heir to all of your power.” Shui then fell silent. He already planned this since the beginning. The one who will gain all his riches and power is none other than the boy whom he adopted and treated as his own child, Kiel. He could see himself in that boy’s eyes back when he picked him up from the streets. But Connor has a point, the situation is different now. He made sure to have a stable relationship with the nobles but because of those lousy men- his plans went in havoc. After a long silence, the people in the room are starting to panic. If Shui doesn’t act now and if the Kingdom won’t punish him, it would be his own people to overthrow him. His own people would cause mutiny for being weak- but he vowed to himself he won’t let anyone take his pride anymore. “…Fine.” That sole word gave life to Connor’s eyes. “Sir! Then, then, I shall make sure my daughter will be ready for you. The betrothal shall be- “ “No. I’ll find my own woman who will be my child-bearer.” Shui sternly said before getting up and fixing his clothing. “S-Sir!” Connor stuttered, clearly, he wasn’t expecting that the leader won’t choose his daughter as his betrothed! As Shui stepped down from his throne and walked towards his chambers, Connor is seen walking behind him- clearly panicking that his plans didn’t go his way. “S-Sir! My daughter, Cassandra, is capable of nurturing your needs! She’s every man’s desire, please do re-consider, Sir.” The long-raven-haired man stopped his tracks and turned a bit to look at him in the eye. “I will choose my woman.” After that, Connor was left dumbfounded.  “Andrei, ready the horses. Get our men and order them to find a woman who will be perfect for me.” He ordered in a low-tone. The skinny man behind me bowed his head and went to do what he’s been ordered to. Just at the corner of the barely lit room stands Kiel, the boy whom he considered as his son, as his younger brother, giving him a chance to what it feels like to be an older sibling unlike what Lin did to him. “I can’t believe you’re considering of finally settling down, Sir.” He smiled sheepishly and went to give Shui’s shoulder a pat. “Here I thought that this place would be full of cats once you turn what, 60?” Shui gave him an irritated look which resulted to Kiel laughing it off. “Oh, Sir! I’m just messing with you.” He then walked towards the chairs and sat there. “But really though, are you really sure about this?” Kiel asked curiously. “I’m certain you could’ve just shrugged off the idea and plan for something else, Sir.” Actually, Kiel was certain Shui wouldn’t consider of getting an heir for now. But whatever the man, who took him in when no one did, decides- Kiel will support his decision. He had a drastic change after Shui put a roof over his head. Years ago, he was a sickly boy. He could’ve easily been blown away from how thin he was. Ever since his mother passed away due to a disease that he couldn’t cure for he couldn’t afford the medicine; he was thrown in the streets by the people of the brothel his mother worked in and was left there to starve. Ignored by the townspeople passing by everyday and even in stormy chilly nights. But things changed when Shui gave him his hand- he fed him, trained him, and transformed him into the man who he is now. He will do everything to protect him, even if it costs him his life. “I’m sure.”  Shui softly muttered while going to his desk where his blade lays there. “Connor has a point. The only way to distract them is this. The nobles treat their family like crystals- stupid if you may ask me but it’s handy for these kinds of situations.” Kiel only nodded to his statement. He wants nothing more but the safety of the Guild, the only place where he felt he belongs to. “Whatever you wish, Sir. You know you will always have my loyalty.” Kiel smiled which made Shui felt at ease. “You have my gratitude, boy.”                                                                                 ~*~ A knock on the door is heard as Shui was sharpening his blade- a blade he inherited from his grandfather before he passed away. Designed with different shapes and forms at the grip. Two arching dragons plated with gold in the guard, and a jade in the center of the pommel. The sword’s blade was finished with silver, whereas its fuller has carvings the symbolizes the flames. The Flames of Na’lan is the name given to the sword when his grandfather fought in old wars back in the day. He would soak the blade with gas, and the rest is history. His grandfather entrusted this to him, the day before the cursed one. His expression darkened, gazing at his reflection of the sharpened sword, the proud weapon of Na’lan will be their own demise. “Come in.” He said before turning to the door that’s now opened, there stands Andrei bowing his head to the leader before looking directly in his eyes. “Our men have found suitable women for you, Sir.” His eye caught the sight of the blade Shui was holding before looking down at the floor. “They’re now lined up in the halls and are waiting for you.” The leader nodded before taking his formal robes, wrapping it around his muscular form and went to the halls. It was a quick search, he noticed, but time is ticking and he wants nothing more but to get over with it. As they reached the throne room, young women were gathered there- all lined up, parallel to the other group of women. He walked in the middle of them and sat down on his chair. Eyeing the women below him. They were of fair beauties, from ginger heads to raven ones. His men obviously know how to pick. But alas, none caught his eye. He saw how dead they looked- no hint of life in their eyes. A shame, really. Shui pointed at a brunette and his men dragged her to him. He took her jaw roughly, hurting her. He could see how swollen her eyes were from crying, there were even bruises around her neck and wrists. Her family probably sold her away to him.  The man then pushed her away, letting her trip and fall to the floor which caused a yelp from her. The other women tried to help her but were stopped by his men. He looked down at these pitiful women, his eyes boring deep into their souls, haunting them. That is if there were even any. Shui snapped his fingers, catching the attention of his men. “Kill them.”    The room gasped in silence, except for Kiel as he was calmly listening to him in the corner. He knew the situation of the Guild and if he won’t choose a woman as soon as possible- things would get more complicated but he knows what Shui wants, he wants a woman who’s alive and these women do not have that. “S… Sir?” Connor, from being a soulless corpse next to him, looked at Shui. He was grateful he didn’t choose any of these pathetic whores. “Do not make me repeat myself.” He looked at Kiel who then walked towards him, giving him one of his blades before turning to the women before him. “What you bastards gave me are corpses- how dare you think they are suitable to me.” With that, the brunette before him was beheaded. Horror filled the women’s eyes- for once, they felt alive. The halls were painted with pitiful red, screams of agony and pleas fell into the “King’s” deaf ears. One girl reached out to him, her hand trying to reach his- her eyes filled with tears. Twisted expression as she begged not to let her be killed. Her raven hair was pulled by his men, dragging her to the axe that’s about to fall and cut her head in half. The reaching hand fell on his knee, gripping him there as she is still being pulled by the killers. But what Shui did, made her feel cold. Her eyes widen as she slowly realizes that the leader slapped her hand away. Before she could scream, before she could pierce everyone with her guttural scream- the axe cut the girl’s last chance to voice out her horror.    Shui didn’t feel the slightest bit of emotion when the show ended. His cheek was splattered by the blood which was quickly cleaned by his servants. The brunette’s head on his feet, staring at him that could haunt anyone else. But he felt nothing. He was already used to these- after all, he is the merciless King of the underworld. “Kiel, you’ll be in charge while I’m gone.” Shui said as everyone was busy cleaning up the dreadful mess. “These bastards know nothing about what I want. By dawn, pack my things. Make sure everything else is spotless- do not make the same mistake of what these pests did.” The leader coldly said, giving him the handkerchief that he used to clean his bloody hands. The young man only nodded and smiled. “Don’t worry Sir, I got you.” He assured Shui as he took the stained cloth from him. He accompanied the leader to his room, making sure he’ll be well-rested. Before he could leave the room, Shui gave him one last order for the day. “Make sure that they won’t make the same mistake again.” The exhausted leader sternly said with his bushy brows furrowed, showing his disdain of what happened. The young man could only nod his head, following with the usual “Yes, Sir,” before leaving the room. As he walked down the corridors, the torches’ light reflected his face. His eyes reflected that of a predator hunting its prey just at the end of the field, unaware of the fangs that are about to bore into their flesh. Every step he took, his blades clank against each other- emitting an eerie sound that reflected throughout the silent walls of the hallway. He will not let down Shui like what the others did, he will protect the Guild at all costs, even if it means killing his own family to ease Shui’s mind. “Oh? What do we have here?” A voice full of mischief took Kiel’s attention. As he turned around, he saw a woman clad in purple and dark clothing. Her raven hair cut short which gave her more flexibility during combats. “Selena…” Kiel muttered her name in a low tone. Selena is a new member of the Guild and worked her way up, gaining Shui’s trust in a short period of time. Over the period of time, the lady showed what the other members her capabilities are. “Just doing what our boss ordered me to do,” he smiled cheekily, “what about you? What brought you here? Weren’t you on a mission?” Kiel’s playful smile slowly fades and looked at her with those dagger-like eyes. All Selena could do was shake her head and scoffed, “None of your business, dear.” A long minute of silence passes by before both of them cracked a smile and laughed softly like the world belongs solely to them. Ever since Selena joined the Guild, Kiel felt like he had a younger sister. They’ve been close, inseparable even, they both became the right-hand men of Shui, willing to kill anyone if he orders them to; that’s how loyal they are to the “King” himself.                                                                                   ~*~ In the southern part of the kingdom, near the deserted area of Calvhamas, lies an illegal slavery site which houses hundreds of captured beings, and one of them lies a lone elf- her wrists above her head, locked in chains. But in her eyes still sparks her will to live, her will to fight.