System Change

Chapter 477: just Another Elf

“Follow us,” Derek said, then took the lead and slowly moved back to within sight of the edge of the danger area where all the settlements were located.

“This place doesn’t look familiar...” Ryven said once they stopped, and he was able to get a good look around. “We’re definitely not in Indria, Cydaria, or Indaria... at least I don’t think we’re in Indaria. I’ve done quite a bit of studying the kingdoms lately. Where exactly are we? It doesn’t seem like a place inside Vallum, either.”

“We’re in Linderis,” Alanah answered. “The kingdom that I was born into.”

“Linderis?” Ryven frowned. “Wait! Did you say we’re in the kingdom you were born in? So... we’re on another continent, then?”

“Got it in one,” Derek said.

“Your traveling skill works from this distance away?” Ryven stared at Derek with wide eyes.

“Oh, you don’t even know the half of it,” Derek said. “I could take you to places you wouldn’t even believe.”

“Monster...” Ryven muttered under his breath, but neither Derek nor Alanah said anything about it.

“Uhem...” Derek cleared his throat, getting Ryven’s attention. “We need a little help here,” he said.

“What do you need?” Ryven asked with a sigh.

“You see,” Alanah started, then pointed toward the encampments. “Linderis is an even less friendly kingdom to non-elves than Indria was before all the contracts and alliances. For Derek—especially this far in—most elves from the kingdom would try to kill him on sight, or, at minimum, report him. And nobody here wants a bloodbath.”

“And it would be exactly that...” Ryven said as he looked at Derek.

“That would be all up to them,” Derek said with a shrug.

“And...” Alanah continued. “Half-elves aren’t treated much better here. It’s one of the reasons I left and only came back a couple of times before crossing the sea.”

“I understand,” Ryven said.

“Good,” Alanah replied. “Now, this is a very dangerous area called The Echoing Abyss. All of those encampments are built around the edge of probably the most dangerous place in this world. Last time I was here, people avoided this area like a plague—only occasionally sending the strongest out to deal with a monster escape if it wasn’t dragged back in.”

“So... you want me to...”

“Yes. We need your help to see what is going on. I need to get close to the center of the area, and I want to make sure that nothing drastic has changed since the last time I was here. I can think of a couple of reasons for the encampments that would make sense, but I want to make sure that there’s nothing that Derek and I should be worried about if we go in. And seeing that you are a relatively powerful elf, we thought that you may be able to provide a little help—touch up on your diplomacy, if you will.”

Ryven looked toward the encampments, then back to Alanah. He did this a few times before sighing. “Alright,” he said. “Will they accept me just because I’m a full-blooded elf?” he asked.

“If nothing else, their suspicions will be reduced drastically,” Alanah said.

“Just keep an eye out, and if things go south, be prepared,” Ryven said to both Alanah and Derek. “I would like to live to see my daughter become a proper queen in the future and meet any half-elf grandchildren she may have.”

“I’m sure everything will be fine,” Derek said. “And I’ll definitely keep an eye on you. I can be by your side in an instant if needed.”

“Okay...” Ryven sighed. “Let’s get this over with. If I make it out fine, I’ll meet the two of you back where you brought me after kidnapping me,” he said before turning and leaving on an invisible barrier floating extremely close to the ground..

“But...” Derek started, but there really wasn’t anything he could say after the duke turned and gave him a look that said ‘really?’. Derek turned to look at Alanah, but the siren could only shrug and agree with the man. It’s not my fault that he’s the one I grabbed... well... it is, but... Derek sighed, then inwardly chuckled at the ridiculousness of it all. He can think of this as a mini-vacation. I bet he’s the only one in his family who has traveled to another continent. He’ll be the envy of the royals.

Once they were there, they eventually saw the duke draw near. From there, they paid even more attention to making sure that the encampments didn’t send anyone to spy on him. They were also sure to cover the sky just in case they sent someone with flying skills. However, to both their surprise, it seemed that Ryven was able to leave without any tails, and soon, he made it to the duo.

“Well?” Derek asked impatiently.

“They were some very nice people,” Ryven said.

“You’re an elf,” Alanah answered, deadpanned.

“Still...” Ryven replied with a shrug. “It doesn’t take away the fact that they treated me, a stranger, well, when they could have told me to leave or even resorted to violence.”

“Because you’re an elf,” Alanah said again. “Their views are so swayed that they are more inclined to trust their own kind than a normal person is to trust anyone else.”

“Maybe,” Ryven said with another shrug. “But they gave me tea, and it was delicious.”

“Whatever...” Alanah muttered. “Were you able to get any information out of them? Why there are so many encampments built around the border of The Echoing Abyss.”

“Oh, yes,” Ryven said with a smile. “You’re not going to believe it.” He paused, and didn’t say anything else.

“Spit it out,” Derek finally said. “Or are you fucking with us because I... borrowed you without your permission?”

“You really should ask next time,” Ryven said.

“Fine,” Derek said. “Now, spill.”

“So, they told me about this monster from over a century ago,” Ryven started.

“A monster?” Derek asked. “Is it the one that makes The Echoing Abyss what it is?”

“Oh, no,” Ryven said. “It’s much better than that.” Then, he gave the duo a wide grin and said, “The monster was this evil half-elf with fangs and razors for fingers. She has dark sickly green hair, and with a single word, she can bring an army to its knees.”

“What?” Alanah said, stunned. “Are you serious?”

“Oh, I’m dead serious,” Ryven replied. “You are quite the legend around here. Oh, and they may treat humans and dwarves extremely poorly, but because of your legend, it seems that they don’t actually treat half-elves as bad as they once did. There were even a few half-elf guards, and some of the full-blooded elves didn’t give them disgusted gazes.”

“Oh...” Alanah muttered. “Well, what do I have to do with why they are camped around the abyss?”

“That’s the thing,” Ryven said. “It seems that The Echoing Abyss has been turned into a training ground for adventures, nobles, and students. Elves come here to stay on the edge and move deeper and deeper just to train their Mental Resistance skill and their willpower. It’s quite the idea, actually. Not a bad one, either.”

“Then that means that the people guarding here...”

“Are some of the strongest elves around. Instructors from schools are here to protect the students. Noble guardians are here to protect their lineage. And many high level guards are stationed here to help,” Ryven explained.

“Damn...” Alanah said. “That’s going to make sneaking inside very hard.”

“Not necessarily,” the duke said. “I may just have a way to help.”