CHAPTER 105 A Little Bit Carnivorous

CHAPTER 105

A Little Bit Carnivorous

Rufus

Green Oak Hollow, otherwise commonly referred to as the Hollow, was the oldest city on this side of the continent, built by the elves who worshiped the great tree that was the Dark Enchanted Forest.

The Hollow Gorge was a dungeon south of Gren’s Keep, not to be mistaken with the Hollow.

Centuries ago, the Hollow elves managed the Hollow Gorge and the Green Oak Hollow, but now, they mostly stayed in their city.

Lithnilheim, the forest itself, was a benevolent dungeon spirit that had broken through to this world thousands of years ago. It was a part of the Green Oak Dungeon, a tower dungeon that stretched into the sky and looked like a giant green oak tree. The dungeon break had brought the elves here with it, and they’d created a home in the forests that burst from the high-level dungeon break. The descendants of those elves were the Hollow elves, and they had a culture all of their own.

It had been a millennium, and the generations of elves living on Valaria resembled very little to their dungeon born counterparts. Almost all of the thinking races came from dungeon breaks—except for the beastmen, humans, and selkies. Who, so far as anyone could tell, had never been found in a dungeon and thus native to this world.

The Hollow elves were born with the forest, and so they had been here since the beginning. They’d agreed to abide by Nilheim law, but it was a tentative relationship at best.

Lithnilheim was a wonderful forest to live in. Though it had a will of its own and enjoyed playing with weary travelers, once you became a citizen of the Dark Enchanted Forest, it mostly left you alone. Sometimes, it even helped out. If you asked it, Lithnilheim might move a meadow or bring you a lake or build you a house … but having the attention of a sentient forest was not advised. Who knew what else it would do with you once you had its attention?

Also, it was just a little bit carnivorous.

The elves worshiped the forest, and their city was built in a crescent moon shape formed along the roots of the tree branching out to either side. The city wall completed the full circle, and the entrance was directly opposite the great tree. The gate was wide, a part of the two-story city wall. The gate was also wide enough that a wagon could comfortably fit under the peaked roof dripping rainwater onto the path.

And standing under the gate was General Knolith.

The lizardkin held an enchanted parasol to keep off the rain, and at his belt hung his sword. He was in robes fit for dining in a palace, which were magical dry despite the weather. His long blue-gray hair flowed in a magically created breeze, probably a by-product of his high Charisma. Or a perk.

To the sides, the elven city guards were standing at attention and looking bored. I knew there were many more on top of the gate, and there had been some in the trees on the way here.

We weren’t stopped because I had my class active.

“Commander General.” Knolith nodded imperiously at me. He dipped his parasol in an arc to close it, and as he did, his clothing shifted into combat-appropriate attire: strapped pant legs that ended in steel-tipped leather shoes. A tunic and shirt that looked like a robe cut at the thigh and tied with a white cloth belt. Arm guards, wrapped with silk and bracers.

I had no idea why he chose silk; it was terribly clingy when wet, and not heavy enough to provide support like a durable cotton.

Perhaps it was arachne silk.

“Knolith.” I replied, leaning forward in the carriage.

The lizardkin stared up at me with fire in his eyes. “I challenge you to a duel!”

“No,” I said. Simple. It was easier if I was straightforward from the get-go.

“I insist —”

“I’m busy,” I cut him off. I was wet and cold and wanted to find an inn to cuddle in front of a fire. We’d already battled in Thistlecrick, so there was no way I’d accept again so soon.

Knolith crossed his arms. “Fight me.”

“How long have you been standing there?” Bronwynn interrupted. Knolight shot her a glare and turned back to me for an answer. I sighed.

“Three hours, miss.” One of the elf guards said from his post against the wall, appearing otherwise stoic and uninterest.

“I’m going to the Hollow, and then I’m getting out of the rain,” I laid out my plans. Donna neighed. I continued. “Besides, our last duel should have followed the usual rules: you win, I step down; I win, you leave me alone. ”

“What do you mean you ‘step down’? I thought that was an only-at-the Winter Solstice-kind of thing?” Brownie asked. “Henrietta said she was looking forward to the challenge.”

“You can’t say no at the Winter Solstice Tourney. And if you want to have the job for the following year, you have to win the tournament,” I amended. “It’s highly improper to duel for the position during the year because everyone should have the right to their annual post. If Knolith wins this duel, then I can choose to not fight at the upcoming tourney, or step down now in dishonor.”

“But if Knolith wins he’d only get the job for half a year?” Brownie asked. “Why bother fighting now?”

“Rufusss has been commander general long enough.” Knolith glared. “If I defeat him there is no one left who can challenge me!”

Donna swung around to look at me. She considered me for a second and then chuffed.

“Donna wants to know,” Brownie translated, “why we’re still standing here, and can she bite him?”

“Maybe don’t,” I replied without enthusiasm.

“I will prove to you that I am the superior fighter in a one-on-one duel.” Knolith straightened. “The tournament is all well and good, but who knowsss how many people will ssstand between us. By the time the finalistsss compete, we’ve already been fighting for hoursss.”

“You almost beat me last year,” I lied.

“I will beat you now ,” Knolith retorted, taking a stance.

“Here?” Bronwynn cut in. “If you’re going to fight, shouldn’t we move this to a more, I don’t know, combat-y area?”

“Combat-y?” I repeated, laughing.

“You know what I mean.” She stuck her tongue out at me. It was a nice tongue.

“Very well.” Knolith stepped aside. “We will battle in the arena.”

“They have an arena?” Bronwynn asked.

“We aren’t fighting!” I declared. “Now, let’s go. I want to settle in and get dry before dinner.”

Donna agreed, apparently, because she jutted out her chin in a horse nod and started walking forward. General Knolith cursed and walked beside the horse to try and convince me to fight him.

I thought he was playing a dangerous game.

He was awfully close to a very murdery horse.

I chuckled to myself at the thought, even as the downpour of water hit me going through to the other side.