A dark elf in the human world
Fantasy
Рамиль Латыпов
© Рамиль Латыпов, 2022
ISBN 978-5-0056-3062-9
Created with Ridero smart publishing system
Chapter 1. My World
Ive lived here as long as I can remember. In the village. Into exile. From a world that was ours. The elves. Dark elves. But people took it. They landed on our mainland before I was born. About a hundred years ago. They kicked us out on the reservation. To the mountains. Where there is little writing and a lot of magical animals. Dangerous animals. The ones that frighten the invaders. They frighten us, too. Dragons and wyverns, giants and night monsters that dont even have a name. I, Lucas, am nineteen years old, though by our elven ways I am still a child and cannot speak my mind at the tribal council. Although I would like to say a lot. Why do we live like this? Why are we not fighting the invaders, but hiding in exile? But the elders want peace. So tonight Im sitting in one of those big tribal meetings.
We need to establish trade with humans. We must send messengers. The war is long over. We must move on with our lives.
This is said by an old and infirm grandfather, all gray-haired. With ashen skin. Warts covered half his face. And this is our leader Ulan. Our hope for the future. Hes already dying. And everything guides us. But to what. I couldnt keep quiet.
We have to fight for ourselves. Build your own state. As it was before. As you should remember. We talked about the most beautiful cities built by our great ancestors. We must reclaim our greatness. We are dark elves. The lords of this land. Alien humans must be thrown into the sea from which they came.
Keep quiet, youngster. We cant do that. Look around, there arent even three hundred of us in the village. Of these, only forty are warriors who can hold weapons. The rest are women, children, or the elderly. There arent enough of us. There are fewer tribes like ours every year. In the past three years alone, two neighboring villages were destroyed by magical beasts. Dragons are getting impudent. We should have survived the winter. Who are you willing to sacrifice your parents or sisters for the sake of your nonsense?
The old leader of the Lancers was speaking. Many nodded. Young people, no. Even his beautiful daughter, Maria. She was looking at me intently. A beautiful young woman, just like me. Shes only fifty. Still a girl. Straight facial features. Blue hair, just like the rest of us. The curse of exile as the old people say. It is given to us because we fought and did not negotiate with people. Those bastards who took over our land. They eat our food. They sleep and live in our cities. They send diseases and curses upon us. I dont accept peace with them. But what a good one it is. This girl. Its still too early for me to get married, and Ill have to wait twenty years, if not forty. And shell be back soon. He can woo her. It can wait a bit. After all, we live a very long time. If you dont kill us.
I understand you dont have an answer. Therefore, my decision. Theodore will go to the people. The strongest of the warriors. Take the message to people. Lets start a new life. A peaceful life. How does the council vote?
The old man said. Our leader. Our undoing. The council of five decrepit old men raised their hands in approval
The decision was made unanimously. Diverge people. And the power of the full moon of Zelu will come with us and not be swallowed up by the darkness.
Everyone dispersed. Young people spat, showing their indignation. The young people are not what they used to be. The end of our race will come because of them. No, old man, its because of you cowards that we live like this. Give the country to people. Almost without a fight. Believing the old legends about saviors from across the sea. By letting them into our homes. By allowing them to bring their diseases and curses. Let us have their faith in the Light. They build their own states on the wreckage of our world. They will introduce wars among themselves. Their Ton continent, where they lived, was slowly being swallowed up by the sea. So they moved in with us. Its probably completely submerged by now. Sorry not with people. Although Ive never seen them in my life. I hate them so much. How you can come to someone elses house and kick out the owners. I dont understand. Drive us to reservations and laugh at our peace-loving ways. They must all suffer. These people. He kicked a large stone that was lying on the ground. The outline is similar to a persons face. He rolled into the river. And I went far from the village. But I hear footsteps behind me. He drew his sword and pointed it in the direction of the footsteps. Another thing I needed was to die in a forest like this. From magical beasts.
Im Buka. Maria. I forgot who swaddled you as a child and played hide-and-seek.
She smiled at me as she lowered my sword. Shes different today. Funny, beautiful, and kind. Whats wrong with me. Its a strange feeling. My heart sank. Its hard to breathe.
What you need from me. Your dad said a lot at the council. You need to be with him. Pray for peace with the humans.
Rage filled my mind again. The feeling of warmth for her was gone. What a quick change of mood I have. Im changing. Maybe growing up.
You shouldnt have done that. He wants peace. So that we can live. Start families. Getting married.
She looked at me intently, then came close to me. So nice. Its her smell. It burned my nose. She made perfume out of flowers. But this is an ancient pre-wedding ritual.
I chose my betrothed.
And whos the lucky guy?
Pain seared my soul. She will choose a good warrior and live with him. And I have to watch it. No, Id rather go deeper into the forest. Maybe to another village. Or to the city of people. To avenge us. Rumor has it that there are a lot of bandits in the cities made up of us dark elves. They rob people. Here they are the real patriots of our motherland. Noble, not like her father.
Youre my chosen one. Even though its early for you. But Ill wait.
She kissed me on the cheek. Then I bit her neck. These are our customs.
Now, according to our ancient custom, fight me.
She took out a small dagger and scratched her palm to mark the beginning of the battle. I did the same. Customs also need to be changed. But Id do anything for her. Shes a strong lady. A warrior, a huntress. She knows my tricks. She knows me. There were many blows and cuts. But I noticed that she doesnt want to win at all. She wants me to win. She chose me. Just like I said. I plunged my sword into her heart. She fell. Death began to creep up on her. I pulled the sword out of her chest. I put all my mana into recovery spells. A bright glow lit up the river. Maria was cured and became my wife. Such is the ritual of rebirth. We need to cancel it immediately. After all, there were cases when the groom did not have enough strength. And the bride was dying. You cant just exchange rings like people and go to the monk. I agree with people on one thing. This custom is better.
My husband, lets go and tell everyone about us.
Shes so happy, and so am I. Shes my wife. I cant believe it. Shes mine. I wont be able to lie down with her for another twenty years. But this fact itself makes me happy. I took her hand. Warm and gentle. As I remember it from my childhood. Its a good thing were not human. They dont live long, so theyre always in a hurry. They dont hold waiting in high esteem.
The world was changing. But I didnt notice it. I spent the third day with my beloved. As a wedding present, the chief magically built a small house for us to live in. The whole village was happy for us. They had a feast. It was a fabulous time. But it ends. Like all the good things in this world.
Come on, honey. The whole village is in a big house. People came to negotiate.
Maria said as she ran into the house. I was cleaning the skins of two wolves at the same time. I just nodded at her and put on my best leather armor. I didnt trust people. He hid the knife in his leg. I always carried my sword, too. I left the house. The whole village was going to the big house. Then I saw them for the first time. The smell, too. People. In iron armor and with halberds. My sword cant break through that kind of armor. Maybe there wont be a scratch left. Such high-quality work. Just envious. Dragon crest on shields. Here are the scoundrels, the invaders. Its a pity they didnt disappear with their island. I went to the common house.
Dear participants. This is the day weve all been waiting for.
The elder was happy. People came to his house. More precisely, two. One old man in his late fifties. With a beard and a huge axe on his back. Just like a beast. It looks very strong. Next to him sat a fat man covered in fat. There is a wild boar that we caught today. Glad, laughs. He looks at the old ladies with his nasty eyes. Fool that theyre over a thousand years old. Although they look young by human standards.
We have guests from the country of Eastern Tone. They want to sign a trade agreement with us. Maybe Ill even accept us as citizens of the kingdom. So our guest Yako told me.
He pointed at the fat man. He stood up. He adjusted his belly and red clothes. I didnt like it right away. Like all of them. He smells like dirt and death. Suffering and humiliation. We dark elves can smell it.
I am the ambassador of the kingdom and King of the Eastern Tone the Great Timosh the Third Fairface. You have a lot of game and skins in your village. Sign the contract and you will become our citizens. We will trade with you.
He took the parchment out of his pants and placed it on the table next to the elders. Then he scratched his ass and sat down to eat again. My hand slid to my sword. I could have cut through his thick neck quickly. The cut will be smooth. But heres what to do with his guards, and especially with the big guy sitting next to him. Im definitely not going to win the fight alone. I examined my brothers. The young men also began to hold on to their swords. Even the girls. The old people, on the other hand, began to rejoice at the possible peace.
Wed sign it, but you dont think we can read it. He can speak by translating words. But there is no magic of text translation in the world.
Sign it and thats it. I give the words there is only a trade agreement.
No, that wont do.
The old man was very annoyed, but he didnt just sign the documents. My mother, father, and sisters aged five and seven who were sitting next to me were also upset.
Again with you big-eared in a bad way to have. At least one village signed peacefully. Eddie blow the horn.
The strong warrior stood up, pulled a horn from his bosom, and blew. A bad feeling came over me. Sounds of scuffling could be heard from the street. The clash of swords and the screams of women and children.
What are you doing?
The chief pleaded.
Ill take whats already ours. A contract that you didnt sign would have made it legal. But I am not a champion of the law.
Everyone in the big house drew their weapons. But it was too late. The soldiers rushed in quickly. And we were quickly shackled in dwimerite. So we couldnt do magic.
I took a fancy to my wife. Why she. Why do we need all this? He grabbed her arms and spun her around. I wanted to lie down with her.
What are you doing? Shes just a little girl. Shes only fifty.
Her father shouted while crying.
Ugh. The old woman.
He drew his sword and killed her. I began to cry. My wife went to the world of Zelu on the third moon to feast with her ancestors. But the fat man grabbed another lady and asked.
Youre not an old woman. Youre not even fifty.
She shook her head. Of course, shes not even fifty, her thousandth tercentenary was celebrated last week. He led her into the back room. We were pushed out into the street. The soldiers laughed at us. The houses were on fire. Crops, too. Our village is gone. The children screamed, but the soldiers ignored them. I saw a wagon ahead of me. It has a cage on it. We were pushed into it one by one. I hugged my sisters. My mother hugged my father. I dont know what awaits us. But definitely nothing good.
Where theyre taking us.
I asked a soldier who was still a young man on horseback.
Youre a good earwig now. You will be sold. You are all slaves. It serves you right, godless people. Only the Light can grant you forgiveness. But I wouldnt have hoped for that. Ha-ha.
He was laughing nastily. Thats right. What should we do? The cart moved off. My new life has begun. No home, no wife, no freedom.
Chapter 2. Slavery
To say that the next two days were pleasant is an understatement. We lost five of our two hundred men by the first night. They didnt give us any food. By morning, ten people had died. I was trying to maintain order in the cage. But that was impossible. By lunchtime on the second day, minus ten. Suicides. Or maybe? And no. How to determine. There is no food. The children are crying. And you go waddling from side to side in a cart with a cage closed with a barrier that does not let sounds through. I couldnt see it either. You wont know where we are. I couldnt breathe anymore. The strong ones tried to beat the cage, but it didnt help. First the children lost consciousness, then the elderly. Then all the others. The world went dark. Theres nothing behind it.
That earwig is still alive. Get some more, boys.
The voice was indifferent. Deep, masculine voice. Clearly bored. I started to feel the shaking. Theyre carrying me. A nasty smell. The smell of death. I dont want to wake up. Leave me in the dark. Where its empty. Where my favorite is. Where the wife is. Dont drag me out into the light. A blow to the chest.
But hes alive. Young at all.
Hit. Hit. Leave me alone. I dont have anything to live for. My family is gone. The sisters and their parents died on the second day of suffocation. How I hate this world.
Hit
Yes, come to life. Fight it out.
No, I dont want to. Let me go no matter who you are. I want to leave.
You need it with magic. Take off your collar. Be human.
The sound of a blow, but not at me.
Youre sometimes an ogre-like evil boss. Okay, so Ill try. More from the chosen reptiles.
A blow, but already on the head. Not necessary. It started to come alive. No. No. No. Light. How it burns my eyes. I want to drink. My lips are very dry. My stomach is empty. Where am I? Im lying on the table. Cold. Iron. Wet. Its my blood or my urine. I cant make it out. The smells were mixed. The old dwarf leaned over me. Hunched over. Little. Skinny. I saw their images in ancient scrolls, our allies used to be. Not anymore. Hes wearing a collar. He smiles. Although what to be happy about. He is a slave. As you can see and I. He is wearing a white doctors coat. Nice place. Khlebnoye. Behind it are rows of flasks and beakers. Im in the lab. Pickled heads of various creatures, humans and elves. I was scared. Although what to be afraid of. Theyre all dead. But not me.
So is this big-eared guy alive or not? My dogs are hungry. Make up your mind Rolek the Healer
Mr. Chief. He is alive. You Diogenes Vidoas know Im a master of my craft.
A man is standing next to the dwarf. Man. Old. Gray-haired. In uniform. White, clean, with medals. Chief. Thinks hes better than others. Thats how he turned up his nose. Break your jaw and pull out your teeth one at a time. Humans dont tolerate pain. Theyre screaming. Thats what my father used to say. When they started fighting against humans. But it was too late. We should have attacked when they landed. And it was necessary to sink their ships. Everyone to feed the mag beasts. I hate you all.
Get up earwig, you will have an exciting life in our Slave Re-education Camp. Here you will spend a happy and joyful six months of your life.