Chapter 46: State Your Business

Chapter 46: Chapter 46: State Your Business

The road to the Elf Lands was significantly much further than the city of Velaris. Arin and Ayan walked, noting the changing scenery around them. The further they went east, the fewer people they saw. The roads became more and more empty. The woods grew denser. Even the very air was different. Arin glanced around.

"So we’re getting close?"

Ayan nodded. "Yes. The border of the Elf Lands should be ahead." Arin was looking at the thick wood in the distance.

"That place?"

"Yes," Ayan said.

Saira had strayed away ahead with Mira.

She had not spoken for the hour. Arin looked up at her.

"Saira."

She turned around.

"Yes?"

"You okay?"

After a moment of silence the woman replied with a small smile. "I’m fine." Arin wasn’t convinced. "You don’t look fine."

Saira glanced towards the wood. "I just haven’t been back here a while." Arin blinked. "You’ve been to the Elf Lands before?" Saira’s smile faltered slightly.

"Yes."

Before Arin could comment again, Zarl spoke up from behind them. "She has been to a lot of places." Saira turned around.

"Did anyone ask you?" Zarl grinned. "No."

"Then stay quiet."

Ayan growled. Zarl laughed. Arin exhaled. Some things never changed. Garul walked steadily beside him without a single word all this time, and unlike Zarl, he rarely said anything. Adnan walked on the opposite side of the party, and his curious gaze also lingered on the thick forest.

"We should reach the entrance before sunset," Adnan said.

Arin nodded. "How much farther?"

"Perhaps another hour."

Adnan replied. Arin groaned. "Another hour..."

He turned back to Ayan, only for the man to shake his head. "My magic has recovered somewhat, but not with enough stamina for flying," Ayan said. Arin sighed again. "So we are walking."

"Yes."

"Great," Arin muttered.

"Can someone carry me. I’m dying here." Zarl said. Ayan shot him an odd look "You are free to carry yourself, unless you want to be carried without a body." He replied.

"Like that’s possible," Zarl said.

"Come on dragon, loosen up. I’m not evil, I can promise you that." He winked at Ayan who ignored him completely. "You are really cold." Zarl said and Ayan gave no comment.

Saira laughed and clapped her hands over her mouth. Even Mira looked embarassed. Adnan chuckled, and Zarl gave a satisfied smile.

"Your butler has a well rounded sense of humour."

Zarl said to Arin. Ayan stared at him. "I was not joking," Zarl’s smile disappeared. "...Right." Their small discussion came to a close as the sun began to set, and at the edge of the wood the forest seemed to be expanding into the distance on all sides. Its trees was huge, twisting into the sky far higher than the road.

Arin slowed down.

The feeling of danger didn’t linger, but something else did.

Mana.

A dense amount of the energy was permeating the air, so much so that even the dormant mark on Arin’s arm didn’t sense it out.

Even so, the sheer feeling of mana flowing around the wood was a feeling he was very familiar with.

"This place has a lot of mana," Arin said.

Ayan nodded. "The Elf Lands is naturally abundant in magical energy."

"Why?"

Arin asked.

"Because of the forest."

Ayan replied.

The dragon stated matter-of-factly as he pointed towards the trees. "The Elves have lived here for many generations, and their villages were set up around the natural flow of mana." Arin looked around. "So basically, it is a reservoir of energy?"

He said.

"An incredibly simple explanation." Zarl commented. "But one that holds some truth in it nonetheless?" Arin suggested with a small smile. Ayan paused for a few seconds.

"Correct."

They resumed walking until the narrow road lead into a stretch of denser forest. Then ahead of them, Arin saw something in the distance.

A wall.

A great set of wooden doors framed by thick trees on both sides marked the start of this place, and as Arin slowed his gait, he saw Adnan nod.

"Here it is lads and ladies." Zarl said with a smile. "The entrance to the Elf Lands." Ayan finished. Arin looked up, only to find the gates much larger than he expected. A few figures stood on the outer side, all silent. Arin narrowed his eyes.

Elves.

With sharp ears, even from this distance, they stood with hand-drawn bows on their backs. In the distance, more elves stood on both sides of the great doors itself.

Arin felt nervous - not because he feared the Elves, but because he had no idea how these people would react to seeing his group.

Especially considering what they were carrying. Especially considering Saira, especially considering Zarl, and especially considering himself, Arin thought. Ayan caught the anxious look on Arin’s face and simply said.

"Relax."

"Easier said than done," Arin muttered.

"You have done nothing wrong."

Arin looked towards him with a small frown.

"On the contrary, I believe that has never been the case."

Ayan couldn’t really refute that statement.

The large group neared the great gate when the Elves took notice of them, and one of them raised a hand, stopping the gates from opening.

Two Elves, each with bows in hand, came forth to meet the group; the first was staring at Zarl, before his gaze moved to Saira, moving to Ayn, and finally settling on Arin.

The warrior’s eyes hardened, and he took a step towards them.

"State your business."

The group fell silent.

Arin turned to Adnan, who in turn turned to him.

With a sigh, Arin stepped forward.

"We’re traveling to the Elf Lands," he said.

The Elven guard raised a brow.

"For what purpose?"

Arin hesitated.

The group itself was an interesting mix of people: a former Chimera experiment, a demon, a dragon, a Hero, a Dungeon Master, and two prisoners.

In all honesty, he wasn’t sure how much information to give.

Arin rubbed the back of his head.

"We’re investigating something,"

The guard frowned.

"What?"

Arin inhaled.

"A Dungeon Master’s death,"

The guard went rigid for the first time.

Meanwhile, his second partner was looking over Arin with growing curiosity.

After several silent moments, the first Elf turned to Arin once more. "Dungeon Master?"

Arin nodded.

"Yes,"

The elf narrowed his eyes at him. He looked at Arin’s right hand, where the Dungeon Master’s mark was hidden by his sleeve, and the warrior seemed to somehow sense something.

His eyes darkened.

"Who are you?"

Arin fixed him with a puzzled stare.

"My name is Arin Rahman."

The first guard looked Arin over once again before he turned his attention to his subordinates, taking in Ayan, Saira, Zarl, Mira and Garul. Then, he turned his attention back to Arin.

"Then you cannot enter."

Arin’s eyes widened.

"What?"

The guard shook his head.

"You will need to expound on your answers before any one of your party may pass through the Elf Lands."

Arin turned to his companions, who all regarded him with varying expressions. Ayan looked calm but uninterested, Saira’s expression had gone serious, Adnan was deep in thought, and Zarl merely gave a pleasant smile. Then, Arin sighed; a long, deep sigh knowing what was waiting ahead.

The first guard raised his voice.

"OPEN THE OUTER INSPECTION GATE!"

The large gate did not open.

The smaller gate next to it, however, slowly creaked open.

The various Elves on the otherside of the gate stared at the newcomers, waiting for their judgment.

Arin turned to Zarl first.

"Guess it’s time for questions," He muttered. Ayan followed shortly afterwards.

The smaller gate groaned open just enough for one person to pass. The air on the other side was different. Colder. Cleaner. And it hummed.

Arin felt it on his skin first, then in his chest. Mana didn’t drift here. It moved. Like a slow current running through the roots, up the trunks, and out through the leaves. Even with his sleeve pulled low, the mark on his arm gave a dull throb, like it was trying to wake up and immediately thought better of it. Arin frowned.

"Interesting," Zarl muttered.

The lead guard stepped aside.

"Inside. All of you."

Ayan’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Is this necessary?" "Yes." The guard replied. The guard’s hand tightened around his bow. "Until we understand why a Dungeon Master has arrived at our borders with a demon, a dragon, and prisoners, none of you will proceed further."

Zarl raised a hand. "Technically, I’m not a prisoner." The guard stared at him. Zarl lowered his hand. "Right, no comments. Sorry. Moving on." Arin sighed and stepped through the gate. One by one, the others followed. As soon as Arin crossed the threshold, the forest seemed to come alive around him. Leaves rustled despite the absence of wind. Branches shifted overhead. And somewhere deep within the trees, something was watching.

Arin stopped.

Ayan noticed.

"What is it?"

Arin slowly looked into the forest.

"I don’t know."

His eyes narrowed.

"But I have a bad feeling. I only hope nothing happens."