Kelethin, Chapter 1

 She saw a dark elf today.

Standing on the platform of the grand tree city of Kelethin, she peered over the edge and met eyes with a dark elf female, who looked back into her eyes the moment she peered over the edge. The woman's eyes were a deep shade of purple, and her hair was white. She was clad in black, form-fitting armor, and her face was bluish. The most notable part about her was her hair, which was long and white. The elf and dark elf stared at each other, and then the dark elf was gone, her dark cloak hiding her from sight.

They were worlds apart, the elves and the dark elves, yet here one was, peering up at the platforms, and surely would be killed by the rangers of the city.

"You saw her?"

A male elf stood behind her. He was a ranger, an archer. His name was Kiron.

"I did," she answered.

He turned to his companions. "Spread out and look for the Tier'dal! We must not let her infiltrate our city."

"Yes, sir," the others said. They dispersed to descend to the forest floor and search the surrounding trees, leaving her alone.

"You saw a Tier'dal?" a young ranger asked.

She turned around to see the young boy. His name was Lethan, and he was her friend. "I did. She looked back at me."

Lethan frowned. "It was not safe for you to stand at the edge of the platform. You should have run."

"You would have done the same thing," she said.

"Yes, I would have," he agreed.

She looked back out at the trees. "What does Tier'dal mean? That is what your captain called her. Is it not their tongue?"

"It means traitor," Lethan answered. "All dark elves are traitors to our kind."

"She did not look like a traitor. She looked lost."

"They are evil and treacherous, all of them."

The girl nodded. "Yes, they are."

"Are you certain you saw a Tier'dal?" another ranger asked as he joined them. He was their leader, Kiron Nightwind, and the two had been friends for a long time. "They are not easy to see if they do not want to be seen."

"I know what I saw," the girl answered. "Her eyes were purple."

"Purple?" Kiron asked.

"Yes, and she was so..."

"What?" Kiron pressed.

"She was beautiful. Her skin was a pale blue, and her hair was a beautiful silver-white."

Kiron frowned and stared out at the trees. "There is no such dark elf with that description, at least, none that I have ever seen. Perhaps this was just a trick."

"It was no trick," the girl said.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. It was real."

"And it was a female?" Kiron asked.

She nodded. "Yes."

Kiron looked away and rubbed his chin. "This is a problem. We are under orders to kill any dark elves on sight."

"Is she still there?" Lethan asked.

"No, but I cannot believe she would come alone. I must report this to my superiors."

The girl's name was Faylana. She watched her friend and captain walk away. "He is not sure if I saw the Tier'dal," she told Lethan.

"But you are sure."

"I am."

"Then there is nothing we can do," Lethan answered. "Dark elves are the enemy. It is better to forget her."

"Perhaps," Faylana said. "I just wonder how many there are like her."

"What do you mean?"

"There is more than just her, more than the dark elves that attack us. I have read about them. They live in Neriak, not on the surface. She could not have come alone."

"Why would you care about such a thing?" Lethan asked.

Faylana shook her head. "I am not sure. I think... I think I might want to go to Neriak."

"You are crazy. Nobody goes to Neriak."

"Why not?"

"Because it is dark elf territory. Only dark elves and their allies go there."

"So, that is where I would have to go."

"It is too dangerous. Besides, what would you find there?"

Faylana was quiet for a moment. "I am not sure. But perhaps there are some good dark elves."

Lethan stared at her. "You have lost your mind. I hope that was not this Tier'dal's spell."

"I will prove it," Faylana said.

Lethan sighed. "I will not be able to talk you out of this, will I?"

"I will go and you cannot stop me," she said.

Lethan was silent and finally he said, "You will die."

"Then I will die," she said. "But not without a fight."

The next morning, Faylana packed a bag and took her bow and arrows. She climbed down from the platform and into the forest, following the path to the east. She had no intention of dying, and she had no idea what lay ahead, but her heart was beating with excitement.

She had never been outside the city before, and the world was vast and dangerous, full of dangers that could kill her. And yet she did not fear.

Instead, she felt the thrill of the unknown, the challenge of a new adventure.

And somewhere in the back of her mind, she hoped to see the mysterious dark elf again.

Nerissa. Somehow, she knew her name?

Faylana stood alone on the path, a short distance away from the city. It was her first time leaving Kelethin, and she was excited and nervous. She had no idea what lay ahead or if she would make it through the journey. All she knew was that she had to find out what lay beyond the forest, and that she had to find her answers.

She took a deep breath and started down the road.

Her first day was uneventful. She followed the path until she reached a crossroads, then continued east. The road was well-maintained and lined with trees. The only sounds were the wind and the occasional birdcall.

Faylana paused, taking a drink from her waterskin. She wiped her mouth and continued.

The sun was starting to set when she finally saw signs of civilization. There was a small inn and stable.

Faylana hesitated, wondering if she should spend the night or continue. She needed to get to the docks, a journey that would take her through a dark forest, a place renowned for its terrible weather, wicked creatures, and undead.

"You'll have to go through there anyway," Faylana said, making up her mind.

She went into the inn and approached the barkeep. "I need a room for the night and directions to the nearest port."

The barkeep nodded. "There's a ferry that leaves from the dock each morning. It'll cost ya ten gold, but it's the safest way to get to the harbor."

Faylana paid the money and headed up to her room. She was exhausted, but her thoughts were still racing. She had never left the elven lands before. What if the dark elves captured her? What if she never returned home?

She lay down on the bed and closed her eyes, trying to calm her nerves.

She had no idea what was going to happen next.

But the figure outside ...did.