Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 73

This became their routine for the next four days, until on the fourth night they were looking for a clearing in which to ground the deer, when the marker became so bright in front of them they could hardly see, passing right through it, Joulupukki could see a small clearing beneath them. Lumi yelled out, “There, we can ground there.” “Yes, Lumi, guide the deer out and make a slow turn back into the clearing.” Lumi had been handling the reins that evening and was enjoying being guide to the team of deer. As they turned around he let the deer slow and skimmed just above the top of the trees. Joulupukki watched below them with an uneasy feeling in his stomach. If the beacon can cast such a light to guide us, why can't the humans see it? Below them they heard rustling in the forest and Joulupukki grabbed the reins and yelled, “up!” The deer responded immediately pulling the sleigh higher into the sky. Lumi heard very distinctly, a human woman scream what's that. Then shouts of all types cut through the darkness. Several flaming arrows passed close to the sleigh. The two companions flew around in circles for what seemed like hours before Joulupukki found another suitable grounding place and set the deer down. They had noticed the night before that the number of villages they were seeing were becoming increasing more substantial, some quite large. When they finally grounded they were very cautious and left the deer tethered to the sled. The deer looked nervous but they fed them with feed bags until they were full and gave them all water. All the while Joulupukki and Lumi discussed what they should do to retrieve Erlenkönig's remains. Lumi was of the thought of using magic to blast their way through the humans and while he held the humans at bay Joulupukki could dig is father's remains from the ground. “Are you joking?” Joulupukki asked the young Elf. “How many people would we injury or maybe even kill if we tried that? No, absolutely not. It goes against everything that Erlenkönig stood for.” “But they killed him, right there,” Lumi said pointing at the beacon's beam. “Yes, they ended his life, Lumi. No one knows that better than I, but they did not kill him.” “What,” Lumi questioned? “Do you not think that Erlenkönig knew what was going to happen here? The Great Elf who knew I would return to the Village, who knew that Rian would still be trying to overthrow the council and become king. The King who gave to me the answer as to how to become a king myself, fifty years after he was gone? He was a strong elf Lumi, even with his limited power at the time he could have escaped the humans that attacked him with ease. He knew the only way to put an end to the turmoil amongst the elves was to give his life, for the elves and here was the perfect place and time because he knew there was a traitor near by. I believe Aisling knew as well and promised to keep it to herself. She, like he, knew that one little slip might change the future and destroy what he gave his life for. No, we will do our best to not hurt any humans. I think I have a more appropriate way to get what we want.” Lumi looked at him as if to say 'go on'. “Humans are very superstitious creatures. They developed this as a way of protecting themselves. If you don't understand it, it must be bad...,” Joulupukki continued to explain his plan with Lumi, the young elf listening intently. Just before leaving the deer in the clearing Joulupukki spoke with Sprinteren, whispering in his ear, “If you see or hear humans leave the ground and fly quickly. Do not let them see you. Do you understand?” The deer nodded. “When you see the dragon in the sky, on this eve, I will need you. Come to me then.” With that, Lumi and he were off. They traveled on foot through the woods in the direction of the beacon's beam. They kept an eye out for humans and for human habitation. They could not have been more than a days walk from the place they sought. Daylight came early this far south and they had no trouble finding their way. As they walked they felt the breeze and listened to the bare tree limbs rustle softly. Remembering what Seileach had said about the Willow in the courtyard outside of the Keep. He looked around him, sending his magic out to touch several of the trees. Most slept soundly, only hints of magic stirring in the their roots, but the evergreens never truly went dormant and he found that he could communicate with them on a very rudimentary level. He wondered if this is what a Garden Elf felt when he buried himself in the soil. Such a strange, strange sensation it was. They walked through the morning eventually coming across a cart path leading in the direction in which they traveled. The path made for easier travel but they had to be careful to watch for humans.