El-Vador's Travels by J. R. Karlsson Page A

would
undoubtedly cause.
    He
had not called on Mugrab's farm either since Sarvacts rode through
the settlement. He did not care to admit, even to himself, that he
had formed something of a liking for the simple farmer, the mere idea
of liking any of the invaders was abhorrent to him. It had taken
Sarvacts' visit to the settlement to remind him that there could be,
there should be, no meeting between those who had come into the Elven
lands and those who rightfully belonged here. In his own lands Mugrab
may well have been a much better Orc than Sarvacts but in Elven lands
they were both unwanted invaders. They were simply ones of a
different kind, none of which he could tolerate.
    El-Vador
was gliding through the forest when he heard the footsteps crunching
through the snow ahead. He silently slipped behind a tree and readied
his bow, there was no telling how the Orcs would treat him should
they find him this far from the settlement.
    A
predatory grin played across El-Vador's mouth. What better sport than
tracking one of the Orcs through the forest?
    Through
gaps in the trees, El-Vador soon saw who the blunderer was, a
heavyset Orc he had seen many times near the garrison. El-Vador's lip
curled in scorn, he did not care for any of the Orcish sentries but
this one was easily the worst. If he were to vanish in the woods,
never to be found, would the Orcs punish the Elves? He suspected that
many of them would be grateful that such an oaf was gone.
    On
through the woods the Orc stumbled. What was he doing this far from
the garrison? Did he really think he could hunt out here making so
much noise? El-Vador followed, quiet as a shadow.
    For
most of an hour, El-Vador pondered how long he should continue
following the Orc before putting an arrow in him. He could have shot
him a hundred different times, and the miserable creature would have
died never knowing why, or who had slain him.
    The
Orc began cursing ever louder and more foully at his lack of luck.
El-Vador waited patiently for the reason for this bad luck to reveal
itself.
    'Now
where did I leave you?' he growled. 'If you're hiding from me then
you'll pay with your life.'
    El-Vador
didn't like the sound of this, had the Orc taken a hostage?
    'I
know it was around here somewhere.' Fury on his face, the Orc
advanced to a clearing in the woods. 'Where are you?'
    Something
flickered to his left, faster than El-Vador could see and lashed out
at the Orc, wounding it. 'I am right here, foul creature.'
    For
all its stupidity, the Orc was a fair fighter, the cut had marked its
cheek but gone wide of its initial target. He reached out and clamped
a hand down on the aggressor, which let out a feminine cry of
frustration and anger.
    Drawing
closer to the edge of the tree line, El-Vador saw that the Orc had
hold of a woman. Or what looked like a woman initially, the gossamer
wings betrayed that notion. Whatever this creature was he held it
captive against her will and was planning unspeakable things. He had
to act.
    'You
give a bad name to Orcish warriors, taking captive of a defenceless
opponent and forcing yourself upon her this deep into the woods,' he
called out, hoping to get the Orc's attention.
    'Who's
there?' yelled the Orc in return, causing the woman to wince. 'Show
yourself!'
    El-Vador
had no intention of doing so, his years in the woods served him well
in this moment, he shifted to the side of the clearing silently and
then called out again, 'release the woman and perhaps we may
negotiate for your life.' The change in direction of the voice had
the desired effect and the Orc was startled, though not as long as
El-Vador hoped.
    'This
is no woman,' the Orc replied. 'It's a Pixie, can't you see that?'
    'I
am still a sentient being, you barbarous creature. Not an animal for
your amusement.'
    He
struck her with all his strength, not with a slap but with his closed
fist, she spoke no further.
    'Leave
us be or I shall end her life,' the Orc called out to the woods.
    For
the first time,