[RAY VILLAGE]
[Two Hours Later]
"Thank you again for helping me…and for protecting my dignity." The beautiful blue-haired woman said slightly blushing and lowering her gaze.
"Do you mind telling us who you are and why we were in such a…such a…delicate state." Kay asked.
As a man of honor, he did not wish to interrogate a young woman alone…especially considering the unusual circumstances. He asked two village elders to accompany him.
"I'm afraid that I'm unable to share the purpose of my travels…but my identity I can reveal. I am Princess Elencia Regal of House Regal, Commander of the Knights of Camarax, and Ambassador to King Isandor."
The elders looked at each other in shock…not expecting this turn of events.
"Is it true? How can we trust the word of a stranger?" One elder asked.
"She is the princess." Kay said confidently as he gazed deep into her sky-blue eyes.
He continued speaking while looking at the princess directly, "many years ago I met your father. Unfortunately, we were on opposite sides of a war, but I still remember his imposing figure. I see him in you…and you have his eyes. No mistaking that."
Turning to address the elders Kay said, "look at her hand. The ring she wears, look at it closely. It's the ring worn by the Kings of Camarax. She is the Princess."
Realizing their error in judgement, the two elders immediately prostrated themselves on the ground.
"Forgive us you Majesty…we had no idea. We are two old fools not able to recognize our own faces," they said as they trembled in fear.
"You have nothing to be ashamed of. You sheltered me, clothed me, feed me, and tended to my wound. If anything, it should be I that needs to apologize. The fault is mine, please stand-up honorable elders." Elencia said gently as she addressed the two old men.
The Princess continued, "what happened here in this village? It looks like a war zone."
"Yesterday at noon a group of red orcs attacked the village. We managed to defeat them, but thirteen villagers died, and many were injured. They will return and with greater numbers." Kay replied sternly.
"Red orcs? Those haven't been seen for hundreds of years. It's hard to believe. However, the evidence is clear. I see the villagers are all working diligently at repairing the walls and defenses. In addition, I saw many more fortifying the village with a sense of urgency that matches your explanation."
"Yes, your Majesty. The Verdant Knight arrived just in time and defeated many orcs. Without his help we would have surely perished. After the battle he assumed command of the village's defenses and assigned tasks to everyone. We have all been working diligently following his orders." The elder said.
"The Verdant Knight?" Elencia asked in confusion.
"Yes…we assumed he was sent by the Capital to defend us...sent by you." The other elder replied.
The Princess remained silent for a bit then resumed the conversation.
"A boy…have you seen a boy? He looks like me with blue hair and blue eyes?" Her voice grew frantic and desperate.
"I'm afraid we haven't…and with the threat of orcs attacking again we have focused all our men and women to repair and fortify the village. I'm afraid we don't have the resources to send scouts." Kay replied firmly.
"You don't understand…this boy is important…he is…he is my brother. Prince Luceran"
The three men looked at each other…a lost prince in these woods filled with orcs was a dangerous predicament.
"We can send a few men to look, but I'm afraid they can't go far. When the Verdant Knight returns, he will find him. Guaranteed." Kay said as a promise.
[…]
[THE NEXT DAY]
Squish
Squish
Squish
Arthos boots made a soft thud-squish sound as each step sunk into the soft soil. This was his second day scouting and he had managed to locate a route around the marsh/swamp lands and into the red forest.
The air was humid, thick and heavy with a taste of earth, metal, and rotting fruit. In addition, there was a persistent fog that made it difficult to see one's own feet. The ground was soft, very soft…so soft that each step sunk into the earth revealing dark mud.
The trees were noticeably different, some appeared green while others appeared dark red. In addition, pale moss covered the trees like a curtain. Tracking footprints was nearly impossible with the thick fog, instead, Arthos decided to subtlety make markings on the moss as a navigational tool.
He hadn't been able locate the orc camp, but he did find traces of a large band passing through. He found remains of fire pits, bones from freshly devoured creatures, and an occasional dead orc. He knew he was close and decided to continue north-west.
Cling, Cling, Cling
A very familiar melody of metal was heard faintly in the distance.
'Someone is fighting, I should go check this out.' Arthos thought.
He crouched low and cautiously approached the familiar sound of metal striking metal. It was far from his current location…. he estimated half a mile into the red woods.
CLING, CLING, CLANG
The sound amplified and was accompanied by roars and growls. No longer caring about stealth, Arthos sprinted toward the sound. His pace accelerated the deeper he went into the red woods. He felt his pace quicken as the ground changed from soft mud to solid earth.
In the distance he saw a silver haired girl skillfully fighting against a hoard of red orcs. By her side was a young blue haired boy. The two were standing back-to-back surrounded by 20-30 orcs, with more approaching from the red woods.