The Elf Prince and the Ogre
Rorighan Aelfinn-Blood sat at the dining room table of The Spring Faun, a modest establishment with polished tables and high-backed chairs. Across from him sat his accomplice, a member of the Gor’Ora’Drhrin Clan of Rock Trolls, Boridrhrin Bree-Ash. Shaped not unlike a giant boulder, the Troll was rounded in shape, standing over eight feet in height, and his stonelike flesh was marked in many places by spiralling runes that glowed a bright crimson.
It would be fair to state that his friend’s head was situated in his chest, with red ember eyes glowing in the centre of his form and a slit for a mouth hole. His arms were thick as barrels, and his legs just as wide. The Gor’Ora’Drhrin were amongst the oldest of peoples of this world, having been crafted by the Stone God, Runen, during an ancient age. Bree-Ash wielded an axe with a haft over nine feet long, double bladed steel that shone like dark silk. The weapon burned bright crimson when Bree-Ash was engaged in battle.
Though for now, it glowed a soft amber, as the Troll’s mood was somewhat appeased, having had a meal of twelve turkeys and numerous pints of a strong liquor. It could even be said that he was tipsy to the point of giving away more secrets than he would wish. This was part of the game Rorighan had played with his old friend, to ply what news he could of the Troll’s people and their comings and goings.
‘Get to the point!’ Boridrhrin roared as he slammed his axe haft against the paved tiled floor. ‘You’ve been going about in circles and I cannot see up from down so far.’
‘All in good time, my friend,’ Rorighan replied with hands raised in a pleading gesture. ‘I have news to report. A sprinter-hawk reached our forest not two days past, with a report that the spirit guides of the Snow Wolf, the Red Phoenix, and the Black Dragon have all been reborn into the world.’
‘Well now,’ Bree-Ash replied, ‘that do be something worth telling.’
‘There is more,’ the Elf Prince stated in a serious tone. ‘There are rumours that the Ana’nitia King has awakened also.’
‘Then this is terrible!’ Bree-Ash boomed. ‘What hope is there if the Vampire Lord is brought back into being?’
‘There is hope still,’ Rorighan said in a smooth tone. ‘The Saviour Spirit-Animals are also reborn, all in line with the prophecies. If we are able to stay ahead of the game, we may yet achieve victory.’
‘There’s more,’ Bree-Ash grumbled, ‘I know you’re holding back something.’
‘There is more,’ Rorighan admitted. ‘The report also stated that Pharaoh Oteptun Ra’nen was taken captive by a sinister demon not three days past.’
‘Oh no!’ Bree-Ash boomed. ‘Poor Atef! I liked him a lot. He was a good man. Pity though.’
‘What are you saying man?’
‘Well, if the Vampire King has taken him, he is surely doomed,’ Bree-Ash stated as a matter of fact. ‘I recall that as a lad, Atef was particularly good at finding perfectly rounded stones, perfectly suitable for the Raising.’ He placed a hand on his belt and sash of armour that covered his groin. Though in truth, the Gor’Ora’Drhrin did not have any private parts. Their young were raised by a different means to most kinds, and the belt and armour was only worn by some of his kind to mimic the ways of men.
‘He is not doomed if we are able to rescue him!’ Rorighan said with emphasis.
‘I don’t like your chances,’ Bree-Ash grumbled.
‘I’m assembling a team,’ Rorighan said with a grin. ‘An elite group of experts in espionage and battle prowess. Together, we will make our way to the lair of the Vampire King, rescue the Pharaoh, and with any luck, we will destroy this great threat before it runs rampant.’
‘It all sounds very far-fetched,’ Bree-Ash said in a complaining tone.
‘What would you prefer?’ Rorighan asked. ‘That we sit here twiddling our thumbs while the world falls into ruin? Atef was said to have been captured by a Jinn-Magician demon. That means the Vampire King is surely bringing demons across from the Void. We either act now or sit idly by until the matter is out of our control.’
Bree-Ash groaned before he asked, ‘Who else do be on our team?’