Blackwater City had turned into a large festival. Even Manstuly, who had been wearing a frown for days, smiled. Baery had retreated and no one knew what Anfey was doing. No matter how disciplined, mercenaries were no match for real soldiers. Manstuly was very worried about Anfey after he heard the news that he had killed Michael. Now that Anfey and his league were losing, Manstuly felt more reassured.
The elves were the happiest of everyone. The elves may be very efficient fighters and master archers, they still did not like it. The elves were a part of nature and they were more in tune with nature than humans. They could not handle death and destruction as well as the mercenaries. The sight of death and blood made many of the elves sick. The end of the battle made many of the elves very happy.
Because of their nature, it was very hard for the elves to recreate the glory of the ancient elven empires.
A young elf woman was stopped as she walked through the streets of the city. Because the mercenaries in Blackwater City feared and respected Hotchbini, no one dared do anything to the elves, which was why the young elf was surprised. She stopped and glanced at the person's face, then froze.
In front of her was a young man in pale red robes. He was tall and more handsome than most mercenaries. However, that was not why she froze. There was something about the young man that felt very familiar to her.
Anfey saw a glimmer of recognition and confusion in the elf's eyes and knew that it was the Heart of Nature at work. He grinned at the young elf.
"Sorry," Anfey said. "I need some help. Can I ask you a question?"
"What is it?" the young elf asked, curious.
"Do you know where Yalbevin is?"
"You know Yalbevin?"
"Yes," Anfey said, nodding. "She is a good friend of mine."
"Yalbevin isn't here," the young elf said. "I don't think she came with us. To be honest, I haven't seen her in a long time."
"I see," Anfey said. "What about Wiss? Do you know where she is?"
"You know Wiss too?" the young elf asked, surprised. Both Wiss and Yalbevin were well known for their excellence.
"She's a friend of mine, as well," Anfey said.
"Sorry to disappoint you," the young elf said, shaking her head. "Wiss isn't here, either. Really."
The young man sighed in disappointment. "What about Paglia? Please tell me she's here?"
"You know Paglia, too?" the young elf asked, shocked.
"Of course," Anfey said.
"But you don't look like her friend."
"Do I not?"
The young elf glanced at the young man. Paglia was one of the best archers and best fighters among the elves. Shouldn't her friends at least be just as powerful? The young man was clearly just a beginner.
"Can you tell me your name?" the young elf asked.
"I'm Fian," Anfey said. "Please tell Paglia that her old friend is looking for her."
"But Paglia isn't here, either," the young elf said, shaking her head.
"She's not here either?" Anfey's eyes widened and his grin faded. "Oh, this is bad!"
"Oh!" the young elf said. "I remembered. I heard that they're all away with Lord Bruzuryano. Do you need to speak with them immediately?" She knew that she had just revealed a big secret, but she felt strangely familiar with this young man and she felt comforted by him.
"It seems like Paglia is very important among your kind," Anfey said.
"Of course," the young elf said, nodding. "Do you not know?"
"No," Anfey said, shaking his head. "She never told me."
"Can I ask you something?" the young elf asked. "If you don't mind, that is," she hurriedly added.
"How did you become friends with Paglia?"
"Well, we ran into each other," Anfey said. "But I think I still like Wiss more than Paglia."
"You do?" the young elf asked with wide eyes, clearly surprised.
"Am I wrong?"
The young elf looked at him, then giggled. "You fell for her trap," she said. "That must be it."
"Trap? What trap?"
The young elf shook her head. "Don't worry. Please don't tell Paglia I said that, though!"
"Of course not," Anfey said. "Do I look like someone who gossips?"
"Humans are complicated," the young elf said with a shrug.
"I swear," Anfey said. "I won't tell Paglia anything."
The young elf smiled. "I'm not worried," she said. "What do you need them for?"
Anfey glanced around and grabbed the young elf, taking her to a quiet alley nearby. He lowered his voice and said, "If Paglia isn't here, then I must trouble you. What is your name?"
"Catherine."
"Lord Mauso has urgent news, Catherine," Anfey said. "He wants me to hand it to the commander of the elves."
"Lord Mauso?" Catherine's eyes widened. "What kind of news?"
Anfey sighed. "It's not that I don't trust you," he said. "But Lord Mauso asked me keep it a secret. I don't think he wants Lord Manstuly to know, either."
"Why?" Catherine asked, frowning.
Anfey sighed. He had picked Catherine because he could tell she was one of the most powerful archers. He didn't expect her to be so innocent to the level of idiocy.
Of course, Catherine was just a special case. She was too kind and too trusting. Elves could be cold-blooded and cruel in a fight, but when they talked with someone they trusted, their innocence would show through.
"I don't know," Anfey said, shaking his head. "It's just Lord Mauso's order. Catherine, can you take me to your commander? This is urgent." He needed to take out the elves' commander, but when he approached the elves' camp, he discovered some trees that reacted to his presence. He didn't want to startle anyone and decided to switch plans.
"I can try," Catherine said.
"Thank you so much," Anfey said with a smile.
Catherine nodded. "Come with me," she said, turning back towards the direction she came from.
Anfey glanced around to make sure that no one noticed their conversation and quickly followed Catherine.