The underground hideout buzzed with tension. The smell of cheap ale had been replaced by the sharp scent of polished steel and leather.
Elrond stood in the center of the room.
"Everyone," Elrond commanded. "Get in a line."
The Knights moved instantly. Kalman, Amreth, Alith, Arwen, and Markil stood shoulder to shoulder.
Elrond paced back and forth.
"So, the plan is simple," Elrond began. "The A-Ranks we brought... they are strictly for protection and transport. They will guard the rescued elves back to the Kingdom."
He paused, looking at the ceiling.
"I know we caught the eyes of civilians and guards when we entered the city. We don't have to worry about stealth entry anymore. The King of Solara definitely knows we are here."
Elrond turned to Markil.
"Hey, Markil."
Markil straightened up. "Yo."
"You have just one thing to do," Elrond said, his voice deadly serious. "You have to get the King. That's all for you."
"WHAT?!"
Kalman stepped forward, shock written all over his face.
"But Captain!" Kalman shouted. "This is a massive mission! This is regicide! Is it really okay to send him? Shouldn't I—"
Elrond slowly turned his head.
Death Stare.
It wasn't angry. It was absolute.
"Don't ask questions, Kalman."
Kalman flinched. He took a step back, swallowing his words. "Y-Yes, Sir."
Markil nodded. "Understood. One King, coming right up."
Elrond turned back to the map on the table.
"For the rest of us... we are going to blast open the buildings near the Palace."
Arwen raised her hand. "Captain, how do we know the slaves are there? The Palace grounds are huge."
Elrond smiled and pointed at Senron, the rogue elf sitting at the bar.
"She has got this info. So don't worry."
Senron swirled her wine glass. "My sources are solid. But... I don't have accurate info on exactly which building they are in. There are four large warehouses in the noble district. We have to check every single one."
"Four buildings," Elrond nodded. "They are really huge."
"But Captain," Amreth asked, spinning a dagger. "What will the Elite Knights be doing?"
Elrond pointed to the map.
"Alith," Elrond said. "You take the first building. Stealth entry."
Alith nodded silently.
"Arwen and Kalman," Elrond continued. "You take the second. Scout and exterminate."
"Amreth," Elrond pointed to the third. "You take the third. Make it flashy if you have to."
"And I," Elrond touched his chest. "I will handle the last one."
"The carriages we brought will be waiting at the rendezvous point. Some of our undercover A-Ranks in this city have secured extra transport. We load them up, and we leave."
Elrond looked back at Markil.
"Markil... listen to me."
"We are doing this tonight. But be very careful."
Elrond's expression darkened.
"You are going to face his personal guard. Viper."
"He is an S-Rank Assassin. A member of the Shadow Guild. He specializes in stealth, neurotoxins, and fast kills. If he cuts you, you might be dead before you bleed."
"There is also a mercenary army protecting the King. We will face some resistance at the warehouses, but the bulk of the army will be guarding Valerius."
Markil rubbed his chin.
"Okay. Viper. Mercenaries. Got it."
Markil paused.
"But... after I kill the King... who is going to handle the Kingdom?"
Markil looked at Elrond seriously.
"If the King dies, the country goes into chaos. The people will suffer. And I promised I wouldn't hurt innocents."
Elrond smiled. "I thought you would say that."
"Don't worry. I have got all the intel."
"The King has a son. Prince Kaelen."
"He is a great noble. Unlike his father, he treats everyone kindly—even other species. He hates the slave trade. The King is trying to mold the boy into a monster, but Kaelen isn't accepting it."
"If Valerius dies... Kaelen takes the throne. And Solara changes."
Markil looked skeptical.
"Elrond... Solara is a slave-trading kingdom. Everyone hates elves here. Why do you think this Prince is any different?"
"I know you will ask me why I trust a human noble," Elrond said confidently.
"Because I checked it myself. Years ago."
Arwen narrowed her eyes.
"Years ago?" Arwen asked slowly. "How many years, Captain?"
Elrond froze. He looked away.
"I don't know... but approximately... 1 year?"
Arwen's jaw dropped. She made a funny, exaggerated face of realization.
"Wait a minute!" Arwen shouted, pointing a finger at him. "SOOOO!"
"Captain! The rumors were true!"
Elrond started sweating. "What rumors?"
"Last year!" Arwen grinned mischievously. "You vanished from the Silver Spires for 10 days! You told us it was a 'Top Secret S-Rank Reconnaissance Mission'!"
"But you just came here to drink the famous Solara Wine, didn't you?!"
The room went silent.
Amreth gasped. "Captain! You abandoned us for booze?!"
Kalman looked betrayed. "Sir... I thought you were fighting a dragon..."
Elrond's face turned bright red. He coughed loudly.
"What... what is the problem?! I... I needed to inspect the vineyards! For... strategic purposes! And if I happen to like the vintage... that's just a bonus!"
Arwen and Amreth made funny faces, mimicking drinking wine. Even Alith cracked a rare smile.
"Okay! Enough!" Elrond shouted, embarrassed.
He composed himself. The humor vanished from his face. The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.
Amreth sat up straight. "So tell me, Captain. What are the orders?"
Elrond raised his hand. The noise of the hideout died down completely.
"Listen to me."
Elrond's voice was low, resonating off the stone walls.
"Tonight, we do not walk as Knights of the Silver Spires."
"Tonight... we walk as shadows."
He pointed at the ceiling, toward the city above.
"Beyond these walls are cages filled with our people."
"Some have forgotten the feel of sunlight."
"Some have forgotten the sound of their own names."
"Some are already praying for death, because it is kinder than another day in chains."
Elrond's eyes hardened into steel.
"We are not here to take revenge."
"We are not here to prove strength."
"We are here to bring them home."
He looked at each of them—Kalman, Amreth, Alith, Arwen… and finally, he locked eyes with Markil.
"If you see a slave fall to their knees, you lift them."
"If you see a child hiding in fear, you become their shield."
"If you see a human who is innocent, you protect them."
Elrond's voice dropped, heavy and cold.
"But if you see a man who hunts Elves for sport..."
He paused.
"...do not show mercy."
He turned toward the exit.
"Tonight, the cages open."
"Tonight, the chains break."
Elrond placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"And tonight..."
"Solara will remember that Elves are not prey."
SHING.
In unison, the four Elven Knights slammed their right fists over their hearts. A perfect, disciplined salute.
"YES, CAPTAIN!"
Markil stood there. He felt the goosebumps rising on his arms.
Wow, Markil thought. That was cool.
He wanted to join in. He looked at the elves.
Fist on chest? Or was it a wave?
Markil panicked slightly. He awkwardly slammed his fist onto his right pectoral muscle, almost coughing from the impact.
"Yes... uh... Captain!" Markil shouted, trying to blend in.
Elrond looked at Markil's clumsy salute.
The serious expression on Elrond's face softened. He smiled. A genuine, hopeful smile.
He doesn't know our customs, Elrond thought. He doesn't know our history.
But he stands with us.
Elrond looked at Markil's determined purple eyes.
You will make this world change someday. I'm sure of it, Markil.
"Move out!"
(Chapter 31 Finished)