Just being a dark elf in Warhammer

An elegant eagle-bowed ship moved silently up the river, its hull cutting through the water silently as the Asur crew rowed in a steady rhythm, pushing the boat forward.

The sails were furled and the masts were lowered to avoid the dark, twisted branches that pressed into the river from both sides. Even though the sun had not yet risen to the zenith, the weak light it cast in the cold land could hardly penetrate the thick and jagged treetops.

At the bow, a tall and slender elf stared at the waterway ahead. His features were smooth, his face was oval, and his eyes were deep, with almost no whites in them. His long silver-gold hair was bound by a bronze headband, and one hand held a gracefully curved longbow inlaid with gold patterns and surrounded by silver threads. The other hand grasped the hilt of a leaf-shaped sword. He wore a sky-blue robe embroidered with golden horses, and underneath it was a shining silver armor of Ithramar.

"How deep is the water?" The river slowly turned in a lazy bend. He leaned over the side of the boat, trying to see the riverbed through the black water, but he quickly gave up. He asked directly without turning his head.

"Maybe one meter, maybe less, my lord, I don't think we should go deep, we should dock immediately."

Eldan nodded, turned and walked along the deck of the shallow-bottomed boat, then signaled to the helmsman at the stern to sail to the shore. When he heard the sound of water when the ship changed course, his eyes cast to the gloomy woods on the river bank. He couldn't help wondering what kind of disaster could turn this country into such a desolate and dead scene.

Soon, the boat approached the shore, and he turned his eyes from the ghostly forest to the obsidian water, watching the ripples unfolding at the stern. A dozen graceful swan-like ships followed the ship, and an imposing figure stood on one of the ships, wearing a beautifully tailored robe.

The figure was Eldan's brother, Kyleil, and only his brother would choose to wear the garb of the Phoenix Court for such a dangerous raid, so far from the Phoenix Court.

Kyleil sensed his brother's gaze and drew his sword, raising it above his head. But Eldan did not respond to the gesture, turning back to the approaching shore.

Thick ferns and tangled tree roots stretched out to the surface of the water, and as the boat approached, Eldan leaped lightly onto the land of Naggaroth. Even through his finely crafted boots, he could still feel the cold of the land, a cold that came not from the climate but from the depths of his soul.

He shuddered, drew his bow and arrow, and scanned the dark brush and dead forest for potential enemies. But there was nothing, no movement, no sign of life.

Clammy mist lingered at the roots of the twisted trees, and sharp rocks and thorns scattered on the gray ground, scattered throughout the desolate forest landscape. For an Asur from the Kingdom of Arion, who was used to the magical forest, this desolate scene made him extremely disgusted.

A group of shadow warriors passed by him quietly like ghosts and scattered into the dark forest. He loosened the bowstring and put the arrow back into the quiver. He was sure that anything close to the landing point would not escape the eyes of these ghosts.

"This is a great adventure, isn't it, brother?"

A young and energetic voice came from behind, and Eldan turned around and faced Kaelir. His brother was handsome, with a boyish appearance and an infectious smile. It was this smile that helped Kaelir escape countless dangers, which was more effective than Kaelir's excellent swordsmanship.

"The country of Duruchi is not a good place for exploration. Except for the one from the Anar family, no Asur has returned to Ulthuan alive after raiding Naggaroth. This is a land of death, torture and pain." Eldan warned in a serious tone.

"Indeed, but soon this land will also become a nightmare for our enemies, won't it?" Kaelir smiled.

"If all goes well, we will return to Ulthuan as Aris did."

"Brother, I trust you. You are always better at making plans than I am."

Eldan said nothing more, and he walked to the other side of the river.

After disembarking, the Arion Reavers, dressed in shining light armor and creamy robes, quickly formed a defensive circle around the ship. The crew efficiently unloaded the passengers and brought the magnificent elven horses to dry land. The horses could also feel the darkness here, and their loud neighs conveyed to Eldan their anxiety about this land.

He felt his brother approaching, and his irritability rose again, but his brother did not move closer to him, but jumped on the back of Aidalis.

Aidalis was a gray mare raised by Kaelir since childhood. It raised its front hooves high and kicked in the air. It was obvious that after a long voyage, it was extremely happy to be able to fight side by side with its companions.

Eldan, who had adjusted his mood, turned around with a smile on his face, watching a crew member lead Rosalin down the gangplank. He walked over, took the reins handed over by the crew member, and patted the black warhorse's sturdy body. While patting, Rosalin kept shaking his mane, obviously dissatisfied with this land.

"I know, I know. I also hope to leave this dark place as soon as possible, but we must complete our mission." Eldan whispered and comforted.

Like his brother, he had a warhorse that he had raised with care since its infancy, and which he considered a loyal companion. Savage monkeys would beat a warhorse to break its spirit, but the Asur of Arion spent their lives cultivating a bond of trust with their horses that would be unthinkable otherwise.

Of all the inland kingdoms of Ulthuan, Arion was the most beautiful, and he knew his fellows in Avelorn would say the same, but they had never lived in the warmth of eternal summer, nor had they ever ridden the fine horses of Arion across the open lands in the cool breeze. They had never scaled the peaks of the craters, or raced along the ridges in pursuit of prey.

His smile faltered as he looked over at his brother, who was laughing with the other warriors. But soon, he adjusted himself again. He began to check whether Lotharin had any discomfort during the voyage, but after checking, he found that the crew had carefully ensured that the warhorse could complete any tasks needed when they arrived in Naggaroth.

He jumped onto Lotharin's back. It was a pleasure to be able to ride a horse again after a long sea journey. It was an honor to ride such a creature. Although black warhorses were often seen as a symbol of bad luck among the Asur, he would rather cut off his arm than choose another mount.

Eighty Elion Reavers saw Eldan's actions and mounted their horses. They were lightly equipped for fast movement and carried bows, spears and light javelins.

"Brother, are we ready?" Keliel asked as he rode to Eldan's side.

"We will know soon," Eldan responded, who could hear the excitement in his brother's voice.

At this time, a shadow warrior wearing a gray cloak walked out of the mist covering the dark tree trunks.

Eldan considered himself agile, having attended the grandest masquerades and balls, and his graceful dance steps were difficult for elves a hundred years younger than him to match, but the shadow warrior's movements were so light that it seemed as if his toes did not touch the ground, but floated above it. The gray cloak woven like mist shone in the faint light, and the hood covered his face, hiding the shadow warrior's face in darkness.

"Safe."

"Very good, you take three warriors to lead us to Kakkar Karond, and the others stay here to guard the ship." Eldan nodded.

"As you command."

"Can the warriors who will accompany us keep up with us? Do they need to ride horses?"

"They can keep up with you." The shadow warrior said slowly, then turned around and made a silent signal to the forest. Then, the shadow warriors emerged silently from the forest.

"You haven't fought for too long, brother." Keliel approached Eldan and lowered his voice to make sure that only the two of them could hear this.

"What do you mean?"

"These are the shadow warriors of the Anar family! I bet they could have traveled to and from Clar Karond once before we were halfway there."

"Yes, you may be right. But there is no harm in checking these things. Never make any assumptions in war, especially when fighting against the Duruchi. You must be doubly careful." Eldan nodded. Despite saying so, at this moment, he felt that his question was indeed a bit stupid.

"Brother, you forget that you and your father are not the only ones in our family who have fought against the Duruchi. I have also shed their blood." Kelier raised his burned hand and said.

Eldan remembered it clearly, and the thought of this incident and the silver engagement ring on Kelier's burned finger made him feel bitter.

One year ago, Ulthuan.

"Sit higher and keep your balance on the saddle. Let her enjoy the ride, too. You are not taming her, but sharing this moment with her."

"I'm trying, but she's running too fast. I'm afraid I'll fall off." Rianna said with a laugh.

"She'll never let you fall off." Kelil smiled and watched Aidalis trotting around him briskly. He knew the horse was just teasing the elf girl riding on her back.

As Kelil's words fell, Aidalis quickened her pace, and Rianna let out a scream of excitement and fear. The warhorse ran with its head raised proudly, and Kelil knew that Aidalis was showing off to Rianna's mount.

Rianna's mount was a silver warhorse named Osern, with silver stripes shining and a confident light flashing in its green eyes, but Aidalis was obviously stronger than him.

"Are you sure?" Rianna asked.

"I'm very sure that she likes you. I can see it."

"Hoss, even the horses here have accepted me."

Kellyer smiled and said nothing more. He just watched Rhianna riding on Idalis's back and enjoying the sight of two beautiful creatures galloping freely in the bright afternoon sun.

Rhianna's golden hair fluttered in the air, and her white robe fluttered in the wind, like the high-flying flag of a silver-helmeted knight. Her features were delicate, but contained a kind of determination. Her almond-shaped eyes were like deep lake water, with a hint of golden light.

Kellyer longed to touch Rhianna, to feel the soft hair and the smooth marble skin against his body. But he kept these thoughts in his heart, because Rhianna was not his woman, and he should not have such desires.

Kelil and Rhiana's families have been close allies for generations, and their ancestors have fought alongside the Phoenix King against Druch. Rhiana's father is a powerful archmage who lives in the floating castle of the Kingdom of Saffre, a fantasy palace filled with rare flowers from all over the world. Kelil's father is one of the most powerful knights in Erion, with unparalleled riding and martial skills.

However, a year ago, the poisonous blade of a Druchi Assassin ended Kelil's father's reign, leaving him paralyzed and in constant pain. The poison consumed his father's body, and his brother Eldan took over the responsibility of protecting the territory.

Rhiana kept laughing, her laughter echoing around as Eldaris slowed down and began to move deftly between the rocks.

Kelil walked towards Rianna, feeling happy listening to Rianna's laughter. It had been a long time since his father had been paralyzed and the manor had not echoed with laughter like this.

The vast grasslands of Airion show an endless green scene in the distance. As the horse-producing land of Ulthuan, huge herds of elven horses roam the vast plains of Airion, and the silver river of the Airil River meanders. It crosses this landscape and eventually flows into the beautiful Tal Alir and into the bay of the Twilight Sea.

Built on a series of lush green islands, Tal Allir is majestic and carved from the rock. Broad streets criss-crossed the city, the spiers of villas and palaces were inlaid with silver and gold, colorful flags fluttered in the breeze, and the wizard's towers shone with magic, blooming like bubbles. Connecting these islands of magnificent architecture is a graceful network of bridges that gracefully span the emerald waters.

Looking at the country of Elion is to witness the beauty, and the anger in Kelier's heart was calmed. Rianna walked up to him and placed her hand gently on his arm, Rianna's touch making his blood rush faster, and he felt a rush of desire when Rianna smiled at him. He looked at such beautiful scenery, but knew in his heart that it did not belong to him.

"If the doctors can't cure him, can they at least make him more comfortable?"

"They were just busy talking about new ointments or magic potions, but they were powerless to stop the poison from eating him from the inside." Kelly shook his head sadly.

"My father will do his best, but..."

"I know he will, he's a true friend, just like you." Kelly nodded and took Rianna's hand.

"I remember the first time my father took me to Tal Alil, when you were young and full of enthusiasm and passion. I watched you showing off on horseback and I thought you looked very Handsome." Rianna said with a smile.

"I will always remember that day. You were wearing a sky-blue silk robe, as blue as the summer sky. I thought you were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen."

"You're making fun of me."

"No, I've been in love with you since we first met."

"Stop talking! Such words are not polite." Rianna said softly.

Although no one was around to hear each other's words, Kelly saw signs of a smile forming on Rianna's lips.

"I am your partner. Wasn't it my brother who personally asked me to take you to ride a horse and teach you how to become an Elion knight?"

"Your brother trusts your character."

"He shouldn't have trusted me to be alone with such a beautiful you. And if he was really worried, why didn't he take you for a ride himself?"

"Your brother bears the heavy responsibility of maintaining your family territory. He is doing a noble thing, which consumes a lot of his energy. He has no time to accompany me to do such...easy things."

Hearing the sorrow in Rianna's words, Kelly's eyes dimmed. Although he knew this was wrong, he noticed a glimmer of opportunity. After his father was paralyzed, his brother became taciturn and spent all his time dealing with the complicated affairs of the family domain.

He was never asked for help, never offered to help, preferring the thrill of adventure in the ringed mountains to dealing with the monotony of business. To hunt the legendary white lion. Those snow-white furs worn by the white lion guards are his life!

What’s the fun in running a house? What honor or glory is there in something as trivial as making a list? No, it is better to be a hunter, or a brave adventurer on the plains.

"Eldan has a good heart."

"Indeed." Kelly agreed at first, and then said, "But he was so stupid to let such a beautiful flower wither. I will never let myself be distracted from your happiness."

Just when Rhiana was about to say something, Othan behind her let out a high-pitched neigh, and she turned around in surprise.

Kelil, who also turned around, couldn't see anything that might arouse the war horse's vigilance, but he knew that Othern, as a Savri war horse, had far greater senses than him. He immediately stood up and reached out to help Rianna.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Rianna asked while squeezing the hand that Kelly offered and stood up.

"I don't know!" After Kelly answered, she turned and ran towards Idalis. In the process, Othern's hind hooves soared into the air, and his alarm-like neighing became more and more rapid. He ran faster, and as he approached the approaching Eldaris, he drew his sword and scanned the horizon for any possible predators.

"I didn't see anything." Rianna also ran to Osern and took out the bow hanging behind the saddle. It was an exquisite longbow inlaid with pearls, exuding a magical atmosphere. After pulling the bowstring, she said.

"I didn't see it either. This may not be an ordinary predator. Maybe it's a chimera, or a multi-headed snake, or even worse."

"Then we should go, immediately!"

"No, it's not time yet. I want to see what it is. Imagine, a creature created by magic! Don't you want to see what this power can create?" Kellier shook his head with some excitement.

"No, I don't want to! If they are as dangerous as you said, I really hope to avoid encountering such monsters, and you should..." Rianna caught Kellier's movements halfway through her speech, and then looked where Kellier was looking.

A sliding shadow that shouldn't have appeared appeared on the rock above, and something was moving...something that didn't want to be discovered.

At that moment, Kellier's hair stood up, and a burning fear rose in his belly. He realized that this was neither a predator in the mountains nor a monster summoned by magic, but a being more terrifying than these things.

"Ryanana, hurry, hurry! Get on the horse and go to Tal Ailil." Kelil urged anxiously.

"What is it?"

"Quick! It's Duruchi!"

Before he finished speaking, three crossbow arrows appeared from the rocks above, cutting through the air and shooting in the direction of Kelil. He quickly twisted his body and swung his sword to cut off the first two crossbow arrows. Before his sword stopped, he heard Ryanana's cry of pain. He glanced back and found that the third crossbow arrow had been embedded in Ryanana's shoulder. Soon, blood soaked her dress. He shouted angrily. At this time, three figures in black robes appeared from the hiding place above.

"Ryanana!" Looking at Ryanana leaning weakly on the side of the warhorse, he shouted loudly.

"Is that her name? When I whisper her name, her begging for mercy will make me enjoy torturing her even more." The leader, Druki, taunted.

Hearing the voice, Kelil turned to face Druki. He found that Druki was an elf with a sharp face, pale ivory skin and an eagle-like nose. Like the two Druki behind him, this Druki's head was shaved, with a tuft of long black hair hanging from the back of his head. Druki wore a light black cloth robe that swallowed the sun, holding a deadly crossbow in his hand, and the arrow never moved away from his heart.

"Don't even think about touching her." He knew that although such a weapon had a smaller range and power, at such a close distance, he would be easily shot through without armor. He raised his sword, blocked it, roared, and moved between Druki and Rianna.

"You think you can stop me? I have taken countless heads on the battlefield, and yours is just one of them."

"I would rather die than let you take her away."

"Then it's as you wish." Duruchi said as he prepared to pull the trigger.

But before the crossbow arrows were fired, the crossbows ignited flames, and the shining flames jumped from one crossbow to another. The Duruchi screamed in fear and dropped their weapons in pain.

The alert Kelil felt the magic power coming from behind him, and then heard the sound of Rianna falling to the ground. He knew that this magic had exhausted Rianna's last strength.

He seized this momentary opportunity and charged, and the sword in his hand pierced the chest of the enemy closest to him like a venomous snake. The stabbed Duruchi coughed in his throat and fell to the ground, blood gushing out of his mouth. After a hit, he roared loudly and attacked the other Duruchi.

The Duruchi who spoke before easily blocked Kelil's attack, and then quickly counterattacked, stabbing Kelil in the abdomen. Kelil barely blocked the blow, spinning his sword to entangle with his weapon and counterattacked him in the head. He quickly lowered his head to avoid Kelil's counterattack, and at the same time, another Duruchi began to circle to Kelil's left.

He rushed over and attacked at the same time as his companion. Kelil blocked the blow, turned to block the slash from the side, and counterattacked. He blocked Kelil's attack again and delivered a fatal blow to Kelil's chest.

But Kelil successfully deflected the blow, and he turned with the momentum, and the blade of the sword passed over Duruchi's head, cutting Duruchi's forehead, and blood flowed from the wound.

After a brief confrontation, he and Duruchi pulled away from each other. It was called a confrontation, but in fact he was surrounded. Two Duruchi surrounded him from both sides, with expectant sneers on their faces.

"You will pay the price for killing Nek, he is my relative, my brother!" The leading Duruchi hissed.

"I thought Duruchi didn't care about blood relatives." Kelly countered.

"Indeed, you are right... but he owes me Sovereign!"

As soon as the voice fell, the confrontation ended, and Duruchi launched an attack, and the weapon made a clanging sound.

Kelly had foreseen this, and he quickly stepped back, turned his body, and stabbed the neck of another Duruchi who tried to sneak attack him from behind.

The long sword penetrated deep into Duruchi's throat, his eyes suddenly widened, blood gushed out of his torn throat, and then he fell to the ground dead.

Although another one was solved, Kelil felt a burning pain on his back. Druch's dagger cut through his robe and cut into a finger-deep wound. He screamed in pain, the sword came out of his hand, and he fell to his knees. Druchi approached step by step, preparing to deliver a fatal blow. When the dagger fell, he quickly rolled on the ground and avoided Druch's thrust.

"The Dread Lords of Naggaroth often boast of the might of the Phoenix King's warriors, but you are nothing but a pathetic loser. Tell me, young man, have you heard the call of Mora'ig? She will be coming to you soon. ." Druch stood beside Kelly, with blood dripping from his dagger and a disdainful sneer on his face.

After lying on the ground, Kelly felt the touch of burning wood and metal, and groped carefully. Soon, he held a smooth wooden handle.

"If you hear wailing, it's coming for you!"

At the same time as shouting, Kelier suddenly turned the charred repeating crossbow and pulled the trigger. For the first time in his life, he was grateful for Druch's craftsmanship, which could still be used normally after being burned. Ignoring the burning caused by the remaining flames, he kept pulling the trigger until the black quiver was empty.

Druchi looked down at the four crossbow arrows stuck in his chest and abdomen. The expression on his face was more of surprise than pain. His sword slipped from his hand and his body fell to the ground. Blood slowly seeped out from his dark clothes, but even as his life passed, he still sneered at Kelil.

"Do you think you won?" he gasped.

"You will die before me." Kelly stood up with difficulty.

"You kill me, young man, but the Dark Rider is not far behind me, and you will still die..."

After confirming that Druch was dead, Kelil turned away, picked up his sword, and limped towards Rianna.

Rhiana lay next to the warhorse, which nuzzled her anxiously, the arrow piercing her shoulder but bouncing off her collarbone, emerging from beneath her skin. Kelly walked over and felt the shaft of the arrow, just under her skin.

"I have never seen such a sight... You are so spectacular... just like the sword master of Hoth." Rianna whispered weakly, her eyelids trembling slightly, her face as pale as paper.

"Don't move, this is going to hurt."

Rianna nodded, closed her eyes, and Keliel drew the sword blade along the path of the arrow, and gently pulled the arrow out of her body.

Kelly hugged Rianna tightly as she screamed in pain, hoping that he could bear the pain for Rianna. Then they stood up with difficulty, and he used the dead Druchi's cloak to make a makeshift bandage to bandage their wounds.

“We don’t have much time, there must be more of them and they won’t be too far away.

"We must warn Tal Alir."

Kelly nodded, put his hands together, and helped Rianna get on the horse. Rianna moved closer to him and placed her palm against his cheek before mounting her horse.

"You saved my life, Kelly, and I will never forget that." After Rianna finished speaking, she kissed Kelly on the lips.

"I will do anything for you, my lady." Kelly responded after being kissed, and the pain of the wound was already forgotten.

Now, Nagaroth.

Eldan saw the shadow warrior step out from behind a thick tree trunk, raising his fist to signal his marauders to stop, and he reined in his horse.

"Krakalond is just over the hillside ahead. Where the trees thin out and the ground slopes downward, Druch's tower can be clearly seen."

"Well done, where are the other warriors?" Eldan nodded and replied. He could clearly feel the disgust for Druch from every word of the shadow warriors. At the same time, his heart also surged with hatred for those The urge to attack from the enemy that killed his father.

The leading shadow warrior waved his hand, and the other two shadow warriors walked out of the shadows.

Eldan did not notice the two Shadow Warriors, and was annoyed that he had not noticed their presence, even though the Shadow Warriors' specialty was avoiding detection.

"Why should we stop?" asked Kelil, riding next to him.

"The trees are sparse ahead, and we are approaching Krakarond." Erdan explained.

“At last the time has come, I am tired of this forest, it weighs heavily on my soul.”

"Indeed, stay here, I will go to the front with the shadow warriors to scout."

Without waiting for Kelil to complain, Erdan dismounted and took the bow in its oiled leather sheath from the saddle bag. He nodded to the shadow warrior and then disappeared into the forest. Seeing the shadow warrior walking effortlessly in front, he felt like a clumsy monkey. He tried to imitate the shadow warrior's stealthy steps, but it was as if every fragile branch and fallen leaf was deliberately getting under the soles of his boots.

The scouting team moved forward slowly, and although the leaden afternoon sunlight was welcome after five days of trekking, it was no comfort to an elf who grew up in Ulthuan. Each day is heavier than the last, and the forests of this icy land are nothing like those of Ulthuan.

Despite the alternation of day and night, the sun neither warmed the skin nor nourished the soul, but instead sucked life, casting a shadow of fear and doubt over their ranks.

The days were bleak, and the nights were terrifying. The darkness of Naggaroth was unbroken by torches or moonlight, and strange sounds echoed in the depths of the forest and in the sky above them. Branches rustled, leaves snapped, and sounds like the shrieks of a deranged child floated through the air. The darkness enveloped the team, so that each warrior was afraid to break the silence of the darkness.

Every night when they camped, Eldan thought of Rianna, and his fear would be slightly relieved as Rianna's face floated in his mind. But each time, the betrayal of memory would always send cold fragments into his heart, because Kaelil's figure would always come uninvited.

Eldan shook off these thoughts, and the ground began to rise, and he felt a pressure on his shoulders. He looked up at the hooded face of the shadow warrior, and the shadow warrior nodded slowly, indicating that he should look at a thorny thorn bush near the edge of the slope. Then, the shadow warrior lay on the ground and crawled into the thorn bush.

Eldan followed behind, knowing that he would have to dispose of the robe after the raid. The raiders often say that in the wild, survival never gives way to dignity. But when wearing clothes tailored by the tailors and seamstresses of Lothern, it is different.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but finally he crawled to the thorn bush. He pushed aside the thorny branches and saw the whole picture of the hateful city of Clar Karond. (End of this chapter)