The harbor area was fairly open, with a wide wharf running for many blocks. All sorts of ships were docked, their lines as solid as new. Several more ships were anchored offshore.
“You cannot tell me that this is thousands of years old,” Caldal said triumphantly. “Even the dock lines look new.”
Eltor tapped his friend on the shoulder and pointed towards the mouth of the harbor.
“Look quickly before the light fades entirely,” Eltor said. “You can see a swath of jungle blocking the exit to the harbor. Just where do you suppose these ships sail to?”
Caldal followed Eltor’s gaze and saw the jungle stretch across the water. The harbor was a harbor no longer. It was but a lake. Caldal sighed with resignation and hung his head in defeat. The elves walked slowly along the wharf, staring at the ancient vessels. Suddenly, Eltor stopped and stared at two particular ships.
“Look at this, Caldal,” he said excitedly. “This is a perfect specimen of an ancient elven trading ship. I have seen drawings of such a vessel.”
“So have I,” Caldal admitted with awe, “and the smaller one is obviously elven as well.”
“Yes,” nodded Eltor. “It was used either for couriers or scouts. I would love to sail such a vessel. Could you imagine actually sailing in that?”
Caldal just smiled and nodded enthusiastically.
“I am uncomfortable standing in the open like this,” frowned MistyTrail. “Have we seen enough of the harbor now?”
Mistake looked questioningly at Eltor and Caldal.
“Yes,” replied Caldal. “I am sorry for my attitude earlier. I just could not imagine such a sight as we have seen. It is a miracle to have a city preserved in this fashion. Let’s go to the temple. I really do want to read about the truth of our relations with humans.”
MistyTrail smiled at Caldal as Mistake led the group off the wharf and onto a narrow street heading towards the city center. Night claimed the sky as the small group made their way towards the temple. Mistake slowed down considerably because she could not see well enough to determine where the hellsouls were. She could hear distant shrieks, but she could not actually see anything. Suddenly, she stopped short. The rest of the group tensed and drew their swords.
“What is it?” whispered MistyTrail. “Do you see one? Where is it?”
“No,” Mistake whispered back. “I just realized the error of my ways. Emperor Marak will have the door to the temple barricaded to stop the hellsouls from getting in. We will have to bang loudly on the doors with our backs open to the entire plaza. That would be suicide.”
“There is only one door?” gulped Eltor. “What are we to do now?”
“I don’t know,” admitted Mistake. “I should have thought about this sooner.”
“Are we close to the temple?” asked MistyTrail.
“I think so,” nodded mistake, “But I am not sure. I believe the shrieking is probably coming for the plaza. If we are not close, we will be soon. What are you thinking?”
“An air tunnel,” suggested MistyTrail. “If there is enough of a gap in the door, or if there are windows, we can get a message inside. They can open the doors for us.”
“There are balconies,” Mistake said with a glimmer of hope. “Rejji and I stood on one and watched the hellsouls. The Torak just might post a sentry there during the night. It is worth a try.”
Mistake led the group towards the sounds of shrieking. The noise was constant and growing louder with each step. It began to grate on the nerves of the elves. Suddenly, a hellsoul leaped from a doorway as the group was passing. Mistake had already passed by, so the creature swung at closest person. The sword struck Eltor’s shoulder, and the elf leaped away. Caldal and MistyTrail gasped in horror as they brought their swords up. The hellsoul attacked quickly.
The creature swung its sword at Caldal, hitting the elf’s blade. Caldal tried to push the hellsoul backward as the blades clashed. The hellsoul turned its blade and ran it down along the elf’s sword. He nicked Caldal’s hand with his blade, causing the elf to drop his sword. Caldal dove away from the creature in a roll and came up on his feet several paces away. MistyTrail and Mistake both threw knives at the creature. Both knives struck killing blows and the hellsoul fell to the pavement, its sword clattering loudly on the street. Eltor raced to the body and decapitated it. It disappeared in a puff of smoke. Caldal walked over and picked up his sword. Mistake swallowed hard and stared at the wounded elf.
“It is nothing,” braved Caldal. “Just a scratch. Maybe we should not hug the buildings so much.”
Mistake nodded silently and moved away from the buildings as she led the group forward. She said nothing about the incident. MistyTrail sensed a problem. She moved forward until she was right behind Mistake.
“What is the matter?” she whispered.
Mistake did not answer. MistyTrail moved alongside her sister and repeated the question.
“Hellsoul blades are poisoned,” Mistake whispered. “Caldal will die if we don’t get him to a healer. Is there anything that you can do?”
“I can heal wounds,” offered MistyTrail, “but I know little about poisons. If I heal his wound, won’t the poison be sealed inside of him?”
“I know less about healing than you do,” frowned Mistake. “We need to get him to the temple. We have no time to waste.”
Several blocks later, Mistake halted again. The elves gathered around to find out why they were stopping. The shrieking was quite loud and moving figures could be barely seen in the distance, although it was too far to identify them.
“I think that is the back of the temple,” Mistake declared as she pointed to a tall building a block away. At least it looks like it, and the figures moving in the distance are probably in the plaza beyond the temple.”
“Let me try an air tunnel,” offered MistyTrail. “There is something that might be a window a story above the ground.”
“It looks like a balcony,” offered Eltor. “Didn’t you say that you stood on a balcony?”
“I did,” nodded Mistake, “but that was in the front of the temple. I think you are right though. It does look like a balcony. Try it, MistyTrail.”
While the other three stood guard with their swords drawn, MistyTrail wove an air tunnel. She aimed for the balcony and was able to extend the air tunnel into the building, but not very far.
“It is blocked,” frowned MistyTrail. “If there is anyone there, they have not answered me.”
“What now?” asked Eltor. “Do we really pick a building and bed down for the night? We can join up with the others in the morning.”
“No,” Mistake said worriedly. “We have no time to lose. We must do something now.”
Eltor and Caldal looked at Mistake questioningly. She appeared to be very nervous, and neither of them had expected that.
“What?” asked Caldal. “What are you not telling us? Are the hellsouls going to come looking for us?”
Mistake did not reply. She turned from the elves and stared at the moving shapes barely visible blocks away. MistyTrail sighed and grabbed Caldal’s uninjured hand.
“You wound must be treated right away,” MistyTrail said to Caldal.
Mistake turned and glared at MistyTrail. “Why are you telling him? Isn’t it bad enough being surrounded by hellsouls? Now you have to tell him this?”
“It is only a scratch,” protested Caldal. “It does not even hurt.”
“The blade was poisoned,” explained MistyTrail. “I cannot deceive you, Caldal. You will die if we don’t get help immediately.”
“I will go to the front of the temple,” volunteered Eltor. “I will bang on the door and let them know that we need help.”
“No,” Mistake said a little too loudly. “You will die if you do that. This is why I did not want to mention it. Both of you will now offer to throw your lives away so gallantly. Just stop and think. We will find a way out of this without any heroics.”