“We could take those weapons,” Caldal whispered to Eltor. “Surely we could escape without the humans noticing us? We are elves after all.”
“Only when the time is right,” insisted Eltor, “and the time is not yet right. We will meet this human emperor and then leave. Be patient.”
“I will be patient,” Caldal grudgingly agreed, “but I will not say anything to him about Elvangar. The humans must not know anything about our homeland. That is the law.”
“I know the law,” retorted Eltor as he watched the human bathe. “We will tell him about Motanga and nothing else. As soon as we are out of this palace, we will find our own way home. I am sure that we can lose the humans easily.”
“We can steal a boat and put this human land behind us,” nodded Caldal.
“I am not pleased to be reduced to stealing,” frowned Eltor.
“Why not?” asked Caldal. “These humans are our enemies just as much as the ones on Motanga. We stole their boat.”
“These humans have not threatened our lives yet,” posed Eltor. “I cannot see them in the same light as Vand’s people.”
“I can,” scowled Caldal. “Just because they have not threatened us yet is no reason to believe that they won’t. All humans are alike. They are not to be trusted. They are our enemies. I will slit one of their throats to get a ship. Maybe we should try to take the emperor hostage when we meet him and demand a ship as ransom?”
“He will likely be well guarded,” frowned Eltor. “The humans would never be foolish enough to leave him in the presence of strangers without guards.”
“We shall see,” Caldal said stubbornly.
“We don’t even know how to get back to Elvangar,” Eltor pointed out. “Suppose we do succeed in getting a ship? Then what? We don’t know which direction to sail.”
“We need to find some charts of the human land,” nodded Caldal. “Maybe we can determine something about our location when we see them?”
The human warrior stepped out of the tub and dried himself. He walked to the wide closet and opened the door. The warrior was hidden from the elves by the door to the closet. As the human dressed, Caldal silently dashed across the room and snared two knives from the pile of weapons. He raced back to Eltor and placed the weapons under the gray uniforms that the marshal had laid out for the elves.
“That is enough washing for me,” Caldal said loudly. “I guess we should try to fit into these uniforms now so we look nice when we meet the emperor.”
The warrior smiled inwardly as he slipped on his clean white uniform. Caldal grinned as he pulled on the gray uniform and slid the stolen knife under his tunic. Eltor had just managed to hide his knife when the door to the closet slammed shut. He looked over at the warrior and his eyes grew wide. The once dirty warrior stood in a clean white uniform with broad gold bands running through it. Emperor Marak grinned at the elves as he fastened his cape.
“Not exactly what you expected to see?” asked the Emperor as he walked to his pile of weapons and began picking them up. “You have much to learn about humans. We are not your enemies.”
Caldal fidgeted with his hand beneath his tunic. Emperor Marak stared coldly at him while Eltor gently laid his hand on his friend’s shoulder in a calm warning.
“You do not want to start this relationship by dying,” warned the Emperor as he stuffed his stars into a pouch. “Leave your knife where it is, and no one will get hurt.”
Caldal saw the Emperor standing across the room holding his still-sheathed sword. He knew that the missing knives had been noted, and that they would soon be taken back. He thought this would be his last chance to attack. If he could wound the Emperor now and take him hostage, they would have a free pass out of Khadora. Caldal pulled his knife and threw it at Emperor Marak.
The Emperor’s sword rose swiftly, knocking the flying knife to the floor. He quickly swung the sword to one side, causing the sheath to slide off the sinuous blade. He shook his head sadly as he held the two-handed sword before him.
“I would have credited you with more sense than that,” the Emperor said softly. “I will have the other knife dropped to the floor now.”
Eltor swallowed hard and nodded. He reached under his tunic and dropped the stolen knife to the floor. He kicked it across the room towards the Emperor.
“We are not your enemy,” Emperor Marak declared as he retrieved his sheath and slid the sword into it. “I had hoped that you would realize that without being told.”
The Emperor retrieved the knives and slid them into sheaths on his belt. He positioned the sheathed sword so it hung down his back and then flipped the cape over it. Neither elf spoke, and when the Emperor had all of his weapons restored, he walked over and stood before them.
“Are not Mistake and MistyTrail elves?” he asked.
“They are,” nodded Eltor.
“Then why do you assume that we would be your enemies?” asked the Emperor. “Mistake and MistyTrail are well accepted and loved in this land. We have no reason to hate you.”
“All humans are our enemies,” declared Caldal. “That is our law.”
“Then your laws need changing,” stated the Emperor. “Are all elves thieves?”
“I did not steal your knife,” shrugged Caldal. “I meant to return it.”
“And return it you did,” retorted the Emperor, “although not in a friendly manner. I was referring to your plan to steal a boat.”
Caldal’s mouth dropped open as he turned and looked across the room to where the warrior had bathed. He looked back at the Emperor and shook his head.
“You heard us talking?” asked Caldal. “How is that possible?”
“I heard everything,” nodded the Emperor. “It was not a conversation that pleased me. I had wanted very much to meet elves in the hopes that a friendship could be developed between our peoples, but I can see now that the elves prefer a world ruled by Vand instead of Kaltara.”
“Never,” spat Eltor. “How can you say such a thing?”
“Just who do you think Vand will attack after he is done destroying us?” asked the Emperor. “Do you think that Elvangar is immune to such attacks? Has not Vand attacked Elvangar before?”
“Humans attacked us many ages ago,” replied Eltor. “That is why you are our enemies. We once trusted humans and traded with them, but they returned our friendship with treachery.”
“It was Vand who attacked you,” declared Emperor Marak. “He will do so again. You have been to the Island of Darkness. Can you doubt that the attack will come?”
“How would you know who attacked us ages ago?” asked Caldal. “You are just making up stories to befriend us. When you know what you need to know, you will discard us and lay plans for attacking Elvangar.”
“What if I could prove to you that Vand attacked the elves to create a division between human and elf?” asked Emperor Marak. “Would you be willing to carry a message from me to your king?”
“The king died years ago,” replied Eltor. “Queen Alycia rules the elves.”
“Are you saying that you will allow us to go home?” Caldal asked skeptically.
“I want you to go home,” assured Emperor Marak. “Even if your queen refuses to establish relations with us, she must be informed of what is happening on the Island of Darkness. Vand will not be satisfied with only our destruction. He will seek to destroy the elves as well.”
“How can you possibly prove what happened ages ago?” asked Eltor.
“I will take you to the lost city of Angragar,” offered Emperor Marak. “There you will be able to read scrolls from thousands of years ago. The history of good relations between your people and mine is well documented. The story of Vand is also documented. Will you accept my offer?”
Eltor and Caldal exchanged skeptical glances. Emperor Marak turned and walked away to let the elves discuss his proposition between themselves. He did not bother to construct an air tunnel to listen in. Instead he waited by the door. Finally the elves crossed the room to the door.
“We will accompany you to Angragar,” stated Eltor. “We will also hold you to your offer to allow us to leave this land, regardless of whether or not we find the proof you say exists. Do you agree?”