his scheme.
Though his power was magnified by the immeasurable strength of Reiculf's spiteful energy, the elves were powerful in magic. There were several spell casters within the camp, and if given the opportunity, they might be able to save the elder, not an acceptable outcome, and a mistake Reiculf would certainly not forgive.
In order to avoid a fatal error, Scheff cast his first spell with subtle misdirection. He whispered an incantation into the wind, and his magic cut across the interior of the camp as nothing more than a light breeze.
The spell itself contained no malice. It served as a monitoring tool used by elves when managing large groups. It ensured that all would be accounted for during travel. Scheff, however, altered the spell ever so slightly so it would mark every elf differently.
None of the other elves noticed the spell, or if they did, they discounted it as the routine surveillance of watchful elf guards. Even the most sensitive to the magic failed to recognize a malicious purpose in the ordinary casting. Elves traveled about the forest with casual ease, and magic was often used to monitor common activity.
The spell drifted lazily through the forest, leaving an imprint on each elf. It released a subtle signal to those who knew to look for it. Scheff noted the faint whisper that surrounded the elf elder. It was nothing more than a mere petal in a field of magical flowers, but it was enough for him to follow. He had Shantree marked.
With all the necessary preparations complete, the time had come for his betrayal. He began the assault with theatrical deception. He stalked about the center of the camp, staring into empty air. He stretched out one hand, and then the other as he seemed to grasp at something that wasn't there. He shook his head, muttered with confusion, but continued to prowl about the empty grounds, unsettled and distraught about something no one else could see.
His actions did not go unnoticed. Elf guards protecting the center of the camp watched the elf spell caster with growing alarm. They knew of Scheff's abilities and history, but their concern did not focus upon his past mistakes. They were aware of his magical prowess, and Scheff's behavior appeared to be focused on something beyond physical substance.
Unwilling to allow the uncertainty to continue, they signaled for the captain of the elf guard, and Birk Grund made his way toward the center of the camp. Before he could question the elf spell caster, mayhem erupted.
"We are under attack!" Scheff shouted, but there were no invaders visible. The elf spell caster pointed to empty air, even as the other elves searched for raiders of any kind.
Birk rushed to Scheff's side.
"What is happening?" the elf captain demanded.
"A cloak of invisibility hides them."
"Who?"
"River rogues! They have already breached the outer patrols."
Birk instinctively looked to the grounds and surrounding brush. Even rogues cloaked in spells should have been detected by highly trained elf guards.
"But there are no signs," the captain questioned, "even if invisible, there would be other indications."
"I do not understand it, either," Scheff lied, "but they are there!"
"How many?"
"Hundreds."
Hundreds of river rogues invading the center of an elf camp was a peril too dangerous to ignore. Even if he could not see or hear them, Birk had to accept the warning as legitimate. Without being able to pinpoint the location of the enemy, his first order focused on defense.
"Everyone in the trees! Move to elevated positions. Guards! Bows to the ready!"
The maneuver was expected by the cunning elf spell caster and Scheff moved forward with his plans.
"I will cover our escape."
Scheff placed his hands together and a perfect circle of violet magic rolled around his wrists. With a snap of his hands, the ring of energy expanded instantly into a thick, blanket of fog that rushed outward in all directions. In a matter of moments, the entire camp was engulfed in a
Though his power was magnified by the immeasurable strength of Reiculf's spiteful energy, the elves were powerful in magic. There were several spell casters within the camp, and if given the opportunity, they might be able to save the elder, not an acceptable outcome, and a mistake Reiculf would certainly not forgive.
In order to avoid a fatal error, Scheff cast his first spell with subtle misdirection. He whispered an incantation into the wind, and his magic cut across the interior of the camp as nothing more than a light breeze.
The spell itself contained no malice. It served as a monitoring tool used by elves when managing large groups. It ensured that all would be accounted for during travel. Scheff, however, altered the spell ever so slightly so it would mark every elf differently.
None of the other elves noticed the spell, or if they did, they discounted it as the routine surveillance of watchful elf guards. Even the most sensitive to the magic failed to recognize a malicious purpose in the ordinary casting. Elves traveled about the forest with casual ease, and magic was often used to monitor common activity.
The spell drifted lazily through the forest, leaving an imprint on each elf. It released a subtle signal to those who knew to look for it. Scheff noted the faint whisper that surrounded the elf elder. It was nothing more than a mere petal in a field of magical flowers, but it was enough for him to follow. He had Shantree marked.
With all the necessary preparations complete, the time had come for his betrayal. He began the assault with theatrical deception. He stalked about the center of the camp, staring into empty air. He stretched out one hand, and then the other as he seemed to grasp at something that wasn't there. He shook his head, muttered with confusion, but continued to prowl about the empty grounds, unsettled and distraught about something no one else could see.
His actions did not go unnoticed. Elf guards protecting the center of the camp watched the elf spell caster with growing alarm. They knew of Scheff's abilities and history, but their concern did not focus upon his past mistakes. They were aware of his magical prowess, and Scheff's behavior appeared to be focused on something beyond physical substance.
Unwilling to allow the uncertainty to continue, they signaled for the captain of the elf guard, and Birk Grund made his way toward the center of the camp. Before he could question the elf spell caster, mayhem erupted.
"We are under attack!" Scheff shouted, but there were no invaders visible. The elf spell caster pointed to empty air, even as the other elves searched for raiders of any kind.
Birk rushed to Scheff's side.
"What is happening?" the elf captain demanded.
"A cloak of invisibility hides them."
"Who?"
"River rogues! They have already breached the outer patrols."
Birk instinctively looked to the grounds and surrounding brush. Even rogues cloaked in spells should have been detected by highly trained elf guards.
"But there are no signs," the captain questioned, "even if invisible, there would be other indications."
"I do not understand it, either," Scheff lied, "but they are there!"
"How many?"
"Hundreds."
Hundreds of river rogues invading the center of an elf camp was a peril too dangerous to ignore. Even if he could not see or hear them, Birk had to accept the warning as legitimate. Without being able to pinpoint the location of the enemy, his first order focused on defense.
"Everyone in the trees! Move to elevated positions. Guards! Bows to the ready!"
The maneuver was expected by the cunning elf spell caster and Scheff moved forward with his plans.
"I will cover our escape."
Scheff placed his hands together and a perfect circle of violet magic rolled around his wrists. With a snap of his hands, the ring of energy expanded instantly into a thick, blanket of fog that rushed outward in all directions. In a matter of moments, the entire camp was engulfed in a
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