001

Of the many inns that dot the landscape of Cambre this one was as typical as any other.  The same rustic, wooden charm.  The stone chimneys releasing lazy wisps of smoke into the sky as promise of warmth within.  The stone wall surrounding it, the well in the courtyard, the stables with the soft sounds of horses eating and sleeping.  Nothing seemed to make this one stand out from any other at all.

The only thing unique about it was Celine, who went wearily about her task of cleaning up the dining room after the dinner crowd had dissipated. It was a small country inn that also served as the area’s only restaurant and was a popular place for the local farm folk and workers from the nearby village to meet in the evenings to socialize and discuss the day and hear the news.  Still others came to see her.

Celine didn’t like to stand out.  Rather she wanted to be unnoticed and avoid attention.  But it was hard for her not to.  Her people almost never came this far north into the lands of Men.  She needed shelter and money so here she was, cleaning tables and rooms and bringing people their food.

Taller than most girls, hair the color of bright gold, and skin pale and perfect, though it wasn’t her beauty alone that brought them.  She gave a side glance at the table of three young men trying not to look as though they were staring at her.  Celine had never seen them before and with a small inward sigh knew that she was the reason for them being there.  After all, she was most likely the only elf they’d ever see in their lives.

“Kat,” Celine called to the girl at the bar dusting off some bottles.  “Come help with this.”

Kat looked at Celine and smiled with the same sweet enthusiasm she always had when smiling at Celine.  Kat was a pretty girl in her own right, shorter than Celine with reddish hair and tan skin.  Kat’s curves also filled out her dress much more impressively than Celine’s slender figure did.  Though Celine still got all the attention Kat never seemed to show any sort of jealousy.  Kat always did seem to stare at Celine as much as the boys at the table did though, despite the fact the two had work alongside each other for several months.  The two cleared some empty mugs off a table and carried them off to the kitchen together.

“Kat,” Celine said softly to the girl when they’d left the dinning room.  “If those boys call for more can you tend them?  Their eyes won’t be so disappointed to have only you to feast on.”

Kat giggled a little.  “I suppose so.  The dark-haired one is handsome I think.”

“Thinking of entertaining him?” Celine said with a slight grin.

“Ah, I’m not sure.  Our room is small and I don’t want to bother you.”

“I can be elsewhere.”

“No!” Kat hissed, “You should not sleep in someone else’s bed!  You are too pretty for them!”

“I think you misunderstand,” Celine said.

“Good,” Kat replied.  “Their hands are too rough and dirty for you.”

“Hmm,” Celine mused “Mine are rough and dirty as well,” she said while holding them up.

“They are not!”

“I’m done here finally,” Celine says stretching her arms over her head.  “I need air.”

“I think those boys are calling,” Kat said.  “I will go!  You rest!”

Celine smiled as Kat departed, then stepped through the kitchen and out the back door to the yard facing the forest. It was a clear and crisp early autumn night, the quarter moon low in the starlight sky hanging above the tall unspoiled tree-tops. The smell of pine from the forest tickled her nose as a light breeze drifted through the forest to the inn. She sat down on the back steps of the doorway and inhaled the clean night air deeply. She slowly smiled in contentment, like a dozing cat in front of a fireplace, with her eyes closed. Suddenly she opened her eyes upon remembering that this would be the last time she could see the countryside for an hour or two, wanting to drink in the sight before more drudgery.

She was overcome by the desire to strip off all her clothes and run into the woods, dancing and bouncing about, like she’d heard that some of her wilder cousins would often do. She began to think seriously about doing exactly that during an hour in which most would be well asleep and unlikely to be startled by a vision of the local elfmaid dancing wildly in the forest immodestly.

In the distance came a sharp sound that startled her. It was an extraordinarily loud popping noise that seemed to echo through the vale. Not unlike the sound of a firework when they would explode in the sky. The unaccustomed noise disturbed a few sleeping birds in the distance who took wing with some complaint. Celine’s body tensed as she gazed in the direction of the noise, apprehension rising. What ever could it be?

Another noise came. This time low and pulsing. A deep sound that you felt in your bones before you could hear it with your ears. At the distance she and the town were at it was barely discernible but she wondered how bearable it would be if she were closer. A light blueish glow could now be seen in the direction of the sounds. The glow was pale and seemed to go just beyond the boundaries of the treetops. Some of the light filtered through the surrounding trees, giving the impression that it was coming from something remarkably luminescent on the level of the ground in that area. The forest grew still and the wind itself seemed to die. Suddenly the darkness of the forest around the inn gave an impression of something ominous. From windows on the back of the inn Celine could see faces of patrons in their rooms as others beside herself took notice of the strange occurrences. She became aware that some of the other maids were gathering behind her now, chatting quietly to each other in question of what they’d heard.

But almost as soon as it started it was over.  The sky grew dark again.  The noise of birds and nervous horses from the stable died down.  After a moment of silence it became apparent that whatever transpired had passed.