limbs. I get the feeling he’s not going to hurt me, and a thought strikes me.
“Was it you who has been leaving us food and water?”
He nods proudly before gesturing to the empty forest around us. “Me and my friends.”
I feel like there are lots of small eyes on me, and I have to fight the urge to shudder over being watched. Smiling, I dip my head in thanks and hope it seems genuine.
“Then please pass on our gratitude.” They’ve helped us ever since we arrived, and I had never even seen them. Vaeril moans behind me and I turn back to Stix. “My friend is very unwell, do you know how I can help him?” My voice sounds pleading, but I don’t care, I need to find a way to heal him.
Stix takes another small, tentative step towards us, frowning down at Vaeril and crinkling his nose up in disgust. “High elves never do anything to help us.”
Any hope I had suddenly dies at the look he gives the elf. Kneeling so I’m at the same height as the creature, I scrub my face, wiping away the tears.
“He’s my friend, and without him, I’m lost and we can’t get to Galandell.” I don’t go into any more detail or tell him that my heart feels like it’s going to break with every second that passes.
My comment makes him pause as he tilts his head to one side again as he considers me. “If I help him, I help you?”
“Yes, please help,” I plead.
There’s another pause, and then he raises his branch-like hand to his mouth and makes a piercing whistle. Rustling fills the air, and creatures like Stix just seem to appear out of nowhere. They all vary vastly, the only aspect in common is their height and large ears. Some of them have skin that looks like rock, others have small, delicate horns, and a couple look like they are made entirely of leaves. Stix says something to them in a grinding language, and they all walk over to Vaeril.
“Stix, what are they doing?” I ask nervously, wondering if I should be worried or trying to get them off him. They don’t seem to be particularly fond of the high elves.
“I take you to lake,” Stix announces proudly, and seemingly as one, the creatures lift Vaeril and start slowly plodding through the forest. I hurry after Stix who appears to be leading the way.
“A lake?” I question, wondering how far away this lake is. Surely I would have heard it if it was close by.
How is going to a lake going to help us?
“Yes. Cave there, shelter,” he tells me happily. “Tell the kelpie, ‘She’s returned,’ they’ll get you nos weed. It will help elf.”
I blink at the sudden influx of information, not understanding what he’s saying. Shaking my head, I try to work through his instructions.
“The kelpie?” I have vague memories, old memories, of people talking about kelpies and watery graves, but when I try to reach for them, they slip away. Strange.
“Nasty creature.” Stix shudders, and a couple of the other creatures behind us make noises of agreement. “But weed is deep, deep down in lake. Humans have little lungs, not able to make the swim.” Now that Stix has started talking, he seems to have become quite chatty, and I’m beginning to get used to his scratchy, whispery voice.
He continues to talk, telling me all about his life and that of his friends. I learn that these creatures are forest imps and believe the high elves treat them like lower class citizens. I sympathise with them, and although I fear for Vaeril, Stix is able to keep me entertained during our journey to the lake.
When we arrive, it takes my breath away. It’s beautiful here, with birds singing as they fly above us. The trees have thinned away, and the ground slopes down gently towards a large lake. There is a tall cliff on the other side of the pool, a waterfall cascading over the top of it.
“Cave.” Stix points towards the cliff and we start heading towards it. I want to sprint, to hurry and drag the elf there, but the imps keep up their slow and steady pace.
Eventually, we reach the waterfall and the imps carry Vaeril behind the curtain of water, disappearing from sight. I start to follow, but a tug at my skirt pulls my gaze from where Vaeril vanished to my chatty companion. “Make sure to tell the kelpie what