“A Starfall is a naturally occurring phenomena when something collapses from the heavens to land upon this plane of existence. The celestial object is most often as large as a building in size but its impact is cushioned by the mana dense atmosphere of Cyndralia. This in turn, preserves the majority of the celestial object as well as prevent catastrophic consequences for most objects within the vicinity of the Starfall, minus anything directly under its impact location. Material obtained from such an impact is considered highly valuable and has been discovered to act as a far superior conduit for channeling mana, leaving it most often found in the presence of items belonging to arch mages, nobles, war machines, or cathedrals.”


    - Astronomer Regis Crenshaw, Warden of the Stellar Observatory, “Signs of Astralis: Starfall and Other Celestial Occurrences”


    <hr><hr>


    Elaria was exhausted, a surprise for someone like herself as she had little need for food or drink in the traditional sense. It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling, and she was certainly better off than Raylani, the strange elven kin of twilight. Just the day before, Elaria had been annoyed when the residents of a town grew increasingly aggressive towards the duo. To cool off, the elf had suggested some ‘fun’. Without much thought Elaria had agreed, if only to occupy her mind with anything other than the indignation she felt against the townspeople. It was only after the strange elf had completely disrobed did Elaria regain some clarity and could only stare gobsmacked at the sudden change in atmosphere between the two.


    Previously, they had been accomplices at the best of times. Supporting each other as Elaria acted the master and guard whilst the elf would perform exotic dances to entertain the locals of the frontier. Though most of it were simply donations or change during their performances, at some point, they somehow gained the title of ‘The Stranger and the Dark One’ across the frontier towns. It had occasionally meant a small crowd would fill whatever inn or tavern they stayed at for a chance to watch this strange being performed in their town. To marvel at the seemingly scrawny looking girl that single handedly took down an entire elven settlement to enslave their leader, or so the tale went. In truth, Elaria had been mildly annoyed at the notoriety they gained, knowing that it surely meant more eyes would be turned to them, potentially some with connection to those that had shunned the Master, an unwelcome thought. Raylani meanwhile, basked in the attention, performing a multitude of risque dances that titillated every crowd they encountered. Save for the one yesterday. Two priests had rallied the townsfolk against them, leading to a hasty but unwelcome retreat by the duo.


    They had stumbled across a roadside inn but found no way to relieve their frustrations, leading to Raylani suggesting a night of copulation in an effort to destress. ‘Sex’ as the people and likely Sophie would call it, seemed to come naturally to Elaria, and whilst Raylani had started off in charge, she soon found herself completely under Elaria’s thumb and a whimpering mess.


    It had indeed been ‘fun’, even for Elaria, but that meant she now had to be the one to plan their route ahead. As far as she saw it, they had two choices forward; first, to continue skirting the edge of imperial territory across the frontiers, crossing through the savage frontiers where the main battles between elves and man took place; or two, to push through the imperial heartland in an effort to cross through the empire as fast as they could. She remembered the name ‘Arteria’ from her brief talks with Sophie, hoping that the silly girl would still be there when she got there. Thanks to a few generous locals on their travels, she had at least a crude map and some directions to work with. If only this strange city wasn’t on the other side of this strange empire.


    A vexing conundrum to be sure. For either way had its own challenges that Elaria suspected would prove more trouble than it was worth. On the savage frontiers, the presence of military engagements might prove troublesome in their free movement of the territory. That wasn’t even considering the possibility of trekking through parts of elven territory where Raylani had stated in no uncertain terms that her people, the twilight kin, were less than welcome. Imperial territory meanwhile, came with the concern of increasingly zealous humans trying to halt their advance as well. If the priests from yesterday were any indication, then trouble would almost definitely find them.


    Elaria pinched the bridge of her nose, the cost benefit analysis stewing in her mind. She growled at herself before looking over at the recovering form of the elf. Raylani’s strange dark purplish blue skin still glistened with the sweat of exertion, her red eyes lazily looking up at Elaria.


    “Mistress?” Raylani queried.


    Without warning Elaria clambered over and loomed over the elf. Raylani’s eyes widened slightly before understanding what Elaria was signalling.


    “Mistress… I’m so sore.” She whined.


    “I find myself still beset by indecision, just once more. To clear my doubts.”


    “Nnngh… mistress.” Raylani breathily affirmed, her fingers locked between exhaustion and desire. Eventually, she gave in, wrapping her arms around Elaria.


    Amused and a little more intrigued than before, Elaria’s mind now turned to how she could ravage the poor elf some more. All for the purpose of stress relief, of course.


    <hr><hr>


    Elaria only started to think she had made a mistake when Raylani proved barely able to move. When noon came and went, the elf was still mostly bed ridden and almost collapsed the moment she tried to move on her own. Elaria was now fully responsible for the duo’s ability to move. To the west lay the town of Fresill and Norfort, their gateway into the expansive western frontier and battlegrounds. Fortified border towns that would be hard to blend in with, but potentially allow them to continue their current disguise of a performance group that was touring the frontier. Southwards lay the town of Sanlinia, which, according to other travellers, was a large commercial hub that connected the northern frontiers of Traxia to the rest of the realm. From there, they could access the imperial highway and make good time for Arteria, assuming no priests, zealots, or elf hating imperials tried to stop them.


    First things first however, she needed to establish what option was even available to her in the first place. Fortunate favoured them in this regard, for this traveler’s inn saw trade caravans stopping by both last night and this morning. Meaning that leaving on a caravan was an option to them


    “Excuse me.” Elaria spoke as she walked up to two patrons.


    “What is it?” A bearded man with a dull yellow robe answered.


    “I heard you were the ones managing the caravan currently waiting outside the inn, would that be correct?”


    “What’s it to you, eh?”


    “You see, myself and my staff are traveling across the frontiers too.”


    The two men looked at each other, one with a slight smirk on his face.


    “Ye new to this place? Ain’t no front-tears here, this is all part of Traxia mind you. But we are traveling to Fresill, yes.” The second man, a haughty fellow dressed in dusty red and brown robes answered.


    “Aye, couldn''t you fix your own transport? ‘Sides, what can you even offer us if you’re planning to hitch a ride. Transportation costs don’t come cheap out here.” Yellow robe chuckled.


    “Fair. But what if I was to offer both entertainment and security? Free of charge, of course.”


    Red robe rolled his eyes, “So you’re a bard then?”


    “Huh? No, no.” Elaria shook her head, “Nothing of the sort. I’m a mage, you see. But I also happen to be employing a… more… exotic dancer as my travel companion. Together, we could help keep the caravan’s spirits up, and I’d deter most threats out in the wilds.”


    “Pfft, you’re just some girl, yeah right.” Yellow robe grunted, “Besides, whatever you’re saying, I see neither hide nor hair of this strange employee of yours.”


    Elaria paused for a moment and grabbed a small silk cloth out of her pocket. It was purple with a few intricately crafted patterns across. The star of the show however, was the oddly shaped star at the center of the cloth, one that had spread alongside the rumors of the duo. Yellow still seemed unimpressed, likely not having heard about the duo. Red robe however, seemed to be on the cusp of recalling something. Elaria decided to help him out.


    “Proof of my companion, for she is currently… rather exhausted. Did either of you come from the town of Harestsville?


    “Aye.” Red robe nodded, “What about it?”


    “Do you recall any… rumors of a traveling troupe of performers? A dark one of incomprehensible beauty, a strange mistress who lurks in the shadows.”


    “Aye, the stranger and the dark one. Shame I didn’t…” He paused, a frown on his brow, “You’re telling that it was… you? But you look so young.”


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    “The one and the same.” Elaria bowed.


    Yellow robe still seemed unsatisfied and spoke up, “What’s so special about them anyway? It’s a pretty handkerchief, so what?”


    Red robe tapped his partner aggressively on the shoulder, “Are you serious? You haven’t heard of it? ‘The Stranger and the Dark One’? They’re known all across the border towns.”


    “So?”


    “So?! It’s said that they have an elf whose skin is murky like the night. An abnormal one at that.”


    “What? You really believe that? It’s part of children’s nightmares. I’d have at least expected this rumor to have a little more basis in reality.”


    Red robe huffed and turned away from his partner, but the twinkle of suspicion in his eyes was not lost to Elaria, “Well… So is it really her? Or well, rather, are you really them? Got a way to prove that?”


    Elaria frowned, annoyed that she somehow didn’t anticipate this line of question.


    “How about this, when does your caravan leave?” Elaria asked.


    “In a few hours, why?”


    “Tell you what, here.” Elaria rummaged through her pocket to place one gold coin on the table, “Consider this a deposit, just for us to show up at all. When we do show up, I guarantee that seeing my servant will ease your doubts. Hells, you can even keep the coin if you still don’t believe us. That’s a deal entirely in your benefit, is it not?”


    The two merchants stared warily at the coin before a yellow robe snatched it. “Fine.” He unilaterally declared, “We’ll see you in two hours. If you don’t show or we deem you as liars, the coin stays with us.”


    Elaria bowed in acknowledgement and yellow robe dipped his head. Despite his disdain, a transaction had occurred and proper etiquette must still be met. Red robe soon followed, the man looking a tad more doubtful than when everything had begun.


    “Don’t be late, we’re not gonna wait.” Yellow robe tutted.


    “Of course, and we won’t disappoint.” Elaria replied.


    With that they separated, both parties returning to their own business. For Elaria however, she now had a deadline. To somehow bring her errant companion up to proper form within two hours. Maybe I should’ve been more gentle, she winced at the thought, but everything is so new and strange. Does it not behoove me to explore what I can before I meet up with Sophie? Although I suppose this could be counted as more of an indulgence than anything… grah, focus. Maybe some food and water ought to do?


    <hr><hr>


    The caravan set off with the duo tucked away in the last wagon. Red robe gawked as Raylani managed to rouse herself in time, the merchant clearly astonished that the two were, in fact, not lying. Yellow robe looked momentarily impressed before he waved them on, the dozen guards letting them through.


    Raylani still appeared moderately sore, the strange elf still lost in a haze of fatigue. Elaria only hoped that by the time they made camp at night, her companion would’ve recovered in time. For now, Elaria opted to maintain her mostly neutral disposition to the world around them, taking in the new sights as they traveled the frontier and spending a few moments to tend to Raylani. She was relieved at being able to travel by caravan, the speed increase alone making it a more than worthy proposition when their other option was to be exposed to the wilds.


    There wasn’t anything that she couldn’t handle, but the eerie feeling of always being watched by a stalker or two sent disquieting shivers down her spine. They also had a slightly more dangerous aura around them, the grotesque creatures able to identify the edge of her influence with concerning accuracy, staying just outside of the void field she deployed. Swaying with an instinctual hunger in their eyes. Thank the Master they won’t be a problem for now. Things seemed worse the further they moved west, with guard captains from towns before warning about the plethora of undead and ghouls that feasted on the bodies of the departed after every skirmish. Just more and more trouble, how vexing.


    Traveling by caravan therefore, negated some of the harsher elements of the journey, as well as ensured that they wouldn’t get lost. It was now someone else’s job to do the navigating, freeing up some time for her to simply relax.


    She found a small sense of simplistic beauty in the landscape around her. From the way the trees moved, to the large mountains that carved into the earth, and the raw refreshing air, she enjoyed it all. This world was fascinating in the chaotically organized nature of its formation, reminding her briefly of the void. There, concepts such as order or disorder did not really exist, only the will of the Master and the things created by it. In a sense, what it made was order. What it left to rot therefore, was disorder. The symptoms of a universe that seeks to be both nothing, and everything.


    It was only after her meeting with Sophie that she grew a desire to experience the chaos in person. For life at the void palace was luxurious but stagnant. The scenery would shift, stars appearing and disappearing according to the universe''s whimsy, but nothing would really change. Sure, unless the Master intervened, she lived to her own rules, needs and wants. But there was only so much a person wanted before she found herself restless.


    I suppose it’s good then, that Sophie is so slow at unlocking the beacons, she chuckled to herself, I just hope the Master doesn’t mind me taking a few detours too.


    <hr><hr>


    Night fell soon enough and Elaria found herself and Raylani the center of attention as the caravan now gathered around a small campfire. A few civilians and the caravan’s master join the merchants, appearing from elsewhere in the caravan. The guards were spread into two shifts with half of them currently on patrol, leaving only a handful by the campfire, including an abnormally large feline looking humanoid guard. What strange species this world has.


    One of the more musically inclined of the group began a small lute based traveler’s song. Only after assessing that he would do well enough did Elaria finally rouse Raylani. The dark elf’s initial appearance still drew the crowd to simply gawk for a moment before Elaria instructed the musician to play a slower melody more reliant on the plucking of strings than mere strumming. Under the twangy but subdued music, Raylani danced a more contemplative dance, though her skimpy attire made it as provocative as usual despite that. Unfortunately for the crowd, two dances were all the elf had in her before she needed to rest.


    Only now did yellow robe seem convinced of their identities, a fact that made Elaria feel just that much more smug. Red robe grew more enraptured and even a few of the other caravaneers seemed amazed at the presence of a frontier rumor. Raylani seemed tired of the attention and had retreated early, leaving Elaria with the caravaneers. It left her in the inevitable position of trying to connect to them, to engage in conversation.


    On some level, she felt almost awkward trying to attempt to talk to others. It wasn’t that it was unnatural, simply that she saw it as mostly unnecessary. Only by traveling with the strange elf did she gradually grow to see her companion’s presence as a valued part of her daily routine. Even then, Elaria knew that sometimes she still felt her own low desire to converse with anyone besides the Master or Sophie. But it’s changing, little by little I suppose.


    “So how did you even come by one of ‘em like that anyway?” Feline guard asked.


    “Excuse me? You mean myself and my… servant?” Elaria chose her words carefully.


    “If you don’t mind me asking that is. Me and my gang have seen plenty, but an elf with skin like that? Maybe if we’re hallucinating a nightmare or something.” He continued.


    “An’ elves don’t usually act so docile, most got that hateful look in their eyes even when calm.” Another guard chimed in.


    “Especially not if they’re chained up.” A third snickered, her arms mimicking chains tightening around her neck, prompting a few sniggers from the group.


    What peculiar people. Though I suppose they did mention the empire and elves were mortal enemies. I wonder how Raylani factors into all this, she did mention her kin was hated by the other elven subspecies. Elaria returned from her absent expression to find the gathered crowd looking expectantly at her. How vexing.


    “Magical accident.” She stated bluntly.


    “What does that mean?” Feline guard asked.


    “What?” Elaria cocked her head, confused.


    “Details. That’s way too vague.” He chuckled, followed by a few others.


    Elaria’s lips upturned into a barely concealed frown before she replied, “There was a magical experiment that went wrong, a fault with… ambient flow of mana being redirected incorrectly. She appeared trapped, so I aided her. From there, you can work out the rest.”


    A few frowns and amused glances were cast in her direction, but overall, she could feel the mood settle to an acceptance of her vague but encompassing explanation. Feline guard seemed unsatisfied with the answer, but also caring enough to press her for more details, merely nodding along.


    “Fascinating.” Red robe broke the silence, “And that’s how you came to be performers? Why across this… stretch of land though? Pay’s much better in the bigger cities for entertainers.”


    “That’s because she’s an elf still, weird looking as shit but an elf.” The second guard answered him, ‘Most save a ton on paperwork costs alone. Can you imagine the transportation permits needed? Especially for an elf?”


    Whatever the transportation permits were, Elaria watched as the camp collectively shuddered. Must be some frightening stuff, indeed.


    “The wait and questioning alone would be like stewing in the hells below.  Feline guard agreed.


    A grim chuckle echoed throughout the camp. “True.” The second guard nodded, “And the service, yeesh.”


    A round of raucous laughter took hold and soon the group was distracted, critiquing the administration and bureaucratic procedures. It freed up Elaria from being the center of attention and gave her a few moments to think. She turned her attention to the stars overhead, wondering just how closely the Gods were watching over this land. Certainly, about a week and a half ago, even she felt the sudden explosion of mana from elsewhere, that would’ve gotten their attention, at the very least. Yet she didn’t feel the barriers between worlds weaken, which meant that Sophie had not activated with a tower of the light, but rather an artifact. Still, it’s progress I suppose.


    Just then, she felt the pang of something shifting in her chest. Her body tensed up as she felt the unwelcome sensation of an intrusion at the periphery of her detection range. Something had entered her sphere of control with hostile intent. But as she looked around, none of the caravaneers seemed ready to jump into action. Strange, that would mean… she froze, we’re not alone here.