"Then that would seem to indicate that something has happened to your old elf camp, wouldn't it?"
"They might have simply relocated, and that in itself is not necessarily a concern. The elves of Dark Spruce are not pure settlers like the humans of this region. Their camps are not as permanent. They do not construct large structures or build lasting roads. Though they tend to remain in a set portion of Dark Spruce, the region is vast. Elves always remain somewhat nomadic. It is easier that way when adapting to life in the forest. Despite what Okyiq states, they might have simply moved their camp westward. If they did, they would have done so with care."
The captain considered such a simple solution, but the explanation seemed odd to him, or perhaps lacking.
"I guess it's possible. You'd know better than I would, but wouldn't there be a reason for that… something we might have noticed ourselves?" Sy wondered.
"Many possibilities exist, and remember, it is not so difficult for the elves to relocate. Certain events that might seem a minor inconvenience for a human settlement, something you might disregard as a temporary nuisance, might be enough to cause the elves to reposition their camp… a drought, for instance, or they might have found the food supply dwindling, or even a more bountiful supply in another area."
"We've had a good deal of rain lately. Would something as simple as that cause a camp to move?"
Holli considered the relevant factors and then offered what she considered an even more likely explanation.
"Actually, I believe they might have felt uncomfortable with the increased dwarf activity near Pinesway. I am sure you are aware of the growing relationship between the dwarves and the humans at the outpost. I would not be surprised if such a situation caused the elves a bit of… anxiety."
"I thought about that myself," Sy admitted. "I even thought the dwarves might have disturbed the rogues. And what about them? They hit the same time as the goblins. Was it all just a coincidence?"
"Possibly, but not totally unrelated. It may all be nothing more than a logical sequence of events. The dwarves are invited to help the rebuilding efforts of Pinesway. The elves are uncomfortable so close to an increased dwarf presence above ground, and so, they reposition their camp. Paths once protected by elf guards go unwatched. Rogues and goblins that once stalked territory near Pinesway decide to move and find free passage into areas of the forest abandoned by the elves."
"And that would be nearer to us," Sy admitted as he followed Holli's logic. "I guess it makes sense. I have to admit my patrols have spotted more and more of the dwarves lately. If we're seeing them, everyone else would, too; the elves, the goblins, even the rogues."
"Have you faced any other irregularities?"
"Well, we haven't had any contact at all with the elves for a while now. That still has me bothered."
"If the camp has moved, that would offer the explanation."
"Perhaps, but I thought they would have said something to us, or even tried to reestablish contact. We've been working with them for a while now. Even if they moved, I would have guessed they would have wanted to continue to share information. I always thought it was helpful for both sides, but all contact just stopped. We never even got the chance to tell them about the Great Valleys, to explain what happened to all the refugees from the east. I would have guessed they would have been curious about that."
"They might have learned of it from different sources. The dwarves of Dunop were also involved in the incident in the valleys. The elves of my camp had trade agreements with the dwarves… at least they did."
Sy perked up at the obvious meaning.
"That sounds like it stopped. Have you heard from the dwarves about that?"
"They have also indicated that contact with the elves has ceased."
Another element for the captain to consider, and it left him as puzzled as before.
"Doesn't that worry you?" he asked the elf.
"It does, but relations between dwarves and elves have always been somewhat complex and unpredictable. The situation in Pinesway might still be the simple explanation for all of this. The elves might not appreciate the increased dwarf presence in their lands. They may view it as an unwanted advance into their territory."
"So you think the dwarf activity in Pinesway is the most likely explanation?"
"I believe it can explain some things, but there are other factors that have piqued our own curiosity. Jure is very sensitive to magical energies, he sensed something from Dark Spruce not too long ago."
Sy looked to the wizard with both curiosity and concern.
"You think there might be some magical explanation to all of this?" the captain asked.
Jure answered without hesitation, acknowledging Sy's authority as the leader of the town facing unknown and increased dangers. He had remained quiet, allowing Holli and Sy to exchange critical information, but when the guard captain requested his opinion, Jure offered it freely with the hope of assisting the people of Burbon.
"I believe something of magnitude has happened in the forest. Beyond that, I'm not sure. I don't exactly know what's going on. You've had a rather interesting experience with goblins and rogues, the elves seem to have moved from their camp, and there is much more dark creature activity in this region, but is it all related? As I said, I'm not so sure."
"But you sense something, something in the magic?"
"Yes I do, but it's not something entirely active."
"Can you explain what that means?"
"It's something like… a pulse may be the best way to put it. A pulse that I can't pinpoint, but it came from this direction. It's something like the memory of a great magical disturbance. It's more of an echo, but it's a very complex echo. I don't believe it was one large destructive spell, a casting that got out of hand. The intricacies seem to indicate a great degree of control. Does that make sense to you?"
"Sort of, but in all honesty, I never could get a full grip on this magic stuff. I usually left that to Enin. Of course, Enin now spends his time in Connel."
"He has not forgotten you," Holli offered. "He encouraged us to get here as soon as possible, and he is more than willing to help."
"I know that, but I have to admit it was easier when he was here. He could have handled a goblin raid and a few rogues with a blink of an eye. All that power. Of course, sometimes he didn't want to use it."
"He has always been careful."
Careful.
It was true. Enin was careful with his magical abilities. He didn't try to solve every problem. He helped as he believed he should. He felt there was a distinct line between helping and interfering.
For some reason, Sy thought of Ryson. Maybe Ryson was just doing the same thing, setting up a boundary, being careful. Ryson said it himself, he drew a line in the sand he didn't want to cross. Enin drew a line as well, used it as a reason to not interfere in other people's lives. Were they both making excuses or did they both have a valid point? Sy wasn't sure.
Still feeling uneasy about his decision regarding the delver, Sy decided not to dwell on it.
"I know Enin does what he can," Sy offered with an apologetic tone, not quite certain if the tinge of guilt he felt related to Ryson or Enin. "Anyway, so that's why you're both here then. You've got a feeling that something magical happened out in the forest and I send you a message that the elves have disappeared. No wonder you teleported right over."
"It creates an element of concern that should be investigated," Holli stated almost too distantly.
Sy suddenly realized that they were talking about Holli's camp, a group of elves she once swore to protect with her life. Though she accepted banishment for the good of her camp, he found it difficult to believe she could be so detached. He also wondered about the elves connection to Holli. He couldn't believe they would just up and move and not give her some indication of their plans.