Unfortunately, normalcy and rest would have to wait until the immediate area was cleared of threats. It didn't take long for dark creatures to move into the region after Ansas abducted every member of the elf faction. Goblins rushed into the region like ants onto a picnic blanket filled with crumbs, and it would take a substantial effort to coax the monsters back to a safe distance.
Jure found Holli conferring with Birk. Not wishing to interrupt, he waited respectfully off to the side as the two elves discussed the dangers surrounding the campsite.
"There are many creatures," Holli advised, "so many, in fact, I cannot obtain a clear picture of the full number. They are not within range of our bows, but they are close enough to warrant concern."
"Not a surprise," Birk noted. "Quite a few of our stocks were raided. Goblins do not miss an opportunity."
"I definitely sense goblins scattered nearby," Holli confirmed, "Mostly to the south and west, and also a river rogue near the stream between them. Beyond them, it is a haze. There are just too many to isolate. To the northeast, I know there is at least one shag, maybe more."
"I have spotters in the trees working on identification," Birk replied. "We are aware of the shag. It has been here for some time. It causes us no harm and helps to keep the goblins away. I also know of the rogue. Its arrival is new and not welcome. I have already dispatched a patrol to convince it to abandon this area. You are certain there are a large number of goblins surrounding it?"
Holli nodded.
The captain reconsidered his tactics as he incorporated the additional information. With quick deliberation, he decided to alter his plans.
"The rogue probably has its appetite set on those goblins," Birk acknowledged. "If they leave, the rogue might be more willing to move downstream. Give me a moment to redirect the guard to put a priority on the goblins."
As the captain of the elf guard turned to give new orders to a messenger, Jure took the opportunity to update Holli on his activities.
"Ryson has returned to Burbon safely," the wizard advised. "He seemed eager to get back. What do you want me to do to help here?"
"It is not my place to say," Holli replied. "This is no longer my camp. Birk Grund is in charge of securing the area. I have been assisting him as he requests. For now, I would suggest that we both wait and see if he requires additional aid."
Jure accepted the suggestion without debate. He was certainly willing to assist the elves, but he wouldn't force his help upon those that didn't request it. He also wouldn't pretend to understand the intricacies of an elf camp. Any conclusions he might draw would be nothing more than foolish conjecture.
His discipline and dedication brought him more than just the ability to cast potent spells in each hue, it reaffirmed his belief that everyone had a calling, a place in the land. He recognized he was never the most gifted when it came to intelligence, but he also believed he didn't have to be born smart to act smart. If knowledge was the derivative of focused study, wisdom was the windfall of contemplative experience. And his experiences continued to remind him that there was a reason for his talents, a higher purpose that he should never ignore.
In that regard, he was not yet sure why he was there, in Dark Spruce, but he believed the answer would eventually become clear. While he would always work to improve his abilities, he would also allow room for providence to guide his decisions and actions. He would not try to force his own desires on the path set before him.
With such considerations tempering his actions, he waited patiently beside Holli as he reflected on the totality of his circumstances. In that moment of quiet contemplation, he was hit by the staggering complexity of his life and the way he waded into it without so much as a blink of surprise. With but one look around, he appreciated the richness of those very same circumstances. There he was, standing among elves.
Elves!
He was in an elf camp, and yet it was so simple he would have never guessed the importance of the site. There were clearings, a few simple shelters, and paths to the trees, but that was it. If he stumbled upon the area when the elves were absent, he would have assumed it was nothing more than an abandoned loggers' camp.
But even as he acknowledged it was so much more, he found himself almost discounting the significance of its presence. That was a mistake, one he decided to correct.
He was a human standing in the forest waiting for instructions from a captain of the elf guard. It was not something many humans would ever experience. He watched the progression of elf movements both in the trees and around the nearby clearing with a newfound appreciation for what he could see and learn.
And it didn't end there. Goblins were in the woods.
Goblins!
When did the land turn so twisted that he would treat such a revelation with casual acceptance? Goblins and elves, wizards and magic; his life had become a most interesting adventure. He wasn't a young man, but he wasn't so old that the thought of such things left him yearning for days past. His back might have ached a little more and his knees creaked a little louder, but how could he not be amazed at the spectacles around him or at what he had become?
While Jure reflected upon the fascinating events surrounding the elf camp, Birk returned to take council with Holli.
"Scouts in the trees have located several goblin packs in the area. Guards have been dispatched to deal with them first. The rogue is being watched. I believe that it is best to avoid direct conflict with the creature. Many in the camp are tired and we need to secure the immediate area as quickly and peacefully as possible. With your ability to sense dark creatures, I hope you can remain here for a while to ensure we do not miss any threats."
"I will be happy to help."
"Is there anything I can do?" Jure offered.
Birk quickly regarded the human wizard. He was aware of Jure's ability to cast white magic and in a perfect circle-he had seen Jure cast spells in the dark realm as well as the teleportation spell that sent Ryson back to Burbon-but the elf captain was unsure of the human's full capabilities. Wary of unknown costs, he did not wish to set the wizard loose to help clear the campsite, even though it might have been the most efficient way to remove the bevy of dark creatures roaming the forest.
Still, Jure was a potent asset and there remained a menace which the elf captain could not ignore. Though the elves were released from the dark realm, Birk would not believe the threat of Ansas had been completely removed.
"I am concerned about the sorcerer," the elf captain admitted. "There are things we can do to protect our camp, but I believe he has the power to offset any defenses we can muster."
"You believe Ansas might recapture the camp?" Holli wondered aloud.
"It is a possibility I should not dismiss. He did it once. He may well do it again."
"I believe he obtained what he needed," Holli revealed. "I do not see a reason for a second abduction. I also do not believe Ansas would waste his energy unless he could profit from the endeavor."
"That might be, but I would feel better if I knew more about how he was able to accomplish the task in the first place." Birk then turned back to Jure. "Can you shed some light on this matter?"
Jure explained everything he had learned from previously examining the camp as well as from the information offered by the swallit that discussed the event with Ryson.
"Everything points to a very determined effort by Ansas to take your camp-in its entirety-as bait to attract Holli," Jure summarized. "I believe, based on Ansas' ability, that kind of effort could be duplicated, but as Holli said, it would take an enormous effort and I fail to see what Ansas would gain from a second abduction."