Gou is a dark elf in Warhammer

An elegant eagle-bowed ship sailed silently on the river, its hull cutting through the water silently, and the Asur crew rowed the oars in a steady rhythm, pushing the ship forward.

The sails were furled and the masts lowered to avoid the dark, twisted branches that pressed down on the river from both sides. Even though the sun had not yet risen to the zenith, the weak light it cast in the cold land could hardly penetrate the thick and jagged canopy of trees.

At the bow, a tall elf with slender limbs stared at the waterway ahead. His features were smooth, his face was oval, and his eyes were deep, with almost no whites visible. His long silver-gold hair was tied up by a bronze headband. In one hand, he held an elegantly curved longbow inlaid with gold patterns and surrounded by silver wire. In the other hand, he held the hilt of a leaf-shaped sword. He was wearing a sky-blue robe embroidered with golden horses, and underneath was a shining Ithramar silver armor.

"How deep is the water?" He asked directly, without turning his head, as he leaned over the side of the boat, trying to see through the black water to the riverbed as the river slowly turned around a lazy bend.

"Maybe one meter, maybe less, sir. I don't think we should go any deeper. We should go to shore immediately."

Eldan nodded, turned and walked along the deck of the shallow boat, then signaled to the helmsman at the stern to sail towards the shore. When he heard the sound of water as the boat changed course, his eyes cast toward the gloomy trees on the river bank. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of disaster could turn this country into such a desolate and dead scene.

Soon, the boat approached the shore, and he turned his gaze from the ghostly forest to the obsidian water, watching the ripples unfolding at the stern. A dozen graceful swan-like boats followed closely behind the boat, and an imposing figure stood on one of the boats, wearing a beautifully tailored robe.

This figure was none other than Eldan's younger brother, Kelly. Only his younger brother would choose to wear the clothes of the Phoenix Palace when he was so far away from the Phoenix Court during such a dangerous raid.

Kellier sensed his brother's gaze, drew his sword, and raised it above his head. But Eldan did not respond to the gesture, but turned around and faced the approaching shore.

Thick ferns and tangled tree roots stretched out to the surface of the water, and as the boat approached, Eldan leaped lightly onto the land of Naggaroth. Even through his finely crafted boots, he could still feel the cold of the land, a cold that came not just from the climate, but from the depths of his soul.

He shuddered, drew his bow and arrow, and scanned the dark bushes and the dead forest for potential enemies, but there was nothing, no movement, no sign of life.

The cold and damp mist entangled the roots of the twisted trees, and the gray ground was littered with sharp rocks and thorns, which were scattered throughout this desolate forest landscape. For Asur, who came from the Kingdom of Arion and was accustomed to the magical forest, this desolate scene made him feel extremely disgusted.

A group of shadow warriors passed by him quietly like ghosts and spread into the dark forest. He loosened the bowstring and put the arrow back into the quiver. He was sure that anything close to the landing point would not escape the eyes of these ghosts.

"It's been a great adventure, hasn't it, brother?"

A young and energetic voice came from behind, and Eldan turned around and faced Kellier. His brother was handsome, with a boyish appearance and an infectious smile. It was this smile that helped Kellier escape countless dangers, more effective than Kellier's excellent swordsmanship.

"The realm of Druki is not a good place for exploration. Aside from the one from House Anar, no Asur has ever returned alive from the raid on Naggaroth. This is a land of death, torment and pain," Eldan warned in a serious tone.

"That's true, but soon this land will also become a nightmare for our enemies, right?" Kelly smiled.

"If all goes well, we will return to Ulthuan as Aris did."

"Brother, I believe in you. You are always better at making plans than me."

Eldan said nothing more and walked to the other side of the river.

After disembarking, the Arionite Reavers, dressed in shining light armor and creamy robes, quickly formed a defensive circle around the ship. The crew efficiently unloaded the passengers and brought the magnificent elven horses to dry land. The horses also felt the darkness here, and their high neighs conveyed to Eldan their anxiety about this land.

He felt his brother approaching and his annoyance rose again, but instead of moving any closer to him, his brother jumped onto Aidalis' back.

Idalis, a gray mare raised by Kelly since childhood, raised her front hooves high and kicked in the air. It was obvious that after a long voyage, she was extremely happy to be able to fight alongside her companions.

Eldan, who had adjusted his mood, turned around with a smile on his face, watching a crew member lead Lotharin down the gangplank. He walked over, took the reins handed over by the crew member, and patted the black warhorse's sturdy body. While patting, Lotharin kept shaking his mane, obviously dissatisfied with this land.

"I know, I know. I also hope to leave this dark place as soon as possible, but we must complete our mission." Eldan whispered, soothingly.

Like his brother, he has a warhorse that he has raised carefully since its infancy and considers it a loyal companion. Savage monkeys would beat a warhorse to break its spirit, but the Asur of Arion spend their lives building a trusting relationship with their horses, and it would be unthinkable to do otherwise.

Of all the inland kingdoms of Ulthuan, Aerion was fairest, and of course he knew his fellows in Avelorn would say the same, but they had never lived in the warmth of an eternal summer, nor ridden across the wide lands on the fine steeds of Aerion, nor had they scaled the peaks of the craters, nor raced along the ridges in pursuit of prey.

When he looked at his brother, who was laughing with other warriors, his smile froze, but soon he adjusted himself and began to check whether Lotharin had any discomfort during the voyage, but after checking, he found that the crew had carefully ensured that the horses could complete any tasks they needed to perform when they arrived in Naggaroth.

He leaped onto Lotharin's back, enjoying the thought of riding again after such a long sea voyage. It was an honor to ride such a creature, and though black horses were often seen as a symbol of bad luck among the Asur, he would rather cut off his arm than choose any other mount.

Eighty Elion Reavers mounted their horses when they saw Eldan's movements. They were lightly equipped for quick movement, carrying bows, spears, and light javelins.

"Brother, are we ready?" Kelly asked as he rode up to Eldan.

"We'll find out soon enough," Eldan responded, able to hear the excitement in his brother's voice.

At this time, a shadow warrior in a gray cloak walked out of the mist covering the dark tree trunks.

Eldan considered himself agile, having participated in the grandest masquerades and balls, and his graceful dance steps were difficult for elves a hundred years younger than him to match, but the shadow warrior's movements were so light that it seemed as if his toes did not touch the ground, but floated above it. The gray cloak woven like mist shone in the faint light, and the hood covered his face, hiding the shadow warrior's features in darkness.

"Safety."

"Very good, you take three warriors to lead us to Kakra Kalond, and the others stay here to guard the ship." Eldan nodded.

"As ordered."

"Can the warriors who will accompany us keep up with us? Do they need to ride horses?"

"They can catch up with you." The shadow warrior said slowly, then turned around and gave a silent signal to the forest. Then, the shadow warriors emerged silently from the forest.

"You haven't fought in too long, brother." Kelly moved closer to Eldan and lowered his voice to make sure only the two of them could hear him.

"What do you mean?"

"These are shadow warriors from House Anar! I bet they could have made a round trip to Clar Karond by the time we're halfway there."

"Yes, you may be right. But there is no harm in checking these things. Never make any assumptions in war, especially when fighting against Duruchi, you must be extra careful." Eldan nodded. Despite saying this, at this moment, he felt that his question just now was indeed a bit stupid.

“Brother, have you forgotten that you and father are not the only ones in our family who have fought against the Duruchi? I have also shed their blood.” Kellyl said, raising his burned hand.

Eldan remembered it clearly, and the thought of it and the silver promise ring on Kelliel's burned finger made him feel bitter.

One year ago, Ulthuan.

"Sit high and keep your balance in the saddle. Let her enjoy the ride, too. You're not taming her, you're sharing the experience with her."

"I was trying, but she was running so fast I was worried I would fall," Ryanna said in a laughing tone.

"She'll never let you fall." Kellyl smiled and watched Aidalis trot briskly around him, knowing that the horse was just teasing the elf girl riding on her back.

As Kelil finished speaking, Idalis quickened her pace, and Rhianna let out a scream of excitement and fear. The warhorse ran with its head held high proudly, and Kelil knew that Idalis was showing off to Rhianna's mount.

Rianna's mount was a silver warhorse named Othern, with silver stripes shining brightly, and a confident light flashed in his green eyes, but Aedalis was obviously stronger than him.

"Are you sure?" Rianna asked.

"I'm pretty sure she likes you. I can tell."

"Hoss, even the horses here accept me."

Kelly smiled and said nothing more, just silently watching Rianna riding on Idalis's back, enjoying the sight of two beautiful creatures galloping freely in the bright afternoon sun.

Rianna's blonde hair fluttered in the air, and her white robe fluttered in the wind, like a silver-helmeted knight's flag flying high. Her features were delicate, but contained a kind of determination, and her almond-shaped eyes were like deep lake water, with a hint of golden light.

Kalil longed to touch Rianna, to feel her soft hair and marble-smooth skin against his own, but he kept these thoughts to himself because Rianna was not his woman and he should not have such desires.

The families of Kaelil and Rianna have been close allies for generations, and their ancestors have fought alongside the Phoenix King against Duruchi. Rianna's father is a powerful archmage who lives in the floating castle of the Kingdom of Safri, a fantasy palace filled with rare flowers from all over the world. Kaelil's father is one of the most powerful knights in Arion, with unparalleled riding and martial arts skills.

However, a year ago, the poisoned blade of a Druki assassin ended the reign of Kaelir's father, leaving him paralyzed and suffering from severe pain. The poison ate away at his body, and his brother Eldan took over the responsibility of protecting the domain.

Rianna was laughing, and her laughter echoed around her as Idalis slowed down and began to move deftly among the rocks.

Kelliel walked towards Rianna, feeling happy as he listened to her laughter, which had not been heard in the manor for a long time since his father was paralyzed.

The vast grasslands of Arrion spread out as an endless green scene in the distance. As the horse-breeding land of Ulthuan, huge herds of Elven horses roam the vast plains of Arrion. The silver river Airil winds through this landscape and finally flows into beautiful Tor Air and empties into the bay of the Twilight Sea.

Built on a series of lush islands, Tal Ailir is a majestic city carved out of rock. Wide streets crisscross the city, with villas and palaces with spires inlaid with silver and gold, colorful banners fluttering in the breeze, and wizards' towers gleaming with magical brilliance and blooming like bubbles. Connecting these magnificent islands is a network of graceful bridges that elegantly span the emerald waters.

To look out over the Land of Arion was to see beauty, and the anger in Kalil's heart was quelled. Rhianna came to his side and gently placed her hand on his arm. His blood quickened at Rhianna's touch, and when Rhianna smiled at him, he felt a surge of desire. He looked at such beauty, but in his heart he knew it was not for him.

"If the doctors can't cure him, can they at least make him more comfortable?"

"They were just busy babble-bab ...

"My father will do his best, but..."

"I know he will, he's a true friend, just like you." Kelil nodded and held Ryanna's hand.

"I remember the first time my father brought me to Tal Ailir. You were young and full of enthusiasm. I watched you show off on horseback and I thought you looked very handsome," Rianna said with a smile.

"I will always remember that day when you were wearing a sky blue silk robe, as blue as the summer sky, and I thought at that moment that you were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen."

"You're making fun of me."

"No, I've been in love with you since the first time we met."

"Stop it! It's not polite to say that." Rui Anna said softly.

Although no one was around to hear what they were saying, Kalil saw a hint of a smile on Ryanna's lips.

"I am your mate. Wasn't it my brother himself who asked me to take you on a horse and teach you how to be an Elion Knight?"

"Your brother has confidence in your character."

"He shouldn't have trusted me with you, a beautiful woman, alone. And if he was so worried, why didn't he just take you for a ride himself?"

"Your brother has a heavy responsibility to maintain your family's territory. He is doing something noble that takes up a lot of his energy. He doesn't have time to spend with me doing something so... relaxing."

Hearing the sadness in Rianna's words, Kelliel's eyes dimmed. Although he knew it was wrong, he sensed a glimmer of opportunity. After his father was paralyzed, his brother became taciturn and spent all his time dealing with the complicated affairs of the family territory. He was never asked to help, and never offered to help. He preferred the excitement of adventure in the ring mountain range to dealing with monotonous affairs. Hunting the legendary white lion, the snow-white fur worn by the White Lion Guard, was his life!
What joy is there in keeping a household? What honor or glory is there in making lists? No, it is better to be a hunter or a brave adventurer on the plains.

“Eldan has a good heart.”

"Indeed," Kellyl agreed, then added, "But he was so foolish as to allow such a beautiful flower to wither. I will never allow myself to be distracted from your happiness."

Just as Rianna was about to say something, Othern behind her let out a high-pitched neigh, and she turned around in surprise.

Kelly, who also turned around, could not see anything that might alert the horse, but he knew that Othern, as a Safri horse, had a far better sense than him. He immediately stood up and reached out to help Rianna.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Ryanna asked as she held the hand that Kelly handed over and stood up.

"I don't know!" After answering, Kelly turned and ran towards Aidalis. In the process, Othern's hind hooves were in the air, and his alarm-like neighing became more and more rapid. He ran faster, and when he approached Aidalis, he drew his sword and scanned the horizon for any possible predators.

"I don't see anything." Rianna also ran to Othern and took out the bow hanging behind the saddle. It was an exquisite longbow inlaid with pearls, exuding a magical atmosphere. After pulling the bowstring, she said.

"I didn't see it either. This might not be your average predator. Maybe a chimaera, or a hydra, or worse."

"Then we should go, immediately!"

"No, not yet. I want to see what it is. Imagine, a creature created by magic! Don't you want to see what this power can create?" Kelly shook his head excitedly.

"No, I don't! If they are as dangerous as you said, I would very much like to avoid encountering such monsters, and you should too..." Ryanna caught Kelly's movements halfway through her speech, and then looked in the direction Kelly was looking.

On the rocks above, a sliding shadow appeared where it shouldn't have been. Something was moving... something that didn't want to be seen.

At that moment, Kelly's hair stood up, and a burning fear rose in his stomach. He realized that this was neither a predator in the mountains nor a monster summoned by magic, but a being more terrifying than these things.

"Rhianna, hurry, hurry! Get on the horse and go to Tal Ariel." Kalil urged anxiously.

"What is it?"

"Quick! It's Drucci!"

Before he finished speaking, three crossbow arrows appeared from the rocks above, cutting through the air and shooting towards the direction where Kelliel was. He quickly twisted his body and swung his sword to cut off the first two crossbow arrows. Before his sword stopped, he heard Rianna's cry of pain. He glanced back and found that the third crossbow arrow had already embedded in Rianna's shoulder. Soon, blood soaked her dress. He shouted angrily. At this time, three figures in black robes appeared from their hiding place above.

"Ryanna!" He shouted loudly as he looked at Ryanna leaning weakly on the side of her horse.

"Is that her name? When I whisper her name, the way she begs for mercy will make me enjoy torturing her even more." The leader, Drucci, taunted.

Hearing the voice, Kelil turned to face Druki. He found that Druki was a sharp-faced elf with pale ivory skin and an eagle-like nose. Like the two Druki behind him, this Druki had his head shaved, with a tuft of long black hair hanging down from the back of his head. Druki wore a light black cloth robe that swallowed the sunlight, and held a deadly crossbow in his hand, with the arrow never moving away from his heart.

"Don't even think about touching her." He knew that although such weapons had a smaller range and power, he would be easily shot through without armor at such a close distance. He raised his sword, blocked it, roared, and moved between Duruchi and Rianna.

"You think you can stop me? I have taken many heads on the battlefield, and yours is just one of them."

"I would rather die than let you take her away."

"As you wish," Drucci said as he prepared to pull the trigger.

But before the crossbow arrows could be fired, the crossbows caught fire. The flashing flames jumped from one crossbow to another. The Drukis screamed in fear and dropped their weapons in pain.

The alert Kelil felt the magical power coming from behind him, and then heard the sound of Rianna falling to the ground. He knew that this magic had exhausted Rianna's last strength.

He seized this momentary opportunity and charged forward, piercing the chest of the enemy closest to him with his sword like a venomous snake. The stabbed Duruchi coughed in his throat and fell to the ground, blood gushing from his mouth. After the hit, he let out a high-pitched roar and attacked the other Duruchi.

The Duruchi who had spoken earlier easily blocked Kellier's attack, and then quickly counterattacked, stabbing Kellier in the abdomen. Kellier barely blocked the attack, spinning the sword to entangle with his weapon and counterattacked him in the head. He quickly lowered his head to avoid Kellier's counterattack, and at the same time, another Duruchi began to circle to Kellier's left side.

He rushed forward and attacked at the same time as his companion. Kellil blocked the blow, turned to block the slash from the side, and counterattacked. He blocked Kellil's attack again and delivered a fatal blow to Kellil's chest.

But Kelly successfully deflected the attack. He turned around and slashed the sword across Duruchi's head, cutting his forehead and blood flowing from the wound.

After a brief confrontation, he and the Duruchi started to confront each other. It was called a confrontation, but in fact he was surrounded. Two Duruchi surrounded him from both sides, with expectant sneers on their faces.

"You will pay the price for killing Nick. He is my relative and my brother!" said the leading Drucci in a hoarse voice.

“I thought Drucci didn’t care about blood relations,” Kelliel shot back.

"Indeed, you are right...but he owes me Sovereign!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the confrontation ended and Duruchi launched an attack, with weapons making clanging sounds.

Kellyl had foreseen this, and he quickly stepped back, spun around, and stabbed his sword into the neck of another Duruchi who was trying to sneak up on him from behind.

The sword pierced deeply into Duruchi's throat, his eyes widened suddenly, blood gushed out from his torn throat, and then he fell to the ground dead.

Although he had dealt with one more, Kelly felt a burning pain on his back. Duruchi's dagger cut through his robe and left a finger-deep wound. He cried out in pain, and the sword slipped out of his hand, and he fell to the ground. Duruchi approached step by step, ready to deliver a fatal blow. When the dagger fell, he quickly lay on the ground and rolled over, avoiding Duruchi's stab.

"The Dread Lords of Naggaroth often boast about the power of the Phoenix King's warriors, but you are nothing but a pitiful waste. Tell me, young man, have you heard Molayg's call? She will come to you soon." Duruchi stood beside Kellyr, blood dripping from his dagger and a disdainful sneer on his face.

Kelly, lying on the ground, felt the touch of burning wood and metal, and groped carefully. Soon, he grasped a smooth wooden handle.

"If you hear the wailing, it's coming for you!"

While shouting, Kelliel turned the charred crossbow violently and pulled the trigger. For the first time in his life, he was grateful for Drucci's craftsmanship, which could still be used normally after being burned. He ignored the burning caused by the residual flames and kept pulling the trigger until the black quiver was empty.

Duruchi looked down at the four crossbow arrows stuck in his chest and abdomen, his face showing more surprise than pain. His sword slipped from his hand, and his body fell to the ground, blood slowly seeping from his dark clothes, but even as his life slipped away, he still sneered at Kelliel.

"You think you won?" he gasped.

"You will die before me." Kelly stood up with difficulty.

"You killed me, young man, but the Dark Rider is not far behind me, and you will die anyway..."

After confirming that Druch was dead, Kelliel turned away, picked up his sword, and limped towards Rianna.

Rianna lay beside her horse, which nuzzled her anxiously, and the arrow had pierced her shoulder but bounced off her collarbone, the arrowhead sticking out from under her skin. Kelil came over and felt the shaft, just under her skin.

“I have never seen anything like it… You are magnificent… Like a master swordsman of Hoeth,” Rianna whispered weakly, her eyelids fluttering slightly and her face as pale as paper.

"Don't move, this is going to hurt."

Rianna nodded and closed her eyes as Kelliel traced the blade along the path of the arrow, gently pulling it out of her body.

Kalil hugged the screaming Rianna tightly, wishing he could bear the pain for her. Then they stood up with difficulty, and he used the dead Druki's cloak to make a makeshift bandage to bandage their wounds.

“We don’t have much time, there must be more of them and they can’t be far away.

"We must warn Tal Ariel."

Kalil nodded, cupped his hands, and helped Rianna onto the horse. Rianna leaned in and placed her palm on his cheek before getting on the horse.

"You saved my life, Kelly, and I will never forget that." Ryanna said and kissed Kelly on the lips.

"I would do anything for you, my lady." Kelly responded after being kissed, and the pain of the wound had long been forgotten.

Now, Naggaroth.

Eldan reined in his horse when he saw a shadow warrior step out from behind a thick tree trunk and raise his fist to signal his raiders to stop.

"Clarkalond is just ahead on the hillside, where the trees thin out and the ground slopes down, and the towers of Duruchi can be clearly seen."

"Well done. Where are the other warriors?" Eldan nodded in response. He could clearly feel the disgust towards Duruchi in every word of the shadow warrior. At the same time, he also felt the urge to attack the enemies who killed his father.

The leading shadow warrior waved his hand, and the other two shadow warriors walked out from the shadows.

Eldan took no notice of the two shadow warriors, and although the shadow warriors' specialty was avoiding detection, he was annoyed that he had not been aware of their presence.

"Why should we stop?" asked Kelly, riding alongside.

"The trees are thinning ahead. We're almost to Clar Karond," Eldan explained.

"At last I have grown weary of this forest; it weighs heavy upon my soul."

"Indeed, stay here. I will go ahead and scout with the shadow warriors."

Without waiting for Kelliel to complain, Eldan dismounted and removed his bow, which was in an oiled leather sheath, from his saddlebag. He nodded to the shadow warrior and followed him into the forest. He felt like a clumsy monkey as he tried to imitate the shadow warrior's stealthy steps, but it was as if every fragile branch and every fallen leaf deliberately burrowed under his boots.

The scouting party moved slowly forward, and though the leaden light of the afternoon sun was welcome after five days of marching, it was of little comfort to an Elf who had grown up in Ulthuan. Each day was heavier than the last, and the forests of this cold land were nothing like those of Ulthuan.

Despite the alternation of day and night, the sun neither warms the skin nor nourishes the soul, but instead drains the life and casts a shadow of fear and doubt over their ranks.

The days were bleak, and the nights were terrifying. The darkness of Naggaroth was not broken by torches or moonlight. Strange sounds echoed in the depths of the forest and in the sky above their heads. Branches rustled, leaves snapped, and sounds like the shrieking laughter of mad children floated in the air. The darkness enveloped the team, so that every warrior was afraid to break the silence of the darkness.

Every night when he camped, Eldan thought of Rianna, and his fear would be eased a little as Rianna's face appeared in his mind. But each time, the betrayal of memory would always send a cold shard into his heart, because Kaelil's figure would always come uninvited.

Eldan shook off these thoughts. The ground began to rise and he felt a pressure on his shoulders. He looked up at the hooded face of the shadow warrior, who nodded slowly and motioned him to look at a thorn bush near the edge of the slope. Then the shadow warrior lay on the ground and crawled into the bush.

Eldan followed behind, knowing that he would have to dispose of the robe after the raid was over. Reavers often say that in the wild, survival never gives way to dignity. But when wearing clothes tailored by the tailors and seamstresses of Lothern, it is different.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but he finally crawled to the thorn bush. He pushed aside the thorny branches and saw the whole picture of Clarkalond, a city full of hatred. (End of this chapter)