Elva: (Shrugs) Abilities, I guess.
Duke Balin: It is surely a gift.
Duke Balin beams at the ælfen by his side. He glances towards the opened casement window of Raina's guest room, where she has been watching them. Princess Raina quietly steps back into her room.
Duke Balin: She seems tense.
Elva: She really does. Hmm, I have an idea. Follow me.
She quickens her pace with Balin trailing behind.
Elva: And I saw the black bird that flew by!
Duke Balin: (Chuckles).
They walk up to the entrance of a lounge where they meet the Crown Prince.
Elva: (Joint palms) [This is the place ☺️.]
Derlinê: My Lady. (Walks up to Elva) My Lady, here is what you requested.
Elva: Ah, exactly...
Alf: /You saw the bird?/
Duke Balin: /Yes./
Elva shows gratitude to her servant. Derlinê curtsies, peeks at the males, and leaves.
Alf: (Peeps at Elva) /Why is she here?/
Duke Balin: /Sorry, couldn't lose her./
NOTE: "/" represents finger language in this story.
Innocent Elva tries to open the door but is stopped by the Crown Prince.
Alf: You can't go in. The floor has just been wiped.
Elva: They have? Good.
She dashes into the huge room.
Elva: Wow, nice.
Her further step into the room makes her slide about. Duke Balin and the Crown Prince carefully enter and stand by each door.
Princess Raina: Balin, I got your letter—whoa...
Princess Raina slips, but Balin catches her before she falls.
Princess Raina: Why did you call for me?
Duke Balin: I didn't. (Pointing at Elva) She did.
Princess Raina: Lady Wood. (He nods.)
Elva: (Raises her left palm) Hey, you're here.
Princess Raina: Why did you call me?
Elva: Nothing much, just for a little training fun.
Princess Raina: On a slippery floor?
Elva: Mm, it's even better like this.
Princess Raina: I'm sorry, but I'm not interested.
She reaches for the exit, but Elva uses her Energy to shut the doors.
Elva: No backing off once you've entered, Lady Raina.
Elva slides to the wooden sword on the floor, tossing one each to Princess Raina and Duke Balin. The Eldest Imperial Prince adjusts a bit from the door and sits cross-legged on the floor to watch them.
Elva: I've heard tales of how talented the Duke of Veil Village and the Princess of the Red Enchantresses are. Now I must see for myself.
Elva stands still and closes her eyes.
Elva: I'm your target. If you can hit me, then I'll believe. Don't worry, no need to be soft. Begin.
The Duke and the Shaman Princess exchange glances and a shrug. At once, they charge at Elva. However, she dodges the strikes of their weapons.
Elva: 😏 Missed once.
The young ælfen splits effortlessly when Raina attacks unexpectedly. Without wasting a moment, Elva uses her Energy to push her back. Luckily for Princess Raina, she is stopped from slipping thanks to Balin's steady hand behind her waist.
Elva: (Stands) Again 😁.
The "training" continues with a number of fruitless attacks against Elva. Meanwhile, the Eldest Imperial Prince remembers the first time he met the agile red-haired maiden. 🎞️🎥
---
At the Rum Tavern located at the outskirts of Alväin-Central—which only comes into existence on specific nights—stood the elf "Bob."
Bob: It's Bobby...
Shush! As I was saying—inside the tavern, Elva is seen tap dancing to an old folk song sung by the elves with her.
Elva & Gang: And down the hill, oh come on, folks of the lake, and let's go make history!
A few minutes later...
Elva: So, who wants to bet against me?!
1st Elf: Why? So you can drain us dry of our coins?
Other Elves: Yeah!
Everyone rejected her offer.
Bob: 😆
Elva: (Devious) Well, it's not my fault I have a natural luck charm. Nevertheless, whosoever opposes me will be given eight Donelles.
Still, no one dared rise.
Elva: Tsk, tsk, tsk. (Pretends to spit) Disgusting. None of you are courageous. All of you are cowards.
Two elves in black hooded robes (Alf and Balin) entered the tavern.
Elva: Oh, new customers 😁! Hey, do either of you want to gamble? At least you look competitive.
Alf & Balin: ...
Elva: Tsk, tsk. They're cowards as well.
Balin turned to leave but was held back by Alf through his elbow. Balin glanced at Alf's hand. The mischievous Crown Prince lifted his head, then tossed a pouch of gold coins at Elva's feet. With each gentle step toward the maiden, he negotiated.
Alf: Let's make it more interesting. (Folded arms) Thirty pieces of gold as bait.
Other Elves: (Gasp)
Elva cackled. She dashed toward Alf, then paused a few inches from his face, dropping to one knee in a cool way.
Elva: Thirty-five.
Alf flinched his left eyebrow in agreement.
Other Elves: (Gasp)
Elva: 😆 (Lightly pokes his nose) Daring. (Stares up) Prepare the board!
She bounced away. Alf gently glanced over his shoulder at Balin, who stood behind him.
Duke Balin: (Whispers) What are you doing?
Without responding, Alf looked back at the elves arranging the gambling ground.
---
An hour later...
Elva and some other elves were in a Wine Challenge. Each competitor had their own barrel of Gray Berry wine. Elva, having drunk half her barrel yet still sober, faced her last opponent, who had only managed a quarter of his and was already quite drunk.
Elva: (Relaxed in her chair) Do you want to give up now?
Opponent: (Drunk) No! I'm not drunk!
Elva: (Snorts)
Opponent: I'll win this and show you all! (Glances at his cup, takes a huge gulp) I'll win... (his words slur as he dozes off).
Other Elves: (Mumbling) Down...
Opponent: I'll win...
Other Elves: Down...
Opponent: I'll win...
Finally, he slumps.
Elf: And Elvÿ is the winner! Eight Donelles go to her!
Elva sits in her chair the opposite way.
Elva: Hey, pretty boy.
Alf glances at her, then back at his fingers.
Elva: Why not another bet, since our last game was a tie?
---