Late one night, in the Great Forest of Nefer, two elfin rangers patrolled the forest's edge. As they spoke casually, neither noticed a third figure creep up on them. Suddenly, one of them stopped in his tracks: his partner looked behind them, and saw a dark figure in heavy black armour holding a spear in the back of the now dead elf. Before she could even draw her sword, the dark stranger twisted the spear head out, and swung the shaft about, hitting the elf heavily on the temple. As they stepped into the light to slay the fallen ranger, distinctly elvish features could be made out, yet their skin was uncommonly pale. Looking up with their bloodshot eyes, they spotted two more rangers, who were in shock from the sight before them. As he readied his spear once more, one drew his sword as he told the other to flee; flee they did, but the other was not so lucky. Scoring a blow on the stranger, the heavy plates merely turned the blade, and he was impaled upon the bloodied spear.

Meanwhile, in Iment Forest, three warriors from Noot advance, longswords drawn, upon two invaders of their own: both in heavy black plates, one was armed with a hand-and-a-half sword while the other wielded a partisan. The first of the warriors moved to attack, but was met with a sword to his head. The other two attacked simultaneously: one was cut across the abdomen, while the other took the partisan to the left shoulder, and was left to bleed. After the two strangers were happy their job was done, they left; no sooner where they gone, than another Noot elf crept out of the shadows, picked up her fallen comrade, and set off towards their village.

Shortly after dawn, a ranger walked into the throne room in Fortula; clearly shaken from what he had seen, he tried to relay the tale to King Ell'dril. After he described the pale complexion of their attacker, the black plates, and the way they handled their spear, the King stopped him. Looking to his right, he saw the court historian, Serache, was clearly distressed by what he had heard.

"Moriquendi," he muttered, creases appearing in his forehead.

"Speak up, old man," commanded the king, becoming uneasy with his advisor's apparent distress, "Do you know something?"

"We do not have time to talk, my liege: Elric must be summoned! Please, allow me to alert him: he will know what we are up against."

"Very well," replied Ell'dril as he rose from his throne, "if it is so serious that the Champion is required, then clearly dark times are upon us. I shall rally the rangers: you can have my fastest messenger."

__________

Three days later, in the Forgotten Fortress, an elf appeared from nowhere, holding a scroll and demanding to speak with "Mormeshah." Eventually, they were brought to see Councilor Klint, Head of National Security. After a brief conversation, it become clear they have an urgent missive for High Lord Elric: checking the seal, it was not one he was familiar with, but he took it to the High Lord without question. Knowing he would find the elf in the library, he went immediately to it: sure enough, the familiar sight of his white cape was draped over the chair he sat in; his nose buried in a book. Clearing his throat, the councilor announced his presence.

"Milord," began Klint, "I have a scroll for you. I know not who sent it, but it was brought by an elf."

"Thank you, Councilor," replied Elric, "Ah, this seal is Serache's: it is from home."

Unrolling the scroll, Elric found only three words written: 'Moriquendi have invaded.'

"Councilor, this is bad news: call an immediate meeting of the Knights, and bring the elf to me."

With a bow, Klint left the room; shortly after he left, the elf entered, and was quickly met with a handshake from Elric.

"Iuw meh hotep, Sarenenutet!"

"Iye'i meh hotep, Im'chey! I know you must have questions about what is happening, but I know very little myself. All I know is one elf overpowered three rangers: even a strike force from Noot could not have defeated three without loss!"

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