Adam, Savior of the Elves

But as Mastoffe stood over the witch, Adam saw Jelyx open her eyes one last time, and heard her utter, "May your children forever be cursed by my spirit and may The Plague of Death destroy your soul!" She threw a crimson orb at Mastoffe, which slammed into him with an evil might. Adam felt sick as he saw the orb penetrate Mastoffe's armor, seeing the metal melt under the intense heat and hearing a horrid hissing sound of burning flesh. Adam was horrified at what had just occurred. Jelyx and Mastoffe were dead.

The sorcerer brought his horse alongside Adam, and handed him the reins of Mastoffe's war-horse. "Hurry Adam. We must arrive at the capital of Ukintile by nightfall."

The next day, after Adam's sojourn at the capital, Baldarr said to Adam, "Make haste. We must speed to the battlefield at Wrey's Forge, where the hosts of elves and dwarves have converged."

The sun was at its zenith, scorching the armies with its blistering heat. As Adam galloped into the front ranks of the elfin army, he cried, "Let all who stand before me know that I am the Savior, come to deliver the elves from our war with the dwarves. We shall fight this day and become the victors!" The thousands of mail-clad elves in the Calagaen army sent up a horrendous battle cry and surged forward, charging the dwarves. Their metal armor jingled as they ran, creating a loud ringing sound as they neared the foe. Adam felt exhilarated as he led the elfin army, his whole body yearning for battle. He pulled his sword from its sheath and galloped into the host of dwarves that awaited him.

In the battle, which became known as Adam's Battle, both sides suffered significant losses. When the dust settled, however, the elves were victorious. Adam's Battle was the turning point in the war, and thenceforth every victory was won by the elves. In every battle after thereafter, Adam stood at the head of the Calagaen host, and led his nation to glory and triumph. The dwarf hordes eventually retreated and were slaughtered at the border. When the war finally ended, Adam returned to Ukintile for his victory reception.

The emperor personally thanked Adam, embracing him respectfully. "We as a nation are forever grateful for your service," said the emperor, booming his voice over the throng of spectators. "We award you with the Medal of Historic Remembrance." He placed a golden necklace around Adam's neck. Dangling from the necklace was the emblem of Calagea, a golden phoenix with crimson eyes.

After the grand celebration at the capital, Adam was allowed to go home. He galloped with all speed possible to Woodstown, and found his house. As he brought his horse to a halt, he saw his wife teaching a little boy his arithmetic in the shade of a tree, his hound resting at their heels. All three looked up when they heard the sound of Adam's horse, and were all equally shocked.

"Mary!" called Adam to his wife. "It is I, Adam. I have returned at last." Mary leaped from under the tree and ran to Adam, hugging him fiercely. His hound was barking gleefully and running around Adam's feet. As Adam looked up at the child, his wife said, "Jonathan, come meet your father." The boy shyly walked up to Adam, hesitated for a moment, then hugged him. Tears came to Adam's eyes as he embraced his family. He was overwhelmed with joy as he hugged his loved ones, his heart ready to burst with all of his happiness. He was glad to be home.

As the years passed, Adam retained his initial fame and heroic persona and was always glad to tell his children the tales of his adventures. He lived the rest of his days in peace, assuming the roles of a father and a husband. Decades after his reunion with his family, Adam died while in bed. His life had ended, but his legend had begun.

Years after his death, many an elf could be found telling of Adam when a rainy day arrived. The storyteller would start the fire in the hearth and call his children to his side. As the rain streamed down the windows of the house and thunder boomed in the sky, the elf would remember the hero Adam and would recall how his story went.

"Let me tell you a story about Adam," many an elf could be overheard saying. "Long ago, when the dwarves were still attacking our border, during the reign of Emperor Calgeas XI, there lived an elf named Adam?"