Treasures of the Broken Garrison: Part 1- A Fantasy Short Story

“Are you sure?” The Lord of the Aven Forest had asked when she reported Kielle and three others of their patrol group entered the open gate of the old garrison. “Ghost sightings in that area are nothing unheard of, maybe you saw…?”

But the guard shook her head before he finished. “It was them. I’ve been with them all night.”

“They know better than to-”

“Therin went in first. It looked like he was in a trance or something. He was staring at the garrison door and after a second, it began opening for him. I don’t know what he saw, but he wasn’t answering any of our calls. Kielle went to retrieve him, but it was too late. Therin sprinted in the door and the others followed after Kielle. I didn’t know what to do!”

Lord Foradue assured her that she made the best decision in coming back to share the news, but was reluctant in sending anyone else in. Their only hope would be for the rest of the patrol to find the way back on their own. In the meantime, he urged her to keep the incident a secret for now to protect the city from panic.

That was two weeks ago. Now, Evra was back, but it was her lack of news that carried urgency. Since the occurrence with the garrison, no one’s come out, but people were beginning to ask questions. 

She didn’t like to see the old elf so quiet. Foradue’s been a good overseer for nearly a century. And the years only made him even wiser. His delay to respond by rubbing his temple and taking a moment to sigh had to expose his insecurity on the matter. 

Finally, with a rhythmic tapping on the desk’s surface, he inhaled an answer. “We have no choice.” His voice grew more raspy, like it struggled to continue with his decision. “The First Knight and the guards who went in with her might be gone forever, but we can’t leave their fates with the fog. We must tell their friends and family what really happened. Gather my advisors and send notice for those closest to them to appear at the court before the sun sets.”

“Yes sir,” Evra bowed as Lord Foradue stood up from his desk. The last she saw of him were the wavering folds of his velvet robe before she turned to leave.

A slender, but wrinkled hand on her arm made her pause before she could see the living wood staircase spiraling down out of view. Foradue stared in her eyes, revealing to her how important his departing message was. “Tell them nothing of their loved ones yet. They need to know the importance of avoiding the garrison.”

Evra nodded again and this time, he let her leave.

◊◊◊

Finhaus stared at the line of herbs and crops on his counter. Summer was already spent, and soon any food from the garden he doesn’t enchant will be as well. Still, any task becomes more difficult when one struggles to breathe. 

She didn’t say it, but he already knew the summons had something to do with his sister disappearing a few weeks ago, but he couldn’t take it as anything good. If Kielle was fine, she would be the one who knocked on his door the day before. This summons was only an acceptance that she was gone…

The elf choked back a sob and brushed the soft hair out of his eyes. He wouldn’t take it. He wouldn’t believe it, but not going was not an option either. He would rather know the reason for her absence, even if it killed him.

The shuffle of his seat when he rose startled him into the reality of his too-quiet home. Cold moonlight still seeped into his window, and the leaves of the many potted plants reflected it back. For them, alive but unknowing, it was another peaceful night in their uncomplicated lives. They didn’t think anything when their owner scuttled past them and stared down at the unprocessed harvests he took up last. 

The meeting wasn’t until after dawn, but he couldn’t take the anxiety of waiting around anymore. He’s done nothing but that since the summons. He couldn’t tell how many minutes he stood like a statue, wondering if he should bother taking food with him. When was the last time he had a full meal? Why was he still not hungry?

Tired of his own indecision, he chose a carrot at random and marched for the front door. The many leaves cluttering his space brushed against his sleeves. Chattering of a trusting raccoon awaited him as he stepped outside. The creature accepted his gift of the carrot with outstretched paws, but watched after him as he silently walked down the path between the crop fields. 

As if sensing his inner storm, a friendly crow glided down and perched on Finhaus’ shoulder. Used to the disregard of personal space from his animal friends, the elf barely acknowledged this. The bird fluffed out its feathers against the settling cold and switched between micromanaging wing feathers to flicking a pointed black beak against the surrounding woods.

Still a few hours from dawn, the night couldn’t envelop the mysterious Aven Forest. Even if it weren’t for the dancing flicks of color by the wilderness edge, soft, floating orbs of calm blue light illuminated the main roads. Having grown up surrounded by the beautiful, yet deadly forest, the unknown source behind the dots of many colors never scared Finhaus. He remembered his mother warning him against wandering alone on any kind of mission to “catch” any of the endearing lights, but he never felt like he needed to anyway. The bright shades of red, blue, green, yellow, and any color in-between and they way they floated without a care or breath of wind encapsulated Finhaus’ wonder enough. 

Some things didn’t need to spill its secrets to deserve fascination.

Even now, watching the lights brought him to happier memories of peaceful evenings surrounded by his dear family. For just a second, he perked up enough to bring up a finger and stroke the soft, almost perfect black down feathers on the crow’s chest. It released an abrupt caw in appreciation. 

Finhaus took in a breath and held it in his chest before releasing it in an exhale still shaky from stress. The crisp air carried the sweet, overripe scent of fruits and leaves. Before he would be able to take in its wild beauty, it would be buried under several feet of snow. The tastes of autumn didn’t last long around here.

The low light of the moon caught on the speckles of solidified starlight that lined the city streets. Even in the darkest patches of road, the starlight shown like jewels. That marked the end of the rural dirt roads going out to the farm. Finhaus and his crow friend entered the city of Sylinna.

Soft and comforting orbs of light hovered just inside windows to give light to any who might be awake so late at night. As more and more trees elves called home began to surround him, Finhaus thought of his brother, Queriven and dear friend, Blair. His nightly walk could take him to their tree, but the idea didn’t last long in his mind. 

Finhaus had no doubt they also planned on reaching the court in the morning. They might be struggling against sleep the same way he was. No, he preferred the quiet anyway. At some point, his winged friend took off into the trees, though Finhaus didn’t notice. He finally reached the side of the Center Tree where the Lord of the Forest calls his meetings. 

Of course, the young farmer was the only one there at this hour. With an exhausted sigh, he lowered himself down beside one of the large roots of the tree and stared up at the platform. Then, he imagined it full of people. Of the Lord Foradue, of the advisors, and the court. Meetings were never held indoors. During the worst of it, they may be rescheduled for better weather, but the elves were not the only residents of the forest. 

Decisions, news, weddings. Good times and bad times were always shown in the open for the animals, spirits, and even the trees the elves called home to witness. Finhaus only wished this morning was one of the good ones. 

The elf sat with his thoughts with the root supporting his back until a lighter shade of orange pushed through the leaves. His visions on the platform echoed voices in his mind until everything else faded and he fell asleep…

He woke steadily to a soft hand shaking his arm. When he opened his eyes, he saw Blair bending over him. Her hazel eyes shifted from a concern to a smile at seeing him awaken. She stood straight to give him room to get to his feet. Queriven extended an arm to help him up and patted his brother’s back once he came in arm’s length. “How long were you out here?”

Finhaus swallowed. “I know it’s about her. About Kielle! Queriven, we can’t-”

“It’ll be alright,” his brother interrupted. “We’ll handle this one step at a time.”

That calmed him down enough for the group to refocus on the gathering of people around them. Trying to keep his patience, Finhaus couldn’t help but notice the crowd giving Blair a wider berth than they did others. He wasn’t too familiar with her schedule and relationships outside of his own family, but he was certain some of her classmates were also avoiding her with curious, lingering eyes.

Maybe it was his own bias, but he admired the features that made her human. Her speckled skin and her softer lines made her more exotic in a place where those features were hardly ever seen naturally. If any of the others here beside Queriven felt the same, they didn’t show it.

He glimpsed their fingers interlocking before Foradue’s dry voice spoke over the crowd. “Many of you arrived to this morning’s court with many theories that filled your hearts with anxiety.” He ended his first sentence with hands at either side of him to calm the filling questions from the crowd. Five elves in velvet robes the various colors of nature sat behind a wide table behind him. His advisors remained quiet, though focused on every word.

“I first want to apologize,” Foradue continued, his shoulders relaxing a bit in his speech and his gaze drifting to individuals in the crowd. “For keeping recent events quiet and leaving imaginations to run in troubling places. I have my reasons, but I won’t make any excuses to you now. For your sakes, I will get on with the point.” The air became too quiet then, like everyone held their breath. Foradue pivoted and took a few steps in an extremely slow pace. “While on patrol late at night, a team of protectors fell into the temptation of the garrison.” He waited a second in case the crowd began to talk, but the silence boomed louder than ever. “We kept it quiet in the hopes that our brave warriors would find the way out themselves, but it’s looking like that’s not the case.”

Lord Foradue stopped and turned to face the crowd, his arms still behind his back, but eyes sunken in sorrow. “I do not want to count them as lost, but we cannot let this freeze us in time. At least for now, we have to move on.” Whispers of denial started and Foradue raised his voice, partly to cover the hesitation in his own speech. “As we all know the strange nature of the garrison at the old trading post, I ask no one go looking for the names I am about to share. Please keep yourself safe for those still here.”

Finhaus lowered his head before the names even came. The wind blew colder. Each name seemed more surreal than the last, and then came Kielle’s name. Three others under her watch were among her. Guards of the names of Therin, Elora, and Awhn. He didn’t remember much after that. He remembered soft cries in the crowd, hugs in the attempt to comfort, and Lord Foradue deciding to let the forest process their grief before naming a new first knight, but everything else blended too tight to unravel.

After breaking away from the crowd, Blair, Queriven, and Finhaus spent the afternoon together trying to comfort one another and share hope that Kielle’s stubborn nature won’t let the old garrison hold onto her for too long. Finhaus wanted to believe that. He wondered how similar his spiral of confusion looked from his companions’ perspectives? They seemed mostly quiet, but dismay showed in short reflections on each of their faces, like when Queriven randomly broke eye contact or when Blair sucked in a hard breath.

Time still seemed too fast and too slow at the same time. The three took Finhaus’ other brother, Sirnah, from the Center Tree’s healer branch and took him for a walk around the city. At some point, they wound back up at the farm with the idea to help Finhaus catch up on the last of his harvesting. Mostly, they talked about the garrison and Kielle’s likelihood to still escape. That ended in an uncomfortable silence with many staring too long at the floor. Ever the peacekeeper, Finhaus tried to make it up with some tea as thanks for the help before everyone went home.

Nothing can happen to her in there. She’s fine. She’s too smart for anything to happen in a… A place like that. The questions raged for hours. No matter the consensus, Finhaus knew it meant another long, sleepless night.

Before he knew it, he was outside again, walking the same dirt road to town, but this time, holding a box of freshly made candy. It was something he made last minute as an excuse to see his friends again. He would openly admit, but he hoped it would be good enough, and tasty enough, to stay with them longer, even if it meant taking the couch for the night. He paused before the base of their home, hoping they would still be awake as he slowly knocked on the door.

To his surprise, it was already loose and swung in at his touch. The sofa and table in the room awaited him, but Blair and Queriven were nowhere to be seen. Quietly at first, Finhaus called for them, but no one answered. He paused and listened. 

Nothing but the cold breeze and evening crickets. Finhaus took a few hesitative steps inside. For a second, he turned back to the still-open door. Maybe he should leave them alone. That was before something invisible snaked up his back. “Queriven!?”

He dropped the box of candies on the table and went upstairs, pausing again before entering the bedroom. “Is anyone home? Blair?” After not getting an answer yet again, he peeked around the corner to see another empty room. “No, no!” He cried, his voice growing more desperate. Queriven went after the garrison. He was sure of it. Any thought otherwise was quickly buried under panic. Finhaus couldn’t calm the heavy thudding in his chest anymore. He used it to sprint down the stairs and out the door.

Even the elves of Aven Forest avoided most of what they called The Wilderness. The untamed parts of the forest where beasts and magic frolicked both protected their homes and endangered any who came too close, but the civilized residents, since early childhood, knew how to interact with the forest safely. Including Finhaus. He knew the winding path going to the forest outskirts, where the old Forest Border Trading Post lies.

The floating lights became a blur and the screeching insects grew deafening. The fatigue growing in his lungs and legs finally overtook him and he fell to his knees. Exhausted, he gasped for air in the cloud of dust his knees stirred up, making him cough. Finally, the farmer’s mind caught up to him as the panic began to fade. Reality set in and he understood at once the danger he was placing himself in. What did he plan on doing? Was he really serious in going after Queriven in the garrison? …Was Queriven even in the garrison? 

The whispers of invisible beings made him turn his head and watch the dark leaves around him. Maybe he should have checked with Sirnah. The lumbering trees obscured the clear night sky like they were of two separate worlds. Beyond the trees, in between the kingdoms of the humans and elves, everyone else seemed so far away. By the time Finhaus reaches home again, Sirnah would be locked up in the Center Tree, and it might be difficult to reach him behind the guards without a good explanation… 

Which meant if Queriven and Blair did go in the garrison, it may be too late to help them by morning. Finhaus had to decide on his gut alone. The thought gave his heart a jolt, and he imagined the face of a young boy who always thought about others first; even if he suffered alone.

A quiet whisper called behind him. Finhaus flinched and climbed to his feet. He shouldn’t be by himself here as it was, let alone crouched on the ground like a sitting target. Best to keep moving. Moonlight spilled onto the forest floor and lit up the barks of the trees. He could almost hear them telling him which direction to go to reach the trading post.

Finhaus picked up his pace into a steady, but light, jog and sent a silent appreciative wish to the trees. The soothing breeze rustled the leaves like they answered in his welcome. Movement to his side argued with a low growl, but he ignored it and kept his speed until he was away, like he was told as a child. Do not engage with the creatures of the forest, nor the unknown magic…

He kept going, not slowing down and not looking back until he could spot the pavilions on top of the watchtowers. His eyes fell to the bases of the trees, where they joined with a cobblestone wall. The old structures were a tribute to human and elf culture.

The garrison sat just behind the campgrounds. The trading parties used it to protect the valuables they would bring to trade, as well as sleep and dine while away from home. It hasn’t been used since the terrible slaughter that broke the pact between the two races more than half a century ago. Despite it being abandoned, there was something odd about it. Even now, the heavy door was open, and the sconces around the front were lit up in a mysterious blue flame. Anyone who entered to investigate or was tempted to look for any remaining treasure in the past never came back out. Unable to solve any of the mysteries, Lord Foradue decided it was best to avoid the place, especially at dusk.

The farmer’s legs carried him through the camp and to the gate. The stone fort towered higher and higher as he came closer. A shiver raked his body as he observed the entryway inside. Never once did he think he would come this close to it. The flames may be lit and alive in how they flickered and raged against a stirring wind, but what he saw inside seemed dead and undisturbed. Shadows hovered over the corners, obscuring his view of more than a few steps inside. He couldn’t see more than the dark stone bricks of the wall and floor, and maybe what seemed to be a crate or two by the side. The closer he came to the door, the more he became numb, like the disbelief of what he was doing pushed his grasp on reality away. 

Suddenly, his legs stopped and began to shake. Last chance to stay outside… Even if his family went in, will he be able to find them? What if they found their demise and Finhaus is the latest of the claimed? Is this the last time he will see freedom? He calmed his breathing and took a few steps ever closer. 

His heart thudded in his ears and swallowing didn’t help his dry mouth. Without putting much thought behind it, he crossed the door. To an outside observer, the air was silent. Silent enough to be overwhelming, but Finhaus took in every little sound, every pounding heartbeat, and every click of his boot on stone. He only had time to scream when the heavy door slammed shut, trapping him inside and taking what little light there was outside.

Completely in the dark, panic began to set in, and the farmer took long breaths. “It’s fine. That’s fine,” He whimpered to himself. “I knew that was going to happen. Just got to… find some light…” 

He stooped down and began feeling the floor for something he could hold onto. It didn’t take him long to fumble around the dust and webs to find a chunk of a brick. He stood back up and fidgeted with it until he was familiar with the shape, as the darkness left him nothing to work with. 

He traced its shape, focusing on the warmth running through his arms and dripping off his fingers. Determined not to let stress get in his way, he shut his eyes. It’s not like he could use them if he wanted to anyway. He wasn’t sure when the spell worked until he opened an eye and saw a faded blue glow on the brick. It wasn’t much. He could strengthen it and make it brighter, but that would take more time. 

He decided it was enough and held it before him as he walked further in the room. He didn’t bother sweeping over the rotting crates, few helmets, and old shoes in the corners. Even if there was something valuable among them, that wasn’t why he was here. He was here for something far more precious… And he won’t let any regret for his decisions rise until he finds them.

End of Part 1.

(Part 2 is coming next Saturday, May 9th, 2026. Thanks for reading!)

(No AI was used in any stage of writing this story.)