Wollfen walked out and as he went though the door he turned and waved. It was strange. Until the experience at the garrison fort they wouldn’t have had such a hard time parting. He was realizing how much time was precious together. He thought she was probably feeling the same thing too.
Once again Wollfen knocked at the girl’s quarters and was let in. Madeira was sitting at the table and while she looked pale and sickly, she was at least alert and focused though she did ask him to keep it down, her head throbbed.
“
I am never ever going to drink again.”
Wollfen couldn’t help but laugh out loud and was quickly admonished by her for it.
“
Sh! I told you to keep it down,” she said quietly.
Smiling Wollfen leaned towards her and in a quiet conspiratorial tone he whispered,
“
So are you ready to sneak out yet or what?” She regarded him with a dour look.
“
You are not funny.” Wollfen thought of something.
“
You know the sooner we get going the sooner I can take that hangover from you.”
She looked at him a little surprised. He was capable of many things and she knew not to doubt him. He watched her reaction and continued on.
“
In the elven lands if you drink of an elixir they can prepare for you, the hangover can be gone in minutes.”
She got up quickly but regretted it and stood for a moment as her head gave her grief.
“
Okay let’s get going, the sooner the better.” Wollfen turned to the other girls.
“
I can’t convince you two to come along?” They shook their heads in unison.
“
No not this trip, but probably soon, Loranda and I are still discussing what to do with ourselves once the war is over.”
Wollfen thought about that. They had total confidence in him to solve everything going on. He wished he could do the same. He clasped the turquoise crystal in his pocket and bid a final farewell, Madeira had her arm around his. They all waved and the two of them winked out in a flash of light.
THE ENCHANTED LANDS
They found themselves standing in a grove of very tall trees. The sun was shining brightly and the rays of the sun cut the haze in the air. It was very picturesque. Wollfen even found the air to be quite warm which was surprising to all the rest since the ground was covered in a light blanket of snow. He looked up the tree trunks, all of which were perfectly formed and straight, the canopy of leaves was very high up. They were evergreens, specially cultivated by keepers amongst the elves to always stay green and to always bloom. No matter how many times Wollfen went away whenever he came back and set eyes on them again he was always impressed.
Madeira was looking around too. She was immediately aware this was no ordinary forest. Wollfen looked about for the person he had focused on when they teleported, where was he? Turning fully around he couldn’t see anyone. Then he heard the man’s voice out of nowhere.
“
Hello Aerassis, it has been a while since we last saw each other.”
It was a soft smooth voice spoken in a manner that made it feel like velvet on the ears. Wollfen turned again and the elf appeared as if out of nowhere. Madeira let out a little gasp as Wollfen replied.
“
Hello Luthein Melwasul, it has been a while yes.”
They both nodded at each other in acknowledgment of their friendship. There was no back slapping here, that would have been too uncultured.
“
We have been waiting for your arrival for some time, did you have troubles along the way?”
“
Yes, quite a number actually but they have been dealt with, you say you have been expecting me?” Wollfen wasn’t that surprised, the elves were always good at anticipating the movements of others.
“
After Eldoron arrived and informed us of what is happening in the Kingdom as well as the discovery of Drexus, we did try to find you to take advantage of your offer regarding use of the teleport crystal but that proved to be fruitless. We made a judgment that you would come to us soon, so we have waited.”
The entire time that Wollfen spent talking with this elf Madeira was too busy looking on in amazement at him. She was also wondering about how the elf had addressed Wollfen by that other name. She was too engrossed to feel miffed at being left out. He was simply extraordinary in her eyes, skin perfectly smooth and colored like alabaster. She could see no signs of age at all. He looked like a boy of 18 years and his hair, white long and straight. It hung down without a strand out of place. His fingers were long, thin and delicate like his features. Everything about him seemed perfect. After awhile he turned to her.
“
Don’t worry my dear, we are not leaving you out, Aerassis and I are simply exchanging pleasantries before you and I are introduced.” Wollfen squinted an eye at Luthein for a moment. Then he turned to her.
“
Madeira I would like to introduce you to an old friend of mine. His name is Luthein Melwasul, he is an elven elder and the wisest man I know. Luthein, may I in turn also introduce Madeira, high sorc of the clique of sorcs in Isogorr, she is very close to Drexus.” The elf took a particular interest in the last comment. Wollfen quickly whispered into Madeira’s ear,
“
Aerassis is my elven name, I’ll explain later.”
Luthein spoke again,
“
I am pleased to meet such an esteemed leader.”
He bowed his head to her and held out his hand. Madeira wasn’t sure what to do and Wollfen motioned her to take it and she did so. Luthein then bent down further and lightly kissed the top of her fingers giving her a pleasant tingle.
“
I thank you Luthein for you graciousness, it is pleasing to meet you too.” She hoped that all sounded courteous enough. Luthein now addressed them both.
“
I think it time to move to the town, when you are ready we may leave.” Wollfen realized what the elf meant and turned to Madeira.
“
All female elves are barefoot within the enchanted lands, they are all capable of magic and draw their power from the soil and trees through direct contact. Since you are a magic user and wish to show these elves you are an ally it would be best if you removed your boots.” Madeira looked a little surprised.
“
But the ground is covered in snow?” Wollfen reassured her,
“
It’s okay, you won’t feel any cold here in this enchanted forest.”
Wollfen held out his hand and she took it to steady herself as she took off her first boot. She cautiously touched her toes to the ground and found that he was right, it didn’t feel cold at all. In fact it felt like she was standing on some sort of smooth cushion. She looked to Wollfen and he explained.
“
What you feel is a cushion of pure magical energy. As we walk you will find it rising up through your limbs and you may even feel energized by the experience.”
Madeira nodded as she removed her other boot and felt the ground with her feet. It was actually quite nice. She gave Wollfen a smile and then Luthein moved off. They must have walked a few hundred yards before Luthein stopped and turned back to them.
“
We are here.”
Madeira looked around but could see nothing, where was the town? Wollfen tapped her on the shoulder and looked up. She looked to where he had indicated and there high above in the top canopy of the trees, hung houses and platforms. She stopped open mouthed as she stared.
“
This is incredible, it is huge.”
Her eyes kept roving over what she could see. The further she looked the further the structures extended, there appeared to be no end to them.
“
I have never seen anything like this before in my life.” Wollfen nodded.
“
Yes it is an impressive sight isn’t it?”
Luthein motioned for them to stand on a platform before them and they moved onto it, then they were steadily lifted by unknown forces directly up into the sky towards the structures above. The platform raised level with an open deck of sorts and they all stepped off. Madeira turned around and looked down. She felt a little giddy and stepped back. None of the walkways had guardrails at all, it made her feel a bit nervous. Wollfen saw her trepidation and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
“
Don’t worry, you will get used to it, just don’t forget where you are and walk off without looking where you are going.” She gave him a wan smile.
“
Please follow me, the King has announced he would like to see you straight away.”
Wollfen thought that curious, elves never did anything quickly by human terms and he couldn’t ever remember it not taking at least half a day before any actual meeting took place. They both followed Luthein to another part of the tree complex and approached a large set of stairs rising to huge open doors with elven guards at each side. Madeira continued to be impressed by all that she saw and was still scanning about as they walked directly past the guards without an announcement being made. Wollfen for his part was surprised that normal protocols were not being followed. Normally they would have stopped to have their presence declared.
Inside they found themselves walking into the throne room to where King Elyssur was seated. He was conferring with Queen Elaterriel and the three of them stood there quietly. Madeira wiggled her toes and feet as she experienced strange sensations from the floor. It was different from the ground. She tugged on Wollfen’s sleeve and gave him a questioning look while she wriggled. He leaned close to her ear and spoke very softly though he knew that to the elves it would sound like speech to them.
“
The wood of the floor you are standing on is still alive. In fact the entire building is still alive. The elves refuse to kill any living thing to serve their needs beyond food unless it is absolutely necessary. What you feel is the life essence of the trees themselves. They are at one with these structures. Elves live in total harmony with nature and in return nature allows itself it be bent to serve the elves needs. It is a symbiotic relationship.”
Madeira looked about again in new wonder, all that she could see was alive? It was incredible.
King Elyssur turned to the guests and greeted them.
“
Good afternoon Aerassis Carnesere. It is good to see you again after such a long while. May I ask who your companion is?” Wollfen bowed his head first.
“
Thank you for your kind welcome King. I have with me Madeira high sorc second only to Drexus.”
Madeira bowed her head and kept silent. Right now she was feeling quite insignificant and what was that name the King addressed Wollfen by? Carnesere?
“
That is very interesting news. She is just the person we need to speak to in dealing with Drexus. We have much to talk about Aerassis. I suppose you would like to suggest in what order and what urgency it all carries?” Wollfen bowed his head again.
“
If it may please my lord then yes I would like to do so.” The King nodded his head in silence and Wollfen went on, “Right now the Kingdom is on the edge of collapse. I have been there and the capitol city of Kassandrea is in dire straits. I don’t expect they will last beyond a month past winter. They do not have enough food to see out the siege.”
The King contemplated Wollfen’s words for a moment.
“
I take it that this siege is a direct result of Drexus’ involvement. I can see that we will have to address that in some form at the appropriate time. What else have you?”
“
At present that has been my main priority though during my travels I have seen certain orc activity that has raised some concerns for me. This is something we will have to discuss at length afterward. Right now the most pressing matters are the siege followed by dealing with Drexus and her goals. Then seeing what we might do about the question of the orcs.”
The King nodded as he listened but still didn’t offer anything in return. He would take his time and allow things to flow for now. It was the way of the elves to do so as many things righted themselves without any input a lot of the time.
“
So what do you expect should be done regarding the siege? I’m afraid we do not wish to become involved where we would not be welcome and there is the point of how far our responsibilities go. I do see there is a correlation between one of our own in Drexus and the consequences of her influence in human matters. As far as I can see if we have her removed that should be the end of it.”
Wollfen took a deep breath. The elves would be hesitant to acknowledge that the problems in the Kingdom were a direct and immediate result of Drexus and her desires. They would be able to point to human greed and suggest quite reasonably that a war between the states of the Kingdom and Isogorr would most probably happen at sometime anyway regardless of the trigger.
“
It seems to me my lord that any offer of service on your part would be greatly appreciated. Surely we cannot allow Kassandrea to fall? Think of the lives that would be lost.” The King countered with an argument of his own.
“
Think of the lives that would be lost in the event we did get involved Aerassis. Would they be any less if it was the Isogorreans who were put to the sword?”
This was always going to be tough and he knew it. To convince the elven King to sacrifice lives of many elves to save some indigenous humans wouldn’t rate high with them.
“
My lord, the entire war is a direct result of Drexus demanding the destruction of Kassandrea to suit her ends solely. Surely it would be seen in a kind light to intervene because of an elf’s involvement?” The King smiled the tiniest fraction.
Madeira almost missed it.
“
And by having Drexus removed, we will have stopped the Isogorreans from having any reason to continue the war.” This was like a verbal sparring between Wollfen and Elyssur.
“
Yes that may be true, but having come this far the King of Isogorr would continue on to claim the prize of the Kingdom. Removing Drexus will not have the desired result at this late stage.”
“
Then it really is a human problem. You have shown me that this war will be engaged regardless of elven involvement.”
Wollfen was totally frustrated now, this ‘too-ing and fro-ing’ was getting them nowhere and he felt his power to argue on the basis of right and wrong failing miserably. He simply ran out of ideas but he couldn’t give up.
“
If not for any other reason King Elyssur,” Wollfen sighed. He really hated calling on their friendship, “Would you do it for me?”
The King smiled for all to see.
“
Of course Aerassis, you need only ask. Would five thousand hand picked elven archers do?” Wollfen looked up in surprise.
“
That would be fantastic my lord. That many elven warriors would guarantee the breaking of the siege. I cannot thank you enough.” The King went on.
“
I will have them set out on the morn at first light. They should get to Kassandrea in just under five weeks.” Wollfen reacted with even more surprise.