There a portal arc suddenly appeared, and Yelle White Moths jumped out onto the sloping floor — the ruler of the elves, nicknamed White Serpent. He made a circle of fire directly in front of him in the air and said loudly, “Allow Expert Advisors access.”
One after the other, two high elves emerged from the air: Moor Yadi White Moths, deservedly called the Iron Gravedigger, the head of the Influence Service, and Tark White Branch, Sly Mercury, the head of the White Branch clan. The Expert Advisors bowed almost synchronously and uttered in unison, “Master.”
They, choosing to keep silent, sat habitually on their thrones, the crystals flashed, and shining hoops engulfed the elves’ heads, enhancing the capabilities of the Council of Three significantly. All three elves were in a very tense state.
“So, we begin the council,” the ruler of the light elves proclaimed loudly, and the heavy huge doors dissolved obediently and silently, like gateways. The representations of all the light elven clans entered the hall like a deep, wide river—boiling, noisy, and quickly filling the entire space of the hall.
The ruler raised his left hand, and a ringing silence reigned in the hall of the Council of Three.
“Tark White Branch will speak,” it rumbled through the hall.
The white-haired elf, in a hoarse, broken voice, told in detail about the Palace of Capture, the massive losses, and the failed mission of the negotiators.
The elves began to scream. The ruler had to raise his hand again and yell heartrendingly, losing his temper. “Shut up!”
Tark continued, “Here is the helots’ answer.”
He made an almost imperceptible movement with a luminous brush, and an elf appeared next to the throne platform; he took part in the operation of presenting an ultimatum to the people. This unfortunate elf flashed like a torch, and all those present saw a large three-dimensional image of the throne room of the Palace of Capture. There were rows of menacing warriors, the kneeling light elves, the new owner of the Palace on the throne, dragons, and other inexplicable and frightening phenomena. Then everyone heard the loud, confident voice of a mysterious human sitting on the throne dressed in ancient epic armor.
“Anything taken in combat won’t be returned. The former governor and his closest associates will be executed. The artifact cache was sold as garbage. The prisoners are ready to be exchanged for people taken out from Earth in the amount of one million three hundred and two children—according to the principle of all for all. Henceforth, any hostile actions applied to earthlings or our allies will lead to the immediate and ruthless destruction of cities on your capital planet. Our technologies are able to transform your planet remotely. Remember this and live in peace.”
The loud noise lasted for a few minutes, in which the elven composure, vaunted sanity, and even the magic-amplified voice of the light ruler and his two advisers, sank at once. Only the ‘Air Fist’ spell helped to calm the crowd down. The enraged Tark applied it to the high-elves without doubt. The blow was notable and memorable — the spell, reinforced with a crystal, scattered and knocked down the noble ones. Tark grinned, despite the fact that he received more than a hundred calls to a duel. The result was achieved, and the ruler could now speak.
Yelle seemed to shout throughout the whole palace, “Light elves! Your indignation is understandable, but we are neither barbarians nor cattle. You are not gathered here to yell and wave. I warn you, all the unrestrained elves will get a fine of ten million and sanctions on the clan they represent. The situation is much worse than you think. We are likely to have to open the reserve inter-clan fund!”
The elves gasped and immediately fell silent. The ruler thanked Tark and gave the floor to the Head of the Influence Service.
The noble Moor Yadi spoke, shocking the assembled elves that stood before them. “Elves! The name of the invaders’ leader is Yar Row Dark, and he’s our global curse. Listen, Highborn. I will not give lengthy explanations—it is tiring and will take a lot of time. I will say on the merits.
Our old enemies, the Row brothers, are alive. Ran Row is about to ascend the dwarven throne, and Vey Row the Shamrock serves as mentor for this dark ape. I don’t know how it happened. In addition, the Dragons and Shadows of the Moon that disappeared thousands of years ago, returned to the Belt of the Worlds. Yesterday, this demon, Yar, became the Totkhen of the dark elves. Moreover, he founded a new and seemingly effective direction in magic. Another incredible thing is that this human found a way to both destroy the EWIS and remove the slave collars. He also uses the transformation.”
The council struggled to manage the raging ocean of possessed elves. Tark shouted with a terrible face, wheezing to the point of breaking his ligaments, after each of Moore Yadi’s sentences. “Shut up! Shut up!” he screamed.
When the elves calmed down a bit, Yadi continued.
“Light elves! Many of our experts are inclined to believe that all that we know about this human is only the tip of the iceberg. Therefore, we need to quickly destroy the whole gang and the entire Kamir family. The council proposes to follow the example of our ancestors and open the reserve fund. There is now over five trillion gold. It is urgently necessary to select a group of the most talented and promising young elves and strengthen them as much as possible by buying all the available performance points on the stock exchange. The council has also decided that the White Branch clan will deal with it as an injured party. Send your candidates. Particularly those who will enter the Altarum University later this year.”
“The council is complete. Utter an oath about non-disclosure, and you can be free,” the ruler of the light elves said, rising from his throne.
Once he had disappeared, Yadi went up to Tark and said softly, “I hope my son will be selected? I’d have nothing against the gold.”
The two satisfied advisors shook hands.
Chapter 46. Disturbing News
Zao, the twenty-eighth planet of the White Branch clan.
W hile capturing Zao, the elves didn’t carry out the Transformation. It was inappropriate, because the planet consisted of an only ocean and a few small islands inhabited by some fishermen natives. However, the invaders discovered the huge ruins of a castle of unknown origin on one fabulously picturesque island. Specialists of the White Branch found some valuable artifacts there. This inspired the members of the clan to investigate all the islands and the large stones sticking out from the surface of the water. Everything was in vain: no valuable resources and no artifacts were found. There was zero profit, only expenses.
It should be noted that the elves did not like the water worlds at all, and Zao was no exception. The head of the clan and his advisers wanted to leave this useless planet when Lia’s mother intervened. In a magical way, the wise elf managed to persuade Tark to initiate the entry of this world into the Belt of the Worlds with the appointment of her youngest daughter as a governor. Tark, the Sly Mercury, fulfilled his promises, but he wasn’t going to allocate money for the arrangements, saying publicly, “Spend money from your own treasury on your own self-indulgences.”
They did just that. They could hardly find the required amount, but the elves gradually rebuilt the castle using the remnants of previous civilizations on this wonderful island. Five years later, Zao began to bring in a fabulous profit. Seafood from this planet, pearls of unprecedented colors and size, crystals from the Arkisban shores, and, most importantly, precious wood from the underwater trees—that once they had dried out were found to be as strong as steel—were excellently sold in the Belt of the Worlds. The days of well-being did not last long. There were a couple of quarrels with Tark, and then a terrible thing happened—Lia’s mother and elder sister disappeared…
There was a breath, and then an enchanting dive into the endless blue water followed by a slow exhalation of garlands of bubbles into the water. Hands waved and legs moved, again and again.
She floated forward, obeying the mighty breadth of the vast ocean. It was incredibly supportive today, blue and surprisingly
quiet. However, the lonely swimmer was obviously angry, and the usual chill waters did nothing to cool that anger. Lia—the governor of the twenty-eighth planet of the White Branch clan—had already swum two miles, but her indignation only intensified.
What the demon is going on? The elf beauty was indignant.
Suddenly, the ruler himself, the head of the service of influence and, of course, the father, arrived at her castle unexpectedly. No one warned her about this visit; the noble elves didn’t give a nod. Lia had a tense relationship with the head of the family. Without a twinge of conscience, the clan leader took almost all the profits from her planet, and, what was even more terrible, she also reasonably suspected that Tark the Sly Mercury was responsible for the mysterious disappearance of her mother and elder sister. Lia stopped swimming, slamming her palm on the surface of the water. Spitting water out as if it was a tiny fountain and turning around, the elf said with stubbornness and anger, “Well, no!” She quickly swam to the shore. Unanswered questions bothered Lia all the way back.
What are they doing here after the convening of the council? What are they going to discuss so secretly? What is going on after all? Lia swam faster, and the tidal waves seemed to help her, pushing her toward the shore.
Lia was always thought of as prudent and cautious. She understood well that she shouldn’t openly conflict, so as not to repeat her sister and mother's fate. Therefore, Lia was waiting for a suitable chance, realizing that she was only a pawn in a very serious game.
However, she decided to take a chance today. She would have an opportunity for the future life and even revenge if she obtained the necessary information.
In her bedroom, she quickly wiped the water drops off and was about to change her clothes when there was a knock at the door.
“Miss, can I enter?” She heard a soft hoarse voice behind the massive door.
“Come in, Giri.”
A short elf with very lively dark eyes slipped quietly into the governor’s bedroom.
He bowed low and said quickly, “Miss, they are in the arsenal. The gentlemen ordered three decanters of wine and some snacks. Apparently, they are planning to stay here for a long time.”
“Well, watch, and if anything goes wrong, then you know what to do.”
“Okay,” Giri said quietly, bowing, before disappearing noiselessly.
Lia took off all her clothes quickly, even the governor’s ring, and walked over to a very beautiful tree growing in a big golden pot. It really was unusual. A thick curved burgundy trunk with blue veins, and the leaves were narrow purple with a slight golden sheen. Finally, the flowers were small and delicate, like fragile black plates with tiny fluffy golden pistils.
The governor, smiling and singing softly, touched one small knotty growth and kept her hand on it for a while. Suddenly the tree bark changed its color and shape, and a piece broke off the trunk. The suspense itself lay on Lia’s palm now. A small, jelly-like cube changed its color and shape immediately, and Lia’s skin began to turn dark quickly, as if the black oil had spread in a thin layer over her perfect body. By chance, Lia’s sister, Rana, had found this ancient artifact, or it might be better to say ‘living creature’, on the tree that now stood in a golden pot.
“Well, Ruler, you have miscalculated this time. It’s my castle, and it’s not as simple as you think,” the governor spoke, smirking slightly.
Meanwhile, the glossy dark substance had almost covered her body. Lia shuddered visibly, because she had to endure the most unpleasant part of the transformation — she wouldn’t close her eyes in any case. When this black fluid covered her entire body, Lia stood a little motionless, and then she slowly and without any difficulty turned her head ninety degrees. Her unblinking shiny black eyes and unnaturally turned head looked eerie. However, Lia felt superb, and in addition, she could hear and see much better than before.
Next to this room, there was her sleeping place: it was a small flowered garden with a slow waterfall. A huge bed with a majestic canopy was in the middle of all this micro-paradise. There was also a transparent dome—like a window into the sky.
Her amazing metamorphosis occurred within her bedroom. She was black, nimble, and incredibly flexible—like a snake, the woman slipped into a fifteen-inch gap between the bed and the floor and rushed to a small ventilation tube. An ingenious, extensive ventilation and heating system was hidden behind a small, skillfully forged panel. The governor leaked into this narrow tube.
Lia knew the labyrinths quite well, and she was almost silently running forward now. She habitually crawled like a snake, because it was more convenient for her.
Finally, the elf heard the noble elves’ voices. Lia stopped, hesitated for a moment, and then went on moving forward with extreme caution.
Well, hello, Dad, Lia thought, stopping almost at the very ventilation grate. She could hear everything here—even the heartbeat of each visitor.
Within a few minutes, she understood why the White Moth treasurer had recently died and the guardian of the reserve fund had committed suicide a week ago. The information was terrible because of its cynicism and meanness. It was just what she needed, what she waited for, like a miracle. Lia did not risk listening further, and so she retreated, feeling that even one percent of what she had heard would be more terrible than any poison, any curse of any hired killer.
Back in the bedroom, she quickly put her inexplicable helper back in the tree. Lia then got dressed, put herself in order, sat down at the table, and poured herself a large glass of sunny tree sap. When the last sip was taken, she had completely recovered. Now even the most powerful mentalist couldn’t reveal her emotional trembling. Taking several deep breaths, Lia went to the central portal platform, throwing a leaf of burgundy tree at the door. It was a sign for Giri that she had already returned.
For twenty minutes, she and her retinue stood patiently, waiting for the ruler. At last, the crowned trio appeared, and the courtiers bowed. The elves did not even look at them. Only Yadi, passing, stared at the neckline of the governor in a boorish way. The ruler and the head of the inquiry service had already gone to the blue portal, but Tark slightly lagged behind, and so three workers immediately ran up to him. Each held a small box filled with gold coins. They disappeared instantly and then Tark too left the planet.
I have such a cool father! He neither looked at me nor talked to me! My ‘Daddy’ is only interested in gold. Maybe you can’t look me in the eye, murderer?
Lia thought about the vicissitudes of fate, remembering her spontaneous decision when she sent ten thousand gold to an unknown hunter from the Blue Planet. It turned out that too much depended on this person now.
“Too much,” the governor whispered. “If someone asks for me, tell them that I am out. I have a terrible headache. I won’t have dinner. Everyone’s free to go.”
As she quickly walked to her rooms, as always, her closest assistant joined her like a shadow from nowhere.
“Giri, no one should be on my floor, especially near to my rooms. Increase external surveillance imperceptibly.”
“Yes, Miss.” The elf disappeared as suddenly as she had appeared. Lia didn’t doubt at all that no one would approach her room now.
***
Vey started working from the very early morning. Yar had only just woken up when his teacher presented him some of his, as he claimed, most effective spells for close combat.
Yar immediately appreciated the distinctively original style of the teacher. The twisted triple lightning that struck him with its power was called “Hit on the balls”, and the multi-level intuitive energy shield was “Knock, beasts”. Yar was ashamed to voice the rest of the spells, having decided to himself that he would use gestures to activate them in the future.
“I need to try these out,” Yar decided.
The impression was created that the head of the Midnighters clan decided to destroy these rooms. He was so interested in training that he missed a very important incoming message. Yar dismissed it as if it
was nothing more than an annoying fly. However, he immediately heard Eva’s insistent voice.
“Master, attention! You received a message, the status of it was ‘Extremely urgent.”
Yar swore, but he read the message.
Hello, Yar Row Dark,
I have important information. This applies to your life and the lives of your friends—as well as the Blue Planet and the worlds of your allies. I’ll understand your distrust, and I’m ready to visit you personally.
Lia
The Governor of the Planet Zao
“It seems there’s something momentous here,” Yar said anxiously, and his intuition confirmed these guesses.
He replied immediately.
Hello, Lia of the White Branch,
It’s clear. I need five minutes. Please, send me a visual image of your location. I will open the portal. The destination is Ryiri Palace. I guarantee your safety personally.
Dark Yar Row,
The Ruler of Planet Earth
“Guardian! I’ll have urgent negotiations. I need a suitable place!” Yar shouted.
“Master, could you specify, please—is it a representative of the White Branch?” Aero asked calmly.
“A light elf girl.”
The guardian had disappeared.
Yar received a small laconic message and a visual image from Governor Lia.
I’m ready and waiting for the portal.
Lia
The visual image was clear. Yar set up the portal quickly, noting and appreciating the smooth connection to the central source.
***
Lia walked back and forth nervously. There were a lot of incomprehensible phenomena that made her nervous.
“It seems too simple! Is it really possible to open a portal at such a long distance, and in such a short time not being on the portal court?”
Dark Legacy Page 26
