Elf Doubt

by Bryant Reil

  “Sure.” Aspen grabbed the dirty bag. “Why don’t you go on ahead? Eunoe’s waiting. I’ve got something to take care of here.”

  Kyla looked back into the grove toward Aspen’s hickory tree. “Yeah. Meet you there.”

  Aspen watched as Kyla trotted off. As soon as the elf was out of sight, Aspen hiked her skirt above her knees and waded back into the brook. One by one she pulled Kyla’s rocks from the bottom and dropped them into the sack.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Up

  Aura had often heard beings of flesh refer to their innards as being filled with butterflies to denote anxiety. As a Daughter of the Air, she had no such sensation. Rather, she felt a vacuum, as though the gales that usually swept and cooled her insides had sought a more comforting host. It took great focus to remain visible in this state, but at least the concentration kept her mind from falling back on thoughts of her wedding.

  Ah, but here the thought had broken through again. The wedding. Her eyes drifted up toward Aeolis. The chariots should have arrived by now. It’s just as well they were late, as Aura saw, in her periphery, Kyla and Hajar running in their dresses, shoes in hand as their bare feet slopped through the muck. Spatters of mud decorated their red dresses. Fortunately, these dresses were for arrival only. New clothing would be provided when they found their rooms.

  “Sorry,” Kyla panted. “We couldn’t figure out how to tie the corsets. They certainly aren’t comfortable, and you can’t even see them under the dress. What are they for, anyway?”

  Aura kept her eyes to the sky. “The dressmaker said it was the style among creatures of your sort, to accent your waist and bottom.”

  “Well, not where I’m from.” Kyla turned her head to see her rear end. “It does add a bit of something, I guess, but not super comfortable.”

  “Where are Aspen and Eunoe?”

  “Castor’s in a bit of a mood, so they don’t want to fly him.”

  Hajar - who Aura barely knew but apparently had been singing Kyla to sleep at nights - was eyeing Aura up and down.

  “I can see through you.”

  Aura sighed. She hadn’t wanted to invite Hajar along, as she didn’t know her, but Kyla was hesitant to stay the night without her lullabies.

  She strained to increase her opacity. “There. Yes, that happens when I’m nervous.”

  “Or embarrassed. Or scared,” Kyla noted. “How are we getting up to Aeolis?”

  Aura looked at the sky. “Chariots, drawn by flying horses.”

  Hajar squealed. Aura expected Kyla would too, but the elf only nodded.

  “Right. Of course.”

  Kyla’s mood had been affected by her father’s death. Understandable, but Aura missed the playful innocence of Kyla’s former self. She hoped she might return to it. It was a shame to see her lose her zest for life.

  Eunoe and Aspen appeared in the distance, walking slowly. Like Kyla and Hajar, they carried their shoes, perhaps afraid to get them dirty. Aura, as she floated above the ground, had neglected to account for the mud when choosing the meeting-place. But the open field where she taught her class on Carrying the Winds was easy to spot from the sky. The bright red dresses should help as well.

  As the girls greeted each other the glint of golden chariots caught Aura’s eye. The flying horses, a pride of Aeolis and envy of most creatures of flesh, descended rapidly. There was a gust of wind as they approached, and the other girls placed their hands to their thighs to keep the hems of their dresses from flying up. Five air spirits appeared: three male jinn, dressed in blue and gold bibs, and two female air spirits bearing bouquets of colorful feathers. Two chariots, each drawn by a single horse, circled as they leveled to land. Eunoe watched quietly, her mouth agape, and Aspen and Hajar squealed and clapped. Kyla very nearly smiled, and that small thing made Aura grateful the elf had decided to come.

  Aspen ran up to pet the mane of the nearest horse as it pulled to a stop nearby, and Hajar, once seeing Aspen do it, followed.

  The lead jinn spoke, his voice rushing past in a gale. “Aura, Daughter of the Air, ninth child of Duke Ukko. Graciously we await your arrival in Aeolis. Peace on you and your family, and the blessing of Ukko on your friends and their houses. We await your command to depart.”

  “We shall depart forthwith” Aura commanded in the toneless reply she had been forced to practice. “Lead me to the halls of my father.”

  The jinn looked relieved. Many of the air spirits despised spending too much time on the ground. The five servants turned and floated into the sky.

  “Time to go!” Aura called to the others. Eunoe pulled Aspen into one chariot, and Hajar obediently followed Kyla into the other. The jinn gave a command and the horses, more intelligent than their wingless cousins, pulled forward and built speed as they raced along the flat ground. Hajar and Aspen again squealed, and all four riders kept firm grips on the sides of the chariots. The two female air spirits followed: should one of the groundlings fall, it was their duty to catch them.

  Aura wished to talk to her friends as they travelled, but she was expected to lead the procession. She looked back to see Kyla looking toward the ground, her face solemn. Hajar was laughing. Occasionally she’d squeal and crouch, perhaps afraid of the height, but then she would build up her courage and repeat the cycle. Eunoe and Aspen were mostly silent besides Aspen’s occasional remarks on the beauty of the horses. Eunoe’s eyes were fixed on the creatures.

  As they burst through a veil of clouds, blue-capped towers of white walls trimmed with gold climbed skyward. Aeolis. She loved the city, but it had become alien to her. It was beautiful, but cold, and unlike Kyla, who was close with her family, Aura found no comfort with her own. Yet, for reasons with which she still struggled, she felt compelled to do as they told her. It was, after all, for the good of her people.

  Blue and gold banners decorated the towers, flapping lazily. There were few walkways or roads, save those installed for guests from the ground. Air spirits, angels, griffins, and other flying creatures soared to their destinations. Most buildings had balconies for landing, and open windows rather than doors. There were a few parks with ground surfaces where folk could rest when they tired of flying.

  The chariots weaved between buildings, and as they neared the center of the city many were connected by walkways of glass lined with golden rails. On these walked a handful of land creatures: there was a centaur woman with a large hat walking alongside a young bespectacled gnome, and a group of old dwarves leading a troll draped in a purple robe. At the end of one walkway was a large circular pad lined with unhitched chariots. The pad, too, was glass and made a hollow ring as the horses’ hooves struck the surface. Aspen and Hajar let out startled cries. The procession slowed to a trot and led them through an archway, their hooves making a ting-ting as they walked. Inside the archway was a crowd, and at the center was a gray elemental who sparked with lightning. There was a clap of thunder, and the great billowing elemental, the powerful Lord of Storms and Duke of Aeolis, drifted above the chariots.

  Next to Duke Ukko was a smaller, though still rather large, elemental whose body whirled with a gale. Occasional flashes of lightning flashed from his midsection. His eyes were large, but nearly vacant. It was to him Aura went first.

  “Greetings, my tempest. I present my wedding-maids, Kyla Nim, and Eunoe, and Aspen. This is Hajar, Kyla’s servant.”

  “Hey!” Hajar objected.

  Aura continued. “Kyla, this is Calam, my Betrothed.”

  Calam bowed but did not smile. “Charmed,” was all he said, in a voice that resonated like distant thunder.

  Kyla curtsied, but hurried along as Duke Ukko interrupted in a booming voice.

  “Aura, my daughter. How pleased I am that you have chosen such a one to be your wedding-maid. It is a great honor to meet you, Kyla Nim, Chief of the Digans. You shall be treated as my guest. Perhaps we can open trade as you have done with the Royal Palace. Yet we shall discuss such things after the wedding ceremony. For no
w, accept Ninlil and Ne-o-gah as servants during your stay.”

  Two young air spirits, a male and a female, drifted forward and rested at Kyla’s left and right, hovering several inches off the ground. Kyla’s mouth hung open as she looked at each before turning to face Aura. “Who’s doing what, now?”

  Aura turned to make sure Kyla was still following. Hajar was keeping her occupied with questions about the symbols carved above the doorways to the shops and houses. Ninlil and Ne-o-gah drifted behind with expressions of poorly-hidden disgust revealing their feelings about their current assignment.

  Hajar turned a sudden left for a nearby archway and pointed to the egress symbol. “What’s that one? The diamond-thing with the forks sticking out?”

  Aura burst toward her in a gust. “Stop! That just means there’s no floor. Flying only. Don’t go through there.”

  Kyla grabbed Hajar by the shoulder and pulled her back. “Good to know.”

  “Drop-offs will always have a railing, of course, but mind the pathways.” Aura drifted ahead to lead the way.

  Kyla tapped the floor with her foot. “You know, it’s a bad idea to have these floors made of glass. Where the floor is looks too much like where the floor isn’t.”

  “We use glass floors, so we can see anyone trying to approach from below.”

  “I’m kind of worried about people looking up my dress.”

  “No flesh creatures will pass below, and no creatures of the air have an interest in your body.”

  “Right.” Kyla tightened her skirt between her legs, apparently unconvinced.

  “What is our job, Aura?” Hajar asked. “I’ve never been to an air spirit wedding before.”

  “I am a Daughter of the Air. Air spirits are common folk. Kyla will assist me in greeting the guests, and you will assist in whichever manner suits her. Ninlil and Ne-o-gah have been appointed to help you navigate the city and provide you with changes of clothing, for there are many.”

  “Sounds good.” Kyla turned to her appointed servants. “I don’t really have anything for you to do at the moment. I suppose you can just go get some snacks for yourselves.”

  Ninlil bowed. “We air spirits do not require food, Lady.”

  “Oh yeah! Duh. You’d think I’d know that rooming with her.” Kyla gestured at Aura with her thumb. This made Ninlil visibly uncomfortable, as pointing at someone of Aura’s rank was rude enough, let alone with the inferior digit. Aura didn’t mind, but there were aristocrats in Aeolis who would have a servant banished or imprisoned for such an insult.

  They arrived at the guest chamber, and Aura sent a gust of wind to open the white double-doors. It was one of the finer suites. Seven rooms: larger than the homes of most commoners. The floor here was not clear, but rather tiled with marble, at the common request of almost every visiting dignitary. The ceiling vaulted upward into a six-sided dome, each section with an arched window. The sun was currently framed by one of them, casting a beam of light into the center of the room.

  Kyla walked in and looked up. “This is bigger than my room in the palace! I had a bathroom, too. There was a naiad named Ismenis in the walls who filled my tub with water, when I asked. She wasn’t supposed to talk to me, but we chatted for a bit. There was also this fire sprite named Aethelwyne who had to hang out with me all day. She’s the Royal Heir. Princess, I guess.”

  A gust of wind blew from Aura’s skirts as she turned opaque. “She is no princess. When I was a child several children were nominated to be trained to take the throne when the King and Queen retire. My eldest sister was presented by my father. He was rather sore that Aethelwyne was chosen. One thing we agree on. She is, frankly, an entitled brat.”

  “Your sister lucked out. The palace in High Haven is nice and all, but Aeolis is prettier. Well, I should change, as I got mud all over this dress.”

  “Yes. That dress was designed only for your arrival. There should be a change of clothing for each of you in the wardrobe. I must go, Kyla. Have a look around. Unfortunately, I have preparations.”

  “Shouldn’t I be helping you?”

  “It is personal business. I shall take Ninlil and Ne-o-gah with me. They are more handlers than servants.” The two did not look pleased at this comparison.

  “Handler! That’s a good word. Like a baby-sitter for grown-ups, is it? I think that’s sort of what Aethelwyne was doing with me.”

  “Basically so. If you need anything, ring that crystal bell on the end table and they will return. I shall see you again soon.”

  ***

  Kyla’s chamber was even more grand than the one in the Royal Palace. Her bed was larger than any room in her home in Aspengrove, and Hajar’s was only slightly smaller. Unlike the walkways around Aeolis, the floors in here were opaque. The walls were white and painted with leafy vines that climbed the walls and ended in golden flowers. There was a matching vanity, wardrobe, and end-table, so finely polished they squeaked as Kyla drew her finger across the wood. Seeing the smudges left by her fingers, she hurried to rub them clean with her skirt. This served only to smear polish on her black evening-dress, and so she wiped it with her hand.

  “Would you like me to sing for you?” Hajar had just finished her bath and walked into the room brushing her hair.

  “Not now. Later, certainly. I want to go for some fresh air.”

  “Oh! Let me get my shoes.”

  “Alone. I won’t be long.”

  Kyla abandoned a pouting Hajar and stepped out of the room onto the glass walkway. It was nerve-wracking, walking on the clear glass so high in the sky, yet somehow the fear of falling to the earth was invigorating. On hearing the clicking of her shoes she kicked them off by the door. Though the glassy floor was cold, she preferred the silent thud of her bare feet.

  There weren’t many people about. A few air spirits rested their eyes on her, turning their heads as they drifted by, and a few bowed and greeted her as Lady. This part of the city felt poorly populated. It was a guest hall, but she thought Aura’s wedding should attract more guests. Then again, Aura didn’t seem to have many friends, hence Kyla being chosen as her wedding-maid.

  She found herself walking along a narrow walkway between two tall buildings. The path led to a balcony, railed with a golden rod, that extended over a large open area. There was a hole in the clouds, and far below Kyla could see the tops of mountains, and spots of blue lakes and blankets of trees. She wondered at what freedom it might be to leap over the rail and sail downward, faster and faster, feeling the wind rush against her body to culminate in a peaceful and eternal end.

  “Stop those foolish thoughts”

  Kyla gasped and whipped around to see a woman in a black gown standing behind her. “Oh. What are you doing here?”

  Sophrosyne slinked up to the railing and peered over the edge. Kyla pondered pushing her off. Sophrosyne smiled. “I am catering the wedding.”

  “Why?” Kyla choked. “What do you want?”

  “You never got back to me. I see you wanted to tell the Queen about me, but you did not.”

  “No, but I will as soon as I get another appointment. And thanks for your concern about my dad.”

  Sophrosyne put a hand on Kyla’s shoulder, but Kyla shrugged it off. The goddess of night took a half-step away. “I am very sorry to hear what happened. There is a lot of tumult in the world right now. Bandits, robbers, and ruffians run uncontrolled and prey on the innocent. You have seen that. What you haven’t seen are all the wars breaking out. Oberon and Titania have their hands full.”

  “I know. I’ve heard.”

  “Yet they still took the time to spy on you.”

  “Yeah. They have good reason. Can you just leave me alone?”

  “Of course. I just wanted to warn you, Kyla, that Erebus had many followers, including here in Aeolis. Watch yourself.”

  “You’re the only person I’m worried about right now.”

  Sophrosyne turned to walk away. “That will soon change.”

  ***

&
nbsp; High Seer Imel took a sip of tea as he spotted the red and gold sprite sitting on his windowsill. Aethelwyne had enough sense, at least, to keep off the Queen’s perch.

  “Good afternoon, My Lady. I wasn’t expecting you. I have some morning dew, if you care for a beverage.”

  “Not much of a Seer if you weren’t expecting me, are you?”

  Imel coughed and took a seat on the edge of his bed. He regretted leaving the shutters open today. He didn’t mind the Queen’s sudden visits, but if you left the door open for a puppy, you created an opening for a rat.

  “You know it doesn’t work that way, My Lady.”

  “I only know what you’ve told me. My destiny. Queen of a New World of Order. It’s your own prophecy, but I’ve been getting the sense you won’t support me.”

  He wished there were another way, but after years of searching he had found none. “I told you I saw a young woman on a throne wreathed in flame. And it is not destiny. There is no such thing. I only see the end of the path we are on. There are infinite paths we could take.”

  Aethelwyne grew to her larger form and leaned against the wall by the window, her arms crossed. “And this is the path to which you have guided Oberon and Titania.”

  “King Oberon and Queen Titania.”

  She waved her hand. “For now, yes.”

  “I chose you as Heir because it will lead to the future I see. I did not expect your methods to be so drastic as treason by allying with Sventali.”

  “I did what I must. Better me on the throne than him. And if this is the path you chose, I expect you to support it.”

  Imel took a long sip of tea. He wouldn’t expect her to understand the full story if he told it. Nor would he want her to know the truth of the paths Oberon and Titania were taking. It was going to be a rocky road if she did take the throne, but for all his searching, Imel had failed to find another path that didn’t end in the obliteration of the World of Order.