The stranger’s lips curved upward at the corners into a slight smile. “I meant not that. I mean, you? What are you? Where are you from? Why are you here?”
Marzi stood and brushed herself off. Some of her fear had dissipated. After all, if this being meant to harm her, she would have already done so. “I am Marzi Gloam of Pangrove. I am an Azyrean, if that’s what you are asking. As to why I am here, I am looking for my little brother and also trying to find my way home.” She paused and looked around, realizing that home was likely far, far away.
When the female stood, her height superiority became even more obvious. She towered over Marzi, who barely reached the giant’s waist. “Marzi Gloam of Pangrove, how came you to Menalor?”
Marzi looked around at the trees, the brook, and small bushes. “Is that where I am? What did you call it? Menalor?”
The being nodded as she tilted her head and repeated the question. “How came you here?”
How did I get here? “I don’t know. I was riding moonbeams and my brother took a colored one and disappeared. So, I jumped on a colored one and here I am.” She knew it sounded stupid but couldn’t think of another explanation.
With a sigh, the other responded, “Well, Marzi Gloam of Pangrove, I am Ryshara, a dark elf of the Twilight Bough.” She bowed her head for a moment before looking up again. She walked to the brook and sat. “Come, sit. Drink.” She gestured toward the running water. “You are hungry?” She reached into a small pouch that hung at her side and pulled out a piece of bread and something that looked like smoked meat and offered them to Marzi. “Here.”
Marzi looked at the offering and then over at the beast.
Ryshara gestured toward the huge dog-like animal. “Do not be alarmed by Lapis. He is peaceful enough, unless you bring trouble with you.”
“Thank you.” Marzi took the food, looked it over, and sniffed at the meat—a sweet, smoky aroma. She took a bite of the coarse bread. As she swallowed it, she bent over and cupped her hands, bringing a drink of icy water to her mouth. “The bread is good. What is this?” She held up the meat.
“That is smoked venison.”
Marzi took a bite and chewed it, savoring the flavor before swallowing. She nodded and took another bite followed by more water. “How far is it to Pangrove?”
Ryshara tilted her head and again arched her brow. “That I cannot tell you since I have no knowledge of that place. I can say that it is nowhere near the woodland realm.”
Lapis uttered a low, guttural growl. Ryshara glanced at Lapis and a silence fell over the small group although the elf nodded at intervals. After a moment, she shifted her gaze back to Marzi. “Lapis reminds me that we are a few hours march from our home in Twilight Bough and darkness may well beat us there if we do not begin our journey.”
For Marzi, panic began to set in again. “Wait. I don’t want to go to your home, no offense. I need to find my brother and then I want to go to our home.”
The elf stood and nodded at Lapis. Turning to Marzi, she spoke softly. “Marzi Gloam of Pangrove, I do not know either where your home is or how to get there. But you have wandered into the realm of the dark elves. I cannot leave you unattended.”
Chapter 8: Marzi
Ryshara set a brisk pace while Lapis bounded ahead. Marzi, with her short legs, found herself running to keep up. Trying to catch her breath, she yelled ahead. “I’m sorry, can we slow down?”
The elf stopped, turned, and gazed at Marzi for a moment, seeming for the first time to take notice of her small stature. “Of course. My apologies.” She turned and shouted ahead. “Lapis.”
Seconds later, the beast came bounding through the brush to Ryshara’s side. She knelt beside the animal, and for the next few moments the two of them stared at each other in silence. Then, Ryshara stood and patted Lapis on the back and nodded to him.
The animal bounded ahead again, this time seemingly with a purpose.
“Lapis will go ahead to the Bough and alert them that we are coming. A party will come out to meet us so that we do not travel the last kilometers alone in the dark.”
Marzi gazed up at the elf for a moment and then at the place in the forest ahead where the large beast had disappeared. “How does that work? I mean, how will he alert them?”
Ryshara laughed. “Not all words are spoken, Marzi Gloam of Pangrove.”
Marzi sighed, her shoulders sagging. “You can just call me Marzi.”
Ryshara nodded her head. “As you wish, Marzi. So, let us move. I will set a slower pace.” With that, she turned and moved forward into the forest.
After what seemed a few hours, the daylight began to wane. Marzi occasionally walked through a soft shaft of golden light of the diminishing sun. When darkness nearly overtook them, twinkling pinpoints of light appeared in the forest all around them.
As if sensing Marzi’s curiosity about them, Ryshara spoke over her shoulder as she continued to glide through the woods. “Those are sparkflies.”
Wide-eyed, Marzi took in the forest as they walked. She had never seen the likes of it. The trees were becoming more numerous and larger—they must have been two to three meters across.
Less than thirty minutes after that, the two emerged from a stand of brush into a wide clearing. Ryshara stopped and motioned for Marzi to do the same. She said nothing initially but scanned the trees on the far side of the clearing. “You may come out now, Ran. I can feel you there.”
Two figures emerged from the trees directly across from Marzi and Ryshara. “Your keen eyes only grow stronger with age.” The voice was that of a male. He strode across the clearing with the confidence of a warrior. He was at least as tall as Ryshara and more powerfully built. His coal black hair was shorter than hers, not quite touching his shoulders.
Ryshara smirked. “Not vision, my friend. I felt you. And if that had failed, I would have certainly caught your scent. I tell you again, Ran, even warriors must bathe occasionally.” She looked past the warrior at the second member of the party, a female. This female was also tall and had blonde hair but not as pale as Ryshara’s. They might have passed for sisters. “And good even to you.”
She nodded and gestured toward the Azyrean. “This is Marzi Gloam of Pangrove.” She pointed to the two elves approaching them. “These two are Ran and Ellemareth. They will accompany us for the remainder of our journey.
Marzi stepped forward and bowed her head. “I am honored to meet you.”
Both considered her for a moment before offering barely perceptible nods. Neither said anything to her, but the two giant females and the male warrior stood almost huddled among themselves and talked about Marzi as if she weren’t there.
The one named Ellemareth argued with Ryshara, “Why didn’t you just leave it in the forest where you found it?”
“Elle, you know the high council’s feelings on such matters. Anything new like this creature—this Azyrean, must be taken back.”
“But, Rys, this creature is bound to be nothing but trouble and if you had left it in the forest it would have been fodder for the predators in no time. Who would know or even care?”
“I would know and care. I found her and, yes, she is small, but what if she is a danger to the community?”
Ran had remained silent until now but he nearly spat out, “Danger? That thing a danger?” He pointed at Marzi and nearly doubled over with laughter. “She’s no bigger than a rat.”
Ran glanced into the forest and then back at Ryshara. “Your father is most anxious, since Lapis came in without you. We should hurry.” And with that, Lapis silently took his place beside Ryshara as they continued their journey.
◆◆◆
An hour later Ryshara announced, “We are home,” and the group broke into a clearing revealing a magical sight. Small bushes, large ferns, and other plants featured what looked like luminous flowers, bathing the entire area in soft blue and white light.
Marzi surveyed the site with wonder. “Where is your home?”
Rys smiled
and pointed up.
Marzi gasped as she took in the sight above her. It appeared to be a village in the treetops. The homes emitted soft glows from the doors and windows. Magnificent and lofty boughs supported the structures. The limbs, smaller branches, and vines were used to form sky bridges, terraces, and walkways by which all of the elevated Twilight Bough was connected.
There were huge mushroom steps encircling trees to the top. There were also large square baskets connected to the top by vines and wheels. Marzi also spotted what must have been scouts armed with bows who watched the forest floor below. They were positioned in different locations of the Bough. Marzi observed all of this in just a few moments and was eager to see more.
“Come, Father awaits us.” Ryshara led them all to one of the large baskets that she called a lift, and the tired party of five, including Lapis, rode it to the upper level. In the darkness, with the sky unobstructed by the canopy of trees, Marzi could see the dome full of brilliant stars and a golden crescent moon, slightly larger than it had been the previous evening. Had she not been so distressed at losing her brother and being lost herself, Marzi might have enjoyed the beauty of it all.
Ryshara’s voice broke through her hypnotic trance. “Marzi, you will soon meet the Bough leaders. Let me relate to them what I know first. Then they will likely ask you some questions, to which you will answer to the best of your ability.”
Marzi answered without moving her gaze from the sky, “Okay.”
“Let us go,” Ryshara urged the group forward.
As they approached a walkway, a tall, lithe male with shining white hair stepped forward. “Welcome back, my daughter. Lapis brought news. What is this you have with you?” He cast his gaze down at Marzi, who was dwarfed by everyone around her. “How should we call you, little one?”
Marzi’s eyes widened as she shifted her gaze between Ryshara and the older man who stood in front of her.
Ryshara leaned toward Marzi and spoke in a low voice, “He is asking your name.”
“Oh, okay.” Marzi bowed to the man. “I am Marzi Gloam of Pangrove.”
The elf stood silent and stoic for a moment before speaking. “Very well, Marzi Gloam of Pangrove. I am Lothran of the Twilight Bough.” He offered a barely perceptible nod. “You must appear before the empress. This way.” He beckoned the group to follow.
As they left the skyway terrace and took a bridge to the community hall, Marzi felt increasingly uneasy. Ryshara had been friendly enough. Her companions on the last part of the journey had seemed less so. But now, two elves, one male and one female, armed with large two-handed swords, stood at the entrance to the hall—clearly posted as guards.
Ryshara’s father stepped forward. “We bring a prisoner. We seek audience with Empress Ariessa.” He bowed his head as he spoke.
The female guard responded, “The Empress has retired early, Lord Lothran. The prisoner will be confined for the night. You may bring her back in the morn.”
Marzi’s anxiety level shot up. Prisoner?
As if sensing her distress, Ryshara placed a hand on the Azyrean’s shoulder. “Be still. All will be well.” Her words came out as a whisper.
Marzi looked up at her in disbelief. All will be well? She hoped Tovi was faring better.
Chapter 9: Tovi
“Whoa, that was great! Awsie!” Tovi stood and dusted himself off after being deposited by the beam. He glanced around, looking for the portal to take him back to the top of the ridge, but saw nothing. “Where is it?” He took a few steps and paused, searching his surroundings. “Hmm, I don’t remember it taking this long the last few runs. Maybe since it was a colored beam it takes a little longer.”
He backed up a few steps and began to inspect these new surroundings—not what he remembered. “Really dark, and hard to see.” He struggled to make out details. He just knew the ground was flat and dusty, and there were big dark shapes that looked like rocks. Countless stars littered the sky, more than he could ever have imagined. He craned his neck to look up. “Where did the moons go? They were here a few minutes ago.” He searched the sky but could only find a small sliver of a yellowish-white moon just above the horizon. He scrunched his face as he tried to make sense of things.
Leaning back on a boulder more than ten times his size, he peered into the darkness waiting for the portal to appear. “Marzi. You there?” He made a turn around the boulder—nothing. “Marzi, I’m gonna tell Mom. You better come out.” Back against the large stone, he slouched down into a sitting position. He fought back a hint of fear. No, it wasn’t fear. He just wasn’t sure where he was or what was going on. Still, the older kids always did this. Maybe time had a way of playing tricks while beam hopping. Yeah, that was it. It seemed like a long time, but up on the ridge it was probably just seconds since he’d come down. No big deal.
He leaned his head back against the warm stone, which was odd because Pangrove was never warm, and nights were usually chilly. He reached above his head with his hand to get a better feel. Definitely warm. Probably had something to do with the moonbeams and portals and such.
Time passed, although he had no idea how much time. It seemed like hours. The stars moved a little and some that he had seen earlier had by now moved behind the rock. Fear crept in. Well, maybe just a little. But he wasn’t very afraid.
“Marzi!” He screamed. “You better come out. This isn’t funny. Mom’s gonna bust you for this.” He closed his eyes and listened—silence—no birds, no bugs, and no Marzi. He rubbed his hand over the ground, which was nothing like Pangrove. Back at home, there was soft grass everywhere. What he now sat on was hard, dry dirt and sand. He closed his eyes and tried to breathe. Pretty soon the portal would appear, and he would hop in. Maybe he wouldn’t do another run tonight.
◆◆◆
A light speared through his closed eyelids, startling him. He threw his hand up over his eyes. He hated when Marzi did this. “Get that torch out of my eyes, you lizard.” He waved her away with his other hand. When he opened his eyes, and took his arm down, he saw the sun a small way above the horizon. Daylight had come.
He stood and stretched, his body stiff from sitting so long. His mouth tasted worse than anything he could imagine. Gazing around, he took in a completely foreign landscape. Beige and orange sand and rock as far as he could see.
Reaching up, Tovi patted down his orangey-red hair, although he could feel his cowlick sticking up. Mom would usually just lick her hand and pat it down to make it stay. No way was he going to do that—gross. “At least the sand matches my orange hair. I’ll blend in.”
But the joking didn’t make him feel any better. He’d been here all night. “Mom’s gonna kill me.” He’d never be able to go beam hopping again. As he continued to study the flat landscape at the horizon, he wondered which way his home was. Aside from the occasional rocks and boulders, it looked like nothing but sand and more sand in every direction.
“Hold on a sec. What’s that over there?” There was something in the direction opposite the sun. “West, I guess. The sun comes up in the east, so that must be west.” He strained his eyes but couldn’t make out any details. The land seemed to rise up in the distance and had some sharp points. “I’ll bet they’re houses. I should go that way. They can probably tell me how to get home.”
Chapter 10: Tovi
Although Tovi moved as fast as his legs would carry him, the sharp points rising in the distance didn’t seem to get any bigger. As the sun rose higher in the sky, the air in front of him began to ripple. His throat burned, and he desperately wanted a drink—water, milk, or juice—something wet. He licked his lips as he searched the horizon for—anything.
As he looked to his left, his heart jumped. Off in the distance, past the shimmering air, he saw a pool of water. He turned and picked up the pace, his walk becoming a clumsy trot. But the farther he ran, the farther the pool of water seemed. At last, it disappeared completely. He stumbled forward and landed face down in the sand.
He felt t
he sun beating on the back of his head and cooking his body through his clothes. Tears stung his eyes as he lifted his face, now covered with orange sandy grit. He wanted to shout at Marzi. This was her fault. She did this on purpose. He tried to stand but crumbled under his own weight.
At first, he tried lying on his stomach so the sun wouldn’t burn his face, but he couldn’t hold his head up, and he got a mouth and nose full of sand. Then he tried turning over to lie on his back. That lasted a minute or so. The only position he could maintain was on his side. So there he lay.
Tovi couldn’t bear to open his eyes—the sun was too bright. After a few minutes he felt the darkness of shade envelop him and he was suddenly cooler. And, really, it didn’t matter if he was thirsty or hungry or if he ever got home. Nothing mattered at all. It felt good to just lie there in the sand. Maybe he’d take a nap. He closed his eyes and retreated into darkness. He was awakened by a shake.
◆◆◆
“Leave me alone.” He summoned up every ounce of energy he could to wave off his assailant. It was probably Marzi, anyway, messing with him like she always did. “Get out of here. I’m gonna tell Mom.” Unwilling to open his eyes, he retreated once more. But she shook him again. “Stop it.” He tried to lash out, but his arm refused to move.
Another shake. Then something—a splash, something wet—on his face. He forced his eyes open, but everything blurred. Another splash made him catch his breath. “Hey. Quit it.” Then he remembered that he was thirsty. He opened his eyes wider and terror grasped his heart.
He stared into the face of a monster who stared back at him. Tovi screeched and tried to scurry away. The beast reached out and grabbed him. He struggled, shaking and wiggling, trying to get free. But the grasp of the monster held firm. After what seemed like forever, he gave up and went limp.
Lost and Found Page 3
