Alex could taste chicken, bacon, and other sensations as different flavours came from the elven food. ‘It’s a good job the demons and witches weren’t natural.’
Torgon nodded. ‘They were the most unnatural beings ever to come to this world. I had elves cleanse the area.’
James frowned. ‘Didn’t we just eat something that was natural to this world?’
‘Yes, but the plants that yield them are still alive, and we take great care with them.’
Alex sipped on his drink. ‘So you have to come to our world for your wood.’
‘Not for a long time, it is too risky, we do come for things like spices as we can get them quicker than wood. We trade with the dwarves for wood, but they too are finding it hard to find without causing too much damage.’
Alex raised an eyebrow. ‘Dwarves? Are they on another world?’
Torgon pushed his empty plate away. ‘Yes, they have their own. It is not the only other world of course, but we have not been able to locate them yet.’
‘I can help with the spices,’ said Summer.
‘We need to get some leather for boots,’ said James, ‘as I’m going to get a pair.’
‘You’ll upset Paige,’ said Blaze.
‘Who will upset me?’ said Paige, as she entered the inn with Claire and Carrie.
‘James said he’s going to get a pair of boots from here.’
‘Are they anything like these?’ Paige lifted one of her legs up to show a knee-length boot. ‘We need to order some material to make more,’ she said, and James laughed.
‘I’ll get Ron Stevens to order the wood,’ said George. ‘He can work out how much will be needed to repair the damaged buildings in the village.’
‘Good choice,’ Alex agreed.
George nodded. ‘Yes, I think it will be a dream for him to do it.’
‘Just how much does he know?’
‘I filled him in this morning.’
‘Good, and as anyone seen the wolves?’
‘Gone for a long run,’ said James, ‘as they can do that here with the cubs.’
Torgon took a sip of his drink. ‘I think they might want to live here one day.’
Alex rubbed his chin. ‘It would be a good place for them, but the lack of meat might spoil that idea.’
Torgon smiled. ‘They’ve enjoyed their food here so far.’
‘Vegetarian wolves . . . whatever next?’
‘I don’t know about that,’ said Summer, ‘but after tasting this I might never cook meat again.’
Alex glanced over at her. ‘I really don’t think Livvy or Donna could grow this on our world.’
‘Make her cook it,’ said Carrie, ‘I need my meat.’
‘You’ve grown very fond of the Monster I noticed,’ said Alex, as everyone stared at them.
‘We’ll have to go and get the material,’ said Paige, changing the subject. ‘I have so many ideas going over in my head.’
‘A leather jacket would be nice,’ James suggested.
Paige sat down as her breakfast was placed on a table. ‘Yeah, I could make some of those.’
Alex pushed his plate away. ‘Are you that good now?’
‘No, but I have expert help here.’
‘I better go and help with the tents,’ said Torgon, after he finished his drink.
Alex stood. ‘What are the tents for?’
‘We’re having a festival for when the others get here. It will be a fair where all four kingdoms, and maybe some of the dwarves, will trade goods.’
Blaze smiled. ‘That sounds fun.’
‘Yes, it usually is,’ said Torgon. ‘It’s just a shame we’re pushed for time as they will most likely be here tomorrow at the latest. I hope you do not believe I am prioritising it over showing you around after what you have done for us. I do believe it will be the best place to introduce you to all the others.’
‘There’s plenty of time for guided tours. We’re happy enough.’
‘The festival site would have been set up if not for the witches.’
Alex looked up. ‘House, how far are they?’
They are still in the same place, they have set up camp.
Torgon clapped his hands almost in triumph. ‘Of course, the armies won’t have everyone with them. They will not come until the others catch up, which gives us plenty of time.’
‘Good,’ said Paige, ‘we can go back and get the material.’
‘I can make cakes, and have my own stall,’ said Summer.
Paige smiled. ‘That’s a good idea . . . I can buy things to put on a stall.’
Claire sighed. ‘You would never believe they’re warriors.’
Paige flicked her red hair to the side. ‘It’ll be fun.’
‘OK,’ said Alex, ‘we will go back and sort it out.’
‘Will you need me?’ said James.
Claire grinned. ‘Yes, coach boy, your driving skills are needed.’
‘You can drive, you’ve got a car.’
‘Yes, but the rolls of material won’t fit into a car.’
~~~~
They arrived at the mansion and Summer disappeared into the kitchen. Paige, Claire and Carrie ran upstairs to get changed, as George phoned Ron Stevens.
‘You’re not going to drive the coach like that,’ said Paige, when she strolled back down wearing jeans and a t-shirt.
James shrugged. ‘I won’t need to get off the coach.’
Paige frowned. ‘You’re gonna make us carry all the rolls of material.’
‘I guess not,’ said James, and walked upstairs.’
Paige smiled and turned to Alex. ‘And you?’
Alex raised an eyebrow. ‘I don’t need to come.’
‘Yes, you do,’ Paige insisted.
Alex sighed. ‘OK, but I’m fine with how I look.’
‘Well, I’m not, you’ll embarrass us. Looking like Robin Hood in another world is one thing.’
‘Is it really so urgent?’
‘Yes, you heard what Torgon said, there will be a festival, and we’ll need new outfits.’
Alex gave up and climbed the stairs to get changed.
They bought four rolls of material from the textile shop, including black and white which pleased Alex. They also got plenty of buttons and zips. The shop had no leather, but sold them a couple of mannequin’s. They visited a factory Paige found on the internet, where they bought rolls of leather and fake leather. Claire found more belts and put them on the counter of the factory’s shop.
Paige added metal buttons and buckles and filled a basket with them. ‘Do you have any hard plastic or thicker leather to make soles for boots?’
‘Yes,’ the man behind the counter said, ‘we have a few types, have you made any before?’
‘No, but we want to make some old style ones to go with some fancy dress costumes.’
‘That’ll cost you more than buying a pair.’
‘I know, but we can’t find any that will go with the outfits,’ Paige lied, as she wanted to make them with the help of the elves.
‘You will need something to cut the soles, and strong glue of course,’ the assistant said
Paige leant on the counter. ‘Do you have any of those?’
‘We have the glue, but nothing to cut it with, you’ll probably only need a sharp blade for the leather and a jig saw for the soles.’
‘OK, we will take the glue and plenty of it.’
James grinned. ‘These will bankrupt you in no time.’
Alex gave him a rueful smile. ‘I know, and I have no more children to come.’
‘You’re not moaning are you?’ said Paige, with her hand out.
‘No, not at all, dear,’ he said, and handed over his bank card.
‘We’re going to need a jig saw.’
‘Michelle has one,’ James told her.
~~~~
Ron Stevens sat on a sofa dressed in white robes with his wife grace, and waited for Alex to get back before going to the elf world.
&nb
sp; ‘I have to say I did not expect this,’ said Alex, greeting him.
‘I’m a practicing druid, and it will make a nice change to be outside dressed like this without getting strange looks.’
‘Are there many of you?’
‘Yes, quite a few, but none know about my other talents.’
‘You mean your psychic talents.’
‘Yes, that’s just between the families and the Order.’
‘Have you been a druid for long?’
‘All my adult life, my father was one, as was his.’
‘Are you ready to travel to a different world to meet our new friends and the oldest druid alive?’
Ron rubbed his hands together. ‘George sold it to me when he asked me to help repair a medieval village.’
Paige walked downstairs after getting changed again. ‘You’re not going back over dressed like that?’
Alex looked at James and they both went upstairs without arguing.
‘Is it OK to go now?’ said Alex, when he returned, he had most of what Paige had made for him, but wore black jeans.
Paige looked at his jeans, and nodded. ‘Yes, but I’ll need to come back with Michelle, the dressmakers, and boot makers.’
‘Cobblers,’ said James, with a straight face.’
Paige folded her arms and gave him a stern look. ‘Excuse me.’
‘They’re called cobblers, not boot makers.’
‘No,’ said Claire, ‘they’re called boot makers, cobblers mend shoes.’
‘That’s it, ruin my joke,’ James sulked.
Paige shook her head. ‘Whatever, I need to bring them back here.’
Just let me know, and I will bring you back, said House.
‘Do you have to stay with them as a translator?’ said Alex.
That will not be necessary now as Adair put a powerstone on the fire-place and it works fine.
‘Where is he? I haven’t seen him since yesterday.’
Helping the elves with their magic.
House took them back to an area by the trees to hide their sudden appearance as much as possible, as it seemed to startle some elves. Paige and Claire walked into the city while Blaze took Ron’s wife for a tour. The others strolled down to the city gates where Torgon stood watching tents of all shapes and sizes being erected. Alex introduced him to Ron. They walked back just inside the city to a stable, mounted horses, and rode to the village. Ron had his pen and paper out writing things down as he looked at the damaged buildings. He stood talking to some of the owners who had been in the city at the time of the attack doing other jobs. Alex, James and Carrie took a walk through the village, and were greeted by grateful elves. They accepted an invitation to another tavern and the free food.
‘My lord, are you a wizard like the great Adair?’ said a blonde haired elf, sitting at another table.
Alex shook his head. ‘No, I have certain powers but not those of a wizard.’
‘Great power it is. I saw you destroy the demon, and chase the other off but I did not see where to.’
‘Through the portal, where my friends were waiting for them.’
‘Then you come back to put out the fires, and I hear you’re going to supply the wood for the repairs.’
‘What are you getting at, Rilien?’ said the elf behind the bar.
‘It’s been a long time since we have seen men, and those would never have done it for nothing.’
Alex could hear the accusation, but what he sensed was a nervous looking young elf, so he smiled. ‘You may be right, but apart from the delicious food and wonderful sights, there’s only one thing I want.’
‘What is that?’ said Rilien.
‘Sometime in the future a home for the pixies, pucas and gnomes.’
‘That would be another gift for us, so don’t you want to live here?’
‘We already have a home, but it would be nice to visit here when we can.’
‘You will always be welcome, but will any of us be able to visit your home?’
‘Yes, some already have, are you interested?’
Rilien looked sheepish and gave a nervous smile. ‘Yes, there are a few of us who are fascinated with your technology, as we have none here. We heard you have moving pictures, too.’
Alex smiled at moving pictures. ‘Yes, we do, and I will show you them later.’
‘There will be four of us if that’s OK,’ said Rilien, quite excited.
‘That’ll be fine, as long as I’m not breaking any elf laws.’
‘I don’t think there has ever been any law to do with technology, is it dangerous?’
‘Not ours, not the way you might be thinking,’ said Alex. ‘You asked if we wanted to live on your world, the reason most of us couldn’t is technology.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘My children love their time here, but I know that in less than a week they would want to watch a film.’
‘I would miss television,’ said James, ‘and the thought of not having a car to drive would kill me.’
‘You mean it’s addictive?’ said Rilien.
Alex nodded. ‘It is when you get used to it.’
Rilien rubbed his chin. ‘We would want to keep coming back.’
‘If you enjoy it, just like we will want to keep coming back here.’
The elf behind the bar stared in disbelief. ‘So you asked all those questions and some accusingly to the man who saved us, just so you could find out about their technology?’
Rilien blushed. ‘Yes, sorry, I didn’t know how to ask.’
James scratched his head. ‘What I don’t understand is that you’ve got knives, are they not weapons?’
‘They could be I suppose,’ said the bar elf, ‘but if I attacked someone with one, it might disappear, and I might vanish with it.’
‘Even in self defence against demons.’
‘I don’t know, it was the first time it has happened, we’ve never had a chance to find out.’
‘They were using sticks as weapons,’ said Alex, ‘and they didn’t disappear.’
‘That’s interesting; I will put it to the council.’
Alex could see a huge flaw in what the elves thought about weapons, but he couldn’t put his finger on the reason. They made their way back to the horses after promising Rilien he would return. The others were already on horseback waiting for them, and they rode through the tented area.
Carrie glanced at Alex. ‘You were very calm in there.’
Alex considered it and nodded his head slightly. ‘This world’s been untouched by outsiders for over two thousand years. Then witches and demons invade followed by us.’
‘I thought we saved them.’
‘Yes, but not all of them would’ve seen the demons. Some of them are probably uneasy with our presence. Rilien may not be one of them, but there will be many who are.’
Carrie raised an eyebrow. ‘Are you saying there’s a lot of distrust towards us?’
‘I wouldn’t say a lot. I believe elves will trust what their friends tell them, and once Rilien has watched a film he’ll be full of praise.’
‘Make sure it’s a good film,’ said James.
‘That’s a big one,’ said Carrie, pointing at a huge marquee style tent, which was open, showing long tables and benches.
Torgon approached them. ‘It is where all the leaders sit, and greet everyone before the festival starts.’
‘Is this for the birth of your grandson,’ said Alex.
‘No, each city has one every year, we have just moved the date of ours to coincide with the birth.’
‘Is this where the visitors stay?’
‘Yes, but will spend most of their time enjoying the city.’
‘Are all the other cities the same?’ said Carrie.
‘No, they are all different, but beautiful in their own way.’
‘Well, your city is the most stunning I’ve ever seen.’
Torgon gave her a warm smile. ‘Thank you, my lady, it means a lot to hear
you say so.’
James scratched his head as he glanced around. ‘Do you have enough tents for all of them?’
‘They will bring their own and the camps will stretch out to the village. These tents will have different events going on inside each one.’
They made their way to the city, dismounted, and walked up through the woods as Alex wanted to see the children. It wasn’t long before they found them with some of the pucas, high above on a walkway, dancing and singing “Walking on Sunshine”.
‘Now that’s something you don’t see every day,’ said Torgon, with a bemused look on his face.
Alex smiled up at them. ‘They like dancing.’
‘Does it not worry you with them doing it so high?’
‘No, they’re always protected, and House wouldn’t let anything happen to them.’
Torgon raised an eyebrow. ‘He sounds more impressive the more I hear about him.’
‘Yes, he watches over us, and sometimes I wonder if we use him too much.’
How do you mean too much? said House.
‘We have you taking us back and forth and watching us, don’t you ever want your own time?’
What for? I enjoy what I am doing, and so much is going on.
Alex grinned. ‘Well that’s good, I’ll sleep tonight.’
Try not to dream.
‘Not all my dreams are bad, some have been prosperous.’
‘Was one of your dreams about our world?’ said Torgon.
Alex nodded, but still kept his eyes on the children. ‘Yeah, I saw the two armies about to go into battle, and one side outnumbered greatly.’
‘We do have a lot more soldiers but I had them protecting the city. So the dream is how you knew we needed help?’
‘Yeah, it’s why we were searching for your world.’
‘So Meldun getting through the portal was a stroke of luck.’
‘Not really, I was always going to show up at that time whatever happened.’
‘Do you have a reason to believe that?
‘Not yet, I’m working on it though.’
‘One other thing. How are the children protected if House is on your world taking people where they want to go?’
‘Look up, Kerry and Emma are there watching them, you’d be amazed at what they can move with their minds. Catching falling children would be nothing to them.’
Other Worlds: Vesta Mansion Trilogy - Book Two - Fantasy Page 28
