by Morgan Wylie
Even though the group had many questions, they were also entranced with the beauty of Ehsmia. It was, essentially, the inside of a mountain, its domed center so high you could not see the top through the canopy of tall trees. The colors were all so brilliantly bright that many times it looked white in one angle and then full of color at another. A stream that ran through the center sparkled and glistened as if filled with tiny diamonds reflecting the light. It was the bluest of blues and yet upon closer look it was crystal clear. Rocks and stones were smooth, looking soft at the bottom of the stream bed. Fish like nothing they had never seen in the mortal realm swam and played around rocks. They even jumped up, kissing the air to see new visitors.
“Are those real diamonds?” Metrí whispered to Kaeleigh, who was walking next to her. Kaeleigh shook her head, but then looked closer.
“I don’t think so, I think it’s just the light reflecting.”
There were trees of all kinds—a quaint forest within the land—but they did not clump and block the light; instead, they seemed to absorb and steep in it to then release and enhance the light around them. Every single tree flourished in its respective type, growing and blooming to the fullest. Up high in their branches, a multitude of butterflies, dragonflies, and other small flying creatures flitted about.
Gasping, Kaeleigh watched them as the small creatures frolicked. “They are beautiful.”
“Everything is beautiful,” Chel spoke in hushed awe as she too looked around, taking in everything she could.
“Watch your step and please follow us,” Ella spoke, bringing them all back. They stepped onto a bridge that crossed the stream, leading them toward the back of the mountain.
“Are we in a volcano?” Chel asked, craning her neck up looking as high as she could.
“In a matter of speaking,” Ella responded, speaking as if she had stepped into the role of tour guide. “It is not active if that is what you mean. It is more of a hollowed out mountain. However, it is also not as simple as that. If you come to the outside of the Kandrian Mountains—even if you found the correct tunnel entrance out of the hundreds that are there—you could not just enter. If you began to dig into the mountain you would also not reach us. Similar to the realm we were just in—we created that to be a pocket realm, much like a bubble within a body of water—it is a land separated by magic, but it is not in a different realm. We are in the same plane as Alandria and still considered a part of Alandria, though most do not believe us to truly exist.”
“The hidden people,” Finn spoke softly. “Even though I have known you for some time and known that Ehsmia exists, I have never had the honor of being here before. It’s truly magical, Ella.”
Ella stared at Finn, lost in a momentary memory, before she nodded and they continued to move back toward the large waterfall cascading from somewhere high above at the back of the mountain. “We have taken great precautions to remain hidden as we are, to not correct the tales, and even create some of the rumors ourselves.”
“But why?” Kaeleigh asked.
“It was not always like that, dear Kaeleighnna, but when darkness had been allowed into Alandria from the previous realm, time and experience had proven that our kind, our race, was sought for our magic to be used for selfish gain. We tried to show good faith by sending our prince to lead Elnye for a time, but we were then dismantled and so we remain hidden until it was our time once again.” Arileas spoke with wonder in his eyes as if he was seeing something far off. “But that is for another story. We have much to cover, young princess, but let us get you nourished.” Arileas’s eyes twinkled once again as Kaeleigh’s footing got tripped up.
No one had really mentioned the “princess thing” since Hunter had passed on. It made her heart hurt a little bit, but it was also something that seemed so foreign and distant from who she knew herself to be.
“Princess?” Metrí asked with confusion and awe.
“We can talk about it later,” Chel whispered conspiratorially.
Metrí watched Kaeleigh for a few minutes, studying her under new light and perspective. She seemed to decide something as she nodded to herself. “I can see it.” She said it matter-of-factly even though no one had asked.
“Have you seen your little friend?” Hal asked Daegan with a wink. At the confused faces of the others with them, he explained. “Last time we were here, Daegan seemed to have an affinity with the smallest creatures.”
Daegan gave Hal a stern look telling him to leave it, but of course he did not.
“One of the butterflies talked to him.” Hal’s words were full of light, but he was not making fun of the butterfly. Actually, he had pride in his eyes. Something about the interaction had endeared himself to the butterfly that she would choose Daegan to connect with.
“Wow,” “That’s cool,” came from Kaeleigh and Chel, but Metrí had turned around her back to them. When she turned around, her eyes were large. “Like this butterfly?” she asked. Holding her arm out, she displayed a beautiful large butterfly that was crawling up her arm. She was an exquisite creature. Much like butterflies in the mortal realm, this one was much more ethereal. She was shimmery white and had large wings; the two in the back extended longer and trailed behind her. The butterfly had large obsidian eyes that focused with a knowing depth, but also a playful curiosity.
“She is extremely honored and special in all of Alandria.” Ella spoke reverently, and then she glared at Hal. “She is also quite magical and not to be disrespected.”
“No disrespect intended.” Hal bowed his head.
Metrí giggled. “She tickles my arm hairs.” Chel and Kaeleigh slowly crept closer to look at the amazing little creature.
“I think she likes you.” Kaeleigh smiled.
“Mmmm.” Chel closed her eyes, humming.
“Can you understand her?” Halister asked as he came up beside Chel.
“She’s speaking about Metrí’s magic.” Chel smiled at Metrí. “She says you’re special, important, and powerful. She likes you.”
“Well done, Chel of the Shifters,” Arileas observed quietly. “That is, in fact, exactly what she said. Metrí, we welcome you here and will do what we can to help you find your magic if that is what you seek.”
Metrí nodded with a big smile and watery eyes that barely contained her emotion. Kaeleigh placed her hand gently upon the young girl’s shoulder. After she did, the butterfly fluttered to Kaeleigh and slowly made her way up her arm. Kaeleigh watch in awed silence. When the butterfly had almost reached her shoulder, Kaeleigh inclined her head. “Hello, lovely lady.” The butterfly looked at Kaeleigh for a long minute, then moved even closer, making her way up to her head. She fluttered in the air by Kaeleigh’s ear for a moment then kissed her cheek. She then floated in front of each of those there and stopped briefly in front of Daegan. He inclined his head to her and said, “It is nice to see you again, thank you.” Then she fluttered high into the trees after a brief circle around Arileas’s head. He bowed to her as well.
“Wow,” Chel breathed out. They all watched until they could not see the little butterfly any longer.
“What was that all about?” Finn asked quietly, looking between Chel and Ella.
“There was so much emotion in her little feelings. It was hard to decipher. Her passion was so great, but I couldn’t put most of it to words,” Chel replied, frustrated.
“There were words, my dear, and there was much in them. We will discuss this very soon.” Arileas spoke as he turned and continued walking to the waterfall.
✧✧✧
After what seemed like a longer time than it should have taken to reach the waterfall, they stopped in front of it. Chel turned around to look behind them with a confused look. “How did it do that?” Chel looked to Kaeleigh to see she was trying to figure it out as well. “It shouldn’t have taken us that long to get here. I see the beginning where we started like it’s only a few minutes away.”
“I know. It’s strange. I can see threads of magical
energy running along the path we took. So whatever it was must be some kind of magic.” Kaeleigh shrugged and looked at Chel, who seemed satisfied with that answer.
“That is cool!” Chel grabbed Kaeleigh’s arm and they scooted in closer to hear what the others were talking about.
“Why are we allowed to see you this time?” Hal asked, remembering the last time he and Daegan were there they had been asked to wear blindfolds so that they would not be able to be witness to the accounts that the Elder was informing them about.
“The time for secrecy has passed. The Sol-lumieth has been brought back to the mountain.” He gestured toward Kaeleigh with his head. “The time for preparations of things to come is now upon us.” As if that should be a sufficient answer to Hal’s question, he turned and beckoned them to follow his lead back behind the waterfall.
Instead of walking into the den-type room that Daegan and Hal had been in before, they entered a short tunnel lit with small round torches of blue flames that opened up into a large rustic kitchen. It still looked like it was carved out of a mountain, but it had all the necessary conveniences for a modern eatery. There were several workers in the room that froze with shock as the entourage walked in, staring at everything in sight.
“Please excuse the intrusion, Grya and Lendi. These are our guests for the time being. Please see that they are fed properly.” Arileas smiled at the Faeries in the kitchen. They looked pretty ordinary and could almost blend into the mortal realm if they wanted to, except for the slightly pointy ears and the otherness that was in their pale skin and lavender eyes.
Not sure who was who, one a man and the other a female, Kaeleigh went up to the woman and extended her hand. “Hello. I’m pleased to meet you.” The woman looked at her hand then up at Kaeleigh then over to Arileas in obvious confusion.
“In Alandria, it is not custom to shake one’s hand as you do in the mortal realm. Simply incline your head in a show of humility and respect,” Hal instructed as he showed her how it was done.
“Please forgive me, I meant no disrespect.” Kaeleigh bowed her head and lowered her eyes. The woman’s face lit up.
“She is from the mortal realm?” She looked to Arileas, but did not wait for his response. “I am Grya. Welcome to Ehsmia.” She extended her hand to Kaeleigh. She, too, could adapt to one’s customs. Kaeleigh smiled at the woman. They all said their greetings and then Ella pushed them further into the room to a spattering of tables and benches to await their meal.
Not long after they had gotten cleaned up and seated, hot steaming bowls of some kind of soup along with trays piled high with breads and cheeses were placed upon the tables. A moment later, more trays were brought out filled with a variety of fruits—some of which the girls from the mortal realm had never seen—and another filled with meats and nuts followed shortly after that.
“Wow, this all looks so delicious,” Chel said with her mouth practically watering.
Kaeleigh laughed at her friend, but she agreed. “We haven’t eaten this well since...well, I was going to say since last Thanksgiving, but I guess we did eat pretty well in Elnye before Maleina threw us in the dungeon.” Everyone stopped what food they had been about to put into mouths that were now gaping open at Kaeleigh. “Too soon?” She blushed and shrank into herself. “Sorry.”
Chel brushed it off nonchalantly. “What do you do? It happened. We’re free now so we should be able to talk about it. Shake it off, Kae, no worries here.” Kaeleigh smiled at the absurdity of her friend and the bizarre look Hal was giving her—like she had grown a third eye or something crazy.
Hal eventually nodded. “I appreciate your candor and perspective. I am not sure how to respond as it was my family who placed you in such a situation. Which has placed me forever in your debt.”
“Hal, it wasn’t you, but your mother. However, if you need it, we totally forgive you.” Chel gave him an awkward smile.
“Agreed.” Kaeleigh nodded her head.
“It is remarkable how easily you are able to release forgiveness and move forward. Thank you.” Halister looked down. A moment later, he looked to Kaeleigh. “I hope you know that I swear to protect you and your friends here”—he motioned to Chel then Finn and everyone at the table—“and stand with you even if it is against my own mother.” Hal’s eyes captured a normally hidden intensity that rose out of his sincerity. His life had been altered forever and he had chosen his path.
“Thank you, Hal. Your friendship and support are important to me, but I would never ask for that kind of an oath from you or anyone. However, if this is your heart’s true path, I welcome you and I think we all do. I know Daegan trusts you. So I do too.” Kaeleigh smiled at him and looked briefly at an uncomfortable Daegan.
“So long as we can keep him from the bar maids, I think we’ll be all right,” Daegan uncharacteristically joked, throwing a smirk across the table at his friend as he reached for some food.
“I resemble that remark! I mean, I resent that remark! I’m confused,” Hal fired back playfully, giving Chel a dangerous glance to see her response.
“Okay, Hal’s philandering aside,” Finn interjected, clearly amused with where the conversation had gone, “I think it would benefit everyone if we began this feast, wouldn’t you agree?”
Metrí’s stomach next to him growled enough that the entire table heard it.
“Yes, please,” Kaeleigh giggled at the small burst of humor from her usually all too serious warriors. “Let’s eat!” She felt light for the first time since they had entered Alandria. This small group of beings, now her friends—old and new—were becoming more than that. They were becoming her family.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“There is no time to waste.” The familiar sound of the Elder’s words came as they echoed throughout the cavernous room they were all gathered in. “We begin immediately.”
After they had eaten the night before, Ella gave them a brief tour of Ehsmia and introduced them to a few inquisitive people that ventured out of their cave-like dwellings; the rest stayed hidden from the newcomers’ eyes, reserved but also uncertain. They were shown to a couple of different rooms which were cut out of the rocks; one for the girls to share, and one for the boys. The dark brown walls were an interesting texture. It appeared to be a mix of the actual wall dirt sealed with something that felt like paint. There were comfortable beds with soft, clean off-white linens, and there was a sweet aroma of vanilla and cinnamon that subtly permeated the air. It was cozy and offered an oasis of comfort. The floors were the same sealed brown as the walls flowing seamlessly from ground to ceiling, but they were covered in a spattering of thick, plush rugs. Oil lanterns were spread throughout the rooms for ample light. It was a nice soft glow that made you feel like cozying up with warm apple cider, a fire, and a good book on a cold winter’s day.
“To begin, please draw near to me. I know you have many questions and there is much to share. We shall speak now and also continue while you train,” the Elder began as he sat down on a chair thick and sturdy but made of branches that appeared out of thin air.
“Cool,” Chel whispered in awe. When she didn’t see any other chairs, she simply sat on the ground near the Elder, anticipating the revelations to come. Metrí sat next to her, followed by Hal. Kaeleigh noted that the other guys were not sitting down, each refusing to be the first to do so. She rolled her eyes and sat down herself, muttering something about stubborn warriors under her breath. Ella remained standing just behind her grandfather, but that seemed to be more for support than her desire to out-stand the guys.
“Kaeleighnna? Let us begin with you. What would you like to know?” the Elder asked, putting her on the spot.
Kaeleigh’s eyes grew big. “I have so many questions, sir, and most I had thought I’d never see answers to but now that you are offering... I don’t even know where to begin.” Kaeleigh took a deep breath and briefly looked around at her group. When her eyes made it back to Arileas, she had decided on what she wanted to know most of all
.
“Is my father alive?”
“Yes,” came from not only Arileas, but also Aidón, at whom Kaeleigh shot a quick glare of unbelief.
“What? Why didn’t you tell me? This whole time we were together and you didn’t tell me?”
“Forgive me, Kaeleigh, one thing happened after another and there did not seem to be the time to discuss it. I planned to talk to you about it once we got here.” Aidón looked her straight on with no shame or unease. She appreciated that.
“You are right, there wasn’t the opportunity.” She looked back to Arileas and then again to Aidón. “Do you either of you know where he is?”
Arileas nodded to the other man. Aidón spoke up then. “Not exactly, but I do believe I can find him now that I am free of that glamour. It affected my mind so that it could not be infiltrated by anyone that should not be in there.” Kaeleigh looked to him with emotion strong in her eyes. “We will find him, Kaeleighnna. I give you my word.” She gave him a quick nod and a smile.
“Someone else go, I need to gather my thoughts,” Kaeleigh blurted out, rubbing her hand over her forehead.
“Elder?” There was a pause as Hal searched the room to fix on something, avoiding all eyes. “Is my mother evil?” he finally asked, just above a whisper, bracing for a reply.
Arileas paused before he answered, his eyes finally catching Hal’s. “Do you believe her to be?”
“No, sir, I do not. However, I know she is not good either.” Hal looked off to the side. It was obvious that this was painful for him to talk about and spoke to his concern and love for his family that he brought up such things.
“We all make choices in the lives we are given—for good and for...not so good.” Arileas looked at each of the members of the group. “There are many gray areas in life, not just black and white ones. Your mother’s choices have not been good for quite some time.” Arileas paused for a moment, his mind captured in a memory past. “She is not bad or evil, but her decisions are corrupting both her and the kingdom entrusted her. There is something else at work. I cannot see it clearly yet, but there is a greater, darker power that surrounds her. I would not be surprised if she is under the influence of another, more powerful than she.” Suddenly Arileas was up from his chair, pacing over to the wall and leaning his hand against it, obviously deep in thought. “Yes, there is definitely a stronger dark power, and it is tangled within her, bound to her even.”
