by Ben Hale
Waiting for the right moment, Taryn stuck to the wall until another group of three passed up the flight of stairs on the right of the structure. Mentally counting, he stepped out from the double doorway where he’d been hiding and sprinted silently to the stairs. Making the distance in less than four seconds, he entered the stairs just as another group exited the opposite flight. Taryn had chosen to follow this group because they were a few steps ahead of the trio following behind them. It had only created a five second window, but it was enough.
Twenty paces behind the group, he stayed against the wall and looked for a door, but none appeared on the side towards Liri’s home. He hadn’t really expected it to be that easy, but it was always worth a shot. Eight flights of stairs he passed without incident . . . until he came to the last flight. When he reached the bottom of the last set of stairs, something he had not anticipated abruptly came into effect . . . the guards reversed direction at the end of the hour.
In unison, they spun around and started down the stairs. There was no place to hide and even in the darkness the keen-eyed elves spotted him in a heartbeat. Shouting for help they raced towards him. Hearing an answering call from below he knew there was nowhere for him to go. He could either surrender or try to fight. Before he could decide, two of the elves drew bows and launched arrows at him.
Instinctively Taryn leapt upward to avoid the streaking missiles. As they sailed below him, he twisted his body to face the wall and grabbed some vines ten feet off the ground—but instantly sprang away. Twisting in midair he landed in a crouch against the opposite wall—but he was now fifteen feet off the ground. Pausing only long enough to rebound, he bounced back towards the first wall. Repeating the process, he ricocheted his way up the stairwell.
Crying out in protest, the elves below him loosed more arrows in an attempt to bring him down—but their quarry was just too quick. Each touch on the wall lasted no longer than half a second before he would jump to the opposing wall. Hearing more calls from below he glanced down to see more guards joining the first three. Soon there would be a flurry of arrows coming up towards him and there was no way he could dodge them all. He responded by varying the direction of his leaps. Still moving upward, he began angling his jumps instead of going straight across. More and more arrows flew past him and he began to doubt that he would make it to the top of the house no matter how erratically he moved. He felt his sleeve and tunic tear as sharp-tipped arrows tore right through them. A moment later one scored his hand, drawing blood as it streaked into the night sky.
Suddenly a small window in Liri’s home came into view. Ten feet from the top, it was only two feet square, but it was his only chance. Two more jumps brought him opposite the hole and Taryn dived through it without the slightest idea of what would be on the opposite side. He just hoped there was nothing sharp to land on.
Chapter 13: The House of Runya
Taryn sailed through the window and into darkness, prepared to land on just about anything—except a person. Trying to see, he extended his hands to break his fall in a roll where he guessed the ground would be. Unfortunately for him and the elf-maid, an occupied bed sat directly underneath the opening. His attempt failed miserably as he landed on the slumbering form and knocked them both to the floor in a hopeless tangle of legs, arms, and sheets. The elf thrashed around in an effort to untangle herself and cried out for help, but Taryn managed to free one hand and covered her mouth.
“I won’t hurt you,” he said in a rush. “I am a friend of Liriana and I need to find her.”
At his intense tone and words she calmed and relaxed her tense form, so he slowly let her go. To his surprise she didn’t call out, but rather turned to face him with a quizzical expression.
“Taryn?” she asked.
His look must have given him away, because before he could answer she untangled herself and went to the door of her room.
“Wait here,” she said, throwing a drape over her nightgown. “I will call off the guards and summon the lady.”
Lady? He asked himself as she slipped out the door. Who could she be to be called a lady? He didn’t have long to wait for an answer. A minute passed, and the commotion outside ceased. Daring to peak out the window, he saw the roving guards returning to their rotation. What is going on?
The room abruptly flooded with light as the door crashed open and he whirled, ready for danger. Instead, a lithe figure dashed across the room and leapt into his arms.
“Taryn!” she cried, “I never thought you would make it!” Then she leaned back to face him and a rush of words tumbled out of her mouth. “When I got into the city I realized guards had been placed everywhere and there was no way you could get in. I mean, there were so many elves on the cliff and below the cliff and in the city . . .” She stopped, her expression turning suspicious. “How did you get in?”
Taryn laughed and looked her in the eye. “Lady?” he queried with a raised eyebrow.
She flushed a bright crimson and stepped away from him, tightening the cloak that covered her thin night garments.
“Um . . . there are a few things I should probably explain . . .” She trailed off.
A voice interrupted from the doorway. “Do you mind if I go back to sleep?” the elf-maid asked, her voice full of amusement.
As if someone had snapped their fingers, Liri was all business. In a tone he’d never heard from her she answered, “Taryn and I have some business to discuss. Please inform Stel that we need a room prepared for him.”
Nodding at them, she started to turn before Taryn called to her.
“Sorry about landing on you; it wasn’t something I meant to do.”
She smiled coyly and looked him up and down. “Drop in anytime,” she exclaimed before turning on her heel and leaving the room. Something in her response made Liri bristle, but when she turned to Taryn she was all smiles.
“Do you want sleep or answers right now?” she asked brusquely. Before he could decide she added, “And I want some answers from you too, you know, so you had better be ready to tell me how in Skorn’s name you got into the city.”
He smiled and nodded. “How about you just tell me who you really are and then I can catch some sleep.” Raising a hand to forestall her objection he continued, “My story is going to take a minute and I’m worn out. I haven’t had any rest since sundown the night we got to the city.”
She considered his response with pursed lips. Then she came to a decision. “Deal . . . but you get to explain first thing in the morning.” She stared him down as if waiting for an argument, but he nodded and smiled. That was good enough for him.
She seemed to steel herself to do something difficult; then she said in chagrin, “I am one of the princesses of the city.”
Stunned, Taryn stood there with his mouth open until his brain processed what she had said. “What?! What do you mean—?” He meant to keep going, but she shook her head and smiled sweetly.
“Nope, time for bed. We will discuss more in the morning.” At that she whipped around and strolled out of the room, leaving Taryn sputtering in her wake
He leapt to catch up to her and said, “Please explain that a little more, would you? I will never be able to sleep if you leave it like that.”
“I will never be able to sleep until I know how you got into the most fortified and guarded city in all of the kingdoms,” she replied.
Still walking beside her, he said, “OK, but let’s get something to eat while we talk. Is that all right—your highness?” He couldn’t restrain a grin as he said it.
She jerked to a stop without looking at him and said. “Please don’t call me that. I need to explain a little more before you will understand, but don’t ever call me that. I am your friend and always have been.” She peeked at him from under a furrowed brow and her eyes were a little wet at the edges. “Don’t ever say something that implies you are below me.”
Surprised at her emotional response, he took her hands in his and looked at her soberly. “Not just
friends . . . the best of friends.” She brightened a little, but then he continued, “But I have to tease you about it, or else we wouldn’t be the best of friends.” His grin was so wide it spread to her and a moment later they were both laughing.
“Fine,” she said. “Let’s go to the kitchens and get something for you. We can talk there.”
Taryn followed her down flights of stairs, past numerous doors, and through a maze of corridors. Most of the flameless torches had been covered or dimmed for the night, but even in the gloom the splendor of the elven home left him breathless. He was surprised to see trees growing everywhere, and any stone left had been colored and carved to make it look like a part of the forest. Adding to the effect, the smooth wood floors left him the distinct feeling of walking through a forest cabin.
“Are those real trees?” Taryn asked as they passed a particular pair of trunks that grew up and branched to form a beautiful arched doorway.
“Actually they are, although I don’t think real would be an accurate word to describe them.” She saw his confused look so she went on, “As you know, our race excels in plant, light, and water magic. Using all three types of magics, our magicians have grown full forests right out of the stone of the city. Traditionally, the status of a home is measured by how much stone is covered by greenery. It requires constant attention by skilled mages to keep the trees healthy and green.” She stopped to brush through some hanging vines that formed a doorway that, as far as Taryn could tell, led into the bottom floor of the grand house.
“This is the dining hall,” she exclaimed with a smile at Taryn’s wondering eyes.
Feeling like he had just stepped outside, he turned his head in every direction to get a better look. On all sides, the view stretched for miles. Countless stars pinpricked the sky above, while clouds drifted past the moon. Southward, he looked out over the dark expanse of Numenessee. To the north, east, and west, he saw the highest tiers of Azertorn, as if the room in which he stood floated in the exact center of the magnificent city, yet high enough that he looked at the palace on even ground.
“Where are we?” Taryn asked, taking a few steps into the room and looking behind him at the opening that led back into Liri’s home.
She laughed, delighted with his response. “We are still in the bottom of the House of Runya.” She gestured upward. “The ceiling and walls are enchanted to be the view from the very top of the great tree.” She pointed to the eastern horizon. “At sunrise or sunset the view is stunning, and at midday it’s hard to remember that you are indoors.” She sighed happily. “It’s like a room in the clouds.”
Now that she had pointed it out, he began to see stray branches in the lowest portions of the walls, bending in the wind. For one brief moment he felt like the entire room was swaying, so he looked at the ground to get his bearings, but even the floor was made of crafted darkwood, adding to the feeling of being in a giant, open air tree house at the top of Le Runtáriel.
“How is this possible?” Taryn asked in open awe at the spectacle,
“Each elven house has at least one mage skilled in magic,” she explained. “The house of Runya is the second-largest house and boasts no less than thirty-six, some of which are considered among the best in the city. I am not sure the exact details of how the ceiling was created, but I do know that special vines at the top of the great tree capture the light, and transfer it through their roots to this room. The image is then recreated on the leaves of the vines embedded in the walls and ceiling.”
Finally understanding, Taryn began to make out the almost imperceptible outlines of broad leaves blanketing the walls and ceiling, but even seeing them didn’t take anything from the sheer majesty of such a place. He stood transfixed, unable to find words to express the wonder he felt. Everything from the view, to the emotions created by such a room, were almost overpowering.
Smiling again at his reaction, Liri put her arm through his. “I know how you feel, this room is my favorite in the house—but you should see it when it’s raining.” Tugging on his arm, she led him into what looked like branches of Le Runtáriel growing through the floor.
Cultivated, curved and flattened, trees had been grown to look like branches, and had been shaped to both furnish the room, as well as make it more beautiful. All around him, trees had been developed into living furniture, providing chairs and tables of various sizes.
Reaching the other side of the dining area, Liri pulled him towards the back of the room to a partially hidden door. Going through it revealed a room that had a starkly different view from the grand dining hall. The main kitchens had been created with an eye to efficiency, with no greenery in sight. Here the stone had been cut to create everything from counters to stoves to shelves or other storage. Once again, Taryn was impressed by the detail with which the rock had been carved. If there were seams at all, they were invisible to his sharp eyes.
As she led him to some wooden chairs next to a small stone table, he finally voiced the question he’d been wondering since the moment he laid eyes on the magnificent city: “Who built Azertorn?”
She nodded as if she’d expected the question. Reaching into a carved cupboard fitted with a wooden door, she responded, “Azertorn was built by the dwarves as a gift to the elves in return for some service, although no one is sure what that service was. The entire city took more than a decade to create, so whatever the elves did for them must have been invaluable.” She paused to place bread and cheese on the table with some wine. “Eat, and I will give you some background.”
Taryn complied with her request with gusto. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was.
Leaning back, she settled into a comfortable position and started with some history. “Most believe the city was carved about ten thousand years ago. It was built specifically as a place where the elves could go, because their home had been destroyed by someone—and before you ask who it was, I don’t know. I do know that whoever it was affected both of the human kingdoms as well. In fact, back then there was only the one kingdom, Talinor.”
“Some great calamity drove the elves out of their ancestral homeland and divided the humans. The kingdom of Griffin formed in the east, while Talinor maintained the south. Other factions also broke off at that time, like the barbarians and the amazons of the deep south. The strange thing is that whatever happened, it must have been catastrophic, but there are very few records that recount anything about it.”
Taryn cut in with a question. “Wait, someone drove them out? The elves used to live in the forest between the two kingdoms, right? Orlkani—no, that wasn’t it. Orláknia?”
Liri nodded and indicated for him to go on.
“Then what people would have driven them out? If it were the humans, or any other normal race for that matter, it would have been recorded, wouldn’t it?”
Liri interrupted him, “I don’t think it was something . . . normal.” Her tone implied something dangerous—and whatever it was, it bothered her that no one knew. She continued while he was still mulling over her words. “I really don’t know much more about the ancient elves’ migration. All I know is that they came here and that the dwarves built this city for them.”
“How many dwarves?”
“I think . . . all of them,” she said. “Most of the buildings and rooms were carved out by magic you know, although some of it was crafted by hand.”
“How far into the shelf does it go?” Taryn asked with his mouth full of bread.
She smirked at his muffled question, but answered it without commenting on his manners. “Several miles at some points, but then only a fraction of all the caverns are in use. Most of the deeper chambers just gather dust.” She stifled a yawn before continuing, “The queen lives and governs from the palace—”
“—The large building on the top level?” he interrupted with a shrewd guess.
“Umm, sort of,” she replied. “In reality the city has ten levels. Seven tiers form the bowl you saw from the bottom of the cliff. Two are below L
e Runtáriel and house most of the army. The last level is actually above the cliff and comprises the wall and the top barracks. Ayame Ser’Tármaril, our queen, rules from the palace on Tier Nine. The House of Runya and House of Keserian are the other two ruling houses, and are almost as large as the palace.”
“What do you mean ‘the other two ruling houses’?”
“Azertorn is governed by a queen and a council comprised of five members: the respective heads of the army, the home guard, the magic guild, and the Houses of Keserian and Runya.”
“Now are you going to explain the princess part?” Taryn asked with a smile as he reached for his glass.
Sighing, she answered, “Whenever a queen passes, the new one is chosen from among the daughters of the Houses of Runya and Keserian by a majority vote of the council. I am one of the daughters of Runya and am eligible with four others. I have two sisters, Arianna, the oldest, and Erianna, in the middle. The house of Keserian has two daughters and two sons, but only the daughters can be considered for the crown.”
Swallowing, he asked, “So who is the House of Tármaril?”
“When one becomes queen, they take on the name, as does the rest of their immediate family. Grandchildren return to their original name and house.”
“So what are your chances of becoming queen?” Taryn asked innocently. He watched her expression darken and her thin lips tighten before he continued, struggling to keep his face serious, “You know I like to have friends in high places.”
She burst out laughing, a high musical sound that lightened his heart as only Liri’s voice could.
