by Ben Hale
Liri hid her confusion well, only twitching her eyebrows in a manner he knew well. “Inform her I will be there directly.”
The messenger bowed and hurried across a northern branch. Watching her response, Taryn was just beginning to understand certain nuances about her that he’d never really understood before. She’d always been adept at hiding her emotions and it finally made sense why.
Liri sighed deeply. “We are going to have to cut this tour a little short.” Then her face brightened. “Do you want to come with me? You could see the palace.”
He smiled wide to let her know he wasn’t disappointed. “That would be great. I’ve wanted to see it since last night—but I can’t imagine it surpassing the House of Runya.”
She grinned. “Perhaps, but I think you will enjoy it, nonetheless.” Turning, she led the way down the same giant limb that the messenger had taken.
Following in her wake, he fell to pondering her change in behavior. She had been so open and . . . personal with him before they arrived at Azertorn. Since they had arrived, he’d watched her shift from the Liri he knew, to the Lady Liriana. It was odd, seeing the other side of his long-time friend that he’d only caught glimpses of. At the same time it felt revealing . . . and unsettling. Something about the way Liri reacted to her role led him to believe she disliked her position. Glancing back to ensure the two guards following them were out of earshot he decided to voice his thoughts. “Do you not care for your status in the city?”
She glanced at him and sighed. “No,” she admitted. “In the thirty years of my youth here, I never felt free. Training on Sri Rosen with you and Trin and Mae was . . . liberating, and it is difficult to try to be myself with you here and also be the person everyone expects me to be.”
She leaned closer to him as she walked. “Don’t let me forget myself, will you Taryn?” She looked at him with her beautiful blue eyes full of the desperate pleading in her voice.
He felt his heart flutter, but did his best not to let it affect his response. “Of course Liri, what else would I do?”
She flashed him a dazzling smile, and Taryn saw some of the old Liri in her eyes. “Forever, then?”
He responded with a lighthearted laugh. “Deal. Now let’s go see what your queen wants of you. Then you can finish showing me your city.”
“It shouldn’t take long,” she said, an oddly triumphant expression on her face as they strolled down the massive branch.
Taryn nodded, but something about the way her lips tightened when she said it gave him a different impression. Whatever the reason the queen had summoned her, it wasn’t good . . . and Liri knew it.
Chapter 17: The Queen and the Quest
The two of them soon arrived at the palace on the ninth level of Azertorn, not stopping to view anything else. With Liri preoccupied, Taryn said little, unsure of what to say. Instead of leading him to the massive and intricate doors at the front, Liri turned toward a small side door, relatively hidden behind strategically grown trees. Without hesitation, she slipped down the thin path and through the door. If she noticed the several hidden guards in the brush, she gave no sign.
Entering, she led them through various corridors and up several flights of stairs. As in the house of Runya, vines, plants, and trees grew everywhere, but it seemed that there were more flowering plants here.
“Why all the flowers?” Taryn asked.
“The queen likes them, and requested for additional flowers to be grown throughout the palace.”
Taryn nodded and allowed her to return to her thoughts. As he followed her soft footsteps, he compared the two homes. The sweet smell of different flowers hung thick in the air in the palace, and although it looked nice, he preferred Liri’s ancestral home. The House of Runya looked more natural, and felt more comfortable as a result.
Liri finally stopped at a door guarded by another couple of sentries. Bowing, she exclaimed, “Liriana Alasse Tel’Runya, and guest, to see the queen, as requested.”
With an openly hostile expression, one of the guards responded, “You may enter, but your . . . guest . . . must wait outside—and surrender his weapons.”
“Out of the question,” Liri snapped with no trace of softness. “If the queen wishes to see me, then my friend comes as well.”
“Liri I—” Taryn started to protest, but she cut him off with a fierce glance. He’d known her a long time, so he understood by her look that she wanted him to be with her when she met with the queen—with his weapons.
The guard shook his head and scowled. “I shall request the leave of the queen.” Striding down the hall and through another door, he left the second elf looking disgruntled at the situation. Taryn suppressed a laugh; one elf would be no match for him and Liri if it came to a fight. He caught her expression, and the glint in her eyes revealed she was thinking the same thing.
They waited for several minutes until the guard returned and said stiffly, “I ask your apology, my lady, you may now enter. She has been expecting you.” He seemed to hesitate and then added with a pointed look in Taryn’s direction, “You will be held personally responsible by the guards for his actions.” Liri nodded with a sly smile that only succeeded in infuriating the guard even more, but he opened the door without another word.
Following her into the room, Taryn took in his surroundings. They appeared to be in a sitting room large enough for several people. Just as in the House of Runya, trees had been bent as they’d grown to form living chairs in a circle. Gurgling water flowed in several small channels around the room, and countless flowers grew from the floor, walls, and ceiling.
“This is the personal receiving room for the queen,” Liri said. Then her lips twitched into a smile. “Be on your best behavior.”
“I will behave as well as I always do,” he replied, uneasy at the prospect of meeting the queen of a city he’d just snuck into.
She chuckled quietly in response but fell silent when a secret door on the opposite side of the room opened to allow three elves to enter. Ornate blue armor and two short swords identified the first man as a warrior. Even without the weapons, Taryn would have seen him as a fighter. The elf’s eyes were gray rather than blue and set in a lean and pointed face that appeared weathered by time and elements. His gaze never left Taryn as he strode into the room.
The second elf entering the room couldn’t have been more different. She wore a layered green and purple gown that appeared at the same time magnificent, yet simple. Eyes of clear light blue gave the impression of ancient knowledge and wisdom. When she met Taryn’s gaze, he could see a firm line to her mouth and a beautiful face surrounded by almost white blonde hair. Her very presence breathed authority, grace, and intelligence.
Last, a smaller elf entered the room. At first glance he appeared to be just another guard—until Taryn took a closer look. Despite the elf’s diminutive stature, his carriage screamed his skill with a blade. Instead of strolling into the room, he seemed to glide in, almost slipping into a half crouch at the sight of Taryn. No visible weapon appeared on his back or side, but there were conspicuous bulges about the length of daggers or knives along his thighs and forearms—and there were sure to be more weapons even better hidden. After a moment’s thought Taryn assumed this was probably the queen’s personal bodyguard—certainly here due to Taryn’s presence.
The three elves seated themselves in a strategic arrangement, with the queen slightly behind the other two. The first one to enter the room spoke first. “I am Deiran, general of the elven armies. Despite my objections, the queen has requested this meeting.” He shifted to look at Taryn, his eyes narrowing. “But before we begin I wish to say something to you. Watch yourself, half-breed, in this room, or you will find yourself cut down before you can take half a step in any hostile act!”
The queen shifted, subtly drawing attention to her. When she’d caught Taryn’s eye she gave a wry smile. “Forgive my general; he has been very irritable of late and slightly overprotective.” Her voice sounded light and
smooth, like a summer breeze through the clouds.
“Overprotective!” Deiran exploded, but she silenced him with a glance before continuing.
“My name is Ayame Ser’Tármaril, but you may call me Ayame. I am told your name is Taryn Elseerian and you know little of your heritage. I am most curious about where you come from, but unfortunately that conversation will have to wait. We have more pressing matters to discuss.”
Her gaze shifted to Liri, and her voice softened. “Liri, my dear, it is good to see you after so long.”
Taryn was surprised by her familiar use of Liri’s name. During their training only a handful of very close friends had called her Liri.
“You have returned at a strange time in our lands. In place of the light-hearted and cheerful people when you departed, there is now a fierce and battle-ready nation. We do not know what has caused this recent change, but we know it is worsening. I feel the tension increase almost daily now.”
She composed herself with a sigh and returned her gaze to Liri. “I fear if this continues we will be at war with the druids, the humans, or the dwarves—or even all three—at any moment. As the saying goes ‘The kindling has been laid’ . . .”
Taryn finished the statement in his mind, and only needs a spark.
Ayame’s tone suddenly became urgent. “We must solve this dilemma before it destroys us all.”
Deiran interrupted in a pleading tone. “My lady, I am confident we will be victorious in any engagement. Our people have nearly all been gathered in, and the city of Azertorn will never fall to enemy hands.”
She patiently allowed him to finish before responding, “I believe you, General, but I do not care for any battle to occur, especially when the only driving force is an unnatural fear that possesses us. Every life is precious, and I refuse to allow any to be lost needlessly. Unity is necessary in the face of fear, not battle.”
Turning back to Liri, she said, “We are in a troubled time. Fear and terror spread faster than the wind across our land. A thief we cannot catch has somehow managed to steal from us on several occasions. Trusted nations have turned against us. It is even more baffling how suddenly this has come to pass. In a handful of weeks, we have gone from a peaceful race to a hardened angry one."
She sighed and shook her head. "I cannot help but draw our country in to protect ourselves, but I recognize this will not solve our dilemma. That is why I have decided to send an envoy east, to the Oracle. Hopefully she will have some wisdom for us in this dire time. Unfortunately, few elves have traveled outside the boundaries of our lands in recent months, and even fewer are willing to do so now. The two of you seem to be less affected by this plague of terror, so I wish for you to accompany them.”
For the first time, the smaller elf on the right spoke up, his voice as hard as steel. “My lady, I must protest, this man is an outsider and must not be allowed on this important journey.”
She smiled affectionately at him. “Ren, you have always protected me well, but I must insist. They will be traveling in human lands, and if there are any needs of the party, they will need him to speak to humans. I also want you to go with them, as my personal representative.”
Momentarily flustered, he still responded with a nod, “Yes, my lady.”
She continued speaking to him. “Take Denithir and his command with you. I have chosen them specifically for this purpose, and he will lead this quest with valor.” Her slight emphasis on the word lead sent a not-so-subtle message of who would be in charge. She obviously wasn’t taking any chances with an authority struggle.
Ren nodded and flashed a triumphant smile in Taryn’s direction. “Yes, my lady.”
Something about Ren’s reaction to the elven captain's name left Taryn feeling somewhat unsettled. His instincts told him it had something to do with him, but he saw no apparent reason why it would.
Liri leaned forward and asked, “Ayame, what exactly would you have me do?”
She smiled at Liri’s question. “Leave at first light and go to the Oracle. Ask her what is happening within our kingdom, and everywhere else—and do so quickly.” Her tone dropped, “Or we may be at war when you return.”
Despite his previous feelings, the queen had an aura of trust, causing him to ask, "I am . . . grateful for your confidence, but I feel I must ask why you would have me go? It must be more than my human heritage."
The queen smiled. "I sense that you will be needed, perhaps it is because you look human, or perhaps it is something . . . else, but you are as crucial for this mission as anyone. It is evident that Liri trusts you completely, so despite my fear that you will destroy us, I will place my faith in you as well." Both the general and Ren shifted at that statement, and she added in an amused tone, "That may not be enough for others, but Liri's faith is sufficient evidence for me to fight my fear."
Taryn found himself nodding in sincere gratitude. "I will do whatever is necessary."
The queen's face warmed and her smile spread. "I do not doubt it." Then she looked at Liri, sadness returning to her gaze. "This quest is vital to our survival. Do not fail us."
The queen gave a brief bow and Taryn recognized it as a dismissal, so he bowed in turn without taking his eyes off Ren—who watched him with unblinking eyes. Taryn’s wary look seemed to amuse the small warrior and his lips slid into a smirk. Ren knew, that Taryn knew, that they would have a fight sometime in the future—and that both were certain that they would be the victor.
Liri and Taryn stood together and watched the three elves exit through the same door they’d come in. Ren’s eyes remained locked on Taryn’s form until the door closed with a soft click.
Liri blew out her breath and exclaimed, “Well, isn’t that just great for us, huh?”
“What?” he asked quizzically, “I thought it sounded like fun, and at least we’d get to find out what is going on.”
“I don’t know if I want to know what is going on.”
Taryn chuckled. “Do we have any choice?”
She sighed. “Not really.”
“Then let’s go and talk to the Oracle. Besides, maybe she will have some answers about my parents . . .”
“Exactly!” she said. “Then we have preparations to make, don’t we?”
“Why is the Oracle in the east anyway? Isn’t she an elf?” he asked.
“Well yes, but apparently the Oracle didn’t participate in the elves’ migration. For some reason she decided to stay.” Her expression turned thoughtful and she said, “I would think that her presence in the east has served some good. I know that the humans started seeking her counsel. It’s partially due to her that the elves opened their borders and allowed humans and dwarves to pass freely through the Forest of Numenessee and use the Lake Road, which runs along the Giant’s shelf as it climbs the plateau. Before all this mess, humans, dwarves, and druids were allowed to travel freely on the Lake Road—but I doubt it is permitted now.”
“I would like to see the Blue Lake,” Taryn exclaimed with a sigh, “and the road would be impressive for sure. “
“I will show it to you sometime, but we should probably go pack for the trip. Something tells me it is going to be a long journey,” Liri said.
No sooner had the words left her mouth than the door slammed open and the same ornery guard stepped into the room. “Thank you for your visit.”
The two of them strolled past the guard and back towards the hidden entrance to the palace. As soon as they were out of earshot, Liri began talking animatedly about what they should ask the Oracle but Taryn only listened with half his mind. Despite his earlier show of nonchalance, he was worried. Something serious was undermining the stability of nations, and whatever it was, it was getting worse—especially further east. One thing was certain, though, when they did reach the Oracle he was going ask about his heritage.
He only hoped she had some answers.
Chapter 18: Test of Loyalty
Sunrise shimmered on the early morning dew in the small meadow that Taryn�
�s group had chosen to camp in—but it felt far from peaceful. Somehow the innate tranquility of such a place had been stolen, replaced with a sinister feeling in the air that had persisted throughout the unnaturally silent night and into the morning. Each member of the party, whether asleep or on watch, had shifted uneasily whenever the fire crackled.
It had only been a day since they'd met with the queen, but it felt like another life. Taryn rolled up his bedroll amidst the score of Denithir's hardened elves around him, feeling more than one set of eyes on him. The personal guard of the queen, Ren, had camped close to Liri and Taryn on their first night away from the elven fortress. But Ren wasn’t the only one to be hostile.
Denithir's attitude towards Taryn had been openly antagonistic since the moment he'd laid eyes on him. The elven captain seemed remarkably similar to Ren, and Liri had informed him that they were related somehow. Small of stature but well balanced in his stance, he was certain to be a formidable fighter. Intense blue eyes in the lean elf's face were restless, never stopping as they searched for signs of danger. In fact, there only appeared to be one real difference between the two. Denithir was a fighter and an excellent commander. It had been obvious in every move he'd made—especially the position of his soldiers for the night. Not only had there been a defensive layout that left them prepared for an attack from without, he was also prepared for an attack from within.
