Silas’s eyed widened as he looked at Ryan. “You mean to suggest dat dis boy here is the one from da prophecy?”
“He’s a bit younger than he appears in the vision,” Throll said warmly. “But yes.”
Dad laughed. “Both my sons are a little young for battle yet, I’m afraid.”
Silas pondered this. “I’ll have to call da council of chiefs so I might discuss dis with da other clans. I tink, as you propose, dat a trip is in our future. Is there anything I can do for ye men before we go back into da mountains?”
“Actually, yes.” Dad reached into a pocket of his robe and produced the sliver of metal Ryan had charged. “Can you tell me where someone can obtain the ore for this metal?”
Silas frowned. “What do ye know of ore, lord wizard? Dat is da domain of our dwarven smiths.”
Dad pointed to Throll. “Do you see the armor he’s wearing? What do you think of it?”
Silas studied Throll with an appraiser’s eye. “I would say dat it is roughly made, but of good quality. It has a very unusual sheen to it dat I’d like to study sometime. Why do ye ask?”
Dad pointed his thumb at his chest. “I smelted the iron ore, pounded it out, and fit the armor to the needed dimensions. My son infused it with the sheen you noted. So I would say I know a little bit about ore. Still… I would always love to learn more.”
Silas looked at Dad with surprise. “Lord wizard, I wouldn’t have expected ye to be interested in the smithing arts. Very few humans can appreciate da intricacies involved. I can’t tell you how much dat pleases me.”
“Perhaps when you visit, I can take you to my smithy and we can compare techniques. I would love to learn more from the experts.”
Silas smiled broadly. “I promise to take ye up on dat offer.” He sat back. “With regard to dis metal, yes, I do recognize it. It’s difficult to work with, as it requires da hottest possible furnace—and even then it can be tricky. I’m not sure a human could smelt it. Creating a fire hot enough is likely beyond yer capability.”
Dad smiled and stood. “Let me show you something.”
He set the sliver of metal in the middle of a large flat stone a safe distance away from the dwarves. He then assaulted it with a massive stream of energy. The metal turned a glowing red, then melted to a bubbling pool of molten metal.
Silas whistled in appreciation. “Forget what I said, lord wizard. I don’t think ye’ll have any trouble smelting da ore. In fact, I suspect you would be a very popular person if ye ever came for a visit.”
“I’m sure we can make arrangements in time,” Dad said warmly. “But in the meantime, do you know where I can get my hands on some of this ore? I’d like to experiment with it.”
“Assuming you rid the world of Azazel, I’d be happy to provide ye with all da ore you could ever use. I know of many veins of such ore in da mountains near my home.”
Dad smiled. “That would be wonderful.”
Sensing a lull in the conversation, Ryan cut in. “I have another question,” he said. He pulled from his pocket the map from Honfrion’s book, and handed it to Silas. “Do you recognize this?”
Silas studied the paper before handing it back. “I recognize the name Ellisanethra. It’s an elven town dat’s rumored to be surrounded by a haunted wood. It’s not far, if you go into the caves and stay to the left, the first exit will drop you outside the haunted wood I spoke of. But I don’t know much about it, we tend to stay out of elven business. Them elves are tight-lipped folks. Even with a lot of ale in them, they rarely speak of da person rumored to live in Ellisanethra.”
“Who is rumored to live there?”
Silas shrugged. “Like I said, dis is only a rumor—and one much older than I. They say da witch of the woods lives there. Ellisandrea, Queen of the Elves.”
Dad and Throll exchanged a look.
Ryan leaned forward and said, “Remember that message Throll read? It mentioned the elven queen’s magic, didn’t it?”
Throll frowned. “I’m thinking that maybe this queen and this girlfriend Azazel is visiting are maybe one in the same.”
Dad nodded. “I think it’s time we pay this witch a visit.”
Elves
Aaron felt Gwen watching him as he taught Sloane how to read. He and Sloane had been spending a great deal of time together of late. Ever since their conversation about their possible future, things had changed. They were of course already close friends, but he now saw her differently than before. He noticed how she’d filled out from the stick-like girl he’d first met, to something more than that. And Sloane treated him differently, too. She sat closer, and held his hand more often when leading him from place to place. He didn’t think it could have been possible, but Aaron felt like they’d grown closer.
Sloane’s mother must have noticed as well, because she watched over them constantly. He wished she would get up and leave them alone for once.
Zenethar began crying, and Gwen rose to tend to him in his crib. “You know,” she said, “I could really use some more mushrooms for tonight’s roast. You people eat them faster than I can cook them. Can I count on the two of you to gather more after your lesson?”
Aaron laughed. “I’m not a big fan of mushrooms. It’s Ohaobbok who eats them all.”
Gwen smiled. “Well, have you seen how large that boy is? He’s eight feet tall and has the appetite of three men. I swear, I cannot figure how he gets so big and strong on vegetables alone.”
“Are mushrooms considered vegetables?” Sloane asked.
“Whatever they are, we need all we can get,” her mother said. “I won’t have anyone go without under this roof. If you see any wild onions, grab some of those, too. I love the spring onions, but it’s probably too late in the season to find them.”
“Come on, then,” Sloane said to Aaron.
Aaron set aside the lesson manual and followed her outside. They passed Ohaobbok in the yard, practicing his sword forms.
“Throll is going to be mad if you don’t practice soon!” the ogre called after Aaron.
“I’ll practice with you tonight,” Aaron called back. “And I’ll beat you this time, too. Just you watch!”
Ohaobbok laughed and shook his head.
Aaron and Sloane grabbed a basket and headed into the woods. But just as they entered the trees, a commotion sounded up ahead, like an animal was thrashing around.
Aaron moved Sloane behind him and pulled out his sword. Slowly they advanced through the trees.
They found the source of the noise in a clearing. A deer with an arrow through its neck. It thrashed around for only a moment more before dying with a final shudder.
Sloane pointed to the arrow’s fletching. “That’s a well-crafted arrow. Just imperfectly shot. See how it hit the deer just a little higher than it should have? That’s why the deer didn’t die instantly.”
Even as Sloane spoke, a young boy came running into the clearing. He was thin, with tanned skin and blond hair, and his ears were slightly pointed. He nearly fell over in fright when he saw the sword in Aaron’s hand.
Aaron smiled and sheathed the sword. “Sorry about that. We mean you no harm.”
The boy replied in a lilting language unlike anything Aaron had ever heard. Aaron couldn’t make out a word of it.
Sloane nudged him. “He’s an elf,” she whispered.
Aaron’s eyes widened. “Can you understand me?” he asked the elf. “We just stumbled onto your deer by mistake.”
The elf shook his head.
“My younger brother has not yet learned your language,” came a voice from the woods. “But I have.”
A taller elf stepped into the clearing. “This is my brother’s first hunt. I fear he didn’t perform as he should have, but a kill is a kill, so I will grant him that. We’re sorry to have disturbed you. We’ll be going now.”
The younger brother spoke rapidly to his older brother, pointing at Aaron all the while.
“Is there something wrong?” Aaron asked.
“I don’t mean to intrude,” the older brother said, “but can I get a closer look at you? My brother swears that he recognizes you.”
Aaron nodded. “As you wish.”
The older brother walked over to Aaron, studying him, then stepping around to catch him in profile. When he’d finished, he bowed.
“Truly, it is you,” he said respectfully. “I must beg of you, good sir, would you mind if I brought you to stand before our elders? I would regret it until the end of my days if I didn’t allow them to verify whether what my brother says is true.”
“What did your brother say?” Sloane asked.
The elf pointed at Aaron. “That this is the boy from our dream, the boy who will lead our people against the demon horde.”
“Well, we need no elders for that,” Sloane said. “Aaron is the man from the new vision. His brother will lead the wizards, and Aaron will lead the army.”
The elf looked astounded. “You, too, have the dream of the future? We weren’t sure whether humans shared our visions.”
“How long does it take to get to your elders?” Aaron asked.
The elf looked the two of them up and down. “I think it should take half an hour.”
“Do we have time to go with them?” Aaron asked Sloane.
She shrugged. “I don’t see an issue as long as we bring mushrooms to Mother before dinner.”
The elf laughed. “Mushrooms are no problem. I can arrange for large quantities to be gathered while you talk to our elders.” He stepped forward and offered his hand. “I’m sorry, but I have not introduced myself. My name is Illisandre, and my younger brother is named Ealuanni. What may I call you?”
“Good to meet you,” Aaron said with a smile. “I am Aaron Riverton. This is Sloane Lancaster, my good friend.”
Sloane reached out and took Aaron’s hand.
“Follow me,” the elf said. “I’ll try to keep a slow pace for you.”
The next thirty minutes involved a tiring ordeal of confusing paths. But eventually they came to a part of the forest Aaron had never seen before. The trees were far bigger and older, and the air smelled of fresh leaves and flowers. Aaron caught the occasional glimpse of other elves in the woods, but these were the only hints that they weren’t alone.
“You ready to climb?” Illisandre asked when they reached the base of a massive tree.
“Climb?” Aaron repeated.
Illisandre laughed. “Follow me.” He approached the tree, which boasted a trunk of at least twenty feet in diameter. With his hands working tightly in the bark, he climbed diagonally up the trunk.
As Aaron approached the tree, he saw little footholds—though only because he was looking for them. He worked his hands and feet over the holds, checking back every so often to make sure Sloane was following. The diagonal path made for a simpler climb up the sheer face of the giant tree. After several loops around the trunk, the holds ended at a platform more than thirty feet up.
“I’m not so certain I enjoy heights,” Sloane said, clinging tightly to Aaron’s arm.
Illisandre smiled sympathetically. “Don’t worry. We won’t be up here long.” He offered Sloane a guiding hand. “Let’s step along this path. Don’t look down. Just look straight ahead.”
Aaron tried to follow the elf’s advice, looking only straight ahead as they crossed a path connecting two trees high above the forest floor.
“Ignore the mist,” Illisandre said with a wave of his hand. Indeed, the air had grown misty since their climb began. “It’ll get thicker. Just follow the path and my voice. Keep your hands on the path.”
At that, Illisandre started to sing a strange song in the elvish language.
“I can’t see a thing,” Sloane said after a time.
“Just keep moving forward,” Aaron called back to her.
Illisandre plodded on, singing all the while. Gradually, the mist became lighter, and then suddenly it cleared away completely. They were back on the floor of the forest, but they were in an elven city in the middle of the woods. Paths all around them were swarming with elves of all sizes.
“Wow,” Aaron said. “I didn’t even feel us descending. I don’t think I could ever find my way back if I tried.”
Illisandre smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll lead you back out. You’re my responsibility now that you’re here.”
“Where is here?” Sloane asked.
“Welcome to the city of Eluanethra,” Illisandre said with a bow. “The name literally translates to ‘City of the Elves.’”
Aaron studied his surroundings with amazement. “It’s hard to believe all this is here, and yet so well hidden.” Every structure was seamlessly integrated into the woods. Vines clung to the scaly bark of the buildings, cloaking them in a camouflage of greenery. Even the roofs were made from a tightly meshed weaving of living greenery. It all looked so natural that Aaron was convinced that if all of the bustling activity paused, the city would disappear from view due to the natural camouflage.
“I’m duty-bound to report to the elders immediately,” Illisandre said, “now that I have brought an outsider to our city. Most people are friendly here, but normally outsiders are not allowed in Eluanethra. However, I know they’ll want to talk to you, Aaron.”
Illisandre led them to a large building with a web of vines hanging over the entrance. He pulled on one of the vines, and a bell sounded from deep in the building. Moments later, an older elf with kind features and sharp eyes came to the door.
“Illisandre!” he said gruffly. “Why have you come?” And then he noticed Aaron and Sloane. “Ah. I see. Wait here. I’m sure you have an explanation for this breach of protocol, but I’ll call the rest to council so that we can all hear it at once.”
The elf pulled a whistle out of his breast pocket and blew a note that Aaron couldn’t hear. Soon several elderly elves arrived from elsewhere in the village, and they silently passed Aaron, Sloane, and Illisandre as they headed inside.
When a particularly ancient-looking elf came along—he appeared in dire need of a walking stick—Illisandre shouted at him. “Hurry up, Grandfather! Or do I need to move the building to you instead?”
The ancient elf looked up and croaked. “Illi, you rascal! Not everything should be rushed. Walking is one of those things. Be virtuous, and have some patience. I’ll get there in a moment.”
Illisandre whispered to Aaron and Sloane. “That’s my grandfather. He is the eldest of the elders, and was witness to the first sealing of Trimoria from the rest of the world.”
“You can’t be serious,” Aaron said. “That must mean he’s over—”
“Yes, I’m old,” the ancient elf interrupted. “But I’m not deaf. You young people think that just because you reach one hundred years, you know something. When you’re over five hundred, that is when I’ll say you’ve seen enough seasons to have gained a little wisdom, and not a moment before.”
Illisandre laughed. “Grandfather, you’re going to scare our guests.”
The old elf shuffled toward them. “It seems folly to suggest that I could frighten the future general of our armies.”
Aaron’s mouth dropped open.
“Surprised, are you?” the elf said with a chuckle. “I’m old, but I’m not blind. You are the human child who will be leading our armies.”
Aaron laughed. “Sir, you’re indeed full of surprises. I think I should learn to not judge as much by what I see, but rather, I should listen a bit more. You aren’t exactly what you seem.”
Illisandre’s grandfather nodded appreciatively. “Now that is promising. Words of wisdom from one so young. Yes, today will be a time for you to speak when asked to speak. But I think you will need to do a good bit of listening as well. As long as you keep that straight, today should be enlightening for everyone.”
The old elf turned to Sloane. “And you, I sense, are our general’s betrothed. Welcome, my lady, to Eluanethra
. I will try not to keep your husband-to-be for too long in entertaining us old frauds.”
He then gave a wink to Illisandre, straightened up, and literally bounded into the building like a gazelle.
“Sorry about that,” said Illisandre. “My grandfather enjoys pranks. Plus, I think he was playing the old slow-elf act just so he could get a chance to talk to you two without the others around.”
The elf led them inside and up a long flight of steps. They turned right and passed several doors before reaching their destination.
It was a vast room, well-lit and open beneath a cathedral ceiling. The elderly elves who’d entered before them were all seated in chairs in a half circle, and a single unoccupied chair sat before them.
“Sloane and I will need to take our leave,” Illisandre whispered to Aaron. “If I know my grandfather, he’ll prefer not to speak before anyone but you.”
Aaron turned uncertainly to Sloane, but she squeezed his hand reassuringly. “It’s okay,” she said. “I’ll help Illisandre gather some mushrooms to take back to Mother.” She gave Aaron a quick kiss on the cheek. “Go ahead and talk to the council. I’ll see you when you finish.”
As Sloane departed, Aaron nervously took a seat in the unoccupied chair and faced the council. Aaron counted twelve elves in total, and realized then that the chair in which Illisandre’s grandfather sat was slightly elevated above the others. Apparently he was the leader.
A long silence passed before Illisandre’s grandfather spoke. “Very good. You remain quiet while uncertain. I have hope for the youth of humanity. Tell me, Aaron of the Protector’s visions, who are you?”
Aaron started from the beginning. He revealed how he and his family had arrived in Trimoria, how his father and brother were now wizards, how his mother could heal, and how he’d become unusually strong. He explained that they’d been living with the protector-general and his family, and talked about the threat to Zenethar after having gone to the fountain. He described how the assassin was stopped and how that ultimately led to the battle with Azazel’s soldiers, as well as the showdown with Azazel himself. Finally, he’d explained how he’d been looking for mushrooms when he stumbled onto Illisandre and his brother.
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