Prologue

Little Prince Dracon sits at his bedroom window waiting for his father to appear. This morning, he found crushed mint leaves in a leather pouch sitting upon the window sill. Last time that occurred was when his father appeared after Dracon awoke from a dream. His father had to be coming. The moon rose high and his father did not come. Rain clouds fly across the sky blocking a considerable amount of moonlight. A cool breeze blows in the room and Dracon soon feels a prick upon his cheek, arousing the boy with his head leaning against the window. Strong arms lift the sleepy prince into bed. Stirred, Dracon opens his eyes.
“I waited for you,” yawns Dracon.
“I know,” answers a voice in the darkness.
“May I light a candle?” asks Dracon.
“No, Dracon. No one must see us together. You are in danger here. Your mother has sent spies to find me. Listen to me, Dracon. Her vengeance drips with anguish and intends to harm you on your way to the capital to make me come out of hiding to protect you. You must leave in the morning. Take comrades with you and seek out The Prophetess of Nix inside The Haunted Forest. Tell them you wish to know your future in the capital. The Prophetess will protect you from your mother’s spies.” warns his father before disappearing like a phantom in the night air.
“Yes, father.” whispers Dracon as he falls back asleep.
The rooster crows and Dracon is awakened by his distant cousin who has been his guardian since he was a wee babe. Dyna is joyous with a message from Dracon’s mother declaring she is remarrying and wishes Dracon to attend the ceremony. Little prince Dracon tells Dyna of his father’s visit and her smile transforms into a frown. Dyna assures the lad that she will secure a proper bodyguard to take him to the capital, a grand escort would attract too much attention. She will have to rewrite her reply to the queen. Dracon eats his morning meal with his cousin and the High Priest in the tiny kitchen. The High Priestess Dyna and the High Priest of the village live modestly, in a small temple. They are supported by the village and the lord of the land. After his appetite is filled, he attends his morning classes with the High Priest and a few lads from the village. Dyna visits a local weaver to deliver her reply when he travels to the capital. The weaver has met the queen fitting her for robes to sell his fine fabric. The weaver’s son Homer attends classes with Prince Dracon. Homer has never seen the capital, but has heard so many stories that he does not need to. Prince Dracon knows very little about his parents or the capital he will someday command. His guardian reluctantly tells him anything about his parents’ feud with each other. The High Priest raises Dracon’s pouch of mint leaves and tells them of their pain relieving effects on humans and elves. He always speaks of elves alongside of humans because Homer is part elf. On the other side of the river cutting the village in two, live the elves. Many think these human-like beings possess magical powers and highly respect them. During the lessons, Dracon asks Homer and another of his classmates to go along his journey to The Prophetess of Nix inside The Haunted Forest. The boys are eager to visit the infamous fortune teller. Her oracles are never wrong. The boys are also eager to meet the strange creatures inhabiting The Haunted Forest. Mermaids, fairies, centaurs, unicorns, sprites, and ghosts all inhabit the eerie forest. Travelers passing through the forest bring captivating tales of the mysterious creatures.
After the first lesson, Homer runs home to ask permission to seek The Prophetess with Dracon. His mother packs a knapsack of food, water bottle, flint stones, and a knife for her adventurous son. Homer waves to his jealous elder siblings with elation as he returns to the temple. The other boy invited to come on the trek is a peasant boy Dracon met while passing out alms to the poor. Alaric ran away from his peasant village after his father’s death to seek his fortune. He often entices Dracon with stories of meeting the queen as she visited her brother, The Lord of the Land Alaric’s family paid tribute to. Dracon was enamored and displeased to hear about his mother’s bitter and haughty behavior. He was not surprised at all that his father hides from her. Alaric now sweeps the floor of an inn for an innkeeper who took pity on the beggar and treats him like his son, even if he is too poor to burden the boy with treasures. The innkeeper blessed Alaric on his journey and gave him a bow with quiver full of arrows. Alaric came back in time to hear the morning prayers blessing Dracon’s trip to The Prophetess. Dracon always thought Alaric was a strange name for a human. Many elf boys are named Alaric after the great hero from The Elf War. It is sung, Alaric once charmed an empress into marriage and was appointed to be the Grand Prince’s tutor. Renamed Prince Hadrian, he found many enemies as the Grand Prince grew up to be a powerful and respected emperor. It is rumored that Hadrian the Great quarreled with the next emperor over a dire prediction and was banished. The hero’s name is forbidden to say, he is simply called The Hermit. This emperor died shortly after he enacted the law. His wife is believed to have killed him to obtain power and beheaded her lover for murdering her husband. The empress and her new lover were later overthrown by another pupil of Hadrian the Great. Now, The Hermit makes his home in The Haunted Forest guarding The Prophetess of Nix. Making this connection, Dracon wonders if it is The Prophetess his father thinks will protect him from his mother, or it is really The Hermit.
“Your father will be watching you inside your shadows,” comforts Dyna grasping Dracon’s shoulder disturbing his thoughts.
The boys leave with excitement of traveling by themselves for the first time. They follow a tributary creek leading to the great river with two names that runs into the sea along the edge of The Haunted Forest. The river with two names is called the River Nix by the elves of Etonville and the Aurora River by the humans. It was first named after the mermaid Queen Aurora who banished the griffins who feasted upon river mermaids long ago. Then it was renamed by the elves after the heroine Nix who tried to warn Etonville of an approaching army, but was killed at the river. Either way the river with two names flows through the vast Olin Mountains separating three kingdoms. The smell of the sea hit them as they crossed the werewolf grasslands full of harvested wheat. Despite what humans in their village say, the werewolves were friendly to the humans and allowed them use of their wells to rest at. Dracon never walked so far in his short life. Along the creek, Homer strikes a flint stone against his knife to create a campfire. They lack fear of a werewolf attack since the full moon had already passed. They soon meet centaurs that are half human and half horse gathering at a river bend. Centaurs are avid hunters who are very territorial from being masters of metals. The boys inform the wary creatures of their adventure watching them relax at hearing The Hermit’s name. Alaric shoots their dinner of roasted rabbit. After observing the bow, a centaur makes a face of disappointment in the quality of Alaric’s weapon. After a night’s sleep, the boys trek on reaching meadows of shepherds with the tip tops of The Haunted Forest and Olin Mountains in view. Dracon begins to notice a large golden eagle soaring in circles above their heads as they draw closer to The Haunted Forest. Ignoring the bird, Homer rests his blistered feet in the creek and discovers a mermaid. She is quite alarmed at the growing number of eagles following them and her otter dives in fear to the creek bottom. Approaching the forest, the eagles begin diving and scratching their heads. The boys fight them off as they run for the forest trees. Alaric firing all his arrows, trips on a rock and two eagles land on him. Pecking and scratching his clothes off, the eagles whistle through their beaks. More birds descend in swoops. Suddenly, a bright light flashes from the shade trees and the eagles explode into feathers. Looking for their benefactor, the boys find beautiful women with golden hair and white robes riding unicorns out of the forest shadows.
“Queen Lilith of the Narva Mermaids welcomes you to the Haunted Forest! We have been expecting you!” shouts one of the women.
“Thank you,” whispers Alaric getting off the ground.
The boys look at each other in confusion.
“You know King Jason, Majesties?” asks Homer.
The unicorns surround the boys.
“Never speak his name outside the forest. It is not safe. Come with us.” says a mermaid leaning forward on her unicorn.
The boys are lifted and carried into the confines of the forest. As they ride, a mermaid with a golden crown encrusted with sapphires and holding a golden harpoon speaks.
“Yes we know King Jason, Homer. He is safe here because the inhabitants devote their allegiance to The Wizard. His magic protects us all.”
“The Wizard?” asks Dracon.
“He has many names; Son of the Dragon, The Hermit, Prince Hadrian, Alaric the Great. He is a great and powerful wizard who is not to be trifled with.” declares Queen Lilith.
The unicorns stop at the sound of rushing water.
“This is as far as we take you. The Wizard is down the path by Aurora Falls.” says Queen Lilith.
“Farewell Majesties,” say the boys as they wave to the mermaids.
The mermaids nod their heads and ride off. With dusk falling and ghosts appearing, the boys hurry down the path. They find The Hermit drawing water from the river near a waterfall. Reaching a footbridge, they wave mist away to meet a tall creature with a stag’s head in a man’s body.
“You seek The Prophetess of Nix, do you not? I am Eurick.” speaks the creature.
A wolf rushes to investigate the visitors sniffing impatiently at their boots.
“Calm yourself, Greken. We have guests.” greets the old elf lugging his pail of water.
He pours the bucket into a cauldron hanging over a fire and dishes out a vegetable soup for all.
“Your wolf is staring at me,” declares Dracon holding his stew.
“He is just glad to meet you. Your father has told us much about you.” explains The Hermit. “Greken, the trunk for our guests!”
Greken pulls out a trunk with his teeth from the bushes concealing a door nailed to a tree. The Hermit grabs three robes for the boys. Greken positions itself next to Dracon. Once the water boils, Eurick and The Hermit wash their wounds before rubbing on a minty salve. The sun set, stars and a bright half moon greet the world. Crickets chirp and owls hoot in dark forest. Their scratches dressed, The Hermit lights a pipe and blows smoke circles.
“My Lovely always adored the odor of pipe grass. I never really cared for it.” breaking the silence of the guests around the campfire.
“Queen Lilith said you are a powerful wizard not to be trifled with.” declares Dracon.
“Did she now?” answers The Hermit.
“If you are so great as your legends and beloved by all, then why are you sitting idly here guarding a fortune teller in a desolate place while my father’s kingdom fell apart? A legendary hero does not wait idly to fade from memory.” observes Dracon.
“And what would you have me do as a legendary hero?” asks The Hermit.
“Help father destroy his enemies,” answers Dracon.
“Because he would be destroyed in the process and no one would be around to take care of you. I am not as great as my legends and not beloved by all, Prince Dracon.” replies The Hermit.
“I do not understand,” observes Dracon.
“Let me start at the beginning,” offers The Hermit.
　

Chapter 1 The Sorceress

“It all began with a sorceress,” recites The Hermit grinning with his pipe stuck between his teeth.
She desperately desired so much for her children to have immortality that she took them to the great creator god Alano to be judged worthy and dipped in the Pool of Immortality. Living creatures that walk to the afterlife are judged according to their past life for their placement in the many houses of the netherworld. Immortals are judged according to their future life before given the gift of everlasting life. Alano, who rules all heaven, earth, and deep blue sea, demands that immortality be entered with a child’s innocence. The Sorceress was delighted at her children becoming immortal and the predictions of greatness in her children’s futures worthy of legends recited for generations. She loved the idea of her children having the best she had to give and proud of her achievement at obtaining gods as betrothals for her precious daughters. She was disappointed however, her dream of having a goddess betrothed to her only son did not come true. The goddesses she beckoned turned their noses up at the suggestion of marrying a lowly elf with no fortune to inherit from his poor, hardworking father. Immortality and a heroic destiny did not make up for this fact. Her pride shaken, The Sorceress asked no other for a betrothal to her son.
The mortal sorceress raised her immortal children in these very woods and they walked where we now sit. They loved to swim, fish, and had fun with the river mermaids. They explored caves and played with fairies. Their father, a metal-smith, had a forge up in a cave beyond the waterfall. He bought his metal ores from trolls who still mine within these very mountains. His wife, The Sorceress, gave every weapon a spell that resulted in beliefs of elves having magical powers. The poor but respected elf family occasionally strolled to a small elf settlement inside a crater valley called Leesville. The village was founded a thousand years ago by an elf named Lee Olin. Leesville elves kept luscious gardens and hunted in the forested mountains. They built homes to blend in with their environment according to their mystic religion believing everything has a soul. Leesville elves cut large holes in humungous trees for their houses believing tree spirits guard against evil. Elves burned incense during prayers to ancestors, gods, and goddesses. Human traders passing through the marketplace believed elves were given magic powers by the centaur crafts god since elves worked with bronze, copper, flint, and obsidian tools much like centaurs do. The tradesmen treasured Leesville jewelry of magically twisted brass and gold chains and knots complete with embedded gems.
Inside the tree homes, brass mirrors with etched spirals and chains connected large embedded jewels to reflect candlelight in their dark homes warmed by brick fireplaces. Pottery made by sprites nearby held beeswax candles, dried herbs, perfume casks, mountain goat’s milk, and water from wells. Copper cauldrons cooked vegetable and meat stews. Baskets made from rushes stored their food underground and wood boxes held their meager possessions. They wrote stories of events on linen parchment paper with reed pens. Painted wooden shields from faraway places hung on the walls along with painted murals. Elves here stood at the same height as many humans, but projected larger facial features and saw through beady eyes. Elves often wore long blond hair displaying medallions of animals used to represent status and family connections. Their leather pants and boots were decorated with embroidery made of dyed unicorn hair. Elves also covered themselves with wool tunics from mountain sheep. Female tunics reached their knees while male tunics ended at mid-thigh. Braided leather belts with sheaths for weapons are exhibited over these tunics. Elf cloaks of linen, feathers, wool, and fur kept cold rain off their decorative clothes. Elves commonly did not raise livestock, but did keep wild animals as pets believing they had free spirits protected by nature goddesses. Bonfires celebrating festivals attracted strays, soon to become loyal pets of the elves. The most unique feature of elves is universal education. A large canopy of a tree served as a school for the elf children. The elf children learned from rotating teachers, such things as mathematics, writing, mythology, and languages to speak to the traders. Three days a week The Sorceress’s children walked to the school from their mountain side home. Flax, Gilda, and Alaric made many friends with the Leesville elves and exchanged gifts during festivals.
In school, the boy Alaric met his best friend. Alexis came from the chief’s family of five sons, who lost his wife to fever shortly after Alexis was born. Alaric and Alexis were inseparable. They explored caves together, sledded down mountains, skated on the river, dug for gems, and climbed trees. Alaric taught his friend magic tricks he learned from his mother. Gilda detested Alexis from all his magic tricks cast on her. After turning Alexis into a cat, and Alaric begging for three days for her to release the spell, did Alexis cease casting spells upon Gilda. She could never comprehend what Alaric saw in this imp. They bonded easily, living in the shadow of fabulous siblings, something Gilda could not understand. Alexis’s brothers were well known in the village. One killed a goblin that frightened the fairies. Another killed enough boars for a grand feast. With their hunting experience and tall stature, Alexis’s brothers had no trouble finding fair maidens. One brother married the wealthiest daughter in the village. Alaric’s sisters were betrothed to gods. That meant the sisters received fine gifts from their future spouses on holidays. Alaric grew jealous of his sisters’ gifts. They received jewelry, gowns, vases, mirrors, swords, and servants of odd creatures the elves did not know what to make of. All these gifts contained magical properties. The only magical object Alaric had was a crystal his mother gave him.
This village is long gone, but creatures still hear ghosts of the elves killed in a great battle. It was so peaceful that it never needed any great number of warriors to defend it. Soon Alaric and Alexis wanted their own glory to outshine their grand siblings. They thought an apprenticeship with a warrior would increase their status and wealth to gain betrothals. The centaurs knew of a human named Cossus the Dragonslayer who took in apprentices and lived in a nearby grasslands town to the north of the mountains. After much pleading, the metal smith and chief gave permission to their starry-eyed sons for an apprenticeship. The first day the sons walked into Brightsburg to find Cossus the Dragonslayer was an experience in itself. All the humans came out of a temple and the High Priest invited them in to the central fire. He gave the long traveled elf lads biscuits and cider as they recited who they were looking for. The High Priest paid a call to The Dragonslayer and introduced the boys. The man welcomed them in and read the letters from their fathers. He was amazed it was in human writing form. Extra places were set at the dinner table and the elves ate their first human food. Berries, deer, bread, and water were served at the table. The boys slept in a room above the stable with the other apprentices. The toddler daughter, with her mother brought up warm milk to help them sleep. Sleeping in a bunk beside the wall seemed like home. The next morning the son, Laeos, took the elves to the marketplace to buy new clothes for the apprentices. The boys were given human coins from their families they kept in a leather pouch. Their prominent elf appearance gathered whispers from humans they walked by. They wore linen tunics like elves with linen pants and laced up smooth leather boots. Humans in Brightsburg grew flax, wheat, hops, and vegetables in large quantities. Large clay jars and wood casks preserved the food in storage houses made of clay bricks.
The people lived in the village and worked their farmland outside the town. A family’s wealth was determined by how much land he owned. Status displays took the form of storage houses and barns containing livestock. Horses from the plains were tamed brutally, but always found their way back to the stable they lived in. Jewelry was prominently worn by both humans and horses pulling carts. Linen sashes displayed family connections worn over their clothes. Males wore linen tunic shirts and linen pants tucked into suede leather boots decorated with dyed porcupine quills cut into beads. Females wore linen gowns and suede leather shoes tied with linen laces. Winter clothing was of fur or wool. Leather jackets lined with fur and wool were popular in the winter as opposed to elfish woolen cloaks. Winter blankets and rugs were made of fur and wool. Bronze mirrors reflected light from beeswax candles. Humans cooked in brick fireplaces and worked with bronze tools. They worshipped gods and goddesses in temples singing praises by fires. They kept account of their belongings and transactions on clay tablets and wrote epics on linen paper with feather pens. High Priests and High Priestesses living in the temples were appointed by faraway lords who never visited their subjects. Brightsburg paid tribute in grain to the lord in exchange for access to trade routes and educated temple leaders. Education was limited in Brightsburg. The High Priest took in few male apprentices to learn human writing, history, medicines, languages, and astronomy to find their way along trading routes. The High Priestess taught female apprentices history, writing, medicines, tending animals, and midwife skills for the spring born livestock. The human community sacrificed crops and animals to obtain favor of the godly persons. They hunted only on their property and built stone fences to mark borders. Houses were of wattle and thatch with wooden doors. Windows were concealed by shutters that opened from the inside.
The market square was in the center of the town where carts were set up by vendors hawking their goods. From a rag bag seller, Alaric and Alexis purchased linen tunics with tied fronts, linen pants in a contrasting color, and leather boots decorated with dyed porcupine quills cut into beads. The lads refused to trade their elf weapons for lesser quality human swords. Laeos collected some fruit from another vendor for his mother. They paced by the ovens where the women bake bread and the creek where women wash clothes by beating them with twigs. They glanced out at the stream flowing into the faraway Olin Mountains wondering what their family was doing that day. Alaric and Alexis showed off their wardrobe and went straight to work chopping wood for the wife’s fireplace. They cleaned the stalls of cows, horses, pigs, goats, geese, chickens, and sheep. Once the morning passed and afternoon meal eaten, they learned to fight in exchange for their work. They practiced until dusk and ate an evening meal. Alaric wrote to his family and sent the message with his hawk. Alexis waited a day to send a message to his family. The boys received quite the education of the feuding empires to the north and south of the town. The Olin Mountain Range remained the boundary for the empires because few dared to discover Dragon’s Pass through the mountain chain. They learned, once upon a time, humans calling themselves Lotans were spread out all over the Blythe and Lotan empires with the Ice Mountains to the north and Kadacian desert culture to the west. A vast seacoast lay east and south. They lived in family clans near rivers to plant seeds. After the harvest was celebrated, hunting groups searched for wild beasts and traded along river borders. Then, a distant culture was removed from their island home because of a volcanic explosion. They settled along the coast of the Lotan kingdom as refugees. Lotans traded and intermarried with freckled refugees with red and auburn hair. This new Blythe culture improved Lotan technology and expanded their knowledge of the world. Trade routes lengthened and villages growing larger, the Blythe culture spread out to displace Lotans who lived on their land for generations. New leaders arose later to conquer Lotan lands and the Lotans united against them. Human, elf, sprite, and centaur heroes were born to fight the Blythan invasion and stop the swelling of this new brutal empire. Alas, many Lotans migrated north after several distressing battles won by Blythans. Lotans crossed the Olin Mountains into a confining area where they gathered in towns and cities. Warlords controlled trade routes until a grand leader appeared in the swamp city Tenochtilan and was anointed king by a powerful magician who helped lead this man to lower the threat of attacks on travelers following trade routes. Human heroes of the wars became lords of the land owned by the king as their reward for supporting him. Sprites, elves, and centaurs also separated the land into villages.
These long ago warriors became nobles paying tribute to the Lotan king. Warlords from Blythe and Lotan raid towns of opposing lords keeping these small communities from retaining wealth of crops. Cossus met his wife after a faraway raid, enslaved by a warlord. He traded a horse for her and married her that very day. The elves, sprites, and centaurs were also once more diverse over the landscape as humans were. Sprites are winged humanlike creatures that live in forest trees all over the Olin Mountains. Obscure from legends because they keep away from land bound creatures. They appear in treetops dressed in tied down fabrics because of their wings. Their facial features are small like humans, but much larger eyes. Their hair is a pale yellow looking white from a distance and their eyes are pale blue matching the sky. It is believed the sky god created his slegna beings to serve him, but some fell down to earth and became sprites. They worship nature goddesses and hold a great deal of knowledge of potions and spells elves lack. Alaric and Alexis knew sprites well from their clay pottery and bricks. Centaurs are half horse and half human. They settled in mountain forests and became masters of metals. They live in stone dwellings consisting of one room and cook over brick pits in the center of the home. They sleep on rushes and weave woolen blankets. Centaurs do not wear clothing, but often can be seen in headdresses and jewelry. Centaurs writing system consists of colored stone beads arranged in patterns and often worn as belts. They gather berries and fruits into baskets to convert into wine and cider. They grow herb gardens and hunt for fish in the mountain streams. They hunt wild boars and deer, along with herding sheep. They are believed to be created by the earth god to have warriors who could run like unicorns. The crafts god, who married the wisdom goddess, is a centaur and often regarded as the centaur wine god.
Through the years, the two cultures blended in the Borderlands stretching over the Olin Mountains and surrounding grasslands. Here in the Borderlands, festivals follow the seasons more than god celebration days of the large cities. Borderland merchants do not care who they do business with as long as they elect their own chief to act as judge, council leader, and defender against raids. Once a year the High Priest delivers the tribute for the lord and the chief joins the High Priestess in ceremonies. He also receives tribute for his services. Only one chief in Brightsburg’s history led a defense against attacking giants from the forests between the village and the capital city Tenochtilan. Most chiefs maintain order and make rules out of traditions. Alaric and Alexis were amazed at the thought of an elected chief. As Alaric grew up, he ventured out with Cossus to the capital Tenochtilan to make bows and arrows for the army gathering to fight the Kadacians to the west who had been raiding Lotan villages after bountiful harvests. The city was built upon marshland and still has many canals. Thick stone walls surround the city and tall temples grew higher than the walls. The marketplace was filled with scrupulous vendors. The Kadacians are shorter dark haired and tanned skinned people. They flaunt much gold and silver jewelry over their bright colored robes. These people ride hairy beasts called camels that are as swift as horses. On their feet were no boots or shoes, but leather straps tied to leather soles. The Desert of Kadacia is under the control of a matriarchal monarchy. A rich queen defends her territory well against expanding Blythans. These fierce warriors reminded Alaric of mermaids in battle. Lucky for Lotan and the king, this desert is separated from the grasslands because of the Anasazi Mountains that border both Lotan and Blythe. This courageous Lotan king was cheering forces to protect the border villages. News spread later of the raids ceasing and the return of the Lotan king to his loyal subjects.
Upon their return to Brightsburg, the village was raided by Blythans. Alaric and Alexis left with Laeos and Cossus to regain their villagers taken as slaves. Alaric and Alexis used their magic to rescue the women and children. As the slave traders rested beside a creek, Cossus and Laeos hid in the bushes to fire arrows at the slave traders while Alaric and Alexis encircled the villagers with magical fire to protect them from the arrows. The slave traders conquered, the villagers returned home. Cossus also brought the elf lads south to the Blythe capital Illium to trade for valued wine. Vineyards outside the walled capital made the best known wine. This was a more impressive sight with a tall stone lighthouse to guide ships through the coral reefs. Most buildings were stone, though many homes in the poor section were made of wood. The Blythans are great sailors and trade with far away places. The wealthy merchants and nobles dress in ankle-length robes compared to shorter Lotan tunics. The poor Blythans dress more modestly in buttoning tunics and low cut shoes. Their honey colored hair and shorter stature also stood out among the taller auburn colored haired residents. Alaric and Alexis took the opportunity to sell herbs that heal and make food tastier. As years go by, the apprentices learned archery, dagger fighting, sword fighting, and battle calls. They learned to fight on horses and boats. The elves helped the household and gained skill bargaining in the marketplace. They joined in the festivals celebrating the coming of spring, midsummer’s eve, the harvest, the new year, and winter solstice. Laeos’s cousin Modred never ceased his heckling of the strange elves. As hard as they tried to adapt to this human culture, they were still often viewed as outsiders. Modred led mock battles with sticks and primitive shields with his human friends only. The elf lads watched from the stable the human boys playing and wished to learn to lead armies in addition to their hunting skills. The apprentices continued their elf practices with prayer stones, songs, washing their own clothes with the women, and lavishing in food baskets from home. Mountain berries rarely made their way to the grassland humans. Once Alaric obtained a cauldron from his mother, the homesick elves cooked soups and potions to trade at the marketplace.
　

Chapter 2 Enchantment of Gilda

One day long ago, came a long-necked swan bearing a marriage contract for Flax. She is still nervous about the impending marriage to the sea god. Hours pass without a single word from her. She takes long walks through the forest looking sad and distant. She reads scrolls endlessly. No one is sure what she is looking for. Her father breaks the tension by asking Flax to send her first born to be raised by him. He wants someone to remind him of Flax. Her response is a hopeful, but sad expression upon her face. Gilda tries later to comfort her by saying she will visit often and will rescue her if Elexi harms her. Flax says she does not wish harm in the first place. Gilda tries again and points out the black fortune telling mirror Elexi gave her. He would not do that if he wished his bride harm. Flax never confides what is troubling her about her betrothal. She just signs the marriage contract and mopes around the house for days. She decides to change her name to Lixi, meaning seashell in mermaid language. Her mood shifts to pure happiness and no one questions what changed in her. The going away party plans are set and Flax’s belongings are shipped by mermaid delivery to her new home. Alaric returns to celebrate Flax’s departure. The bride-to-be greets her guests with a bright smile. Alaric questions the shifty mood changes. She is happy one moment and snaps into anger over the cake being overcooked. Flax is defensive of Alaric’s accusations. She is really bitter about the betrothal, but grudgingly gets married to make everybody happy. He decides to give her the scrolls when he wrote about life in a human village. Perhaps, they will lift her spirits living at the bottom of the ocean. He changes the scrolls into blueberries to protect them from the watery journey.
The bride-to-be courteously accepts the gifts from the elves. They are placed in knapsacks to be toted towards her new home. She receives flowers, fruit, wreaths, belts, armbands, shoes, rings, and Alaric’s blueberries. An entourage forms the next day to escort Flax into the deep dark seawater. Rose petals are tossed by the fairies above the wedding party parading to Aurora Falls near the coast. One by one, they step into the water beginning their journey into the sea. The Sorceress turned them into large fish. The mermaids carried the packages and led the way to Elexi’s castle. At a distance the castle seemed small, but at a closer glance it is quite gigantic. The fish and mermaids swam up a cavern tunnel to a large cavern filled with plant life. The fish returned to elf stature. The sea god Elexi stood at a door on the opposite side of the room. Today he took the form of an elf man with a long beard. He had a golden crown with huge sapphire jewels incrusted in the higher points. He wore elf clothes of brown leather pants and boots, a white tunic, and a thick braided belt. On top of these elf clothes was a long royal purple robe. The sea god welcomes his guests and transformed the mermaids into lobsters. Next, he guided the wedding party into their bed chambers. Alaric noticed holes in the walls that held a water barrier. Fish and skates fly by the windows. He learned later that the sea god emptied the castle of all its seawater because the other gods and elves are not accustomed to such wet surroundings. The forest room would be moved to another part of the castle later on so Flax could visit it when she felt homesick. The god will lock it with a spell only Flax could pass. For the moment, the forest room held up the wedding decorations and seats for the ceremony guests. Alaric gets dressed and meets with his sisters.
The bride looked ravishing in her pale pink gown with flower buds attached to the hem of the skirt. Her lemon yellow sash and pale pink slippers complimented the dress. Her hair had tresses next to tightly woven braids. A gold headband caressed her head as long pieces of lace comforted her hairstyle. Gilda wore a similar wardrobe, a forest green gown with the same flower buds along the hem. A midnight blue linen sash tied at her waist and forest green slippers supported her feet. Her hairstyle was the same, except flowers were tied to her hair tresses instead of a headband. Flax’s room was filled with her belongings. Her black stone mirror lay on a table along with her seashells, jewelry made from objects from the bottom of the sea, and an otter to carry messages to the surface. Her clothes and shoes were in another room. Murals covered the walls along with a shelf that held up her blueberry scrolls. Mermaids in elf form knocked on the door to give the bride and attendant bouquets of flowers the Leesville elves presented the day before. Alaric entered the forest area with Gilda and parted when they reach The Sorceress conducting the ceremony. Alaric stands besides a nervous Elexi and another god of tall stature. The metal-smith guided Flax to the front of the room. Servants of the sea had already covered an aisle with lilia petals. Gods and goddesses looked on the elf wedding ceremony. The Sorceress blessed the couple first. Gilda sang a song of praise for the couple. Candles are lit to insure fertility prayers to the great god Alano. Flowers are offered to statues of Ishtar, the goddess of love, and Pisos, god of money. Then, vows of loyalty are spoken by the couple to each other.
“I Elexi, god of the sea and King of Itheram Castle, take in marriage Flax Starlin of Leesville. I shall provide comfort, hope, love, security, and happiness for my wife forever.”
“I Flax, daughter of Starn Marslin, take in marriage Elexi of Itheram. I shall provide comfort, love, security, hope, and happiness for my husband forever.”
The marriage contract is read to the guests, and finally, a dowry paid. The father of the bride handed over her share of her inheritance that would always remain under her control. Two sacks of coins, an array of weapons, and three spell books completed the dowry. The money god Pisos complained how small the dowry was when the new bride is marrying a god. The parents of the bride defended that it was all they could spare for their daughter. The money god raises his hand to magically present the new bride with twenty sacks of coins and twenty chests of jewelry. The new goddess, now named Lixi, thanked the god Pisos for his kindness. The Sorceress announced the wedding bond sealed and presented the groom Elexi, god of the sea, and the bride Lixi, goddess queen of the sea. The wedded couple strode into the next cavern where the reception is set up. Garlands of starfish, snails, clams, and coral were hung all over the great hall walls. Alaric paced around looking at all the murals. He smiled at the freshly painted portrait of Flax. He met a beautiful young goddess named Iris with flame colored hair and shimmering pink gown. She is the daughter of the sky god Andos and sun goddess Petrie. She pointed out her parents dancing on the ballroom floor. Iris is the rainbow keeper and human fertility/marriage goddess. Tales are told of a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow. Iris guards the treasure in her own fortress with the help of a magical mirror. She has no husband and her children died before they could be given immortality. Her one husband broke the marriage agreement and left her forever. She cast him into a volcano and he climbed out to meet a human maiden upon the mountain, hunting game for her unfortunate family. He married her and made her the volcano goddess Maya, who all creatures in the Olin Mountains worship since she has the power to wipe out vast areas with lava, ash, and mud slides.
Alaric was quite delighted to find a companion at this large reception. Iris seemed delighted to meet him as they danced together. He took her around the castle passageways and Iris filled him in on the stories the murals represented. At the end of the evening, the elf boy kissed the rainbow goddess good night and reviewed the reception with Gilda in her bed chamber. Gilda talked about finding her betrothed and the god met her approval. She noticed a man meekly glancing at the dancing guests from the banquet table. He had a smudged nose and antlers peeking from his hairy head. He remained timid toward whoever approached him. Gilda watched the man drink from a golden cup and debated whether to pity the creature, or laugh at him. Just then, the groom asked the fair maiden to dance. He inquired about the bride’s moods that swing like a parakeet in gilded cage. The bridesmaid explained her uncertainty of her future with him. Stories are told of his arguments with his past wives. Gilda reflects if the mermaids adore him, he must have redeeming qualities. Elexi was astounded that the river mermaids adore him, and flattered. He assures the elf maiden that he will do his best to comfort his bride’s insecurities and homesickness. He promised to give his new wife a grand tour of the realm and she may freely go anywhere she pleases. He set up a room for only Lixi to enter and dwell in a forest whenever she is homesick. Elexi decides to have morning breakfast in the new forest room before it is sealed. Also, his son by another goddess visits often bringing news of the surface. Changing the subject, Gilda inquired about the stag-looking man at the food table. Elexi smiled as if he expected that question was coming. He explained that the darman creature is indeed Daxus, Gilda’s betrothed. She asked if the god would mind if she asked him to dance. The groom assures Gilda, he will not ask her.
Encircling the room, the elf maiden seeks out her partner. He avoided eye contact with Gilda when she came near. She sampled various meal trays and beckoned a drink. Daxus handed her a cup of punch the octopus filled. He glanced at her curious face and quickly turned his head. Gilda continued to stare at the darman until he snapped attention towards her. He raised his voice above the flutes and stringed harps playing to demand why this elf is staring at him.
“I know who you are, Daxus.” stated Gilda.
Before he could respond, she whisked her betrothed to the dance floor. He stumbled in embarrassment as he tried to keep up with this aggressive elf maiden. They shared stories of their homes and families. Daxus barely said a word about the various gods and goddesses. Though unsure of himself around other gods and goddesses, he lightened up towards Gilda. They paced into the forest room and compared strange creatures from their homes. They were interrupted by palace servants moving the forest into another chamber. Gilda was ready to mingle with the other gods and goddesses with Daxus, introductions were in order. Instead, Daxus simply indicated out the jobs of the godly persons in attendance. Some of them resent his godly position because he was born a mortal fawn. His only induction was to Elexi’s son, Elmo. He is the patron god of sailors. Elmo’s mother, who was conveniently not present, is the Lady of the Lake in Lotan. She arises from an enchanted lake with a sword to appoint the next King of Lotan. Her husband, Lord of the Lake, is an immortal magician who is top advisor to the king. The Lord aided the first King of Lotan in defeating Blythe invaders for years. When the king rejected the magician’s plans for the next battles, the sovereign was killed and the Lord sought solitude in a siren infested lake full of singing mermaids whose song causes humans to drown themselves in the enchanted water. When he married Elexi’s former wife, the Lady was given a magic sword to choose the best monarch for the land by her new husband. The first man she chose became a great hero of Lotan. Upon a monarch’s request, the Lord will arise to aid any crisis.
Gilda learned a great deal more about the gods and goddesses that she was ever told in school classes. When volcano lava hit the rock inside the lake of immortality and created the great god Alano, the newly born god instantly discovered his powers. He added moisture to the volcanic rocks and made the earth god Eridu. Realizing there was something magical in the moisture from the lake, he submerged Eridu to see what would happen to him. The god glowed from the crystals he was made from. Then on, all immortals and gods receive a crystal that gives the wearer magical powers. Gilda grabbed her own glassy stone hanging from her neck. Elexi came next. Alano tried out his powers with the volcanic sands along a beach by the great sea. He poured sand into a beached sea shell and created the sea god Elexi. He dipped Elexi in the Pool of Immortality and he grew a fishtail. Alano placed his son in a nearby sea and discovered great darkness. He then cooled the fire of the volcano with sea water and created the learning and astrology goddess Alma. He raised her body above the earth to separate the heavens and earth. Made from volcanic fires, four fire horses ride across Alma to give the land light. A large seashell was placed above Alma to control the sea tides and provide light at night. Primordial souls trapped in the heavens became stars. Watching everything from above, Alma made rain clouds to bring life to the earth. Alano grabbed one of her clouds for a drink. The moisture that squeezed from his hands became the sky god Andos. Andos was given the realm of the clouds below the heavens.
Eridu blew life into a handful of volcanic dust and created a daughter. She was plunged into the Pool of Immortality and turned different colors. He spread the beautiful goddess over the barren world to sustain life to plants and animals he made. He called her Eartha and the landscape earth. Living creatures worship her, the mother of all life, and beat drums to symbolize her beating heart. Just as Alano thought he was done creating things, Eridu complained there was too much life and the newborn animals and plants had no room to flourish. To solve the problem, Alano removed all the lava from a volcano and assigned the underworld for those who are no longer living. The lava flowed down into a forest and burned everything in sight. A handful of ash was immersed into the Pool of Immortality and became the goddess Isis. She took over ruling the dead souls in the depths of the underworld. Finally, the people and animals migrated to the ends of the earth and lost touch with Alano. He captured a ray of light and drowned it in the Pool of Immortality. The wisdom goddess Athena was born and guided the living creatures of the earth. Daxus told Gilda that was how all of Alano’s children were made. Elexi, Eridu, and Isis are the only ones friendly to Daxus. The others cause him problems when he flies around the world tending the human and elf agriculture. Athena and Alma also forbade any betrothals of their daughters to Daxus. Soon, Elmo interrupted the conversation to announce his mother wrote asking for a visit, so he will guide the wedding party back to the surface tomorrow. Finally, came the story of Daxus. When Iris’s parents fought with fire and lightening, they scorched a grand forest where Alano found a doe and fawn hiding in a cave from the fire and smoke. Alano married the mortal doe and gave the fawn an immortal life as a darman that is half deer and half man. Alano named the darman Daxus and gave him the Black Forest to rule as god of agriculture when he grew up. He spent many years alone in his stone castle waiting for a betrothal. He felt joy knowing the fascination of Gilda. Alaric wondered what kind of goddess this Iris is with parents who fight so violently.
Where the morning meal was held is the new location of the forest cavern. Lixi was in delightful spirits. She announced a grand tour of the sea by her newly wed husband. Lixi’s family thought it was a joy to see her smile again. After a small feast, most of the guests leave. Elmo and Lixi’s family remain the rest of the day. The water returns to the inside of the fortress and the elves are transformed into sea turtles. Elexi and the mermaids guide the family around the ocean floor to introduce Lixi to the sea creatures. All animals welcome the new goddess queen to their humble homes. Angelfish, codfish, squid, clams, sharks, and skates greet the goddess and god. An oyster bed gave Lixi their pearls. Elexi magically strung them and slid the necklace over his wife’s head. The oysters waved good-bye. A whale and dolphin stopped their chasing game to look at the goddess coming by. Alaric saw the whale bite the dolphin’s head off when the entourage’s back was turned. He swiftly swam away to avoid an attack from the whale. The coral reefs were a spectacular sight to see. An octopus ate a clam before saying hello to the tour guides. A lobster walked along the sandy bottom to be eaten by a fish hiding in the sand. An eel gave Gilda quite a shock. Upon returning to the palace, the elves pack their baggage and bid farewell to Lixi. Elmo takes the sea turtles back to the surface and changes them back to elves along the black sand beach. Then, he waves good-bye as he leaves for Lotan.
Months turned into years and a baby merfish arrives with Lixi at the elves’ doorstep. She cast a spell on the infant daughter to change her into an elf until she would see her mother again. She commented how good Elexi treats her and is quite different from the myths about him. Lixi is relieved to be pregnant so soon after her daughter was weaned to solid food. The daughter was named Lanie after The Sorceress’s grandmother. After an evening meal, the elf family slept together again. Alaric spoke to Lixi of his adventures to the capital cities and rescuing the villagers from a life of slavery. Lixi seemed amazed how fast her little brother grew up into a hero. Alaric left the following morning for Brightsburg. He only comes home around holidays. He commented how grand the Midsummer celebration is in Leesville, but simply a feast and bonfire in Brightsburg. He left his human gifts for his family behind. He did not expect his sister Lixi to be present, so he gave her a painted dagger made of holy oak wood used in ceremonies to symbolize strength. Lixi left as quickly as she came. The elf household was busy watching the baby crawl over the floor and get into trouble. Potions and weapons were placed up high or locked in trunks. The elf girl mostly cried the first two days, until she adapted to living with elves. Gilda assisted her mother quite a bit when she traveled to care for sick creatures, deliver human babies, and bless elf marriages.
In Brightsburg, Alaric and Alexis searched high and low for betrothals in the years to come. They discovered females not capable of looking at the elf warriors without giggling. The Sorceress assured the weary warriors that they are bound to marry somebody. Cossus the Dragonslayer encouraged the boys not to give up. Fully trained warriors win many admirers. The apprentices worked hard to gain audiences with the skills they acquired. The future heroes tested their courage against the humans in Brightsburg during the fall harvest contests. Alaric won the foot race through the village. Alexis won the attention of the blacksmith’s daughter, Myra. He planted a garden for her and erased many of her chores. Alaric pointed out how many other potential husbands were doing the same thing for Myra. Alexis rejected his friend’s warning as jealously and had Alaric’s father make a necklace for Myra when he will ask her for a betrothal. Myra gladly accepted the necklace and wore it everyday. Alaric began attracting their mentor’s daughter. As Alexis sharpened his arrows for the archery contest, the daughter Nix, inquired about Alaric. Alexis invited Nix to their bunk to taste one of Alaric’s soups. Tonight is carrot and meat soup. Nix accepted the invitation with glee. For the rest of the day, Alaric received much teasing from his best friend. Laeos is very protective of his sister, not even Alexis would dare tread that path. The human girl came up the stable ladder and ate a bowl of Alaric’s soup. She praised his cooking as she placed her hand on his knee. Nervous, Alaric returned a compliment with how well she cooks nut bread. Alexis held back a scoff because Nix constantly overcooks nut bead, thus making it quite dry. Nix gave the apprentices a couple jars of a fruit sauce before she left. Alaric and Alexis drowned the gifted nut bread in a cloth with the fruit sauce. The next day as Alaric and Alexis piled up chopped wood, Gilda and Lanie arrived on unicorns to request a visit home. The ladies were not disappointed.
Alexis found an admirer in Lanie. Everything he did amazed her, but then magic thrills children so Alexis dismissed the girl’s affections. The elf harvest festival held contests as well. Our young, cocky heroes had another chance to woo followers. Alexis won a new sword for winning a battle against his oldest brother. He learned later in the day that his defeated brother was distracted by the news of becoming a father of another child. Alexis resented being told his brother let him win. Nonetheless, he toasted his brother and sister-in-law good fortunes with their fifth child to come. Alaric won a target contest and nearly severed his opponent’s arrow hitting the inner circle. He received a medallion of a snake etched on it. The lads cheered themselves victorious on the way back to Brightsburg. Females were beginning to notice them. When they returned euphoric, Alaric mustered all his courage to ask to court Nix. To the dismay of Laeos, who thinks his sister should marry a warrior chief not under his father’s roof. He vows to watch him closely. Alaric strives rigorously to meet this skeptic’s approval. This will not take long to conquer. Alaric makes a braided leather belt for her birthday.
Soon after the fall festival, an announcement is made to the village by Myra’s father. The delighted father claims his daughter Myra is now betrothed to the innkeeper’s son Modred. Alaric could hear Alexis’s heart break. Alexis cried alone in his bunk. As the town celebrated the betrothal of Modred and Myra, Alaric sought revenge by arriving at the inn in Alexis’s image to demand his necklace back. Modred answered the door and handed back the necklace to the elf. Alaric was sure Myra was standing behind the door. To cause more trouble, he hung around to watch Myra get ready for bed. He climbed the vines into her window to steal a few kisses from the future bride. She immediately knew this was not the real Alexis. Alaric assured her that he was Alexis and imitated Alexis’s grabbing of her waist suddenly to kiss her. The commotion alerted the other occupants of the inn and Modred stormed into the room. Alaric jumped out the window to twist his ankle. He limped back to the barn proud of the disturbance he stirred up. Alexis was relieved to get his betrothal gift back and decided to keep it in a box for later use.
Nix soon heard from Myra what Alexis or Alaric did the night before. Nix entered the barn as Alaric fed the animals, concerned of his intentions toward Myra. Alaric explained Myra hurting Alexis and it was only revenge he committed, not lust. He then locked the horse stall with his magical knife and gave Nix a heartfelt kiss. Alexis then pulled on the stall door to ask if Alaric was in there with a girl. He admitted to his friend that he was. Later at the Midsummer’s Eve celebration, Alaric gives Nix a cherry tart from a batch he made. Nix was in awe of this male’s skills at cooking and sewing. Human men and boys never learn such things. Alaric explains that a wizard must be able to live independently. Alaric also asks Cossus’s help in more opportunities to speak to Nix. She is watched by her mother and Laeos constantly. It made it difficult to maintain affection from Nix. Cossus asked Alaric to plant flowers by the house and speak to Nix through the windows. He also sent her out with food and drink to the apprentices chopping wood and herding sheep. Many times she awoke early in the morning to speak to the elves washing their clothes in the creek. She asked why they rubbed their soapy clothes against rocks instead beating the dirt out with twigs like humans women did. The elves believed their way was better. Her questions of elf life never deterred Alaric in his love for her. For the Winter Solstice, he gave her a Narva pearl necklace valued far inland. During the return of spring, he further showed off some of his magical powers, but not every thing he can do. He changed himself into a falcon and flew around her head. He returned back into an elf and directed his crystal at his love. They now both transformed falcons, Nix had difficulty getting off the ground. Alaric gave her a flying lesson and they perched themselves at the top of the temple. He further excited her by laying an egg and cracked it with his beak. A large ruby ring peeked out of the shell and Alaric asked for a betrothal. The love birds flew back to the bunks above the stable and changed back into their original form. Nix immediately noticed a kitten sleeping on Alaric’s bunk. It stretched itself out and meowed. Alaric greeted the kitten.
“What are you doing here, Iris?”
The kitten meowed again and Alaric assured the animal that the mortal knows he has magic powers. He sat down next to the goddess and Iris told him that she was hiding from her brother. The morning star god objected to Iris’s engagement to a mortal man and turned him into a panther. It was traumatic for her because she had not told the man she is a goddess. Her brother refused to undo the curse and the panther changed his mind about marrying her. She ran away in tears to Alaric after a hunter later killed the panther. Alaric kissed the kitten’s forehead and comforted it. They all walk down for the evening meal. Nix’s mother feeds the cat milk and it spreads itself out over Alaric’s lap as he ate. He describes Iris as a stray cat. The devoted kitten watches Alaric practice his dagger fighting with Laeos the next day. The hero knocks Laeos down in victory. When the rain clouds are seen in the distance the next sunrise, Iris must leave. Alaric looks outside to steal a glimpse of the goddess leaving. Nothing out of the ordinary occurs to his frustration. Life continues as usual with washing, cooking, chopping wood, tending animals, sharpening weapons, and visiting the marketplace. Once a woman selling roses looked oddly familiar, but he was sure they have not met before. After thinking for a while, he thought the rose seller might have been Iris. Just then, a baby crying broke his concentration. He walked up to the woman and gave her a potion to calm the infant. He subsequently informed her that the child was afraid of the horse she is near. The woman dabbed the potion onto the weeping baby’s tongue and it immediately stopped fussing. The grateful mother shared her purchases with her hero. Alaric took only an apple as payment. Laeos standing nearby gave his blessing at the prospect of this healer marrying his sister. For the first time, he began to see a few charming aspects that attracted Nix to him.
Walking home, the young men talked how The Sorceress taught her son well. He learned many languages at school. It amazed Laeos to know someone who spoke to various animals and amazing creatures. Alaric went on about his mother traveling around the mountains and grasslands to heal all the villagers and creatures who needed her. She learned everyone’s customs and language to communicate with her patients. Many merchants and peddlers came to Leesville and taught what they knew to the elves. The Sorceress once trained a fairy in potions and distinguishing marks of illnesses. Not all creatures show the same reactions to the same sickness. Laeos began joining the apprentices when they scavenged for potion ingredients. Once a unicorn enchanted Laeos as a beautiful woman, but Alaric chased her away. Alaric explains the unicorns are nature goddesses in disguise. They only appear as beautiful females when enticing a husband. Once a unicorn bewitches a male, he stays with her forever. He learned a few useful prayers and spells; such as spicing food, pain relievers, cough tablets, and speaking to animals. Elf prayer stones were given to Laeos at the Winter Solstice feast. Snow fell as they strung berries and decorated apples on an evergreen tree. The apples of the god Idun renew youth for all who eat them.
The Winter Solstice Idun myth says that the astrology/writing goddess Alma was lifted to the heavens by the creator Alano. Soon she longed for a family of her own. She sent a shooting star to earth and promised the creature who found it would be her husband. The star hit a home of a human man. The man named Pisos cooled the fire stone with water and a son was born. He soon had a sister from another shooting star. Pisos married Alma on the moon. Bright lights streaked the sky in celebration. Since Alma is the heavens, Pisos raised his children on earth. Lonely for their mother the children’s hearts turned cold. The son became the frost god and the daughter the ice goddess. Humans still speak of when the world was covered with ice and snow. The frost god Vanir came of age to marry the wisdom goddess Athena’s daughter Ishtar. Ishtar, the goddess of love, gave birth to a son, Idun. The son filled with Ishtar’s love awoke many plants during the ice years. He discovered apples blossoming in the mountains that gave youth back to all who eat them. The apples of Idun were planted around the mountains and much snow and ice melted. He gave humans a spring to plant crops and an autumn to reap them. Vanir and his sister Ymira run amok during the winter months freezing everything. Idun gives renewed youth to other plants during the dreary winter months. The creatures celebrated him as a hero and gave him a crown of holly sprays to thank him for his compassion. Every winter solstice, Idun comes as the Holly King and leaves gifts for creatures large and small to give hope of the coming spring. Reed baskets are laid out and filled with gifts during the night, when Idun visits his worshippers. He takes the form of a man on a winter white horse. Turnips and carrots are left in the baskets for the horse to eat.
Laeos arranged the prayer stones from Alaric and recited a prayer for his ailing intended. On the day of Idun, the humans and elves found gifts in their baskets. Alaric received clothes, cakes, red beeswax candles, and a wooden sword. The humans gathered for a feast and polished off the decorated apples. Two weeks later, the love of Laeos was well and Laeos sent over a marriage contract. He set the date in the spring for the wedding. Alaric paid attention to these unarranged marriage rules. Nix will expect him to follow them when they get married. Meanwhile, Daxus aimed vigorously in keeping Gilda’s affections. He wrote letters and visited when he could. Now, Gilda sends her own gifts to Daxus. Alaric heard elves talking about Gilda’s betrothal, as if it was any their business to judge the couple. Some approve of marrying a god, who would not wish that? Others say Daxus bewitched her to stay engaged to him. Who would want to marry a darman? To Gilda, the only charm was that Daxus fulfilled her needs. With Lixi gone to the bottom of the ocean and rarely corresponding anymore, Gilda was lonely. Her daughter was attached to her, but she was not the sister she missed. Daxus brought comfort as she mourned the loss of a close relationship. Still she continued to write endlessly hoping for a response from her sister, Alaric kept in touch often. Daxus was a bit confused how much she pined for her sister, when he bestowed lavish attention onto her. His chance to leave a lasting impression on his future bride came by accident. One day, Lanie and Gilda swam in the river and were attacked without provocation by blackbirds. Alexis, who was hunting nearby, came to find the commotion from the birds. He fought the blackbirds to make them shift their attention onto him to no avail. Alexis decided to carry Lanie to the mermaid caves and Gilda followed him. The Queen Mermaid provided shelter for a few hours, when her subjects found no more birds on the surface.
One of Daxus’s servants stole away as The Sorceress dried off the victims. They did not notice the absent creature until the evening meal was served. Days later, the creature reappeared, with Daxus on the front porch of the elf home. He spoke of meeting with Andos inside his castle. It is believed that the blackbirds were supposed to carry off Lanie to the palace of Andos. Apparently, he wants a betrothal with Lanie, but Lixi forbids it. Andos has a well recited violent temper. Daxus exchanged harsh words with the sky god about attacking his love. Andos sneered at him. He often gives the agricultural god difficulties by sending harsh floods after droughts and ruin crops. After hearing Daxus’s account on the confrontation, Gilda’s heart was forever won. Daxus drew his blazing fire sword at the sky god’s scoffs. Andos drew his sword of lightening and slashed back at his attacker. The battle ensued across the room into the halls. A goblin grabbed him and he dropped his sword. He tossed the goblin at Andos and was only cut on his arm before picking up his sword again. Anger overwhelmed the god and he defeated the foe when Andos tripped over a chair a servant moved attempting to help its master. Andos yielded to his enemy and Daxus only warned that his betrothed would be protected from now on. Daxus can not completely defeat Andos since he does control the weather. Gilda’s lavished generous attention onto her courageous hero. She even drew a small Daxus figure above her bed. Daxus was happy to hear that report from his faeries.
Gilda thought Andos sounded much like the tales of Elexi, but then they are brothers. All gods must have hot tempers and are quite selfish. Daxus seemed not as challenging to deal with. He left as quickly as he came. He promised unseen spies watching the forest to better protect her. She continued to dream of Daxus and etched a portrait of him in a golden shield. Daxus was happy to hear this report on her shield and hear that she rubbed a protective potion onto the shield. Gilda is quite the warrior too. Alaric writes about everything he learns to her. Within a few years, she knows he will want to prove himself worthy and look for trouble. Gilda feels a close fondness for her siblings, even if they are less fond of her. She never understood Lixi’s distance, but learned from Daxus to accept it. It gave her hope to know her life with Daxus will be as wonderful as her childhood, at least the good parts. Lixi used to share all her secrets with her, but now she won’t even speak to her own daughter. She wrote a long message of congratulations for winning the quickest unicorn race. Gilda spoke to the animal and promised carrots if it won. Alaric questioned her method of winning after receiving a floral garland on her head. She assured Alaric, he heard the unicorn speech from her correctly. After the blackbird incident, the elves returned to swim in the Aurora River again. This time, Alexis snuck up on Gilda and swept her mother’s wand through her hair. She demanded to know what he was doing as goldfish dropped into the mist of the waterfall. Alexis clarified that The Sorceress gave him the wand to discover the person he would align himself with in the future. Something magical would occur when he swept the wand through the hair of his future master. All warriors serve someone. The Chief of Leesville serves his village as judge, protector, and leader of councils.
“Thank you my mistress,” sprints Alexis back into the forest to return the magic wand to its owner.
Lanie giggled hysterically, everyone knows Gilda hates Alexis. Gilda decided the swim was over and rode a unicorn through the forest out into the beach where mermaids dug up turtle eggs. Back home, her mother mixed a potion to see the future. She confirmed that Alexis will be at her service when she marries. Gilda was somewhat comforted by Alaric, who said the prophecy does not say if they will become friends, only he will be at her service. She wished hard for Lixi’s black stone future mirror. Alaric says the future events she would see might not make sense anyway. In her sorrow, she wrote a new poem. Elf school was not always fun, but one teacher encouraged Gilda in her writing skills to become a bard, traveling village to village reciting tales of old and new events.
“The Faerie Flax”
By Gilda Starlin
The Faerie Flax sailed to her fate
And sunk down to Itheram’s gate
I never wanted to say good-bye
But I failed to cry
I knew a someday would come when
She will be my Faerie again
I wish to see her every day
But she is so far away
A farewell embrace was not enough
Moving on is very tough
I wish we could be what we were
I am not as strong as her
I need my Faerie for bad and for worse
I am a shaky boat on an unknown course
Who will hold my hand?
When I can no longer stand
She meant the world to me
Our future is too hard to see
Hold me tight as you once did before
Since you are my Faerie no more
My tears run dry
I no longer try
Farewell to the Faerie Flax
The wedding of Laeos was soon at hand causing Alaric and Alexis to return back to Brightsburg. His bride paraded through town towards the Temple of Ishtar. Her bridesmaids scattered iris petals along her path. The groom rode his horse to the grand stone temple, with his close family behind him. His cousins rode ahead of the groom with raised bows to honor him. The horses, with white spots upon their foreheads to symbolized good luck in marriage, were tied to the front entrance of the temple. Laeos arrived first and tossed coins to the onlookers from the village. The bride shows up shortly afterwards. Her father tosses coins to the crowd. The two families and their friends stand aside to create an aisle for the wedding parties to tread down. Candles are lit to honor Iris and pray for fertility of the bride, in addition to a happy marriage. Flowers are offered to the stone statue of Ishtar. The couple is blessed by the High Priest of Brightsburg. A cousin sings a song of celebration. The marriage contract, signed and blessed, is read to the witnesses. The vows came next.
“I Laeos Athson, son of Athar Lison the Dragonslayer, pledge to my wife love, security, comfort, riches in children and gold, and happiness in old age for as long as we live.”
“I Marianna Erison, daughter of Erich Anson the Falconcharmer, pledge to my husband love, security, comfort, riches in children and gold, and happiness in old age for as long as we live.”
Laeos presented his love with a crystal necklace pieced together in the shape of a dragon that he bought from Alexis. The bride’s father presented her dowry of ten jars of wine, five dogs, four sheep, five cows, two hogs, one goat, two horses, sixteen boxes of jewelry and coins, and one chest of clothing. The groom’s father accepted the dowry and the couple were announced as married. The couple and their families filed out of the Temple of Ishtar. The couple chose the day of the dawn goddess’s festival day as the wedding day. Brightly colored eggs in baskets encircled a statue of Petrie in the marketplace. It is said that the goddess travels to earth during the night disguised as a fertile rabbit and lays eggs for her worshippers. At the wedded couple’s reception, the eggs are cracked open and eaten. It is also said that anyone killing a bunny at his time will receive the wrath of Petrie. The couple settles into a hut built by Laeos and his friends, along with his relations. As days go by, Alaric and Alexis are honored as they complete their warrior training. Their weapons shined and sharpened, the future heroes return home.

Chapter 3 The Unicorn

The day Gilda received her marriage contract started badly. Alaric disappeared when he left to pick mushrooms. He heard a voice singing at a distance and saw a glowing green ball of light. At first, he thought it was a fairy, but it had no wings. The voice became louder and an entranced Alaric followed the globe into the troll caves. He walked through a boulder blocking the entrance. A grand tall cavern sat on the other side, thus making the voice echo forever. The light twinkled down the cavern, shining more brightly in the darkness. Alaric continued to follow it toward a dark figure rustling a cape. The glowing sparkle disappeared behind the figure to reveal an odd looking man.
“Welcome Alaric. Welcome Maevis.” spoke the figure.
Before Alaric knew what was transpiring, he was bit by the vampire. He struggled against the gripping arms, his neck in pain. He wiggled enough to pull out his magic crystal to create a shiny light, thus making the vampire flinch and hide his face within his cape. Next, an awakened Alaric realized there was an elf standing beside him. He turned to see a girl elf in her nightdress. He kept pointing the crystal fire at the vampire and escaped after tripping over a body on the floor. With the elf girl in one arm and his crystal in his other hand, Alaric rushed down the passageways to find the troll caves. He called out the troll password “Eurlin” meaning child of Euric, Alaric’s great-grandfather. After ten tries, a door flung open and the elves hid from the vampire chasing them. A female troll was cooking a meal and jerked up her head at the surprise visit. When she realized they were elves, she continued her preparations.
“What is it this time, Alaric? I am busy,” asked the troll placing food in an oven. “Exploring the caverns and found bats again, I suppose.”
“I just was bitten by a vampire. I thought humans wiped them out a long time ago,” declared Alaric.
“They were in a way. The humans chained the few left in coffins. I guess an idiot opened one of them.” answered the female troll, now mixing flour and water.
“It does not bother you to have murderers in your cave homes?” questioned the elf.
“Oh, they will not harm us. They turn to dust as we turn to stone in sunlight. They need surface-living blood to drink.” answered the troll adding more ingredients to the flour mixture.
Alaric heard the troll password spoken and the door flung opened. Remembering the troll said sunlight and his mother once used a special spell when an ogre blocked a road they were traveling on, he repeated his mother’s spell.
“Petrious lucin (Petrie’s light),” he commanded pointing the crystal at the vampire standing in the doorway.
A disorienting bright light shot across the room and a loud screech was heard. Alaric looked at the elf girl Maevis frozen in fear. He wasted no time leaving. Maevis flew up into Alaric’s arms again and off they went carefully stepping over the dusted cape. As he heard chipping of the troll miners, he called out the password. A doorway appeared and they could see trolls hammering inside the stony mountain. Revealing his crystal, our hero created a small glow in order to see in the darkness. Trolls, mining away, were too busy to take notice of the intruders. Small boy troll carrying water stopped to ask them if they were lost. Awed by the glowing crystal, he asked if he was the cave explorer Alaric.
“I am. Can you help us find our way to the surface, we were tricked down here.” beckoned Alaric.
“Right this way Alaric,” responded the boy troll. “I never thought I would actually meet the brave cave explorer, especially after meeting that demon in one of our tunnels.”
“Yes, well, the snake in me slithered away under his nose and my mother trapped him in a rock, so he will not bother you until the spell breaks upon her death.” commented Alaric.
The trio left the mines right away. The boy troll led them to a room full of weapons, with swords and shields hanging on the walls. A feathered snake slept soundly in a corner on the opposite side of the cavern. The guide told them the forge is through the door and up the stairs. The elves slip across the room quietly to hear a loud crash outside in the mines. The feathered serpent rose off the floor when awakened to see two small elves staring at it. Angry at its sleep disturbed, the snake stuck out its tongue.
“Why did you wake my slumber?” begged the sleepy serpent.
“We did not wake you, Quetzalcoatl. There was a crash out in the mines,” answered Alaric.
“Then I beg to ask why you are in my cavern, elf. Only trolls enter my realm.” responded the plumed snake.
“We were trapped down here by a vampire. And just on our way out.” answered Alaric with his grasp over the hilt of his sword.
“Liar,” claimed the Quetzalcoatl.
It slithered toward Alaric the Brave and raised high above the elf, baring its sharp yellow teeth in rage. A shield fell to the ground from a second crash and voices with hurried footsteps raced outside the door. Finally, the snake’s fangs struck out at our hero.
“Thief, are you not. I think you caused those crashes to distract the trolls and steal their weapons, elf. You shall not get away from me, thief.” spoke the guardian of the trolls.
The snake coiled and lashed out again. Alaric the Brave drew his sword and slashed at the feathers and scales of the Quetzalcoatl snake. Maevis screamed in fright behind Alaric’s legs. He shuffled to the door while cutting at the plumed serpent. He used all his skills to make it to the exit door and called out password.
“Eurlin,” spoke our hero.
The stones moved to open the doorway and Maevis ran out before the doorway closed again. Alaric was soon stuck fighting this guardian serpent. Every move he took towards the door was repelled by the evil fangs trying to eat him. Our hero grew ferocious as he began to reach exhaustion. At a last resort, he hit the head of the beast with a troll shield making the serpent fiercer. Alaric was ready to shove his precious sword into the snake’s next charge, when suddenly, an arrow breezed over Alaric’s head and hit a shield on the wall. The startled snake looked up at the cause of the interruption. Alaric spun around to see Gilda. Gilda’s next arrow penetrated the animal’s nose.
“Run, Alaric.” ordered Gilda.
Alaric took a handful of green feathers on the ground and flew out the door as Gilda said the password. They left the Quetzalcoatl hissing in agony, cursing at the escaped elves. The elves walked up the mammoth stairs to their father’s forge where Maevis awaited them. It is told that long ago during an ice age, huge beasts roamed the earth and portraits were painted inside certain caves by humans and elves. One animal called a mammoth was deemed worthy of burial by the ancient cave dwellers. Many mammoth bones can be seen along the stairs. At the top, a statue of the Quetzalcoatl stood by the forge’s doorway. It is told that the great god Alano created guardian beasts to help gods, goddesses, and creatures keep their precious possessions and repel any enemies. Goblins were made for the skies. Dragons were made for the earth, or the surface as many gods call it. Quetzalcoatls were made for cave dwellers. Demons were made for the underworld. To see any guardian means great peril to any adventurer. Out of breath, Alaric placed his hand on the beast’s statue and thanked the gods for their assistance in his fight. He passed out the green feathers to his companions before speaking the sacred password. Once outside in the dawn, Gilda spoke again.
“You do not know when to stop fighting, do you? You could have escaped the snake when Maevis did and keep the Quetzalcoatl at a distance. It is good I saved you. You do not have to fight everything you meet.” she said.
“Who asked you to save me? I am certain I did not.” snapped Alaric.
“Maevis,” answered Gilda.
The elf girl was escorted to her home to a happy reunion. Maevis thanked her heroes and stepped back into her house. Gilda and Alaric argued all the way back up the mountain. Gilda said she was sent to find Alaric when he failed to return. She found a fairy scared stiff from a singing green light passing by toward the troll caves. The fairy led Gilda to the opening of the vampire cavern and walked through by way of her magic sword. The fairy fled as a vampire appeared. Gilda killed the vampire with her crystal’s sunlight.
“I killed the vampire in the doorway of the troll Tasha’s kitchen,” interrupted Alaric.
“That would explain the stone troll I found near a dust-covered cape laying on the floor,” thought Gilda out loud.
The brother and sister decided the other vampire must have been the idiot who opened the vampire coffin. Alaric recalled tripping over a body when he made the vampire flinch. The dawn grew higher in the sky to dry the morning dew and shined on our hero Alaric. He started to feel strange in the sunlight, as if changing into an animal. Great pains struck the hero and he fell over onto the grass. Holding his head, he screamed like a girl when the pain overwhelmed his senses. Gilda rushed to his side in concern and cast a pain relief spell with her crystal. Soon, the agony ceased and dust appeared on Alaric’s skin. Panting from exhaustion, he rose back onto his feet again. He came back to his senses as if waking up from a dream. A thought occurred in both their heads that Alaric turned into a vampire and the dawn broke the curse. Their mother washed off the vampire dust with daffodil juice. It is good that a vampire curse takes a while to infect its victim. He could have bitten Maevis. During the morning meal, an earthquake shook the ground in a fury all over the mountains. Gilda wondered if all these events were omens of a worse event. The vampire tale spread like wildfire to all the elves in Leesville. Alaric was hailed as a hero of the village for saving Maevis. The chief gave both Alaric and Gilda eagle medallions of honor. Alaric was given the title of “The Brave” by the chief. His green feathers he took from the snake were attached to the medallion and hung often in Alaric the Brave’s long yellow hair. After the honor, Alaric the Brave sat upon a boulder near his tree home to ponder what he shall do with the rest of his life. His apprenticeship done and living back with his parents’ house again, he needed an occupation to support the family he dreamed of having with Nix. Just then, a large unicorn galloped up the mountainside to the elves’ home. Its saddlebag held a marriage contract for Gilda. Alaric inquired if she will mope around the woods for days now, like Flax did. Gilda eagerly signed the contract and rushed packing her trunks. Alaric was now the sad one watching his sister leave with his niece. Flax rarely gave the feeling of caring about him so much. She is a distant stranger now. He never saw Flax’s son Alani after he was born.
By afternoon, Alaric the Brave’s vampire tale was overshadowed by his sister’s departure. A party was hastily thrown in Leesville that evening. Dressed in her finest clothing, unicorn mane strands in her hair, and decorations from Daxus, she greeted her villagers and stood at the center of the market place to receive gifts from the elves of Leesville. The chief was first to present his gift, his youngest son to the service of Gilda. The bride graciously thanked the chief for his gift, all the while glaring at Alexis. Bouquets of flowers, baskets of food, belts, jewelry, a highly decorated chest, and a hawk were given to Gilda. Throughout the celebration, Alexis remained close to Lanie. Gilda hoped mostly that Alexis will treat Lanie better than he behaved towards her. Alaric seemed to think service to Gilda was Alexis’s plan of winning Lanie. When he proved himself worthy of her affections, he planned (or plotted) to marry her when she grew up. The celebration went well into the night. Many slept outdoors when they did not feel like walking home. Gilda thought of how she will remember this day forever. In month’s time, she will be married and live forever in the Black Forest. An entourage formed the next morning. Alaric mounted his new pet unicorn near Gilda. Alexis saddled up next to Lanie. A volcano erupting in the mountains, the elves bid farewell to the villagers. The journey took them to the north into Lotan. The Olin Mountains stood within sight for days. A stop occurred at an elf village in rocky and grassy hills. This village set near sunflowers growing high, vegetables gardens feeding the green landscape, and nut trees dotting the hills. Alaric never met grassland elves before.
Their homes cut into hills seemed homey with smoke rising through stone chimneys. Alaric and his family were welcomed to join the New Year festivities. The wedding party rested as elves packed baskets of nuts into their storage caves. Night fell soon enough with cool winds and a large fire set upon the tallest hill. Large vegetables were hollowed out and symbols carved along the sides. Candle wicks were lit inside the decorated vegetables to scare away any evil spirits. Ghosts are said to inhabit the earth on New Year’s Eve and return to the underworld at dawn. The villagers had a large feast the travelers thought appetizing. The strangers were invited by the village warlock to pull an apple from a water-filled tin tub with their teeth. He would peel the apple all in one curl and foretell their futures. Alaric fought hard to obtain his bouncing apple out the water. The seer reads the cut peel and foretells that our hero will have great misfortune as the gods test his strength in a sorrowful battle and remove loved ones from his life. Alas, two beautiful goddesses will help him bring back his love. Gilda cautiously chose her apple to be read. The great seer made another dire prediction. A wish will be granted, but not the way she thinks. A bound will break, but the hated one will return to her. Alexis was next. He swiftly grabbed his apple and waited patiently for the seer to peel it. The seer’s prediction contained a curse placed on him where he will have difficulty finding love. Only the curser can lift the curse. Lanie nearly did not choose an apple after hearing such negative omens. Then again, each gave the victim of misfortune a piece of hope. Her omen was that of a lover seducing her and breaking her heart. Reconciliation was possible if either can learn to forgive the other’s betrayal. The metal smith Starn picked an apple with ease and listened carefully to the omen. He shall die in glory and his death shall be avenged in such a strong way the mountain elves lives will change forever. The Sorceress pulls back her wet hair before retrieving an apple and hears the rind omen. The seer spoke of her spell books passing onto another great fortuneteller, but she will not meet this heir. After the predictions, the elves danced around the campfires and celebrated the New Year with flutes and drums.
Another stop occurred at a human community on the vast grassland without any view of the far off mountains. In this sea of green grass and black farmland being harvested, sits a fortress upon a grand hill. Tree logs held together created a wall separating the fields and the town. It is obvious that inhabitants are frequently attacked. The villagers are silent towards the strangers and the chief greets them with wariness. Once given the explanation of being a wedding party and showing the marriage contract to the chief, the family is welcomed. The chief begged for understanding of his suspicious demeanor. Spies are often in the form of travelers. The chief welcomed the party to bed within his home made of solid log walls. He was joyous of the birth of his grandson and invited the strangers to the feast. The entourage stuffed themselves with candied apples, vegetable stews, bread and butter, and one huge animal Alaric was unsure of the name. The chief requested his grandson’s future predicted by his soothsayer. Music halted and everyone sat in awe of the dark cloaked man coming forward. He said the child will become of great warrior and savior for is people. This pleased the chief. Dancing continued around the great hall when the music resumed. Many inhabitants, drunk on wine, stumbled in odd dances as onlookers giggled. Suddenly, Gilda’s hawk squawked irritably and a witch appeared in the center of the room. Most of the sober dancers stepped aside. The chief stood up to welcome the witch, but she simply waved a hand to decline the invitation. Her face hidden from view by a cloaked hood, she asked where the goddess in the room is. The guests turned to peer at the strangers. Lanie stood up and demanded her business there. The witch pulled back her hood to reveal an old woman covered in warts.
“To ask for your powers, little goddess,” answered the witch.
“How do you know I will not take them from you, witch?” asked Lanie.
“Because Andos favored me before you. I know your secret little goddess.” responded the woman.
A flash of light brightens the whole room and all the humans awkwardly covered their eyes. A fireball spoofed from the floor and a cackle echoed throughout the fortress. When it was safe again, the humans saw the witch laying facedown on the wooden plank floor. Lanie describes that the witch cast a spell and she resisted it. Then, her grandmother cast a spell to force the woman’s spirit toward the demon the witch had summoned. Then, banished she to the Underworld and the demon took off with the witch’s ghost, unleashing a fire as he left. The soothsayer examined the witch and declared her dead. The chief ordered the witch burned in a funeral pyre outside the city. No one came to mourn the witch. Now that the villagers know Lanie is a goddess, they all want souvenirs of cloth or hair from her. Gilda placed a curse on Lanie that anyone stealing anything from her will have misfortune until the stolen item is returned to Lanie. Alexis and Alaric stood guard at Lanie and Gilda’s bed chamber door. Alexis did his best to repel the worshippers. The following morning, the elves received many baskets of food to carry on their journey. The chief boasted a great harvest was reaped this year. Gilda and Lanie were inseparable until they arrived at the next resting place. The family slept outdoors on blankets near a forest edge. A river could be heard from the dark shadows of the trees. The next day, they crossed a large yellow brick bridge. The bricks looked like ones made by giants. They add coloring to their clay brick and pottery makings. They reached a village of giant humans by mid-afternoon.
Their colossal houses were of painted wood and large flowers hung around the window boxes. Gardens circumscribed their homes and colored stepping stones created paths through the flowers. Giants are large human Lotans with larger pointed noses, freckles, and tied back blond hair. They dressed similar to Brightsburg humans, but lacked the painted tattoos. A child giant is the size of Alaric. The weary wedding party settles down at an inn. Their unicorns placed in a stable and fed, the elves listen to the innkeeper brag how he had smaller rooms for elves, leprechauns, and fairies. Soon, rain clouds filled the sky and everyone rushes indoors. The giants and humans swapped stories of the outside world by the fireplace. Warm mead drinks were passed around. Some humans came from Kadacia to the west. During the dry season many leave to trade with various countries. Other tales were told of the giants celebrating the harvest festival too much and many became sick. During the harvest festival contests, an athlete won a fascinating chariot race and was given a golden sword by the chief of the village. Alaric felt he was watching the race by the way the winner told the story. The evening meal was fit for royalty, with a stuffed pig, candied fruit, cakes, biscuits the size of Alaric’s mouth, heated milk, and cooked vegetables. The elves had a pleasant night sleep before repacking their trunks at dawn. Alaric grabbed some of the large biscuits and placed them in a wooden box for later eating. The trunks back on the cart, the elves waved farewell to the giants. Once out of the town, Alaric took out Nix’s handkerchief and missed her all the more. No one really realizes how much he longs for her, not that they would care if they did. Many of the elves refuse to accept Nix as his betrothed. His family did not wish for Nix to join the entourage, so he left her where he found her.
The food in his stomach weighed Alaric down in his saddle. He pondered what he should do for the rest of his life. He was a trained warrior, but there is not always someone or something to fight. His mother recommended being a healer like herself. Alaric wanted more adventure. As they ride on to the Black Forest, Alaric’s thoughts keep getting interrupted by Alexis’s black fox he got from his brother. First, it whined. Then, it chased a squirrel up a tree. Alaric felt peace when it decided to nap across Alexis’s saddle. Alaric dreamed about the Black Forest. It is said to be an island because the sea is on one side and a river surrounds it on the other. Courtesy of Daxus, the elves learned how strange the creatures living there were. Pegasus (flying horses), centaurs, griffins, mermaids, werewolves, lizards, insects the size of elf hands, tree frogs, giant turtles, huge snails, dragons, unicorns, draghorns (half unicorn, half dragon), fauns (half man, half goat), sprites, and faeries all lived within the Black Forest. Various servants came to Leesville during Gilda’s betrothal to Daxus. Their mother taught some elf recipes and customs. One pet ferret for Gilda died and was buried in the elf cemetery. Great elves are not buried, but placed on high scaffolds and their bones are enshrined later. Alaric’s great-grandfather Euric was enshrined before Alaric was born because he was the first elf to speak to the mining trolls. He decided that when the time comes for his adult rite of passage, he will give offerings and prayers to his great-grandfather’s shrine. The adult ritual celebrates an elf transition from childhood to adulthood. The elf gives offerings and says prayers to a shrine. He or she sits at the shrine until a vision occurs. Then a celebration occurs after the vision. Both Flax and Gilda had chosen their grandmother’s shrine. She married a sprite and taught new ways to the elves and her daughter, The Sorceress.
“You are so quiet, Alaric, “interrupted Gilda.
“I’m pondering my future with Nix. I can’t decide on a profession to support a family. You and Flax had your futures chosen for you. I don’t have that luxury.” responded Alaric waking up from his thoughts.
“Luxury,” scolded Gilda. “What luxury? I wish I could have chosen my future as you can now. I never asked to marry a god. I wanted to be a judge and stop elves destroying each other. But I can have my wish within my circumstances of marrying Daxus. My vision told me to be careful what I wished for, I might get it. I wanted to break the betrothal, become chieftess of Leesville, and never leave home. But then, my love for Daxus overpowered my objections and I decided I could be a judge in the Black Forest. Isn’t that what you are thinking of, your adult ceremony? You should be since it will come ready or not.”
“Yes, I thought of that. I almost fear it. What if my vision says to do something other than what I want?” Alaric thought out loud.
“Your vision will reveal how to exploit your gifts and joys. Look into your heart Alaric, and find your destiny.” finished Gilda.
Alaric looked into his heart and only saw Nix. How could he make a human happy marrying an elf, when so many oppose a marriage? He remembered tales of his grandmother marrying a sprite and many thought it wrong. All was forgiven when Leesville was hit with a plague that had no effect on sprites, but grandmother withheld sprite medicines from those who objected to her marriage. Weeks later the entourage arrived at their destination. Gilda’s hawk leaped to chase birds calling out of the arrival of the elves. Every creature peeked out of the shadows at their new queen. Most had never seen an elf before that day. Gilda’s procession fascinated the animals. Half way through the forest, it began to sleet. They took shelter in centaurs’ homes. These centaurs live inside wooden shelters and sleep on piles of reeds. There are only two rooms, so it was quite crowded. The creatures heated a stone fireplace and gave the elves warm milk to drink. One young centaur handed out blankets. The female centaurs are grand weavers. Gilda begged to keep her blanket for her new home. The mother centaur was thrilled at the request. Once it stopped sprinkling mermaids came up to play. Next, Gilda’s unicorn acted peculiar. It refused to eat and became quite restless. It finally stepped into the icy tributary stream and disappeared. A darman appeared from the water and clapped his hands above his head. Servants rushed to him with robes and leather boots. In the master’s absence, the Queen Mermaid tended the guardian dragon flying around the sky. It landed on a snowy slope to give its master a ride to the palace gazing from a mountain. Daxus praises how everything seems to be in order compared as to when he left. Daxus flew away and the elves followed it to the fortress. They arrived at the front entrance and were welcomed by fauns. Their wet cloaks were taken to dry. Alaric was impressed by the foyer. Chandeliers hung high from the ceiling. Tapestries and murals decorated the walls. Statues and armor decorated the corners. Further in, stone staircases were ornate with figures of plants and creatures. Alaric saw a sprite installing a tile mosaic of Gilda in the wall. Light was reflected by huge brass mirrors. The mirrors were held by decorated wood frames. They are guided to a room with many chairs, stools, and cupboards. A large fireplace made from yellow brick warmed the room. Next, the elves are guided to a terrace where many creatures came to see the new queen. Gilda waves to her subjects. The subjects’ cheers are deafening.
They return inside and eat an early evening meal. Some wedding guests have arrived before the bride. The host invites the guests to the meal. The elves observe a different protocol when gods and goddesses get together. The dining tables along the walls surround a group of musicians and dancers. Every table has stone figures of symbols for all the guests to sit in the correct seat. The gods and goddesses sit at one table and the elves at another. Four courses are presented one at a time by odd servants. Alaric eyes Iris at a distance. She sits next to a god that Alaric guessed is her brother Rurik. He recognizes Elmo sitting on the other side of Iris. He can not see Elexi or his sister. After the meal, the guests walk to the sitting room again. The elves are introduced to the underworld goddess Isis. Alaric thought her pale complexion and obsidian black hair made her appear like a ghost. Her husband, the afterlife soul
The day Gilda received her marriage contract started badly. Alaric disappeared when he left to pick mushrooms. He heard a voice singing at a distance and saw a glowing green ball of light. At first, he thought it was a fairy, but it had no wings. The voice became louder and an entranced Alaric followed the globe into the troll caves. He walked through a boulder blocking the entrance. A grand tall cavern sat on the other side, thus making the voice echo forever. The light twinkled down the cavern, shining more brightly in the darkness. Alaric continued to follow it toward a dark figure rustling a cape. The glowing sparkle disappeared behind the figure to reveal an odd looking man.
“Welcome Alaric. Welcome Maevis.” spoke the figure.
Before Alaric knew what was transpiring, he was bit by the vampire. He struggled against the gripping arms, his neck in pain. He wiggled enough to pull out his magic crystal to create a shiny light, thus making the vampire flinch and hide his face within his cape. Next, an awakened Alaric realized there was an elf standing beside him. He turned to see a girl elf in her nightdress. He kept pointing the crystal fire at the vampire and escaped after tripping over a body on the floor. With the elf girl in one arm and his crystal in his other hand, Alaric rushed down the passageways to find the troll caves. He called out the troll password “Eurlin” meaning child of Euric, Alaric’s great-grandfather. After ten tries, a door flung open and the elves hid from the vampire chasing them. A female troll was cooking a meal and jerked up her head at the surprise visit. When she realized they were elves, she continued her preparations.
“What is it this time, Alaric? I am busy,” asked the troll placing food in an oven. “Exploring the caverns and found bats again, I suppose.”
“I just was bitten by a vampire. I thought humans wiped them out a long time ago,” declared Alaric.
“They were in a way. The humans chained the few left in coffins. I guess an idiot opened one of them.” answered the female troll, now mixing flour and water.
“It does not bother you to have murderers in your cave homes?” questioned the elf.
“Oh, they will not harm us. They turn to dust as we turn to stone in sunlight. They need surface-living blood to drink.” answered the troll adding more ingredients to the flour mixture.
Alaric heard the troll password spoken and the door flung opened. Remembering the troll said sunlight and his mother once used a special spell when an ogre blocked a road they were traveling on, he repeated his mother’s spell.
“Petrious lucin (Petrie’s light),” he commanded pointing the crystal at the vampire standing in the doorway.
A disorienting bright light shot across the room and a loud screech was heard. Alaric looked at the elf girl Maevis frozen in fear. He wasted no time leaving. Maevis flew up into Alaric’s arms again and off they went carefully stepping over the dusted cape. As he heard chipping of the troll miners, he called out the password. A doorway appeared and they could see trolls hammering inside the stony mountain. Revealing his crystal, our hero created a small glow in order to see in the darkness. Trolls, mining away, were too busy to take notice of the intruders. Small boy troll carrying water stopped to ask them if they were lost. Awed by the glowing crystal, he asked if he was the cave explorer Alaric.
“I am. Can you help us find our way to the surface, we were tricked down here.” beckoned Alaric.
“Right this way Alaric,” responded the boy troll. “I never thought I would actually meet the brave cave explorer, especially after meeting that demon in one of our tunnels.”
“Yes, well, the snake in me slithered away under his nose and my mother trapped him in a rock, so he will not bother you until the spell breaks upon her death.” commented Alaric.
The trio left the mines right away. The boy troll led them to a room full of weapons, with swords and shields hanging on the walls. A feathered snake slept soundly in a corner on the opposite side of the cavern. The guide told them the forge is through the door and up the stairs. The elves slip across the room quietly to hear a loud crash outside in the mines. The feathered serpent rose off the floor when awakened to see two small elves staring at it. Angry at its sleep disturbed, the snake stuck out its tongue.
“Why did you wake my slumber?” begged the sleepy serpent.
“We did not wake you, Quetzalcoatl. There was a crash out in the mines,” answered Alaric.
“Then I beg to ask why you are in my cavern, elf. Only trolls enter my realm.” responded the plumed snake.
“We were trapped down here by a vampire. And just on our way out.” answered Alaric with his grasp over the hilt of his sword.
“Liar,” claimed the Quetzalcoatl.
It slithered toward Alaric the Brave and raised high above the elf, baring its sharp yellow teeth in rage. A shield fell to the ground from a second crash and voices with hurried footsteps raced outside the door. Finally, the snake’s fangs struck out at our hero.
“Thief, are you not. I think you caused those crashes to distract the trolls and steal their weapons, elf. You shall not get away from me, thief.” spoke the guardian of the trolls.
The snake coiled and lashed out again. Alaric the Brave drew his sword and slashed at the feathers and scales of the Quetzalcoatl snake. Maevis screamed in fright behind Alaric’s legs. He shuffled to the door while cutting at the plumed serpent. He used all his skills to make it to the exit door and called out password.
“Eurlin,” spoke our hero.
The stones moved to open the doorway and Maevis ran out before the doorway closed again. Alaric was soon stuck fighting this guardian serpent. Every move he took towards the door was repelled by the evil fangs trying to eat him. Our hero grew ferocious as he began to reach exhaustion. At a last resort, he hit the head of the beast with a troll shield making the serpent fiercer. Alaric was ready to shove his precious sword into the snake’s next charge, when suddenly, an arrow breezed over Alaric’s head and hit a shield on the wall. The startled snake looked up at the cause of the interruption. Alaric spun around to see Gilda. Gilda’s next arrow penetrated the animal’s nose.
“Run, Alaric.” ordered Gilda.
Alaric took a handful of green feathers on the ground and flew out the door as Gilda said the password. They left the Quetzalcoatl hissing in agony, cursing at the escaped elves. The elves walked up the mammoth stairs to their father’s forge where Maevis awaited them. It is told that long ago during an ice age, huge beasts roamed the earth and portraits were painted inside certain caves by humans and elves. One animal called a mammoth was deemed worthy of burial by the ancient cave dwellers. Many mammoth bones can be seen along the stairs. At the top, a statue of the Quetzalcoatl stood by the forge’s doorway. It is told that the great god Alano created guardian beasts to help gods, goddesses, and creatures keep their precious possessions and repel any enemies. Goblins were made for the skies. Dragons were made for the earth, or the surface as many gods call it. Quetzalcoatls were made for cave dwellers. Demons were made for the underworld. To see any guardian means great peril to any adventurer. Out of breath, Alaric placed his hand on the beast’s statue and thanked the gods for their assistance in his fight. He passed out the green feathers to his companions before speaking the sacred password. Once outside in the dawn, Gilda spoke again.
“You do not know when to stop fighting, do you? You could have escaped the snake when Maevis did and keep the Quetzalcoatl at a distance. It is good I saved you. You do not have to fight everything you meet.” she said.
“Who asked you to save me? I am certain I did not.” snapped Alaric.
“Maevis,” answered Gilda.
The elf girl was escorted to her home to a happy reunion. Maevis thanked her heroes and stepped back into her house. Gilda and Alaric argued all the way back up the mountain. Gilda said she was sent to find Alaric when he failed to return. She found a fairy scared stiff from a singing green light passing by toward the troll caves. The fairy led Gilda to the opening of the vampire cavern and walked through by way of her magic sword. The fairy fled as a vampire appeared. Gilda killed the vampire with her crystal’s sunlight.
“I killed the vampire in the doorway of the troll Tasha’s kitchen,” interrupted Alaric.
“That would explain the stone troll I found near a dust-covered cape laying on the floor,” thought Gilda out loud.
The brother and sister decided the other vampire must have been the idiot who opened the vampire coffin. Alaric recalled tripping over a body when he made the vampire flinch. The dawn grew higher in the sky to dry the morning dew and shined on our hero Alaric. He started to feel strange in the sunlight, as if changing into an animal. Great pains struck the hero and he fell over onto the grass. Holding his head, he screamed like a girl when the pain overwhelmed his senses. Gilda rushed to his side in concern and cast a pain relief spell with her crystal. Soon, the agony ceased and dust appeared on Alaric’s skin. Panting from exhaustion, he rose back onto his feet again. He came back to his senses as if waking up from a dream. A thought occurred in both their heads that Alaric turned into a vampire and the dawn broke the curse. Their mother washed off the vampire dust with daffodil juice. It is good that a vampire curse takes a while to infect its victim. He could have bitten Maevis. During the morning meal, an earthquake shook the ground in a fury all over the mountains. Gilda wondered if all these events were omens of a worse event. The vampire tale spread like wildfire to all the elves in Leesville. Alaric was hailed as a hero of the village for saving Maevis. The chief gave both Alaric and Gilda eagle medallions of honor. Alaric was given the title of “The Brave” by the chief. His green feathers he took from the snake were attached to the medallion and hung often in Alaric the Brave’s long yellow hair. After the honor, Alaric the Brave sat upon a boulder near his tree home to ponder what he shall do with the rest of his life. His apprenticeship done and living back with his parents’ house again, he needed an occupation to support the family he dreamed of having with Nix. Just then, a large unicorn galloped up the mountainside to the elves’ home. Its saddlebag held a marriage contract for Gilda. Alaric inquired if she will mope around the woods for days now, like Flax did. Gilda eagerly signed the contract and rushed packing her trunks. Alaric was now the sad one watching his sister leave with his niece. Flax rarely gave the feeling of caring about him so much. She is a distant stranger now. He never saw Flax’s son Alani after he was born.
By afternoon, Alaric the Brave’s vampire tale was overshadowed by his sister’s departure. A party was hastily thrown in Leesville that evening. Dressed in her finest clothing, unicorn mane strands in her hair, and decorations from Daxus, she greeted her villagers and stood at the center of the market place to receive gifts from the elves of Leesville. The chief was first to present his gift, his youngest son to the service of Gilda. The bride graciously thanked the chief for his gift, all the while glaring at Alexis. Bouquets of flowers, baskets of food, belts, jewelry, a highly decorated chest, and a hawk were given to Gilda. Throughout the celebration, Alexis remained close to Lanie. Gilda hoped mostly that Alexis will treat Lanie better than he behaved towards her. Alaric seemed to think service to Gilda was Alexis’s plan of winning Lanie. When he proved himself worthy of her affections, he planned (or plotted) to marry her when she grew up. The celebration went well into the night. Many slept outdoors when they did not feel like walking home. Gilda thought of how she will remember this day forever. In month’s time, she will be married and live forever in the Black Forest. An entourage formed the next morning. Alaric mounted his new pet unicorn near Gilda. Alexis saddled up next to Lanie. A volcano erupting in the mountains, the elves bid farewell to the villagers. The journey took them to the north into Lotan. The Olin Mountains stood within sight for days. A stop occurred at an elf village in rocky and grassy hills. This village set near sunflowers growing high, vegetables gardens feeding the green landscape, and nut trees dotting the hills. Alaric never met grassland elves before.
Their homes cut into hills seemed homey with smoke rising through stone chimneys. Alaric and his family were welcomed to join the New Year festivities. The wedding party rested as elves packed baskets of nuts into their storage caves. Night fell soon enough with cool winds and a large fire set upon the tallest hill. Large vegetables were hollowed out and symbols carved along the sides. Candle wicks were lit inside the decorated vegetables to scare away any evil spirits. Ghosts are said to inhabit the earth on New Year’s Eve and return to the underworld at dawn. The villagers had a large feast the travelers thought appetizing. The strangers were invited by the village warlock to pull an apple from a water-filled tin tub with their teeth. He would peel the apple all in one curl and foretell their futures. Alaric fought hard to obtain his bouncing apple out the water. The seer reads the cut peel and foretells that our hero will have great misfortune as the gods test his strength in a sorrowful battle and remove loved ones from his life. Alas, two beautiful goddesses will help him bring back his love. Gilda cautiously chose her apple to be read. The great seer made another dire prediction. A wish will be granted, but not the way she thinks. A bound will break, but the hated one will return to her. Alexis was next. He swiftly grabbed his apple and waited patiently for the seer to peel it. The seer’s prediction contained a curse placed on him where he will have difficulty finding love. Only the curser can lift the curse. Lanie nearly did not choose an apple after hearing such negative omens. Then again, each gave the victim of misfortune a piece of hope. Her omen was that of a lover seducing her and breaking her heart. Reconciliation was possible if either can learn to forgive the other’s betrayal. The metal smith Starn picked an apple with ease and listened carefully to the omen. He shall die in glory and his death shall be avenged in such a strong way the mountain elves lives will change forever. The Sorceress pulls back her wet hair before retrieving an apple and hears the rind omen. The seer spoke of her spell books passing onto another great fortuneteller, but she will not meet this heir. After the predictions, the elves danced around the campfires and celebrated the New Year with flutes and drums.
Another stop occurred at a human community on the vast grassland without any view of the far off mountains. In this sea of green grass and black farmland being harvested, sits a fortress upon a grand hill. Tree logs held together created a wall separating the fields and the town. It is obvious that inhabitants are frequently attacked. The villagers are silent towards the strangers and the chief greets them with wariness. Once given the explanation of being a wedding party and showing the marriage contract to the chief, the family is welcomed. The chief begged for understanding of his suspicious demeanor. Spies are often in the form of travelers. The chief welcomed the party to bed within his home made of solid log walls. He was joyous of the birth of his grandson and invited the strangers to the feast. The entourage stuffed themselves with candied apples, vegetable stews, bread and butter, and one huge animal Alaric was unsure of the name. The chief requested his grandson’s future predicted by his soothsayer. Music halted and everyone sat in awe of the dark cloaked man coming forward. He said the child will become of great warrior and savior for is people. This pleased the chief. Dancing continued around the great hall when the music resumed. Many inhabitants, drunk on wine, stumbled in odd dances as onlookers giggled. Suddenly, Gilda’s hawk squawked irritably and a witch appeared in the center of the room. Most of the sober dancers stepped aside. The chief stood up to welcome the witch, but she simply waved a hand to decline the invitation. Her face hidden from view by a cloaked hood, she asked where the goddess in the room is. The guests turned to peer at the strangers. Lanie stood up and demanded her business there. The witch pulled back her hood to reveal an old woman covered in warts.
“To ask for your powers, little goddess,” answered the witch.
“How do you know I will not take them from you, witch?” asked Lanie.
“Because Andos favored me before you. I know your secret little goddess.” responded the woman.
A flash of light brightens the whole room and all the humans awkwardly covered their eyes. A fireball spoofed from the floor and a cackle echoed throughout the fortress. When it was safe again, the humans saw the witch laying facedown on the wooden plank floor. Lanie describes that the witch cast a spell and she resisted it. Then, her grandmother cast a spell to force the woman’s spirit toward the demon the witch had summoned. Then, banished she to the Underworld and the demon took off with the witch’s ghost, unleashing a fire as he left. The soothsayer examined the witch and declared her dead. The chief ordered the witch burned in a funeral pyre outside the city. No one came to mourn the witch. Now that the villagers know Lanie is a goddess, they all want souvenirs of cloth or hair from her. Gilda placed a curse on Lanie that anyone stealing anything from her will have misfortune until the stolen item is returned to Lanie. Alexis and Alaric stood guard at Lanie and Gilda’s bed chamber door. Alexis did his best to repel the worshippers. The following morning, the elves received many baskets of food to carry on their journey. The chief boasted a great harvest was reaped this year. Gilda and Lanie were inseparable until they arrived at the next resting place. The family slept outdoors on blankets near a forest edge. A river could be heard from the dark shadows of the trees. The next day, they crossed a large yellow brick bridge. The bricks looked like ones made by giants. They add coloring to their clay brick and pottery makings. They reached a village of giant humans by mid-afternoon.
Their colossal houses were of painted wood and large flowers hung around the window boxes. Gardens circumscribed their homes and colored stepping stones created paths through the flowers. Giants are large human Lotans with larger pointed noses, freckles, and tied back blond hair. They dressed similar to Brightsburg humans, but lacked the painted tattoos. A child giant is the size of Alaric. The weary wedding party settles down at an inn. Their unicorns placed in a stable and fed, the elves listen to the innkeeper brag how he had smaller rooms for elves, leprechauns, and fairies. Soon, rain clouds filled the sky and everyone rushes indoors. The giants and humans swapped stories of the outside world by the fireplace. Warm mead drinks were passed around. Some humans came from Kadacia to the west. During the dry season many leave to trade with various countries. Other tales were told of the giants celebrating the harvest festival too much and many became sick. During the harvest festival contests, an athlete won a fascinating chariot race and was given a golden sword by the chief of the village. Alaric felt he was watching the race by the way the winner told the story. The evening meal was fit for royalty, with a stuffed pig, candied fruit, cakes, biscuits the size of Alaric’s mouth, heated milk, and cooked vegetables. The elves had a pleasant night sleep before repacking their trunks at dawn. Alaric grabbed some of the large biscuits and placed them in a wooden box for later eating. The trunks back on the cart, the elves waved farewell to the giants. Once out of the town, Alaric took out Nix’s handkerchief and missed her all the more. No one really realizes how much he longs for her, not that they would care if they did. Many of the elves refuse to accept Nix as his betrothed. His family did not wish for Nix to join the entourage, so he left her where he found her.
The food in his stomach weighed Alaric down in his saddle. He pondered what he should do for the rest of his life. He was a trained warrior, but there is not always someone or something to fight. His mother recommended being a healer like herself. Alaric wanted more adventure. As they ride on to the Black Forest, Alaric’s thoughts keep getting interrupted by Alexis’s black fox he got from his brother. First, it whined. Then, it chased a squirrel up a tree. Alaric felt peace when it decided to nap across Alexis’s saddle. Alaric dreamed about the Black Forest. It is said to be an island because the sea is on one side and a river surrounds it on the other. Courtesy of Daxus, the elves learned how strange the creatures living there were. Pegasus (flying horses), centaurs, griffins, mermaids, werewolves, lizards, insects the size of elf hands, tree frogs, giant turtles, huge snails, dragons, unicorns, draghorns (half unicorn, half dragon), fauns (half man, half goat), sprites, and faeries all lived within the Black Forest. Various servants came to Leesville during Gilda’s betrothal to Daxus. Their mother taught some elf recipes and customs. One pet ferret for Gilda died and was buried in the elf cemetery. Great elves are not buried, but placed on high scaffolds and their bones are enshrined later. Alaric’s great-grandfather Euric was enshrined before Alaric was born because he was the first elf to speak to the mining trolls. He decided that when the time comes for his adult rite of passage, he will give offerings and prayers to his great-grandfather’s shrine. The adult ritual celebrates an elf transition from childhood to adulthood. The elf gives offerings and says prayers to a shrine. He or she sits at the shrine until a vision occurs. Then a celebration occurs after the vision. Both Flax and Gilda had chosen their grandmother’s shrine. She married a sprite and taught new ways to the elves and her daughter, The Sorceress.
“You are so quiet, Alaric, “interrupted Gilda.
“I’m pondering my future with Nix. I can’t decide on a profession to support a family. You and Flax had your futures chosen for you. I don’t have that luxury.” responded Alaric waking up from his thoughts.
“Luxury,” scolded Gilda. “What luxury? I wish I could have chosen my future as you can now. I never asked to marry a god. I wanted to be a judge and stop elves destroying each other. But I can have my wish within my circumstances of marrying Daxus. My vision told me to be careful what I wished for, I might get it. I wanted to break the betrothal, become chieftess of Leesville, and never leave home. But then, my love for Daxus overpowered my objections and I decided I could be a judge in the Black Forest. Isn’t that what you are thinking of, your adult ceremony? You should be since it will come ready or not.”
“Yes, I thought of that. I almost fear it. What if my vision says to do something other than what I want?” Alaric thought out loud.
“Your vision will reveal how to exploit your gifts and joys. Look into your heart Alaric, and find your destiny.” finished Gilda.
Alaric looked into his heart and only saw Nix. How could he make a human happy marrying an elf, when so many oppose a marriage? He remembered tales of his grandmother marrying a sprite and many thought it wrong. All was forgiven when Leesville was hit with a plague that had no effect on sprites, but grandmother withheld sprite medicines from those who objected to her marriage. Weeks later the entourage arrived at their destination. Gilda’s hawk leaped to chase birds calling out of the arrival of the elves. Every creature peeked out of the shadows at their new queen. Most had never seen an elf before that day. Gilda’s procession fascinated the animals. Half way through the forest, it began to sleet. They took shelter in centaurs’ homes. These centaurs live inside wooden shelters and sleep on piles of reeds. There are only two rooms, so it was quite crowded. The creatures heated a stone fireplace and gave the elves warm milk to drink. One young centaur handed out blankets. The female centaurs are grand weavers. Gilda begged to keep her blanket for her new home. The mother centaur was thrilled at the request. Once it stopped sprinkling mermaids came up to play. Next, Gilda’s unicorn acted peculiar. It refused to eat and became quite restless. It finally stepped into the icy tributary stream and disappeared. A darman appeared from the water and clapped his hands above his head. Servants rushed to him with robes and leather boots. In the master’s absence, the Queen Mermaid tended the guardian dragon flying around the sky. It landed on a snowy slope to give its master a ride to the palace gazing from a mountain. Daxus praises how everything seems to be in order compared as to when he left. Daxus flew away and the elves followed it to the fortress. They arrived at the front entrance and were welcomed by fauns. Their wet cloaks were taken to dry. Alaric was impressed by the foyer. Chandeliers hung high from the ceiling. Tapestries and murals decorated the walls. Statues and armor decorated the corners. Further in, stone staircases were ornate with figures of plants and creatures. Alaric saw a sprite installing a tile mosaic of Gilda in the wall. Light was reflected by huge brass mirrors. The mirrors were held by decorated wood frames. They are guided to a room with many chairs, stools, and cupboards. A large fireplace made from yellow brick warmed the room. Next, the elves are guided to a terrace where many creatures came to see the new queen. Gilda waves to her subjects. The subjects’ cheers are deafening.
They return inside and eat an early evening meal. Some wedding guests have arrived before the bride. The host invites the guests to the meal. The elves observe a different protocol when gods and goddesses get together. The dining tables along the walls surround a group of musicians and dancers. Every table has stone figures of symbols for all the guests to sit in the correct seat. The gods and goddesses sit at one table and the elves at another. Four courses are presented one at a time by odd servants. Alaric eyes Iris at a distance. She sits next to a god that Alaric guessed is her brother Rurik. He recognizes Elmo sitting on the other side of Iris. He can not see Elexi or his sister. After the meal, the guests walk to the sitting room again. The elves are introduced to the underworld goddess Isis. Alaric thought her pale complexion and obsidian black hair made her appear like a ghost. Her husband, the afterlife soul
The day Gilda received her marriage contract started badly. Alaric disappeared when he left to pick mushrooms. He heard a voice singing at a distance and saw a glowing green ball of light. At first, he thought it was a fairy, but it had no wings. The voice became louder and an entranced Alaric followed the globe into the troll caves. He walked through a boulder blocking the entrance. A grand tall cavern sat on the other side, thus making the voice echo forever. The light twinkled down the cavern, shining more brightly in the darkness. Alaric continued to follow it toward a dark figure rustling a cape. The glowing sparkle disappeared behind the figure to reveal an odd looking man.
“Welcome Alaric. Welcome Maevis.” spoke the figure.
Before Alaric knew what was transpiring, he was bit by the vampire. He struggled against the gripping arms, his neck in pain. He wiggled enough to pull out his magic crystal to create a shiny light, thus making the vampire flinch and hide his face within his cape. Next, an awakened Alaric realized there was an elf standing beside him. He turned to see a girl elf in her nightdress. He kept pointing the crystal fire at the vampire and escaped after tripping over a body on the floor. With the elf girl in one arm and his crystal in his other hand, Alaric rushed down the passageways to find the troll caves. He called out the troll password “Eurlin” meaning child of Euric, Alaric’s great-grandfather. After ten tries, a door flung open and the elves hid from the vampire chasing them. A female troll was cooking a meal and jerked up her head at the surprise visit. When she realized they were elves, she continued her preparations.
“What is it this time, Alaric? I am busy,” asked the troll placing food in an oven. “Exploring the caverns and found bats again, I suppose.”
“I just was bitten by a vampire. I thought humans wiped them out a long time ago,” declared Alaric.
“They were in a way. The humans chained the few left in coffins. I guess an idiot opened one of them.” answered the female troll, now mixing flour and water.
“It does not bother you to have murderers in your cave homes?” questioned the elf.
“Oh, they will not harm us. They turn to dust as we turn to stone in sunlight. They need surface-living blood to drink.” answered the troll adding more ingredients to the flour mixture.
Alaric heard the troll password spoken and the door flung opened. Remembering the troll said sunlight and his mother once used a special spell when an ogre blocked a road they were traveling on, he repeated his mother’s spell.
“Petrious lucin (Petrie’s light),” he commanded pointing the crystal at the vampire standing in the doorway.
A disorienting bright light shot across the room and a loud screech was heard. Alaric looked at the elf girl Maevis frozen in fear. He wasted no time leaving. Maevis flew up into Alaric’s arms again and off they went carefully stepping over the dusted cape. As he heard chipping of the troll miners, he called out the password. A doorway appeared and they could see trolls hammering inside the stony mountain. Revealing his crystal, our hero created a small glow in order to see in the darkness. Trolls, mining away, were too busy to take notice of the intruders. Small boy troll carrying water stopped to ask them if they were lost. Awed by the glowing crystal, he asked if he was the cave explorer Alaric.
“I am. Can you help us find our way to the surface, we were tricked down here.” beckoned Alaric.
“Right this way Alaric,” responded the boy troll. “I never thought I would actually meet the brave cave explorer, especially after meeting that demon in one of our tunnels.”
“Yes, well, the snake in me slithered away under his nose and my mother trapped him in a rock, so he will not bother you until the spell breaks upon her death.” commented Alaric.
The trio left the mines right away. The boy troll led them to a room full of weapons, with swords and shields hanging on the walls. A feathered snake slept soundly in a corner on the opposite side of the cavern. The guide told them the forge is through the door and up the stairs. The elves slip across the room quietly to hear a loud crash outside in the mines. The feathered serpent rose off the floor when awakened to see two small elves staring at it. Angry at its sleep disturbed, the snake stuck out its tongue.
“Why did you wake my slumber?” begged the sleepy serpent.
“We did not wake you, Quetzalcoatl. There was a crash out in the mines,” answered Alaric.
“Then I beg to ask why you are in my cavern, elf. Only trolls enter my realm.” responded the plumed snake.
“We were trapped down here by a vampire. And just on our way out.” answered Alaric with his grasp over the hilt of his sword.
“Liar,” claimed the Quetzalcoatl.
It slithered toward Alaric the Brave and raised high above the elf, baring its sharp yellow teeth in rage. A shield fell to the ground from a second crash and voices with hurried footsteps raced outside the door. Finally, the snake’s fangs struck out at our hero.
“Thief, are you not. I think you caused those crashes to distract the trolls and steal their weapons, elf. You shall not get away from me, thief.” spoke the guardian of the trolls.
The snake coiled and lashed out again. Alaric the Brave drew his sword and slashed at the feathers and scales of the Quetzalcoatl snake. Maevis screamed in fright behind Alaric’s legs. He shuffled to the door while cutting at the plumed serpent. He used all his skills to make it to the exit door and called out password.
“Eurlin,” spoke our hero.
The stones moved to open the doorway and Maevis ran out before the doorway closed again. Alaric was soon stuck fighting this guardian serpent. Every move he took towards the door was repelled by the evil fangs trying to eat him. Our hero grew ferocious as he began to reach exhaustion. At a last resort, he hit the head of the beast with a troll shield making the serpent fiercer. Alaric was ready to shove his precious sword into the snake’s next charge, when suddenly, an arrow breezed over Alaric’s head and hit a shield on the wall. The startled snake looked up at the cause of the interruption. Alaric spun around to see Gilda. Gilda’s next arrow penetrated the animal’s nose.
“Run, Alaric.” ordered Gilda.
Alaric took a handful of green feathers on the ground and flew out the door as Gilda said the password. They left the Quetzalcoatl hissing in agony, cursing at the escaped elves. The elves walked up the mammoth stairs to their father’s forge where Maevis awaited them. It is told that long ago during an ice age, huge beasts roamed the earth and portraits were painted inside certain caves by humans and elves. One animal called a mammoth was deemed worthy of burial by the ancient cave dwellers. Many mammoth bones can be seen along the stairs. At the top, a statue of the Quetzalcoatl stood by the forge’s doorway. It is told that the great god Alano created guardian beasts to help gods, goddesses, and creatures keep their precious possessions and repel any enemies. Goblins were made for the skies. Dragons were made for the earth, or the surface as many gods call it. Quetzalcoatls were made for cave dwellers. Demons were made for the underworld. To see any guardian means great peril to any adventurer. Out of breath, Alaric placed his hand on the beast’s statue and thanked the gods for their assistance in his fight. He passed out the green feathers to his companions before speaking the sacred password. Once outside in the dawn, Gilda spoke again.
“You do not know when to stop fighting, do you? You could have escaped the snake when Maevis did and keep the Quetzalcoatl at a distance. It is good I saved you. You do not have to fight everything you meet.” she said.
“Who asked you to save me? I am certain I did not.” snapped Alaric.
“Maevis,” answered Gilda.
The elf girl was escorted to her home to a happy reunion. Maevis thanked her heroes and stepped back into her house. Gilda and Alaric argued all the way back up the mountain. Gilda said she was sent to find Alaric when he failed to return. She found a fairy scared stiff from a singing green light passing by toward the troll caves. The fairy led Gilda to the opening of the vampire cavern and walked through by way of her magic sword. The fairy fled as a vampire appeared. Gilda killed the vampire with her crystal’s sunlight.
“I killed the vampire in the doorway of the troll Tasha’s kitchen,” interrupted Alaric.
“That would explain the stone troll I found near a dust-covered cape laying on the floor,” thought Gilda out loud.
The brother and sister decided the other vampire must have been the idiot who opened the vampire coffin. Alaric recalled tripping over a body when he made the vampire flinch. The dawn grew higher in the sky to dry the morning dew and shined on our hero Alaric. He started to feel strange in the sunlight, as if changing into an animal. Great pains struck the hero and he fell over onto the grass. Holding his head, he screamed like a girl when the pain overwhelmed his senses. Gilda rushed to his side in concern and cast a pain relief spell with her crystal. Soon, the agony ceased and dust appeared on Alaric’s skin. Panting from exhaustion, he rose back onto his feet again. He came back to his senses as if waking up from a dream. A thought occurred in both their heads that Alaric turned into a vampire and the dawn broke the curse. Their mother washed off the vampire dust with daffodil juice. It is good that a vampire curse takes a while to infect its victim. He could have bitten Maevis. During the morning meal, an earthquake shook the ground in a fury all over the mountains. Gilda wondered if all these events were omens of a worse event. The vampire tale spread like wildfire to all the elves in Leesville. Alaric was hailed as a hero of the village for saving Maevis. The chief gave both Alaric and Gilda eagle medallions of honor. Alaric was given the title of “The Brave” by the chief. His green feathers he took from the snake were attached to the medallion and hung often in Alaric the Brave’s long yellow hair. After the honor, Alaric the Brave sat upon a boulder near his tree home to ponder what he shall do with the rest of his life. His apprenticeship done and living back with his parents’ house again, he needed an occupation to support the family he dreamed of having with Nix. Just then, a large unicorn galloped up the mountainside to the elves’ home. Its saddlebag held a marriage contract for Gilda. Alaric inquired if she will mope around the woods for days now, like Flax did. Gilda eagerly signed the contract and rushed packing her trunks. Alaric was now the sad one watching his sister leave with his niece. Flax rarely gave the feeling of caring about him so much. She is a distant stranger now. He never saw Flax’s son Alani after he was born.
By afternoon, Alaric the Brave’s vampire tale was overshadowed by his sister’s departure. A party was hastily thrown in Leesville that evening. Dressed in her finest clothing, unicorn mane strands in her hair, and decorations from Daxus, she greeted her villagers and stood at the center of the market place to receive gifts from the elves of Leesville. The chief was first to present his gift, his youngest son to the service of Gilda. The bride graciously thanked the chief for his gift, all the while glaring at Alexis. Bouquets of flowers, baskets of food, belts, jewelry, a highly decorated chest, and a hawk were given to Gilda. Throughout the celebration, Alexis remained close to Lanie. Gilda hoped mostly that Alexis will treat Lanie better than he behaved towards her. Alaric seemed to think service to Gilda was Alexis’s plan of winning Lanie. When he proved himself worthy of her affections, he planned (or plotted) to marry her when she grew up. The celebration went well into the night. Many slept outdoors when they did not feel like walking home. Gilda thought of how she will remember this day forever. In month’s time, she will be married and live forever in the Black Forest. An entourage formed the next morning. Alaric mounted his new pet unicorn near Gilda. Alexis saddled up next to Lanie. A volcano erupting in the mountains, the elves bid farewell to the villagers. The journey took them to the north into Lotan. The Olin Mountains stood within sight for days. A stop occurred at an elf village in rocky and grassy hills. This village set near sunflowers growing high, vegetables gardens feeding the green landscape, and nut trees dotting the hills. Alaric never met grassland elves before.
Their homes cut into hills seemed homey with smoke rising through stone chimneys. Alaric and his family were welcomed to join the New Year festivities. The wedding party rested as elves packed baskets of nuts into their storage caves. Night fell soon enough with cool winds and a large fire set upon the tallest hill. Large vegetables were hollowed out and symbols carved along the sides. Candle wicks were lit inside the decorated vegetables to scare away any evil spirits. Ghosts are said to inhabit the earth on New Year’s Eve and return to the underworld at dawn. The villagers had a large feast the travelers thought appetizing. The strangers were invited by the village warlock to pull an apple from a water-filled tin tub with their teeth. He would peel the apple all in one curl and foretell their futures. Alaric fought hard to obtain his bouncing apple out the water. The seer reads the cut peel and foretells that our hero will have great misfortune as the gods test his strength in a sorrowful battle and remove loved ones from his life. Alas, two beautiful goddesses will help him bring back his love. Gilda cautiously chose her apple to be read. The great seer made another dire prediction. A wish will be granted, but not the way she thinks. A bound will break, but the hated one will return to her. Alexis was next. He swiftly grabbed his apple and waited patiently for the seer to peel it. The seer’s prediction contained a curse placed on him where he will have difficulty finding love. Only the curser can lift the curse. Lanie nearly did not choose an apple after hearing such negative omens. Then again, each gave the victim of misfortune a piece of hope. Her omen was that of a lover seducing her and breaking her heart. Reconciliation was possible if either can learn to forgive the other’s betrayal. The metal smith Starn picked an apple with ease and listened carefully to the omen. He shall die in glory and his death shall be avenged in such a strong way the mountain elves lives will change forever. The Sorceress pulls back her wet hair before retrieving an apple and hears the rind omen. The seer spoke of her spell books passing onto another great fortuneteller, but she will not meet this heir. After the predictions, the elves danced around the campfires and celebrated the New Year with flutes and drums.
Another stop occurred at a human community on the vast grassland without any view of the far off mountains. In this sea of green grass and black farmland being harvested, sits a fortress upon a grand hill. Tree logs held together created a wall separating the fields and the town. It is obvious that inhabitants are frequently attacked. The villagers are silent towards the strangers and the chief greets them with wariness. Once given the explanation of being a wedding party and showing the marriage contract to the chief, the family is welcomed. The chief begged for understanding of his suspicious demeanor. Spies are often in the form of travelers. The chief welcomed the party to bed within his home made of solid log walls. He was joyous of the birth of his grandson and invited the strangers to the feast. The entourage stuffed themselves with candied apples, vegetable stews, bread and butter, and one huge animal Alaric was unsure of the name. The chief requested his grandson’s future predicted by his soothsayer. Music halted and everyone sat in awe of the dark cloaked man coming forward. He said the child will become of great warrior and savior for is people. This pleased the chief. Dancing continued around the great hall when the music resumed. Many inhabitants, drunk on wine, stumbled in odd dances as onlookers giggled. Suddenly, Gilda’s hawk squawked irritably and a witch appeared in the center of the room. Most of the sober dancers stepped aside. The chief stood up to welcome the witch, but she simply waved a hand to decline the invitation. Her face hidden from view by a cloaked hood, she asked where the goddess in the room is. The guests turned to peer at the strangers. Lanie stood up and demanded her business there. The witch pulled back her hood to reveal an old woman covered in warts.
“To ask for your powers, little goddess,” answered the witch.
“How do you know I will not take them from you, witch?” asked Lanie.
“Because Andos favored me before you. I know your secret little goddess.” responded the woman.
A flash of light brightens the whole room and all the humans awkwardly covered their eyes. A fireball spoofed from the floor and a cackle echoed throughout the fortress. When it was safe again, the humans saw the witch laying facedown on the wooden plank floor. Lanie describes that the witch cast a spell and she resisted it. Then, her grandmother cast a spell to force the woman’s spirit toward the demon the witch had summoned. Then, banished she to the Underworld and the demon took off with the witch’s ghost, unleashing a fire as he left. The soothsayer examined the witch and declared her dead. The chief ordered the witch burned in a funeral pyre outside the city. No one came to mourn the witch. Now that the villagers know Lanie is a goddess, they all want souvenirs of cloth or hair from her. Gilda placed a curse on Lanie that anyone stealing anything from her will have misfortune until the stolen item is returned to Lanie. Alexis and Alaric stood guard at Lanie and Gilda’s bed chamber door. Alexis did his best to repel the worshippers. The following morning, the elves received many baskets of food to carry on their journey. The chief boasted a great harvest was reaped this year. Gilda and Lanie were inseparable until they arrived at the next resting place. The family slept outdoors on blankets near a forest edge. A river could be heard from the dark shadows of the trees. The next day, they crossed a large yellow brick bridge. The bricks looked like ones made by giants. They add coloring to their clay brick and pottery makings. They reached a village of giant humans by mid-afternoon.
Their colossal houses were of painted wood and large flowers hung around the window boxes. Gardens circumscribed their homes and colored stepping stones created paths through the flowers. Giants are large human Lotans with larger pointed noses, freckles, and tied back blond hair. They dressed similar to Brightsburg humans, but lacked the painted tattoos. A child giant is the size of Alaric. The weary wedding party settles down at an inn. Their unicorns placed in a stable and fed, the elves listen to the innkeeper brag how he had smaller rooms for elves, leprechauns, and fairies. Soon, rain clouds filled the sky and everyone rushes indoors. The giants and humans swapped stories of the outside world by the fireplace. Warm mead drinks were passed around. Some humans came from Kadacia to the west. During the dry season many leave to trade with various countries. Other tales were told of the giants celebrating the harvest festival too much and many became sick. During the harvest festival contests, an athlete won a fascinating chariot race and was given a golden sword by the chief of the village. Alaric felt he was watching the race by the way the winner told the story. The evening meal was fit for royalty, with a stuffed pig, candied fruit, cakes, biscuits the size of Alaric’s mouth, heated milk, and cooked vegetables. The elves had a pleasant night sleep before repacking their trunks at dawn. Alaric grabbed some of the large biscuits and placed them in a wooden box for later eating. The trunks back on the cart, the elves waved farewell to the giants. Once out of the town, Alaric took out Nix’s handkerchief and missed her all the more. No one really realizes how much he longs for her, not that they would care if they did. Many of the elves refuse to accept Nix as his betrothed. His family did not wish for Nix to join the entourage, so he left her where he found her.
The food in his stomach weighed Alaric down in his saddle. He pondered what he should do for the rest of his life. He was a trained warrior, but there is not always someone or something to fight. His mother recommended being a healer like herself. Alaric wanted more adventure. As they ride on to the Black Forest, Alaric’s thoughts keep getting interrupted by Alexis’s black fox he got from his brother. First, it whined. Then, it chased a squirrel up a tree. Alaric felt peace when it decided to nap across Alexis’s saddle. Alaric dreamed about the Black Forest. It is said to be an island because the sea is on one side and a river surrounds it on the other. Courtesy of Daxus, the elves learned how strange the creatures living there were. Pegasus (flying horses), centaurs, griffins, mermaids, werewolves, lizards, insects the size of elf hands, tree frogs, giant turtles, huge snails, dragons, unicorns, draghorns (half unicorn, half dragon), fauns (half man, half goat), sprites, and faeries all lived within the Black Forest. Various servants came to Leesville during Gilda’s betrothal to Daxus. Their mother taught some elf recipes and customs. One pet ferret for Gilda died and was buried in the elf cemetery. Great elves are not buried, but placed on high scaffolds and their bones are enshrined later. Alaric’s great-grandfather Euric was enshrined before Alaric was born because he was the first elf to speak to the mining trolls. He decided that when the time comes for his adult rite of passage, he will give offerings and prayers to his great-grandfather’s shrine. The adult ritual celebrates an elf transition from childhood to adulthood. The elf gives offerings and says prayers to a shrine. He or she sits at the shrine until a vision occurs. Then a celebration occurs after the vision. Both Flax and Gilda had chosen their grandmother’s shrine. She married a sprite and taught new ways to the elves and her daughter, The Sorceress.
“You are so quiet, Alaric, “interrupted Gilda.
“I’m pondering my future with Nix. I can’t decide on a profession to support a family. You and Flax had your futures chosen for you. I don’t have that luxury.” responded Alaric waking up from his thoughts.
“Luxury,” scolded Gilda. “What luxury? I wish I could have chosen my future as you can now. I never asked to marry a god. I wanted to be a judge and stop elves destroying each other. But I can have my wish within my circumstances of marrying Daxus. My vision told me to be careful what I wished for, I might get it. I wanted to break the betrothal, become chieftess of Leesville, and never leave home. But then, my love for Daxus overpowered my objections and I decided I could be a judge in the Black Forest. Isn’t that what you are thinking of, your adult ceremony? You should be since it will come ready or not.”
“Yes, I thought of that. I almost fear it. What if my vision says to do something other than what I want?” Alaric thought out loud.
“Your vision will reveal how to exploit your gifts and joys. Look into your heart Alaric, and find your destiny.” finished Gilda.
Alaric looked into his heart and only saw Nix. How could he make a human happy marrying an elf, when so many oppose a marriage? He remembered tales of his grandmother marrying a sprite and many thought it wrong. All was forgiven when Leesville was hit with a plague that had no effect on sprites, but grandmother withheld sprite medicines from those who objected to her marriage. Weeks later the entourage arrived at their destination. Gilda’s hawk leaped to chase birds calling out of the arrival of the elves. Every creature peeked out of the shadows at their new queen. Most had never seen an elf before that day. Gilda’s procession fascinated the animals. Half way through the forest, it began to sleet. They took shelter in centaurs’ homes. These centaurs live inside wooden shelters and sleep on piles of reeds. There are only two rooms, so it was quite crowded. The creatures heated a stone fireplace and gave the elves warm milk to drink. One young centaur handed out blankets. The female centaurs are grand weavers. Gilda begged to keep her blanket for her new home. The mother centaur was thrilled at the request. Once it stopped sprinkling mermaids came up to play. Next, Gilda’s unicorn acted peculiar. It refused to eat and became quite restless. It finally stepped into the icy tributary stream and disappeared. A darman appeared from the water and clapped his hands above his head. Servants rushed to him with robes and leather boots. In the master’s absence, the Queen Mermaid tended the guardian dragon flying around the sky. It landed on a snowy slope to give its master a ride to the palace gazing from a mountain. Daxus praises how everything seems to be in order compared as to when he left. Daxus flew away and the elves followed it to the fortress. They arrived at the front entrance and were welcomed by fauns. Their wet cloaks were taken to dry. Alaric was impressed by the foyer. Chandeliers hung high from the ceiling. Tapestries and murals decorated the walls. Statues and armor decorated the corners. Further in, stone staircases were ornate with figures of plants and creatures. Alaric saw a sprite installing a tile mosaic of Gilda in the wall. Light was reflected by huge brass mirrors. The mirrors were held by decorated wood frames. They are guided to a room with many chairs, stools, and cupboards. A large fireplace made from yellow brick warmed the room. Next, the elves are guided to a terrace where many creatures came to see the new queen. Gilda waves to her subjects. The subjects’ cheers are deafening.
They return inside and eat an early evening meal. Some wedding guests have arrived before the bride. The host invites the guests to the meal. The elves observe a different protocol when gods and goddesses get together. The dining tables along the walls surround a group of musicians and dancers. Every table has stone figures of symbols for all the guests to sit in the correct seat. The gods and goddesses sit at one table and the elves at another. Four courses are presented one at a time by odd servants. Alaric eyes Iris at a distance. She sits next to a god that Alaric guessed is her brother Rurik. He recognizes Elmo sitting on the other side of Iris. He can not see Elexi or his sister. After the meal, the guests walk to the sitting room again. The elves are introduced to the underworld goddess Isis. Alaric thought her pale complexion and obsidian black hair made her appear like a ghost. Her husband, the afterlife soul
judge, Hato sits perched as a phoenix bird nearby. Their daughters Manda and Charise, looking like their mother except for red phoenix wings, listen quietly to the godly conversation. Eris’s son, the god of fire Devon, whisper thoughts to Charise, his betrothed. Next, the earth god Eridu is introduced to the elves. His wife, the sphinx hunt goddess Diana, fusses over a young goddess in her arms. Their son, the war god Eris, with a dashing smile of lion’s teeth, sits up properly next to his human wife, the volcano goddess Maya appearing as dreary as Isis. Their son Ryan who looks like a Lotan human placed himself across from Iris. Iris’s sprite brother Rurik, the morning star god, holds hands with his wife, the music goddess Callisto. Their fate goddess daughter Freya quietly speaks to Diana on the floor rug. Eridu comments how the wisdom goddess Athena first scorned her daughters for wanting to attend the wedding ceremony. Her husband, the craftsmen god Talin, debated her grudge. He heard that Ishtar, the love goddess, and her family will arrive tomorrow on the centaur Talin.
Iris says her father Andos relented his grudge against Daxus and allowed his children to attend the ceremony. Iris believes it was more of her mother’s doing. Alaric had a feeling that Iris desired to see him more than the wedding. As the holy beings converse with the elves, Alaric listens in. Eris comments how it is sad the whole godly family would not attend the ceremony. Alaric thought his comment amusing since he still holds an icy grudge against Iris for throwing him in a volcano. Alaric is glad now he was not betrothed to a goddess. Alaric sits beside Iris on a cushioned bench. He secretly held her ring and telepathically told her everything about Nix. Ryan, whom has recently come of age, soon announces his new godly post of god of chaos and mischief. A post he apparently took pride in. He speaks on how around mortals he is seen as a weasel. His grandmother Diana disapproved of her grandson’s chosen position. It did give her joy to see that he had a bride in mind. Ryan’s mother remains oddly silent during the conversation. Devon comments how Ryan is already a weasel so his position suits him perfectly. Iris answers back how she made up with her brother. He gave her a green parakeet to sing to her.
As the moon shined high in the sky, the elves retire to their bed chambers. They walk by drapes hiding the room-height windows. Alaric and Iris talk alone in her bed chamber. A faun gives them hot punch to drink. Upon hearing about Alaric’s engagement, Iris promises to give him a fine wedding present. She will start on it when she returns home. Iris speaks on creatures hunting pots of gold in her realm. One sprite actually took off with the treasure. Baskets were laid upon many windowsills in the fortress. Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice. Iris gives Alaric an Idun’s Eve gift of an amulet he can call her by. Alaric swings the embroidered pouched smelling of herbs around his neck. Iris comments how his magic crystal now hangs from his belt instead of a necklace. After the vampire incident, he desires his life saver closer to his hands. He apologizes for not having a gift for her and slices off a bit of hair for her to keep in a pouch to remember him by. Finally, bids her good night with a kiss. When Alaric reaches his bed chamber, a faun there announces that the master has ordered baths drawn for all guests before settling into bed. At first, Alaric was confused. They could have taken baths in the river before they came to the fortress.
“Here you take baths in a stone tub with warm water. My master has said elves take baths in rivers so I am to show you what to use.” declares the faun.
Alaric follows the faun into an adjoining room. Fresh clean towels hang on a chair. Steaming water filled a stone tub. The servant points out the soap, sponges, towels, and wooden sandals. He tells Alaric to leave his clothes in the bathtub room. The mermaids will wash them. He then leaves. It was the best bath Alaric had ever had. He washes himself in the tub until the water grew cold. He slips on the sandals and wrapped himself in the towels. He enters his bed chamber where his trunks sit near his bed. He changes into a soft wool shirt and woolen pants, tying them closed. He hears a door and the servant faun comes in to grab the towels. He bids the elf a pleasant sleep. The feather bed and pillows gave the amazed elf pleasant dreams. He thought he could live life like this forever, but then he thought he would get bored after a while.