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.
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