by Toni Cox
“That is not the only thing you have been neglecting, but I am sure you are aware of that.”
Maia blushed.
Silas’ steel grey eyes narrowed for just a moment and he then continued mercilessly. “I think your time would be better spent with me today. Fire can wait another day for your attentions. Come, join me, please.”
Reluctantly she followed the old Elf down towards his cave, back down the steps she had just climbed. She watched his grey pony tail sway ahead of her as she followed with heavy steps. He had been her teacher since she was born and she would not dare to oppose him, but she dreaded what was to come.
His cave tunnelled deep into the cliff face their city rested on. Like their storage caves, it was always cold within, but Silas had filled the space with his desks, counters, and shelves, sleeping couches and all sorts of equipment and paraphernalia. The benches and stools were bedecked with pillows and blankets and the stone floor was covered in rugs and furs. A central fire heated the space, which was about thirty paces wide and forty paces long, and it always felt cosy enough. Flickering crystal lanterns lit the passage that led to the cavern.
They walked the hundred or so paces in silence, making Maia feel strangely uncomfortably in the old man’s presence.
“The fire is ready. Will you make us some tea, please?”
When Maia nodded her assent, Silas moved over to one of his many desks and ruffled through the paperwork piled up there. Maia briefly wondered about the many papers that looked like messenger notes. Silas always had order and never left a thing undone; for this many notes to have accumulated, the workload must be great.
She went to the fire and hung the kettle from the hook over the flames. While the water heated, she took out two crystal mugs with carved, bone handles and put together an assortment of herbs for the tea. Silas always kept a variety of herbs in his tea box; some simply for their taste, others for their medicinal properties. She used only mint for herself; it was her favourite; but used chamomile, fennel, and honey for Silas, all for their calming properties. Maia cast him a quick glance, but he was not watching her. She did not want him to notice that she was trying to influence his mood. She was worried that the request to come to his cave could only mean another scolding for her lack of interest in anything since the war.
Once the water was boiling, she took the kettle off the hook with the special mitten she made for Silas when she was still a child and then poured the steaming water over the leaves in the cups. She smiled a little at the thought that Silas had kept the mitten all these years.
He now came over to sit by the fire and she handed him his cup before he took his seat.
“Mmm, it is nice,” Silas said as he took a careful sip of the hot liquid. “Thank you, my child.”
Silas had not called her my child since she turned one hundred; twenty-three years ago. Maia barely remembered her birthday this year. It had been a low-key affair during the Moon of Storms. Had not been for her twin brother Jaik, who she obviously shared a birthday with, she would not even have attended the celebrations held in their home.
Narrowing her eyes, she carefully took a sip of the hot tea, fearing the lecture she knew was to come.
Silas did not disappoint; he came straight to the point. “I have been meaning to talk to you for a while now, but have delayed it in the hope that you would find your own way back. However, it seems this is not the case and things within the city are moving apace. I think it is time for you to stop your childish behaviour and act like the Prime you are. We all understand what happened last year has taken its toll on you, but that is now many Moons past and you need to move on. In addition, you should repent for what you have allowed to happen. You know my feelings about this.
“There are duties that await you now that the weather is warmer and you should see them as your opportunity to put the world back in order. Jagaer wishes that you take a journey to the cities that lost warriors during the war. The people need you to inspire hope within them. You are their Prime. Reports about Vampyre sightings are becoming more frequent; we have not reached the end of the fight with the Vampyres just yet. The people are scared.”
Silas took a few small sips from his tea before he continued.
“There will be a meeting in the Elder Hall at sundown. All the Commanders of the Warrior Houses, as well as the Elders and some of the Nobility, will attend. It is expected of you to be there. Can I count on you to attend?”
“Yes, Silas,” Maia replied quietly.
She was, of course, aware of most of what had happened in the last six Moons. After the war of Greystone, the warriors from the cities of Grildor returned to their homes to mourn and bury their dead. Shadow Hall mourned their dead as well; in an elaborate ceremony that should have been led by her; and it had taken many Moons for life in the city to normalise. The threat of the Vampyres remained; many had escaped during the war and had scattered over the land. Hunting parties had been sent out, but the hunt stopped during the cold Moons of winter due to heavy snowfalls and blizzards. Now, with the spring melts almost over and warmer weather on the horizon, the hunt was most likely to continue.
Greystone, their Gate to the other Life Planets, was now under guard night and day. They were sure no more Vampyres had come through since the war, but the ones already in Grildor were being handled as a serious threat; they all knew too well what they were capable of. The fact that her father wanted her to go on an ambassador mission did not surprise her; she was her peoples’ Life Elemental and the people drew strength and hope from her.
She only wished that there was someone she could draw strength and hope from. Blaid had abandoned her; the thought broke her heart anew. She told herself she did not care that they had broken the law by being together; all she wanted was to be with him. Yet she did care and her conflicting emotions made matters much more difficult. Blaid was the one person she was not allowed to be with, yet he was the very one she needed the most.
Aaron; ever hopeful that she might still change her mind and be with him; had lavished his attentions on her through the winter. He was her Human husband that she brought with her after her trial on Earth, but here on Elveron their marriage was null and void.
She vaguely remembered evenings during the winter when they sat around the fire, often joined by their children Luke and Jasmin, or even Jaik and Archer, but for her it had just been something to pass the time. Nothing over the past few Moons had captured her interest and she knew she had become reclusive and unresponsive.
The Life Elemental in her had been aware of the vibrant city around her, but in her own misery, she shut it out and became numb to all the life around her. Maybe Silas was right and it was time for her to look at who she had become. Maybe going away was not such a bad idea.
“I am glad you decided to join us, Princess,” Jaik whispered next to her.
She gave him a scathing glance; her twin knew how she hated it when he called her that. He smiled at her disarmingly and kissed her on the cheek. She could not stay angry with him; she loved her brother.
Jaik looked very much like her, but his hair was a little lighter and there was a grey tinge to his green eyes. Like her, he had almond shaped eyes and a sensual mouth; but, on him, it looked manly; on her it looked very feminine. Today he was so handsome in his Commander’s uniform; brass buttons, black leather, the elemental medallion engraved on the blue breastplate and his weapons strapped to his back; but she also noticed how he had aged.
No, she thought, he has matured.
Elves did not age like other people did; hair seldom went grey and lines and wrinkles would usually only appear after one’s three-thousandth birthday. Therefore, it was not age, but maturity she now saw in her brother’s eyes and she had to remind herself that not just she had a hard time of it after the war. As twins, they were close, and she now realised how her state of mind must have made his winter Moons a misery for him.
She felt instant regret and reached over to take his hand in hers.
He smiled at her.
Someone kicked a bench close behind her and it brought her back to the present. They were on the lowest tier of the Elder Hall, closest to the speaker’s platform. The grand, eleven-sided hall was starting to fill up. The eleven Elders were seated to their left, also on the lowest tier. The Guard sat to their right, next to their Commander. The Commanders of the other Warrior Houses were finding their seats even as Maia glanced around the room and many of the Nobility were still filing in, finding their seats on the upper tiers of the hall.
Her father, Lord Regent of Grildor, stood beside Silas on the speaker’s platform, quietly discussing something. Her father would look up from time to time to scan the crowd gathering in the hall. Inadvertently his look would always find her and every time her heart broke a little more with the amount of worry she saw in his eyes.
Jagaer was a stately man; tall, as most Elves were, but also well-muscled. His hair was the same colour as Jaik’s, but his eyes were more grey; than green. He was handsome, with a strong jaw and straight nose, but the worry in his eyes made him look tired. She wished she could take some of the worry from him, but also knew she was part of the problem. She fought the lump forming in her throat; she seemed to be the cause of everyone’s worry. Angrily, she sat up a little straighter; she would do whatever it was her father wished her to do, even if that meant spending Moons away from home to travel to the cities throughout Grildor. She had much to atone for.
Soon everyone had arrived and the meeting began. Silas, as her father’s advisor, read the agenda for today before her father started the meeting. Maia was surprised by all the items that needed to be discussed; she had been so involved with her own problems and feelings, she had neglected to pay attention to the internal mechanisms that made their beautiful city work.
The Workers Lanes needed to be re-cobbled; they were some of the few paths in the city on the ground and not in the air. An additional thirty-five foaling stables were to be built, as foaling season was upon them soon. The Smithy needed a new bellows; the Armoury was looking for workers; four bridges needed to be reinforced within their tree city and final arrangements for the Spring Feast Celebration needed approval.
Maia paid close attention during the discussions of these fairly trivial matters; the affairs of her people should concern her and she felt guilty now that she was made aware of her lapse of interest.
Then the discussions turned to the more serious matters - Vampyres.
Again, Silas read out the agenda.
“The hunt for the Vampyres has already resumed, but we are still looking for more volunteers.”
Silas briefly looked up from his paper and glanced over the people assembled before him. Maia heard the shuffle of feet and murmured conversations. Many had died during the war and their ranks needed to be replenished; it was an unpleasant task to replace those who had died. Silas continued.
“Royander Dragonthorn has taken the place of Lenero Woods in the Guard, so no one is needed there. There are still seven openings within the Regiment and we will take anyone willing to join the Legion. The Scouts and the Night Watch have also lost men. The Commanders of these Warrior Houses are to start enlisting with immediate effect and are to report to me with any developments.”
“My Lord,” Commander Ridgewell, Commander General of the Regiment, spoke up,” I have a list of candidates ready if you would like to review it.”
Commander Ridgewell was one of their most respected Commanders, commanding not only the first division of the Regiment, but overseeing all eleven regiments. He was older; probably in his eighteenth century; and had a wealth of experience. Maia enjoyed his company, as he was intelligent and shrewd, yet kind and respectful. His dark brown eyes contrasted starkly with his fair hair and it gave him an almost brooding look; if one did not know him, he could come across as somewhat intimidating.
“Yes, Rowlean, please come and see me at the House of the Guardians after the meeting,” Silas replied.
He made a note on the current paper he was reading and then put it aside. Picking up a new sheet, he continued with the agenda.
“Rathaés has reported two attacks during the last Moon. Both were within the forest surrounding their mountain, not close to the city, but five people died. The incidents have sparked renewed fear that the Vampyres are spreading further. They have been quiet during the winter Moons, but now that the weather is warmer attacks are becoming more frequent. The attacks on Rathaés are not the only ones and because of this we need to concentrate on renewing our stocks of weapons. The manufacturing of spearheads and arrowheads is behind schedule due to a shortage of steel. Caravans from the Crystal Mountains have been raided and Stoneloft is now wary of sending their goods across the lake. We are also training replacement horses for those killed during the war. There are plenty of young horses to replenish the ranks, but they are not ready for war. The Horse Guard is looking for anyone able to assist in training.”
Silas shuffled his paper and then continued.
“Communications with the Gates outside of Grildor are still active, but all Sirens have now been covered up again.”
Maia was glad the Sirens were no longer active; she had seen to the Keepers after the war. Many of them had displayed signs of exposure; bleeding from the nose and ears, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and headaches.
Activating the Sirens had most likely stopped the Vampyres coming through the other Gates; only Greystone was attacked, although the information Somas gathered back then was that the attacks were to happen at all Gates around the globe simultaneously. There were five Gates on Elveron; spread over the globe; and one could only communicate with the Keepers of the other Gates via the Sirens; large crystals mined from deep beneath the earth emitting a certain frequency interpreted by the Keepers. However, the frequency could be damaging to the body and long exposure was not advisable. During inactivity, the Sirens were housed in specially constructed structures that prevented the frequency from being heard.
“And lastly, we need to address the matter of Good Will.” Silas finished and handed the papers to her father.
Lord Longshadow cleared his throat and looked at the congregation around him; worry distorted his handsome features. He then launched the discussion of the first item on the agenda. Maia again paid close attention and the more she listened, the more miserable she felt. The worries of the city and her people in general suddenly seemed so much bigger than her own problems. How had she been so self-absorbed right through the winter and not seen how much her people had needed her? She could have helped in so many ways. When her father finally began the discussion of Good Will, she sat up and leant forward, listening closely to what was expected of her. Even if she had a lapse of sense over the past few Moons, she now had a chance to redeem herself.
“Many warriors lost their lives during the war and many families lost their loved ones,” her father began. “The winter Moons have thus far prevented us from sending delegations to the cities, but now that the warmer weather has finally arrived, it is time that we show the people our Good Will.”
A murmur of agreement went through the hall. Shadow Hall was the capital city of Grildor as the seat of their Lord Regent, and the other cities looked toward Shadow Hall for not only trade, but also assistance, reinforcements and every aspect concerning the state.
“My daughter, Maia, will be sent as ambassador to the following cities: Thala Yll, Alea Yll, Braérn and Crook Harbour. My son, Jaik, will be sent to Tarron Heights and Rathaés.”
Again, people voiced their approval, but Maia’s heart sank; she hoped to travel with Jaik. She exchanged a brief look with her brother, but he did not seem surprised; as Commander of the Guard, he had been aware of the arrangements already.
“The delegations will leave within a fortnight, shortly after the Spring Feast celebrations, and if anyone wishes to accompany either one, please put the request in with Silas so that arrangements can be made. Notices will be put up in the morning; in the meantime, Command
ers please spread the news to your respective commands. Each delegation will have members of the Guard, Scouts and Regiment travelling with them, so they will be well protected. A list of the warriors accompanying the delegations has already been set up and is available on request.”
As her father droned on about the finer details of the ambassador missions, Jaik took her hand in his and gave it a light squeeze.
“It will be all right,” he whispered. “I have overseen the detail for your guard myself and you will be pleased with your companions.” He kissed her on the forehead. “We will not be apart for long.”
“Oh, you have to take the white dress, it is so beautiful,” Jasmin chirped, and danced back towards Maia’s wardrobe to fetch the said dress.
A few days remained before her departure; only after Spring Feast; but Jasmin insisted on helping Maia pack. Wolf lay on the sheepskin rug in front of the bed, watching the two girls and excitedly wagged his tail every time Jasmin had another idea.
Maia smiled at her Human daughter; she was always so cheerful. Blue eyes, blond hair and a mouth that looked as if she was permanently smiling made her seem always happy. Although bringing Jasmin, and her brother, as well as their father here, had been an accident, she was now glad it had happened. Jasmin was a joy to be around, her brother Luke was intelligent and funny, and she had even learned to accept Aaron, even if it was only as a friend. They had been husband and wife back on Earth, but the love they shared there had not come back with them to Elveron - at least not for Maia.
It had taken the Humans some time to get used to their new surroundings and the strange people and creatures they knew only from their myths and legends, but in the end, they came to feel at home here and Maia knew they were happy now.
“Do you know for how long you will be gone?” Jasmin asked.
“I am not sure. It all depends on our travelling conditions and on the people. Some might want us to stay longer. But if all goes well, we should be back before the end of Watchers Moon.”