I wasn’t quite shore what she meant but stood and brushed the dried dirt from my now ratty looking dress, the spider silk cape seemed to repel all forms of dirt.
We all stood in a group awaiting Isha and her guards to lead us in. Michael and I stood in the front beside Isha. She shot a quick glance at my rather dismal looking dress before taking a stride forwards.
“Brace yourself,” Michael said from beside me.
“For wha’ ompth-“ It felt as though all the wind had been knocked out of me. I stumbled forwards through what felt like a solid brick wall. Michael stepped through after me looking quite pale when he got to the other side.
“What was that!” I gasped wrapping my hands around my stomach and collapsing onto the grass.
“One of many wards to keep intruders out.” Trina explained, looking at me with some concern but also looking rather pale. Michael helped me to my feet with some difficulty, as he was not much better off than I was.
“It is a magic wall designed to keep out unwanted guests but the side effect of it is that those that have the gift of magic find it rather solider than those that don’t.” she went on to explain.
I watched as some witches stepped through the invisible wall with little to no resistance whilst others had varying levels of difficulty. Once everyone was through we continued into the trees. We encountered two more wards; one was like walking through jelly and the other like a fine misty shower, before we met our first elves. They where not kind looking as Trina was but had sharp features and harsh expressions.
“State you name and business,” They said as we approached them.
“I am Isha, leader of the Falorna clan. We have come to deliver your kins men back to you.” She gestured to Trina, Michael and I.
The two elves – both men – turned to look at Michael and Trina. Seeming satisfied they stepped in front of Isha and each held one hand out, supporting it with the other and shot bursts of golden light at an invisible barrier. A crack appeared in the air, slowly it grew wider to reveal a city of entwined vines and branches, and small lights glowing in the treetops. The two guards walked through, escorting us into Tisăndor.
Chapter 16
Fauns chased laughing elves through the forest calling playfully as they dashed between the tall trees. Undines bathed in the clear water of the river, singing a joyful, echoing melody.
We where lead through the trees between homes, stealing glances of elves working within. A weathered elf looked up as we passed him, pausing in with a length of glowing metal immersed in red-hot coals.
Some of the witches where lead off to join the elves in their games Isha was happy to see them go as we where drawing a lot of unwanted attention as a large group.
The sound of clashing metal reached my ears as we passed a training field full of duelling pairs, others standing around them shouting encouragement, taunts and advice.
I gasped as I set eyes on our destination, rising up above the canopy in front of us was a mass of spiralling and twisted vines linking trees to form great hall. The sounds of the city where dulled as we entered. Soft lights glowed from candles on the walls lighting our way. We passed elves studying in the alcoves. Finally seeing the world that my father had spun in my mind was over whelming. My vision blurred as a set of doors made of gold leaf met us at the end, guarded by the queens’ soldiers loomed up before us, exactly as Dad had described it. I felt the Michaels presence behind me as he stepped up to the front of the group, he reached over and squeezed my hand briefly before moving around me and coming to stand by Isha. I took a deep breath and smiled, Dad wouldn’t want me to be sad, this was his world and I could finally share it with him.
Our guides spoke with the guards before leaving us and returning to their positions at the invisible wall. The golden doors opened inwards to reveal a room flooded with light from the many glowing orbs floating above our heads.
Trina, Michael, Isha and myself stepped into the room as the witches left us to find a place to rest back in the hall.
Sitting in a throne made from clear crystal was the most beautiful woman that I had ever seen. Her skin was pale and smooth; she had well-defined cheekbones and cherry red lips. Her hair was the colour of pale gold and hung limply over her golden gown that clung to her slim figure.
Michael stepped forwards and dropped to one knee.
“My Queen,” He started, “I have brought the child Lady Amaris as you asked. With her is Isha the leader of the Falorna clan, who assisted in our safe return.”
He did not rise until the queen stood and stepped down from her throne.
She walked forwards and came to stand before me. I looked down not wanting to be disrespectful. I could feel her eyes on me but she did not speak. After a moment she moved to speak with Isha.
“Isha, I thank you for delivering these children to me. I have heard of your journey and believe I have much to thank you and your people for. You will of course stay with us for as long as you wish.”
Isha bowed her head thanking the Queen before turning and leaving through the golden doors to join her clan.
“Trina,” Said the queen, turning to face her, “Your carers have been most concerned for your safety. You should go and set their minds at ease.”
Trina bowed blushing slightly and hurriedly followed Isha from the room.
With only Michael and myself left I grew more nervous, wondering if I should speak to the queen or remain silent.
“It is alright to feel scared Amaris. I have been watching you for some time now. You gave us all quite a scare when you and Michael met with that unfortunate accident at your home. It took most of my strength to keep you from serious harm. I believe you still have a scar on you hip, yes?” “We have made arrangements for you to remain here with us for as long as you wish to,” she continued. “Over the next few weeks you will be tutored by Mr Almasto, who also teaches Michael. He is a wise man, try not to anger him,” She added with a smile. “Michael, can you please show Amaris where she will be sleeping. I believe clothing and food has been laid out for you both. Have a good nights rest, I will call for you again soon.”
She turned and left the room by a side door, that I had not noticed earlier, and left me feeling very over whelmed and suddenly tired.
My room was on the far side of the city, built in the top of a tree. To get up we had to climb a set of stairs built into the tree using twisted vines as steps. There was no roof on the house but it was sectioned off by vines twisted to form an intricate design of an elf running through a sea of rivers and flowers. Michael stayed with me to eat our supper of fruit and fish before returning to his own room that was up a second set of stairs above mine.
The next morning I was woken by a soft breeze on my face and a gentle swaying of the tree. After washing my face in the water basin I dressed in the set of leather garments that had been left for me. There was also a dress of fine silk that I decided against as I was rather over dresses for now. I tucked my cloak; which I had been using as a blanket, under my pillow as Michael stumbled down the stairs.
“Quick were late,” was all he said as he headed for the ladder.
Waiting for us at the base of the tree was a tray of bread and honey with a jug of water for breakfast. I took my queue from Michael and dipped my entire bread roll into the honey and continued off along the track sucking the honey off my fingers.
The air was crisp and misty, it couldn’t have been long past sunrise but already there where signs of elves strolling through the canopy above us, waving to Michael as they leapt through the branches overhead.
“How do they get up there?” I asked.
“We are creatures of the forest,” He said climbing over a tree root. “We are more agile than humans, it is the way we are. You will pick it up soon enough.”
I thought about this as we walked on past the houses. It was true that over the last year or so I had found myself able to climb and run easier, but I had always put this down to growing taller.
Mr Almasto’s house was not like the others which were made to look like a natural occurrence in the shaping of the tree. Mr Almasto’s was more of a hut made of sticks and mud that was placed in the top one of the highest trees in the city.
“Michael, how do we get up?” I asked seeing that there where no stairs or ladder.
He pulled out a length of rope that I had mistaken for a vine, which was hanging from one of the branches above us and started climbing. He pulled himself up, hand over hand, walking his feet up the side of the trees trunk. When he reached the top, he swung out and kicked a trap door that was in the bottom of the hut and pulled himself through.
I stood at the bottom watching with my mouth open. Crap, I thought. It had to be a rope, my worst apparatus in P.E. at school and here it was again. I cursed my P.E. teacher the whole way up the rope. ‘You never know when you may need to climb a rope’ he had said, we all just rolled our eyes at him. I could just picture his face if he saw me now, halfway up a tree hanging by one hand from the rope and blowing on the other after a bad case of rope burn.
Michael was waiting at the top for me and helped me into the trapdoor. Inside it was very hot and dark, a stark contrast to the cool, breezy air sweeping across the forest at the time.
“Your late,” said a husky voice from across the room. This was followed by a flurry of light from all sides of the room, bouncing off the walls and smashing pictures.
“At least you haven’t forgotten all of my training whilst you have been gone.” The voice said again, the attack immediately ceased.
I rubbed my elbow where I had collided with the cabinet in an attempt to avoid the line of fire. The man, who I assumed to be our tutor waved his hand and with out so much of a shimmer, put the room back to how it was before the fight.
“Well let’s get a look at you.”
I stepped closer to him so as to not seem rude.
“Hmm, hip seems to have healed nicely, appears to have grown a lot in a short period of time. Never the less, you seem to have embraced your elfin blood, yes?”
“Um, yes I guess so.”
He rose from his chair stepping into the light. He looked vaguely familiar. His features where not smooth like the rest of the elves. He looked to be human in fact. He had a short tawny beard and rough tanned skin. The only soft things about him were his light blue eyes that where almost white.
“Recognise me do you, wasn’t shore if you would. You where pretty out of it whilst I was tending to you. Took most of my own and the queens magic to save you both, silly children.” He added in an undertone.
I remembered where I had seen him now; he was the doctor that had come when Michael had fallen off the ladder. He looked younger than I remembered though; he carried himself better and had an air of confidence and power about him.
“Well we can’t stand around talking all day. Its down to work, you have a lot to learn. Yes you too Michael, you where gone far too long for my liking. I think we will start you on a little history work. Read that book over there,” he pointed to a book roughly the size of a paving stone and 5 times as thick, “and Miss Amaris, we will start by testing you to see what you do and don’t know. Right lets get to work.”
I spent the next two hours deflecting small objects that he sent flying at me from around the room whilst Michael read in the corner. After the third vase flew over his head smashing on the wall an inch above his head he projected a kind of magical barrier around himself much to the amusement of Mr Almasto.
We moved outside so that I could use elements once he was satisfied that I could throw vases around.
I couldn’t make water appear in my hand and I couldn’t control the wind, but I did singe his bushy eyebrows with my fire projection.
“Easy there little lady, I am rather fond of my facial hair.”
I felt bad until he looked up and I noticed that his eyebrows had regrown themselves.
“Ok well you seem to have a handle on the basic magical skills, but I wonder if you know how to conjure?”
I gave him a look that plainly said, What?
“Make a bird appear on that log.” He said pointing to a rotten log by the base of the tree.
I had no idea how to do it but I gathered my magic and muttered the first thing that came into my head.
“Imergio,” To my credit, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. True I sunk his home about 6 feet into the ground, but we got it out in the end with only a little help from a group of passing elves and with no help from Michael who stood at the trap door laughing.
“Tell me,” Mr Almasto said as he picked bits of mid of his pants, “what made you go for that word?”
“I don’t know, it was the first thing that came into my head, and since that’s how I made the fire it seemed like a good idea,” I finished lamely.
“It takes years of practice for someone to do what you just did, but I fear that you have no idea what it was that you actually did, which makes you an incredible danger to yourself and those around you.”
We went back up the rope to his house where he gave me a pile of books and scrolls to read for homework than dismissed the both of us.
I didn’t talk to Michael on the walk back to our rooms. I had the feeling that I was not going to like it very much here. He seemed to sense that something was wrong though and insisted that we go and explore the city before attempting the pile of work ahead of us.
The city was beautiful in the light of day. The elves had not so much built the city as the forest had adapted around them. Their homes looked as natural in the treetops as if they had grown there, workshops on the ground could pass as small hills or just large twisted tree roots coming up through the forest floor.
The elves where generally very friendly people. They waved and called greetings as we passed, a few stopped to talk with Michael looking at me with curiosity before continuing on with their various tasks.
I was surprised to find that not all elves looked alike, like the funny little green people that where in my storybooks. Some were brown, some green, some multi coloured, some were fair skinned and some dark. Their hair was in just as many colours as they where, most had hair that complemented their skin, brown for brown, green for green but some had hair that changed colour depending on the light or their mood and some where so dark that it was hard to see them if they stood in shadow.
Michael introduced me to a man that had dark olive skin and snow white hair. His name was Marshika and he was an armourer by trade. His work hung on the walls and roof around his workshop, above the hot coals. His weapons where made with such fine detail and care that I imagined they would cost a small fortune to buy.
“No not at all,” He laughed in a deep gruff voice when I asked him, “We do not trade in money here but in goods. It is to the benefit of our people that they have fine weapons and I am happy to supply them.”
He spotted my own dagger than, which I had taken to wearing around my waist, and asked if he could see it.
“One of yours Michael? It is a fine weapon, you should be proud to wear it. Michael does not often work with metal. I have asked him many times to come and work with me but always to be turned down.” He gave me a playful wink before returning the dagger and turning back to his work.
Michael introduced me to many more people as we walked. Some gave us gifts from their stalls, chewy honey candy which was shaped like tiny bees, a clear drink that tasted of coconut and spices. But the thing that I enjoyed the most was when we passed by the river where there were Undines playing in the shallows, fauns and satyrs playing pipes and chasing maidens through the water whilst elves lazed in the shade and ate from vast plates of fruit.
A small girl came running out of the forest giggling as she chassed an Undine across the bank.
“No fair.” She sulked as the Undine dove into the water leaving her standing in the shallows. A faun swept her up spinning her around his head, making her giggle and scream as he tossed her through the air.
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��Are those the Undines that we met before?” I asked.
“No, all undines look pretty much alike, they prefer it that way. But once you get to know them you will be able to tell them apart.”
A wispy maiden dashed past grasping my hand in hers, her skin warm but rough like bark. We danced through the shallows as fauns came galloping up behind us. A fire was lit on the shore as it grew dark. I danced until I could barely move, than sat and watched the spirits and forest people dance into the night. Their dancing was as light as the wind, transparent beings spun above the flames sending sparks jumping up out of the fire.
The little girl had fallen asleep hours ago and was curled up against the warm fur of a dark faun. We left as the fire died down to ambers and the smell of morning was crisp in the wind.
Unfortunately we had been so taken with the festivities that we had forgotten about our homework. It was much better than any homework that I had been given at school because there where no book reports, essays or creative responses. All I had to do was read.
Michael stayed in my room practising his spells to keep me company whilst I read. It seemed like hard work, it wasn’t just a matter of casting, as much as finding the correct sequence of words, than learning how to pronounce them. Once this was done, 9 times out of 10, the words where not quite right. He did produce some very interesting results, even if they weren’t the ones that he needed. At one point he turned all the wood in the room pink and gave off a strong smell of fairy floss.
We left for lessons not long after sunrise. I felt odd because I knew that I should have been tired, yet I was wide awake. I wondered if Michael had taken me out on purpose to get me us to the way elves lived and slept; or lack there of.
I spent the day in Mr Almasto’s stuffy house, deciphering rolls of ancient script whilst he and Michael spared outside. I found myself gazing absently out the window as the clouds drifted lazily across the small part of sky I could see through the small window.
Bladed Wings Page 14