Chapter Five

The realm of the elven, was, at the least, extravagant. Skyla had never seen such displays of luxuries, such senseless use of precious resources. Of course, Skyla, and every Nephinali knew that the arrogant elven nobles thrived off the working lower tiers of those who live below them. Leave it be. You’re job isn’t to whine. As the flight walked down the carved streets, she glanced at the elven nearby, walking with heads high up and down the streets. They whispered to each other, smiling and pointing to the polished gliders as the formation walked down the street, the elven robes displayed against the white of the houses and spired manors of Elvenia. They don’t look like they’ve worked a day in their lives Skyla thought bitterly. But, she held her tongue. It wasn’t her job to speak and cause a ruckus; it was her job to follow orders and obey. Still though, while she enjoyed the amazing buildings of the elven, it just seemed too much, too pointless. All that wasted resources. In a realm where everything was useful or essential, every grain, every ore and animal and plant was to be tended carefully and harvested, never going to waste. Mind your head, girl! Skyla yelled to herself in her mind. Ignore their blatant misuse of materials and do your job. All that matters is that they provide magical aid and assistance! Skyla sighed, as she usually did whenever her own voice berated her mind. It was then that she noticed that her deep thinking had distracted her from noticing that the elven leader was still talking. He was conversing to the commander, or rather, telling him about the “majestic history and glory of Elvenia.” Commander Ile merely responded with “Yes” or “Interesting,” appearing like he was enjoying or listening attentively to the conversation. But Skyla could tell, beneath that brown hair and smiling mouth, he was loathed to hear more about how great the elven were. Skyla could see though why Commander Ile had been chosen for this task. He played their game well, presenting himself as interested by their own self-glorifications, making himself more amiably to get the desired response from the elven. He even winked a few times at some giggling elven girls who franticly whispered about him. Finally, after the elven parade leading them had taken their time in showing them everything great built by the elven, the flight was led into the manor, the central seat of the elven. Everyone recognized it from the outside, white spires with floating stones on the top, several large domes and a central large tower where the elven resided. Or at least the nobles. The inside though, that was something new. Massive hallways glittered with ornament carvings and strange lines, colorful sigils and marks surrounded the walls. The elven also apparently favored descriptive sculptures, which where found alongside the hallways. Skyla looked at one on her left, presenting a beautiful elven in a large majestic robe, his palm outstretched, with a few rocks magically suspended above his hand. The elven leader still yammered on, but Skyla barely paid any attention to him anymore. Finally, they arrived at a large domed room, with strange glittering lights on the ceiling. Are those burning insects? Or moving fire? Either way, it looked interesting, but Skyla quickly diverted her gaze from the architecture and to the large group of people sitting around the main circle, drinking from cups and chatting to each other with high voices. It looked more like a party than a serious meeting of political advisers! The gliders were ushered into the central circle, as the nobles around them began to pay some attention to the them. One voice in particular, said, with a high degree of pomp, “Ah, the visiting emissaries from Nephinal, come to gaze upon my glory, I see!” Everyone looked to the one who had spoken. It was a young elven male, seated on a plush cushion, attended by several women and drinking from a silver cup. This elven seemed apart from the rest, as they gave him looks of reverence. He didn’t look like much of a leader, with a smiling face and smug brow. However, the elven seated below him looked the exact opposite: dull, stoic, almost cold. They looked old, not physically (elven never looked old), but in their eyes and the way they held themselves. “Leredae Tanmuil,” Commander Ile said, with a slight bow to the young elven. “Ah, respect. Thank you, commander, for your reverence. I know my presence can be invigorating. So, what is it that you little humans require of us again?” Skyla bristled at being called “little humans” but said nothing, as did everyone else. “I am sure, your eminence, that you know that war is coming again to the Room.” Replied Commander Ile. “The Room?” asked the leredae with raised brow. “Ah, yes, war is coming again to Moorod. I have come to ask if you will stand with us again, against the tyrannical powers of Mig.” Ile corrected himself. Even concerning the name of the world, the elven had to have their way. “Please commander, so quick in your demands. Enjoy yourself! You are all in my halls!” Tanmuil said with great gusto. He then turned to Skyla, and with a grin, said, “My, my, you’re a pretty one!” Skyla did her best to not make any emotional response, keeping her face completely still. Ile interrupted, saying, “Ahem. If you would, we need a response, Leredae Tanmuil.” “Hmph,” replied the elven noble, with an almost boring tone, “I might consider such an, agreement, but I would like something, a gift, or something that would make the deal worthwhile.” He looked at Skyla again, his arrogant demeaner grinning at her as he said, “How do you like dark rooms girl?” “We have that here,” pointed Commander Ile, revealing a small black box, which Skyla had seen Blanche wearing. “Pssh, oh commander. That is so dull, so boring! I have gifts a plenty given to me daily by the people of this land! No, I am more interested in, lively things,” smirked Tanmuil with a sly grin. Skyla tried to ignore him but responded with an icy tone that surprised even her, “We don’t bargain with Gliders.” “Oooo my, she’s a cold one, isn’t she!” said Tanmuil to the rest of his assembly, laughing haughtily, as the other elven looked to themselves and begam mimicking him. “I do like them like that!” Skyla’s internal voice was practically screaming at her to calm down, and to not give him any response. Her fist clenched. “Oh, you getting angry little golden hair? I’m sure I could take that out of you! I like the ones that fight the most!” with that the entire chorus of nobles laughed with an extremely irking fake laugh. Skyla stepped forward, but Blanche held out her hand and stopped her, whispering to her ear in a hard tone, “Don’t do it.” Skyla turned around, and after breathing heavily, said to the commander, “Permission to step outside, sir.” He looked around and said, “Granted, stay by the doors and wait there.” Skyla simply nodded, and stomped out the dome, as the arrogant elven leader called out with a smug voice, “No need to be so upset! I am always open for you, darling, he he!”

Skyla stomped outside the door, standing in the ornament hallway. She paced around, trying to blow off some steam. Argh! Why? Can’t this just be a normal mission! IF I get my hands on that dirty bas-No. Calm down Skyla. She took a very deep and long breath. Just do your job and keep calm. Settled with her anger, Skyla stood attention at the elaborate door, watching a few stray elven nobles pass by, their eyes shifting toward the single glider, before returning to their idle conversations. Skyla gave them a steely gaze, and they backed away. At least some people respect that. She almost cursed, but took a deep breath, and stood still by the door. Hopefully, the conversation would go quickly, but based on what she had heard about elven, Skyla doubted the gliders would get an affirmative “yes” to their alliance. Though they always got it from Elvenia. The elven truly knew that they couldn’t stand alone against Mig, but by the aardvark, they loved to act as is they could take on anything, that they were “helping the poor defenseless Nephinali” from the “Mig bullies.” As if Nephinal was ever truly defenseless. Small, often weak, but never submissive, and NEVER defenseless. Skyla gripped the small curved sword at her side, while she amply looked around for any threats that might appear. As if that’ll happen. However, the view was nice. It was so strange to view Nephinal, or at least the corner, far away. The Blue Castle looked so small, barely visible from the corner of the great walls of the Room. In contrast, the Scour Fields and Mig looked, perhaps smaller? Or just less overwhelming. From Nephinal, Mig was this massive fortress that almost reached the Uppergrowth, imposing, unchallenged. Here, it was sideways, tilted, off, less terrifying. Maybe that’s why the elven thought they were superior. Skyla stared at the view for some while, as the minutes passed by. At least this she could do; stand guard and stand tall for her nation. It would have been boring, if not for the fact that she had trained for jobs like this all the time. One had to be ever vigil. Still, Skyla didn’t expect anything to happen. Then someone screamed, and she heard a commotion from inside the chambers, and before Skyla could react, someone came barreling out from the chambers! The person smacked into Skyla, knocking her to the ground, while Blanche burst out of the doors, falling to the ground and yelling to Skyla “Get him!” Skyla instantly snapped into action, dashing after the figure who was clutching something in his hands. The box! That was necessary for the deal with the elven! How did someone get in and dare to grab that? From a group of Gliders even?! Skyla didn’t have time to think about it, as the figure kept running, pushing over surprised elven nobles and running through the wide-open streets. But Skyla kept on him, even though her armor was heavy, and she was getting out of breath. But she had trained for worse than this. The elven thief turned looked back and his eyes got wide open when he saw the female glider behind him. Skyla couldn’t help but smirk at that. That’s right you little thief! I’m coming for you! But then he suddenly dove to the side, heading deeper in the halls and chambers of the elven capitol. Skyla dogged him relentlessly, as they ran through a lavish room of dining nobles, sprinted down a hallway filled with strange paintings, and dashed through the maze of the royal elven courts. Finally, the elven sprinted down a darker hallway, going deeper into darker and more neglected areas, that looked like no one had been here or cared about these halls and rooms. “Stop!” cried Skyla, still huffing to keep up, but the individual paid her no heed, and get going. Skyla was surprised that the elven still was running, as most elven got weak and tired easily. Skyla managed to round a corner, just in time to see the elven look back, his eyes fearful and terrified, as he jumped down a hole, going who knows where. Skyla approached the dark room and looked down the open tunnel. “Argh, tricky little thing!” and then she jumped down the dark tunnel, sliding after him and giving a large cry. She slid down the dark tunnel, yelling as she went. It was big enough for her, but twisting and bending and sending her all over the place! Right as she popped out, she was greeted by a smack to the face! It momentarily knocked her back, as she felt a little blood from her nose trickle down and looked up just in time to see the thief running into a large crowd. Oh he is so going to pay for that! With a great cry Skyla jumped up after him, renewing the chase, pushing people out of the way as she tried to get through the large crowd, part of a market? She didn’t have time to observe, just follow this thief! He was gaining a head, but Skyla wasn’t giving up. But she knew she had to do something quick, or he’d be lost in the crowd. So, Skyla jumped up to the side on top of some crates and threw one of her small side blades, chanting, “Loetac!” The small blade shimmered blue as it twirled, like a pale wisp of wind on a harsh day, turning and slicing forward. Her aim was true, and it landed straight into the thief’s leg! He cried out, and, in desperation, turned to run into one of the shops, Skyla quickly following suit. She burst threw the heavy cloth doors, as someone screamed in shock. The thief turned around and grabbed a crude knife, holding it to fend her off. Skyla pulled out the small sword on her side, moving into her fighting position. A woman ran out the door, trying to get out before the fighting began. The thief attacked first, charging with a surprising ferocity, like a caged animal. But Skyla had trained for his. She swiftly blocked his meager assault, and moved past him, cutting at his leg with her blade. The elven cried out, and Skyla grabbed him, turned him around, and punched him in the face. Hard. He collapsed to the ground, knocked out cold. Skyla sighed and breathed heavily. “Well, that wasn’t so bad.” After catching her breath, she pried the case from the elven’s hands. She handled it, making sure it wouldn’t get out of her hands again. It was then that Skyla noticed someone else in the room. “I’m sorry to have disturbed you, mam.” Skyla said as she sheathed her sword, “This is just‒” Skyla gasped slightly, staring at the, person in front of her. She looked elven, but also very different from any elven she’d ever seen. The woman had an almost blue tint to the normally pale skin, and her beautiful elven face was marked with short blue hair, while she wore a short plain cloth dress. Most strange of all, were large blue wings, like the dreagles from Nephinal, that stretched out from her back, and a long-feathered tail swayed back and forth from her. Skyla realized she was staring and looked away. “I’m sorry, I, uh, did not‒” “‒It is alright. I have received much worse looks and words,” the (elven?) woman said in a calm and warm voice, a soft smile on her face. “Are you, um, a um, a half-formed?” asked Skyla, trying not to sound rude or harsh. She naturally knew of them, people used for the elven mages twisted experiments usually resulting in death or horrible mutations. But the woman before her didn’t look like any monster she’d read about, the ones cast into the Scour Fields and scourging travelers, or any foolish adventurer. “I am,” responded the woman, “I am Drea, the Blue-Winged.” She smiled and gestured to her folded feathery wings, curled up behind her. Skyla then noticed that the Drea had bird-like feet, and her hands were long and thin, with sharpened nails at the end. “I’m Skyla Varen, Glider of Nephinal.” “I can tell, by the armor and look,” Drea replied with a slight laugh, “I haven’t seen a Glider in a long time.” “I’m, very sorry to have disturbed you. I was chasing down this thief,” Skyla said, pointing to the man sprawled on the floor. “Oh, please, I have lots of rough customers! This is nothing compared to some more wild days I’ve had.” “Customers, mam?” “Drea, please. Yes, I am a healer,” Drea answered, and opened up her long hand, as a blue flame appeared over her palm, “Among other things.” “Ah,” Skyla looked around, noticing the small area of the shop, with its pillows and seats, as well as strange vials, bottles and herbs. A local healer…And talented in magic. Must have been a more important elven before, whatever happened, happened. “Oh, you’re bleeding,” said Drea, stooping lower near Skyla. Skyla remembered the hit to the face, and touched her nose, pulling back a little blood. “Just a scratch. Nothing to worry about.” She’d been hurt a lot worse that just that. Drea just grinned slightly, and said, “I’m sure, but the least I can do is help you out.” “That’s really not necessary ma‒Drea. I should be heading back to the rest of my flight.” Drea moved closer to Skyla, and softly suggested, “I’m sure they can wait a second. Here, please sit down.” She motioned to one of the larger pillows, and Skyla carefully sat down, while eying the still unconscious thief. “Here,” Drea got closer and inspected Skyla’s face, her soft fingers glowing as warm healing aura cleaned up Skyla’s wound. Skyla could have used some of her own healing spells that she was taught, simple and efficient, but she nonetheless let Drea continue. There was something smooth and elegant as the healer used her magic, which not only healed Skyla but also made her feel, refreshed, ready, invigorated. I can see why she is a healer. “Thank you,” Skyla said, “Where did you learn that?” Drea smiled softly, standing up straight, though her eyes betrayed a touch of sorrow. “I was a high-born elven, and I always had a talent for the more passive and healing spells.” “Oh.” Skyla realized now what she was. Once a member of the elite class of elven nobles she had just interacted with. However, it wasn’t unheard of for one of the elites to, “disappear,” most likely used in some mad elven’s experiment. This must be the case for Drea. Surprisingly, Drea just looked of, with an odd look of calm and peace, while she continued talking. “I was so young, and arrogant. Believing, as we all did, in our own superiority, and that I was better than the rest.” She just shook her head, thinking about an old memory. Skyla was surprised that Drea was able to so easily reminisce about her past. And that she could so easily tell a stranger their story. “Or course, you can’t go far in this place by being too arrogant and cocky. I challenged to many people, got someone too angry at me…” Skyla was unsure what to do next. “I’m, uh, sorry. Drea.” Drea just looked at her, soft and slightly sad, but still smilingly gently, “It’s alright. I may be a monster on the outside, but I found a better place.” “I don’t think you’re a monster,” “Ha, of course not little glider!” Drea chuckled and stood up straight. Skyla found it so unusual how the Drea acted so calm in her form, standing as if she were a queen. “Well, these feathers do help me soar quiet easily. Ah, but now, I suppose you must be heading back to flight. No?” Skyla nodded, and began to stand up saying, “Yes, I‒” She was interrupted suddenly by a group of heavily armored soldiers, who all rapidly dashed into the room. The elven warriors in their glistening armor very quickly grabbed the ruffian, who was still struggling moaning in his unconscious state. “Is he in here?” asked one soldier. “Here! Grab him, now!” The armored figures, clad in elegantly embraided armor, grabbed the perpetrator, as they hoisted him up. The figure was still out cold. Skyla gripped her hand. Cruxes. Must have hit him really hard. The captain of the little band, clearly defined by his specially tailored armor and high-minded face, entered into the dainty room. The soldiers hoisted up the thief and he looked at him. “Hmm,” he said, as if he were inspecting a peace of cut up meat, before turning to look at Skyla. “Nicely done, Glider.” Skyla snapped to attention at the sound of her name. “Ah. Yes. No problem, Captain‒?” “Varean, chief captain of the security forces of Elvenia. Now, then, let’s get this gutter-born back to face some due justice.” He signaled for his man and they pulled out of the room, not even taking a glance at the surprised Drea, who had moved to the corner. Skyla turned to her before she left. “Thank you, Drea,” The bird-like half-formed merely smiled, and said, “Good wills to you, Skyla of the Gliders.