the unwanted elves 14

 

Unwanted Elves

Chapter 14

 

With our somewhat willing guides (thanks to Chessina’s charm ability) we walked towards the elven capital city, invisible servants carrying our luggage. We had to keep very close to the elves as their clothing shifted and changed to match the forest around them. Chessina had asked them nicely to doff their hoods which gave us a better look at them. Both elves had the blond hair, blue eyes and pale skin as all pure blood elves did, the male unsurprisingly had no facial hair. I had never seen a male elf with such. Both had disdainful expressions but fortunately they showed no inclination to use the wicked recurved bows they each carried.

 

As we got closer to the city I began to see tall structures gradually showing above the general canopy of the forest. These structures weren’t blocky and regular, like those of humans and dwarves, but rounded and somehow flowing. I wondered how the elves had constructed them. We continued to advance and then, like a fireball detonating in my mind came the realisation that the city hadn’t emerged from the trees, the city was the trees. What I had thought were built structures were in fact gigantic trees that had been grown and shaped into structures. Beside me I could hear Silavara muttering vile imprecations. Somehow I got the impression that she didn’t approve. My recollection of the city when I visited with Harmon was rather indistinct, and I wondered if the concealing magics had affected my memory of the place.

The tree-homes at the edge of the city were fairly simple with the trunks and larger limbs swelled into rooms with round or oval openings that had been filled with windows or doors. Notches had been formed in the trunks which I thought enabled the inhabitants to climb up. I was confirmed in my suspicion when I glimpsed one elf doing so. As our guides led us along what seemed to be a street, the ground paved with irregular stones, which reminded me of the path to Silavara’s cottage, Chessina was looking around with interest.

“As the alterations to the trees are becoming more elaborate and profound, I assume we are getting to the areas where the more socially elevated live.” She said.

By this time Silavara had run out of vituperations and lapsed into a seething silence.

This outraged silence was matched by the attitude of the elves we chanced to pass. They glared at us with barely concealed hostility. I smiled at them with a superior expression and inclined my head to them in imitation of King Beremar. I could tell from their body language and muttering, if not their expressions that this irritated them as much as I had intended. I allowed my smile to become a smug smirk.

“Don’t get carried away dear.” Chessina whispered to me.

 

Word of our coming had obviously reached someone in authority as a group of elves wearing armour and festooned with weapons strode towards us. The elf in the lead, whose armour was more decorated than the others addressed our elven ‘guides’.

“Why haven’t you killed them?”

“Because, dear boy,” I replied, “I am the Towermaster and I used the words in the Compact.”

“I don’t believe you.” He stated.

I knew this idiot would only take notice of a demonstration, and for the blackmail to work I needed to establish some sort of authority over the elves.

“I’m tired of these endless discussions.” I replied.

I gripped my staff and felt for the tower. It would do no harm for the elves to think that my staff was a necessary aid to cast powerful spells. The path was made of stones and the tower understood stone. Moreover I could tell that it didn’t like elves any more than we did. It felt enthusiastic over what I was planning. For the first time I sensed that the tower did have some kind of personality. I concentrated on the concept of building and the stones of the path flowed upwards and merged to form a windowless tower about ten feet in diameter and fifteen feet high surrounding the armoured elves who were too startled to anything but make inarticulate noises. I made sure that it was open topped as I didn’t want to trap them permanently. If they couldn’t climb out, someone could throw them a rope. I turned to our stunned guides.

“I am here to speak to your king, not dally with underlings. Lead on.” I told them.

The guides were not the only ones who seemed impressed by my demonstration as the muttering ceased and we continued on in silence.

“Show off.” Whispered Chessina.

“Yes.” I whispered back. “I needed to impress on the elves that we aren’t to be trifled with.”

“I think you made your point.” Chessina whispered.

 

The tree city became more intricate the further we ventured into it. The trees were not only bigger, but their trunks and limbs were fashioned in more convoluted and intricate shapes. The various platforms which surrounded dwelling areas were often connected by aerial walkways. Our semi-willing guides led us towards a huge tree, with multiple twisted trunks, intricate staircases and walkways leading up to a profusion of what, on the ground, I would have called buildings. This tree was larger than any I had ever seen, not excluding the huge trees that surrounded Silavara’s cottage. Those trees felt magnificent and awe inspiring; this one felt, somehow wrong, on an instinctive, visceral level and not just because of the magic flowing from it. I thought from her expression Chessina felt this too.

 

Judging by Silavara’s set expression I thought she had determined to do something radical. Ignoring the elaborately costumed elves who milled uncertainly about the tree, Silavara walked up to it and placed a hand on the tree’s bark. She gripped her staff tightly and I saw her familiar Ulula stiffen. To my surprise I felt Silavara make a magical connection with, I presumed, the Stone Circle near her home. The power I felt was different from that of the Tower, more inwardly directed and slower but utterly implacable. Silavara directed the power which flowed from her into the tree and I could see her expression change slightly, from steely determination to satisfaction. For an instant I felt something from the tree; vast relief.

“What did you do?” I included Silavara in our whispered conversation.

“I gave the tree what it wanted, peace.” She replied. “I sought my goddess’ aid and freed the tree’s spirit. It will die soon despite anything the elves or their gods can do.”

Chessina smirked at this revelation. I felt a great kinship with Silavara at that moment, as though she were a beloved elder sister. We were both guardians of great magical places and had responsibilities that few others could fathom. I thought Chessina and possibly Dragovar were the only ones who might understand. I came to a decision.

“You don’t have to use your staff.” I whispered. “If you feel for the circle you will find your connection.”

Silavara looked startled and then a serene smile crossed her face. At this point there was a distinct chime that I heard or felt, I’m not sure which or both, that echoed through me. I knew that something very important had happened and I was sure that various pieces of knowledge that I didn’t yet know had been inserted in my mind. As Silavara looked startled, I assumed something similar had happened to her.

 

This would have to be discussed later so I turned to one of the sumptuously dressed elves who were ineffectually fluttering about us.

“You.” I said imperiously. “I am the Towermaster, and I am accompanied by the Guardian of the Stone Circle and my apprentice to see His Majesty the King. Inform His Majesty of our arrival and conduct us to suitable quarters to refresh ourselves. Well don’t just stand there, move!” As the elf I picked dithered uncertainly. He managed to gather his wits enough to beckon to a less well dressed elf.

“Inform Tancyfrwys that the Towermaster and the Guardian of the Stone Circle are here and want to see the king.” The other elf’s eyes showed a flash of fear and he hesitated. “Go on, idiot, hurry up.”

As the second elf hurried off with backward glances at our group, and the elf dressed in pastel brocades resumed his dithering, I turned to the others.

“Tancyfrwys, it means Fire Cunning,” I whispered, “is the Elven Royal Wizard. I’ve met her before when I was here with Harmon. She didn’t like me then, I doubt her opinion of me has improved in the mean time.”

Chessina having got irritated by the non-action of the ditherer turned to him, using her charm ability on him and said; “It was very kind of you to offer us hospitality, thank you so much. If you’d care to lead the way...  I’m dreadfully sorry but your name has slipped my mind for a moment.”

“It’s Trwynynawyr er, miss...” he hesitated, Chessina’s charm leaving him a trifle vague.

“I’m just the towermaster’s apprentice master Trwynynawyr, my name is of no importance.”

Our involuntary host led us up staircases that were mostly on the outside of the trunk, guarded by intricate banisters made from the living wood of the huge tree. By the time we had reached his quarters, quite high up, indicating his status, Chessina had managed to get him chatting like an old friend.

We learned that the Royal Wizard Tancyfrwys was generally feared, the Crown Princess Ariannaith was greatly loved, while her betrothed Prydythaur was not. Indeed rumour had it that he was the lover of the royal wizard despite the betrothal.

Trwynynawyr was a little vague on the antecedents of Prydythaur, unlike the others whose genealogies he knew in tedious detail. We discovered that he kept such records of the court and nobility.

Trwynynawyr ushered us into his suite of rooms like the old friends he thought us to be courtesy of Chessina’s charm ability. When we had refreshed ourselves Silavara said, “That was a bit precipitous of you Chessina, shouldn’t we have waited until an official arrived?”

“No,” replied Chessina, “I was dying for a pee.”

Silavara stared intently at Chessina’s belly, then slightly shook her head.

 

The door to the landing outside slammed open to admit a tall, beautiful blond haired elf woman whose expression was barely contained fury. Her elaborate robes swirled in the violence of her entry.

“Trwynynawyr, what are you doing you buffoon? Where are...”  Her tirade stopped in mid flow, as she took in the fact that the room had other occupants.

“Ah Tancyfrwys,” I said, “How nice to see you again.”

“You are not Towermaster Harmon .”

“No, I am his successor.”

“What, has the feeble fool died of old age already?”

No Castamir, I thought to myself, this isn’t the time, remember you are here to stop a war, not eviscerate this bitch.

“No he died in an accident,” I said, looking pointedly at the Royal Wizard, “and accidents can happen to anyone.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Merely an observation.”

“What do you want here?” Tancyfrwys snapped.

“Still ignoring messengers, I see. I’m here to see the king.” I said.

“What do you mean still, I don’t know you, human. What’s your name.” She spat.

“Getting forgetful in your old age?” I said in my silkiest tones. “I remember you. My name is Castamir. I’m the little boy you used to bully. I’ve grown up now. Oh dear, I’m forgetting my manners. Silavara, may I present Tancyfrwys the elven Royal Wizard. Tancyfrwys may I present Priestess Silavara of the goddess Silvana, Guardian of the Stone Circle; and this is my apprentice.”

 To forestall Chessina’s protests I whispered. “I’m downplaying your importance, particularly to me so she is less likely to try to get to me through you. She is dangerous.”

“I understand.” Chessina replied.

By this time Tancyfrwys was grinding her teeth. I had declared that Silavara was more important than Tancyfrwys by introducing her to Silavara. Unfortunately even Tancyfrwys knew that the circle guardian was more important and it was gall and wormwood to her. I smiled at the furious elven woman.

“Are you all right Tancyfrwys, you’re looking a little drained?” I chose my words with care. She must know that strong emotions enabled the high-fey to drain away some of her life force but was unable to control herself. Oh dear, how sad, never mind.

She completely lost her temper and started to cast a spell. I was forced to use the words of the Compact.

“That was foolish Tancyfrwys,” I said, “Killing me would have caused your king and elvenkind great embarrassment. I will see your king will ye, nill ye, and as you are, I presume, one of his advisors, it would be better if you know what I have to say to him directly than discover it later. I am going to release you, and you will conduct us to quarters where we can change clothes to something more fitting for a formal audience. We will then speak with your king.”

So saying I released Tancyfrwys from the effect of the words. She had managed to get herself somewhat under control and merely snarled at me.

“You deserve to die!”

"Possibly, but I suggest you don't try. You might succeed eventually, but you must ask yourself, how much of your city, or your lands, would remain afterwards. I am the Towermaster, with all that implies."

“And he would not stand alone,” Added Silavara, “The power of the Circle would stand beside that of the Tower.”

As she said this, once again I felt/heard that chime. As also, apparently did Silavara. I wondered if the power of the combined structures would be more than the sum of their parts, or might the increase be geometric! I kept my expression calm. This would need to be discussed later.

Tancyfrwys, grudgingly led us to a room. She showed her disdain for us by the fact that the room was completely bare apart from a small annex that held a basin and a garderobe.

Chessina glared at the royal wizard’s departing back.

“We will get this sorted out after speaking to the king.” I said.

We all dressed in our formal robes, wearing our amulets of protection from poison under our clothing, and Chessina wearing the broach of demon detecting on a chain around her neck. In some consternation I turned to Silavara.

“We have protection from poison as I don’t trust the elves. I never thought to ask for protection for you.”

“Don’t worry Castamir, my goddess will protect me.” Silavara replied serenely, making sure Ulula was settled comfortably on her shoulder. “Do you know the way to the throne room?”

“I can find my way there.” I replied.

“Then lead on.”