Tuesday, May 6, 2025

the unwanted elves 15 cliffie bonus

 

Unwanted Elves

Chapter 15

 

I led us to the throne room partly from memory of the rough direction, partly by taking the widest way and partly by following the milling elven nobility. The royal wizard rushing to see the king, as I am sure she had would be very troubling to the elves. In the same way that when an ant nest is disturbed the ants rush to the centre of the nest, the queen, the agitated elves rushed to the throne room. They were better dressed than ants but behaved in a similar way. Indeed, the elves were so disturbed they didn’t really seem to register that we were human. We walked purposefully and no one questioned us.

The route we took went several times through the living wood of the tree, elven magic deforming it to conform to the fancy of the elves that had wrought it long ago. When we reached what I remembered was the door to the throne room we were questioned. Two armoured guards in front of the closed door levelled their pole arms at us.

“Halt, humans. You may not enter!”

Although the pole arms, and I have no idea what kind they were, as far as I was concerned a pole arm is a sharp thing on the end of a stick, looked to have a lot more twiddly bits on than the dwarven ones I had seen, they seemed sharp enough to be troublesome, so I stopped.

Chessina spoke imperiously, “The Towermaster and Circle Guardian are here for their audience with the king and Royal Wizard. How dare you delay them, stand aside.” Using her charm ability the guards looked a little confused and moved their pole arms to a non-threatening position and opened the door. A strong willed person can overcome a charm, these elves obviously were not such.

As we passed through the doorway I saw from the corner of my eye Silavara twitching one finger and the guards staring in horror as the shafts of the pole arms sprouted leaves.

 

The throne room was a scene of marginally organised chaos, the king whom I recognised from my previous visit was seated on his throne deep in conversation with Tancyfrwys who punctuated her speech with waving arms. An ever changing constellation of elves in glittering garments swirled around the speaking pair, while a door behind the throne opened to admit three elves in robes of the finest. Of the two women, one with pale hair I recognised as the queen, the other with hair so pale it was silvery and greatly resembling the queen I presumed was the princess. The male elf, who was unknown to me was very handsome, even for an elf. Indeed I had never seen a more perfect face. As far as I could tell, his face was absolutely symmetrical. No face is absolutely symmetrical, at least no natural face. Even with the illusion dispelling ointment, I couldn’t tell if his features were magically enhanced, but I was certain they were. Was this merely vanity, or was he hiding his true visage for some reason. Chessina spoke to me via the spell.

“Castamir, the demon detector has got warm, so there is a demon present but I can’t tell who. The small stone is moving vaguely about.”

“The tree is saturated with magic, that may be interfering with the device.” I replied similarly, “If both you ladies could keep your eyes peeled I’d be grateful.”

Ulula was making very low noises of distaste, much the same as she had done near Chessina before we got her soul back. Silavara glanced at me and nodded infinitesimally at Pretty Boy. I would do well to watch him.

 

We approached the throne, the constellation parting before us. I bowed to the king, while not taking my eyes off Tancyfrwys.

“Your Majesty,”  I said, “Tancyfrwys, perhaps you would be so good as to introduce us.”

The king jumped, startled, noticing us for the first time.

“King Sereneryr, I am constrained to introduce, the Towermaster and the Guardian of the Stone Circle. The other is an apprentice.” Tancyfrwys spat out. Was it my imagination, or did I hear elven tooth enamel crumbling.

“What do you want?” The king asked, rather rudely.

“A philosophical question indeed, majesty. But I am here to discuss the current border dispute.”

“And I am here,” Silavara added, “To discuss the compact with Silvana and the Balance.”

“There is no border dispute, we have dealt with trespassers, nothing more.” The king sneered.

“King Beremar of Ezustry and King Thorogar of the Dwarven Realms beg to differ.”

“We care nothing for their opinion.” The king’s sneer was more pronounced, if possible.

“That would mean outright war.” I stated.

“The feeble forces of the short lived tribes are of no concern to us.” Yes, it was possible for the sneer to be more sneery, if that’s a word.

The silver haired elf woman leaned over and touched the king’s shoulder.

“Father, it would do no harm to discuss this.”

‘Father’; that would make her crown princess Ariannaith. I don’t remember meeting the Princess when I was here with Harmon, but she did remind me of someone. Come to think of it I don’t recall the Princess being there when I accompanied Harmon to the throne room when we first arrived.

“Castamir,” Chessina whispered, “I was watching the other elves body language. When you mentioned war, the silver haired woman was saddened, but pretty boy was overjoyed. I gave a slight nod in response.

“Very well.” The king replied, grudgingly.

He gestured to Tancyfrwys to precede him and was hurriedly followed by his daughter, she moving adroitly to avoid having her arm taken by Pretty Boy which meant he was somewhat off balance allowing the queen to sweep past him after her daughter. I stepped briskly in front of Pretty Boy, whom I assumed was the princess’ betrothed Prydythaur. This blocked him from going through the door allowing me to usher Silavara and Chessina after the queen. I smartly stepped after the ladies leaving Prydythaur to bring up the rear. I was glad to be wearing the ring giving some protection from bladed weapons in case Pretty Boy decided on a spot of treachery. I didn’t know how he fitted into the situation so I thought to keep him off balance metaphorically as well as literally.

A short corridor brought us to a substantially smaller room than the throne room. Although the decor was similar to the throne room, that of restrained elegance, this room was much more home-like and intimate. The floor, wall and ceiling were living wood, of course with wide windows looking out onto the city/forest.

We were followed in by an elf taller than most and very spare in build with white hair and the faintest of age lines on his face. His clothes, while still sumptuous, were sober compared to the rest of the court. He bowed to the king, queen and princess, gave a nod to Tancyfrwys and ignored Prydythaur completely. My opinion of him went up immediately.

The king threw himself, petulantly into an armchair, which looked slightly out of place, even though it was clearly of elven manufacture. I suppose that as elven anatomy is very similar to humans there aren’t too many ways to make an armchair, given that form follows function. The queen seated herself on an ornately carven wooden chair. The other elves remained standing while the queen gestured to us to be seated on other wooden chairs. They were remarkably comfortable, the cushioning charms similar to the ones on some of the chairs in the Tower.

“Very well,” the king snapped to me, “What have you to say?”

“I would like to know majesty, the identities of those I would be speaking in front of. Perhaps you would perform the introductions again Tancyfrwys?” Normally I would have said that Tancyfrwys looked daggers at me, but we were far beyond that, and I would have said that she was looking great swords at me.

“Your Majesties, Crown Princess Ariannaith,” Tancyfrwys began, I glared at her and she didn’t quite dare add Pretty Boy to the list of people we were to be introduced to, indicating that they were of higher status than us. I could feel Chessina’s irritation at what she felt was a slight to Silavara and me, but the etiquette of the situation wasn’t clear cut so I signalled her not to make as fuss. Chessina whispered to me, “Alright master, but you should know that whoever is the demon is in this room with us.”

“Thank you, good to know.” I replied.

“May I introduce the Towermaster and Guardian of the Stone Circle. Towermaster, Guardian, may I introduce Her Majesty Queen Saillegwyn, and Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Ariannaith. May I also introduce Royal Chamberlain Blaithamlwg and Royal Bard Prydythaur.”

Chessina seemed to have been forgotten and I wondered what she might do about that. I did notice that when speaking to Prydythaur, Tancyfrwys’ voice became softer. So, the rumour about their mutual relationship might be true. I had wondered if I should gently suggest that the bard be excluded, but as Chessina had told me that the demon was currently in the room with us I wanted it to hear what went on here and Prydythaur was the most likely candidate.

The King and Queen I had met before as well as Tancyfrwys. I had a vague recollection of Blaithamlwg, which all pointed to Prydythaur, who Ulula had disliked on sight. 

In what I took to be an attempt to inject some kind of normality into the proceedings the queen made a slight gesture and shortly an elf entered the room via a second door. The newcomer was dressed somewhat plainly but in rich fabrics, so I took him to be a servant.

“Bring refreshments.” Said the queen. The servant bowed, and left. The queen turned to us and asked, “I trust your apartments are satisfactory?”

“With regret no Your Majesty.” Said Chessina, with what I recognised as false sympathy in her voice. “My Master, the Priestess and I were surprised at the accommodations provided. I’m sure we all commiserate with Your Majesty that your kingdom has suffered such a decline that the quality of lodging has fallen so far from the... hospitality my Master experienced on his previous visit.”

“My apologies for the oversight, it will be corrected.” Said the Queen in a flat voice, and turned to the chamberlain who nodded. She than favoured Tancyfrwys with a meaningful look.

Servants now entered, the one originally summoned and a female elf both carrying trays with decanters, glasses and plates of dainties. After depositing these on various tables, they left, making hardly a sound as they walked.

“All right, let’s get on with it.” The King said, sounding distinctly peevish. “You want to discuss things, what do you have to say.”

“If you read this, Your Majesty it will save tiresome explanations.” I said, drawing a piece of parchment from one of my robe’s inside pockets and handing it to him. As the king was reading it, Prydythaur spoke for the first time. I wondered if it were to make his presence felt so he didn’t appear as a fifth leg on a horse.

“Your elvish is remarkably poor.”

“One has to make shift as best one can.” I replied, “After all you seem incapable of learning other languages. An unfortunate affliction. Tell me, were your people cursed by the gods that you can learn no other languages?”

He spluttered at this and then lapsed into offended silence. This was broken as the king was making inarticulate noises first of shock and then of anger. When he reached the bottom of the page he sprang to his feet and made his first comprehensible utterance for a while.

"Copy 2 of 17! This is intolerable! Who has them!"

"Apart from the one you hold, no-one. If you don't agree to our terms, or anything happens to us, one will go to King Beremar, one to King Thorogar of the Dwarves, one to the Archon of Agerak and others to various princes and kinglets. Three have been translated into Abyssal and I even translated one into orcish for the Overking of the Orcs, whoever that is this month."

Chessina had been watching the group as I was speaking. She glanced at me with an infinitesimal nod; she had noticed a reaction in one of the elves when I mentioned Abyssal.

“This is blackmail!” The king yelled.

“Yes.” I replied calmly. “The only question is will you accede to it and accept our terms?”

The king’s face became what Chessina had once described as “one of those interesting colours that mortals turn”, being a cross between scarlet and puce. Before he could bellow out what I presumed was his total undying rejection of the entire concept, his daughter touched him on the arm.

“Might it not be wise father, to hear the Towermaster’s proposal. You can always say no.”

I sensed the merest wisp of magic from the princess’ hand. Was that a charm spell by touch? My attention was distracted by Prydythaur starting to move towards the king opening his mouth to speak. Whatever he was going to say was replaced by an inarticulate grunt as he tripped and fell flat on his face. Had he just tripped over his own feet or had Chessina helped him on his way by means of a trip cantrip? The smugness I felt radiating from her gave me the answer.

As the king was distracted by Prydythaurs departure from the vertical, the princess tightened her grip on his arm and he visibly calmed down.

“Very well, daughter, merely listening commits me to nothing. And if you can’t stand unaided, remain seated!”  This last was to Prydythaur whose attempts to stand were thwarted by Chessina. He obeyed the king’s command with barely repressed fury.

“My proposal is simple your majesty,” I began, “firstly, an immediate cessation of hostilities against any and all settlements, and then discussions to determine a permanent border delineating elven lands from non-elven lands.”

“But we need to be able to remove non-elven influences from An Gwyth Meer, the Great Forest,”  the king protested, “Their activities greatly disrupt the Balance.”  He continued sententiously.

At this point Silavara spoke up.

“As do you.” Silavara said, heatedly.

"We do not disrupt the Balance!" protested the elven king.

"Yes you do!" the priestess snapped back, "you promote the breeding of the prey animals you find tasty and they outbreed their food supply. They then turn to other foods reducing those for the creatures that normally live on them. You also encourage those predators you find fun to hunt. They then over predate and drastically reduce or even eliminate the creatures they prey on. All mortals disrupt the balance, but unlike humans who confine their activities to the margins of the forest, you disrupt the deep forest, putting the entirety of an Gwyth Meer at risk."

Taking a moment to compose herself Silavara continued.

“The Balance teeters on the brink of catastrophe and it pains my goddess Silvana to see her realm so wantonly abused. This is why I have come.”

“Our gods hold sway here!” Prydythaur piped up. This pronouncement was less impressive than it might have been as it was delivered seated cross-legged on the ground.

"I know of the compact between Silvana and the elven pantheon, but you stretch the compact until it creaks." Silavara reposted. “And to allow demonic influence to run unchecked in the forest is insanity.”

“There is no demonic influence in the forest.” The king declared, didactically.

“Do you call me liar to my face, king Sereneryr” Silavara intoned, her voice cold and her expression hard. “The towermaster and I were forced to kill an unfortunate bear that had been twisted and sent mad by such influence.”

“I know nothing of this.” Said the king sounding a little uncertain.

“There have been many reports of such things, father.”

“I have seen none such.” Said the king.

“You sent all the reports away unread.” Replied princess Ariannaith.

“This sounds suspicious,” I whispered to Chessina. “Can you check these people for charms?”

After a few moments Chessina replied, “The king and queen are both charmed, I think there has been an attempt to charm the princess as I could sense a faint echo, but if so, she threw it off.”

“I myself have been menaced by such a creature, when walking in the forest.” The princess said. “I might not have been able to kill it without the help of Cyfaill”

“I have forbidden you to see him, you are betrothed to Prydythaur.” The king was going a funny colour again.

“No father, you forbade Cyfaill to come to the city, we met in the forest. Besides you and mother agreed to the betrothal, not I. I would go to a wedding ceremony only over his dead body.” Said the princess looking on the seated Prydythaur with contempt.

“She doesn’t like you,” Said Chessina, turning to look down on Prydythaur, “we don’t like you either.”

This earned her a beaming smile from princess Ariannaith.

 

.

 

 

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.”