Forbidden Fantasy Ch. 04

Time changes all things, even in the Elven world where time goes by so slowly and time can do so much. To us change is as steady as the seasons because that is what changes the most frequently in our world of centuries. Yet change came to us in the span of weeks. Folk began pouring in, representatives of races that had been kept out of our forests and villages. The Dwarves were first to arrive, thirteen battle hardened and ready people as broad through the chest and shoulders as they were tall and beards down to their belts. I thought Jacob and I were brawny, but these Dwarves were only made more so because they were of the mountains. As an elf is of the woods, these folk were akin to their mountain home, walking boulders with cheery smiles and gruff voices that spoke well in our tongue. These were their Council, the thirteen chiefs of their clans. While it was not a sizable force compared to the numbers we had, it was still daunting because here were their leaders...and I was the leader of my people. Thank the Gods they were not ones for much formality. "Gots you a dragon that needs killin' laddie?" the Leader asked of me. He was at least a hundred years my senior so the comment only made me smile and like him more.

"We do. Ingalome'stracazillio, the fell black." Their faces hardened. "I welcome you to the Moonray tribe lands. Care to have a mug or two?" My father's jaw dropped at how little formality I was using, but I remembered dwarves shared a mug of something, usually mead for them, before talks began.

"Aye laddie! That we do!" He, one Gregor Ironskull, thumped me on my back. I think he expected me to go flying, and that blow did rock me more than I could imagine, but I stood my ground and I think earned some respect. "I heard tales of a human here."

"You heard correct. Jacob of Ivywell is a warrior of skill and honor, but he fights dirty." They laughed while the Council of Elders just hid their faces from the shame. We walked away to go to the meeting hall where I knew Jacob was sitting patiently.

"He is playing them like a fiddle," and elder said to my father.

"Perhaps this tribe will one day soon have a new leader." I heard him grumble. With a glance back I shook my head and smiled fondly. My father was ten times the diplomat I was...but he did not know how to deal with other races.

Watching Jacob meet the Dwarves, or rather watching him greet them by bashing his forehead into theirs without flinching and then out drinking them, made me love him more. I would never have tried to be that brazen about showing strength to a Dwarf. Jacob bested them and won their respect at their own games.

Next came the Kzinti. They sent their five princesses, their society a matriarchy. The cat people were beautiful and magnificent. They wore nothing but their fur and some jewelry that accented their ears and wrists, but they needed nothing. I was at a complete loss for how to deal with them as I had never learned much. They were more xenophobic than my own kind. Their language was past my comprehension as it was partly verbal and partly physical. Jacob could speak it.

He stood by my side with the council members flanking us, and I was very glad they chose to let him be there without even my asking. They were coming to see him as an ally worth having as he had won over the Dwarves with ease and was showing he could act like a brute or very honorable and traditional in the Elven ways. He was being accepted because the way he acted was just enough to keep all parties happy.

The eldest, Princess Blackhawk, stepped forward. "Know you our language?" she asked. Jacob stepped forward and knelt, showing he was in awe of her splendor.

"I know some, Radiant Light, and will act as speaker for the battle honored Moonray tribe." All we heard were growls and some hissing.

The Kzinti were shocked he could say this much. Visibly shocked. "Then rise, Human, and we shall speak of battles. I shall forgive you any lapses in speech as I do know humans have not the capacity for our tongue as we have not for yours."

Change. Ten more peoples can within that month. The humans sent more and while my father and the elves treated them fairly it was obvious Jacob was not the standard for the race. They were somber and serious but not rude. The could laugh when it was right and knew some Elven phrases, but they were not Jacob. The centaurs came as asked and the archery contest that followed was more for ceremony than anything. Then came the Faeries. Pixies, brownies, satyrs, nymphs, and Dryads. These were already our allies and there were no formalities, just a welcome and that was it. The human men were fascinated by the nymphs, even I was somewhat entranced by their beauty, but not Jacob. He had only eyes for me and no one but Flora and Jon knew it.

The last to show shocked us to our cores. Even I was so astounded that I could do nothing but stare. The first to fly in were what humans call dragonkin. Drakes, Wyvern, hydras, fire lizards, even Orren who were among the most peaceful of the kin. One from each species had come, the Orren as their nominal leader as he could speak all of the languages there. "We have come knowing the need." The Orren's voice was deep and rumbling. His silver scales were bright and polished, the jewel in his forehead a pearly white. "We know it seems odd for us to join to remove our own kin, but this dragon be no kin to us for his crimes."

"Then we welcome you as allies," I said with a bow. "I would offer you refreshments, but only offer the bounty of the forests. I do hope for some conservation as I understand even the smallest of you can cause devastation."

The Orren chuckled and nodded. He changed his shape before our eyes into an elf, keeping the same silver hair and pearl in the center of his forehead. "As the largest I will content myself to this form if it does not offend. The others know that we are here as allies and will not hunt wantonly." I knew Orren possessed magics but not like this.

"It does not offend and I thank you. There are some hills nearby for those of your people who do not find trees acceptable." He nodded and cocked his head to one side. All but the fire lizard flew off. The lizard was no larger than a cat with deep gold scales. No spurs named it a female.

"She would house with you, Leader Kiven." It was not a request and I knew she was in high standing with her people.

"Of course. I am a healer so I have much room, though her magnificence will fill every corner." I smiled at the lizard and I knew she could understand the compliment. There was a keen intellect behind those eyes. "I must ask for some...patience with honored guests. Kzinti are here," the Orren nodded and assured there would be no quarrel, "and a human warrior whose people were slaughtered by the goblin bands under the fell wyrm's command. He has asked that he be left in peace."

"Such prejudice, while saddening, is understandable and I shall convey this to the others. You hold this human in high regard." It was not a question. I knew he could smell Jacob's scent all over me no matter how well I washed. When not in formal duties such as these I was with Jacob and Jon whose own friendship was strong. They understood each other as warriors and as people who knew what it was like to keep a male companion.

"I do. I will ask if he will meet you as you are, but do not expect miracles." That conversation had shocked me. Our scouts had sent word that the dragonkin were on the wing here and Jacob stormed into his room.

"I will not meet with them," he had said evenly.

"But why?" I asked.

"They are dragonkin. I've no hatred for them, but I have little fondness either. Call this my one big failing to separate them from their large cousins, but I will not meet with any of them."

I just looked at him like this was a stranger. I wondered what else I did not know of him. Yet I could see his attempt to keep this alliance together. "As you wish, my love, but I do not like this. They come as allies against Ingalome'stracazillio whom you hate. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. They too have suffered." I sat beside him and took his hand.

"I know, Kiven, which is why I'm keeping to myself. I do not blame them and I can sympathize, but they are dragonkin. It is like you facing a delegation from your Lost Elves. It would try the very fiber of your being, would it not?" I opened my mouth to answer but could not. He was right. I would be unable to face them with any sort of diplomacy. While these very dark elves had not wronged me, their ilk had killed my people and I could not be civil.

I kissed him softly. "Very well. They will be here shortly so I must greet them." I smiled ruefully. "How I long for this war to be done with so I can simply be a healer again." He smiled and pulled me atop him in a hug. He smoothed back my hair and just held me for a moment. I needed it, I needed him.

How I wish now that Jacob had not brought up my dark kin. That evening was when they showed up and I stood with my war maces ready for they had not come in stealth. "Father, I ask that you deal with this one. I am not prepared." We watched as they melted from the shadows, their ebony skin and snow white hair a beacon for hate by any goodly folk. Yet they did not attack and wore no weapons.

"We see you, dark ones. Come you as allies?" My father stepped forward.

"As allies yes. We expect much trouble by our being here, faerie, but know that this wyrm's hordes have caused us troubles as well. While we swallow our bile for being here, here is where the dragon is." The tension was building and I adjusted my grip on my maces. They were unarmed but that did not mean a thing when it came to the dark elves.

"Pragmatic was ever a trait of your people. Where shall you be during the day hours?"

"There is a cave we used to bring us here. As a gesture, we shall stay there and seal it when this is over. Know this. Any of your kind must announce themselves there. I would not want to start a war within a war." By the evil smile that lit his face he wanted just that, but as my father said. Pragmatism was a trait they had. While we hated each other, we had to deal with the dragon first.

"Very well. As a gesture of faith we shall meet at the end of the days as often as we can so your input may be heard. None here can deny the tactics of your race." The dark elf nodded and as one they vanished into the shadows once more. I relaxed only after a moment. "Kiven, you showed much wisdom in handing this meeting to me."

"Thank you, Father, but it was wisdom or bloodshed. I am not ready for them and I doubt I ever will be. I'd rather face ten dragons with my bare hands than a single dark elf." I shook off the last bit of anger and hatred.

"As would I."

I went to my home to make sure my guest, whom I called Golden Wings, was comfortable. She seemed to be but Jacob was not. He sat on the farthest cot he could from the small perch Flora had conjured up for the small queen. They stared at each other and I knew neither was happy. "Kiven, will she be here as a guest?"

"I had little choice with her. The Orren's tone said she would stay here even if I said no." I sat next to him and then laid back on the cot with my legs over the side. "I'm sorry, beloved, but she must stay."

"I see." He leaned over with a small, tight grin. "It will make time together chaste, but I believe I can tolerate her. The Orren? No, I will not meet with him." I smiled and touched his face with my finger tips.

"Then we shall be chaste." There was a small hissing sound from Golden Wings and Jacob sat up and all but fled the room. I looked alarmed until the Orren's tap came at the door. It seemed the fire lizard and Jacob had an understanding. How did that happen? I opened the door and let him in.

"I shall not be here long, Healer, but I have come to ask for a purge. The hydra ate something that did not agree with them." I tried my best to avoid from smiling but I couldn't. His own grin was infectious.

"I have just the thing then." I grabbed the concoction. "I have spoken to Jacob and he tolerates Golden Wings, but refuses to meet with you."

"Then I shall depart quickly. It is good that he accepts her. Among her people she is a queen and a powerful drr'hssar. I believe you call them aa'mak." So she was queen and a mage. A powerful ally indeed. She hissed something that sounded almost like she was making a joke. "She says she is fond of you and him. There is no need to be chaste." I groaned. "Fear not. We Orren do not judge your preference as many of our kind do the same. Love is love, no matter the form and if asked she will not only leave to give privacy, but stand watch to give security. Perhaps your Jacob will put some of his own feelings aside after a time." He bowed and left quickly, the door closing behind him. I looked to Golden Wings and when our eyes met I felt her in my head. She approved of us being together, she knew we would be good for each other.

"Thank you for..." I trailed off, not really sure why I was thanking her, but she knew. "Thank you." She trilled a reply and winged out to the open window and sat there to keep watch. "Oh Jacob," I said with a smile and ran into my room and dived atop him.

"Umm..." he seemed unsure.

"Golden Wings is keeping watch for us. She thinks we make a cute couple." I pressed my lips to his to stifle any response. His powerful arms encircled me but he only just held me. It was something I felt he needed right then. Nothing carnal, just companionship. I was more than happy to do it.

I awoke in his arms starving. I was falling into the habit of eating only once a day because there was so much to do, so many plans to formulate. I was getting used to waking up a bit groggy now and sleeping on my side, which was probably the cause. "Good morning," Jacob said and nuzzled my ear which made me giggle a bit and roll over to kiss him.

"Always is if I wake up in your arms." That got me a smile and another kiss.

"You may not think so when I'm grumpy and trying to bite your head off."

"Even then," I replied and he laughed. "I am hungry. Politics is harder than I thought." He nodded and let me up, although his hand held mine until the last second. When I went to the main room, Golden Wings was there and she nodded a greeting before flying off for her own meal. I washed thoroughly so as to get as much of Jacob's scent off me as possible. The day passed in a blur of activities...until I realized all was set save for the real war. The plans were done, the army as ready as it would ever be.

I was away from the village, rare for me since I was completely alone, and wandering the streams and woods I was born and raised in. Strange for me to feel like I would never see them again, but I felt this would be my last time. Coming to the falls all elflings played in, I shucked my clothing and dived in, the brisk waters familiar. I came up sputtering and paddled around to wash off the day's stresses. Time had not changed it in the hundred years since I was too grown up to come here with my few friends and I felt like it meant something. It was stagnant in time while I...I was different. I was forever changed while this place would be left behind. I knew that after this war that I would follow Jacob if we survived. I'd give it all up for him and never look back.

Pulling myself out of the water, I looked in a shoal of the small lake at the base of the falls. I looked at my reflection and could see something I had never seen before. I...looked content. I had never looked so happy to be me. It was unreal, like someone had replaced my guarded nature with some inner light, some ephemeral presence that made my features all the more desirable. Goddess above...is this what it looks like to be in love? If so...I liked the way I looked.

I heard something moving in the bushes behind me and I thought nothing of it until I smelled something unnatural, something that did not belong in this world. I spun, my wet hair haloing out and spraying water droplets all over what had to be the most unsettling site I had ever seen. It set my hairs up as I gazed into the lifeless, damned eyes of an undead. No, four undead. There were four this close to the village and no one knew about it! I could not stand the sight of the flesh that was rotting from the bodies of three of them, but the fourth scared me. It was but a floating, transparent cloak of ink black that waved when there was no breeze at all. I could destroy the corporeal zombies, but the wraith...I had nothing for it. Their groans of torment began when they felt my life energy and they made directly for me. "Great," I said and dived back into the water and swam to the other side for my weapons.

The wraith was able to keep pace but unable to get me enough to drain my soul. The icy brush of its finger was enough to chill the blood in my veins and I wished I had paid more attention to the spells my mentor had taught me to stave off the undead. I cleared the river and took up my maces, leaving my clothing as I ran for the village and the safety of the massed armies. But nope, there were dozens more undead that had cut me off from all hope of escape. I was truly in danger. I brandished my maces as I chanted the one spell I knew would work. It encased me in an aura of light that undead would not venture too close to...at least it was supposed to work that way. It didn't slow them one bit. Spinning, I slammed the first zombie with my mace, it's head flying from its body to splat against the tree. Two more fell while I spun. Yet zombie must be burned to be destroyed fully, or hacked to pieces. I knew better than to cast a fire spell in the woods but I had no other recourse. "Forgive me, my brethren," I said to the woods and cast a candle lighting spell that should have worked. The spell fizzled out as it struck. They were warded against fire! I was doomed, yet still I fought. There was nothing else I could do. Giving up was no option at all. My once limitless seeming energy was being sapped by the wraith's mere presence so I faltered and fell. I was surely going to die. "Luna elùstar, aa'mara mar stôtt," I prayed and let Luna decide my fate. My sight grew dim, my senses blanketed in a nothingness that frightened me, yet I let my prayer run its course. Then the world was gone. I felt my life leaving me, my energy flowing from me.

Then the world regained its focus and I looked up at the full moon above. It had been day time...but now the night sky was my canopy...canopy? Where were the trees? I sat up slowly and looked around. All the trees for a hundred paces of me were gone...just gone. No life stirred save for me in the perfectly circular area. Trees were cleanly pruned of branches that intruded into that area. I got slowly to my feet and looked for the undead. Nothing was left of them either. That or they shambled on...no, there was nothing left. That sense of wrongness was gone from the woods. I looked for my maces but they were a mangled set of metal, useless for anything at all. My mind could not grasp what happened save that Luna had answered my prayer...somehow. It had been day, the time Her reign was weakest. Pain came to me then, sharp and abrupt. All the hits and scratches crashed home and I hissed in annoyance. Taking one last look around the new clearing, I trudged back to the river and the falls for my clothes and basic medicines. Might as well clean myself up as best as I can before heading back. My father, the Elders, and Jacob will be worried enough as it is, might as well give them one less reason to worry.

I washed in the falls and went to the shoal to wash my face one last time, but my reflection once again caught me by surprise. My face seemed different, more angular. Some undead drained the vitality of the person, so I could have literally had the life sucked out of me. But it was my eyes that held me. The blue was...bluer than I could ever recall, more vibrant and shining with some sort of inner light that still could not be masked by that look of contentment. The pupils of my eyes were lighter, not the same black of nearly all the species on the planet. They were more of a midnight blue now. Yet when I blinked they darkened back to black. "I am seeing things." I finished washing and then dressed to walk back to the village. As I crossed into the clearing I saw a search party entering slowly, puzzled. Jacob and Jon were in the lead. Jacob unerringly looked right at me and pointed. "Yes, I'm alive," I said before they could ask questions.