Quagmire of Sorcery chap 24 Guests of the MoonElf Kingdom
*I adopt a bit of barclay's descrip of Calaius but change the phrasing coz of copyright. I'm not so fantastic at talking scenery and I include as I loved that part of Ilkar's country. Hope u can picture it like me J dunno how Lady alustriel's country looks like, maybe more exotic conifer trees?
soundtrack: Rob Thomas This is how a heart breaks or a nature forest celtic tune :)
For Adrainea my new friend!
Felicia
The servants showed us to our guestrooms. The palace was so vast that I wouldn't be able to recall the way, just to follow them. As soon as we were settled with clean clothes and eaten- both my friends had changed to brown robes, Ilkar's seams woven with golden thread and I was in a violet dress- the mage immediately dropped off when he lay down. Ah, he must be worn out from the journey. He had not even used the quilt, his lips were apart as he snored quite loudly. One hand was half open close to his cheek. I pulled the quilt so it would keep him warm. He smiled but did not awake.
This bedroom was huge and beds were far apart, separated by a rosy carpet on the floor. Serif had his own cushion at the foot of my bed, which he circled around then lay down on his paws. I didn't feel fatigued so I set about exploring our room. I lovingly caressed the cupboards' patterns and woodgrain.
"I see you are all right. I have to speak to others. Sleep well." Drizzt said, peeping in at us.
"Thanks." The drow turned to go but I had not finished speaking. I called him. "Will you be coming back soon?"
"Don't worry, Felicia. My friend the Lady is not present. Some barons have requested that I join them." He smiled and accepted my hug. It was much softer not to hold Drizzt with armor poking in my face. It should be safe to go without armor and less stuffy in here. Drizzt said I looked cute.
After a peaceful drifting, my ears were deafened by some squealing and whispering. My heavy eyelids were shuttered and bleary. Gosh so much light I had to shade my face. The sounds were to my left side.
Lots of women were gathered near Ilkar's bed and looking at him. "Wow he Is handsome!"
"Is he a moon elf too like us? Such dark hair." Another lady chuckled.
"No he's from Julatsa." A third woman added in. They went all red and pink. Darn, he's My friend! I didn't understand why I felt this way, but I ploughed through this crowd somehow. The elf did not budge.
Facing the women, I cleared my throat. "Excuse me. My friend is a light sleeper, he hasn't recovered completely. Can you keep your voices down?" They agreed and apologized. One of them was caressing Ilkar's cheek and he exhaled, turning his back. A girl called Marina, about my age, asked if I was his girlfriend.
"Yes. Yes I am." I didn't know what possessed me to tell them that. I felt like I wanted to block him from their advances and non respect of personal space. The elf was a light sleeper. After this, Serif and me were ushered to be bathed. I had never been bathed by anyone before, though I wanted to do it on my own, Marina told me it was under orders. Serif remember don't transform a lot here. It'll scare them , I had instructed.
Now he stayed as a huge tomcat with bold stripes and outdid himself meowing and rubbing his head against people. Haha! Ilkar had not woken, and to continue the act, I sat beside his slumbering form and held his hand. The servants smiled with envy and closed the door. Aha! We were alone! And I can pretend to be attached to my handsome clever friend for one day can't I? With his exotic almond eyes, elvish features without any pimples or disfigurement, Ilkar is quite the catch! I hoped he had not heard the commotion.
But while we were eating later, he said, "I felt people touching me. Then you stopped them?" The elf's hazel eyes were wide with curiosity.
"I didn't like them, crowding you. You're still weak after all." I replied hastily. I played with my fork.
"It is fine, Fel. Thank you, for protecting me. It's safe and comfortable here. Drizzt in another room? I don't see his belongings." He swallowed his food and peeked at our belongings.
Really? "Welcome. Eh, it's ok to say you're my…partner, lover? You are not angry." Serif stood up on his hind legs and begged for food. Ilkar gave him a piece of meat. "Before I slept he popped in, said he'd have to talk to other people. Lady didn't come yet. Not sure."
Ilkar inclined his head. "Umhm. Why would I be angry? I understand many girls find me desirable. They forget my age. Have you?"
"Not after how much you have shared… don't sound young and naïve at all, Ilkar." Suddenly my cheeks and ears were heating up and I found it hard to breathe so I focused on Serif. He meowed and curled his tail. The truth is after all this time together, I see you as more than a friend and mentor! I… think it's love! I was done with my meal.
"Good. I am supposed to be the voice of wisdom anyway. Hehe. I'll always be here for you. But it's not possible between us, Fel. The passionate romance cannot last and I'd be broken in spirit when mortals fade."
That wrenched my heart, even as my mentor's smile faded and his brow creased. Ilkar arranged the cutlery as the last morsel was cleaned off.
Then he looked outside and beamed. "View is beautiful. The sunlight, glitters. Want to take a walk later?"
"Yeay go outside!" I cheered, jumping up. I whispered into his ear something I found out about my race. Sharin was my guardian for a brief time before she was taken from me and she said I wasn't an ordinary human. "I won't die that fast. I'll expect you not to forget me, k?" A long silence and at first the elf gave me an intense searching look. As if he did not believe me.
Serif snorted and head butted his leg. Ilkar smiled and held out his arms. Serif allowed himself to be carried. "Argh he's heavier. Ate more boy. Need to lose weight."
"Yup he is."
"I thought more of reading in the archives, or the libraries. Drizzt told me it is extensive here. Will you mind?" he asked enthusiastically before we descended the stairs. I was quite letdown, we should get out for some fresh air! He shouldn't go and inhale dust and it wouldn't help his paleness. "Eh, do I need to go in there? The outside is better," I said.
He nodded, but I didn't miss the flinch of hurt. His ears pricked and his voice was soft, "Ah. I'm just excited to do some reading after being away from scrolls and research for so long. You can go ahead. I'll come later."
I didn't speak until Ilkar was halfway down the first landing and walking in that direction. "What? Will you be all right?" Some servants passed by and one remarked he shouldn't be out of bed so soon. Ilkar's hand clasped the railing. Oh no! I supported him.
He blinked. "Yes?"
"I'll come."
"Won't you be bored? I can manage." He patted my arm. I shook my head.
"Probably but you shouldn't toddle around unattended." My friend nodded, walking slowly towards the Archives.
The shelves were numerous, towering several storeys. Ladders were needed to go up. People were nearby to help. Ilkar spoke to one person while I tickled Serif. I had never liked strangers. The vastness…. We had it all to ourselves. I watched him pore over large and small tomes, scribbling notes on another piece of paper. When the inquisitive people had passed, I whispered if he felt completely well yet.
He sighed. "You noticed eh? It's a new country and timezone. I can't stand and exert for too long. Drizzt and you are alright?"
I nodded. We should ask the Lady if she could make him better. Surely she was a miracle mage queen! "Hey I'm your teacher. Thanks for keeping an old mage company, I'll be sure to tell you a story later." His hazel eyes shone like gold.
"Hey c'mon you're not old. I don't believe."
He sighed and shook his head.
Our stomachs growling signalled that we should head outside. Yes! I practically tore down the stairs through the large doors. The endless forests were alluring and enchanting. I took a deep cleansing breath. Trees give us life. They were not the same as in Calaius, probably different species. I spotted some exotic colored birds, I think they were called parakeets in Man's language. Most of the trees were triangle shaped.
Ilkar walked more slowly behind me, spinning in a circle to take in the marvellous view. He noticed me staring and folded his arms. His lips twitched. "What?"
"Nothing. These are nice! Back at your place was also nice… but it's less hot here. Oh yes, I remember one time your people told us, any houses you build will usually be near the river or water, and not to cut down too many trees. And something about the symmetry of houses vs trees?"
Ilkar paused for a while. "All right. Correct. Symmetry means exact half, like a circle with lines. Let me draw it on the ground, the jagged line in the centre divides into two right? That's it, what the elders meant is *village head will first try to live and build one hut in a patch of forest. Then when he or she finds it ideal, invite more elves to come and it becomes more. Although population will expand, children and immigrants, they take care not to destroy more trees than necessary. Ok to be simple, few of us and houses, more trees around. That also helps when we need to hide from invaders. My brother is one of the warriors who can blend into the plants and spy on intruders who wander. If they are hostile, the warriors chase them off."
I listened to his spellbinding tale and how he drew the pictures with a branch on the ground. Never mind the big words, as long as there's green I LOVE IT! This called to my inner nature-girl.