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staycatcher · 5 years

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Anguish 001- Anguish

“Out of genuine free will, I, Lee Minho, exercise the divine right to reject my sacredly designed soulmate.”

Member: Lee Minho / Lee Know x Femme Reader (she / her)

Au: Frat Boi! Minho + Rejected Soulmate AU

Genre: Angst (some comedy?,, this series is gonna be angsty because of the whole ‘rejected soulmate’ thing)

Rated T for a whole lotta swearing, a frat party, crowds, usage of alcohol and mentions of drugs, intensity, reader is a bit socially anxious (please lmk if any other warnings are needed!💞🥺)

Word Count: 4k & manually double spaced between words & paragraphs for ease of reading!!!!🥵🤠🥰

Note: this is dedicated to @trixareforlix, they’re the first-ever friend I made on here and they’re the one who sparked this frat au idea!! Ilysm always angel!!<33

Edited: 201015 (Original: 190813 )

Anguish series 1/?- ~001~, 002

The anticipated day where you’d become magnetized, the world around you becoming a blur, your heart falling into perfect sync with the one destined for you truly… was not like that at all, actually! No, the stars were cruel to you, perhaps you did something awful in your past life to deserve this, but maybe what is more likely is that your soulmate’s just an asshole. After all, one’s soulmate was the complete opposite of one’s self. Soulmates were the yin to one’s yang and vice versa and all that. To keep one balanced, or whatever.

Now, you aren’t the angel everyone may claim you to be. You weren’t angelic, not at all. Eating ice cream for breakfast was not above you. Your nail polish was perpetually chipped. You couldn’t stand to keep your hair in the same style for too long; chopping it all off or seeing how long it could grow, dying it as bright as you could, and everything in between. You adorned yourself with two or three more piercings than your parents could get behind, bless them, you’re beginning to have trouble hiding your new tattoo. Habitually, you were sensitive, soft, a bit emotional, and tended to be a bit of a smartass. You weren’t blessed with physical grace, ceaselessly tripping over yourself, spilling and knocking over anything in your path, and dancing out of beat to blasted songs.

More often than not, you would go to bed later than planned. Tonight was one of those nights, but it was not because of your natural preference. You were not too figuratively dragged into this by someone who held the title of your best friend, someone whom you were currently thinking of ways of revoking that title from.

“C’mon, dummy! We’re almost there!” Jamie elbowed you, her eyes crinkled in laughter, whacking you on the back a bit too hard.

“Jamie, I must’ve forgotten, but why’re you even dragging me to this frat party again? Why not just go to your sorority instead?” You groaned, your two left feet were dragging behind you on the aged sidewalk, your fake Doc Martens feeling like cinder blocks.

“‘Cause Chris invited me and he’s being a little bitch about it because I keep canceling on ‘im! He keeps saying that my soulmate might be there!” She reminded you for the umpteenth time, rolling her head and eyes back in frustration, sighing before continuing. “And now it’s like- I might as well try and see! I mean, come on!~ I’m starting to think he’s right!” And for the umpteenth time today, you question why she’s falling for this. She’s sharper than this. But for some reason, just this once, she found a way to shoehorn Chris’s dumbassery to logic.

In reality, you could meet your soulmate at any time or place, so to say that one's soulmate might be there is like saying it might rain. Sure, it might. But it also can rain in any season so you can’t be wrong with saying that it might. It doesn’t always rain every day, all the time, so it also isn’t that likely. Rain depends on a lot more factors. But right now, you’re a little buzzed, so it sounded pretty sound.

“So he knows your soulmate?”

“I’d hope so! If not, I’d rip his bleached hay-hair right out of his thick skull!” Now, this is the Jamie you knew and loved, you couldn't help the endeared smile on your face. “When we could’ve been eating takeout and watching a musical-“

“So which frat are we going to again?” You had to interrupt her for her sake. Takeout and a movie would always remain superior to parties in your mind and you already didn’t want to be accompanying her to a frat house.

“Hmm… It’s like- uh... Signal kite zing- wait no- hold on-“

You guys must be tipsier from the pregaming than you thought. “Sigma? ‘Signal’ isn’t greek, I think you mean sigma! And ‘kite’ isn-”

“Right, whatever! Anyways, the abbreviation is SKZ-“

“Ohhh! We’re friends with some of them- We’re like best friends with Chris!! Why didn’t you say it was Chris’s frat in the first place?” Your laugh projecting out of you unattractively with claps and swings of limbs which led to slapping a little too hard at Jamie's shoulder. This clarification did make you feel a bit better. This wasn’t a shitty fraternity you didn’t know, this was a shitty fraternity you inevitably tolerated since you knew and even approved of some of its members!

SKZ was home to a hodgepodge of eight brothers who were pretty individual as far as frat dudes go. Some of which you were genuinely fond of, like Chris, or simply acquainted with, like Jisung, whom you shared a major and program with. Others, you couldn’t even remember the names of or who they are in general. It’s also the smallest frat on campus, so they try to get as many people to come to events as possible, which is honestly exhausting as a concept to your introverted self. Thus, you’ve never actually attended one of theirs until now, now that Jamie is dragging you along with her.

“Ow! I don’t know!~ I thought you were smart enough to figure it out when I mentioned Chris!” She teased, making the two of you laugh harder, you couldn’t defend yourself on that one. The two of you just continued your idiotic banter the rest of the way to the Sigma Kappa Zeta house aka the SKZ frat.

The walk to SKZ’s lair was a bit much, more than you and Jamie bargained for. You were so kindly carrying her platforms for her until she’ll put them back on again, only for you to probably end up kindly carrying them again later tonight. The cool breeze of the September night helped with the humidity and sweat, and the sun beautifully set, leaving a delicate lilac color in its wake which was becoming darker and darker the further you walked. The hazy streetlights added to the whimsy atmosphere, yet to be ruined with the sound of an intolerable amount of bass and the overbearing smell of beer and weed when the two of you arrived on site.

“Okay, I’m pretty sure it’s this house!” Jamie halted her steps, turning towards you, her hair swaying along with the belled sleeves of her mesh turtleneck she had under her dress. The two of you really dolled yourselves up for the night, her hair was perfect, your hair was perfect, outside was perfect, and it brought you sobering back to the not-so-perfect earth. The idea of going inside a suffocating, putrid house majorly crowded with drunk and hormonal peers... was not appealing to you in the least.

“Yup, and now it’s time to turn back around!” You quipped, ensnaring her arm with your empty one, about to steer the two of you in a three-point-turn. This was your final chance at getting out of your predicament, and now that you’re here you regret playing along. Sadly, Jamie was just as stubborn as you, and your turn around was met with a roadblock.

“Oh my god, Y/n, you’re joking! We walked the whole ass way here!” She got out in between puffs of airy frustration, her socked heels digging into the ground as you attempted, gracelessly, to steer the two of you around.

“Okay, okay, fine. We did come all this way and now our drinks’ve worn off.” You acknowledged with an irritated huff. “Okay- how about we go in and get some drinks, and then we’ll leave?!” Your pitch going up with each word of your attempt to negotiate before forcing out a chuckle, your laugh did its best to hide the fact that your body was beginning to stick with sweat and anxiety.

“No, ‘and then’ we’ll find Chris to hook me up!” She playfully fought back but it was hard to take her seriously, or yourself, with how the two of you were laughing, hers genuine, yours not so much.

“Jesus Christ, you really are set on this ‘finding your soulmate’ thing.” You breathed. As much as you hated social gatherings, you loved your best friend much, much more, therefore you were willing to be won over in the name of friendship. Though, she would owe you for this! Fortunately for her, food and drink is fair trade in you and your wallet’s eyes.

“I’m lonely, okay! I’d prefer winning the lottery but this is the next best thing!” Jamie, as per usual, brought the two you back right to laughter instantly. She had her mind made up. Plus, with you giggling it made it all the easier for her to haul the both of you right up the steps of the SKZ Frat House stairs.

Once in, Jamie stuck close to your side, literally, but not that she had the natural choice or much of an alternative; this place was packed to the gills! Jumping up on her now platform clad feet, looking for anyone she recognized or any signs of Chris, while you led the two of you, hopefully, to a kitchen. You were practically kicking yourself each step of the way as you shoved your way through the crowd. The air was stuffy and possibly even toxic, to say the least. The scent is much more foul than last you remember, pungent with alcohol, sweat, cigarettes, weed, hints of puke, and dashes of all sorts of pheromones. Despite the few times you’ve smelled this scent, it never failed to make you wish you didn’t leave your safe, sanitary bed.

There’s jabbing elbows and flailing parts of strangers everywhere that had to be watched out and dodged for, sloshing cups, sometimes drunken flirtatious hands grabbing at you, not at all fazed by the pretty companion you had your elbow linked with. The sway of the hoards of people was beginning to get you motion sick, but you were determined to keep wading through, trying to hike through this high tide, but you couldn’t help but feel vulnerable. You were cursed with a soft, approachable face that just begged to be messed with. Even in times like these, where your thoughts are nothing short of bitchy, the message would never get across with a resting bitch face. Your love for dark attire didn’t matter. Your baby face and aura won every match. Not even the eyeliner and dark lipstick you preferred could save you. All you could do is hope that your best friend’s intimidation and delightfully loud presence was enough for the two of you as you keep planting one foot after the other.

“Fucking hell!” You barely gasped out, finally freed out of the main room, and now into the hallway. The seasick claustrophobia no longer had its poisonous grips on your soft, easy to bruise skin, though, you did need to catch your breath.

“Finally!” Jamie sighed loudly and melodically, patting you on the back and easily recovering. Before she headed straight into the kitchen to scope out the place, possibly for anyone she knew and, perhaps, her Special Someone.

“So did ya see anyone you knew, Jame?” You called after her upon entering what appeared to be a stereotypical scene of the kitchen during a college party. Cliche red solo cups scattered everywhere, filled at varying degrees. A beer keg or two, some cheap bottles of vodka splayed about, remnants of ash from blunts, a couple or two aggressively making out against the wall, and four or five random stragglers fidgeting with their phone or talking overly loudly to each other. You know, the usual.

“Ughh, no” She answered reluctantly. “They have to be somewhere else, maybe, like upstairs or downstairs, right?!”

Before you could reply, behind you, you heard an enthusiastic “Jamie!!” then a muffled, “you finally made it!!” The familiar voice had you jerking your head to see if your ears were failing you, evidently, they weren’t. Right away you see Chris tackling Jamie in a hug before he met your eyes with his comically wide ones.

“Aaaahhh!! Y/n’s here too?!”

“Yeah! Don’t we look cute?” Jamie fluffed up her cropped, newly dyed hair you helped her do, yours also in a similar state.

“Yeah, but Y/n looks better.” He teased, giggling and slapping her in the arm; unsurprising, as it’s their usual fashion.

“Oh my god! Why did I come here?! Okay, we’ll leave then, Chris.” Jamie joked right back at him, snatching at your hand like it was a prize to be won and taking you away with her. Unfortunately for you, this was just a well-meaning joke, you weren’t going to be set free from a party anytime soon.

“Nooo! Don’t go!!” He dramatized, grabbing onto at Jamie, halting her from leaving with you in tow. Giggling so hard, he had to throw his head back to project it all. You snorted a “thank you” a bit late, too busy laughing. He just gave you a brotherly slap on the arm, on his way to leave before Jamie stopped him.

“Wait! What about my soulmate? You said they'd be here, remember!”

“Oh?” Chris’s eyebrows scrunched in confusion, Jamie nodded with stern wide eyes which seemed to spark back his doubtful memory, “Ahhh… downstairs… maybe… I think- hangin’ out! There’s a game about to start- Oh, yeah! That’s why I’m here-” he giggled to himself, “to get this!” He then snatched a full bottle of vodka from a sneaky cabinet you didn’t know about before ushering you guys along to follow him. Honestly, Chris didn’t make it sound too promising that Jamie’s soulmate could be down there, but it’s the best lead you got.

Shyly, you followed behind the two as he led the way to the basement. With Chris as your guide, it was relatively smooth sailing, the crowd parting minimally to make way for the president of the frat. Before you know it, you’re walking down some nasty ass carpeted stairs, forcing your eyes from questionable stains to look for a rail instead to hold onto. Strangely enough, walking down the steps was comforting somehow, the feeling as if it were inviting you in. Like it assigned you a duty instead of the alienating fish out of water experience you had earlier on the main floor.

“I picked up some stragglers!” Chris cheered as he turned into the room.

“Yeah, but did you bring the alcohol?” A brazen voice you’ve never heard before shot straight through you. You could feel it run through you with tingles down your spine and goosebumps up your arms.

“Hell yeah I did, ya jackass!”

When the two of you turned the corner, the world slowed down and your muscles instantly seized up, halting you into place without consent. Your insides clench tight, wrapping itself into a knot. Suddenly you were sweating, but in contrast, your vision looked as though you were looking through a nice refreshing glass of pink lemonade. Normally steady hands were now shaky, your ears and cheeks beginning to glow beet red. You could feel yourself beginning to sweat at the nape of your neck and underarms; all this from the sudden voice of the stranger! -What? What’s going on?!-

Immediately, your gaze pans around the room before they landed on the source, long-lashed eyes holding a dark chocolate glaze and shivering you to the bone. Like a hooked fish, you couldn’t look away. The initial astonishment of just the sensations couldn‘t compare to exploring the face in front of you.

Chiseled cheeks, and angular brows. Pouty naturally downturned lips were discovered underneath an impossibly perfect, pointy nose. Everything about him was like the artwork, his slightly covered forehead was somehow artistic as if even the space between the brow and the hairline was something new that your narrow mind could never possibly understand. His hairline soon revealed a head of luscious black hair, unrealistically voluminous, shiny and soft. Honestly, his hair was screaming at you to test out if it could be possible, that someone who looked like this was real. His entire face and head on his shoulders didn’t make conceivable sense. Maybe it’s just you, but a person this perfect couldn’t exist and you have yet to venture south to see how perfect the rest of him could possibly be.

“Y/n? Are- are you okay?”

You vaguely felt or heard your best friend at your side, but it wasn’t decipherable. Everything but this guy in front of you was fuzzy, blurry to you. All the energy in your being focused on this human in front of you. His silky, messily parted locks, begging for you to test if it was as soft as it looked. His sharp features. His lips a natural coral-y color that began to shine and glimmer with saliva as his glossy tongue began to trail along those chapped lips. You shot your eyes back to his, reeling you back in like the prey you began to feel. Oh, sweet, sweet baby Jesus, is this really happening?!

“I-“ both of you started at the same time. Embarrassingly enough, it seems as though the blurry figures of everyone else in the corner of your eyes caught on to something the two of you were oblivious to. Everyone started jumping and screaming, whooping chaotically, and taking over your vision. The slow world disappeared in a blink, launching you right back to its now rapid, woozy speed. With everyone pushing and shoving around you in excitement it was not at all helping with your wibbly-wobbly state.

Suddenly, you felt many different arms coming at you, wrapping around you, constricting you, and jumping around with you in their arms in excitement. There was a deafening amount of rambunctious hooting and hollering it was almost as if the team they were rooting for won the SuperBowl.

“And here I thought Y/n was Jamie’s soulmate!” Chris guffawed and they all joined in, all besides you and this guy- WAIT- did Chris say- say ‘soulmate’?? No, he couldn’t have!

“Soulmate?” Equally, as soon as you internally questioned the word choice, you heard his earth-shattering voice speak again, despite the fact he merely whispered, softly wondering aloud. He spoke aloud what you were thinking, right when you thought it!

You couldn’t get enough of his voice, especially now when you can’t see him in the crowd. His voice was light, honey-colored, dreamy, just the perfect amount of deep, it made you want to taste his lips to see if he’s as sweet as he sounded. You, yourself, were still in the locked-in-place state, still too shell shocked to even make a step forward, your poor brain overworking itself to make sense of any of this.

“Really?” In elated shock you chirped, slowly giving in to the hugs and excited jumping with wide and confused eyes. Is this for real? This is really happening?!

“Holy fuck, Y/n!” Jamie managed to get you, pulling you a bit too crushingly in a hug. “I can’t believe it! You found your soulmate in this shitty basement and not me!” She playfully teased, there was no ill will behind it.

By now the situation was beginning to sink in a teeny bit and you were shocked, to say the least. Frankly, you were starting to think that this day would never come. You had a soulmate and your soulmate looked like that! You were over the moon, even if you felt a bit guilty that you found your soulmate at this party instead of Jamie. It was the plan of this whole night, after all. Now that it was you, you didn’t know how to react. You were completely and utterly unprepared.

“I’m so sorry, Jamie.” You pulled her back in closer, crushing her back into you, eyes watering, lip trembling. “Oh my god, I think I might- I think I might cry.” You hiccupped into her chic mesh turtleneck and dress combo. This is too much. Too too much.

“Heyy!~ Don’t feel bad for me! It’s okay!” Jamie simply chortled, patting your head deeper into her chest, her usual protocol if you were about to seriously cry.

Humiliatingly enough, you heard a few guys begin to chant “don’t cry!” in the background. Your small moment of sincerity and calm was soon interrupted by Chris.

“Well isn’t this fun! You know what this means!”~

“Minho’s soulmate’s a lil’ bitch?” You heard Jisung, the kid whom you shared your major and many classes with, taunt. His words forcing you forward, ready to fight the kid. He’s a child, literally a child! Why do I associate myself with him?! I swear to god-

“Hey, hey, hey! It was a joke!” He squeaked away from you. He was too speedy, no chance for you and your heavy ass boots stomping after him. Safely, he skidded behind the couch, behind whom you’re assuming is “Minho”, which had your boots screeching to a halt.

Though you were scrambling after Jisung, your eyes naturally met Minho’s as you halted. Once again, your body is preparing to either fight or flight. His face was glowing like he was some sort of ethereal being, wracked up in deep, attractive concentration. In contrast, your face was beginning to burn up an embarrassing amount, your body already turning into inoperable mush. You couldn’t say anything if you tried. Any sentence structure your brain tried to form didn’t make any grammatical or logical sense, your mind racing like a hamster on a wheel. Your neural pathways were glowing, steaming with this sudden overstimulation, leading you to the same frazzling answer each and every time:

This person right in front of you? Yeah, that’s your soulmate.

A hush was spread throughout the previously hype basement, all eyes immersed in the two of you speechlessly enraptured in each other. The longer you stood there, the more you could take him in and get used to him and the idea of him. You were warming up to him, he became more and more real with each millisecond. You've studied his eyes so passionately now that could see his dark chocolatey pupils when you closed your eyes. You were no longer overwhelmed but now enchanted by his features and general presence. His cheekbones are no longer an unfamiliar art piece. His aura was still intimidating as before, but now it appeared to the cheeky kind of way like you wanted to see what amount of scary he was capable of. It was a long, jittery, drawn-out pause before anything happened, not that you noticed.

“Out of genuine free will,” You just smiled, staring at his naturally downturned lips. Only by reading his lips did you pay attention to what he was saying- Wait, what?

“I, Lee-” Hold on a second.

“Minho-” No.

“Exercise the divine right to” This isn’t happening to me. This isn’t-

“Reject my sacredly designed-” happening. No. No. It can’t be. It’s not p-

“Soulmate.” -ossible.

The electric, exciting, high energy pause between us fell and wilted. Died just like that. The connected red strings that tied Minho and yourself were chopped off on his own accord, bringing icy cold into the room in its wake. A harsh blizzard overwhelming the space. Gasps of shocked air were being taken in from everyone in this basement, everyone, including Lee Minho.

You got a gasp of bitter cold in through your lungs before you were struck like lightning. Lightning of feverish torture took over your body, struck you directly in the heart and brain before it flashed through your veins carrying the harsh poison of rejection.

You heard a pathetic squawk tear its way out of your chapped lips, the anguish forcing you down to your knees as if you were directly stabbed in the heart. The electric, immediate painful reaction faded, bringing boiling throbs through all your cells, not leaving one out. It was unlike anything you could describe, no, imagine. It was as if the blood in your veins was replaced with boiling water and your heart was simultaneously squeezed and electrocuted in the grasps of electric hands. Maybe it was the hands of Satan dragging you down with him.

Blurrily, through fresh, hot tears, you swear you could see Minho physically flinch in response, immediately, sprinting out of the room as if he was escaping from a house on fire.

That was the last you saw before it all faded to black.

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olivertreespirit-blog · 5 years

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the elven chronicles

**so maybe if anyone likes this it’ll actually get published some day.. it’s i suppose my first real jab at writing, here goes then**

the elven chronicles

by oliver treespirit ~

the elven chronicles prologue the journey of the queen olympia

chapter 1 limberdore

in limberdore the eldritch drarves carve thistlewood into woven hearths and dip them in the golden waters that are enchanted by the goodess eldra whose temple is at the edge of the woods this allows them to be lit as torches and burned for all time until extinguished; any that have her blessing within the city have this gift it is not the only reason many travelers come to limberdore; the shops are known for their fine craftsmen merchants of all from weapons to worldly delicacies and this place attracts all kinds as they say from eccentric collectors to hodgepodge peddlers as well as some nasty sorts the eldritch dwarves and their children live in the wooded city; so it is of course the city center and the pubs and shrines that gather odd bits and pieces from across the strange and magnificient nine realms like some sort of cosmic tub drain it is in this bizarre centre that we meet our players

the tall bearded man is marko; his ship has been wrecked after a pirate attack in the serpent seas though his crew has abandoned him as is the natural course in these businesses to easily find work in a centre as bustling as limberdore, he has managed to pick up a stray- a small girl who insists that her father told her to talk to him, but also that her father is dead the dejected captain is of course convinced the girl is mad but thinks better than to hand a mad child over to just anyone in the centre of limberdore so he's decided to table this problem over the issue of his ship the girl, who claims her name is elexa, continues babbling on enthusiastically about chasing butterflies in the forest and times her father would sing to her old elven folk songs it was drifting in and out of marko's consciousness that it was strange that her father knew elven folk songs, but it would be even stranger if her father had been elvish or even something of the sort, because elves and humans had not coexisted since the days of magic marko's father had been a child in the days of magic; he told enthralling stories of battling dragons and falling in love with enchanting sirens in the forest

it was as they approached the pub a new player entered the scene; a rather broad and staturely gentleman was, rather painfully shyly, being thrown out of the tavern and the situation was somehow escalating marko saw a pair of men in uniforms that were not official to her sovereign district of limberdore and looked as if they'd just lost badly in a game of shufflebout and were out for revenge against the world, draw their sabres on the man towering over them who appeared to be pleading like a child, only to hurdle them across the center of the street and into the carts of the merchants on the edge of the road, who each had their own men in out-of-jurisdiction uniform who proceeded to chase the baffled previous men off the fellow who seemed to have caused all the trouble was by this point in tears what's the matter big guy? markos attempted. elexa was more successful. that mean guy try to overcharge you again taiga? every time, taiga managed between sniffles this time i tried to trick him by ordering the same thing but he said it went up you shouldn't come here i know, but the stuff i make at home doesn't taste good i'll help you next time you know this man? markos interrupted you know elexa? taiga countered not really.. markos needs new hands for his ship. how would you like a job taiga? i promise this guy seems nice taiga looked contemplative we could get a new raincatcher yeah!... the thought briefly crossed markos' mind that taiga and elexa were roommates of some sort, a thought which he found even stranger than elexa's father being involved with elves or taiga's restraint against men he was head and shoulders taller than which meant ultimately that markos had more issues to table in preference to the ever-more pressing issue of his ship, wandering in a strange town and having picked up apparently two children- an issue which at this time decided to release itself from his head, perhaps if only in a desperate attempt to clear up space for all the new and complicated thoughts and problems that were entering it how the bloody hell am i supposed to get a new ship!? i thought you said he was nice nice people still swear sometimes having found no answer to his quandary in the sky, markos turned at last to his new traveling companions do either of you know where to find a ship in this centre? or how im supposed to pay for it if i've been robbed by pirates?! i'm sorry, that's awful- taiga blurted elexa watched the space between them solemnly; she had already expressed her condolences to markos tirelessly over the beginning length of their long journey from where he had washed up on the shores of limber grove markos seemed to breath heavily for a moment, with the look of a man who has realized he has been accidentally carrying a strangers purse from the journey depot a look of realization seemed to creep across his face, perhaps spurred on by what he was beginning to consider might be an attempt by these new involvements in his life to drive him to madness or else defeat him entirely why am i going to limberdore?... my ship hasn't sunk.. it's only all banged up, but there was timber and birch to repair it in the groves ...what am i doing here?!? elexa chose this moment to break the silence i told you to come to limberdore, remember? it's my fault i'm sorry you asked me where to go when you woke up; but you didn't tell me the ship was okay taiga looked interested of course it's okay! i remember now i mustve... fallen overboard when i blacked out after it washed up on the rocks it's only a little ways from shore! will you hire taiga then? and can i come too? markos looked for a moment like he was in the path of a noble's grand wide carriage taiga.. seems like he would make a good hand, of course taiga smiled i need to get you home to your parents little lady taiga frowned a little, sympathetically i told you, my father's dead and what about your mother? where is your mother? taiga looked at elexa, as if he knew she thought for a second candlethire that's why i need to come with you on your ship the look in taiga's eyes told markos the girl was telling the truth he paused, then sighed heavily i'm not going to candlethire where are you going? i... don't know... i have no shipment... i suppose anywhere i can send a message to my freelancers and tell them to file with the crown for the standard piracy cushion can we go to candlethire please? it was painfully obvious taiga wanted to go too it is... the other side of the world can we stop somewhere to tell your bosses you're sorry and then go to candlethire? please? ... it was at this moment markos felt something that he had not felt since the last day he had spoken to his father before he died a sense of... peace in the face of those things which are beyond our control happening as he looked out over the ocean of silsivar, he wondered where the feeling had come from i... will recieve my pirates insurance when i send the misage, while my freelancers will have to wait the day... so if i receive no work by the time we reach a port we can send the misage, i will have time to take you to candlethire markos was surprised and almost horrified that the words had come out of his mouth, but a small familiar.. trustworthy voice told him it was alright taiga certainly seemed pleased; for a second in fact he almost looked markos in the eye to candlethire then! aye!! elexa screamed enthusiastically yes sir, taiga sounded off proudly markos couldn't help but smile, and then wonder if he had hit his head on the way being washed up on shore do any of you know anything about repairing a boat? my daddy taught me how to make toy boats, elexa offered i'm good at making things, i make all sorts of things dogs fish cats trees groundhogs dragons airhoppers frogs funny faces... it was at this moment markos realized that taiga would probably continue at least until they reached the ship and had something else to focus on elexa was watching silently with the look of a patron who knows every word by memory, beaming proudly lobsters, electric fish, sea serpents, toads (which kind of look like frogs but they're different) rats, squirrels, kittens... markos could not remember even remotely how long it had taken to walk to the city centre from the shores of limber grove

chapter 2 limber grove

within two hours the good ship queen olympia looked better and more elegant than it had the day markos bought it markos had spent most of the time bringing wood vines and other supplies to taiga elexa had provided the cheerleading section in everything you listed on the way here from limberdore, markos panted, you never mentioned ships taiga beamed what he had done was not only mended and reinforced the broken structures, but the entire ship, and added a few decorative flairs that markos could tell were gathered from more than one local culture markos was in actual fact most proud of the medalion that now hung from queen olympia herself's wooden neck, bearing the ancient insignia of limberdore- not the new one the duke merchant was putting on all the carts it was considered a proud relic throughout the world and have random berries custard for breakfast! elexa interrupted the two's silent bonding moment absolutely, markos blurted, realizing after the fact what he'd agreed to but to his relief the other two seemed to let him get away with it are we going to candle thire now? just as soon as we stop at a port with a royal misage station... i have to check my map in the cabin but if i recall, the nearest to this isle is the island of darmwort, and should be about a day or two's distance than what are we waiting for ?! yay! taiga agreed neither of you have anyone to say goodbye to or anything to collect from the village? a look of silent understanding seemed to pass between elexa and taiga we could say goodbye to the raincatcher... she offered we have to find your mom, taiga answered elexa looked resolved. and we'll get a new raincatcher, she volunteered yeah, taiga agreed, one that doesnt leak the beginning of the journey until sunset was rather quiet, when taiga and elexa managed to find rooms that suited their unique tastes in the now vacant crews quarters and retire for the night, and markos stayed awake to watch the helm, as well as the stars as he was fond of doing he knew he was tired from the chaotic day, and he figured maybe it was just him but he felt as if the entire evening elexa and taiga had shared in some kind of... mourning for a lost love in the face of duty he hadn't thought much about their raincatcher, he had one on the ship he'd had to replace just the other weeks'time

chapter 3 lagoon silsivas

markos had encountered winds as good as the ones that bore them to the port of darmwort by noontime the next day (which was around the time taiga and elexa were each waking up) but not for many a long while, and as he passed the marker island in the morning he muttered a prayer of thanks to the men's god of his childhood village, seamor. are we there yet? elexa mumbled sleepily while taiga amused himself cooking eggs on the cabin stove we will be quite soon actually, we're early, said markos yay and then candlethire! the epic weight of the word seemed to hang in the air markos thought to himself candlethire was literally the opposite side of the world- the world of acaemia was in fact flat, or rather the flat bottom surface of a dormant volcano the size of a small celestial body acaemia's creation fables tell of its atmosphere and cooled oceans coming from long past volcanic eruptions some of some past world but you get the idea markos and his former crew had navigated the pace streams around the edge of acaemia to reach limberdore early at his freelancers' request, though that trick was still sometimes used by pirates he could use a similar approach to reach candlethire at latest by the end of the week, as opposed to the weeks at least it would take to sail through the middle he needed only to cut the distance to the inner edge winds from darmwort of course, the same stratagem had lost him his ship to pirates only the day before, and now he was traveling with a crew he wasn't sure would be about themselves in a fight on the high seas however... he felt that same strange feeling he had felt when he originally agreed to take them to candlethire he was also becoming more and more aware of a sense of urgency about reaching elexa's mother he was beginning to unspokenly share with her and taiga he couldn't place his finger on it, but it made him wonder why she hadn't reached out to anyone else in the village or perhaps she had anyway, the answer he gave was that after the station at darmwort they would sail toward the inner edge winds, which would take them to candlethire in four to six days, maybe seven elexa was so overjoyed she began leaping and dancing around the deck, and markos found himself surpisingly impressed at her seemingly intuitive sealegs taiga dropped an entire tray of eggs in sudden delight at the news, and was almost let down before he proceeded to emerge from the kitchen with three remaining or extra trays of eggs breakfast!

chapter 4 darmwort

the station at darmwort was no trouble, and markos even received extra pirates compensation because he had had to repair his ship out of port he knew that it wouldn't hurt his business in the future either because the goods he'd been carrying through potentially pirate waters were replaceable at best; teas, burning oils, tobaccos, spices, casting sands... perhaps that was why he felt strangely at peace about the idea of sailing back into the inner edge winds with a crew comprised of a lumbering jack-of- all-trades who probably couldn't hurt a fly, and a sparkle-eyed little girl who probably would take on the world it was on the way out of the port of darmwort that the first vibes of tension began to creep into the air- a black sailed ship, with no flag, after some amount of time it became clear had been following them from the harbor at first markos thought nothing of it, they could easily be taking the same path he was from port to reach the inner edge winds and after it became clear, at least in everyone's emotions that something was amis, there wasn't anything he could really do about it no one spoke as the suspense hung in the air, and the black-sailed ship drew ever-slowly closer in the distance it was about the time they could make out the faces of some of the crew the ship finally raised a flag markos froze elexa, taiga, get below deck, he muttered absently pirates

chapter 5 the inner edge winds

on the high seas, each man is responsible for his own weapons; and since markos usually sailed with a properly fitted crew, that meant that he had one, a silvered blunderbuss enchanted by an eldritch shaman to almost never miss it didn't do much good if he was outnumbered and the ships cannon wouldn't do too much good either at this point; debris might even hit the queen olympia so markos held his ground, shaking, as only one pirate stepped onto the deck of his just-repaired ship we've come to give this back, he moaned, it is our right; we have made sacrifice to the pirate goddess she-ra it is once again your burden with that, he handed markos what to his memory was a cheap trinket from one of the shops at his last shipment port, bowed, and retreated back to the black-sailed ship, which hastily sailed away after an unknown time of stunned and confused silence, markos called elexa and taiga back on deck you're alright! what happened?? taiga seemed to silently agree they... returned what they had stolen, as pirates will sometimes do, according to their mythology... it has happened to me before, with a shipment of royal gems that a price was then placed on... but i don't know what this is tabby! elexa blurted who? she seemed to correct herself. it's not.. but.. it looks like a toy i had when i was little, i named her tabby markos was not quite sure what to make of that statement do you have any idea what this is or where it came from? my daddy got mine for me in candlethire an untraceable silence seemed to hang in the air it was broken when the ship suddenly accelerated, causing all on board to almost lose their footing hold on, markos assumed his captain's role instinctively, we're entering the inner edge winds in what seemed like perhaps a minute the ship was practically skimming the surface of the water, a thrill markos knew as an experienced sailor of acaemia but which taiga and elexa had never experienced whoooooo!!!!! elexa stretched her arms outward at the top stern of the ship, like the figure of the good queen olympia riding the same surf below her taiga seemed troubled that they were going so fast you know where we're going right? it's mostly sea until candlethire, we might pass a few islands.. smooth sailing, we're well prepared having stocked up in darmwort taiga was not reassured i don't like when things around me are changing too quickly markos nodded, ponderingly; elexa announced from her proud vantage point that an island was approaching do you think it has monkeys? it might, markos volunteered, but we have to get to candleshire i knowwwwwww, elexa retorted, i've just never seen monkeys, my father said they live on islands they do, markos agreed, but only some islands and i don't know if that one has any monkeys than it's not worth stopping anyway elexa concluded right then markos saluted next stop candleshire at this taiga smiled, then seemed to think for a second and resolvedly returned below deck this left markos to keep elexa company, as she gazed out over the ocean flying beneath her feet so how long do you think until we reach candleshire now? she asked we've only been sailing a day, markos defensively countered but how far are we? i don't know, we could see if that island was on the map what do you remember about it? you didn't know if it had monkeys right, markos agreed, we'll check if we've passed the island without monkeys yet elexa silently agreed

do you think we'll find my mom at candleshire? markos realized that the thought had not until this point crossed his mind why shouldn't we? he asked. you told me that's where she was yeah, but i don't know where. i only know that she's in candleshire and daddy's.... she trailed off i'm sorry don't be sorry, he's in a much better place, was all she had to say markos began to wonder who or what exactly he'd brought aboard his ship, on a free journey no less he decided to change the subject and attempt to answer those questions which he felt were his place to ask so all you know about this little... trinket is that it reminds you of a toy your father got you from candleshire? uhuh, tabby, my best friend what can you tell me of candleshire? it's where mommy is don't you know anything about candleshire? don't you? i... don't really... i've never been to candleshire, in fact i can't remember if there had been anything from one of the ports there in that shipment i know mommy and daddy met in candleshire oh? yes but that was before they had me ... where were you born? i don't remember you don't remember? because i've never known, my mommy and daddy wouldn't tell me where i was born, but i lived and grew up in hodgebridge, near limber grove where i met taiga uhuh... and... what happened? if... you don't mind my asking... mother went to candleshire... when my father died. she said she would come get me or send for me when she found a home there... a startling reality slowly began to sink in upon markos you're... you're half-elven, aren't you, elexa? ..yes, i am... my mother... candleshire is an elven village that's true, at least, it was.. before my mother and father left to have me there was another deep and thoughtful silence those hired thugs' swords at the tavern.. you did that my mother taught me what else can you do? i can tell you what you're thinking right meow did you just say right meow? right meow? yes right meow! you mean just meow? meow?!?!? i did not say right meow just meow you did that on purpose didn't you mhm~ ...okay, so what am i thinking right now? you're thinking that it's just your luck you've managed to find a couple of crazy kids to give a free ride to after losing your shipment to those pirates. you'd rather just take the insurance and have your rightful island vacation how did you do that? my mommy was better at it than me, i could never lie to her... no, i imagine not, markos laughed at a moment, elexa suddenly smiled at him, which took him off guard i'm glad you're taking us to candleshire, she said gratefully of course, i couldn't have you wandering the streets of limberdore looking for some other total stranger to follow around all day this time elexa laughed so when will we get to candleshire? markos sighed lightly at morning light we'll be able to scout for landmarks that should tell us how much of the distance around the edge we've covered so far yay! thank you again markos ~ with that, she followed taiga downstairs with a yawn, and markos suddenly realized that the sun had set since they'd been talking he shrugged to himself and quietly resumed his vigil by the helm and the stars when he was young, markos' father had always watched the stars with him, pointing out the constellations of course now as a sailing captain markos knew them all by heart, but he still remembered them as if his father were teaching him that was why he never felt lonely on those nights watching the helm

chapter 6 the isle of floating rocks

when elexa and taiga sleepily wandered out of their rooms the next morning, markos was beaming we had exceptional winds yesterday to get us to darmwort, but this takes all of the cakes! i told you the best we could do candleshire in was four days? well we are half-way there! elexa was brought to the point of tears by this news, and markos felt himself become all the more proud of his ship taiga reacted with a look of horror, which was immediately versed that's not right! he shouted. how did we sail two days in one night? we didn't taiga, we sailed most of yesterday too, but we have made really good time nooo nooooo noooooo nooooooooo noooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!! taiga ranted can't anyone see we're not where we're supposed to be!?!?! elexa's eyes were still wet, but a look of concern began to spread across her face as she looked at taiga taiga, what's wrong? markos attempted look around us!!!!!! taiga shouted desperately i am, i'm a captain, remember, we're in the sourdritch vicinity, we passed elmer island a little while ago; these waters are friendly and safe to swim in no no no no no no no no noooooo!!!!!!!!!!!! taiga ranted again, and at this point it was clear that he was having some kind of emotional breakdown he suddenly caught markos' gaze firmly, which made markos realize that taiga had not made eye contact with him since he came on the ship i asked if you knew where we were going, not where we were markos paused for a second then they both turned and looked at elexa, who was still in tears, but the look in her face had grown from one of surprised joy to fragile madness she was trembling of course i know.. where we're going... last night while you two were asleep, we passed the isle of floating rocks, which lies under the constellation hysteros... elexa... taiga pleaded she answered him, finally, in a terrified whisper i wanna find my mommy taiga markos suddenly felt as if someone were standing right behind him the isle of floating rocks isn't beneath the constellation hysteros... we use it to set our compasses by the north star. the isle of floating rocks lies under the north star... taiga and elexa both looked at markos, silently someone sailed under the constellation hysteros as they passed the isle of floating rocks... in a myth... a myth my father told me... the question that hung silently in the air was shared on all three faces the island of living dreams

chapter 7 the island of living dreams

living dreams don't sound so bad, elexa offered, shakingly not dreams, markos responded, not like daydreams or fantasies, or only good dreams... in the myth, hysteros found his dream, because his only pure intention was to be reunited with a lost love... but his entire crew perished at the hands of their worst nightmares elexa looked like she wasn't sure if she was laughing crying or screaming at this time everyone suddenly realized that she was clutching the mysterious trinket from the night before tightly in her hands taiga broke the silence taking everyone off guard you did this elexa! he shouted no i would never!!! than it did!!! i think... you're right... she barely whispered markos all but slapped his hand to his mouth as he realized the words that he let escape it land sighted taiga rushed to the edge of the ship no.... he murmered. it's coming... don't think about it!!! markos screamed whatever it is don't think about it!!! just think happy thoughts!!! it's too late it's here!!!!!!!!!! a massive sea serpent, almost equal in diameter to the ship itself, and easily six times as long, slithered out of the water beneath them, ever upward, towering taller and taller above them no taiga! fight it! markos pleaded desperately how can i fight it it's right there?!?!?!?! the serpent lowered it's massive head to simply glare the three trembling sailors in the eye it grinned, evily as if some sort of mist had begun to pour unsensably from the creatures nostrils, the vines and birch embraiding the good ship queen olympia began to warp stretch and break, as if they were shriveling in a matter of seconds no! taiga pleaded, sunkenly my ship!!! markos screamed as taiga's hard work vanished, the ship itself began to warp and twist, it's wood colors darkening and massive splinters seeming to grow from the planks the ship began to rise out of the water, growing into a terrifying jagged peak, or perhaps it was being held aloft by the watery dragon the sails now bore jolly rogers markos whirled on taiga you're doing this!!! no!! it's the monster!!! taiga gasped no it's you!!!! this is your worst fear!!!! oh what your worst fear is my ship getting wrecked?!?!?! mine too!!!!!!!! no.... taiga, how could you? there was a look of ominous darkness in elexa's eyes the two had never seen before you said you'd help me find my mommy. you said you'd help me find me mommy!!!!!!!!!! the sky rumbled, and taiga fell to his knees you're not real, he whispered nothing lasts forever, the serpent whispered back including my fears!!!!!!!!!!!!!! taiga lept from the edge of the ship, just beneath the towering dragons mouth it was at this moment markos and elexa managed to snap back to reality or out of the dragon's spell long enough to follow, and find taiga, of all places, in a field of wildflowers how did you know we'd be safe if we jumped overboard? everything was changing. not just my new home... everyone... people i thought i could trust or who would never hurt me the place that had been the scariest had to be the safest place now their moment of peace was broken by a voice from across the meadow a feminine voice markos, it called is that... your mother? he asked elexa then why would she be calling you? she whispered the lady who emerged from the forest was beautiful, like a drawing out of a book of mythology or poetry she kept eye contact with markos the entire time, as she strode effortlessly across the prarie- strewn meadow markos, it's me. the one you love taylia i've come to take you home markos. we'll be together again taylia... i really can't... i have friends over... c'mon my love, let's go home taylia... we parted ways back in barldoor... i'm willing to forget the past if you are my love you know there are still times you miss me markos suddenly had to admit to himself that there were still times he missed her, but he suddenly realized that taiga and elexa were nowhere to be seen he whirled to catch sight of them far back in the clearing where they had been resting, and realize that he had unconsciously followed his former lover to the edge of the glade they were shouting to him but he couldn't make out what they were saying he felt his gaze pulled suddenly back into the eyes of taylia, who was standing on the other side of the trees now come, my one true love, she purred, be mine again markos suddenly stumbled forward, struggling to catch himself on the branches and finding himself stuck within moments he realized that he could not move at all, and the branches were not normal tree branches but actually the massive strands of a giant spider's web he turned to face taylia's body mounted upon the legs of a giant spider, its claws wrapping him into the webbing i want to mate with you, she crooned to him, and i want to eat you, because you're mine!!!! her fangs pierced the sides of his neck, growing as his vision became more blurry to appear more like massive jaws, and everything went black

when markos came to, he was walking along a dimly torch-lit tunnel, in what he could not tell if was a man-made or natural cave. his hand was held by a tall lady in a dark robe who was guiding him for a second markos started to run, then realized when he looked the women in the eye that she was not taylia in fact- she was elvish i can only guide you a short ways longer, her voice seemed to reassure him just remember to trust in love to overcome your fears it was then that they came to a brighter lit clearing in what seemed to be the center of the cave, and markos saw elexa and taiga gathered around a warm fire mommy! i'll see you soon love, she all but whispered, and was gone

markos joined taiga and elexa by the fire is it safe here? he asked uhuh, taiga volunteered, no neat-freak attacks markos chuckled, slowly relaxing onto the floor of the cave

chapter 8 the coastal drifts

when markos awoke, he realized, first of all, that he had not gone to sleep since he had been shipwrecked and secondly, that he was in his cabin, aboard the good queen olympia he was relieved for a second, then rushed up the stairs frantically to find elexa and taiga in the kitchen, having breakfast he rushed past them to the front of the ship, which was once again skimming along the suface of the inner edge winds water way, and climbed over the stern to the headpiece, queen olympia- which still bore the ancient insignia of limberdore markos entered the kitchen, partly relieved but still shaken. taiga and elexa met his gaze enough to let him know that it was them how'd we get back on the ship? he asked aimlessly i guess we must've had good dreams, elexa offered where are we? according to your map we're passing through the coastal drifts, taiga volunteered, -now- we're halfway to candleshire markos smiled

a sudden look of concern fell across his face where's the trinket? taiga and i looked all morning, we can't find it anywhere on the ship, elexa answered maybe we left it behind ... you still have no idea what it was? tabby was my best friend, but i don't know what that was, no, she answered i see, markos replied the room once again fell into silence

elexa finally broke it taiga doesn't know which islands have monkeys either, she dejectedly stated markos all but burst out laughing. monkeys are a rare and illusive breed, he countered like good sea captains! hey! at this the room burst into laughter, to once again fall into silence but a noticeably more peaceful one the ship continued to skim its way along the inner edges toward candleshire

chapter 9 memories of hodgebridge

that evening once again found markos entertaining elexa at the stern of the queen olympia, as taiga was adding something to the helm that he said in his theory would give markos a sort of auto-pilot only enjoyed by much higher-end ships after he had confessed that the only island he knew of which might have monkeys was one a traveling old sea peddler told him he had gotten a pet monkey from, but the man might've gotten the monkey on sale at another stand, and they concluded they would go to that island after they found elexa's mother at candleshire, markos rather awkwardly approached the perhaps rather awkward question elexa... what can you tell me about... your mother, or your childhood, or candleshire, or, anything... i feel ashamed that i don't understand anything, he managed elexa nodded not many know much of the elves, she sighed, there are so few of us my parents said that's why lots of people believed breeding with humans was one way to save them, even though it was becoming... frowned upon even before the end of the days of magic my mother and father loved each other; they just wanted a life for our family markos nodded in return my childhood was... lonely... hodgebridge was between a few human and elven settlements, so for awhile i would have friends that only knew one or another of my parents... but that couldn't last when i started to show ...show? she pulled back her unnaturally long (beautiful) tangled, messy hair to reveal the perfectly pointed ears of any elven princess mhm, markos nodded so even my elven friends became suspicious when they could never meet my father... markos listened ...people treated me like there was something wrong with me. my whole life people have treated me like there's something wrong with me. it's the same way with taiga; i think that's why we're friends... what other powers do you have? markos realized after he asked it how silly the question was and that now he would only make it worse if he added anything elexa smiled if i were a pure-blood elf, like my mother, i would have telekinetic abilities... as me i can only tweak things a little bit, like someone's grip or footing or maybe the needle of a compass -have you ever tried it? no, my mommy said that was what i should try if i ever wanted to try to hone my telekinetic abilities.. she said magnetism was the easiest force to overcome uhuh, markos continued listening you know i can read your thoughts, i'm almost as good at that as my mommy that's kinda weird actually, markos stammered no it isn't, elexa insisted, because you're a good guy i didn't like limberdore markos understood why this girl who had apparently lived on her own or with her friend taiga had followed him from limber grove that day now i don't know what to say, he struggled i knew my mommy could rescue you in the cave, she interjected how?.. ..your worst fear was love, because you'd experienced love that wasn't real markos was silenced i've experienced love that is real; my mommy and daddy's love for each other and me, no matter what anybody thought that's how i knew she could rescue you markos finally spoke i think you rescued me, he managed, tears in his eyes elexa smiled again no, i just called for my mommy markos laughed at himself, teary-eyed, as the words once again escaped his lips do you have any other powers? i have one that only half-elven children have... oh?... yes... but it's silly and? sometimes... i can predict the future... but i'm no good i can never tell for sure until it happens, she stammered to explain markos was floored you can tell.. the future? have you done this before? once when i was really little, i said the milkman was going to come early because of some aldrevian holiday they would be taking off, and my parents didn't know or remember, but the milk came early... i just knew that it would, the milkman explained the holiday to all of us but my parents were more convinced than me that i had told the future, i thought i just liked milk ... have you had any... thoughts like this, about our journey? to candleshire? that's how i know i'll find my mommy there wait a second... i thought you said she went to candleshire yes, when my father died. i haven't heard from her but i know she's there now. and i knew you could take us there when you washed up in limber grove markos wasn't sure quite how to respond to that, but he resolved that by this point he should trust the girl and i knew we had to find her, she finished why? markos asked before the full weight of what she had just said hit him because i feel like she's in trouble... elexa suddenly whimpered markos was shaken when she went to candleshire... it was a keystone in the rising war between elves and humans ..is that still going on??? only in some parts of the world, but i'm afraid yes.. it says enough that there's no safe place for someone like me markos nodded understandingly what about candleshire? i don't know. i only know we'll find my mother there. markos drew a deep breath in sharply. then we have to get to candleshire. it's almost morning now. we'll be there tomorrow really? have we been up all night? i guess so, we did sleep pretty late yesterday.. it gets harder to tell day from night in the coastal drifts mhm, elexa understood i did a terrible job, taiga rushed up and blurted, frustratedly what's the matter? nothing's wrong with the ship is it? no, but you were supposed to be able to steer it from anywhere taiga that's not what- now, for some weird reason, the ship is steering itself, and i give up on inventing with that, taiga stormed below deck to his room, leaving a stunned markos and elexa to enjoy the just dimly emerging stars together

chapter 10 candleshire

it was the morning the crew arrived at the shores of candleshire markos was feeling the same sense of instinctive pride he always felt when his ship had safely completed a journey; although he was brought down and concerned a bit because elexa seemed only worried about something taiga was glad to almost be back on solid ground, but he clearly shared whatever sentiments elexa was silently expressing markos broke the silence we're almost there, he announced, where do we find your mum? elexa seemed to think for a second if we explore the city, we may find her or hear something about her, or i may feel something about where she is when we get close... i used to always be able to find my parents when we'd be out wandering in the woods alright then, markos continued to debate, the problem with that is none of us know anything about candleshire it's unwise for any crew to enter territory they're unfamiliar with elexa and taiga answered with silence so... markos struggled to think you could tell them you're our father, elexa managed what? you could tell anyone who asks you're taiga's and my father, and we're in town to find our mother how will that... we have to go in, markos markos was taken aback by the girls sudden insistence alright, we can try that.. should we give them a name or? elexa looked truly caught off guard she used a number of human names.. and her elven name was... maybe it's best to not even bring that up unless we have to elexa and taiga agreed at least until we find out where we are. but i suppose we could pass as a family... it makes more sense than the crew of a pirate ship why are we pirates now? taiga joked i don't know, we're not merchants, i don't have anything in my storeroom except eggs and maple syrup apparently at this elexa and taiga laughed warmly, and markos found himself joining in

alright then, he finally interrupted we are now reaching the shores of candleshire

to be continued in the elven chronicles part ii, tales of candleshire

the elven chronicles book i tales of candleshire

chapter 1 the everyever

the everyever is a creature residing in the misty mountains of candleshire, told in ancient mythologies to be somewhere between a dragon or a spirit, or some breed of both; it will answer anything you wish to know, providing you say its name correctly upon first meeting its gaze of course, elexa knew about this mythological creature from a dream "how would we even find this creature if it does exist in legend as you say?" markos debated "elexa's dreams have been right before," taiga volunteered "we just have to go into the misty mountains," she answered, "i feel like.. we'll find it, or it will find us if we do" "i don't like the idea of it will find us," markos countered. "i'd rather we find a nice port with a decent tavern" "but it's a way to find my mommy," elexa pleaded markos could not by this time in their journey bear to see elexa despair "well, 'tis morning light; there is no better time to set out scouting. we're sure to find a place to moor the boat it won't be bothered and perhaps we'll find a way to the city..." "thank you, markos!" markos caught when he had a second to think about it that elexa was beginning to talk about the everyever as a kind of imaginary friend, or moreover a friend she had to find, who had become just as important as finding her mother the city of candleshire, as it appeared from a safe neutral distance, was a towering stone beige castle set in the center of a hollowed-out mountain that had been a long-since dormant volcano the glistening city was now older than the volcano itself had been when it was built off the shores of candleshire naturally were strewn folliage and trees and even a few little volcanic islands at the edges that you could very well use to cross over into candleshire if you had landed or lived on one of these islands that was the idea at least; it was much safer than trying to directly enter the city, from an unmarked sailing ship no less now the idea had become to make land in this general vicinity, in the forests that were at the edge of the mountain of candleshire itself, inward they would arrive in the misty mountains

in fact, having made it past all that they ended up finding the everyever before they realized they were in the misty mountains elexa found it first, as she was gazing out across the edge of the cliff trail at a grand majestic waterfall; she suddenly felt almost as if someone in front of her were breathing heavily she stepped back to refocus her glance and saw that the everyever was exactly half dragon half spirit; a blue misty watery dragon that was all but transparent, like a ghost in the sky "guys, i found it," she chirped "where is it??" "you can't see it?" "no.." elexa thought for a second "try this. do you notice how this waterfall kinda looks like a dragon?" "yeah... is that.. it?" "uhuh," the everyever smiled, observing its new visitors "we want to find my mommy in candleshire," elexa blurted markos winced, and taiga continued to squint in awe, but the creature smiled "i know my child, but first one of you must call me by my true name." "we have more than one chance," markos jumped in, "let's each try. I'll go first." he approached the phantom dragon "everyey-" he stopped, having faltered, and whirled with a look of only slight disdain "it's a tongue twister," he informed the group like any captain taiga thought "may i practice?" "you may," was the dragon's answer taiga turned his back on the fantastic vision and repeated to himself under his breath, "everyever, everyever, everyever..." he turned around finally, and proclaimed, "everyever." the dragon paused "i'm sorry, that is not my true name." taiga looked defeated, and markos looked for a second as if he were about to actually fight a dragon for elexa, when she interjected, "wait, i know your true name, from my dream. it's spelled everyever.. but it has an elven pronunciation..." she spoke it like the name of an old friend "yevyre"

chapter 2 have you seen my mother

the dragon smiled "that is correct my child; your mother is now in timberscrawl, in the village tavern; but she is on the run you see, i cannot say where she will be when you find her." elexa seemed perplexed, then thought "is there any way we can be sure to find her?" markos paused. he had assumed for some reason that they would only be allowed to ask one question, or three or something like that but the dragon spirit thought, too "i cannot forsee a future in which you, for certain, find her... but i can tell you, that she is on the run from the city officials of candleshire; the prop empire in place of the ancient eligacy is not friendly to elves. perhaps that will help you." "thank you, my friend" elexa answered without thinking, and turned to face markos and taiga "ready to go?" they seemed perplexed. "go where? candleshire? we don't know where to find your mother," "yes we do," elexa interrupted "she's on the run from the city officials," she stated, "so she'll end up wherever's safest from them. my mother has good instincts like me. we just have to find that place" the dragon spirit raised its head to call out to her, like a parent calling to a child that's forgotten their lunch, in what appeared to markos and taiga to be the foam at the peak of the waterfall suddenly all but rippling "i can tell you where the safest place in candleshire is, even though i do not know for sure if she will arrive there." elexa turned back and her jaw dropped "the safest place for elves in candleshire is a small borough in the center of the city that still holds some of its ancient enchantment, making it harder for officials to find elves or deserters who live there, called holvesbriss"

chapter 3 holvesbriss

in candleshire, elexa's mother had learned of holvesbriss in the timberscrawl tavern, and was trying to make it there without anybody especially officials questioning her hood it wasn't that hoods were uncommon fashion in candleshire, but unfortunately it was also common for the empirial officials to engage in "hood inspection"

she remembered when the empire had been handed control over candleshire, at its conception, without so much as an election among the due citizens already living in the ancient city; it had been a compromise, because candleshire was a strategic military location, that was supposed to end what had become the secret war on elves. that hadn't happened

she was rounding the corner of an alley toward what she felt in her heart must be holvesbriss, when her heart stopped as she was interrupted by an empirial official, clearly off- duty slunken in the shadows on the edges of the alley "hey there little lady," he crowed, "i don't see any reason you ought to be opposed to a hood inspection" the official was in turn interrupted by the voice of a young girl from across the street "that's my mommy!!!"

markos and taiga barreled toward the official, seeing red, with elexa in hot pursuit he staggered backward, and seemed as if he were feeling around for a weapon he didn't have or didn't remember what he had done with, before he was pummeled into the ground and subsequently restrained, to tones of the concepts of social ettiquette and manners espoused amidst harsh cursing by markos

elexa reached her mother, and clutched her hand, without slowing down, as their eyes met, pulling her into the very center of a paved circle that had been just inside the alley, where they suddenly disappeared

"what just happened?" taiga questioned out loud "i don't know," markos answered, "but i do know a few things. we made it to candleshire. we helped elexa find her mother. and now, we're deserters"

chapter 4 the fog

elexa and her mother didn't have time to worry about where markos and taiga had gone, because they were suddenly preoccupied with trying to figure out where they had gone the main challenge to that was that it was hard to tell where they were; it seemed as if they were outside, and it was foggy, only instead of seeing landscape or buildings through the fog as they gazed deeper into its swirling layers they seemed to find only more fog in front of them stood a man whose hood was also drawn over his face, only his was certainly human crafted, and it was long and red with gold trim, some kind of strange red satin that actually seemed to glow through the fog elexa didn't have a chance to be frightened "have we met?" her mother greeted the strange man "you met my father, during the original war" elexa seemed to suddenly understand the gravity of their new companion "i am mage, and i am a deserter. i cast a spell to draw you from the city centre when i saw you approached by that official, i recognized you. i had been looking for you" "go on," elexa solemnly watched her mother answer, with shared curiosity

after a moment to collect his thoughts, mage did "actually, it.. cost me something very dear to find you. a gift from my father." "is he..?" elexa started without thinking "yes" there was a sorry silence "a wish.. from the everyever." "we met the everyever on the way into the city!" elexa suddenly volunteered "you did??" her mother responded, seeming half surprised "well that only sounds right," mage answered, "but my wish was to find someone who had known my father. you see... i lead the deserters. because of my power, inherited from my father, not because i am anything more than self-taught or because i am anything of a leader... but because i might have a chance... and i don't have a single friend in the entire village of candleshire"

"you know that we can both tell that you are not lying," elexa's mother broke the silence, calling to mind the abilities elves have to read the thoughts of humans and each other "tell me your father's name" mage paused, as if for the first time doubtful, then proudly answered, "hal merrick" elexa's mother froze; then turned to elexa "i am the reason this young man lost his father.. he sacrificed his life to save my village in the war" a look of understanding seemed to pass between them then she straightened her back, and turned to look mage in the eye "i pray you will not think the everyever's wish wasted, my friend," she adressed him "now you have two friends in candleshire"

chapter 5 the borough centre

with that, the fog dissipated outward, somehow revealing a room barely wide enough for elexa and her mother and mage to stand across from each other as they had, on what must have been the second or third floor of a shabby old stone-clay hut in the centre of the room on the floor were some etched runes, obviously mystical and obviously improvised, but now elexa thought she recognized those seemingly random scratches from the paved centre on the outskirts of holvesbriss the room looked like rooms she had had growing up in hodgebridge and later surrounding regions; decorated in a way with the kind of sparse everyday objects a poor or traveling family or individual manages to hold onto, sparsed with a few seemingly very special artifacts of decoration, such as a few tapestries on the walls, only everything in this room seemed otherworldly and as if it definitely had some mystical design

meanwhile, markos and taiga had finally decided between themselves that it was best to stop running, in large part because they were now certain that they had fled through some parts of the borough of holvesbriss two or three times, and the only officials they had seen had seemed to just wave at them. no, it was time to figure out how to find elexa after much critical hypothetical and exasperated debate wandering the streets of holvesbriss, taiga finally offered, "why don't we go back to where they disappeared?" "that's where we all ran into that official remember," markos pointed out "yeah, but i think we're okay now. i mean.. he won't still be hanging out there, right?" "i mean, i guess probably not..." markos quietly didn't like that all his years of experience with leadership and knowledge of being a captain of the high seas of acaemia had not at all prepared him for being on odd sides of the law in a strange city that he knew very little about; he was slowly beginning to take reassurance more and more in taiga, who seemed far wiser than he had before let on, especially when he would take a moment to think things through as a matter of fact, they did run into the official again, who had naturally resumed his favorite off-duty slouching spot in the shade of the alley "hey, i am sorry about earlier," he jumped up to offer as he saw markos and taiga catch his gaze "i didn't mean nothin', i just thought your friend was pretty..." "more than you know," markos answered solemnly, as they walked past him

standing in the paved centre, markos and taiga looked around themselves, hopefully "well, they're not here," taiga finally dejected, "of course they wouldn't be stupid enough to come back to the same spot" with that, he angrily kicked a rock that was lying in a broken-up scratched part of the pavement

the rock, or a rock, suddenly found its way harmlessly against all odds into elexa's hands "what the they who what now?" she managed "it came from the window," was mages only answer the three turned to glance down at the street, where taiga and markos were standing, wandering in circles, as if they were debating one to another standing there all day or going someplace else

chapter 6 the deserters

part ii

taiga and markos and mage had taken rather nicely not only to each other but to an old card game mage had that had been his father's, although strangely markos kept winning "it's because i've played cards to meet friends all over acaemia," he insisted, "sea captains always become experts at cards, and then find that the rules and strategies are about the same throughout the world." "i'm just glad we aren't playing for money," mage offered "that's what everyone says, and then you've made a friend or two in a new port town."

elexa and her mother were reconnecting, to both of their bittersweet delight, though it was undercut by one or a few oddities that just were a bit hard to explain to normal humans; elexa's mother had felt instantly relieved, like a breath of fresh air, upon finding herself inside holvesbriss, owing to the ancient enchantment of the old elven city that had not completely faded away; but the turmoiled city of candleshire surrounding them was like a case down over the vibe of comfort, and the affect that this had on her was strange and crossfading; she spoke slowly, as if thoughtfully, and seemed often at times to be off somewhere else elexa's reaction, being a half elven child, was all the worse; she had begun seeing things, and her mother had talked her through it as well as the imagined voices that would come with them and being in the noisy center of holvesbriss

the revolution, or rather the desertation, continued on, and as the everyever had said would not affect the centre borough of holvesbriss

their first involvement in the revolution was to pivot solely on the performance of markos

"it's a rule among the deserters," mage explained, "nobody can introduce new members, they have to introduce themselves." "well, then since i am a captain, i'll be the unofficial leader of our group, unless someone else wants to volunteer... i'll invite them to a game of cards," markos all but quipped "they might not have a deck, but that is a respectable way to approach this," was mage's answer markos approached the cluster of men in the storehouse room who seemed to carry themselves as if they were the sort of appointed, well captains, under mage in his resistance, but at first glance not to share any of that respect on to him he thought for a second about ports he had frequented that were neighboring to candleshire "do any of you gentlemen play... hobb's cribbet?" was what he managed to come up with the man in the center of the group seemed for a moment to grimmace, then replied, "no, nobody plays hobb's cribbett. where are you from?" "i was born in the setlands," was markos honest answer, "i'm a sea captain." at this the man seemed to smile slightly at himself, and replied, "then that's forgiveable. mage seems to like you, but we know that any one of us may be fooled by one of the empire's spies, but maybe, not all of us will be." markos tried to explain that their only involvement so far with the empire had been with the official on the outskirts of holvesbriss, but the man cut him off "just tell us what good you are to the deserters," seemed to mirror the thoughts on the faces of every man standing in the room markos paused for a moment, to think he knew that he trusted mage, because elexa and her mother trusted mage, and this was mage's group- so all things considered, he felt maybe it was best in this scenario to be as open as he could, and perhaps even try to sell himself a little as he would do when taking a breather offering site seeing cruises he glanced across the room to elexa, who seemed to tell him that he should go ahead with what he was thinking "with us are an elf and her half elven daughter," markos insighted, "being from candleshire perhaps you know better than i what good they may be to the deserters," the leaders seemed to give a doubletake. "you didn't tell us some of them were elves," one of them said to mage "it doesn't make an exception to the rule" it was as fate would have it at this moment that elexa, perhaps in part from the tension, gave in to one of the side effects she was still having from being in holvesbriss "shut up you stupid mutt!!" she screamed, springing across the room and causing the shadows on the wall, which peculiarly bore the perfect silhoutte of a massive hound, to dance before the room had a chance to respond, elexa's mother stepped forward "i'm from candleshire too. the empire's officials can't do this trick" with that, she raised her hands outstretched at her sides, and a series of tapestries with presumably deserter symbols painted on them that were hung across the four walls of the storeroom rose up on their hangers, as if in a strong breeze, then flew off them entirely to meet in the center of the room above their heads, proceeding to dance and swirl about like fish swimming in a pond before settling together in the rigid shape of an elven crest, then all at a sudden going limp and fluttering lifelessly to the floor and into the arms of the deserter leaders "mage can do one pretty close," "yes, but i've told you, if i tried to finish it with an elven crest that spell would strike me dead." a few of the men in the group seemed to remember that mage had said that before finally, the man who had originally been the first to adress markos stated, "alright, on the virtue of mage's trust, and, talent, only with the fact that these two do appear to be elves... we accept you to our group. second?" actually, the decision was carried unanimously

the first mission of the deserters, now having added taiga and markos to their ranks and with the aid of elexa and her mother, was one which they had been forced to table for a long time - finding another deserter leader who had gone into hiding somewhere in the city; a girl named melvrose

chapter 7 melvrose

the first phase of this mission was conceived on the walk home to mage's house from the meeting with the deserter leaders "guys, i think i know a way we can try to find melvrose," elexa suddenly volunteered "how?" was the obvious answer "you know i can sometimes tell the future, like with dreams," she went on "what if i try to dream about melvrose?" "that could work," mage immediately jumped in, excitedly "i'll tell you everything i remember about her, and i have some pictures of her at home, too" the rest of the group caught up to what had been said, and seemed to share in a close silent agreement

as they approached mage's home they were met, allbeit to anyone's surprise, by the empirial official who was fond of lazing around in the alley on the outskirts of holvesbriss when he was off-duty "milady," he started she jolted to make eye contact with him "please let me apologize for yesterday, i certainly had not meant to embarrass you," he continued, "some of the young ladies around candleshire think it a compliment when an empirial official asks for a hood inspection..." he seemed sheepish, then naturally more mature "i should know better." he paused for a moment, then seemed to have a realization which he kept to himself "especially around holvesbriss, but hey that's why i love this neighborhood" with that, he all but winked at elexa's mother, but not in a way that would imply a downslide from the maturity he had arrived at earlier in the conversation, and wandered on to his slumping alley

the rest of the evening was spent in regailing elexa with memories of times spent with melvrose, which ranged from her initiation into the deserters to missions she had gone on with mage to a time when she and mage had briefly dated, after they met, as well as sharing old pictures and drawings and letters off in the corner markos was teaching taiga techniques and strategies for winning at cards, though neither of them could pronounce the name of mage's particular card game melvrose was a very young woman with short hair, who was fond of coloring it, both in natural representations and the traditional festive colors of candleshire, and wore a blue cloak with gold lining similar to mage's red one "alright then," elexa finally chimed, "if that's everything you remember about melvrose, i should go to bed right away" mage nodded "mommy?" she asked "hm?" her mother softly answered "would you make me some warm milk, like when i was little?" "of course," was the teary-eyed answer elexa was all snuggled up and sound asleep before her mother arrived with her warm milk

chapter 8 the dream

she awoke, or rather found herself seemingly awake, in a strange sort of desert dreamscape with massive hollowed out obelisks in the natural landscape towering around her in the distance, all either catching the elusive sun or stained with varying bright otherworldly sand colors she remembered suddenly that she was looking for someone.. a girl she knew.. no, a girl a friend of hers knew... with that, she suddenly caught sight of a figure standing off in the distance she approached it, at first hurriedly, then hesitantly, but the figure turned to meet her gaze it looked like melvrose- elexa had never seen melvrose in person, but it looked like melvrose "don't come close!" the figure suddenly screamed elexa was frightened "who are you?" "not melvrose!" it screamed in return "not melvrose!" "alright," she pleaded, "but who, or what?.." "melvrose does not dream.." the figure answered "melvrose does not dream anymore, melvrose dreams are haunted so i haunt melvrose' dreams, and she need not remember" elexa suddenly understood "a soul spirit, given to those of the world so weary that they wish only for sleep to be their escape" the spectre seemed to answer without a sound or movement "where can i find melvrose in the real world? i want to help her" the creature surprised elexa by seeming to gaze off in the distance and think "before i came, she had nightmares," the spectre recalled "nightmares of a place called... elvesbridge"

with that, elexa jolted awake, remembering at first all that had just happened but slowly fading down to just the one word- elvesbridge her mother was by her side "what happened? what did you dream about?" she asked, comfortingly "elvesbridge," elexa answered solemnly, but still with a slight tired look of terror on her face "all i remember is that melvrose went to elvesbridge" "then that's where we're going," mage interjected before the others had a chance to say anything "there's more you should know.." elexa answered him "i don't remember much about the dream,.. where i was which was nowhere and talking to someone who looked like melvrose... but i remember, it was a nightmare. i think.. she was in trouble after she went to elvesbridge..." this time markos interjected "what do you know of elvesbridge?" he asked mage mage had not changed in his resoluteness nor his frantic packing about his room "a place that is not at all as friendly to elves as the name implies," he answered, "and melvrose may not be a half elven child like you elexa, but she does have some elf in her lineage"

chapter 9 the inn of elvesbridge

part iii

to everyone's overshadowed relief, they actually found melvrose in elvesbridge, without any trouble with any officials or otherwise; she was working as a waitress in a tavern they had wandered into when markos confessed that he felt he could not go another step without a drink and elexa stammered that she had a good feeling about this place the wall murals inside reminded her of her lucid dream they caught sight of melvrose across the room - she was wearing an outfit that was perhaps deliberately casual in an instructed way but certainly nothing you'd mind wearing in public, and a pair of novelty elf ears unfortunately melvrose didn't end up being the elf-eared waitress who served them, so they were left to try silently to think of something else while markos made conversation with the waitress and ordered a few different glasses and some small appetizers for everybody after markos had gotten his drink in his system, he was the first to come up with a plan "you're the one who has the best chance of making contact with her without anything too obvious happening," he told mage, "she'll probably recognize you" "you think i should just walk across the room to the business house and try to catch her in passing and ask say if i know her from somewhere?" "yes, be very subtle and non-suggestive about it," he murmured mage took markos' advice gingerly "i beg your pardon.. have we met somewhere, you only look familiar" melvrose' eyes went wide when she caught sight of him, enough that he noticed, then she seemed to catch herself and then seem relieved that no one other than mage had "well if that's sincere and not an invitation mister, we can talk about it when i'm off in about an hour's time," so after mage had used the business house they were left to order an actual dinner, which no one especially elexa really objected, and eat it as slowly and casually as possible waiting for melvrose to be off work

chapter 10 to those who want to dream

the conversation they ended up waiting about an hour and one half's time for, which they were only allowed to stay again to everyone's overshadowed relief when mage instinctively confessed to their waitress that he was waiting to talk to one of the other waitresses, whom he knew from somewhere, was in actual fact very brief "i know why you're here mage, and i miss you," she began "i don't suppose i could convince you to leave the deserters and make a little life out here with me" she half laughed at herself "what happened melvrose?" mage answered "what happened is, i blurted about my lineage and it got me this job - elven things are kind of.. "popular" in this part of town" she seemed to struggle over the words "and because i was smart and haven't said anything about it to anyone since,.. when i get off work, i'm able to go home, smoke, maybe have dinner if i haven't eaten here... and it's not a bad life, not as bad as holvesbriss" mage seemed to quietly understand elexa wasn't so convinced "i had a dream about you," she interjected, "i thought.. i don't know that you weren't happy, or you wanted more out of life, even if it was with this..." melvrose seemed puzzled by the child's statement "that's quaint," she finally offered, "when i was little i used to have the coolest dreams and always remember, but now i guess because i'm older i never seem to remember them; i guess that's kinda normal" she finished, and the look in mages eyes told elexa that she was not coming back to holvesbriss with them

chapter 11 all's well that ends well

part iv

with mage's mission to find a friend he could confide in on his calling that wasn't the everyever and the deserters' again tabled mission to recruit melvrose out of the way, the cause as it were was back to doing well normal deserter things which in the great city of candleshire meant mostly sharing a home and a helping hand with anyone who might need it, as more and more of the people grew tired of the new empire this of course left elexa to stay with her mother, who had chosen to stay with mage and the deserters, and taiga and markos to well decide what to do "i do feel as if i want to stay with elexa," taiga murmured, "we've been friends for a long time, but i've really loved working on your ship, and i would miss you..." markos was all but brought to tears by taiga's honesty "i would miss you too, both of you.. all of you... in fact," he smiled to say, "i'd go so far as to say you're all my crew now. so what better is their for a captain on vacation to do than join up with the deserters for a while?" he laughed "it's settled then," elexa answered, "from now on, we'll stick together, no matter what" nobody took the effort to point at elexa's statement had been premature, or for that matter anywhere about untrue

chapter 12 precursor

it was after a moment of somewhat satisfying silence that one of the deserters whom other than mage they had not met rushed into mage's room, out of breath "the empire has been dissolved," she blurted, "dissolved." the look on elexa's mother's face spoke to how she caught herself getting her hopes up, as she asked, "then... the eligacy has been returned control?.." "no, the eligacy is still dissolved," was the frenzied answer, "because the situation in candleshire has done nothing to aid the political interests of the people who were behind the empire... candleshire has been given over to the rule of unlawed land" "did i hear you right?" markos answered her, the wild look in his eyes telling he knew the phrase from his years on the high seas of acaemia "yes," was the now soft and distant answer "candleshire has been given over to the rule of unlawed land"

the league of candleshire preface

book ii preface

the rule of unlawed land when a local government in acaemia was not, as it were, making ends meet for the people, or in some cases its invested interests (this was often in the case of colonies of the grand empire, which thanks to a dishonest treaty in what was now the secret war on elves is what candleshire had been) it could be given over to the rule of unlawed land, which meant that any governing bodies had been officially dissolved and the people were left to, hopefully, amidst whatever chaos may ensue if the land was already in political turmoil which was often the case, establish and elect their own government that may better suit their needs all this time, the league of candleshire, or the unofficial leaders of the deserters from the now dissolved empire - a boy with an heriditary magical talent, named mage, whose father had been a leader on the side of right in the original war on elves a sea captain of acaemia, markos, who was finding when put to the test he could navigate each new city of their adventure like a new sea a young genius inventor, taiga, who is quiet but thoughtful when it counts, and the best friend of the real leader of the group, a young half elven girl named elexa; who, together with her elven mother, made up what had become on this day the league of candleshire, minus one previous member whom they had just managed to find living in another part of the city; a deserter girl named melvrose - had only served to protect the good people of candleshire from the incumbent empire and its officials now it seemed, the new and greater task which lay before them was to achieve some sort of order in what was now a lawless land; easy as that may have sounded at first, in actual fact the people the deserters and the league represented were at best a smaller majority in candleshire; despite the fact that the empire had abused just about everybody; there was an entirely new faction of empirial colonists who had descended upon the once small ancient city, and whose loyalties would be completely and totally in question there were also those of the empirial officials still living in the city, and it was unknown what their collective or individual reactions would be there were even those who had lived in the city before the empire who had been led to believe that the sovereignty of the eligacy had been in part responsible for the war on elves no, even if candleshire had probably become much safer for deserters; it had not become any safer for elves - and now it desperately needed to, before it was too late

the elven chronicles book ii the league of candleshire

chapter 1 the rule of unlawed land

after some ititial debate as to the structure of a course of action, the league was finally rolling; melvrose would show up when she felt like it, now that she knew where they were; perhaps her tavern was doing extra good business in the midst of a complete political collapse in what was now a bustling trade and tourist city markos, taiga, and elexa's mother had been hold up with the leaders of the original deserters for days, discussing the situation throughout candleshire the overrall gist seemed to be that people seemed comfortable gravitating toward the parts of the ancient city that suited their tastes (easy to do when candleshire was divided rather fairly perhaps even generously between a colonial district and the lands of the original citizens, whose political opinions were mixed and reticent anyway), a practice which was beginning to form a series of hubs around what was long since an ancient and royal city the task at hand seemed to be to rescue as it were any elves that were still in hiding in the city, as elexa's mother had been, and regroup in a sensibly fortifiable hub they would establish of their own in holvesbriss to that end, mage and elexa had been hold up on their own, reporting any dreams elexa had she felt might have some meaning and focusing on helping each other hone their individual talents, those of a born wizard and half elven child

katantra was a beautiful young woman, in her twenties or perhaps even teens, who liked to dress in floral and natural colors and long elegant flowing dresses and gowns that was to outside appearance - allbeit with the exception of a pair of long pointy clearly elven ears she no longer tried to hide, because she hadn't seen other elves or especially people since candleshire had been given over to the empire from where she lived in a nice little grove by the brook that humans would've found it far too difficult to navigate the woods and briars to, she could still just see the flag atop the grand turret of candleshire - and today, for the first time in what seemed like eternity even to an elf; the flag of the empire was not flying in fact no flag was flying which meant that the facetious prop anti-elven empire had finally collapsed and candleshire had been given over to unlawed land, a possibility katantra had been dreading more than a few others that was why she had chosen to call in an old favor as it were - and the flute at her side which had now begun to whistle as she passed through the windy sunbeams of a meadow near her home as if it had a mind of its own was the key part in that plan; it had not left her side since she had left the city with the swift motion of a prodigy who shall play from the heart no matter how rusty, she called the flute to her lips, running its oddly uneven lengthed ember pipes from side to side in an entrancingly flowing serpentine motion, producing a sound that was otherwordly though definitely musical the peculiar dance that accompanied was equally otherwordly, and would almost certainly have had to have been rehearsed, except that it seemed to rely on instinct after a few vast moments that would've seemed to anyone watching like a girl either mad or drunk out of her mind in the woods alone having the time of her life, the bizarre regale was answered by, well; how best to explain it - every kind of weather that existed in acaemia and somehow all localized within the tiny shady meadow, clustered around her like a personal performance in another matter of vast moments the various isolated weather patterns had clustered into themselves and begun to resemble humanoid shapes; the one that most clearly resembled the weather they were having that day in candleshire adressed katantra the voice was unnaturally shrill, like a musical prism played at the wrong speed, but at the same time it was as if every note without intending to be was musical "we are the weather pixies of candleshire; and we know you, katantra, for we are in your debt and have given you this song of all seasons" "thank you, my friends; i want to find those like me living in the city; i fear we may be in our gravest danger now" "if you travel to the borough centre of holvesbriss, you will find those who share in your quest; we will seek out and use our powers to aid any elves who may still reside in the city" "thank you, my friends" "when you aided us in a time of need, we gave you something in return - this song of all seasons which you have used to summon us. if we help your people in their time of crisis, we ask in return that you will help our people, the fae also residing in hiding in candleshire - for the pixies and nymphs can escape into the forests and even the elements, as even some elves have done, but the fae are like humans in form as elves and must dwell among the forests and among mortals" "i would think to do nothing less" "then we will use the guided flute to contact you when we have found someone you and your soon-to-find friends may be able to help" "thank you, for all of us, friends" with that, the shady sunset-watered meadow returned to its regularly scheduled forecast

chapter 2 katantra

the embrace that katantra and elexa's mother greeted each other with when first their eyes met was on par with one of lovers who've been apart for a long time, in form, but the kiss, or any kind of clutching that would have jostled the gentle affection, was replaced with a meeting of the foreheads which was even more ceremonial while obviously still affectionate markos, taiga and mage had seen elexa greet her mother with a gesture that was similar but included a side-to- side bobbing motion of the heads or maybe both as elf-hugs were shared, mage began to behave as if he'd become suddenly aware of something shifting in the weather he turned, instinctively, of all people to elexa "it's the fae, isn't it?" "you mean the pixies, but yes; i think an elf living in candleshire might have called to them for help, maybe even katantra"

"can you feel it too?" her mother asked their new-joined member "yes; it's like morning light" the elven sisters were speaking of the affect which the ancient enchantment the elven city of candleshire still held in its very heart had on elves, especially who had been apart from elven air; elexa, being half-elven, had been having an in fact hallucinogenic reaction, spurred on by the thick vibes of tension and chaos near the end of the collapse of the empire; now, even though all three were aware of a kind of... swirling anxiety or apprehension that seemed to float across the skies of candleshire, like ripples on a pool catching sunbeams... she was finding that anything unmanageable or even unpleasant was gone, and further that it had enhanced her elven and half-elven powers to a remarkable degree in case of point she had already had a dream about a hidden elven settlement in the outer forests, which they hoped to scout as soon as they felt things had settled down reasonably in the outside city

although he never let on to the other members of the group- and although he knew that elexa and her mother knew anyway, but never said anything- mage was quietly becoming more and more concerned, even frantically worried, for any elves or fae that actually were still living in the once elven city of candleshire - unlike the deserters, and markos' seafaring party, mage had read the official statistics put out by the empire before it collapsed - and the statistics said that there were no elves or fae living in candleshire. they could have been propagandized by the empire, but that wouldn't have served to stir up anti-elven popular sentiment; so mage figured that any elves or fae who had survived and not fled the city when it was given over to the empire had been, rather well considering candleshire was in-between size as port cities go, in hiding all this time, as he had only recently learned elexa's mother and katantra had been therefore his hopes were bleak for anyone who had managed to escape both the war and the statistics, especially now in the grim state of the city they were in given that anyone on any side with any political inkling would also know that the statistics could be lies

"now that we have a new member to our league, as well as the aid of some of the local nature spirits; i think we should make to scout the outer forests at morning light, unless elexa has any revelations otherwise" he nodded at her quite respectfully despite his all-men- at-arms tone "i agree," elexa's mother answered, after a considering pause among the group "do you have any talismans or artifacts that may aid us in navigating the outer forests?" "i do," markos was the one to answer her, "a compass, as well as a spyglass for sighting our path if we can reach highground- and a map the upper-footnote corner of which contains a cursory representation of the outer forests of candleshire" "very good then; morning light it is" "if morning light finds you snuggled in tight, rise and shine to see the sun cast glowing lines" elexa volunteered "huh?" "you remember, mommy?" she asked "when i was little?" "i do remember," she nostalgically answered "besides, i sorta felt like i hadn't said anything funny for awhile. i thought we could all use a little cheering up" with that, they all collectively agreed she had succeeded

chapter 3 the outer forests

part ii

markos, elexa, her mother, taiga, mage, and katantra had not considered the flowing illustrations of strange monsters on the map which barely alluded to the outer forests of candleshire to be literal, as opposed to embroidered artistic expression - until now in fact, almost in the way a hologram seemed to appear when you turn it a certain way to look at it, as soon as they were out of reach or out of sight of the outskirts of the city of candleshire, they were surrounded by a miriage of the most fantastic sparkling flickering glowing swirling flashing tessalating flourescing creatures one could imagine without having sailed to the centre of the earth and seen the clear eye of the waters of acaemia, and all the majestic deep-sea life it offered the creatures, though almost impossible to look away from, did not make a move toward the newcomers, and in fact eyed them neutrally in the way lesser-territorial animals will do in the woods "are they.. spirits?" markos wondered out loud "nay, spirits do not usually produce light which casts reflections, and these creatures do" mage hypothesized "then.. they are.. animals?" "yes.. enchanted animals of candleshire, thought endangered or extinct" the strange league of questers and the strange ensemble of glowing chamelesque creatures eyed each other, curiously "do you think they can help us find the other elves?" elexa wondered "i mean.. they probably don't speak.." she almost seemed perplexed at the obvious statement, then thought and countered, "yeah but,.. if there are so many of them all together out here at the edge of the forest, they must feel crowded further in the same way they do by the city - so that's where the hidden elven settlement must be, in the centre of the forest" mage was impressed and taken aback by her deduction "by the way we came in, we can reach the centre or ought to reach it if we simply keep going straight," markos offered, "and that means we have to keep north"

chapter 4 keep north

in the forest settlement of candlebridge - as it was called by the handful of elves and fae living there - no one had received word that the empire colonial had been dissolved, until the water pixie had risen to tell them that a band of heroes was on their way to search for them, and bring them to the new settled hub of holvesbriss as exciting as the news was after so long in the forest (which was comfortable, even if it didn't offer enough running room for the fae, but elves preferred the mystically crafted cities and castles that they made their own) they could not set up a flare or try to signal in any way, for fear of attracting attention to their hiding place from the city so they had posted lookouts on the perimeter of their several-odd tent camp, which ultimately left a few members to hold down the fort as it were in the centre - a young fae girl named tigera, and an elven boy named meirk "do you think they'll find us? what if there are other parties looking for us from the city?" she spoke the thoughts on both of their minds as the fae will be inclined to do with their friends and companions meirk, being elven, though nervous smiled at the fact that he could read her thoughts anyway "it's not like we can't defend ourselves," he countered, "we've made it on our own out here all this time" "yes, but nobody's ever found us before, now somebody's looking for us... what if they're followed?"

the thoughts were echoed around this time, as fate would have it, by markos "the animals would tell us if someone were in the forest," elexa hoped "they didn't seem bothered that we were in the forest," markos replied "it may be different, we are elven.." her mother offered "i can cast a spell to tell us if we are being followed, and where those we seek are from here;" mage began "but it may be visible to any with magical abilities in the city and eyes on the forests" "a risk that may be worth taking at this juncture, but we should enquire of elexa," her mother concluded elexa thought, and seemed to try to take in the gist of her emotions then she responded, quite carefully: "i don't feel like we're being followed.. but i do feel worried about attracting attention from the city.. so i feel like.. we should just keep going" "then that's what we'll do" mage answered immediately for all of them

in another hour less-than half hour's time, they actually reached the settlement of candlebridge, as the flourescent hand-painted sign spread over the tiny camp informed them the elves of the camp ran instantly toward katantra elexa and her mother "thank you so much for coming; is it safe in the city now?" "i wish i could say so; we don't quite know for sure yet, or where, but the deserters are fortifying a hub in holvesbriss, which still holds some of candleshire's enchantment" was elexa's mother's answer "that's where we're all going," markos chimed in only then did it sink in upon all of them the gravity of the plan markos had just restated traveling with a group that was evenly half elves and half people, no less when one of the group was a mage, had been unexpectedly easy going through the restless in-dispute outskirts of candleshire from holvesbriss traveling with a small brigade of refugee elves and fae accompanied by three humans, from the outer forests to the center of the city, sounded comparatively impossible mage was the first to offer an answer to the question hanging in the air "i can put upon an enchantment that will make us appear.. well.. not worth bothering with, until we make it to holvesbriss... it just might be a little... silly..." without questioning what mage's plan might be, the group agreed to the quickest and safest way to holvesbriss possible, and began making preparations to leave

chapter 5 coming into candleshire

as they reentered candleshire, they were stopped in fact, but this was no surprise as they were going through a main-road gate that led directly to the center of the city "name and business in candleshire?" the empirial guard uniformed-man asked drolly, giving markos the impression that his opinion of markos' answer would be more important than his official or unofficial business in candleshire "coming in from port, markos helmsbridge, sea captain of acaemia, sir, with this delivery of circus animals" in fact, in addition to markos and taiga, proudly displaying the first mates badge markos had made for him on their journey to candleshire, there were eleven various animals of natures that were mostly native to candleshire as well as other parts of acaemia; mostly horses, ponies, and camels, a few more exotic animals like giant tortoises, and goats, and one red-and-gold crested falcon which rode like a prize on taiga's gloved hand "circus animals? why i haven't been to the circus in a long time" the guard seemed half excited and half skeptical "our customer hasn't had much of a circus to run," taiga volunteered, "but he says nothing brings people together like a good old circus. he thinks it's just what candleshire needs" this seemed to touch a soft string in the empirial guard's heart "now, i don't think that's a bad idea," he conversed, "alright then, animal delivery, just need to document what you're bringing in" "right," markos butted in, "two camels, for rides, three horses and three ponies, to be the stars of the show i've heard, two giant tortoises, two goats, and this priceless red-and-gold crested falcon which is a treasure to both the grand empire and candleshire" the guard seemed to simply jot things down, agreeingly, then paused - that's twelve animals; i only see eleven markos started, but only for an instant "i don't usually deal with cargo that moves around on it's own; what'd i say, two goats? it was two tortoises, only one goat" markos didn't have a chance to safely glance behind him to confirm his statement, but fortunately his instincts had been correct "right, i like that," the guard laughed "what kind of cargo do you normally deal in?" he went on conversing as he signed markos' papers "oh rather just cargo - cargo, the easier to stock and the more profitable the better, i prefer daily goods like tea and spices, tobaccos, they usually aren't too much trouble, and when i can i love to get my hands on some fine tapestries, or even silks.. well worth the small risk in traveling with them, anyway it's no conquering effort to pirate a man's crew of a silk" the guard nodded, smiling, and handed markos the small stack of papers "you're all set, enjoy your time in candleshire" "thank you sir," markos and taiga chimed, but for a second the guard thought he heard at least some of the animals murmur in answer as well he decided thereupon that it was because markos and taiga had begun herding them into the gate, a process which was very long and slow-going due to the fact that two of the group were in fact giant tortoises, and which was carried out amidst many long and awkward smiles between markos and the uniformed guard when they were finally out of earshot at least, markos breathed a sigh of relief, only to have it cut short by the voice of a falcon that had flown onto his epauleted shoulder in his ear squawking, "you called one of us a goat" "i did no such thing," markos blurted, then suddenly could not help feeling like the guard's eyes were on his back until they were finally out of sight as well as earshot at this point, of course, possibly because the entire group breathed the same sigh of relief that markos had tried to, everything collectively collapsed most of the horses and ponies were fae, who of course had been horses before, but being a camel would find frustrating to anyone, as they are rather slow and... wobbly animals being a giant tortoise was all the worse the only member of the group that was really enjoying mage's enchantment was, naturally, elexa "brahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" she bleated, galloping circles around the struggling caravan "i wanna chew on something sweet and fibrous, like reed grass or a metal can!!!!!!" "we don't have time for that," taiga volunteered "we have all the time in the world, you guys are turtles!!!" "hey!" the turtles in the group interjected elexa the goat missed their argument, because she had found an abandoned toy in one of the house-groves nestled in the outskirts of the city- a rubber tarp stretched across a metal-cast hoop without a second thought, she ascended the springy surface as she had done as a child, only to find that with four hooves and a long neck it was not quite the same experience "eh-wuhp" she galloped and jolted about on the stretchy mat completely uncoordinatedly, causing taiga to eventually burst out laughing, and markos to retain a look on his face that implied he wasn't sure if he needed to use the business house finally, she collapsed safely to the ground at the edge of the toy, proclaiming that was fun and she wanted to try again, but taiga insisted despite their turtle pace they keep moving

it was dusk when they reached the now proclaimed hub of holvesbriss, to the warm sight of golden-cast lettering which pronounced its name upon the gate that had once been an open alley fortunately, after the guard by staying on the main road and traveling as a procession they had managed to avoid any further investigation, and taiga had only been forced to shyly regail a few passers-by with tales of a circus that was supposedly coming to town in candleshire when they were safely inside the hub, and mage had unworked his enchantment, it was of all people melvrose who greeted them "hey, i thought you went and got a dayjob," mage shyly approached her "the elvesbridge inn is doing more business from incoming tourists who want to see what will become of candleshire than we've ever done in the time i've worked there..." she answered "i was making double my paycheck after tips... i had all my wildest dreams come true... but it just wasn't what i wanted" she glanced, warmly, at a painting in the corner of the room she had done for the deserters "well, i guess you're back then..?" "yeah... i'm back" she smiled, and hugged mage warmly, a human hug

short of waiting for any more of elexa's dreams, which lately seemed to just serve as defcon markings, the group agreed there was only one way to determine for sure where if any elves or fae there may be still hiding in candleshire - and that was to enquire of the everyever since they made a formiddable and swift team together, and since both knew the everyever, mage and elexa were chosen to make the quest "we'll leave in the morning," elexa proposed "agreed, but we should wait until the sun is high, or we may become lost in the mists of the misty mountains," mage went along "agreed" with that, they began packing what few things they would need for a journey through the forests and mountains of outer candleshire, and, after repeating an incantation which they had co-authored in the hopes of helping elexa have prophetic dreams... they were asleep

chapter 6 felrae

part iii

when they awoke, they were, in a way that was oddly familiar but in a good nostalgic way to elexa, within some sort of strange multi-colored dreamscape actually, after closer thought elexa realized it reminded her very much of the strange multi-colored phosphorescent animals in the outer forests of candleshire mage seemed right at home

after some silence, he announced, "i think our arriving here is some sort of sign from or about the everyever.. i'm not sure it's a good forboding..." he looked at elexa with the expression of someone returning to a troubled but beloved home; elexa knew it well "how can you seem so.. sad, and dreamy in this beautiful place?" she asked "this place is home to me," was all mage replied she thought for a second "what is holvesbriss?" "that's where my room is," mage laughed, "right now i have about fourteen guests sleeping over" elexa had to smilingly agree

when they had walked together across the sprawling neon dreamscape, for a length of time that was very difficult to judge because they were in fact in a dream, talking to each other to pass the time, though they knew not always about what, sometimes the other would sound as if they made sense but be hard to understand, and it was possible they talked about many of the same things over again - they arrived at what, somehow, in this sprawling desertesque neon landscape, was a clearing - in the center stood a figure, clad in dark blue he turned to face them, smiling, with the look of a child that reminded elexa of the first time she had met markos "oh hello; are you lost too?" "lost?" mage asked, suddenly "oh yes, lost in your dreams," the boy cheered, spinning about like someone enjoying a first snowfall

upon closer examination, elexa realized the boy was obviously fae, though there was something.. off about him his skin seemed pale, the kind of pale that would imply dim indoor lighting, but it wasn't, it seemed as if it were actually his skin after another moment mage spoke up again "we're not lost, we've come looking for you, my friend" he began "if you'd like, we've come to take you to holvesbriss, where there is an established hub friendly to elves and fae, now that the empire has collapsed" "holvesbriss?" the boy questioned the word, as if it sounded only slightly familiar "yes, holvesbriss, in the centre of candleshire," elexa answered him "candleshire?" the boys eyes lit up, as if he wasn't sure if he recognized the place because it was home or frightening "will you come with us? especially if you are lost as you say?" mage finally asked "the places you speak of... sound like... home..." the boy answered, slowly "but my home is a place... a place called.... " he struggled for a long moment, then seemed at peace with his realization "odds grove"

with that, the dreamscape dissipated in a way that reminded elexa of the mystical fog when first she and her mother had met mage, and the two of them were standing in a very dim, dusty, dim; old wooden shack sprawled in a rustic old bed in front of them, and seeming to just now be waking up, was the boy from the dream "mmmmhhhh hello, i'm felrae, have we met somewhere before?" the boy greeted them, shuffling up out of the covers with what elexa had to admit was the cutest bedhead she had ever seen on a boy, except maybe for taiga's, whose reminded her of the monkeys she dreamed of one day finding on the islands of acaemia "we've come to take you to holvesbriss, where there is an established hub friendly to fae and elves, now that the empire has collapsed," mage answered him the boy seemed to pause and stare off for a long time into space, taking in what had been said as if it were all coming back to him after a while, he spoke "yes, that sounds.. so nice, thank you.. i only have a few things..." with that, he retrieved a bold robin's egg blue canvas knapsack from beneath his seemingly antique bed, and went about filling it with the few belongings and clothes elexa and mage had seen scattered about the tiny falling down shack when they got outside, they were greeted, by what was for the first time to elexa and mage, by a sight that brought tears to elexa's eyes, and gave felrae a look of realization all the more deep and resolute than he had had when they informed him of the fall of the candleshire empire "my woods," he started indeed, it looked as if someone had intended to build another hub or city where a small outcropping of trees had once stood that must have been odds grove, but the small forest had long since been leveled, leaving only a flat labyrinth of tree stumps which was every bit as barren, though it shared none of the other qualities, as the landscape in elexa and mage's dream "i remember," he went on "they came and took my woods, shortly after i found this nice unwanted out-of-the- way home... and.... i was so sad, i must have just gone to bed, and.... " he trailed off "we understand," elexa answered him mage had to admit that he finally did understand

fortunately, it is much easier for the fae to travel and live among humans than it is for elves; instead of pointy ears, which are an obvious giveaway, they only had to worry about accidentally attracting swooning attention from the locals which they had dealt with by felrae and elexa holding hands on the way back to holvesbriss, which to mage it seemed as a fae and half elven child they were oddly comfortable doing; felrae was still a little downfallen about his home in odds grove but they made it into the centre safe and sound, greeted in turn by everybody who had managed to comfortably settle within the newly established hub

"is that everybody?" markos greeted them, along with the new member "i think so," mage answered him "i feel like... it is," elexa agreed "good"

the night was spent in nostalgic elven and fae celebration, to commemorate the establishment of the new hub of holvesbriss, which to markos and taiga's delight included higgilty-fidge candles, the human or non-mystical name of the card game mage had introduced them to

the elven chronicles book iii dragons of acaemia

prelude

from her perch on the back of a great serpentine sky dragon, high above the clouds of acaemia, elexa smiled at mage, as they soared toward candleshire together he smiled back, the way friends who feel inside as if they've known each other longer than they really have would, then suddenly caught the look of something in his eye as he glanced ahead of them toward candleshire for a second elexa felt as if something was.. off about the city... darker... then it sunk in what mage had seen, in the distance were two massive flying burning catapult missiles, coming at them from the city the winged dragons instinctively swerved just as she caught it, but she could still feel the heat from the rocky oily projectiles whizzing past them "mage, what's happening?!" she screamed he tried to answer her, as they struggled for their seating on the backs of the twisting dragons, but then everything went black

and she woke up

mage was sitting in front of her, and so was her mother, who seemed to instinctively appear at her side whenever she would have bad dreams although as her mother accounted for the elven part of her heritage that was not really surprising "what was happening?" he asked her "i-" she started, and looked almost despairingly mad at mage, as if his making her think about it had caused her to forget as she was still waking up "i.. just remember.. it was about dragons again, and, i feel like... candleshire isn't safe anymore"

the words hung in the air like the heavy smoke of a hookah pub

chapter 1 the beginning

part i

"candleshire isn't safe anymore??" her mother and mage mirrored her words questioningly at the same time "no... i think we should go as soon as possible..." "markos says that the nearest city still in elven hands is the port of hobbles creek... is morning soon enough?" "i feel like it might not be... since i woke up, i feel, as if something's changed since i went to sleep... like something's happened..." mage thought about the project taiga was working on to try to create an "antenna," like the ones of insects for his local music and dissertation broadcast talisman that would allow them to hear news from around acaemia as he watched their conversation, solemnly "then we should go, now.." her mother answered her "how do you feel.. about markos ship?" she looked at him with a shocking sudden wide look of terror "i.. don't have any idea why, but i feel like we can't go there..." "the deserters have already made backup arrangements. you and mage get your things, i'll get the others" mage could not share thoughts with his companions like the elves could, but he had keen senses as a wizard one of which was empathy, and he could sense that elexa's mother had directed the parting at him as well as for elexa's benefit, almost speaking as if mage were a brother to elexa in her voice, and he took both the compliment and the hint and went about helping elexa make sure she remembered to pack everything, in a way that would at least a little help keep her mind off the impending fear of what was happening

they rushed, satchels in hand, down to the main living room of mages stone clay hut, met by other of their elf fae and deserter friends about the same plan "IT'S ALMOST WORKING!!" elexa caught the look of desperation in taiga's eyes as they glanced past his room "elexa says we have to go, now," markos answer was deeply compassionate while firm, like a true sea captain "when you put it that way," elexa could just still make out the change in taiga's tone, and what sounded like he had somehow managed to perfectly pack his tinkerer's laboratory in all of about two seconds

when they made it out of port, she saw that he probably in fact had, because he had indeed constructed and or arranged himself a sort of portable tinkerer's workshop in the time they had been staying in holvesbriss with the help of which he was just now, and true to his word, picking up a signal from what a few of the group interjected was a broadcast of the hall of gilmrod, in the colonial district "sdfhogwand the refortified empire troops are on their way to holvesbriss as we speak, to finally bring some order to what people are calling, 'the anarchist hub.' should be nice for local trade, which we've been hearing has been doing great since the hubs were established, under the firm generous guidance of the empire, but word is it's about to do a lot better if traders finally don't have to worry about elves and fae," the tone in the man's voice would have reminded elexa of a propaganda newscaster in the early 1900's, if she had the ability to read your thoughts it was all mage could do not to break the device which taiga had spent all this time quite literally inventing "right, let's all just respectively glance over the fact that you are possibly the smartest man in acaemia, or somehow on par with elexa, and uh.. change the channel" he used the words as a sea captain of acaemia would, but he somehow felt the phrase fit "right! well, i.. intended that the way to do that was with this..." he toggled with the compass which had been markos' contribution along with mage's local broadcast talisman "svilsloblibbityglopbsolutely correct on that, but we have to be fair here, candleshire was an elven city.. we have to be fair to the empire in that it was unfamiliar territory, and we have to be fair to the citizens or the original citizens of candleshire who may have felt that what tried to replace the eligacy treated them unfairly.." elexa could tell from the tone of the man's voice that he was elven the man who answered him however was not "so that's a justification for war then? after they signed the peace treaty? you just said they knew their way around candleshire better than the empire if there was a serious problem they could have worked it out" "there was no declaration of war, the empire declared war first, remember? it was only answered because, as was stated, there had been a secret war on elves going on this whole time.." "secret war on elves, more like a made up war on elves, everybody knows elves are hallucinatory beings and as a result they're dangerously paranoid and delusional" "my brother was killed by a raid party, mr tinsmith, with empire insignia on their cloaks" "my son has an empire insignia on his sports' cloak, mr eldroheimasomething- boogledybiggledy elf name," taiga changed the channel again "iufgiahkjsfu;giafjli agree it's absolutely unthinkable, expecting to register us, like they'll have us at their beck and call?" "mh, they're telling stories of elves in the colonies being taken and locked in hospitals, as if they were both crippled and dangerous" "is that where we're going?" elexa chimed in markos looked at his compass which taiga had just adjusted "actually.. it is, most likely, i don't know just how taiga's invention works but the compass is pointed toward hobbels creek" "that's about how it works, and you said hobbels creek is the closest so yeah," taiga seemed proud but an exhausted kind of weary, and a charming kind of droll

the ship sailed on toward hobbels creek

chapter 2 hobbles creek

when elexa awoke, she felt more afraid than she had ever felt in her entire life, as if she knew for certain that she was about to die but quite bizarrely, the feeling filled her with a sense of... homesick pride? she knew instantly what was happening "mother, mother.." she called her mother was sleeping on a bunk nearbye "what is it.?" "we're sailing an empire ship.. we have to let hobbles creek know we're carrying elves..." her mother's eyes went wide, as if she couldn't believe she hadn't realized what elexa had just said "you're right, we need to tell markos.. markos.. markos!" she raised her voice only slightly to call for him, but somehow very firmly, and almost as if in magical answer markos was just then rounding the corner "what's wrong?" "we need to signal hobbles creek that we're carrying elves, and friendly" the look on markos face mirrored the one elexa had seen on her mothers a little bit ago "do we have anything with an elven crest?" markos replied after a second to think intuitively "yes, i'll get it," "meet me on deck" as soon as they left, elexa suddenly felt a tremendous rush of relief, as if the impending doom she'd felt coming around had resided

when they arrived at port in hobbles creek, they were greeted by a heralded salute, which was heartwarming and deeply nostalgic to elexa but which made her wonder, until she saw a friend she remembered from childhood, a friend of elexa's mother, and realized that their family crest must be what markos and she had raised coming into port she greeted elexa's mother with the customary greeting of long-parted elven friends "you've brought refugees from candleshire?" "elves and fae, we travel with a number of humans but they are far more loyal to us than the empire," elexa's mother answered, confirming "they will be housed as refugees, of course, but any who are willing to join our cause may prove useful, being human.." an elderly elf who was wearing a politicalate's robe cut in "i would of course," markos immediately stepped forward, followed silently by taiga "i think i may speak for mage," elexa smiled, "he's been on the side of good since the original elf wars" "very well then," elexa and her mother's friend smiled, and elexa realized that she was also wearing a politicalate's robe "in addition to the refugees of candleshire, you've brought us a genius human inventor and human sea captain, and a human wizard!" it took taiga and markos a second to remember that elves could in fact share thoughts or read minds

the evening was spent in celebration, as it was of course customary in any elven city or village to do, but that did not mean work wasn't accomplished toward bringing the new heads at the table up to speed on what was happening the second war on elves had been declared - to nobody's surprise - because, of all things, the empire claimed that elven spies had landed in candleshire - the propaganda was laughable, given that despite statistics there had already been elves still living in candleshire, but that only served the more to illustrate that the humans of the empire had, to use a human phrase, lost it the task at hand was for the elven cities and villages strewn at ports across acaemia to unite, and of course to determine which non empire affiliated human settlements in acaemia would take the elves desperate side so far only a few but a good few allies were known

by the bonfire, mage and elexa were sharing glasses of elven eggnog, talking about what elexa should try to dream about that night, and about the fact that she had been so often dreaming about dragons lately markos joined them, cheerily, with a glass of normal human beer "the party is grand, and we deserve it, so take it in folks! for tomorrow, as we fight, remember that this party may be our last thanks, but what a thanks it is, for we are heroes!" he cheersed elexa and mage, and wandered on to the rest of the party, proclaiming, "we are heroes!" in true captain mode

meanwhile up in his new temporary workshop, taiga was going through "channels" as markos had coined the phrase on his new cross acaemia music and dissertation broadcast device at long last, he settled on one he was sure would give a fair and neutral report - a broadcast from his and elexa's melting pot port town home of limberdore he listened in somber silence - and what he heard, after it had long enough to all be said, was deeply dissatifying to him the sides had been settled - to be realistic, a fair proportion of human towns had sided with the elves and the empire, respectively; it sounded as if some of the contenders had been swayed by geopolitical vicinity, but nonetheless allbeit, that news was not good facing the empire, the elves and the now global deserters were hopelessly outnumbered

taiga entered the room where the elven politicalates along with elexa's mother were dining, a sort of open challay where they could easily join or be joined by the rest of the party, to share the news, and was joined in funny coincidence by markos "taiga... we are heroes," he grinningly greeted him "indeed, my good friend, but i have bad news from my broadcast receiver" "what are you going to call that, by the way? you already used channels, so... you have to come up with something on your own... i wanna see.. if you're good at inventing... words" markos brilliantly answered him taiga thought, then seemed resolute, with the look in his eyes of a man truly ahead of his time "an elexa"

chapter 3 contacting the everyever

part ii

when she awoke the next morning, elexa had dreamt about dragons, again, and the everyever, and mage was now resolved "we have to seek out the everyever," "but he lives in candleshire..." the everyever did reside, as best a spirit dragon could, in the outer forests of candleshire whence they had just left "don't you a know a way we could contact him, if you really think about it?" elexa could tell what mage meant after much thought, she answered "in the dream, i remember, there was music... there hadn't been before, which makes sense because we were always outside..." she trailed off mage thought for a second "i remember, katantra told me she used a song of all seasons to summon the pixies with an elven flute.. could you do something like that with the everyever?" "i've never tried it, but maybe..."

as it was it turned out explained to them by katantra, she just might be able to - the song of all seasons she had used to contact the spirits of fae in a time of need had been given to her, but it was an intuitive performance, like all enchantment working elven songs, so if the everyever had reached elexa in her dreams before she might already know it "then i'll try," she agreed after a command performance for katantra and mage that was both similar and dissimilar to the accompanied dance katantra had done in the woods of candleshire the ship suddenly swayed as if it had hit a bit of rough water or a sudden wind they rushed to the stern, to find the everyever, floating above the water as he had above the waterfall in candleshire in front of them, though only the elves and fae in their number and mage could see it elexa approached the phantasmical dragon spirit "we need your help, if you have any..." she started "i know," was the almost rehearsed answer "the dragons of acaemia will be glad to aid the elves and fae in their plight" with that he disappeared

the dragons of the underworld - fantastic creatures which nested in what some legends told were caves on the under facing side of the flat heavenly body of acaemia because they could fly, of course they could reach whatever must be down there without sailing off the edge of the earth

and now they were coming to the aid of the elves and fae

of course, nobody really knew what that meant the everyever had said dragons - one dragon the same size as the everyever, which was tangible and not ethereal, would be a menacing monster, but how many were coming to aid - two? more? dragons were beyond endangered, they were legendary

chapter 4 sides forming

when elexa told mage of her dream that morning, he seemed to share her allbeit curious relief that the elves and fae had some aid in the second war katantra had confirmed it, and smiled when elexa told her the part about her flute in a way that didn't quite let mage know if she were smiling at some heart kept elven secret or a little joke of her own

of course, other than waiting for dragons to show up all there was to do at present was go with the elven and fae refugees of candleshire and their friends to a grand ceremony with the eligacy that was to welcome diplomats from the human outcroppings of acaemia that had declared allegiance with the elves one topic of the evening was a fae stand-up comedian, or perhaps he could have been called a jester if he was human but since he was not "...and has anyone noticed that the fae haven't really even gotten involved officially?" his quip was greeted with roaring truthful laughter "it's the second war on elves - and waged by humans - no fae" the audience was by this point on the point of exploding, and elexa was laughing half at the non political jokes she was getting and half sympathetically "you know why that is, it's because the fae are so lazy. i should know, i haven't combed my hair in 123 years," more catterballing roars of laughter "and that's why the fae have sided with the elves too, not because our ancient sacred birthrights of nature and magic are entertwined, or because humans who aren't friendly to one are never friendly to the other anyway.. but because that's easy, how many fae live among, in fact raise your hands if you live with an elf? 'hi roomie!'" the crowd was catatonic the performer paused, smiled, and announced, in what was somehow obviously a "human accent", "now taking any questions, any questions from the audience?" to more laughter a very, but utmost forgiveably as the spirit of an elven ceremony is celebration, drunk allied deserter called out, "does your mother know you've dated a human?" to warm light-hearted laughter "i mentioned in the story about telling her," the performer smiled back, "but it might be worth mentioning that yours does, though i'm not sure if our mothers are friends" at this the crowd all but literally exploded

with nothing to fill the evenings now that elexa and mage had decided to give elexa's dreams another rest from mystical underlying in the hopes of perhaps a truly prophetic dream getting through, they had taken, at their surprise to taiga's fond agreement, to joining him at the elexa listening to world broadcasts "...the empire is massing together one main massive assault from home, and a series of others at each of its outpost colonies, but the problem will be having to split our forces because there are so many little elven settlements nestled through the waters of acaemia... *slblogajeha rhiau*...coming in from our elven allies is that they're badly outnumbered, and our valiant brave boys need all the help they can get.. *ajghiaubhglajh* ...personally think it's outrage, an absolute outrage, and all but genocidal, what can humans possibly take from us they haven't already anyway? do they wish to take all of our land, so that we may have nowhere safe to live? elves are not violent creatures, but we are ancient warriors..." with that, taiga flicked off the elexa "what do you guys think?" he asked, both conversationally and deeply as taiga or anyone as gifted or profound as someone like taiga would of a mage and half elven child "i think... i wish we knew what was happening with the dragons," elexa thoughtfully answered him "i agree" mage joined in "what do you think, taiga?" taiga looked at her "i think i don't understand the problem.. or rather, i do, but there isn't really a problem... elves have never threatened humans, have they?" "not since the war on elves, which had been started by humans a long time ago and fought in small scrimmages throughout the ages, cold..." elexa spoke as if she knew the acaemian histories on instinct, rather than from learning "i don't know why this is happening," she pleaded out loud to them "i think i do," taiga answered "i don't know what caused it exactly, maybe some other elusive political tension, maybe the decadence in the citizens of the decaying empire, it's not like, all the elves... but they're acting like they're afraid, really afraid, like, people are afraid of things they don't understand? could it be as simple and.. stupid as that?.." "i.. think it could," elexa finally realized "well, it doesn't solve our problem," mage finally resolved out loud, "and i'm going to do something about it" "oh?" elexa questioned, as she was left in the agreeable company of taiga "yes, i'll see you in the morning, good night" with that, mage was gone, and taiga and elexa were left to talk about things some of which they hadn't talked about since they had left limber grove for candleshire, and listen to the elexa

chapter 5 war

part iii

when elexa awoke, in the middle of the night, the unlit walls of the castle seemed to glow with a strange kind of bright color stained, yet dirty, light in fact, looking out the window, it seemed as if the entire world was glowing with the same worryingly unwordly light she wandered, like a child awaking from a nightmare, instinctively down the hall to mage's room what she saw was mage, suspended in the air as she had only seen the everyever achieve, quivering as if he weren't quite in control the same way the everyever was, in a kind of standing falling pose, with a look on his face that spoke as if it could not contain the madness which had been invited into the mind within open on the table in front of him was a very old looking book, the pages of which were black, and written in a language elexa could not read in what must have been blood, which was somehow red but also black as well "mage... what are you doing?" she asked, half with a tone of fear and half one of a mother who hears something she shouldn't be able to explain coming out of her child's bedroom mage seemed for the first time to notice her "i'm casting a spell," he glared and grinned "alright.." elexa nudged him "a spell.. to damn humans!"

elexa couldn't believe her elven ears "what will it.. do?" she asked "it will close the demon gates of the world," he growled, "so that whenever untalented man sets foot upon a new land he has not been verbally invited to, he shall die in flames," despite the clutching for even comfortable madness expression on mages face, he spoke as if his statement made absolute perfect sense elexa had to admit that would all but win the war "you can.. do, that?" she seemed to know instinctively to ask him "not alone, but a wizard is never alone," mage answered awefully, seeming to glance at the black book "did you.. have help with this idea?" "of course i did! the demon gates are not surface side upon acaemia! of course i cannot tell you from whom!" though it did not appear at all in his voice, elexa could tell in his face the look of someone crying out for help her face shared it "mage... what can i.. do? you know... there has to be a better way..." the look in his eyes told her all she needed to know, and with one swift motion she closed the book when she did it, she felt an electric shock, like someone had been rubbing their hozzysocks on the birshire rug, and there was a deafening boom like thunder out of clear skies which seemed to come from all around mage fell like a lifeless puppet into her arms "thank you," he whispered "what were you... thinking?" she asked softly, but compassionately "it wasn't the spell i was looking for.. it stood out in the book.. by being redwater, rather than blood... a wizard can tell, but the light, was so dim in here..." he seemed to come into a tone of sudden realization as he finished "i don't think.. you should try that book again..." she managed "no.. perhaps we'll save it for a rainy day," mage half-smilingly agreed elexa nodded at the realization that the rainy day he'd been saving it for had been the second war on elves

chapter 6 strategy

the eligacy had finally met with all the allies of elves across acaemia, and plans were under way for divying up troops to the various elven cities when the strike finally came down, and they had still not heard from the dragons of acaemia but they finally knew what had started off the second war on elves, from what had become to no one's approval the secret war on elves, and the realization was in fact harrowing markos and taiga had been followed when they led the forest-dwelling refugees of candleshire into the established hub of holvesbriss disguised as circus animals in fact, there was even one account of a goat ascending a trampoline - which was not normal to the people of candleshire and the empire (if you could believe the propaganda) it seemed as if about a dozen elves and fae, which was easily a lot more than the statistics showed had been living in candleshire at the time, had come into candleshire in disguise from an unmarked sailing ship moored off the coastal islands, to set up camp in a newly established anti-empirial hub amidst the collapse of the candleshire prop empire which... actually made sense

allbeit, knowing this did nothing to help their situation or perhaps it did "we have to go back to candleshire," markos stated the entire assembled group looked at him "that's my ship, that started a war, a ship that was made for me in the empire," he finished as only a captain could "i'll go with you, and so will mage and taiga," elexa spoke for all of them as only an elf could "very good then, and, when we get there, what are we going to... do?" he was answered by a long pause taiga, with a knowing tone that surprised everyone in the room, thoughtfully and finally answered "we're gonna put on a circus"

chapter 7 approach

part iv

elexa and mage gazed at each other, silently, finding that their goodbyes were harder than the ones they had exchanged with markos and taiga, for the opposite reasons of knowing the two more and less well than they knew each other finally, elexa spoke "we'll see each other again," she assured him "i know.. and it's not that, even if worse comes to worse, i don't have some beautiful memories with you, new friend.. it's just that.. well we've never really just made memories together, you know? i suppose you and your friends have, hobbles i have with the deserters, but you and i... well... it's always been an adventure," he smiled, and knew that elexa could tell he was smiling at what had just become their little shared joke that for an instant, mage was sharing their thoughts out loud the way elves or fae could "i kinda miss your mum too," he laughed elexa smiled "we all do," she comforted him, "and we will meet again, i promise" with that, she hugged him, in an impromptu way was which was neither entirely elven nor human, and set foot off of the stern of the ship they had taken back to candleshire, joining markos on the shore where his ship had been, though it had long since been - probably not easily - confiscated as contraband evidence of the empire it was of no matter, because the queen olympia was not what they were looking for

"ladies and gentlemen, may i have your attention please," markos announced, in a grand and flooring tone that could easily have been that of a traveling ringmaster as well as a sea captain of acaemia "presenting, for your absolute entertainment," taiga followed him, well rehearsed, "and after much of an.. ordeal with a few misarrangements of our arrival," his joke was greeted with, allbeit nervous, laughter markos followed him just as rehearsedly, with a sweep of his broad matching brightly colored sleeve "the enchanted elven animals of candleshire!" the performance that shortly followed was not one you would expect to see at a circus; the beautiful and endangered luminescent animals which the friends had encountered in the outer forests searching for the everyever, walked or shuffled or whatever they would do out onto the stage of their own accord, in a bizarre unison the torch lights inside the circus tent were dimmed, and the crowd breathed a collective breathtaking gasp of awe at the beautiful colored glowing creatures "these beautiful creatures were once abundant in candleshire, as abundant as dogs and cats," markos started "but since so many elves and fae left candleshire, the effect their magic had on the city and its local nature has caused their numbers to dwindle to near extinction" taiga finished the crowd seemed to sympathetically murmur, as the magical creatures looked out at them with all but tears in their eyes then they turned and left the stage, once again of their own strange accord "next, and we promise, we tried our best to keep this a surprise," markos joked, "the performing elves wizards and fae of acaemia!" taiga finished for him grandly the tapestries at the edges of the circus ring, embroidered with all the most regal colors of every nation of acaemia, rose suddenly into the air as if born on mystical winds, dancing about in the air above the audience illuminated by bright finding lights shone up on them from the ground by deserter uh circus crew, and a small group of elves and fae that exactly matched the number which had traveled in secret into candleshire stepped out onto the stage, led by mage, dressed in matching uniforms similar to the ones markos and taiga were wearing but different colors as the elves moved in unison in a bizarre but entrancing side-to-side arm stretching very official dance, the fae accompanied the dancing tapestries with songs that sounded like no human should have been able to sing them, and otherwordly beautiful, that caused visions of wild animals and nature spirits to appear above their heads and the center stage, to even more awe and surprise from the audience at the height of it all, mage, center stage like the star of the show, began what to anyone would have looked like just ordinary, though definitely not novice fire dancing but then, the flaming staffs he was spinning about began to glow with changing colors, first the seeming natural colors of fire and then completely unnatural colors, bright neon, growing brighter and brighter, until he was dancing not with fire but swirling piercing liquid neon light blobs, and the crowd had erupted in a standing ovation "and finally," markos started, "after all this, we've somehow managed to save the best for last... for ladies and gentlemen, alas we must confess, for -some of us- (he inserted with a laughing tone) the circus isn't a prime occupation, as my young compatriot has now to share with you all, an invention soon to be in the homes of every family in candleshire, nay in acaemia.. i give you, ladies and gentlemen.. the elexa" "and i couldn't have done it without the inspiration of my best friend whom it's named for," taiga once again joined in "a half elven child who lived in candleshire" with that, the contraption was produced by the same deserters who had been operating the casting lights, and taiga proceeded to adjust the compass on its mantle and produce the local music and dissertation broadcasts of every settlement in acaemia, one after another, through the strange magical gibberish caused by changing channels human broadcasts, and elven, about the war that was happening

there was not a dry eye in the audience

chapter 8 victory

it was at that moment as fate would have it the performance was cut short by the entrance of an empirial guard ensemble headed as if to make a point to the people gathered in the circus tent by the president of the empire himself, and the announcement, "the first strike has been launched. the second war with elves is officially underway"

and it was at this moment, as if fate would have it to make a point, that what sounded like a terrible wind storm descended upon candleshire everyone ran out of the tent outside, to the sight of thousands- no, millions of dragons, it looked as if they filled the sky like stars, flying in still formation over the ancient once elven city elexa felt her and everyone else's breath taken away by the sight an huge, even for dragons, very brilliant and apparent royal violet dragon alone landed in front of the president, and nodded at him, causing his hair to blow as if in a sudden strong breeze "you may speak for the empire, little human, but you do not speak for all humans, and you do not speak for the dragons"

after a considered pause, the president and his royal procession silently retreated, and it seemed rather gladly understood among the crowd that similar confrontations were occurring throughout acaemia

chapter 9 peace

part v

elexa and mage walked together down the sandy beach shores of candleshire, hand in hand, as he had seen her walk with a newmet fae friend once, laughing together about elexa's promise that they would see each other again things throughout acaemia had finally settled down, even if it meant that for now elves fae and humans were residing in their own lands, respectively - simply because that's where everyone had wound up humans as a whole were certainly not unfriendly or even unappreciative of elves and fae, and magic, and it was beginning to turn out the empire wasn't really either - mayhaps they had just needed a new election

"you know, we're really weird," elexa commented "yeah, we are," mage laughingly agreed "i don't know if we even belong in the same time or.. world together..." she trailed off "nothing makes sense," mage stepped in for her "it doesn't make sense how we met, and it certainly makes no sense that we're alright and having this conversation now" "i suppose you're right," she answered him after a pause, mage continued "even the way our abilities counteract with each other.." she nodded, agreeingly "it's like, as rare and strange and to some ways of thinking even new as a half elven girl is... i.. want you in my life, every bit as i want my own magic," he couldn't believe the words that came out of his mouth, and turned shy as he remembered that elexa could read his thoughts anyway "mage.." she looked him in the eye mage saw looking back at him a girl who possessed a beautiful timeless childlike innocense and wonder with the world that he had always secretly wished he had gotten to experience more growing up even more so, he saw in her eyes the look of magic, beautiful and sacred and bright, mirrored in his own he thought about the day he had met the at first only silly and whimsical young half elven girl who'd accompanied markos and taiga to candleshire

"the world will always have elves, however rare," she resolvedly stated "and fae, and magic, and dragons..." "yes, the world needs those things, it can't very well make a move to get rid of them without realizing what it's doing" they walked together a little longer in silence

suddenly, elexa spoke "what do you think.. the world has for us, mage?" he was taken aback by her profound question as she continued "a half elven girl and a wizard.. we're not even elves, or humans, or fae.. we don't belong," she almost seemed to despair "maybe we shouldn't be asking what the world has for a half elven girl and wizard.." he answered her, to his pleasant surprise wisely, "maybe we should be asking.. what the world has.. for dreamers"

she suddenly turned to him, smiling, tearily, and all but softly whispered, "i'll always have you"

then mage remembered that he could not read her thoughts the way she could his, when she kissed him, a kiss that was neither elven nor human nor even fae it was simply magical

#the elven chronicles #oliver treespirit #michael oliver hall #authors on tumblr #fantasy #fiction #elves #magic #fae #pirates #elven #chronicles #trilogy

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