An Alliance of Mortals, page 8
part #6 of The New Earth Chronicles Series
“An extraordinary feat,” Shandon said.
“Indeed it was. And now he has discovered a solution to our communication problems as well. He has suggested using his abilities to open up a permanent link between your people,” she nodded at the king, “the human race and us. A channel through which not only will we be able to speak with each other at will, but that we can use to move between the dwarven realm, the castle of Nottinghill and our new settlement, Caladur.”
Tamara and Sebastian stared in amazement at Amelda. Shandon's expression mirrored theirs.
“How is that even possible?” he asked Amelda. “A stable gateway? Really? I have never heard of such a thing.”
“Neither have we,” Tamara said. “Can he actually do that, Elder?”
Amelda shrugged.
“Callius claims that he can. I do not understand such things, but he says that because this world's ley energy is ancient and stable, it can be used as a reliable source of power to keep such a connection open indefinitely. And as he is the one who managed to breach the gap between our old world and this one, I am inclined to believe him.”
“I remember nodes like the one you are describing.”
Everyone looked up at Ellas, who was hovering a few feet above their heads.
She smiled gently down at them.
“The elves have lost those memories, I see, but I was here at the beginning. Your race, dear Amelda, used ley energy freely in ancient times. We taught you how to do that. In fact, we taught you many things. This Callius you speak of has just managed to regain that ability. I should like to meet him. I can ensure that this connection of his is safe and stable.”
“I had no idea that you could do that, Ellas,” Amelda told her. “But I thank you for your generous offer. I am sure that Callius would be honored and grateful for your help.”
“Then it is settled,” Ellas told the group. “I will stay here with the elves and we will construct this node. Once it is in place, all three of the mortal races will have a reliable way to coordinate their efforts when you all decide to fight back against our mutual enemies.”
She giggled happily.
“Hasn't this been a most productive day?” she exclaimed with delight.
Everyone smiled at her girlish enthusiasm. Even Shandon had to grin at the little fairy.
“When I left Kingstone a few hours ago, I never dreamed that this was how our meeting would conclude,” he told the others. “But I am both pleased and encouraged by this new alliance. Elder, please contact Larin when you have your gateway completed and we will continue our discussions. And you as well, my friends,” he added with a look at Tamara, Sebastian and Malcolm. “We are agreed that we stand together as one against our foes and my people always keep our word. Call upon us at need and we will be there. That is a promise.”
“Thank you, your majesty,” Tamara replied warmly. “And the same applies for us. If you need our aid for any reason, we are ready to answer the call.”
“As are we,” Amelda assured the group. “The lords of Chaos will rue the day that they made enemies out of the elves, the humans and the dwarves.”
She smiled up at Ellas.
“And the Fay, of course,” she added.
“Oh they will, my dear,” the fairy queen assured her, her expression fierce once more. “They will indeed.”
Chapter 6
The new elven settlement of Caladur was built in a large circular clearing in the midst of an ancient forest. The delegation that had met with their new human and dwarven allies stepped out of the towering trees and stood quietly for a moment in the warm sunshine, taking in the scene.
“Oh, it is lovely! You have all done so well in a very short time.”
Amelda looked up at Ellas, who was hovering just above their heads.
“Thank you,” she said. “It is a good beginning, but we have a long way to go.”
“Our people will be thrilled to see you, your highness,” Malfiess told Ellas with a smile. “Our race has nothing but good memories of the Fay, from our shared history together so long ago.”
The fairy floated down to rest on his shoulder for a moment. She stroked his cheek and then flitting off again.
“I think that I like you, Malfiess,” she admitted playfully. “And I like few males. I find them all so tedious, you know. I am fond of the human, Chao, I suppose. But don't tell him that. I prefer that he remains humble. And remember to call me Ellas, not 'your highness'. I do not like titles. So pretentious.”
Malfiess reddened at both the compliment and the rebuke.
“Yes, your... I mean Ellas! I will try to remember that.”
“See that you do.”
Ethmira and Chase were grinning at the councilor's discomfort and Ellas slipped them a sly wink. Clearly the fairy queen was enjoying herself.
“Neither of you rangers have had much to say since we left the meeting,” she told them. “Share your opinions with me. I wish to hear them.”
Chase gestured for Ethmira to speak first and the older ranger frowned as she gathered her thoughts.
“First of all, I am grateful that the Fay are back on this world and that you and your people will stand with the mortal races against our mutual enemies,” she told the little fairy. “I feel more hope today than I have since we were driven from Trillfarness and I want to thank you personally for your support, Ellas.”
The fairy queen looked delighted and she spun energetically in midair.
“I am so happy to hear you say that,” she exclaimed. “I remember those early days so well, when we taught the elves their first lessons on how to live in harmony with nature. Seeing you back on our home world warms my soul, and my people feel the same way.”
Her smile faded and she turned to look at the new settlement across the open glade.
“But to see your race so diminished, that breaks my heart. We Fay were never very numerous, but that was by choice. You elves have been decimated by our enemies and that is a tragedy. Well, we are now united in our resolve to defeat those beasts. And not just us,” she added as she looked back at Ethmira. “But the humans and the dwarves as well. We will cleanse this world of evil and send a message to the lords of Chaos.”
Her expression became fierce again.
“Let them fear us as they once did. I remember, as none of you do, when the dark gods were driven from the mortal realm into the Void. It wasn't just the lords of Light who beat them back. It was also the Fay and the mortal races.”
She laughed coldly.
“They ran, my friends. They ran! Like the cowards that they are, they scurried away to hide in the vastness of the Void. Remember that as we begin this war. The Darkness is not unbeatable, no matter how strong it appears to be right now. It is not unassailable.”
Ellas descended to hover in front of Ethmira.
“I know you, my friend,” she said with a warm smile. “I know what you did when you and the dwarven king and a human wizard united to wipe out the evil dragons. Your people could not have a stronger or braver warrior to lead them into the future. And I am proud that the Fay will be here to fight alongside you.”
Ethmira shook her head.
“I just did what needed to be done, Ellas,” she told the fairy. “And I know that my fellow elves will do the same going forward. We are one as a people and no matter how much we have been diminished, we will not be broken. We will fight back and I welcome your aid in that fight.”
“Your words do you credit,” Ellas replied. “And we will aid you, of that you can be sure.”
She soared upward and looked down at the four elves.
“And now, let us enter your new town,” she told them. “I want to greet your people and let them know that they are not alone any longer. I know that they are afraid, after losing their world to evil. Perhaps my presence will help to ease their fears somewhat.”
“I know that it will,” Amelda told her. “And I thank you for offering to reassure our people.”
“It is my pleasure,” Ellas assured her. “Better to show them proof of our alliance than to simply tell them, eh? Lead on, Elder.”
Amelda nodded and led the group across the grassy glade toward Caladur. As they passed the first small houses and entered the town, the elves who were going about their business noticed the two council members and the rangers. But it was the appearance of the glittering figure of Ellas flitting above their heads that stopped everyone in their tracks.
Children squealed in excitement as they saw the fairy glowing in the bright sunlight. A murmur of sound rose from the watching elves and distant shouts echoed through the town as word of Ellas' presence spread like wildfire.
When they had reached the center of town, where an open market had been set up with tables covered with fruits and vegetables, the group stopped. Amelda and the others waited as people hesitantly approached them. Everyone was staring up at the fairy queen, their eyes wide in wonder.
Ellas looked down at them all, a wide smile on her face. Elves ran toward them from all directions, as if the fairy's presence had cast a spell over the people and drawn them to her. Perhaps it had.
The group of townspeople grew larger, until hundreds of elves crowded the market and the streets leading to it and packed into a tight mass. They became silent and they all simply watched Ellas as if mesmerized. She rose higher above their heads so that even the elves in the back of the crowd could see her clearly.
“Hello, my old friends,” she said, her voice somehow loud enough to be heard by everyone who was watching. Ellas' tone was warm and her expression showed her obvious fondness for the elven crowd.
“I am Ellas, the leader of the Fay,” she continued. “For those of you who know your history, you will remember that my people were your first allies, back when your race was created by the lords of Light. We taught you how to survive. We gave you the skills that you needed to grow and thrive and become the admirable race that you are today.”
A murmur rose from the large crowd, and many of those listening were smiling and nodding at the fairy's words.
“But you have been attacked and diminished by our mutual enemies,” Ellas continued, her voice now tinged with anger. “The forces of evil have stolen your home from you and tried to destroy your civilization, the same way that they attacked and decimated the human race. They have also attacked the dwarves, who were once your rivals.”
People began whispering amongst themselves, surprise and fear rippling through the crowd. Ellas quickly held up her hands and the nervous voices were stilled.
Ethmira looked at Chase, who stared back at her in astonishment.
“How did she do that?” she whispered.
Ethmira could only shrug.
“The magic of the Fay, I assume,” she replied quietly. “Whatever she is doing, Ellas is in complete control of this crowd. Let's just hope that her message is a good one. The Fay are unpredictable at the best of times.”
Chase nodded and watched Ellas apprehensively.
“But today I bring you all a measure of hope,” the queen exclaimed, her voice changing yet again to express confidence. “Your wise leaders have just met with envoys from both the humans and the dwarves and they have vowed to stand side by side with the elves against your mutual enemies.”
She paused and beamed joyfully at everyone who was watching her. The crowd all seemed to be holding their breaths. Even the children were silent and wide-eyed.
“And I am here to tell you that my people and I will stand with you as well. The Fay are here for you again, as we once were so many years ago. You are not alone, my friends, and the evil gods and their twisted allies will learn to fear all of us as they once did. So do not despair. This is not the end for you or for the other mortal races. It is a new beginning!”
A moment of silence was instantly followed by a massive roar as the elves began cheering.
Chase grinned at Ethmira.
“No need to worry, it seems,” she said loudly over the excited yells of the townspeople. “Ellas knows how to play to a crowd.”
Amelda and Malfiess looked at her, their faces mirroring the ranger's relief.
“I wasn't quite sure where the queen was going with her speech for a moment there,” the Elder said. “Her control of an audience is impressive.”
“Why, thank you, Amelda.”
Ellas had swooped down to join the small group while the members of the crowd began chattering excitedly with each other.
“I am flattered,” the fairy continued, a delighted smile on her face. “It has been a very long time since I've addressed such a large group. I wasn't sure that I was still up to it, but apparently my old skills are intact.”
“How did you do that, Ellas?” Ethmira asked her. “Was it a spell?”
The queen gave her wings a quick flick and landed on top of one of the tables laden with fresh vegetables. She giggled and fanned her wings gently.
“In a manner of speaking, I suppose,” she replied. “My people are mercurial, as you all know. They are quick to act, sometimes to their own detriment, and I learned ages ago to calm them and get their attention before they would do things that could harm themselves or others. It appears that I still have that talent. But it is not an actual spell, Ethmira. It is simply part of who I am.”
“Then we are grateful for that skill,” Amelda told her. “I haven't seen such optimism in this community since we arrived back on Earth. It gives me hope for the future.”
“Good. Then my work here is done.”
Ellas flew upward until she was at eye level with the elves.
“I must return to the Fay and tell them what has happened today,” she said, her expression now serious. “Talk with your fellow elves, my friends. Keep them looking forward, not backward. Their optimism today will not last if you, their leaders, falter in your own confidence. Have your scryer, Callius, set up his portal to the dwarves as soon as he can. I trust in his abilities and I doubt that he needs my supervision. We must keep up the momentum and this feeling of good will. It would be too easy to fall back on old habits of suspicion between the mortal races. Do not let that happen! When you need me again, have your scryer contact the human, Chao. He can summon me whenever I am needed.”
She beamed at them.
“My heart is filled with hope, my friends. It is a feeling that I have not experienced for many years. Thank you all for your warm welcome. We will speak again very soon.”
And with that, Ellas disappeared in a flash of light. Tiny sparks glittered in the air for a moment and then faded away, leaving Amelda and the others staring at each other in surprise.
“Well, I suppose that is that,” Malfiess said with some confusion. “I thought that she was going to help Callius with his portal. Odd. Ellas is a little...unpredictable, isn't she?”
Ethmira chuckled and Chase shook her head with a smile.
“True enough,” Amelda said dryly. “But the queen did make a good point. We must set up our lines of communication quickly, while all three mortal races are feeling some hope. If we can speak with each other easily, we can strengthen our new bonds of friendship and not slip backwards.”
The crowd in the market began to disperse. Everyone was still speaking excitedly with their neighbors and their smiles and laughter gave Chase a sense of encouragement.
I pray that this lasts, she thought as she followed Ethmira and the councilors through the market toward the council hall. We are so weak now that the only way the elves will survive is with the aid of the humans and the dwarves. Without them, we will not last very long. But I feel hope, just as Amelda does. Thanks to Ellas, we have a chance now. Let's see if we can build on it.
While the sunlight still lit up the council hall, Amelda and Malfiess met with the other council members and told them what had happened during the meeting with the humans and the elves. The others were excited by the news that the Fay had pledged to stand with the elves along with the other mortal races and they agreed with Amelda that they should immediately establish communications with the dwarves and the humans.
“Thank you for your support,” the Elder told them gratefully. “I know that you are all busy with other tasks, so feel free to go back to them. Malfiess and I will work with our young scryer to set up a permanent portal to the dwarven capital of Kingstone and we'll meet again tomorrow to update you on our progress.”
The five other councilors left the hall, chatting amicably with each other. Malfiess had walked with them to the door and, when he looked back at Amelda, she smiled weakly from her seat at the table. Her face was tinged gray with exhaustion.
“Are you well, Elder?” Malfiess asked her with some concern as he hurried back to the table.
She sighed and slumped in her seat.
“Well enough,” she replied. “It's been a long day and it is far from over. That walk to and from the meeting place took a lot out of me.”
She gave the younger elf an amused glance.
“I'm old, my friend. Normally I can perform my duties well enough, but my stamina is limited. Could I impose upon you? Find Callius and bring him back here as quickly as you can. We need to speak with him about establishing that node of his. I'll wait here and catch my breath.”
“Yes, of course, Elder,” Malfiess said. “Should I send someone in to attend you? Perhaps some tea would help?”
Amelda grimaced as she sat up and arranged her robes around her.
“That is very kind, Malfiess. Yes, I would appreciate that.”
“It is my pleasure. I won't be long.”
As he stepped out of the council hall, Malfiess found one of Amelda's granddaughters, a very young elf named Orilla, lingering nearby. She wore a sleeveless, pale blue dress and she was humming to herself as she leaned against the wall of the building. The young woman was staring up at the scattered clouds dotting the blue sky, obviously lost in thought. Malfiess smiled as he walked over to speak with her.
“Orilla, would you mind fetching the Elder a cup of tea?” he asked her. “She is feeling a little tired from the busy day that we've had so far and some tea might refresh her.”
