“There is base housing for those whose families are here but they’re to the rear of the valley so those families can safely leave to Manton in case of emergency.”
“Shouldn’t there be guards or something?” Sara asked.
“Our arrival is expected, and from what I hear exercises are going on today. But there were guard posts in the canyon that you didn’t see. I’m sure we will be joined soon. Also, keep in mind that this is a large valley and most activity takes place on the other end.”
As if in response to this, Legon heard the sound of horses trotting along in the distance. Three men wearing wooden armor approached them. They didn’t look unkind in the least bit, and after their past experiences, Legon was expecting a bit more of a hostile welcome.
“Are you Arkin’s party?” the leader asked.
“Yes we are, we seek asylum fo-”
“We know. You have no need for formality. We’ve been expecting you. I assume you got caught in the rain?” the man asked.
“Yes, we did,” was Arkin’s reply.
“Well I’m glad your lot is all right. Shall we go? The boss wants to meet up with you before you go talk to the Elves.”
Arkin gestured with his hand and they followed the men. They skirted along the hill and gradually they saw more and more people. While there were no farms here, Legon saw people herding sheep and cattle. Indeed, it had appeared to be an empty place until they reached the hill; now it was just as busy as any town. They saw a large wooden building that Legon figured was the barracks. Behind the hill were neat rows of cottages with little yards and fences.
The men leading them seemed to enjoy giving them a tour on their way in, explaining that the cottages were for soldiers with families. Instead of staying in the barracks, the wives and children could live on base with them. This was also good because it provided a civilian staff to help run the base, from cooking and cleaning to tending the livestock.
There was a small town center that they rode by, closing in on the four-towered building. Somehow it seemed too small to Legon, but he wasn’t sure why. It just didn’t look like it could fit all of the men that must live in the Precipice.
They approached the gates and dismounted. There were two men standing at either entrance of the building. They didn’t seem to notice them walk by. Instead of being led into a courtyard like he expected, the entrance led to a staircase and halls. This was more like a business center than a fortress, he thought. Sasha shared his disquiet, wondering at the capability of the human resistance.
The ceiling was high and above them was a chandelier made of ram horns. The interior was dark wood with a scratchy looking rug on the floor that the soldiers wiped their feet on. Arkin sent a mental message saying that this was an entrance rug and that you were to wipe your feet on it to avoid dirtying the rest of the building. They drug their feet obediently, losing any filth from the road.
As they reached the top of the staircase they entered another small hall, at the end of which were two large double doors with three men standing guard. Up to this point he had only seen wooden armor, but these men had the expensive chainmail and plate armor.
The guards opened the doors and their escorts gestured for them to go inside. The room was large and dark, lit only by a granite fireplace on the right side of the room. On either side of it were two bronze fish whose tails wound toward the fire, reflecting the light across their bodies. Above the fireplace was a green banner. In the center of it was the powder blue outline of a triangle. On the triangle was a fish in the same color, its head and tail curving up. This banner was not Iumenta or Elf; this was for one of the few great human houses that were left. There were rumored to be only five outside of the Queen’s control.
Legon looked to his left, glancing over a desk and noticing two figures stooped over a table with a map on it. One had shoulder-length brown hair; the other’s hair was long and silver. The one with the brown hair had an average build; he held up a hand telling them to wait. The other with the silver was thinner, and Legon suspected he was an Elf.
They turned to look at the visitors. Legon’s suspicions were confirmed as the silver- haired man looked at them. Legon was surprised at just how young the Elf looked, not appearing to be more than twenty five. His face was thin with a good jaw line, a small nose, and almond-shaped eyes that matched the silvery gray of his hair. He looked like an artist’s masterpiece. Legon fought to keep from smiling as he became aware of the mental chattering going on between Sasha and Sara. Legon heard the girls’ hearts race. He knew the other Elf could hear this as well, and that Sara and Sasha would be mortified if they knew Elves could hear that well. He decided not to tell them now.
The human spoke. “Welcome. My name is Enrich, representative of house Posein. This is Mantic. He is our Elven liaison.”
Mantic bowed his head and focused his view on Legon, just the hint of a smile at his lips. Up to this point Legon hadn’t been worried about the Elves. They were the good guys, after all. But still, he hadn’t met one before and he wasn’t sure what to do or how to act. He knew almost nothing about their culture-his culture now.
Mantic spoke. “Legon, you will have many questions, I’m sure. We have only a few things to attend to here and then you will be taken to see the Elves and be given quarters there. In fact, we would like to offer our hospitality to your whole party.”
Legon felt a nudge from Arkin’s mind telling him that he was supposed to answer.
“Thank you very much. I’m looking forward to meeting others of my kind.” That felt awkward.
Mantic gave a deep sigh and smiled at him. “You remind me of your father…and mother. I am sorry that you have been away from us. House Evindass still mourns his loss.”
“House Evindass?” Legon asked, feeling dumb.
Mantic looked surprised but then recovered. “You haven’t been told?”
“Oh, I know I’m supposed to be the Everser Vald if that’s what you mean.” He knew it wasn’t, but better to look uninformed then just ignorant.
Arkin spoke. “No, he doesn’t. It was not my place to tell him.”
Mantic nodded. “Thank you for your discretion, Arkin. Legon, I am sure that you are aware that there were once great houses that ruled over the humans?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that same system still applies to the Elves. House Evindass is one of our great houses, one of the twelve ruling houses. And you are the heir to that house.”
Sasha showed her amazement and disbelief. “Legon is noble?”
Mantic turned his gaze to her. “I am assuming you are Sasha, and yes he is. As his sister, you are as well.”
“But he was adopted, and I’m human.” Sasha said.
“And you share a connection stronger than family, and in adopting him he did the same for you. Our people will treat you accordingly.”
Mantic paused for a moment to look the group over. This wasn’t how they had planned on doing this, and it was obvious. From the lines under Enrich’s eyes Legon figured they had waited through the night, hoping for the storm to lift and their guests to arrive.
He decided to break the tension by changing the subject. “This is a very nice, ah, base that you have here.”
Enrich smiled. “Thank you. We like it. We are sorry, this was not supposed to…well, we sent your welcoming party home to get some rest about an hour before you arrived.”
Sara laughed, cutting the mood. “Well it’s good to see the world is still working the way it’s supposed to.”
Keither just wasn’t surprised by this information. Legon had to be something special. He had turned into an Elf for crying out loud, so why not be noble as well? There wasn’t anything all that amazing about the Elf either, though Keither was a little perturbed by how taken Sara was with him. He had a weak connection with the others so he didn’t think she knew what he was thinking. They were exchanging small talk now, waiting just long enough to leave without being impolite. He couldn’t help himself.
