Sparks flew into the air as Terandriell repeatedly hit his hammer over a bright red blade, shaping it with every stroke. The furnace was hot on his face from the burning coals, infusing the air with dark smothering smoke. The coal would have made it impossible for anyone else to breathe here, but from Terandriell’s many years of being a smith, he had built up immunity through time. Perfecting it with every waking breath.

He stood just over six feet tall and was of slender build, which was strange considering his trade. His face was black from the hours he had been working over the flames. His eyes were slanted upwards at the corners, the piercing blue still shining through. His dark brown hair was of medium length covering his ears and dropping down to rest upon his shoulders.

He placed the sword into a cool barrel of water stationed next to his forge. The act sent water droplets flying across the room, the resulting steam and sizzling noise nothing short of impressive as the sword pierced the cool water.

Terandriell quickly wiped his face with a damp cloth he gathered from the far side of the room. The soot came off in chunks, revealing his flawless pale skin hidden beneath. Before heading outside, he grabbed some fresh clothes and his bow and quiver, both stored in a cabinet nearby to keep the smoke from corrupting it.

His house was built on two levels with his living space on the second floor and the forge on the ground. Which lay open to the elements around it. It was the same throughout the entire city, the trade of the elves always on their bottom floor. It let them view the city from the comforts of their homes while they worked whilst also allowing passers-by to view their wares.

Terandriell’s home stood just on the southern outskirts of the city. There were only two other buildings in his path before he reached the unending forest of everlasting green.

The city of Athaldris was built in the middle of a great valley surrounded by trees that covered their view to the sky above. To the west towered a great waterfall which thundered and crashed into the riverbed below, sparkling day and night.

Athaldris was lit by numerous candles which were enclosed in beautiful white cases, engraved with a silver floral pattern. They hung from the wooden beams of each building, shining like stars amongst the other colours of the city. The buildings themselves were constructed entirely out of a mixture of dark wood, with the exception of the roofs which used either green or brown slates, allowing the city to blend in entirely with its surroundings.

Travelling west, Terandriell reached the river within twenty minutes and hung his fresh clothes over a tree branch. He deposited his bow and quiver just at its trunk before he quickly stripped and went to bathe in the river, flinching as he first touched the water.

He could see the very depths of the cool river. No fish swam in the water at the base of the waterfall, but there were many of every shape, size and colour further downstream where it opened into the much larger lake.

His home had a bathing room, but there was something about nature that he had been drawn to for a long time. It made him feel at ease, at peace even. One of the few things that made him feel content.

After he was fully immersed in the water, his hair began to strand together and no longer covered his ears, revealing the pointed tips. There were no sounds in the area except the waterfall, or perhaps it was just so loud it drowned out all other nearby noises. He could see the birds flying overhead, but the beat of their wings alluded him as he dived underneath the opaque waters.

Terandriell had a busy day ahead and was planning to see the High Priestess after lunch. He wasn’t one for believing in the gods and other more religious, sometimes fanatical viewpoints, but there was a kindness to her. She always left a slot open for him once a week to come and visit.

They had fast become friends over the last few years and would talk about everything from the gods to food and even about various theatres and performances that were always springing to life somewhere in the city. They were yet to see any together due to her increasingly busy schedule but had planned to do so soon. He knew he should get ready to go, but what were a few more moments cherishing the depthless natural waters?

He wasn’t sure how long he had been floating there, relaxing on his back, until he opened his eyes and noticed the sun reaching its zenith. Quickly swimming to shore, he walked towards the tree his towel was at and promptly dried himself. He slipped on a dark green tunic with a black trim, held together with a thick brown belt. It complimented his form but also blended into the forest around him perfectly. At one with nature indeed.

A dash of movement caught his attention. He grabbed and strung his bow aiming it at where it originated from with extraordinary speed.

From out amongst the bushes and trees strode three deer, a few fluttering birds and a small badger. He could read the worry written all over them. Relaxing his bow arm and slinging it over his shoulder, he walked up to the animals and petted them. Trying his best to reassure them.

The elf spoke in a soft voice. “What is the matter, animals of the forest?”

The animals responding by nudging or pulling him through the woods as if they understood exactly what he said, squawking or grunting in response. He had to duck under some trees and dodge some branches as they lead him through the forest. They finally stopped pulling him when they emerged into a large clearing. Near the centre sat an ordinary scroll and an injured badger.

This place feels deadly, he instantly thought. He could feel the very air around him push him away and slowly eat at his power. He wanted to leave, but he would never abandon the creature to this fate.

The world around him seemed to agree with his findings. The trees in the area were scorched beyond black, and many of them were uprooted, even the grass lay singed and dying. Ignoring the scroll completely, he knelt beside the badger which was panting heavily with its eyes closed. He could hear its rasping breaths as it struggled to keep steady, to keep breathing.

He noticed that it had touched the scroll with its front paw. The poor creature must have been curious about what it was doing so deep in the forest. Its paw was smouldering ever so slightly. Its bloodstream appeared infected and had turned green, visible through the poor badger's burnt fur.

Placing his hands on the badger’s side, Terandriell started to chant slowly. He drew the poison out into a wobbling ball floating just above his hand. What on earth is this? he thought, fear and anger threatening to overcome him. Terandriell briefly shook his head before incinerating the orb into nothingness. The only remnants left was the steam leaving his hand, stretching for the treeline above.

He looked up towards the trees. Branches crackled as they parted to let the poisonous vapour glide into the sky. For the first time in a while, the sunlight drifted down onto the dark forest floor. Terandriell felt his cheeks heat quickly and looked away from the sudden blinding light.

Turning his attention to the badger, its breathing had settled down into a healthier rhythm, so he set about mending the animal's paw, sweat collecting on his brow. It didn’t take long before the badger stared at its paw, got onto his feet and thanked the elf by brushing up against his side. The birds celebrated by singing a merry tune in delight.

After concealing his smile at the animal's celebration and beckoning them to leave this place, he turned to look at the scroll, his gaze turning stern. What are you to cause such devastation? Let us find out, shall we?

He wiped the sweat off his brow with a quick brush from his forearm before raising his hands a few inches above the scroll. Releasing a sharp breath, he started to chant, this time flinching every few seconds. The scroll, or whatever it was, seemed to be fighting back. He fought and fought the darkness within, rage still boiling in his blood at what it had done to the poor creature. Finally, after much struggle, he lowered his arms exhausted and lay down on the grass to recover for a couple of minutes. His breathing was heavy, much like the badger had been moments previously.

He sat up and grabbed the scroll. Breaking the yellow wax seal, he unrolled it to reveal a message written in the human language:

Queen Elspeth

We found the Glukon sphere after many years of hunting with no luck.

Theradres had sent soldiers to take it from us, and we stopped them, but the sphere was broken in the process.

It has opened a portal where the Temple of Arituki once stood. On the other side was a city and an army has poured through. We tried to close it but to no avail. These were beasts of magic.

I send this message so that the enemy does not surprise you,

I just hope it makes it.

Good Luck.

Your parents would be proud of you.

Barien.

Terandriell wrapped the scroll back up, tucked it inside his tunic and began to whistle loudly. A beautiful beige horse trotted up towards him shortly afterwards. Holding his hand out the horse sniffed it, breathed heavily at him and bowed its head as an invitation. Terandriell quickly hopped onto the back of the steed. It barely noticed his weight as it charged off in the direction of the city of Athaldris.

The Elvish lands were shut off to the humans, and Terandriell had heard the stories since he was a child. They likely didn’t even know about their neighbour across the sea, hidden by deep ancient magic. The threat about what was to come, if the human letter was to be believed, could uproot and unsettle the very balance across the world. There was only one elf who would be able to approve helping the humans.

He rode quickly through the city, jumping over carts, passing down small streets and doing his utmost to avoid crashing into anyone. He finally set eyes on a grand building in the centre of the city. His mind wondered at the numerous possibilities of what the letter could mean. The potential threat to their kind.

All eyes were on him as he rode through, the look of disgust and contempt spread across the nearby faces at the upheaval he was causing. He didn’t care. He had to get this message to the King. He gulped at the thought of meeting him after so long. They hadn’t spoken for many years, for the King despised him after he had upset one of the ancient orders and had long tried to get him to return but had no luck. They hadn’t seen eye to eye since.

The building was set between four large pine trees with its back set against a large hill. The trees acted as the corners of the building, scraping the roof with their branches. It was built on three levels getting smaller the higher up it went. It was constructed out of an ancient white wood, leaving it standing out amongst the other brown and green city buildings, and like them, it too was mostly open to the environment.

Leaping off his horse and landing on his feet, a spike of pain shot up his legs, sending him sprawling to the ground. Quickly recovering, he ran up towards the building and inside to speak to the King. However, before he could pass the boundary into the building, he was stopped by two crossing pikes. They clanged together barring his path mere inches from his face.

“What is your business here?”

“I have urgent news for the King,” he replied, taking a step back.

“He mustn’t be disturbed, Watcher,” exclaimed the guard with what sounded like disgust.

The second guard noticed this and tried to dilute the growing tension. “May we take a message?”

The comment had already unsettled the remainder of his restraint. Raising his voice, Terandriell shouted at the guards, knowing fine well it was not going to help the situation. “I need to see him...NOW!”

Fellow elves in the streets turned to stare at him to see what was going on. A few began gathering around him, whispering in their small groups. Terandriell could hear most of what they were saying, his ears perking up slightly in response to the lowered voices.

“This is for the King’s ears only; you must let him know that I...” Terandriell trailed off as he seen the King descend from the second level with that casual grace he had mastered.

Urgost was a towering figure with slanted eyebrows curving upwards in the same direction as his eyes, giving him a fierce impression despite his slender build and young-looking face. The only indication of his age were his eyes, which were now grey and showed a pearl of profound wisdom hidden beneath. His silvery hair shimmered like starlight. He wore white robes with a thin pale blade the same colour as his hair resting on his hip, the hilt had a flawless red gem embedded in it, making it the only colour in the otherwise gaunt-looking façade.

“Who wakes me from my slumber?” he said, rubbing his eyes, deigning even to notice Terandriell.

“I am sorry your grace, but I have urgent business with you. May we speak in private?”

They stared each other down with what seemed like an eternity, all the memories and past transgressions rushing back to them both.

Urgost was the first to break eye contact as he looked up at all the other elves gathering in the cobbled street. It was well known that the two had a feud running between them and the King didn’t want this getting into the public’s hands. Not when he could salvage or gain something from it. Terandriell did have a way with people, and he wasn’t prepared to clean the mess up either. “Very well, follow me.”

The King turned and began walking up the steep steps to the third level, which contained his bedroom and a small study. Terandriell followed. The steps leading to the higher levels were designed specifically for Urgost who a foot taller than most elves. Terandriell’s legs strained in response to the height between each one, but it was over quickly as they reached the top level. Urgost pushed the door inwards, the wood groaning and revealing a dimly lit room.

Books and scrolls littered everything. The desk, the floor, the shelves on the walls. There was one seat behind his desk and two in front but even the chairs had numerous tomes and maps covering them. A single lamp lit the room, which hung against the wall next to the window. The room didn’t appear to get used very often and was in poor condition, Terandriell found it surprising considering Urgost had a housemaid to look after everything.

Seating himself at the head of the table, Urgost gestured to Terandriell to close the door and seat himself. He lifted the scrolls and set them on the floor, sending a plume of dust into the air. The smell of pine needles surrounded them, giving the room a fresh and clean scent despite its opposing appearance.

“You caused quite a commotion out there. Next time try being civil and not drawing too much attention to yourself.” His voice was distant, almost cold. “What business do you have with me?”

“My King,” Terandriell strained at the use of the word.

Urgost lifted his hand in response, silencing the much younger elf. “It’s been what… three years?” He poured himself a glass of water, not offering one to the elf sitting across the too close desk. “The only reason I can think of you being here is that you want to take me up on my offer from when we last spoke. Three years seems plenty of time to consider.”

Oh, gods. Here we go, Terandriell thought as he began carefully drafting his reply. He didn’t want to get into this, not again. It had been sixty years since the incident that had Terandriell leaving the StormBlades, an ancient organization of seven elves selected from the best spell-weavers, swordsmanship, and archery from their entire race.

They were untouchable and didn’t answer to the King. They were commanded by the Elven council, a selection of princes and princesses of various holdings across the island. Although everyone knew Urgost had most of the elven council in his pocket. They were to protect the people so long as it didn’t betray their oath. Terandriell had applied alongside eight hundred other elves at the time when one of the previous members passed away.

He had been the youngest of them all but possessed some of the most potent magical abilities to rise in the last millennia. He had trained day and night for a year teaching himself to use a bow and sword. His parents had not wanted to teach him, wanting him to take up the mantle of smith like his father.

Terandriell had continued with that very guise but would sneak out to train every night, dusk till dawn. It was a rough year, sleep clawing at him constantly, but he improved impressively in that short time.

The competitions were nothing short of spectacular, with elves from all over coming to witness the trials. The princes and princesses all ended up backing one fighter or another and placing large bets on them, promising land or titles to their victor.

He was a newcomer, a nobody. No one backed him or supported him. His parents didn’t even know he had entered until it was too late. Guilt still clawed at him for betraying their trust, especially since they were more than happy for him when they found out, though a little insulted that he hadn’t told them.

But when he was announced as the victor, something in him changed. He felt complete. He had always known he wanted to be more than a mere smith, not that there was anything wrong with it. But to win a competition against elves four and five times his age, it was an impressive feat.

“I don’t know how many times I can refuse your offer.” His voice grew quieter, softer. “You know why I can’t go back.”

The King simply stared at him with lethal rage. His eyes were cold and calculating.

Terandriell began to feel uneasy so started his tale, trying to distract the King before he could have an outburst. “While I was in the forest I came across a scroll, enchanted by powerful dark magic. After working for some time on it, I managed to break the spells surrounding it. It spoke of a portal opening in the lands to the east, a great war is coming, and we must help.”

“Where is your proof?” He looked at Terandriell with complete disinterest as he took a small sip from his glass, his hand adorned with numerous rings as the little gems sent flickers of multicoloured light across the room. Terandriell quickly took the scroll out of the robes and handed it to Urgost.

The room fell silent as Terandriell watched Urgost studying it, his gaze turning stern, “Have you told anyone else about this?”

“No,” he replied bluntly.

“Good, tell no one. We cannot help, we have no reason to.”

Terandriell stuttered, taken aback by the way he was reacting. “But your grace, we cannot sit idly by and let the humans fall to whatever these creatures are. They won't be able to defeat this foe on their own. We need to h…”

Urgost slammed his fists on his desk, his quill falling off the table in silent protest. “Do not lecture me, Watcher!” He lowered his voice before continuing, “You forget, I was there the last time we helped the humans. Our race almost became extinct by their hands. If we bring down the barriers around our lands, what is to say they won't finish what they started? What is to say that the monsters from this portal will not find us? What is to say...” after a considerable pause, he continued, “no, we cannot and will not help.”

“But your Grace!” exclaimed Terandriell, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the desk with all his strength.

“I have given my final judgement on the matter, now be gone.” He pointed towards the door and lowered his gaze to show he was done speaking.

“But…”

A kernel of power emanated from the King, but Terandriell barely noticed it in his anger. “Go, before I summon the guards.”

Terandriell stood abruptly pushing his chair back a few inches. “Yes, I will go, but not just from your halls. I will sail forth to human kingdoms, and I will aid them in their fight.”

Urgost let out a deep roaring laugh, catching Terandriell by surprise. “You will go nowhere. Guards!”

Before Terandriell could even move to draw a weapon, the King’s power lashed out and gripped him in place. The magic holding him, binding him so he couldn’t move an inch. Terandriell looked at him wanting to fight back, but the King had managed all this without even looking at the elf. He was re-reading the scroll in his hands.

Four guards rushed into the room in quick succession with drawn swords. The fore two grabbed the elf, binding his wrists behind his back with ropes and dragged him out of the King’s vision. Terandriell swore a smirk crossed the Kings face before he flicked his wrist, sending a quick wind to slam the door on Terandriell.

Swine. He had the power to contain someone without moving. Flicking his wrist to slam the door shut was just to make Terandriell even angrier. To insult him.

He was dragged downstairs and out into the streets. There were only a few elves standing outside, most having departed after the commotion, already moving on with their lives. No doubt the gossip would spread soon when they saw him being hauled through the city.

Oh, he was seething. Pure defiance was oozing from Terandriell as he was guided towards one of the prisons within Athaldris. A few elves had wandered onto the paths before scurrying off to spread the rumours to whomever they were loyal too. Some prince or princess no doubt. The full city would know by the morning.

Something was wrong. Terandriell realized. This wasn’t the right way.

He had tried to cast magic to escape but could barely summon more than an ember of his power. Those damned ropes. Given time he could work through the spells holding them in place, but he would be at his destination long before then. Wherever that was.

He knew better than to keep fighting at this moment. He needed to save his energy for when he would be able to break free and fight, or run if it came to that.

After a brisk walk through the city, they had reached the Southern outskirts, and he finally knew where he was being led.

It was towards a small cave with a solid steel door on the front. Inside, the floor was covered in hay which had turned brown from lack of sunlight. A small window had been carved out of the stone wall, the bars on the window made of solid steel embedded deep in the cave rock.

Hours passed by as Terandriell blasted the full force of his power reserves at the door and walls, barely making a dent. Stupid wards.

“Impressive,” he heard one of the guards say outside the door.

“We haven’t used these prisons in hundreds of years. Don’t you want to know what he did to end up here?”

Terandriell heard the shuffle of clothes as he pictured the first guard shrugging. Terandriell paused his barrage on the door; it had barely made a dent. The remnants of his power slumbered once more.

He was tired, hungry and the only thing he did manage to accomplish was to incinerate the hay at his feet, leaving him with scraps of his former clothes. It took him the rest of the night to calm down as he slept on the cold, damp floor.

The following morning, he had tried to pick the lock, even use more controlled magic to burst the door open, but it had been sealed with countless enchantments. He could not break through, would not break through anytime soon.

These caves were made to bend and break opponents, there was no breaking free. He had heard the rumours surrounding them, everyone had. The cave was as much a prison as it was a torture chamber, praying on your weaknesses and insecurities while the night raged on. The morning brought peace with it only to be ravaged once again with nightfall.

Maybe it was just that after all, a rumour. He had managed to sleep somewhat peacefully throughout the previous night.

Terandriell sat crossed-legged on the hard floor, noticing that even an insect dared stray within these unforgiving walls. Closing his eyes, he relaxed into Morim-nial, a dreamlike meditation state to recover his magic reserves.

Someone had entered and brought in what smelled like mouldy bread and cheese that could have easily been over a week old. Terandriell didn’t deign to respond to the presence and stayed in his dreamlike state, as much to pass the time as anything else.

He began sending small probes from his mind to test the wards around the prison. There were a few gaps within the first wall but once he managed to break through that it was replaced by another and another and another, like an infinite maze with no way out.

A female tone caught his attention from the outside of the cell. A voice of power as it startled the two guards stationed by the door. Relief quickly spread over Terandriell as he recognized who it was.

“I demand to see the prisoner. Now!” It was rich and deadly.

There was a sound of clanging metal as the guards stood up to bar her entrance. “No one can see him, High Priestess.”

“Do I look like no one? Open the door.” A threat. A command.

There was a brief pause as Terandriell imagined the faces of the terrified guards and couldn’t help but smirk.

“But our orders from King Ur…“

“I don’t care if your orders came from the gods themselves. You will open this door.”

Terandriell could almost smell the fear of the guards through the cell, and he loved her for it. The only elf brave enough to defy the King. She possessed so much power and had such a deep love for her subjects, the temple and the gods that no one stood in her way. Not even Urgost could threaten her, and he resented her for it.

Urgost had remained King for a thousand years. One of the oldest elves still alive. No one dared challenge him. The priestess was little over four hundred and had been growing her power base for years, everyone in the city knew her. Everyone on their secluded island knew her. Urgost hadn’t paid enough attention to her over the last century, and by the time he noticed what she had become, it was too late to reverse it.

Terandriell could hear the fumbling of keys as one of the guards made to open the door with the impatient tutting of the High Priestess just behind him. For her to dismiss the guard so openly, they must have been switched from the original to some of the King’s personal units.

The door swung open, and the bright light startled him a little as she strode in with all the power of a god. She wore a light silver-blue dress which framed her figure. It lay completely open at her side, revealing her deeply tanned skin. A silver diadem embedded with red rubies rested atop her golden head. Her hair fell in lazy curls to rest past her shoulders, part of it tied back around the diadem to hold it in place. Her golden eyes burned with fire, if you stared into their depths for too long, they would eat you alive.

She needed no weapons, her smile was her weapon, her wit, her beauty. Always the lioness ready to pounce.

Outside the cave, the two members of the Kings guard in their golden armour were surrounded by four of her temple guard waiting patiently with their pikes primed. They would die for their High Priestess with no hesitation, and the jailors knew it.

Terandriell looked to Lianna as she began speaking in a soft voice, none of that vicious command from a few moments ago. “When you didn’t show for our meeting I began to worry. I sent my guards to your home, but it lay bare. Then I heard a rumour that someone had been taken here.” She shuddered at the thought of this place. “What happened?”

And so Terandriell told her what happened, from finding the poor badger in the forest and healing it to the scroll and then finally his conversation with Urgost. She listened intently throughout it all, barely uttering a word.

She knew about his affinity for the natural world and had never once scoffed or belittled him for it. It was why he had always liked her; she wasn’t like the others in power who let it go to their heads.

Her face was completely neutral, bored even, while she listened to the tale. They knew fine well this very meeting would be reported back to Urgost. “I’m going to get you out of this. I will be back after I have had words with Urgost.” No title. It spoke wonders to what she thought of him.

Terandriell nodded sharply. He wanted nothing more than to leave now, but he knew the risks. If she let him out, it would start a conflict between them, one which would upset the balance of the entire city. One elf, no matter how close they were, wasn’t worth the risk that it posed.

“Thank you,” he managed to force out. Hopefully, it would be before this place broke through the wards in his mind.

He looked at her as she stood up, patting down her robe to remove any dirt that clung to it. She winked at him and then glanced towards the ground before turning and leaving the cell. The door shut hard behind her and Terandriell was once again left with nothing but his thoughts, or so he expected.

Glancing down, he noticed she had left him fresh bread and a mixture of fruits, much better than the vile food offered to him earlier. He couldn’t help but delve in, devouring the loaf in a few minutes before moving onto the fruit. At least someone was looking out for him. Even if he was still stuck in here.