the Shadow Elves that resist Wexcyn and Inora. It’s unfortunate that our god has chosen the side of treachery. But, not all of us are in agreement about the fate of Nostfar,” Pretica said.
She put her hands in the pockets of her black pants and stared at a crack in the stone floor. “The elves here do not want to be a part of the extermination of the other races. I hope you can believe that. Though we’ve been separated for so long, a world without the other races seems unnatural,” Pretica said. She pursed her lips. “We may be creatures of the night, but we are not monsters.
“No race is completely evil.”
“Thank you, Elder.” Pretica folded her hands and led the way from the platform down the stairs.
They stepped down to the main level.
The Shadow Elves started to take notice, pausing at merchant stands stacked high with exotic materials, fabrics, scrolls, and vases stuffed with long twigs that burned and emitted various scents into the air. Vendors sold delicious looking meats that turned on spits over open fires, and brightly colored fruits and vegetables that Lilae had never seen.
“Are any of you hungry? My cook makes the best soup dumplings in all of Gollush. I could get her to steam a few baskets for you all.”
“I’m exhausted,” Rowe said. “But I’d never turn down a meal.”
Liam chuckled. “I’m with you. The rabbit Nani cooked for supper was good, but I’m starting to feel a bit hungry myself. What about you, Lilae?”
Lilae smiled with a nod. “I’d like to try the dumplings as well. Then, I’m afraid I need rest.”
“Of course,” Pretica said. “Caty, run along and tell Eiko to make enough dumplings for our guests.”
Caty nodded and darted into the crowd like the wind. She vanished just as quickly as she’d taken off.
More glances from the elves were cast their way. Lilae was used to being stared at. She just wished she had her cloak to cover her hair and hide her face.
The presence of apparent social classes intrigued Lilae. The wealthy wore jewels and long, elaborate dresses that seemed to glide across the floor. They differed from humans in dress, with more skin revealed than Lilae was used to. The people of Lowen’s Edge would have blushed at seeing such exposed flesh.
Their bosoms were partially exposed by plunging necklines and slits that came as high as their hips.
So much smooth and dark skin surrounded them. That wasn’t what surprised Lilae though. After only having Dragnor as her representation of what Shadow Elves looked like, the beauty of the men and women before her mystified Lilae.
Such delicate features made her stare at the women, who seemed to glide across the floor with each fluid step. It was like a dance, with elves bowing to each other when they came together, touching shoulders in greeting and stepping back on a pivot when saying goodbye.
Even the men were much better looking than Lilae remembered Dragnor being. To her, Dragnor was the epitome of evil, with his long black hair and a scowl on his slender face. But these men were tall, fit, and nice to look at.
“Tell us about your sister,” Liam said. “When did the Bellens take her?”
“Nasty women,” Rowe added. “They’ve been taking our girls for centuries.”
“Nothing more than witches,” Liam said with a nod.
Lilae kept her thoughts to herself. She’d felt the power of a Bellen before: once to heal her, and another time in an attempt to kill her. Eyeing Delia’s staff gave her comfort. Sister Eloni’s soul lingered in that staff, waiting for Delia to return her to the Underworld.
Before Delia had rescued her, Kavien had stood up to Sister Eloni, knowing the consequences of defying her.
She sighed memories of Kavien’s dead body on his bed. Was it wrong that she missed him so dearly?
“She’s been missing for two weeks now. It wasn’t common knowledge that Ayoki was the Seer. She’s mute and so many denied any claims of her being one of the Chosen Class.
She put her hands in the pockets of her black pants and stared at a crack in the stone floor. “The elves here do not want to be a part of the extermination of the other races. I hope you can believe that. Though we’ve been separated for so long, a world without the other races seems unnatural,” Pretica said. She pursed her lips. “We may be creatures of the night, but we are not monsters.
“No race is completely evil.”
“Thank you, Elder.” Pretica folded her hands and led the way from the platform down the stairs.
They stepped down to the main level.
The Shadow Elves started to take notice, pausing at merchant stands stacked high with exotic materials, fabrics, scrolls, and vases stuffed with long twigs that burned and emitted various scents into the air. Vendors sold delicious looking meats that turned on spits over open fires, and brightly colored fruits and vegetables that Lilae had never seen.
“Are any of you hungry? My cook makes the best soup dumplings in all of Gollush. I could get her to steam a few baskets for you all.”
“I’m exhausted,” Rowe said. “But I’d never turn down a meal.”
Liam chuckled. “I’m with you. The rabbit Nani cooked for supper was good, but I’m starting to feel a bit hungry myself. What about you, Lilae?”
Lilae smiled with a nod. “I’d like to try the dumplings as well. Then, I’m afraid I need rest.”
“Of course,” Pretica said. “Caty, run along and tell Eiko to make enough dumplings for our guests.”
Caty nodded and darted into the crowd like the wind. She vanished just as quickly as she’d taken off.
More glances from the elves were cast their way. Lilae was used to being stared at. She just wished she had her cloak to cover her hair and hide her face.
The presence of apparent social classes intrigued Lilae. The wealthy wore jewels and long, elaborate dresses that seemed to glide across the floor. They differed from humans in dress, with more skin revealed than Lilae was used to. The people of Lowen’s Edge would have blushed at seeing such exposed flesh.
Their bosoms were partially exposed by plunging necklines and slits that came as high as their hips.
So much smooth and dark skin surrounded them. That wasn’t what surprised Lilae though. After only having Dragnor as her representation of what Shadow Elves looked like, the beauty of the men and women before her mystified Lilae.
Such delicate features made her stare at the women, who seemed to glide across the floor with each fluid step. It was like a dance, with elves bowing to each other when they came together, touching shoulders in greeting and stepping back on a pivot when saying goodbye.
Even the men were much better looking than Lilae remembered Dragnor being. To her, Dragnor was the epitome of evil, with his long black hair and a scowl on his slender face. But these men were tall, fit, and nice to look at.
“Tell us about your sister,” Liam said. “When did the Bellens take her?”
“Nasty women,” Rowe added. “They’ve been taking our girls for centuries.”
“Nothing more than witches,” Liam said with a nod.
Lilae kept her thoughts to herself. She’d felt the power of a Bellen before: once to heal her, and another time in an attempt to kill her. Eyeing Delia’s staff gave her comfort. Sister Eloni’s soul lingered in that staff, waiting for Delia to return her to the Underworld.
Before Delia had rescued her, Kavien had stood up to Sister Eloni, knowing the consequences of defying her.
She sighed memories of Kavien’s dead body on his bed. Was it wrong that she missed him so dearly?
“She’s been missing for two weeks now. It wasn’t common knowledge that Ayoki was the Seer. She’s mute and so many denied any claims of her being one of the Chosen Class.
Similar Books
