"Anyway." Lyria continued. "With risks comes rewards, being able to split your soul makes studying magic for example far more efficient. Let's take Ameria here."
"What you see in front of you and are currently speaking with is only a part of Ameria soul that is currently residing here with my Athenaeum, the rest of her soul and her body are back on Dealubies."
"Is that why she doesn't seem to know about what has happened to her own daughter?" Tommy asked.
"Exactly right." Lyria replied with a smile. "Normally two parts of a soul are capable of communicating instantly with each other no matter the distance. However, because my Athenaeum is in the realm of the gods, she is not able to communicate with herself unless I allow it."
"If memory serves she told me previously that she would request permission to communicate with the rest of herself after she finished the current magic she was learning, however I think that's about to change."
And right on queue.
"Goddess Lyria, I request permission to communicate this important information with the rest of myself back on Dealubies." Ameria asked with concern written all over her face.
"I am more than happy to oblige, however would it not first be best to ask Tommy if he knows the current situation of your daughter?" Lyria asked back with a smile.
"Of course, forgive me." Lyria said with a small bow. "It would seem my mind is a bit scrambled at learning this news, you are of course correct."
Lyria turned to Tommy and asked, "Could you please inform me if you know how my daughter is currently doing, my family will be sure to reward you and repay this debt in the future."
"I have already negotiated adequate terms with Fayeth so you need not reward me anymore as I always complete a contract and still plan to assist Fayeth in returning to Orelnore once I can return to Dealubies." Tommy replied.
"As for how your daughter is doing, I have been informed by the god Chao that she was teleported away from the city with Queen Tinen Etria."
"Tinen Etria, the sister of Emperor Etria and the aunt of crown prince Rucco Etria?" Ameria asked with concern.
"I know what your thinking but you have no need to worry, as far as I'm aware Tinen has no interest in turning Fayeth over to her brother or nephew, in fact it's quite the opposite, I believe she wants to build closer ties with your race in the future and so will do her best to protect Fayeth." Tommy replied.
"Why would she wish to build closer ties with my race?" Ameria asked in confusion. "You humans have always been jealous of our immortal life span and natural affinity with magic."
"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to give out other people's secrets without permission." Tommy replied.
"I see," Ameria replied with a frown. "Then can I ask what my daughter promised you in return for you helping her return safely home?"
"You may." Tommy replied. "My fee is the access to your cities and towns."
"That's it?" Ameria asked in surprise while Lyria also showed surprise at this news.
"That's it." Tommy confirmed.
"But why?" Ameria asked. Fayeth is the only child of me and my husband and the future ruler of my race, you could have asked for anything in return and would have gotten it."
"Because I don't want or need anything specific from your race right now." Tommy explained. "In the future I plan to explore the world of Dealubies and having easy access to your towns and cities as a human will make my travels through your kingdom far easier. If in the future you have anything I require then I will attempt to buy it off you like anyone else."
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The elf and the goddess stared at Tommy in surprise before Lyria said, "You are indeed unlike most men from this universe Tommy Smith."
Ameria nodded in agreement before saying, "If all you have told me about my daughter is true and you do indeed help return her to our kingdom and Orelnore I will personally have you recognized as an elf-friend."
Lyria whistled when she heard this.
"A what?" Tommy asked, surprising them both again before Lyria remembered Tommy was not from their universe and said, "I keep forgetting exactly how little you know Tommy, I will have to have Asten send some basic knowledge over for you to study as thanks for the advice you have given him."
"You gave advice to the god of knowledge?" Ameria asked in shock.
"Indirectly." Tommy replied before asking, "So what's this elf friend."
Ameria studied Tommy closely as if trying to figure him out so Lyria once again took it upon herself to reply.
"Simply put an elf-friend is the title given to those who prove themselves true friends of the elves, the title makes you a citizen of the elven kingdom even though you are not an elf yourself and even gives you the right to marry nobility."
"I see." Tommy replied in understanding.
"Anyway Ameria, I will remove the magic blocking communication for you so I suggest you relay all this information to your main body as I will not remove it for long." Lyria said to Ameria.
"Thank you goddess Lyria." Ameria said with a bow as she suddenly felt the connection between herself and the other part of her soul and main body return."
***
On Dealubies, in a continent different to the one Tommy first arrived on there was a large magnificent forest that flourished with life.
In the very center of the forest was a magnificent city that seemed to coexist with the forest around it.
In the center of the city where the largest tree was situated a magnificent palace lay between its thick branches.
Inside a large meeting room several elves sat at a beautiful wooden table.
"You mean to tell me that we still have no clues on the whereabouts of my daughter?" The male elf at the head of the table asked with a frown.
"I'm afraid not my king." One of the elves sitting at the table said.
"And the group that she ventured into the forest with, is there still no sign of them?" The king asked.
"No sire, it would seem that our theory about them quickly leaving the city after news spread that the princess was missing is true." The same man replied.
"That was careless of you, Leowarin Nondrasis." Ameria said in a cold tone as she sat beside her husband.
"I once again apologize, my queen." Leowarin said with a bowed head, "But as I mentioned before, at the time it was deemed the right cause of action in case some citizen could give us vital information."
"And alert those who abandoned my daughter that we were now looking for them." Ameria snapped back in anger.
"Calm yourself Ameria my wife." The king said, "Getting angry here and now will not solve anything. We must focus on finding our daughter at all costs."
"You think I don't know that Rowarin." Ameria snapped back with a huff.
King Rowarin Elvaris sighed before asking, "Are we sure she wasn't picked up by slave traders who came across her?"
"It's unlikely my king." Another elf replied." As explained previously there have been no sightings of slave traders near Orelnore recently, they know to keep clear of our cities as there is a kill on sight order."
"This is most concerning." Rowarin said with a sigh before saying. "Continue the investigation, I want my daughter found at any cost."
"Yes my king." Everyone at the table replied.
A female elf at the table raised her hand causing Rowarin to look at her and ask, "You have something to report Valrel Drildre?"
"Yes my king." Valrel replied before sighing. "We have once again received a marriage request from Crown Prince Ruco Etria."
"What's that disgusting prince trying to be my daughter with this….." Ameria started to reply with an angry tone before she suddenly stopped and froze where she was.
Everyone at the table looked at her in surprise before Rowarin asked, "Dear is something the matter?"
However Ameria did not immediately reply and instead closed her eyes to concentrate, Rowarin finally realized what was happening and decided to wait passionately.
"My queen, are you ok?" Valrel asked with obvious concern.
"She is quite alright, no need to…." Rowarin began but was cut off when Ameria suddenly opened her eyes that were now cold and full of rage making everyone at the table shiver, even Rowarin.
"Everyone leave." Ameria said in a deadly cold voice that was brimming with anger.
The elves all looked at each other in surprise causing Ameria's anger to peak as her magical power started to leak out causing the surroundings to freeze as she said in an even colder voice, "Did you not hear me, I said leave. Unless you want to be turned into an ice sculpture?"
Rowarin, recognizing the seriousness of the situation said, "All of you leave right now, we will conclude today's meeting here."
Although confused everyone got up and left the room leaving Rowarin and Ameria alone before Rowarin asked.
"What did the other half of your soul tell you that has made you so angry, my wife?"