First day First Month Four Thousand and Six Hundred and forty-five rings of the Great White Tree.

Morwyn Ifanc Priestess of the Blade.

"Then you add mint. Now it's ready to feed to your mother."

Morwyn walked over to the bed that held Llygaid's mother. Llygaid posed a question.

"Does the mint help."

Morwyn poured the draft down the throat of the sleeping elf and answered the question.

"Well none of the elves under my care ever answered that, but let's say once your mother wakes up at least she will have fresh breath."

Llygaid laughed and then looked hard at Morwyn.

"You need a bath and a change of clothes. Come with me and I will show you where the bath. Let me prepare the hot water."

Llygaid proceeded to show Morwyn to the bath room. She turned the taps and fresh water ran down the wooden pipes that brought water that the tree stored within itself. Llygaid used some enchanted heating stones to heat up the water. Only rich noble families could afford enchanted heating stones. Normal elven homes would need to heat up the water by boiling the water over a stove.

Llygaid walked out of the bathroom whilst the water in the bath started to heat up. A couple minutes later she walked back into the room with some under garment's and a light blue dress.

"I think this will fit you. There the water should be perfect. Here is some purfumed soap. Now I leave you to your bath."

Morwyn watched as Llygaid walked out of the room then she started to strip off the hunters leathers. How long had it been since she had a bath. She realised that it had been before she had left Gellifew. Sure she had cleaned the blood and dirt off in a river but to have real bath was a treat indeed.

After she soaked herself in the bath she put on the clean clothes that Llygaid had placed for her. How long ago was it that she wore a dress. Contrary to what people thought the priestess only wore their battle armour when going to battle. Normally she would a plain priestess dress nothing as beautiful as the dress she wearing now.

She walked into the main room. Lancia, his grandfather and Coch still sat at the table drinking some wine. Lancia spotted Morwyn come down the stairs and he lept out of his chair.

"Wow you look fantastic."

Lancia got up from the table and grabbed Morwyn and dipped her back as he planted his lips on her mouth. After a quick passionate kiss they parted ways. Morwyn looked around the room and saw Llygaid sitting away from the rest of the group.

"Llygaid I love this dress."

Morwyn did a little spin. Llygaid looked over at Morwyn and smiled.

"I thought that dress would look good on you. It was my mothers. Father bought it for for the spring festival but she never got to wear it as she went into the deep sleep."

Llygaid looked over at Coch and gave him a frosty glare. Morwyn slipped across the room next to Llygaid.

"Let's get some fresh air."

She stated and pulled Llygaid towards the front door. She looked back at the group.

"Llygaid is going to show me around the city. I should be able to blend in with the locals if I stay with Llygaid."

Not waiting for a response she opened the door and stepped outside pulling Llygaid with her. They climbed down the stairs into the street. Morwyn knew where she wanted to head.

"Are we able to go to glade?"

Llygaid looked at the Priestess of the glade. She looked in her eyes and saw the desperate need to see the sacred glade that her order was sworn duty to protect.

"Come with me I might be able to get you close to glade. I am not sure how well guarded the glade will be or if the union soldiers will all be at the wall."

They quickly made their way through the city heading towards the grest mother of the city the white wood tree that housed the palace. As the drew nearer to the tree Morwyn noticed more patrols of armed union soldiers moving through the not quite empty streets.

The once thriving city of Dyffryn Gwanwyn had lost its soul the few recidents that did brave the streets mainly looked at the ground and went quickly about there business. A few elves recognised Llygaid and nodded.

Then they arrived at the sacred grove. Morwyn could see the priests of Chauntea had taken over the grove a couple of priestess were walking among the seedlings watering the plants.

The priestess could been seen on their robes which had Chauntea symbols of authority the Sheaf of grain or a blooming rose over grain. It was obvious to Morwyn that they had no idea how to properly look after the sacred grove.

If Morwyn had her swords she would have rushed in there and cut down the intruders. In frustration she turned to Llygaid and asked.

"Let's go somewhere else I think I have seen enough."

The two elves walked away from the grove heading back into the city. Morwyn attempted to change the topic.

"I hear it's a great honour to have a family member in the Phoenix Guard why do you hate your father for joining the Gaurd."

She asked. Llygaid paused for a second.

"It wasn't that he joint the Phoenix guard it was that he abandoned his family when we needed him the most. What if a member of your family did that to you what would you do?"

Morwyn answered straight away.

"I am orphan. The other priestess of my order are my sister's and I lost so many of them in this war. Elves that I known my whole life have been killed. If I hadn't ended up with Lancia I know I would be dead inside."

Llygaid smiled and asked.

"I was going to ask how did you end up with him?"

Morwyn thought about this and then answered.

"Before the great battle I knew he was sweet on me, but he was so clumsy in approaching me. Did you know he thought it was a good idea to challenge me to a duel. He's not a bad duelists but I think I embrassed him by beating him soundly. After the great battle where I lost so many of my sister's. We just ended up with each other giving comfort for the friends we had lost. What about you is there any one special in your life?"

Llygaid again paused before answering.

"I was being courted by a Nghapteiniaid in the Prince's service. He fell with the Prince when they made there last stand. On truth my heart was only for the Prince. I know he was so far above my standing but I just wish once I could have told him how I felt. Now I shall never have that opportunity."

The arrived at a large open space which was covered with flower wreaths.

"Why are these here?"

Asked Morwyn.

"Though the union soldiers try and stop it the city pays it's respect for its Prince, this is where Gwyrdd made his last stand."

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Ulian Radulescu

Rad and Pikku had arrived at a large open space where an elf was adding wreath to hundreds of other wreaths.

"What are doing?"

Rad asked. The elf looked up and almost jumped in fright he looked like he wanted to run.

"I am paying my respects to the fallen this is where the Prince made his last stand. Your not a union spy?"

Rad tried not laugh and then responded

"No we are just two travellers newly arrived to the city I just trying to keep out trouble. Do you know where there might be a tavern or establishment that treats our folk."

The elf pointed down one of the streets.

"You want the Singing Pixie. You cant miss it. The only white wood with pink flowers."

Then the elf retreated from the square. He was almost running as fled the scene.

Rad started down the street looking up in the trees he saw that most of them had blue or purple flowers. There was one tree that had pink flowers.

They walked through the doors into a large common room. On stage in the middle of room was namesake of the tavern. She was standing barely a foot tall, resemble a diminutive elf with gossamer wings like those of dragonfly bright as the clear dawn and as luminous as the full moonrise.

She sang a song that echoed around the room. There was satyr who was accompanying her on his pipes. Occasionally the satyr would drink from a large stein.

Pikku spotted a group gnomes sitting at a table.

"Hey Rad I am just going talk to my fellow gnomes, it looks like they are drinking vodka so I might be while."

Rad headed over to the bar hopefully he could get a fine drop of wine. He maintained that the best wine was made by Haflings. His hopes that this establishment may have a good hafling wine were raised when the bar tender that appeared to serve him was a hafling.

"Do you have a a bottle by the bratya za vinoproizvodstvo."

He asked naming the famous hafling brothers who on his opinion made the best wine. The bar tender leaned over and asked.

"We have a vinoproizvodstvob Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc or Cabernet Sauvignon. Which one would like?"

Rad answered straight away.

"I'd like a Cabernet Sauvignon."

Before he could pay for the wine and elderly hafling slid up to the bar and introduced himself.

"A Vinoproizvodstvob Cabernet Sauvignon. I can see you know your wines. Let me buy you that bottle and we can share it over a hand of cards."

Rad smiled it was obvious that this hafling was a grifter trying to fleece him of his money. Rad was determined to teach the grifter a lesson.

The grifter led him into a small room near the centre of the great tree. A poker table had been set up with a couple chairs around the table. The grifter sat down and motioned for Rad to join him at the table.

"My name is Maurice Joseph Micklewhite."

Maurice introduced himself

"I am Ulian Radulescu, but most people just call me Rad. I am new to this city I am looking to find someone who can show me around the city. Would you know someone who could get us into the palace."

Rad replied.

Maurice motioned to the cards.

"Before we talk business let's have a game of cards."

They started playing cards. One game quickly turned into a dozen games and as far as Rad could tell his opponent was cheating but he could'nt work out how his opponent was doing it luckily for Rad he opponent had not called him out for cheating so they had won roughly the same about of games.

"Rad your quiet good at cards. I almost couldn't pick up when you were cheating."

Before Rad could denie he was cheating the old hafling continued.

"No don't denie it, this old hafling has been around for a long time and I have forgotten more ways of cheating then you have ever know."

Rad again went to disagree. But Maurice continued.

"I like to know what is happening in city and consider myself a knowledgeable person. So when a stranger appears in one of my establishments and starts asking questions and wanting to know if I know any ways onto the palace."

"My first thought is that your a union plant and trying to trick me into implicating myself in plot to sneak into the palace. But you see I am a very knowledgeable person and one of my acquaintances reports that he saw you sneak into the city earlier this morning."

"Again I would still think your a union plant, but my acquaintance reports that you were with Coch who was once Drysor Nueadd for Prince Gwyrdd. I suppose a former Drysor Nueadd might betray his people, but I heard that Coch had gone and joint the Phoenix Guard to fight in the long night."

"There is no way a Phoenix Guard would betray his people. So your part of the confederate army currently attacking the city."

Rad was prepared to flee.

"There is no need to be afraid, I am no friend of the union. In fact I think I may be able to help you. I may not be able to get you into the palace however I can get you documentation which will allow you to travel around the city."

Rad eased himself back into his seat and asked.

"Do you know anyone that might have a may of the tunnels under the city."

Maurice thought about this and spoke.

"I can find you guide that knows the tunnels under the city."

Ysgolhaig Quartermaster for the Confederate Army

Ysgolhaig was walking around the university. He always wanted to visit the famed university of Dyffryn Gwanwyn. He was searching for scholars that he had corresponded with over the years sharing academic papers.

Whenever he asked he would just get blank looks or the elves would shake there heads with a blank look on their face. Finally he found two elves that were leading him to one of his academic peers.

They were going down a hallway and he had just pasted an elf that had his arm in sling. The elf turned around and spoke

"Ysgolhaig is that you?"

Ysgolhaig turned and realised that the elf was one of his classmates Cymar Dosbarth who he had grown up back at Gellifew.

"Cymar I didn't know you were here Dyffryn Gwanwyn."

Cymar looked at the elves who were guiding Ysgolhaig and spoke.

"You can go now I can guarantee that

Ysgolhaig is not a union collaborator."

The two elves looked at Cymar and then turned and went back down the hall.

"You have to be careful some within the university are still fighting the war. Those two were probably going to gut you because they thought you were collaboratoring with the union. Come let's go somewhere where we can talk are you hungry."

Ysgolhaig nodded his head. They walked to a building which was called the leaf and pen. It was a tavern inside there were students and scholars writing papers and studying whilst eating and drinking.

They found a empty table at the back of the main room and sat down. An elven waitress came over to the table.

"Hello Cymar what would you like today"

She asked

"Can we have two of the breakfast special and a bottle of the house wine."

Cymar ordered and the waitress turned and left the table. Cymar lent over and spoke quietly.

"So tell me what brings you to Dyffryn Gwanwyn last I heard you were at Gellifew."

Ysgolhaig answered in a hushed voice.

"I don't know if you are aware but a confederate army is currently attacking the city trying to liberate the city. We heard a rumour that Prince Ceidwadwyr was being kept here in the city and that there are plans to move him to the union. I am part of a small group that are seeking to rescue the Prince. What about you what happened to your arm?"

Cymar held up arm showing that he had his hand had been amputated.

"I was with Prince Gwyrdd when he made his last stand. Believe it not I am one of the few lucky ones that survived the battle. I haven't heard that his brother was been held in the city. If he is in the city then he is probably been held in the dungeon below the palace."

Ysgolhaig thought about this and then asked.

"Are you able to get me and my friends into the palace?"

Cymar shook his head.

The waitress returned with bottle of wine and the breakfast special. She placed the food and wine on the table and poured some wine into glasses then turned and left.

Ysgolhaig continued his questions.

"Do you someone that might have a map of the tunnels below the palace."

Cymar took a sip of the wine and thought about this question.

"We might have and go see Prifathro."

He took another sip of his wine

"Just be warned Prifathro is a bit eccentric."

They finished eating their meal. Then went looking for Prifathro. They entered the great tree around which the university was based. Inside the great tree was massive library. Cymar guided Ysgolhaig around the library until they found Prifathro.

He was sitting at a table with a large stack of manuscripts stacked apon it. Ysgolhaig looked at the manuscript he was reading and could not understand the language that was written on the manuscript.

Prifathro looked up from his desk and saw Cymar. Prifathro was the first elf that Ysgolhaig had seen that wore spectacles.

"Hello Cymar what has brought you here?"

He asked then he spotted Ysgolhaig.

"Who is your friend?"

Cymar answered

"This is Ysgolhaig from Gellifew he is the scholar that has been working on the elven civil war. He is here looking for someone that might have a map of the tunnels under the city. Since I know the history of this city is your speciality I was thinking that you might have a map."

Prifathro looked over at Ysgolhaig and spoke.

"A fellow historian, I know the civil war was an important period in our history. I actually fought in some of the battles that were fought in that war. However I prefer more ancient history. My speciality is the war with the tomb king. In fact my current field of study is on the tomb kingdom before it went to war with the elven kingdom."

"Did you know that this was one of their settlements. For hundreds of years the elven civilization lived side by side with the humans. Back then the humans were called the sun people."

"They worshipped the sun, the ultimate life giver, not death as most elves are taught. It was only after they began ever lasting war with us elves that they began using necromancy."

"I was just about to begin an expedition into the tunnels below the city. I forgotten why the expedition has been delayed. Cymar do you know why the expedition has been delayed. I may need to speak to Prince Gwyrdd about this."

Cymar signed.

"The Prince is dead he died when the union invaded the city. I've told you this before, anyway Ysgolhaig just needs to know if you have a map he can borrow he doesn't need to know the history of the city."

Prifathro turned to the stack of manuscripts and rummaged through the documents. Finally he found the manuscript he was looking for and held it up.

"Here this is the most accurate map that I have found. It even shows the best locations to enter the tunnels. I was going to start my expedition here he pointed to the map. It's the cemetery, here at the back of the cemetery are the ruins of an old temple."

Ysgolhaig looked at the map he was able to see a number of tunnels crisscrossing across the city.

"So you say there is an entrance to tunnels from this temple here."

Prifathro began speaking again.

"Most of the temple complex is actually below ground. There are a few tunnels that connect to the temple. There is even this tunnel here that eventually travels under the great tree at the centre of the city."