Warm sunshine against my cheek pulled me away from darkness and closer to consciousness. My eyelids no longer felt impossibly heavy and as I opened them, I took in my surroundings. I was lying under silky smooth sheets and a hearty comforter. Even in the few seconds it took to come fully to my senses, I knew without a doubt this was the most comfortable bed I had ever been in. The wood-stained room was fifteen feet wide and curved like a cylinder. The wall opposite my bed contained the only window, an immaculate glazed glass with a dark wood frame. From it shone morning light that twisted as the leaves from the forest canopy swayed in the wind. Even though the window was closed, there was actually no mechanism to open it as far as I could see, a gentle breeze flowed into the spacious room, bringing the wonderful scent of redwood trees into my cozy abode.
Every piece of furniture, from the dresser to the desk, a storage chest, and a table with several stools, all were made of the same redwood. Each, no doubt, had been reclaimed by the elves, so nothing of the forest went to waste. The natural scent of the room was relaxing in a way I had never felt before, creating a soothing and restorative atmosphere to wake up in. No one else was in the room, but muffled conversations from the floorboards sounded like Tallos and Stella. Knowing it would grab her attention, I opened my character screen without much of an intent to inspect what was there. She would sense I was using it and know that I had regained consciousness.
A stifled word from below heralded heavy footfalls soon coming up what sounded like a set of stairs. Before the door swung open, my eyes found my mana pool. It was completely empty. The condition wasn’t unexpected as using my revive spell would lock me out of my magical powers for a full day. Hopefully, my friends could share good news on whether or not my spell had worked on the elder.
A knock reverberated on the wooden door before it opened, a second later in swept Tallos with Stella riding on his shoulder, and Ripley and Lowki a foot behind them. As they filed into the room, I caught sight of the hallway they came from, stairs at the far end leading to a lower floor, and two more doors on opposite sides of the hall. Those were probably more bedrooms, like mine. Like my room, everything was made from rich redwood and I suspected we were in an elven abode built within one of the giant sequoias.
Smiling, I welcomed my team inside with a wave. Sitting up in bed, I discovered I was wearing silk sleepwear of incredible quality. Running a hand along the fabric, it felt worthy for kings and queens. From my buttoned shirt to my long pants, the material was heavenly soft and must have been spun with extravagant spider silk. Noticing my armor and belt resting on a nearby table, I was in no rush to get out of the wondrous nightwear. Though I doubted I would ever wear it out in the wilderness, I hoped it could keep the set when we departed the elven city.
“Oh, I’m glad you’re up,” Stella said cheerily as she floated over to my lap. Her cheerful expression mirrored my own. “The last time you used that spell you were, sort of… dead to the world. I’m happy to see that's no longer the case.”
She was right. I felt refreshed and didn’t have a lingering sense of grogginess like last time. I was wonderfully clearheaded as if I had dedicated an entire week in bed, though only twelve hours passed while I had been unconscious.
Stella and I spoke to each other at the exact moment.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
“Did it work?” I questioned simultaneously, a little fear creeping into my voice. I had not intended to talk over her.
From what I recalled of the revivification spell, every minute after the person died reduced the chances of the person reviving by fifteen percent. The spell was only guaranteed to work if immediately used within the first minute after death. Though I couldn’t be sure, it had likely been at least five minutes from when we first engaged Duke, and the elder died. I desperately wanted to know if the spell took hold and revived the elf.
Doing some quick mental math, I probably had less than a forty-percent chance of it working, at best. Stella, seeing the worried hope etched on my face and furrowed brows, answered my question first.
“It did,” she said. Instantly, a cool rush of relief reached my chest. It had worked! “Elder Whisper survived and is very much eager to meet you. There’s going to be a council meeting tomorrow evening. We’ve all been invited.”
She then looked at me expectantly. Realizing I didn’t answer her question I spoke up. “I’m feeling good, really good.”
“Excellent to hear,” Tallos said, pulling a stool over to the side of the bed. “We knew you would recover, but I must say it is not at all enjoyable seeing you so senseless. While you recovered, our hosts have taken good care of us.”
Stella picked up the conversation excitedly. “Commander Wallace was very nice to us. We saw a little of the city before he led us to this delightful cottage. Did you know it’s built inside one of the giant trees? I absolutely love how everything smells.” She took a deep breath, relishing the scent, before continuing. “It’s so invigorating.”
“Commander Wallace said he would be coming around sometime this morning to check in on you,” Tallos added. “We explained how the debilitating aspect of the spell function to him, so he should be arriving soon.”
My eyes flicked up as I remembered our horses, Jax and Dutch, who we tied up before fighting Duke. My worried expression must have clued Stella into my plight as she held her paws out placatingly. “They’re fine,” she interjected before my question had a chance of escaping my lips. “Dutch and Jax are being pampered in a magnificent stable on one of the lower platforms in the city. At my bidding, Ripley escorted the elves to retrieve our friends after you passed out. It was quite the sight when an entire platform lowered into the forest. Once they were in, it floated back up as if it was the most casual thing in the world. These elves have magic truly wondrous to behold. Magnificent! We’ve been assured they will be well taken care of.”
Tallos nodded at her words. “I went and saw both last night and again this morning. Elves are masters at caring for all of nature’s animals. They are enjoying their stay as much as we are.”
“Well, I’m glad they’re fine and that my spell worked,” I said after the pair shared a few additional tidbits of information while I was out. My friends didn’t do much after I was set up in my room, though Tallos did go out to look for some old acquaintances. He returned not long after, though, as even he was looking forward to a good night’s rest after such a trying day. “I wish it could be used on more than one person. Duke hurt a lot of people before we arrived to stop him.”
My words dove a somber mood onto our cheery reunion, but it didn’t last long as Stella brought us back to more pleasant topics. She waved a paw in the air and a message appeared in my vision. “Your spell increased a few levels! It will be nice when it reaches the max level and not knock you into a coma each time,” she joked.
Notice! Spell [Revivication] has reached level eight.
It was an impressive jump from level one. I was curious if it increased in level depending on the person revived. Would it fail to grow if the spell didn’t work? Those are thoughts for another day, I mused.
Though the notification only displayed the lone spell’s level increase, I sensed there was more information Stella was holding back. It was probably the other plethora increases as our fight against Duke as intense, even if the man had not been killed. Her holding those increases was fine for now. We had other, more pressing, things to discuss.
Tallos and Stella then shared the story of when my spell took hold, and Elder Whisper started breathing again. Every elf around gasped as the impossible happened and immediately sheathed their weapons, returned arrows to quivers, and cut off any lingering spells held at bay. My efforts proved we were no threat to them.
“Commander Wallace said he never imagined someone could actually be brought back from death,” Stella shared before describing the city's many platforms. “When he showed us their magical elevators…” She paused as I gave her a curious look at her words.
“You’ll have to see it to believe it, but entire sections of the platforms can float up and down without a single tether!” Stella added, clearly excited from the memory. “They are completely stable, too. It feels like you're standing on solid ground even though you’re suddenly a few hundred feet in the air. I can’t wait to show you.”
Smiling at her enthusiasm, I nodded along, telling her I looked forward to it. Turning to Tallos, I noticed a strong hint of a smile on the normally reserved ranger. “You seem excited. I bet you have a great many friends here.”
“I do indeed,” Tallos beamed. “I meet up with one just last night and intend to see her again later today. Meeting the city's commander was also rather inspiring. He was keen to learn more about me, and how our group first met. I shared how we found each other aboard Captain Larsa’s Moon Siren. His eyes lit up at the man’s name. Apparently, nearly every elf in the city had heard of the captain. When I mentioned, I had been one of his top barrelman…”
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Tallos paused before laughing at my vacant expression. “Remember, a barrelman is the sailor stationed in the crow’s nest. I explained that to you back when we first met. Hah! Anyway, Larsa is quite popular among the local elves. Many of the elves previously under his employ eventually find their way here. Naturally, anyone who worked with the captain quickly finds themselves among friends here. With our timely defense of the city and your fantastic spell bringing back one of their elders, I’m confident we, too, will only find friends during our stay.”
Soon after, we agreed to move downstairs to enjoy breakfast together. Before leaving my comfortable bedroom, I happily stored away my new night clothes and changed into my set of wizardly and priestly light armor. When my door cracked open, Lowki bumped past me and plopped down on my cozy bed. His antics brought a smile to my face. Leaving the door open, I joined my friends below.
Our breakfast mainly consisted of vegetables, and fruit, but still surprisingly filling. I had no idea how the elves managed to put so much flavor into an unassuming bed of leaves, and Tallos only smiled at me when I asked him about it. Still, I was keen to add a bit of meal to any meal, so we shared a look with Stella before pulling out a plate of steaming sausages. Our antics prompted a chuckle and shake of the head from Tallos, yet even he sauntered over to pick up a few of the tasty links. Apparently, most elves, especially those in the High Thicket were vegetarians and relied solely on the natural plants and fruits of the forest. They would, of course, hunt wild deer and the like, but such activities were strictly reserved for life-and-death situations.
A knock at our front door echoed through the living room. A moment later, a loud thump from overhead signaled Lowki’s impending arrival. We had guests. When the normally nimble cat slipped on the small steps, the place was built for elves, and after all, he elicited a laugh from his companions. The big panther must have been spooked by the knock and came charging to our defense as he groggily regained his senses.
“Sorry about that,” Tallos offered to the cat. “Knocks carry easily through the wood of the forest here. I’m not quite sure why, but it's something about innate magic in the wood, I suppose.”
Lowki shuffled the last few steps before dramatically flopping onto a cushioned couch beneath a wide glass window. The view was quite spectacular, considering we were a couple of hundred feet above the forest floor. I inquired Tallos about the seemingly enchanted windows. I hadn’t remembered seeing any of them during my brief examination of the city before my attention was planted squarely on Duke. Tallos explained every window throughout the entire city worked something like a one-way mirror. From the outside, you couldn’t detect them; nothing marred the bark of the tall trees. From the inside though, the magnificently enchanted windows allow the elves to see through the bark, allowing plentiful light to entire their homes without ever needing to damage a tree to do so.
As I watched Lowki huff his way to his new spot on the couch, Tallos stepped over to the far side of the room and opened the door. He shared several greetings in elvish, reminding me to ask Stella later if I could look into learning their language considering I was a half-elf but couldn’t speak a word of it. After the friendly exchange, Tallos led in the elf commander from the day before, an older woman in wizardly robes, and an elf I assumed was Wallace’s lieutenant based on his military livery. Elves didn’t wear ribbons or medals but the sweeping embellishments on his earthen attire were captivating in their own right.
“Hail, Hunter Xazorus,” Wallace offered with an outstretched hand as he came close. “I am glad to see you well.”
“Please, call me Xaz. All my friends do,” I replied as we shook hands.
“Of course, Xaz. I’d like to introduce my friend and counterpart, Archwizard Sienna, and my second in command, Marshall,” Wallace said as he motioned to each colleague in turn. Handshakes were exchanged before he continued. “Tallos may have shared this news already, but we would like to invite you to a council meeting tomorrow evening as honored guests. While Duke would have been forced to flee eventually, your timely intervention made all the difference and saved lives. We want to show our appreciation for what your team did.”
“We would be happy to attend,” I replied. The commander was an elf, and I could see myself calling a friend one day, should our paths continue to intersect. He valued every elven life, proven just a day earlier when he commented on his desire to save a simple soldier's life when I offered to use my revive spell. The elder was the logical choice, but the decision to pick him over a low-ranking warrior wasn’t made without consideration. He decided what was best for their city. I hope to never find myself in the situation he faced, having to decide which life to save and which to leave to death’s embrace.
“Duke has done a great deal of harm to countless people,” I continued after recognizing the honor of the elf standing next to me. “His actions precipitated the death of my parents, and we intend to continue our quest against him. If we can help people along the way, we do so without hesitation. Please know, however, I would be remiss if I didn’t make you aware of Duke’s continued threat to your city and the people of the High Thicket in sheltering us.”
The commander and his archwizard friend tilted their heads at my words so I pressed on with the unfortunate news. “Before he vanished, Hunter Duke said he placed tracking magic on me. He stated he could find me anywhere in the world and… I believe him. He has been hunting my friend Stella,” I said, gesturing to her as she floated near Ripley’s shoulder. “Until yesterday, Duke didn’t know where she was or who she was linked to. He intends to harm anyone who gets in the way. With our entrance yesterday, Duke can find her anywhere now, through me. I do not doubt he will not return as soon as he can. The longer we stay in your city, the greater the risk he eventually arrives to threaten your people once more.”
Wallace looked to the robed wizard, gesturing her to step closer. “Would you allow Archwizard Sienna to inspect the magic Duke said he placed upon you?”
“Please,” I replied, nodding my ascent.
The elf woman came close and went to one knee next to where I sat. “There is nothing to fear. I am going to cast a bit of divination magic to look at your core,” she said, and with that, the archwizard of Quarris began her spell.
It started subtly, with her soft soprano voice whispering arcane phrases, followed shortly by her fingers swirling in grand geometric patterns near my chest. Those patterns grew more complicated and intricate as time went on. As far as I could tell, each of her hands perfectly mirrored the other. It was a dance of extreme precision.
Sienna clearly had a great deal of talent, and her spell demonstrated her mastery. Each second the gestures and necessary arcane syllables grew in difficulty. She made what was a high-tiered spell look easy. There was strain in her face, no furrowed brow in tight concentration. The words she spoke built in volume as she continued, and soon a white halo of light appeared in the air between us.
Sienna pushed out with both palms facing up, urging the magic forward and into me. For the briefest of moments, as the spell touched my chest, I understood I could resist it if I desired. There was no malicious attempt, sense of danger, or ill intent, so I allowed the spell to press on to where my core resided.
When the light flowed into my robes and out of sight, the archwizard closed her eyes. At the same moment, her hands locked in position as new arcane phrases were breathed out. I, too, closed my eyes but saw nothing with my inner eye. My core looked untouched.
Sienna’s expression changed to one of curiosity before her fingers began moving once more. This time, she didn’t speak. Instead, using her precise movements to work the spell, or so I assumed. I was a bit star-struck witnessing a master working their craft. Sienna was certainly an archwizard of immense power.
Another minute, then two passed before she took a deep breath and opened her eyes. “Perikleo vreite echthró,” she uttered in amazement. The words didn’t sound elvish, and even my limited arcane knowledge made no sense.
Looking right at me, Sienna clued everyone into what she discovered. “Duke has indeed placed a considerably powerful form of tracking magic on you. It’s tied directly to your core, and sadly, there is no easy means to remove it. Unless I am mistaken it had legendary properties I have never seen within the effect’s inner workings. The spell grants knowledge of your distance and direction to the caster. While it seems simple enough, the arcane energy necessary to form such a bond is staggering. Even attempting to throw off the spell without substantial preparation could risk doing incalculable harm to your magical foundation. While I am certain magic capable of removing the enchantment exists, it is not something I am aware of. I will be conferring with my fellow mages, but for now, I am sorry. There is nothing more I can do.”
“It is alright,” I said after a long, uncomfortable moment. I had been hoping for better news. “I appreciate your efforts and am open to meeting with you again if you and your mages think of anything else we can try.”
“Not all hope is lost,” Commander Wallace interjected. “When we meet with the elder council, we can discuss if there are any other options available to assist you. I appreciate your honesty in letting us know that Duke will seek to find you, even within the High Thicket, but each passing hour brings more elves from around the High Thicket to our city. You are welcome to stay as long as you like. Now that we know of the danger, we can mitigate it as much as possible through strength of arms and ample scouting of the surrounding areas.”
“We will take our leave,” Wallace said soon after with everyone rising to their feet with him. “Tonight, at sundown, a burial will be held for those brave souls we lost. Each of you may join if you desire, but know your attendance is not necessary. If you decide to attend, you need only inquire one of the many stationed guardians and you will be directed to the proper area. While in our care, you are welcome to explore the city at your leisure. Partake of our food, and hospitality, and feel free to visit any of our skilled smiths and vendors. A blessed day to you all.”
After everyone exchanged a few more farewells, Wallace and his friends departed our pleasant abode. Looking at my friends, I asked, “So, who would like to explore the forest city of Quarris?” Eager nods were all the response I needed.