“It is,” Fanor said.
“I didn’t know they still existed—or ever truly did, for that matter.”
“Mortals hunted them nearly to extinction for their magic—the Aquilines as well.” Aquilines were fierce, winged chargers who were said to spawn thunder with the beat of their wings and lightning with the strike of their golden hooves. “But both still thrive in Elvia.”
Just looking at the Shadar made her almost giddy. “Is it true what the legends say about the power of a Shadar’s horn being able to nullify any poison and purify any foulness?”
Fanor’s white teeth flashed in an indulgent smile. “Aiyah. Shadar horn is a curative like no other, which is why mortals hunted them so exhaustively. They could touch Shadar horn to a poisoned well, and the waters would be instantly purified. ’Tis said the touch of a Shadar horn can even save a man poisoned by tairen venom.”
Rain snorted. “Now, thatismyth. Not even our strongestshei’dalinscan counteract tairen venom.”
The Elf shrugged. “Well, that’s what Elvish lore claims. I don’t know of anyone who’s ever tested to see if it’s true.”
Tajik snorted and cast a speculative look Gaelen’s way. “Perhaps vel Serranis could give it a try while we’re here. Purely in the interest of science, of course.”
Bel rolled his eyes. Gil and Rijonn sniggered. Gaelen just lifted a fist with his thumb tucked between his index and middle finger in a crude gesture. Tajik grinned and smacked a sarcastic kiss in his direction.
They stopped before a beautiful vine-covered arbor that curled up the trunk of one of the great Sentinels. A dozen Elves, golden skinned and beautiful, stood waiting at the base of the tree.
“Go with them, please,” Fanor said. “Lord Galad bids you rest and refresh yourselves. At sunset, we hold a dinner to honor your arrival. He will see you after that.”
The Elves led the Fey to individual guest chambers formed from spacious hollows that appeared to have been purposely grown into the Sentinel tree’s massive trunk. Rain inspected the chamber he and Ellysetta had been escorted to and could find no hint of tool mark on any part of the smooth, seamless golden surface of the floor, walls, or ceiling.
Light inside the chamber was provided by a silver chandelier shaped like drapes of flowing vines, only instead of holding candles, the chandelier was covered in phosphorescent butterflies whose bodies gave off a gentle, silvery blue light as they slowly fanned their jeweled wings.
“When you wish to sleep, simply open the window and thedamiawill leave,” said the Elf maiden who had escorted them to their chamber. “To call them back again, pour a few drops of this honeywater into the bellflowers.” She held up a crystal flacon and pointed to the upturned tube-shaped silver flowers at the end of each of the chandelier’s vines. “Refreshment and a change of clothing have been provided. There is a bathing pool at the base of the tree. The banquet to honor your arrival will be held on the terrace overlooking the pools that surround Grandfather’s island. Make yourselves comfortable until then.”
“Talaneth, elfania,” Rain said with a bow of his head.
The Elf, a beautiful woman with hair like nightfall and eyes as gold as sunrise, returned the bow. “Blessings of the day,” she murmured, and departed with silent grace.
“What now?” Ellysetta asked, when they were alone.
“Now we relax as much as we can, and wait for sunset.” Rain smiled at Ellysetta’s disgruntled expression. After the long days of riding, she’d expected her waiting to be over once they reached Navahele. “In Elvia, all things come in their own time.”
They helped themselves to the fruits and delicate pastries provided for them and availed themselves of the bathing pool. When it came time to dress, however, Rain left the Elvish clothing in a neat, untouched pile. As long as the Fading Lands were at war, the golden war steel of the Fey king would be his only garb. He cleansed the dust and grime of travel from the armor with a weave and polished the black and gold plates until they shone.
While Rain dressed, Ellysetta transformed her studded leathers into a silver-and-scarlet gown ornate enough for an introduction to an immortal royal. She left her hair down, flowing in thick ringlets to her waist, and settled a crown made of woven platinum, diamond, and Tairen’s Eye crystal on her head.
“Well,” she said, when they’d both finished their preparations. “Shall we go?” Her heart was thumping in her chest, and bands of nervous tension were drawing tight around it.
“You shine bright as the Great Sun,shei’tani,” Rain said with a smile. “Aiyah, let us go. And don’t worry. Hawksheart is bound by the laws of Elvish hospitality. We are here by his invitation, as his guests. By that law, we’re safer here than we would be anywhere else in the world.”
“It’s not physical danger I fear,” she admitted.
“I know. But whatever answers he may have, Ellysetta, we’re better off knowing, don’t you think?” He held out his wrist.
She grimaced and placed her fingers on it. “That depends on the answers,” she muttered.
They met the other Fey at the base of the tree. Like Rain, Ellysetta’s quintet had forgone the proffered Elvish attire, and had merely cleaned and buffed their leathers to a glossy black shine and polished their steel until it sparkled diamond-bright. An Elf maiden joined them and, with a smile and a melodic command for them to follow her, she led Ellysetta, Rain, and the warriors down the stair that spiraled around the great Sentinel’s trunk.
They walked across the meadow to a vine-bedecked terrace overhanging one of the crystalline pools in the heart of Navahele. There a wooden table carved from gleaming Sentinel wood awaited, its glossy surface adorned with glittering crystal plates and goblets and heaping platters of aromatic roasted meats, vegetables, and glistening fruits.
Elf maidens with ribboned garlands in their hair stepped forward to offer goblets of chilled golden Elvian wine that smelled of honeyblossoms. Ellysetta accepted a glass with a murmured word of thanks and took an experimental sip. Delicate flavor burst upon her tongue, lightly sweet and very refreshing.
“Beylah vo.It’s delicious,” she told the Elf maid who had proffered the glass.
“We call itelethea, which means sunlight in Elf tongue,” Fanor’s voice explained from behind.
