Page 18 of A Legacy of the Light

I step past him and out onto a stone balcony with potted plants positioned every few feet. The winter wind whips at my hair and steals the breath from my lungs as I take in the view before me.

Chapter 6

The city of Elfayne sprawls as far as I can see, nestled in a valley surrounded by soaring mountains on one side. The pale stone buildings are topped with dark gray roof tiles, and the cobbled streets are lined with golden lamps and towering trees, bringing the feel of a homely garden to the huge city. Grand townhouses, the buildings nearest to the palace, cascade down the hillside below. Horses pulling carriages trot along the wider streets towards the center of the city.

A town square with market stalls is full of Seelie busying themselves with their day. Further from the palace, the homes are smaller and cluster together in small neighborhoods. Each home has its own garden, and space for families. Far into the distance, at the edge of the city beyond the massive stone wall that surrounds it, lies a forest that curls and spreads across the land the city hasn’t claimed.

Most cities I’ve been to are cramped and over-populated, and while the streets are bustling here, it appears that everyone has room.

On my right is the lake I could see from the apartment. The palace must have been built into the side of a mountain to grant uninterrupted views like this.

The sunlight bathes the city in such beauty, I could stand and admire this view all day. I stay quiet for a few minutes, consuming the sight.

“I have so many questions,” I tell Tavish, not tearing my gaze away from what lies before me. I’m overcome with the need to explore and experience the streets for myself.

I’m not aware of any cities like this in my world. I really am in a completely different realm. At first glance, it seems like a quaint medieval town but, there’s a gentle quality to the streets, the buildings, and the people, that feels magical. Tavish wasn’t lying to me.

Tavish’s laugh gets lost in the breeze. “I figured you would. Come on—I’ll give you a tour, and you can ask me anything.”

He turns away from the edge of the balcony and heads back toward the giant doors that are still propped open. I follow him reluctantly. As I step inside, I realize how cold it was in the wind and I rub my arms to warm myself up, following Tavish as he takes a left down the hall.

We take another turn into a round chamber. Here, the ceiling is so high I have to crane my neck to admire the crafted silver chandelier that hangs from the center of the domed roof. There are staff here, bustling about in deep gray pants paired with crisp white shirts. Some are carrying linens and cleaning supplies. Some Seelie are armed guards clad in silver armor, doing their rounds. Each person dips their head to Tavish in respect as they pass.

“Why don’t humans know about Elfayne? Can all Seelie do magic like you? Can Seelie go into the human realm? What about technology and stuff? Does that work here?” I barely take a breath as the questions tumble from my lips.

Tavish pauses by the round, dark wooden table in the middle of the room and puts his hands on my shoulders. “Elsie, breathe—you’ll get to ask all your questions,” he laughs.

“Humans have never known of Elfayne. It’s just the way things are. I think it’s to protect the magic of this place. It’s incredibly delicate and it doesn’t take much to upset the balance. When mortals and Seelie have interacted in the past—a long, long time ago—it’s not gone well, so now we keep our world a secret. There’s a barrier that protects the Seelie lands that stops Seelie crossing into mortal lands and vice versa. It only opens twice a year, on the summer and winter solstice. Most Seelie have some form of magic, I’m what’s called an Aotrom—a mist wielder. The barrier chooses what technology it allows from the mortal realm. Their advancements have been significant in the last hundred years or so, and some of them have been adopted here. The magic of the land won’t allow certain things, such as weaponry and the internet. They simply won’t work here, despite us trying. Don’t ask me why, I don’t know. We’ve assumed the barrier only allows technology that will benefit Seelie.”

“How does communication work without technology?”

“Most Seelie can send messages using their magic. The distance they can cover depends on their wielding strength. If their magic can’t get it to where it needs to go, they take it to the post office. That uses magic to send the messages between other post offices that then passes those on to the recipient.”

“So a magic mail service?” I sound incredulous.

He smiles. “Yes, a magic mail service.”

I consider everything else he just said and ask, “If there’s a barrier that prevents people from moving between realms, how did you end up at the bar and how did I end up here? It’s not the solstice, right?”

He quirks a brow at me.

“Oh, you didn’t think I’d forgot that, did you?” I add.

“The magic of the barrier has become erratic, opening and closing at random intervals. That’s why I was able to get through. I was in the mortal realm looking for answers on how we can repair it. There are a few very old Seelie with knowledge about the barrier. I was searching them out, but they’re hard to find. I stopped in the bar after another day of not getting anywhere, and there you were. If the mortals discovered these lands, there isn’t much we could do to stop them from coming here while the barrier is so weak, even with our own magic,” he replies.

“Why don’t you want the mortals here?” I ask.

“The realm of Elfayne is magic. Only those born of magic can live here. Humans have also completely destroyed their land, and we don’t want that here.”

I can’t argue with him on that. We have shown a lack of care for our world, and this one seems beautiful from what I’ve seen so far.

One thing doesn’t make sense to me, though. “I didn’t cross a border or barrier. I went to sleep and woke up in that apartment. So how did I end up here?”

“I don’t know how you got here. I’m hoping my father will be able to help when he meets you. We’ll get you home as soon as we can. But the barrier is unpredictable right now.”

I nod and try to wrestle the growing panic inside my chest. “What is your father’s name? How should I address him?”

I’m suddenly nervous to meet the Seelie king.