Master Of None

With Zephyr's warning, Gil began to look more carefully. The people he saw moving about were too perfect. Too organized. The worst part was, that the more he paid attention the more he noticed things standing out. There was not a market. The stalls open selling food were perfect and untouched. No one was stopped buying a single thing. they just wandered about.

Even more, when Gil began to look at people closely, they would step away and avoid walking past them. "Alma, look at all the fire spirits. There are SO many." Gil emphasized this, making Alma look around. She saw that Zephyr was defensively waiting on Gil's shoulder which was radically different from the free flying wind spirit she usually was.

"I know. Everything is so vibrant and bright here. The fire spirits really show off the flowers of the crag tree. I feel like your mother would love to grow them in her garden if it was possible." Her response was perfectly timed to respond to Gil after she had looked at the way everything had been shaped.

Normally, the forest elves would have mages moving around to tend to the trees they lived in. the crag trees should be no different. Yet, no matter how hard Alma looked she did not see a mage or gardener at all. This was extremely odd for any elven village. Even the water elves had underwater gardens they maintained before their unfortunate events with Lust.

The hall they were brought to had large black stone carved statues of flame elves standing tall. It was made so that the crag trees grew around the tunnel in perfect twisting branches. To say it was a work of art would be an understatement. For just a moment the two flame elves guiding the six were waiting for them to take it all in.

"Please, right this way." The hall expanded in to one large room with more crag flowers blooming along the walls. The large throne that was at the far end had a single elf on it. He was older than most other elves in the room but still young when it came to the terms of an elf. He had sharp eyes and stared down at them. Attendants sat far to the sides while some armored elven guards lined the walls.

"You stand in the presence of the honored flame elf king. Pay your respects!" An announcer spoke with force before the flame elf king stood to accept his guests.

"We are honored to meet with you and your people after so many years. It is a shame that we have been divided. Seeing the care you take in your city makes it clear that the beauty of nature is respected by all elves regardless of elemental affinity. I am Alma, future queen of the forest elves and representative of elves on the Genesis council. My sincerest well wishes from the forest and water elves."

The flame elf king was appearing to speak when he saw Gil step forward as well. But he was not going to allow this, "I am glad you received my letter. Please feel free to enjoy the elegance of a city tour after you have rested. But I do wish to get to the business we have long awaited. It has been many years and I can promise we have thought things through to great depth."

There was an elegance but a pride in the way the forest elf spoke. Not just Gil, but Alma felt their skin crawl slightly. But the reactions of the elite enforcers when Gil was obviously overlooked became tense. They slightly lowered their stature so they could move at any moment.

"I have sent a few of my scouts to the outside world. Many things have been changing and I had to ensure safety. It is already evident that the dragons have been more active. I have to care for my borders after all." The chuckle the flame elf king had further put them on edge. It wasn't malicious but off putting.

"News of your achievements was a surprise and I thought to myself, what a wonderful thing to do. It is only right that the elves return together under a powerful leader. The other races coming underneath that same leader is a testament to that." The information the king seemed to have put together was not all correct. They could see that clearly.

"That is why I sent a letter. I can not sit aside any longer and pretend that I do not hold a vested interest. I can see by your attendant here that you have anchored the human race as personal guards. A very fitting position for them. Defending the elegant beings that stand for nature is honorable and will surely allow the world to bless them." The elite enforcers became much more tense. But Gil did not lack a backbone.

"I did not have the chance to introduce myself yet. I am Gil, hero title holder, friend of the goblins, educationist, founder of the archery academy, and a member of the Omnipotent adventurer party. My family consists of many, but one such is the royal nature dragon Walker. I am pleased to meet you here today with my fellow representative Alma." His words sounded sweet but they could cut like a knife.

"Comedy is not a strong suit for the humans. How unfortunate." The look of disdain from the flame elf came and went quickly. "Since you seem to need to rest and calm yourselves after a trying journey I will be blunt." The flame elf king paused while still looking down.

"I have extended a hand so that the future forest elf queen may join me by my side. I would take you as my bride so that we may properly rule the elves as it should be."

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