She inclined her head, then slowly curtsied to Sharah. An incoming monarch always bowed to the one with home court advantage. At least, that was how it worked in Otherworld.
“Your Majesty, I am pleased to meet you.” Vishana glanced around at the destruction. “Let’s dispense with small talk. There is so much damage here that I cannot imagine prattling on about nonsensical things. We are here to go to war. I have given my promise to my daughter-in-law, and the Dragon Reaches owe her more than we can ever return to her. Therefore, we are ready to take up arms against your foes. I declare that your enemy is our enemy.”
And that sealed it—a strong, firm bond created in a promise.
Sharah’s pale demeanor brightened. “I cannot thank you enough. I declare the elves allies of the Dragonkin, and may our bond hold.” And then—it was all down to business. She motioned for Vishana, Smoky, Camille, Delilah, and me to follow her, leaving the rest of our crew to make certain the dragons didn’t go ballistic on the elves for any wayward reason.
As we approached what had once been the grand ballroom of the palace, it was clear the elves had been busy. The rubble had been cleared away to show a cracked and shattered foundation. But in the parts that were still stable, long tables had been set up, with rough benches. Another table held loaves of bread stacked high, and what looked like a couple of roast pigs. A mound of apples and a massive bowl of spring greens sat beside them. Simple fare, but filling.
Torches ringed the area, but I still had the feeling the makeshift headquarters had been hastily assembled. Then it hit me that the elves didn’t want the Dragonkin to know where they were hiding their throne room. That made sense, but I wasn’t going to draw attention to the fact, because any slights now might be taken the wrong way.
We gathered around the table, where Trenyth began marking several massive maps with wooden figures. “Here’s where we are. This”—he motioned to a border on the map—“is what’s left of our city and Kelvashan in general. Most of our lands have been destroyed, but as you probably noticed on your way over from the portals, we’ve attempted to start the rebuilding process. It will take years, and who knows if the Elfin race will ever be what it was before the attack. Unfortunately, we’re still besieged by contingents of goblins and other miscreants. They seem more scattered now, though—probably those who broke off from Telazhar’s armies to loot on their own, but they see our city and lands as easy picking, so half our efforts are used up on keeping them at bay.”
Vishana frowned. “We can help you with that. The Elfin race is a noble, ancient one. You should not have to put up with lowbrow cretins.” She turned to the man—a gold dragon by the looks of him—next to her. “Appoint a small garrison to guard over the borders of Kelvashan. And summon the Builders. They can help to restructure Elqaneve.”
The Builders? I glanced at Camille, but she shrugged. Apparently she had no clue what Vishana was talking about either.
“Where is Telazhar right now?” I leaned over the maps, squinting in the dim light.
“Here—surrounding Ceredream, the City of the East.”
Ceredream was a beautiful city, but a dangerous one. And it lay south of the Sandwhistle Desert, north of the Southern Wastes where the rogue magic played havoc with anyone or thing crossing its path. To the east of Ceredream were the Ranakwa Fens—a massive swamp land dangerous to pass through, filled with deadly armies of ghosts. To the west lay vast grasslands and prairies that led to the forests surrounding the base of the Nebelvuouri Mountains, where the dwarven king ruled. I suddenly realized how much I missed my home world, and how torn between here and Earthside I was at my core.
“Didn’t he already attack Ceredream?” Delilah frowned, leaning closer to study the map. “Are these big red Xs places that Telazhar has conquered?”
Sharah nodded. “More to the effect, places he has destroyed. Telazhar made a play for Ceredream once before, but they managed to beat him back. Now his armies are laying siege to the walls of the City of the East again. I think he’s worn them down. While we could not help them—obviously—and Y’Elestrial was strapped from helping us, Aladril came to their aid the first time. So did King Gwyfn of Nebelvuouri. Svartalfheim was heavily damaged but not fully destroyed. The Goldunsan city of Gylden was attacked, but they were able to raise help from the Tygerian monks. The monks cloaked their city till it became impossible to find, so Telazhar gave up on them.”
The Goldunsan were a reclusive, peaceful offshoot of the Fae race. They were golden skinned and incredibly beautiful people, and kept to themselves for the most part. That the monks came to their defense said a lot for them. The Tygerian monks were aloof and seldom spoke to anyone outside their order, though they were gracious to visitors and never turned away an honest request as long as the intent behind it was for good.