Chapter 32 Chapter 32

Chapter 32 Chapter 32


Eliad Tin'vine stood beneath the imposing silver arches of Solasa's royal palace, feeling as out of place as a pine tree in a desert. The wood elf magistrate's formal yet practical leather attire and copper-streaked hair drew subtle glances from the high elves who glided past in flowing robes of pristine white and gold. Their faces betrayed nothing, but he felt their judgmental glances nonetheless. What was an isolationist forest dweller doing at the capitol?

The escort assigned to him, a slender high elf with sharp emerald eyes, maintained a careful distance as he led Eliad through corridors of polished marble and silver filigree. Sunlight streamed through tall windows of colored glass, casting rainbow patterns across the floor that seemed to mock the wood elf's earthiness.

"The Sol Throne awaits," his escort announced, pausing before a set of doors triple Eliad's height. "King Solerin grants you audience immediately, given the...urgent nature of your communication."

Eliad nodded curtly, squaring his shoulders. The doors creaked open as two guards pulled them with visible effort. The doors revealed a sparkling throne room. Crystal chandeliers caught and multiplied the sunlight pouring through vast windows. The vaulted ceiling depicted the creation myths of the high elves in gold leaf and precious stones.

At the far end, an old yet imposing figure sat upon a throne of ornate blown glass. King Solerin XIV watched the wood elf beneath his bushy brows. Ostentatiously dressed courtiers flanked his sides, their expressions were of excited curiosity.

A herald’s voice rang, "Magistrate Eliad Tin'vine of the Greenways Forest bearing urgent news concerning human affairs in elven territories."

Eliad approached the throne, bowing with the precise depth required by protocol, not so shallow as to give offense, not so deep as to suggest subservience. The Greenways were allies, not subjects.

"Illumination of Sun’s Grace," Eliad’s voice was rough as he spoke the high elf king’s formal title, “I bring troubling news. A human scholar from the Collegiate Alliance of Vyhelm, who had been studying at the Summit of D'Geanth under Grand Librarian Aldergon Graniel's supervision, has disappeared in dark elf territory."

A subtle ripple of reaction passed through the courtiers. King Solerin leaned forward slightly, his expression unchanged but his eyes sharper.

"Explain," the king commanded.

Eliad recounted his encounter with the dwarven merchant Felag Stonedelve, detailing how the human scholar Patrina Warden had been diverted from her intended academic journey to the Greenways and instead taken to Limdrion with the intention of selling her to House Maelis.”

"She escaped her captors in Limdrion," Eliad continued, "but her current whereabouts are unknown. Given the dark elves' well-known... interest in humans, we fear for her safety."

King Solerin's fingers tapped a rhythm against the arm of his throne. "What do you know about this Patrina Warden?"

"According to the dwarf, she carried proper credentials from Vyhelm and had already completed studies at the Sylvanae Archive. Aldergon Graniel himself apparently approved her research."

The king's eyes narrowed fractionally. "Aldergon Graniel did not inform us of this arrangement."

"With respect, Your Radiance," Eliad said carefully, "the Grand Librarian's tendency to become absorbed in research to the exclusion of administrative matters is well-known. For that matter, our own archivists seem equally single-minded. I believe it’s part of personality needed for their trade."

The king did not laugh at Eliad’s joke. Eliad Tin'vine coughed.

“In any case, the Greenways Council is requesting coordination with Grand Librarian Graniel for this matter.”

A ghost of a smile touched the king's lips. "Indeed. Your Council shows wisdom in seeking to involve him directly." The king raised a hand, and a scribe appeared at his side. "You will have an escort to the Summit of D'Geanth. Grand Librarian Graniel must be made aware of this situation immediately."

Eliad bowed again. "Thank you, Your Radiance."

The king’s voice turned cold. "If this human scholar has indeed fallen into dark elf hands, there will be diplomatic consequences. The treaty is clear regarding the treatment of human visitors. A human forced to become a dark elf plaything is exactly what will breakdown relations. We have barely begun to rebuild trust with Vyhelm. If elven lands cannot even respect a humble academic…we can forget about trade let alone communication. They might decide to become more isolated than your Greenways, magistrate. Or at worse, they may decide on aggression."

"The Greenways Council shares your concern of a larger impact, Your Radiance.”

The audience concluded with the efficiency typical of high elven court proceedings. Within the hour, Eliad found himself on horseback, accompanied by four silver-armored riders of the Solasan Royal Guard, climbing the winding path that led to the Summit of D'Geanth.

The journey took the better part of a day, the path spiraling upward through increasingly thinning air. Eliad felt his chest tighten as they climbed, the thin mountain air a stark contrast to the rich oxygen of his forest home. The guards, accustomed to the altitude, showed no signs of discomfort.

As the sun began its descent toward the western horizon, the Sylvanae Archive came into view. It was a structure that seemed to break away and defy the mountain's very nature. Unlike the white spires of Solasa, the Archive was constructed of warm golden stone that caught the dying sunlight like honey. Its domes and towers followed the contours of the mountain peak, creating the impression that the building had grown organically from the stone rather than being built upon it.

"The Grand Librarian will be in the eastern reading room at this hour. He seldom deviates from his routine." The captain of the guard spoke as they dismounted in a stone courtyard

The party was met by Archive assistants who took charge of their horses. Eliad followed the captain through arched doorways and book-lined corridors.

The eastern reading room was a vast circular chamber whose walls were nothing but windows, offering an impressive panoramic view of the mountain range and the valleys beyond. In the center of the beautiful room, surrounded by stacks of books, stood a tall figure in white robes with golden sashes.

Aldergon Graniel looked up from his reading, silver hair catching the last rays of sunlight. His eyes widened slightly at the unexpected visitors.

"Captain Luminus," he acknowledged, glancing between the guard and Eliad. "I don't recall scheduling any official visits today."

"Grand Librarian," the captain bowed. "This is Magistrate Eliad Tin'vine of the Greenways Forest Council. He brings urgent news concerning one of your researchers."

Eliad gave a perfunctory bow before stating his purpose. "Grand Librarian. I believe you recently hosted a human scholar named Patrina Warden from the Collegiate Alliance of Vyhelm."

Aldergon's expression brightened. "Patrina! Yes, a most remarkable young woman. Her work on comparative elven dialects shows tremendous promise. She was particularly interested in the linguistic divergence between—"

"Sir," Eliad interrupted, "I regret to inform you that Patrina Warden is missing."

The captain stepped forward, presenting a sealed letter bearing the king's mark. "His Radiance has instructed that you be fully briefed on the situation."

Aldergon took the letter, his enthusiasm fading to confusion as he broke the seal and began to read. Eliad watched as the color drained from the high elf's face. Halfway through the letter, Aldergon's legs seemed to give way beneath him. He stumbled backward and one of the guards caught his arms.

Aldergon shook his head in denial, his voice thin with shock, “No. No…no…no no no no no. This cannot be. She left here bound for the Greenways three weeks ago. I understood she left with a reputable dwarven trading company."

"The Forge of Gold is hardly reputable," Eliad said grimly. "They diverted to Limdrion with the intention of selling her to House Maelis."

Aldergon's voice cracked. "Selling her? A scholar of her caliber? Like common merchandise? Like a slave?" He emphasized the last word.

He removed his glasses with trembling hands, pressing his fingertips against his eyelids. The archivist began to pace. "This is my fault. I should have provided a proper escort. I should have insisted on high elven guards."

"What's done is done," Eliad said, more harshly than he intended. "What matters now is finding her before irreparable harm is done, if it hasn't been already."

Aldergon straightened, a new resolve hardening his features. "I must go to Limdrion at once. If she's there, I will find her. The dark elves respect the Sylvanae Archive, even if they hold little regard for other high elven institutions."

"The Greenways Council instructed me to secure your assistance in this matter," Eliad confirmed. "We leave at first light."

"No." Aldergon was gathering scrolls and placing them in a leather satchel. He looked up, meeting Eliad's gaze with unexpected intensity, "We leave now. Every hour may matter. I'll not have Patrina's brilliance dimmed by dark elf magic or worse. I'm responsible for her. I will see her safely returned to Vyhelm, whatever it takes."