Chapter 33 Chapter 33

Chapter 33 Chapter 33


Aldergon Graniel clutched his satchel closer to his chest as he and Eliad stepped from the small boat onto Limdrion's main boardwalk. The planks beneath his feet seemed to shift slightly with each step, damp from the constant mist that rose from the canals below. His pristine white robes, so practical and dignified in the clean, dry halls of the Sylvanae Archive, now felt like beacons announcing his foreignness in this twilight realm of dark wood and blue-glowing lanterns.

"Stay close," Eliad murmured, his hand never straying far from the knife at his belt. "Dark elves love nothing more than separating tourists from their purses."

Aldergon nodded, not wanting to call out Eliad’s rascism, but he knew the dark elves of this city did have a strong criminal underground. The humidity clung to his skin, making his robes heavy. Unfamiliar scents: some sweet, others pungent, and especially the marsh water, assaulted his senses from all directions.

"The marketplace should be through here," Eliad said, guiding them down a narrow side path where the boardwalk split around a cluster of trees growing directly from the water. "If anyone has information about your scholar, we'll find it there."

They emerged onto a wider section of boardwalk where stalls and semi-permanent shops crowded against one another. Vendors called out in musical dark elven dialect, hawking everything from magical trinkets to exotic foods. Aldergon tried to keep his robes from brushing against the stalls as they wove through the throng, but soon gave up the effort as futile. The white fabric was already spotted with moisture and smudges of dust.

"We should ask about Patrina," Aldergon suggested, his voice tight with urgency. "Someone must have seen her."

Eliad approached a stall selling carved figurines, each depicting various elven forms in poses that made Aldergon avert his eyes. "We seek information about a human woman," the wood elf said without preamble. "Recently arrived in Limdrion."

The vendor, a dark elf smiled a toothy grin, "A human? How fascinating. I haven't seen one in decades." His eyes slid to Aldergon, taking in the high elf's pristine robes with obvious amusement. "Though I've heard whispers."

He held at his hand and bounced it in the air.

Eliad huffed and laid a few coins in his palm.

The vendor's expression shifted to delight once he received the money. "Ah, that human. Half the city's been talking about her. House Maelis offered quite the reward for information about her whereabouts, you know."

Aldergon stepped forward, unable to contain himself. "Do you know where she is? Is she unharmed?"

"Unharmed?" The vendor laughed, the sound like silk tearing. "I wouldn't concern yourself with her welfare, high elf. She's quite thoroughly claimed by now, I imagine."

"Claimed?" Aldergon felt his stomach tighten. "What do you mean?"

A female dark elf from the next stall leaned toward them, her eyes glittering with mischief. "He means she's been collared, obviously. Isn't that what you high elves call it when we take human companions? Or do you prefer more delicate terms for the taming practice? I know that you high elves hypocrites also take human companions."

"We do no such thing!" Aldergon protested, heat rising in his face. "Humans who visit our realm are guests, not possessions. There were a few human-elven mates, but they were courted and properly wooed."

The female vendor snorted inelegantly. "How terribly stiff and boring of you."

She turned her attention to Eliad, her gaze traveling over him with undisguised interest. "You're quite exotic yourself, wood elf. We rarely see your kind venture beyond your precious forests. Perhaps you'd like to stay a while? I could show you pleasures the trees never whisper of."

Eliad's expression hardened into stone. "I'm here on official business for the Greenways Council. Nothing more."

"Such a waste," she sighed, then flicked her gaze back to Aldergon. "If you're so concerned about this human, you should know she's with House Keltos now. Their heir found her, claimed her, collared her. It's quite the scandal, actually as House Maelis is furious as they had arranged for her purchase first. Keltos basically stole the march. Or in this case the sweety human."

Aldergon felt as though the boardwalk had given way beneath him. "House Keltos? Are you certain?"

"Of course we’re certain," the female vendor said, "The whole city saw Nyxios Dolos Keltos parading her on a leash through these very streets just days ago. She wore his collar and" she paused, her smile widening, "not much else."

Aldergon closed his eyes briefly, fighting the wave of nausea that threatened to overcome him. Patrina, brilliant, dedicated Patrina, reduced to a dark elf's plaything. How could she handle the humiliation? The thought was unbearable.

"How do we find House Keltos?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

The male vendor laughed again. "You don't just 'find' House Keltos, high elf. They're one of the five ruling houses. Their estate occupies an entire island in the eastern quarter."

The female dark elf slid from behind her stall, moving toward Eliad with a predatory grace. "I could take you there," she offered, her fingertips brushing his arm. "For a price, of course."

Eliad recoiled from her touch as if burned. "Keep your distance," he warned, hand dropping to his knife.

"Such hostility," she pouted, though she did step back. "Wood elves and their famed tempers. I bet your passion is thrilling in the bedroom. So much more exciting than these stiff-necked high elves, don't you agree?"

Eliad was about to grab her collar when Aldergon interrupted, placing a restraining hand on Eliad's arm, "We should go to the High Elven Embassy. We need to speak with Ambassador Bessanril."

Eliad nodded curtly, clearly relieved at the suggestion. They pushed their way back through the market, the laughter of the dark elf vendors behind them.

The high elven embassy stood in stark contrast to the surrounding structures of Limdrion. While dark elf architecture embraced dark woods, the embassy was whitewashed, its windows tall and rather than more wide windows favored by locals. Guards in silver armor flanked the entrance, their expressions unchanged as Aldergon and Eliad approached.

"Grand Librarian Graniel and Greenways Magistrate Eliad Tin’vine to see Ambassador Bessanril," Aldergon announced, straightening his shoulders despite the sorry state of his once-pristine robes. "The matter is urgent."

Recognition flickered in the guards' eyes. One bowed slightly before opening the door. "Of course, Grand Librarian. Please follow me."

Inside, the embassy maintained the aesthetic of Solasa with polished marble floors, vaulted ceilings, tapestries depicting scenes from high elven mythology. The air felt noticeably drier, a welcome relief after the cloying humidity of Limdrion's streets.

Ambassador Bessanril received them in his private study, a room lined with bookshelves and dominated by a desk of pale wood. The ambassador himself was older than Aldergon had expected, his face bearing the subtle lines that indicated many centuries of life.

"Grand Librarian Graniel," he greeted, bowing with perfect formality. "This is an unexpected honor. And Magistrate Tin'vine of the Greenways, if I'm not mistaken? What brings such distinguished visitors to my humble post?"

"A human scholar named Patrina Warden," Aldergon said without preamble. "She was studying at the Sylvanae Archive under my supervision. She left three weeks ago bound for the Greenways, but we have reason to believe she's been captured by House Keltos."

Bessanril's diplomatic mask slipped momentarily, revealing genuine concern. "I feared as much," he sighed, gesturing for them to be seated. "When I heard whispers of a human woman in Limdrion, I made discreet inquiries. The information I received was... troubling."

"You knew?" Eliad demanded, remaining standing. "And did nothing?"

"What would you have me do?" Bessanril countered, his voice sharpening. "Storm the Keltos estate with my handful of guards? Demand they release a human they consider legally claimed under their ancient customs? Such an action would trigger a diplomatic faux pas at best, armed conflict at worst."

"So we do nothing?" Aldergon asked, his voice hollow.

Bessanril's expression softened. "I didn't say that. House Keltos is hosting a gathering in three days' time. There will be a ball and I would bet it is to show off his new companion. My daughter and I have received invitations, as we always do for formal events." He tapped his fingers thoughtfully against his desk. "I could perhaps secure additional invitations for distinguished visitors from Solasa and the Greenways..."

"You want us to attend a dark elf social function?" Eliad asked incredulously.

"I want to give you access to House Keltos," Bessanril corrected. "To see this human with your own eyes, to assess her situation. After that, we can determine what action might be possible." He looked directly at Aldergon. "I cannot promise more at this stage."

Aldergon nodded slowly. "It's a start. Thank you, Ambassador."

"Don't thank me yet," Bessanril warned. "If this human has indeed been claimed by Nyxios Dolos Keltos, extracting her will be no simple matter. The dark elves take their companion bonds very seriously. The House Keltos is particularly possessive of what they consider theirs."