Chapter 3

“What the hell?” Emily gasped; her eyes open wide. Slowly an arm attached to the hand, then a torso clad in a black t-shirt. The legs came next, long and gangly peeking out from under black jeans. Finally the blond head and dark brown eyes joined them. Tom blinked and looked around.

All around was rolling green hills; thick, lush trees enveloped the hillsides, and on the rise of a nearby mountain stood a grey city, carved from the rock itself. Tom’s breath caught in his throat – it was beautiful here.

“Tom?” Emily asked incredulously, taking a step towards him

“Emily? God don’t you know how worried everyone is about you?” Tom was slightly angry “How the hell did you drag me out here?”

“I’ve only been gone five minutes!” Emily argued, she’d forgotten how annoying Tom could be “And I didn’t drag you anywhere!”

Tom snorted, “Yeah, sure,” He answered sarcastically. “I find myself god knows where, with a girl I barely know, my body disappeared in front of my eyes, and I’m expected to believe that I came here of my own free will.” He rolled his eyes.

Mirla coughed and stepped between the two teenagers “You two are dimension travelers, there are only six of you across all the planes. Wherever one of you goes the other must follow, so stop fighting and get used to it!” Mirla snapped, “That over with, I assume you are here to meet Molvena. She is the Queen of this land of Oleth, no doubt this has something to do with the rise of the Elee’ksh…” Mirla shook herself, that is for the Queen to decide, she reminded herself. “There is no time to lose! Climb on Arlot, I can run beside you swiftly.” She helped Tom and Emily mount the horse, and took off, leading them towards the city. There was no time to worry about Tara; she hoped her deagle would make it back Oleth herself.

“Sorry for snapping at you,” Tom whispered to Emily

Emily smiled “That’s ok. I’m still in shock myself.”

“Is… is she…” Tom trailed off, unsure of how to ask.

“Yes, a wood elf I think.” Emily smiled

“Wow… this is like being thrown into a movie or something,” Tom grinned

“Yeah, our big adventure!” Emily laughed

“Mi-Mirla?” Tom called hesitantly, “Are we going to the city up in the mountains?”

“Yes,” Mirla replied, “To Coia, City of life. It is the home of the King and Queen of Oleth, there we shall learn for what purpose you have been called.”


Tom slipped off Arlot with a slight wince. He’d never ridden a horse before, and his thighs and back were aching. He felt Emily slip her hand into his, and hold on tightly, they kept close to Mirla as they hurried through the city. All around them tall elves stopped to watch them, their pale skins each had a different sheen, but the predominant colour was green. The elves all had long, rippling hair, pointed ears, and eyes that slanted ever so slightly upwards. As they all stood side-by-side they seemed androgynous, Tom couldn’t tell the males and females apart – so tall, slim and fair were they.

They soon reached the dark wood doors of the palace. The metal work was made of entwining designs, like Celtic knots, and the walls appeared to be made of one solid piece of stone, stretching as far as the eye could see, the twisting tops of the towers seeming to brush the clouded sky.

“Keep your eyes cast to the ground,” Mirla hissed “Do not look at the Lord and the Lady until you are bidden.”

Tom nodded and swallowed uneasily, he gave Emily’s hand a quick squeeze, trying to reassure her.

The doors were thrown open, and the trio ushered through the entrance by pale elves with a golden sheen, dressed in golden tunics, each armed with a golden sword. Their long gold hair was cut at the shoulders, and tied neatly at the nape of their necks. Their eyes looked like liquid fire, Mirla whispered to the humans that these were the Golden Guards, purebred elves that had protected the royals for generations past. The Golden Guards remained silent, and were lethal assassins, “Ideal in the fight against the Elee’ksh…” Mirla mumbled.



The trio wasn’t shown into the main hall, but rather into the King and Queen’s private reception quarters, reserved only for the most important of ambassadors. Mirla, Tom, and Emily knelt uncomfortably on three plush blue cushions set before two ornate golden chairs. Two Golden Guards stood either side of the door, and at an unspoken signal both bowed deeply and left the room.

Almost immediately the dark wood opened with a whisper, and through the door stepped the King and Queen. The female was tall and slim, but unlike the other elves, her skin was a pale, pure white. Her hair was long and dark, matching the whirling pools of black that were her eyes, her slim lips were the colour of a dusky rose and they parted to bid them welcome, in a voice that sounded like she was singing “Greetings travelers, I am Queen Molvena, mistress of this land, and your humble host.” She bowed her head gracefully, a few loose strands of auburn hair falling lose and covering her face.

The King stood silently, his skin had a pale green sheen, and his hair was cut short and close to his head. His hair was a copper-y red, and his eyes were deep green.

“Greetings, dimension travelers, and your guardian.” The King announced in a gravelly voice “It is a mission of great importance that brings you here.”

The trio kept their heads bowed and Mirla answered meekly “Thank you, your majesties,”

The Queen rested her hand on the King’s and sat elegantly upon her throne, the King then slid into his seat with ease.

“We have no time for pleasantries, for our time to act is short,” The Queen began in her melodic voice, “Our most trusted advisor and friend, Raven Arna, has been tempted by the darkness of the Elee’ksh. Not only does he now harbour a desire to become ruler of Oleth, but also he desires our daughter Nia as his bride. Now it is not through a bitter jealousy that we seek this dangerous foe destroyed – but through a dire necessity. He has struck a deal with the Elee’ksh that should they help him claim dominion over our lands and child, he shall give to them the power of dimension travel.”

Mirla let out a shocked gasp.

“Wh… what exactly are the Elee’ksh?” Emily asked quietly,

The King leaned forwards, his green eyes blazing “A race of elves whose skin reflects the blackness of their hearts. They were corrupted by greed and lust centuries ago; Molvena’s ancestors cast them out into the snow-covered lands of Naust. There to scratch what living they could from the ice and rocks. They now crave to destroy the peace and unity of our world, and turn it into a place of corruption and despair!” The King’s hand passed briefly before his face, until he continued “With the knowledge of dimension travel the Elee’ksh will be able to seduce the weaker races with promise of power, and claim dominion over the four planes!”

Emily and Tom looked at each other; they knew how easily the world leaders of earth were enamoured by the promise of power.

“What must we do?” Emily asked softly.

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Next Chapter: The Chapter Four

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