The Endless Forest

For as exhausted as he was from the morning’s training, Felix took a deep breath and straightened his posture. This was his home, and he would do his utmost to leave a good impression.

Funny, he thought. When did I start considering the manor to be my home? he asked himself, making sure that the thought didn’t leak out. Until this moment, he hadn’t considered it much. But it had only been a few scant months since he came here. Even then, he considered himself to be a guest of Fea’s.

But now? This is my home. A renewed sense of determination welled up in him as he met the two new elves halfway. To his right was his…girlfriend, and potentially the next queen. Behind him was his partner, Zira and behind Eri was Kyrith.

The four came to an abrupt stop as the two other elves came before them. Felix wasted no time and bowed.

“Greetings, I am Felix,” he stood up, “welcome to my home.”

“Oralyn,” said the unknown elf as she returned the bow. Her appearance was that of sharp features, sharper than most elves he had seen before. Yet, despite that, her figure was not harsh. No, in fact, she looked almost dainty.

She had dark-black hair that ran past her shoulders, along with hazel colored eyes that were focused…on him. They studied him, calculating and burning with resolve.

Felix tore away from her and looked to the other elven woman.

“C-Calinna!” The elf also bowed, but she did it so swiftly he thought she would topple over. Thankfully, that did not come to pass as she continued. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Felix!”

Whereas Oralyn exuded a feminine grace, Calinna had a more nervous and unsure appearance. She was quite short, reminding him very much of Noria but with less determination. Her reddish-brown hair stopped exactly at her shoulders and her hazel eyes quivered slightly.

This is Chief Calsen’s daughter? He had heard from Eri how timid this woman was, but to actually see it? Well, it left him a little stumped. However, as their eyes locked, Felix thought he saw something other than nerves bubbling up to the surface. What it was, though, he wasn’t sure.

With a blink, he pulled his eyes away as Eri introduced herself.

Once that was done, Felix introduced the dragons. “These two are Kyrith and Zira. Kyrith is Eri’s partner and Zira is mine.”

Zira gave her own form of bow but Kyrith merely bobbed his head, too excited to act properly. Not that anyone would stop him, that was the dragon’s charm after all.

With introductions done, he turned his attention solely to the elves before him. “First, let me apologize to you, Calinna–”

She took a step back in surprise.

“–You’ve been here for several days and I haven’t come to greet you. For that, I am sorry.” He gave her a nod before continuing. “However, now that all three of you are here, I can discuss how this will all work…”

The discussion took several minutes, but Felix made it as clear as possible. Each one of them had to prove themselves, then, he would have to select one of them to become the queen.

Of course, he didn’t stop there. He explained to Oralyn, in particular, that they needed to come up with a design for the dormitory.

“I have a few questions,” the elf said as he finished. “First, where is Master Aluin? Shouldn’t he be here as well?”

Felix held back a sigh. “He has been gone for several days now. I know that he was going to have a meeting with the various Sages, but outside of that? I don’t know.”

She studied him for several moments before accepting that answer and moving on to her second question. “I mean no offense, but aren’t you and Eri…courting?”

Neither Felix nor Eri flinched and he answered truthfully. “Yes–”

“But… Wait… If you two are dating, then how is that fair?” Calinna asked, cutting him off.

“Calinna is right, how are we supposed to compete? Honestly, I’m amazed the Chiefs all agreed to this.” She looked annoyed, but not at Felix.

“It isn’t fair,” he said, much to Oralyn’s frustration. “You have to realize something first, then you will understand.”

“And that is…?”

“That is, you will have to work alongside me. I will not be your subject, I exist outside of… All of this,” Felix gestured with a wide hand to the elves within the clearing. “Fea brought me here to protect and hatch the dragon eggs. Not to serve an elven queen.”

“So that part is true then? That the late Dragon Queen brought you here?” Oralyn asked.

“It is. But I have a question of my own for the two of you. Can you work with me? Can you understand that my needs are independent of yours? Can you balance them?”

“And you can?” She directed the question to Eri.

“I can,” Eri answered confidently. “I know, more than anyone here, what help Felix needs.”

“Is it because of your bond with your dragon–”

Eri narrowed her eyes and cut the other woman off. “Kyrith is not my dragon. We are partners, please do not confuse our bond for slavery.”

Feeling the tension rising, Felix decided to interject. “Our bond is a mutual agreement. We did not tame, bind, or otherwise force Kyrith or Zira into it. They accepted us.”

Both the dragons snorted in agreement. And while he was focused on Oralyn, he caught Calinna frowning.

“My apologies,” Oralyn said with another bow. “I did not mean to offend.”

The tension slowly diffused into the air as he accepted her apology. “It’s fine, you did not know.”

Eri nodded, letting go of her own anger.

Felix cleared his throat and moved on. “To answer your question, partially. Eri has known me since I’ve been here, and our relationship is unique. Her bond helps her, yes, but it isn’t the only factor.”

The elven woman looked away, clearly thinking. However, it was Calinna who spoke up next.

“I can…” She trailed off as she realized all eyes were on her.

“You can what?” he asked calmly.

“O-oh… I was just, uh… I was answering your question. I think I can work with you.”

Both Oralyn and Eri looked surprised by that, and even Felix raised an eyebrow. However, he recovered quickly.

“Is that so? Then I look forward to what you can do.” He turned back to Oralyn, “What about you, though?”

She seemed to give it some thought before answering. “Truth be told, I know very little about humans. At least, outside of what has been told to me. However, from what Julous said of you, I don’t think you are evil.”

She shook her head before staring directly into his eyes. “I can work with you– I will work with you.”

While he didn’t know who Julous was, the way she spoke of him told him enough. Still, Felix held her gaze as he reached out to Zira. What do you think?

What do I think? I think Eri has some stiff competition, and I don’t mean for becoming Queen.

His face contorted in confusion. What do– Oh… Zira!

From behind him, he could hear her chuff. Meanwhile, he could only let out a sigh as the two elves looked to him with the same confusion he felt. Eri, on the other hand, merely gave him a curious glance.

“Sorry,” he said after a moment passed. “Zira decided to try and be funny… Anyway, shall we move on? I know Eri and Calinna have been taking turns, uh… Leading? Let’s go with that. They have taken turns leading the elves here as they gather resources.”

“What are you proposing?” Oralyn asked.

“Honestly? I think it would be better if the three of you decide that for yourselves. I am meant to merely sit back and observe.” Something I need to take seriously now that you all are here. He did not air that thought publicly.

“I see, then perhaps the three of us should discuss that and inform you?”

“If that is what you all wish for.” He glanced at all three elves but saw no objections. “Then I will take my leave.”

Felix gave them one last bow and stepped away with Zira following behind.

What is your serious impression of them? Do you think Eri will stand a chance? he asked, already detecting amusement from his partner. Thankfully, she realized he was not in the mood for jokes.

I think so, but it all comes down to you. Will you choose her even if she turns out to not be the best?

That was a hard question. On one hand, Aluin believed Eri was the best choice for the title of queen. He believed that as well. But, what if we’re mistaken? What if Oralyn or Calinna turn out to be better candidates? What then? Who will I choose?

Felix did not have an easy answer.

Relax, Felix, you will make the right choice. That much I am sure of. And I don’t think Eri would end your relationship. If anything, I think it would only make it stronger. The two of you are strong, and remember what she said?

Hmm?

Well, I was listening. She said she chose you. I think she knows there is a chance you might not pick her to become queen. Yet, despite that, she chose to be with you, even if it means that she will lose her chance.

He paused mid-step and considered Zira’s words. I…didn’t think about it like that. I was–

Too worried, I know. What she said about being forced to choose had me worried as well. But, in the end, she made her choice. You should do well to remember and accept that, just as I’ve come to accept the two of you being a…couple.

Felix remained silent until he felt Zira nudge him with her snout.

Come, she said, hop on. Let’s go for a flight.

Are you sure? Aren’t you still tired? he asked, facing her.

I am, but if we keep it easy, I’ll be fine. Besides, this is the perfect moment for just the two of us to be together.

Alright, he said, already hopping up onto her back.

Let’s go for a flight.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As day turned to night, and the work around the clearing slowly tapered off, Ithea found herself unable to sleep. There was a lot she was thinking about.

For starters, her training regime was going well. The elves alone were already showing improvement and Felix was getting comfortable at creating spells. There was Kyrith and Zira, as well. Those two were growing ever stronger as they exerted themselves in mock air combat.

But therein laid the problem for Ithea. Seeing her daughter preparing for war simultaneously made her feel proud and scared. Her pride came from the fact that she was a warrior herself, and seeing her daughter grow made her smile.

Yet, the fear came from the simple fact Ithea was a mother. While she and Zira had a tenuous relationship, that didn’t stop the subconscious side of her from worrying. Especially now that she was teaching her own daughter how to fight, and possibly kill.

It felt strange to her. Her heart had long since frozen, and only recently had it started to thaw. Old emotions she swore she’d never feel again, returned. Slowly, of course, but they were returning.

With them, Ithea was slowly changing. With them, Ithea almost thought she could enjoy life again. With them, Ithea started to hope…

And why not? She had a rare and valuable gift. Something she and Nevrim created together: Zira. She missed her daughter's hatching, a touchy subject in itself, but she swore to never miss another moment since.

She saw Zira’s first flight. She was actively watching her daughter grow. And now, she was almost sure she was watching something else happen. That something Zira wasn’t aware of yet. But Ithea knew it well…

As emotions and sense of duty roiled through her mind. Something appeared above her. Cracking an eye open, she wished it could have been Nevrim’s spirit. But as she tasted the mana radiating from the individual, she knew it wasn’t.

“Yarnel…”

“Ithea.”

The two stared at each other for several long moments before she decided to speak.

“Where have you been?”

“Hah! Do my ears deceive me? Here I thought you wanted me gone!” he responded.

Her eyes narrowed as she resisted the urge to strangle him, not that it would do any good… “I, personally, do not care. But a certain human has been wondering where you went.”

“Ah, Felix. Yes, well, I had to take care of a few things. You see, Ithea, I made a promise to him. I am to teach him magic–”

She broke out into laughter. “You? Teaching anyone?”

The small dragon floated down and crossed his arms. “Yes, I am going to teach Felix. He is the only one here who has recognized my worth,” he said curtly.

“Are you sure he wasn’t just humoring you?”

That took the wind out of his sails. “No… But not the point,” he exclaimed, recovering quickly.

She gave him a smirk. “Right… So where did you go? You’ve been gone for a while.”

“Humph! Like I said, I had to take care of a few things. Several experiments needed my attention, especially if I was going to be gone for a while. Besides, I had to inspect the barrier.”

“Is something wrong with it?” she asked suddenly and seriously.

“Hmm? No, but I did hear from the Sages and they wanted me to check on it. The array is working perfectly and I even added a few more crystals to the ritual.”

“Good.” Truth be told, that was one of the few things Ithea feared, they all did. The barrier was their strongest defense against the humans, even if it wasn’t perfect. Losing it would mean they were exposed. Thankfully, it was heavily guarded…

Ithea continued, “If all that is true, then why have you come to bother me? Especially in the dead of night? If you are looking for Felix then he is in the manor–”

“Right! I nearly forgot.” Yarnel held out a taloned hand and a letter appeared in it. “For you, though, shall I read it out loud? I know you tend to struggle with–”

She wretched it from his hands. “I can read perfectly fine. It’s your handwriting that needs work.”

Ithea immediately ignored the small dragon’s retort as she opened the letter and read its contents. A few seconds later, she swore.

“Trouble reading it?”

She gave him a death glare. “No, you idiot. It’s a summons. The Sages are holding a meeting and they want me there.”

Yarnel gave her a perplexed look. “And? I fail to see the issue.”

Ithea let out a grumble.

“I hate meetings…”