Sekali, "The Sister City"

 

                                Chapter 70

 

     Sekali slept deep and long. He’d not known a better rest in years and years, even though within his sleep there were flashes of the Veleighen hunting him. But they were never aware of him.
He awoke to Uther and Finyat’s snoring competition. It was dark in the forest, but the trees illuminated the forest with a soft white glow all about him. Standing, he stretched and noticed three small basins of water close to a small fire, which had been rekindled to keep the water warm for them. He looked over at Uther and Finyat and decided to let them rest as long as they needed to.
He washed his face and hair, and reflected upon the connection of the two cities. As he pondered this mission, and its significance, his mind caught hold of an idea. These two nations could unite and bring more power to manipulate an enemy. There always was a counter to each of his thoughts, and this time was no exception, as a dark and sinister thought invaded his mind. If the Veleighen found the Sister City and found the shrine they were searching for, the repercussions of a takeover by the Veleighen would lead to war upon the Zurkel Mainland, and eventually even affect his own people, even the Sardakk Elves who are shrouded from the Living World.
     If nothing else held sway in all this, Sekali would undertake this quest for his own sake. This simply needed to be finished. Either the city would be raised, or the altar destroyed. Then the thought of slaying a city weighed down upon his heart.
     Finyat appeared seemingly out of nowhere. “Morning, Sekali, do you ever sleep?” Sekali splashed water on himself without looking at Finyat. Then he dried his face.
     “Yes,” Sekali said as he stood to see Uther sitting up and stretching.
     Finyat and Uther washed themselves and packed up their belongings.
     After securing their things, Finyat began to entertain himself by rolling some dice he’d found in his pack. Uther fidgeted impatiently as they waited for Aria to come to them.
     Soon after they were ready she came, and bade them follow her in silence. They did so and soon arrived within an area overgrown thickly with white trees. The most astonishing feature was the trees intertwined about each other, as though they had been woven since they were tender saplings. They seemed to create an excellent shelter in which there were many archways, alcoves, stairs and paths that led throughout the massive tree-structures. It was as if the very trees themselves had gifted the elves with a wondrous abode.
     They ascended stairs of living branches spiraling upward into the topmost boughs of the ancient grove. The three were led by Aria through a tunnel of living green, into a wide chamber where sat a long table of polished stone, much like the ones they had feasted upon. This table was easily ten paces longer. At the head of the table stood Ellianess and the man, waiting for the three to be seated. As they bowed to her, they were invited to eat and drink.
     “Friends, Daughter, we are sitting at council to discuss our next move. As one, we will enlighten each other . . . all present may speak freely, for all have a value in this crucial mission. All will be heard, and all will speak what words of wisdom they deem important concerning this mission. Eat now; we will counsel further shortly.”

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