A Knight's Lilies

“Adventuring teams can be deployed solo or as large groups depending on the situation. Particularly troublesome requests such as a monster stampede or subjugating something akin to a cyclops or a dragon can see dozens of teams if not hundreds pulled together to counter these threats. Other times, a guild hall might specifically request the presence of one of the larger teams like “The Stonewallers'' that have a membership of up to fifty adventurers. The major difference is that in a mustering (the first instance), it generally involves other city guilds as well including Pathfinders and Mercenaries. Whereas the other option (the second instance) is likely a more Adventurers Guild specific task.”

- Fmr. Mithril Ranked Adventurer Alyx Wyatt, Ostian Branch, “Trivia of the Guild, Explained”

It had already been another week. Sophie had already gone off to her next commission with Mila and Hanabi. The ex-saintess had only occasionally said hi, given that she was in a different academic tract studying commerce and theology. Both fields that seemed to ill suit the rebellious girl but ones she seemed at least happy enough partaking in. Still, it was because of her that the girl joined up with Sophie and Mila, becoming the third member of ‘The Lily Knights’, much to Ary’s own chagrin. She was odd, but after seeing her effortlessly demolish a door during an impromptu training session, they agreed that firstly, being a saintess was unfair, and secondly, her ability to simply be inhumanely powerful would be pretty useful.

Beyond that, Sophie wasted no time in bullying Ary by always pulling her cheeks and chiding her by calling her ‘troublesome’ before they kissed. By now, Ary’s cheeks were just a little more stretched given that they tended to kiss a lot in any given week. It did, at least, provide entertainment for Yana. The faerie acting absolutely delighted by the two’s strange displays of affection.

Though that first week after Sophie was released from custody had been hectic. Time simply passed as it always did and there was a strange sense of calm on this Caeus. The only thing that annoyed Ary was that whenever her weekend started, Sophie would have to start her work. For now, it was fine, it was only the second weekend. But she wondered how tiring it’d feel when they run the gamut of the full six months of service.

Today was special however. For after having greeted the Calnodel siblings earlier in the week. Ary was about to have her own adventure, one that even she was a little anxious about. For they had invited her to check out their workshop. One that was within the elven quarters.

Ary absently toyed with her braid, shrugging this way and that as she tried to make sure her clothes didn’t get too sticky from her sweat. There was a sense of almost doing something forbidden to the whole ordeal. A sense that she was about to step foot onto sacred ground. A bizarre notion but one supported by just how different the elven quarters looked compared to the rest of the city.

Even from a street away, she could already see the tall treehouses that loomed over some of the walls. Greenery covered turrets and towers jutted out from the otherwise standard city defensive walls. Vines twisted and turned around the outside, coating the bare battlements in verdant cloak. It was an oasis of tranquility that dominated its own section of the busy city’s skyline.

There was, perhaps, one more caveat to her visit. She wasn’t travelling alone. Or rather, she was travelling alongside other students before they departed for their own destinations. Beside her, Alodie bobbed excitedly in unison with her, though Ary’s was more of a nervous bop. Leading the two was the elf MIraevie. The grouchy elf, likely annoyed at having to babysit the two of them, remained upright and proper, practically exuding a noble air around her. Noticing Ary’s gaze, she turned to glare quizzically at her. Ary just smiled back.

Miraevie sighed, the elf’s ears wiggling a little when she did so. Though unlike Sophie’s own little wiggles, this one was much like its owner. Refined, sophisticated, and expertly controlled.

“Isn’t this so cool? We’re actually getting into the elven quarters. I get to see Miraevie’s house! And you, your friends the Nodels!” Alodie squealed.

Invigorated by her friend’s excitement, Ary bobbed a little more vigorously than before, “Ah! Yeah! A little nerve wracking though!”

“Eheheh. Maybe. But I bet Miraevie will protect us!” Alodie boldly declared, earning the two another tired sigh from the elf.

“Lucky. Sophie’s going to always be busy now.” Ary pouted.

“Aww.” Alodie joined her with a pout of her own, “At least you have us. Right?” She said with a twinkle in her eye.

“Yeah!” Ary affirmed, catching some of the Ostian’s energy.

“Besides,” Alodie beat her chest, “I bet Sophie’s part super elf or something with the way she does things.”

“Half elf.” Miraevie interjected from ahead of them, “She’s a half elf. The distinction matters.”

Alodie stuck her tongue out before turning back to Ary, “Super human, super elf. Half and half. Sophie’s a super hulf”

“Pfft.” Ary snickered, “A hulf. Hahah, does that mean she's my... better hulf?”

“Eheheh.” Alodie giggled.

“Eheheh.” Ary joined in.

The two continued giggling for another minute until they were in the shadows of the elven quarter. The massive city walls and accompanying foliage cut into some of the sunlight. MIraevie snapped her fingers and the two quickly quieted down.

Standing at attention near the quarter’s gates were a small detachment of elven guardsmen. Slightly more lithe than the ceremonial redcloaks flanking the streets. They somehow looked more intimidating in their strangely angular armor with sleek blades and bows holstered in place. Their eyes flickering onto the oncoming trio, assessing them for any potential threats

“Let me do the talking.” Miraevie hissed.

The two stuck a little closer together and nodded profusely, aware that the elves saw humans with a less than flattering opinion at the best of times. Still, there was something ‘different’ about their mannerisms compared to their human counterparts. Something that she had even noticed back at the foothills of the Frostwind with the druids and the forest rangers.

Under their watchful gaze, Miraevie walked up to what appeared to the head guard and made a symbol with her hands.

“Saeve herster.” Her voice suddenly changed pitches, her words sounding more peaceful than the usual pointed tone she spoke in.

“Fraencuss.” The guard replied.

Ary traded a glance with Alodie, the girl mostly just watching intently at what happened. They were now in a world that was not entirely theirs to control. The two waited with bated breath as Miraevie augmented her words by occasionally gesturing to them. Like some creepy performance, Ary also noticed how some of the soldiers would follow the elf’s movements, as if the humans were beneath notice until mentioned. How pleasant.

“Hella er mum mest.” Miraevie pointed at Alodie, who eked out a small smile in return, “Mius gespes.”

“Hui med um?” The guard barely gave Ary a glance.

“Gespes Calnodel.” Miraevie replied. Gespes, I guess that means ‘guest’.

Though the word was spoken differently. The echo of ‘Calnodel’ reached Ary’s ear clear as day and her chest tightened a little, still intimidated by unflinching gazes of the stony faced guards. She edged a little closer to Alodie, the other girl giving her hand a soft squeeze.

“Sontur.” The guard merely uttered.

Miraevie turned to the two, “Do you guys have your identification and papers ready?”

The two nodded in unison. Ary only hoped hers was enough. Where they both used their student ids for self identification, it turned out that entering the elven quarters for unaffiliated elves or other persons required at least some form of ‘invitation’ or proof. Miraevie had obviously written out her invitation to Alodie, clearly and properly in letter form. Art was just surprised at how bad Maylesa’s handwriting was and the fact that the only official thing about the notebook paper she was given apparently had House Calnodel’s seal on it. It couldn’t look any more suspicious, could it?

Miraevie held out a hand. Ary painfully handed over her document. Hoping the guards didn’t mind how unprofessional it looked. Judging by how the main guard’s brows raised a little, she could guess that he wasn't that impressed. Though his attention lingered over to the Calnodel seal.

Ary gulped and waited. The guard motioning for Miraevie to help him look at something. The elven girl’s face scrunched up as she tried to read Maylesa’s handwriting. He evidently saw something disagreeably and gestured at Ary to approach.

Reluctantly separating from Alodie, she shuffled forward.

“Name, profession, reason for visit.” The guard demanded, his eyes not even leaving the paper.

Oh shoot! “Ahh, ehum, Aryana Frostfyre.” She winced a little saying her last name, the grimace not going unnoticed.

“Name, check. Next.”

“Student. Academy of Arteria.”

“Profession, check. Next.”

Ary sweated a little, hoping that whatever she said would pass muster in the eyes of the elf. “Ummm, we’re collaborating on a project. Ah, but it’s also a social visit because we’re friends.” She answered.

“Oh?” The guard scoffed.

He silently pulled out a small notebook and pen, scribbling methodically into it.

Worried, Ary looked at Miraevie who just shrugged. Wow, real helpful, Ary wanted to snark.

To her surprise, the guard simply pointed at Alodie. The girl looked a little startled, but moved forward to reposition herself between Ary and Miraevie. She fidgeted a little with her fingers as the guard just quietly examined her, not even bothering to ask the same questions that he had posed to Ary. He then turned to Miraevie, who nodded.

“I vouch for her.” Miraevie spoke in common.

The guard frowned a little but handed both sets of papers back before glaring at Ary. Did I do something wrong?

“Make sure you are gone by the second bell.” He stated.

Ary’s confused expression must’ve alerted Miraevie who just mouthed ‘I’ll tell you in a bit’.

Taking her cue, Ary replied to the guard, “Got it.”

Seeing his job was done, he made a series of hand gestures and the gates to the elven quarter slowly but smoothly swung open, not a creak to be heard. As the gears operating the gate ground to a halt, the guard held out one hand to usher them through.

“Behave yourself and ensure that you stick to your hosts at all times.” He finished with an accusatory glare at Ary that made her flinch.

Still uncertain, she and Alodie remained in place until Miraevie finally moved, the two shuffling behind the elf as the guards seemed immediately bored of their presence and turned their attention back to the city streets.

Stifling a sigh, Ary ended up reaching for Alodie’s hand and giving it a squeeze, the girl returning a nervous one of her own.

As a soft breeze brushed against her face alongside the gentle sun danced upon her skin. She was greeted with the faint swaying of trees and rustling leaves, of glamorous spires both gaudy yet rustic in equal measure. Of another strange land not quite her own. Hah… that checkpoint… we made it in.

A massive structure made of tree, marble, and other enchanted materials dominated the skyline of the elven quarter’s main street. It was like a fortress that stretched upwards, entangled within a tree that gave it the appearance more of an organic superstructure than just tree or fortress alone. An aura of peacefulness emanated from it, as if the mere presence of it was enough to calm the lands around it. Something helped by how serene the elven quarter was compared to the rest of the city. Even straining her ear, it was as if the hustle and bustle of Arteria had simply vanished, or at least faded into the distance as nothing more than soft murmurings.

Still, the peacefulness felt more like a false sensation. For every time the trio passed any other elves, Ary could feel their gazes burn into them. Hoping that it was a gaze of curiosity rather than judgement, though she somehow doubted that. From the building itself, she could see sentries on the walls, ever vigilant despite protection afforded by the city around it.

Sel’Nir Tirin. Watcher of the Eternal Green. Or at least that’s what Miraevie said it was called. It was the nerve center of the elven presence within the city, the hub in which anything of importance was discussed. And also where the presence of outsiders was expressly forbidden.

Which made the next part of their journey just a little more awkward.

“I have to emphasize. When you are leaving” Miraevie stared into Ary’s eyes, “either have one of them escort you to the gates. Or tell them to send a messenger to House Eleaster or Starcatcher so that I can have a retainer or myself bring you there. Got it? It should be before second bell which means around eight at the latest.”

“Got it.” She affirmed with a whisper.

“While my people doubtless possess more skills and patience than most. Those in charge of security are… tense at all times. So don’t wander.”

“I know.” Ary glumly nodded, the warning duly noted.

Because her immediate problem was that House Calnodel was located dangerously close to Sel’Nir Tirin. Their manor being practically under the shadow of the fortress save for another house or two separating it. Even from here, she could feel attention landing on the group from the fortress. From where exactly, she had no idea. Only that uneasy feeling of being watched.

Ignoring the fortress, she turned to stare at the multi-story manor ahead of her. It was grand even by Arterian standards, but just as the design was almost alien in comparison to the human city. There was another alienating factor, she had no clue of elven etiquette.

Should I knock? Is there a button? What do I do? She turned to Miraevie and Alodie, the two watching her with an equal amount of curiosity. Though Miraevie seemed more expectant than anything. After what felt like an agonizingly long minute, Miraevie seemed to finally catch onto Ary’s confusion and sighed.

“Just knock? They are expecting you, aren’t they?”

“But hatires-I mean elvish etiquette…” Ary muttered.

“That’s your problem after you’ve entered the household. Aside from that, we’re just people too.” Miraevie clicked her tongue.

“Sorry.” Ary mumbled.

Alodie just giggled a little but offered Ary an encouraging thumbs up.

Chided and supported, Ary swallowed her fear and knocked on a wooden double door. A hardy few knocks as she felt how strangely thick the doors were, wondering if her knock even echoed to the inside. So, she did the only thing she knew to do, she waited.

After a quiet few moments, there was a distinctive click, clack, and clank as something was removed or moved on the inside, the noise barely reaching her ears.

As the doors gently opened and an onrush of the smell of baked goods assailed her, she was met by a small entourage. An elf dressed in a butlers uniform stared at her, flanked by two guards wearing pale green uniforms. Their gazes were far from friendly. Woah. Talk about a cold reception.

Ary bowed politely. The butler sighed before shifting a little.

“A human at our prestigious doorstep.” He spoke in common, oozing out an air of disappointment.

Ary let out an internal sigh of relief at being able to at least understand what he was saying.

“The young master and young mistress have informed us of your planned arrival. Heavens help us.” He muttered the last words, his disdain of her made more than clear.

“That’s me. Aryana Frostfyre. Guest of Thalnor and Maylesa Calnodel.” Ary bowed again.

She saw the man’s feet turn to the side a little.

“Komina Eleaster?” He spoke in an elven dialect to her escorts.

“We travelled in a group. Same circles.” Miraevie replied in common, shooting Ary a small wink, “We’re just here to drop her off.” She motioned to Alodie who quickly also bowed.

The butler sighed and offered a polite dip of his head of his own.

“Well, if the lady of House Eleaster vouches for you then I suppose you won’t cause too much harm. Come then.” He rudely turned on his heels and started walking away.

Before she disappeared into the house, she made sure to wave goodbye to the other two. The two returned the gesture in kind. Steeling herself, she took in a deep breath and stepped forth into a house filled with the ticking and clicking of dozens of magitech creations. Into a world far beyond her own, but one that filled her with excitement. Because for the first time in a while, she finally had thought up a request of her own. An idea to present to the siblings. Heh.