CHAPTER 460: CHAPTER 460- EASTERN FOREST

The clouds were a cacophony of blue and white. A tranquil sight blessed by the rays of a sun that seemed to pulse in a dance of joy.

The beams of sunlight pierced through the heavens and came down with a warm hue over the tall trees of the Eastern Forest.

A home of nature and Elves. Mother Gaia’s blessing upon the world.

The trees were large and mystical. Old wood that would easily dwarf mountains and hills.

Their barks were rigid. Filled with the succulent juice of life that flowed through them like blood in the veins.

With this sap, the trees were forever strong. Forever rigid, and forever growing.

They possessed slender branches. Strong in build, but surprisingly flexible and yielding to growth-like changes.

It was on these branches, rooted apart with magical, structured engineering and construction, that the Homes of the Elves were built.

A broad division, stretching from wooden cottages to larger and more imposing houses lined spaciously apart on the flock of Trees anchored into the ground.

Vines and mosses stretched from House to House. A chain of roses added an allure to their buildings.

Ahead of these, at the epicentre of the Eastern Forest, as well as the Community of Elves, stood the largest tree, which housed the Royalties of the Race of long ears.

The Tree seemed to glow an ethereal green, which hummed to life.

The veins stretched from its old, ancient branches which failed to root.

And the moss grew across the bark of the Tree.

The top of which seemed to bow only to the heavens. Serving as the tallest pinnacle like a mountain surrounded by hills.

It always stood out.

This tree wasn’t just as attractive as the others, but by far the oldest and the source of everything.

From it, life drew to the rest of the Commune, strengthened it and provided the sap of vitality that flowed through them.

Its purpose had not just been reduced to its function, as it meant more than that to the beings of the East.

It was their life. Their symbol of hope and connection.

The deep tether they possessed with nature and their mother, Gaia.

This is the World Tree, the Mother Tree.

And from it, everything became.

Above the branches, anchored across the large and wide tendrils of the tree was the Elvin Castle.

A magnificent structure of Wood and cement, fixed together to the Tree as a pillar and solidified with Magic.

Tall columns of white stretched from the sides where heavily armed Guards stood in green, sharp and prepared.

Its rooftop was broad. Laced with concrete and tiles that reflected the rays of the sun in a glowing hue of gold and green.

And the rest of it was a projection of Elvin architecture.

Forged through years of practice and success.

And within the Castle, at the far corner, standing atop the shimmering rooftop was none other than the Prince himself.

He stood towards a column that stretched from the Castle’s walls, and his gaze scanned the world around him.

Or most especially, the young, golden-haired Elf receiving lectures on one of the giant branches.

Below the column, Tiara sat at the end of a branch. Resting her back while her attention was focused on a silver-haired female.

An Elf, like every other indigen, in green attire.

Her skirt was long, and a darker shade with a slit and her ears twinkled with the diamond rings that adorned them.

The Elf Queen, and Darrell’s mother, Cynthia Silvan stood with a grace that followed her actions and speech.

Her graceful movements flowed with the wind that hovered over the top of the trees.

Swerving the branches in a harmony too smooth to be made real.

Yet, everything about it was exactly that.

Darrell had also worn the same green, but he was putting on more of a combat wear than casual, like his mother.

While he watched and enjoyed the afternoon breeze, his thoughts wandered elsewhere.

’She was serious.’

The scene of their arrival played in his head.

The welcome feast thrown by his people and the speech his father had given him, personally.

Everything had gone well... just as expected, except Tiara.

’It was like the more time she spends with us...’

His eyes eased into a sadness he could not hide.

’She grew more detached.’

The lesson right now was Cynthia’s way of pulling Tiara into the political agenda of the world.

Both the Elvin and Human world, to take her mind off it.

But he knew that was simply a farce pulled by his father.

’They’re watching her.’

His frown softened and a sigh escaped her lips when his ears twitched.

From behind, two sets of footsteps echoed in the wind. Two figures appear as such.

Darrell placed his hand on the back of his neck.

"Time already?"

The figures walked to both of his sides.

Adorned in the same battle attire that Darrell wore.

A tight sleeveless vest and compact trousers of a darker shade of green.

Hung neatly on their back was a bow, but on Darrell’s, a bow, spear and magic staff was tightly clasped.

And on his waist, dual long swords.

"The King would not be happy if you missed a day."

The one on his left spoke.

A male, tall as him with a firmer build.

Dark hair cascaded down his head to his back and flowed with the wind while a similar diamond ring twinkled on his right ear.

Darrell glanced at the young Elf.

"You’re such a stickler for rules, Rowen."

"And your rebellious tendencies are a stickler for problems."

The second jabbed.

A much smaller build, and a female to boot.

Her silver hair, which was a carbon copy of Darrell’s and his mother’s, was tied into a ponytail.

Her combat wear did nothing to hide the curve of her body and the stern expression on her face did everything to explain what kind of person she was. Strict.

"Hah...geez..." Darrell muttered while Rowen choked his laughter.

The young girl, Nicole Silvan. The first Princess and Darrell’s immediate younger sister scoffed as she folded her arms.

They stood in silence for a moment. Their attention was drawn to the same scene.

"Brother, you come here every day... every night... and simply watch her, why?"

Nicole asked as her frown deepened while Rowen turned to Darrell, eager for a reply.

The young prince, though, remained silent.

The two waited, but just like usual, nothing came.

Nicole clicked her tongue as she turned to leave.

"Father should get rid of her before she becomes a real threat.

All this watching will do us no good."

Rowen hesitated for a moment, but slowly turned as well while he reached out for Darrell’s shoulder.

"We must depart for training, Darrell.

Sightseeing can always be done when you wish for it."

Darrell sighed as he turned to leave.

"Not this kind, Rowen. Not this kind."

The trio walked in silence towards a door-sized opening on the rooftop and made their way inside.

Soon the scenery changed, and the once bright outside had become slightly darker.

Now inside, they followed a series of stairs surrounded by white walls and a ceramic tiled floor.

One after the other, they reached it and began their way to their destination.

Darrell walked behind with his head resting on his arms and a small yawn escaping his lips.

He glanced around slowly, taking in the sight of the Castle as he always did.

The inside, just like the outward appearance was just as grand.

Spacious hallway, inferior to only a few was basked in white and bright sunlight from the open windows.

Placed apart on the walls were paintings and portraits of old legends.

Former Elvin Royalties and even a few Humans who had contributed to Elvinhood.

Amongst the paintings, Darrell had always seemed to stop at one where a divide into three new hallways stood.

The painting of a golden-haired Elf with a silver-haired. Two males. Two brothers.

’Our forefathers... the Moon and Sun Elves.’

They had once been together. Lived together... fought together.

But that all changed when the Civil War broke out and the divide began.

’Only for one of us to be whipped out years later by salvage humans.’

He scoffed at the thought as he walked on.

Trying to quickly make up the distance his partners had extended while he stood idle by.

’To think we are now at peace with a race that killed our brothers...’

But what could be done?

Punishment can’t be given to a whole when a small part was the cause... If not, redemption would never work.

For a while, a long one, he had lost himself to his thoughts and drifted from one thing to another without realising he had reached their destination.

It had become evident when the rays of the sun struck him once again, and the sound of a beast cooing softly.

His head immediately snapped to the source, just in time to notice Rowen and Nicole speaking with a figure surrounded by Guards.

He blinked once, then twice.

’Oh... Father?’ He wondered as he walked towards them.

They were now outside the tall Castle after having walked a while to get there.

And they stood atop the sturdy, large branches where Guards did their jobs in silence.

In his presence, the King of the Eastern Forest was having a deep conversation with a fellow adult Silver-haired Elf.

One who was adorned in the same combat wear as the others, with roughed hair tied in a ponytail and the face of a veteran fighter.

The Commander of the Elvin Army and the younger brother of King Derick Silvan, Collon Silvan.

"Father?"

Darrell called on getting to the group of four conversing while the guards prepped a beast beside them.

A wind wyvern. Its purpose was for quick movement. A sky beast blessed by the wind, and powerful enough to move with its currents.

There were only a few times when it was used... and most of them were for appearance’s sake.

And that would mean...

"Are you departing for the Human Kingdom, Father?"

The King stopped for a moment while Collon glanced his way.

"Hah, Darrell... I see you’re here for training as well." He said as he scanned his son from his head downwards.

The young prince shrugged. "You said strength is useless without daily practice... what choice do I have?"

The King chuckled while Collon laughed out loud.

"This kid, really," he said in between laughter, but Darrell ignored that.

After all, his question was still left hanging in the air.

Derrick nodded. "Yes, I will be going to the Capital soon."

Darrell arched his brow. "... but why? Aren’t we supposed to reduce our interaction with them?"

In return, Derrick furrowed his brow as his lips tugged slightly.

"Are you not aware?"

Darrell flinched with a weary gaze.

"...aware of what?"

Derrick shrugged his shoulders.

"A week has gone by, Darrell... today’s Rhabanz Dreau’s Trial."