Richard Tuttle - Elvangar

“We meet again, Marak,” smiled Avalar as the two groups closed with each other. “I am indebted for your help on the Island of Darkness.”

“And we are all indebted to your people for hiding Angragar so long ago,” replied the Torak. “May I introduce, Lyra, the Star of Sakova, and Rejji, the Astor and King of Fakara.”

“Let us go to the palace and have refreshments while you rest from your journey,” suggested Rejji.

“An excellent idea,” nodded Avalar. “We are not staying long in Angragar. I am anxious to return to my people, but there is a favor that I would like to ask of you.”

“Whatever I can do for you,” replied Rejji, “will be done. What do you need?”

“I wish to be properly dressed for my return to Elvangar,” stated the elven king. “I also want my daughters to be presented properly. Are there tailors in Angragar that can accommodate me?”

“There are many fine tailors in Angragar, “ frowned Rejji, “but how will they know what to make?”

“Tamar mentioned that he saw some people in this city wearing elven garb,” replied Avalar. “He could also consult with the tailors to advise them.”

“I forgot that Angragar was trading with the elves when it was preserved,” smiled Rejji. “Everything is exactly as it was when the city was abandoned. I will arrange for it.”

“Excellent,” smiled Avalar as the group started walking towards the palace.

Marak dropped back and draped his arms over the shoulders of Mistake and MistyTrail.

“Princesses, eh?” the Torak smiled. “I can’t wait to see the two of you in proper clothes.”

Both Alahara and Alastasia scowled at Marak, and they both gently jabbed him in the side.

“I am truly happy for both of you,” smiled Marak. “Your father seems to be a man you can look up to. Don’t trouble him too much.”

“Too much?” chuckled Alahara. “We would never trouble him at all.”

“Right,” laughed Alastasia.

Avalar heard the laughing behind him. He looked over his shoulder and smiled. When the group reached the palace, Rejji snapped off orders to his men. Food was brought into the courtyard, and tailors took measurements. The meal was informal, and people came and went during it. Marak took Rhoda aside and had a long discussion with her. Tamar and HawkShadow sat in a corner and discussed tales of each other’s homeland. As dusk approached, the clothes that Avalar requested were delivered. He excused himself and took the princesses with him. They were gone a long time, but when they returned, everyone stared in silence.

Avalar, Alahara, and Alastasia were dressed in gowns of pure white tyrik silk with gold edgings. Their long hair flowed down their backs, their pointed ears protruding through the hair. On their shoulders were golden crests.

“What a beautiful sight you present,” smiled Lyra. “What do the crests signify?”

“It is the crest of Kieran,” answered King Avalar. “As king of Elvangar, I am the head of the Kieran line. My daughters will follow my rule when my time is over.”

“I hope that is not anytime soon,” interjected Marak. “Will the elves stand with us against Vand?”

“I cannot answer your question, Emperor Marak,” frowned King Avalar. “I have been gone too long from my people. Elvangar is troubled right now. That is the reason for my need to return promptly. I can promise you that we will not be your enemies. I am impressed with what I have seen during my short stay here. The stories told me by Alahara and Anastasia add more to the image of your righteousness, but I must do what is best for the elven people.”

“Understandable,” nodded the Torak. “Will we have contact with you in the future?”

“We will,” nodded King Avalar, “even if that communication is to inform you that the elves will remain lost to others. Now we must go.”

“It is almost dark,” Rejji declared. “Will you not wait for morning?”

“No,” replied King Avalar. “I wish to time my arrival in Elvangar for when the people are awake. That requires me to leave now. May we meet again under favorable terms.”

* * *

“Alamanda,” pointed Tamar as the setting sun reflected off the white piles of rubble. “Should we dock there and gather my warriors?”

“There will be no fighting upon our return,” King Avalar shook his head. “Either the people will accept me as the rightful king, or they will not. I will not kill them to ensure my rule.”

“That’s good,” frowned Princess Alahara. “I feel naked without my knives.”

“You should have no need of knives,” smiled King Avalar. “You are a Kieran. Knives are ineffective compared to your other powers.”

“If we had learned to use those other powers,” frowned Princess Alastasia. “We never finished our lessons with Garl.”

“If Garl still lives,” promised the king, “your lessons will continue.”

“What will you do with our mother?” asked Alahara. “She will want to put us back in prison.”

“Or worse,” worried Alastasia.

“She will have to imprison me first,” vowed Avalar. “While I will not fight to regain the throne, I will die to protect my daughters. I cannot imagine Alycia as the woman you described to me. I fear that she is under the power of Karaza. Whether it breaks the law or not, I will kill that evil mage. He is a disgrace to the elven people.”

“Be careful,” warned Alastasia. “We have just found our father. We do not want to lose you again.”

Avalar smiled broadly and wrapped his arms around his daughters.

“You will never lose me again,” promised the elven king. “Not until I die.”

The ancient elven scout ship sailed through the night with each of the crew taking a turn at the helm. As the morning sun broke the horizon, Tamar guided the ship through the protective illusion that hid the channel to Morada. King Avalar walked to the bow and stood staring at the distant Gates of Elvangar. Alahara and Alastasia soon joined him and split up to flank him. He reached out his arms and draped them over the princesses’ shoulders.

“It is beautiful,” remarked Alahara. “I could not envision it from your description, MistyTrail.”

“Alastasia,” Avalar corrected with a smile. “It will be hard for the two of you to adjust to Elvangar, but your names must be the first step. You are princesses of the Kieran line. Never let anyone forget that.”

“You appear tense, father,” frowned Alahara as she felt her father’s arm stiffen as the Gates of Elvangar approached.

“I am,” admitted the king. “From what Tamar told me about Elvangar since my departure, I am concerned for our reception. There will be sentries atop the Gates of Elvangar. The queen will be alerted to our arrival before we finish passing through the channel. I can only presume that Karaza will know as well.”

“There will be boats waiting for us on the other side,” warned Alastasia.

“Yes,” nodded the king. “That is as it should be. Do not attack them. They will not harm us.”

Everyone fell silent as the scout ship entered the narrow channel between the massive stone walls of the Gates of Elvangar. The scout ship glided silently through the channel. When the channel emptied into the harbor of Morada, the sun was shining bright upon the city.

Instead of two boats of armed soldiers waiting for them, dozens of ships lined the way to the docks. Cheers erupted from the passengers of the ships, and the soldiers bowed low as the king passed by. Horns blared from all over the city, and Avalar could see people running to the docks. His lips widened and parted in a broad smile. He raised his right arm and waved to the bowing soldiers.

“Could this be a trick?” asked Alahara. “Or would the citizens welcome you without the blessing of the queen?”