We Do Exist

Prologue

A young elf Seer made his way quickly through the glowworm lit cavern hall, his dark blue robes swishing silently. His footsteps echoed softly on the moss ridden floor, mixing harmoniously with the sound of water trickling down the walls. His dark features were knit with worry. He stumbled down the steps into the throne room, barely maintaining his balance in his haste. The Fae King was a High Elf with long midnight black hair that made his fair skin seem to glow and a simple crown of birch branches perfectly circled his head. His brilliantly green eyes were without pupils and lost in thought as he stared upward. He sat upon a natural throne that was covered in moss coaxed into growing on the stone, opposite to the entrance of the enormous cavern that made up the throne room. A shallow pool of water filled with bioluminescent plankton covered the main center of the cavern, with seven stepping stones crossing it. The cavern glowed a soft blue-green from the plankton and the glowworms on the walls. Large fireflies glided freely above, giving the appearance of stars amongst the black of the cavern ceiling. The young Seer caught his breath and flattened his messy copper brown hair before he bowed low at the edge of the pool. The King waved for him to continue.

"Your majesty," the elf spoke softly, "my name is Calarel Xillan. I have foreseen a future that does not bode well for our realm. In my vision," The young Seer stopped abruptly as the King rose from his throne, watching the fireflies in silence for several moments, before addressing Calarel.

"Young Calarel, you are new to Seeing, yes?" The King questioned, his deep voice echoing in the cavern. The elf nodded in response. "Then how can we be sure that you did not misinterpret the Sight? The High Seer has not come to me with such urgency. Perhaps you need a bit more practice before bringing such nonsense before your King." The King's eyes were clearly amused, though his face was stern. Calarel bowed low as he backed out of the throne room, gritting his teeth in frustration.

"Calarel, you should write down your visions when you have them and then compare them with your fellow seers," the High Seer spoke gently, "the King is not so quick to listen to us. He is proud and he does not wish to cause panic among the realm. We elves are the only ones able to see into the future so the other Fae depend on us. Put your visions in a book and then bring them forth. I apologize that I forgot to mention how we advise the King. Old age comes quickly when you have lived many centuries."

The High Seer patted Calarel's hand gently, his green eyes twinkling amongst the wrinkled skin of his face. Calarel and the High Seer worked many long nights putting together Calarel's own Book of Seeing that would last centuries. The cover resembled storm clouds, with shades of grey marbled all over, and the Tree of Life embroidered in gold and silver in the middle. Calarel engraved his name on the back cover at the very bottom in ocean blue. After a day of rest, he took his book of Seeing and opened it to the first page. He dipped a Phoenix feather in emerald green ink and held it above the page, closing his eyes and allowing himself to be taken over by the Sight. Slowly the words melted on to the page. He opened his eyes and read the small paragraph before him. After allowing the ink to dry, he gently shut the book and carried it delicately to the High Seer's room.

"High Seer, this Sight does not make sense to me. This cannot be possible, can it?" Calarel watched anxiously as the High Seer read from his Book. A frown upon his face, the High Seer gently shut the book and handed it back to Calarel.

"It is possible, but in all my centuries they have never existed. I have seen them appear in my own visions over the last century though. Perhaps it is time to inform the King." The High Seer's wrinkled face became anxious as he pondered the possibility.

"Sire, I'm afraid I have some terrible news," the High Seer bowed his head, as old age made it harder for his body to bow low. The King glance up at the ceiling and then motioned for the High Seer to continue.