Into the Arms of the Night

Chapter 15: The Elven Kingdom Part II

As the remnants of the elven entourage and their diplomatic guests finally rode up to the main entryway to the city of the Elves; Harry breathed a breath of awe to the feel of the intensely ancient and deep magic surrounding the Emerald Grove. It was everywhere and yet; seemingly nowhere to be seen by the normal eye at all. It was in the trees that shielded them and gave them defensive cover for their homes. In all the of the people here, their pets, and the livestock animals; their essences so full of vitality due to Life's protection.

It could be felt from every piece of soil, every vegetable, fruit, and crop on all the surrounding farms. The sturdy and magnificent homes; all rather luxurious no matter the class...they were built from the songs, earth elements, and pure magic of the elves into the trees and the other materials; warding away evil and protecting from disasters.

Tom eyed his mate a moment and wondered briefly if Harry honestly wished he could see right now. For Tom and his allies; they all were wide-eyed to the grandiose city built upon the tallest of trees they had ever seen; looking to reach the heavens amid the clouds.

Though their expressions gave nothing away to this.

The female scout then smiled, "Allow me to welcome our guests to the Elven homeland. This is our beloved land of forever Spring and greenery; the Emerald Grove. Right now, we are all in the lowest level of the city and typically the most populated due to the vast amounts of the farms and such here.

It is where most of the common folk live; though there are a few nobles and their families here, and this is where most of the vegetables, fruits, grains, and floral produce is cultivated and gown as there is the most abundance of fertile soil here. There are several small shrines to Lady Life scattered about portions of the area. Several families here are also livestock keepers or stable masters for the soldier's mounts, beekeepers for honey, Healers and medical aids for the common folk to turn to if needed, herbologists that help oversee the growth and health of the farms or aid the production of the plants for our apothecaries.

Among a large variety of other jobs.

This is where a wide variety of potions, salves, and other assorted elixirs are made and sold that can be bought through all levels of the city; special-order potions generally come from the apothecary guilds by request."

The female scout paused a moment, "There is also a large barracks down here due to the need for large amounts of soldiers to remain on alert for invasion or problems from the local wild-life; as evidenced by the presence of the night-prowlers we encountered. Those soldiers often patrol the forests too; but with everything we discovered...it is no surprise as to why we were caught off-guard by the large predator felines."

She spoke softly and as if with some sense of guilt or regret. Harry and Tom were silent; knowing they would need time to adjust and to accept what had occurred. What had been revealed to them all.

"We will ride soon up those long and wooden spiraling ramps to the secondary level. That is also where more of the common people are residing. The second level also is where the small-open market is that sells much of the mass-produced food, medicine, and other goods and is the second largest busy area. But it is mostly the housing district for most of the commoners."

She eyed them with a smirk, "I hope none of you are afraid of heights; the castle resides at the top-most area. Five levels up off the ground."

Harry suddenly grinned ferally, "I know that I won't be. I am a rather accomplished quidditch player, so being airborne is something normal. I don't mind it nor do I have to become used to being high up."

Tom smirked now, "Yes...you and your death-defying quidditch stunts."

Harry's grin only widened and became more feral, "Much to Draco's annoyance. It is why he never could hope to beat me. He couldn't stand to put his self-preservation traits on the line for the win."