Powder, Smoke and a touch of Magic

Chapter 38: The Queen

As James stood before the magnificent throne, taking in the grandeur of the scene, the regal elf at the center leaned forward slightly, her golden crown catching the light. Her presence was commanding yet graceful, an aura of authority enveloping her.

Eragon stepped forward, his voice respectful and clear. "James, it is my honor to introduce you to Queen Islanzadí, the sovereign ruler of the elves and the heart of this great city."

James felt a surge of awe and respect. He bowed slightly, feeling the weight of the queen's gaze upon him. Queen Islanzadí smiled gently, her eyes reflecting a deep wisdom and understanding.

"Welcome, James," Queen Islanzadí said, her voice as smooth as a flowing river. "You stand now in Ellesméra, the heart of our realm. I have heard much of your unexpected arrival and your journey. We are eager to understand your purpose and how you come to possess such unique artifacts." She gestured gracefully towards the revolver at his side.

To her left, the red-haired elf regarded him with keen interest, her piercing eyes studying him. To the queen's right, the elderly elf, leaning slightly on his cane, nodded in acknowledgment, his expression calm and knowing.

Behind the throne, the two dragons remained silent yet watchful, their presence a constant reminder of the power and majesty that resided in this place. The blue dragon's eyes were steady and thoughtful, while the gold dragon's gaze held a mysterious, ancient wisdom.

James took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. "Your Majesty," he began, his voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in his chest, "I come from a place far beyond your lands, a world unlike this one. My journey here was not by choice, but by a series of unforeseen events. I seek answers and a way to return home, if it is possible."

Queen Islanzadí listened intently, her expression contemplative. "Your journey is indeed an unusual one, James," she responded thoughtfully. "The convergence of our worlds is a rare and mysterious occurrence. We shall aid you in seeking these answers and, perhaps, finding a way to bridge the worlds."

She paused, then continued with a hint of a smile. "But first, there are others who would meet you, and much for you to learn about our realm and the challenges we face"

"Thank you, my queen," James responded, bowing his head respectfully. "I'm grateful for the hospitality of the elves."

Queen Islanzadí inclined her head in acknowledgment, her gaze softening slightly. "You are welcome here, James. We understand that you are far from home and that this must be a bewildering experience."

James took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I don't know how or why I came to this world," he began, a note of confusion in his voice. "All I remember is that we had just escaped our captor and were flying as far away as possible."

"Captor?" Eragon interjected, his expression turning serious. He leaned forward, eyes narrowing in concern. "Who was your captor?"

James hesitated for a moment, then answered, "A man named Murtagh. He rides a large red dragon."

As the name left James's lips, Eragon's reaction was immediate and intense. His eyes widened, then turned white, a gasp escaping his lips. The air in the room seemed to grow colder, tension palpable.

Queen Islanzadí's expression became more guarded, her eyes flickering with a mix of concern and contemplation. The other elves in the room also reacted, the red-haired elf and the elder exchanging glances. Even the dragons behind the throne seemed to tense, their eyes sharpening.

Eragon took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Murtagh and a dragon" he murmured, almost to himself. He looked at James, his expression a mix of disbelief and dawning horror. "This... this changes everything."