Tearha: The Number 139

Chapter Ten: Light

Cave walls reached up and around the Dark Citadel. Ores, droplets of waters, and traces of metallic impurities within the walls reflected the light from luminescence moss and the rare torches that humans carried, sparkling like stars and galaxies littering the sky. The cave moss also helped circulate the air. Four large stone pillars set at the four cardinal sectors of the city supported the ceiling, within each housed thousand of dwarven built apartments. A long and tall dwarven stone wall and gate guarded the only entrance into Ta'Galadul in the north. It kept open in times of peace, with citizens strolling in and out of the tunnel, going about their day.

Adelaide sauntered confidently into the city, walking side-by-side with a group of dark elf miners, pickaxe slung over their shoulders. She had always liked coming into the Dark Citadel. Though as the Demon Eyes, she was still a wanted criminal. But there, in the dark elf capitol, she could blend in, looking just like any of the locals without the judgemental glare of humans.

"You have been called for the plan?" one of the miner asked his companion. "An honour."

"To be given a chance to be a Rondia'Aelan is truly humbling." Her ears pricked to listen, but almost as if knowing she was there, the group's conversation degraded into banal chattering.

She knew the rough layout of the city, and knew where best to head to for information. While humans had their inns and taverns, dark elves had the aeronium pond. The streets were relatively empty. She could have taken a pole and twirled it around without hitting anyone. Dark elves were never known for their active social lives.

She continued down the path, following behind the miners that had overtaken her. Between the polished square dwarven houses were a few buildings that came after the age of dwarfs. Placed beside the architectural masterpieces, the dark elf buildings of cobbled stone and wood looked barbaric in comparison.

Splitting away from the group of miners at the next junction, she cut across the north-eastern ordinal street. Over her shoulder at the centre of the city, the boxed shaped Council Chambers stood towering and watchful over the city. She had always admired dwarven architectures. Though not as magnificent as the creation of nature, the mortal-made buildings had always looked aesthetically part of the backdrop. Unlike the slobs of human towns and cities pasted haphazardly onto a field of green.

She exited the street and onto the border road. More dwarven houses were built into the walls of the caves. Heading south along the walls, she saw the open area of the Aeronium Pond come into view. The pond was the liveliest spot in all of Ta'Galadul, though given the dark elves' seclusive nature, it wasn't more pack than a common human tavern. Even so, if she stayed near the gatherings, she was bound to overhear something.

She muttered to herself, "I wonder what this plan is." She noted on the miners' conversation earlier.

"Do you want to find out?"

She spun to face the figure that appeared beside her, her hand reaching behind for her axe. Then it stopped. She could not move, her body frozen when the sudden wave of emotion washed over her. She did not know how, she did not know why, all she knew was that the man that stood with her was responsible for the hair that stood at the back of her neck.

His hair shone even in the dark of the cave. Locks of gold and white that seemed to sparkle on their own. His face was smooth and bubbled with a cheerful smile. And his ears, human ears, poked out of his short, ruffled hair. With golden, cat-like eyes that seemed to stare into her soul, he wore a esteemed white suit that was clear to her even in the darkness. Silver embroidery lined the hem of the outfit. A black, polished leather boots the only dark colour on his person. Even an elf like her found the man handsome.