Halfling (editing in process)

Chapter Seven

The city was far more beautiful than anything she had ever seen before. She had thought the humans had appeared busy, yet the elves made them seem like sloths. Not only that, but the city itself; wild and untamed, made something in the center of her being sing. Giant trees were arranged around the break in the forest; spherical homes set in different heights and most connected to the other tree by rope bridges dotting the thick branches. While the housing seemed to be in the trees small shops and carts were set up underneath them with an assortment of fresh meats, herbs, and beautiful crystalline jewelry sitting out. There was even a wooden stable at the beginning of the city holding some of the biggest horses she had ever seen. Children ran here and there, laughing and carrying toy bows and quivers, while some older, solemn faced children followed behind their parents or stood guard at a shop; seeming more bored than aggressive.

The most beautiful sight was the giant tree that grew in the middle, not only dwarfing the other trees, but reaching so far into the air she couldn't see the top, or even begin to imagine how tall it actually was. The trunk of the tree was as big as the human guard towers she had seen, if not bigger. Spheres were set into the low branches of the tree like the rest, but she could see windows carved into the tree itself; revealing that quite a few sections of it were hallowed out. Elves moved in and out on every level; some wearing the garments of servants, but a few had robes and clothing that would suggest they held a high position in the city.

All the elves around her possessed the beautiful and sharp features and pointed ears that her mother's kind was well known for. She was uneasy despite the contentment in her heart; some were looking at her too closely, and some seemed to take great care to avoid her completely. She had rationalized the relic would be in the mother-tree, and had melded into the city until night fell; the thought of just walking into the place in broad daylight seemed foolish to her after all.

She spent the day instead exploring and hiding in the shadows; or, at random moments, sticking to a group of humans that looked as awed as she did. Animals scurried here and there, dogs playing with elven children between stalls, squirrels jumping through branches with a small container on their backs, even the birds seemed to come together to provide beautiful melodies to fill the clearing. The sun fell too soon for her liking and she was saddened that in just a short amount of time that she would have to leave. The elves were far different than the demons she was used to and she wished to see more of the city, to learn more about the culture that had been deprived from her. But if she stayed she would get caught, and most likely she would die.

An hour after the sun fell she found herself snaking through shadow, and soon found herself inside the Mother-Tree. It took her over an hour after that to find the relic room. Guards and servants were everywhere; the servants moving here in there in a swift and graceful dance that captivated her. The guards were what worried her the most; she had been seen once and had nearly gotten shot; but the guard, seeming to be too far into his cups for his own good, had shook it off as 'another servant not doing their job right'. The palace was much larger than she had previously thought and she suspected that magic had part in making the inside so big.

The relic room ended up being hidden in a secret passage, which she had only found because of the guard change, two guarded doors standing inside it, and the room itself was sealed so tightly she was barely able to get inside, even in her shadow form. Sitting on a pedestal inside was a gold band accented by gleaming green gems shaped like leaves. There was nothing else in the room; a small sphere of floating light above the pedestal provided a dim light, throwing shadows all across the room. She melded out of the darkness in front of the relic and looked down at it curiously. It emitted small pulses of energy that called to her in a voice she didn't understand. It was a woman's voice; soft and delicate. She shivered as it called her name. She was faced with a dual compulsion to take it and another to destroy it when the energy finally met with her demonic energy.

Her fingertips brushed the metal, goosebumps rising on her skin as warmth traveled up her arm. Someone behind her cleared their throat, causing her to nearly jump out of her skin and whirl around in alarm. Leaning against the door she had crept under was an elven male. In the dim light she could make out brown hair that fell in short waves around his head. His face held an angular and almost regal look; his green eyes pinned her in place as easily as a spell would. He stepped from the shadows, revealing he was cloaked in dark leather armor, and holding a very nasty looking bow, arrow ready and trained at her.

"I was wondering when you would show up." He commented, as if he was bored. "Your master is quite predictable; I wish it were him instead of his errand girl."

He moved closer and Aria felt a prickling sensation go up her right arm as she placed it on the pedestal behind her in an attempt to put pace in between the two of them.

"How did you know I would be here?"

"A half demon is easily sensed in city of mystical beings. I sensed you the moment you reached the city. That relic you were going to steal is very valuable to me and the city; so I'm afraid you have to die. Goodbye demon."

And the sound of the arrow whistling filled the air.

Seconds passed and no pain came. Aria opened her eyes and cried out in alarm when she saw the arrow an inch from her face incased in bark that had burst from the floor. She stumbled backwards, hit and knocked over the pedestal, and then proceeded to fall over it.

"That's impossible! She cannot bind to you!" The man yelled, rage in his eyes.

Glittering on her wrist was the gold band. It fit snuggly, and barely budged when she tried to pull it off.

"Get that off, filthy demon." He growled, both of them seizing as he grabbed her wrist. Before the light took over, Aria saw he had tattoos on his right arm in light ink, elven runes taking over the like the demonic ones on her left arm. Light consumed them both.