Avaleade: An Old Elf's Tale

Chapter Two

"Sis!" Mier groaned, "Not now! It was getting good!" he shoved his sister agitatedly.

"Ow! Mier, stop!" she cried, pushing her brother back weakly. The two started arguing rowdily in their father's lap.

Asaal wished for Avelynn to be there, and the thought made her chest ache. Avelynn, the First Oracles' mother, was a wonderful Queen, an inspiration, truly. In the short time of her rule with her husband, she formed many of the organizations that Avaleade depends on today, such as the Vallüne, an organization that is pro-Fae in Balatane, keeping Fae from being denied rights simply because they are migrant and own no land.

The late Queen, being a Noble Human, also had a Gift from their Draconic creators. Her Gift was an ability that allowed her to calm those around her if she so pleased, filling them with pure tranquility.

Whenever children got rowdy like the current Oracles, she would simply smile, and suddenly the children were at peace once more. Memories of Lady Avelynn and her children brought a deep ache to her chest.

The cruelest part of a Sea Elf's long life would be the many dear friends lost to the years, and Asaal's memories were excruciatingly detailed, as if it were only yesterday, and she could teleport right to the castle to visit them once more.

"Your Majesty?" Kohbo spoke gently, seemingly afraid to have upset his host.

"Oh, I apologize," Asaal smiled, coming back to the present, "Forgive my rudeness, I was just remembering someone who was once close to me."

"I'm sorry for interrupting," Salen frowned.

"And I'm sorry for starting a fight," Mier chimed in, looking equally as guilty.

"Oh, dear children, fret not. How would a hot cup of tea make everyone feel?" Asaal changed the subject quickly,

"I'm thirsty." Salen admitted shyly.

"Just one moment, then." The queen stood stiffly and made her way to the door. She whispered a spell into her palm, creating a small ball of light to appear. The ball whispered her words back at her, and she listened to ensure her spell had understood her properly. Once satisfied, she opened the door a crack and uttered the command. She let the light wander with purpose down the hall, then she returned to her seat.

"It will only be a moment. Please, feel welcomed to stretch your legs." She offered them. They complied anxiously. She had fully come back to the present, and rejoiced to see such healthy young children, so full of life and emotions.

What felt like mere moments later for Asaal, there came a tap at the doorway, followed by Saou's voice.

"Refreshments for the Oracles and their father, Your Majesty."

"Ah, thank you very much, dear. Please come in with the refreshments." she waved her slender hand dismissively.

Saou served the Oracles each a brew of sweetened tea, while Kohbo's glass contained a more mature beverage. He silently thanked the queen while his kids dug happily into the snack cakes that accompanied the tea.

After the children ravaged most of the snacks, the Elven queen asked if they were quite ready to continue.

"Yes! Yes!" they cheered in unison, bouncing eagerly, "What was falling from the sky? What was falling from the sky?"

~*~*~*~

We looked up to see an explosion of water come from within the mountain. Water had erupted and was falling right towards us now. At first, I thought nothing of it for Balatane was known for having a unique water system within the mountain, and often would create new waterfalls. I remember thinking to myself that it was a shame one had to appear right before this gate, it would make travel a bit more taxing.