The World of Emns 1: The Crystal of Life

Even under the close guard of the elves, Olivia couldn't help but marvel at the sight of the elven city of Elmir. It wasn't at all like she expected. Not houses akin to Port, but with more nature depicting decorations on the roofs and walls. Instead, all of the houses Olivia could see were up in the trees. Mostly round platforms hung up above the trees. Some with pointed roofs angled down, others without any visible roof, being protected by the ancient trees they were hung on. Many rope bridges connected the individual sections, combining it all into one big city; a complex of structures, as if the ground below didn't exist to begin with.

Speaking of the ground below, there were finally proper paths for them to traverse. As far as Olivia could spot, though, they only led between different stairs and ladders that led up I to the city above them. Though there were wooden benches, and shrines with mediation places strewn throughout the woods.

Finally, a river streamed through the forest of Leafa, splitting the city in half from below. It was calm, and reminded Olivia of the lake at home. Perhaps if there wasn't a spear pointed towards her head she could almost feel as if she were home.

"Up we go, criminals," Captain Cordland boomed, pointing to a staircase that'd barely fit one person at a time. "And before I lose my patience," he yelled immediately before anyone had a chance to move.

One by one, they ascended the stairs, guards going up in front and behind them, until finally, they reached two large rooms, each with a thick tree trunk in the middle from floor to ceiling. Both were decorated with leaves, sticks, and vines going across the floor.

On the right, was something along the lines of a library, Olivia believed. At the very least, she could spot a few bookcases alongside a table which itself was held in place by the vines growing along its legs.

To the left was a throne. A square wooden throne with a woman on top of it. The woman in question had long, curly dark green hair and sparkling brown eyes. Her clothes were fancy, and well tailored, almost like she was a royal, but Olivia speculated she was the chieftain of the town.

There was an elven man in conversation with her. He had long white hair, golden eyes, and wore a long brown coat, which had grass growing from the inside of it as far as Olivia could spot.

To the left and right of the throne were two carpets with symbols on the floor. One of a rose with its petals forming a circle. The other, a wooden deer head.

"The symbols of Leafa, the goddess of nature, and Dellica, the goddess of animals," Nyx whispered as she noted Olivia looking at the carpets. She took a mental note of the two elves near the throne wearing the same symbols around their necks.

"Lorn Meadowfall is here too," Siedrain mumbled. "It might be more difficult to make our case to Estel when he's here."

Estel spoke. It wasn't in a language Olivia understood, but her voice was soft spoken and gentle. It felt like the warm sun was shining on Olivia through a window. She'd never felt such a powerful voice.

Lorn groaned. He was holding his temple and tapping his foot. Whatever Estel said to him, he didn't seem to be too pleased about it.

"My lady Springtune," Captain Cordland bellowed. "My apologies for interrupting you, but I have captured a few individuals including three humans and Siedrain Marellus whom I believed to be suspicious!"

"Siedrain?!" Estel jumped up out of her seat and danced over to Siedrain.

Lorn, on the other hand, was glaring at the party. It made Olivia slightly uncomfortable. As if them entering the forest in the first place had been a grave sin.

"How are things, Siedrain," Estel said softly as she came to a stop but an inch from his face.

Siedrain had a soft smirk on his face as he lifted his arms to show off the manacles. "Things have been better, but they've also been worse," he said in a surprisingly deep sounding voice.