I was interested in what my father had to say about the "Cuswoth" person, but that wasn't the first priority now. No, the first priority was to get these damn elves off of me! Even though they were passed out and unconscious, their hands were getting dangerously close to my chubby face.
And my rather unprotected stomach. And my feet.
Usually, my father would start humming a tune under his breath right about now, but his face was stone-cold, possibly because of the events of the ambush. Well, it was technically a "prank", but really…
Sigh.
There's no point in dwelling.
As we walked through the many trails of the Sherwood, I found that the realm of the elves was more mystical than I could have possibly imagined! Although the sound of music playing still remained fresh in my mind, I ripped myself away from the trough that was civilization and tried to absorb myself in nature.
Yes, this was good practice.
It didn't feel bad either. Very homey.
Trees, trees, and more trees. That's how I thought things would be for the majority of our travels, but I quickly realized just how wrong I was. Sure, there were trees— not a bad thing, of course; The way the sunlight danced and filtered like stained glass was pleasing to see, but it was soon overshadowed by the sheer abundance of life everywhere around me.
Not only were there normal animals (like deer, elk, wolves, sheep, etc.), there were magical plants as well! Giant dotted mushrooms of several colors towered up to the lower canopy, flowers twisted and bent as my father walked past them, and I was even able to see what my father called a Bog Zor, a large creature that looked like a mix between a bull and a sheep.
That was the thing in front of me right now.
Erm… shouldn't we get going?
Tapping my father, I opened my mouth.
"Words" spilled out.
"Abbaga? Bllurbhh…" I vaguely realized that drool was dripping from my mouth, and my lips were glistening. My father turned his head, looking at me with a peculiar expression before he broke out into laughter.
"Hah! Sounds like you want to pet him, Am-Am!" Smiling, my father glanced down at the two elves he was dragging along behind him. Throwing them to the side so as to not ruin the experience, he lightly tapped on Millie's face.
Startled, she immediately woke up.
Then, she opened her mouth…
No, don't do it…
Don't you dare cry now!
Fortunately, she stopped, closing her mouth like she was munching on an apple, looking at the Bog Zor curiously. I felt something lift as she babbled cheerfully, smacking my father a few times to let him know she wanted to get closer to the creature.
Sorry, Bog Zor.
I can't do anything about this.
Before I knew it, my father had grabbed both of us, whistling as he brought us over to the Bog Zor, who shrugged while letting out a low groan. Its beady black eyes looked like they were going to prosecute me as he sat down, shaking his shaggy mane. After a few shakes, he stopped.
Lowering his head, he nuzzled my father.
Hmm… such a "stoic" person interacting with nature.
This would be a great moment to capture.
Pat. Pat.
Millie patted the Bog Zor, and then once she realized its mane was incredibly soft, she pressed her cheek to it, smiling all the while. The Bog Zor simply stood and took it, shuddering slightly. It seemed to be overjoyed.
On second thought…
Extending my hand, I tapped my father.
"Don't worry Am-Am, you'll get your turn as well." Nudging my cheeks as if they were playthings, my father chuckled as he retracted Millie from the Bog Zor, who drooped quietly.
He then replaced Millie's hand with mine.
Soft…
It was damn near luxurious!
Silky, smooth, shaggy, everything!
How comforting…
Heh, this makes me feel quite happy…
Before I knew it, I was snuggled against the thing!
Sadly, our time was soon cut short much too abruptly.
BLAREE!!
The sound of a horn rang far in the distance as my father jerked his head at the sound. Bringing both me and Millie close to his chest, he muttered something under his breath as he grabbed Angie and Darius by their hair…
Yikes.
That was rough. I almost felt sympathy for them.
Running off into the distance, I was startled by the turbulence, but since Millie seemed to like my father's running pattern, she placed her head in a comfortable position and went back to sleep.
In this situation… just how? I guess babies need their sleep…
Whatever.
Darting through the forest, a sense of foreboding washed over me as the air seemed to get thicker. Up ahead, I saw a bright light, and something that looked like a clearing behind it! Good, we were close… It had been over two hours since we started on our little journey.
Running closer…
Faster…
And then…
OUT!
My mouth involuntarily curved up into a bright smile as I was met with the soft fragrance of all the seasons mixed together as one. The clearing itself was gigantic— it was large enough to fit a kingdom.
And that's exactly what was placed there! A kingdom.
Rushing past the many crop fields that bordered the area between the kingdom and the forest, I would have expected there to be a wall to border the place, but I guess there wouldn't be much reason. It was already protected by a rather strong illusion of some sort, anyway.
Instead of the "kingdom" being a separate entity from the "forest", it was like it had all melted together into one beautiful place. It was hard to tell where the dirt paths were replaced by pristine stone walkways that glistened in the radiant sunlight. And the buildings, hell, the buildings! Some were sprawled on the mossy ground, while others were carved into the surrounding… trees. Instead of trees, they seemed more like giants.
Their trunks were at least a thousand times larger than that of a normal tree, and they were a very nice caramel color, something that complemented the warm look of the surroundings. Their leaves (upscaled similarly) hung high above the kingdom, blocking light here and there, but overall, the view was amazing.
Spiraling walkways snaked between the buildings, which seemed to get more and more extravagant as one looked further. Far in the distance, probably where the clearing ended, I saw a palace that was so tall it looked as if it were touching the heavens themselves. From the gorgeous marble and wooden buildings, to the vine walkways that hung around everywhere, I was simply stunned.
Then, I saw the inhabitants.
And everything was complete!
Yes, this was how it should be!
The elves were everywhere, not noticing that my father was walking close to the edge of the kingdom border. Curious, I stared as my father stood at the very edge of the city's boundaries.
Raising a hand, he closed his eyes and whispered something.
I'm pleased to say I caught a few words this time.
"Serynth… ritual… children… princess…"
Interesting.
Serynth, the "Mother Goddess of the Bloom", as Sara would often say. Apparently, She was an entity that most elves prayed to— otherwise, they would be ostracized. I'm not sure whether She exists, but I'm going to use Her honorific name on the off-chance She does.
Can't be getting smited before I at least grow up.
Bringing his arm back, my father punched the air in front of him.
Shockingly, his fist connected with an invisible something, sending ripples along the border of the city.
Oh!
That's why no walls were needed.
There was some other form of protection.
Rrr-rrumble…
With the great sound of stone moving, I heard something click and shift in front of my father as he stood satisfied. Waiting for something, I expectantly tried to cross my arms, and failed regardless.
Humph… Just a few more years, you'll see…
"Oh, Iyad? Good timing!" A voice sounded from above.
Huh?
This suffocating pressure… Why does it feel like my throat is being clawed out? Where is it coming from? My heart, my heart is thumping against my chest… What's going on? The darkness, fuck…
Hell! This is why I need to understand! This is why… no.
Gazing upwards calmly, my father shook his head.
"Don't reveal your spiritual presence in front of the children, Cuswoth. Or should I call you what they all call you? Y'know, your real name?" My father chuckled as he gestured at all the elves within the kingdom, behind the border.
"Your name is M—" My father began to speak.
Phew… phew!
I could breathe again. Cuswoth had eased his "spiritual presence".
Just who was this man? I'm being pulled along like it's nothing…
A figure descended from the sky, lightly walking through the air as if he was going down a flight of stairs. He had a clear radiance to him, greater than Angie, or even Sara. There were large incandescent azure butterfly wings on his back that slowly melted back into his skin. The thin fog that had been obscuring the rest of his body disappeared as he was revealed to my eyes.
Damn, was he eye candy.
Again, I stand by my point! Ugly doesn't exist!
He wore simple white robes with golden embroidery in the pattern of flowers sewn onto them. Around his neck there were three necklaces made of what looked like gold, silver, and jade respectfully. His eyes were misty and reflective, like he was under a trance. Although his features were sharp, his gaze was soft, and his hair was tied into a bun, leaving some strands messy and free.
His voice was deep and booming.
Stepping onto the ground, the plants curved in toward him.
"Was the entrance necessary?" My father scoffed, staring intently at him.
"Only to awe the babies… is that Millie?" This man— Cuswoth— tightened his face slightly, before washing it away with a smile. Then, he glanced at me, and his smile further brightened. Apparently, he didn't care for Angie and Darius.
"Is he yours? What's his name?" Cuswoth's voice was silky smooth.
"Yes… Amir D'jan Lahan." My father said sternly, his joyous look gone.
Tapping his chin, Cuswoth muttered slightly, as my father spoke harshly.
"Now answer me. Why would you set your damn students after—"
Snapping his fingers, Cuswoth cut my father off expertly.
"Let's go— the dowsing is about to begin."