Song of the chapter - I See Fire by Ed Sheeran

After over a week of travel, road weary and dust covered, Zolen informed Eliana that their journey was at its end.  They had arrived, apparently, but to her, things seemed exactly as they had during the entire time. Dense forest greeted her at every turn. The trees were just as tall, the sky just as distant.

"How in the world do you even know where we are?" she asked as Zolen dismounted his steed and began to untie his supplies.

"The color of the leaves, simply." He shrugged.

Eliana took a closer look around and gasped. The leaves were a much deeper green than she had come to expect. It must have been a gradual change as they traveled, not being something she noticed immediately.

"Why? What does this mean?"

"It means that a large supply of Starlight is near, feeding these trees more so than the rest of the forest. The only supply left in the Ferlands large enough to do that is in Travor. Therefore, we have arrived." He explained as he continued to unpack and make his way to the campsite. With as many Fae warriors traveling together as their group contained, it was challenging to find an open site to fit all of them. Additionally, being in the open was not a good option for a troop attempting to catch the enemy unaware. The army had grown accustomed to finding a spot where the trees opened up enough for two or three to lay across the path, then spreading out through the forest floor.

Eliana followed Zolen to his designated site, placing her own items nearby. "When do we go into Travor?" she asked, curious about this capital containing the starlight they had been seeking, as well as Claec.

"You do not. A small contingency of leaders will enter the walls as darkness falls. It is not wise to travel during the light."

"And why am I not to attend with this contingency?" Eliana asked, irritation clear in her voice. "After traveling all this way, I can't see this place?"

"Oh, you will, be assured of that. However, you are to be kept hidden until the time comes for our attack. Has Blaike not informed you of our battle plan?"

At the mention of his name, Eliana's heart fell, still too raw with pain to be near him. "No, he hasn't. Why don't you do the honors?" she added.

"Indeed. Blaike, myself and two other generals will make the trip this Star rise to investigate the climate of the town." Zolen leaned in close, "By climate, I do not mean the weather...I am referring to the people and their loyalty to the dark leader."

"I picked up on that meaning, yes." Eliana assured him, somewhat amused by his use of figurative language. He seemed to be picking up the habit from all of his time on the journey spent with Harper. Rolling of the eyes was sure to appear sooner than later.

"If we find that conditions are in our favor, we will improve our planning to include those who are willing to join us. If, however, the town is closed to our presence, then our meeting with the ancients will proceed without additional forces."

"Will I at least be able to meet with these Ancients? I am after all a big part of whatever this plan is," she argued.

"You are their most honored guest, as the Queen has informed me. Of course you will be present. We are not sure that Travor will be honored to have you, or to even understand who you are, that is why you will not enter their walls with us.

"If you desire," he added quietly, his mouth close to her ear, "Nura can accompany you to the treeline. That is where view of Travor is best."

Her curiosity beat out any residual nerves she may have felt. "Yes, tell her to take me there tonight."

***

As the stars rose, and night fell upon the land casting it in shadows, Nura came to collect Eliana from her campsite. She was dressed in dark colors, darker than her previous garb of typical Fae style. Her tunic was a deep shade of brown, almost black, and her leggings matched. She, like Zolen and the rest of the Fae, still traveled barefoot. It seemed to be more of a tolerance to the weather and terrain than anything else. Their feet didn't seem any sturdier than was typical. Zolen had explained while they traveled to the Seer's refuge that the Fae were a stubborn lot, once the first warrior took off his boots to prove his muster, the rest followed suit and never looked back.

Now, it seemed, the tradition was one of honor, and endurance. No Fae warrior worth his weight would ever admit his feet were sore. Eliana shook her head, seeing that even Nura wouldn't break with tradition.

Her newest friend carried with her a cloak and placed it over Eliana's shoulders as they began their walk to the tree line.

"Why don't you wear one?" she asked as they wove their way through the thick forest.

"I am not the one that needs hiding. The cloak will keep you in shadows, just in case." Nura explained cryptically.

"In case what?"

"In case we are being watched. It is not a great possibility, but one I would not want to overlook." Nura added. "Blaike ordered it so, if you wished to have a look at Travor. He does not want to chance anything at this point."

"Yes, I am well aware of that fact." Eliana replied, her heart hammering at the thought of Blaike wanting her protected. It hurt as much as it comforted her to know he was looking out for her well-being.

"The tree line is not too far. We should reach the look out point much sooner than they will reach the outer wall of the town." Nura continued. "It is not much to look at these days. Claec has beaten them down with her heavy hand. They live just to earn Starlight, just enough to make due. Then she takes anything of value that they own only to provide them with the next bit of Starlight they need. Selfish, wicked heart." Nura added at the end, mostly to herself.

Eliana wondered if Nura knew more of this Claec than she let on. "Was she always that way?"

"I do not have personal knowledge of this woman before her reign. The stories, rumors really, tell a tale of wickedness that no one in this land could truly understand. There must be a hatred in her so deep that the wellbeing of even her own family is not of value to her." Nura shook her head in disgust.

Eliana's blood ran cold listening to her companion's insights. She would be facing this evil ruler herself, and that fact alone caused her worry. Eliana had long since become resolute at being called to The Ferlands, being fated to have this experience, being the answer long awaited. It didn't, however, lessen the fear she felt every time Claec's name was mentioned.

She shook the disturbing thoughts away, looking back toward the enclosed walls of Travor, seeing them now that they were standing at the tree line. The township was larger than she expected, most of the buildings hastily put up outside the protection of the high wall surrounding what must have been the original foot print of Travor. The interior of the walls could be seen here and there from the vantage point that the tree line provided. Eliana focused as best she could, looking from building to building and attempting to discern what each was designated as.

The feeling of each building was similar to the refuge. Stones, clay and wood encased the outer structures, small paned windows peppered in various places. The doors were of a similar Ferlish design, again reminding Eliana of something right out of a Viking tale. She half expected women in blonde braids and horned helmets to weave in and out of the streets on their errands. The walls of most buildings were a dingy white, framed with dark wood beams. Many homes had large rock turrets, most with smoke emitting from the top, which Eliana assumed was a type of chimney.

There was something dark about the town, sinister. It was as if a veil had fallen and suppressed any joy or life right out of the town and its people. She worried for the safety of the group, which was at that moment making their way into that very town. Had they jeopardized their safety just to test the waters?

Both Nura and Eliana waited in silence for the group to appear and enter the township. After a while, Zolen became visible as he led the group to the main gate of the Travor wall. Nightfall also meant a gatekeeper, according to the information Nura gave on the walk to the tree line. The darkness tended to bring danger so all gates had to be guarded. It made Eliana wonder who guarded the families living outside the wall, and why so many would choose to put themselves into harms way. Before she could turn and pose her questions to Nura, movement at the gate caught her eye.

The small contingency of captains and guards were speaking with a gatekeeper in what seemed to be an amicable interaction. Their body language was relaxed and calm, on both sides. Nura continued to watch the exchange silently, while Eliana's breathing seemed to practically stop with nerves. After a short conversation, the gate opened. This time Blaike led the charge into the town.

It was then that Eliana understood what difficulties they would encounter. The climate was certainly frosty. She watched as the group wove in and around buildings, watched as doors were closed upon their approach. She saw as one of the guards greeted a man in a window, the window then being slammed shut. If the emotional climate indicated the true season, Eliana would say it was winter. The reception was more than cold, it was frozen, to say the least. Other than the gatekeeper, not one of the townsfolk spoke with anyone in the contingency. Doors were locked, windows repeatedly shut and the group was turned away wherever they ventured to pass.

"It doesn't look good." Eliana commented to the silent Nura.

"No, but that was expected." She replied, to Eliana's surprise.

"Then why go? Why even bother if that was the response they knew was coming?" She pressed.

"Because, although the outward appearance is one of rejection, there may be a silent reply. One that cannot be displayed due to the possibility of punishment, both by Claec and those loyal to her cause. Not everyone bought her lies." Nura added with distain in her voice.

"You believe that there are some on our side?" Eliana asked quietly, hoping that to be a possibility.

"Yes. As you have seen with our own group willing to risk everything to overthrow this ruler, there are more who feel as we do. Claec is a monster, many have come to understand the truth."

"But why give this appearance of distain if they agree with our cause?"

"As I have said, many do still believe her lies. Those who may disagree have to remain in secret, hiding their true beliefs. In her kingdom, Watchers are feared. Fae are hated. Claec has maintained that the reason for the depleting Starlight is the Fae's refusal to 'worship the sky' as she claims to do herself." Nura paused, shaking her head with a look of disgust. "She has declared herself not only ruler, but a high-priestess of sorts. 'Honor the Light, as it has sustained you for generations.' As if she is pure and free from error."

"And even though she is the cause for the curse of the Watchers, she blames only them, painting herself as a victim due to her innocence."

"Curse of the Watchers? What does that mean?" Eliana asked with a racing heart. She hadn't heard things put that way in all of her conversations with Aine and Blaike about the Fall. She knew that a Watcher had deceived and schemed to gain power, but a curse? That was something new.

"When one Watcher broke his vow, all Watchers were deemed untrustworthy. They were shunned, turned away. The curse of dishonor is felt by all Watchers." She explained quietly. Her words pierced Eliana's heart. Although Blaike's refusal to acknowledge and act upon any feelings he had for her had wounded her, she had always felt his burden, his pain. He was proud of his heritage and duty, but to be cursed with dishonor must be a great weight for him to carry. That was what drove him forward; that was what pushed him to put duty above all else. The part of Eliana's heart that was still raw with pain seemed to heal a bit at Nura's words. But now she ached for him. She longed to see his honor restored.

Eliana knew without a shadow of doubt that her pull and her call to restore the land included the call to restore Blaike. She was in the Ferlands to heal him as well.

〰🖤〰

Fun fact: Travor is the name of a real city. I've mentioned that my trip last summer to Lake Tahoe was very inspiring in terms of the setting. Travor is a little farm town on the road from Southern California to Tahoe, and I loved the name! It's like a mash up of travel and traitor, which seemed fitting for the home of the dark queen and her Watchers.

The next chapter will include the summit with the Ancients. I.CANT.WAIT.!!!

I love the vibes I See Fire gives me, and I can visualized the village from the Hobbit a little as I listen. Travor has a similar feeling.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]