looking up. Granted, Midgard was still freezing, but at least we’d be aboveground. I shoved my hand into my pocket, sliding the ring onto my finger. I couldn’t enjoy this place too much. I had to get this thing back to the Shadow Lords before anything got in my way.
Soon, brighter lights appeared ahead of us, and I sucked in a breath as we stepped into a large clearing. A circle of giant stones stood round a blazing bonfire. From between them, the Emperor walked, arms outstretched.
He grinned jovially, white teeth flashing in the firelight. “Welcome, welcome.”
“Thank you,” I said. “What is this place?”
“This is the one of Vanaheim’s most sacred groves.”
“You eat dinner here?”
“Yes, yes,” he said. “You’ll see why soon. This grove provides entertainment you can get nowhere else.”
“And over dinner you’ll tell us how to get out of here, right?”
The Emperor didn’t answer, and I didn’t have time to ask what this entertainment might be before he turned to lead us toward the fire.
As we passed between the mammoth stones, a rush of darkness curled off Marroc, licking at my skin. Something had unnerved him, and I could guess what. Stone circles were places of powerful magic. Everything about this was super weird.
Within the circle, a small feast had been arranged on wooden tables. There were roast chickens, turkeys, and even a suckling pig with an apple in its mouth. There were also loaves of bread, platters of steaming vegetables, and even a few pies. Enough to feed a large party of people.
I looked around, but other than the guards and a few servants, we seemed to be the only guests. My hackles rose. Why so much food, then?
The Emperor gestured to a long wooden table set with earthenware plates and bowls and pewter goblets. “Come, sit with me.”
“Are we the only people eating tonight?” I asked, suspicious.
“For now,” said the Emperor, indicating that Marroc and I should sit on either side of him.
As soon as I took my seat, the servants began to bring us food. The meal looked delicious, and not just because I’d been literally starving. I was served chicken roasted with sage, slathered in butter. My mouth watered, and gods, I wanted to eat it. But this Emperor was weird as shit, and I didn’t trust him at all. This could be dosed with anything.
The Emperor filled my glass with wine. Even thirsty as I was, I wouldn’t drink it.
“Why are we eating here?” I asked. “Why not dine in your palace?”
“As I said, this is one of my kingdom’s most sacred places. The stones have been here for thousands of years. I bring all my honored guests.” He nodded at my plate. “Not hungry?”
“Right, but we’re just travelers, passing through.” I tried not to sound impatient. “And you were going to tell us how to get out of here, so we can return home.”
“Oh, but you’re so much more than that. You’re a Night Elf, and he’s”—the Emperor inclined his head toward Marroc without directly looking at him—“he’s a lich. I don’t believe we’ve had either of your kind visit for at least a thousand years. It’s only appropriate to show you the utmost hospitality.”
Marroc didn’t appear to have any interest in his food, which was either a lich thing or the same sense of caution that I had.
The Emperor took a long sip of his wine. Then, standing, he asked, “Well, if you’re not hungry, are you ready for the entertainment?”
Before I could ask what the entertainment was, the Emperor turned to face the forest. He lifted his hands to the night sky.
“Spirits of the forest,” he said in a clear voice. “I have brought a feast. Come and sup with me and my guests.”
My muscles were completely tense, hair standing on end. For a long moment, nothing happened. The forest remained dark and still, like a great beast holding its breath. Then, deep within it, I saw a light shine, then another.
Were these the fireflies I’d seen earlier? As I watched, more and more lights appeared.
“Come, my children,” called the Emperor. “Come and feast with me.”
I gasped as the first fairy stepped from the trees. No larger than a sparrow, she floated towards us on gossamer wings. As I stared, another appeared. In seconds, hundreds were gliding between the stones, floating on the breeze like dandelion seeds.
“Eat and be merry,” said the Emperor. The fairies swarmed the feast, and the food disappeared in a haze of glowing light. As they