of it were two bronze fish whose tails wound toward the fire, reflecting the light across their bodies. Above the fireplace was a green banner. In the center of it was the powder blue outline of a triangle. On the triangle was a fish in the same color, its head and tail curving up. This banner was not Iumenta or Elf; this was for one of the few great human houses that were left. There were rumored to be only five outside of the Queen’s control.
Legon looked to his left, glancing over a desk and noticing two figures stooped over a table with a map on it. One had shoulder-length brown hair; the other’s hair was long and silver. The one with the brown hair had an average build; he held up a hand telling them to wait. The other with the silver was thinner, and Legon suspected he was an Elf.
They turned to look at the visitors. Legon’s suspicions were confirmed as the silver- haired man looked at them. Legon was surprised at just how young the Elf looked, not appearing to be more than twenty five. His face was thin with a good jaw line, a small nose, and almond-shaped eyes that matched the silvery gray of his hair. He looked like an artist’s masterpiece. Legon fought to keep from smiling as he became aware of the mental chattering going on between Sasha and Sara. Legon heard the girls’ hearts race. He knew the other Elf could hear this as well, and that Sara and Sasha would be mortified if they knew Elves could hear that well. He decided not to tell them now.
The human spoke. “Welcome. My name is Enrich, representative of house Posein. This is Mantic. He is our Elven liaison.”
Mantic bowed his head and focused his view on Legon, just the hint of a smile at his lips. Up to this point Legon hadn’t been worried about the Elves. They were the good guys, after all. But still, he hadn’t met one before and he wasn’t sure what to do or how to act. He knew almost nothing about their culture—his culture now.
Mantic spoke. “Legon, you will have many questions, I’m sure. We have only a few things to attend to here and then you will be taken to see the Elves and be given quarters there. In fact, we would like to offer our hospitality to your whole party.”
Legon felt a nudge from Arkin’s mind telling him that he was supposed to answer.
“Thank you very much. I’m looking forward to meeting others of my kind.” That felt awkward.
Mantic gave a deep sigh and smiled at him. “You remind me of your father…and mother. I am sorry that you have been away from us. House Evindass still mourns his loss.”
“House Evindass?” Legon asked, feeling dumb.
Mantic looked surprised but then recovered. “You haven’t been told?”
“Oh, I know I’m supposed to be the Everser Vald if that’s what you mean.” He knew it wasn’t, but better to look uninformed then just ignorant.
Arkin spoke. “No, he doesn’t. It was not my place to tell him.”
Mantic nodded. “Thank you for your discretion, Arkin. Legon, I am sure that you are aware that there were once great houses that ruled over the humans?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that same system still applies to the Elves. House Evindass is one of our great houses, one of the twelve ruling houses. And you are the heir to that house.”
Sasha showed her amazement and disbelief. “Legon is noble?”
Mantic turned his gaze to her. “I am assuming you are Sasha, and yes he is. As his sister, you are as well.”
“But he was adopted, and I’m human.” Sasha said.
“And you share a connection stronger than family, and in adopting him he did the same for you. Our people will treat you accordingly.”
Mantic paused for a moment to look the group over. This wasn’t how they had planned on doing this, and it was obvious. From the lines under Enrich’s eyes Legon figured they had waited through the night, hoping for the storm to lift and their guests to arrive.
He decided to break the tension by changing the subject. “This is a very nice, ah, base that you have here.”
Enrich smiled. “Thank you. We like it. We are sorry, this was not supposed to…well, we sent your welcoming party home to get some rest about an hour before you arrived.”
Sara laughed, cutting the mood. “Well it’s good to see the world is still working the way it’s supposed to.”