The Elven Queen

CHAPTER 8

Lumeris, Shadow Elf country.

Of every country in the world, Lumeris is one I wish to never make an enemy of, yet they are the lowest of the three powers, Why? Definitely not because they were weak, The word weak does not exist to Lumerians they worship might above all else, every child is battle ready by the age of 7, the way of the blade engraved into their very bones from the moment they learn to walk, Leading the world In military power, they only rank lowest in the 3 powers because what they gain in military might they lack in rationality, with them its swing first ask questions later so a letter from Lumeris is definitely a surprise to me.

“Bring it to me” I beckoned and she brought it and it did not disappoint, it read

Greetings to the light of the North, tis with an eager heart that I write to you today, we of Lumeris wish to further our relation with our Brethren and for that we wish to invite Her highness Queen Eztlli Morgo Sophia to this year’s Blood Moon, the presence of her Grace will surely be a beacon to radiate our celebration, I wish to see you there

Yours Sincerely

His Eminence

King Khalfani Lutola Zuberi

Well slap me across the face and call me an arachna’s uncle, it has just been one anomaly after the other, I never thought I would live to see the day Lumeris reach out for Diplomatic reasons without any underlying intent for war, I’m honestly impressed, and an invitation to the Blood Moon Non the less, I can’t help but feel there’s more to this than the letter is telling me. The look on Itotia’s face tells me she’s thinking the same thing but one way or another it was going to be another sleepless night for me.

The rest of the day went by uneventfully, paper work here and there, inventory, book keeping all the boring stuff.

Finally Back in my room the exhaustion fully settled in, I ask the maid to run me a bath, The little bath house on the ledge was my solace

When the maid told me my bath was ready I wanted to run out onto my balcony towards the bath house but I restrained myself dropping the last of my clothing on the floor tying a silk robe round my waist heading towards the double doors of the balcony

Climbing onto the balcony the cold night air hits me hard as I step into the cold walking towards the small bridge leading to the bathroom, this bathroom was an extension my mother had built onto the side of the Castle, stepping into the platform I push open the glass doors stepping into the foggy bathroom I head to the giant crescent shaped bath in the center of the room, the smell of roses and desellea waft into my nose, a nostalgic scent, I climb the white porcelain steps leading to the bath, dropping my robe on one of the stairs, I sink into the bath fully submerged in the water I feel my worries fade away with the fog, coming up for air I break through the surface my head to the sky I take in a deep breath, wiping the droplets from my face I open my eyes and look up at the glass ceiling giving me a clear view of the setting sun painting the bathroom in a pinkish hue, back then I didn’t understand why my mother felt the need for to have this bath house built but now I do, water droplets tricking down my body, steam filling the room, the changing sky above my head, I needed this.

Picking up the sponge to my right I lather it with soap and run it over the length of my arm reveling in the feeling as it washes away the stress of today, over my arm, down my back between my thighs as I maul over the events that transpired so far, the strange mass of black mist in the woods, the creature itotia found and the Blood moon invitation, in all honesty I was stumped, the Blood moon is a sacred tradition for the people of Lumeris, a tradition older than the country itself.

Though we are one and the same every Elven Nation had its own different norms and cultures, the most sacred of all being the origin of the first elf, our origin is different from that of Eadins and their's differs to that of Lumeris, so inviting another Elven Nation to the most sacred celebration of your people is not something you do on a whim. The more I thought about it, the more I thought about everything, the more it frustrated me, it was ruining my bath, like a sulking child I sank into the bath once more and emerged with a burning determination, I swear by the crown I was going to get the answer to at least one of these questions tonight, reluctantly I step out of my bath and walk back to my room, it was already nightfall which was comforting, the moon in the sky shined as if assuring me that everything was going to be ohkay, a truly nostalgic atmosphere.

Swinging open the double doors to my balcony letting the night air flood my room illuminated by the starry sky I walk to the mirror at the end of my room running my finger over the cold glass watching it hum to life I whispered

“T’anik Khalfani Lutola Zuberi” call Khalfani Lutola Zuberi

And the colors begin to swirl, these mirrors where the height of convenience, powered by crystals, it makes you able to communicate with people at far distances, smaller ones are also available, the size of soap boxes that do so many other things and had little crystals powering the entire thing, the bigger the crystal the farther you can communicate and the mirror in my room is nearly as tall as I am with a crystal the size of my fist

“Salamu mn’gao wako” Greetings your radiance

An answer came from the mirror as the former blur of colors fizzled out to reveal the image of the current King of Lumeris, King Khalfani, and what an image it was, dark brown skin, uncovered arms showing an array of tattoos, it was within their culture to wear a tattoo for every beast slain and he had quite a few, the shirt on his body had a few buttons undone giving way to a broad chest rippling with muscle and stained black with an assemblage of art works that decorate his skin, strong arms undoubtedly a result of countless years of grueling training, my eyes tracing the ink up his arms to his bare collar bones leading to his strong neck also covered in ink, a sharp jawline before finally resting on his face, his eyes held mischief and a smirk played on his lips as our eyes met

“To what do I owe this pleasure Queen Eztli?” he asked with hooded eyes, a thick accent, evidence of the people of Lumeris, deep and husky, I hate to admit but I enjoyed the way my name rolled off his tongue more than I should, his playful tone confused me a bit till I followed his line of sight and realized that I was awfully under dressed.

Still dewy from my bath and barely covered by my silk robe which had grown damp and clung to my skin, I couldn’t help but think, well what an odd turn of events.

Dwelling on embarrassment would do me no good so instead I walked closer to the mirror and sat on the chair facing him cross legged, I say in mock annoyance “What are you? A pubescent little Boy?” looking him dead in the eye

“Forgive me.but in all honesty tis very rare to have you call me at all much less at an hour like this”

“You invited me to your Blood moon, Why?” refusing to beat about the bush I stare him down demanding an explanation

“Would you believe me if I say I only wish to gaze upon your beautiful face as my people make merry on our holiest of days?”

“Get serious Khalfani, this is not the time” I’ve grown used to Kalhfani’s ceaseless flirting, actively showing his attraction to me, making offers of a physical relationship, which is nothing new really, Elves of different countries from diplomats to commoners have them because of the complete lack of consequence, Elves of different races can’t procreate so these relationships are more common than you’d believe, tempting as it may be because Khalfani is a marvel of a man I’ve rejected his advances more than a few times

As if sensing my seriousness on the matter Khalifani straightens up “I was being serious in my letter, Unlike other Nations Lumeris lacks in Diplomacy, my predecessors believed in their strength be it a little arrogantly making no room for dialogue and international development so I want to change that system, I want Lumeris to have more than one kind of strength and for that I need your help, maybe if people see that we are open to foreign dignitaries maybe they’ll be more open to talking with us” he says embarrassed, if not for his dark skin I would’ve sworn he was blushing as he looked around eyes darting everywhere, landing on everything except me, I wanted to reach out and pinch his cheeks,

Consider my curiosity fully peaked

“Alright, your Blood Moon is in 3 weeks correct? My party and I will arrive 4 days to your blood moon, is that alright with you”

“I’ll count the seconds till I can see you Mn’gao Wako” Your Radinace

“Till then, Your Grace” with a Bow he ended the call, that’s at least one questions answered only leaves a thousand more