The Corrupted Sentinel

The House Gathering

    ~~~~Anjui's(An--Jew)/ Angel POV ~~~~~

A lone figure stood in the middle of a golden field of wheat. His hand passing over the crop as the wind gentle blew it back and forth and his slow paced walk across. The bright shine of the copper rays of the sun chased away the starlight sky. The figure seemed to have his head skyward looking at the last trace of night, specifically the silver eye of the moon in the sky. He traced it as it went down below the horizon of the distant mountains. They were a few miles away, but very visible from where he stood for one simple fact that he was standing on the farmlands of his home. In the very center of the Elven lands was the lands of the Felwood house.

House Felwood was one of the last remaining original houses from when elves had first become something more then just a band of people, but an actual race and kingdom. They were the house the Original King of the elves came from. Casha had been a long lived man and a forgiving one, but his name would go down in records as Casha the Uniter. He had gotten all the elves to band together and take the world and forge an Empire. It was however his downfall that had seen to the end of the elven empire. and it would be his demise that would cause a civil war between the elven people. At first the nobility thought nothing of it until it was to late.

The elves had been split in two. Casha's own child Eci had lead one side of the fight. The other was the noble whom history has long forgotten. Eci had lead a deadly m******e of his own elven brothers and most of the nobility stood by and did nothing as Eci had taken the crown and ruled with an Iron fist and would see the Empire's military strength, their Navy lacked and so did most of the good living that Casha had founded for his people. Eci's reign was a short one as he was dethroned after ten long years of his rule, however not by his own people the elves, but by those who he would make an enemy of. Humans, Dwarves, Old ones, Beast-men, Dragons, etc. While they thought him defeated Eci returned with a vengeance and an army behind him made of nobility who believed him to be the rightful leader. The nobility that did not follow him however fought him and won. Eci and the other nobility were forced out and would forever be known to the world as Dark elves, Banished to the Northwestern lands of Ice.

"Kaerol Shyraes"

 Turning the figure spotted another male elf from his home standing behind him. This elf had a slim build his skin a pale new cream completion standing at the height of 6'5" with ice blue eyes and long blonde hair as is custom to High elves of nobility. Upon his head lay a wreath of gold twin to show his rank of Prince to the house. Upon his neck lay a leather cord, upon the cord lay a single piece of amber etched to have the symbol of the house upon it. his ears would be pointed like that of the sun elf nobility. While Felwood was believed to be a house of wild or wood elf, but no their race was in fact that of the Mel aer or Sun elf to the common language.

"Kaerol Shyraes Ado."

 pulling his hand from the wheat and up into the air the younger male just smiled. 

"Mother is looking for you Anjui."

 That was the male's name Anjui Felwood. He was the younger of the twins born to his mother, of course she had several children before. Their older siblings all ready for power where the two of them were mindful and dutiful to their parents, as tentative as they were allowed to be at least. Their oldest Siblings a set of twin males as well named Taraern and Bastaer. They were constantly seen together it was like they worked as a single pair, but Anjui and Ado were the same way, inseparable. then below the twins you had a single girl, Shaelia, who looked so much like their mother it was hard to tell the two apart the only difference was their mother had blue eyes where their sister had green ones inherited from their father.

Turning around to head back the way he had come the sunlight had finally peaked over the mountains in the distance to light up the fields of the Felwood homelands. They were bountiful and full of life. Children's laughter could be heard in the distance. Animals began their daily duties just like the common folk found tending the fields and animals themselves. Off in the distance by a few yards was a single solid wall of milk white Alabaster. It was the city of Masol Thysaer, or Starlight Fortress in common tongue. It was the capital to the Felwood's lands and probably the most important city they had as it was the center of their trade.

Masol Thysaer, the City of Starlight was the highest altitude city from sea level and closest to the stars, it was why it was given Starlight as its name. It was like a Star on the land itself. Its buildings were Milk white Alabaster, with the roofs being made of a Coral colored stone to make the red and white pop. It was the house Colors. It was a magnificent city. At the very center laid the Fortress, inside was where the High Nobles of Felwood house and ruling member's lived. Also found inside was the Throne to the house, along with their small Thyrdaes si. The Flower tree is what linked the elves to that of the Eternal Sentinel tree which granted them all their magic, and their long lives. Around the Citadel in a clock like set up was the noble houses of Felwood, built for the lesser nobility of the house, distant family from the ruling family, or for the houses that merged into the higher house for rank. There are a total of twenty four of them all designed specifically by those who reside within them. Around them stood a wall which separated the noble quarter from the rest of the city. To the north of the city was the Market, and the only gate into the city. To the west was the academies found within the city to teach young elves the ways of war, or an artisan skill both of which were required, even for nobility. Many elves however picked up more then one artisan skill along the way. To the south part of the city lay the military district, the barracks, armory, stables, and the store houses all of which were fully stocked and checked regularly. To the west laid the commons, the housing for the common folk who worked the fields or tended other professions. It also housed the Tosys jhaji, The Mirror lake. The source of water for the city that ran into the river that flowed freely to the cliffs in the south and on into the sea.

To the north nuzzled in between the mountains was a small pathway guarded by Pandryl Shar, Dragon Watch. A fortress they kept up, but beyond that was the Forests of Molaes shyr, the Silver woods. The people that owned it was the house of Aelori,eclipse. High elves in their own right, but stubborn neighbors as they controlled the sea around them along with the passages of trade to the northern houses.

To the East was more mountains, but in the southeast was Ialolys Syrdaes, Unicorn Tower. Another Fortress that house Felwood kept up to watch the house to the east. The swamps of the east held the Shor aer house of molaes, Silver. Wild elves were unpredictable of their location, and many houses of the wild elves were hard to find because of their constant movement. The only known thing is they prefer swamps and uncommon places for elves to call home.

To the south was a cliff that lead right into the sea, go a bit farther out and one would reach the Isle of the Templar. On this island was the Temple dedicated to teaching the young elves of their past, and the customs of their people. Also found on the island was the Aeraesar Maelolaer Tree, Eternal Sentinel Tree, The last remaining Tree of Eternity besides the one found in the wood elf lands.

To the West was also mountains, only these were known as Moli vael, Spine Peaks. A series of mountains that are so tall their peaks are past the clouds and they are always covered in snow. Between them is several pathways that lead to the lands of Felwood, but they all connect to a single route and on this route is col Kes, High Guard. It would keep trade with the low hill lands of house Myrdar, Snowfall. Frost elves while less tricky then wild elves were still always on the look out for an opening to take the high land that Felwood sat upon and use the position to dominate the other houses either through economical use or starving them out.

"Ah there is my boy. I began to worry when you were not in your rooms."

 Anjui just smiled to his mother. 

"My apologies mother. I had to see the starlight before we began the day."

 a smile played across the women's face. She was a great lady to look up to Lady Felwood, and she was very diplomatic with the other houses around them. Pulled into a Hug Anjui wrapped his arms around his mother, only to release them a few moments later and to be released himself. a few moments of silence passed before either of them spoke. Of course Lady Felwood spoke first.

"Today is the Masol Thaer. We shall be hosting the Starlight Feast this year for all the other houses. It means we will have many guests, and I need to be sure my children and people are safe while other nobility are inside my country. They will be accompanied by two guards and so I must ask you and your brother stick close by each other."

 Nodding Anjui looked to his brother Ado who seemed to be in deep conversation with their older sister about the festival arrangements. 

"Mother, When are the guests expected to begin to arrive?"

 It wasn't long before a horn call answered that call. 

"It seems that would be in a few moments. The Northern Guard has let us know they see a different banner."

Nodding it meant he had little time left. 

"If you excuse me mother. I must get ready for our guests and I am sure Ado does as well."

 bowing to his mother Anjui turned to his left and went to his twin. Grabbing him and running out of the room and up the stairs in strides of twos and threes they made it to the third floor and to their separate rooms. Both went to their rooms and would be dressed in their more accustom finery. It consisted of Decorative armor, and a dull set of blades. Of course all nobility would be dressed as such, and so would have to rely heavily upon their guards to keep them protected, and within the city House Felwood would house its small Army of six hundred men and women. Most of which occupied their patrolling the city or guarding the walls. Those who were not doing either had their own free time and were allowed to do whatever they wished as long as they did not abuse their power as military Personnel.

The Palace Guards of course were an acceptation to this as many were trained to be military, but were hand picked by either their King, or a noble house to be a Guard for them. Many found it as an honor and did the duty full heartedly, of course the noble house that they guarded also gave them food and board and paid them for their work. Stepping into his own room Anjui stopped first after shutting the redwood door behind him. His room was of simple design. a squad room of twelve by twelve. A single window adorn with fine white silk curtains. his bed off to the left, At the foot stood a dresser which he went to and dug through until he found what he was looking for. The armor of gold and black with the house crest upon its breastplate. Along with the fake rapier blade he would carry on his right hip like always.

Dressed in his finery Anjui stepped out of his room and back into the hallway to find Ado had done the same. They were now indeed twins, the only way one could tell them apart was their eyes. Anjui had a golden color to his given to him by their Grandfather. Ado had his Ice blue eyes given to him by their mother. That and the twins were like a mirror to one another. Anjui was left handed while Ado was right handed so Ado's rapier would be found on his left hip. Smiling Anjui said in their twin tongue 

"You look good brother."

 Ado smiled and answered back. 

"You look good yourself brother."

 Anjui of course mirrored his brother's smile. Taking up next to one another the pair descended down the stairs into the main hall to receive guests.

Shortly after the twins sat down upon their seats to the right of their mother and father guests from the other elven houses began to arrive. More importantly Key houses began to show up. To the elves there were several thousand houses that made up their people, however many were lesser nobility and aligned themselves to a higher noble house. The Higher noble houses were limited to a single one hundred. And at the top of those houses was the council, the first three houses that made the laws and decisions of the elven people. It was their judgment that could damn a house, but the three were constantly in a disagreement so nothing changed in centuries for the elven customs. and many laws were made by the ruling noble houses on the land.

The first of the houses to arrive was that of their northern neighbor from The Silver woods, House Aelori. Their banner was that of a green background with a white sun in the middle. The fair high elves stepped up and spoke the words 

"It's a great honor to see you Lady Thaelyr."

 She took her time in answering back 

"I am glad you came Lord Aelori."

 Next to arrive was their neighbors to the east, House Molaes. The wild elves were just that wild. They dressed in their tradition garb of wraps and loin cloths the nobility carried a staff, of course fake. placed in her hair was feathers that Anjui guessed were from a bird they considered valuable. The guards were dressed the same accept for the feathers. It must have been a way to show statue to their people. 

"Its a great honor to be here Great Lady Thaelyr."

 nodding this timeshe spoke softly 

"I hope my home can compare to yours."

 it seemed Anjui's mother was very clever, as she offered no words of insult to them. Next to arrive was the house to the west, House Myrdar. Like most elves the Frost elves war a traditional armor, only theirs was made from crude materials like Iron and steal. Their leader didn't wear a helm, but instead a cord of silver upon his head he also carried with him a polearm. looking around the Head of House Myrdar kept his eye on everyone. His gaze however fell upon Anjui for a moment before it turned to the lady in front of him. 

"Greetings Lady Thaelyr. Its a great blessing to be in your home."

 to which she quickly replayed 

"May you find it as fine as your own home Lord Myrdar."

The other houses had all arrived within a few hours. It was magnificent so many elven houses that could be found. High elves, Sun elves, Blood elves, Frost elves, water elves, wood elves and even wild elves. and they had all gathered to partake in the Starlight feast. It was really a festival, but they called it the starlight feast, as the Elves all gathered and ate and partied during the night of the midwinter. It was the mark of their year was a quarter way over. Elven years did not start during the spring, like humans. It didn't start during Summer like that of the Gnomes and dwarves. It didn't even start during the Fall like that of the orcs, goblins, and the like. It started in Winter like those of the Old ones, Lizardmen to the common folk.  

            ~~~~ Ado's POV ~~~~~

the silent chirp chirp of the night Heron had drifted the elf male to sleep. His body fresh from the bath and the stench of the day gone. He had dreamt of a land of peace. One day returning the elven people to be united under a single crown, but that dream was far in the future and unlikely to happen unless he was given the crown to House Thaelyr. house Felwood had followed the tradition of succession sense its time as a part of the High noble houses. Those noble houses who are ranked above twenty in standing are High noble houses, anything from twenty- one to one hundred were noble houses and anything below one hundred was considered a lesser noble house, if a noble house at all.

His dreams however were interrupted abruptly as he was vigorously shaken awake. At first the world was nothing more then a blur to the elf. 

"shaji iar tor, Wake up child."

 was called repeatedly with more shaking from left to right. waving his hand in the air to try and swat away whomever it was trying to wake him. 

"But the sun is not yet even awake. Why must I be?"

 It was then the world came into focus and the young male elf was staring right into the face of a fully dressed older elf. To be exact this face belong to his father. 

"Ado, You will awake, or I will send in a maid with a bucket of cold water."

 It wasn't even the threat that had awoken the male, but the face of sternness his father had given him.

"I'm awake I'm awake."

 Rolling from his stomach to his back Ado looked over to his right to see a female within his bed, both confused and happy with the ordeal it must have been another night of conquest for him, but he couldn't remember it like he usually did. Perhaps it was the dwarven ale that had gotten to him. They knew how to brew the good and strong stuff. Eistaes eili, Amber ale was a craft he would one day learn from the dwarves, but for now the elves would trade for it. Wiggling out of his own bed Ado began to dress even with present company still asleep. Pulling on a simple white cotton shirt and pants.

He had just finished dressing when he heard the voice call from behind him. "You left bed so soon?" Stepping up to the female Ado placed a kiss upon her lips for a few seconds. After releasing her from the kiss she was flushed red, but Ado still couldn't recall anything from the night. 

"I must go. Lord Thaelyr calls."

 nodding the women began to look around and paused a moment her face returning to Ado. "Wait, Your the Prince aren't you?" Ado just had his usual devilish smile on his face. 

"Prince Ado Thaelyr at your service."

 "I can't believe I slept with the prince. The Lady will have my head for sure." laughing Ado sat down on the bed again. 

"Don't fret, As long as she doesn't see you she will not be told."

 "How can I get out without her seeing me?" the girl pleaded her eyes full of fear to the point of almost crying out. 

"The servant entrances tend to be vacant at this time. You can use them easily to get out of the citadel and the noble quarters even."

 nodding the girl didn't stay long enough for Ado to tell her where they even were, but she seemed to know exactly where they were as she disappeared out of the bedroom and was gone like a puff of smoke.

Ado had just finished tending to his room when he heard a knock at the door. 

"Ado are you awake?"

 calling back quickly 

"Yes father I am awake."

"Good when you dressed your mother is waiting for you in the dinning hall."

 The dinning hall a marvel all its own. designed like the rest of the city. Its walls white alabaster, the pillars visible for everyone to see. The ceiling a red tint to match the roof outside with a few holes in them to let in the natural sunlight and small pools at on the floor where the ceiling opens up incase it rained. Stepping into the room Ado was greeted with a hug from his sister Shaelia. Her Bright blue eyes looking into his own Ice blue ones once their hug was finished. She spoke with a smooth calm voice like always, 

"Mother is over there."

 she pointed to the farthest part of the room near the throne and the seats for the family. Giving his sister a nod Ado left her to find out what his mother needed.

Before he could even speak to her she was saying something else to the servants close by. 

"Be sure everything is ready for guests. We need Meals prepared Housing for the night, The tables pushed together, chairs brought out.."

 it seemed like she would go on forever, but it was not so. She only turned her head slightly to the right and she about said more to the servants, but Ado caught her attention. 

"I need you to go find Anjui."

 Confused Ado looked to one of the servants who stood close by. 

"Before you ask, no he was not in his rooms. He was last seen by the wall guards outside in the fields."

 stifling a yawn Ado bowed to his mother without a word and left. It wasn't a long journey from the citadel to outside the walls, especially with no one in the streets as darkness was still yet in the air. On his journey out of the city the sunlight had started to show brightly from the peaks of the mountains. It meant that people would soon be waking up to start their daily tends. Hearing the songs of the morning birds and the cooing of roosters the farmers were starting their work already. Children of course running around the fields with each other gleefully.

After reaching the field lands outside the city Ado found his twin brother easily, he was after all the only figure out in the field. His figure being the give away. Like Ado Anjui had a slim build with a milky cream skin tone, only Anjui's was more milk then cream. His hair was cut short, but was white silver color like that of their grandfather. His golden eyes seemed to be looking up at the moon which surprised Ado, after so long ado would never get use to his brother looking up at the night sky just to look at the night's eye. Holding up his hand in the air Ado called out 

"Kaerol Shyraes"

 His brother jumped a little and Ado had to stiffle down a laugh.

Anjui had called back his greeting after holding his own hand in the air. 

"Kerol Shyraes Ado."

 Letting his hand fall down to his side Ado had replied only with 

"Mother is looking for you Anjui."

 Turning around and headed back Ado had left his brother there a few more moments before looking over his shoulder. His brother was following close behind. Anjui had returned to the city, but not to the fortress right away, instead he went to the northern wall guard. 

"Prince Ado this is a surprise."

 Holding his hand up to stop the commander. 

"My mother has asked I deliver this to you."

 pulling a sealed scroll from his tunic the prince handed it to the Captain and stepped away. 

"I will follow it to the letter my lord."

 Nodding Ado left and returned to the citadel.

It wasn't long into the dinning hall that his sister had pulled him aside. 

"Father wants me to make the seating arrangements, so no house feels insulted here. Can you help me please brother. Your always more knowledgeable about this stuff then I am."

 smiling and patting his sister on her shoulder he answered back 

"Of course I will help you sister of mine. We don't need anyone starting something here at the festival after all. That would be so rude of them, but rude of us if we put them into such a thing"

 Allowing his sister to lead him off to part of the hall Ado had stopped in front of a placement board with all the nobility houses on it. Looking it over a few times Ado took a deep breath in and cleared it off. 

"What? What was wrong with it?"

 his sister pleaded her hands pushed together like in a prayer. 

"I would rather live this night through. several of these placements are all wrong, we have to start fresh."

Nodding her acceptance of the task the two got to work. It had taken perhaps a few minutes to get everyone seated just right.

"Thank you so much for your help brother."

 smiling he was about to say something, but his attention was drawn elsewhere when the horn went off from the northern wall. At first Ado wanted to run to his room and grab his blade and armor and lock the city down for invasion, but it was not what the horn call was for; he knew that it meant the guests for the festival was arriving soon. Looking at himself he was still in his comfortable clothing he would ware if he was allowed to have but a few moments to himself, but that was not to be the case.

It was the appearance of Anjui that had startled both Ado and Shaelia. he didn't say anything, but instead grabbed Ado and ran out the hall and into the fortress. being forced to follow close by at a quick pace or have his arm dislocated or worse ripped off his body entirely it wasn't until they reached the Third floor that Anjui released his arms which he rubbed slightly before returning to his rooms. It was the smell of roses and vanilla that had drawn him in at first. It must have been from the women the night before still lingering in the room, but whatever it was it made Ado not want to leave his room until the scent faded. It was the click of the servants door that drew Ado from his daydream. "Sir you need to get ready." shrugging and rolling his eyes Ado face into his room at first it seemed almost identical to that of the other rooms, a single square room of twelve by twelve with a single window, bed, dresser, and other furniture, but it was his personal touch of where they where that allowed Ado his room its personality.

Going to the dresser Ado pulled out his more fancy armor. Allowing the silver to shine like a bright diamond. The house symbol of a single tree split down the middle adorn the breast plate. Stepping into the hall while strapping on his rapier to his left hip the male looked up to see his brother was also just now finishing up getting ready for the feast. Anjui and Ado held a moment's glance at each other which had been broken when Anjui smiled his pearl teeth showing. The words 

"You look good brother."

 came across to Ado's ears in their twin dialect. He didn't want to say it back, but the words just escaped from his lips. 

"You look good yourself brother."

 it was then Ado felt how close Anjui really was to him. They were basically only centimeters from touching their shoulders.

The two descended the stairs and returned to the hall. None of the guests had yet arrived, but it wouldn't be long before they did. walking down the room Ado first noted how the room seemed to change. Everything had. The guards were found in front of each pillar were no longer there. The house banner found between each pillar was now gone save for the one that would sit behind the family itself. The room seemed bare in comparison, but the table took up most of the room. Shaped to form a U the nobility would sit on the outside of the shape, their guards behind them, where the servants would be working in the middle of them all refilling cups, or replacing food that would be eaten during the feast.

What had however drawn Ado's undivided attention was his older siblings; Not his sister mind you, but the older twin brothers. Taraern and Bastaer, Ado hadn't seen them in a few days now as both were out with the military mostly now taking on patrols and learning to one day take over the house. Many believed Taraern would take over the house, but he was arrogant and acted as such, so many of the nobility found on the land leaned more towards Bastaer becoming leader, but he was just as bad as his twin. He had little intelligence in political affairs and either would be the cause of the house to fall. Of course he always kept his opinion to himself as it wasn't his duty to put in for succession.

The twins however were described as oddities to the family as they didn't appear to have any traits from the family. Both were tall and slender like all elves, both had long hair down to their mid back to show their age. Their hair however was that of a Dark black, their mother's was a golden brown and their fathers was a bright fire red. Both of father's parents had red hair as well, where as Mother's father had silvery white hair, and her mother had the golden brown hair color as well. The twin's eyes were that of an chocolate brown. Their father had green, and his mother had blue, his father had green. Mother had blue, her father had a golden amber color. Her mother's were also ice blue.

It was then his attention was caught upon his sister and parents, but his feet kept walking forward. It wasn't until he was to his seat that he realized that he had kept walking. He had in fact banged his knee right into the chair. Grabbing his knee and plumping himself into his chair Ado watched as the houses arrived. The first few he didn't know other then the fact they were around them by land. It wasn't until close to the end that he finally recognized the houses.

The first that he recognized was that of his mother's original house. House Maser, Stardust. Found across the 

"Greetings from across the Waters of Olael mi."

 Wondering if his mother recognized her own brother after being gone from him for nearly three centuries Ado was about to speak when instead his mother did. 

"I'm glad you could make it brother. It will be a relief to have some friendly faces here. I hope the Ocean Sea treated you well."

After their uncle Seilaes had bowed and turned to take his seat another familiar house came to Ado. It had been the Lady of the house verdia, Ruby. 

"Greetings from the Ice peaks."

 It was however not Lady felwood that answered this time, but Lord Felwood that spoke. 

"Greeting's great lady We hope your stay here is a comfortable one."

 the reason House Verdia was known was because they were the farthest north elven house, claiming the Ice peaks of Thyr kadi, Frost glade mountains as home. They were also Thyr aer like that of House Myrdar. They were relatives mostly, but distant ones at that.

The next pair of houses that entered together were that of house Parn, Dawn, and house Per, Dusk. Both were houses of Blood elves. Tricky things who were always thirsty for magic or power. They had been almost removed from the history books at one point by Eci, but they thrived in secret and eventually reclaimed their lost land. They worked well together. stepping to the throne together the first to speak was Lord Parn. 

"Greetings from the sands of Shas Peraes."

 Next to speak was Lord Per 

"We greet you from the Molael Bali."

Before anyone could speak however Shaelia spoke up. 

"We hope that the journey from the Black Desert and the Silent vale were not to taxing upon you lords."

 both shook their heads no and went to their seats. The rest of the houses that had come up Ado couldn't recognize, but it seems all of them had arrived within a few hours of the ordeal starting which was a good thing as it meant they could start drinking soon.

Hearing a bell from his left Ado watched as servants flooded into the room placing empty cups plates and freshly wrapped silverware with a napkin in front of the nobles. A second bell ring and jugs of liquids of all kinds were brought up. Each nobility was given the option of what liquid they would drink. Of course Ado had paid close attention to what his family was drinking. The oldest sibling twins were both drinking a fruity water elf made cherry wine. Their father was drinking a human made beer. The older sister was drinking a gnome made brew. Their mother was drinking a diluted version of a high elf white wine. Anjui was drinking only water. Ado himself was drinking a dwarven made ale. It seemed the night would proceed quite smoothly.