Despite his vigilance, it was the master who had revealed the threat to him. His charge had come upon a portal from one of the hells. It was concerning that the fiends had been able to force such a portal open, but when he checked it was fading. What he had missed was the being that had stepped out. It was a greater fiend, likely near the peak of Tier 6. Even with his aptitude for conjuration, Megor wouldn’t have tried to summon such a monstrosity. For it to have entered Eloria unbidden and unbound was highly problematic.

  If it had happened here in Solun, where they were civilized and not backwater peasants, even such a monster would be dealt with quickly. But the fact that it happened on Talos was potentially cataclysmic. When he heard Alucien’s voice in his mind, Megor had half expected that he was being sent to deal with the threat. That had caused a cold sweat to run down his back.

  Alucien always kept his promises. When he promised a reward, he delivered. But, he wasn’t known for being cautious with how he used his servants. Promises of knowledge, power, and wealth were all great, but they weren’t worth dying with no hope of resurrection on Talos. No, when he was tasked with bringing the girl here, he had breathed a sigh of relief.

  Now, he simply had to form the proper summoning circle. It was unusual for him to be working this late at the academy, but his position allowed him access, so the guards hadn’t done more than check his identity. Not that it was their eyes he worried about. He was certain that his master was watching him closely. The weight of those eyes upon him was almost tangible.

  Even after he ran into his lab and began gathering the necessary materials, he could remember the conversation well. The master had yelled at him to stop worrying about the fiend and then made his wishes known.

  “You will create a summoning portal and pull her here from Talos,” Alucien’s dry voice had instructed.

  “But… Master, what of the wards? Teleportation to and from Talos has been locked since the exile… err… I mean since the Great Purge.”

  “And well it should be. Soft hearts would allow that contamination to spread, but events have occurred that require us to make an exception. Open the portal. She has a binding link on her person. As soon as she touches it again, it will pull her through. Simply follow my instructions to the letter.”

  Megor remembered bowing his head then and listening to the instruction from his master. Truly the man, or whatever he was to be thought of as, was a genius when it came to magic. He had a way of warping spells to make them do things that defied what Megor had been taught to this point. Now all he could do was form the circle and feed it the necessary mana.

  Hopefully, this wouldn’t take too long. He had already canceled his classes for the next day, but there would be questions if he kept that up for too long. No, Megor had to stop and breathe deeply. He didn’t want to upset the masters of the academy, but the most they would do was revoke his position. Failing Alucien in this would result in his life being revoked. Of that he had no doubt.

  Chapter One

  “Compassion even for those we don’t know marks us not as saints but as moral beings.” —Journal of Emily Nelson, Daughter of Truth

  Tsukishiti, Moon Elf Capital, unto places unknown- Mira Nelson

  Mira stood in the still-burning remains of what had been an elven village. Her trip to the Moon Elf capital had been nearing an end, but then she felt some corrupt magic and found this.

  The air still burned where a moment before a portal to a dark realm had hung in the air. All around her, the elves from the village had been struck down where they were.

  Some showed signs of having been in the middle of their daily tasks. A few appeared to have been fleeing. An even smaller number looked like they had tried to fight back. There was one thing they all had in common though. Each and every elven body she could see—man, woman, and even tiny children—was headless.

  Whatever had removed their heads had done so with surgical precision and cauterized the wounds as it went so that precious little blood had leaked from any of the corpses. Mira thought she had seen a lot since she arrived in Eloria—spider monsters, the kidnapping of her sister, and even an acid-spitting drake—but none of it had made her feel like this.

  She fell to one knee and leaned forward as she emptied the contents of her stomach. The evil of whatever had done this was profound. Mira sent out a pulse of her Esoteric Senses and couldn’t find anything in the area, but there was a clear trail of dead elves as whatever it was had traveled to the northeast.

  It took a moment, but Mira finally realized that only elves had been slain. None of the domesticated animals in the village had been killed, nor had any of the forest creatures. Even the burning buildings in the village seemed to be more by accident than intention.

  She pulled her awareness back in and realized that not only were her six bodyguards all surrounding her in an outward-facing circle, but each of the four wardens with them had taken up positions with bows at the ready. Mira gathered herself enough and stood up.

  “It’s gone. As far as I can tell, whatever did this headed to the northeast.”

  One of the wardens let out a sigh. “So not towards the capital?”

  “No, but I’m sure there are plenty of other villages in that direction,” Mira replied.

  “All the more reason for us to get you safely to the Throne, m’lady. That way you can deliver this news. The Throne will know best how to handle this,” her chief bodyguard said.

  “I could get to the capital very quickly, but not with the rest of you.”

  One of the guards frowned, but she shook her head. “Don’t take it personally. I know you can all run quickly, and the forest wardens, in particular, are very good at making their way through the forest, but none of you has a tenth of my speed. It just is the way it is.

  “Whatever killed these people was a monster of the greatest magnitude. If I didn’t get a feeling in the pit of my stomach that it is overwhelmingly powerful, I would chase after it on my own. As it is, I’m willing to concede that the best thing to do is to race for the capital.”

  Mira hated sounding so grown up almost as much as she hated making responsible decisions. No matter how powerful she felt she was though, she had the sense that this thing was beyond her. She knew she was too old for this feeling, but it was like when she had been a little girl convinced there was a monster underneath her bed.

  The person she wanted here now, more than anyone else in the world, was her father. If anyone could handle whatever did this it was him. Although, even then she had her doubts.

  The guards spoke amongst themselves for a minute, but then Mira said, “Look, I know you think this is your responsibility, but I’m a Nelson, and my mother is a Lady of the moon elves. I can’t let my personal safety be the determining factor, so I’m going to run to the capital. I’ve seen the maps. I know the way. Follow as quickly as you can.”

  Then, instead of waiting for more argument, she took off racing. Thanks to the Watcher’s Ongoing Provision, she was faster than any person had a right to be. Her foot speed was measured in hundreds of miles per hour. While the forest might slow her down some, the fact was that with her Air Walker trait she would be able to virtually run on the air, and so the rough terrain would be little to no problem.

  They were less than 30 miles from Tsukishiti, so for her, it was a matter of fewer than 9 minutes. As she ran, she began to sense the defensive perimeter. The initial rings were simply notification spells, but the closer she got, the more she saw how the spells were intended to have other effects.

  One layer tried to cause a generalized confusion in anyone who entered it. The spell was set to not affect moon-elves. Between her mixed heritage and enhanced ability to resist magic, Mira made it through without trouble. Another half mile and she hit a ring of enchantments built into the very trees of the forest. A feeling of dread came over her as though death itself waited for her if she went another step.

  This was probably why the guards said she needed a special pass to enter here, but Mira wasn’t going to be stopped. Even as she ran, she reached out to the threads of magic she saw with her mana sight. They were woven like a tight web and no doubt as she passed through them they were alerting whoever kept an eye on this, but at her speed, it would be hard for anyone to make out who or even what she was.

  She manipulated the spell carefully, moving the threads just enough so that they created a small gap for her to go through. Mira made a mental note to let the powers that be know about it. She could even fix it for them, but now it was too important that she reach them as soon as possible.

  The third ring was an illusionary one. It made it appear as though there was nothing but endless trees and came with the mental impulse for her to be bored by this. Everything inside of her screamed that this was a total waste of time and she should turn back, but it was only Tier 4 magic—even if it had been enhanced over the centuries.

  She was a meta-mage, and manipulating mana was her specialty. Even as she zoomed along, striding inches above the ground, Mira sent out a pulse of her own mana and warped the illusion.

  It helped that she knew the location of the city, but as soon as she warped the enchantment, it was like wiping a swath across a steamed-up window to reveal what was on the other side. What she saw caused her to come to a rapid halt. Sadly, it took her a couple hundred feet to come to a complete stop—her body simply wasn’t strong enough to endure an instantaneous stop at that speed.

  Mira raised her hands in a universal sign of surrender as she looked at the two dozen arrows aimed directly at her. The circle of wardens enclosed her and then moved forward, while a number of druids waited behind them. She could sense their spells at the ready and had no doubt they would fire them off if she made the slightest aggressive action.

  Directly in front of them and behind the others she saw an elf who was old enough to have gray hair. More than that he radiated magical power, so she knew he was someone of significance. She took a chance based on her mother’s description and bowed, just the appropriate depth to show respect from a noble to another.

  “Archdruid Hidenori, I bring grave news and must present it to the Throne as quickly as possible.”

  The man in the back coughed, and the circle parted to allow him to walk forward. Mira noted that not a single arrow was lowered, nor were any of the spell matrixes released. He walked forward slowly, with the air of a person used to having others wait on them.

  When he got to within five feet of Mira, he said, “Having met your mother and her consort, I have little doubt about your identity. We have been expecting you, but you were to come with a guard and a token to allow you to bypass our defenses. Recent times have made it clear that we needed to activate ancient barriers and create new ones. Yet you have simply strolled through all of them as though they didn’t exist, so you will have to humor me, Lady Mira, if I am being extra-cautious.”

  Mira did her best to extend the more formal moon elf greetings that her mother had taught her, but she did it half-heartedly. Formality and American teenagers rarely went well together, and given the news she had to share, she didn’t think now was the time for it. After doing her best not to embarrass her mother, she replied, “My guard and guides will be here shortly; I am just much faster than they are.”

  Then she described the village they had passed through. Hidenori gestured to some of the others who went running without them even exchanging words. Mira noticed that no order was given to lower their weapons, but slowly all the bows had been put away. She could still feel three different druids holding spells aimed at her. It was starting to annoy her.

  “Is this any way to treat the daughter of an elven Lady and a human noble as well as an ambassador of goodwill to your people? I am the chosen apprentice of Hiroto the enchanter, have studied the martial arts of our people under the tutelage of Daichi, and am the bearer of important news.”

  Hidenori’s face remained impassive as he said, “I already explained that your method of arrival had us on edge before we were able to identify you. But all the weapons have been lowered now, m’lady. You are a welcome guest. We will make you comfortable, and when they are ready for you, the Throne will summon you.”

  “Then why are those three still aiming spells at me?” Mira asked as she pointed at one after another of the druids in succession. She made sure her hand gestures were a bit overdramatic to make a spectacle of it.

  She realized that simply saying there were still spells aimed at her was likely to be perceived as a guess, but by pointing out the specific elves who were aiming magic at her, she would increase her credibility.

  There was a slight thinning of Hidenori’s lips before he replied. “Either you are very good at guessing or the intel we have about your abilities is woefully lacking.”

  Mira shrugged. “Look, I need to speak to the Throne now. What I know can’t wait, nor is it for the leaves of every tree to hear.” She was proud of herself for remembering the moon elf expression.

  Before the archdruid could respond, the wooden gates to the city opened, and a messenger came running out. He stopped next to Hidenori and whispered something in the man’s ear that caused him to frown. He replied back to the messenger in not much more than a whisper, “As the Throne wills.”

  Then he turned towards Mira. “It appears that the unconventional treatment afforded your family will be extended to you. The Throne commands your presence immediately. I will escort you there myself, but be sure to be on your best behavior.”

  Chapter Two

  Down, down, down. Would the fall never come to an end! `I wonder how many miles I've fallen by this time?' —Alice in Wonderland

  Tsukishiti, Moon Elf Capital- Mira Nelson

  The city was every bit the wonder that Mira had expected. Both her parents and some of her moon elf friends had described it with great excitement and wonder. Her limited experience in Hiroto’s home had shown her that with magic and their connection to nature the elves had accomplished great things. It was even being blended into how things were done in Eris’ Rise, but the capital had it at an entirely different level.

  Whereas Konig had felt similar to what she would have expected a renaissance-era European city to have been, Tsukishiti was more like something out of a fairytale. The buildings were all shaped into and around the massive ironwood trees. She could have run up one of the trunks but waited patiently to be taken up an elevator. All the while she tried not to gape and look too much like a tourist.

  Eloria was her home now, and for all intents and purposes, these were her mother’s people. She wanted to connect with that side of what Eloria had to offer her just as much as she did with the human kingdoms.

  As they rode up, Hidenori didn’t say anything further to her, but she watched him weaving magic. She could tell it was some type of communication spell that was broadcasting out into the forest, but she didn’t pry further than that.

  When they reached the Throne room it was just as beautiful as it had been described. It was like the room had been grown into the tree rather than crafted by destructive means. There were guards and functionaries but none of the nobles who had been present for her mother’s introduction. That made Mira feel more at ease.

  In the center of the room was a wooden throne that was part of the tree itself. It looked very uncomfortable, but she remembered Daichi teaching her that was because the Throne was both a person and an institution. Konoe and Yua were effectively the king and queen of all moon elves, but they were always supposed to remember that they were the servants of all even as they were revered.

  She approached and dropped to a knee as she had been instructed, but within moments, she felt a warm hand upon her shoulder. “Stand, child. You are even more beautiful than your mother if such a thing is possible. And while I appreciate you showing deference, I consider your mother not just my vassal but also my friend. So I’d like you to think of me as an aunt.”

  Mira looked up and saw Yua, the female half of the elven rulers. Her mother had indeed always spoken warmly of the woman. Something was off, though. Mom had told her that the available information they had placed her at peak Tier 3, but it was clear she had passed into Tier 4. Mira would guess that they were of comparable levels.

  Some of the shock must have shown on her face because Yua said, “How wonderful. You are just as perceptive as your mother said. Is gauging the power of others part of what a meta-mage can do?”

  Mira stood and straightened her traveling leathers. For the first time, she was self-conscious that her clothes were dirty from her rushed trip. “Um, no not exactly, Your Majesty.”

  At that, Yua’s husband, Konoe, stood up snorting. “Not majesty. We are not human royalty to lord it over our people. If you must call us by a title then Saisho is appropriate. Or to be more technical, Saisho no otoko for me and Saisho no josei for my wife. But, my wife has told you that she thinks of you as a niece. We have not yet been blessed with a child, so while you are here, please consider us to be surrogate parents, even if you are a young adult in your own right.”

  Based on what her parents had said about Konoe, Mira hadn’t expected that warm of a welcome. Then it dawned on her. Children were extremely precious to the moon elves who were far less fertile than humans. So once his wife had declared her to be an extended part of their family, he couldn’t help but feel protective of her.

  She wasn’t sure exactly what to say but took a chance. “You honor me, Uncle, and I truly look forward to learning more about my mother’s people as they are part of me that I strive to better emulate. But now I bear grave news that must be shared.”