To read Part One, please click here.
Lev gazed out the window as the carriage whizzed through the air. They dodged between branches and leaves, sunlight glinting against the glassy body of the carriage. He had never before felt so much anticipation, and his hands hadn’t stopped shaking since he hugged his mother perhaps for the last time. He had always wanted to be a knight, yet the thought of being so close nauseated him. He glanced to his right, meeting eyes with Lia. She placed her hands on his, steadying them.
Lev could see that she had no regrets about leaving their village. Her face was a mix of fear and excitement just like his, but held no sadness. Lia had never been tied to anything or anyone except him. She lived so freely, perhaps that was why they were such great friends: they balanced each other.
Lev was pulled out of his thoughts when he felt the carriage lurch. The dragonflies pulling them had dropped into a downward spiral and were heading straight for the base of a tree. He and Lia screamed and squeezed their eyes shut, bracing for impact.
When no collision came, Lev opened his eyes to see that they were now engulfed in darkness. Lia had her face pressed against the window. She watched in amazement as they swerved through what appeared to be an underground tunnel. The carriage then came to a stop in front of a grand set of wooden doors. Lia jumped out almost immediately, excitement radiating off of her. Lev followed, and the dragonflies spun, taking the carriage with them.
The tunnel filled with light, and Lev blinked in surprise as two dark figures stepped through the doorway.
“Hi,” Lia said, stepping toward them.
“Hello. You are the nominees from Thyslas, correct?” said one of them, his voice deep and smooth. Lia nodded triumphantly and Lev smiled shyly. They were both so proud to be representing their village. “Please extend your hand.” Lia reached toward him without hesitation, and barely flinched when he poked the tip of her finger to test her blood. Lev watched for a moment more, then turned his attention toward the other elf, who was staring at him expectantly. Lev laughed awkwardly and reached out his hand as well.
“You’re clear. Welcome to the palace,” boomed the elf who had pricked Lia’s finger. “I’m Rolen, and this is Aust.” Aust nodded curtly.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Lia,” she responded. Rolen smiled at her and grabbed their bags, not bothering to learn Lev’s name. He led them into the entryway of the palace, his green uniform glittering as he moved. Lia sauntered after him, and Lev followed.
Lev admired the room ahead, a vast marble expanse adorned with flower garlands and vines. There were archways all around, through which elves came in and out, each and every one of them walking with a purpose. In the center was a huge fountain where elves sat perched atop lily pads, munching on flower petal salads and sipping warm honey water. Lev and Lia gazed all around, in awe of the overall grandness of the space. Lev couldn’t help noticing how Lia fit right in with her confidence and energy, while he received concerned looks as he stumbled along awkwardly.
Rolen led them across the room and into an empty hallway. He pressed his ring to an engraving on the wall, and a doorway appeared. They stepped through it and found themselves in a small glass capsule, similar to the carriage in which they had arrived. Lev and Lia stared through the window at the scene before them.
They were in a group of giant trees, all of them connected by bridges and platforms over which elves in green uniforms paraded. The leaves of the trees provided a cloak for the palace, so it was hidden from any outside eyes. Insects whizzed around them, carrying palace workers from place to place, and adding to the bustling energy. The capsule stopped, the door hissed open, and Lev tore his eyes from the beautiful view.
They followed Rolen down a hallway, and he led them to their rooms.
“Thank you!” Lia said as she took the key Rolen offered her.
“If you need anything, just call the service line and request me. I’ll be here next sunrise to escort you both.”
“Okay, thanks!” Lia responded, and Rolen strode away. “This is crazy! I can’t believe we’re going to the trials tomorrow!”
Lev nodded, fidgeting with his key. “I’m gonna go put my stuff in my room, but after that we should go explore the palace!” he replied, turning toward his doorway.
Inside his room, Lev lay on the bed, finally relaxing for the first time all day. He had no idea if he would be accepted into the guild, but lying here in Queen Asteria’s palace felt exciting and new. Plus, he would always have Lia there beside him.
A glint of something reflected on the ceiling. Squinting, Lev walked over to the drawer and picked up the shining metal sphere inside. It was cold, and he heard a faint clicking as his hand made contact. Lev traced his finger lightly over the dark engraving on its surface, taking in the odd object. He whipped around at the sound of a knock on the door, and slipped the ball into his pocket.
Lev could see that she had no regrets about leaving their village. Her face was a mix of fear and excitement just like his, but held no sadness. Lia had never been tied to anything or anyone except him. She lived so freely, perhaps that was why they were such great friends: they balanced each other.
Lev was pulled out of his thoughts when he felt the carriage lurch. The dragonflies pulling them had dropped into a downward spiral and were heading straight for the base of a tree. He and Lia screamed and squeezed their eyes shut, bracing for impact.
When no collision came, Lev opened his eyes to see that they were now engulfed in darkness. Lia had her face pressed against the window. She watched in amazement as they swerved through what appeared to be an underground tunnel. The carriage then came to a stop in front of a grand set of wooden doors. Lia jumped out almost immediately, excitement radiating off of her. Lev followed, and the dragonflies spun, taking the carriage with them.
The tunnel filled with light, and Lev blinked in surprise as two dark figures stepped through the doorway.
“Hi,” Lia said, stepping toward them.
“Hello. You are the nominees from Thyslas, correct?” said one of them, his voice deep and smooth. Lia nodded triumphantly and Lev smiled shyly. They were both so proud to be representing their village. “Please extend your hand.” Lia reached toward him without hesitation, and barely flinched when he poked the tip of her finger to test her blood. Lev watched for a moment more, then turned his attention toward the other elf, who was staring at him expectantly. Lev laughed awkwardly and reached out his hand as well.
“You’re clear. Welcome to the palace,” boomed the elf who had pricked Lia’s finger. “I’m Rolen, and this is Aust.” Aust nodded curtly.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Lia,” she responded. Rolen smiled at her and grabbed their bags, not bothering to learn Lev’s name. He led them into the entryway of the palace, his green uniform glittering as he moved. Lia sauntered after him, and Lev followed.
Lev admired the room ahead, a vast marble expanse adorned with flower garlands and vines. There were archways all around, through which elves came in and out, each and every one of them walking with a purpose. In the center was a huge fountain where elves sat perched atop lily pads, munching on flower petal salads and sipping warm honey water. Lev and Lia gazed all around, in awe of the overall grandness of the space. Lev couldn’t help noticing how Lia fit right in with her confidence and energy, while he received concerned looks as he stumbled along awkwardly.
Rolen led them across the room and into an empty hallway. He pressed his ring to an engraving on the wall, and a doorway appeared. They stepped through it and found themselves in a small glass capsule, similar to the carriage in which they had arrived. Lev and Lia stared through the window at the scene before them.
They were in a group of giant trees, all of them connected by bridges and platforms over which elves in green uniforms paraded. The leaves of the trees provided a cloak for the palace, so it was hidden from any outside eyes. Insects whizzed around them, carrying palace workers from place to place, and adding to the bustling energy. The capsule stopped, the door hissed open, and Lev tore his eyes from the beautiful view.
They followed Rolen down a hallway, and he led them to their rooms.
“Thank you!” Lia said as she took the key Rolen offered her.
“If you need anything, just call the service line and request me. I’ll be here next sunrise to escort you both.”
“Okay, thanks!” Lia responded, and Rolen strode away. “This is crazy! I can’t believe we’re going to the trials tomorrow!”
Lev nodded, fidgeting with his key. “I’m gonna go put my stuff in my room, but after that we should go explore the palace!” he replied, turning toward his doorway.
Inside his room, Lev lay on the bed, finally relaxing for the first time all day. He had no idea if he would be accepted into the guild, but lying here in Queen Asteria’s palace felt exciting and new. Plus, he would always have Lia there beside him.
A glint of something reflected on the ceiling. Squinting, Lev walked over to the drawer and picked up the shining metal sphere inside. It was cold, and he heard a faint clicking as his hand made contact. Lev traced his finger lightly over the dark engraving on its surface, taking in the odd object. He whipped around at the sound of a knock on the door, and slipped the ball into his pocket.