The Forsaken Hero

The gaps in the trees became broader and more frequent, the fields deeper and villages closer together. All at once, the forest opened into a city.

At first, I thought we’d somehow circled back to Brackencliff, but no cliffs or mountains overshadowed the orderly homes and ivy-covered towers. Soon, it became clear the city beneath us was far bigger, extending miles in every direction. Thick patches of trees and canopy shrouded vast swathes, the homes grown into the trunks themselves, like the library of Brackencliff, only crafted of real wood. The rest of the homes were half-timber with wooden shingles or tiles for roofs.

A vast river looped through the city, shining silver and red with the light of the setting sun. The ancient oxbows were miles across, with countless streams and tributaries weaving a chaotic sprawl between, connecting the city as thoroughly as the jumbled streets. Barges floated up and down, using the slow currents like canals.

”How many of them are elves?” I asked, peering down at the small, antlike figures scurrying through the streets.

”Almost all of them,” Selena answered.

I straightened, unable to keep the surprised twitch from my tail. Selena smiled faintly.

”Welcome to Duskwood, the largest city of elvenkind, and the seat of our race’s power.”

”There’s close to a hundred thousand in the city itself, with almost twice that spread out over the surrounding villages and towns,” Aerion said.

”I’ve never seen this many,” I whispered, ”I didn’t know there were so many elves in the whole world.”

”We’re rather scattered beyond the borders of Sylvarus, and compared to the millions of men, our numbers are small, but don’t underestimate us,” Aerion replied. ”You’ll find the quality of our soldiers, merchants, and artisans far beyond those of mortal men and beastkin.

”And yet, you have no ninth-level,” Fyren said, folding his arms. ”To boast of power when you’ve yet to reach the peak is arrogant indeed.”

Aerion frowned at him, but before he could retort, the ship lurched, dropping several dozen feet at once. I yelped, latching on to Elise’s arm, tail lashing.

”It’s fine, no need for alarm,” Selena said. ”The winds are often unpredictable above Duskwood, especially in the evening. But Captain Rys is well-seasoned. He’ll get us to the skyport safely.”

I nodded, my throat suddenly dry. My companions had all gathered on the second deck beneath the magical ship wheel they used for steering to witness our approach to Duskwood. Now, I regretted that decision, wishing I’d gone below deck until we’d landed.

More turbulence shook the ship, but the sailors working around us remained calm and composed. I gradually loosened my death-grip on Elise’s arm, shifting nervously as the city drew nearer and nearer.

”Are we landing in another warehouse?” Korra asked.

”No, the Duskwood Skyport is completely outside, like any seaport. Brackencliff was unique in the fact that it’s completely internal. Still, it was necessary, given its position on the border, efforts were made to reduce the information spies could glean from observation. Like when a ship was preparing to set out, for instance. It’s inconvenient, but a necessary precaution for a city threatened by Risen and demons.”

It wasn’t long until what I could only assume to be the skyport came into view. Long wooden piers rose above the trees, forming a dock-like structure a hundred feet above the ground. As Selena had said, there were ten such piers, connected by raised roads, stairs, and enclosed bridges. Three were occupied by skyships, the largest only three-quarters the size of the Windserpent. On the horizon, where the city met the darkening sky, a small dot hovered over the treeline. A skyship, perhaps, going or coming.

”Prepare for docking! I wanted everything not tied down stored beneath decks. Run up the Duskwood flag. Let them know who’s coming,” Captain Rys shouted over the buzz of the ship.

”Should we be here?” I asked, looking around, feeling awfully exposed on the deck.

”It’s fine. Skyships have been functioning for almost a year, yet we’ve never had a single accident on the docs,” Aerion said.

Sure enough, the ship’s descent smoothed as we approached the trees, the turbulence fading to a stiff breeze, causing my hair and skirt to flutter about me. Figures of elves became distinguishable on the doc, rushing around the particular pier where our ship was headed.

A dark green flag with a white tree emblazoned on it rose up the central mast, flapping in the trees.

”The colors of Duskwood. Running the flag on our approach indicates all is well with our ship,” Aerion explained before I could ask.

The ship glided through the air, so low I feared we’d brush the tree tops. But our path remained smooth as we decelerated, gliding directly between the waiting pier, coming to rest in the cradle with barely a bump.

The captain started shouting orders again, and soldiers ran to the edge, throwing mooring ropes and cables to workers waiting on the docks. They tied the ship down, and the now familiar hum of the magic core died away, leaving the ship unnaturally still beneath our feet.

”See? Nothing to worry about,” Selena said.

”This time,” Krora said, flashing me a teasing smile.

I shivered, hugging Elise a little closer. ”Is it over? Can we get off now?”

A loud clang caused me to jump. To the side, the soldiers had extended the gangway, opening the gate-like railing to clear the path to the docs.

”Stay close,” Selena said. ”It’s easy to get lost here.”

The crew and captain saluted us as we disembarked, giving Aerion and Selena friendly smiles. I was taken aback to find that the smooth planks of the skydock felt no different to me than the deck of the ship. But while my mind couldn’t tell, my body knew the difference, loosening like a pair of unlaced boots. My tail slumped, my stomach untwisted, and the trepidatious flutter in my chest vanished entirely. I took a long, deep breath, tasting the air, finding it sweet, like spring flowers.

We took a wide flight of stairs down to ground level, submerging beneath the canopy of the trees. Compared to the warm summer sun, the evening shade was chilly, sending a shiver down my back.

An attendant greeted us as we were deposited in a spacious courtyard, fenced in from the city around. Selena exchanged a few words with them, and we were directed to one of nearly a dozen gates leading out. The guards at the gate gave us wary looks, entirely overlooking the armed starguard to direct their suspicion to me and Fable.

”Where are we headed?” Korra asked, all but bouncing on her heels.

”I was hoping you’d stay at our estate,” Selena said. ”The Sunsinger family isn’t particularly wealthy, but we’ve sufficient accommodations. And I can guarantee the treatment will be better.”

”Really? At your house?” R’lissea asked. ”I thought diplomats and important figures were supposed to stay at the palace?”

Selena made a face. ”As if I care for customs as dated as that. You’re my guests, and I won’t have you treated elsewhere.”

It turned out several carriages were waiting for us. I ended up sitting beside R’lissea, with Korra and R’lissea across. I leaned out the window as the horses drew away from the Skyport, watching Duskwood pass with wide eyes. Occasionally, my tail would twitch, causing R’lissea to giggle as it tickled her leg.

Selena had warned me, but there was no preparing for the sight of so many elves. The hour was late, but the streets thronged with crowds. We passed through markets and squares, filled with merchants and open-air stalls. There were hundreds of eves, maybe thousands. Before we’d gone five blocks, I’d already seen more pointed eras than I’d seen in my entire life until this point.

For such a lively town, I was expecting some smiles or waves, but our reception was strangely frosty. In fact, everywhere I looked, elves looked worn and tired, eyes darting at those they passed, hands clutching their belongings and children close. Those who caught sight of me through the carriage window recoiled, lips curling in disgust, before abruptly turning away. After the second time, I retreated a few inches, peeking out behind the curtain, not allowing myself to be seen.

At last, the city changed from crowded mercantile districts to more spacious gardens, orchards, and courtyards. The bustle of the streets died away, allowing the rumble and creak of our carriage to be heard. The elves here wore long, flowing dresses with high-necked collars and snug bosoms. Their hair shone, styled with flowers and ribbons, and they walked with grace and poise. Their eyes, however, were as cold and unwelcoming as those in the common districts.

Our small convoy pulled into a long, curved throughway off the side of the main street, stopping before an arched gate with ’sunsinger’ engraved upon it. The gardens and courtyards beyond were vast and green, with blossoming flowers and orchards. Tucked away behind the beauty was a mansion similar to the many noble homes we’d passed on the way, with timbered walls, small towers, and many windows.

The door opened and we stepped out, helped to the ground by a young, handsome soldier wearing a red ribbon tied around his sheathe. I smiled at him, but he frowned, giving an uneasy glance first at my horns, then at Aerion, who waited beside the open gate.

”Welcome, friends, to the Sunsinger Estate,” Selena said, gesturing with her hand to the grounds beyond the gate. ”Please, make yourself at home.”