Elf Mastery by Bryant Reil

Author:Bryant Reil [Reil, Bryant]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-04-03T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

Aspengrove

Aspen closed her eyes as Castor descended through the forest canopy. Though she sat in the rear, Eunoe was leaning forward and Kyla was too short to block any of the branches from slapping Aspen in the face. She was grateful when Castor finally settled on the forest floor. Kyla leaped from Castor's back before the tiger was at a full stop, and Aspen followed. Eunoe thanked Castor with a scratch behind the ears.

Unlike Whitehall and Equinox where the buildings jutted from the landscape like blockish warts, the homes in Aspengrove were integrated into the trees. It was well-hidden from a distance. Rather than a single building each home was made of several small pods connected by ladders and narrow walkways through the branches. As aspens were not well-suited for this design, the homes were built into maple or oak trees that appeared to have been grown for this purpose. They were also far enough apart that each home was not visible from the others, which provided solitude. It was a tranquil place, and Aspen thought she might prefer living among the elves of Aspengrove to the satyrs and alseids of Arkwood.

Kyla's home was crafted into a short but thick-trunked oak. The largest room was the only part of the home at ground level and circled the base of the tree. Through a window Aspen could see a display of shoes. That must be the shop. The center of the oak was hollowed out and a narrow ladder carved into the wood so one could climb to the upper rooms through the trunk.

“Mom!” A woman stepped out of the shop and Kyla almost bowled her over with a hug. The woman smiled and patted Kyla on the head, though she eyed Castor nervously.

“Interesting way to get home!” she said. “Shouldn't you be in class?”

Kyla slowly let go of her mother. “I need to talk to you.”

Kyla's mom looked suddenly worried. She looked at Eunoe and Aspen in turn. “Come in. I'm Lianaria. Call me Lia.”

Aspen, unfamiliar with Elvish etiquette but too shy to admit it, let Eunoe go first. Eunoe and Lianaria extended open hands and held each other by the wrists. Aspen copied. For all the grief she gave Eunoe for being bossy, Aspen was always glad to have her around to forge the way in unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations.

“Mom, this is Eunoe and Aspen. And Castor.”

“Nice to meet all of you. Why don't you come inside? We can talk in the store.”

“Where's dad?”

“He's in the workshop with your brother.”

“Really?” Kyla looked surprised. “Bit's never been in the workshop. He's so lazy.”

“He's improving.”

Kyla pointed to the southeast as she entered the shop. “The workshop's way over there because it stinks. Dad has to skin the rabbits there and stuff. We just have to sit in the store in case a customer comes. They don't come very often. Not too many people live around here! So dad goes on a lot of trips to deliver shoes to other towns.”

Aspen followed the others inside.

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