Elven Honor by Jonathan Moeller

Author:Jonathan Moeller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jonathan Moeller

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A drive of about thirty minutes took us from Fort Casey to the Ducal Mall in Brookfield, one of Milwaukee’s suburbs.

It was a sprawling four-story complex of glass and steel and concrete, with concourses and walkways and restaurants and even a little amusement park with a couple of roller coasters. It had its own dedicated off-ramp from Interstate 94, which Nadia took, driving through acres of parking lots until she eased the SUV into a space.

“Don’t mind a walk, do you?” said Nadia.

“Certainly not,” said Harmathyr with stiff pride. “The men of Castaris and Kalvarion are accustomed to walking upon their own feet, not being carried about in a palanquin like some weakling noble.”

“A what?” said Nadia, looking back at Harmathyr. He had insisted on sitting in the back, and had been staring at the shops and cars as we drove through the commercial part of Brookfield.

“It’s a chair with carrying handles on the sides,” I said. “One of the duties of serfs on Kalvarion was to carry their lords in palanquin chairs.”

“Jesus,” muttered Nadia, and we got out of the car.

“Do only the lords of the humans have cars?” said Harmathyr.

“We don’t really have nobles,” said Nadia. “Not the way Elves do. I mean, we did, back in olden times, but nowadays we don’t. But we still have rich and poor people.”

“Then only wealthy humans have cars?” said Harmathyr.

“Well, most people have cars,” said Nadia. She patted the side of the SUV. “This is pretty basic, but I didn’t want to waste Her Majesty’s money. Richer people buy nicer cars.” She pointed at a four-door sedan painted an unappealing shade of brown that failed to disguise the rust damage. “People with less money buy what they can.”

“Then…your poor are not forbidden from buying cars?” said Harmathyr. His eyebrows drew together in confusion.

“No,” said Nadia. “I mean, you can take out loans to get one.”

“Ah,” said Harmathyr, nodding. “Then if the loan isn’t repaid, the debtor is sold into lifelong slavery.”

“No,” said Nadia again. “They get hauled into small claims court, and the car is seized. You have to be convicted of a serious crime to get enslaved, at least in the United States – armed robbery, rape, murder, that sort of thing. Felonies. Missing a car payment doesn’t qualify.”

Harmathyr looked taken aback. “On Kalvarion, it was forbidden for a serf to own a sword or a crossbow, or to ride upon a horse.”

“It’s true,” I said.

“That’s just stupid,” said Nadia. “What, were you supposed to walk everywhere?” She tugged her coat tighter, grimacing a little. “And how were you supposed to defend yourselves without swords? No wonder the Archons took over.”

The words were blunt and might have caused offense to Elven nobles and some commoners, but Harmathyr only nodded.

“Perhaps you are right, Marshal,” said Harmathyr.

“Listen,” said Nadia. “I’ll answer any questions about Earth you want, but how about we go inside to do it? It’s really freaking cold.”

“Oh. Yes. Of course,” said Harmathyr. “It is summer in Castaris, and I sometimes forget it is winter in this part of Earth.

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