PaulMichaels
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IGIWS: FIRST DRAFT: Chapter 248
🕑 Added 2024-06-22 15:28:55 +0000 UTCBack in the Maldura Royal Palace in the capital city of Tairal. After lunch, the day went by uneventfully for Rya and Nieren who were being taught by Yuliana, in the ways of the Green Word. Tayna and Dalia were there as well, but they mostly sat on the sideline drinking tea and making comments from time to time while Yuliana brought out different planets to communicate with.
Rya was interested in what Yuliana was teaching her while Nieren was impatient and bored. Ever since Nieren and her mother were in hiding when they made it to Ironside, she would be stuck in the house most days doing nothing but failing at her mother's lessons. And when she wasn't helping her mother with her potions, Nieren would practice her archery.
But now that her mana vein was unsealed by Rya, her mother was reinvigorated in teaching Nieren the Green Word.
'Ugh... When is she going to be done?'
Nieren was getting fed up with learning the Green Word just as they entered Yuliana's special room she created for the plants to grow in the palace. The room was covered with vines that held small fruits and leaves. The smell of the room was pleasant and the temperature was perfect.
Yuliana clapped her hands together to get her daughters' attention, "Now! Now!... Can you tell me why it's so important for the elves to know the Green Word?"
Rya thought about it for a moment before answering, "So we can protect ourselves?"
The Dark Elf was able to use the Green Word by instinct after Nils unlocked her ability to use all the elements that were affiliated with the Dark Elven Goddess, but Rya just treated it as if it were any other spell.
Yuliana smiled, "Close. We do use the Green Word to protect ourselves. But we also use the Green Word to help heal the Spirits of the forests, and by healing the Spirits, the forest is able to grow back and create a connection to the Elder Tree... For the Elder Tree heals the world..."
Nieren was silently mouthing along with her mother's final words.
'Elder Tree? Heals the world? What the hell does that mean?'
Yuliana could see the confusion on Rya's face.
"What is confusing you, Ry?" Yuliana asked as she put both of her hands on the table in front of her that was filled with potted plants.
Rya nodded her head and thought of the best question to ask.
"I just don't know what makes an Elder Tree so special?... Like I get that it is huge but maybe I don't know how the tree truly works when I haven't seen one in person. All the bigger plants I've ever seen are the ones here in the palace or the forests west of Ironside... and the ones in Eder Hills... But they seemed like normal plants and trees to me," Rya said.
Yuliana nodded her head, "Yes. There are many trees and plants that are just normal as you would say. But when you earn the trust of the Spirits of the forest they will start talking to you and they can grow food for you or create healing properties, or best of all is when they warn you of incoming danger. They can become the eyes and ears of an Elf that is traveling alone."
Yuliana paused and let her daughter take in what she just told her.
Rya looked at her, "So these Spirits can talk to us and guide us?... I mean, the healing thing seems nice for someone who isn't me, but I can see the usefulness of the Spirits warning you about incoming dangers."
Yuliana sighed, "It's so much more than that, Ry... The plants can shift the forest around at will making it impossible to enter if you so choose, or they can move the ground and trees out of your way and open up the road for you and the people traveling with you... If the plants want, they can kill you just as fast as they can save you... That's what made the Wood Elf Kingdom so great. Our people would travel and live in peace among the Spirits of the Forests and the Spirits would protect the forest and our people."
Rya took a moment to think about what her mother just said.
'It is like having your own labyrinth... That kinda sounds sweet... But I bet it isn't that easy... I mean the Wood Elf's Elder Tree died before the Kingdom of Marn attacked them with the Black Roses being the vanguard... And then they got betrayed when the High Elves abandoned them... But what can a plant truly do when a person comes along and wants to cut it down? It doesn't stand a chance,' Rya thought.
Rya looked at her mom who was staring back at her.
"You're wondering about how my family's Elder Tree died, aren't you?"
"I guess I was wondering how the Elder Tree began to wilt... It couldn't have been that easy to kill it with only Wyvern's blood," Rya said.
Yuliana shook her head, "That is the mystery... But I intend to ask my Husband if I ever get the chance to see him again," the Green-haired Elf said with a hint of anger in her voice.
"Wait?... Lady Yuliana's husband did something to hurt the Wood Elves?... But isn't he a Wood Elf?" Tayna asked as she put down her tea.
Everyone turned to look at the human. Dalia smirked as she finished swallowing her biscuit, "Woody's half High Elf... See her blonde hair? It's the giveaway," Dalia said, pointing at Nieren's golden hair.
Yuliana looked over at the Wolfkin girl, "Yes, my Husband is a respected High Elf from the Aquarius House. He was known for his ability to tame Wyverns and ride them like a horse. He was married to me to strengthen the bonds between the Wood and High Elves."
"But you said he abandoned the kingdom when they needed him most? Why did he do that?..." Tayna asked.
"My Husband is a proud elf and he was secretive the longer he was in our marriage. Valdas didn't want to have children and I never saw him smile or laugh... Maybe on occasion, he would smile and I would think we were getting closer. But after I got pregnant, Valdas became more distant from me. He didn't even attend the birth of his child. He was too busy playing with his pet wyvern, I would never see him without his black dragon by his side."
'Yikes!... Yeah... Mom deserves to have someone who cares about her and can be a real partner... I hope I can find someone for her... But who?...'
Rya started cycling through all the men that she knew who were single. The first man that came to mind was Baron Zellin. He was kinda cute and awkward for a dwarf.
'Hehe!... He's so short standing next to Yuliana... But?...'
Then Arathar, Zellin's father, popped into the scene.
"Zellin!?... Quit messing around and get a girlfriend already!... I want to know there's going to be a grandchild out of this!" Arathar said with his voice booming which made Zellin turn embarrassed with anger.
"Shut up, Old Man! I'll do it when I'm good and ready!" Zellin shouted at his father.
"Ohhh, yeah!? You're doing a bang-up job so far, Boy! If your mom was alive, she'd be rolling in her grave right now!" Arathar's voice echoed through the empty courtyard.
"Mom's still alive you senile old bastard!"
"Ha!... That's not how I see it!... She's barely holding on right now! Get a move on it, Son! Or are you too busy with books to find a good woman!?... Wait?... Are you more in love with books instead of a fine lady!?... Goddess be damned! I've failed my BOY!"
"FATHER! SHUT UP!" Zellin shouted, turning and throwing a fist at his father as the two started to wrestle while Yuliana giggled.
Rya shook her head, 'That was weird, but Zellin does have daddy issues... Maybe there's... Sir George?'
Rya's imagination started to play out the scene of Yuliana and George meeting.
Sir George was riding in on a white steed. He dismounted his horse and took off his helmet.
"Your Highness!... Would you like to see how large my purse is?"
"You disgusting human!" Yuliana shouts as she communicates to some vines that grab the knight and lift him up.
"H-Hold on!... I have the perfect trick to make you fall in love!... My, my, aren't you old—YEAAAAHHH!!!" Sir George was sent flying as Yuliana's vines hit the Knight's face and tossed him far away.
Rya had an entertained smile on her face as she replayed the scene of Sir George's courting skills blowing up in his face.
"Hahaha!... That would be funny if it really happened!..." Rya said out loud.
Everyone looked at Rya with a puzzled look.
"We don't find it funny that Lady Yuliana's husband left her." Lady Tayna said, trying to correct her friend.
Rya's face turned red as she looked at the four.
"I-I was thinking about else that was unrelated... And I got lost in my own thoughts... S-Sorry Mom," Rya said, bowing her head to her mother.
Dalia was the first who became curious.
"What were you thinking about, Alpha?"
"Yeah, I'd like to know too," Lady Tayna said, sitting on the sofa that was located on the side wall.
Rya thought about it at first but she blushed and waved her hand and shook her head.
"It was nothing that funny... And it's more juvenile humor than anything else," Rya said, looking away.
"Awe... Come on, Sis. I could use a laugh," Nieren said with a smile.
Rya sighed.
"It's a bad joke. Trust me, you don't want to hear it."
"I want to hear it," Dalia said, smiling.
Rya noticed how everyone was looking at her with interest and intrigue.
'Haah... Well?... Time to be laughed at... I guess?'
"If you say so... Haah... When Mom talked about how Valdas left her, I started thinking about who would be a good fit for her... But the first two single guys I thought of wouldn't work and I imagined how they would fail," Rya said, looking a little anxious about continuing.
"Oh, this is going to be good," Dalia said, smiling, with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Am I missing something?" Tayna asked the Wolfkin.
"Shhh! Just wait and listen!"
Tayna was a bit confused.
"Alright... Well, the first was Zellin and... How his father would get in the way," Rya trailed off before she mentally prepared for Sir George's epic fail.
Nieren was confused while Yuliana smirked when she recalled all the fights Zellin and Arathar would get in.
"Ahem... Then I imagined what Sir George would do—"
"No! Not him, Sis! Anyone but him!" Nieren interrupted.
Rya paused for a moment.
"I know... But I imagined him riding on a white steed with full armor on and when he stops and dismounts his horse he skillfully takes off his helmet and looks into Mom's eyes and says... 'Would you like to see how large my purse is?' which Mom totally gets offended and uses her vines to grab him to throw him away. But in one last ditch effort to win Mom over, he shouts, 'I have the perfect trick to make you fall in love!' And boom. He gets thrown and sent flying through the air after calling Mom old.
"So there was your story and why I laughed," Rya said, finishing up and all four ladies were silent.
"I don't get why Lady Yuliana would be angry about Sir George saying that he had a large purse?" Tayna said with confusion.
"Yeah... I have to agree with Little Princess, Alpha... What's the big deal?" Dalia asked.
Rya was surprised, 'So they don't know about sexual innuendo?... Wow... I thought it would have been pretty obvious. Oh well.'
"Never mind," Rya said, shaking her head and smiling.
"Anyway, before I let you good for the day... I wanted to show you girls your birthright," Yuliana said as she turned around to a cabinet that had vines that were growing all over it and they receded away so the Elf could open the cabinet.
Inside were the three Elder Seed saplings. Yuliana carefully placed all three into a wooden tray and then the vines closed the cabinet.
Yuliana carried the tray to the table in the center of the room and set it down.
The Elder Seeds were the size of coconuts and there were little saplings with four to five leaves coming out from the top.
"The Elder Seed is what makes our forest great and strong. And when it grows into a tree, it can house more than fifty thousand people within its canopy," Yuliana explained.
"Fifty thousand? That's a lot of people!" Tayna said, amazed.
"It's not just the size, but also the defenses. A Elder Tree can create a protective barrier around an area and it can be used for defensive purposes... Not only that but when the spiritual energy is at its strongest the Elder Tree can create a physical manifestation of itself called nymphs... And after hundreds of years, the nymph can grow into a dryad... They can control all the plants in the surrounding area of the Elder Tree's protection. And these nymphs and dryads are immortal and are a symbol of the Elder Trees' protection," Yuliana said and looked at the seeds.
"How did the Elder Trees die, Lady Yuliana?" Tayna asked.
"I don't know... But when Maya vanished the Elder Tree started to wither," Yuliana sighed and frowned.
"That's disturbing. You would think that if a tree is connected to Spiritual Energy... It wouldn't have died," Nieren said with her arms crossed.
"What is Spiritual Energy?... It sounds like it has a similar effect to mana," Rya said and Yuliana looked at her.
"Spiritual Energy is given off by all living things... The stronger the life the greater the amount of Spiritual Energy that is given off. Trees and other plants are the greatest source of Spiritual Energy because they are the oldest creatures," Yuliana said and Rya's eyes lit up.
"So it's a different type of energy that the Elder Trees use," Rya said.
"Correct. My father once told me that the wood elves of old used to be able to sense the flow of spiritual energy... To such a point that they knew exactly the best spot to plant the Elder Seeds... Sadly, it's something that has been lost and it's been centuries since a new Elder Tree has been grown..." Yuliana said and her gaze hardened.
Rya, Tayna, and Dalia became confused while Nieren looked at her mother with a bit of sadness in her eyes.
"Hold on?... You can't just plant this thing and let it grow?!" Dalia asked, shocked.
"It's not that simple... When an Elder Seedling is planted into a new location... It needs a powerful source of spiritual energy. Otherwise, the seedling will never take root... Me and my brother have tried for years to see if we could get another Elder Seed to take root but we never could..." Yuliana explained.
Rya looked at the seeds. 'These three must be the only ones left... Shit... So we can't just plant the thing in a forest and hope for it to grow?... But where can we find enough spiritual energy?... Huh?'
Rya noticed something emitting off of one of the leaves from the seeds. 'Is that mana? N-No... It's something different... Maybe it's?'
The Dark Elf pulled out her Seer Stone and brought the monocle up to her right eye and channeled her mana into it. It didn't take long for her to see Yuliana's mana vein pop up into view but Rya was focused on the seeds in front of the Wood Elf.
'Come on?... I swear I saw something... Wait... I can see it!'
Rya saw three little specs of spiritual energy that were flowing in the air around the seeds.
'It's so small. And the color is... Light green?... Where did I see something like that before?'
Rya was wracking her brain when the younger Wood Elf tapped her shoulder.
"Rya?" Nieren said and the Dark Elf blinked.
"Huh?" Rya said and lowered her Seer Stone.
"Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. Sorry, I thought I saw something that was familiar and I was trying to figure out where," Rya explained and Nieren looked at her.
"Oh, what was it?"
"I think I saw a small amount of spiritual energy... Three specs were floating around the seeds when I looked through the Seer Stone... Or I could be making it up in my head. But they were light green, just like the color of your spiritual energy," Rya said and Nieren looked at her with a wide-eyed expression.
"You saw spiritual energy?... Can I try it?" Nieren asked and held her hand out.
"Sure... But I had to use a lot of mana to even see a little amount. Are you sure?" Rya asked and the Wood Elf nodded.
Rya handed the Seer Stone over to her sister, who held the stone up to her right eye and channeled her mana into it.
Nieren was looking through the Seer Stone for a solid minute before she sighed and shook her head.
"I only can see my mother's mana vein... Are you sure you saw something? I don't see anything," Nieren said while looking at Rya.
'I-Is it something that only I can see?... Or am I going crazy?... No... It must be something that Nils must have given me once I became her Chosen One... God, I sound so fucking lame saying that.'
Rya was lost in her thoughts and she didn't notice that Yuliana was calling her.
"Rya?... Rya!"
"W-What?!" Rya stuttered as she was knocked out of her thoughts.
"I just wanted to say that one of these seeds will be yours to plant and grow... Don't worry about trying to find the perfect spot... Once you get used to using the Green Word, you should be able to tell where the best place to plant an Elder Seed," Yuliana explained.
Rya stared at the Wood Elf for a moment.
"Thank you... I promise that I will care for my Elder Tree the best I can," Rya said.
"We don't have to worry about that for now... Just be patient and learn how to communicate with the plants... With the three of us... There's no doubt in my mind that we can plant these seeds and get them to grow... For the future of the elves depends on us," Yuliana said with a smile and a tear fell down her cheek.
Rya and Nieren glanced at each other before looking back at Yuliana who wiped her face with her sleeve.
"Sorry... It's just I know the world will change and it's scary but it's exciting," Yuliana said with a soft smile.
'I got to figure this out... For Yuliana's sake... Wait! That's it!... I saw the same color particles in the royal garden!... Can I see spiritual energy? What else can I see that everyone else can't?... Maybe I should ask...' Rya shuttered at the thought of asking them. 'Nils and Nebulus... Gah!... Just saying their names give me the shivers... Maybe I can find something out without asking... Maybe the library has some information?'
Rya looked up at her mother.
"So, when do we start the training?" Rya asked.
"Let's start tomorrow," Yuliana answered while she took the Elder Seeds back to the cabinet.
Rya wanted to grab one of the Elder Seeds to take it to the garden but she stopped herself.
"H-Hey Mom?... When are you going to give us our Elder Seed?... I want to see where the best place is in the garden for my tree," Rya asked.
Yuliana stared at Rya for a moment before she went back to the cabinet and opened the top drawer. She put them in carefully and closed the doors. She then whispered to her vines that wrapped themselves around the cabinet.
'Wow!... My mother is so cool!'
"Well, I have to give your sister her seed first... She is my bloodline so she needs to be ready to choose her Seed. Then I will give you yours," Yuliana said while turning her head towards Nieren.
"Guh... But I don't know if I can be a good Wood Elf, Mom!... I'm more like father, with all the archery and sword handling... Can't you make an exception for me?" Nieren asked with a cute pout.
'She looks so much like Yuliana... If she had a flower hairband and green hair... She'd look so much like her...' Rya thought.
"N-No... I won't be swayed by your cute puppy dog eyes, Nieren... Especially now that I know your mana vein is healed and you can use the Green Word... So, no... You will start learning tomorrow... That's the only reason why you're here... Not for archery, not for swordsmanship, but for learning how to be a proper wood elf," Yuliana said as she crossed her arms.
Nieren let out a sigh.
"Okay, Mom," Nieren said.
Rya smiled and tugged on Nieren's sleeve.
"Huh?"
"Don't worry... I think you can be the best at both. You're going to become the greatest Wood and High Elf in the world," Rya said with a grin.
Nieren looked at her with embarrassment.
"W-Well... For all we know I'm the only half-breed in the world, Sis," Nieren replied as she scratched her cheek.
"Then that's even better. Because there is no one else like you, and that makes you special," Rya said while smiling.
Nieren's face flushed and she couldn't help but look away.
"O-Oh stop it... I'm nothing special," Nieren said, trying not to smile.
"Of course you're special. You're my sister and one of my best friends... I'll help you with your light magic," Rya replied while hugging her from her left side.
"R-Rya..." Nieren whispered.
"But I will only help you if you promise to give Mom's training a chance, even if it's a little bit. Okay?"
"Yeah... I'll try... But don't get your hopes up... I'm not good at magic and I can't speak the Green Word very well..."
"That's the spirit... Woody was always a good quitter, Little Princess," Dalia said with a smirk.
Nieren's shy face turned into annoyance.
"Ugh... You damn Dog!... Why do you always think I'm a quitter?"
"Because you quit everything. You gave up on beginning an adventurer, helping your mom, and being a warrior. Now you're just giving up on learning magic, so I'm calling you a quitter," Dalia replied while still smirking.
Nieren got even more angry and growled at her.
"I never quit being a warrior, you stupid little-"
"Oh! And your etiquette! You give up on everything," Dalia said as she continued to poke fun at Nieren.
Nieren glared at her and stomped her feet.
"Why you little! COME HERE! I'LL SHOW YOU WHO'S A QUITTER!"
"HAH! Catch me if you can!" Dalia said while trying not to laugh.
"Oh dear," Yuliana said while covering her eyes.
"Hahaha, oh no," Rya said with a giggle.
Tayna was dumbfounded as Nieren was chasing after Dalia who maneuvered surprisingly well with her pregnant belly.
Rya just shook her head and looked over to Yuliana and then Tayna, "Hey... It's getting close to dinner... But you two want to join me?... I'm sure Dalia and Nieren will be occupied for a bit..."
"YES! PLEASE!" Tayna said happily as she wanted to get out of the room.
Yuliana chuckled and nodded, "That would be lovely, Ry."
"Alright! I'll follow your lead, Tayna... I'm still not used to the palace. I hope we don't get lost," Rya replied as she let out a soft chuckle.
"I know the feeling, Lady Rya... I think the dining hall is to the left," Tayna said, and she stood up and walked to the door.
Rya and Yuliana followed behind her and just before Rya closed the door she hollered to Dalia and Nieren, "Be careful, and don't hurt yourselves! Love you two!"
Nieren had tackled Dalia, but Dalia was able to maneuver and tried to roll away but her little baby bump stopped her from rolling properly. Nieren had the advantage and grabbed Dalia's legs and began to tickle her feet.
"GOT YOU!"
"NOOO! I'm sorry!"
"Sorry doesn't save you from being tickled, Dog!"
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Dalia tried to escape, but her legs were weak and she had to use her arms to protect her belly.
"NO! DON'T TICKLE MY STOMACH!"
"I'm gonna tickle you and your baby till you piss yourself, you dumb wolf!"
"AHHHH! NO, PLEASE! WOOD-"
"That's what you get!" Nieren said as she began to tickle Dalia's stomach.
"AAAHHHHHH!"
Dalia giggled as the Wood Elf got her revenge and once Dalia conceded the Wood Elf smiled and said, "See? I'm no quitter, Wolf!... Now... Where did everyone go?"
"Huh?... Alpha wanted dinner... Which I could use too?... Race you to the Dining hall, Quitter! HAHAHAHA!" Dalia said as she quickly ran out the door.
Nieren just watched as one of her best friends had a sudden burst of energy and ran off, "Hey, that's cheating!... Wait, Dalia!"
Nieren ran after her, and Dalia laughed as the Wood Elf chased her.
"Come on, slowpoke!"
"Hey, no fair, Dalia! How can you run so fast? You're pregnant!"
"Hehe, Never underestimate a Wolfkin, haha! See ya!"
"AH! I hate you! Get back here!"
"You're welcome, Quitter! Haha, come on! Keep up!"
"UGHHH! DALIA! Come back, dammit!"
All the servants looked annoyed as the two ran down the hallways of the palace like children.
Comments
PaulMichaels
No problem. My back got messed up after a workout and I been exhausted from that. I'm hoping to get next first draft out sometime today.
Micheal Kennedy
Thank for the chapter!
Marek Gwalt
TFTC
