David Bishop and the Mystic of Creation T.C. Crawford (icecream ebook reader txt) 📖

patiently waiting without interrupting a single time, the head elf stood silently. He was apparently thinking over the details of the story, dissecting them to discern if there were any traces of dishonesty within their narrative.

At last, apparently satisfied that the story had, in fact, been truthful, he once again spoke.

“Very well, but this does not change the fact that you were found trespassing on our lands. It is forbidden for any mortal to set foot within the boundary of the forest. Normally, such individuals found violating our sacred lands would be killed on the spot. However, since you were found bound already, and clearly posed no threat to us, we thought it wouldn’t be prudent to take your lives in such a state. Instead, we will take you below and let our Prince decide your fate.” he said, and with a casual flick of his hand, he signaled that the conversation was over and the other elves quickly walked up to Erin and the others and began leading them towards the great white tree.

As they neared its trunk, she could see that it opened up into a large hollow area that had steps protruding up into the trunk to the left or down into the earth in a spiral fashion to the right. They took the stairs to the right.

Along the interior of the stairwell were lanterns fixed securely to the walls that were glowing within from some unknown light source. It was a gentle kind of light, but bright enough to let them see the steps winding ever deeper into the ground as they made their way down the stairway into the cool earth.

When they finally reached the end of the staircase, they entered into a wide-open chamber that branched off into a series of long, round hallways leading in various directions like burrows through the ground. They appeared to be carved right out of the roots of the tree and created a vast tunnel system by which the elves moved about. Erin could see that these areas were mostly used for storage of foods and other supplies, the coolness of the underground providing the perfect condition for long-term storage.

As they walked, she could see some round openings that led to large rooms that held countless wooden barrels she assumed were filled with drink of various kind, maybe wine or ale, she thought.

They were led down one of the long hallways which turned sharply at the end before reaching a dead end with a great wooden door that had metal braces for increased durability.

The leading elf opened the door, which was locked, and led them inside.

Inside was a large room that housed several cells behind thick metal bars. Each cell contained a small, clean bed and a fountain sprouting crystal clear water from a spicket in the wall that flowed into a little pool in the corner of each room. The rooms were small, but they were big enough for a single occupant and were surprisingly nice for a prison.

The elf led them each into their own cells before locking the doors behind them and closing the large door as he exited.

A single elf remained behind and sat casually behind a desk, with his feet propped up as he prepared to take a nap.

“Excuse me” said Tyrius to the elf, which the elf blatantly ignored.

He tried again, “Excuse me, sir,” much louder this time.

The elf gave him an annoyed look before turning the other way and closing his eyes once again.

“I would like to speak with Gilric Ellisar” said Tyrius.

At this, the elf opened his eyes and turned to Tyrius. “How do you know that name?” he asked, surprised a human seemed to know of his Prince.

“He’s a friend of mine,” replied Tyrius, glad to have finally gotten the attention of the elf.

“Oh, really?” asked the elf, skeptically. “And how did you meet him?” he asked, as if he didn’t expect a logical response and were simply entertaining himself to pass the time.

Detecting his reluctance, Tyrius made sure to be as specific as possible with his response.

“We met in the Outer Woods during his campaign to find the lost villagers who had been kidnapped by the Wolf Guard. He thought we had been the ones who had taken the villagers, but when we told him it was General Krauss and his loyalists that had taken over Eldergate by force and were responsible for the kidnappings, we helped him, along with a great army of soldiers from Ravenfell, to take back Eldergate in hopes of finding the missing villagers. Unfortunately, we were too late… not a single elf was found, and shortly after the city crumbled and fell into the Dark Abyss.” said Tyrius solemnly, remembering that fateful day all too well.

It was the day the Defiant One had been set free along with his endless horde of demons.

The elf’s eyes were wide with shock and he sat up straight, eyes glancing back and forth between Tyrius and the door leaving the chamber and into the halls.

“See, as I said. I am a friend of Gilric Ellisar’s, and I would like to speak with him immediately.” replied Tyrius, sternly but politely.

“I see…um…excuse me, while I go and inform my captain.” said the elf urgently, as he stumbled out of his chair and quickly exited the room.

Tyrius could hear his footsteps rapidly disappearing down the hall until they were too distant to detect.

He smiled in spite of their situation. If anything, he at least created a smidgen of doubt in their captor’s mind about whether or not they should, in fact, be held captive.

At most, he would get to speak with Gilric and they would be set free and be on their way once again, this time, headed back South towards Brineport to rescue David from whatever torture and torment he would be forced to endure there.

How did they keep finding themselves in such predicaments? he silently wondered to himself.

It wasn’t long before more footsteps could be heard coming back