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

down the hallway, this time there seemed to be more than just a single person.

When the door opened again, in walked Gilric Ellisar, dressed as fine as ever, followed closely by the elf who had left the room earlier. His eyes were focusing on the ground before him as if he had received a very heavy scolding.

“Tyrius, my friend,” said Gilric when he saw Tyrius standing patiently in the cell. “Please accept my sincerest apologies. We never can be too careful when it comes to protecting our lands from outsiders.” he said, bowing slightly.

“Not a problem, dear friend,” replied Tyrius, smiling, as their cages were unlocked and opened one by one by the elf, still refusing to lock eyes with any of the captives.

They each walked out of their cells, happy to be free once again. They seemed to be making a habit of getting locked away, Erin mused, and she wasn’t sure she liked the new trend.

“Please, come with me. I am sure you are all famished. We have a feast being prepared as we speak in the Great Hall above.” said Gilric, motioning for the others to follow as he turned and headed back out of the room and down the hall.

He led them through the hallway and back up the large spiral staircase rising up the trunk of the great white tree. Erin couldn’t help but marvel at how large the tree truly was and noticed that throughout the inner walls were intricate little carvings spiraling up and down the trunk. They were beautiful and unpredictable, almost the way the wind soars through the air, billowing and twisting about freely like a dancer.

As they made their way up the spiraling stairwell, Erin traced her fingers along its intricate carvings as they passed the entrance and continued upward for several minutes. Their legs began to ache with the strain of the ascent, until finally, after countless floors, they reached a landing somewhere around the middle of the trunk that branched off through a wide opening in the side of the tree and led out onto one of its enormous branches.

A smooth walkway had been carved into the top of the branch, making for a nice even path that followed the curving limb. They had also built in highly decorative rails that served to prevent anyone from accidentally falling off the edges – a fall that would surely end in death at this height.

Erin tried her best to look down as they walked, but the height was staggering and she was experiencing a severe sense of vertigo, so instead she focused on the areas around them at the same level plane. She couldn’t believe how much the elves had built within the branches of the tree.

It was an entire city of buildings built throughout the canopy like a great tree house. There were great, arching bridges all over the place, spanning between the largest branches and providing access throughout the massive tree canopy for all to enjoy.

In addition to the main central staircase moving up and down the tree trunk, there were several staircases throughout the canopy that allowed for easy access between each level of the city. All of the buildings seemed to be built from the same white wood of the tree, giving the city a bright white appearance while also a gentle, natural feel that was peaceful and transcendental.

There were several different species of birds and butterflies, flying and flittering throughout the air, each visiting the endless variety of flowers that were growing nearly everywhere Erin looked.

She could see squirrels and chipmunks and other woodland creatures scattering about the rails and staircases, jumping across great distances as they ran about, playing like little children.

It was the most remarkable thing she had ever seen, and that was saying a lot after having just visited the great Dwarven city of Emerald Keep!

As Gilric led them throughout the ever-winding complex, they eventually reached a large structure that was beautifully crafted with large, vaulted ceilings and intricate carvings around the outside of the building. The carvings looked like flowering vines cut into the large pillars supporting the balcony before the main entrance, its roof reaching high above their heads and sporting great timber beams that would arc back and forth throughout the structure of the ceiling.

When they entered the room, they could see it was furnished with dozens of long tables fit for dining and hosting a large gathering.

The tables were already prepared with silver dishes filled with wonderful smelling foods of all kinds. Nearly all of the dishes sported some type of grilled or roasted fish, coupled with garden vegetables, nuts, and salads with a sweet, berry vinaigrette that looked delightful.

Gilric led them to a large table positioned at the front of the great dining hall and beckoned for them to take the seats next to his. The elves all turned to watch the humans entering their halls and being seated next to their Prince.

Prince Gilric addressed the crowd, seeing their curiosity.

“My dear brethren. Today we will host our most esteemed guests.” he said, introducing each of them by name starting with Tyrius and working his way down to Reingard and Holzer.

“They have come a long way and been through a great ordeal. Please join me in making them feel at home.” he finished, to which a gentle round of applause echoed throughout the chamber.

After his introductions, they all sat down to a wonderful meal. After some time when they had each finished eating and their bellies were full of food and wine and their spirits were bolstered, they sat and spoke about their adventures since the battle of Eldergate.

They caught Gilric up on the purpose of their quest from Ravenfell. How they had trekked through the Southern Tunnel into Ashmire where they were chased by the Guild before falling into the Dwarven tunnels. They told him of their time spent in Emerald Keep and their legal battle with the King, and finally how they had ultimately ended up