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The day was sinking into the darkness of night, the sweet smell of the hot earth as it started to cool spread through the house. The sun sank lower and the crickets started their songs, the noise was calming and that is what he needed. The world was changing, moving into a direction where war was inevitable, the Witches, Wizards, Warlocks, Elves and Humans would be going to war with each other. Something needed to be done to keep the animals and their Protectors safe. The Protectors were little beings, about knee-high to a fully-grown human male. They were always the hardest hit when a war broke out. Not many of Terras’ other residents cared what happened to them, to most of them the Protectors were little more than a nuisance, but there were few who could remember the old days when all the beings lived and worked in harmony.

 

Ashadern was one of the few, he was a unique man. At his age he still remembered the storied his grandparents told about the first ship and how many years ago, there were cross breeds of all kinds. Now anyone admitting to be a cross was killed, his own mother and father died not too long ago in the village of Timma for looking the way they did. Ashadern was one of the lucky few, he looked more human then others, and no one knew in this village what he really was.

 

He had fled Timma when he saw his parents taken to the village square, with only the clothes on his back. The young man he was ran. When he could no longer run any more he would hide amongst the grasses and shrubs to sleep, once rested he would get up and do it all again. Whenever anyone got close to working out what he was, he moved onto the next village, his aimless wondering has been a part of his life for more summers then he cared to count. The man he was now was growing tired of moving, he longed to make friends. Someone he could share all his secrets with, someone who would accept him for who and what he was.

The sun had dipped below the horizon and the scent of the scorched earth was now much stronger as the darkness tried to cool the ground, somewhere an owl hooted. Its hunting cry beautiful in the night, the crickets stopped their chirping at its call. Now the only sound was the owl calling to the night, the gentle rustle of the wind as it danced through the trees.

 

Ashadern had watched the sunset from the wooden bench next to the front door, his mind had taken in all the sights and smells of the day turned night. Not often did he get the chance to enjoy a sunset in its entirety, so whenever he got the chance Ashadern never passed it over. He stood and stretched making all his joints pop, with a slight smile on his full lips Ashadern turned to walk into his borrowed home. The owners wanted to go see some relatives in the next village and were worried about leaving their home unoccupied when he had stumbled to their doorstep. He had asked them to stay for a while to rest up before continuing his journey; they looked at this as a sign and asked him to watch the house for seven settings of the sun. He had willingly agreed, as he had desperately needed the rest that only a good clean bed could provide him. They left him in the house the next sun up, Ashadern had now been here for the seven suns. On the morrow, they would be home and he would be once more on his feet, not that Ashadern minded now he had rested.

 

Reaching the lounge Ashadern packed all his belongings into his satchel, it was a meagre collection of clothes and the two little figurines of his parents that he had made himself. There was also his sleeping mat and blanket, some dried food and some coins for when his stories were not enough for a room and food. He placed the pack by the door and stretched out onto the couch in front of the dead fireplace. Soon he would have to get up again and clean but for now, all he wanted to do was rest, so Ashadern closed his eyes and let the blissful slumber take him where it may.

 

The sun was high when Ashadern finally opened his eyes, he sat up so quickly that his head swam and his vision blurred. The dream had been vivid, the sights, sounds and smells. As if he was really in that place at that time, he rubbed his eyes; it was time to talk to the elves. The high Elven should be able to help with the dreams; he was a master at walking the dream path. Ashadern stood and started to clean the house, the owners would be back soon. The cleaning took him a hand span to complete, there was not much to be done, but Ashadern thought if it were his own home he entrusted to a stranger he would want it to be spotless when he got back.

 

He shouldered his pack and walked out the door, he had perfect timing, as the owners were walking up the dirt lane towards the house. He waved at them and walked into the forest, Ashadern did not wish to speak with them so he walked as fast as he could, moving much deeper into the forest. Soon the birds started singing again and Ashadern slowed his pace, he had nothing to gain wearing himself out so quickly. A shallow stream crossed his path and Ashadern thought it would be a good time to stop and take a drink.

 

He took out his water-skin and filled it to overflowing before he put the stopper back in, he tied it to his belt before kneeling at the bank, he cupped his hands and drank until he felt ill. A twig snapped and Ashadern stood, in one quick motion he scanned the forest with his eyes until he spotted the male high in the tree. His features were pointed; he also wore a camouflage of greens and browns to blend in with the forest perfectly; if Ashadern was not part elf himself he would never have spotted the scout.

 

Ashadern turned slightly to face the elf fully and resting his right fist on his chest bowed deeply. The elves eyes sharpened slightly as he returned the gesture before jumping from the branch to land lightly in front of Ashadern.

 

“What brings a half-breed into our forest, I thought they had all been killed by now.” The elf sneered.

 

 

“I wish to talk to the high elves of this forest if you please.” Ashadern replied showing no emotion at having been called a half-breed. “I would like to ask permission to continue on my wanderings.”

 

“You wish an audience half-breed?” The elf stiffened, he was not used to politeness. “What makes you think they would grant one such as you an audience?”

 

“I am sure they would, as I am being on my best behaviour. Plus it is out of consideration to them I request one, my lord elf.”

 

The elf considered Ashadern for a moment before nodding. He turned away and leaped lightly into the trees. Ashadern followed leaving a polite distance between them, they raced across the trees for two hand spans before the elf stopped and turned to look at Ashadern.

 

“You will have to be blindfolded from here half-breed.” He pulled out a length of cloth and approached Ashadern, who bowed again and after straightening his back stood still and waited for the elf to finish. “Put your hand on my shoulder and I will not lead you astray.”

 

Ashadern did as told feeling extremely vulnerable; it was dark under the trees so he did not have the warmth of the sun to tell him what direction they were headed. To Ashadern it felt like they had been walking for three hand spans, he was growing tired but did not let his guide see how fatigued he really was.

 

“We are here half-breed, you can let go and remove your blindfold.” Ashadern did as instructed and went to hand the cloth back to the elf. “Keep it half-breed, I don’t wish to keep anything you have soiled. Now if you will excuse me I need to burn my shirt.” He bowed and walked away leaving Ashadern standing in front of a massive tree. It looked like the stairs leading up into the branches were grown from the tree, he studied them closely, and was correct, the tree had grown them from itself.

 

“Quite the sight, is it not?” A voice sounded from behind him, Ashadern turned and looked at the elderly elf. He had long silver hair, but as the elven ways, there was no hair on his face. The older elf was still beautiful, his face still smooth and free of the wrinkles and liver spots a human would get. Ashadern bowed to him deeper than he did the other elf, and as a further sign of respect kept his eyes lowered when he straightened.

 

“You are polite for one who has never been to our Arèla before; may I ask your name Lord?”

 

“Ashadern my Lord, it is my pleasure to meet you.” Ashadern replied keeping his eyes on the elf’s bare feet, listening to the hitch in the elf’s breath as he mentioned his name.

 

 

“The pleasure is mine my Lord Ashadern, I am Lord Lüno, and if you would follow me you are expected.”

 

Ashadern followed Lüno up the tree-stairs twisting around the trunk of the ancient tree. He had time to calm the anger he felt towards the rude elf that led him here. So what if he was a half-breed, he was many other things also, none that he would care to discuss with the elves here. They would kill him if they ever found out he was a mix of human, elf, wizard and a protector. He was one of a kind; nobody he had come across had had a mix of all the races running through their veins. It was a death sentence if anyone found out, and if Ashadern did not speak and act with caution here, it could be the last place he would ever see.

 

“Lord Ashadern, we have arrived.” The elder elf informed him pulling Ashadern out of his musings. “I do not need to remind you to remember your manners, as yours have been polished brightly.”

 

“Thank you Lord Lüno,” Ashadern bowed deeply, “May your mind stay sharp.”

 

“May your arm stay strong, my new friend.” Lüno replied bowing in return.

 

Ashadern walked under the archway marvelling at the perfect engravings along its wood, not a piece had gone to waste. All over the arch were vines, leaves and elves. Ashadern thought that even if he was given the rest of his life to examine the archway he still would not find every picture it contained. Squaring his shoulders Ashadern walked into the tree with his eyes downcast once more, he stopped halfway into the huge room and bowed to the thrones still a good distance from him.

 

“Ashadern, come forward child, I wish to see you in the light.” Said one of the most beautiful female voices he had ever heard. Ashadern did as he was instructed; he walked forward until the leg of the throne came into his vision. “Look at us Ashadern.”

 

Ashadern raised his head, before him sat two stunning elves, the male was on the right and the female on the left. Their hair was as beautiful as spun gold, long and flowing, their faces pointed like all their kind. Eyes of the lightest blue one would think they were iridescent, that shone with so much knowledge it was breathtaking. The male elf looked so much like the female at his side that Ashadern wondered if they were siblings. Clarity came to him then and remembering his manners he looked down once more.

 

“Well done Ashadern, there are not many men or elves that can look away from my sister once they behold her beauty,” said the male sitting on the right acknowledging what Ashadern suspected of their relationship. “What brings you before us this day?”

 

“I have come before you my Lord and Lady, to ask permission to pass through this forest unhindered as I continue my wanderings.”

 

“Where are your wanderings taking you Ashadern? For you have been walking far and wide, I have heard whisperings of you.” Said the Lady, Ashadern heard her sharp nails tapping on the wooden arm of her throne.

 

“I go wherever my feet take me Lady, at the moment I have not thought passed going to the next village.”

 

“Hmm, well brother what say you?”

 

“I say let the half-breed pass and think no more of him, for it will only bring us trouble the longer this volatile creature stays here.” Ashadern fought to keep his hands from becoming fists, again with the insults when he had done nothing to deserve such treatment.

 

“Yes, I agree brother, let Ashadern pass, unmolested. Lenè; let it be known what we have said, Ashadern you may pass through our lands. But remember the world is moving into disorder and you shall be needed, go in peace Ashadern.”

 

He bowed again and backed out of the room, once he hit the archway Ashadern straightened and turned walking the rest of the way out of the hall. He was angry; Ashadern could feel his annoyance and hurt bouncing off him in small waves.

 

“Forgive the children Lord Ashadern; some of us still remember you from the old days, but the children do not believe in the old tales any longer. It is such a shame, we would learn so much if we paid closer attention to history.”

 

“History is important lord Lüno, more important than these children will ever know. The girl in there, what was her name again, Ah Lenè, do they not care that they said her name to a stranger without her permission? Do they care that my name was used without my permission?”

 

“No Lord, they care little for the girl, apparently her family are well below the Lord and Ladies status line. As for you, you are part human Lord so they will hold that against you no matter who you are.”

 

“Lord Lüno these times we are in now are trying, and for them to be so…” He started walking down the stairs, anger is not something he felt often, but he was feeling it now. He could hear Lüno struggling behind so he slowed his angry walk to amble along next to the aging elf. “They are rude Lord Lüno, and rudeness when it is intentional is something I frown upon.”

 

“If the true king would take the throne all of the elves would have to obey his orders Lord Ashadern.”

 

“The true king does not want the throne Lord Lüno, you know that as well as I. He does not want to be bothered with the politics any longer.” Ashadern and Lüno reached the bottom landing and bowed to one another straightening before the elf Ashadern met in the forest came into view.

 

“Please remember Lord that some still remember the old stories and believe them.” With those parting words, Lüno walked away.

 

“Turn around half-breed; I need to blind fold you once more.”

 

“Wrong Lord elf, I was given permission to continue my journey unmolested, so point me the way out, my good elf and I will leave your city at once.” Ashadern replied looking straight at the elf.

 

“You cannot!” the elf yelled, “You must be blindfolded.”

 

“Lord, he is allowed to continue with no blindfold.” Said a voice directly behind Ashadern, “The Lord and Lady stated what he said.”

 

The young elf stormed off as Ashadern turned to face Lenè. She smiled at him sweetly and bowed; as she straightened, she kept her eyes lowered. “Lord if you would follow me I shall lead you to the path that will take you to the next human village.”

 

“I thank you Lady, please lead the way.”

 

Lenè turned on her heel and started walking, Ashadern had no trouble keeping up her pace; although she was nearly as tall as he was her strides were hurried. Being someone who was used to being on the road the pace was no more then an idle stroll through a beautiful town.

 

“Lord I was just wondering about the outside world, what is it like out there? …If you do not mind my asking.”

 

“Dangerous Lady, there are wild animals like the wolf or bear that will attack you if they are hungry enough. The humans are ruthless when it comes to someone who is not like them, there will be a war Lady, it is best if you remain here where you are safe.”

 

“If there is to be a war Lord then none of us will ever be safe, elves and human alike.”

 

“You’re forgetting the Protectors, Wizards and Warlocks.” Ashadern retorted.

 

“And you Lord are forgetting the Witches.”

 

“Yes very true, but their magic is the same as the Warlocks, it is just gender that determines what name they are called.”

 

“I did not know that Lord, I always thought of them as separate.”

 

“Most do Lady, but I have been out in the world and have spoken to many beings of all shapes and sizes. If it helps, they themselves think they are different.”

 

“I can see where they would start thinking that, one group male one female. It would be an easy mistake to make.”

 

“The funny thing is that the men will only take a witch as a wife for the most part. The men think human women are inferior for some reason.”

 

“Not just the women but the men also Lord, they have nothing that will attract-.” Ashadern stopped and looked at her for the longest time, once she realised he was no longer walking with her she stopped and turned around making her way back to where he was waiting. “Lord is there something the matter?”

 

“Yes there is, I will make my own way from here Lady.” Ashadern tried to pull in his anger so through clenched teeth he stated, “Next time Lady, think before you open your mouth, most of the humans I have met are more civil then the elves, not to mention that I am also part human. Before I leave I will let you know this Lady, most Humans, Witches, Warlocks, wizards and protectors think the elves are too haughty for their tastes. They say the elves think way too much of themselves, and being a ‘half-breed’ I have to agree, elves DO think too much of themselves.”

 

Ashadern walked away the last of his patience had faded, he wondered if one more word would have him saying something he would likely regret later.