Diplomatic Mission To Valaquendë

Three nights later your growing entourage begins to approach the largely elven populated large city of Valaquendë, The entire city is vaulted and cantilevered up into the branches of the trees. The decks of the city appeared to be made of solid granite, though how they manage to suspend myriad tons of granite into the air is beyond your understanding.

However, between the ground and the bottom deck of the city the monolithic pillars of granite erupt from the ground as if they are trees made of stone. They are simply attached to the bottom of the city. In addition, there were majikal runes etched into all the surfaces of granite. Even the trees had runes etched into their bark, which is probably what helped keep the trees alive and growing. The elves were legendary gardeners, and able to cultivate what other races and species may think is impossible.

The pillars of granite and majikal runes suspended the city a little over a hundred feet into the air. This circumvented the need of city walls and moats for defense.

The granite decks and buildings of Valaquendë formed a labyrinth that helped allow sunlight to travel to the forest floor. A few of the runes at the bottom seemed to have emitted a portion of the solar radiation down to the forest's floor. This is what allowed plant life and animals to continue to grow. Though the entire area is cast in a seemingly perpetual twilight, with intermittent shafts of solar radiation.

Technically Valaquendë is a neighboring kingdom of Hossener. Hossener is a neighboring kingdom of Thule {your home}. However, in effect Valaquendë are indeed neighbors, because a caravan takes less than half a fortnight to traverse Hossener territory and enter either Thule, or Valaquendë.

Valaquendë is much older than your kingdom. The architectural marvel of myriads of tons of granite, which form the walkways, buildings, and roads suspended in the air is amazing.

The previous elven settlement you passed, Valinúe was a part of your elven duchy back in Thule, and other species and races other than humans tend to flock to the duchy to escape persecution. Of course your father went to great lengths to balance the equity of opportunity each citizen had regardless of their race or species.

Half the day has passed by the time you find the ‘gates’ into the city. The gates are two granite spiral staircases with three large floating discs in the center. The discs glow with majik and the runes etched into them. You notice them alternate between lifting citizens of their kingdom and cargo. Of course one of the elven wardens at the bottom tells you that there is another larger set of discs further inland for larger cargo

Margaret and Elizabeth along with nine of her guards follow you up the ‘lifts’. You direct the only officer in the group left to find the other lifts and meet them at a well-known inn.

You find it startling as you realize everyone except Rachael was with you because of Elizabeth and indirectly Margaret. Indirectly because as a ****, she owned nothing. If the divine answers your prayers, Margaret will grow in a new direction. Thereby allowing you to return liberty to her; Even telling Elizabeth, let alone anyone else, of your plan for her sister is beyond your intent. It can only cause mischief on Margaret’s part.

While Lord Richard was unwilling to provide troops for your cause, he absolutely wanted to protect both of his daughters. Even though he publicly renounced Margaret… Thus you had both a handful of servants and soldiers to help move the handful of supplies that he saw fit to ‘give’ to his daughters.

“This city is more beautiful than I even imagined.” Elizabeth soft contralto timbre’s was almost as musical as an elf. You turned your head to smile at her and stand