Elven King

CHAPTER TEN

"Milina, let us hurry before we attract unwanted notice; Spare this young one," Kallian urged, anxiously glancing at his companion. The entire city was on high alert due to the shattered barrier, and he wanted to avoid any association with the unfamiliar youngster. However, the elven woman was unmoved. 

"Hush! By the gods, we mustn't act like savages; you're frightening the poor soul."   

Despite Kallian's reprimand, Milina persisted, choosing to disregard her partner's concerns. With caution, she extended her hand once more, gently placing it on the boy's head. Her magic flowed, offering a soothing presence to the young one. However, she instantly sensed an array of emotions emanating from the boy, with fear being the most intense.

 Casden flinched and attempted to resist her touch, but her hand remained steadfast, unmoving.As Casden withdrew further into himself, a glimmer of calmness began to seep in. He felt a sense of safety, as if a comforting warmth was spreading throughout his body. Unbeknownst to him, this warmth originated from the woman's hand resting gently on his head. He remained unaware of the source, but the sensation provided him with a momentary respite.

As the soothing melody played in Casden's head, he felt a surge of curiosity and wonder. Milina's hand emitted a radiant glow as her magical abilities delved into his thoughts, searching for his unfamiliar language. Once she discovered it, she absorbed it into her own learning, eager to understand the young boy's unique way of communication. Milina attempted to engage with Casden by soothing his spirit with the melodic tones of her own language. Sensing his confusion, she decided to share fragments of her knowledge of Thelinora, intertwining it with his thoughts, hoping to bring clarity and understanding to his bewildered state.

"Do you comprehend my words?

 A soft murmur echoed in Casden's mind, causing his eyes to snap open in astonishment. He met the captivating gaze of the enchanting figure with pale gray eyes. The shock rendered him speechless, and all he could manage was a quivering nod. The elf lady's smile radiates warmth, intensifying the connection he had felt earlier. Milina smiled, observing that the young one's anxiety had subsided. She attempted to delve into his thoughts to discover his place of origin, but was taken aback by the overwhelming darkness she encountered. The depths of his mind were shrouded in an ominous gloom, indicating something terribly amiss.

"I must advise against your presence, fair one."

In the depths of Casden's mind, a dark and enchanting voice whispered, proclaiming Milina as an unwelcome guest. The sheer power that resided within her elven song frightened beyond measure.

 "Leave immediately, fair one, for the one who owns this realm still slumbers. It is not yet time for him to awaken."

 the voice commanded. Like a gentle push, Milina's magic was forcefully expelled from the depths of Casden's mind, causing her to stumble as the recoil was unexpectedly strong.Casden gazed at the elf with calm eyes, feeling the lingering effects of the melodic song that had played in his head. The soothing melody resonated throughout his mind, replacing the previous turmoil with a sense of tranquility.

 The fear-like atmosphere that once enveloped him had dissipated, leaving behind a wave of weariness. Milina, observing the newfound calmness on Casden's face, gently wrapped her white robe around him, urging him to stand on his unsteady feet.Casden obediently followed Milina towards the end of the pair, his eyes widening in utter amazement as he watched a ship gracefully sail on water that seemed to flow from the ground, ascending into the air. The waterway led up to a magnificent city floating in the sky. As the ship docked just steps away from them, Milina urged Casden to board, offering her support to ensure his safe passage.

Casden's weary and tired body could no longer resist the pull of sleep, especially as the boat continued its journey above the clouds. Despite his efforts to stay awake and marvel at the sights, the gentle sway and rocking motion of the boat lulled him into a peaceful slumber. As he succumbed to the tranquility, his body finally surrendered to the overwhelming shock of his situation, and he found himself being pulled into a deep and vivid dream.In Casden's recurring dream, he found himself once again face-to-face with an ethereal creature, an enchanting elf who left him breathless.

 It was impossible to put into words the beauty of the man who stood before him, his muscular physique tense and captivating. The elf moved gracefully through a grand room, speaking in a language that Casden somehow recognized as elvish. As he listened intently to the elf's words, a voice from deep within him whispered.

"Yes, he is yours." 

But Casden chose to ignore it, captivated by the presence of this exotic and incredibly handsome being. In this mysterious realm, Casden felt a strong desire to stay, never wanting to leave this enchanting encounter.As Casden gracefully moved around the grand room, he realized that his feet didn't touch the white marble floors. His body seemed to float effortlessly, adding to the surreal nature of the dream. He yearned to get closer to the elf, to observe him in more detail. However, a nagging thought crossed his mind—what if the elf sensed his presence? But then, a reassuring voice echoed within his mind.

"It is not a dream, my son, but I assure you he cannot sense you." 

This voice provided a comforting assurance that Casden's presence remained hidden from the captivating elf.As Casden continued to explore the great room, he noticed the presence of five white-haired elders seated on the upper level. Their presence intrigued him, and he couldn't help but wonder what wisdom they held. Suddenly, his attention was drawn to the burst of the door on his left. In the doorway stood a figure, initially appearing as a boy, but upon closer inspection, Casden realized it was actually a man—a remarkably beautiful man.

 His skin resembled the purity of freshly fallen snow, and his long, colorful hair added a touch of enchantment to his appearance. Casden couldn't help but notice the smallness of the man's face, with lips as red as the cherries his mama used to give him on special occasions. The man's presence seemed to radiate an aura of intrigue and mystery, capturing Casden's attention.