Linked

Chapter XII

The queen had the group sit down at a table. After looking at it, Loci noticed it was actually the stump of an incredibly large tree, with smaller tree trunks carved into seats around it. They all sat down, and the queen lightly waved her hand. Immediately, elves arrived with food and drinks.

"So, I imagine both of you will begin your training post-haste." said the queen. Loci looked at Asmara, as if for confirmation.

"I assume we will, your maj--" He cut himself off when he realized that he had made a mistake, a horrified look on his face. She laughed.

"Oh, don't look so distraught,  yungï. Everyone makes that mistake when they arrive here and meet me for the first time. Ophelis-rena is the term you're looking for."

"Thank you, Ophelis-rena, and excuse me," said Loci shyly. She took a sip from her drink and turned to Asmara.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I would have prepared a huge welcoming party for you."

"To be honest, after everything that happened I decided to rush here as fast as I could. It didn't go through my mind to send a letter. I'm sorry, Ophelis." said Asmara shyly. "But yes, we will be starting as soon as possible. But first, these two need proper weapons. And also a place to stay."

"Oh, they already have a place to stay. They're staying in the Süren hold," said Ophelis with a smile.

"Right."

"For the weapons, on the other hand, that's going to be a bit difficult." She slumped back in her chair, passing her hand across her face. "Sombra-el has made a vow to never make a weapon again."

Loci sat up. "Who's Sombra-el?"

"He's one of the elders in the city -- hence the suffix," said Asmara. "And he's the only magicsmith left in the forest. All the others would be weeks of traveling away, even by dragon." She turned to Ophelis. "Is he still in the city?"

Ophelis nodded. "He lives on top of the hill that looks over Lake Huron. He barely speaks to anyone and mostly keeps to himself."

"I'll go talk to him," said Asmara, standing up.

"Wait," said Loci. "Can I go? I'm very persuasive."

"That's not a good idea." Ophelis stood up. "Sombra-el dislikes humans."

"I think Loci should still go," said Roben. "If one of you go, he'll either agree because he has to or because Asmara will end up pressuring him into agreeing, and he won't be happy. Loci will get him to agree on his own, so he can do his work willingly."

Asmara and Ophelis paused. "You're right," said Ophelis. "Go, Loci. His house is a bit further north."

Loci bowed slightly, remembering to do the hand sign. He then walked out and headed north. After walking for a bit, he found the hill with a single house resting upon it. He climbed the hill and stopped right in front of the door. He then took a deep breath and knocked. After a moment, the door opened and a tall elf stood before Loci, his long hair white as freshly fallen snow. His face was somber, with the lines of a middle-aged man on his face. He didn't look a day over fifty. His deep eyes bore into Loci, who firmly stood his ground.

"Sombra-eldis, I humbly ask to speak with you," said Loci, bowing and gesturing his hand on his chest in respect.

After scanning Loci for a quick second, Sombra said something in elvish and moved to close the door. Loci clearly didn't understand him.

"I don't speak to humans," he repeated in his language before slamming his door. Loci straightened himself. He would not give up.

"I'm not just any human," he said. "I'm a Link."